Who was at a disadvantage? Tom couldn't figure out the answer after thinking for a long time, so he gave up, because he wasn't at a disadvantage, right?
As for Grindelwald, forget it. After all, he's so old and has been diligently teaching during this period. Crucio has been taught, and Defense Against the Dark Arts Class has already entered the Imperio teaching phase. If the progress is a bit faster, he might even start learning the Fiendfyre Shield before Christmas.
And his hobby of holding small gatherings? I'll bear with it. With Lord Voldemort's curse, it's hard to say if Grindelwald will even be around next year. If Grindelwald holds up, Tom doesn't mind strengthening it a bit more.
Besides, if Grindelwald has any problems or objectives, isn't Dumbledore there to handle it? After all, they are a couple. Maybe they've already confessed everything when they were overcome with emotion late at night. What would it look like if Tom tried to interfere between them?
Just as Tom decided not to bother Grindelwald for the time being, he finally remembered his dear brother, Draco Malfoy.
Tom saw Draco again in the hospital wing.
"How did you end up like this? I checked carefully, and you weren't hit by magic," Tom asked, looking at Draco, who was wrapped up like a zongzi on the bed, in confusion.
Unfortunately, Draco on the bed just kept whimpering, tears almost gushing out, unable to say a clear word.
"What does he mean?" Tom couldn't help but look at Cassandra, who had come to visit with him, trying to seek an explanation.
Fortunately, Cassandra was reliable. After handing Tom a glass of water, she also translated for Draco.
"He said he was dragged into the girls' lavatory and beaten by Professor Lockhart's female fans. Uh, pure fisticuffs, no magic was used."
Tom was shocked after hearing this. Hogwarts truly became a close-combat Wizard training base after being a Dark Wizard training base. Does this mean that in the future, Hogwarts students will only master Lumos and Unforgivable Curses, and put all their other skill points into their punching and kicking power?
Still unconvinced, Tom confirmed with Cassandra again: "Really just fisticuffs, no magic?"
Cassandra nodded, even describing it in more detail: "Yes, it was just fisticuffs, but the power was definitely no less than magic. After all, those girls used a series of moves like punching, kicking, dislocating joints, breaking bones, scratching with nails, pulling hair, tearing mouths, pulling tongues, poking eyes, and so on."
"I just asked Madam Pomfrey, and she said Draco has multiple fractures all over his body. He's basically not good anywhere, from head to toe, inside and out. His tongue and eyes also have varying degrees of injury. Of course, the most severely injured part is his lower body. According to the current situation, it's estimated he'll need to lie here for at least another week before he can be discharged."
Tom couldn't help but shiver after hearing this, cold sweat almost dripping down. He looked at Draco on the bed with sympathy and asked, "So what was this for? Just for the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts Class expulsion plan version 2.0?"
"What else?" Cassandra said irritably, "Please don't underestimate the combat power of Professor Lockhart's female fans at Hogwarts, especially when he's at his most popular. It was even so embarrassing that Draco didn't dare tell Lucius about it."
"But now I finally understand the deeper meaning of you asking me to prepare a coffin for Draco. As expected, you're always so thoughtful."
'I didn't mean that!'
Tom guiltily turned his head away. After all, he probably, seemingly, somewhat, had a little bit of responsibility for Draco ending up like this.
Just then, the door of the hospital wing was violently pushed open, and a figure rushed in.
"Injured like this, it seems you won't make it for the Quidditch match against Gryffindor."
Marcus Flint looked at Draco lying on the hospital bed with a worried expression.
'No, I can still do it! I can definitely make it to the match against Gryffindor!'
Draco shouted in his heart, but when he spoke, it just turned into whimpering sounds.
Marcus looked at Draco sympathetically, patted him hard, and comforted him, "Malfoy, you should recover well. We won't let down the Nimbus 2001 that your father sponsored."
'You know the Nimbus 2001 was sponsored by my father, and you're just giving up on me like this? Give me another chance! Also, you almost sent me to my grave just now, do you know that?'
Unfortunately, Marcus didn't understand the whimpering sounds coming from Draco's mouth and kept talking, "However, there's also some bad news. Terence Higgs also unfortunately got injured these past two days and is lying next to you. Now our team is short a Seeker, Malfoy, do you have anyone to recommend?"
'Look at me! I can still do it!'
Draco whimpered while looking at Tom with pleading eyes, hoping Tom could say a few words for him.
Marcus immediately followed Draco's gaze and turned to look at Tom, making Tom's heart sink.
"You mean for Tom to be the Seeker?" Marcus turned his gaze back to Draco and asked.
'No, no, it's me! You bastard!'
Marcus heard the whimpering from Draco's mouth and thought he agreed with this choice. After thinking for a while, he spoke, "It doesn't seem impossible. Although I haven't seen Tom fly, he can do everything perfectly. Maybe he'll truly be a pleasant surprise as a Seeker."
"Excuse me, can you listen to my opinion? I'm not suitable to be a Seeker," Tom said sincerely to Marcus.
But Marcus only took Tom's words as humility and grabbed his hand, "Don't be modest, Tom, just one match, just one. You see, Malfoy even recommended you. I believe you can do it. Slytherin is counting on you."
After saying that, he rushed away like a gust of wind to devise tactics, not even giving Tom a chance to refuse again.
With things already set in stone, Tom's face turned pale. He hated Quidditch and didn't want to be a Seeker, and all of this was Draco's fault.
Thinking of this, Tom glared fiercely at Draco: "Draco, you're great, truly great."
'No, I'm not, I didn't, I'm innocent.'
Draco looked at Tom with terrified and innocent eyes, whimpering continuously for mercy.
Unfortunately, Tom didn't understand and didn't want to understand Draco's words. At this moment, he needed a punching bag, and the Draco in front of him was perfect.
So, a scream echoed in the hospital wing, then fell silent. Draco lay on the hospital bed with a look of utter despair.
Of course, Tom was still kind-hearted. He gave Draco loving little punches. Yes, pure physical attacks, no wand was used.
"So, what are you going to do now, all-powerful Dark Lord?"
After leaving the hospital wing, Cassandra looked at Tom, who was looking up at the corridor ceiling at a 45-degree angle, and asked.
All she got in return was a helpless sigh from Tom.