With the Basilisk safely relocated by Tom Riddle and the troublesome Horcrux diary also in his possession, an unusual calm settled over Hogwarts. The Chamber of Secrets, practically declared "Tom's Territory" by unspoken agreement, was left untouched, causing interest in it to wane.
The entire school year passed with only Filch and Mrs. Norris suffering any real misfortune, a turn of events that even surprised Albus Dumbledore. It was, in fact, precisely what he desired: a tranquil existence that allowed him more time to converse with Ariana at the Hog's Head. This newfound freedom from pressing concerns even prompted Dumbledore to resume his correspondence with Gellert Grindelwald. However, these letters differed significantly from their earlier exchanges, as Tom Riddle dominated their content.
Grindelwald could discern Dumbledore's fondness for this student, evident in the numerous praises lavished upon him. In the past, Grindelwald would have likely bristled with jealousy, but now, he remained indifferent. Reconnecting with Dumbledore was enough.
No one could fathom the elation Grindelwald felt upon receiving that first letter and the subsequent stack of parchment.
...
Graduation season arrived once more.
The Great Hall at Hogwarts teemed with students and faculty.
Albus Dumbledore once again stood at the podium, preparing to deliver his end-of-year address.
Conspicuously absent from the faculty section was Gilderoy Lockhart.
Although Voldemort's curse hadn't resulted in Lockhart's death, it certainly played a part in his departure. The curse's indiscriminate nature, as demonstrated by Quirinus Quirrell's demise, made it clear that no one was safe.
While Tom Riddle could not completely nullify the curse's effects on Lockhart, he possessed the means to shield him from its fatal grasp. However, the effort required was considerable. Therefore, as the term drew to a close, Tom Riddle orchestrated Lockhart's resignation.
In truth, it was a fortunate outcome. Lockhart's incompetence had become glaringly obvious, and prolonging his tenure would have irrevocably damaged his reputation, a consequence Tom Riddle wished to avoid, as Lockhart's position still held some strategic value.
As for who would succeed Lockhart as the Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor, Severus Snape had expressed interest.
Tom Riddle welcomed assistance with his workload, yet he remained prepared to personally assume the role should the curse begin to affect Snape.
Returning to Dumbledore's speech:
Unlike many Muggle school headmasters, Dumbledore refrained from lengthy orations, delivering a few simple, well-chosen words.
Following Dumbledore's address, the highly anticipated House Cup ceremony commenced.
"In fourth place, Gryffindor... would you like to hear the score?" Dumbledore cast a teasing wink toward the Gryffindor table.
"..."
What do you think, Old Man?
The young Gryffindor wizards met Dumbledore's gaze with identical expressions of dismay.
"Very well, I understand." Dumbledore relented, opting not to reveal Gryffindor's dismal score.
Minerva McGonagall visibly bristled, sending an irritated glare toward her own students.
The Gryffindor students, in turn, silently protested their innocence. They had diligently attempted to avoid any missteps, but Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy proved to be relentlessly vigilant, lurking cloaked in invisibility, poised to report the slightest infraction.
Of course, their complaints centered on the ease with which they were caught, not on their desire to abstain from wrongdoing altogether.
"In third place, Ravenclaw, with 215 points!"
Due to the Ravenclaw girls' excesses, Filius Flitwick not only punished them but also deducted 100 points from each member of his house.
The usually bright Hermione Granger was unable to compensate for the points lost.
"In second place, Hufflepuff, with 406 points!"
The Hufflepuff badgers erupted in cheerful applause. Their improved ranking promised a reward of treats from Headmaster Pomona Sprout.
As the applause gradually subsided, Dumbledore announced the final victor, "In first place, Slytherin... Never mind."
"..."
Are you targeting us, you old coot?!
The Slytherin students and Snape fixed Dumbledore with menacing stares.
Sensing the potential for potion-induced retribution, Dumbledore amended his statement, "Ahem... In first place, Slytherin, with 5714 points!"
This impressive total was largely attributable to Tom Riddle's diligence throughout the year; otherwise, Slytherin could have easily earned tenfold that amount.
As Dumbledore concluded, Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy exchanged glances, their eyes practically sparking with animosity.
Suddenly, a resounding "bang" echoed through the hall as Malfoy slammed his hand on the table, drawing Harry Potter's attention.
Oh no!
Before Harry Potter could react, Malfoy was already on his feet. "All Death Eaters, stand!"
In response, the Slytherin students rose in unison.
At the Gryffindor table, Ron Weasley instinctively began to stand as well, only to be pulled back down by George Weasley. "Ron, what do you think you're doing?"
Ron Weasley flushed with embarrassment, but the Slytherin students' triumphant shouts of "Victory!" diverted George Weasley's attention, allowing Ron Weasley to escape the awkward situation unnoticed.
Meanwhile, Salazar Slytherin's portrait bombarded Tom Riddle with unsolicited commentary, saying things like, "What kind of students does Gryffindor even recruit? They're vastly inferior to Slytherin!" and "Grandson, are these Death Eaters your organization?"
Tom Riddle, however, remained oblivious to Slytherin's prattling, as he had just received his reward for winning this year's House Cup.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the mission and receiving the reward: A set of the "Combat Transformation Case"!]
"..."
That doesn't sound promising.
With that thought, Tom Riddle examined the item's description.
[Item: Combat Transformation Case]
[Quality: Mythical]
[Function: By shouting "Demacia," one can transform their clothes into a gorgeous short skirt. During the transformation, their magic power can be converted into physical strength of equal level.]
[Trait: In battle, the case can transform into any weapon containing the property of "hardness."]
[Synopsis: This is a variant of a magical artifact from another world, offering every wizard who dreams of becoming a warrior a chance to realize their dream. As for the clothes… well, there's a saying: the pinker the clothes, the fiercer the attack.]
There is no way I can use this thing.
While his magical power could potentially enable him to achieve physical godhood within the magical world, the accompanying repercussions were too significant to contemplate.
Perhaps I should give it to Old Dumbledore; his magical power is not far behind mine.
The mental image of Dumbledore in a pink miniskirt made Tom Riddle's nonexistent stomach churn.
However, from another perspective, it might be able to counter my Basilisk Eyes. If Old Dumbledore had possessed this ability back then, things would have become truly difficult.
Wait a moment... I do have two subordinates fond of being melee mages.
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