Tom's Alchemy, thanks to the experience gained from the nose-less Tom, could be considered excellent, while Nicolas Flamel could be called one of the greatest Alchemists in history.
An afternoon of pleasant conversation allowed Tom to get answers to many of his Alchemy questions, proving to be incredibly beneficial.
Whether it was the promise of ten female models or his humorous and witty remarks, Tom managed to make the old man very happy, and Nicolas Flamel even gave Tom his extraordinary book, "The Book of Abraham the Jew."
This book was the beginning of all of Nicolas Flamel's achievements, and Tom was overjoyed when he received it.
As for the old man saying that the book was just a copy and not the original, Tom pretended not to hear him.
After getting a few more of Nicolas Flamel's Alchemy notes, Tom and Dumbledore prepared to leave.
Before leaving, Tom asked Nicolas Flamel three more questions, which made him praise Tom as the best student he had seen in his 665 years of life.
"Mr. Nicolas Flamel, can you form a Transmutation Circle just by clapping your hands?"
"...No."
"Mr. Nicolas Flamel, have you ever cultivated Homunculi that could destroy the world?"
"...No."
"Then, Mr. Nicolas Flamel, have you ever discussed the important matter of racial reproduction with the Gate of Truth?"
"...Get out!!!"
When Tom and Dumbledore returned to Hogwarts, he was still rubbing his sore backside from being kicked.
Dumbledore, looking disgusted, moved a few steps away from Tom, shooing him away like a fly: "It's late, you should go back to your dormitory. Oh, and remember to pretend you don't know me these next few days."
"?"
Tom didn't understand what Dumbledore was up to this time.
In the last week before the holidays, the young Wizards, free from academic burdens, completely let loose.
Having been squeezed by homework and exams all year, they fully unleashed their pent-up energy.
Nighttime excursions and pranks were endless; as happy as Filch was before the Christmas holidays, he was now just as miserable.
During this period, the final Quidditch match of the school year also took place as scheduled: Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw.
Originally, the match against Slytherin had been forfeited, and with their Seeker missing for this game, Gryffindor, with no chance of winning the championship, had no fighting spirit and was easily defeated by Ravenclaw with a large score.
Thus, the Quidditch Cup naturally fell into Ravenclaw's hands this year.
When Tom entered the end-of-term feast, the entire Great Hall was already draped with blue ribbons symbolizing Ravenclaw, as the Eagle House had not only won the Quidditch Cup this year but also had the presence of the point-adding queen Hermione, and with Gryffindor and Slytherin constantly messing up, it would have been unreasonable for them not to win the House Cup.
Hufflepuff fortunately ranked second, a rare achievement of surpassing Gryffindor and Slytherin, which made the young badgers immensely happy.
As for Slytherin, they had one Quidditch brawl and Draco was caught for sending a dragon; if Snape hadn't gone all out to save them, they would have truly embarrassed themselves like Gryffindor, who still had negative points next door.
It was evident that with Gryffindor's performance this year, Professor McGonagall's temper was even worse than when she was younger.
After the feast began, Dumbledore, after a brief speech, as expected, started the point-awarding session.
During this time, through the mouths of the STARGAZER members, everything except Harry's solo confrontation with Lord Voldemort at the end had already spread throughout Hogwarts. So, Dumbledore coming out to add points was not at all unexpected.
The only thing the young Wizards were concerned about was how Dumbledore would 'fairly and justly' award points.
Fortunately, too many first-year Wizards from all four Houses participated in this challenge, so Dumbledore added one hundred points to each House.
For Harry's brave performance, Dumbledore added another 100 points specifically for him.
As for using shady tactics to let Gryffindor win the House Cup, Dumbledore couldn't even do that if he sold himself out. Didn't they see that even after Dumbledore added points, Gryffindor was still in negative territory?
After Dumbledore announced that Ravenclaw had won the House Cup, Tom secretly destroyed the manuscript he had prepared to send to Rita Skeeter, titled "Hogwarts Unfairness Exposed: Dumbledore Manipulates House Cup Behind the Scenes," and even led the applause from under the table.
For a moment, the applause and cheers from the Slytherin table even surpassed those of Ravenclaw, making Snape's stomach ache. Professor Flitwick looked confused, almost unable to tell who had actually won the House Cup.
For Slytherin, they might not win, but Gryffindor must perish!
On the second day of the feast, the final exam results were also released as scheduled.
Tom successfully achieved the top rank in his year, tied.
Hermione, the other top-ranked student, even expressed resentment upon seeing this result: "The exam questions were too simple; they couldn't truly reflect the students' actual level."
Such a humble-bragging statement caused a collective wince among those around her.
The top-ranked first-year students were mostly taken by the STARGAZER members. After all, under the daily prodding of the 'study maniac' Hermione, let alone intelligent people, even a dog would probably have been taught.
Just when everyone thought the school year had ended, Professor McGonagall gathered everyone in the Great Hall once again.
The students sitting quietly in the Great Hall were surprised to find that, besides Professor Dumbledore, all the other subject Professors were present.
"Class representatives from each year, come to my place to collect and distribute the summer homework. First, second, and third years will have 10 sets of Transfiguration Class tests. Fourth years, who will be preparing for O.W.L.s next year, will have 20 sets of tests. Fifth years, although you have passed your O.W.L.s, you still need to consolidate your knowledge, so 20 sets of tests. Sixth years need to start preparing for NEWTs, so 25 sets of tests."
Professor McGonagall's words drew a collective wail from all the students and teachers in the school.
What was even more devastating was that this was just for Transfiguration Class. After Professor McGonagall spoke, other Professors also began to announce their assignments.
"Charms Class, come here to pick up... Don't worry, there won't be too much..."
"Herbology Class, over here... the quantity is..."
"Potion Class and Defense Against the Dark Arts Class, come to me... Hurry up, don't make me say it a second time..."
The lower years were fine, but the higher years, especially the fourth years preparing for O.W.L.s next year and the sixth years preparing for NEWTs, were truly in for a killer. The seventh-year students who had just graduated this year, who were originally a little reluctant to bid farewell to their student lives, now felt incredibly fortunate to have graduated early.
By the time the homework was distributed, all the students' eyes involuntarily focused on a certain young Wizard at the Slytherin table. Everyone felt that the Professors' move must be related to someone.
Tom looked bewildered: "Why are you looking at me? I didn't do anything."
At this point, Professor McGonagall also delivered her final departure speech: "Thanks to Mr. Tom Riddle's suggestion, I hope everyone has a wonderful summer holiday. And finally, a reminder: remember to hand in your homework when school starts."
After experiencing a campus-wide 'great escape,' Tom boarded the return train with his luggage.
He returned to Platform 9 ¾, waved goodbye to his friends one by one, and embarked on his journey home alone.
A year later, Tom stood outside Wool's Orphanage again. Inside, children were laughing and playing, and Mama Anna stood by with a peaceful smile.
Home!
Tom pushed open the door and stepped inside with a smile, the sun shining perfectly.