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"...Finally, you've come," the Sorting Hat said on Tom's head.
Tom wondered, What is it saying?
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The Sorting Hat said, "Hogwarts has been waiting for you for a long time..."
Tom thought, "Can it hear what I'm thinking?"
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The Sorting Hat replied, "Yes."
Tom asked, "Can others hear you talking too?"
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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?"
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The Sorting Hat replied, "A curse that has been dormant in the castle for centuries."
Tom exclaimed, "What?"
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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."
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"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.
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"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.
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"Maybe he's just very ambitious?"
People always try to find a reasonable explanation for things.
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Meanwhile, Tom, expressionless on the stage, took off the hat.
Deep down, he had no desire to be sorted into Slytherin.
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He wanted to be in Ravenclaw.
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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.
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"Hey, aren't you from the Ollivander family?"
The boy sitting next to Tom sized him, as if afraid of getting dirty.
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Tom replied, "No, I'm not."
The boy persisted, "Then are you related to them?"
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Tom gave him a proud look as if to say, "Who are you to ask me?"
The boy returned the stare, snorting disdainfully.
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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.
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"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.
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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.
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Excellence always drew jealousy.
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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 his.
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--------
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Ginny didn't slow down the progress of the potion class.
On the contrary, she handled the making of potions faster and more accurately than two of her classmates combined.
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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.
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"Well, she doesn't need to study anyway..." her classmates would say behind her back.
"Her elder brothers are either Prefect, Team Captain, or Head Boy..."
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So Ginny still didn't have any friends.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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...
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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.
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In that class, Ginny often stared blankly at the play being performed on the stage.
Luna was sitting next to her, doodling on parchment.
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Ginny couldn't make sense of Luna's random drawings.
Well, Luna didn't really care about grades anyway.
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"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.
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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."
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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."
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Everyone had different reasons for coming to Hogwarts.
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"Someone has warned me that I should be careful around you," Luna suddenly said.
"Who?" Ginny asked although the answer might be pointless.
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"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?"
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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."
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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."
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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.
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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."
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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?"
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Ginny hadn't written in her diary for a week, but still, she carried it around every day and every minute.
She was afraid of him, but... she was scared that some "classmates" would harm her even more.
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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 the completely opposite and false 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 in the first place.
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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?
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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 also be destined to remain like this.
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---------------
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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?
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Ginny felt a bit guilty.
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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?
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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.
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Ginny cruelly wrote: You're not a person. Being friends with you is an unrealistic emotional comfort.
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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.
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Tom: Then why do you still come to me?
Ginny: I... want you to help another friend of mine.
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She thought about giving Tom to Luna, at least for a while.
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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.
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Tom didn't respond.
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Ginny felt that Tom, as a tool, had never really obeyed since the beginning of their acquaintance.
This was both his merit and flaws.
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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?
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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."
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Fifty years ago,
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"Slytherin gains 20 points for Mr. Riddle's excellent performance."
Dumbledore said in the Transfiguration class.
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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.
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"Mr. Riddle, can you stay for a chat?" Dumbledore asked after class.
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"It's been a while. Can I call you Tom?"
Tom nodded and voluntarily confessed, "I returned all those things to them." (referring to the children in the orphanage)
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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?"
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Dumbledore asked, smiling mysteriously, "Is that what the Sorting Hat insists?"
Tom asked somewhat displeased, "Professor, do you know anything about my father?"
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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."
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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...
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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.
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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 secretly by himself.
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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.
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Tom speculated if one of his parents was an "heir," why hadn't anyone 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 him is most likely an unwanted mixed blood.
How can he purge himself out of the school from the start?
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He hoped he had 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.
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He was that type of adult, who like arranged the lives of others under the guise of "for their own good."
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----------------
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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.
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"Ginny, can we talk?" he asked.
Ginny had a bad feeling about it.
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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.
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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?"
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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 would look down on her.
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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?
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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?"
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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?
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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."
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Ginny was so furious she couldn't find the words. "You're just great."
Before leaving, she angrily raised her middle finger.
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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.
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Was it solely because "they" didn't like her?
That "they" think the one who seemed off was her?
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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.
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Tom: Are you okay?
Ginny: Percy is a jerk.
Tom: Your third brother?
Ginny doesn't respond.
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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.
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Ginny calms down a bit.
Ginny: I'm sorry for wanting to abandon you.
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She no longer has the energy to care about others.
She even feels a bit tempted to curse Percy.
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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.
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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.
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Regardless of whether she's right or wrong, they will always emerge.
Like demons, they stay by your side, waiting for you to fall.
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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?
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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...
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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..."
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Tom: So what did he do?
Ginny explains her recent situation, its causes and effects.
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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.
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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?
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Ginny: You're right. Thank you, Tom.
She closes the diary once again.
She takes a deep breath.
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School is far from the ideal place Tom describes.
Learning to "fight for oneself" may be more important than acquiring knowledge.
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When too many people are trapped in a small place,
they compare themselves to each other too much and become even narrower in their minds.
Beyond the surface rules, the judgments in secret are even more terrifying.
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Perhaps Percy is right, she would indeed be happier if she went home.
But just for that "ambition" sparked by the environment.
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Tom is essential to her, no doubt.
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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.
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She wants to be the one who can be looking down on him one day, so badly.
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