"Basilisk?"
"Of course, no problem."
Tom said, taking the Basilisk-transformed bracelet and throwing it to Dumbledore.
Dumbledore took the bracelet, examined it carefully for a while, then took out his elder wand and pointed at it, finally his expression became very grim.
After having Tom control the Basilisk, Dumbledore transformed the bracelet back into a Basilisk, and then transformed the Basilisk back into a bracelet.
The Basilisk, which had expected to suffer again, suddenly found that it wasn't as uncomfortable as it seemed, and was actually quite comfortable.
"So this is how it can be solved..."
While Dumbledore was showing off his skills, Tom had already transformed into Uchiha Tom, his eyes almost turning into Sharingan, frantically copying Dumbledore's techniques.
After everything was done, Dumbledore returned the bracelet to Tom, sighed, and discussed something with Tom.
"Tom, in the future, when you're outside, could you please not mention to others that I am your Transfiguration teacher?"
"?"
Tom felt that Dumbledore's mind must have gone seriously wrong, as what he said was truly baffling. He immediately corrected him.
"Sorry, Professor, I don't think you've taught me Transfiguration. My Transfiguration teacher is Professor McGonagall."
Dumbledore showed an expression of a teachable student.
After Tom accompanied Dumbledore on a tour of the Chamber of Secrets and found nothing of value except the Basilisk, they prepared to return the way they came.
At this point, Tom also raised his question to Dumbledore: "Professor, what do you plan to do about Lord Voldemort and Quirrell? Are you still going to let them run wild? It's almost the end of the term."
Dumbledore smiled upon hearing this, looking as if he had everything under control: "Don't worry, Lord Voldemort and Quirrell will act soon. The net is closing in."
In the following days, Tom felt that he had been fooled by Dumbledore.
Lord Voldemort, let alone acting, was almost nowhere to be found.
Draco, Harry, and Ron's detention was still a trip to the Forbidden Forest, but this time they didn't even see a shadow of Lord Voldemort.
As for Quirrell, he didn't even attend classes anymore. Now, the entire Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark Arts Class was taught by Snape as a part-time job.
Regarding this, Tom even specifically went to Professor McGonagall to express his disdain for Quirrell's behavior as a salary thief. At the same time, he also hinted that if Quirrell's salary could be given to him, he wouldn't mind helping Snape share some of the burden and reluctantly participate in teaching activities.
Given Tom's notorious track record, his job application was rejected by Professor McGonagall on the spot.
Tom, whose job application was unsuccessful, could only refocus his energy on the final exams. Tom Riddle would never lose to Hermione Granger.
When the last History of Magic exam concluded, Tom let out a long sigh of relief, feeling confident that he had secured the first place in his grade this time.
Just then, Harry also sent him a message.
He had learned from Hagrid that someone had deliberately sold him a dragon egg and tricked him into revealing the method to get past Cerberus.
Today, Harry discovered that Snape's foot seemed to have been injured by Cerberus, perhaps the person trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone was about to make a move, so he sent a message to gather people to stop them.
The STARGAZER members who received Harry's message were just thinking about how to celebrate wildly after the exam, and this activity happened to come knocking, so they enthusiastically signed up to participate.
Except for Cassandra, Hermione, Draco, and a few others, no one else seemed to consider the seriousness of the situation.
Cassandra and Draco, feeling that Tom would cover them anyway, did not spoil the fun by speaking up to warn them.
Thus, the mission to protect the Philosopher's Stone turned into a grand club outing, with Ron brought along for good measure.
At this time, in addition to receiving Harry's message, Fawkes also brought Dumbledore's message to Tom, which contained only a short sentence: "The net can be closed."
So Tom cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself and followed behind the group of Young Wizards who had gathered and set off, watching their challenge game as an observer.
After the three-person challenge game turned into a group outing, Tom felt the difficulty drop sharply.
In the first challenge, the Hell Cerberus, Cerberus, had been hypnotized by Lord Voldemort's flute music and was fast asleep. All the Young Wizards had to do was tiptoe to open the trapdoor and gently jump down.
The only ripple was when Cerberus woke up halfway through, its three dog heads baring their teeth, drooling, looking as if they wanted to bite someone.
But everyone, who had long secretly wanted to meet Cerberus, was well prepared. A large serving of dog biscuits was offered, and then the band, already set up inside the door, began to play "Good Days."
As for why they played "Good Days," please invite student Tom Riddle to speak.
Cerberus, meanwhile, drifted back to sleep amidst the music and food.
The second challenge, Devil's Snare.
Neville, Ernie, Hannah, and Justin, who were with them, said this was a freebie.
Especially since Professor Sprout had personally taken them to tend to the Devil's Snare this year and provided a detailed explanation.
If they couldn't pass now that they had been given the answers to the exam, they would probably have to apply for a transfer to Professor Sprout after leaving.
"Relax, relax, don't move around."
"Yes, don't struggle, relax."
Accustomed to Tom's inhumane training (persecution), everyone was very calm. Under the guidance of the four Hufflepuff students, they passed quickly.
Until the last person fell, the Incendio Charm unfortunately did not even make an appearance.
Tom considered whether he should ask Professor Sprout for a banner afterwards, to commend him for preserving the Devil's Snare.
The third challenge, personally designed by Professor Flitwick.
Harry quickly found the key with a missing wing among the flying keys, grabbed a broomstick, and rushed forward.
At the same time, Draco also discovered the key, and likewise grabbed a broomstick and rushed out.
At this moment, the future Gryffindor and Slytherin Seekers cooperated for the first time.
"Draco, to the right."
"Harry, flank them."
"Quick, quick, quick, the key is to your left."
"Got it."
With their combined efforts, the key was quickly clutched in Harry's hand.
The fourth challenge, it was finally Ron's moment to shine, Professor McGonagall's Wizard's Chessboard.
Ron still chose the 'Knight' position, while Harry and Neville respectively took the 'Bishop' and 'Castle' positions.
When Ron was slaughtering his way through, finally displaying the Gryffindor courage and preparing to sacrifice himself to be eaten by the white 'Queen' in order to win the game.
"Reducto!"
"Reducto!"
"Reducto!"
...
A large wave of Reductor Curses smashed towards the white pieces.
The white pieces were physically destroyed, and the black pieces naturally won. Ron, who had already mentally prepared for sacrifice, stared blankly back.
Only to see Cassandra leading the way, standing proudly: "Chess is indeed a waste of time, direct physical destruction is faster."
This, was very Gryffindor.
The fifth challenge, the Troll.
When they walked into the room and saw the Troll, already hit by a Killing Curse and peacefully lying on the ground, dead memories resurfaced in the Young Wizards' minds.
As they passed the Troll's corpse, someone started it, and everyone lined up to express their deep condolences to it, then silently added another Killing Curse to its corpse as an offering.
This bizarre act made Tom's mouth twitch. At this moment, he felt so 'sinful'.
And the final challenge, the logical puzzle, was not difficult for the Ravenclaw students who played question-and-answer games with the Eagle Ring in their common room every day.
Hermione, as the smartest Witch in the house, took the lead in solving the puzzle without hesitation.
"Harry, we'll accompany you this far. The last part of the journey is up to you alone. Be careful with everything, and if you can't manage, just run away first."
After handing a single serving of Potion to Harry, Hermione urged him with concern.
Harry nodded, took the Potion, drank it all, and walked through the flames alone.
And in the final room, someone was already waiting for Harry.