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YULE had come to an end, and Athena had devoted much of her time to immersing herself in a variety of books.

Among them was Secrets of the Darkest Arts, a title that captivated her profoundly. The book's contents drew her into a realm of power and ambition that seemed almost within reach, and she had finished reading it only a couple of hours after Riddle had gotten it for her.

The first day of classes after Yule break had ended was pleasant enough.

Athena was now on her way to the Slug Club with Druella, who was quieter than usual. She noticed, but she knew it was not her place to speak.

Druella was headstrong and would immediately deny anything was wrong. She preferred to keep her problems or worries to herself.

Athena, being a concerned friend, still opened her mouth and asked, "Is everything alright, Druella?"

Her friend gave her a strange look, almost as if the answer was obvious. "Why wouldn't it be?" she asked, her face concealing any emotion after the look she gave Athena.

Athena fell silent, the only sound in the empty corridors being the soft echo of their footsteps. She sensed Druella's unusual quietness and chose not to intrude. It wasn't her place to pry; doing so would be rather impolite.

Instead, her mind wandered to other things, like the small Slug Club party that was happening and she was on her way to. Ministry officials were invited—Professor Slughorn wanted them to meet the officials as a way to show them the part of the world they would join after graduating from Hogwarts.

Athena almost scoffed. She still had three more years of Hogwarts left, but she wasn't going to argue. The opportunity was too good to pass up.

She was wearing a mid-length black dress that showed understated elegance. The dress was tailored to fit her figure perfectly, with a gently cinched waist that enhanced her silhouette. It fell gracefully to just below her knees, giving it a classic charm. The fabric was a smooth, luxurious crepe that draped beautifully, catching the light subtly as she moved. The skirt had a slight flare, adding a hint of movement without being overly voluminous. A concealed zipper at the back ensured a sleek and seamless finish.

It was one of her favorite dresses, to be honest. She paired it with the pearl necklace she had worn to the Slug Club dinner, along with matching earrings and a matching pearl bracelet.

When they finally reached the door a moment later, Athena took a deep breath—a hope lingering within her as she thought of something she had been worried about ever since Professor Slughorn explained what would happen tonight.

They would be introduced to some Ministry officials—so that their presence would be known.

Athena only hoped her father wasn't among them.

The only thing that kept her from running in the opposite direction was the fact that Septimus Malfoy had bigger, more important things to do.

She walked in with Druella when the door was opened by a student dressed in a suit, looking like he was helping around. There seemed to be a few of those helping students, some holding trays of drinks and some holding trays of different types of food.

Athena only shook her head politely when one of them stopped in front of her and Druella, offering them what seemed to be shrimp. Druella, however, accepted it and gracefully ate it, looking around.

There were more people than she had thought. Chatter and polite laughs filled up the room—Athena almost felt like she was suffocating. However, she composed herself and accepted the next tray that was offered to her—a glass of champagne.

Athena held her glass of champagne with poised grace, her fingers delicately wrapped around the slender stem. The bubbles caught the light, casting a soft shimmer on her elegant attire. As she lifted the glass to her lips, her movements were careful and controlled, embodying a refined sophistication that complemented the celebratory atmosphere perfectly.

It seemed like all those balls she was forced to attend from a young age had taught her well.

Her eyes stopped on her brother in the corner, who was talking animatedly to a listening Ministry official. Abraxas Malfoy seemed like he was in his element, the chatter coming out of his mouth impressing the man he was talking to.

Athena looked away and frowned when she noticed Druella was no longer beside her. She turned to her other side and noticed the girl with Cygnus Black, who seemed to have called her over.

Athena looked away and put the glass to her lips, sipping on the drink again. Her eyes lit up, feigning interest, when she noticed Professor Slughorn walking up to her with an eager smile. "Good evening, Professor."

Professor Slughorn immediately guided Athena toward an impeccably dressed man standing at the edge of the gathering. "Ah, Athena," he said, his voice rich with enthusiasm, "I'd like you to meet Mr. Abernathy, a distinguished figure from the Ministry of Magic. His insights and connections are invaluable, and I'm certain you'll find your conversation most enlightening."

With a warm smile, Professor Slughorn gestured for Athena to make her introduction. Mr. Abernathy, his sharp gaze softened by genuine interest, extended his hand, and Athena, composed and gracious, responded with a firm handshake.

"You must be Athena Malfoy," Mr. Abernathy said, his deep voice carrying a note of respectful curiosity. His black hair was meticulously styled, and his sharp, well-tailored suit spoke of an attention to detail that matched his polished demeanor.

She gave him a polite smile, withdrawing her hand after the handshake, while her other hand held the glass of champagne. "I am, sir," she confirmed with a steady voice, her gaze meeting his as he began to speak.

If Athena was being honest, she had no desire to know what was going on in the Ministry. She had no desire to work in the place her father groomed Abraxas to work. She had no desire to work in the place where everyone seemed to go after graduating from Hogwarts.

No, she had no desire.

Athena felt like she wanted something bigger—something deeper. She did not want to sit in an office all day, buried in paperwork and constant stress like her father. Even though Septimus Malfoy held a high position in the Ministry and was an important man, Athena was not inspired by him one bit.

Unlike Abraxas.

Instead, she wanted a purpose—a job important enough to show her ambition and hard work.

However, Athena listened attentively, her demeanor one of polite engagement as Mr. Abernathy spoke. She interjected thoughtfully, adding her own insights and questions, which seemed to resonate with him. Sensing her dedication and knowledge, he continued to elaborate on the various roles within the Ministry, sharing detailed information and offering valuable insights into each position.

Athena continued to nod, her eyes on him as she put the glass to her lips and took another sip—almost choking on it when she realized Tom Riddle was now beside her with Slughorn.

"I apologize for interrupting," Slughorn said with a jovial chuckle, then gestured toward Tom Riddle. "Mr. Abernathy, allow me to introduce Tom Riddle, our top student alongside Athena. Tom, this is Mr. Abernathy, who works at the Ministry. I'm sure you'll find his expertise quite impressive."

As the Ministry official and Riddle shook hands and greeted one another, Athena could not help but notice the tension hidden in Tom's eyes at the fact that she had been introduced to the man first. She felt her lips quirk up in satisfaction, disguising it by sipping on her champagne.

Tom Riddle was wearing his usual all-black attire, putting his hands in his pockets after shaking the man's hand. He gave her a quick glance, his jaw tightening immediately when he noticed the gleam in her eyes.

"Slughorn's brightest students," said Mr. Abernathy as he looked between the two.

They looked almost the same—black hair, black attire, pale faces. However, their eyes were extremely different, as were their facial structures.

And yet, in a way, the two seemed to complement each other. But, judging by the clenched jaw of the boy and the disdain in the girl's eyes, Mr. Abernathy kept his opinion to himself and instead said, "How fortunate I am to have both of you in one place. Ms. Malfoy here seems to know all about the Ministry, but I wouldn't expect less from Septimus Malfoy's daughter."

Athena tensed but gave him a tight-lipped smile as he let out a small chuckle, oblivious to her reaction. Riddle, for once, smirked at her—reminding her, in his own cruel way, that he knew her weakness.

"Indeed. Have you met Abraxas Malfoy yet? He is the actual Malfoy heir, after all." Tom Riddle smiled cruelly, acting oblivious to the tension radiating off the girl.

"Oh, yes." Mr. Abernathy nodded, his eyes falling on the boy in the corner still speaking to the Ministry official. "He is quite a bright one. However, his sister, Athena here, seems to be more educated in some matters."

"Thank you, sir," Athena said, her expression brightening with a smile of genuine satisfaction. She glanced at Tom Riddle, whose previously relaxed demeanor had shifted to one of tight-lipped tension. "Usually, the men are the heirs, while the women work hard to prove themselves in a way that is not as easy. Speaking of which, I'm sure Tom Riddle here carries a great weight being the Riddle family's heir—" She abruptly paused, her mouth forming a small 'o' as if a realization had dawned on her.

Noticing Mr. Abernathy's puzzled frown—evidently unfamiliar with the Riddle family—Athena quickly corrected herself. "Never mind. I forgot that the Riddles aren't listed among the Sacred Twenty-Eight."

Tom Riddle's expression hardened as Athena mentioned the Riddle family's status, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. He gave a brief, almost imperceptible stiffening of his posture, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden focus on his family background. However, he masked his discomfort with a smooth, practiced smile, though his hardened features remained.

"Well, at least my name isn't what opens doors, but my wit certainly does," Riddle replied smoothly, his voice calm and composed. The remark sliced through the lingering tension with effortless grace, prompting an awkward but appreciative smile from Mr. Abernathy and a roll of Athena's eyes.

Mr. Abernathy finally spoke again as soon as he composed himself, though his attention was mostly on Athena now—the actual Pureblood of the two. "Well, it's clear you both have strong qualities. It's always interesting to see how different backgrounds and experiences shape individuals."

Athena's smile remained intact, though her tone was slightly edged. "Indeed, it's fascinating how varied paths can lead to success. Some, of course, may have to work a bit harder to prove their worth."

Riddle raised an eyebrow, his response smooth but pointed. "Absolutely, Malfoy. It's remarkable how determination can sometimes outshine inherited advantages."

Mr. Abernathy, clearly uncomfortable with the exchange, nodded diplomatically. "It's wonderful to see such dedication and talent. I'm sure both of you will continue to make significant contributions." He pointed this out despite the obvious tension, his eyes darting between the two students. He noticed everything—the tension, the backhanded comments, the rivalry. From experience, he knew exactly what it was. "And having an academic rival is, in most cases, inspiring. I myself had one at your age here at Hogwarts. She pushed me to work harder than ever, which is the sole reason I became who I am today."

Athena's brows furrowed as she tilted her head, her curiosity evident. "And what happened to her?" she asked, her voice carrying a note of genuine intrigue.

Riddle, with his hands casually tucked into his pockets, affected an expression of feigned curiosity. However, the disdain in his eyes was unmistakable, clearly betraying his usual contempt for the girl beside him.

Mr. Abernathy smiled. "Well, I married her, of course," he said, smile not leaving his face, and continued after noticing the confusion on their faces, "She's at home with our children at the moment."

With that, he took a glass of champagne that was offered to him and took a sip, the awkward silence his only company.