Who Thinks They Have Too Much Money

Tom rolled his eyes at him. "What 'huh'?"

"We'll deal with everything once Gellert Grindelwald is out of Nurmengard. For now, we should just stay put and conserve our strength."

Ultimately, Gellert Grindelwald was also his teacher, and he would have to release him sooner or later.

Tom Riddle will definitely have to care for the first Dark Lord until his death. As for whether he'll offend Albus Dumbledore?

That's not within his consideration. Isn't the point of living to make yourself comfortable? All this worrying and worrying is exhausting.

"I understand," Ross replied listlessly, his face filled with disappointment.

Anyone else would be secretly thrilled to have such an easy task, but he loves seeking excitement and finds it boring now.

But he didn't dare disobey Tom, after all, he still needed someone's help.

The next second, Ross ' fat face instantly broke into a fawning smile. "Young Master Riddle, could you please ask Lord Gellert Grindelwald to sign my autograph for me?"

Tom's eyelids twitched so badly he almost rolled his eyes.

"He's still locked up in Nurmengard. You want me to go in and get it for you? I'm afraid once I'm in, I won't be able to get out."

"Can't you contact the adults?" Ross persisted.

"We can only chat. If he could bring things out, I would have brought him out long ago."

"Then, you must mention my name to the adults! Say that I am Acolyte Ross Wilkinson, and that I idolize him!"

Tom grew increasingly curious as he listened, raising an eyebrow and asking, "Ross, shouldn't you, an United States wizard, be hostile towards Gellert Grindelwald?"

"Not only do you not hate them, but you even joined the Acolyte. What are you thinking?"

Ross scratched his head and gave a shy smile, "It's nothing, I just want to learn the adults' Transfiguration."

"Then transform into Percival Graves and make his son Robert call me grandpa!"

Tom was speechless; he had underestimated the abstract nature of this guy.

So, they joined the Acolyte just to settle a score from back then? That's incredibly petty.

"Human Transfiguration, is that it?" Tom sighed helplessly.

"I've already learned this spell. As long as you behave well this year and don't cause any trouble, I'll teach it to you as a reward."

Ross' eyes lit up instantly, and he almost jumped off the sofa.

"Riddle, Master Riddle! I promise I will be absolutely obedient and will never cause trouble!"

"By the way, young master, are you short of money lately? I've got some extra cash on me and can offer you a small token of my filial piety!"

Tom waved his hand. "I don't need any more. I found a rich girlfriend and a rich teacher. I've already achieved Galleon freedom."

"Alright then." Ross looked regretful; he'd hoped to prove his loyalty with a bribe, but Tom had ended up living off her?

Before he could even feel disappointed for two seconds, Tom added, "But if you insist on giving it to me, I won't refuse. It's never a bad thing to have more Galleon."

Ross: Good, good, good, that's the style a disciple of the Dark Lord should have—greedy and straightforward, no problem.

With the two thousand Galleon that Ross had "given" to him, Tom returned to the Great Hall, where a tempting lunch was already laid out on the table.

Daphne had already prepared a large plate of roast meat and bread for him, according to his preferences.

There was also a bowl of thick soup for dipping bread—such a thoughtful touch.

"What did Professor Wilkinson say to you?" Daphne leaned closer and asked curiously.

"It's nothing. He saw that I learned the Iron Armor Charm quickly and thought I had talent, so he gave me a permit for the Restricted Section."

"Let me figure out the complex spells myself, and ask him if I don't understand." Tom pulled out the approval slip he had casually asked for and waved it at Daphne.

"I thought you were going to fight. How boring." The little witch said, her face downcast and full of disappointment.

"Sister, can you please stop thinking about fighting all the time?" Astoria shook her head helplessly.

"Professor Wilkinson is already very kind, why did Tom have to fight with him?"

Tom continued eating without looking up, "Ignore her, she's just stirring up trouble, she's got nothing better to do."

"Hmph!" Daphne pouted, turned her head away angrily. Her sister and Tom were both starting to dislike her now. It was too much!

But less than two seconds later, she reverted to her carefree self and moved closer to Tom.

"Tom, tomorrow's the weekend! I've come up with another way to deal with Megatron. Can I try it again?"

"Tomorrow won't work." Tom put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and said, "I'm going to Hogsmeade tomorrow, and I don't know when I'll be back."

"Hogsmeade?" Daphne tilted her head, puzzled. "Isn't it only for third-year students? And tomorrow isn't open day."

"I have something very important to do," Tom said, taking a sip of his onion and cod soup.

"Thanks for reminding me, I haven't applied to Albus Dumbledore yet."

Although he had the ability to sneak out, the rules were still in place, and he was still going to see Aberforth Albus Dumbledore.

There's a high chance Albus Dumbledore will also know that there's no need to offend anyone over such a trivial matter; it's better to go through the motions and save face for both sides.

"Fawkes," Tom called softly, his tone as casual as if he were calling his own pet.

A ball of fire descended from the sky, Fawkes flapped its wings, landing steadily on Tom's shoulder and nuzzling his cheek.

Several professors around him twitched at the sight. Albus Dumbledore's phoenix, how come it now looked like Tom's personal pet?

They come at a single summons; they can hardly tell who the owner of Fawkes is anymore.

"Please give this note to Albus Dumbledore and tell him I'm waiting for his reply."

Tom used magic to quickly write the note and put it in Fawkes's paw.

The phoenix nuzzled his face again, flapped its wings, and flew towards the principal's tower.

In the Headmaster's Office, Albus Dumbledore stared blankly at the empty birdcage.

Fawkes never uses Apparition in the castle when he goes out, so what's wrong with him today?

Before he could figure it out, Fawkes flew in through the window and slammed the note onto the desk.

Then she tilted her head and stared at him, looking at him with a "look quickly" expression.

Albus Dumbledore: Alright, now I understand everything.

Are students these days really this lazy?

It's just Seventh Floor tower; couldn't I have gone there myself? Why bother Phoenix as a messenger? The world is going to the dogs.

He sighed inwardly as he unfolded the note.

After reading it, Tom's expression didn't change, and he shifted the blame to Newt Scamander again.

He said he was going to Hogsmeade to find Aberforth in order to help Newt Scamander find out where the poachers were.

The Hog's Head Inn in Aberforth may look unassuming, but it's a popular spot for many dark wizards to make deals.

No one knew that this grumpy bar owner was Albus Dumbledore's brother, and that he possessed a great deal of intelligence.

Moreover, Newt Scamander did indeed have contact with Aberforth, and Tom had already spoken to Newt Scamander through IChat, making it a flawless affair.

"Chirp chirp--!"