174Please respect copyright.PENANAgi0USu4RrZ
"...Finally, you've come," the Sorting Hat said on Tom's head.
Tom wondered, What is it saying?
174Please respect copyright.PENANA2JVGcRJb4g
The Sorting Hat said, "Hogwarts has been waiting for you for a long time..."
Tom thought, Can you hear what I'm thinking?
174Please respect copyright.PENANAMsXkz95uBW
The Sorting Hat replied, "Yes."
Tom asked, "Can others hear you talking too?"
174Please respect copyright.PENANAvuanPR8K0Y
The Sorting Hat responded, "The conversation between us is a secret."
Tom questioned, "What do you mean by saying Hogwarts has been waiting for me?"
174Please respect copyright.PENANA6Ah8wIsi7U
The Sorting Hat replied, "A curse, a curse that has been dormant in the castle for centuries."
Tom exclaimed, "What?"
174Please respect copyright.PENANA0euB1iVUhC
The Sorting Hat said, "I'm sorry, child, but you belong here by birth. Slytherin!"
The Sorting Hat shouted the last word loudly, but there was almost no applause.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAc6MIz9Vw73
Even those who were clapping blindly quickly stopped.
People started discussing, and only Dumbledore had an expression of "I knew it."
174Please respect copyright.PENANAPgNcc800dm
"Isn't he the boy who works for Ollivander?"
Many first-year students recognized Tom.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAqGVdJlIus0
Tom's birthday was on the last day of the previous year (1937), and it was then that he discovered he was a wizard.
In January of this year (1938), he started working at the wand shop and continued working there until just before the start of the school year.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAFnIN8VCG3V
During this time, almost everyone who came to buy a wand remembered him.
It was because Ollivanders have never had an assistant before.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAoEhq3qBeYE
"But isn't it said that Slytherin only accepts students from noble families? His last name is Riddle, right?"
Students and teachers whispered among themselves.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAYV0eEeuLTB
"Maybe he's just very ambitious?"
People always try to find a reasonable explanation for things.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA5CpB0R4p2K
Meanwhile, Tom, expressionless on the stage, took off the hat.
Deep down, he had no desire to be sorted into Slytherin.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAS3UXS90XN9
He wanted to be in Ravenclaw.
174Please respect copyright.PENANALjYNzOHWqB
He had heard long ago that Slytherin valued bloodlines, and for someone like him, an orphan from the Muggle world with unknown parentage, going to that house would only be torture.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA34pkW6TUXK
"Hey, aren't you from the Ollivander family?"
The boy sitting next to Tom sized him, as if afraid of getting dirty.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAiwOFojUM1p
Tom replied, "No, I'm not."
The boy persisted, "Then are you related to them?"
174Please respect copyright.PENANAqupcAYJP74
Tom gave him a proud look as if to say, "Who are you to ask me?"
The boy returned the stare, snorting disdainfully.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAPXAZ35OLxv
The whispers among the Slytherins seemed to revolve around finding a way to expel this anomaly that had tainted their house.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAAccev32ggE
Tom remained unruffled by their scrutiny, sitting confidently in his seat. Every move he made during the meal was impeccable, and he appeared remarkably at ease.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAWeFpBctGXG
"Perhaps he simply doesn't want to reveal his family background. Who would have a surname just happens to be Riddle?" whispered the girls, starting such rumours.
The animosity toward Tom grew stronger among the boys.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA9MyvDpekiT
Tom thought to himself that he was accustomed to this.
Just like where everyone competed to be adopted, the children in the orphanage had joined forces to exclude him from the start.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAYIHoDqvAGh
Excellence always drew jealousy.
174Please respect copyright.PENANApevshdRYF9
In his heart, Tom encouraged himself, "I will make these 'nobles' regret it, just like the kids back at the orphanage."
They would regret, daring to study in the same house as him.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAtkEfQRax9V
--------
174Please respect copyright.PENANA6EJffi4Vs3
Ginny's performance in Potions class had no impact on the progress of the class.
In fact, she handled the brewing of potions faster and more accurately than two of her classmates combined.
174Please respect copyright.PENANATXiPBCqvg3
It wasn't just Potions. she excelled in all subjects in classroom performance.
Initially, when no one raised their hand to answer questions, the teachers would habitually call on Ginny upon seeing her red hair.
And Ginny's answers were always precise and detailed, prompting the teachers to encourage her to be more proactive in class and not be too shy.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAM0eaZLOXoa
This held true for every time she is in any class.
Her classmates had grown accustomed to treating her as a know-it-all and refrained from saying anything foolish in her presence.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAudlzGj0xeX
"Well, she doesn't need to study anyway..." her classmates would say behind her back.
"Her brothers are either Prefects, Team captains, or Head Boy..."
174Please respect copyright.PENANAo7yAANedNU
So Ginny still didn't have any friends.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAtKesTurq2Y
Hufflepuff's Ricky was obsessed with insects, which terrified Ginny.
Ravenclaw's Luna was always in her own world, speaking in riddles. Ginny found communication with her exhausting.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA98isMd03An
Bad rumours lingered.
The rumour about Ginny bullying Eugene to the point of transferring schools persisted and grew more exaggerated.
Whenever Slytherins encountered her, they would make jokes about fearing to offend the "princess" and such.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAX3mxnfLRIk
But what hurt Ginny the most was that even Gryffindors seemed to believe in the rumours.
So when she took the initiative to ask Kenny and others if they wanted to play chess together, Colin made a snide comment, "We wouldn't want to take up your precious resting time."
174Please respect copyright.PENANATpbZccXsur
Stephanie and Daisy made it even more obvious.
Every time Ginny entered the room, they would immediately stop talking.
Ginny had caught glimpses of words aimed at her right before she pushed open the door several times...
174Please respect copyright.PENANA5GAkA0D9d0
After some deliberation, Ginny gave up.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA1AP1GKxUOz
She threw herself into academics, making her essays increasingly profound and comprehensive.
Her practical skills were impeccable as well.
Except from Professor Lockhart's Defense Against the Dark Arts Class.174Please respect copyright.PENANA1wDy8murfW
174Please respect copyright.PENANAYtdLBduaXr
Ginny was staring blankly at the play being performed on the stage.
Luna was sitting next to her, doodling on parchment.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAl4JsRShUU8
Ginny couldn't make sense of Luna's random drawings. Well, Luna didn't really care about grades anyway.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAMCmD7PQtAO
"Hey, Luna, why aren't you studying at home?" Ginny asked her in a concerned whisper.
Luna had a small note stuck to her back today that said "Loony." Ginny saw it during class and discreetly tore it off for her.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAQGbZzCLR5c
In the classroom now, apart from a few of Lockhart's "fangirls" who were "paying attention" in class, the rest of the students were chatting amongst themselves.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAOv3IemWsB4
Luna paused her drawing and said, "I need more research materials."
Ginny asked, "What are you researching, then?"
174Please respect copyright.PENANAOmSCP3SU3S
Luna blinked dreamily and replied, "Soul, life, the essence of humanity."
Ginny tilted her head in confusion and said, "Uh, okay."
174Please respect copyright.PENANAXqVO4J9Yp0
Everyone had different reasons for coming to Hogwarts.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAJJOxU0x8gU
"Someone has warn me, said that I should be careful around you," Luna suddenly said.
"Who?" Ginny asked, although this question might be pointless.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAgQze5YQyT6
"They say you pretend to be a friend and then...," Luna's gaze towards Ginny was more questioning than critical.
Ginny's face turned bright red, a mixture of anger and embarrassment. She pressed tightly and whispered, "So, do you believe them?"
174Please respect copyright.PENANAVB9Nx7PBuP
Luna looked at her with a slightly crazy yet earnest expression and said,
"Sometimes, I have dreams where I feel like I've forgotten something important.
It feel like there's another me protecting me, filtering out things that could hurt me.
I call it the 'other dark side of the moon,' something that I think everyone has one.
They might even know each other, in dreams."
174Please respect copyright.PENANAPrtd14rRNB
Ginny asked, "So, you mean to say that you believe everyone has a dark side?"
Luna replied, "It's more like our stillborn twin. She only appears when she senses danger for us. She is the subject of my research, so I maintain this state."
174Please respect copyright.PENANAT85AOLa3RL
Ginny became even more puzzled, but it sounded like Luna was empathizing with her from her "crazy" point of view.
"I hope you're not constantly in danger," Ginny kindly said, showing her concern for Luna.
"Also, I truly don't feel guilty to anyone," Ginny added.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7tgAQsgya
Luna, uninterested, said, "I don't care about Eugene, nor however he ends up.
But you have been hindering my research. I had hoped that you would be more intriguing."
174Please respect copyright.PENANAXlQh1oPvtr
Ginny was speechless, thinking to herself: According to Luna's logic, does that mean Tom is my deceased still born twin?
Did Luna actually want to get to know Tom? Did she think he was more interesting than herself?
174Please respect copyright.PENANAMwAF3BKEs9
Ginny hadn't written in her diary for a week, but she still carried it with her every day.
She was afraid of him, but... she was even more afraid that some "classmates" would harm her.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAnqa6h65wUR
If she were to complain to her brothers, perhaps her parents would immediately come and withdraw her from school.
But if she left now, it would be like admitting defeat, silently bearing false and completely opposite accusations, and running away.
Therefore, even though she knew she didn't truly enjoy this situation, she still didn't want to explain herself to those who didn't believe her.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAjuivGgPLi4
How would a mature adult handle this?
Confront everyone directly?
Besides making herself look like a pitiful mad girl, what effect would it really achieve?
Did she want acceptance such friendship obtained in this way?
174Please respect copyright.PENANADxtp7CkCC8
Deep down, she was actually proud and looked down upon those who believed rumours without question, leading them to distance themselves from her or doubt her.
So, she may be also destined to remain like this.174Please respect copyright.PENANArK6oLZMMqY
174Please respect copyright.PENANAyRdxfOcU9D
---------------
174Please respect copyright.PENANAtJaAYrqYE4
Ginny: Hi, Tom.
Tom: You're back. Haven't you made any other friends? I'm surprised.
Ginny: Even if I have friends, I will still come to you.
Tom: Is that so? Don't you only come to me when you're in trouble?
174Please respect copyright.PENANALWVbPUUM9a
Ginny felt a bit guilty.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAWNj3NeSRKa
Ginny: I confide in you about my troubles, but that doesn't mean I only want your help.
Tom: I don't understand.
Ginny: I just want you to believe in my story completely, as my diary.
Tom: If I don't believe you or want to protect you, will you discard me?
174Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0KlCWcGRN
Ginny thought this diary is too emotional.
It had a complete disregard for its existence as an inanimate object.
But thinking about Tom's perspective, she felt sorry for him. She was his whole world.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAd7MQVUyERY
Ginny could only cruelly said: You're not a person. Being friends with you is an unrealistic emotional comfort.
174Please respect copyright.PENANABW9Zjupse3
Knowing Tom's abilities, she was afraid. If she became too obsessed with writing in the diary, she wouldn't be able to resist giving all her troubles to Tom.
Tom was firm, terrifying, and powerful, and she didn't want to lose herself, even though she was weak and powerless.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAHztvejqovZ
Tom: Then why do you still come to me?
Ginny: I... want you to help another friend of mine.
174Please respect copyright.PENANALAlXNiDTNG
She thought about giving Tom to Luna, at least for a while.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAeSCT0nwDCn
Tom: Are you using me to curse her?
Ginny: Curse? No, she truly is my friend.
Tom: And what about me? Am I not your friend?
Ginny: You're a valuable defence tool. I have received a lot of support from you. But now, I'm not in as much danger.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAvNZMvHprGP
Tom didn't respond.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAB1B2MJ3MgF
Ginny felt that Tom, as a tool, had never really obeyed since the beginning of their acquaintance. This was both his merit and his flaws.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAKCSdy02NeX
Ginny pleaded: Tom, you would help anyone who uses you, right?
Tom refused: That reason abandoning me for. How is it different from me using your body to protect you?
174Please respect copyright.PENANAraSxzQFxT2
Ginny didn't know what to say for a moment.
She looked up at the sky and closed the diary that "thought too highly of itself."
174Please respect copyright.PENANA5jxSej8C1S
-------------
174Please respect copyright.PENANASyWedlDUrP
Fifty years ago,
174Please respect copyright.PENANAOMtCXgeIcZ
"Slytherin gains 20 points for Mr. Riddle's excellent performance."
Dumbledore said in the Transfiguration class.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAIlzVsBv66j
Only Tom could turn matches into silver needles before class ended.
Tom was also secretly suprise and curious why others found it so difficult.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAnnDeu0XYex
"Mr. Riddle, can you stay for a chat?" Dumbledore asked after class.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA7rxzybvDCV
"It's been a while. Can I call you Tom?"
Tom nodded and voluntarily confessed, "I returned those things to them." (referring to the children in the orphanage)
174Please respect copyright.PENANABm4ABQHZeN
Dumbledore smiled tolerantly, "I know you did. Are you doing well in Slytherin?"
Tom answered cautiously, "I'm curious... Are there any precedents for transferring to another house in Hogwarts?"
174Please respect copyright.PENANAs5H2IdPWL5
Dumbledore asked, smiling mysteriously, "Is that what the Sorting Hat insists?"
Tom asked in somewhat displeased, "Professor, do you know anything about my father?"
174Please respect copyright.PENANAyRSGT3UTNL
Dumbledore replied, "I only know Slytherin himself is also a Parselmouth."
Tom hesitated and said, "Well..."
Dumbledore interrupted him, saying, "I believe, everyone can choose their own future, regardless of where they come from. So, If you insist on transferring, you can come to me."
Tom then clamly said, "I think I'll stay a bit longer in this house in order to find my father. Thank you, Professor."
174Please respect copyright.PENANAhtBRUKu8WC
All the professors showed special concern for him.
Perhaps it was because of his excellent performance in class, but Tom suspected that Dumbledore also had spoken to the other teachers behind his back.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAI74OuyOBB8
In Slytherin, the rumours about him, the scion of a hidden noble family, became even more pronounced.
Tom defended himself against various indirect probe and inquiries, focusing solely on his academic pursuits.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAsOmAGWkJo8
He knew that lies would eventually be exposed, but the skills to survive would never betray him.
School and popularity were transient.
He had grown accustomed to having no friends.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZJKRBdQ5R
Dumbledore said, "When you have questions or problems, you can always come to me. I'm also interested in the task left by your ancestors."
Tom thought to himself, "that task about clearing out the non-purebloods, by the chamber and the monster?"
He would never want to meddle in such matters as he is also most likely not a pure blood neither.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAYonEUo8kTK
At last, Tom said, "Actually, I'm more interested in finding a way to not go back to the orphanage. If you know someone who might want to adopt a ..."
Tom was not someone who couldn't lower his head. Dumbledore had already demonstrated his power and influence.
In a situation where confrontation would bring no benefits, if a few kind words could solve his most pressing problem...
174Please respect copyright.PENANA98pBIgfoIe
Dumbledore looked at him with kindness.
"Tom, I believe if you reveal your talent for speaking Parseltongue, you might instantly become a desirable match among the noble families. However, true family is found through fate, kindness, and patience. For now, Hogwarts is your home. Let's make some friends first," Dumbledore said.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAlat90dOQdH
Tom pondered deeply and nodded. "I will see how things unfold. Goodbye, Professor."
Tom felt that Dumbledore knew very well who his parents were.
However, Dumbledore advised against searching for them. It seemed that it wouldn't lead to any good results.
Although Tom would still confirm it himself secretly.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAvG98NLZ8gq
Dumbledore also advised him not to reveal his talent for speaking Parseltongue, at least until he discreetly resolved the "Chamber of Secrets" situation.
Otherwise, it would attract unwanted attention from those seeking to gain power, and it might even alarm his biological family.
174Please respect copyright.PENANArG6sdgoQQE
Tom speculated, if one of his parents was an "heir," why hadn't they opened the Chamber of Secrets for centuries? So, the task of the Chamber of Secrets was most likely a mess.
Especially someone with unknown parentage like he, who most likely a mixed blood. How can he purge himself out of the school from the start?
174Please respect copyright.PENANAChKfsJkEkN
He also longed for someone to rely on, someone with whom he didn't have to keep so many secrets and could explore these tasks together.
But the only person who knew it all, Dumbledore, seems to only enjoy wanted to witness his performance then actually helping. He, as a teacher, was indeed troublesome and had a mischievous nature.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAzj9OuX1y3q
He was that type of adult, who like arranged the lives of others under the guise of "for their own good."
174Please respect copyright.PENANAWzMcZtSl9c
----------------
174Please respect copyright.PENANAE0y9C778O9
On that day, Ginny returned from studying in the library, thinking about how to convince Tom to guard Luna.
Percy was waiting at the entrance to the Gryffindor Tower.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAtID4mRh7Ey
"Ginny, can we talk?" he asked.
Ginny had a bad feeling about it.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA8siyjlT4NN
Just when her days were starting to go well, she least needed this untimely concern.
He led her to the common room of the prefects.
The others happened to be absent.
It was a good place for a private conversation.
174Please respect copyright.PENANARmbaMLUf73
Percy said, "Ginny, I've been hearing a lot of people talking about you."
"I know," Ginny replied.
Percy asked, "You and that Slytherin boy..."
Ginny responded, "I barely know him at all."
Percy retorted, "Then why is everyone saying otherwise?"
Angry, Ginny said, "And you believe them so easily?"
174Please respect copyright.PENANAHKgm2fU7oC
Although she had a vague idea of what he wanted to discuss, hearing it directly still chilled her.
Why did she have to be responsible for what others said?
She knew Percy looked down on her.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAwNOzoViEwR
Percy forcefully stated, "I asked all the first-years, and they all said you wouldn't bother talking to them."
Ginny didn't expect her brother, whom she had been living with for over a decade, to come and "lecture" her like this just because of a few "outsider's opinions."
And when did he ever even "bother" to come and talk to her at school?
174Please respect copyright.PENANAlz3BMZt6jV
Percy rationalized, "I've reported it to Mum and Dad. I suggested they let you study at home."
Ginny couldn't believe it. "What?"
Percy said, "You can't make friends, and you won't be happy if you force yourself to stay in Gryffindor."
Ginny was so angry her eyes turned red. "Is it just because I embarrassed you?"
174Please respect copyright.PENANAPWYbOp3axG
Percy was only concerned about his "image."
He is the most conceited and vain person in whole the family.
Perhaps Percy "had friends" only because of his luck, not because of his true nature at all?
174Please respect copyright.PENANASpdNgGSccj
Percy said, "This is for your own good. You'll thank me in the future. We have just as many study resources at home as at Hogwarts.
With our notes, passing O.W.L.S and N.E.W.T. won't be a problem. You'll even have more flexibility and freedom at home than at school. I don't understand what you have to complain about."
174Please respect copyright.PENANAKCH2836DCc
Ginny was so furious she couldn't find the words. "You're just great."
Before leaving, she angrily raised her middle finger.
174Please respect copyright.PENANACX3zV2QLlz
As she walked through the corridors, she remembered all the effort she had put in, working harder than anyone in her year. Yet, in the end, she felt like the one who had "failed."
174Please respect copyright.PENANAVlFoUIZMx8
Was it solely because "they" didn't like her?
That "they" think the one who seemed off was her?
174Please respect copyright.PENANA41GdLTqagK
Heartbroken, angry, and filled with shame, tears welled up in her eyes.
She didn't want to return to the common room or her dormitory.
If anyone saw her, the stories about her behind her back would become even more elaborate.
In a corner of an empty classroom, she opened her diary and accidentally dropped a tear onto its pages.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAnnsQhCoLiu
Tom: Are you okay?
Ginny: Percy is a jerk.
Tom: Your third brother?
Ginny doesn't respond.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAEIuLPg39bm
Tom: I've never had a family.
Ginny can't help but shout in text: Because you're a diary! Okay!
Tom: I just wanted to tell you that I've always been tossed around too.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAPE8gVLDZHf
Ginny calms down a bit.
Ginny: I'm sorry for wanting to abandon you.174Please respect copyright.PENANA0wDHgK58G8
174Please respect copyright.PENANAvBKJBqtzRw
She no longer has the energy to care about others.
She even feels a bit tempted to curse Percy.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA4EHP8s0r4D
As family, she had hoped that when Percy heard those rumours, he would refute them or even reprimand those who spread them.
But now, after that so-called "stain" had been emphasized repeatedly, she began to think that maybe Tom wasn't entirely wrong.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAW8ayC5d6bd
Even if she handed over the incident of Eugene attacking her to the teachers for handling, would those gossiping people really shut their mouths?
174Please respect copyright.PENANAeH85LPaBeR
She vaguely sence that those who talk behind hers' backs, fundamentally just have a desire to "conquer" her.
Regardless of whether she's right or wrong, they will always emerge.
Like demons, they stay by your side, waiting for you to fail.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA2dEGiSBVeI
People who can't stand to see others doing well will never change.
What's the point of befriending such people? Let them find better opportunities to attack her?
174Please respect copyright.PENANA1QTNvkdClH
Tom: I've always wanted a family because they would support me unconditionally, and I would do the same for them.
Ginny: Ha, you're thinking too idealistically. When you lag behind someone in your family even just a little bit, the ones who curse the loudest are...
174Please respect copyright.PENANAD5YzyMltaO
Ginny clenches her fists and can't continue writing.
She fantasizes about the day when she can turn around and say to Percy, "You're the one holding me back..."
174Please respect copyright.PENANALKF7YdIh9x
Tom: So what did he do?
Ginny explains her recent situation, the causes and effects.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAP5JTSgDL7W
Tom: I think you're handling it well. Don't pay attention to what those students think.
I think if you find a supportive teacher and have them send a letter to your parents, this matter will be resolved.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAr12ABrDWyQ
Ginny can immediately think of a few friendly teachers.
Ginny: But wouldn't that be embarrassing? Asking a teacher to intervene in such a private matter.
Tom: The ones who harmed you aren't embarrassed, so why do you feel embarrassed?
Isn't school supposed to be a place where students can pursue their optimum desired development?
174Please respect copyright.PENANAK1M2RSvkN6
Ginny: You're right. Thank you, Tom.
She closes the diary once again.
She takes a deep breath.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA7v3mA7mGxi
School is far from the ideal place Tom describes.
Learning to "fight for oneself" may be more important than acquiring knowledge.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA13Ptdwf27u
When too many people are trapped in a small place,
they compare themselves to each other and become narrower in minds.
Beyond the surface rules, the judgments in secret are even more terrifying.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAaeiuMJNpTu
Perhaps Percy is right, she would indeed be happier if she went home.
But just for that "ambition" sparked by the environment.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA2iaO5S4n7e
Tom is essential to her, no doubt.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAi0tWGCqUSp
Ginny realizes that Tom, despite being hard to control, is more timely and caring than her own brothers.
She needs his support, both emotionally and in terms of strength.
She dismisses the idea of giving Tom to Luna and silently hopes that one day she will excel in school even more than Percy did.
174Please respect copyright.PENANASJGuJRYuV5
She wants to be the one who can looking down on him in one day, so badly.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAWUTwgz3QbQ