As the last of the food vanished from the tables, the professors retreated to their offices, and students trickled back to their house common rooms. The prefects lingered, burdened with the task of shepherding the bewildered first years—a duty shared by Cassandra and her peers.
Hogwarts boasted multiple prefects per house, yet a surprising number seemed aligned with Tom Riddle's cause: Cassandra in Slytherin, Hermione in Ravenclaw… Even Gryffindor, infiltrated by sympathizers, had Ron Weasley among their ranks.
Instead of heading directly to his own quarters after the feast, Tom found himself drawn to Dumbledore's office.
"Tom, what brings you here so late? Come for a rematch at wizarding chess? I've been on a winning streak against Gellert Grindelwald lately; my skills are positively blazing." Dumbledore, far from surprised, greeted him with a twinkle in his eye, casually munching on a lemon drop.
"Professor, I want the Sword of Gryffindor." Tom wasted no time, cutting straight to the chase.
"And what could you possibly need that for?" Dumbledore set aside his candy, a flicker of genuine curiosity in his expression. "Surely it's just another trinket for your collection?"
"Are you going to give it to me, or not?" Tom's patience began to fray. "Don't make me expel you, Albus Dumbledore."
"…" 'Professor' when he wants something, 'Albus Dumbledore' when he doesn't. I do not recall teaching him such blatant manipulation. With a theatrical sigh, Dumbledore waved a hand. "No need to be so hasty. I never said I wouldn't give it to you."
The sword was more a symbol than a practical tool for him anyway. Could he truly deny Tom's request? Dumbledore reached for the Sorting Hat, which sat perched on a nearby shelf. "It's inside."
Tom's gaze flickered to the hat, knowing the sword's hiding place.
"But I must remind you, Tom, only one who truly possesses the qualities of Gryffindor can draw it forth." Dumbledore's voice held a note of amusement, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Tom met the old wizard's gaze, realizing he'd walked right into a trap. Originally intending to simply seize the sword, he now reconsidered his approach.
"Gryffindor." As the name left Tom's lips, a ghostly figure resembling a middle-aged man materialized through the wall. "Tom, do you require my assistance?"
"…" Dumbledore's face fell. He'd been hoping to witness Tom's discomfiture, not a summoning of Godric Gryffindor himself. Summoning Godric Gryffindor to retrieve the Sword of Gryffindor? The boy never ceases to amaze.
"Remove the sword." Tom gestured toward the Sorting Hat, indicating his desire.
"The Sword of Gryffindor?" Godric Gryffindor, of course, recognized the artifact. He was, after all, the one who had placed it there. The Sorting Hat had practically vibrated with excitement upon seeing him appear, only to be swiftly silenced by a sharp look from Tom. "But I cannot touch it in my current state." Godric Gryffindor held up a transparent hand.
"Just pull it," Tom repeated, offering no further explanation.
Godric Gryffindor, without questioning further, reached out. To his surprise, his hand made contact with the hat. "Very well, shall we proceed?"
Tom nodded, a sudden thought striking him. Godric Gryffindor is no longer entirely Godric Gryffindor; what if the Sword rejects him? What if he fails this absurd imitation contest and is deemed unworthy? Tom banished the thought.
As it turned out, his fears were unfounded. Godric Gryffindor drew the sword with ease.
"It has been quite some time since I last held this." Godric Gryffindor swung the sword experimentally, then realized he could no longer maintain contact with it. The Sword of Gryffindor floated towards Tom, who casually stored it away.
Tool Ghost Gryffindor: ...
…
After dismissing the spectral Godric Gryffindor to socialize with the Bloody Baron, Tom departed Dumbledore's office and made his way to the Room of Requirement.
He placed the Sword of Gryffindor upon a workbench. He harbored no desire to add it to his collection; it held little appeal for him personally. But for Harry, the "melee mage," it would be irresistible. That was Tom's true objective: acquiring the Invisibility Cloak. He had no intention of simply taking it. He envisioned a trade.
However, the unadorned Sword of Gryffindor seemed a paltry offering in Tom's eyes, and Tom Riddle would not shortchange a loyal follower. Some time had elapsed since he had obtained Kavi Sharma's corpse; it had long since been reduced to ashes. Deeming it of no further value, Tom had discarded it. As for the ancient magic runes, Tom had thoroughly plumbed their depths and created a new spell based on them: [Ancient Magic: Sealing]. Its effects mirrored those of its inspiration—powerful and exceedingly difficult to master. Although Harry would likely fail to grasp the spell, that was not Tom's primary concern.
Drawing upon his understanding of the original runes, Tom, now proficient in [Ancient Magic: Sealing], was confident he could recreate them. However, as demonstrated by Kavi, these runes were too potent for ordinary mortals or objects. But the Sword of Gryffindor, treasure of one of the four founders, was far from ordinary.
Tom summoned the sword with a flick of his wrist, then began inscribing its blade with silver magic, weaving intricate and powerful runes.
…
The runes, shimmering with a faint silver light, intertwined upon the blade, then erupted in a blinding flash before fading into near invisibility. At first glance, the sword seemed unchanged. But upon closer inspection, subtle patterns of flowing silver could be discerned.
"…" Tom raised the longsword and gave it a practice swing. It moved effortlessly, its weight the only resistance. Its sharpness was beyond imagining.
The Sword of Gryffindor, now imbued with the [Ancient Magic Rune - Sealing], retained all its original properties, but when wielded and fueled by magic, it could cleave through any magic cast by an opponent with equal or lesser power. An exceptionally powerful melee weapon—a tool that could force magic users into close combat whether they desired it or not.
"Not bad. Quite suitable for Harry." A hint of satisfaction flickered in Tom's eyes. Though not yet a divine artifact and still below the [Mythical] rank, the enhanced Sword of Gryffindor was an excellent [Legendary] weapon.
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