Harry Potter: I, Tom Riddle, am not the Dark Lord Chapter 202 202: The Baited Firepit

Just monts ago, Snape had spoken up for Tom as if the two were on the sa side. But now—now it felt like Tom had shoved him straight into the firepit on purpose.

Catching Dumbledore's suspicious glance, Tom answered boldly, voice steady and righteous:

"I believe our House is fully capable of handling the curse-breaking, Professor."

"And if they cannot?" Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"Then next year, we'll find another candidate. Oh—speaking of which, Slytherin will be needing a new Head of House as well."

The faint trace of a smile that had lingered on Snape's face vanished in an instant. His expression sank like storm clouds.

So Riddle's defense earlier hadn't been sincere after all—he really had been setting Snape up.

"Best to leave it, I think." Dumbledore shook his head. "We should be thankful Lockhart is still able to serve as Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts…"

Tom leaned back in his chair, voice calm but sharp-edged. "Professor, the managent of this school isn't sothing a re student like ought to interfere with. But surely you see—just because no one else has stepped forward, it doesn't an we should allow a fraud to take the position. Better no professor at all than one who drags the rest down with him. You know that truth better than anyone."

"Continue like this, and you risk lowering the reputation of every professor in Hogwarts."

He t Dumbledore's gaze, unflinching. "Punish however you wish for today's incident. I'll accept it. But one thing is certain—Lockhart can't continue in his role."

Dumbledore thought a mont before replying. "Using magic in the corridors, brawling, and damaging the castle walls—Slytherin will lose one hundred points. And for the next month, you will serve detention under Professor Snape's supervision."

Though it reeked of favoritism, Dumbledore had little choice. The school rules had no clear clause about a student striking a professor, so he was forced to cobble together charges that even Snape found laughable.

"As for Lockhart…" Dumbledore sighed. "Tom, everything I've said is speculation, without solid evidence. I cannot dismiss him on re suspicion."

"What if I find the evidence?" Tom asked evenly.

Dumbledore's brows lifted. "And how would you intend to do that? You must rember—Legilincy and Veritaserum are strictly prohibited."

Tom's lips curved, but he gave nothing away. "Professor, I won't trouble you with details. But you should be prepared—your reputation may take so minor damage."

Dumbledore chuckled, unconcerned. "So long as you don't jeopardize yourself over the likes of Lockhart, I care little what people say about . I'm just an old man. My reputation matters far less than your future."

He leaned forward, eyes kind but resolute. "You have my word. If you can present undeniable proof, I will dismiss Lockhart at once and hand him over to the Ministry."

"Then I'll bring you good news soon."

Tom rose from his chair, gave a courteous nod, and strode toward the heavy oak door. At the threshold, he paused, glancing back.

"Oh, one more thing, Professor. I greatly admire Headmaster Phineas Nigellus. Would you consider lending his portrait for a ti? There are… academic matters I wish to consult him on."

Dumbledore had just pulled back the curtain, thinking Tom had left, when Phineas's furious voice rang out:

"Dumbledore! You didn't expel him?! And absolutely not—my portrait stays where it is! Don't you dare hand over to that boy!"

"Peace, Phineas," Dumbledore said gently. "This is your ho. You won't be going anywhere."

Tom smirked faintly, turned on his heel, and exited with Snape at his side.

The oak doors closed with a heavy thud. No sooner had they stepped into the corridor than Snape spoke at once:

"Your use of Levicorpus was clever. How did you manage to make the spell affect the portrait itself?"

Tom replied matter-of-factly, "I fused in elents of illusion charms. My target wasn't Phineas, but the background of the portrait itself."

Snape blinked, intrigued.

"At that point," Tom added with a faint smile, "it's not really Levicorpus anymore. I'd call it Inverted World."

Snape nodded slowly, thoughtful. An interesting idea indeed… If the environnt can be inverted rather than the person, then the possibilities are far broader.

Truth be told, Snape had enjoyed himself today. Lockhart's presence at Hogwarts had been nothing but a humiliation for the staff—lecturing Professor Sprout on how to treat the Whomping Willow, attempting to "improve" Snape's own potions.

No one but a true lunatic would behave so insufferably.

"Tom!"

Three voices called out in unison.

Daphne, Astoria, and Hermione had been waiting anxiously outside the office ever since Tom was summoned. The mont he stepped out, Daphne threw herself at him.

"Dumbledore didn't do anything to you, did he? If he dares, I'll tell Mother to call for a Board of Governors eting and force him to back down!"

The indignant Head of Slytherin might as well have been invisible. Snape was left standing on the sidelines, watching as three young witches sward the boy, then slipped away in silence, expression unreadable.

Tom hugged Daphne lightly, smiling. "No need to worry. Dumbledore only deducted a hundred points from Slytherin and sentenced to a month of detention with Professor Snape. But I don't plan on actually serving it."

"That's a relief." Hermione exhaled as though narrowly spared from disaster. "When Daphne told you'd struck Lockhart, I nearly lost my mind. He's a professor! No student in Hogwarts history has ever dared attack a professor—at least not openly."

Tom's grin sharpened. "He won't be one for long. I've already spoken to Dumbledore—Lockhart will be gone within days."

"What?" Hermione's eyes widened. "But the school year has barely begun—it's only been two weeks!"

"That just ans we get to see him gone sooner."

Daphne's eyes glead. "Then let's give him a proper sendoff—one last beating before he leaves!"

Astoria hesitated for a heartbeat, then nodded firmly. "Yes. He deserves it."

Tom chuckled, first praising Daphne, then cautioning her: "Not yet. As long as he still wears the title of professor, we can't touch him. But once it's over—once everything is settled—we'll collect our interest."

"Fine," Daphne agreed sweetly. "We'll wait."

Tom ruffled her hair affectionately, then turned to Hermione. "Hermione, if we want him expelled properly, we need to prepare. We'll head back to the common room first. You get so rest—we'll talk tonight."

Hermione nodded gravely. "Just… be careful. Please."

Once, she had adored Lockhart like a star-struck fan. But after today—and after his pitiful blunders last week—her admiration had curdled into disgust. Now, she fully believed Tom. Lockhart was nothing but a fraud.

After Hermione left, Tom guided the Greengrass sisters back toward the Slytherin common room. The heavy stone door closed behind them.