Chapter 441 a World of Great Conflict, Luna's Gratitude
"Another unforgettable school year has passed. We have experienced many things this year, which is incredibly rich and colorful. I believe that everyone has also grown a lot this year."
After announcing the College Cup winners, Dumbledore began his final speech of the year.
"First of all, I would like to thank all the contestants for their outstanding performance in the dueling tournament. You have perfectly demonstrated all the excellent qualities of Hogwarts students."
The students who were called on all looked embarrassed. Hermione lay directly on the table, her pink ears peeking out, looking very cute.
Unfortunately, the distance was too far for Tom to reach over, otherwise he would definitely have pinched it.
"A temporary victory or defeat doesn't mean anything," Dumbledore continued with a smile. "What matters is what you learn from it. Your horizons will be broadened. The world is vast, and Britain is your starting point, but certainly not your destination."
"I really hope you can go out and see the world, but now is not a good time. I hope you will be careful when making holiday travel plans."
Dumbledore paused, and the students understood what he meant.
G16 Lindevo.
Even though the Dark Lord had been roaming under their noses for over a month without any conflict, the two sides remained in a state of antagonism and competition.
Grindelwald came to Hogwarts for vacation, but his saints were far from idle. News of conflicts broke out every few days, and his sphere of influence had expanded considerably since the blood oath was signed.
"If you encounter any danger, please contact your respective college principal immediately. The school will always be your strongest support. Well then, ladies and gentlemen, enjoy your holiday. See you in September."
Back in the dorm, Tom watched as Sabine and the other two started packing their things. Then, in the study space, Tom found Grindelwald with a bruised and swollen face.
"Andros really went all out," the boy remarked.
Grindelwald retorted, "That was because I let him win."
"Oh yes, yes, yes." Tom nodded perfunctorily, then recounted the changes in Dumbledore.
"He finally changed his mind?" Grindelwald's face lit up with joy after hearing this. "That's more like it. What do you mean by death being the greatest adventure? He hasn't even conquered this world yet, so what right does he have to think about what happens after death?"
"Old man, you're celebrating too soon," Tom cautioned. "Now Dumbledore's body has not only regained its youth, but his mindset has also changed, plus the old devil…"
"You were no match for him to begin with, and now the gap is probably even wider. Don't let him capture you alive next time you fight."
Grindelwald's face turned pale with anger, but what Tom said was true.
"I... never mind, I have something to do, I'll go now."
After saying that, Grindelwald flew towards the meditation room.
Tom grinned smugly, convinced that Grindelwald's progress would be even faster than before.
When talent reaches a certain level, what influences a city's strength is its mindset and willpower.
Previously, they were far superior to ordinary wizards, and the world was dominated by two top wizards, so their ambition to rise to the top naturally diminished.
But now, not only are Dumbledore and Grindelwald starting to compete, but there's also Tom, as well as the soon-to-be-resurrected Voldemort, Andros, and others.
According to fantasy narratives, the future will be an era of great strife, where even the king of the century will be less powerful than a dog.
Grindelwald felt a sense of urgency, which naturally motivated him to work hard to improve himself.
If an employee works this hard, won't the boss ultimately benefit?
On the day of the holiday, the train home departed at 11:00 AM, and the little wizards all chose to sleep in.
Tom got up early; he was going to take a walk in the Forbidden Forest.
The venom of the eight-eyed giant spider needs to be collected. Hagrid mentioned the other day that the Silent Birds in the Forbidden Forest laid another nest of eggs; he plans to raise some in the small world so he won't lack quills anymore.
He quite enjoys writing with a quill pen, even though it's much more difficult to use than a ballpoint pen or pencil, but it gives him a good feeling; to put it bluntly, it's just fun.
Finally, we need to bring the unicorns home. The kids have been playing wildly outside. The centaurs say that the three unicorns have become the tyrants of the Forbidden Forest, and no one dares to mess with them.
When Tom finished walking around and arrived at the unicorn's territory, he found that someone had already arrived.
A blonde, elfin-like girl was intently washing Erbao's body with a brush, while Dabao and Xiaosan stood obediently to the side, waiting quietly.
Tom didn't disturb them, he just stood under the tree and watched.
The elfin-like girl is naturally Luna, and besides him, only Luna can make the unicorn so obedient.
Tom was certain that Luna possessed a natural affinity for magical creatures; she came to the Forbidden Forest as if it were her home, and had never encountered any danger.
It was for this reason, and also because she herself loved small animals, that he asked Luna to come to the Forbidden Forest and play with the unicorns for him if she had time.
Actually, his relationship with Luna isn't at the level of other girls; they're just good friends, similar to Cassandra's.
Perhaps it should be even better.
Tom didn't invite her to the dinner party after the vampire attack on Nicole.
"Woo~!"
Just as Tom was lost in thought, Erbao, who had already been cleaned up, immediately ran up to him, and the boy hugged her neck and patted her gently.
Xiao San and Da Bao also got anxious and pushed Luna aside to come over.
"Tom."
Luna greeted everyone, but she sounded like she wasn't fully awake, as if her soul and consciousness were still sleepwalking in another world.
"It's cleaned quite well." Tom nodded to her and joked, "You've been doing all this this year, I don't know what to do after the holidays."
Luna took it seriously, tilted her head and thought about it carefully before saying, "I can come to your house, if there's a fireplace."
"Then it's a deal." Tom agreed: "Come once a week, and I can pay you a salary."
"I don't need a salary."
"The salary is for you to get up close and personal with Thunderbirds and Phoenixes, are you sure you don't want it?"
A rare look of confusion appeared on the girl's face, making Tom want to laugh. He rarely saw any emotional changes in Luna. Even when he helped her solve the trouble caused by her roommate last time, Luna only thanked him earnestly without any excitement.
"Alright then." Luna finally succumbed to the temptation. "Thank you, Tom."
"Just a verbal thank you?" Tom wanted to tease her, so he pretended to be unhappy and said, "You know how Ginny thanked me, right?"
Luna's eyes widened slightly, making them appear even more prominent. "Are you going to hang me up?"
"No need," Tom shook his head. "That's Ginny's little hobby, not yours."
He changed the subject, looking the girl up and down, "As for you... let me hug you."
A herbal scent of shower gel wafted over, and the girl had already moved close and hugged him.
"Thank you, Tom."
This chapter is a bit short; I'll make up for it in the next chapter.
I'm also planning to add more interactions with the female lead, but I'm worried about it being considered padded, so I'd like to hear your opinions.
Chapter 442 Tom's Work-life Balance and Mr. Granger's Secret
Because of her protruding eyes, Luna's face appeared somewhat thin, which made Tom always think that the girl was malnourished and had poor absorption, hence her frail body.
But after trying it myself, I found that it wasn't like that at all.
Luna's frame is different from that of most Europeans and Americans; she has a petite and delicate frame, looks quite thin, and feels chubby to the touch.
Tom squeezed it a few times and it felt pretty good.
Eight points.
The most comfortable ones are Daphne and Fleur, and Gabrielle is a 9 out of 10.
Astoria gets a six out of ten. There's nothing I can do about it; the little girl isn't gaining weight and her body is a bit uncomfortable. That's his problem, not Astoria's fault.
Seeing that Tom wouldn't stop squeezing, Luna pushed him away slightly, her little mouth puffed out, looking like she was angry.
Fortunately, Tom was thick-skinned and showed no embarrassment or awkwardness. He helped Luna clean up the mistress and the baby before the two of them went back to the castle for breakfast.
The train departed on time at 11 o'clock. Tom temporarily expanded the compartment to ensure everyone could sit comfortably, and immediately piled the table with his own snacks.
With Ginny joining them, the two of them were like little squirrels, their mouths never stopping.
"Tom, are you sure you want to come over tomorrow?" Qiu asked hesitantly. "You know Dad..."
"He just has some misunderstandings about me, we'll definitely get along well," Tom said confidently.
He now possesses a token given to him by his older brother, so even his father-in-law cannot speak loudly in front of him.
Qiu could only nod, hoping the two wouldn't start fighting. Her father was fragile and probably couldn't withstand even one of Tom's spells.
"Then let's go on a trip," Tom said to Autumn.
"Travel?" The girl looked at him in surprise. "Where to?"
"Anywhere is fine," Tom said enthusiastically. "Barcelona, Amsterdam, Constantinople, or even further afield, Cairo would be nice too?"
"Do you have time? Won't it interfere with other things?"
Qiu certainly wanted to travel with Tom, especially for just the two of them, but she knew how busy Tom was, especially since he had hardly spent any time in England during his vacation.
Tom shrugged. "I'm planning to take a month-long vacation, starting tomorrow. No studying, and I won't care about anything else."
"We have about a week to go out. Where would you like to go?"
"Then let's go to Egypt." The girl's face was filled with anticipation. "I've wanted to visit the pyramids for a long time. I heard that the former headquarters of Gringotts was inside a pyramid, and there are many ancient artifacts inside."
"Okay, let's go see the pyramids then." Tom snapped his fingers, making the decision, and then winked at Penelope.
Penelope responded with a gentle smile, showing no sign of jealousy.
The two had already agreed to go to Italy in early July, and Penelope knew that Tom wanted to treat everyone equally, so she had no objections.
During the first month of his vacation, Tom was basically ready to completely give up.
Ignoring the trials and system tasks, he focused on one thing: relaxing and enjoying life to the fullest.
Of course, it's him who's taking a break, not the thought avatar, so the research progress won't be greatly affected.
Money can never be fully earned, and the pursuit of strength has no end.
A proper balance between work and rest is not about slacking off. Even Grindelwald and Ravenclaw did not object when they learned that Tom was going to give them a break. Instead, they said that he should have rested a long time ago.
Ravenclaw was genuinely afraid that this kid would beat her to a pulp before she even graduated, and then she, as the founder, wouldn't be able to save any face at all.
While Qiu was excited, she was also worried that her parents might not agree, so she racked her brains to find a solution.
If all else fails... then we'll just have to let Tom be a little rougher tomorrow. If Dad can't get out of bed for a week, he won't be able to take care of her.
The train crossed Hadrian's Wall and entered England from the Scottish Highlands. Daphne and Ginny, finally satisfied with their meal, steered the conversation to this year's Quidditch World Cup.
"Anyone who needs tickets can ask me, I can even get them for friends." The young lady confidently patted her chest and assured, "Whether it's front row or a VIP box, however many you want, I can find them."
"My dad should be able to get it too, right?" Ginny said uncertainly.
The Ministry of Magic would definitely give tickets to its employees as a perk, but she didn't know how many Mr. Weasley would get. Apart from Percy, that oddball, her whole family were Quidditch enthusiasts.
"Luna, do you want to go see it?" Tom looked at Luna by the window. The girl had been watching "The Quibbler" ever since she got on the bus. Hearing Tom's question, she nodded, then shook her head.
Ginny quickly translated for her friend: "Luna means either way is fine, but it depends on what Mr. Lovegood thinks."
Everyone was ashamed. How did you interpret that from such a brief gesture?
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Tom raised an eyebrow. He saw the person coming, and with a flick of his wrist, the locked door to the private room opened a crack.
"Percy?" Ginny exclaimed in surprise. The person who came was her brother, Percy Weasley.
"Ginny, um…" Percy stood nervously in the doorway. "Riddle, can I talk to you?"
"Of course." Tom got up and walked out of the compartment, closing the door behind him. The corridor was empty, and the peddler's cart had just passed by, but Percy still led Tom to the connection between the two carriages.
"Can we talk now?"
Tom recalled that he and Percy had basically never interacted, except when Percy took the initiative to thank him after Ginny's affair was exposed.
"Riddle, I need your help." Percy took a deep breath, as if making a difficult decision, and said, "I've overheard professors mentioning your considerable influence in the Ministry of Magic."
"Hmm?" Tom nodded noncommittally. "It's alright."
Percy continued, "I believe my grades are good enough to get into the Ministry of Magic, but the position I get there isn't up to me..."
Tom understood, and said, "So you want me to help you get your ideal position?"
"That's right." Percy nodded.
It's already shameful to ask a student who's several years younger than you for help, especially when it's about such a sensitive topic as 'running for an official position.' No wonder Percy had that expression just now.
"For Ginny's sake, I can help you this once."
Tom nodded nonchalantly, and said to Percy's surprised look, "Do you have a place you like? Think it over before you say anything, or you'll regret it and come back to me later."
"No, I promise I won't." Percy waved his hands repeatedly. "I only need to trouble you once. I want to go to the Division of Legal Enforcement or the Division of International Affairs, preferably as an assistant to the director. That way I can learn a lot."
"Then let's go with the International Magical Cooperation Division." Tom decided for Percy, who was overjoyed. "Crouch is just looking for an energetic and hardworking senior assistant."
"Go back and write a letter expressing your admiration for Crouch and your desire to work for him. Send the letter to me and I will pass it on to him."
In the original story, Percy is Crouch's assistant, but there are different levels of assistants. All newcomers to the Ministry of Magic are assigned the title of assistant, which is essentially an intern.
Just look at Crouch's performance; he couldn't even remember Percy's name. Keep in mind that Crouch is a master of memory, fluent in hundreds of languages. It's clear that Percy was completely oblivious at the time.
But a senior assistant is different; that's a secretary.
Amid Percy's repeated thanks, Tom returned to the box. As soon as he entered, Ginny eagerly asked, "What did he want with you?"
"It's nothing. Percy was a little worried about the results of the Ancient Runes and asked me for the answers to a few questions."
"Why think about these things now that the exams are over?"
Ginny muttered, but she didn't suspect anything, because Tom was the one who set this year's ancient magic script exam. Before the exam, many people tried to get some information from him, but without exception, they all failed.
There's not much positive feedback about Percy.
He was vain and power-hungry, a rule worshipper, and his eyes were filled with fanatical following of those in high positions and authority. In order to rise to power, he was willing to sever ties with his family, and he didn't even visit his father when he was seriously injured.
Some say this is a scheme by the Weasley family, a way of hedging their bets.
This claim is completely unfounded. Leaving aside whether British wizards possessed the political acumen to consider this, even if they did, what virtuous person would hedge their bets with both Dumbledore and Fudge?
Shouldn't it be Old Deng and Fufu?
Tom's decision to help wasn't because Percy had a sudden change of heart at the last minute and chose to come back to fight Voldemort.
He never believed in prodigal sons returning home, nor would he easily forgive other people's mistakes.
On the contrary, what he wanted was Percy's ambition and his ruthlessness in breaking with his family to climb the social ladder.
This is a drawback for Weasley's family members, but it's a strength for the person using Percy. Without ambition, there is no motivation, and what those in power need is this kind of fearless, family-less werewolf.
This is what makes a truly excellent tool.
Crouch has complained to him, both openly and subtly, many times recently, and Tom feels somewhat guilty for pushing all the blame onto him.
Percy arrived just in time.
"Alright, let's not talk about him anymore." Tom clapped his hands. "We still have plenty of time, let's play a thrilling game of Ludo..."
The train arrived at the station, and the young wizards ran to their parents to enjoy a rare moment of warmth.
Cherish them while they last, because such kind and loving parents will only last a week, or even less. Once the 'honeymoon period' is over, they'll find it hard to stand their own children who are so annoying.
Tom handed the Greengrass sisters over to Mrs. Greengrass and then took Hermione to find the Grangers.
On the drive home, Mr. Granger asked, "Son, I heard from Hermione that... a very dangerous person has appeared in the wizarding world?"
"Are you referring to Gettler Grindelwald?"
"Oh right, that's the name." Mr. Granger nodded repeatedly.
"You don't need to worry at all," Tom reassured him. "He's not really a dangerous person. He's just a bit like Seele back then. You can think of him as the Seele of the wizarding world."
"Seele?"
Mr. Granger, who had stopped at a red light, looked completely bewildered.
Who is that?
"Sigh…" Tom gave another hint, but before he could finish, Mr. Granger immediately interrupted, "Hey————!"
After saying that, he turned around with a look of horror and looked at Tom, who was equally shocked. The two of them were speechless.
"Uncle, you?" Tom didn't know what to say.
He's discovered an incredible (wow!) secret!
Hermione was stunned. Were his parents really English?
Could their ancestors have immigrated from Munich?
"So what?" Mrs. Granger said nonchalantly. "Of course we hate that guy for bombing London, but over the years we've discovered how ahead of his time he was. It's just that he didn't do it cleanly; those damned vampires are still alive and kicking, exploiting our hard-earned money."
Mr. Granger gave an awkward smile, slightly...
After that topic was left aside, his face was filled with worry again.
Although... he secretly admired that person, he was also aware of the danger. Tom using him as a comparison to Grindelwald—just how turbulent is the wizarding world right now...?
Wouldn't it be even more dangerous if the current minister were a Chamberlain-like figure?
Back at Granger's house, including during dinner, Tom tried his best to prove to the two of them that the wizarding world was now stable, and to explain... no, the power of wizards.
This is the most troublesome part, because without a clear hierarchy, he can only keep emphasizing Dumbledore's advantages.
However, it will definitely become more convenient in the future, because he has already begun to establish the classification of wizard ranks.
After finishing his meal, Tom tapped Hermione on the head before heading home.
"Let's see if you dare to talk nonsense again."
Hermione playfully stuck out her tongue, knowing that she had talked too much and made her parents worried.
"I won't talk nonsense anymore."
The little witch stepped in to pay, quickly kissed Tom's cheek, and handed over the apology fee.
Tom then walked home, satisfied.
Feeling the cool evening breeze, I casually opened the system to check this year's academic year summary...
Chapter 443 System Minor Update: Giants of All Ages, Overlords of Eternity, Gods of the Epochs
[Congratulations, host, on completing your extraordinary third year of school.
During this year, your talents have been fully developed, gradually translating into commensurate power and prestige.
The products you've invented are also slowly but steadily reshaping the landscape of the magical world.]
[The third stage of the quest 'The Greatest Student in Hogwarts History' is complete. Completion rating: Excellent. Rewards: 500 achievement points, 2000 house points, and one chance to win a high-level lottery.]
These rewards were as he expected. What surprised him was that the system had undergone a minor update at some point.
He only discovered when checking the logs that the system had silently updated after he drew Hakuna Matata: Mo Fanyou, without even notifying him.
The fundamental reason for the update is that the quality of the Happy Stick has exceeded the scope of the Legendary lottery, but the highest level before was only Legendary, which could theoretically be drawn, so it is a minor bug.
Therefore, the system can only be updated and repaired, and the subdivision of the lottery item levels has been improved.
[Basic lottery draw, corresponding to unranked miscellaneous items and worldly wealth, and exquisite alchemy tools.]
[Intermediate lottery, corresponding to a generation of outstanding individuals, with a small chance of obtaining a reward of the level of King of the Century.]
[Advanced Lottery, corresponding to the King of the Century, with a small chance of obtaining a top-tier reward.]
[Special Lottery (Legendary), corresponding to a Grandmaster, with a small chance of obtaining an Eternal Overlord-level reward.]
[Epic lottery, corresponding to the eternal overlord, with a small chance of obtaining Epoch God-level rewards (043).]
Tom slowly stopped walking.
He didn't care about the detailed divisions of the lottery; what caught his attention more was the change in how the system referred to the different levels.
A giant of all ages, an overlord of all time, a god of all eras
The word "Legend" has disappeared, and in its place, like the King of the Century, it is measured by the span of time.
"text..."
On the deserted street, Tom suddenly sighed.
An immortal legend?
If they are truly immortal... then where are they now?
Perhaps for him in the past, and for all the people in the magical world, brilliant wizards like Ravenclaw and Gryffindor are truly legends, and their names will continue to be passed down.
But the title "legend" is inappropriate, because there will always be people stronger than them. To those at the same level, they don't consider themselves legends, but rather seekers who continue to climb the ladder of knowledge.
The system's current method of dividing things by time is actually more reasonable, and it also reveals more information to him—that what transcends eternity is a god.
era?
How long is an era? A hundred thousand years?
Having become invincible and acquired the Happy Stick, Tom was quite arrogant lately, even Ravenclaw had to treat him with caution. But now... all that arrogance has suddenly dissipated, leaving him dry and shriveled again.
At the same time, they are eager for strength.
Is a tech giant his target?
He is a true overlord, an epochal deity, but he is far from being one. What right does he have to be arrogant? He is not Yinli's aunt.
"System, activate the advanced lottery for me."
Tom took a step, causing ripples in the air, and the next second, he was back in his bedroom.
At the same time, the system's reward was delivered to my hands: a Japanese book.
Medivh's Works: The Theory of Magic Network Communication
Tom's heart skipped a beat when he saw Medivh's name, but sank back down as he read on.
Medivh...
After mastering the Flame and Ice Crown magic circuits, Tom held Antonidas in high esteem, but compared to Medivh...
Forget it, these two are not comparable.
Medivh was able to outmaneuver even the cosmic-level Sargeras, demonstrating that he had surpassed everyone else in the world of Azeroth, which is why he was banned at the beginning.
It's a pity it's not his magic insights, but then again, if it were insights, it wouldn't appear in the high-level lottery.
After flipping through "The Theory of Magic Network Communication" for a while, a look of surprise appeared on Tom's face again.
This contains a great deal of Medivh's understanding of the Azerothian magic network and his analysis of arcane energy. It also contains many technologies related to information storage and transfer that can help him quickly update and iterate "myself".
Tom immediately delivered the book to one of the mind avatars in the small world (bhde), then went to the bathtub for a bath before returning to bed satisfied and taking a nap.
Although we are ambitious now, we should still take a vacation when necessary.
The plan remains unchanged; let's enjoy ourselves for a month first!
On the first day of the holiday, Percy delivered his job application by owl early in the morning.
Tom was having breakfast when the house-elf brought the letter into the villa, and ITV's "Good Morning Britain" was playing on the television.
There are still too few programs on the radio. Apart from Quidditch broadcasts and replays, only two radio programs have become live, talking about trivial news.
However, The Daily Prophet is planning to launch a new column and is currently selecting a host. Rita Skeeter is determined to get the position and is frantically trying to woo Tom every day.
Tom put down the milk, picked up Percy's letter, and started reading it.
What? You're saying this is a letter to Crouch?
What's wrong with him vetting his subordinates?
Tom watched with a clear conscience, but as he watched, his expression turned strange. Percy's choice of words... was a bit disgusting.
Forget it, I'm not watching anymore.
Tom shook his head, put the letter away, and made a video call to Crouch, which was answered in just a few seconds.
"Mr. Riddle?" Judging from the background behind Crouch, he had already arrived at the Ministry of Magic.
Tom got straight to the point: "I recommend a talented person to you, Percy Weasley, a recent graduate who wants to work at the Ministry of Magic. He has straight A's in all twelve of his OWLs and his NEWTs are not far behind. I believe he can make your work at the Ministry much easier."
Crouch, sensing the unspoken meaning, immediately understood that Percy was not one of their own.
He can only serve as a lackey in the affairs of the Ministry of Magic, but he can't access core secrets. Is Wesley... and Seth's child?
"I understand," Crouch replied calmly, accepting the matter. He then added, "Boss, there are some things I need to report to you regarding the World Cup broadcasting rights."
After Tom finished assimilating with Crouch, it was already nine o'clock. He went upstairs to change into casual clothes for going out. Not long after, Autumn arrived.
Today, the young woman wore a white shirt and a classic British plaid pleated skirt, exuding youthful energy. Tom greeted her with a hug.
The two cuddled together at home for a while, until the girl was flushed, panting, and her hair was disheveled, before Tom finally let her go.
Qiu leaned against the boy's chest, and only asked after her breathing had calmed down, "Mom and Dad don't get home from get off work until after 5 p.m., what do we do during the day?"
"Let's go shopping first," Tom thought for a moment. "It's my first time visiting, so I should buy you a gift."
Chapter 444 a Romantic Day Trip, Father-in-law, The Child Will Take Your Surname
The Thames is the mother river of London and even the whole of England. In this day and age, it has even become a national symbol.
All the prosperity and extravagance unfold around the banks of this river.
Although Britain is now in its twilight years, soon to become Little Britain without Northern Ireland and the Kingdom of Scotland, the condition of the Thames River has actually improved.
During the industrial era, the Thames was a notorious stinking river. Not only did people have to cover their noses when passing by, but most of the aquatic life in the river also became extinct.
After World War II, and following decades of efforts to manage the river and deindustrialize it, the Thames River regained its former clarity. In recent years, the appearance of salmon caused a sensation, with some media claiming that the Thames River had reached drinking water standards.
Tom certainly didn't believe the nonsense from these media outlets; apart from the three-board girl from The Sun, everything else was fake.
But at least taking a boat tour is not a problem.
"I can't believe it... a ticket costs sixty pounds, even though it includes lunch, but in Galleons, ten Galleons?"
On a cruise ship, Qiu was still feeling bad about the money Tom had just spent.
Although she knew Tom was rich, she just felt it wasn't worth it, "The cost of living for Muggles is just too high..."
"Actually, this is normal." Tom smiled and helped the girl tidy her messy hair. "After all, this is one of the few tourist attractions in England. Three hours here is enough time to set off for other countries."
"Believe me, the cunning of those vendors at the World Cup is no less than that of Muggles."
"Then I might as well go back to my hometown and take a boat." Qiu muttered softly, "Last time I went to Guilin, a boat ride cost several nut, and the scenery there… believe me, Tom, you'll definitely love it."
Tom took her hand and squeezed it slightly: "Of course I believe you, but there's no chance this year. I'll definitely go back with you in the future."
Qiu Ming smiled brightly and nodded emphatically.
The two enjoyed the scenery along the way, starting from Westminster Pier, passing Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and the Royal Festival Hall [the last Greenwich Pier].
Upon reaching its destination, the cruise ship began its return journey, and the waiters served lunch.
This skill was even better than that of the house-elves at Hogwarts, but Tom didn't go to great lengths to change it; he and Cho simply ate a couple of bites.
When going out on a date with your girlfriend, there are basically two scenarios. The first is that you really want to have fun, find the most beautiful scenery, the most interesting attractions, and eat the most authentic food.
The second type... is about pursuing romance and a sense of ritual. What you eat is not important; what matters is the process and the atmosphere.
At this moment, don't spoil the mood by commenting on the quality of the food or the environment. Just go along with what the girl wants to hear. Saying nice things doesn't cost anything.
Tom followed this principle, and the girl's bright black eyes became watery, as if she were floating on clouds. [She had originally complained about the ticket price, but had long since put those things out of her mind.]
Three hours later, after disembarking, I still felt like I hadn't had enough and wished time could stand still for the last second.
Where do we go next?
"Let's go see a movie first, and then we'll buy a gift."
Tom had already made arrangements and plans, which were very conventional: eating, shopping, and watching a movie. It was simple, effective, and foolproof.
The two went to a nearby cinema to watch "Four Weddings and a Funeral," starring Hugh Grant and Andy MacDowell. It's a light comedy and one of the biggest hits in Britain this year.
Because she didn't understand many of the jokes in the Muggle world, Qiu was often confused by the parts and jokes, and didn't understand what the other people were laughing at, but that didn't stop her from watching with great interest and finding it very novel.
As they left the theater, she clung to the boy's arm and asked curiously, "Tom, will the wizarding world have its own movies in the future?"
Tom said confidently, "There will definitely be some, but things take time. Once the wizards get used to the Mirror of Life, all sorts of works will emerge. If all else fails, I'll write one first to set an example for them."
Wizards have an absolute advantage when it comes to making movies.
Putting aside acting skills and scripts, their efficiency is definitely many times greater than that of Muggles.
Many scenes can be completed simply by using Transfiguration to create a replica.
They also don't need to worry about special effects, as they have plenty of welding and laser effects to spare.
"What are you planning to write?" Qiu asked with interest. "Is it this type of thing today?"
"No." Tom shook his head. "I'll write about life at Hogwarts. I've already decided on the movie title: 'Hogwarts: Please Graduate Soon!' It'll fulfill my Hufflepuff dream."
The girl clung to him, laughing so hard she almost fell over.
Tom and Hufflepuff? She couldn't find any connection whatsoever, except... they both loved to eat.
But from this point of view, Qiu felt that Daphne was the most authentic Hufflepuff. Every time Qiu saw Daphne, she would have small snacks in her hands, as well as that bottomless, seamless expansion charm pocket. No one knew how much food was hidden inside.
But soon... Qiu stopped smiling.
As it was nearing the end of the workday, the two, having chosen their gifts, boarded the tram to go home. Qiu felt a little uneasy, thinking about her father's previous unfriendly attitude towards Tom.
"Tom... if a fight really breaks out... go easy on him."
Qiu whispered in the boy's ear, pleading, "Just let Dad lie down for a week, okay? He's so tired from work, a week will give him a good rest, and we can have a great time in Egypt..."
Tom looked at her strangely. Qiu's filial piety was far beyond his expectations, and at the same time he found it funny. He didn't know why Qiu saw him as a violent maniac who only knew how to solve problems with magic.
This shows how clueless Tom is; he doesn't even think about what he's done since he enrolled.
In first grade, he hit a classmate; in second grade, he hit a professor, and then hit classmates and professors from other schools.
In third grade, he went straight to murder, killing his way back to the UK from North America, and recently went to France to hunt vampires.
If he wasn't a violent maniac in other people's eyes, then the wizarding world would basically be full of gentlemen.
Seizing the last bit of time, Qiu carefully recounted her parents' situation, hobbies, and personalities.
According to previous accounts, Qiu was a half-blood wizard.
Cho's mother, Ida Wong, is a descendant of Huxia immigrants who accidentally awakened her wizarding talent. Like Cho, she graduated from Ravenclaw and went on to work at the Ministry of Magic.
Tom was shocked when he heard the name and immediately checked if the Umbrella Corporation existed in the world. He was relieved to find that it didn't.
Zhang Sirui, the father, came from the Zhang family of Taoist masters. During a business trip to England, he met Ida by chance, and the two fell in love at first sight. Zhang Sirui then turned down all his positions in Daxia.
They settled in England thereafter.
He is now a technician at a curse-breaking company, which is also a Gringotts subsidiary.
And now, all of Gringotts in the UK is Tom's property, so... he's practically his father-in-law's boss?
Qiu's home is in Hampstead, in northwest London. It is nestled on a hillside with a beautiful environment. Although it is not as bustling as areas like Chelsea or Westminster, it is still a nice and livable community.
Standing at her front door, the girl took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.
"They're here!"
Footsteps came from inside the door, and a middle-aged man who was about 1.8 meters tall opened the door.
Tom sized up his father-in-law. He had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and there was a hint of scholarly air about him. He was handsome and somewhat resembled the man who always played domineering CEOs.
When Zhang Sirui saw that it was her daughter returning, she immediately put on a doting smile. But when she saw the boy standing beside her, holding Qiu's hand, her smile immediately faded, though it didn't completely disappear.
He nodded slightly to Tom: "Welcome to my home, Riddle."
"Hello, Uncle," Tom greeted immediately.
One thing at a time, it's true that she hates Tom, that scumbag, for taking her daughter away, but his manners and etiquette towards guests are another matter entirely.
Now that he has agreed to let Tom visit, it's not Tom who will lose face, but the Zhang family.
....
Therefore, Zhang Sirui maintained the proper politeness and respect and welcomed the two inside.
Inside the living room, a beautiful woman was serving tea. Just from this division of labor, one could tell the hierarchy within the Zhang family. Just as Qiu said, in her family, the father made the decisions on important matters, while the mother made the decisions on minor matters.
The only major event we know of right now is going back to the Zhang family home to pay respects to our ancestors; everything else... well, they're all minor matters.
"You're here? Please have a seat and try some Biluochun tea that I brought from my hometown."
Ida smiled and nodded to Tom. Zhang Sirui sat down next to her and wanted to call his daughter over, but before he could speak, Qiu pulled Tom to sit on the other side. It looked like two armies were facing off.
The couple exchanged a glance, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.
Ada looked the boy over and thought to herself how good her daughter's taste was.
She had seen Tom's picture in the newspaper before, and although she could tell he was handsome, he was nowhere near as good-looking as he was in person.
Tom also placed the gifts he had bought today on the table—a fruit basket for his father-in-law and a silk scarf for his mother-in-law.
Gifts don't need to be expensive; the thought is what counts.
Ida and Tom exchanged a few polite words before heading to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Before leaving, they also took Qiu, who was supposed to be their bodyguard, with them.
Qiu didn't dare tell her family about Tom's situation at school, but just reading the newspapers and gathering information from the Ministry of Magic was enough to make them unable to accept it.
0
Unlike Zhang Sirui, who unequivocally opposed the relationship, Ada's approach was more moderate. She didn't want to strain her relationship with her daughter and could only hope that her daughter would back down when she grew older, or... defeat all her competitors.
But just seeing Tom's face today, Ai Da realized that she had been thinking too simply.
So they deliberately created some space, allowing Zhang Sirui to increase the intensity, and tried to find a solution from Tom's side.
"Riddle, why didn't you bring your girlfriend today?"
Taking a small sip of tea, Zhang Sirui launched into attack mode: "I read the newspaper, your girlfriend isn't a mixed-race Veela?"
Tom tilted his head in confusion. "Uncle, Qiu is my girlfriend."
Zhang Sirui was so angry at this utterly illogical excuse that she laughed. "You mean the newspaper is making things up, and that the girl from Beauxbatons isn't your girlfriend? Then how do you explain the photo in the newspaper?"
Zhang Sirui was well-prepared today, even bringing out the long newspaper from when Fu won the championship and kissed Tom.
"Uncle, is Furong my petiteamie?" Tom corrected, "not my girlfriend."
French?
Zhang Sirui's eyes widened in surprise: "Are you playing word games with me?"
Tom shook his head honestly, "No, that's just sophistry at best."
"You still know you're just making excuses?" Zhang Sirui's voice was loud. Qiu, who was in the kitchen, heard it and immediately tried to run out, but was held back by Ada.
"What are you going to do?" Ada hissed sharply. "This is a matter between men, Riddle..."
If he dares to be a scumbag and even dares to show up at our door, then he has to face the consequences. Even if you can protect him for a while, he'll have to give us an explanation sooner or later.
"No, Mom," Qiu said urgently, "I'm afraid Tom will hit too hard, and Dad won't be able to handle it!"
Ada:
Did she leave her brain in her womb when she gave birth? Otherwise, how could she say something like that?
Even if Riddle has a notorious reputation and has killed people on his hands, how could he possibly hit his father-in-law?
"Alright, you can go out if a fight really breaks out. There's nothing for you to do now. Help me chop the vegetables."
Ada waved her wand and slammed the kitchen door shut.
In the living room, facing Zhang Sirui who was on the verge of exploding with rage, Tom remained calm and even had the leisure to pour himself a cup of tea, while also filling Zhang Sirui's cup to about seven-tenths full.
Then he slowly said, "Uncle...you only have Qiu as your daughter, right?"
"What do you think... if Qiu and I have a child, should we give him the surname Zhang?"
Zhang Sirui's gloomy expression froze on his face, slowly... turning into a hint of hesitation.
Chapter 446 Ginny's Warning: Do I, Tom Riddle, Need to Queue up for Registration?
"I won! I won!"
The Burrow was unusually lively in the early morning. The Weasleys, who were having breakfast, were startled by Percy's excitement. Ronald's hand trembled, and he spilled milk on his pants. Ginny was immediately jolted awake.
The twins nearly choked on their bread, and Mrs. Weasley spilled quite a bit of the boiled beans from her hands.
"Percy, what are you doing?"
Mrs. Weasley's eyes lit up. "You've won the Daily Prophet's prize again?"
"No, no, it's my job offer that's been finalized." Percy's hand trembled slightly as he held the letter, and he said excitedly, "I will be Mr. Crouch's senior assistant, and I'll be reporting for duty next week."
Arthur, who worked at the Ministry of Magic, was very perceptive and put down his coffee in surprise: "Percy, are you sure you're a senior assistant?"
"Of course, Dad, I'm not just an ordinary assistant." Percy puffed out his chest and said proudly, "I only need to serve Mr. Crouch."
"That's wonderful, my child." Mrs. Weasley hugged him happily. "I knew it. You are the best child in the family, just like your older brothers."
George and Fred said in unison, "And what about us!"
"Let's talk about it after I see your report cards." Mrs. Weasley rolled her eyes at her two troublesome sons, then suddenly noticed a blind spot and hesitated, "Children... your NEWTS results haven't come out yet, have they? How come the Ministry of Magic's admission notice arrived first?"
Percy's eyes darted around, and he quickly found a reason: "Mom, my grades are very stable, and I've been in contact with the Ministry of Magic for a while now, but I haven't been able to secure a position yet."
Jasmine didn't suspect anything and happily praised him again, while Arthur gave Percy a deep look.
Ginny also looked at him with some suspicion.
After finishing his meal, Percy couldn't wait to go upstairs, ready to share his joy with his classmates.
He didn't notice the little tail behind him. Just as he was about to close the door, Ginny slipped in like an eel, leaving Percy puzzled.
"Ginny, what's up now?"
The girl crossed her arms and sneered, "I'm fine, but I think you are, Percy... Were you looking for Tom on the train that day because of your job?"
Percy immediately became awkward, but still stubbornly insisted, "I don't know what you're talking about. I just chatted casually with Riddle. I think he'll definitely become a prefect and student council president in the future, so I shared some of my experiences with him."
"Percy, you're shameless, just like Malfoy," Ginny said with a look of disgust. "You think you're qualified to give Tom advice? He can get you on the job half a month earlier than others with just a word, and make you Crouch's assistant. Who do you think you are?"
Perth's face flushed crimson, almost blending into his hair, after being belittled so harshly by his own sister. Could he possibly utter a word of disparagement towards Tom?
He dared not. From this incident, Percy realized that Tom was the great man he admired and followed. If Ginny were to relay his words to Tom, he would be immediately brought back to reality.
"I…I just really wanted to improve," Percy finally said dejectedly, "so I asked him for a small favor."
"This is the last time," Ginny warned, showing no regard for Percy's feelings. "You know why Tom helped you, and I don't want you to bother him with anything again."
Ginny was furious.
The girls around Tom always seemed to have an advantage for him: Greengrass's family background, Hermione's studiousness and intelligence, Penelope's taking over part of the work at Herder's workshop, and even Autumn—Ginny didn't know before, but now she understood—her family background was quite impressive in the East.
She was the only one who didn't help; in fact, her family had to ask Tom for help.
And all of this was done without her knowledge!
"What do you take me for!" Percy gasped, this time his ears and neck turning red. "I wasn't trying to take shortcuts; I just wanted to do things better!"
"That would be best."
Ginny gave a soft snort, let go of Percy who was already flushed, and walked out of his room.
She wanted to send Tom a message, not just to thank him, but also to tell him not to help Percy anymore.
Ginny didn't receive Tom's reply until the afternoon.
An OK sign, and a picture of a pyramid.
Cairo, Egypt.
June in London is just the beginning of summer, with daytime highs of only 25 or 26 degrees Celsius, making it one of the most comfortable months of the year.
But in Egypt, June is already considered the peak season.
Surface temperatures exceeding forty degrees Celsius are commonplace. The scorching sun bakes the golden earth, and a mere gust of wind sends dust flying, as if the air itself is distorted by the intense heat.
Tom and Cho strolled hand in hand down a street in Cairo, both wearing straw hats. The dust seemed to have eyes, avoiding them whenever it encountered them.
The most important preparations for traveling here are sun protection and avoiding heatstroke. The straw hats on their heads can maintain a constant temperature and block ultraviolet rays.
This was a byproduct of Tom's research on how to survive in space, and he used it for his vacation.
Compared to London's high level of urbanization and numerous Elizabethan buildings, Cairo is much less developed and is also dirty and chaotic. However, many of its Islamic-style buildings are still eye-catching and full of artistic charm.
Especially the area they are in now, which is Cairo's old town, showcases the city's unique charm to the fullest.
Harry's Market, one of the most representative traditional markets in the Middle East, occupies dozens of alleyways in the old city and has a history of over 1,400 years.
After wandering around the bustling market, Tom's eyes finally settled on a hookah shop whose sign was practically falling off.
"This should be it, disciple."
Tom led Qiu across the street, arrived at the entrance of the hookah shop, opened the door and went straight in. It was as if they had passed through a curtain of water and discovered a new world. The two did not appear inside the shop, but instead came to an even older street.
"..."
The girl's eyes widened, and she couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
Everything that came into view filled her with wonder. All the houses on the street were built of pure white stones, and even the ground was pure white, so clean that it was spotless.
The streets were lined with a dazzling array of shops, but there were even more small vendors with camels setting up stalls. Each of them had a carpet in front of them, covered with all sorts of strange and unusual goods that Qiu found strange.
"This is the Heca Corridor, not the largest gathering place of the masters."
Tom laughed as he explained to Qiu, "Egypt is not only a larger country than Britain, but it also has many more wizards.
However, due to uneven development, almost all the wizards live near Cairo.
Combined with wizards from other smaller countries, this place is much more lively than Diagon Alley, enough to keep us entertained for several days."
"I can't wait." Qiu's gaze drifted away from the golden scrolls being sold at the nearest stall. "Once we register with the Ministry of Magic, we'll be free, right?"
Although the two arrived in Egypt through Muggle channels, they mostly frequented areas frequented by sorcerers, so they had to register to avoid being considered illegal immigrants.
"Not the Ministry of Magic," Tom shook his head. "It's Gringotts."
After saying that, he pointed into the distance, where in the very center of the Heca Gallery stood a huge mosque, whose height and area were unmatched by any other building.
"That's Gringotts?" Qiu looked over in surprise. "Why would newly registered outsiders be under Gringotts' jurisdiction?"
Tom had already started walking. "Because this is Egypt, the former headquarters of Gringotts. The goblins here are much better off than in England. The ideal life for Egyptian wizards is to work for Gringotts. From birth to death, they can't escape Gringotts' influence."
"So later the Ministry of Magic also went into a slump, handing over most of its power and only maintaining a superficial facade."
The girl felt her worldview had been shattered [and obediently followed Tom].
The Ministry of Magic... was actually controlled by fairies?
It sounds magical, but this is reality. No powerful wizards have ever come from here, and it's the region where the fairies are the most powerful. With money paving the way and years of subtle influence, even the Egyptian wizards didn't think anything was wrong.
As long as wages are paid on time, or even more, does it matter who the boss is?
It doesn't matter at all.
The two walked towards Gringotts, listening to the cries of the vendors around them. Qiu noted down several interesting shops, planning to register them and come back to visit them later.
They also encountered law enforcement officers in the market, each dressed in a white robe with gold embellishments and Galleons on the cuffs. "They're definitely from Gringotts."
However, none of them were holding wands, which is a characteristic of Vagado; all their students cast spells using hand gestures.
After walking for about fifteen minutes, we arrived at Gringotts.
Gringotts' main entrance is quite interesting; it resembles a giant balance scale, with trays on either side serving as the entrance and exit.
Enter from the left and exit from the right. Everyone must pause briefly on the platform until the guard nods before entering.
As soon as Tom and Qiu stood on the tray, the base of the tray immediately emitted a red light.
"From abroad?" The fairy in charge of registration glanced at the red light and said without looking up, "Turn right after entering, there's a queue on the second floor."
Just as Qiu was about to leave, Tom stopped her.
The boy's indifferent voice reached the fairy's ears: "Me, Tom Riddle? You want me to line up and register?"
Chapter 447 Riddle's Intimidating Power, The Master and Apprentice's Efforts to Brainwash Each Other
A few minutes later, Tom and Cho were respectfully led to a luxurious lounge by two elves, who immediately brought them tea and snacks.
In the wizarding world, Tom is now an absolute celebrity, the kind of celebrity that even Lockhart would envy.
Furthermore, its influence extends worldwide, especially to Europe and North America; it is a top influencer, second only to Dumbledore.
There's no way around it; Old Deng has been working in the magical world for decades, and his name has appeared in countless textbooks. Surpassing him won't be so easy.
Tom's momentum is much stronger than Deng's back then.
But in the goblin world, Tom's name carried more weight than Dumbledore's. All the goblins in Gringotts knew that this young wizard, who was not yet an adult, was despicable, cunning, more greedy than a goblin, and more bloodthirsty than a vampire.
He possessed wealth exceeding that of countless purebloods, and even seized control of Gringotts Bank in England, vowing to establish his own bank.
Even so, the fairies both loved and hated Tom, because he could make money for people and get the wizards to spend it.
Tom is now Gringotts' most hated yet most distinguished guest.
Before long, an old woman in a suit brought over the registration information. With these two small cards, Tom and Qiu could travel freely throughout the entire Black State, not just on this trip, but at any time they came without having to register again.
"Mr. Riddle, would you like me to prepare accommodations for you?" the old devil asked very enthusiastically.
"No."
Tom shook his head, put the card away, and prepared to leave with Qiu. Halfway there, he suddenly stopped and looked back at him.
"I'm planning to take a few souvenirs back with me. You must have quite a few in your stash after excavating so many pyramids, right?"
Egypt may be poor, but it is also incredibly rich, with countless priceless treasures. He doesn't need any powerful magical items; as long as they are beautiful and attractive, he can take them back.
As for where the items came from, and whether they were burial goods.
These things don't matter. Wizards don't care about these things. Many people dislike them because they're afraid of being cursed. As long as the curse can be removed, they can circulate normally.
The old demon was also very happy, it seemed that a big deal had come its way today. It called in a few demons from outside and asked them to move the collectibles that met the requirements, while it stayed in the room to entertain the guest.
He originally planned to take Tom directly to the treasure room, but then changed his mind.
Riddle is very strong. The exquisite anti-magic armor forged by fairies is like paper in front of him. The best proof is the fairy guard who died in Gringotts, England last time.
What if he sees the mountains of treasure in the vault and gets greedy? Those five fire dragons kept in the vault... they wouldn't be able to stop him!
It's safer to just send it over.
Tom had no idea that his image in the eyes of the goblins had been ruined to this extent; if he had known, he would have crushed the old goblin with a single finger.
Is he the kind of person who would forcibly take something?
Even if I see something I like, you can just give it all to me, right?
The world doesn't stop just because anyone takes a break, and everything proceeds smoothly while Tom enjoys his vacation.
Magic club.
"This is the solution you came up with?"
Fudge looked at Crouch and Ludobagman standing in front of him: "Pack the hosting rights for the World Cup into a single task and hand it over entirely to the Wizarding Guild for preparation?"
Although Fudge's power was greatly weakened after his last head-on clash with Tom, he was still the minister, and Burns and others would not completely break ties with him.
As long as their opinions were not opposed, the Ministry of Magic could be said to still operate according to Fudge's will and maintain its due dignity.
"Minister, this is the most cost-effective method. The ministry's current financial situation is not ideal. If our people are to be in charge of everything, our staff will be exhausted from preparing the venue, setting up the Muggle expulsion spell, arranging the camp, and so on."
"The current budget has been used up, and at least 300,000 Galleons are needed to complete these tasks."
Crouch reported on the current situation: five hundred Ministry of Magic employees had been working on this for a year, but at least one hundred thousand wizards would be coming from all over the world by then. [What we have now is far from enough.]
Actually, these things should have been done by Bagman, since he was the director of sports, but Bagman's level... well, those who know, know. Fudge wouldn't listen to him at all, nor would he care about what he said.
"wrong!"
Fudge suddenly realized, "We can package it up and give it to the Wizarding Guild, but how will the profits be distributed? We can't just let our initial investment go down the drain, can we?"
"Ticket revenue will still go to the Ministry of Magic," Crouch said. "Mr. Riddle wants other derivative revenues, including broadcast revenue, vendor stalls and management, etc."
Fudge's pig brains are starting to overload.
Is it better to outsource, or continue to let the magic nurture blood money?
He can't figure it out!
Ludobagman also stepped forward to persuade him: "Minister, the Wizarding Guild has partnerships with all the major Quidditch clubs, so they do have a real advantage in this area. I don't think there's anything to hesitate about. Many people in the ministry are already fed up with working overtime."
Most importantly, there is no overtime pay.
"Oh, right." Crouch pretended to casually recall something, "I just ran into Mrs.
Grindelwald.
She said Mr.
Riddle wants to use the World Cup as an opportunity to promote the Mirror and has been wanting to talk to you, Minister, in person, but he is currently traveling and I'm afraid he won't have enough time when he returns."
Upon hearing Tom's name, Fudge's eyes instantly cleared.
I'm awake now.
Crouch didn't come to discuss it with him; he came to inform him.
What right does he have to object?
"Then let's do it your way." Fudge signed his name on the parchment with a flourish: "I have only one request: the Ministry of Magic cannot lose money. Even if it doesn't make a profit, the initial investment must be recouped."
"I will include that in the contract." Crouch nodded seriously, then left with the document, satisfied.
To tell you a really dark joke, the only place in the world that can gather 100,000 wizards, besides the World Cup, is Grindelwald.
Tom's goal is to expand his influence.
Both the Wizarding Guild and Hilder Workshop need a stage like the World Cup to showcase their products.
If there are new products at that time, the World Cup will also become his new product launch event, and the progress of the mission will definitely increase dramatically.
Of course... you can also make a little extra money on the side.
Ticket sales are what make up the majority of revenue; broadcasting fees and merchandise sales are the real money-makers.
Durmstrang.
Barty Crouch Jr., dragging his wounded body, met Grindelwald again, but his expression was one of satisfaction, his eyes gleaming: "The person you named is dead..."
"I know."
Grindelwald closed "The Disintegrator" in his hand and looked at him admiringly: "Not only are the people I asked you to kill dead, but you've killed two more... Well done."
"How do you feel?"
"I feel absolutely nothing," Barty Crouch Jr. retorted stubbornly. "I only obeyed your orders out of necessity to survive until my master's return. What feelings could you possibly expect from me?"
"But why do I feel like you're very happy?" Grindelwald approached him with a mocking smile. Barty tried to back away, but was grabbed by the shoulder.
"No... it's not happiness, it's elation."
Grindelwald said softly, "Because you've become yourself again, you can unleash your power without restraint. You're no longer Barty Crouch's son, but yourself..."
"I didn't…I didn't think that way," Little Barty said with difficulty.
Grindelwald ignored him and continued, "Child, it may be pleasurable to display power, but what you do with that power is what truly shows your value."
"The people I asked you to kill were plotting a rebellion. If it wasn't nipped in the bud, countless people would be dragged into pointless bloodshed. You saved many..."
"But what about the time you spent with Voldemort?"
Grindelwald shook his head helplessly. "Senseless killing, meaningless fear, all you get is emptiness."
"Is this something a real father would let his son do?"
Barty opened his mouth, instinctively wanting to refute Grindelwald and vindicate his 'master,' but reason and inner pleasure rendered him speechless.
"(Zhao Nuo Zhao) Go to Laeji for treatment and rest for a few days. I hope you can find meaning in your life and do what you want under my protection."
Grindelwald patted Barty on the shoulder and saw him out of the office.
His wicked smile grew even more pronounced.
If it were Dumbledore, he would never have been able to subdue Barty, because Dumbledore never believed that anyone was born evil.
Even if he believes it, he will still try to mold this person into the way he wants them to be.
But he was different. He didn't care what kind of person Barty was. All he needed to do was acknowledge him, provide emotional support, and fill the void in his heart.
Compared to Voldemort's mere exploitation, the difference in quality is obvious.
And Ariane, as Grindelwald's true 'disciple', was doing the same thing as her teacher that day.
"Joan of Arc." Holding the village girl's small hand, Ariana said very seriously, "You are no longer the illiterate village girl you once were. You have read many books and read many stories. You have even watched twenty soap operas."
Joan of Arc nodded blankly: "Yes."
Ariana asked very seriously, "Then you have to tell me the truth, do you still believe you were burned at the stake back then?"
The village girl from Orleans pursed her lips and lowered her head.
Check fictionzone.net for updated chapters (Hogwarts: I, Tom, Am Not Really The Dark Lord). Continue from Chapter 448