The day before the second task of the Triwizard Tournament, Tom was summoned to the Headmaster's Office. Upon entering, he recognized several faces: Grindelwald, Karkaroff, Barty Crouch, Lucius Malfoy, and Gabrielle Delacour. He also noted several unfamiliar Ministry officials. Ah, Albus Dumbledore is up to something.
"Sir…Professor Tom?!" Malfoy, who had been gazing around, spotted Tom as he entered.
Gabrielle and the others turned towards the door at Malfoy's exclamation and also saw Tom.
"Brother!" Gabrielle rushed over to Tom. "You're here too? Do you know why we're here?"
Tom patted Gabrielle's head. "Be a good girl and listen to Dumbledore. You'll find out soon enough."
Dumbledore glanced calmly at Tom. "Now that everyone has arrived, let me explain the purpose of this meeting." He turned to Barty Crouch beside him. "Barty?"
"Yes, Professor Dumbledore." Barty stepped forward. "For the second task, each champion will need to retrieve 'something important to them' from the depths of the Black Lake."
Barty looked at Malfoy and the others. "Mr. Malfoy has been selected as Harry Potter's most treasured person."
"Hmm," Malfoy said, crossing his arms and tilting his head back slightly. "Music to my ears."
"Miss Delacour's sister has been chosen."
"Ah?" Little Gabrielle paused. "Gabrielle?" She looked towards Madame Maxime, who smiled and nodded.
"And Tom, you…" Dumbledore smiled. "Professors have not traditionally participated in the competition, but upon reflection, the Triwizard Tournament does not explicitly prohibit it. Therefore…"
"I suggested it," Grindelwald interjected from the table beside Dumbledore. "Dumbledore is correct. If you agree, your most…cherished student can be your most…prized possession. Intriguing, wouldn't you say? Of course, you may decline."
That old coot's condescension hasn't faded with time. Tom raised an eyebrow, but didn't refuse. "Alright, I'll participate." As Dumbledore said, this could be interesting.
Dumbledore nodded. "Then only two questions remain. First, Mr. Amos Diggory, who is here as an observer, hopes to be Cedric Diggory's treasure for the second task."
Tom's expression turned subtly strange. "Wait, how did he know? Are your secrets always so poorly kept?"
Grindelwald looked at him and smiled without a word.
I see. Is he one of my kind? Although he didn't know what was so amusing, if that was the case, Tom wouldn't object. "You can decide on that yourselves."
There were no strict requirements for the so-called "treasure"; anyone important to the contestant would suffice. Little Gabrielle, barely nine years old and not yet of school age, often accompanied Madame Maxime. She was an easy choice as Fleur's "treasure." Cedric's father was a similar case.
"Now that you all seem agreeable, there's just one last matter," Dumbledore said, mainly because Tom's acquiescence had removed any real obstacles. "Viktor Krum has some acquaintances, but their bonds appear rather weak." Dumbledore glanced at Karkaroff, who remained silent. "Igor here doesn't seem to know his student very well, so we're debating who should be Viktor's prized possession."
"Then let's have Karkaroff."
Karkaroff looked up, clearly bewildered. "What? Is that permitted?"
"Is it not?"
Facing Tom, Karkaroff didn't dare refuse. Fortunately, Dumbledore intervened. "Igor must remain with us as headmaster."
"If I, as a professor, am eligible, then he, as a headmaster, is equally so." Tom waved off the objection. "If anyone inquires, simply say a dragon carried him off."
Dumbledore sighed helplessly, then gave Karkaroff an "I can't help it" look. "So, what do you think, Igor?"
What else could I think? Am I meant to brave the depths, or embrace death?! Karkaroff forced a stiff smile. "Professor Tom is right. I naturally agree."
"Since there are no more issues…" Tom turned and headed towards the door. "I'll be on my way."
"Very well. Thank you all for attending. See that the match goes well tomorrow."
The pre-match briefing for the second task continued, and the attendees filed out of the Headmaster's Office one by one. Eventually, only Dumbledore and Grindelwald remained.
"Gellert, why did you leak the information about the competition?" Dumbledore asked, offering Grindelwald a cockroach cluster.
Grindelwald took the candy. "That little fellow named Cedric is quite capable."
"Mr. Diggory is indeed a promising wizard," Dumbledore agreed. "But not to the point of warranting your interference?"
"The little urchin Tom snatched from you seems quite fond of him," Grindelwald said, popping the cluster into his mouth. Cloyingly sweet. "However, his father seems to have some unsavory connections to the Death Eaters."
Dumbledore smiled knowingly. I see.
"Help our little Tom," Grindelwald said, refusing another candy. "He is undeniably powerful, perhaps unmatched throughout magical history. But strength alone is not enough. Perhaps those children will impart that lesson to him."
Whatever the reason, Tom had extended a courtesy, allowing him to sit and converse with Dumbledore today. Grindelwald wasn't one to accept charity without reciprocation, so he decided to return the favor.
...
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