Tom Marvolo Riddle.
A name.
A name she had never heard of before.
A Prefect.
A student that almost everyone likes.
And he is the real murderer.
He's the one who opened the Chamber of Secrets, released the monster, killed Moaning Myrtle, and perfectly framed Hagrid.
Hagrid is innocent.
Tom Riddle is the real devil.
These two pieces of information scorched Hermione's nerves, as if her brain had been completely overwhelmed by these two torrents of information.
All logic became pale and powerless at this moment, leaving only suffocating shock and... fear.
If Hagrid is innocent, it means the truth from fifty years ago has been completely covered up.
An innocent person has borne the infamy and stain for fifty years.
The real murderer, Tom Riddle, went unpunished and disappeared into the dustbin of history.
what does that mean?
This means that behind the tragedy fifty years ago, there was a deeper and darker conspiracy and lies hidden.
Hermione's thoughts were like wild horses, galloping wildly across the wasteland of shock and fear.
"A brilliant conspiracy, isn't it, Miss Granger?"
Draco said, his tone conveying only an objective assessment.
Before Hermione could answer, Draco abruptly changed the subject.
"Now you know who the murderer was fifty years ago, Miss Granger."
"But..."
Have you ever wondered what happened to the murderer?
Identity? Current identity?
Hermione's brain, which had nearly stalled due to information overload, started working again after being stimulated by Malfoy's question.
Yes... Tom Marvolo Riddle.
Students of Hogwarts fifty years ago.
Where is a man who could commit such a crime fifty years ago and hide it so perfectly?
But why did Malfoy ask that?
Why use this tone?
Why specifically emphasize "current identity"?
A chilling, bone-deep coldness, like a venomous snake, slowly crept up Hermione's spine.
She suddenly raised her head.
"What... what do you mean? Tom Riddle, is he... is he still...?"
She didn't continue, nor did she dare to.
That possibility was terrifying, so terrifying that just the thought sent chills down her spine, as if she had fallen into an ice cave.
"Think about it, Miss Granger," Draco coaxed.
"A person who could commit such a crime fifty years ago, at Hogwarts, right under Dumbledore's nose, and successfully frame someone else to get away unscathed..."
"Would he be content to disappear into obscurity after committing such a 'masterpiece,' becoming an unknown, ordinary wizard?"
He used a rhetorical question to guide Hermione's thoughts step by step toward that more unsettling possibility.
"So, back to our original question, Miss Granger."
"Do you know what Tom Riddle's true identity is now?"
Despite the immense temptation, Hermione couldn't help but ask, "What is his identity now?"
"That's another matter, Miss Granger."
Those four simple words severed Hermione's connection to fear and curiosity.
She blinked blankly, seemingly unable to grasp the meaning of Malfoy's words for a moment.
Other problems? What do you mean? What does "other problems" mean?
"Our previous agreement was that I would grant you one request: you could ask me questions or I could do anything."
Draco explained.
"So far, I have fulfilled my part, Miss Granger."
He slightly spread his hands.
"I've already told you the truth."
"And now, the question of Tom Riddle's identity is entirely new and independent information."
"You...!" Hermione's voice became sharper, filled with the shame and indignation of being toyed with.
"You're going back on your word! You just clearly..."
"What did I just say?" Draco interrupted her.
"I've answered your question, haven't I, Miss Granger?"
This left Hermione speechless for a moment.
Hermione wanted to shout a rebuttal, to angrily berate this cunning and treacherous Malfoy!
But all she could do was rage helplessly, staring intently at Malfoy.
Draco completely ignored Hermione's furious glare, which seemed to be spitting fire.
He even flashed a fleeting smile.
Draco continued.
"So, Miss Granger, if you'd like to know more about Tom Riddle's later story, about his current 'identity'..."
Draco offered his final price.
"Then," you'll have to let me owe you another 'condition'."
Hermione's breath caught in her throat the moment she heard those words.
One more condition is needed?
Undisguised extortion!
Draco continued to elaborate on the advantages of this condition in a persuasive tone:
"That way you can let me continue to do certain things for you, or answer certain... questions of yours."
Hermione, faced with this new choice, felt an unprecedented sense of humiliation at being manipulated like a puppet.
She has just learned a horrific truth about what happened fifty years ago.
It also hinted at a dark secret about Tom Riddle.
Now, the key to this secret is right in front of her, within reach, yet it comes with an even heavier price tag.
Should Draco owe another condition?
What should she do? Cry again?
She shook her head violently; it was already embarrassing enough that Malfoy had seen her swollen eyes...