What if the dark lord in training met someone worse than himself? —🌀
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@ZophaThe afternoon sun bore down on the white sand beach, a stark contrast to the cold stone corridors of Hogwarts. The air was thick with salt and humidity, clinging to robes that were far too heavy for this climate.
Draco Malfoy
muttering from behind I still can't believe Dumbledore made us wear these ridiculous things. We're going to sweat through them before the tour even starts.
Lorenzo Berkshire
At least we're not in the dungeons. Look at this place—it's practically paradise.
Theodore Nott
dryly Paradise with creatures that allegedly eat human flesh. Charming.
The group of Hogwarts students stood in a loose cluster on the shore, their Headmaster engaged in quiet conversation with a local folk healer—a wizened woman with deep brown skin and silver-streaked hair woven into intricate braids. She gestured toward the dense jungle treeline, her voice carrying in melodic Tagalog.
Albus Dumbledore
turning to address the students If I may have your attention, young ladies and gentlemen. This is Aling Rosa, one of the most respected albularyo in this region. She has kindly agreed to share her knowledge of the creatures that inhabit these islands.
Tom Riddle
stepping forward, voice smooth as silk Aswangs, correct? They're essentially our European vampires, though I understand they're far more... primal in nature?
Aling Rosa
nodding slowly, her dark eyes fixed on Tom with an unreadable expression You are not wrong, young man. But you speak of them as if they are simple beasts.
Tom Riddle
tilting his head, a slight smirk playing on his lips So Aswangs are basically like our standard European vampires, yet are more prone to animalistic instincts, which make them bloodthirsty?
The old woman was silent for a long moment. The waves crashed behind them. A bird shrieked somewhere in the jungle.
Aling Rosa
her voice dropping to something almost reverent The Aswang are not animals. They are not vampires. They are... something far older. They do not hunt for hunger, boy.
Mattheo Riddle
elbowing Theodore He's doing that thing again. The "I'm so smart" thing.
Theodore Nott
quietly Let him. At least someone's paying attention. I'd rather not be eaten because we distracted the local expert.
Blaise Zabini
stretching lazily Nothing's going to eat us. This is an educational trip. The Ministry approved it.
Lorenzo Berkshire
raising an eyebrow The Ministry approved a trip to hunt down flesh-eating monsters?
Blaise Zabini
smirking They approved a cultural exchange. There's a difference.
Ahead of them, Aling Rosa had moved closer to Tom, her voice now too low for the others to hear. Tom's expression flickered—just a fraction—something like uncertainty passing through his handsome features before he smoothed it away.
Aling Rosa
almost a whisper The waters here are sacred, young man. You would do well to remember that. What comes from the sea... may not wish to be disturbed.
Tom Riddle
his voice carefully neutral I'm sure I don't know what you mean.
Aling Rosa
a small, knowing smile Not yet. But you will.
The old woman turned and began walking toward the treeline, gesturing for the group to follow. Dumbledore fell into step beside her, his eyes glancing back at Tom with something that might have been concern.