He might never obtain the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception nor the basilisk's instantly lethal venom, but after watching Tom demonstrate those eyes, Grindelwald declared he did not need such baubles. For swatting small fry he had a hundred curses at hand, any one of which could lay waste to a city. If you doubt it, ask Paris.
What he needed from the basilisk was longevity, not only for himself but for his old comrades.
"Hmm?"
Bones had noticed a change in the protective necklace. "This emblem, is it a crest?"
Tom stifled a yawn and nodded with a smile. "Yes. Professor Nicolas designed it for me. Think of it as a trademark. With it, some bottom feeder will think twice before counterfeiting my products and causing trouble."
Bones approved. "You do need a mark. As your creations multiply, that symbol will stand for quality."
A crest is the sign of bloodline and honor. Strictly speaking, Tom was a child and an orphan, in no position to bear one. Families with crests are those with generations of lineage, houses that once held real power. Even among the Sacred Twenty Eight, fewer than half still have true heraldry.
But with Nicolas Flamel's backing, and Tom's own prodigious gifts, he was now entirely qualified to design a crest for himself. It would be a branch opened afresh in the family rolls.
In future, when people said Riddle, Tom would be the ancestor.
After a few minutes of small talk, Bones took her leave. Tom went upstairs for a nap and slept until afternoon.
"Should we head back?" Hermione entered with tea, a little nervous. "The Headmaster will not punish us, right?"
"He will not. Dumbledore is very reasonable." Tom finished his milk, ate two squares of tiramisu, then hopped out of bed. "Ask Daphne to start packing. Once we are set, we will return."
Hermione answered and went to call the others.
Half an hour later, the girls were ready to depart.
...
"Usagi, Fawkes, time to go." Tom called toward the back garden. A small dragon and a phoenix swooped in at once.
Usagi slipped into Tom's pocket. Fawkes settled on his shoulder.
"Do us a favor and drop us outside the Headmaster's office."
Tom took Hermione by the left hand and Daphne by the right. They caught Astoria's hands in turn, forming a circle.
Even for a phoenix, long range Side Along Apparition with four passengers was a strain, so Tom had been pampering Fawkes these past days with fine food and rare herbs. By sight alone, the phoenix had filled out.
This was also Tom trying to save himself some trouble. Because of counter curses on the castle, his own Apparition could only land in the Forbidden Forest or Hogsmeade, and then he would have to sneak all the way in. Back and forth, too much time wasted.
The shortcut came with a catch.
After a whirl of light and a lurching fall, they landed at the office door. The girls had not yet shaken off the dizziness when the stone gargoyle jumped aside.
Tom arched a brow, thinking it had stepped away for him. He explained quickly, "I am not here to see Dumbledore."
"Mm..." The gargoyle blinked. "What if Dumbledore is here to see you?"
"What?"
No answer was needed. Tom could see for himself. Dumbledore's robe hem moved behind the doorway.
Tom:
Dumbledore:
They stared at each other in silence.
Tom wanted to swear. Did it have to be this coincidental? Sneak out for a holiday, and on the first step back you run into the Headmaster. How do you talk your way out of this?
Advice needed, urgently.
Dumbledore's eyes flicked to Fawkes, still drooping on Tom's shoulder, and complicated emotions passed across his face. The moment holiday began, the bird had vanished. Apparating by himself these last few days had felt strangely inconvenient.
At last Tom broke the silence and poured on the charm. "Headmaster, a few days away and you already look more spirited, and your beard even more handsome."
Dumbledore smiled and nodded. "Mr. Riddle, you too are glowing with health. It seems your holiday agreed with you."
"Not bad," Tom said. "I perfected a potion I have been researching, so I am in good spirits."
"Then accept my congratulations." Dumbledore's smile deepened. "Go rest for now. Please come to the Great Hall on time in a little while. I have announcements to make."
Tom nodded. "I will head off then, Professor."
He tugged the already speechless girls along and started down the stairs.
"Ahem, Fawkes, are you not coming back?" The old man finally broke and called out when the phoenix looked ready to trail Tom.
Only then did Fawkes, sulky and reluctant, flap back to his master.
Two flights down, Hermione's knees went wobbly. She sagged into Tom's arms, whispering in terror, "Merlin... the Headmaster caught us the instant we returned. We are done for, utterly done."
"Do not worry." Daphne squared her shoulders. "My mother is on the Board. Dumbledore will not expel us, no mat, "
Tom clapped a hand over her mouth.
Could she not see Hermione's eyes glistening? One more word of comfort like that, and she would burst into tears. Then he would have to coax her, which would only make more work for him.
"Hermione, Dumbledore will not deduct points." Tom's voice softened. "Just now, he clearly saw we were returning from outside the castle, yet he said nothing. That means he has chosen to let it pass, and he will not bring it up again.
"Do not frighten yourself."
Thinking back to the Headmaster's demeanor, Hermione had to admit he had not seemed angry. Her panic eased at last.