the Gambler

Harry vaguely heard the voices of many people, and all his muscles protested, refusing to move.Harry felt like a spirit outside his body, trying to open his eyes, but refusing to obey even the eyelids.He could feel the glaring white light shining on him, the warm breath hitting his cheek, and the familiar smell of potion that entered his nostrils.snape.Harry muttered silently in his heart. He didn't know why he stayed under the care of the other party. Professor McGonagall could replace the other party. She was his dean, wasn't she?And Dumbledore, Harry reminded himself, the Headmaster hadn't visited him yet, damn it because—

Damn Tom Riddle!

Harry's chest skipped a beat, he could feel his heart beating violently trying to break through, damn it it was because of that bastard Tom!That crazy perverted cruel Tom Riddle!He will never tolerate that psychopath appearing by his side again!Harry thought back to the fight before he passed out, the fucking mission, the fucking surveillance, the fucking duel, and he felt like he'd almost walked back from hell.The boy couldn't imagine that if the person who found him walked one step at night, would he be able to go to heaven to meet his parents?Harry desperately wanted to see the annoyed expression on the old man's face now, it would definitely make him eat three big plates of beef pies!

"He needs to rest, everything else is fine." Snape's indifferent voice sounded from the right.

Harry wondered if he was hallucinating, and he thought the tone of the Potions professor, who had been determined to hate him from the first moment he saw him, sounded a bit concerned.Oh, Harry, it seems that the duel not only hurt the body but also the brain, don't be stupid, everyone knows that Snape wants you to lie in the grave sooner -

"He doesn't look like he's all right," McGonagall sounded almost broken, "Poor Harry, I told you I couldn't let Riddle stay with him, he's no ordinary Slytherin , Merlin's beard!"

"We can't influence Albus's decision." Snape's words were full of disgust. "If even Potter can't contain the young Dark Lord, why on earth should we put the task of destroying the older Dark Lord on him? Aren't you also foolish enough to believe the prophecy that a little boy with no training can bring down a powerful dark wizard?"

"I don't know, but Harry is our only hope." McGonagall lowered his voice, "In any case, the Dark Lord has to step over my corpse before he can hurt Harry."

Harry felt that these words warmed his whole body. Professor McGonagall was not the type who would show his true emotions in front of the students. He didn't know that the witch had such a desire to protect him, which made Harry firmer. How could he doubt Dumbledore and the Bright Side?If Harry was willing to give his life for them, they were willing to do the same for themselves.

Harry felt ashamed of himself for being shaky earlier.

"Oh, don't be so dramatic, Minerva," Snape said. "No one asked you to show your determination in front of an unconscious Potter, or is this a Gryffindor thing? Those two little trolls also The acting is real, but it's a pity that Potter can't hear anything and can't get up to applaud you, I guess he will hide under the blanket and cry in gratitude when he knows?"

"Shut up, Severus, Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley are not trolls, not any Gryffindors. Put your prejudices aside, you cannot deny their loyalty to Harry."

Harry heard Snape complaining softly, and McGonagall said again: "When will Harry wake up? He has been in a coma for a whole month, and Albus is very worried. If it weren't for the paparazzi now guarding St. At the door of Ge Hospital, he almost rushed in."

"It's only been a few days since he woke up," Snape said, "Compared with this, I think Albus should focus more on dealing with Riddle's affairs. I hate to admit that their The duel shook the cellar. Damn, who would have thought two students could do this?"

"I always knew Harry was a powerful wizard," McGonagall said proudly.

Snape snorted, and there was no usual sarcasm in his tone: "Potter may be strong, but I think more of the damage came from Riddle, who is really powerful."

"But Harry still didn't lose, he seriously injured Riddle." McGonagall paused, as if she was thinking about how to organize her words, "Riddle is dangerous, how can Albus insist on letting Harry watch him? Hell, Harry almost died!"

"Pay attention to the language, Minerva. Gryffindor stupidity is contagious, and it has a bad effect on you." Snape said coldly. "I never knew how Albus's brain worked." .Looks like we'll have to step up our guarding of these two in the future, and I just hope we don't have to come to St. Mungo's again."

"Albus wants us to take Potter back to the medical wing. The Death Eaters have been moving again recently." As soon as Snape finished speaking, Harry felt himself being pulled up by a pair of strong arms and snuggled into a room full of potion smell. On his chest, he heard Professor McGonagall read something, and the next moment, the familiar smell of the medical wing poured into his nose, and he was placed on the soft hospital bed by Snape again.

Harry quietly listened to the footsteps getting further and further away, his consciousness was slowly swallowed by the darkness, and he fell into a deep sleep again.

Harry's eyes snapped open, and he looked around. The bright moonlight made it easy for him to recognize the Healing Wing.The familiar environment could not reassure him, his five keen senses told himself that he was not the only one here.There was another shallow breathing in the room.Harry hadn't found his own wand on the bedside table, and the absence of a weapon made the boy uneasy.

Harry took a deep breath, and he said to the corner where the moonlight did not shine: "Come out."

Someone moved in the darkness, a man in school robes slowly walked up to Harry, his blond hair was faintly glowing in the moonlight.

"Malfoy." Harry said vigilantly, his eyes focused on the other's every move, "Want to avenge your master? It's a pity, even if I am like this, I can still take you down."

"Don't be brave, Potter, at least hide all the bandages on your chest before you say such things," Malfoy sat down on the chair next to Harry, his expression was vague, and his stiff muscles showed that Malfoy was not that serious. Believe in his own words, he was still worried about Harry's strength, "You are sharper than I imagined, you were sober when I came here."

"I need to be vigilant at all times. I have to be wary of Riddle even when I'm sleeping, after all, he's not someone to be friendly with." Harry could see that Malfoy didn't mean to attack him, he knew that Madam Pomfrey was a few days away There is a door, and you can rush in to help Harry at any time when danger occurs.The realization made him relax, and Harry turned his head to look out the window, it was definitely past the curfew, "Why are you here, and at this time? I don't think you would have the kindness to come and see the enemy."

"I have a reason to come." Malfoy closed his eyes, his chest heaving, and he seemed to be struggling emotionally.Harry waited until the other party opened his eyes again, and heard a trembling voice coming out of Malfoy's mouth, "You're not the type to kill at will, but you almost killed Riddle, I want to know what happened to him who is it."

"Someone you definitely don't want to be associated with."

"I have my own conjecture, and I just want to confirm it through you." Malfoy looked straight at Harry, his knuckles turning white from his grip on the school robe, "Riddle is not an ordinary wizard, he Far more powerful and cruel than his peers, he has an odd connection with the Dark Lord—" Malfoy's lips quivered, "he's clearly a Dark wizard, but he despises the Dark Lord."

Harry interrupted Malfoy's analysis impatiently: "What do you want to say?"

"Riddle said he was a half-blood," Malfoy met Harry's eyes bravely, "and so did the Dark Lord."

"You're not stupid enough to think that V—"

Malfoy's sharp voice cut off Harry's words: "Don't say his name!" Seeing Harry's mocking expression, his emotions slowly calmed down, "Riddle is the son of the Dark Lord."

Amused by the absurd speculation, Harry smiled and said, "Do you think I'll tell you?"

"You didn't deny it." The panic in Malfoy's eyes betrayed the calm mask, "He is indeed the son of the Dark Lord."

"Then what do you do next? Kneel down and kiss his toes like your father did?" Harry sneered.

Malfoy straightened up and looked at Harry with a serious expression: "No, I hope to get your protection. Your performance a month ago made me firm in my mind. A rational Riddle is more dangerous than a crazy Dark Lord , He will definitely kill others without hesitation, you know it better than anyone else. An unbreakable oath, you promise that I can live smoothly, and I will provide you with information inside Slytherin."

"A good deal." Harry climbed out of bed, his body still not quite under his control.Harry put his hand on Malfoy's, and as the oath was established, golden light penetrated into their intertwined hands, and strange magic power poured into his body.

"The contract is established."

The next morning Harry was able to move on his own, and he begged Madam Pomfrey to release him from the hospital, but the witch only reluctantly agreed after Harry made a strong promise that he would come back if there was a problem.Harry wasn't in a hurry to pack up, in fact he had nothing to tidy up except for the pile of snacks on the little table.When Harry bounced happily back to the hospital bed, Ron and Hermione were running around in a hurry, and their frustrated expressions were replaced by joy the moment they saw Harry.Hermione rushed over to give the boy a bear hug, and Harry flinched, his wounds not fully healed.Ron noticed Harry's stiffness, and he freed the boy from Hermione's arms.Seeing Harry's pained expression, Hermione screamed to pull Harry back to Madam Pomfrey.Naturally, this was firmly rejected by Harry. He didn't want to be tied back to the hospital bed as soon as he got permission. His muscles have been relaxed after this month's recuperation!

Harry followed his friends back to Gryffindor Tower, and along the way they filled in the boy's missing memories for the month.Tom was discharged from the hospital three days before him, and stayed in the Slytherin cellar all the time. Now Tom has made no secret of his rule over the Snake House, especially after the death fight with Harry, many people from other colleges gradually began to stay away from him. Especially Gryffindor is the most obvious.

At least they were beginning to see Tom's true nature slowly, Harry groaned, which was no small gain.He looked up at Ron suddenly, interrupting the latter's babble.

"What, buddy?" Ron asked suspiciously.

"I wonder if my bed in the tower is still available. I want to go back to live." Harry was a little uncomfortable. He had been out of the dormitory for nearly five months, and it was strange to make such a sudden request. He didn't know anything else. What will your roommates think.

"Oh——" Ron showed an expression of sudden realization, and he looked very happy, "Of course it's reserved for you, and you can come back whenever you want. I've already guessed that there will be such a day."

"Thanks, Ron."

"Isn't that what friends are like?"