The Hogwarts Express hissed softly as it released a long plume of white steam, standing still against the platform like a resting beast.
For most students, this moment carried a bittersweet weight. It was the end of term—a farewell wrapped in laughter and reluctance. Trunks scraped along the ground, owls hooted from their cages, and friends embraced tightly, exchanging promises to write letters over the summer.
But for Tamara, none of that sentiment existed.
To her, this was not a farewell—it was liberation.
Finally, she was escaping that castle full of fools… and that meddlesome old man who seemed to watch her every move like a paranoid hawk. Even the air, thick with coal smoke and iron, felt fresher than anything she had breathed within those stone walls.
Freedom.
To guarantee herself a peaceful journey, Tamara made what she considered an exceptionally rational decision.
She dumped her heavy suitcase—along with that increasingly unhinged black cat—into the luggage compartment without hesitation.
The creature had recently developed a disturbing habit of barking at empty air. Whether it was sensing something or simply losing its mind was irrelevant. Either way, she refused to tolerate it for several hours in a confined space.
With her burdens discarded, Tamara walked through the platform unencumbered, her steps light and deliberate.
She selected a compartment at the very rear of the train—isolated, inconspicuous, and, most importantly, empty.
Perfect.
Sliding the door shut behind her, she exhaled quietly and collapsed into the cushioned seat.
"Finally… silence."
From within her robe, she withdrew a thick notebook bound in black leather. Its surface was worn from frequent use, the edges slightly curled.
Inside were her research notes.
Her recent focus: the golden bloodline.
Though her findings were still preliminary, they were already fascinating. She had recorded the blood's reactions to various magical materials, its instability under certain conditions, and its startling efficiency in amplifying magical output.
To an ordinary wizard, such notes might be academic curiosity.
To Tamara, they were something far more significant.
Power.
The essence of immortality—once deciphered by Nicolas Flamel—now flowed through her veins. To leave such a treasure unstudied would be unforgivable.
Her quill tapped lightly against the page as her thoughts accelerated.
"If I introduce a drop of active blood as a stabilizer… during the brewing process of Polyjuice Potion… or perhaps a Flesh-Reshaping Potion…"
Her eyes sharpened.
The possibilities multiplied rapidly in her mind, branching into dangerous and exhilarating directions.
She began writing swiftly, capturing each idea before it vanished. Her summer plans were already forming—experiments, refinements, breakthroughs.
The orphanage basement would suffice as a temporary laboratory. With minor adjustments, it could become something… useful.
Her thoughts were just beginning to deepen—
Click.
The compartment door handle turned.
Her quill froze.
Her brows drew together instantly, irritation flashing across her face.
Who dares?
Before she could reach for her wand, the door slid open.
"Great! There's an empty seat here!"
The voice was bright, familiar… and deeply unwelcome.
Tamara didn't even need to look up.
Sure enough, Harry Potter stood in the doorway, his round glasses slightly askew, his expression annoyingly cheerful.
Behind him came Ron Weasley—clutching that oversized rat—and Hermione Granger, arms filled with books.
"Tamara! We knew you'd be here!" Harry said, stepping inside as if invited.
"We've been searching forever. Every other compartment is full!"
"Get out."
Tamara's voice was flat, cold, absolute.
Ron ignored it completely and plopped down across from her.
"Come on, don't be like that," he said casually. "We just went through an adventure together, didn't we?"
Hermione followed, sitting beside Tamara without hesitation.
"And I wanted to ask you about the holiday homework," she added eagerly. "Especially the Transfiguration essay—"
"Get out."
This time, Tamara closed her notebook with deliberate force. Her black eyes flickered with something far more dangerous than irritation.
"Or I will make you—"
[Ding! Detecting friends' enthusiasm!]
The system's notification cut through her thoughts with perfect, infuriating timing.
Her grip on her wand tightened.
[As Hogwarts' new hero, you should demonstrate appropriate tolerance and friendliness.]
[Mission: Train of Friendship]
[Requirement: Interact pleasantly with classmates. No expelling others, no jinxes, no passive aggression.]
[Reward: Love +1]
Tamara's expression twisted slightly.
"+1?" she thought with contempt. "What is this, charity?"
"Even without such a useless attribute, I can still dominate the world."
[Reminder: Current Love attribute — 19 points]
[Reach 20 points to unlock a new spell: Stupefy]
Her fingers stilled.
Stupefy.
A standard but highly effective dueling spell. Not forbidden—but undeniably useful.
Her current arsenal lacked efficiency. Levitation was weak. Petrificus Totalus required precision. Incendio was too destructive. The Knockback Jinx was unreliable.
She needed control. Immediate, decisive control.
Her jaw tightened.
"For power…" she muttered internally.
The killing curse that had nearly formed on her lips faded.
"…Fine."
She leaned back, withdrawing into her seat as if attempting to disappear entirely.
"Thank you!" Harry said brightly, dropping into the seat beside her—far too close for comfort.
The faint scent of soap drifted toward her. Clean. Warm. Irritating.
Ron and Hermione settled in, filling the space.
The compartment was no longer empty.
And the nightmare had only begun.
Barely five minutes passed before the door opened again.
"I knew Potter would come bothering you."
Draco Malfoy's voice drawled from the entrance.
He stepped in confidently, followed by Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle.
"This is a Slytherin compartment," Draco said, eyeing Ron with disdain. "Take your red-haired friend and leave."
"This is a public train," Ron snapped back. "And Tamara said we could stay!"
All eyes turned.
Tamara stared out the window, expression blank, refusing to acknowledge reality.
"…Since Tamara has no objection," Draco said stiffly, clearly unwilling to challenge her directly, "then we'll sit here too."
And just like that, more bodies crowded into the already cramped space.
Draco sat opposite her. Crabbe and Goyle squeezed in beside him. Pansy forced herself next to Hermione.
Eight people.
In a compartment meant for six.
But the chaos wasn't finished.
"Um… excuse me… has anyone seen a toad?"
A timid voice interrupted from the doorway.
Hannah Abbott peeked in nervously.
"My toad!" Neville Longbottom exclaimed, pushing inside. "Trevor!"
He spotted the creature and lunged forward, nearly knocking into everyone in the process.
Now there were even more.
Students from three houses packed into a single compartment.
Noise erupted instantly.
Harry and Ron argued over Chocolate Frog cards. Draco boasted loudly about expensive sweets. Hannah helped Neville retrieve his toad. Pansy complained about being cramped.
The air grew thick—filled with sugar, animal smells, and human heat.
Tamara sat motionless.
Her hand pressed flat against the table, knuckles whitening.
Her expression… smiled.
Barely.
A strained, unnatural curve of the lips that looked more painful than pleasant.
"Endure…" she told herself.
"For power."
"For spells."
"For control."
"Tamara, want to try these?"
Harry suddenly leaned closer, holding out a box.
"Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. Some are terrible, but it's fun!"
"Take it away," she said through her smile.
"I'm not hungry."
"Don't eat that rubbish," Draco cut in immediately, presenting an ornate golden box. "These are far superior."
"I don't—"
"Move! Scabbers is getting crushed!" Ron shouted.
"Your rat is on my shoe!" Pansy shrieked.
"Ribbit—!"
Neville's toad leapt suddenly—
And landed squarely on Tamara's knee.
A damp, unpleasant sensation spread across the fabric.
Silence.
For one brief, fragile moment.
Tamara looked down.
Then slowly raised her head.
Her gaze swept across the compartment.
The noise.
The crowd.
The chaos.
The sheer, unbearable stupidity of it all.
Something inside her trembled.
Then steadied.
At that moment, Tamara realized something profound.
World domination could wait.
Right now—
What she truly needed to decide…
Was whether she could resist the urge…
To destroy this entire train.
And if it exploded at this very moment—
She would, without hesitation,
Offer thanks to Merlin himself.
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