Opening his eyes fully and taking in the unfamiliar ceiling above him, Tom understood that he'd returned to reality. He then shifted his attention to the "heavy object" currently draped across him.
Sure enough, the person who'd just thrown herself onto him was Hannah, her face was etched with worry and relief.
"Meow~" (Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine, see?)
Tom opened his mouth habitually, only to realize in the next moment that his language system had reverted back to ordinary cat meows once again.
'Looks like being able to speak in that place was either due to the unique nature of that space itself, or something special about existing there as a soul,' he thought with mild disappointment.
He resignedly reached out with his paw, intending to fish out the whiteboard he used for communication.
"Your friend says he's fine and you don't need to worry about him."
Just as Tom was fumbling around, an aged yet kindly voice came from behind Hannah. Before Tom could react, he felt the burlap sack on his body suddenly begin thrashing about violently.
"I-I'm sorry, Headmaster Dumbledore!"
Hearing that voice, Hannah's body went rigid. Her expression crumbled as she climbed off Tom, looking utterly miserable.
"This is all my fault—I'm the reason Tom ended up like this. Please, punish me however you see fit (╥﹏╥)"
"Whether to punish you, and how to do so, isn't for me to decide."
Dumbledore walked over to Hannah's side with a gentle smile.
"Only the student you've harmed has the right to determine your punishment. Only he has that authority."
With that, Dumbledore leaned down to look at Tom, clearly curious to see what decision this rather special student would make.
Tom temporarily suppressed the squirming sack on his body, looking at Hannah as she stood before him with her head bowed in remorse. After thinking for a moment, he pulled out his whiteboard.
[Of course you need to be punished—and severely at that!]
Watching Hannah's face cycle through a complex array of emotions guilt, disappointment, resignation, and more Tom's whiskers twitched with a mischievous smile.
[As for the specifics of your punishment... I sentence you to work for me for free! At least until graduation, don't expect to earn a single Knut from me~]
"Eh?!"
Hannah's expression froze.
She'd fully expected to be expelled for nearly killing a fellow student, but Tom had only proposed such a simple requirement?
And judging by Dumbledore's expression, he seemed to approve of this punishment? Then what had been the point of all that mental preparation she'd put herself through?
"You're... not going to have the school expel me?"
[You're my friend—why would I want the school to expel you? Besides, I'm alive and well, aren't I? Since there's no real harm done, having you leave Hogwarts would be too cruel. I'm not that heartless!
Plus, if it weren't for you, I might never have known what chocolate tastes like. So really, it's not a big deal~]
Tom patted Hannah's shoulder, putting on an air of magnanimous forgiveness.
And honestly, if not for this accident, he never would have encountered Ariana, much less learned about the romantic entanglement between Dumbledore and Grindelwald!
With that thought, Tom's gaze involuntarily drifted toward Dumbledore. Looking at this benevolent white-bearded old man, his thoughts began to wander down questionable paths.
'I wonder if this old man was the top or the bottom in that relationship
~ (￣ω￣)'
Perhaps worried that Tom might change his mind, or perhaps feeling that Hannah's continued presence might disturb Tom's rest, or possibly because he'd noticed Tom's gaze growing somewhat peculiar—whatever the reason, Dumbledore turned to the emotional Hannah.
"Alright, Miss Abbott, you've been keeping vigil here for quite some time. Since Tom has awakened, you should return to get some rest. I'd rather not have both of us thrown out by Madam Pomfrey together."
"Yes, Professor. Thank you! And thank you too, Tom!"
Hannah nodded vigorously, then turned to Tom with eyes shining with gratitude.
"Tom, I'll head back now, but I'll come visit you tomorrow!"
With that, she turned and left the hospital wing, her steps considerably lighter than when she'd arrived.
"Thank you for forgiving that child."
Dumbledore turned his full attention to Tom, his blue eyes were twinkling behind his half-moon spectacles.
"What happened was certainly her fault, but she's worked very hard to make amends. These past days, whenever she wasn't in class, she stayed right by your side. She even got into several arguments with Madam Pomfrey over it! Honestly, I wouldn't dare argue with Madam Pomfrey myself. If we were to hold a re-Sorting now, perhaps she'd have a chance at Gryffindor this time?"
"Meow~" (I mean, I'm annoyed about the chocolate incident, but I never really blamed her for it~)
Knowing that Dumbledore understood cat language, Tom didn't bother fishing out his whiteboard again. He simply stretched languidly, working out the stiffness in his muscles and bones.
But as he raised his paws above his head in a full-body stretch, he suddenly realized something alarming.
"Meow?!" (Wait—'re-Sorting'? You mean... the Sorting Ceremony is already over?!)
"Of course. You've been asleep for over a week, after all. The Sorting Ceremony wouldn't wait for you."
Dumbledore nodded straightforwardly, as if this were the most obvious thing in the world.
"...Meow?" (Then what about my Sorting...)
Tom was completely dumbfounded. The Sorting Ceremony was finished? Then what was he supposed to do? Become a student without a House?
'Though actually... that might not be so bad?' he pondered.
Just as Tom was contemplating how he might live school life among all four Houses, Dumbledore's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Well... perhaps you could consider re-enrolling next year and trying again?"
He winked playfully at Tom, a mischievous glint was in those old eyes.
"MEOW!" (Absolutely not! There's no way I'm doing that!)
"That's quite enough, Professor Dumbledore. If you intend to continue disturbing my patient's rest, I'll have to ask you to leave!"
Just as Tom was preparing to argue his case energetically, the door swung open. A woman in a nurse's uniform strode in, her face was kind but her demeanor was stern and unyielding.
She shot Dumbledore a sharp look before turning to Tom in the hospital bed, her expression instantly softened with maternal concern.
"How are you feeling, dear? I'll be honest—when they first brought you in, I didn't think you'd pull through! Your heartbeat was so faint it was nearly undetectable. If the Headmaster and your friends hadn't insisted, I very nearly issued a death certificate."
[Thank you so much for your treatment and care. I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you during this time.]
Tom knew she was absolutely right. Technically speaking, he had indeed died once after being brought here. That he'd managed to come back was purely due to his unique... special circumstances.
But regardless, she had devoted herself wholeheartedly to trying to save him. Tom certainly didn't mind offering some sincere words of gratitude.
"I only did my duty. Your recovery had nothing to do with my efforts."
Though she said this, the corners of Madam Pomfrey's mouth curved up slightly, unable to suppress a small smile of satisfaction. She reached into her pocket and produced a sweet, holding it out to Tom.
"Would you like a candy to celebrate your miraculous recovery? Don't worry—it's an ordinary sweet, the kind you can safely eat."
"Meow~"
Tom accepted the candy and ate it. Though he hadn't actually been frightened by his near-death experience, it was still a kind gesture, and he was happy to accept it.
"Good boy."
Madam Pomfrey gently stroked Tom's head before shooting Dumbledore another sharp glare.
"Professor, this child has only just recovered. He needs rest! If you don't have any actual 'business' to discuss, please don't disturb him further!"
She particularly emphasized the word "business," making her meaning crystal clear.
Dumbledore smiled helplessly, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender.
"Don't worry, Madam Pomfrey. I'll leave as soon as I've said what I need to say."
"See that you do."
Madam Pomfrey gave Tom's head one final affectionate pat, shot Dumbledore one more warning look for good measure, and finally departed.
If she hadn't known that Dumbledore genuinely had important matters to discuss, she would have thrown him out already!