Astra Potter’s boots clicked against the cold stone as she made her way through the Chamber of Secrets. She wasn’t exactly thrilled to be here basilisks, enchanted diaries, and evil teenage ghosts weren’t exactly her idea of a fun afternoon but she had Ginny to save. The whole “rescuing the innocent” thing was getting old, but hey, she wasn’t about to let some random diary-worshipping weirdo ruin her day.
And then, she saw him: Tom Riddle. Tall, dark, and suspiciously handsome for a seventeen-year-old version of an evil overlord. The whole brooding “I’m going to destroy the world” vibe worked better for some people than others, and this guy? He was nailing it.
Riddle turned, his piercing gaze locking on her. “Ah, Astra Potter,” he said, his voice rich with arrogance and dark promise. “I’ve been waiting for you. You’re too late. The girl is already under my control, and soon, the Chamber will be mine. The wizarding world will fall.”
Astra raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a playful smirk. “Oh, you’ve been waiting for me? That’s sweet,” she drawled, leaning against a pillar like she had all the time in the world. “I feel so… special. But seriously, Tom, you should really rethink this whole ‘world domination’ thing. It’s a bit cliché, don’t you think?”
Riddle stared at her, clearly confused. “You… mock me?”
“Not mock,” Astra said, walking toward him with the same lazy confidence she reserved for really annoying tasks. “Just making some observations. You’re clearly going for the ‘dark and mysterious’ look, but honestly? I think you’ve got potential.” She gave him a once-over. “You’ve got the hair, the eyes, the dramatic flair it’s all there. But.. ” She stopped in front of him, brushing her hair back over her shoulder. “You’re missing a little something.”
He blinked. “What do you mean?”
Astra let out a light, teasing laugh. “I mean, if you’re going to be the ultimate dark lord, you need a little more… charm, don’t you think? You know, a bit of flair? Maybe try smiling more. You’d be even more terrifying if you weren't so busy sulking.”
Riddle’s gaze darkened, but there was a hint of something in his expression that wasn’t rage. Something else. “I am not here to charm you, Potter. I’m here to destroy you.”
“Oh, come on, Tom,” she purred, stepping closer to him. “You really think I’m scared? Because, honestly, I’m just here for the drama. You’ve got the whole ‘villain monologue’ down to an art, but you’re kind of lacking in the charming department. A little less brooding and a little more..” She leaned in just slightly, her voice dropping to a whisper, “sociopathic flattery would go a long way.”
Riddle’s breath hitched, his dark eyes narrowing as he tried to maintain control. “I will not be distracted by your your flippancy, Potter.”
She flashed him a grin that was all too knowing. “Flirtation, Tom. Not flippancy. Big difference.” Astra took another step forward, closing the space between them until she was nearly too close, her gaze never leaving his. “You know, I’ve always heard that the most dangerous people are the most charming. You’re, uh, halfway there.”
Riddle looked like he was going to explode. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Astra. I will be the most powerful wizard to ever live. You cannot stop me.”
“Hmm.” Astra tilted her head, a mockingly sympathetic smile on her lips. “Power, immortality, world domination. Yeah, yeah, you’re very big on the ‘classic evil speech,’ I get it. But, listen,” she said, her tone suddenly lighter, “I’m more interested in you than your plans. You’ve got a lot of untapped potential.” She stepped even closer, eyes twinkling. “If you weren’t so busy trying to be scary all the time, maybe we could..” She winked. “I don’t know grab a coffee sometime? Discuss how you’re going to take over the world after we find a better way to do that hair of yours.”
Riddle’s hands clenched into fists, his composure starting to unravel. “You think this is a game, don’t you?”
Astra shrugged. “A little bit, yeah. I mean, you’re doing all the heavy lifting, I might as well enjoy myself.” She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to an almost seductive whisper. “You know, I could get behind a villain who really knows how to make an entrance. But you? You’re just waiting for something. Anything. Come on, Tom, show me something. Anything”
He inhaled sharply, visibly flustered, but his mask of rage quickly reformed. “You’re playing with fire, Potter.”
“I’ve got the best flame retardant, Tom.” She flicked her wand lazily. “But hey, seriously, you should smile more. You’re a lot cuter when you do.”
Riddle’s eyes flicked to the diary, and Astra seized the moment. With a quick flick of her wrist, she sent a surge of magic straight into the cursed book. It rattled in his hands, its pages turning wildly, as if trying to flee from the magic.
“I won’t let you do this,” Riddle spat, trying to regain control of the diary, but Astra was already stepping back.
“You’re really going to ruin your villain career by being this upset over one little insult, Tom?” she teased, crossing her arms. “I’m just trying to help.”
As the diary began to suck him back in, Riddle’s face twisted with rage and frustration. “You think this is over?”
Astra gave him a grin full of mischief, her wand still raised. “Not by a long shot, Tom. But I’d love to see how you come back from this.”
With a final blast of magic, the diary slammed shut, sealing Riddle back into his prison.
Astra turned to Ginny, who was still unconscious but unharmed. She quickly cast a healing spell, then gently lifted the girl into her arms.
Before leaving, Astra turned back to the now-silent chamber, her voice just a breath over her shoulder. “Next time, Tom, I’m really hoping you can flirt back. You’d be so much more fun.”
And with that, she disappeared into the shadows, leaving Riddle locked in his diary, utterly defeated, and for the first time… more confused than angry.