The next day, in Tom's office on the fourth floor of Hogwarts, Nagini delivered the Ministry of Magic's decision.
"So, Sirius Black was fully exonerated this morning."
It was the expected conclusion.
Tom reclined in his chair, a coffee cup in his left hand, stirring it languidly with a silver spoon in his right. Fudge had, of course, invited Tom to the final verdict meeting, but Tom had declined, pleading business, and sent Nagini in his stead.
It was a formality. Yesterday morning had been the initial discussion, and last night, the final determination. Even Sirius, beneficiary that he was, grumbled about the haste.
Nagini, seeing Tom's clear lack of interest, was accustomed to it. She was, in effect, managing the Death Eaters now, as Tom seemed content to live the life of a professor, reading, and occasionally disciplining Harry and the others.
As long as it benefits Tom. The thought brought a smile to her face. She retrieved a Muggle book from Tom's shelf and settled by the window to read.
Tom glanced at his snake, engrossed in her book, and took a sip of his coffee.
"I'm back!"
A familiar voice, not heard in some time.
Oh? Has my dear System finally remembered its outdated host? Tom thought wryly to himself.
"Stupid Tom! I've brought you something truly great this time! How dare you speak to me like that? Waaaaah…"
Ignoring the System's feigned indignation, Tom continued to sip his coffee.
"Going too far. Only I could tolerate you… No matter." The System seemed to gather itself. "Old Tom, do you want some magic?!"
Tom paused, the coffee cup still in his hand. "Elaborate."
"Hehe, remember when I mentioned being able to acquire magic from other universes?" The System's voice was laced with mischief.
"Did you pilfer something from a junior system again?"
"That's none of your concern! Just say if you want it or not!"
Called it. A subtle smirk played on Tom's lips. "Why wouldn't I take what's being offered?"
"Hmph, just you wait and see!"
[Ding! Congratulations, host, you've triggered a special mission!]
[Mission: Dark Fairy Tale, Unlocked]
[When the fairy tales by your bedside are no longer heartwarming, and beauty and sincerity are replaced by lies and darkness, is this still the world children yearn for?]
[Want to know the answer? Then go and see.]
[Please collect five unique items, each corresponding to one of five special characters. Mission Completion: 0/5]
[Rewards: 1. Tops Force Field; 2. A special talent ability from a fairy tale character (quality depends on completion)]
"..."
That sounds like another game altogether. What does this have to do with Harry Potter? Tom wondered.
And the rewards… utterly unrelated. Seems my System has poached more than one junior this time. And that previous 'Golden Barbie Box'... tsk tsk… Who taught this System to be such a troublemaker?
"Ahem… pay no attention to that nonsense. The energy I gathered at the pyramids has been mostly absorbed by this System. This time, I can bring company along!" The System, sensing Tom's thoughts, sounded flustered.
Tom smiled, saying nothing.
Taking Tom's silence as understanding, the System rushed on, explaining the second reward. "Think of this mission as a trip. I'll bring you back when it's done."
"The more mission items you collect, the better the talent reward I can get you… Honestly, if it weren't for those damn rules, I'd just hand you the reward directly."
Even among systems, there were rules. Even stealing from juniors had to be done exploiting loopholes.
Even so, I really underestimated you, you stupid system.
Ignoring the jesting voice, Tom turned his attention to the other reward: The Tops Force Field. The System hadn't needed to explain this one. Tom already knew of it.
A spell developed by those rejected by magic, designed to reject all magic. Capable of repelling everything, supposedly.
As far as he knew, this magic had a high ceiling, but equally significant limitations.
But reality wasn't a game; it was malleable, improvable. If he could find a way to extend the spell's duration—he didn't need to expand the range much, just enough to cover the body. Hmm, that would be an excellent way to show off.
"Since it's decided, then…"
Tom placed his empty coffee cup back on the table, turned to Nagini, and asked her to summon Cassandra and Harry.
Nagini, pleased by Tom's unusual "seriousness," however misguided, readily agreed, placing her book down and exiting the office.
"By the way, System."
Once Nagini was gone, Tom spoke directly.
The school year was over, and Slytherin, under Tom's great leadership, had predictably secured the House Cup once more.
"You were busy borrowing things earlier, and I haven't claimed my reward yet."
"Alright, alright, I knew you'd say that."
As the words fell, the all-powerful System produced the reward it had been preparing for Tom, pulling it from its exclusive four-dimensional space.
"The Fang of the Blood Ancestor!"
[Material: The Fang of the Blood Ancestor]
[Quality: Legendary]
[Function: Unknown]
[Description: A fang from the progenitor of vampires, containing a large amount of the progenitor's eerie power and his curse against usurping forbidden things.]
"Hehe, don't you like studying curses? And this is no ordinary curse. How about it? Am I not good to you?"
The System knew the curse within the fang wouldn't harm Tom, hence its confidence.
Well… it was certainly special. Powerful, even. Since the System had... acquired it, the origin and the vampire progenitor were unclear, but for Tom, if something was useful enough, its origins didn't matter.
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