Chapter 390: Tom

The assistant for Care of Magical Creatures was probably the best position Hagrid could have dreamed up.

It was far better than being a gamekeeper’s assistant or deputy key keeper.

It was also his subtle scheme—think about it, the person standing before him was a renowned figure throughout the magical world.

How could such a “humble” work history exist?

Green, he ought to be like Dumbledore—radiant.

“Hmm, I agree.”

Wizard Sean did not hesitate.

He needed to practice weather charms and space charms; before crafting a tailored environment for magical creatures, he had to find a suitable location to encounter and raise them…

What place could be more suitable than the Forbidden Forest?

“Thank you! Thank you! Brilliant!”

Hagrid’s beard bristled upward.

Thus, the Forbidden Forest gained a new gamekeeper—officially titled, assistant for Care of Magical Creatures.

It must be said, every Hogwarts gamekeeper had extraordinary “legendary deeds.”

The previous gamekeeper, Hagrid, had once tried to feed a dragon in his hut, and kept a three-headed dog he called “Fluffy”;

The second gamekeeper, Mr. Green, before even taking office, had stored a basilisk in the Forbidden Forest and defeated a giant eight-legged spider…

“Have you ever heard of such a young assistant?”

Ron, eavesdropping, blurted out involuntarily.

“Given Wizard Sean’s knowledge of magical creatures,”

Hermione recalled Wizard Sean, who had accompanied Newt and even been invited to his home, and said slowly,

“Ron, he could teach you ten times over.”

At this, Ron’s eyes widened.

“Don’t joke, Hermione… I think it’s a hundred!”

This made Harry burst into laughter, but then he suddenly stopped, his smile fading.

It… actually made sense…

A gentle breeze stirred the neat hedges beside Hagrid’s cottage; the lawn, beneath a pale blue-and-pink sky, lay silent, swaying softly.

After afternoon tea, Hogwarts Castle sank into a lazy stillness.

The golden sun dipped behind the treetops as a giant wizard loudly took his leave:

“Goodbye, off to dinner now… I’ve one more piece of good news for you—the feast will surprise you—”

Hagrid’s voice echoed through the empty Forbidden Forest.

“What surprise? Good heavens, even Hagrid can keep a secret?”

Ron was astonished.

In any case, amid this faint anticipation, everyone returned to Hogwarts Castle.

At this final feast of the Hogwarts Christmas break, everyone ate heartily, including the young witches and wizards who had just returned to school.

They had been reluctant to leave, but now, after a few conversations about recent Hogwarts gossip and a few bites of apple pie, Hogwarts suddenly felt charming.

The Great Hall remained magnificent.

Not only were there a dozen Christmas trees dusted with silver frost, and thick garlands of mistletoe and holly crisscrossing the ceiling, but also enchanted snow—warm and dry—gently drifting down from above.

Wizard Sean and the others had just sat down, pondering what Hagrid’s surprise might be,

when moments later, Dumbledore arrived, and the hall’s chatter gradually quieted.

“Another term has passed!”

Dumbledore declared cheerfully,

“Before you enjoy these delicious feasts, I must trouble you to listen to an old man’s ramblings.”

His words caused everyone to lean forward; Wizard Sean’s neighboring students exchanged glances and instantly understood that Hagrid’s surprise was about to begin.

“Long ago, before I chose to become headmaster of Hogwarts, a shocking murder occurred here.”

The hall fell utterly silent, then everyone began whispering at once, pulling out recent newspapers.

“Yes, just as those reports stated. Oh, my dears, imagine the situation facing Headmaster Armando Dippet at the time.”

Dumbledore pulled out a notebook and tapped it; the notebook began speaking as if recounting its own story:

“I falsely accused Hagrid.

You can imagine what Armando Dippet had to face.

On one side was me, Tom Riddle—poorly born but brilliant, orphaned yet resourceful and courageous, prefect and model student;

On the other side was the clumsy giant Hagrid, awkward, trouble-prone, causing a new incident every week.

Yet I must admit, even I never expected the plan to unfold so smoothly. I thought surely someone would realize Hagrid could not possibly be the Heir of Slytherin.

It took me five full years to uncover the Chamber’s secrets and discover its hidden entrance… Could Hagrid possibly possess such intellect or ability?

Only Professor Dumbledore, the Transfiguration teacher, believed Hagrid innocent. He persuaded Dippet to keep Hagrid, training him as gamekeeper.

Yes, I believe Dumbledore suspected something. Dumbledore never seemed to favor me as the other teachers did…”

The voice pulled everyone into a long-buried past; now, they were listening to the confession of a murderer.

Some students trembled.

“I’d bet Dumbledore saw through him long ago.”

Harry spoke slowly, each word deliberate.

Those around him nodded.

Yet the voice from the diary continued—a voice arrogant, repulsive, careless:

“Ever since Hagrid was expelled, Dumbledore has kept a close watch on me—annoying.

I knew it was no longer safe to open the Chamber while I was still at school.

But I couldn’t let all those years of searching for the Chamber go to waste. I decided to leave behind a diary. One day, through luck, I could Making Guide another person to follow in my footsteps and complete Salazar Slytherin’s noble mission—kill all the Mudbloods—”

The voice turned sinister; many Muggle-born witches and wizards were frightened.

After all, this was the past of a heinous criminal—and a death threat.

“T-That diary…”

Ernie Macmillan of Hufflepuff asked shakily.

“Yes, the diary has appeared—it’s right here in my hand.”

Dumbledore smiled warmly,

“So, you can all guess. Somewhere unknown to us, a fierce battle took place.

Therefore, I have some house points to award. Let me see… Ah yes…

Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, by bravely following their companion’s guidance, discovered the means to destroy the dark magic within the diary. For this, I award each of them one hundred points!”

A wave of gasps swept through the hall; now, the Gryffindor students understood where their sudden surge of points had come from.