The Hog's Head Inn

Andros tried to explain clearly in the simplest terms, "You need to infuse your magic with the strange energy of heaven and earth; only then can its power be doubled."

"I'll teach you the most basic magic circle drawing techniques first. Watch carefully."

Tom listened intently; the allure of Ancient Magic alone was enough to keep him glued to his screen.

That night, he stayed up all night in the Study Space, even activating his Transcendental State twice, without even closing his eyes.

Tom reluctantly left the Study Space when Daphne woke up at nine o'clock in the morning.

The two went to the Great Hall for breakfast together, and Daphne took Astoria to chat with Hermione.

Tom then took Albus Dumbledore's note and went to report to Professor McGonagall.

Professor McGonagall held the approval slip, turning it over and over in her mind for a long time, her brows furrowing in worry.

If it weren't for Albus Dumbledore's signature and magical mark on it, she would have almost thought it was a forgery by Tom.

After all, the permit didn't mention anything important, just a simple statement. "Tom Riddle is permitted to travel to Hogsmeade on Saturday," which seemed rather strange.

"Professor, Mr. Scamander asked me to go to the Hog's Head Inn and talk to the owner about the poachers."

Tom made up an excuse in a very serious manner, without blushing or skipping a beat.

Upon hearing Newt Scamander's name, Professor McGonagall suddenly realized who he was, nodded, and personally escorted him out of the castle.

Before leaving, she repeatedly reminded him, "Mr. Riddle, come back as soon as you're done, and don't leave the Hogsmeade area, understand?"

"Don't worry, Professor, you can trust me to handle things." Tom nodded, turned, and stepped onto the path leading to Hogsmeade.

After walking for about half an hour, Tom arrived at Hogsmeade.

Today wasn't an open day, so the village was unusually quiet, with hardly any pedestrians on the streets.

He walked along the main road until he reached the end of the village, where two paths diverged.

On the left is Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop, and on the right is the post office.

Turn into a small alley next to the post office, and there's a small bar at the entrance.

A dilapidated wooden door, with a wooden sign hanging on a Scabbers bracket.

Above it was a picture of a severed pig's head, with the words "Hog's Head Inn" written crookedly.

Tom pushed the door open and went in, simultaneously activating the Study Space so that Ariana could see the outside.

The bar was empty; there wasn't a single person in it.

He saw a rusty, shiny bell on the bar, walked over and gently pressed it twice; the shrill sound echoed in the empty bar.

Five minutes later, a furious roar came from upstairs, so loud it almost shook the roof.

"Are you blind? The bar only opens at night! Get out of here!"

"Boss, come down and greet the customers! You're dawdling, slower than Snape grading homework!"

Tom banged on the bar counter in a nonchalant tone, showing no fear of the anger coming from upstairs.

The next second, with a loud bang, the upstairs door was kicked open, and an aggressive old man came down cursing.

The old man was ridiculously unkempt; his long white beard was matted and pilling, his hair was a mess like a bird's nest, and he was wearing a wrinkled pajama.

His collar was open, making him look like he had just crawled out of a garbage dump. When he saw that the newcomer was a young wizard, his anger flared up even more.

"You little brat, sneaking out of school and you dare to act so arrogantly? Believe me, I'll owl you right now and have your professor drag you back to solitary confinement!"

Tom slowly pulled out Albus Dumbledore's approval slip, waved it in front of him, and exuded an incredibly irritating aura.

"Who told you I snuck out? This is Albus Dumbledore's personal permission."

"Professor McGonagall personally escorted me to the castle gate. Go ahead and sue me if you dare, and see who ends up in trouble!"

These words were like adding fuel to the fire; Aberforth instantly bristled, roaring like a bear whose tail had been stepped on.

"Albus Dumbledore! That good-for-nothing, coward, old geezer!"

"Is this how he manages schools? A brat like you should be thrown into the Forbidden Forest to feed the Giant Squid!"

There are many people in this world who hate Albus Dumbledore, Voldemort is probably the most hated, but there are very few who dare to name him and curse him so filthily.

Others might dare to make sarcastic remarks, but only Aberforth dared to vent all his resentment towards his own brother.

Tom remained expressionless, chatting in his mind with Ariana.

"How's it going, Ariana? Has your second brother not changed at all? Still as hot-tempered as ever."

In the Study Space, Ariana smiled, her tone much lighter.

"He hasn't changed at all. He used to fly into a rage just like this when he argued with Albus."

"Every time we got really into a fight, he would put Muffliato on me first, but I have Obscurus, and his magic never worked."

Ariana finally found familiar faces in this unfamiliar era, and the fear in her heart lessened considerably.

Unlike Andros and Gellert Grindelwald, who were worldly-wise and quick to accept reality, she was just a little girl who had suffered a great trauma.

Having first accepted the fact of his own death, and then being thrown into a world decades later, the unease in his heart has never dissipated.

"That's good. You can come and tease this old man whenever you have free time to relieve his boredom," Tom said with a smile.

"But Aberforth has a bad temper, I'm afraid he'll hit you," Ariana whispered worriedly.

"What are you afraid of? If we really fight, I'll call Andros out, and he'll be the one getting beaten up."

Tom didn't care. "But don't worry, I'll go easy on him and spare his life so you can recognize him as your relative."

This isn't Tom being cowardly; Aberforth's strength is definitely far greater than Snape's.

In his youth, he was able to participate in the three-way duel between Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald, and during the Kirin Election, only he and Albus Dumbledore reacted.

He withstood the Killing Curse of Gellert Grindelwald at his peak, wielding the Elder Wand.

Being able to withstand the Dark Lord for even a short while is itself a remarkable feat.

Tom had previously asked Gellert Grindelwald about Aberforth's actual strength.

Grindelwald scoffed, "I gave him a good beating back then; he's just trash."

Tom thought to himself, "Nonsense, who isn't trash to the Epoch Wizards?"

Tom and Ariana were chatting animatedly, completely ignoring the furious Aberforth.

Seeing that the brat was ignoring him, Aberforth stormed downstairs in anger, reaching out to pick up Tom and throw him out.

Tom only slowly raised his hand when Aberforth's hand was almost touching his collar.

"Stop, stop fooling around. Aberforth Albus Dumbledore, I've been sent to find you."

Aberforth abruptly stopped, a sharp glint flashing in his cloudy eyes. "You know me?"

"Uncle Newt Scamander sent me. He told me a little something about you, oh, and some little secrets about your son," Tom said casually.