Chapter 11: Robert, Don’t You Pay Attention to the Occasion When You Speak?

The UK Orphanage was not particularly close to the Leaky Cauldron—in fact, it was quite a distance away.

However, both Tom and Robert were short on money, leaving them with no choice but to walk all the way to their destination.

They had changed out of their orphanage-issued robes, instead wearing second-hand jackets that had seen better days. Tom also sported a slightly oversized newsboy cap. Of course, these were all donated clothes—they had no means of buying their own.

"I think maybe we should've asked Mrs. Cole for some money. We could've at least taken a carriage," Tom complained after more than an hour of walking. He was getting tired.

Robert shot him a sharp glance. "Did you forget that we snuck out this morning? And wasn't it your idea to leave quietly?"

Tom groaned, rubbing his aching legs. "I just didn't want to waste time explaining things to her." He glanced at Robert. "Besides, you didn't object, did you?"

Robert shrugged. "I had my own reasons." Then, he suddenly placed a firm hand on Tom's shoulder. "Don't look back. Just keep walking."

Tom frowned. "What's wrong?"

"Didn't you notice?" Robert said calmly. "Someone's been following us."

Tom's eyes widened slightly. "What? Who?"

"Shh. Don't look back, Tom… Come this way."

Without another word, Robert led Tom into a narrow side alley. Confused, Tom followed and crouched behind a corner.

"I'm serious—who's following us?" Tom asked impatiently.

"My guess? Human traffickers," Robert said in a low voice. "A good-looking boy like you? You'd sell for a good price."

Tom's face twisted with irritation. "Oh, and you wouldn't? You're so pretty the old cat at the orphanage even gave you a special room!"

Robert smirked but held up a hand for silence.

At that moment, two figures entered the alley.

One was a tall, muscular man, dressed like a laborer. The other was a woman, her face obscured by a scarf.

"Where did they go?" the man growled.

"I saw them turn in here," the woman rasped.

"This alley's a dead end. They must be here somewhere," the man muttered, scanning the area with sharp eyes.

Meanwhile, the woman pulled out a dirty handkerchief and sprinkled some kind of liquid onto it from a brown glass bottle.

Tom peeked through a small gap in the wall, his expression darkening.

"I have a question," he whispered. "There were policemen patrolling just a few streets ahead. Why didn't we just go to them? If we'd even passed by them, these two wouldn't have dared to keep following us! Now we're trapped in a dead end."

Robert turned to Tom, looking utterly shocked. "Wait, Tom Riddle is suggesting we go to the police when we're in danger? Where is the Tom who once broke a kid's nose with a rusty poker just because he annoyed him?"

Tom scowled. "I'm just… not sure if my magic could stop that guy. He looks strong." His voice lowered. "You don't think I'm afraid of him, do you?"

Robert grinned. "No, of course not. I totally understand. You're still young, after all…"

Tom's face burned with frustration. "I said, I'm not afraid!"

Robert nodded seriously. "Oh, absolutely. The great Mr. Riddle couldn't possibly be afraid of a mere Muggle. So, tell you what—you take the woman, and I'll handle the man."

"You—!" Tom's fists clenched in fury. "You bastard! Are you saying I'm afraid of the man?"

Robert chuckled. "What? I'm just agreeing with you, Tom!"

"You—! Argh!" Tom was fuming, but their argument had gotten louder—enough that the man and woman finally spotted them.

"Aha! There you are!" the man shouted excitedly.

Trapped in the dead-end alley, it was clear these two boys had nowhere left to run.

"Haha, don't be scared, little ones," the woman cooed, stepping forward. "Come with us. We'll get you something delicious to eat."

Her eyes gleamed with greed as she looked them over, as if they were bags of gold.

Tom felt disgusted. His frustration at Robert, combined with the sheer repulsiveness of these two strangers, ignited something deep within him.

"GET AWAY FROM US, YOU FILTHY BASTARDS!" Tom snapped.

BOOM!

The man and woman flew backward as if struck by an invisible force.

Robert's eyes gleamed.

Perfect.

He had spent the whole time provoking Tom for exactly this reason—he knew that strong emotions amplified magic. And judging by the raw power Tom just displayed, his plan had worked flawlessly.

Tom, meanwhile, was staring at his own hands, shocked by what he had just done.

His gaze flickered to Robert, narrowing slightly.

At the same time, the woman remained unconscious, but the man—still conscious—staggered to his feet. He looked at Tom in terror, then turned and bolted toward the alley entrance.

But before he could escape, he suddenly froze mid-step, his body locking in place like a statue.

Robert emerged from behind Tom, his expression unreadable.

"Tom," he said smoothly, "you shouldn't get distracted in a fight."

Tom clenched his fists. He had been feeling powerful just moments ago, but Robert had immediately outshone him.

I still can't beat him, Tom realized bitterly. I can't go against him… yet.

"We should go," Tom said stiffly. "We've wasted too much time."

Robert didn't move. "Not yet."

He walked up to the frozen man, snapped his fingers, and suddenly—the man's head was free, but his body remained locked in place.

The man's eyes darted around wildly in panic.

"You… you monsters!" he stammered. "D-Devils! Please, spare me! I don't wanna die!"

"Shut up," Robert said coldly. "Unless you want to stay like this forever."

The man immediately clamped his mouth shut, too terrified to speak.

Robert continued, his voice even:

"Tell me. Where is your base? Who is your boss? How many children have you taken? And… where do you hide your money?"

Tom's eyes widened in realization. "Wait… You're robbing a robber?"

Robert smirked. "I prefer to call it saving innocent children."

Tom scoffed. "Oh, sure. And that's why you're asking about the money?"

Robert turned to him with a mock-serious expression.

"Tom," he sighed dramatically, "do you ever consider the occasion before you speak?"

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