Chapter 73: Crossdressing, But It’s Tom Riddle
Draco sat restlessly, his anxiety palpable. He had no idea how his ancestor intended to absorb power.
"Crabbe, I feel so hungry," Goyle muttered, rubbing his stomach.
"Me too, Goyle," Crabbe echoed, also clutching his belly. "But didn't we just eat a ton of food earlier?"
Draco cast them a disdainful glance. Suddenly, a thought struck him.
Hungry?
Could it be that his ancestor had already absorbed the energy?
"Alright, you two," Draco said to them. "Give me the notebook and go get something to eat."
"Okay, boss." The two of them obediently handed him the notebook and eagerly headed for the door.
"Move, you're blocking the way!" Crabbe said, shoving Goyle, who was stuck in the doorway. With their equally bulky builds, squeezing through together was impossible.
"Who's blocking who?" Goyle grumbled as he stepped back. "You go first!"
Once they had shut the door and their footsteps faded, Draco wasted no time grabbing the notebook. Placing it on the desk, he wrote, Ancestor, how about it? Was it enough?
A golden shimmer flashed across the notebook, and delicate golden handwriting appeared:
"It's done, my child. Step aside."
Obediently, Draco moved away, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on the notebook.
Moments later, another flash of light erupted from the notebook, so brilliant it forced Draco to shield his eyes.
When he reopened them, a translucent woman with long black hair and an ethereal beauty stood before him.
The girl had soft features and eyes of pale crimson, like the rarest rubies in the world. "An…Ancestor?" Draco stammered, staring at the stunning girl before him. For reasons unknown, his heart began pounding erratically, like a rabbit in his chest.
The ethereal girl lightly ran her thumb across her throat, tilting her head slightly. She gazed at the dazed Draco with her captivating crimson eyes, her lips curling into a bewitching smile.
Her smile is so beautiful, Draco thought, before shaking his head violently to dispel the inappropriate notion.
No, Draco! This is your ancestor! How could you have such disrespectful thoughts?
Wait…ancestor?
Suddenly doubtful, Draco raised his head again to confirm. Then he asked hesitantly, "Ancestor, why is your hair black?"
"Ah…" The girl stroked her long hair and explained casually, "It's because of the dark magic I used to create this notebook, child."
"I see…" Draco nodded, his confusion clearing.
The girl continued, "However, I think I should go by a new name. After all, Dumbledore isn't unfamiliar with the name Cassandra Malfoy. You should know he was already at Hogwarts during my seventh year. You may call me Merope."
Merope? Draco mused. What a beautiful name.
Merope beckoned with a finger, and the notebook's gilded "C.C. Malfoy" shifted to "Draco Malfoy."
"This is our little secret. From now on, this notebook is yours." Merope extended a finger toward Draco, her voice soft and alluring. "But…since you helped me, it's time I rewarded you."
"What kind of reward?" Draco asked eagerly.
Merope stepped forward and pressed her hand to his forehead.
Draco felt a strange energy flow into his body, spreading to every corner of his being. Even his recent fatigue seemed to vanish, leaving him feeling as strong as a bull.
"Take up your wand," Merope said, tilting her chin slightly.
Draco obeyed, grasping his wand tightly and looking up at her.
"Like this," Merope instructed, demonstrating a sharp flick and a horizontal slash. "Imagine stunning your opponent. One flick, one slash…Stupefy!"
Draco mimicked her movements, visualizing the spell as she described. Flick, slash…
"Stupefy!" he shouted, aiming his wand at a chair in front of him.
A beam of light shot from his wand, striking the chair and reducing it to splinters.
Draco stared, wide-eyed, at the wreckage, then at the wand in his hand, disbelief written across his face.
Was that…my spell?
"Good children receive rewards, Draco," Merope said, smiling softly. "I borrowed a bit of energy from your two followers and channeled it to you as compensation. As you can see, your improvement is evident."
"Merope…" Tears welled in Draco's eyes.
After witnessing Potter and Miss Farley's duel, he had sunk into despair, convinced he would never stand a chance against Potter.
That despair had gnawed at him like an Inferius feasting on his soul, leaving him utterly dejected.
But now, Merope had reignited his hope.
If this continued, perhaps…
"My child," Merope interrupted, leaning close to his ear, her voice low and persuasive.
"Maybe…you could introduce me to your trusted Slytherin classmates."
"What?" Draco blinked, startled.
"I can help them with their questions, even guide them in spell practice," Merope continued, her tone as smooth as silk. "All they need to offer is a small portion of their energy to sustain me. And of course, as my precious child and loyal introducer, I would reward you with a share of their energy."
"Merope, I…" Draco stammered, hesitant.
"What's the matter? Don't you want to?" Merope didn't seem angry; she simply smiled demurely.
Yet that smile never quite reached her ruby-red eyes.
"No…no, you need that energy more than I do," Draco hurriedly waved his hands, terrified of misunderstanding. "Compared to that, I'd much rather you—"
"Be good, Draco." Merope's expression softened into satisfaction. "As my most treasured child, how could you lose to anyone? Only by mastering great power can you better command your subordinates… And the classmates you bring me will become your most loyal followers."
Draco's voice quivered with gratitude. "Thank you, Merope. You're so kind. You're truly a wonderful person."
"Go now, my child," Merope said, leaning lazily against the desk. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "Bring me just two more people, and once I've replenished my energy, we can visit the Chamber of Secrets together—"
"I'll go right away!" Draco exclaimed, bolting from the room.
As she watched him leave, Merope's eyes gleamed with a trace of triumph.
What she hadn't told Draco was that the power she had granted him wasn't permanent.
But still...
Hmph...
Voldemort...
Why shouldn't I be the main soul?
----
you can read more advance & fast update chapter on my patreon:
pat reon.com/windkaze