Want to Relive a Passionate Summer?

Dumbledore, his face grim, sent young Tom back, holding out a ticket before his eyes. "On the first of September, you'll need to go to King's Cross Station. Pass through the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Remember to board the train before eleven..."

After giving his instructions, Dumbledore vanished from the spot. He needed to return to Diagon Alley. Ollivander hadn't been normal today. Not only had there been no malicious pranks, but he'd also repeatedly affirmed Tom's talent, as if trying to hint at something.

The wizarding world couldn't afford another upheaval. If another Gellert came along... No, he had to stop it earlier this time. He couldn't make the same mistake twice.

"Ollivander! What did you see?"

"You've arrived~" Ollivander replied without turning, whistling as he tidied the shelves. He knew Dumbledore wouldn't be able to resist coming over. "I saw unparalleled talent, Albus. Terrifying talent, even more than yours... A rather peculiar destiny, isn't it~"

Dumbledore suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. This fellow... always managed to make him feel exhausted. No wonder his hair had turned white so early. Why play games with him? "You truly are... Can't you just tell me directly?"

Grinning happily, Ollivander sensed the air around them thicken. He shrugged and shook his head. "You're not the same impetuous boy you used to be. What, want to relive the passionate summer of 1899?"

Gritting his teeth, Dumbledore drew his wand. He endured it, then grudgingly put it away. He had lost. He wondered which scoundrel had spread the word. Was it Gregorovitch? Or Bathilda?

He wasn't the one who stole the Elder Wand! That damn scoundrel Gellert! Why should he have to bear all the consequences for the trouble that guy caused!

"Alright~" Ollivander, having enjoyed the show of expressions, put away his teasing. He looked at Dumbledore with great seriousness. "As I said, you two indeed have a strong connection. I'm not a seer. All I can see is the faint link between the wizard and the wand... Albus, what you do next is up to you..."

Tom locked his room door and sat at his desk, flipping through his textbooks. Although they were second-hand, the Professor had chosen clean ones for him. There were also many annotations in the blank spaces, though he wasn't sure if they were correct...

Following the instructions in the spellbook, Tom took out his wand, parted his lips, and recited the incantation. With a movement of his hand, the papers on the desk slowly floated into the air. "Is this magic..."

Like a child with a beloved toy, Tom happily directed the papers to dance in the air. It was wonderful. The fact that he was a wizard made him happier than anything else.

It was now early August. He only had to wait another month before he could go to the magical world. Hogwarts...

He found the History of Magic book and began to read it word by word, his finger pausing as it slid over Slytherin.

'Salazar Slytherin, a medieval wizard, Parseltongue, skilled in Legilimency...'

For some reason, Tom vaguely sensed the peculiarity of Parseltongue. He frowned, feeling a pang of regret. Perhaps he shouldn't have revealed his secret back then. It seemed his ability to converse with snakes was Parseltongue?

Flipping through the textbook rapidly, Tom felt a throbbing in his temples. He hadn't slept all night, and today he was too excited. His body couldn't take it anymore.