Less than ten minutes after receiving the letter, Professor Sprout appeared right on time outside Hermione's front door.
Professor Sprout was as youthful as ever—okay, maybe not youthful.
But the older professor still had her charm and a surprisingly childlike spirit—something she only ever showed when she was around Tom.
In her heart, Tom was practically her own son.
What kind of mother keeps her guard up around her own kid? Professor Sprout certainly didn't.
Especially when that "son" was such an obedient, mature, and powerfully gifted kid. Even by Hogwarts standards, he was the legendary "golden child."
"Professor Sprout, it's so good to see you." Tom stepped forward, gently pulling her into a hug and pressing a kiss to her cheek.
"Oh, Tom! Tom, I'm just so glad you're safe," she beamed. "We need to get going. Bring Hermione and—oh, this must be you, Misha."
The shadow shook her head. "No, I'm Isabelle."
She ducked behind Tom's back as she spoke, too afraid to even look at the professor. The very second Isabelle had laid eyes on Professor Sprout, sheer terror had gripped her heart.
She could sense it. This professor was unbelievably powerful—probably just as strong as Tom!
It was a good thing Tom couldn't read the shadow's mind, or he would have laughed out loud. Even with his literal cheat codes, he hadn't been studying magic nearly long enough to be compared to Professor Sprout.
"Professor Sprout, here's the thing..."
Tom quickly gave her the rundown on Isabelle's origins.
"A shadow? Made of magic?" Professor Sprout's eyes lit up with genuine fascination as she studied the girl. "Incredible. To think magic could create an entirely new human being. Welcome to Hogwarts, little one. Please, treat the school like your very own home."
This is Tom's sister! Professor Sprout practically screamed in her own mind.
Tom is so handsome and charming, and his sister is exactly the same! If only this sweet child could be sorted into Hufflepuff... Just look at her! So pretty, so well-behaved.
Dark Magic? What Dark Magic?!
Pure nonsense! As long as her heart was good, who cared if she was born from magic? She was still a living, breathing soul!
Professor Sprout gently took their hands—Isabelle on the left, Misha on the right.
"Tom, Hermione, come closer. Grab onto my shoulders."
The space around them lurched violently.
It was Isabelle and Misha's very first time experiencing Apparition, and they instinctively clutched their stomachs. They felt their insides twisting and churning, but both managed to swallow back the urge to throw up.
That alone made them tougher than 99% of wizards out there.
Most normal wizards vomited the first time they Apparated. Seeing them hold it together only made Professor Sprout adore them even more. Without a doubt, these two were going to be incredibly powerful witches one day.
In the blink of an eye, they had arrived at Hogwarts.
"Tom, go find Albus. He's already waiting for you in his office," Professor Sprout instructed. "I'm going to take Hermione to the Weasleys' house first."
"Safe travels, Professor."
"Thank you, dear." She flashed Tom a warm smile before vanishing with Hermione.
"Tom," Misha tugged at his hand. "Who is Albus?"
Tom pictured Dumbledore's kindly, wrinkled face, seriously considering how best to introduce the Headmaster.
"Hmm... He's the Headmaster of Hogwarts. A sweet, kindly old man. He's also the most powerful white wizard in the world. Honestly, calling him the absolute strongest wouldn't be an exaggeration."
"Is he stronger than you, Tom?"
"Of course."
Tom didn't have nearly enough of a death wish to try picking a fight with Dumbledore.
Once he was actually strong enough to beat Dumbledore... The Ministry of Magic? If those bastards ever dared to run their mouths at him again, he'd flip the damn table!
If they thought they could boss him around before he was the strongest wizard in the world, there was no way in hell he'd let them ride his coattails once he was at the top. Otherwise, what was the point of having cheat codes?
"Let's go. Don't worry, Professor Albus Dumbledore is a good guy."
The Headmaster's Office.
Dumbledore was even calmer than Tom had expected.
"Professor Dumbledore, we're back."
"Ah..." Dumbledore's gaze shifted to the two young girls beside Tom. "Tom, I'm afraid I won't be having you stay in your dormitory. You might have to return to your old haunt."
Dumbledore actually chuckled at that. "I only hope that, after getting used to your own pristine dorm, you can still stomach that man's foul, dingy quarters."
That man, naturally, was Professor Snape.
"It wasn't that bad last time, was it?"
Dumbledore elaborated, "After you moved out, Severus brought quite a few new things into his rooms. It might be... a bit more cluttered than you remember. And I hope you two little ones aren't easily frightened. Severus truly is a good man at heart."
Misha and Isabelle shook their heads in unison.
As long as Tom was there, they weren't afraid of anything.
"I will walk you down. Severus should still be in his quarters," Dumbledore said, his tone turning serious. "Tom, remember: if you notice anything out of the ordinary around the castle, you must tell me immediately. Do not attempt to fight him on your own again."
"I will, Professor."
Provided they weren't actively in danger, of course. If Voldemort randomly kicked down the door and screamed the Killing Curse, Tom was still going to have to throw down.
As they walked through the castle corridors, Tom looked up at the Headmaster. "Professor Dumbledore, how did you find out the Dark Lord was here?"
"The hidden chambers on the third floor were left in a state of absolute ruin. And I still cannot entirely fathom his goal..." Dumbledore glanced down. "Tom, do you know of the Sorcerer's Stone?"
"I do."
"Then that makes things simpler to explain. You have seen the Mirror of Erised; I hid the Stone inside it. To retrieve the Stone... well, in short, it is impossible for the Dark Lord to extract it on his own. The entire situation makes little sense. He may have deeper, ulterior motives."
Tom nodded. "Understood. I'll keep my guard up, Professor."
It didn't take long for Dumbledore to lead the trio to a very familiar spot.
Professor Snape's office.
Talk about a blast from the past. When he first arrived at Hogwarts, this was exactly where he had lived for quite a while. After all that running around, he was right back where he started.
"Severus, Tom and Misha are here," Dumbledore said, knocking firmly on the heavy wooden door.
The door swung open, revealing Professor Snape.
Snape completely ignored Tom, his dark eyes instantly locking onto the two girls hiding behind him.
Misha and her shadow?
He had that same loathsome, irritated glare he reserved for everyone. Snape sneered coldly, stepping aside.
"Get in. I certainly hope Tom has already briefed you on my rules. In these quarters, you will act strictly according to those rules. If you dare step out of line, I do not care if you are Tom's sisters—I will throw you out myself!"