Hang on! What are those two imbeciles doing? Bickering in broad daylight? How tedious. Should I intervene simply because they're Slytherins, practically my underlings? Oh well, Snape has already spotted them. I'll just send the "Greasy-haired bat-man" in.
Deciding this, Tom shifted his gaze, hoping to find something more amusing.
"Ahem!"
Unfortunately, before Tom could find an alternative source of amusement, a beautifully dressed blonde girl blocked his view.
"Hmm?"
Cassandra looked down at Tom, who was sitting in a chair, a slightly displeased expression on her face. She placed one hand on her hip and gestured for him to take her hand.
The decorations for this ball were incredibly lavish, featuring an overall ice-blue theme that added a touch of mystery and fantasy. The Christmas trees, adorned with candles, bells, and other ornaments, created a warm and magical festive atmosphere.
In this setting, an invitation to dance from such a striking girl would be impossible for most people to refuse.
But Tom was no ordinary person.
He was almost not even human anymore; his increasing power had transformed his very being. Furthermore, Tom had fused with the bloodlines of so many magical creatures that he was clearly not a pure-blooded human, much like Merlin. So, when people sometimes marveled at his strength and said, "You're practically inhuman," it was not always meant as an insult.
Therefore, in conclusion, Tom was no ordinary person.
So, will Tom refuse this invitation now?
The girls who came to issue invitations earlier already knew the answer.
But unfortunately, some people are just different.
"How could I go back on my word?"
More importantly, it was a promise already made. Tom stood up, took Cassandra's hand, and led her to the center of the dance floor.
...
As the pair moved to the center of the dance floor, several couples instinctively made way. Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald even went to the side and sat down to watch.
However, Tom had anticipated this. He had seen the two old fools amuse themselves, and they liked to watch him amuse himself – better than not being able to see Dumbledore's amusement at all. But there was one thing he hadn't expected: the two old ghosts on the wall were also watching.
Cassandra didn't pay much attention to the onlookers but still seemed a little nervous. "Um… Tom? Can you dance?"
Hmm?
Hearing Cassandra's use of his given name gave Tom cause to raise an eyebrow. This traitor… could she be planning a rebellion?
Of course, he only entertained it as an amusing thought; saying it aloud would be too jarring.
Even Tom was somewhat impressed; Western girls really did mature so quickly. Cassandra was likely over 1.6 meters tall, and with the high heels she was wearing tonight, she must have been over 1.7 meters. Tom was only a little over 1.8 meters tall, and when they looked at each other, Tom didn't even have to deliberately lower his head.
Just a short while ago she was still a little kid…
"Do you know what I did before I became a professor at Hogwarts?" Tom asked, seemingly at random.
Cassandra, however, thought about it seriously for a moment. "Hmm… an uncertified Dark Lord?"
"Wrong. Before becoming a professor at Hogwarts, I was a student at Hogwarts."
"Ah?"
"I mean, I've walked the path you've walked, including this so-called ball, so… don't worry, I won't step on your toes." Tom smiled gently, guiding Cassandra to place her hand on his shoulder.
Dumbledore then seized the opportunity to have Professor Flitwick step down, before having the wizarding orchestra play music under his direction.
Every note glided like silk past their ears, their dance steps as light as a spring breeze. Under Dumbledore's direction, the music was sometimes solemn and steady, like being in an ancient castle, and sometimes joyful and light, like strolling through a forest at dawn.
Every step they took landed precisely on the notes, their near-perfect pas de deux depicting a story of a prince leaving his castle and encountering a legendary, beautiful elf in an ancient forest.
"I must admit, they dance a tiny bit better than me," Malfoy said, stroking his chin, his gaze never leaving the two dancers.
"Come on, my feet are all swollen from your stomping." Harry's words made Malfoy's face contort in anger. "That's because you, Scarface, can't dance at all!"
"You talk like you're some kind of expert. Who tripped over their own foot just now?"
"..."
Malfoy decided to "let bygones be bygones," and said, "I'm not going to waste my breath on you!"
However, just as Malfoy had said, Tom and Cassandra were both exceptionally good dancers.
Tom was purely gifted; he could perfectly replicate dances he'd only done a few times! As for Cassandra, she was also a very skilled dancer.
On the floor, as the song ended, Cassandra stopped, her face flushed, her excitement barely concealed.
Tom smiled at her. "Happy?"
"Yes."
Unlike the usual "tsundere and aloof" Cassandra, today she was "pleasantly satisfied."
"Then remember to practice the spells I taught you before."
"..."
"Just kidding."
Tom turned and walked towards the guest lounge. "This is a rare opportunity; take a good rest."
Actually, he was serious at first. After all, in three years, Cassandra would be the same age he was when he first arrived. Tom was still very much looking forward to seeing how far he could train Cassandra. Even if she couldn't beat up Dumbledore like he used to, beating up Snape shouldn't be a problem, right?
So he subconsciously blurted out those words, but then he remembered that this silly apprentice had gotten him into the Hogwarts Infirmary earlier, and he changed his mind, deciding to take this opportunity to let her rest.
"..."
Cassandra followed Tom somewhat resentfully, having hoped he would talk to her about something more meaningful.
Unexpectedly, Tom turned around and saw Severus Snape venting his anger over "being overwhelmed by the lack of Harry's affections" by going out to "catch him cheating."
Summoned by the prospect of amusement, Tom immediately got up and followed him.
"..."
Cassandra glanced at him helplessly, then got up and walked towards Hermione Granger and the others.
---
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