Hogwarts: I, Tom, am really not Voldemort!

With the end of the Christmas holidays, students who had gone home for the break returned to Hogwarts.

The Great Hall, bustling with renewed activity, now had an uninvited guest at the staff table.

"Who's that guy who looks like a toad? A new professor?" Draco asked Tom in a low voice at the Slytherin table, filled with curiosity.

Tom looked at the person at the staff table and frowned in displeasure.

The short, plump figure, the thick neck, the wide, round face, coupled with a pink outfit, made it hard to not immediately recognize her identity.

"Dolores Umbridge, an official from the Ministry of Magic."

"A Ministry of Magic official? What's she doing at Hogwarts then?" Draco asked, greatly puzzled.

"She's probably here for Professor Dumbledore. Didn't you read Rita Skeeter's reports from a few days ago?"

"In those reports, didn't Professor Dumbledore become the new master of the Death Eaters? Given Fudge's level of suspicion towards Dumbledore, it would be strange if he didn't send a trusted aide to investigate."

Tom gave Cassandra an approving look. As expected of someone who had been through the loop and properly trained by him, she was much more reliable than Draco, who currently only knew how to shout, 'I'm going to tell my father.'

After Dumbledore introduced Umbridge to the students and announced that she would be residing at Hogwarts as the High Inquisitor for the remainder of the school year, Cassandra quietly asked Tom, "What should we do next?"

"Wait and see. Tell Hermione and Harry to avoid conflict with her as much as possible. If they are questioned, they should tell the truth. Heh heh, with her restless nature, she'll soon offend someone she shouldn't."

"Are you referring to..." Cassandra inexplicably turned her gaze towards the Lockhart version of Grindelwald at the staff table. "I think I understand what you mean."

......

In the days that followed, Umbridge became like an annoying fly buzzing around the castle.

Umbridge's series of actions quickly earned her the title of the most unpopular person at Hogwarts. Not a single teacher or student could stand her.

And at this time, she focused her attention on the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, or rather, on Gilderoy Lockhart, who had a close relationship with Dumbledore during this period.

......

"What main topics have you studied in Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

"We mainly studied Dark Arts."

"Be more specific. Which Dark Arts have you studied?"

"We've currently finished learning the three Unforgivable Curses, and some outstanding students have started learning Fiendfyre. We have a general understanding of the others."

"Was it Gilderoy Lockhart who taught you?"

"Yes, it was mainly Professor Lockhart who taught us. In our first year, Tom Riddle from Slytherin also taught us some things."

"Why would Tom Riddle teach you?"

"Professor Dumbledore made him a teaching assistant for Defense Against the Dark Arts for a while."

"What was their relationship with Professor Dumbledore like?"

"It seemed like they had a good relationship with Professor Dumbledore. I often saw Professor Dumbledore coming to find them."

After using some means on a student, Umbridge finally extracted the answer she wanted from him.

Dumbledore had indeed turned Hogwarts into a training center for his private army. The young wizards had already learned the Unforgivable Curses and even Fiendfyre. Once they grew up, they would become a huge threat to the Ministry of Magic.

And among them, Gilderoy Lockhart and Tom Riddle were the two biggest accomplices.

......

"Lockhart, I advise you to think carefully. I can definitely find a reason to send you to Azkaban for what you're doing now. I'm giving you a chance now. As long as you stand with the Ministry of Magic, stand with Minister Fudge, and expose some of Dumbledore's crimes, I, on behalf of the Ministry of Magic, can refrain from pursuing your actions."

"There's only one chance. Think carefully. My patience is limited."

After speaking, Umbridge left in anger, clearly the conversation with 'Lockhart' had ended unhappily.

Grindelwald watched Umbridge's departing figure, his eyes filled with coldness, as if he were looking at a dead person.

"That's too much, isn't it? I didn't expect she'd actually provoke you. So, what are you going to do, Professor Grindelwald?"

Tom, who had somehow smelled gossip and popped out of nowhere, asked Grindelwald.

In his heart, he felt a hint of 'pity' for Umbridge. Why did she have to provoke Grindelwald, especially about Dumbledore? Heh heh, old woman, toad, you've chosen your own path to death.

"Tom, believe me, I will make her disappear from this world without a trace."

So, you're too lazy to even use persuasion and plan to directly burn her to ashes with Fiendfyre? At most, you might use a Cruciatus Curse before that.

What an uninspired idea! Umbridge might even die too quickly to feel any pain. Professor Grindelwald, are you sure this is a punishment for her and not a reward?

But as a centenarian, it's probably difficult for Grindelwald to come up with any new tricks.

Seeing Tom staring at him, Grindelwald felt a pang in his heart. What was it this time? He felt like he hadn't said anything wrong.

......

Just as Umbridge's life entered its countdown to death, she approached Tom.

On the night after speaking with Grindelwald, Umbridge summoned Tom to her office.

Tom immediately went with great interest, as he really wanted to see what kind of trouble this toad Umbridge could cause.

After Tom and Umbridge sat face to face, she directly opened her mouth: "I heard from other students that you are Dumbledore's favorite student, and he even arranged for you to be a teaching assistant for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Is that so?"

"It's all thanks to Professor Dumbledore's kindness," Tom said with a shy smile.

"Then are you aware of Dumbledore becoming the new master of the Death Eaters?"

"I've heard a little about it. What's wrong?" Tom quietly waited for her to continue.

"Then, if you don't want to go to Azkaban, how about identifying Dumbledore?"

Sigh, the same speech as she gave to Grindelwald. I really overestimated her. How uninspired.

Seeing that Tom didn't speak immediately, Umbridge took out a set of torture tools, and even the famous punishment quill was among them.

Was she planning to force a confession through torture?

Tom's eyes narrowed. Old woman, toad, you have indeed chosen your own path to death. Grindelwald was still too kind.