Hogwarts: I, Tom, am really not Voldemort!

Yesterday, Mr. Barty Crouch was tragically attacked at his home. Subsequently, the perpetrator cast the Dark Mark near Crouch Manor and, using Polyjuice Potion to transform into Mr. Barty Crouch, raided the Ministry of Magic. After being pursued by multiple Aurors, the perpetrator successfully escaped. Upon learning of this, Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge was furious and convened a meeting overnight, stating that this incident, one of the most egregious in the history of the magical world, would be investigated to the fullest extent.

This case is suspected to be the work of Death Eater remnants. However, according to Rufus Scrimgeour, Head of the Auror Office, the perpetrator of this incident is Albus Dumbledore.

His words are so definitive that our reporter is forced to reconsider the relationship between Dumbledore and the Death Eaters, as well as the true role Dumbledore played in the war against the Dark Lord.

Furthermore, regarding Dumbledore's attack on Mr. Barty Crouch and the reasons for his intrusion into the Ministry of Magic, according to an internal source, Dumbledore and an individual suspected to be a Death Eater were engaged in unspeakable acts when they were discovered by Mr. Crouch's house-elf, leading to the attack on Crouch Manor. Dumbledore's intrusion into the Ministry of Magic was to find a way to prolong his endurance while engaging in certain unspeakable acts within the Department of Mysteries.

As Dumbledore is currently missing, the Ministry of Magic is vigorously searching for his whereabouts and urges the public to actively provide information regarding Dumbledore's location.

The truth of this incident remains to be seen, and our reporter will continue to follow up. — Rita Skeeter

The next morning, Miss Voldemort brought Tom the latest issue of the Daily Prophet. Reading this front-page article, freshly printed after an overnight rush, Tom felt it would undoubtedly become the most discussed topic in the wizarding world this year.

Didn't you see the faces of the professors who received the newspaper at the teachers' table? Professor McGonagall even slammed the table heavily after reading it, loudly denouncing: 'Utter nonsense!'

As Tom had predicted, the Daily Prophet's article caused a great uproar in the magical world as it spread rapidly.

Given Dumbledore's good image in the magical world for so many years, most people did not believe it and even accused Rita Skeeter of spreading rumors. However, some conspiracy theorists felt that Dumbledore's actions must have a deeper meaning. But what was most speechless was that some bored people, based on this report, fabricated a lot of 'hook-up' literature about Dumbledore, which became popular in the magical world for a time.

In any case, Headmaster Dumbledore, who was originally highly respected, became a sensation once again, but... well... being blacklisted is still fame, right?

Unfortunately, for Dumbledore, who was still traversing mountains and rivers searching for Horcruxes because of Tom's tall tales, he was completely unaware of everything happening in the magical world at this time.

A few days later, when Dumbledore and Grindelwald returned to Hogwarts, dusty and tired, Professor McGonagall was the first to greet them, hesitant and stopping short: 'Albus, you...'

Unfortunately, before Professor McGonagall could finish speaking, Tonks, who had been waiting at Hogwarts for several days, received the news and arrived with the Aurors.

Grindelwald thought his Lockhart facade had been exposed and that the Aurors were coming to arrest him. His right hand was already on his wand, ready to act at the slightest sign of trouble.

However, Tonks and the other Aurors didn't even look at him, walking straight to Dumbledore: 'Albus Dumbledore, in light of your actions of attacking Crouch Manor and intruding into the Ministry of Magic a few days ago, we hope you will come with us to assist in the investigation.'

'?'

What attack on Crouch Manor? What intrusion into the Ministry of Magic? Looking at the Aurors pointing their wands at him, Dumbledore felt that he had only been away for two days, how did things become like this? What was going on?

Seeing that Dumbledore was not speaking, Tonks thought he was planning to act directly, and immediately became very nervous, saying sternly: 'Professor Dumbledore, don't think about resisting, you can't escape. It's best to come with us, if there is any injustice, we will definitely give you justice.'

Dumbledore was still a little confused after hearing Tonks' words, completely unclear about what had happened. Just then, a small hand kindly handed Dumbledore a copy of the Daily Prophet.

Numbly taking the newspaper, and seeing Tom, who had rushed over with a beaming smile after hearing the news, Dumbledore was 100% sure that nothing good would come of this.

After reading the report, Dumbledore was filled with mixed emotions, not knowing what to say.

Framing, shifting blame, and how could they slander him, an old man of a hundred years? It was simply insane, devoid of humanity.

And immediately, Dumbledore looked at Tom Riddle, whom he identified as the instigator of this incident, only to see Tom, taking advantage of the Aurors' attention being on him, mouthed to him: 'Do you like this belated Christmas gift, Professor?'

As expected, it was Tom who did it. Dumbledore felt not only his head starting to ache again, but this time even his fists were starting to clench. Unfortunately, Dumbledore had not yet figured out what had happened, let alone have any evidence to accuse Tom. Seeing Grindelwald preparing to fight the Aurors, he had no choice but to say: 'I'll go with you.'

After speaking, he gave Grindelwald a reassuring look, telling him not to act yet.

After Dumbledore was taken away by the Aurors, when Tom and Grindelwald were alone, Grindelwald picked up the newspaper Dumbledore had left behind and began to read it. As he read, his expression became very unsightly.

After finishing reading, he crumpled the newspaper into a ball, glaring at Tom: 'You did this, didn't you?' His tone was full of certainty.

Tom nonchalantly admitted: 'What if I did? Anyway, there's no evidence. Besides, with Professor Dumbledore's influence in the magical world, he'll just take a trip to the Ministry of Magic and definitely be fine in the end. Even if the worst happens, don't you exist? After all, who in the world is more skilled at rescuing people from the Ministry of Magic than you are?'

Grindelwald didn't seem to hear Tom's words at all, approaching him step by step, as if he might directly engage in a real PK in the next second.

That aura fully displayed the demeanor of the Black Lord who swept across Europe in those years, even Tom was intimidated by his aura and couldn't help but take half a step back.

'Let's make it clear first, I'm willing to fight, but can we change the location first? I'm afraid I'll directly demolish Hogwarts here.'

But Grindelwald just stared at Tom coldly, the chilling intent in his eyes made Tom shiver. After a moment of silence, Grindelwald slowly opened his mouth: 'May I ask, Mr. Tom Riddle, who exactly is that suspected Death Eater who is doing unspeakable things with Albus?'

'Ah?!!!'

Grindelwald, you're focusing on the wrong thing!