Harry looked up, surprised. "You know me, Professor Dumbledore?"
"I am the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Harry. Your parents were both students here, brave and upright wizards." Dumbledore immediately began his recruitment spiel, eager for Harry to follow in their footsteps.
Harry's initial reaction was not what Dumbledore expected. "Hogwarts? Just hearing the name makes me want to break the rules!"
"Then you must be a Gryffindor!" Dumbledore exclaimed, slamming his hand on the table and nearly standing up in his excitement.
Severus Snape, who was standing nearby, shot Dumbledore a look of utter disdain. Lily's eyes… they belong in Slytherin!
Cassandra Vole was equally displeased. "Our teacher is from Slytherin as well. As a Death Eater following his command, you should be in Slytherin, Harry."
Harry stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Our teacher is from Slytherin? Then, as a Death Eater, I must follow his example! I want to be in Slytherin!"
What in Merlin's name did he just say?
Dumbledore and Snape were dumbfounded. It had only been a few days—how was Harry already a Death Eater?
James, Lily… I am so sorry… Dumbledore lamented silently.
Snape kept casting meaningful glances at Dumbledore, prepared to intervene if Tom Marvolo Riddle disapproved! He would not allow Lily Potter's memory to be tainted by the name "Death Eater"!
Tom Marvolo Riddle, oblivious to the inner turmoil of the two old men, was listening to his System's explanation.
System, what are you playing at?
The System responded, "This System cannot allow another Tom Riddle to tarnish the host's reputation. I will protect my host!"
... Right.
"Just say it plainly: will you accept this mission or not?"
"Why wouldn't I take something free? I'll take it!"
"Ahem…" Tom coughed twice, drawing everyone's attention. "Professor Dumbledore… allowing Harry into Hogwarts is not out of the question."
The shrewd Dumbledore immediately understood Tom's meaning. "What are your conditions, Tom?"
"I want to be a professor," Tom stated bluntly.
"Hiss… that… is not a good idea," Dumbledore demurred. Wouldn't you kill everyone if you came in? This is practically luring the snake into the nest! Dumbledore feigned reluctance, hoping Tom would drop the subject.
But Tom had anticipated Dumbledore's reaction. Under the tense gazes of everyone present, Tom stood up and wordlessly brandished the Elder Wand. White light erupted, transforming into a gigantic basilisk that danced freely within Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.
"The Patronus Charm?!" Both Dumbledore and Snape were aghast. Their shock stemmed not from the difficulty of the spell itself, but from the fact that Tom Marvolo Riddle could actually conjure a Patronus.
The Patronus Charm was a highly difficult spell; it could supposedly only be cast by those with love and joy in their hearts. Tom's ability to use it indicated that he was not the heartless, cold-blooded creature they had believed him to be.
Though this revelation conflicted with their long-held perception of Voldemort, that was secondary. The critical issue was that Dumbledore's old habits were resurfacing. He immediately regretted not guiding Tom properly. Now, realizing Tom could potentially "return to the right path," he was eager to employ love and guidance to lead Tom back to the light!
From now on, Tom was once again his favorite student; Harry Potter could wait.
"Good, good… good! Tom, I knew you'd understand! I am so proud that you can cast the Patronus Charm!" Dumbledore, tears streaming down his face, attempted to rise and embrace Tom.
Tom, his face grim, pointed the Elder Wand, still glowing green, at Dumbledore. "Old Dumbledore, take one more step and you'll be eating an Avada Kedavra."
"It's alright, Tom, I understand." Dumbledore gave an awkward smile, then sat back down. "So… Tom, which professorship are you interested in? Hogwarts is currently full. How about I expel Severus to make room for you?"
"Old Dumbledore, are you even speaking human language?!" Snape hissed. "Do you really think I am just a pawn in your game?" Snape immediately drew his wand, ready to fight for his position.
Fortunately for Snape, Tom had no intention of stealing his job. "Professor, you know I have achieved some understanding in various fields, so… I plan to be a teaching assistant, assisting the professors with their courses."
Whether he actually taught was irrelevant; his main goal was to create… amusement in the classrooms.
Tom had initially considered becoming a security guard, hoping to eliminate another Voldemort with an Avada Kedavra upon his arrival. However, he then realized he couldn't afford to lose points as a security guard, so he reconsidered.
"No problem. An owl will deliver your employment notice to you. You can both take the Hogwarts Express together… Also, here is Harry's notice." With that, Dumbledore handed a letter to Tom, then got up and left with Snape.
The Aurors outside the shop breathed a collective sigh of relief and turned to flee.
"We've finished our ice cream, let's go too."
...
Hogwarts, Headmaster's Office.
A dazzling flame ignited in the air, and Dumbledore and Snape materialized. They had Apparated back using Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix.
"Dumbledore, do you truly believe him?" Snape asked, voicing his biggest concern.
"He proved he is capable of feeling. I will try to influence him with love." After saying that, Dumbledore sighed. "Besides, with Tom's current strength and the Elder Wand, we cannot stop him. Rather than pushing him too far, it's better to go along with him for now and make plans as the situation unfolds."
…
Diagon Alley, Ollivander's Wand Shop.
Tom glanced at the letter in his hand. "Harry, it seems we need to buy you a wand."
"Don't worry, sir. I didn't do well last time, but this time I'll definitely put that old man to sleep!" Harry looked full of energy and was even practicing the Giant Melon spell in a low voice.
After a moment of consideration, Tom decided to remind him, "Harry, you don't need to use that spell this time."
"No problem, sir," Harry replied instantly; whatever his teacher said was law.
Click.
Tom pushed open the door and entered the shop, immediately seeing Ollivander's mournful face.
"Please, I'm begging you, take as many wands as you want, just let me go, okay?"
Looking at Ollivander's utterly dejected expression, Tom suddenly felt a mischievous impulse. Just as he was about to act…
"Ahem…" Cassandra reminded Tom, "Teacher, if you do anything, there won't be anyone left the next time we visit."
Hearing this, Tom paused, realizing she was right. Even if it was just for fun, he shouldn't kill the man outright.
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