"Harry, you've done exceptionally well this time. Welcome to the Death Eaters."
Tom patted Harry's shoulder, a rare hint of satisfaction in his voice. "Furthermore…"
With a flick of his wand, Tom produced a birdcage from thin air, inside which perched a snowy owl. "Happy birthday, Harry."
Overwhelmed, Harry accepted the cage, his voice thick with emotion. "I, Harry Potter, have wandered lost for so long, never finding a worthy Master. My only regret is not meeting you sooner."
He continued, "From now on, if you say left, I shall never stray to the right! My sole ambition is to become your most trusted lieutenant!"
Cassandra, standing nearby, cast an envious glance at Harry. Her teacher had yet to present her with a gift.
Consumed by their own thoughts, neither of them noticed Tom's impossible feat of conjuring something from seemingly nowhere.
...
Hogwarts, Headmaster's Office.
The door burst open, and Severus Snape strode in, his black robes billowing around him like a bat's wings.
Thump
Snape slammed a newspaper onto the table in front of Dumbledore.
"This is what you meant by 'everything is under control?' Harry Potter has a bounty on his head! A reward of one thousand Galleons!"
What in Merlin's name?!
Dumbledore snatched the paper from the table, adjusted his half-moon spectacles, and scanned the headline: "Harry Potter Follows a Mysterious Man in Attacks Ollivander's Wand Shop: Why Isn't The Boy Who Lived Already Dead?"
"Tom," Dumbledore muttered, "I confess to an error in judgment. But if you believe this is the extent of my resources, you are sorely mistaken…"
I, Albus Dumbledore, always have a Plan B!
Slamming his hand on the table, Dumbledore rose to his feet. "Severus, proceed to the Ministry of Magic and request two teams from Fudge. We are going to retrieve Harry!"
"Why the grand gesture?" Snape questioned, his tone laced with skepticism. "Surely we are capable of handling this matter ourselves?"
"Do you believe I desire such a commotion? Do you believe I am incapable of defeating that Riddle boy?"
Dumbledore sighed, the weight of years settling upon his shoulders. "Fear not; I shall take the lead. Your task is merely to disrupt and harass."
It was a desperate measure, a last resort. Tom's strength had increased exponentially of late. He could no longer best him, even with the Elder Wand, especially now that Tom had claimed it for himself.
...
Diagon Alley.
Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.
Tom, Harry, and Cassandra sat inside, enjoying their ice cream.
"Not bad, Harry. A bounty of one thousand Galleons; quite reminiscent of my early years."
Tom smiled, placing a copy of the Daily Prophet in front of Harry.
Wait, what did I do? How did I become a wanted man?
Harry was bewildered, but his attention span was limited; forgetfulness was one of his defining traits. Unable to unravel the mystery, he decided to abandon the effort. The Dark Lord's praise was music to his ears.
Cassandra took a large bite of her ice cream, glaring at Harry with dissatisfaction, then turning her resentful gaze toward Tom. "Teacher, I am no less worthy than Potter. Grant me a task of significance as well."
The ever-competitive Cassandra could not tolerate being outshone. Losing to Tom was acceptable; her teacher was, after all, the best.
Behind them, the shopkeeper listened to their words with growing apprehension. Were these the Dark Lord's henchmen? Comparing the size of their bounties?
I opened the shop with such optimism today, only to have Voldemort as my first customer… He lamented silently, Ah, there is no escape. At least Voldemort merely brings company for ice cream.
He waited anxiously for Tom and his companions to finish their ice cream and depart.
But fate, as it often did, had other plans.
With a click, Dumbledore entered, followed by Snape, whose hair was slicked back.
Peering through the windows, the shopkeeper saw Aurors assembled outside. These Aurors appeared even more nervous than he was, though he was much more relaxed, knowing that he was not in mortal danger.
"Tom, might I join you?"
Dumbledore smiled warmly and sat opposite Tom, Snape remained standing behind him.
"You have already."
Tom chuckled, his eyes narrowed, assessing Dumbledore's intentions.
Undeterred, Dumbledore launched into casual conversation. "The ice cream here is quite exceptional, my favorite… Another helping of honey, if you please, my good man."
"Right away…" The shopkeeper was on the verge of tears. The Dark Lord and the greatest White Wizard of the century engaged in a parley. Could his humble shop survive?
"Professor, tell me, why have you come?" Tom asked, already brandishing the Elder Wand, making it clear that he would resort to violence if he found Dumbledore's explanation lacking.
The Aurors outside tensed, some beginning to draft their wills before the battle had even commenced.
Dumbledore seemed oblivious to the Elder Wand. "Tom, as you are still willing to address me as 'Professor,' would you consider heeding my counsel? Allow Harry to return to Hogwarts."
"…"
What? This is your brilliant plan? No sane Dark Lord would relinquish Harry Potter to you for free!
Snape's gaze shifted from Dumbledore to Tom; a mixture of disbelief and suspicion clouded his face.
Predictably, Tom had no intention of relinquishing Harry. "What right do you presume…"
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on triggering a mission!]
[Mission: Defeat another Voldemort and become the savior. Unlocked. Reward unknown.]
[Stage One: Obtain a position at Hogwarts.]
[Reward: Gene Fusion Potion (Can fuse with the genes of a magical creature without side effects, gaining its special talent.)]
"Does the host accept?"
"…"
Tom fell silent, his expression unreadable. Finally, he spoke. "Let me consider it."
Wait, it actually worked?!
Snape could not fathom how Dumbledore's feeble plan had yielded even the slightest success.
Is it possible… that the Dark Lord is susceptible to gentle persuasion?
Sensing he was making progress, Dumbledore redoubled his efforts, attempting to ingratiate himself with the two young wizards beside Tom.
"You must be the youngest daughter of the Vole family? You're quite beautiful. Your parents attended Hogwarts in their day; it seems like only yesterday."
"…"
Cassandra, fully aware that Dumbledore and her teacher were sworn enemies, ignored him.
Undeterred, Dumbledore continued, "I believe you are also a first-year student this year, correct? The Voles are involved in the cultivation of magical plants, and I have heard that you possess considerable knowledge in that field. I believe Professor Sprout will be delighted to have such a promising student."
"…"
Cassandra remained silent, but the faintest upturn of her lips betrayed her pleasure at receiving praise from the great Albus Dumbledore.
Seeing this, Dumbledore's smile broadened. He turned toward Harry. "Harry, it has been some time."