— — — — — —
Night fell over Hogwarts, and one by one, the candles throughout the castle burned out. Darkness swallowed the corridors, leaving only the faint glow from the towers at the very top.
Light spilled through the windows, casting long shadows across the stone floors like silent sentries standing watch.
The bustle of the day gradually faded away. Or at least, that was how it looked from the outside.
Inside the common rooms, however, nearly every student had gathered with their housemates, discussing everything Dumbledore had revealed at the feast.
In Gryffindor Tower, several students had pushed the sofas together into a large circle. The fireplace crackled merrily, its flickering light making every face seem to shift between brightness and shadow.
Ravenclaw's common room was much quieter. A handful of older students had spread parchment across a table, debating theories while jotting down notes as though they were tackling a research project.
...
..
"As soon as I get home, my whole family is moving to Dalaran."
Draco Malfoy sat cross-legged on the plush rug. Even though it was already late, he looked as energetic as ever.
His eyes sparkled with excitement. He still had half a Chocolate Frog in his hand, taking a bite between sentences.
"My family's wards have been built up over hundreds of years. We're not worried about Muggles discovering us. But moving to Dalaran is a fresh start. Tom was right all along. Wizards should live in a city built for wizards."
"What I don't understand is why so many wizards insist on living in London. Do they actually enjoy seeing those... outsiders every day?"
His words earned approving nods from many of the pure-blood students.
Crabbe and Goyle applauded enthusiastically. Blaise Zabini merely yawned, saying nothing, but he didn't disagree either.
Ever since Dalaran had appeared, Tom had been promoting a simple idea throughout the wizarding world: Wizards should have a city of their own.
The idea had won over a remarkable number of people, which was exactly why Dalaran had attracted so much attention.
Some had written articles in the Daily Prophet supporting it. Others argued about it loudly in the pubs of Diagon Alley.
Whether people agreed or not, the idea had already taken root.
For members of the Sacred Twenty-Eight families like the Malfoys, there was very little to worry about.
So what if the wizarding world had been exposed? So what if Muggles knew wizards existed?
Wizards wielded powerful magic. They could toy with Muggles as easily as adults fooled children.
Their ancestral estates were protected by countless concealment charms that made them virtually impossible to find.
They had never relied on the Muggle world in the first place. The two worlds barely overlapped.
If there was any real connection, it was only through the students here who hadn't been born into pure-blood families.
"I still think we should be careful." Rosier was the first to voice a different opinion.
Avery let out a dismissive laugh. "Rosier, since when did you become such a coward? You're acting just like Dumbledore, as if disaster is right around the corner. You'd be better off worrying about Herpo, that evil wizard who somehow came back from the dead. He's a far greater threat than a bunch of Muggles."
Rosier ignored the jab.
Looking Avery straight in the eye, he spoke calmly. "If Muggles are really so insignificant, then why is Riddle opening Dalaran? That alone proves he sees them as a threat to wizardkind. Or do you think Riddle's a coward too?"
Avery's face turned deathly pale.
Everyone had looked his way.
Including Daphne, who was comfortably lying with her head in her younger sister's lap. The young lady quietly waited for his answer.
If he said the wrong thing...
Avery shivered.
"N-No! That's not what I meant. I mean... we don't need to panic about Muggles, but we absolutely should be prepared. Riddle sees much farther ahead than the rest of us. Don't twist my words."
Only after Daphne looked away again did Avery finally breathe out.
He discreetly wiped the sweat from his forehead, shrank deeper into the sofa, and did his best to become invisible.
Rosier gave a contemptuous smile and didn't bother arguing further.
The conversation soon shifted to everyone's summer plans.
Like Malfoy, many intended to move into Dalaran the moment it officially opened. Some were already planning to relocate their family businesses there as well.
If Dalaran truly became the center of wizarding society, fortunes would be made.
After all, no matter what happened in the world, people never stopped thinking about money.
…
..
Fontaine lay alone in his private bedroom, staring blankly at the ceiling.
The room was almost completely dark. Only a patch of moonlight slipped through the window, painting an uneven rectangle across the floor.
His thoughts kept returning to the moment he had locked eyes with Tom.
There had been no hostility in those eyes. Only teasing confidence that somehow made him even more uneasy.
He understood exactly what that look had meant.
Tonight, there was no escaping.
The thought of running had crossed his mind. But it would be pathetic.
More importantly, he was certain someone was already watching him. The instant he tried to flee, he'd be stopped.
And above all... What would happen to his students? If he ran now, it would all but confirm his connection to the incident in New York. Every Ilvermorny student would come under suspicion.
What if Hogwarts decided to detain them all?
He trusted Dumbledore's character. He absolutely did not trust Riddle's.
Yes, he had done many things in secret. Things no one else knew about.
But the students were innocent.
"..."
Caught in that endless internal struggle, every minute felt unbearable.
"Damn it. Don't tell me that Riddle brat actually fell asleep."
The curse had barely left his lips when a soft chuckle echoed through the darkness. "My apologies, Professor Fontaine. I had a few other matters to take care of. Thank you for waiting."
Fontaine shot upright.
At the same instant, every candle in the room flared to life. Two figures had appeared without warning.
One tall. One shorter.
The candlelight danced across the walls, throwing twisted shadows behind them.
Tom's arrival hadn't surprised him. Dumbledore's had.
"...Dumbledore. I can't believe you'd stoop to something like this. You just promised to protect every guest at Hogwarts. How long ago was that? Has your memory really started failing you already?" Fontaine's face was dark with anger.
Dumbledore gently shook his head. "No, Agilbert. I will never forget those words."
"It is precisely because I intend to protect everyone living within this castle, students and guests alike, that I had to come tonight. You're carrying secrets we need to know."
"Exactly." Tom nodded in agreement. "You know, secrets make a man much more attractive. Professor Fontaine, I have to say, you're the most attractive man in Hogwarts tonight. You've even surpassed Headmaster Dumbledore and Grindelwald."
"The Headmaster didn't really need to come. I could have handled this myself. But he insisted, and I couldn't exactly refuse. So you can just pretend he isn't here. From this point on, I'll be the one asking the questions."
Fontaine smiled bitterly. "Does it really make any difference? I'm no match for either of you. I couldn't resist even if I wanted to."
Tom tilted his head, "So... you're willing to cooperate?"
Fontaine nodded without hesitation. "I am."
"I'll tell you everything I know. But there are certain things... Things I simply cannot say."
"Don't worry." Tom smiled as though he had expected that answer. "I've never stopped researching methods for dealing with magical confidentiality spells. Mr. Quahog cooperated with me the same way back then."
Fontaine fell silent.
Damn it, Riddle... He wasn't even trying to put on an act anymore.
"Very well. I only hope you've become more experienced since then. I'd appreciate suffering a little less." Taking a deep breath, Fontaine rose to his feet.
He looked Tom straight in the eye. "If you agree to one condition... I'll cooperate to the best of my ability."
"What condition?" Tom asked.
Fontaine met his gaze without flinching. "See my students safely out of Hogwarts. Escort them back to Ilvermorny without letting a single one come to harm."
He paused, his eyes never leaving Tom's, "Riddle... I want you to do it personally."
.
.
.