A Happy Family

After a long Apparition journey, the two finally returned to the Magical Congress headquarters in New York, and then Apparated back to Newt Scamander's house.

The door to Newt Scamander's house was ajar, and laughter could be heard coming from the living room.

As soon as Tom entered, he found that the house was much more lively than when they left. Not only was Tina Goldstein there, but Newt Scamander's son and his family had also returned.

When the two returned, Tina Goldstein was busy in the kitchen with a dignified-looking middle-aged woman.

A tall, muscular man immediately came forward; he looked somewhat like Newt Scamander when he was young.

First, he gave Newt Scamander a big hug, then looked at Tom with a beaming smile.

"Dad, is this the Tom you mentioned in your letter?"

"Leo," Newt Scamander introduced, "My son."

Leo extended his hand, shook it firmly. "Hello, I'm Leo Scamander."

Tom could clearly feel the calluses on his hands; it was clear he was someone who frequently dealt with Fantastic Beasts.

Compared to Newt Scamander's shyness and introversion, Leo clearly inherited Tina Goldstein's personality and was exceptionally talkative.

"I read the article you wrote for my father about the evolution of unicorns, and I even saw the unicorns you kept in his little world."

"That's amazing! I didn't know that high-quality Patronus could even help Fantastic Beasts evolve."

"How are they now?" Tom asked quickly, his tone filled with concern.

"Before I left, I told them to exercise properly. Have they been slacking off lately?"

Leo, realizing something, couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Don't worry, I checked the check-up logs, they're much healthier now."

"His temper is getting worse and worse; he throws tantrums every day in the small world, scaring the little guys in the rainforest and the regular areas quite a bit."

Newt Scamander's expression changed instantly upon hearing this, fearing that something might have happened to his Fantastic Beasts.

Without saying a word, he rushed into the small world to check the situation, looking just like an old father afraid his child had caused trouble.

Tom then noticed that a small head was peeking out from under the restaurant door, looking at him timidly.

Leo followed Tom's gaze, whistled, and called out.

"Rolf Scamander, I was just looking for you. Come here quickly. This is Tom, your senior at Hogwarts."

Hearing his father's call, a teenage boy obediently walked over, his face covered in freckles—a classic Scamander family look.

He lowered his head shyly and said softly, "Hello, I'm Rolf Scamander, Rolf Scamander Scamander."

"I am Tom Riddle." Tom did not extend his hand to shake his; such a gesture was inappropriate between children.

He just smiled and nodded, teasing him on purpose, "I guarantee you'll be assigned to Hufflepuff someday."

"The students there are all very friendly; it's my favorite college, but unfortunately I wasn't assigned there."

Upon hearing this, Rolf Scamander's eyes lit up, and the unfamiliarity on his face instantly disappeared. He looked up at Tom and said excitedly:

"That's what my grandfather said too! He said I'd be very happy in Hufflepuff."

"Trust him, Hufflepuff is the least stressful house," Tom agreed readily, inwardly scoffing.

"Gryffindor noisy and boisterous, Slytherin are all very pragmatic, and Ravenclaw is like a disorganized gang, with students constantly scheming against each other."

"The Hufflepuff are the most worry-free. You guys do all the fuss, they just stay in the kitchen and live a quiet life, how comfortable is that?"

Rolf Scamander laughed heartily this time, his freckles bunching up like sesame seeds sprinkled on bread.

The two chatted about Hogwarts for a while, and Tom introduced him to the personalities and teaching styles of several professors.

The three sat down in the living room, Leo spoke first, asking, "How was your trip to Arizona?"

"A very fruitful trip," Tom replied with a smile. "The Thunderbird were incredibly friendly; it's rare to see such a large sanctuary dedicated to Fantastic Beasts in Britain."

"Just maintaining the Muggle-Repelling Charm there would probably give the Britain Ministry of Magic a real headache."

"That's right, that's why Magizoologist rarely go there," Leo agreed, adding.

"However, I've always longed to visit the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts. I really want to see what it's like there. I've heard there are many rare and Fantastic Beasts there."

Leo studied at Ilvermorny, and during his school years, Voldemort rose to power.

Otherwise, judging by age, he would have enrolled around the time between Mr. Weasley and James Potter.

The two talked for a long time about the Thunderbird, and Tom was able to answer Leo's questions with ease.

Rolf Scamander looked at him with eyes full of admiration. This senior, who was only one year older than him, was just too amazing!

Tom didn't neglect the little guy either, telling him funny stories about Hogwarts from time to time:

Moving staircases, hidden passages, talkative portraits, and all sorts of ghosts.

Rolf Scamander's eyes lit up at the news, and even Leo couldn't help but be tempted, his desire to visit Hogwarts growing stronger.

Tina Goldstein's smile never faded during dinner, which was a very lavish meal.

Tina Goldstein made roast beef, mashed potatoes, vegetable salad, and a big bowl of cream of mushroom soup.

Leo was in charge of pouring the drinks, filling Newt Scamander's and Tina Goldstein's glasses, and then pouring Tom a glass as well.

"Children shouldn't drink alcohol," Tina Goldstein glared at him.

"Is he a child?" Leo gestured to Tom's build. "He's about 1.6 meters tall."

Tom picked up his glass and clinked it against Leo's. "I can drink, but my tolerance is so-so."

Tina Goldstein shook her head and ignored it.

It was rare for their whole family to gather together like this, especially with Tom, her beloved younger relative, joining them. Older people like this warm and lively atmosphere.

Tom had originally planned to say goodbye the next day, but seeing Tina Goldstein's appearance, he swallowed the words he was about to say.

Okay, I'll stay for two more days, consider it a rest.

He was exhausted from the recent trials, but since there's still a month of summer vacation left, he doesn't need to push himself so hard. Taking a break now and then is fine.

On the morning of the third day, Tom said goodbye, and Tina Goldstein held onto his hand, refusing to let go.

"Stay a couple more days, why are you in such a hurry to leave?"

Tom had no choice but to bring up Nicolas Flamel, and Tina Goldstein reluctantly let him leave, making Tom promise her he would come back next summer.

The beaches of Saint-Tropez and Pampelonne Beach in France are world-renowned, attracting a large number of tourists every year.

Sunbathing on the beach, swimming in the sea, and endless bikini-clad beauties to admire.

An old man lay under the awning, looking so aged that he seemed about to breathe his last.

At his age, he still came to join the fun on the beach, drawing admiring glances from many tourists.