Chapter 316 — Alexander's Curiosity
"Tom, how did it feel—your first day as a professor?"
"And which House did you say you'd be assigned to?"
"…Actually, why don't we talk about that magic you demonstrated?"
Dumbledore clearly wanted to change the subject.
He spoke to Riddle with a tone that was almost pleading.
Logically speaking, Riddle should have enjoyed seeing Dumbledore so humble—after all, he was Voldemort's younger self.
Yet for some reason, he didn't feel pleased at all.
Lupin, standing beside them, realized something very clearly at that moment: Dumbledore trusted Riddle far more than he had expected.
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Riddle Reflects
"Well, let me answer that," Riddle finally said.
"As a professor… I feel a strong sense of accomplishment. Planting my ideas into others—honestly, it feels even better than when I was building a community."
"I finally understand why, even after becoming the Dark Lord, I didn't give up the Defense Against the Dark Arts position for so many years."
Lupin's expression stiffened.
He knew very well which "community" Riddle meant: the Order of Walpurgis, the predecessor to the Death Eaters—an organization that "disbanded" the moment Voldemort graduated.
Dumbledore, however, showed a different reaction.
He looked relieved.
He had witnessed the lesson through magical means, after all.
To the uninformed, that class would seem dangerous—taboo knowledge on the level that Grindelwald used to indoctrinate his followers.
But Dumbledore saw the fundamental difference between Riddle and Grindelwald.
Grindelwald saw Muggles and wizards as opposing forces.
Riddle saw wizards as merely "Muggles who could use magic."
For the first time, Dumbledore saw something like redemption in the boy.
A child who had gone astray… yet turned back before true tragedy began.
Perhaps feeling awkward under that gentle gaze, Riddle quickly changed the topic.
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Riddle Chooses His House
"As for the House I mentioned—honestly, isn't it obvious?"
Riddle smiled lightly.
"I think I'm most suited to Ravenclaw now."
He spent the next several minutes talking about his teaching philosophy, his future lesson structure, and his goals.
Lupin eventually excused himself.
He had said what he needed to say.
His official title was Assistant Professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts…
But in truth, it was merely an excuse to keep him at Hogwarts.
According to Sirius, Lupin's real job was to keep an eye on Snape.
Yes—Snape.
Not Voldemort.
Even after learning Snape's undercover identity, Sirius still believed Snape was more dangerous to Harry in daily life than Voldemort—especially when it came to anything involving James.
Voldemort?
With Dumbledore around, Sirius wasn't nearly as worried.
Ever since that birthday meeting, some private conversation between the two had changed his attitude entirely.
He trusted Voldemort—
Not as much as McGonagall did, perhaps,
but far more than he trusted Snape.
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A Conversation Cut Short
After Lupin left, Riddle's voice slowed.
"…About that magic you mentioned earlier. Do you have any insights yet?"
Riddle's curiosity was unmistakable.
"Sometimes I get tired of having such a clever mind," Dumbledore said cheerfully.
"From the imitation Philosopher's Stone, I learned how to retroactively display past events—just like the class you attended."
"And this time… I've nearly mastered—"
He stopped dramatically.
"Mastered what? To what extent?" Riddle demanded, irritated by Dumbledore's mysterious tone.
"You'll know tonight," Dumbledore said with an almost childlike smile.
---
Alexander Observes
Far from the office, Alexander was aware of everything happening inside.
Ever since he met Luna…
ever since he befriended Ginny…
ever since the crown came into his hands…
He had already prepared for this moment.
Two reasons drove him to watch the headmaster's office so closely.
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Reason One — The Crown
The magic wasn't actually that complex—
At least, not for a Level 6 wizard like Dumbledore.
Alexander had been certain the Headmaster would understand it just as easily as he understood the magic inscribed on the false Philosopher's Stone.
But what surprised Alexander was the absence of the will of Death.
Dumbledore had been manipulating a magic tied directly to the laws of the afterlife.
Yet Death Himself remained silent.
Did He believe that only wizards could become ghosts?
That their fate differed from Muggles?
Or…
Did He simply think Dumbledore incapable of reaching the next stage?
This disappointed Alexander.
It meant that his plan—to lure the Grim Reaper into the real world—
had failed.
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Reason Two — Fudge
The second reason was far simpler.
Alexander knew something was going to happen to Fudge.
Especially after Fudge and Umbridge dared to provoke Voldemort.
Even a younger Voldemort was still Voldemort.
In the original timeline, they dared to challenge Dumbledore—
Only because Dumbledore was too kind, too detached from power to notice their corruption.
Had he known the truth back then, he would have forced Fudge to resign long before the chaos of Harry's fifth year.
Alexander never expected Fudge to be reckless enough to betray British wizarding interests.
That was the one sin the wizarding world never forgave.
Even Bones—so dedicated to the truth—had chosen to suppress the details of Fudge's resignation.
Alexander was genuinely curious:
What would Dumbledore's expression be once he learned everything?
That alone made watching the headmaster's office worthwhile.
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Nightfall Approaches
But now, as evening approached, Alexander found himself wondering the same thing Riddle wondered:
Just how far had Dumbledore mastered that magic?
And what would happen tonight?
(End of chapter)
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