Federico, the elderly Death Eater clutching Voldemort's remnant soul, was consumed by panic. "Master?! What is happening?! Blast it all! I'll get you—"
But no matter how frantically Federico called out, Voldemort's remnant soul remained unresponsive. His mind was fixated on a single, horrifying realization: that idiot Lucas had unwittingly brought Tom's curse back to him!
The curse itself was neither complex nor terrifying. Tom had artfully concealed it within Lucas's memories, which was precisely why he hadn't detected it sooner.
Tom will make certain to delve into Lucas's memories! Damn it! It isn't him who's been cursed, but me! Although the curse was straightforward, the pathetically weak remnant soul was utterly incapable of breaking it. Even the item he had instructed Lucas to deliver to Tom was a cursed creation from his past. He no longer possessed such abilities.
All he could do was endure it, at least until these incompetent servants managed to find a solution! The only small mercy was that the curse wasn't fatal…
"Pfft… Splatter splatter splatter…"
The peculiar sound instantly overpowered the noises that filled the old mansion's living room. The previously flustered Federico froze, beads of cold sweat forming on his face. "Master… you… you have diarrhea?"
"Ah!!! I'll kill you!!!"
...
After the Quidditch World Cup, the young wizards, eagerly anticipating their return to Hogwarts aboard the Hogwarts Express, were noticeably still buzzing with excitement. The Bulgarian team had ultimately emerged victorious, fulfilling everyone's expectations.
On the train, Cassandra inquired about the aftermath of the green Dark Mark's appearance.
Tom, of course, was more than willing to share the tale; after all, sharing amusement was always a delightful experience.
"So, Professor, you cursed that man?" Cassandra's eyes sparkled with delight; she reveled in the thought of the man suffering for causing Tom trouble.
"It was merely a minor curse." Tom couldn't help but smile at the memory. Voldemort's remnant soul must be thrilled with the 'gift' I gave him.
"A minor curse?" Cassandra was puzzled as to why Tom hadn't simply cursed Voldemort's remnant soul to death. "Does it have a particular purpose?"
"Nothing significant, only to make his stomach a little… unsettled."
"..."
"It begins that way, gradually worsening until it achieves a special effect."
"Which is?"
"Well… merely a simultaneous stomachache and constipation. Both Muggles and wizards experience these ailments; I merely ensured he experiences both simultaneously, making it slightly more… intense than usual."
"..."
"What do you think? Am I not kind? He provoked me, and all I did was inflict this little curse."
"..."
Cassandra felt for the first time that her teacher truly deserved the title of 'Dark Lord.' That was… truly terrible.
...
Meanwhile, in another carriage on the train, Harry, having crossed paths with Cedric Diggory, continued to pester him about joining the Death Eaters, delaying his arrival in Tom's carriage.
Draco Malfoy, grumbling, followed. The three settled together, with Harry diligently explaining the perks of joining the Death Eaters to Cedric.
However, Cedric only nodded vaguely, muttering "uh… ah… um…" His gaze remained fixed elsewhere.
Harry paused, noticing Cedric's distracted state, and along with Malfoy, followed his fixed gaze.
A distinctly Asian girl was in line at the snack cart, purchasing treats.
What stood out was her striking beauty.
However, Harry and Malfoy had seen girls who were far more beautiful.
"..."
Harry frowned slightly. Cedric… could it be he'd rather spend his days in the garden than make a name for himself in the wizarding world? Wouldn't it be more alluring to rise to prominence, achieve greatness, and parade around leading a throng of Death Eaters? Beautiful women? The great Dark Lord's charm is unparalleled!
"This kid is still too young," Malfoy said quietly, patting Harry's shoulder gently.
Harry nodded in agreement.
"..."
Cedric, who had "accidentally" overheard, frowned. If he remembered correctly, he was older than both of them.
"Whatever, whatever," Harry shrugged indifferently, then asked curiously, "How far along have you two gotten?"
Upon hearing this, Malfoy flashed a knowing smile.
"Uh…"
Seeing Cedric's expression, Harry and Malfoy exchanged a look.
Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "You've asked her to dinner, haven't you?"
Hearing this, Cedric breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, I have."
"Then why didn't you seize the opportunity to confess?!" Malfoy dared to accept the Ginny Weasley's invitation beneath the moonlight, and even Harry dared to knock on Little Red Riding Hood's door. You, Cedric, asked her out and didn't even dare to confess?!"
However, upon hearing this, Cedric immediately became agitated. "I did! But…"
"She rejected me." Cedric appeared dejected.
"What? Is she a lesbian?"
"..."
Harry glared at Malfoy, then turned to Cedric. "She has someone she likes?"
"Yes, that's what she told me."
"Who is it?"
"She said that person has very beautiful turquoise eyes."
Hearing this, Harry was immediately stunned. "It can't be me, can it?!"
"Scarhead, are you dreaming?!" Malfoy panicked. It wasn't important that no girl liked him, but it was absolutely unacceptable for any girl to like his best friend!
Cedric couldn't help but chuckle. "Uh… it's definitely not Harry."
"..."
"Then you're out of luck."
Cedric paused, taken aback. "I haven't even said who it is yet."
"I know without you saying." Malfoy said calmly. "You have absolutely no chance."
Cedric was immediately overwhelmed with despair. He understood Malfoy's meaning. "Am I just supposed to watch her end up in someone else's arms?"
"No, she has no chance either."
Malfoy's words were clearly unexpected by Cedric.
"Huh?"
---