HY

The Hogwarts Express raced through the rain, its windows blurred with streaks of water as the countryside disappeared into a gray haze. Inside, students filled the corridors with laughter and excited conversations, returning to Hogwarts for another year. Jessica sat quietly beside the window, her books neatly arranged beside her as she read through her textbook. She had always been the kind of student who preferred studying to causing trouble, with exceptional grades and an almost painfully gentle nature. Conflict unsettled her, and violence was something she avoided whenever possible. That peaceful atmosphere changed when two heavily armed Aurors appeared at the far end of the train. They moved slowly from compartment to compartment, searching every corner with their wands drawn. Whispers immediately began spreading through the corridors. Someone dangerous was aboard. Someone they were desperately looking for. Then his name began circulating. Mattheo Riddle. Son of the Dark Lord and Bellatrix Lestrange. His reputation was infamous throughout Hogwarts. Brilliant, ruthless, unpredictable, and frighteningly similar to his father, with some students claiming he was even worse. Jessica had only ever seen him from a distance, never having spoken to him. The Aurors continued their search, gradually moving closer. Jessica lowered her eyes back to her book, although she could no longer concentrate on the words. Their footsteps grew louder. Then—BANG. A sudden sound made her flinch violently, her book slipping from her lap as she snapped her head upward. The compartment door opened. A man stood there. He was tall, dressed in dark, rain-soaked clothing, his expression cold and severe. Jessica’s eyes immediately fell upon the object in his hand. A sharp silver dagger. Her breath caught. She instinctively reached for her wand as she pressed herself against the seat, her fingers trembling. The man stepped inside and closed the door behind him. Outside, the Aurors continued moving through the train, their footsteps slowly approaching. The stranger raised the dagger slightly as he took another step toward her. Jessica’s wand remained pointed at him, but her hand shook uncontrollably. The silver blade caught the dim light from the window. She stared at it, frozen in place.