The Dark Lord's Guide to Employment at Hogwarts

Tom was also very shocked. Dumbledore's attention to them far exceeded his expectations...

Dumbledore's idea was actually very simple. First, these two people were indeed rare talents. Second... Grindelwald was interested in them.

Although he didn't know why, since Grindelwald was interested in him, Dumbledore couldn't let Grindelwald succeed even if he didn't know the reason for the time being!

That's why he deliberately left Phoenix behind to protect Li Weide and Tom.

……

This house actually has five rooms on the second floor, and each room is not small.

Judging from the size of the living room, it was obvious that the five rooms were mostly due to the Undetectable Extension Charm.

Since there are more rooms, the two of them don't have to fight over one.

However, Tom still subconsciously chose the room farthest from Li Weide's room...

After packing their luggage, the two went downstairs and into the living room.

In the living room, Dumbledore was setting up a cozy nest for Fawkes the Phoenix on the fireplace.

Apparently, Fox liked the warmth of the fireplace.

"Fox likes to eat dried fish. I have a lot stored in the basement."

Dumbledore was decorating the Phoenix Nest while giving Toby instructions.

"Well, there's still a lot of food in the basement. If you run out, you can ask Wade to write to me and let me know. I'll prepare it for you so you don't have to risk going out to buy it."

"Toby can go out and do some shopping. Then Apparate straight back home," Toby said respectfully.

Toby knew very well what Li Weide was thinking.

If I have to ask Dumbledore even to buy food, what's the difference between that and house arrest?

It would be best to be as self-reliant as possible and to be as far away from Dumbledore's supervision as possible.

"Okay. If you encounter any problems, be sure to come to me." Dumbledore reminded again.

At this time, Li Weide and Tom had already come down.

Dumbledore asked, "So... when do you plan to visit the Gaunt family?"

Tom pursed his lips before saying, "Today...if you have time."

"Okay." Dumbledore nodded without objection. "The Gaunts' house is in Great Hangleton. We can still use this fireplace to get there directly... By the way, I won't close this fireplace. If you want to go anywhere else, it's safer to use it."

"Would you like to have some breakfast first? Toby has already prepared several servings of food." Toby asked cautiously from the side.

"Okay, we haven't had breakfast yet."

Levander did not refuse the kindness of the house-elf, which made Toby grateful...

Dumbledore's eyes softened upon seeing this.

Levid even considers the feelings of his own house elves...

In the wizarding world, how many wizards can do this?

Dumbledore felt that he was not mistaken.

"Weid, you are such a gentle child..."

Tom watched from the side and felt a little suffocated.

Only by performing so hard can Dumbledore change his opinion of me a little bit.

But this guy Levid... just a few words can make Dumbledore praise him greatly!

Tsk, it seems that I still have a lot to learn!

"Hiss... Is there a possibility that I don't need to think too much and just imitate that bastard..."

Chapter 121 How dare you! Insult my mother like this!

Levid left both Kneazle and Nagini at 81 Godric's Hollow.

Then he and Tom followed Dumbledore out through the fireplace.

The fireplace exit is located in a wizard tavern.

The wizarding component of the tavern appears to be quite complex.

Li Weide and Tom both felt several unfriendly gazes falling on them.

However, with the presence of Dumbledore, an adult wizard, those unfriendly glances quickly disappeared.

By the time they walked out of the pub, they were already in Great Hangleton.

It has to be said that the fireplace is indeed the most convenient way for wizards to travel.

Dumbledore identified the direction and then walked forward with Levitra and Tom.

It was obvious that Dumbledore had already discovered the route in advance.

"This time we chose the fireplace in this tavern in order to be faster... If you want to travel by yourself, it's best to choose some fireplaces that are not so remote." Dumbledore led the way in front and did not forget to look back and remind them.

Li Weide nodded to indicate that he remembered it. Seeing this, Tom also nodded quickly.

He has decided to imitate Li Weide's words and deeds.

After all, there must be a reason why Li Weide can easily gain the favor of most people!

Tom followed Dumbledore closely, but his mood became increasingly uneasy.

After all, he will be able to see his relatives soon...

Even if this relative may not welcome me as I imagined...

Tom followed Dumbledore for a long time and suddenly frowned.

Because he found that Dumbledore was going to a remote place...

The Gaunt family should be considered a relatively glorious pure-blood family. Shouldn't their mansion be in the city?

Tom's mind was full of doubts.

Li Weide saw his expression from the side.

"Tom, you seem a little confused?" Li Weide asked.

"Nothing... nothing..." Tom's eyes were a little evasive.

Li Weide suddenly laughed and said, "In fact, many pure-blood families that were once glorious have fallen into decline, so... not all pure-blood families are so glamorous."

"How...how do you know what I'm thinking?" Tom asked in surprise.

"That's easy to guess, Tom. Your thoughts are written all over your face." Li Weide said with a smile.

Tom quickly lowered his head. He felt that Li Weide's dark eyes seemed to be able to see through people's minds completely.

Damn it! Has his Legilimency improved again?! I better be careful next time!

Dumbledore also heard the conversation behind him.

He said with regret, "Tom, the Gaunt family has indeed declined... Like other pure-blood families, they uphold ideals that are increasingly incompatible with the times... Even as their financial situation declines, they still haven't given up on extravagance... And they're not very good at running a family business, so naturally, the results won't be very good."

……

Another ten minutes passed.

When Tom saw the small wooden house in front of him...or even a shack made of wood, it would be more appropriate to call it that.

Everyone fell into complete silence.

The Gaunt family, descendants of Slytherin and with a glorious past... actually lives in a place like this now?

How could someone who could live in such a place actually claim to be a descendant of Slytherin?

A surge of anger rose in Tom's heart for no reason!

Li Weide was also looking at the dilapidated wooden house in front of him.

Apart from an S-shaped dead snake nailed to the door of the wooden house, which barely showed that the person living here was a descendant of Salazar Slytherin, there was nothing else related to Slytherin...

At least that's what it looks like from the outside.

At this time, Tom's face had turned ashen, and his eyes were filled with disappointment and anger that were difficult to conceal.

Even though he had anticipated the decline of the Gaunt family, the reality still made him feel deeply ashamed!

What a shame for being a descendant of Slytherin!

Dumbledore and Levid stood aside and waited very patiently.

They all knew Tom's character very well, so they all understood how heavy a blow this scene was to the proud Tom.

After a long while, Tom took a deep breath and said, "Let's go knock on the door..."

After saying this, it seemed as if all of Tom's strength was drained away.

Dumbledore nodded, "Wait a moment..."

As he spoke, he took out his wand and gently waved it in the air.

Then Li Weide felt something was opened in front of him.

"Some minor curses... they'll be fine once they're broken. Let's go in."

Dumbledore casually removed the evil curse that the Gaunt family had maliciously placed around them and strode in.

Tom looked at the places where the curse had been lifted, and his face grew even uglier.

Many of those places are even on the side roads!

If an uninformed person passes by here, even a wizard will suffer...

From this we can see that what others say about the Gaunt family having a bad reputation and liking to use evil curses against Muggles is not groundless!

"Knock, knock, knock!" Dumbledore knocked on the door of the Gaunt family's old house.

"Who is it?" a rough voice came from the room.

What followed was the sound of heavy footsteps and cursing.

"Crack!"

The wooden door was roughly opened from the inside.

A thin man with disheveled hair, ragged clothes and a snake coiled in his hand walked out.

He had an ugly and strange face, and his gloomy eyes quickly swept over the three people in front of him.

But when he saw Tom, his eyes became a little suspicious.

Li Weide noticed that he was wearing an obsidian ring on his hand that was totally incompatible with his outfit...

"I don't know you! Who are you?"

Tom felt even more disappointed when he saw the rude man in front of him from behind Dumbledore.

As a descendant of Slytherin, Tom imagined that no matter how down and out he was, he should be polite and handsome... Even if he wasn't handsome, at least he should have the elegant manners of a pure-blood family...

Just like Abraxas Malfoy, although he is weak, his behavior is actually very measured after he stopped bullying.

But now it seemed that the man in front of him, the man who seemed to be his uncle, was as rude as the Muggle porters he had seen before...

At this moment, Tom's last bit of filter for the noble Slytherin descendant was completely shattered...

"I am Albus Dumbledore, a professor at Hogwarts. You are Mr. Morfin Gaunt, right?" Dumbledore remained humble and polite even when facing such a rude person.

Tom felt even worse when he saw this scene... It turned out that the descendant of Slytherin he imagined was actually like Dumbledore?

"Albus Dumbledore?" Although Morfin Gaunt stayed at home all year round, he felt that the name sounded familiar.

He stared at Dumbledore warily, "What are you doing here? I don't know you! I don't owe you any money!"

Dumbledore turned to look at Tom, "Come here, Tom."

Tom clenched his hands into fists hidden under his robes, gritted his teeth, and walked to Dumbledore's side.

"The child's name is Tom Marvolo Riddle, and his mother is Merope Gaunt. In other words, you should be his..."

Before Dumbledore had finished speaking, Morfin's face instantly turned from pale to the color of pig kidneys!

"Aha! I just thought you looked familiar! You're the bastard born from that bitch and that filthy Muggle! What a shame! This is a disgrace to the family!"