"Cassandra, who's that old man?" Harry asked, his voice hushed as he eyed Horace Slughorn, who sat across from Tom.
"Didn't you hear what Tom said?" Cassandra replied, a hint of exasperation in her tone.
"Uh… I heard, but I don't know him."
"…"
Cassandra sighed. "That's Horace Slughorn, a very famous Potions professor and a former Head of Slytherin House. Many of his students have become prominent figures in the wizarding world, so he wields considerable influence."
"Then why does the… oh…" Harry's eyes widened in understanding. "Cassandra, don't tell me he…?"
"That's right," Cassandra stated plainly. "He was Tom's Potions professor back then."
"…" Curiosity shone in Harry's eyes as he stared at Slughorn. Powerful wizard or Potions master didn't matter—the important thing was that this old man had taught Tom!
Imagine Dumbledore planning to brag about this to the other headmasters for the rest of his life.
...
Inside the living room, Tom and Slughorn sat facing each other on opposite sofas.
"…"
Tom's silence left Slughorn floundering, unsure how to begin. To be honest, Slughorn was genuinely afraid of his former student. Tom was terrifying, dangerous, and his thoughts were impossible to fathom.
If I could, I truly would never see Tom again. Unfortunately, he had no choice but to discover what Tom wanted.
Hopefully, it won't be something that crosses my bottom line. Although the Daily Prophet had been singing Tom's praises for years, anyone who had met Voldemort, but not Tom, would just smile wryly at such pronouncements.
"…"
Slughorn, tense and restless, finally spoke. "Uh… Tom, would you like some tea?"
"No, thank you."
"…"
Slughorn's eyes glazed over. I finally mustered the courage to speak. He gave a bitter smile. "Tom, you're not worried I'll poison you, are you? Don't worry, I was once…"
"No, I am not worried about that," Tom interrupted, shaking his head dismissively. "Besides, even if you did try to poison me, it would not work."
"…"
Slughorn slumped back onto the sofa, a look of utter despair on his face. "Then Tom, what do you want from me? Can't I at least die knowing why? I really didn't reveal anything about you making Horcruxes!"
In his desperation, the old man blurted out his fears, trying to prove his loyalty.
"…"
Tom gave the old man a strange look. "I have no intention of killing you."
Hearing this, Slughorn's eyes widened, and he sat up again. "Then why didn't you speak just now?"
"I was simply considering a few things. You cannot escape in any event, so there is no need to rush."
"…"
Slughorn's lips twitched. "Heh…"
"Let us return to the matter at hand." Tom crossed his arms, fixing his gaze on Slughorn. "Albus Dumbledore has asked me to seek you out. He wishes me to convey a question."
"What is it?"
"Would you consider returning to teach at Hogwarts?"
"…"
Slughorn looked utterly dumbfounded. He had considered numerous possibilities—even that Tom might want to exploit his connections—but he never imagined Dumbledore would send the Dark Lord to ask him to teach at Hogwarts.
"Well? What is your answer?" Even without Legilimency, Tom could sense Slughorn's inner turmoil.
Slughorn snapped out of his daze, pondered for a moment, and then spoke carefully. "Ahem… Tom, you know I am getting on in years. Now, all I want is to enjoy my retirement, perhaps?"
"…"
Tom regarded him in silence.
"Sigh… Tom, you surpass me in every way and you know far more than I do. You do not require my tutelage, surely?"
"…"
Seeing Tom still silent, Slughorn tentatively asked, "Do I have the right to refuse?"
"No."
"…"
You are certainly honest. Perhaps you are too lazy to even lie to me.
Slughorn's face fell. Then, Tom continued. "However, I can allow you to observe the current students of Hogwarts."
Students? What students could compare to him? Slughorn "wearily" opened his eyes, looking utterly uninterested.
But three minutes later…
"Merlin, are you mad?! A student with Auror-level abilities before graduating?!"
Outside, Tom had Cassandra demonstrate a few spells. Her spellcasting without incantations, her Auror-level proficiency, and the raw power of her magic, utterly stunned Slughorn. While Cassandra was not as naturally gifted as Tom had been at the same age, she was still the most outstanding student Slughorn had seen apart from Tom himself!
Slughorn's old habits surged to the fore—the desire to mentor a genius.
"Tom, I had no say in the matter before, but now I yearn to be a good professor." Slughorn reached out to pat Tom's shoulder but hesitated. "Professor, I have never asked you for a thing in my life. Just look at this child…"
"Cassandra is my student."
"So that is why she is so outstanding! You are the one teaching her?!"
"She has already completed seven years' worth of coursework, so you should not need to teach her much."
"…"
Tom's words instantly turned Slughorn to stone.
---
Done with the chapter? You got thoughts? Drop them. Simple as that.