Hogwarts, England.
Fourth floor, Tom's office.
"Hm?"
Tom set down the Daily Prophet, his brow furrowing as he looked at the two uneasy Indian girls standing before his desk. "What were you saying?"
Nagini, who had been reading, and Cassandra, engrossed in her homework, paused and turned their attention to the sisters.
"Uh… Professor Tom, it's like this," Parvati Petil, the elder sister, began hesitantly. "In a few days, during the holiday, our father plans to take us to our ancestral home in India for a short stay… You haven't met him, but he speaks very highly of you."
"So!" Padma Petil, the younger sister, took a nervous step forward. "Father sent us to ask if you might consider joining us in India as his honored guest. What do you think?"
Tom studied the sisters, a thoughtful expression on his face. "India…?"
For some reason, the word triggered a recurring melody in his mind: Akei Kuli Oya Houben…
That place… I really don't want to go.
It wasn't that he had anything against India… well, perhaps a little. He had overheard some rather astonishing and bizarre stories about the country during his time amongst the Muggles.
But only a little bit!
Tom was certain his reluctance stemmed simply from a lack of desire; he saw no real need to go there.
"Tom," Nagini interjected, her voice soft.
The sound of her voice reminded Tom of the letter he had recently received from the Indian Death Eaters.
...
Tom's conflicted feelings were plain to see. He still didn't want to go, but the letter had piqued his interest.
He had predicted, upon reading it, that the source of that "storm" could be rather interesting.
Should I send one of my men?
He doubted anyone except Dumbledore and his crew could handle the matter.
But Dumbledore… well, never mind, I can handle this myself.
After all, he had promised Gellert Grindelwald that he would honeymoon with Dumbledore.
Tom had briefly entertained the idea of sending the two old men to India for their honeymoon—killing two birds with one stone—but considering their advanced age, such "gastrointestinal discomfort" was probably out of the question. If he truly sent them to India for their honeymoon, they would likely hate him forever.
"Very well," Tom said with a sigh, addressing the Petil sisters. "Return and tell your father that I accept. Be sure to send word of the departure time and location."
"Really?" Padma's face lit up with surprise and delight at Tom's words.
Parvati, more composed, thanked Tom before leading her sister out of the office.
"Nagini, inform the house-elves in the kitchen to prepare extra rations." Tom stood up abruptly and issued the order. "Oh, and Cassandra, fetch Harry and the others; they should still be at school."
"Food?" Cassandra looked puzzled. "Why bring food? Wouldn't it be better to eat there?"
...
You idiot, do you even realize what you're saying?
The food there… even with my "divine body," I wouldn't dare touch it.
Though this was an invitation from the Petil family, a wealthy family in India, there was no guarantee their concept of "cleanliness and hygiene" aligned with his expectations. Besides, many of the nobles there were Death Eaters; perhaps… Regardless, Tom had no intention of eating anything there.
Tom shook his head in exasperation. "You'll understand when we get there. Trust me, you don't want to regret it."
"..."
Seeing Tom's serious expression, Cassandra swallowed nervously and nodded, as if facing a formidable enemy. "Understood."
Nagini had already hastened to the Hogwarts kitchen, eager to fulfill Tom's instructions. With magic on their side, expiration dates were never an issue.
"I'll go now, Tom." Cassandra reached for the office door.
"Wait," Tom called out, as if struck by a sudden thought. "Summon Severus Snape as well."
Tom knew Snape had been practically "whining" for attention lately. So, he decided to bring the greasy-haired bat along for this trip!
"Professor Snape? Alright." Cassandra didn't dwell on the matter; it was just one more person to fetch.
(Snape: Damn it! You never take me anywhere, but now you remember me because of India? You truly are my gracious Dark Lord!)
...
Eighth floor, Headmaster's Office.
"Albus, what is going on?" Professor Minerva McGonagall, summoned by Dumbledore, sounded distinctly annoyed. She had just been occupied assigning an excessive amount of summer homework to her disappointing students.
"My apologies, Minerva, for this sudden summons." Dumbledore's apologetic tone was at odds with his serious expression. "It's just… I may need to leave for a time to assist an old friend with a rather delicate matter. I must trouble you with the day-to-day running of Hogwarts during my absence."
"Leave?" Professor McGonagall's displeasure faded, replaced by surprise. "What has happened?"
"Nothing of great import, simply some useless blighters who can't manage even the simplest task." Grindelwald, sprawled on a nearby sofa, made no attempt to conceal his irritation, his words ringing with clarity. "Albus is forever rushing to clean up the messes left by those buffoons."
"Albus really must curb this meddlesome nature of his… Why must you always concern yourself with their affairs? You've never shown such concern for my own."
"Albus, Gellert, we can discuss this later." Dealing with the "jealous" Grindelwald was always a delicate matter for Dumbledore.
And he was, admittedly, in the wrong, as he had promised Gellert a romantic getaway for the two of them and now he was breaking that promise.
Dumbledore tried to pacify Grindelwald, "Well, perhaps a trip to India wouldn't be so bad, would it?"
"..."
Grindelwald regarded Dumbledore with an odd expression. "You actually want to eat curry?"
"..."
Dumbledore fell silent. He had indeed been to India before, where he had made some close friends and been offered some… terrifyingly delicious food. Now, he wasn't sure if his old bones could withstand another such culinary adventure.
Just as Dumbledore was lost in thought, a small basilisk made of white mist flew in through the window.
Seeing the "little basilisk" before him and receiving the message from the Patronus Charm, Dumbledore was suddenly jubilant. "Gellert, it seems our plans can proceed as scheduled!"
---