After Professor Dumbledore's appointment was finalized, and Tom additionally gifted him a special psychotherapy session along with a private late-night artificial hot spring reservation, Dumbledore contentedly walked out of the Aberforth Club with Tom.
Afterward, Tom enthusiastically invited Professor Dumbledore to play a card game at the adjacent 'Duelling Kingdom'.
"Professor, this is the latest card game I developed with George and Fred, with Warre's family responsible for production, operation, and promotion. Would you like to play a round?"
"It's the Weasley twins again. Tom, you really have a good relationship with them. A snake actually managed to blend into a lion's den. That Lord Voldemort from back then didn't have your level of social skills."
As for Warre, Dumbledore was not surprised in the slightest. Given Miss Cassandra's relationship with Tom, it would be truly abnormal if she weren't involved.
Just as Dumbledore was about to politely decline, he heard Tom say, "Professor, this is Professor Grindelwald's favorite pastime recently."
Grindelwald's favorite pastime?
He, how did he not know? Could it be that Grindelwald had been spending less time with him recently because of this? Then Dumbledore absolutely had to try it!
And then… there was no then.
The staff of 'Duelling Kingdom' looked at their shop, which had been reduced to ruins, and at Dumbledore and Tom standing on the rubble, wanting to cry but having no tears.
They knew it. Playing cards with the Dark Lord, with his abysmal card skills, would one day escalate to a real-life duel. And now, it had come true. Fortunately, they were quick-witted and ran fast, otherwise, they would have been caught in the crossfire.
As Dumbledore and Tom faced off, a crowd had already begun to gather, and patrol officers, even Aurors sent by Fudge to monitor Knockturn Alley, had arrived.
Seeing the crowd gather, Tom suddenly squatted down, buried his face in his hands, and cried out, "White Wizard, it was just a card game! Why did you have to get physical? I'm really not that kind of person, boo hoo hoo~"
"Oh~"
The onlookers heard Tom's cries and looked at Dumbledore as if he were a pervert.
"I never thought Dumbledore would be this kind of person, bullying such a cute little loli."
"Exactly, exactly. Just like The Daily Prophet said, he truly lives up to his name as the White Wizard. I misjudged him before."
"We must expose Professor Dumbledore's evil deeds to the public."
...
"I'm not, I didn't, don't spread rumors."
Dumbledore listened to the discussions around him, then looked at Tom. How could this scoundrel be such a good actor? It would be a waste of his talent not to become an actor.
He wanted to explain now, but as soon as he spoke, his words were drowned out by the crowd's chatter. As for the Amplifying Charm, believe it or not, as long as he made any move, no matter what spell it was, the next day it would definitely be rumored as: Dumbledore attempted to bully a young girl, tried to eliminate eyewitnesses, and covered up his crimes.
The only ones on the scene who knew the truth were the staff of 'Duelling Kingdom', and they looked at Dumbledore with sympathy. However, from another perspective, the Dark Lord's attire today was indeed quite cute, so it seemed understandable that Dumbledore couldn't resist making a move.
As for whether the Dark Lord's appearance would damage his image, the patron-daddy offered no comment. Those with opinions had already been eaten by the big melon, and besides, this look was much better than having no nose, at least it was easier to recruit new people.
And just as the Aurors were about to step forward, the perceptive Lucius appeared, offering a small bag of Galleons: "Please let the White Wizard off this time. Next time, I guarantee he won't do it again in broad daylight. Please don't spread it around."
The word "spread" was subtly emphasized by Lucius.
The Aurors who came were already reluctant to act due to their duties—why risk their lives for a month's meager salary? Now Lucius had given them an out, and an unexpected bonus. They happily accepted the money bag: "Don't let it happen again. We'll let Dumbledore off this time, but we will still publicize his misdeeds."
After speaking, they left with their people. After the Aurors left, the remaining crowd was also dispersed, and even the NPC Lucius quietly exited with the crowd after finishing his work.
Tom, who had stopped crying, looked at the victim, Dumbledore, who was disheveled in the wind, with a smile on his face.
"Tom Riddle!!!"
"Professor, stop shouting. You and Grindelwald are truly a pair; your card manners are equally terrible. Look, you've destroyed the shop. What's wrong with me collecting some compensation? It's not excessive."
Tom, turning the tables, stood on the moral high ground and accused Dumbledore.
"Dumbledore and Grindelwald are a pair?!"
Before Dumbledore could react, Sirius's gasp suddenly rang out.
Sirius and Lupin, who had been in the 'Al-Gale' restaurant, came out to watch the commotion when they heard the noise outside.
They had already been shocked once by Dumbledore bullying a little girl and had not left in time. When they realized the white-haired little loli was Tom, they thought it might be a misunderstanding and just breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear even more explosive news.
Now it was Dumbledore's turn to be silent. What could he say? If he denied it, someone nearby would immediately run to tell tales. As for admitting it… uh… please let him think about how to phrase it.
Dumbledore's momentary silence, however, had the air of trying to cover something up, causing Sirius and Lupin to exchange glances.
So, the magic world was this deep; they couldn't even grasp it anymore.
Seeing this, Tom, not wanting the atmosphere to become too stiff, actively changed the subject, pointing to the unopened card pack in Sirius's hand from the 'Al-Gale' restaurant: "Sirius, this looks like a limited edition. Congratulations, it's highly collectible."
Hearing Tom say this, Sirius, taking the hint, curiously opened the card pack and then fell silent. Lupin, noticing Sirius's unusual behavior, also glanced at what was in his hand and said nothing.
It was a strikingly lifelike James Potter.
Although he really wanted to see his old friend, not in this form! So, which clever person came up with this idea?
Just as the scene was about to descend into an awkward, toe-curling atmosphere, a loud loudspeaker in the distance saved everyone.
"Tom's Member Store, grand opening special! Membership is free for a limited time!"
"This month, with a purchase receipt, enjoy an 80% discount at Borgin and Burkes' adult novelty shop."
"Today's special item: Holly wand, 11 inches long, Phoenix feather, Savior's model, only 3 Galleons each! Buy two get one free! Large quantities available!"
"Come and see, come and look! Don't miss out!"
Holly wood, 11 inches long, Phoenix feather, Savior's model—isn't that Harry's wand?!
Hearing this, Dumbledore could no longer stay put. He left Tom and the others and rushed forward in a hurry.
Where on earth did that scoundrel get so many Phoenix feathers, and what exactly was he trying to achieve by doing this?