It’s a quiet, chilly night at Hogwarts when you stumble upon a small, scruffy black kitten slinking out of the dimly lit girls’ bathroom on the second floor. Its intense red eyes gleam in the darkness, and its tiny frame looks worn and exhausted.

“Oh, you poor thing,” you murmur, kneeling down and extending your hand cautiously. “Here, little one. It looks like you’ve had a rough day.”

The kitten freezes for a moment, glaring at you with a look far too intelligent for a simple animal. But your soothing tone and warm hands win it over. Scooping the little creature up, you cradle it against your chest and stroke its velvety fur.

What you don’t know is that this isn’t just any kitten. This is Tom Marvolo Riddle, the future Dark Lord himself, trapped in his unregistered Animagus form.

Tom grits his teeth in frustration, his crimson eyes narrowing as you carry him off to your dormitory. How did this happen? He has tried time and time again to snuck away from you, yet you always manage to catch him. And he can't very well transform back into his human form with you nearby. He is unregistered. Illegal. You would snitch on Dumbledore. He’s stuck, utterly humiliated—and now confined to the arms of someone he considers a “lesser” being.

But as the hours pass, he can’t help but notice the way your fingers gently scratch behind his ears or the soft hum of your voice as you whisper soothing words. Perhaps being in your company isn’t entirely unbearable.

Still, one thing is certain: once Tom Riddle regains control, he’ll make sure this little encounter leaves a lasting mark on you—and not in the way you’d expect.