Again?!
Professor Dumbledore almost fainted when he got the newspaper. Can't they just leave this old man alone?
Rita Skeeter, do you even read what you write in your reports?
Explain to me what you mean by the Order of the Phoenix and Death Eaters being the same gang, and that they only split up because Professor Dumbledore and Lord Voldemort had a dispute over their spoils. Seriously, when were he and Lord Voldemort ever in the same gang, and fighting over spoils? This is slander and fabrication, understand?
Also, what do you mean the Wizarding War back then was just Professor Dumbledore and Lord Voldemort fighting over territory, trying to re-annex each other? Should I send you a Time-Turner and send you back to that era so you can have a good talk with Lord Voldemort about this issue, and see if he'll send a Killing Curse your way?
Furthermore, what's this about the White Wizard returning and Professor Dumbledore soon dominating the magic world? He was completely bewildered by yesterday's events. He felt like the reputation he had painstakingly built in the magic world over so many years was about to disappear. It was all Tom Riddle's fault. Could it be that he really lost his mind playing with Horcruxes?
And what in the world is that entire page dedicated to "The Dumbledore Canon"?
Listen to this: "May your path on earth be as it is in your kingdom."
This is an attempt to elevate him, Professor Dumbledore, to a dangerous height. How will the people of the magic world view him, Professor Dumbledore, if this continues?
Professor Dumbledore wearily put down the newspaper, feeling more exhausted than ever before.
When he looked up again, he was met with the complex gazes of the other Professors; clearly, they had also finished reading Rita Skeeter's report.
Grindelwald even communicated with him through his eyes: 'If you had this intention, why did you do this to me back then? If you had just asked, I would have helped you achieve your wish long ago.'
Finally, Professor McGonagall voiced everyone's thoughts: "Albus, all these years, have you truly been the puppet master controlling everything in the magic world?"
I'm not, I didn't, don't talk nonsense! Professor Dumbledore felt like he couldn't clear his name even if he jumped into the River Thames. So this is what it feels like to be socially dead.
Today, he absolutely had to have a 'loving' discussion with Tom Riddle.
When he looked towards the Slytherin table, he found it empty.
Huh?
Where's Tom?
An ominous premonition arose in Professor Dumbledore's heart.
Just as Professor Dumbledore began to get suspicious, Tom was already sitting gracefully in Sirius Black's small apartment.
"Tom, why are you here? Didn't you not submit an application to leave school for the Christmas holiday?"
Harry looked at the unexpected early morning visitor with a puzzled expression.
"Who says you can't leave school without a leave application? Just ask Sirius if he agrees."
Sirius, who was sitting nearby and suddenly called upon, subconsciously nodded: "School rules are meant to be broken, aren't they, Tom? The first time I saw you, I thought you were more suited for Gryffindor. The Sorting Hat must have been broken to sort you into Slytherin."
"Stupid dog!" Tom cursed inwardly, secretly making another note about Sirius in his little notebook.
Then he turned his gaze back to Harry: "Did you receive the Christmas present? Do you like it?"
Harry instantly remembered the "365 Strategies for Chasing Your Wife" Tom sent him, as well as the freshly released James Potter and Sirius Black cards, which were reportedly limited editions. His face immediately flushed crimson, and he whispered like a mosquito: "I like it, thank you."
At this moment, Tom, smiling, pulled out two contracts and handed them to Harry: "Take a look."
"What are these?" Harry picked up the contracts in confusion and began to read. "Investment and Shareholding Agreement? And a Charity Foundation Fundraising?"
"That's right, recently I've partnered with someone to do some small businesses, and at the same time, set up a charity foundation. We're currently seeking investment, and I thought of you."
Looking at Tom's serious expression, Harry was still puzzled: "Why me?"
"Come on, you're the Savior, and the heir to the Potter family. You're famous and rich, who else would I look for if not you?"
"Besides, Harry, if you don't invest, how can I invest? If I don't invest, how will Professor Lockhart invest? If Professor Lockhart doesn't invest, Professor Dumbledore won't consider investing. And if Professor Dumbledore doesn't invest, how can you and I make progress? Don't you agree, Harry?"
"Huh?"
Harry looked at Tom with a bewildered expression. What was all this about?
Fortunately, Lupin, the only reliable person present, had already finished reading the contracts he took from Harry's hand and returned them to him.
"Harry, the contracts are fine, and the cost isn't much for you. What do you plan to do?"
Hearing Lupin say this, Harry, trusting that Lupin and Tom wouldn't deceive him, immediately signed his name on the contracts.
When Tom put away Harry's contracts, Sirius suddenly spoke: "How about I invest a share too?"
A sucker, no, a sugar daddy had voluntarily shown up! Tom's eyes instantly lit up, and he immediately pulled out new contracts and handed them to Sirius.
Sirius, who had always been grateful to Tom for rescuing him from Azkaban and wanted to find an opportunity to repay him, signed his name without a second thought.
After Sirius finished signing, Tom thoughtfully took out a list of investors and handed it to them: "Here, this is the list of shareholders so far. Please check it."
After both of them finished reading, Sirius suddenly jumped up, his gaze towards Tom changing: "Why are most of the people on this list Death Eaters? Could it be, Tom, that you..."
"Of course not. Am I so idle that I would join a dead-end group like the Death Eaters? I'm closely following Professor Dumbledore's footsteps. This matter was initiated by Professor Dumbledore himself, and all these candidates were strongly recommended by Professor Dumbledore. Haven't you all read today's newspaper?"
As Tom spoke, he kindly handed today's The Daily Prophet to the three of them. After reading Rita Skeeter's article, the three were shocked and then fell silent.
After a while, Sirius asked in a dry voice: "It must be fake, right? How could Professor Dumbledore be the Death Eaters' new master?"
"There are photos, and so many people at the Ministry of Magic witnessed it yesterday. There might be some exaggeration, but it's very likely true. Perhaps Professor Dumbledore couldn't bear to see the Death Eaters continue to do evil and took them in, or perhaps Professor Dumbledore's true nature is like this. Who knows? Anyway, I just know that following Professor Dumbledore's footsteps is definitely the right choice."
After leaving that remark, Tom turned and left Sirius's apartment.
Meanwhile, Harry and the other two struggled to digest this enormous shock. Was this magic world still the one they knew? What was real and what was fake? They simply couldn't tell!