Bastet… Tom recalled the name. The cat goddess of ancient Egypt, initially a war deity.
As Tom pondered this, a "Meow" echoed through the chamber.
The reddish-brown cat turned, its gaze sharp. From behind a massive door emerged four muscular cats, each the size of a human. They stood upright, bearing a wooden palanquin between them.
"Your Majesty, please enter," the four muscular cats repeated in unison.
Malfoy, a silly grin plastered across his face, clambered into the palanquin. "Eh? Oh… hehehe, ever since that damn curse struck me, I've been down on my luck. Is it finally my turn to enjoy the good times? Not bad, not bad at all. This is more befitting young Master Malfoy."
Once Malfoy was settled, the reddish-brown cat meowed again, leading the procession deeper into the pyramid.
The cats completely ignored Tom and the others.
Cassandra crossed her arms, her expression displeased. "Are these cats treating us like we're invisible?"
"Let's go in and take a look." Tom had crashed his fair share of parties; what was one more? And if the cats weren't welcoming? Heh, when had Tom Riddle ever been welcomed anywhere?
With Tom in the lead, Harry and Cassandra followed without hesitation into the depths of the pyramid.
...
The interior of the pyramid defied Malfoy's expectations. It resembled a magnificent palace, overflowing with luxurious furnishings. However, as he had suspected, cats were everywhere.
As Malfoy carefully observed his surroundings, a familiar voice rang out beside him. "Your Majesty, this is the food we have prepared for you."
Malfoy turned to see a large group of cats presenting him with a mountain of fruit.
"And we'll have our most beautiful girls serve you."
At those words, Malfoy's mind flashed back to the Muggle books Harry had begrudgingly provided him. Books filled with pictures of beautiful women. Of course, Harry's intention was to prevent him from turning completely to the other side.
But that didn't matter. What mattered was that the books featured… catgirls! Blonde, blue-eyed, curvaceous Western catgirls!
Could it be that Malfoy's long-awaited moment had finally arrived?!
Wait… he hadn't seen a single cat here that even remotely resembled a human.
A sense of foreboding washed over Malfoy.
Three minutes later…
Malfoy glumly chewed on the grapes offered by the "catgirl," his expression one of utter disappointment. "…"
The books were definitely lying.
Catgirls were NOT humans with cat ears.
Catgirls ARE female cats who stand up like humans, apparently.
Although they could stand on two legs, he didn't want to say anything more.
"Is there anything else? Their service… I'm not quite accustomed to it." Malfoy wasn't ready to give up just yet. He refused to believe the cats could speak and stand upright; what difference would it make if they just looked a little more human?
"Of course. It will be prepared for you immediately."
Malfoy's eyes lit up with renewed hope.
Three minutes later…
Malfoy's face twisted as if he'd just swallowed something foul. "…"
"Sure enough, I shouldn't have had any expectations."
"Here, Your Majesty, please have a banana."
A deep voice rumbled, and Malfoy turned to face what appeared to be the "strongest female cat here."
"Waaah…"
This was even worse than the previous one.
Malfoy ate the banana with an expression of utter despair.
Come to think of it, where were Harry and the others?
Malfoy realized he'd been so caught up in his own foolish fantasies that he'd completely forgotten about them.
Were they still outside?
Malfoy turned to the reddish-brown cat. "Where are the others who came with me? They are my teachers and friends. Could they be allowed in as well?"
"I am sorry, Your Majesty, but I am afraid that is impossible. We cannot allow others to offend the great Bastet." Although the reddish-brown cat's tone remained respectful, Malfoy felt a chill run down his spine as it continued, "Besides, you will soon be having an audience with the great Bastet."
Malfoy wasn't particularly knowledgeable about history and didn't know who Bastet was, but he understood that the cats were going to force him to meet Bastet.
Just as Malfoy was about to press for more information, he found himself unable to move. Looking down, he realized he had been bound without even noticing!
"What are you doing?" Malfoy panicked. "I'm not the Pharaoh! I order you to release me!"
"I am sorry, Your Majesty, but we are first and foremost followers of the Great Cat God and only then your servants." Malfoy could hear the undeniable authority in the reddish-brown cat's respectful tone. They were serious!
"Wait, I promise you, okay? I'll go see Bastet… you know, please, let me go?" Helpless, Malfoy had no choice but to negotiate with the cats.
"We are glad you feel that way, but this is a necessary ritual for an audience with the Great Cat God." At these words, Malfoy was stunned. Did Bastet enjoy bondage?
But the situation didn't allow him to linger on the thought.
The four muscular cats who had carried his palanquin earlier suddenly materialized, carrying a golden coffin.
Malfoy's lips twitched involuntarily. "Wait… could it be what I think it is?"
"Your Majesty is indeed gifted." The cat's tone was cheerful.
But while you're happy, I'm doomed!
"Damn it! Let go of your young master Malfoy! I'll fucking gut you if I have to! Put me down, and we'll settle this one-on-one!" Malfoy began to struggle, writhing like a silkworm.
But the only response was a cold, "Throw him in the coffin."
Then he felt the muscular cat's strength, far exceeding his own, and a feeling of utter helplessness washed over him.
Even after the coffin lid closed, Malfoy couldn't recover from the shock.
"Sir, help me! Help me! Harry!!!"
...
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the pyramid…
BOOM!!!
A deafening explosion ripped through the air, and the entire pyramid began to shake.
Harry and Cassandra gaped in shock at the completely destroyed passageway before them, and the surrounding rooms that had been reduced to rubble!
All of this was due to Tom's earlier exclamation of "Thunderous Explosion!"
Tom, holding the Elder Wand, strolled leisurely through the ruins, the gust of wind billowing his black robes.
The armored, muscular cats that had blocked their way were nowhere to be seen.
---