Hogwarts was being polished like a jewel for the visiting schools.
Old decorations were removed, new stonework repaired from basilisk damage, and Flitwick personally enchanted the brick to age properly so it matched the castle's style. At night, house-elves even flew on broomsticks, scrubbing the exterior walls until they gleamed like wet obsidian.
As for the suggestions Tom had given Professor McGonagall, those would have to wait.
He wasn't worried.
Last time he visited her office, she was designing the monthly exam papers.
He quietly lit a candle for every Hogwarts student.
…
"Riddle." Filch spotted him and his sour expression eased. He even greeted him warmly.
Tom lifted his foot.
"Don't worry, Mr. Filch. My shoes are spotless."
…
In the Room of Requirement, blood-red mist seeped out of a cauldron. Tom stirred slowly until the last trace of crimson vapor vanished.
The potion solidified, transparent, elastic, glimmering like a ruby-colored jelly.
A bite?
The idea appeared for half a second before Tom crushed it.
He was no Grindelwald, some brute who tested mysterious things on himself.
Thankfully, he'd secretly kept a couple of human test subjects when procuring materials for Grindelwald. These had been sent by Rozier, former prisoners of Bastille, dangerous criminals. One had tortured an entire Muggle family with the Cruciatus Curse for amusement.
Tom felt no guilt using him for research.
He cast the Imperius Curse, forcing the man to ingest the potion, quill ready.
[0:36 – Face flushing, mild pain. Low severity.]
[1:40 – Normal expression. Body expanding. Aura changing.]
[2:26 – Casting spells. Magical output increased. Potion effect confirmed.]
Five minutes later…
All that remained on the floor was a splash of blood and chunks of meat.
Tom sighed.
And people wonder why I don't test things on myself.
The transformation collapsed halfway, meaning the body couldn't utilize the newly formed flesh. The pain also needed to be neutralized, meaning he'd have to add numbing powder.
This would require recalibrating multiple ingredients. A nightmare.
Time to cheat.
He entered the meditation chamber.
EX transcendence mode.
…
Days passed, Easter break arrived. Students cheered after their last lesson, and Tom finally completed the formula. When his final test subject showed no side effects, he let out a long breath.
"Done. At least… the prototype."
Grindelwald had been observing through their linked perspective. He clicked his tongue.
"You really are something. Merely using your own body as a model and it actually worked."
"As long as it works," Tom shrugged, cleaning the room.
"And you? Any progress?"
Grindelwald sighed.
"Not everyone can improve Slytherin's research overnight. That man was a genius. It requires time."
Tom nodded.
"Then begin with small trials. I need controlled results. We can't assume every user will be perfect."
"Fine, I'll bring you some magical creature tissue next time."
"And what do you want to fuse first?"
Tom replied as if stating the obvious:
"A dragon, of course. Why waste time on anything less?"
Grindelwald's grin stretched wide.
If he had inherited Slytherin's work, he never would've shared it. He would've secretly strengthened his loyal inner circle and conquered nations.
Tom, however, planned to turn enhanced bloodlines into currency.
A new economy.
A new form of control.
…
"Tom."
He paused. Luna Lovegood stood behind him, dreamy as ever.
"Where did you come from?"
She pointed at a nearby door. "There. I was looking for you."
"Why not use WhatsApp?"
Luna blinked.
"Oh. Why didn't Ginny use WhatsApp?"
"No, I mean none of you did."
"I left mine in the dormitory," Luna admitted.
Tom facepalmed.
"Fine. Where is Ginny?"
…
Ten minutes later, they reached the courtyard garden. Ginny Weasley rushed toward him, triumphant, waving a rumpled parchment.
"I got it!"
Tom raised a brow.
"Marauder's Map?"
He accepted it, drew his wand, and tapped the parchment.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
Ink spread like wildfire. Rooms, hallways, secret passages, and dozens of names bloomed across the page.
Real and Genuine.
He glanced at Ginny. "I gave you half a month. You took six times longer."
"It's not my fault!" she protested. "Fred and George are too sneaky. I spent forever finding something to blackmail them with."
Tom crossed his arms, intrigued.
"In that case… tell me. What did you discover that made them hand over their prized possession without a fight?"