Just because someone isn't a lesbian doesn't automatically make them straight. And aside from dear Harry, who else at Hogwarts boasts emerald eyes? The question barely warrants an answer!
Harry and his cronies weren't surprised that the girls had a crush on their resident "Mr. Tom Riddle." After all, he was a top-tier, devastatingly handsome bloke whose looks eclipsed any mere mortal; his wealth, status, and power all reached a dizzying apex. Add to that his youthful vigor, barely a few years their senior, and you had the perfect concoction of elegance and raw power. Any girl feigning disinterest in Tom Riddle was simply deluding herself.
Besides, these young witches were at that tender age, just beginning to dip their toes into the turbulent waters of romance. Tom Riddle, akin to a "real-life cardboard cutout husband," was the epitome of their pathetic fantasies. Harry wagered that practically every girl in the school, save for maybe Professor McGonagall, harbored at least a flicker of interest in Tom Riddle.
And let's not forget the smattering of boys equally smitten, albeit too fearful to voice their affections lest they be "invited to gossip." According to Hermione Granger's intel, the number of fledgling "puppy love" relationships at Hogwarts had plummeted since Tom Riddle's arrival. Some, driven by sheer hormonal overdrive, might still stumble into the arms of a classmate, but that niche represented a pitifully small percentage according to Hermione Granger's data.
Moreover, that percentage continued to dwindle, the school's "breakup rate" skyrocketing after Tom Riddle's first year! Harry had lost count of how many times he'd heard, "Sorry, I don't want Professor Tom Riddle to misunderstand." It seemed their Dark Lord wielded influence reaching even the deepest corners of the heart.
But what could anyone do? Malfoy was right, and Harry wholeheartedly agreed: resistance was futile for everyone. Trying to win against Tom Riddle in the romantic arena was no easier than trying to defeat him in a duel. And winning Tom Riddle's heart? Even harder than becoming the Death Eaters' second-in-command! Hadn't they witnessed Cassandra Volle, whose status rivaled Harry's, continually banging her head against a wall for Tom Riddle's attention?
As for whether Tom Riddle would ever be swayed by a girl, Harry wasn't so sure, but upon closer inspection, it was indeed a possibility. Tom Riddle possessed feelings, Harry was certain; otherwise, he wouldn't be so committed to this "sinful man." At least, that's what I tell myself to justify my devotion.
Even so, Harry reckoned Cassandra Volle or Nagini stood a better chance. Tom Riddle's treatment of them was undeniably special. As for the others… Let's face it: Hermione Granger hadn't even cracked the code to best those two. So what hope does anyone have when the great master doesn't even remember your name?
"…"
Harry and Malfoy exchanged glances. Those two were undoubtedly the smartest! This version of the "love game" was a complete and utter failure! No blokes to court, no witches to woo, and the only person of interest remained agonizingly out of reach.
Hmm…wait a minute, perhaps there were "versions of the answer" still in play. It seemed "twilight romances" or "brotherly bonds" like those between Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald were immune to the "succubus" prison.
Upon this realization, Harry and Malfoy fell into a stunned silence. "…"
"Uh…what's wrong with you two?" Seeing their peculiar silence, Cedric Diggory grew uneasy.
Malfoy stared intently at Cedric Diggory and then said, "Why don't you just find a guy?"
"…"
Silence blanketed the compartment once again.
...
As the Hogwarts Express chugged towards the station, Harry, Cedric Diggory, and Malfoy continued to idly converse. Their initial discussion of "Cedric Diggory's love life" had morphed into a strategic planning session on "how to win over Professor Tom Riddle."
After much heated deliberation, they arrived at the "simplest" solution: defeat him and force yourself upon him.
"…"
The trio fell silent yet again.
There was no easy solution. A slow burn of developing feelings wasn't impossible, but without a serious breakthrough, it would continue to be very difficult. Perhaps defeating him and proving oneself an equal was the most direct and effective means.
"…"
Sensing the oppressive silence, Cedric Diggory offered a strained laugh. "Hey, why are we even concerning ourselves with Professor Tom Riddle's romantic life? Maybe he'll suddenly find himself entangled with some random girl by accident."
"Yeah, hahaha."
"Uh, hehehe…"
Their laughter echoed within the compartment, tinged with a palpable bitterness. Was this how it felt, all of those lonely bachelors to consider whether a succubus could find a partner? Of course, they had no such intention, but for some reason, the more they chuckled, the more they felt like crying.
Thankfully, the train finally shuddered to a halt at its destination.
...
Great Hall (Hogwarts).
As expected, a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor had arrived this semester.
Mad-Eye Moody, a seasoned and tenacious Auror. Throughout his career, he had hurled countless dark wizards into the grim depths of Azkaban, accruing a collection of battle scars, including his infamous demonic eye and a clunky wooden prosthetic leg.
Now retired, the echoes of his Auror days lingered, bordering on crippling. His vigilance against the dark arts had metastasized into a somewhat cumbersome "paranoia."
Even Severus Snape and the other professors were surprised Albus Dumbledore had chosen Moody as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. His skills were there, but his personality….questionable.
Yet, as an immensely experienced Auror, his knowledge of defense against the dark arts was beyond reproach, making him more than qualified for the position!
The truth was, Albus Dumbledore hunted down Moody because he was running out of options. A qualified and fearless defense against the Dark Arts professor was an increasingly rare commodity.
But what Albus Dumbledore didn't know was that this "Moody" was Barty Crouch Jr., a loyal Death Eater, cleverly impersonated by the Socket Spirit.
And what the Socket Spirit didn't expect was that, while Barty Crouch Jr. was certainly a devoted Death Eater, his loyalty belonged to another Voldemort.
It was a tower of devoted but ultimately failed minions, and Tom Riddle was standing on the top
When Tom Riddle laid eyes on "Moody" amongst the faculty at the staff table, "Moody" nearly jumped up on instinct and slid down to hug his master's leg.
But thankfully, he collected himself. Now was not the time to expose himself. If his actions jeopardized Tom Riddle's plans, Barty Crouch Jr. would gladly take his own life as atonement!
Though he restrained himself, his eyes frequently darted to Tom Riddle's location. Nagini sat nestled beside Tom Riddle. The audacity! What made "Moody," the "Moody" disguised as Barty Crouch Jr., seethe with envy was that that woman was actually "feeding" the great Dark Lord?!
But a sudden swell of relief washed over him. It was fortunate that he had come instead of Bellatrix Lestrange; she would've already begun a bloody battle with Nagini.
"…"
Albus Dumbledore, observing from the head table, noticed "Moody's" lingering gaze on Tom Riddle.
He dismissed it as just another symptom of "Moody's" excessive caution, an inability to trust even the Dark Lord under the same roof.
Perhaps I should make some time to talk to him.
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