Chapter 911 - 367: Voldemort in His Youth (2)

Chapter 911: Chapter 367: Voldemort in His Youth (2)

Very soon, the ancient magic discussion group was temporarily established in Vienna at the Ministry of Magic.

After a series of discussions, they finally came up with a practical plan.

Harry received the plan and immediately began practicing.

Initially, he started with the dark wizards assigned to him by Vivi; at first, he could only perform mind reading, but gradually, through practice, Harry could pull someone’s thoughts into his own spiritual world.

In this aspect, he achieved effectiveness from Vivi.

When retreating from the spiritual world, Vivi glared at Harry indignantly and walked into the bathroom with a leg crossed.

Upon returning to Hogwarts, the O.W.L.s exams had already concluded.

Harry did not go to find Ron and Hermione; he directly went to the Headmaster’s Office at Hogwarts.

"It seems you’ve achieved results, right?" Dumbledore asked with a smile.

"Yes," Harry nodded and said, "I can start with dead objects like Hufflepuff’s Golden Cup, ensuring that the carrier won’t be damaged before using it on Nagini."

"No problem," Dumbledore said cheerfully.

"However, I need to take the Golden Cup away," Harry said to Dumbledore, "Vivi advised me, whenever using mind reading on a soul artifact, it must be done in front of her."

"Alright," Dumbledore nodded happily, "If Miss Grindelwald is willing to help us, that would be even better."

An old person at home is like a treasure, and now there are two treasures, Dumbledore thought blissfully.

But if Vivi knew what he was thinking... then things might not go too well.

The two of them used the power of the phoenix to apparate to Vienna; initially, Fox was a bit unwilling, but upon hearing they were going to Vienna, Fox almost immediately nodded and agreed.

"So you must bring this silly bird, right?" Vivi showed a clearly disgusted expression upon seeing Fox.

Ha, this silly bird, must be headed for Fiona!

"I think it’s better not to interfere with free love," Dumbledore raised his eyebrows and said.

Vivi’s little face instantly sank.

She did remember, it was this England village girl (not really) who seduced her brother.

Ha, you have the face to talk about free love in front of me?!

"Let’s not talk nonsense now," Vivi said sombrely, with a palm-sized little face, "Harry, I think you’re ready... so let’s start."

Harry nodded and signaled to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore carefully opened the bag, using a magic spell to guide Hufflepuff’s Golden Cup onto the desk in front of Vivi.

Harry drew out his magic wand, aiming at Hufflepuff’s Golden Cup.

"Legiliments (mind reading)!"

He felt a whirl, followed by a pull, falling into the outer areas of a castle within his spiritual world.

Where is this place?

Harry wondered as he slowly walked forward.

Then he realized, this was Hogwarts fifty years ago.

He walked all the way to the Slytherin head office and pushed open the door.

Inside sat someone whom Harry did not recognize; he had thick, glossy, straw-colored hair and a ginger-colored beard on his chin.

This should be the Potions professor and Slytherin head from fifty years ago, Harry thought. Just from appearance, he was indeed more pleasing than Professor Snape—Harry was at least sure this professor had a habit of washing his hair.

The professor was sitting in a comfortable winged armchair, his feet resting on a velvet foot cushion, one hand holding a small glass of wine, while the other was picking from a box of candied pineapples.

Six or seven boys were seated around Slughorn, one of whom Harry recognized—Tom Riddle, with Marvolo’s black-gold ring glinting on his finger.

As Harry walked into the office, Riddle opened his mouth.

"Professor Slughorn, is Professor Galadia Melos really going to retire?"

Harry recognized that this professor’s name was Slughorn—he remembered his parents mentioning this professor; his dad had also insulted him for lacking judgment.

"Tom, Tom, if I knew, I couldn’t tell you," Slughorn said, reproachfully waggling a sugar-frosted finger at Riddle, while also winking. "I must say, I’d like to know where you get your information, you know more than half the professors."

Riddle smiled; the other boys also smiled, casting him admiring looks.

"You little elf, knowing things you shouldn’t and charming important people—thanks for the pineapples, by the way, you’re quite right, they’re my favorite—"

The boys chuckled again.

"—I’m confident you will become Minister for Magic within twenty years. If you constantly bring me candied pineapple, only fifteen, I have firm connections in the Ministry."

The other boys laughed; Tom Riddle merely smiled.

Harry noticed he wasn’t the oldest among them, but they all seemed to regard him as their leader.

"I don’t know, Sir, I don’t know if politics is for me, Sir," when silence fell, Tom Riddle spoke. "I have no background."

Harry thought, indeed, you have brought your talents to Dark Magic.

Nearby, a pair of boys exchanged smiles. Harry believed they just recalled a private joke, perhaps knowing or guessing it related to their leader—Riddle’s distinguished ancestors.

"What’s that," Slughorn said heartily, "even wizards from old families aren’t necessarily as talented as you—no, you’ll do great things, Tom, I’ve never misjudged a student."

A small golden bell rang for time behind Slughorn on the desk; it was eleven o’clock.

"Good grief, is it time already? You’d better go, good children, or we’ll be in trouble—Lestrange, I want your paper tomorrow, or you’ll have detention, you too, Everett."

The boys lined up and walked out of the room one by one.

Slughorn stood from the armchair and placed the empty glass on the desk. He made a movement that caused him to look around; Riddle still stood there.

"Hurry up, Tom," Professor Slughorn urged, "you wouldn’t want to be caught out after curfew, would you? You are Class Prefect, lead by example."

"Professor, I wanted to ask you something." Riddle said, his demeanor unhurried.

"Then ask quickly, child—" Slughorn said.

"Professor, I wanted to ask if you knew about soul artifacts," Tom inquired.

Professor Slughorn did not get angry, instead, he stared intently at Tom, and Tom Riddle also met his gaze.

"Is it a Defense Against the Dark Arts class topic?" he asked.

Harry could tell, Slughorn knew it wasn’t schoolwork.

"No, sir, I read about it in a book and didn’t quite understand," Tom Riddle said.

At that moment, Harry suddenly realized, Riddle had turned his head and was looking at Harry.

Harry initially thought it must be something seen in Riddle’s memory, but unexpectedly, Riddle smiled at him, a smile so creepy.

Harry immediately became cautious.

Following this, Professor Slughorn vanished.

Riddle also pulled out his magic wand and aimed it at Harry.

"Alright, alright, little young wizard," Riddle said with a smile, "I really didn’t expect you to dare break into my soul artifact—"