As Tom rode Ouroboros into the Great Hall, he felt every eye in the place fix on him, followed by a ripple of unease. It had only been a dozen minutes since the incident.
Even though everyone knew now that looking into the basilisk's eyes wouldn't kill them, that didn't mean they wouldn't encounter trouble.
"So…you were the one who released last year's basilisk?"
Filch, seized by a sudden burst of audacity—perhaps emboldened by Dumbledore's presence, or for some other reason—dared to challenge Tom with open hostility. Last year, his beloved cat had been impotent for six whole years because of this basilisk! And he himself had been beaten half to death by this man's henchmen! What else could this be but the Dark Lord?!
At that moment, Filch imagined himself a hero, standing against the Dark Lord…
Tom, however, showed little reaction. After Filch sputtered out his accusation, he simply replied, "Bite him."
???
This was entirely unexpected. Before Filch's bewildered eyes, the basilisk unhinged its blood-red maw and lunged!
"NO!!!"
Filch whirled to flee, but the basilisk was far faster, and the hall was already packed; there was nowhere to escape! In utter terror, Filch collapsed to the ground, his hands instinctively raised to shield himself. He knew it was futile, but it offered at least a sliver of psychological comfort.
However, Filch waited with his eyes closed, but didn't feel the basilisk's teeth sink into him.
"Huh?"
Opening his eyes, he saw that Tom had already ridden the basilisk toward the teachers' table.
"..."
Filch sat there blankly, watching Tom's departing figure, lost in thought.
"Meow~"
Suddenly, Filch felt a furry presence beside his hands. Turning his head, he saw Mrs. Norris nuzzling against his arm.
"...Sigh."
Filch sighed with a touch of melancholy, then picked up Mrs. Norris and walked toward the door. He used to torment the young wizards he envied because of his Squib status, which had led him to become overly "carried away." He had inadvertently become accustomed to that attitude, even daring to confront the Dark Lord head-on. It seemed that from now on… he would have to "play it by ear." Those he couldn't beat, he shouldn't torment, and it was best not to provoke them.
He should provoke those he could defeat, like those Weasley brats.
...
Tom sat down in the teachers' section, the basilisk coiling behind him.
Sensing something, Tom turned and saw Dumbledore smiling kindly at him.
"The Chamber of Secrets was caused by a Horcrux, but I've already dealt with it."
Tom knew what Dumbledore wanted to know, and he didn't bother to hide what had happened, so he simply explained.
Dumbledore chose to believe Tom; after all, the Chamber of Secrets hadn't had any problems during Tom's first year there. Besides… as he'd said before, Tom had no reason to lie to him.
…
Once the new students arrived, everyone was present.
Dumbledore immediately stood, using magic to amplify his voice.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts for the new school year, and welcome to the new students. Before you settle in, I'd like to say a few words."
Dumbledore gestured for everyone to look at the faculty seats to his left. "Due to a vacancy in the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Remus Lupin will be filling in."
The students, led by the other professors, applauded enthusiastically. Amid the applause, Lupin stood and gave a humble bow.
"Also, there's something else. Unfortunately, at the end of last year, Professor Silvanus Kettleburn formally submitted his resignation."
Dumbledore continued, extending his hand to the other side, "But I'm delighted to welcome our new Professor of Care of Magical Creatures—Professor Rubeus Hagrid!"
Enthusiastic applause once again filled the Great Hall. Hagrid awkwardly rose and bowed, clearly uncomfortable in this setting.
Below, at the Slytherin table.
"No way? He's going to teach me how to protect magical creatures?"
Malfoy's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief.
"Alright, Malfoy, Hagrid does have some ability. Professor Tom even mentioned that Hagrid bred a new species himself."
Harry remembered Tom saying he should call him "Professor Tom" at school.
And Harry wasn't wrong; Tom had indeed mentioned it to him.
"It's not that I don't trust his abilities, but I just feel this guy is unreliable. Look at that book he made me buy; I can't even open it!"
Malfoy was truly exasperated. He had a feeling this giant would teach him how to befriend magical creatures, not how to deal with dangerous ones. After all, this giant didn't seem like the type to find magical creatures dangerous.
"Uh…"
Harry and Hagrid got along quite well, but Malfoy's words made sense, and he didn't know how to defend Hagrid.
Fortunately, Dumbledore spoke again.
"This year, Hogwarts will welcome a group of special guests, whom you have probably already seen on the train—the Dementors."
Dumbledore's expression wasn't particularly pleasant as he spoke. "Until Sirius Black is captured, the Dementors will be stationed around the castle."
"I want everyone to remember what I'm about to say… Dementors are extremely dangerous; please stay away from them."
After the warning, Dumbledore reassured the students in a gentle tone, "However, you don't need to worry too much. The Dementors won't enter the castle, and they won't affect our normal lives."
Only after Dumbledore finished speaking did Professor Minerva McGonagall begin this year's Sorting Ceremony.
Dumbledore, now seated again, looked at Tom with a puzzled expression. He knew Fudge was a coward and a wimp; he would never do anything that would anger Tom. Unless… Tom had given his permission.
As if sensing Dumbledore's gaze, Tom turned and returned a gentle smile.
"..."
This wretched brat.
Dumbledore sighed helplessly.
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