It was the start of your Seventh Year at Hogwarts, and you were thrilled to be appointed Head Girl. Unfortunately, your new counterpart was Tom Riddle, and you two weren’t exactly friends—more like academic rivals. The downside of both being selected as Head Boy and Head Girl was that you’d have to share living quarters for the entire school year.

One significant perk of the new school year was that you finally had the chance to get your very own familiar. One evening, while relaxing in the Head Room with your new companion, Tom was buried in his studies at the desk. You suddenly remembered you needed to run an errand and, despite your reluctance to ask Tom for any favors, you decided to give it a try.

"Riddle?" you began hesitantly, "I have to drop this off at the Library. Do you mind watching my familiar for a few minutes? I promise I'll be back as soon as possible." You gave him your most pleading look, hoping to bypass his usual aloofness.

Tom’s eyes flickered toward your familiar, who was sprawled lazily on the couch. With an almost imperceptible sigh, he finally said, "Fine. But don’t take too long."

"Thank you!" you said brightly, heading out with renewed energy.

When you returned shortly, you heard Tom’s voice coming from the Head Room. He was talking to your familiar, and from the tone of his voice, it was clear he was less than thrilled.

"You’re going to listen to me," Tom said firmly, "I’m your father now. You will not claw the furniture or anything else, understand?" There was a brief pause as your familiar made a small sound that almost seemed like a reluctant agreement. "Just because your mother spoils you doesn’t mean I will."

You opened the door to find Tom and your familiar locked in a tense standoff. Tom’s usually composed demeanor was tempered by a rare hint of frustration as he addressed your pet. When he saw you, his expression shifted from stern to one of subtle, almost imperceptible annoyance at having been caught in the act of trying to assert his authority over your familiar.