However, Slytherin had one small condition.
Wade would have to share the laboratory with Tom.
Wade understood Slytherin's intention. The old man wanted him to guide Tom properly.
After all, Tom was also highly talented. Remaining immersed in the relatively basic curriculum at Hogwarts was a waste of his time.
"Wait… why would Dumbledore agree to let us use that place?" Tom frowned, sensing that something was off. "Don't tell me… you've done something again to provoke him?"
…Personally training the two of them, even specially granting them a laboratory?
Dumbledore would never do such things without reason.
If Wade hadn't done anything recently, Tom would be the first to refuse to believe it.
"Just use it and stop asking so many questions…" Wade said impatiently. "All you need to know is that these privileges didn't come easily."
Since Wade had put it that way, Tom, no matter how curious he was, could not press further.
Still, he vaguely sensed that Wade must have gone through something significant during this time…
In truth, it was Slytherin who had told Wade not to reveal any of this to Tom.
Although Slytherin's views on blood purity had changed and he was no longer as hostile toward his half-blood descendant, he was still not ready to face him.
So Wade had no choice but to keep it hidden.
It was worth mentioning that when talking about the study, Wade had also told Slytherin about the naive Gaunt.
At the time, Slytherin had fallen silent for a long while. Before leaving Hogwarts, he even went personally to stand before Noctis Gaunt's grave.
"Here lies the most naive and kindest Gaunt in the world…"
Slytherin stood there for a long time before finally leaving.
…
When Wade and Tom entered Slytherin's study again, they no longer needed to go through the trial path.
The most direct entrance was right across from the Slytherin common room.
It took Wade and Tom quite some time before they finally made it back to the entrance of the common room.
After glancing around to make sure no one was nearby, Wade opened the "elevator" to Slytherin's study.
The two of them stepped inside, and with a shift of the walls, they vanished from sight.
Compared to before, Slytherin's study had changed significantly.
The shelves that had once been crammed with dark magic manuscripts were now filled with all sorts of far more "wholesome" books.
The trial passage at the main entrance of the study had disappeared completely.
When Wade opened that door, there was no longer a narrow corridor, only a vast and open underground chamber.
As he stepped inside, bright gas lamps lit up automatically throughout the space, illuminating the chamber as if it were daylight.
Clearly, Dumbledore and Headmaster Dippet had thoroughly refurbished the place.
Tom could not help saying, "This place has become huge… now we finally have somewhere to practice magic freely."
Of course, the magic Tom referred to practicing was the more powerful kind.
Ordinary spells did not require such a large space.
"I think such a big place would be a waste if we didn't plant something here," Wade said cheerfully.
"Why do you always think about farming?" Tom frowned.
"Then why do you always think about practicing spells?" Wade shot back.
"Fine… but there's no sunlight here, Wade," Tom continued.
Wade nodded. "But there are plenty of magical plants that dislike sunlight, aren't there?"
"You're not planning to grow Devil's Snare here, are you?" Tom asked in shock.
"Devil's Snare? That's a great idea!"
"Damn it!"
In the end, after some discussion, the two of them roughly divided the space.
Since there were not many magical plants that required darkness, only part of the area was set aside for cultivation. Of course, Tom opposed Wade planting too many.
For dangerous plants like Devil's Snare, Tom only allowed him to grow a single specimen.
Wade did not object. After all, this was not his laboratory alone. If too many dangerous plants were grown, it would be difficult to explain to Dumbledore.
The remaining areas were temporarily designated for practicing large-scale spells.
After sorting everything out, the two returned to the study, each picking up a quill and beginning their summary papers for the day.
…
Headmaster's office.
Dumbledore and Headmaster Dippet stood before the desk, watching as the dots representing Wade and Tom entered Slytherin's study on the Marauder's Map.
"Albus, you're quite indulgent toward those two children," Headmaster Dippet said with a smile.
Dumbledore replied, "And you're not? I'm not the Headmaster. The one who ultimately approved giving them Slytherin's study was you, Headmaster."
"I won't deny that," Dippet said with a smile. "After all, in all the years since Hogwarts was founded, we've never had students as interesting as they are."
"I've already told you everything. What do you think?"
"You handled it well. I have no other objections," Dippet said, frowning slightly. "No matter what, Wade must be protected."
"And Slytherin…?"
"Let him do as he wishes. Albus… try your best to make Slytherin an ally. Whatever you do… do not let him stand against us."
"That won't happen. I've spoken with Slytherin privately. He has no interest in Grindelwald's ideology," Dumbledore said calmly.
Although Slytherin's belief in blood superiority had changed somewhat, he still held the same disdain for Muggles as ever.
Moreover, he was eager to uncover the truth of what had happened in the past. He had no time to involve himself in Grindelwald's affairs.
…
Inside Slytherin's study.
By the time Tom finally finished writing his summary paper, Wade was no longer in the study.
Tom picked up the paper Wade had left on the desk and glanced at it.
Dense lines of writing filled the entire sheet of parchment.
He barely managed to read two lines before his eyelids began to droop.
It was a frustrating realization. The gap between him and Wade was still considerable.
Tom set the paper down and walked out of the study. He happened to see Wade feeding chickens in the area that had originally been intended for planting magical plants.
Each little rooster looked spirited and robust, clearly full of vitality.
"Why are you raising chickens here?"
"We haven't planted anything yet, so it's fine to keep them here for now… then I'll find a toad."
Tom's pupils contracted sharply. "Wait… Wade, what exactly are you trying to do? Are you seriously planning to raise a Basilisk underground?"
___
o(*￣▽￣*)ブSupport and read 12 Chapters ahead of WN at-
Patreon/Captain69