Hogwarts: This Dark Lord is so evil

It was midnight.

As Hogwarts Castle in the distance was plunged into darkness.

The Forbidden Forest suddenly became lively.

Not only did the Wizarding Purity Party, originally stationed there, come out in full force, but also a number of reinforcements appeared…

Two hours later.

Nurmengard.

Grindelwald sat in his seat, quietly looking at the three small spheres on his desk.

These three spheres were all made of goblin metal.

According to the information sent back by Annie.

They had discovered how to find this magical power in the ruins during their adventure tonight.

These magical powers were all wrapped in goblin metal.

Precisely because of this, their previous searches had been fruitless.

Annie said in her notebook that although they found the correct method tonight, they only found a large ball of magical power, and then the three of them divided it up and absorbed it.

Because Leif and Tom were there at the time, she had to absorb it together, and then she felt a significant increase in strength…

However, although they discovered the correct method tonight, they were unable to find the same metal spheres in other locations, only some manuscripts.

Having failed to find any more magical power, they returned together, intending to search slowly in the future.

As for those manuscripts, Annie said that she secretly used a Copying Charm to duplicate them when Leif and Tom weren't paying attention.

During the Christmas holidays, Annie would bring these things back to Nurmengard…

After receiving the news, Grindelwald launched a large-scale operation that very night, mobilizing the power of the Wizarding Purity Party to delve deep into the Forbidden Forest.

According to the information sent back by Annie, they re-searched those locations!

However, although they also found many manuscripts, that kind of magical power…

In so many ruins, only these three were found…

This undoubtedly made Grindelwald feel very dissatisfied.

However… judging from the remaining manuscripts, most of these powers had already been re-collected by that Professor Morgana, and then placed somewhere…

Only these pitiful three remained… or rather, four, as one was divided among Leif and his friends.

“In other words, as long as I find the place recorded in Morgana's manuscript… we can find all the remaining magical power!”

Thinking of this, Grindelwald's mood finally eased a little.

In any case, after searching for so long, there was finally a glimmer of hope…

Moreover, this little bit of hope was brought by that little guy, Leif.

He discovered the way to find this magical power!

Could it be that this child brings positive influences to me and my great cause?

Thinking of this, Grindelwald's heart was filled with fervor.

“In any case, we must pull those two children into our camp!”

Having made up his mind, Grindelwald took out the Elder Wand and gently tapped it on a small sphere on the table.

“Pop!”

Like a bubble being popped, a rich, black-red magical force floated in mid-air.

“This is…” A hint of surprise flashed in Grindelwald's eyes.

He could easily feel the powerful force contained within…

Grindelwald waved his wand lightly, and that ball of "residue" was quickly absorbed by him!

Grindelwald took a deep breath, then slowly opened his eyes, a look of satisfaction on his face.

“This is indeed good stuff… It's just a pity, there's too little.” Grindelwald said with some regret.

However, with those manuscripts! There are still clues!

If he could find the remaining magical power, or even directly find the way to create this magical power…

Then, in this world, no one would be able to stop him from doing anything!

…

The remaining time at school flew by.

In the blink of an eye, it was the day before the Christmas holiday.

Noon.

Leif and Tom were having lunch.

Currently, the plan was going smoothly.

Leif's mood seemed very relaxed.

However, Tom seemed a little nervous because he was about to see his family.

Suddenly, Abraxas walked over, “Leader, Professor Dumbledore is looking for you and Tom. He wants you to go to his office after you finish eating.”

Hearing this, Leif turned to look at the teachers' table.

Sure enough, Dumbledore wasn't there.

Dumbledore rarely dined in the Great Hall.

He was too busy.

This time, asking them to see him must be time he had managed to squeeze out with great difficulty.

“Thank you, Abraxas.”

After the meal, Leif and Tom walked towards Dumbledore's office.

“What do you think he wants to see us about suddenly?” Tom asked.

“We're not staying at school, so of course he has to ask us where we're going for Christmas,” Leif replied.

“Hmm… Do you think he might have found a place for us to stay?” Tom asked again.

“Possibly… but I think he probably wants to know why we don't want to stay at school for Christmas more. Because logically speaking, it would be safer and less lonely for us to stay at school for Christmas.”

Hearing this, Tom couldn't help but frown and stopped talking.

Before long, they arrived at Dumbledore's office.

“Knock, knock, knock.” Leif knocked on the door.

Then Dumbledore's voice came from inside.

“Come in.”

Leif and Tom exchanged a glance, pushed the door open, and walked in.

To Leif and Tom's surprise.

In Dumbledore's office, besides Dumbledore himself, there was also an old wizard.

“Good day, Headmaster Dippet, Professor Dumbledore…”

Leif quickly reacted.

Tom then greeted them as Leif did.

“Haha, so it's our Hogwarts' young talents!” Headmaster Dippet said with a smile.

“You flatter us, Headmaster Dippet.”

“What's there to be shy about? Your mutual aid society has swept away the decadent atmosphere of Hogwarts in just a few months! This is something I, as headmaster for so many years, couldn't achieve…” Headmaster Dippet said with a smile.

“We didn't do anything. It's all thanks to your support, Headmaster. You helped us withstand the pressure from those pure-blood families. Otherwise…”

“Haha, actually, it wasn't me. I didn't do anything. The one who helped you withstand the pressure was your Professor Dumbledore, oh, that's Deputy Headmaster Dumbledore now.” Headmaster Dippet smiled.

“Armando… don't say that. It was you who burned those pure-blood families' letters as firewood that allowed me to make up my mind.” Dumbledore said politely.

“Alright… stop flattering me. I know you have things to discuss. I'll leave first…” Headmaster Dippet, passing by Leed Weasley and Tom, added, “Well done, young men.”

Headmaster Dippet left, and Dumbledore pulled over two chairs, inviting Leed and Tom to sit down.

“Professor Dumbledore, what did you call us here for?”

As soon as he sat down, before Leed could speak, Tom asked directly.

“Well… because you didn't choose to stay at school, I wanted to tell you that I've found a place for you to stay.” Professor Dumbledore said with a smile.

“Is it a house we're buying? How much does it cost? Leed has money, he can pay it off.” Tom said.

Leed couldn't help but glance at him.

What's with this brat, always thinking about my money?

Dumbledore didn't even mention money!

Why are you bringing it up?

You wouldn't care if you were selling your grandfather's field, would you?!

It's not like you're the one earning the money!

“It's a house left by an old friend of mine, and now it belongs to me. So, it's free.” Dumbledore waved his hand. “Since you're not staying at school for the holidays, move in there.”

“That's wonderful, thank you very much, Professor Dumbledore, for finding us a place to stay despite being so busy.” Leed said with a grateful expression.

“It's nothing, just a small matter.” Dumbledore looked at Leed and Tom, his expression suddenly becoming serious.

Leed and Tom knew that Dumbledore was about to get to the point.

“I originally thought you would stay at school for Christmas. That house, I originally planned to let you move in during the summer vacation… Can you tell me, why aren't you spending the holidays at Hogwarts?”

Leed was about to speak, saying that he wanted to secretly visit Mrs. Cole or something.

However, before he could speak, Tom spoke again.

“It's my reason… I want to take advantage of the holidays to see my family… Leed plans to go with me.”

Leed looked at Tom in surprise. I haven't even started making things up yet, why are you confessing?

According to his previous understanding of Tom.

Shouldn't Tom say nothing and secretly go to see the Gaunt family?

Why is he now directly telling Dumbledore?

Dumbledore also seemed a little surprised, “Have you found any clues about your family?”

“Yes… I've been looking for clues about my father's surname, Riddle, but I haven't been able to find anything…”

“Later, Leed reminded me that perhaps I could try checking my mother's surname…”

“I originally thought that since my mother died destitute at the orphanage door, she might be a Muggle who didn't know magic… so I didn't bother to check before.”

“However, since I couldn't find my father's surname, I casually checked my mother's surname in the library… Gaunt.”

Dumbledore's eyes narrowed slightly, “Gaunt… your mother is from the Gaunt family.”

“Professor, do you also know the Gaunt family?” Leed asked.

“Yes, they should be descendants of Slytherin…” Dumbledore looked at Tom, “I'm sorry, Tom, I should have asked Mrs. Cole about your mother's name. If I had known earlier, you might have found your family sooner.”

“It's nothing…” Tom said calmly.

“So, you plan to go to the Gaunt family together?” Dumbledore asked again.

“Yes, is there a problem?” Tom asked coldly.

“Well… I shouldn't stop you, but I've heard that the Gaunt family has a bad reputation. If you go there rashly, there might be danger…”

“Bad reputation?” Tom frowned and asked.

“Yes… When I was helping in the Ministry of Magic, I chatted with some old Aurors, and they mentioned the capture of Slytherin's descendants in the past… because they often illegally cast spells on Muggles who strayed around their home!”

Tom's expression turned somewhat ugly upon hearing this.

Dumbledore continued, “When talking with them, I heard that Old Gaunt… that is, Marvolo Gaunt, was sentenced to Azkaban for 6 months for resisting arrest and attacking Ministry of Magic officials who came to his door.”

“These 6 months ruined his health, and he died not long after returning. So… you should still have an uncle. Given the Gaunt family's past reputation, and the fact that your mother would rather die at the orphanage door than go home… it's enough to prove that your uncle may not welcome you… Although you may find it unpleasant to hear me say this, I still have to be honest… So, even so, do you still want to see him?”

Tom was silent for a while, then said, “I still want to take a look at the Gaunt house.”

Dumbledore silently looked at Tom, and after a long while, the expression on his face softened.

“I'm very glad you can tell me this, Tom… I think it's great that you can trust me. However… I think it's necessary for me to go with you.”