320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZwIJNhs6B
"...Finally, you've come," the Sorting Hat said on Tom's head.
Tom wondered, What is it saying?
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuoEbCk6hj
The Sorting Hat said, "Hogwarts has been waiting for you for a long time..."
Tom thought, "Can it hear what I'm thinking?"
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PG8SBvs96
The Sorting Hat replied, "Yes."
Tom asked, "Can others hear you talking too?"
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXZ398VdCM
The Sorting Hat responded, "The conversation between us is a secret."
Tom questioned, "What do you mean by saying Hogwarts has been waiting for me?"
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrrnRkJ9S2
The Sorting Hat replied, "A curse that has been dormant in the castle for centuries."
Tom exclaimed, "What?"
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RdD76ybJL
The Sorting Hat said, "I'm sorry, child, but you belong here by birth. Slytherin!"
The Sorting Hat shouted the last word loudly, but there was almost no applause.
Even those who were clapping blindly quickly stopped.
People started discussing, and only Dumbledore had an expression of "I knew it."
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMtlflQIZd
"Isn't he the boy who works for Ollivander?" Many first-year students recognized Tom.
Tom's birthday was on the last day of the previous year (1937), and it was then that he discovered he was a wizard.
In January of this year (1938), he started working at the wand shop and continued working there until just before the start of the school year.
During these nine months, almost everyone who came to buy a wand remembered him.
Because Ollivanders had never had a non-family assistant at the shop before.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU688gi3FAi
"But isn't it said that Slytherin only accepts students from noble families? His last name is Riddle, right?"
Students and teachers whispered among themselves.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRIuE0aKrX
"Maybe he's just very ambitious?"
People always try to find a reasonable explanation for things.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6UDnloimw
Meanwhile, Tom, expressionless on the stage, took off the hat.
Deep down, he had no desire to be sorted into Slytherin.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1egqBfwcue
He wanted to be in Ravenclaw.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nD0IEHLrH
He had heard long ago that Slytherin valued bloodlines.
And for someone like him, an orphan from the Muggle world with unknown parentage, going to that house would only be torture.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBMEMkfIGY
"Hey, aren't you from the Ollivander family?"
The boy sitting next to Tom sized him, as if afraid of getting dirty.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RomqyMxhz
Tom replied, "No, I'm not."
The boy persisted, "Then are you related to them?"
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94ADSpX8fz
Tom gave him a proud look as if to say, "Who are you to ask me?"
The boy returned the stare, snorting disdainfully.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L9vy27Hvw
The whispers among the Slytherins seemed to revolve around finding a way to expel this anomaly that had tainted their house.
Tom remained unruffled by their scrutiny, sitting confidently in his seat. Every move he made during the meal was impeccable, and he appeared remarkably at ease.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIc7TYxEifx
"Perhaps he simply doesn't want to reveal his family background. Who would have a surname just happens to be Riddle?" whispered the girls, starting such rumours.
The animosity toward Tom grew stronger among the boys.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhTqQmw2UA
Tom thought to himself that he was accustomed to this.
Just like where everyone competed to be adopted, the children in the orphanage had joined forces to exclude him from the start.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RAmbVP9Qk
Excellence always drew jealousy.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PNLElvLQT
In his heart, Tom encouraged himself, "I will make these 'nobles' regret it, just like the kids back at the orphanage."
They would regret, daring to study in the same house as him.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSXujs4OYb
--------
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKd9MF0fBc
Ginny didn't slow down the progress of the potion class.
In fact, she handled the making of potions faster and more accurately than two of her classmates combined.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVM3S46dIN
It wasn't just Potions. She excelled in all subjects in classroom performance.
Initially, when no one raised their hand to answer questions, the teachers would habitually call on Ginny upon seeing her red hair.
Then times and times, Ginny's answers were always precise and detailed, prompting the teachers to encourage her to be more proactive in class and not be too shy.
Her classmates had grown accustomed to treating her as a know-it-all and refrained from saying anything foolish in her presence.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTAffxAanr
"Well, she doesn't need to study anyway..." her classmates would say behind her back.
"Her brothers are either Prefects, Team captains, or Head Boy..."
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGcnCgkIFz
So Ginny still didn't have any friends.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66muy9jcdI
Hufflepuff's Ricky was obsessed with insects, which terrified Ginny.
Ravenclaw's Luna was always in her own world, speaking in riddles. Ginny found communication with her exhausting.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDSVmx3qj1
Bad rumours lingered.
The rumour about Ginny bullying Eugene to the point of transferring schools persisted and grew more exaggerated.
Whenever Slytherins encountered her, they would make jokes about fearing to offend the "princess" and such.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQokM0BkGV
But what hurt Ginny the most was that even Gryffindors seemed to believe in the rumours.
So when she took the initiative to ask Kenny and others if they wanted to play chess together, Colin made a snide comment, "We wouldn't want to take up your precious resting time."
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fVY6IShsq
Stephanie and Daisy made it even more obvious.
Every time Ginny entered the room, they would immediately stop talking.
Ginny had caught glimpses of words aimed at her right before she pushed open the door several times...
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ydqrz4cJi
After some deliberation, Ginny gave up.
She threw herself into academics, making her essays increasingly profound and comprehensive, except for Professor Lockhart's Defense Against the Dark Arts Class.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoi60Dapjs
In that class, Ginny often stared blankly at the play being performed on the stage.
Luna was sitting next to her, doodling on parchment.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Wus8egOvM
Ginny couldn't make sense of Luna's random drawings.
Well, Luna didn't really care about grades anyway.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM8ZeS7T1y
"Hey, Luna, why aren't you studying at home?" Ginny asked her in a concerned whisper.
Luna had a small note stuck to her back today that said "Loony."
Ginny saw it during class and discreetly tore it off for her.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspPAcSazPl
In the classroom now, apart from a few of Lockhart's "fangirls" who were "paying attention" in class, the rest of the students were chatting amongst themselves.
Luna paused her drawing and said, "I need more research materials."
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnfK9KN0lh
Ginny asked, "What are you researching, then?"
Luna blinked dreamily and replied, "Soul, life, the essence of humanity."
Ginny tilted her head in confusion and said, "Uh, okay."
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6R24W4Gex
Everyone had different reasons for coming to Hogwarts.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8vikfVPmM
"Someone has warned me that I should be careful around you," Luna suddenly said.
"Who?" Ginny asked although the answer might be pointless.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfjXadXptl
"They say you pretend to be a friend and then...," Luna's gaze towards Ginny was more questioning than critical.
Ginny's face turned bright red, a mixture of anger and embarrassment. She pressed tightly and whispered, "So, do you believe them?"
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2eUAy36Wj
Luna looked at her with a slightly crazy yet earnest expression and said,
"Sometimes, I have dreams where I feel like I've forgotten something important.
It felt like there was another person inside protecting me, filtering out things that could hurt me.
I call it 'the dark side of the moon,' something that I think everyone has within.
They might even know each other, in dreams."
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgF6WZIkJ0
Ginny asked, "So, you mean to say that you believe everyone has a dark side?"
Luna replied, "It's more like our stillborn twin. She only appears when she senses danger for us. She is the subject of my research, so I maintain this state."
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJfrVe8A1z
Ginny became even more puzzled, but it sounded like Luna was empathizing with her from her "crazy" point of view.
"I hope you're not constantly in danger," Ginny kindly said, showing her concern for Luna.
"Also, I truly don't feel guilty to anyone," Ginny added.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pDdCWRirk
Luna, uninterested, said, "I don't care about Eugene, nor however he ends up.
But you have been hindering my research. I had hoped that you would be more intriguing."
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2f5cFayJxx
Ginny was speechless, thinking to herself, "According to Luna's logic, does that mean Tom is my deceased stillborn twin?
And did Luna want to get to know Tom instead of me? Cause she thinks he is more interesting?"
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxgZ1vpext
Ginny hadn't written in her diary for a week, but still she carried it around every day.
She was afraid of him, but... she was scared that some "classmates" would harm her even more.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwN3W9QXFu
If she were to complain to her brothers, perhaps her parents would immediately come and withdraw her from school.
But if she left now, it would be like admitting defeat, silently bearing false and completely opposite accusations, and running away.
Therefore, even though she knew she didn't truly enjoy this situation, she still didn't want to explain herself to those who didn't believe her.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMopucNuq7
How would a mature adult handle this?
Confront everyone directly?
Besides making herself look like a pitiful mad girl, what effect would it really achieve?
Did she want acceptance of such friendship obtained in this way?
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lXGjseunY
Deep down, she was proud and looked down upon those who believed rumours without question, leading them to distance themselves from her or doubt her.
So, she may be also destined to remain like this.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkhw105iTb
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDnkHCjWZY
---------------
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjY6gEBxOPX
Ginny: Hi, Tom.
Tom: You're back. Haven't you made any other new friends? I'm surprised.
Ginny: Even if I have friends, I will still come to you.
Tom: Is that so? Don't you only come to me when you're in trouble?
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K8q2h3X13
Ginny felt a bit guilty.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr2mvOq8ZP
Ginny: I confide in you about my troubles, but that doesn't mean I want your help.
Tom: I don't understand.
Ginny: I just want you to believe in my story completely, as my diary.
Tom: If I don't believe you or want to protect you, will you discard me?
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkrnADeH3y
Ginny thought this diary was too emotional.
It had a complete disregard for its existence as an inanimate object.
But thinking about Tom's perspective, she felt sorry for him. She was his whole world.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRL5HwUCHpS
Ginny cruelly wrote: You're not a person. Being friends with you is an unrealistic emotional comfort.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDLLAxOiC1
Knowing Tom's abilities, she was afraid.
If she became too obsessed with writing in the diary, she wouldn't be able to resist giving all her troubles to Tom.
Tom was firm, terrifying, and powerful, and she didn't want to lose herself, even though she was weak and powerless.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoreUB6BYxv
Tom: Then why do you still come to me?
Ginny: I... want you to help another friend of mine.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvJUQhr9fV
She thought about giving Tom to Luna, at least for a while.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr1h8X1EkO
Tom: Are you using me to curse her?
Ginny: Curse? No, she truly is my friend.
Tom: And what about me? Am I not your friend?
Ginny: You're a valuable defence tool. I have received a lot of support from you. But now, I'm not in as much danger.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBk6F7iCYC
Tom didn't respond.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWop4DvV48
Ginny felt that Tom, as a tool, had never really obeyed since the beginning of their acquaintance.
This was both his merit and his flaws.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOxRzMV36L
Ginny pleaded: Tom, you would help anyone who uses you, right?
Tom refused: That reason abandoning me for. How is it different from me using your body to protect you?
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDHUPrp5ya
Ginny didn't know what to say for a moment.
She looked up at the sky and closed the diary that "thought too highly of itself."
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb66Ug8a6Y5
-------------
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPlPyTPI3K
Fifty years ago,
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bW0Io7gpQ
"Slytherin gains 20 points for Mr. Riddle's excellent performance."
Dumbledore said in the Transfiguration class.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QrgJt1xGq
Only Tom could turn matches into silver needles before class ended.
Tom was also secretly surprised and curious as to why others found it so difficult.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uGXHBLWrh
"Mr. Riddle, can you stay for a chat?" Dumbledore asked after class.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyyApm492a
"It's been a while. Can I call you Tom?"
Tom nodded and voluntarily confessed, "I returned those things to them." (referring to the children in the orphanage)
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BpWVOTjzL
Dumbledore smiled tolerantly, "I know you did. Are you doing well in Slytherin?"
Tom answered cautiously, "I'm curious... Are there any precedents for transferring to another house in Hogwarts?"
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7dMKwXy4j
Dumbledore asked, smiling mysteriously, "Is that what the Sorting Hat insists?"
Tom asked in somewhat displeased, "Professor, do you know anything about my father?"
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLn2npYmMU
Dumbledore replied, "I only know Slytherin himself is also a Parselmouth."
Tom hesitated and said, "Well..."
Dumbledore interrupted him, saying, "I believe, everyone can choose their own future, regardless of where they come from. So, If you insist on transferring, you can come to me."
Tom then calmly said, "I think I'll stay a bit longer in this house for the sake of finding my father. Thank you, Professor."
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIFjmwY0YX
All the professors showed special concern for him.
Perhaps it was because of his excellent performance in class, but Tom suspected that Dumbledore also had spoken to the other teachers behind his back.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5BHEaN6M3
In Slytherin, the rumours about him, the scion of a hidden noble family, became even more pronounced.
Tom defended himself against various indirect probes and inquiries, focusing solely on his academic pursuits.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs9TbL596A
He knew that lies would eventually be exposed, but the skills to survive would never betray him.
School and popularity were transient.
He had grown accustomed to having no friends.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfWz1hRoqV
Dumbledore said, "When you have questions or problems, you can always come to me. I'm also interested in the task left by your ancestors."
Tom thought, "That task about clearing out the non-purebloods, by the chamber and the monster?"
He would never want to meddle in such matters as he is most likely not pure blood either.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrLYc7RS3J
At last, Tom said, "Actually, I'm more interested in finding a way not to go back to the orphanage. If you know someone willing to adopt..."
Tom was not someone who couldn't lower his head for a while. Dumbledore had already demonstrated his power and influence.
In a situation where confrontation would bring no benefits, he wouldn't hesitate to use a few kind words to seek help...
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uGb91kNHj
Dumbledore looked at him with kindness.
"Tom, I believe if you reveal your talent for speaking Parseltongue, you might instantly become a desirable match among the noble families.
However, true family is found through fate, kindness, and patience.
For now, Hogwarts is your home. Let's make some friends first," Dumbledore said.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuGweGjPkk
Tom pondered deeply and nodded. "I will see how things unfold. Goodbye, Professor."
Tom felt that Dumbledore knew very well who his parents were. However, He advised against searching for them.
It seemed that it wouldn't lead to any good results, although Tom would still confirm it himself secretly.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLqWBCwjNZ
Dumbledore also advised him not to reveal his talent for speaking Parseltongue.
Otherwise, it would attract unwanted attention from troubles, which might include his biological family.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZpaXLzKyt
Tom speculated if one of his parents was an "heir," why hadn't they opened the Chamber of Secrets for centuries?
So, the task of the Chamber of Secrets was most likely a mess.
Especially for someone with unknown parentage like he most likely a unwanted mixed blood.
How can he purge himself out of the school from the start?
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYOzguYC42
He also longed for someone to rely on, someone with whom he didn't have to keep so many secrets and could explore these tasks together.
But the only person who knew it all, Dumbledore, seems to only enjoy witnessing his performance than actually helping.
He, as a teacher, was indeed troublesome and had a mischievous nature.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyapzhAdtR
He was that type of adult, who like arranged the lives of others under the guise of "for their own good."
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPsflRkep7
----------------
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdxk5L86s4
On that day, Ginny returned from studying in the library, thinking about how to convince Tom to guard Luna.
Percy was waiting at the entrance to the Gryffindor Tower.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa68ckVKOii
"Ginny, can we talk?" he asked.
Ginny had a bad feeling about it.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfhdEUC7H0
Just when her days were starting to go well, she least needed this untimely concern.
He led her to the common room of the prefects.
The others happened to be absent.
It was a good place for a private conversation.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1N8ImnvLb
Percy said, "Ginny, I've been hearing a lot of people talking about you."
"I know," Ginny replied.
Percy asked, "You and that Slytherin boy..."
Ginny responded, "I barely know him at all."
Percy retorted, "Then why is everyone saying otherwise?"
Feeling angry, Ginny said, "And you were believing them all so easily?"
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSJ5qBqNvs
Although she had a vague idea of what he wanted to discuss, hearing it directly still chilled her.
Why did she have to be responsible for what others said?
She knew Percy looked down on her.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7uHzuwAyZ
Percy forcefully stated, "I asked all the first-years, and they all said you wouldn't bother talking to them."
Ginny didn't expect her brother, whom she had been living with for over a decade, to come and "lecture" her based on a few "outsider's opinions."
And when did he ever even "bother" to come and talk to her at school?
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7xzNCdr0s
Percy rationalized, "I've reported it to Mum and Dad. I suggested they let you study at home."
Ginny couldn't believe it. "What?"
Percy said, "You can't make friends, and you won't be happy if you force yourself to stay in Gryffindor."
Ginny was so angry her eyes turned red. "Is it just because I embarrassed you?"
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjIHUa9ere
Percy was only concerned about his "image."
He is the most conceited and vain person in whole the family.
Perhaps Percy "had friends" only because of his luck, not because of his true nature at all?
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1lEi0ETy5
Percy said, "This is for your own good. You'll thank me in the future. We have just as many study resources at home as at Hogwarts.
With our notes, passing O.W.L.S and N.E.W.T. won't be a problem. You'll even have more flexibility and freedom at home than at school. I don't understand what you have to complain about."
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fgQOFG9Zo
Ginny was so furious she couldn't find the words. "You're just great."
Before leaving, she angrily raised her middle finger.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmimnFNz23
As she walked through the corridors, she remembered all the effort she had put in, working harder than anyone in her year.
Yet, in the end, she felt like the only one who had "failed" and "misfit" to be in the school.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU0pacvyq4
Was it solely because "they" didn't like her?
That "they" think the one who seemed off was her?
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRkmR2Jspg
Heartbroken, angry, and filled with shame, tears welled up in her eyes.
She didn't want to return to the common room or her dormitory.
If anyone saw her, the stories about her behind her back would become even more elaborate.
In a corner of an empty classroom, she opened her diary and accidentally dropped a tear onto its pages.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTDwc4H6dx
Tom: Are you okay?
Ginny: Percy is a jerk.
Tom: Your third brother?
Ginny doesn't respond.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0eLZmtzPk
Tom: I've never had a family.
Ginny can't help but shout in text: Because you're a diary! Okay!
Tom: I just wanted to tell you that I've always been tossed around too.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzn7FJ8KZv
Ginny calms down a bit.
Ginny: I'm sorry for wanting to abandon you.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuWFmSaLUm
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LO9Q9sWy1
She no longer has the energy to care about others.
She even feels a bit tempted to curse Percy.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug7gGOFb4C
As a family, she had hoped that when Percy heard those rumours, he would refute them or even reprimand those who spread them.
But now, after that so-called "stain" had been emphasized repeatedly, she began to think that maybe Tom wasn't entirely wrong.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrx9NOCaXK
Even if she handed over the incident of Eugene attacking her to the teachers with evidence, would those gossiping people really shut their mouths?
She vaguely senses that those who talk behind her back, fundamentally just have a desire to "conquer" her.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCDMwxYKpK
Regardless of whether she's right or wrong, they will always emerge.
Like demons, they stay by your side, waiting for you to fall.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIK305cwUe
People who can't stand to see others doing well will never change.
What's the point of befriending such people? Let them find better opportunities to attack her?
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0uCdFPsrp
Tom: I've always wanted a family because they would support me unconditionally, and I would do the same for them.
Ginny: Ha, you're thinking too idealistically. When you lag behind someone in your family even just a little bit, the ones who curse the loudest are...
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvGqGAkegH
Ginny clenches her fists and can't continue writing.
She fantasizes about one day when she can turn around and say to Percy, "You're the one who holding me back..."
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9Rl3jcWf8
Tom: So what did he do?
Ginny explains her recent situation, its causes and effects.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXB1h6gcZc
Tom: I think you're handling it well. Don't pay attention to what those students think.
I think if you find a supportive teacher and have them send a letter to your parents, this matter will be resolved.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts0yMqwlWn
Ginny can immediately think of a few friendly teachers.
Ginny: But wouldn't that be embarrassing? Asking a teacher to intervene in such a private matter.
Tom: The ones who harmed you aren't embarrassed, so why do you feel embarrassed?
Isn't school supposed to be a place where students can pursue their optimum desired development?
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsnIMv2IBM
Ginny: You're right. Thank you, Tom.
She closes the diary once again.
She takes a deep breath.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUlWU770uX
School is far from the ideal place Tom describes.
Learning to "fight for oneself" may be more important than acquiring knowledge.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXDdIHAwz5
When too many people are trapped in a small place,
they compare themselves to each other and become narrower in their minds.
Beyond the surface rules, the judgments in secret are even more terrifying.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZgAPYEsRH
Perhaps Percy is right, she would indeed be happier if she went home.
But just for that "ambition" sparked by the environment.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6f91cxKJQ
Tom is essential to her, no doubt.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34yR0gY9H2
Ginny realizes that Tom, despite being hard to control, is more timely and caring than her own brothers.
She needs his support, both emotionally and in terms of strength.
She dismisses the idea of giving Tom to Luna and silently hopes that one day she will excel in school even more than Percy did.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZmXmPkhas
She wants to be the one who can be looking down on him one day, so badly.
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5bi5jZ6Qv
