Tom, engrossed in his book in the library tent, glanced up as a crack announced Gilgamesh's sudden arrival.
Hearing the sound, Cassandra and Nagini, seated opposite him, also looked up in curiosity.
"My Lord, someone wishes to see you," Gilgamesh explained the situation succinctly. "Shall Dobby bring them in?"
Tom considered for a moment. "Bring them in."
...
Meanwhile, outside Tom's opulent tent, a ring of Death Eaters warily eyed the approaching group.
Anyone else would have been met with silent smiles and a swift Avada Kedavra.
But this was Dumbledore!
They ignored the ragtag bunch trailing behind him, focusing all their attention on the old wizard.
Dumbledore's appearance outside Tom's tent caused a stir throughout the encampment. Beyond the Death Eaters directly confronting him, others quietly formed layers of encirclement. If the old coot tried anything against Tom Riddle, they would swarm him!
Dumbledore, however, remained unfazed. It wasn't that he underestimated the Death Eaters. After all, they represented the most powerful and widespread wizarding organization on the planet; they controlled wizards across multiple countries and had even infiltrated Muggle high society.
But, without boasting, the Death Eaters present couldn't truly pose a threat to him.
Wizards who reached the "legendary" level were practically walking natural disasters; the gap between them and these Death Eaters was wider than the gap between the Death Eaters and dogs.
"Ahem... Lucius, what did Tom say?" Dumbledore inquired casually, glancing at the most flamboyantly blond head in the crowd.
Lucius paused, quickly deducing that he was the closest to Dumbledore among those present, hence the question. "I apologize, Professor Dumbledore, our Lord has not yet conveyed his message to us."
"That wretched brat... dock his pay when he gets back!" Dumbledore's words sent shivers down the spines of those listening. Was the power struggle between these heavy hitters really this... straightforward?
He was, of course, only making a joke. Dumbledore knew full well that if he dared to dock Tom's pay, he wouldn't even last the day as Headmaster.
But... this was indeed troublesome.
Looking at Madame Maxime behind him, Dumbledore hadn't expected the woman to be so devoted to her students, actually making a deal with him to bring them to see Tom. The thought of Tom Riddle's "evil face" annoyed Dumbledore; that brat was certainly up to no good again!
Gabrielle, holding her sister's hand, stood behind Madame Maxime. Despite the surrounding crowd, she remained unafraid, gazing quietly at the luxurious tent.
Finally, after a short wait, a spatial distortion broke the silence.
Gilgamesh spoke a few words to Dobby, who then stepped forward and addressed Dumbledore. "Sir, please place your hands on Dobby's shoulders."
Understanding the request, everyone complied immediately.
Crack!
...
Accompanied by the customary spatial distortion, Dobby led Dumbledore and the others into the library tent.
Gabrielle immediately spotted Tom Riddle, releasing Fleur's hand and rushing to him. "Brother Tom!"
Tom Riddle simply patted Gabrielle's head gently, though his mischievous gaze remained fixed on Dumbledore.
Nagini, standing nearby, glanced at Gabrielle with a hint of envy. Was this the advantage of being young?
But Cassandra was far more frustrated than her. Older girls like Nagini could give Tom Riddle a lap pillow, younger girls like Gabrielle could act cute as they pleased, but someone like her, neither young nor old, gained nothing at all!
"Ahem... Tom, I recall you have the means to bring people to the match, correct?" Dumbledore remarked casually, noticing Madame Maxime's subtle nod. "Why don't you bring these two children along? You two know each other, after all..."
There was no way around it; their deal was rather important, and Dumbledore had to bite the bullet.
But, to his surprise, Tom Riddle agreed without hesitation. "Of course! They shall watch the match with me from the best vantage point. And... Professor, what of you?"
Hmm? Has Tom turned over a new leaf? He's actually thinking of me? No wonder he remains my favorite student! Dumbledore admitted to feeling touched, unable to suppress a smile. "Ahem... You are too kind, Tom. If you wish for your professor to join you, that is acceptable..."
"Fudge, are there any extra tickets available?"
However, Tom Riddle seemed unwilling to accommodate him, turning instead to Fudge and the others Gilgamesh had brought along.
Fudge, caught off guard, broke out in a cold sweat. "Uh... I am most sorry, Professor Tom, but if you require..."
"No need; Professor Dumbledore remains in good health."
Dumbledore felt a sense of foreboding.
Fudge glanced furtively at Dumbledore, then cautiously inquired of Tom Riddle, "So, what is your meaning?"
"Let him stand."
"..."
Dumbledore's face darkened. "You insolent brat! I possess my own tickets! I have no need of yours!"
With that, Dumbledore turned to Madame Maxime, who looked worriedly at the Delacour sisters, then followed Dumbledore away, glancing back every few steps.
After watching Madame Maxime leave with an "angry" Dumbledore, Gabrielle glanced at the retreating figure, then looked up at Tom Riddle. "Brother, was Grandpa Dumbledore angry?"
Tom Riddle simply smiled gently. "That is simply how the old man behaves. We are accustomed to it."
...
As expected, Dumbledore's expression immediately returned to its usual calm demeanor upon exiting the tent. He exhibited none of the flushed anger he had just displayed.
However, Madame Maxime remained focused on her primary concern. As soon as she emerged, she inquired, "Professor Dumbledore, are Fleur and her sister truly safe with the Dark Lord?"
"Worry not," Dumbledore assured her without hesitation. "Though that rascal Tom Riddle is capable of taking a life, he has no reason to harm those two children, particularly as they know each other."
"Tom Riddle is simply very purposeful, but he is not a madman."
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