Using Money Power

Tom put his schoolbag on the table, sat on the bed, and let out a long sigh. Just then, there was a knock at the door.

As soon as the door opened, there stood the pretty Phoebe, and a smaller version of her.

"Didn't we just break up? Why are you here again?"

Tom casually remarked to Phoebe, but his eyes remained fixed on the little one.

The little girl also opened her big, watery eyes and stared back at him without fear, her eyes as clear as a spring.

Phoebe stood at the doorway, holding a plate with bread, cheese, and a cup of hot milk on it.

"What do you mean?" Phoebe instantly bristled.

She was initially curious about Tom's mysterious nature and wanted to learn more, but she was immediately disliked.

He just asked her to give herself to him, and now he's turned his back on her. What a scumbag!

What she found even more unbearable was the way Tom looked at Gabrielle —more intently than he looked at her!

Aside from glancing at her briefly when the door opened, he kept looking at her sister the whole time!

In Beauxbatons, she was the center of attention, so why did she change so much with Tom?

"Big brother, I'm Gabrielle," the little girl said in a sweet, soft voice.

Tom smiled unconsciously, squatted down to look her in the eye, and said, "Gabrielle, I'm Tom Riddle. How old are you?"

"Gabrielle is six years old!" the little girl answered with a strong voice.

"Great job!" Tom gave a thumbs up. "Six years old already? That's amazing!"

Children are happy as long as they are praised, no matter why you praise them.

Gabrielle's eyes immediately lit up with a smile, and she explained the purpose of their visit, "My sister said that my older brother saved her, and Gabrielle has come to thank him."

"I see." Tom feigned sudden realization. "Then Gabrielle knows the right way..."

"Riddle!"

Phoebe interrupted him urgently.

How can this tactic be used twice?

Gabrielle is still a child! Bring it on to her! She can handle it!

"Are you just going to make us stand at the door talking forever?" Phoebe forcefully changed the subject, determined not to let this scumbag continue to fool her sister.

Tom shrugged indifferently, stood up, and reached out his hand.

Gabrielle naturally placed her little hand in his palm and obediently let him lead her into the house, while Phoebe watched from behind, grinding her teeth in frustration.

The three of them went to the living room, Gabrielle sat down quietly next to Tom, showing none of the noise typical of children her age.

"The chieftain asked me to bring you dinner."

"Thanks."

Tom took the plate and placed it on the table. Phoebe didn't leave; she was twisting the hem of her dress with her fingers.

"Grandmother is busy treating the injured members of the clan. She asked me to come and see if you need anything so I can prepare it for you," Phoebe asked.

Tom shook his head. "I carry everything with me, I don't lack anything. What do you Veela usually eat?"

Phoebe gave an awkward yet polite smile, "We prefer magical berries and flowers. There's a plantation at the end of the valley that might not be suitable for human consumption."

Drinking dew and eating flowers and grass, it sounds like a fairy or elf from legends; if it didn't transform into a bird monster, it would be even more so.

Phoebe brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and asked casually, "Riddle, you're eleven years old, you should be in school by now, right? I've never seen you in Beauxbatons."

"I'm a proper London, not France, so of course I go to Hogwarts," Tom said, having no reason to hide anything.

"You're Britain?" Phoebe was taken aback. "Then how come you speak French so fluently, without a single accent?"

"Having another language opens up more career paths. You can learn it when you're bored."

Phoebe was once again forced to reconsider her understanding of Tom's extraordinary talent. "So you came to the Vosges Mountains just to find a fire dragon?"

Tom replied matter-of-factly, "Yeah, otherwise why would I run this far?"

"Why does big brother want to find the fire dragon?" Gabrielle blinked her big eyes and asked curiously.

Tom suddenly put on a serious face and said in a straight face, "This is a Hogwarts trial. To advance to the second year, students must defeat a dragon and prove their strength."

What kind of school rule is this that's so outrageous!

Phoebe was amused by his serious demeanor; if that were the case, Hogwarts would have had very few graduates over the centuries.

To her amusement and exasperation, Gabrielle actually believed her, throwing herself into her arms with a terrified expression. "Sister, Hogwarts is so scary! Gabrielle doesn't want to go to Hogwarts!"

Phoebe glared at Tom reproachfully, then hugged her younger sister and gently comforted her, "Gabrielle will go to Beauxbatons like her sister, it's the best magic school in the world, not Hogwarts."

She's added another label to Tom's name now.

A scumbag who likes cute little girls, talks a lot of nonsense, and turns his back on you.

"Aren't you afraid to come looking for the fire dragon all by yourself?"

"I'm afraid, but I have to do it anyway," Tom said firmly.

Phoebe looked at him, her blue eyes holding something indescribable.

"Goodnight." She turned and left. Tom closed the door, sat on the bed, picked up a piece of bread, and took a bite. The bread was soft and had a strong milky aroma.

He glanced at the cheese on the plate; it was goat cheese, with a strong flavor that he didn't like, but the milk was delicious—warm and sweet.

"Mr. Grindelwald, I've been exposed."

"It was bound to happen sooner or later." Gellert Grindelwald's voice was calm. "Polyjuice Potion isn't a permanent disguise, but it doesn't matter. The Veela Tribe won't reveal your identity."

How did you know?

"Because they don't need trouble." Gellert Grindelwald paused for a moment, "And, the way that chieftain looked at you was a little different."

Do you think Veela can be trusted?

"They're reliable," Gellert Grindelwald said confidently. "They're more trustworthy than humans, and besides, Polana owes you her life."

Tom didn't say anything. He finished his milk, lay down on the bed, and the moonlight shone through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the wall.

Not long after, Polana arrived. After thanking him again, she told Tom that half of the Veela had been dispatched to help him find the dragon.

Not only did they search for it themselves, but they also contacted allies, the Centaur Tribe and the Goblin Tribe.

"Would Goblin that money-grubbing nature really help?" Tom expressed strong skepticism.

Polana smiled gently, "I promised to give them a piece of gold as payment. As long as you have money, you can make the Goblin do anything for you."

Veela are actually very wealthy. They are the most popular cheerleading teams in various countries, and large events often invite them to dance. Their appearance fees are shockingly high.

Paying a little money to get the Goblin to help find the dragon was no big deal for Polana, and the other Veela wouldn't object either.

"You've gone to so much trouble." Tom then realized that it was his money that had been used.

Polana smiled, "Compared to you saving Phoebe and your people, this is nothing. If you need anything during this time, just let me know, and I will try my best to meet your needs."