"Ah!!!"
Umbridge's scream echoed through the dilapidated house.
At this moment, Tom had marked her.
On the inside of her left upper arm was the Dark Mark, slightly Improvements by Tom, with a small line of text added below the mark: "I am Albus Dumbledore's dog."
On the inside of her right upper arm was the Saints' symbol, also with a small line of text below it: "I am Gellert Grindelwald's dog."
At the back of her neck was an invisible line of text: "For the Greater Good.", usually unseen, only appearing when summoned.
Now, it was symmetrical, comfortable; Tattoo Artist Tom was very satisfied with his new work.
"Remember, if you ever think of betraying, Professor Dumbledore will sense it, and don't even think about escaping; no matter where you run, we can track you down. Now, go wash up properly, then come with me to see Professor Dumbledore."
Tom was about to take her away, but seeing Umbridge show no reaction, he stopped and asked, "Why aren't you leaving? Is there still a problem?"
Umbridge stared blankly at the design on her right arm, finally unable to resist asking, "This is the Saints' mark? Why?"
"In 1945, after Dumbledore and Grindelwald's epic battle, the Saints disappeared, but they were always active in the dark. With Grindelwald imprisoned in Nurmengard, who do you think was leading them?"
Upon hearing Tom's words, Umbridge opened her mouth but no sound came out. After a long moment, she finally struggled to utter a name: "Albus Dumbledore."
After saying that name, Umbridge seemed to lose all her strength.
Tom affirmed her thought in due course: "That's right, it's Professor Dumbledore. You should call him Master. I can forgive your disrespect this time, but if you do it again, I will not be lenient."
"Then why is it marked 'I am Gellert Grindelwald's dog'?" Umbridge still had a hint of doubt in her heart.
"That is to commemorate his most respected opponent—Gellert Grindelwald."
After speaking, Tom whispered in her ear, "Seeing how sensible you are, I'll tell you a secret that only Death Eaters and core members of the Saints know."
"Professor Dumbledore and Grindelwald are lovers~"
Umbridge was instantly dazed, so this, this was the true hidden reality of the magic world!!!
No wonder she always felt an invisible hand covering the sky of the magic world, manipulating everything in the dark.
Now she understood. As the common master of the Phoenix, Death Eater, and Saints, the three largest black and white forces in Europa, Dumbledore was the true person hidden behind the scenes, truly crowned king in the magic world.
Compared to him, what was Fudge, what was the Ministry of Magic? At this moment, Umbridge was incredibly grateful for her timely abandonment of darkness for light, making the right choice.
...
Hogwarts Castle, eighth floor, Headmaster's Office.
Dumbledore was having a cordial conversation with Grindelwald.
The content was unknown; the surrounding Headmaster portraits had been enchanted into peaceful slumber.
These past few days could be said to be Dumbledore's most relaxed time recently.
Tom had seemingly changed his personality these days and hadn't caused trouble, giving this old man a much-needed respite. Otherwise, he truly feared he might one day die suddenly in the Principal's seat.
The 'Umbridge' sent by the Ministry of Magic also seemed like a different person these past few days, not wandering around the Castle, but quietly staying in her office alone, only seen at meal times, which made the teachers and students in the Castle breathe a sigh of relief.
Didn't you see, these past few days, he and Grindelwald had met much more often? He hoped the coming days would also be this peaceful.
Perhaps Merlin heard Dumbledore's prayer. Just as Dumbledore was happy, he heard the sound of the gargoyle statue moving at the Headmaster's Office door, and his heart couldn't help but thump, an unbidden bad premonition arising.
And then, from the spiral staircase, came Tom's voice, which he least wanted to hear: "Remember the etiquette for presenting yourself later, don't be rude."
What are you going to do now? Don't come over! Dumbledore had no interest in seeing Tom at this moment.
Unfortunately, all this would not change according to Dumbledore's will. Tom's figure quickly appeared in the Headmaster's Office, and behind him was someone he never expected—Dolores Umbridge.
Tom and Umbridge, what kind of combination was this?! Dumbledore, who had been tricked by Tom for so long, felt his unease intensify.
When Tom saw Dumbledore and Grindelwald, he paused, then broke into a genuinely happy smile, as if he had just seen his favorite pairing.
"Good evening, Professor Dumbledore, and Professor Lockhart. I didn't expect you to be here. I'm sorry to disturb you."
You know you're disturbing us, huh? Say what you need to say, otherwise, get out.
At this moment, Dumbledore and Grindelwald reached a consensus.
However, they still had to maintain the image of elders, as their persona couldn't collapse. So Dumbledore spoke gently, "Good evening, Tom, is there something you need today?"
"Today I brought Umbridge to see you."
After Tom finished speaking, he obediently stepped aside and stood shoulder to shoulder with Grindelwald.
Hearing Tom's words, Dumbledore looked at Umbridge, who was standing obediently nearby. He was about to say something when he saw Umbridge suddenly prostrate herself at his feet and begin to lightly kiss the hem of his robe.
"..."
It was so preposterous that even Dumbledore froze for a moment, unable to react.
But this was just the beginning. After Umbridge finished kissing the hem of Dumbledore's robe, she spoke to Dumbledore in the most devout tone: "Master, I, Dolores Umbridge, will be your most loyal dog, offering all of myself to you—the great Albus Dumbledore. All for Dumbledore, all for the Death Eater."
"..."
This series of actions made Dumbledore feel his brain starting to crash. He truly couldn't react. So Umbridge joined the Death Eater, and he was the Master?
Seeing Dumbledore's lack of reaction, Umbridge remembered the marks on her right arm and the back of her neck, and then improvised, "I am Gellert Grindelwald's dog, for the Greater Good!"
"..."
This time, not only Dumbledore, but even Grindelwald, who was watching the show from the side, couldn't help but fall into a state of crashing. How was she a Death Eater one second and a Saint the next?
What was going on? Whose side was Umbridge on anyway?
And Umbridge wasn't like this a few days ago. Why had she become like this now?
But no matter what, all of this must have been done by Tom Riddle, who was watching the drama unfold with an excited expression.
Well then, all questions could be answered by asking the instigator.
Dumbledore, finally regaining his composure, quickly dismissed Umbridge with a few words, and then all the anger that had accumulated during this time surged towards Tom.
Every wrong has its source, every debt its master.
The White Wizard also had a temper, and now it was time to settle accounts with Tom.