Harry potter:Dark lord

Tom covered his nose, staring at the strange creature in front of him devouring food. His face twisted in disgust.

"Where did you find this?"

"This is not just some 'thing'—this is a house-elf. His name is Toby, and he is my most loyal servant."

Robert added a chicken drumstick to Toby's plate as he spoke.

"What is that?" Tom asked in confusion.

Having just entered the wizarding world, Tom had no idea what house-elves were.

Before Robert could answer, Toby suddenly jumped up and started shrieking like a madman.

"Ah! Great Master Wade! Kind Master Wade! How could I let you serve Toby food? Toby is unworthy! Toby must punish himself!"

Just as Toby picked up Tom's new cauldron, preparing to smash it on his own head, Robert calmly gave an order.

"Stop. I order you to finish eating."

Toby froze, then reluctantly put the cauldron down. His large, tennis-ball-sized eyes brimmed with tears as he sat back down and resumed eating.

"Oh... Master Wade is truly the best and greatest master in the entire world!"

Tom watched the scene unfold, frowning.

"What exactly are house-elves? And has he always been this neurotic?"

Tom had been unable to sleep, so he packed his things and went to find Robert. The moment he entered the room, he saw Robert ordering Toby to eat. Having never seen a house-elf before, Tom had no idea what had happened while he was gone.

Robert patted Tom's shoulder and said in a serious tone, "Don't worry. Although your status has dropped from 'most loyal servant' to 'second most loyal servant,' I'll still treat you just as well as before."

Tom's face darkened instantly. The veins on his forehead bulged. He spoke slowly, enunciating each word:

"Who are you calling your servant?"

"Tom… you aren't as respectful to me as you used to be. Now do you see why you were demoted from first servant to second servant?" Robert said, shaking his head in mock regret.

"You absolute idiot..." Tom clenched his fists but managed to hold back. He reminded himself: Calm down… You can't beat him yet… Stay calm…

He took several deep breaths before finally suppressing his anger.

"What's wrong? Are you hungry too?" Robert looked between Tom and the pot of food. "There's some left. If you want—"

"No! I'm not hungry at all!" Tom snapped, barely controlling himself.

"Alright, if you insist." Robert shrugged and pushed the pot toward Toby, letting him continue eating.

"So, what exactly are house-elves?" Tom asked again.

"House-elves are the most loyal servants of wizards. They also possess unique magic. While their abilities might not seem as powerful as wizard magic, they're incredibly useful for household tasks. I read about them in a book at the bookstore today."

Robert then recounted his encounter with Toby earlier that day. He figured there was no point in hiding the house-elf—after all, Toby would be following him everywhere from now on.

"I don't think this filthy creature is of any use," Tom said with disdain, eyeing Toby.

"Never underestimate any creature, Tom. If you do, you'll regret it someday." Robert's tone was oddly serious.

By this point, Toby had finished everything on his plate and even licked the pot clean.

"Master Wade, Toby has never been so full..." His voice trembled, and he looked as if he was about to cry again.

"Alright, Toby. Go find a place to rest, and make sure you clean yourself up. I don't want to see you looking this filthy again."

Toby sobbed but bowed deeply. "As you wish, Master Wade."

Then, with a loud BANG!, he vanished into thin air, leaving behind a sound like a whip cracking against the ground.

Tom's eyes widened.

Robert smirked. "At least now you won't have to wash the dishes anymore."

Only then did Tom notice that the dishes and pots, which had been left scattered on the ground, were now spotless.

He had to admit—Toby was an expert house-elf. His kitchen magic was flawless.

Suddenly, Tom's expression changed, and his eyes gleamed mischievously. "Washing dishes is nothing. I could actually cook for you."

"You're planning to poison me, aren't you?" Robert remained unimpressed.

"Tsk… Was it that obvious?"

As time passed, the sky grew lighter, and the first hints of dawn appeared on the horizon.

Robert sat on the bed, engrossed in The Count of Monte Cristo.

Tom, on the other hand, paced near the window, growing increasingly impatient.

"Could it be that Dumbledore's people forgot to pick us up? It's nearly morning," Tom muttered.

Robert slowly closed his book and smirked. "Isn't that them?"

"Who? Where?" Tom asked.

The moment the words left his mouth, a distant neighing sound echoed through the sky.

Tom's eyes darted upward.

The sound of hooves grew louder, and suddenly, a carriage emerged from the misty clouds. At first glance, there were no horses pulling it—only a middle-aged man seated in the driver's position.

Robert, however, saw something different.

In his vision, three eerie, black-winged creatures—thin as skeletons yet majestic—were pulling the carriage down toward the orphanage.

Thestrals.

Robert recognized them immediately. They were magical creatures that could only be seen by those who had witnessed death firsthand.

Before time-traveling, Robert had encountered death, so he could see the Thestrals. But Tom—who had never truly faced death—saw only an empty carriage gliding through the air.

With a loud BANG!, the carriage landed in front of the orphanage's gate.

Oddly enough, no one in the orphanage or on the street reacted. It was as if they couldn't see or hear anything.

Just then, the carriage door swung open.

A woman stepped out—a dark-skinned witch with curly hair, holding a book in one hand. She gazed at the orphanage's entrance before tilting her head up, looking directly at the window where Robert and Tom stood.

Her lips curved into a smile.

Then, in an instant, she vanished.

Tom's eyes widened in shock. "Where did she go?"

"Are you looking for me?"

A woman's voice suddenly came from behind them.

Tom spun around, heart pounding.

Robert turned as well. The witch had somehow appeared right behind them.

Tom's face paled. "Who… who are you? How did you get in?"

One moment she had been outside; the next, she was inside their second-floor room. Just thinking about it sent chills down his spine.

The witch smiled and extended a hand. "Hello, my name is Eulalie Hicks. You can call me Professor Hicks."

Tom eyed her warily, refusing to move.

Robert, however, shook her hand without hesitation. "Professor Hicks, were you sent by Professor Dumbledore to pick us up?"

Author's Note:

Eulalie Hicks is a character from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. She is a Charms professor at Ilvermorny and an early member of Dumbledore's Army.

Also, I plan to include a young Professor McGonagall in upcoming chapters—though, according to the original timeline, she should only be around three or four years old at this point…

(End of Chapter)

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