Why are only a third of the Gryffindors Death Eaters? Is "Pangolin" slacking off? Tom mused, observing the Hogwarts students who'd joined their ranks. Initially, he hadn't paid much attention, but seeing Harry and the others working so diligently, he occasionally inquired about their progress.
"Pangolin"—Ron Weasley—had been digging for three years and only managed to burrow through a third of the Gryffindor defenses, which proved just how stubborn and impenetrable those lions could be.
In truth, Ron was doing rather well. Most Gryffindors were either influenced by their families or were simply too rigid in their thinking to even consider Dark Magic. Even if Tom's undeniably impressive displays piqued their interest, they would never actually join the Death Eaters… unless, of course, someone extended an invitation. Their own consciences and their parents' objections were formidable barriers.
These Gryffindor cubs often lingered around the other Death Eaters at school, making their presence known. They'd even try to show off, as if thinking, It's such a shame you haven't invited someone like me to join… hurry up and ask again, and I might just reluctantly agree!
Unfortunately, the younger Death Eaters mistook this behavior for provocation. Consequently, Ron had recruited most of the Gryffindor initiates himself, working discreetly. If his brothers found out, he was certain he'd be roasted alive as a disgrace to the family upon returning to The Burrow—the kind of person who gets roasted and whipped.
So, he had to secretly, quietly, and slowly bring all the Gryffindors outside of his immediate family into the fold. Then, he would feign joining the Death Eaters himself, claiming he was just "following the trend" and was "forced" into it. Finally, he could lead the other Gryffindor Death Eaters back to his dormitory, isolate his foolish brothers, and "force" them to join as well.
By then, the Weasleys wouldn't just have one Death Eater! That way, he could return to The Burrow and ensure he wasn't killed on the spot.
...
Time trickled onward. Before long, it was time for the first Defense Against the Dark Arts class of the day, a joint session for Gryffindors and Slytherins.
As soon as everyone had filed in, Gellert Grindelwald stood at the podium with his characteristic faint smile, silently observing the students. The previously noisy chatter immediately died down, and all eyes were fixed on their new professor.
Some students, particularly those who had gleaned the significance of the name "Grindelwald" from books or rumors, felt a mixture of curiosity, fear, and longing. If I could become such a powerful dark wizard, surely Tom Riddle would notice me and make me Harry's second-in-command!
Gellert Grindelwald seemed to sense this ambition perfectly. "It appears I don't need to reintroduce myself."
He stepped down from the podium and strolled among the students. "Tell me, how many of you can tell me how many Dark Arts you have mastered?"
"..."
Huh? The Gryffindor students were instantly taken aback, but the Slytherin Death Eaters eagerly raised their hands.
"Reporting, Professor! I've learned five, all of them from Professor Tom Riddle!"
"Only five? I've learned ten! And all of them from Professor Tom Riddle!"
"Heh… you must be joking! Ten? You dare say that? Aren't you afraid you're lying through your teeth? I've learned at least twenty!"
"..."
Hearing this, a somewhat bewildered Gellert Grindelwald glanced at Tom, who simply smiled and gestured modestly.
Tom was, in fact, quite surprised. Had I really taught them so much? I only taught a few dark spells while substituting… well, thinking about it, I suppose it adds up.
"Ahem… it seems you have a capable professor. But those I didn't call on, remain silent. The ones I did call on, answer my questions." Gellert Grindelwald coughed to regain control, then tapped the wooden table to his right. He smiled at a red-haired boy seated nearby. "You, please answer."
"..."
Professor, are you trying to get me killed? Ron was utterly flabbergasted. He had indeed secretly learned two dark spells while Tom was teaching, but confessing that now was impossible.
If he did, his dimwitted brothers would be waiting at his doorstep, followed by a stern letter from Mrs. Weasley, expulsion from Hogwarts, a return to The Burrow, and, finally, a trial by his family.
The entire sequence, from the end of class to his premature demise, flashed before Ron's eyes. He shook his head vehemently. "Sorry, Professor Grindelwald, I… I don't know any."
"It's alright," Gellert Grindelwald replied. "You will by the end of this class."
"..."
Ron's face stiffened, and he fell silent once more.
"I'm glad to see that so many of you have previewed the lessons."
"..."
"However, some students are so lazy that they haven't even learned the most basic Dark Magic! This disappoints me greatly."
"..."
Finally, a Gryffindor student could no longer contain himself and weakly raised his hand. "But Professor, isn't this class… Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
"How can you defend against Dark Magic if you don't understand it?" Gellert Grindelwald looked at the little lion. "There is a saying: 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.' Once you understand Dark Magic, you'll know how to defend against it, even defeat it. Don't you agree?"
Hearing this, the little lion nodded uncertainly. "Uh… I guess… yes?"
"Then how do we learn about Dark Magic?"
"Learn… dark magic?"
"Precisely." Gellert Grindelwald nodded, his face radiating a "promising student" expression. He then scanned the students before him. "Any further questions?"
Another Gryffindor student raised his hand. "But Professor, wouldn't that make us dark wizards?!"
"These days, who dares to call themselves a wizard if they don't know a couple of dark spells?" Gellert Grindelwald smiled. "Go back and ask your dad if he knows dark magic. If he says no, he's lying. Have him come to me, and I'll set him straight."
"But… my dad's a Muggle."
"..."
Gellert Grindelwald's expression remained unperturbed. "Interrupting the professor, Gryffindor loses twenty points!"
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