The Forbidden Forest at night was a bottomless abyss. Pitch-black shadows concealed countless mysteries and terrors. Occasional flashes of eerie light resembled the bloodthirsty gaze of some lurking monster, sending shivers down the spine. Even in what little moonlight managed to penetrate, the gnarled branches and ancient bark twisted together like grotesque, distorted faces, creating an atmosphere of indescribable gloom.
Yet, nestled beside this ominous forest stood a humble sign of human habitation: a dilapidated little wooden cabin, home to none other than Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts.
Knock, knock, knock…
Tom rapped on the modest door of Hagrid's cabin.
"Comin'!" a booming voice roared from within, followed by the unmistakable sound of heavy footsteps approaching.
Click.
"Hello, you…" Hagrid swung the door open, his face falling as he beheld the last person he ever wanted to see. His expression instantly turned glacial. "What do you want?"
Hagrid was a giant of a man; the slender Tom appeared almost childlike in comparison. But despite his imposing stature, Hagrid's eyes betrayed wariness and fear.
Tom, on the other hand, seemed utterly at ease, even a hint of mockery playing on his lips.
"Don't be so unwelcoming," Tom said, a faint smile curving his lips, seemingly unfazed by Hagrid's frosty reception. "We were classmates, after all."
"…" Hagrid remained silent, his face a mask of suspicion.
"Alright, look who I've brought with me," Tom said, stepping aside to reveal Harry, who looked only slightly less awkward. "Uh… hi."
"Harry!" At the sight of Harry, Hagrid's face lit up with unrestrained joy. In his excitement, he knelt down and enveloped Harry in a bear hug.
Being a half-giant, Hagrid possessed incredible strength. Harry struggled to breathe, his face turning an alarming shade of purple.
"Oh, sorry, Harry!" Realizing Harry's distress, Hagrid quickly released him.
Gasping for air, Harry clutched at his chest, convinced he had nearly met his end.
"Alright, you two catch up, I'll be on my way," Tom said casually before turning and walking off into the gloom of the forest.
Watching Tom leave, Harry felt a sudden urge to shout at him, but he quickly composed himself.
...
Flashback
Just moments earlier, outside Hagrid's hut...
Tom quietly drew Harry aside.
"Harry, this big oaf is loaded. He can get his hands on things you couldn't even dream of finding on the black market. The funding you require lies within."
"No need to say more, sir. I'll squeeze him dry, right down to his undershorts."
…
Bang.
Tom watched the door slam shut without hesitation, chuckled softly to himself, and turned to leave.
He hadn't been joking when he mentioned Hagrid's wealth. The half-giant spent his days wandering the Forbidden Forest and always seemed to stumble upon valuable items. No one knew just how much he was worth.
Tom, however, was hardly short of funds, what with his apprentice keeping him afloat. He'd only brought Harry along for the sheer entertainment of it.
He walked straight into the seemingly endless, dark forest, found a suitable tree, and settled down to wait.
Two or three minutes passed.
A faint voice echoed from afar, "Professor! I've brought them here!"
Looking up, Tom spotted that unmistakable shock of blond hair cutting through the darkness.
Malfoy was leading a gaggle of wailing, green-robed wizards toward him, their whimpers grating on Tom's ears.
"Silence, you imbeciles! I'm not going to kill you... yet!"
"Really?" One of the wizards squeaked.
"One more word, and you are dead."
"..." The wizards clamped their mouths shut, stifling any further protests.
Malfoy chuckled. "Heh heh, I'm the master's right-hand man. I don't have to be afraid of every little thing like you lot."
Seeking validation, Malfoy hurried to Tom's side, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Sir, where are we headed?"
Unlike the terrified wizards behind him, Malfoy seemed positively gleeful. The Forbidden Forest was, after all, considered incredibly dangerous. Dumbledore had explicitly forbidden students from entering it, but Tom dismissed the warning with a wave of his hand. "I never followed the rules as a student; why would I start now that I'm a professor?"
As for the danger, Malfoy could only manage a scornful sneer. Wasn't the most dangerous thing in this forest standing right next to him?
"Find the giant spiders. I require their venom for a potion." Tom's tone was flat, as if he were discussing a trip to the local apothecary.
He could have bought the venom in Knockturn Alley, but that was far too simple.
Hearing Tom's words, the young wizards paled. "Wait, Professor, that venom is..."
"Precisely. Now, fetch it." Tom regarded the young wizard as if his request was perfectly reasonable. Why else would he have summoned them to the forest? For a pleasant stroll?
"…"
He thought he was going to avoid death.
Oh well, he'd already written his will anyway; it'll come in handy.
...
The night breeze rustled through the silent forest, the dark leaves whispering secrets.
As he marched along, Malfoy caught a glimpse of a black figure darting through the trees ahead.
Tom noticed it as well but ignored it; Malfoy did not share that sentiment. "Damn it," he thought, "I'm already arrogant enough, and with the most powerful wizard in the world backing me up, if I don't act like I'm superior, my pride will be incomplete."
"Hey! You over there! What do you think you're doing skulking around like that? Show yourself!" Malfoy roared, and the black figure hesitated for a moment before whirling around to face them.
"Heh heh heh... I didn't expect anyone to be here. Since you've discovered me, don't blame me for what comes next!" The black figure lunged toward Tom and the others like a shadowy wraith.
But just as it was about to reach them, an invisible force slammed into the figure, pinning it in place.
The black figure struggled, lifting its head to reveal a pair of cold, emerald-green snake eyes that gleamed ominously in the darkness.
"Such powerful magic! Master, you..."
"That's right, I was truly majestic even back then... and just as handsome." Although somewhat taken aback by the strength this younger version of himself wielded, Voldemort's remnant soul was not about to miss an opportunity to boast.
Because the one pinned to the spot was none other than Quirinus Quirrell.
...
Two and a half minutes earlier...
Quirrell, stealthily venturing into the Forbidden Forest, was planning on quietly killing a unicorn.
Instead, he stumbled upon Tom and his entourage, who were clearly up to no good with another magical creature.
"Quirrell, go! Take him down!"
"Huh? Me?"
Voldemort was certain that while Tom was a part of himself, he was not a Horcrux. It was better to eliminate this mysterious variant.
Besides, Tom looked so young – with Quirrell's help, they could easily subdue him.
Thus, emboldened by Voldemort's urging, Quirrell foolishly believed him. "Little Dark Lord, watch Professor Quirrell take you down, with ease!"
...
Present day...
Tom crouched low to the ground, the tip of the Elder Wand pressed against the back of Quirrell's head. The wand glowed an ominous pale green in the darkness.
"You insolent brat, do you want to die?"
I was planning to toy with you at first, and slowly take you apart, but since you asked, I will destroy you immediately.
He had once wielded deadly spells with masterful skill, but Voldemort's remnant soul was on the verge of panic, separated from Tom only by a few layers of turban.
He was a madman, without a doubt, terrified of death as he was.
But in the current situation, even Voldemort in his prime would have difficulty facing this boy, and he definitely couldn't in his weakened state.
Therefore, Voldemort dared not act, sweat pouring down his face – whether his or Quirrell's, it was impossible to tell.
---
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