The Woman at the Top of the Food Chain

Newt Scamander scratched his head sheepishly, looking embarrassed, and said in a low voice, "It wasn't anyone from the Ministry of Magic watching me, it was Tina Goldstein."

"She's still on secondment to the Magical Congress of the United States of America; she's the one responsible for keeping an eye on me."

"Fifty years ago, I was imprisoned and almost executed. Although I was later exonerated, they have never been at ease with me."

Newt Scamander pointed out the window, "There's an Auror named William Parker who's been with me for twenty years."

Tom clicked his tongue inwardly. Twenty years of surveillance had turned into emotional attachment!

Tom chuckled awkwardly and changed the subject, "Ms. Tina Goldstein is really still going strong! By the way, Uncle Newt Scamander, there's been some new development with my unicorns lately..."

After chatting for another half hour, the old lady who was "in charge of looking after" Newt Scamander finally came back through the door.

"Parker said you have guests here, a young Britain wizard." She glared at Newt Scamander. "You fool, don't take the young wizard to any dangerous places."

Tom stood up and recognized the powerful woman who had Newt Scamander under her thumb, Tina Goldstein Scamander.

Like Newt Scamander, she had a full head of silver hair, but she was very energetic. Just by looking at her demeanor, you could tell that she must have been an absolute beauty in her youth.

Her every move exudes elegance, showing no signs of aging.

"Hello, I'm Tom Riddle." Tom stood up and gave a slight bow, polite yet relaxed.

The old lady immediately beamed with joy, stepped forward, grabbed his hand, and gently patted it.

"Who do we have here? It's such a handsome little fellow. It's all my fault; I forgot you were coming today. Otherwise, I would have gone to the Magical Congress to report for duty another day."

Tom glanced furtively at Newt Scamander, who had gotten up behind him, and muttered to himself.

So, your job report is just to look after Uncle Newt Scamander? And with Newt Scamander's ambition, you're the one who should be the master of this house!

Why do you stand up to greet Tina Goldstein like a prisoner seeing a police officer or a subordinate seeing a superior? That's so disrespectful!

In just a few short minutes, Tom had figured out the hierarchy of the family perfectly.

Regardless of how others rank them, Tina Goldstein is definitely at the top of the food chain, while Newt Scamander is at best a "good boy".

The boy's smile grew even warmer, but his tone carried just the right amount of complaint.

"You should have said so earlier! I just came from registering at the Magical Congress. The traffic in New York is even worse than in London. If I had known you were here, I would have waited for you to come back together."

Tina Goldstein wasn't angry at all; instead, she laughed even harder, "That's right! Neither of these cities is peaceful. If it weren't for work convenience, I would have gone back to Devon to retire long ago."

"Actually, North York is not bad either, the climate is milder," Tom chimed in. "Now more and more people are going to Devon for tourism, so it's not as quiet as it used to be."

Tom knew exactly how to win over an elderly person who liked him: he was neither nervous nor outgoing, but rather assertive.

They need to showcase the energy of youth, but they can't act like unruly children.

San De is sensible, showing off his strengths and proving that he is a clever child, not a clueless little brat.

He's got it just right right now; a few words have closed the distance between them, while subtly revealing his orphan status.

Before long, Tina Goldstein took his hand and started asking him about his daily life, her heart aching for him.

Tom remarked with emotion, "Mrs. Greengrass took great care of me; she was the one who handled all the paperwork for my trip to United States."

Newt Scamander, watching from the side, was completely dumbfounded. When Tom was talking to him, he was so composed, not at all like a child. How did he become so "childish" in front of Tina Goldstein?

Compared to his taciturn grandson Rolf Scamander, Tom was far too outgoing and much more capable.

Tom suddenly clutched his stomach, deliberately putting on a sullen face. "Oh dear, I'm suddenly a little hungry."

Tina Goldstein glanced at the time; it was already six o'clock. She slapped her forehead. "It's all my fault! I lost track of time once we got started chatting! Newt Scamander, why didn't you remind me?"

Newt Scamander looked bewildered. "You two were chatting away so enthusiastically, I didn't even have a chance to say a word. What am I supposed to remind you of?"

He might have been internally complaining, but he didn't dare say it aloud. He could only force a smile and take the blame, "It's my fault, I forgot to remind you."

"Child, wait a little longer, Grandma will go make you some food." Tina Goldstein said, then rushed into the kitchen.

With a wave of the magic wand, pots and pans floated up automatically, bustling about happily.

Tom tilted his head and looked at Newt Scamander, puzzled. "Don't you have House-elf at home? And Grandma Tina Goldstein usually does the cooking?"

"Although she looks energetic, she's almost a hundred years old after all. It's too hard for her to work and cook at the same time."

Newt Scamander explained softly, "We used to have a House-elf Chik at home, but Leo (his son) and the others run around outside."

"They needed more care and their conditions were more difficult, so we sent Chik over to help."

Tom nodded. That's more like it. He had said Newt Scamander wasn't the type to exploit his wife.

Because Tom was hungry, Tina Goldstein made a simple meal: a few hamburger patties with plenty of pasta, which was served in fifteen minutes.

Tom was a true carnivore, and the hamburger patty was right up his alley; he devoured it.

He ate happily, Tina Goldstein watched even happier, and the grandson ran off with his son.

Now Tom has come along, and Rolf Scamander is eloquent and has a good personality; the more I look at him, the more pleasing he becomes.

Tina Goldstein's expression turned serious as she spoke frankly. "If you're in Slytherin, you absolutely must be careful of Albus Dumbledore. He's not exactly friendly to Slytherin."

"His favorites are the Gryffindor like Weasley, Prewett, and Longbottom," Tina Goldstein said earnestly.

"His greatest skill is manipulation; he'll sell you out, and you'll still be counting the money for him."

Newt Scamander, standing nearby, quickly whispered, "Albus Dumbledore isn't like that; he wouldn't harm a child."

"You're still defending him?" The old lady's eyes narrowed; Newt Scamander was simply adding fuel to the fire.

"What did I say wrong? If he hadn't found you useful back then, would he have contacted you every few days?"

"But I did those things willingly," Newt Scamander quickly argued. "No one can force me to do something I don't want to do."

"Ha, willing to do it?" Tina Goldstein sneered. "That old bastard loves students like you who get sold out and still help him count the money!"

Tina Goldstein left Newt Scamander speechless before turning to Tom, who had finished eating, and softened her tone.

"Tom, Grandma is telling the truth, and Newt Scamander is right too. Albus Dumbledore wouldn't harm a student."

"I'm telling you to be careful so that you don't let him influence you too much and become the person he wants you to be."

"I've said that to Rolf Scamander too. He should just go to Hogwarts and live his life peacefully."

"Don't get too close to people Albus Dumbledore interested in, or he'll target you sooner or later."