"What did he mean?"
Andros in the study space was confused. He didn't understand anything. Why was everyone applauding?
"Just because he ended his speech with these few words, I think he deserves applause."
As soon as Tom finished speaking, the empty plate in front of him was filled with food.
Roast beef, lamb chops, French fries, mashed potatoes, specially paired gravy, cream of mushroom soup, garlic bread as the staple food, steak and kidney pie, etc., all exuded an enticing aroma, tempting the young wizards to enjoy them.
Tom didn't hesitate and took some ribs and chicken wings nearby, then filled himself a bowl of cream of mushroom soup and started to feast on it. Although they had almost finished all the snacks Daphne bought, it was well known that snacks alone would not fill you up, and you would still be hungry.
It is said that Britain is a food desert, with only dark cuisine. However, apart from fish and chips, the food at Hogwarts can strictly be considered Scottish home cooking, mainly meat stewed with spices, butter, and broth.
There are also many other French dishes, such as cream of mushroom soup, which is a classic French dish.
As long as they are not fancy and the ingredients are fresh, the taste of these things will not be too bad, at least much better than what Tom ate at the Children's Home.
Andros was still thinking.
"Is being short an advantage?"
Tom took the time to sneer in response: "You've never met an idiot who talks nonsense for an hour and a half."
Don't think that extremely long speeches are a characteristic of a certain Eastern country. The same applies to the UK. Whenever Tom wins an award, there will always be this principal or that president who comes out to brag.
In fact, the purpose of their speeches was not to speak to the audience, but to speak to the reporters present, in order to get a spot in the next day's newspaper and prepare for their future election as members of parliament.
Newspapers are the lifeblood of British politicians. This statement was absolutely true in the 1990s when new media was not yet popular.
"Okay." Andros's helpless voice came: "I always feel that your principal is crazy, but he is indeed very strong. I can feel it."
There is always a special connection between strong people, just like Voldemort back then. He was invincible, but he was still very wary of Dumbledore who had never attacked him before, because he sensed danger.
"Compared to your former self, who is stronger?"
Tom became interested. This kind of topic of combat power comparison will never go out of style. He suddenly raised his head, and Daphne thought he choked because he ate too fast, so she quickly handed him a glass of orange juice.
Tom thanked him and took it.
"A wizard's battle is never judged by comparing the strength of magic and spells. I can only be sure that he and I are on the same level. If we fight in a proper duel, I will not lose to anyone."
This is the confidence of the King of the Century, and it is also the momentum that Wudi has cultivated throughout his life.
Tom nodded and stopped talking to Andros.
In the second half of the dinner, everyone was basically full and was enjoying dessert while chatting about their own things.
There was a second-year boy who was interested in what Tom and the Sorting Hat said later. However, when he learned that he was a pure Muggle-born, his face changed immediately and he turned away without talking to him.
Soon, Tom's identity spread throughout the Slytherin table, and many glances containing different emotions were cast at him, but there was definitely no positive emotion among them.
He himself didn't think anything of it, but Daphne was worried.
The little witch already felt that Tom's coming to Slytherin was not a good thing, so she could only whisper to comfort him: "Slytherin values bloodline, but as long as you have strong abilities, whatever you do is right."
Seeing that an eleven-year-old girl was comforting him, Tom also laughed.
"I'm an orphan. I'm used to this kind of thing. It won't be a problem."
Hearing this, Daphne was not relieved, but felt even more distressed, with her eyes red.
Tom, fearing that she would cry, quickly changed the subject and began to look forward to her future school life.
Finally, the leftovers on the plate disappeared and it became shiny and clean again.
Dumbledore stood up again and talked about some new bans, emphasizing the dangers of the bans. While he was speaking, his eyes stayed on the Gryffindor table for three-quarters of the time, or to be more precise, on two twins.
Not only did the two of them not feel uncomfortable, but they even winked at Dumbledore, making the old man laugh.
Still under Professor McGonagall's gaze, he invited all teachers and students to stand up and sing the Hogwarts school song.
The golden ribbon twisted in the air to form the characters of the lyrics. When the last syllable fell, Dumbledore wiped his eyes and asked the students to return to the dormitory to rest.
He himself walked towards the top floor.
Snape followed.
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Eighth floor, headmaster's office.
Dumbledore thoughtfully prepared a glass of honey water for Snape, but Snape only took a sip out of courtesy, then put the glass down and said solemnly, "Are you sure this isn't some trick of You-Know-Who, like reincarnation or body possession?"
Puff-!
Dumbledore couldn't help laughing and said teasingly, "Severus, it wasn't until today that I realized you actually have a great sense of humor. You should tell more jokes like this in the future. It will definitely improve your image among your colleagues."
Faced with Dumbledore's sarcasm, Snape's face became even more uglier. If he could beat the old man, he would definitely let Dumbledore see the anger of the Half-Blood Prince.
"I wouldn't be surprised by anything wizards like you do."
Dumbledore laughed and shook his head, "Severus, you underestimate yourself, and you overestimate Voldemort and me."
"Indeed, he possesses some methods that are hard to imagine and has invented many unprecedented dark magics."
"Maybe he can fool me, but that doesn't mean he can fool the Founders. Hogwarts won't let a person enter the school twice."
Snape's face showed realization.
As the head of house, he knew how Hogwarts searched all over Britain for suitable young wizards. If Tom Riddle was 'Tom Riddle', there would be no possibility of a second admission.
"Please pay more attention to that child," Dumbledore said. "His being sorted into Slytherin was certainly beyond my expectations. Given the atmosphere in your house, he might run into some trouble."
"Survival of the fittest."
Snape said very coldly, "Even though I am the head of the house, I cannot interfere too much in the affairs of students. This is the long-standing rule of Slytherin."
As the house that places the most emphasis on class, Slytherin is more realistic and closer to real society than the other three houses.
Even if he had the power to interfere, Snape didn't want to focus his energy on an insignificant student.
When Harry Potter entered school, Quirrell's personality changed again, and he also had a familiar aura, Tom Riddle was no match for him.
"No, Sev, you misunderstood me," Dumbledore explained. "I meant that the other Slytherins would be in trouble."
"Riddle is not Tom, but he and Tom have many similarities. He has a very good talent for magic, and because of his background, he is used to using force to protect himself. If something unpleasant really happens, I hope he will be gentle."
Snape: "..."
...
I have to say, Dumbledore is quite good at judging people.
On the first day of school, no, the day before, Tom began educating his two roommates.
After the dinner, Tom followed the group back to the Slytherin common room. There were twelve boys in this Slytherin class, and it was easy to allocate four boys to a room.
Malfoy shared a dormitory with his two followers and Monet Selwyn.
Tom shared a dorm with Blaise Zabini, Casale Nott, and Theodore Rosier.
After entering the dormitory, Zabini began to taunt.
"Tsk! I'm actually assigned to the same dormitory as a Muggle-born wizard. What bad luck! Hey, Riddle, go make my bed. Use the sheets I brought with me. These are just rubbish given by the school."
"And mine."
"Pour me another glass of water, quickly."
Rosier and Nott laughed and began to give orders.
Tom sighed.
When being assigned to Slytherin was a foregone conclusion, he knew this would happen, but he didn't expect it to happen so soon.
Since there is no contingency plan, just follow your inner choice.
Tom drew his wand and turned.
"Bombarda!"
boom--!
An invisible shock wave exploded between the three people, directly knocking them flying and hitting the wall. Before they could come to their senses, Tom's wand pointed at the pen holder that was knocked to the ground, and the three quills inside transformed into three ropes to tie the people up.
With a flick of the wand, it quickly extended and softened into a whip.
Snapped--!
Ahhhhh!
Zabini screamed in pain as the whip hit his body, causing goose bumps all over his body. Tom did not let the other two people go either.
Suddenly, there were three spinning tops in the room.
After one person had lashed him out more than a dozen times, Tom finally stopped. "I've heard that Slytherins are all shrewd, cunning, and ambitious. Why are there idiots like you?"
"You dare to pick a fight without even figuring out the details of the person you want to bully? Do you think you can beat me?"
"Pureblood, huh."
"Oooooh! I'm going to tell Mom! I'm going to get you fired!"
"Put me down, Riddle, put me down!"
"I was wrong, don't hit me, don't slap me!"
After all, they are eleven-year-old children. The idea of pure-blood supremacy was instilled in them by their parents. They simply cannot listen to what Tom said now.
But you have to listen to what the whip says even if you don't want to.
Another guaranteed ten-draw streak.
Soon, the three of them calmed down.
Tom lifted the spell and Zabini, Rosier and Nott all knelt down in front of Tom obediently.
"Remember, from now on, I have the final say in this dormitory. If anyone disobeys or breaks my rules, I will whip you, or I will strip you naked and hang you at the school gate."
Tom glanced over with a playful look: "Rosier, Nott, the famous twenty-eight pure-blood families, how do you think your elders would react if I really did this?"
"Zabini, you always mentioned your mother at the dinner party. You don't want her to know that you embarrassed yourself so badly right after the start of school, right?"
The three of them trembled and nodded repeatedly.
so horrible!
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(TL : More Chapters @)[1]
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