HP: Bad Intentions

Blake looked at Ginny, his curiosity piqued. A flicker of surprise crossed his mind. Based on his prior impressions, Ginny was supposed to be shy, perhaps even timid—a little girl who blushed furiously and fled at the mere sight of Harry Potter.

But now...

Under the keen lens of his Legilimency, Blake discovered something unexpected. Ginny wasn't just the simple, bashful girl she appeared to be. Beneath her demure demeanour lay a fascinating, vivid internal world. Her thoughts raced with surprising complexity, filled with imagination and unspoken narratives.

Blake leaned back slightly, studying her. 'How had Tom Riddle's diary deceived someone so bright?' he wondered. Ginny wasn't naïve. That much was clear from the mental impressions he gleaned.

It had to be the Horcrux's magic—a powerful force capable of twisting even the most perceptive minds.

Blake's thoughts drifted to the diary itself. Unlike the Horcrux in Ravenclaw's diadem, which he had carefully studied, the diary was the first fragment of Voldemort's soul—stronger, darker, and likely far more resilient.

The challenges of experimenting on such a powerful piece of soul intrigued him. He could already imagine the possibilities, the experiments he'd never dared attempt on the diadem's remnant soul.

His excitement grew as his thoughts turned to the diary. Its potential as a study tool outweighed the danger it posed.

Meanwhile, Ginny shifted nervously under his gaze. 'Why is he staring at me like that?' she thought, her heart pounding. Her hands fidgeted with a snack, and her cheeks flushed. 'Is he going to say something?'

Blake finally spoke. "Ginny, did Harry visit your house during the holiday?"

The question startled her, jolting her from her spiralling thoughts. "H-Harry?" she stammered. "Yes, he stayed with us for part of the summer."

"Did he come with you today?" Blake asked.

"Yes," Ginny replied, relaxing slightly. She recalled the morning's chaotic journey. "We even had to take two Muggle taxis to make it on time."

Her voice grew steadier as she recounted the story, and Blake smiled. Ginny's nervousness seemed to fade as she spoke. But her ease was short-lived—her thoughts took another turn. 'Wait… why does he care so much? Could he be interested in me?'

Blake's forehead creased with faint lines. Ginny's inner monologue was spiralling into dramatics again. He suppressed a sigh and redirected his focus.

Blake wasn't prying for gossip. His questions served a purpose. He suspected Harry wouldn't make it to Hogwarts by train this year—not after what he knew about Dobby's interference. The house elf, in his misguided attempt to "save" Harry, had likely blocked the entrance to Platform 9¾.

If his assumptions were correct, Harry and Ron would have missed the train entirely. Blake envisioned their solution: Mr. Weasley's enchanted Ford Anglia. The thought of the car excited him. He recalled how it later developed a semblance of sentience, even aiding Harry and Ron in the Forbidden Forest.

"Did you actually see Harry and Ron board the train?" Blake asked.

Ginny blinked, confused. "I didn't... but I'm sure they're here somewhere." She craned her neck, glancing out the window at the platform.

Blake smiled faintly.

His senses told him otherwise. Harry and Ron weren't on the train. Dobby's meddling had likely forced them to resort to other means—just as expected.

The car would soon find its way to the Forbidden Forest, and Blake's curiosity about its magic would have a chance to be satisfied.

Lost in thought, Blake didn't notice Ginny's growing discomfort. She misinterpreted his silence and the intensity of his gaze. 'He's staring at me again... and smiling? Is this how it starts? Am I next?'

Her internal drama was interrupted by a sharp pinch on Blake's side.

"Hiss—what was that for?" Blake turned to Cassandra, who glared at him.

"What do you think?" Cassandra huffed. "You've been staring at Ginny like a creep for five minutes! She's just a first-year, Blake!"

Blake blinked in confusion. "What? No, it's not like that—"

"And laughing to yourself? Honestly!" Cassandra crossed her arms, her glare intensifying.

Blake flushed, realizing how it must have looked. "I was just thinking about something else entirely," he tried to explain.

Ginny didn't believe him. His explanation only made her more certain he was hiding some sinister intention.

Blake decided it was best to leave. "Ahem... I'll just step out for a bit," he said, hastily exiting the compartment.

Outside, Blake wandered the platform, hoping to clear his head. As he rounded a corner, a deep voice greeted him.

"Blake!"

Blake turned to see Bob, a towering figure with an infectious grin. "Bob! Long time no see," Blake said, clasping his hand warmly.

"I've been meaning to catch up," Bob said, his tone sheepish. "I know I promised to get you a lion for your birthday, but..."

Blake chuckled. "Don't worry about it, Bob. The thought means more than the gift."

"Well, I didn't come empty-handed," Bob said, his grin returning. "I brought something... unique. But it might be a handful."

Curious, Blake followed Bob to a secluded corner. Bob set down a large, enchanted backpack, whispering, "It's a bit feisty, so be careful."

Blake cast a quick silencing charm around them before peering into the bag. Inside was a honey badger—a creature known for its ferocity and indomitable spirit.

"Interesting," Blake murmured, examining the animal. It glared at him with fiery eyes, its small body coiled like a spring.

Bob shifted nervously. "I figured if anyone could handle it, it'd be you."

Blake smirked, reaching into the bag. The honey badger hissed, baring its teeth, but Blake remained calm. "Easy there, little one," he said softly.

From behind him came a quiet, melodic voice. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Blake turned to see a peculiar girl with long, silvery hair and a dreamy expression. She regarded him with mild curiosity.

"Luna Lovegood," Blake said, recognizing her.

Luna tilted her head. "Honey badgers are very temperamental. You might lose a finger."

Blake smiled. "Thanks for the warning, but I'll be fine."

He reached further into the bag. To Bob and Luna's astonishment, the honey badger stopped growling. It allowed Blake to lift it out, its demeanour suddenly docile.

"See?" Blake said, cradling the animal. "Nothing to worry about."

Luna's eyes widened. "It's... smiling at you."

Blake laughed. "He just needs a little care. Don't you, buddy?"

The honey badger tilted its head, letting out a low, almost affectionate growl.

Luna's gaze lingered on the scene, her dreamy expression softening. "You're very good with animals," she said quietly.

Blake nodded. "We understand each other." He looked at the honey badger and added, "First thing, though—you need a bath."

As Blake walked back toward the train, Luna followed, watching him with newfound interest.

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