30

I sat in the chair in front of the two Hobgoblins bent over in front of me, looking at them reproachfully.

- Krivokruth and Mogazgar, how did you manage to lose sight of him? It's a child! A baby dragon! You know how to handle and nurture them, I can tell by your collection of groomed dragons. So tell me, what went wrong?

- My Lord... but this is no ordinary little dragon! This is your son! Heir and Firstborn! We couldn't keep him like the other little dragons! And he wouldn't let any other dragons near him. Not even females who had recently hatched cubs! The male who had growled at him was still on the mend, since your son had struck him with such force that he nearly flattened the mature dragon-tail on the walls of the cave. So we gave him a separate cave and made sure that he was comfortable and had everything he needed. As well as making a home for him. But... the baby probably missed you and so constantly wandered and flew around all the caves looking for you. And then the little one became despondent. We did our best to entertain him, we brought him every kind of metal in existence and the most tender meat of the finest varieties. But that didn't help either.

- I saw his room," I sighed, remembering the huge hall with its piles of metal, gold, precious stones and all the most expensive stuff. I just can't figure out why the little dragon needs tables and cabinets and clothes and a kitchen and all those pots and pans and glasses and plates. Is it for the future? - So why did you summon me? I wanted to visit the baby myself, because I missed you. It's only been a week since I entrusted him to you.

- Forgive us, Lord! - the hobgoblins have fallen to their knees. - But your son was able to assume human form yesterday. Nice and lively little fellow. Very frisky and quick! And the idiot who tried to grab and carry your son back to the cave, no pity. You should have thought of your head before blocking the Prince's way! Now let him think about the meaning of being on sick leave.

- Hmm? He's a quick learner at reincarnation. Amazing. And what about the one who wanted to stop my son?

- It's nothing, my Lord. Only broken legs, ribs, right arm turned to mush, spine cracked in four places and skull fractured... the main thing is that he is alive and will recover.

My jaw fell to the floor involuntarily because of what I had heard and sunk into the thick nap of the expensive carpet.

We were talking in a large office. I was sitting in a black armchair, comfortable, with soft leather upholstery. Next to it was a table with glasses of wine, and there was another chair for my companion. In front of me knelt the goblins who had summoned me because of my son, and behind them a huge fireplace was blazing, illuminating and warming the considerable office. Along the walls were bookcases behind glass doors. On the visible walls hung tapestries of dragons and paintings of landscapes.

I sat in my chair, having taken on a more mature appearance with the aging potion, as I had a couple of meetings ahead of me, but plans had changed because my son had been reported missing.

I was dressed in a classic black suit with a scarlet tie. In my hand I played with my walking stick, which was actually my wand, hidden by the transfiguration of a pair of stones. This is extremely handy as it allows me to make anything I want and might need out of this cane. From a wand to a weapon.

- And how did the little boy manage to do such damage to the hobgoblin? - I asked them, coping with surprise.

- The boy didn't do anything," Krivokruth sighed. - He just slipped past that one on the wall and the ceiling. But the baby-sitters... and the guards... had already run over him, hence the damage. Especially the guards had contributed with half a hundred of them in heavy armour...

Hearing this I involuntarily burst into laughter as I pictured the incident. But...

- But... why would he need so many guards? And in your caves?

- It was the Councilors. Of course they wanted more guards, but... of course Councilor Krapopuz said there would be no way, as they would not be able to fit so many guards in the caves. So after some heated debates on the matter, a few fights and a barrel of wine, they decided that two hundred guards would be just fine. The rooms were chosen so that there would be enough room for the child and the guards and nurses would fit in. Don't worry, my Lord! It's enough to ensure that your child will be safe...

- I think I understand now why the little one ran away," he exhaled wearily at such idiocy and drank some juice. - And where is he now?

- In your guest's quarters, my Lord. At Tom Marvolo Riddle's. Or rather, watching and participating in chakra training.

- Does that run along the wall tell you that he knows a thing or two already? - I raised an eyebrow.

- It is your son, my Lord! He catches everything on the fly! This is the fastest learning we have ever seen! But no wonder that after a day with him the teachers are literally falling on their beds from exhaustion. The boy literally squeezes the knowledge out of them.

- Is it safe for him? He is still quite young for chakra training and magic...

- Not at all, my Lord! We've checked everything! Your child is in absolutely no danger! His magic is stable, as everything is good with PCC and channels! Your son is developing unbelievably fast. And we think he is quite able to withstand the training your man is showing him. And a dozen of his personal Witch doctors confirm that the boy is not in any danger. All the more so since they're always with him and keeping a close eye on his health.

- Stupid..." he exhaled, rubbing his face. It would seem that the goblins and elves are so terrified of losing their Lord Holders that they would stand beside him to keep a speck of dust from falling on the Heir's forehead. How's Tom? Learning?

- Yes, My Lord. He was very impressed by the way he was beaten by two squib genies. So now he's working his ass off not to give in. Which is fine, since he is, after all, a Dark Lord whose pride as a fighter has been trampled by a pair of squibs. It's his day off today, but he's training himself. He says it makes him think much better that way. By the way, the recovery course was successful and he has made a full recovery. Both physically and mentally.

- I see what you mean. I'll go and have a look at them," he stood up and headed for the door to the corridor. The hobgoblins saw me off beside them.

It wasn't so easy to get through the doors to the training room. The entire corridor was literally packed with goblins and a few humans. And all of them were watching someone in the gym. My son, I presume. After looking at the crowd of about two hundred and fifty individuals, I went to the entrance through the ceiling, because it would be difficult to go any other way. And why distract reasonable people from their work.

And when I entered, I was surprised. Watching a five year old boy standing in front of an eleven year old boy, explaining to him how to walk on vertical surfaces. And at the same time Tom listened to him attentively and tried to repeat after the boy. But... although my son is extremely intelligent for a month old, he has not yet discovered his pedagogical talent.

- What are you talking about? That's not right! I told you, you can't do that! It's so easy! - The picture of Tom being told off by a one-month-old baby gave me the unintentional burst of laughter, which was noticed by the trainees. And then, with a shout, "Daddy!" The toddler almost teleported over to me to claw at me like a tick in a hug.

- How are you doing in there? No harm? - I asked him, stroking his blue hair.

- No! - He answered. - But they do patronize him a lot.

And pouted, touching his lips thoughtfully with a finger. The baby's human form was stable. He looked about five years old. Speech still unsteady, but improving right before his eyes at that. Blue hair with black strands, huge blue eyes with a vertical pupil, apparently not yet fully accustomed to the human form, or not even thinking about it, which was odd. More likely the second. He was wearing a miniature black tracksuit. My eyes just glowed with happiness. I couldn't help smiling as I looked at him.

- He was rounded up by hobgoblins, a dozen wizard mercenaries, sparkling with incendiary spells, and a dozen bursting Elves. And the hall was quickly becoming crowded. And that's in THAT hall, with several hundred square kilometres of space, yep. You should have seen the stunned Dark Lord's face. Eyes wide open, in complete shock at the unexpected attack.

- Let him go," he sighed and Tom was instantly lifted, shaken off, apologised and the hall emptied in literally an instant. But the multiple attentions were literally felt by the body. I walked over to the guy and held out my hand. - I'm sorry about this incident. My subordinates are very jumpy...

- HUH? HUH? Oh yeah..." the guy was still reeling from this rapid change of scenery. And then he shook my hand, twitching his eyebrow a little bit nervously. - That really was... quick. Are you the father of this little genius? Nice to meet you. My name is Tom Marvolo Riddle.

- Nice to meet you, Mr. Riddle," I grinned. - I'm Harry James Potter. Yes, yes... that baby. And yes, I'm the one who resurrected you and lifted the curse. I'm under the old man. And I'm not reading you with legilliments, it's just that the questions are written all over your face," the smile never left my face as I watched the shifting emotions on the local Dark Lord's face. - And I think it's time for us to talk...