The following morning, as Tom made his way to the Great Hall, the incessant mutterings of a certain ancient wizard echoed in his mind.
"Too feeble, nowhere near the caliber of my grandson Tom."
"Appalling looks, still not a match for my grandson Tom."
"Honestly, are these the students Godric and his lot are recruiting? If any of them manage to reach even a tenth of Tom's potential, I, Slytherin, will eat my hat…"
Salazar Slytherin, still reluctant to reveal himself and eager to observe Hogwarts' evolution, transmitted his thoughts directly to Tom. Perhaps due to his extended confinement, he seemed unusually loquacious.
And, of course, he had to denigrate everyone else before praising himself. While his observations were accurate, Tom found himself growing increasingly irritated.
Just as he contemplated banishing Salazar Slytherin back to the Chamber of Secrets, he arrived at the Great Hall. Tom settled into a secluded corner, mumbled a few desired dishes, and a steaming array of food materialized before him.
"Ah, it has been an eternity since I savored a proper meal! How is the meat? Tell me at once, Tom…"
Tom ignored Salazar Slytherin's incessant chatter and continued eating.
"Hm? That boy bears a striking resemblance to Godric…"
Tom paused, his hand momentarily still. "Which one?" Even his composed tone couldn't mask a hint of curiosity.
"The one seated at the front. The child sports a fairly impressive beard, almost as magnificent as mine."
Tom's gaze followed Slytherin's direction. "..."
Calling Albus Dumbledore a "boy"... it wasn't entirely inaccurate, he supposed.
"In what way does he resemble him? Skill? Appearance?"
"No, this child cannot even compare to you, how could he compare to Godric?" Salazar Slytherin chuckled smugly. "It's the feeling; he evokes the same sentiment as Godric, that distinct aura that only emanates from men uninterested in women."
"..."
Such keen perception? The Gryffindors shared a similar disinterest in women? Tom felt as though he had stumbled upon a particularly juicy morsel of gossip.
Then, his curiosity piqued, Tom asked, "Say, old man, how would you compare your skills to Godric Gryffindor's?"
Salazar Slytherin's lips curled into a smirk. "We are the zenith of wizardry, the culmination of magical accomplishment. In this era, only you, Tom, can barely keep up with us."
Of course, it was blatant boasting! Even if Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor possessed slightly more talent than Dumbledore, the gap could not possibly be as vast as Salazar Slytherin implied. Due to the era they lived in and the loss of ancient magic, Godric Gryffindor and his classmates might have developed even better than Dumbledore, potentially reaching the legendary level of a God of Magic at their peak. However, given Dumbledore's talent and the right opportunities, he too had the potential to become a God of Magic.
The same applied to Voldemort's remnant soul.
As for Tom, it was only a matter of time before he became a God of Magic.
Meanwhile, Salazar Slytherin continued to boast incessantly about his and Godric Gryffindor's greatness. Just as Tom's patience reached its limit, Cassandra Vole approached and sat beside him.
"Ah, this young lady has considerable talent. To wield such magic at her age, she'd barely qualify as a genius in my era. Yet, compared to my grandson Tom, she still lags behind."
"She is my student."
"…"
Salazar Slytherin recognized Tom's protective stance. He hadn't acted this way with other students. This little girl…
"My dear granddaughter! Grandpa possesses a comprehensive collection of ancient magic! Would you like to learn? I can even raise a basilisk! Why, I could let you keep one as a pet!"
Startled by the sudden outburst, Cassandra turned to Tom, her expression puzzled. Seeking Tom's guidance when confused had become a deeply ingrained habit.
"Just a senile old ghost; pay him no mind." Tom reached out and lightly touched Cassandra's fair, rosy ear. Cassandra realized the old man's voice had disappeared.
"Teacher, what was that just now…?"
"An old ghost that has been dead for many years."
With these words, teacher and student silently resumed their breakfast.
Salazar Slytherin was incensed. "You unfilial son! Tom, you wretched unfilial son! You listen to me right now..." Unfortunately, his voice was muffled, and no matter how much he screamed, it was futile.
...
After breakfast, Tom escorted Cassandra to the Transfiguration classroom. The first class of the day was Transfiguration.
During the lesson, another student broached the subject of the Chamber of Secrets. Professor Minerva McGonagall reiterated what Professor Flitwick had told Harry and the others.
Salazar Slytherin was dumbfounded. Was this how he was perceived by later generations?
"I did advocate for admitting pure-blood wizards; they are easier to teach. But I never decreed that I only wanted pure-blood wizards."
"What is this slanderous accusation of releasing the basilisk to slaughter all Muggle descendants?!"
"I did leave something behind, but I wasn't the only one. Godric and the others also left legacies, did they not? Why am I the only one being chastised?!"
Salazar Slytherin continued to complain, a heartbroken old monkey lamenting in Tom's ear.
Tom, however, perked up. "Wait, old man, did you say Gryffindor and the others left something too?"
"Yes…" Salazar Slytherin's tone became disgruntled. "What? Are you consumed by avarice? Is my legacy not sufficient?"
"Do not fret. I will arrange for you to share a ring with Godric Gryffindor."
"Ahem...what do you mean? What manner of person do you take your grandfather for? If I did not lack interest in women, you would not exist!"
"Just tell me if you want it or not?"
"Godric concealed a chamber within the castle. Enter whichever room you desire. He hid something within. That is all I know."
This old man claimed to be uninterested, yet…?
Salazar Slytherin remained oblivious to Tom's inner musings. At that moment, he was absorbed in contemplation, wondering if Godric Gryffindor and the others might still be alive after all these years.
After a moment of reflection, memories of old days began flooding Salazar Slytherin's mind.
Meanwhile, Tom was pondering, "That room Salazar Slytherin just mentioned sounds a lot like the Room of Requirement!"
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