Tom's consciousness sank into the system interface. Winning the House Cup had allowed him to complete two tasks at once.

One was the stage reward for the ongoing mission "The Greatest Student in Hogwarts History", and the other was Snape's commission.

However, the system showed Academic Year Settlement in Progress—the rewards hadn't been credited yet.

Tom didn't know when they would arrive, so he simply put that aside and turned his attention to another prize.

Because he knew Dumbledore was destined to suffer a setback today, Tom had deliberately activated the Learning Space during the evening feast so Grindelwald could see it.

The relationship between those two men was complicated, but watching Dumbledore's plans fail made Grindelwald as gleeful as a spoiled grandchild. His approval rating toward Tom skyrocketed from the forties all the way to fifty-eight, unlocking the Body in Action function while also granting Tom a second of Grindelwald's innate talents.

At first, Tom had hoped to draw Grindelwald's Prophecy talent, but this time he got Magical Power.

Initially, he thought the draw was a bust. But then he noticed something odd—his magical reserves were increasing rapidly over a short period of time… and the growth wasn't stopping.

So talents of the same type could stack and merge?

In that case, this draw wasn't a loss at all.

…

It was past midnight before the merry crowd finally dispersed. Tom had a few of Daphne's dormmates escort her back to her room.

The next morning, Hagrid led the students to the Hogsmeade train station to board the Hogwarts Express for home.

Every face was lit with bright smiles. With two and a half months of vacation ahead, they could spend at least two of those free from the tyranny of homework—enough time for an entire summer of joy. Diagon Alley, naturally, would become the most popular meeting spot for young witches and wizards.

To Tom's surprise, the twins greeted him with cheerful grins as if nothing had happened.

"Tom, want to hang out over the summer?" George asked.

Fred made a swinging-bat gesture. "You could come to our place and help with de-gnoming the garden—relaxing and cathartic. That's how we honed our Beater skills."

The twins were simple about it—so what if they'd lost? They'd lost plenty of times before. Tom hadn't used underhanded tricks to steal the Cup; he'd won fair and square, even publishing in the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers and earning honors.

Unfortunately, people with that attitude were a minority. Most Gryffindors currently ranked Tom as Public Enemy Number One.

Tom considered for a moment, then declined politely: "Over the summer… if it's Diagon Alley, sure—we could meet up. I could take you to the Muggle world to try some fresh food and fun. But going to your place? Better not. If I remember right, it's in Devon?"

"We can get there through the Floo Network," George offered eagerly.

Fred kept egging him on, which instantly put Tom on alert. "What scheme are you two plotting?"

The twins exchanged a glance, forced a laugh, and shook their heads far too quickly—radiating guilt.

In truth, they just wanted home-field advantage to pull a few pranks on him. They couldn't always be the ones on the losing end. Unfortunately, their overenthusiastic invitation had tipped him off.

Tom, now certain of their plan, decisively made his escape. He shepherded Daphne and Hermione onto the train and found an empty compartment.

Once settled, the three launched into a serious, meticulous discussion about Tom's summer schedule.

"I'm not sure how long I'll be in Britain," Tom said, "but at least until I get a reply letter, I won't be leaving. I expect Newt's letter will arrive by the end of this month."

"Then come to my house first," Daphne said quickly, eager to stake her claim. "Astoria's been wanting to thank you in person for ages. Every letter she writes, she mentions inviting you over."

"No way," Hermione cut in instantly. "If Tom goes to your house, will you even let him leave? The next time I see him would probably be at the start of term."

Daphne pouted, wanting to retort—but everything Hermione had said… was exactly her plan.

She intended to lure him in, then when it was time for him to go, use coyness and pleading to keep him there. If one person wasn't enough, she'd bring Astoria into it.

With Tom's gentle nature and tragic backstory, he'd never be able to harden his heart against her delicate, soft-spoken sister's pleas.

That way, she could keep him until right before his trip to America.

How hateful—this Granger had seen straight through a plan she'd been plotting for half a month!

Truly her lifelong rival.

"No comeback?" Hermione said, seeing Daphne struck speechless. Satisfied at having anticipated her move, she turned to Tom. "Stay in London for a month first. We can work on homework together, go shopping—and becoming a wizard doesn't mean you can ignore changes in the Muggle world."

"At least when it comes to fashion," she added, "I think Muggle clothes are far better than what wizards wear."

Tom suddenly felt a strange sensation—as though Hermione and Daphne were bidding against each other, and the prize up for auction… was him.

- - -

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