— — — — — —

In this world, the British wizarding world didn’t actually have all that long a history, yet its influence was undeniably immense.

Leaving aside the elusive and half-mythical Merlin, just the Four Founders of Hogwarts alone were legendary figures known across the world.

Among the four founders, Hufflepuff had been the most low-key. The other three, though? Their legends hadn’t spread merely through the British Isles. They had carved those names out through blood, battle, and legacy.

After they settled in Britain, the pure-blood families there gradually flourished. Hogwarts continued producing outstanding witches and wizards generation after generation, while the rise of Muggle power also pushed wizarding society in certain ways.

That was how the arrogance so common among British pure-bloods came to be.

Even so, there had never been anything like the title "princess." The reason was simple: those pure-bloods looked down on everyone, including each other. None of them were willing to bow their heads.

But now...

Things had changed. Just a tiny little bit.

One look at the smiling Dumbledore in the crowd, or Minister Fudge standing nearby, was enough to show just how terrifying Tom Riddle’s influence in Britain had become.

Back then, whose banquet could ever have invited Dumbledore?

As long as Tom remained standing, the Greengrass family’s status would tower above all others. At that point, calling Astoria a princess really wasn’t an exaggeration anymore.

...

"Thank you all for coming."

Tom spoke in a calm voice, his words amplified by Sonorus.

Hearing him, the noise throughout the banquet hall instantly faded away.

What followed was the usual ceremonial formalities. As the one who had created the banquet, Tom was responsible for all of it. Not that anyone could have forced him—he followed no rules he didn’t choose to—but tonight, he wanted Astoria to have nothing less than the perfect banquet.

After thanking every faction in turn, he finished with a simple "please enjoy yourselves," officially opening the banquet.

When people first entered, the students and outside guests had been kept separate. But once the banquet began, the groups naturally mixed together, giving plenty of Hogwarts students the perfect chance to see their families.

...

Off in one of the quieter corners of the hall, Ron was stuffing his face under Harry’s helpless stare.

"Ron, could you slow down a little? Nobody’s fighting you for it."

"No way!" Ron mumbled through a mouthful of food. "I starved myself for three whole days for this meal. I’ve gotta eat enough to make my money back."

Harry tilted his head back and sighed.

Attending a banquet meant bringing a gift. Ron technically could’ve skipped it, but the rest of their dorm mates were all coming, so he’d gritted his teeth and spent every last bit of pocket money he had left for the term on a present.

Clearly, he planned to recover the entire loss tonight through sheer eating.

What Harry couldn’t understand was this: if Ron really wanted to get his money’s worth, shouldn’t he at least eat the expensive stuff?

Instead, he kept gnawing on chicken legs and ribs. At that rate, how much would he have to eat?

...

..

"Mr. Riddle, it’s been far too long. You’re looking as magnificent as ever."

Tom watched as Fudge used his plump body to squeeze Avery aside, planting himself next to him with an ingratiating grin plastered across his face.

"Thank you, Minister Fudge. You seem to be in good health yourself."

Fudge paid no attention to the boy’s slightly cool attitude. His smile only became greasier as he hovered at Tom’s side, showering him with flattering words.

Fudge might not have been good for much else, but when it came to talking to people, he was a true master. He could tell humans what humans wanted to hear and ghosts what ghosts wanted to hear. Every compliment and bit of praise slipped out naturally, smooth as butter. He even made sure not to ignore Astoria, flattering her so thoroughly the girl was practically stunned.

The expression on his face looked like that of a proud elder delighted to see the younger generation thriving. Anyone unaware of the truth might have thought Fudge was part of the Greengrass family.

Eventually, after Tom refused to bite no matter how many openings he gave him, Fudge finally showed a hint of what he was really after.

"Mr. Riddle, I believe the wizarding world is moving in an excellent direction right now. With your guidance and contributions, I think stability should remain the priority going forward as well. Don’t you agree?"

Tom’s steps slowed slightly, a faintly amused smile curling at his lips. "Minister Fudge, aren’t you being a little impatient?"

Fudge looked embarrassed for about half a second before tossing that useless sense of shame straight across the English Channel.

"The people are restless, Mr. Riddle," he said seriously. "The sooner things are settled, the sooner everyone can stop entertaining unnecessary thoughts and focus on their work."

The British Ministry of Magic had no strict rules regarding a minister’s term length, but elections were generally held every four to six years, and no one could serve more than two consecutive terms.

Fudge had taken office in 1990, the year before Tom entered Hogwarts.

That meant the next election would happen no later than 1996. If re-elected, he could secure another term.

No wonder, in the original story, he reacted so violently when Dumbledore suddenly announced Voldemort’s return. During election season, paranoia came naturally.

"There’s no rush," Tom replied casually. "We’ll pick a day sometime later and discuss it properly."

He lifted his wine glass slightly. And Fudge instantly understood the dismissal. Although he was disappointed not to get the answer he wanted, Tom’s willingness to talk at all was already reassuring.

If Tom couldn’t even be bothered to brush him off politely, then Fudge would truly have reason to panic.

...

"Astoria, where’s your sister?"

After finally getting rid of Fudge, Tom glanced around but couldn’t spot Daphne anywhere, making him ask curiously.

At a time like this, shouldn’t Miss Glutton have found a corner somewhere and started devouring food nonstop?

"I don’t know either." Astoria shook her head.

Both of them found it strange, but since they were on home turf, there was basically zero chance anything had happened to Daphne, so neither bothered worrying further.

"Let’s go find your mother first. She’s exhausted today. Help me say a few nice things later, alright?"

"Mhm!"

...

..

While Dalaran buzzed with laughter, music, and clinking glasses, far away in the northern lands, deep within the Scandinavian Mountains, even the endless snowstorm couldn’t hide the two figures staring each other down.

"So, you came." Grindelwald’s robes whipped wildly in the wind. Magic surged around him, holding the blizzard at bay. His mismatched eyes narrowed as he fixed his gaze on the towering figure dozens of meters away, every muscle in his body tense.

"I came." Andros grinned broadly. "Happy to see me, Grindy?"

Grindelwald shook his head with disappointment, "You shouldn’t have come."

"But I already did."

"Andros, cut the crap," Grindelwald snapped. "I want to remind you of something."

"Grindy, you’re not escaping this beating today. Nothing is going to change that." Andros cracked his knuckles and rolled his shoulders. As he exhaled deeply, even the surrounding world seemed to tremble faintly with him.

"That’s not the point," Grindelwald corrected. "Do you even know what day it is today?"

Andros froze for a moment before realization struck him.

"You mean the banquet for Astoria?"

"Exactly." Grindelwald smiled proudly. "Since you know Tom is holding a banquet, instead of going to deliver a gift, you came here looking for trouble with me. Don’t you think that’s inappropriate?"

"So what?" Andros said indifferently. "You didn’t go either. I can just send the gift afterward."

Grindelwald burst into laughter, his voice echoing across the snowy peaks.

"Too late, Andros! I already had Vinda deliver my gift for me. Even if I can’t avoid getting beaten up today, you’re not getting off easy afterward either! The letter I wrote for Tom... may or may not have mentioned you. Hahaha." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Andros stared at him in disbelief.

"Holy shit! Grindelwald, you bastard!"

.

.

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