[HP] The Dark Duke's Candy

At the beginning of a new semester, everything is brand new.

Candice got the first place in the school in the final exam last semester. Not only the professors praised her, but also other Gryffindors, especially the students of the same level, congratulated her one after another—it’s hard to tell Are they copying homework for the sake of friendship and convenience in the future?

All in all, Candice is obviously not an idiot beauty. She has proved to everyone with her own strength that she is not only beautiful, but also has a brain.

What's more terrible is that she is also very talented in flying, and she has already shown her extraordinary skills in the first-year flight class, so after the previous Seeker graduated, Candice became a Grand Prix of course. Seeker for the Findor Quidditch House team.

Candice is training, and the first game of the school team is against Hufflepuff.

She was flying in the sky on a broomstick, her long blond hair was tied into a ponytail with a hair tie, her blue eyes were fixed on the form on the training ground, and she didn't realize that there were many students who had no classes on the viewing platform looking at her.

"She's so beautiful." Longbottom, the fourth year of Gryffindor, looked at her fascinated. "Do you think I can ask her out?"

MacDonald, who was standing next to him, rolled his eyes and said, "Please turn around and look over there."

Longbottom looked in the direction he was pointing, and a whole row of boys maintained a posture of staring at the sky with wide-eyed eyes, and their eyes moved with Candice's movement from time to time.

The corner of Longbottom's mouth twitched, and he said in a low voice: "Although there are a lot of competitors—how do you know that you will fail if you don't try?"

MacDonald couldn't help applauding him, and Longbottom was struck again just as he was a little confident: "But your real opponent is not them. Your real opponent is Potter, and..." He glanced across In the grandstand, a few Slytherins don't know what the wind is, sitting there watching Gryffindor training, it's really terrible.

Longbottom followed suit and couldn't help frowning. MacDonald whispered to him, "Haven't you heard? In the first grade, Bell and Riddle of Slytherin got very close. Last Christmas Bell also spent a lot of time in the hospital wing during the holidays because of his conflicts with the Slytherin girls."

Longbottom said hesitantly: "But they have lost contact now, haven't they?"

...that is exactly what happened.

Although Dumbledore said that Candice's dealings with Riddle would not bother him, and even encouraged her to do whatever she wanted.But the more he was like this, the more Candice couldn't do that.

She could feel that Professor Dumbledore just didn't want to make things difficult for her.

Professor Dumbledore is willing to bear those troubles in order to let her live a happy life, and Candice must not really let those things affect him.

So, after the second grade started, she never contacted Riddle.

Occasionally met in the school corridor, she just glanced at him and left quickly with her friends.

Fremont and the others wished to stay away from Slytherin. They used to think about how to persuade her, but now that she spontaneously stayed away from them, it was too late for them to be happy.

Dumbledore also felt the change in Candice. She would sometimes be distracted in class and stare at the book in a daze, but it would not last long-he knew why she had changed, and he understood that she did it for Who feels gratified and contradictory at the same time.

More tangled than Dumbledore is probably Tom Riddle himself.

Just when he planned to embarrass Dumbledore, the most important part of his plan went wrong.

That was the most infallible link he had ever thought.

Leaning against the stone window of the castle, Riddle looked sideways at Candice who was flying in the sky on a broomstick.She was concentrating on training, studying Quidditch tactics with the group of barbarians without distraction.Her good friend——Mr. Potter, he sticks to her almost all day long. It is better to say that he is a big child who needs her care than a guardian.

The breeze blew Riddle's long black hair, he looked back coldly, and walked towards the stairs without turning his eyes.

The next section was Potions class, and he was the first to finish the potion in the cauldron as usual.Malfoy, his partner, glanced at him, and when he left the classroom early, he didn't follow him as usual.

After the class was over, Avery and Rozier came up and asked Malfoy, "Tom doesn't seem to be in a good mood?"

Abraxas pursed his lips and said, "It's obvious, isn't it?"

The three walked out of the classroom together, and Lestrange was the last to follow.Several boys mingled together, talking about the topics they were most concerned about.

"Is it because of that Candice Bell of Gryffindor?" Lestrange lowered his voice, "After the term started, she completely ignored Tom. Compared with last term, she seemed to be a different person—— Sometimes I have to admit that I admire her a little, I thought no girl could resist his charm." He shrugged, "You know, his face is really invincible."

Abraxas said thoughtfully: "Maybe she can't resist his charm, she just..." Walking up the steps, he looked out the window, the Gryffindor Quidditch team had stopped Training, Candice Bell holding the broom and Fremont Potter they walked towards the castle together, the breeze blew the hair around her ears, she smiled like an Austin rose.

"What is she?" Rozier also saw them, frowning and said, "Golden red... What an ugly color scheme."

Avery snorted softly and said, "Indeed. It's gaudy and exaggerated, but silver and green look the best."

Lestrange didn't care about the college's color scheme. He cared more about Malfoy's unfinished words: "Abu, you said Bell couldn't resist his charm—then what medicine did she take wrong? Her reaction now is completely It messed up Tom's plan, and Dumbledore smiled like an old bee every day, which was too obtrusive."

Abraxas stared at Candice until she walked into the castle in high spirits, then lowered her voice and said, "Maybe she's not a complete idiot, not completely dominated by adrenaline and dopamine like other women."

"...Adrenaline and dopamine? What is that? Is it a kind of potion material?" Lestrange was a little confused, as were Avery and Rozier.

The corner of Malfoy's mouth twitched. It seemed that he had done a lot of business with Muggles recently, and even used the term Muggle doctor, which was a bad habit.

"Ahem." He cleared his throat and said to them, "You don't need to know what it is, you just need to know that—maybe Bell just finally realizes that being close to Slytherin and causing riots will give Dumbledore What kind of trouble and distress Lido has brought. As Dumbledore's favorite, after she understands this, she will definitely try to change the status quo."

Everyone suddenly realized and nodded.

This should be the truth of the matter, right?

But after knowing the truth, they felt that it would be better not to know - that girl is not a fool!Should it be called the flower of Gryffindor?It's still harder to deal with than those nympho girls.

But that's someone in Riddle's plan, they really don't want to let her keep indifferent to the heir of Slytherin, it looks too hateful!But they dare not intervene to help, who knows if it will be a disservice?Riddle had also expressly prohibited them from participating in this matter, so... they could only do this and watch, without even a chance to show their loyalty.

Candice actually doesn't care as much about her relationship with Riddle as she makes out.

She thought about writing to him to explain, but she didn't know what to write every time she picked up the quill.

When they met him on the road, most of them were surrounded by other people, so it was even more impossible to say anything in person.

So their relationship was deadlocked.

Before I knew it, school had already started for a long time.

Candice's first Quidditch match officially kicked off.

Although today is the game between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, there are also many people in Slytherin to watch the game, because the winner of today will play against Slytherin next month.

Only by knowing oneself and knowing the enemy can they win every battle. They have to see what new tactics the Gryffindor team will have after many newcomers have been recruited this year.

Many people from Ravenclaw also came. They are more concerned about which house will lose the game today, which means that they will play against them.

Candice changed into the uniform of the Quidditch house team, and wore her blonde hair too long as usual.She has a green jewel in the braid of her hair, which looks very pretty.But it's not all about being pretty, it's about...

In the Slytherin stands, Tom Riddle, as the actor who had a lot of gossip with Candice, also came to watch the game.

Beside him stood Malfoy, with his long platinum hair, and Walburga and Lucretia.The two senior girls usually have their eyes above the top, and they rarely give people a good look, but they rarely smile when they are around Riddle, and they are easy to talk to.

Riddle seems to be attracted to women by nature, but now everyone looks at him not because of his strangely good female affinity, but because of a string of bracelets on his wrist that he inadvertently revealed.

Calling it a bracelet is a bit of an understatement, it's made of leather cord and has a fine green gemstone on it - whether you look at it up close or at a distance, it's just like the stunning Gryffindors on the field. The hair rope of the flower is very similar.

... They seem to have discovered something remarkable?

Strange sights were constantly cast on Riddle. Facing those malicious inquiries, Riddle didn't even blink his eyes. He stared intently at Candice who was riding a broom. Everyone knew that the broom she was riding had something How nice—that’s the Comet 160 that Mr. Bell bought specially for her to join the academy team——the latest product of Comet, which is fast and has good braking effect. The braking charm they set on the broom has obtained an invention patent of.

Just look, that broom used all the skills it could under the control of Candice Bell, who, as a Seeker, was the first to spot the Golden Snitch, Gryffindor The commentator kept praising her beauty in direct proportion to her eyesight. Dumbledore sat in the teacher's seat and looked at the arena happily. His expression was telling everyone—he was the same as the commentator, and they all thought Candice was very beautiful. Excellent Seeker.

Yes, that's right.

She is really good enough.

Damn excellence.

This eldest lady, a girl who has been loved and loved since she was a child, successfully caught the golden snitch when she was a few points behind Hufflepuff in Gryffindor.

The flying professor blew the whistle for the end of the match - Gryffindor had won the match.

"yeah!!!!"

Thunderous cheers erupted from the golden-red stands. Riddle glanced contemptuously, and slowly clenched his fists with the hand hanging by his side.Candice, who was holding the Golden Snitch in the sky and smiling confidently, looked towards him subconsciously. He looked away coldly, and led a group of Slytherin students out of the stands.

Candice was floating in the air on a broom, the smile on her face froze a little, but soon hooked up again, because Professor Dumbledore looked over.

He gave him an appreciative look, and Candice felt a little better, but she was still a little disappointed.

Looks like she'll have to get that letter out soon.

If they don't send it out, she and Riddle will probably really have nothing to do with each other.

After winning the game, Candice gets her first Snitch as a souvenir.

With the Snitch in her pocket, she walked to class trying to figure out how to word her letter to Riddle.

How should she tell him in a tactful tone—in order not to cause trouble to Professor Dumbledore, she will not have any contact with him during school?

He must be very angry, he must break with her from now on, she said that, she was telling him that their friendship was worth nothing compared to a little bit of trouble for Professor Dumbledore.

But that's not the case.

Candice let out a long sigh, resting her chin with one hand in a daze.

Professor Binns of History of Magic was reading a dozing text as usual, and Candice and Fremont were the only ones who were awake in class.

The reason Fremont stayed up so well today was because Candice kept sighing.

"What are you worrying about?" Fremont couldn't help but whispered, "We just won the first game in our lives! Think about how to celebrate before it's too late, why do you keep moaning?"

Candice couldn't explain it. If she told Fremont what was bothering her, Fremont would only think she was annoying.

So she could only say: "It's okay, I'm just bored."

Fremont snorted softly: "You are hiding from me, you don't want to tell me. But you are right, the history of magic is indeed boring." He spread the book in front of him, and Candice was surprised to find that he had memorized took notes.

"What's that expression on your face?" Freemont looked at her speechlessly, "Is it strange for me to take notes?"

Candice said dryly: "There is one thing. I didn't expect you to learn."

If it wasn't for the class being held right now, Fremont would have knocked Candice on the head for sure.

He said indignantly: "Enough of Candice, I have already said that I will work hard this semester! Just wait and see that I surpass you in the final exam!"

Candice nodded seriously: "I'll wait and see."

Freemont snorted again, lowered his head and continued to take notes.

Candice held up her chin that was about to drop, and had to say that although she accepted in her heart that Fremont would take the class seriously—especially the terrible thing about the History of Magic class, the impact of what she saw with her eyes was still overwhelming. She was shocked.

As Halloween approached, Candice finally sent out the letter she had written after thinking for a long time.

She deliberately went to the owl shed to choose the school's owl to send the letter, fearing that it would attract attention again.

She knew very well that she hadn't been in touch with Riddle for a while, and if she suddenly started sending letters again, if someone saw her, it would only cause a bigger disturbance, so she was very careful.

When Riddle received her letter, even though he was genuinely displeased by her evasive remarks, he still wanted to complain about her like she complained about Fremont—ah, he didn't even know that she Can still do such a cautious thing.

It's surprising that a Gryffindor can think of so many details when contacting him, isn't it?

Riddle tore up the parchment in front of him blankly, holding the powerful yew wood wand, moved his lips lightly, without even saying a spell, the torn parchment was burned.

"Silent spell?" Abraxas' voice came from behind. "You've already mastered the silent spell in the third year?" He raised his voice slightly, but he wasn't really surprised.

In fact, probably no matter how unexpected things Riddle did, he would take them for granted.

"—Have you heard?" Abu leaned against Riddle's table and whispered, "The half-blood giant that Gryffindor was allocated this year—his roommate reported him, saying that he was raising forbidden children in the dormitory." animal."

"Prohibited animals?" Riddle became a little interested, leaning on the back of the chair and looking at Abraxas, "What prohibited animals?"

"No one knows." Malfoy shrugged. "I'm telling you this because, although he was reported, he was not convicted of it." He said regretfully, "It was just deducted points."

Riddle raised his eyebrows: "Is it because of Dumbledore's mediation?"

Malfoy smiled weirdly and said, "No. That's exactly what I wanted to tell you - it wasn't Dumbledore, it was Bell."

Riddle frowned, but said nothing.

Malfoy continued: "Candice Bell persuaded the student who reported Rubeus Hagrid to give up his request to change the dormitory and continue to live with the half-blood giant."

The corners of Riddle's mouth were pursed, his black eyes were dark, and he couldn't tell what he was thinking.

Malfoy was silent for a while and then said: "I didn't expect her to be eloquent, didn't she? She really deserves to be Dumbledore's favorite, and she always does things that suit the old bee's mind—"

Always do something in line with the old bee's mind - how could Riddle not hear that Abraxas was implying that Candice alienated Riddle for Dumbledore's sake?

He squinted slightly at Malfoy, and the two looked at each other for a moment, and Malfoy stood up straight with a pale face.

"Sorry, I said too much." After he finished speaking, he turned and walked towards his bed. Riddle watched his back, and slowly looked away when he lay on the bed and drew the curtains.

The young masters and ladies of these pure-blooded families would show enough respect and admiration for him most of the time.But in their hearts, in a short period of time, it may be difficult to eliminate the disdain for him growing up in an orphanage and having a shabby childhood.

but it does not matter.

He will make them dare not have that disdainful heart again.

He moved his gaze to the table again, where there was a letter just now, which was torn up and burned by him, and now there is no ashes left.

Riddle slowly raised his hand, put it on the table, and slowly clenched it into a fist.

Third-year Tom Riddle is a lot taller than he was last year.

His facial contours had completely faded away from the child's innocence and grown into a teenager with adult appeal.

When Candice went to the library alone, she happened to meet such an eye-catching him.

He was very sensitive to sight, and when she was staring at him, he quickly looked up.

Holding a book in his hand, he quickly closed it when he saw her, and walked over casually.

Neither she nor he has anyone else around today, maybe they can talk?

Candice thought so, without moving, just stood there waiting for him.

Riddle stared at her with black eyes, shortening the distance between the two step by step. Many people in the library noticed that these two people who had been in an affair and then broke off completely were gradually approaching. Waiting for their conversation with bated breath, however...

They were disappointed.

Nothing at all.

Riddle walked past Candice without changing his expression.

The only thing he left behind was probably a gust of wind with a faint mint smell on his body.

Candice froze, but quickly returned to normal. She went to the library to borrow a few books, signed them and left in a hurry.

——No gossip?A group of students withdrew their gazes in disappointment and continued reading.

Candice walked out of the library with a heavy heart.

She held the book and looked forward, Riddle's back was so conspicuous, it was hard for her to ignore it.

She still has a class next to her, which is Transfiguration class, and there are about 10 minutes left for the class, if the traffic conditions allow... She means, if there are no other students around, maybe they can have a brief chat.

But she was still disappointed.

She followed him forward, and there were many students along the road. Candice was a little anxious. She didn't have much time left, and her steps unconsciously accelerated.

Then she followed him to the eighth floor.

There are finally not many students here, but it is also far away from the transformation class classroom.

Candice turned around annoyed and wanted to leave. She had less than 10 minutes left to rush to the classroom, and she didn't want to be late.

But the moment she turned around, Riddle, who had been keeping a close distance with her, suddenly stopped and looked at her.

Candice paused when she turned around, and looked at him contradictoryly. He took a step forward and walked towards her slowly. Candice hugged the book in her arms tightly. She didn't know why, but she was a little guilty and nervous. .

"You followed me all the way, aren't you just waiting for a time when no one is around? Why are you leaving now?"

Riddle stood in front of her, he had probably tidied his hair, his bangs were shorter, she could clearly see his slender eyebrows and charming eyes.

His appearance really makes it difficult to think calmly and have a peaceful conversation.

Candice can only speak to him normally when she turns her head away from him.

"The Transfiguration class for the second grade is about to start." Candice said holding the book, "I don't have much time." She pursed her lips, mustered up the courage to look into his eyes, and said tentatively, "Maybe we Can we talk next time?"

Talk to you next time?

She spoke so lightly.

It's been nearly two months since school started, and they only have this chance. She plans to do it next time?

Riddle looked at her coldly, forcing her step by step until she had to lean against the wall.

Under her slightly panicked gaze, he whispered: "There will be no next time, Miss Bell. Don't worry, I won't let you miss your beloved Professor Dumbledore's class."

He tilted his head, dropping it a little bit, and for a moment, Candice thought he was going to kiss her.

But he didn't.

The tip of his nose was touching hers, and their breaths intertwined, and Candice barely dared to catch her breath.

"We're not friends from today. That's it."

After he finished speaking with a blank face, he withdrew abruptly and left without looking back.

He was tall, with big strides, and if she didn't grab him immediately, he would disappear around the corner in no time.

Candice had no doubts at all that if she let him go this time, it would really be over between them.

At that time, let alone friends, I'm afraid we won't even be able to make a nod acquaintance.

She had no idea what bad things Riddle had done to her, and what ugly purpose he had.In her opinion, it was she who unilaterally and suddenly cut off the contact between the two of them, it was she who said things differently and refused to tell the truth in the letter to him, it was she who wanted to be friends with him selfishly and pretentiously, but also wanted to be friends with him. I don't want to get Professor Dumbledore into trouble.

She thought she was too much.

She may have never treated anyone so "badly" in her life.

So she took his hand, the hand still tied with the chain she had given him.

Looking at the leather chain on his wrist, Candice felt mixed feelings.

She bit her lip and remained silent for a while, before she gave up.

"I'm sorry." She walked up a few steps, staring at Riddle's black eyes and said, "It's my fault. I cut off our contact for no reason, and I was still trying to hide the real reason for doing that in the letter. You are so smart, You must have guessed it all, right?"

Riddle looked at her in surprise, as if he hadn't expected her to say it.

It has to be said that he is good at acting and pretends to be very similar, and Candice didn't see any flaws.

"I'm sorry, Tom. It's my fault." Candice said to him, frowning. "You can blame me all you want, and you can never want to be friends with me again, but please let me put this Tell you the truth, so that my conscience will be more comfortable."

Oh conscience, what was that, Riddle didn't quite know.But he was happy to make her conscience a little easier.

So he turned and faced her, as if listening.

Candice felt uncomfortable seeing him like this.

She is not a fool, she can feel the perfunctory in his actions, he must be very angry.

This is the first time she felt that coping attitude so clearly in him.

"I have been thinking about how to deal with our relationship throughout the summer vacation." Candice looked at him and said, "You also know what happened between Slytherin and Gryffindor last year because of our relationship. I I remember when we first met, I mentioned Professor Dumbledore to you. He was different to me - I didn't want to be a problem student, causing trouble for the house frequently, and embarrassing him. This It's the reason why I haven't contacted you since the beginning of school this year."

She took a breath and said, "I know I'm too much. I'm sorry, I'm not a good friend. If you cut me off completely because of this, I won't have a problem. I just hope..." She told herself Calm down and express what's on her mind clearly, but she can't help but get a little emotional.

After all, she is just a little girl under 13 years old. She has never had such a contradictory experience when she grows up. It is a miracle that she can say so much well.

Her eyes were red, she sniffed and said, "I just hope you can give me a chance to make up for you. In this way, even if we can no longer be friends in the future, I will feel better in my heart. "

Tears rolled down her cheeks when she said the words, "I'll never be friends again."I have to say that a beautiful girl is also beautiful when she cries.If there were any fairies in this world, they would cry like this.

Riddle looked at her intently, his indifferent and ignorant attitude changed little by little, and Candice, who was emotional, didn't notice it.

She had already forgotten the Transfiguration class she was going to attend later, but he reminded her.

"You're late." He opened and closed his thin lips, announcing the unacceptable news to her.

After hearing this, Candice felt even more uncomfortable, so she squatted down with her book in her arms and burst into tears.

I am really thankful that there is no one else on the eighth floor at the moment.

Riddle looked around, facing the emotionally broken girl, he seemed a little passive, not at all as comfortable as usual.He is always calm and self-possessed at every step. He is fully capable of pretending to be a holy and benevolent teenager at this moment, forgiving her for what she thinks is extremely excessive, and then getting her guilt, and continuing his plan in another way.

It will get twice the result with half the effort then.

but……

Obviously, he didn't do that.

He can't even do his best thing of watching from the sidelines.

A pair of cool but soft hands fell on Candice's shoulders, Candice's body shook, and she slowly raised her head, looking at the owner of the hands in surprise.

"You should know there's a thing called a Time-Turner." He took out a beautiful watch from the side pocket of his school robe, slipped it into her hand, and said, "I can lend it to you. Now you can solve your lateness problem— — so can you stop crying?"

He is obviously very cold in both expression and speech, like the thick ice that forms on the surface of a lake in winter.

But Candice couldn't help bursting into tears after hearing this.

He was comforting her.

Even solved the problem of being late for her.

He clenched the time converter in his hand, and it still carried his slight temperature on it.

Candice only felt that her chest was filled with complex and passionate emotions.

This fledgling flower of Gryffindor, this beautiful Austin rose, she frowned as if embarrassed, then threw away the book in her hand, stood up and hugged the boy in front of her.

Riddle's arms were hanging by his side, passively embraced by her.

At this moment, he could neither feel the pleasure of a successful plot, nor the abnormal anxiety.

He stood there with his back so straight that Candice had to tiptoe to wrap her arms around his neck.

Reason told him to push her away, but his hand hanging by his side had obviously been raised, but he retracted it timidly when he was about to push her away.

He denied that emotion as timidity.

He looked down into the blue eyes of the girl looking into him, and she breathed and breathed, and he breathed and breathed.

A Muggle, Victor Hugo, who wrote a literary masterpiece in 1862 called Les Misérables.

There is a sentence in it that can well describe the situation of Candice and Riddle at the moment.

—“The first sign of true love is timidity in a boy, boldness in a girl.”