Harry Potter and the Great Old Ones

Chapter 845

As dawn broke, the sky above Tasupankai village took on a dreamlike hue, and numerous wizards and spectators gathered at the foot of the tower, holding their breath in anticipation of this historic moment.

The three candidates emerged from the ancient stone temple and stood side by side on the platform atop the ancient tower, each with a different expression.

Tom Riddle wore a faint smile, as if he were confident about everything, or perhaps—

They were indifferent to all of this.

Tom Riddle was unusually pleased today—

Soon, very soon, very soon all of this will be over.

Everything is proceeding according to plan.

Tom Riddle looked down at the wizards and witches who had come to participate in the final round of the International Federation of Magical Societies' presidential election, and gazed at the bustling crowd.

Faced with Tom Riddle's gaze, some people felt intimidated and hurriedly lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes, while others angrily raised their heads and glared at Tom Riddle.

But more often than not, they smiled and nodded at Tom Riddell.

Tom Riddell's theories, though radical, were very much to their liking.

Isn't this the kind of radical voice that's needed in this day and age?
Therefore, the vast majority of people supported Tom Riddell's election.

If it weren't for the requirement of the "Qilin Crawling" procedure in the election for the president of the International Magic Federation, they would have preferred to assassinate the other two candidates directly and push Tom Riddle into the position.

As time passed, the sunlight began to shine throughout the gathering place, illuminating every corner and revealing the tense emotions of everyone present.

The moment that will ultimately determine our fate will eventually arrive.

An elderly man dressed in a heavy robe slowly walked out of the temple.

Behind the old man followed a majestic Qilin, its tall body almost as tall as a person, covered with golden scales that shimmered in the sunlight.

The Qilin's eyes gleamed with wisdom, and its four hooves pounded the ground, each step accompanied by a slight rumble of thunder, as if one could feel the earth trembling.

It's time to start!

Everyone waited anxiously.

The three candidates slowly turned around.

With his back to his constituents, he faced the Qilin.

The Qilin paced forward a few steps, looking at the three candidates one by one. Its eyes were deep, as if it could see into the soul of each person. When the sound of the Qilin's hooves echoed on the stone slabs, the air in the entire venue seemed to freeze.

Finally, the Qilin stopped in front of the candidate in the middle—

That was Jerome Stavlock, a candidate who hadn't been considered a strong contender before. But at this moment, the Qilin lowered its head, its two forelegs gracefully bent, as if to express its respect and approval. This action caught everyone present off guard, immediately triggering a soft murmur of surprise.

When Qilin's move confirmed Jerome Staflock's victory, the atmosphere in the entire party venue instantly became more dynamic and exciting.

The unexpected choice filled the room with sudden whispers and surprised murmurs, as if every tiny sound was trying to decipher this shocking turn of events.

Amidst the cacophony of voices, the joy and excitement of Jerome's supporters stood out starkly. Their cheers and jubilation became the most direct expression of emotion on the scene; the hugs, laughter, and hat-throwing in the air were not only celebrations of victory but also a display of hope for the future.

Meanwhile, the reaction from supporters of the other two candidates, especially Tom Riddell's supporters, was quite different. Faced with the unfavorable outcome, their disappointment and dissatisfaction were expressed through low, guttural boos that spread through the crowd, carrying a hint of agitation and resentment.

Although their emotions expressed their dissatisfaction with the outcome, it is undeniable that the election was conducted fairly according to the rules. Their reaction, while understandable, cannot change the facts.

Jerome Staflock was both surprised and expectant of the result. He first glanced subtly at Tom Riddle standing beside him, and found that Tom did not seem to have changed because of the result, still wearing a faint smile on his face.

But this was not the time for Jerome Staflock to ponder what Tom Riddell was really thinking.

Jerome Stavlock also bent down slightly, gently supporting the Qilin's horns with both hands, and helped the Qilin up.

The Qilin raised its head and gently touched Jerome Staflock's head with its mouth—

At this point, all the procedures were completed, and everything was settled.

The next president of the International Federation of Magical Societies has been confirmed as Jerome Stavlock.

At this moment, Jerome Staflock turned around, waved, and greeted his supporters and the wizards he was about to guide.

The other two candidates, Tom Riddle and Bridget Baker, also turned away calmly, their expressions identical, seemingly confident.

"Soon. Soon," Tom Riddle said, showing no sign of frustration at his defeat, simply glancing up at the sun.

“It will be soon,” Tom Riddle said casually.

Now he just needs to wait.
Tom Riddle thought this
“Mr. Riddle.” But someone didn’t want him to wait patiently. After a brief greeting to his constituents, Bridget Baker’s expression turned cold. “I have a question for you.”

"Oh?" Tom Riddell tilted his head. "I wonder what the Chairman would like to ask?"

“Mr. Riddle, I find some of your ideas a bit radical, but I am very interested in some of the policies you put forward during the debate,” Bridget Baker said politely. “To be honest, Mr. Riddle, although we have been competitors in the past, I think we may become collaborators in the future.”

“Oh, really?” Tom Riddle chuckled softly.

At that moment, Bridget Baker had the illusion that the person standing in front of him was not the handsome young candidate, but a venomous snake hissing and flicking its tongue.

“But there’s one problem that I’m afraid it will be difficult for us to become partners if you don’t answer it clearly.” Bridget Baker’s tone suddenly changed, and his expression became unusually serious.

“According to our investigation,” Bridget Baker took a few steps back, distancing herself from Tom Riddle, “the second Dark Lord currently active in this world, Voldemort, also used the name Tom Riddle, and his photograph from his youth is exactly the same as yours. Do you have anything to explain?”