Daring to pull something like this in their first year—they really had guts.
Fred tore open a packet of Chocolate Frogs and took a bite. "We know the secret passage you want."
"Safe, reliable, convenient, with a first-rate experience," George added.
"Where is it?"
"We want to know something first," George said.
"What?"
"How did you get along so well in Slytherin?"
Tom leaned back in his chair. "That's what you want to know?"
"Yes." Fred set down his Chocolate Frog. "You're Muggle-born. How did you manage it?"
Tom thought for a moment. "Malfoy tried to provoke me to raise his own status. I dealt with him and hung him on the wall."
Fred's mouth fell slightly open. "Hung him on the wall?"
"Yes. Strung him up in front of everyone."
George whistled. "And then?"
"Then he behaved himself, and everyone else did too. In Slytherin, you don't need everyone to like you. You only need everyone to fear you."
Fred stared at him for two seconds. "Were you a Gryffindor in your last life or something?"
"The Sorting Hat thought so too, but it still sorted me into Slytherin."
George laughed. "Then you're an unofficial Gryffindor member."
"Fine. Unofficial it is."
"Riddle, you're incredible." George looked utterly impressed, while Fred nodded frantically beside him.
"Can you tell me about the passage now?" Tom had little interest in the praise. He only wanted the route as soon as possible so he could take a look around the Forbidden Forest and return to sleep.
"On the west side of the main building, on the third floor, there's a statue of a hunchbacked witch. Turn its hand toward its chest."
"The statue will open up. There's a slide inside. Go all the way down, and the exit is in a barn near