60. Yoink.

I had on a pair of sturdy dragonhide gloves, a chisel in one hand and a certain cursed ring in the other.

"Come on, you son of a..."

With a sharp pop, the white stone shot out of its setting. My hand darted forward, catching it before it could hit the floor. I carefully set it aside, away from the now-empty ring.

Stepping back, I pulled off the gloves and drew my wand. A quick scan over the stone revealed no lingering curses or dark magic. The ring, however, was a different story—it practically radiated corruption.

"So, the stone wasn't affected at all..." I mused. "Not surprising, considering it still functioned after being smashed by Gryffindor's sword, basilisk venom and all."

I slipped my gloves back on and placed the ring into a specially prepared box, its compulsions already removed. That left the stone itself—the Resurrection Stone, one of the legendary Deathly Hallows. With this, I now possessed two of the three, the only missing piece being the Elder Wand, still in Dumbledore's grasp.

Like a certain golden bastard, I enjoyed collecting things. And I already had a plan to acquire the wand—just needed to work out some finer details.

Tossing the gloves onto my workbench, I picked up the stone, feeling its smooth, cool surface. As for using it... well, I only knew of James and Lily Potter in this world, and disturbing them didn't sit right with me. Supposedly, being summoned by the stone was painful for the dead.

"Best not." I tucked it away alongside the Cloak in my Gate.

With that settled, I leaned back in my chair. So far, today had been productive—created some gold bars, trained my abilities, cleaned up my trunk, and secured the stone. Glancing at the clock, I saw it wasn't even noon yet.

Standing up, I stretched and entered my inner world. It had changed nicely since I first acquired it.

Rows of fruit trees lined the area, ranging from tropical varieties like mango and coconut to more temperate ones like peaches and apples. Walking over to a peach tree, I plucked a plump, juicy fruit. Larger than normal peaches, and top-tier in taste. Biting into it, I savored the flavor while surveying the rest of my crops.

Beyond the trees, I had berry bushes—strawberries, blueberries—and vines growing grapes and tomatoes. Pineapples, cantaloupes, watermelons, all thriving. Vegetables, too—potatoes, peppers, cucumbers. All completely fresh, free of chemicals. My heightened senses made most modern food unappealing. If not for Occlumency, every honking car outside my townhouse would sound like a bomb going off.

"Must suck being Superman, hearing the entire world at once," I muttered, taking another bite of the peach.

Opening my Gate, I summoned a basket and started gathering fruit for the girls—grapes, apples, peaches, bananas. Thankfully, Hogwarts' food seemed fresh and untainted, a relief for my senses.

Once finished, I exited my inner world and stored the basket in the kitchen. Now, time for another foolish idea.

Leaving the Ravenclaw common room, I sought out Professor Flitwick. He was usually in his office and always willing to help students.

"Ah, Mr. Grim! How can I help you?" he greeted with a warm smile.

"I need to speak with Professor Dumbledore about something private. It's important. Can you assist me?"

Flitwick's expression turned serious, but he nodded. "Of course. Follow me. He should still be in his office."

He led me to the stone gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office. Whispering the password, he ascended the moving stairs. A minute later, he returned.

"He's free. You may go up."

"Thank you, Professor."

Ascending the stairs, I found the office doors open. Dumbledore sat behind his desk, smiling.

"Ah, Mr. Grim. I don't believe we've had the pleasure of speaking before. Lemon drop?" He pushed a bowl toward me.

"Sure." I popped one into my mouth, preferring fruity sweets over chocolate.

"Excellent." Dumbledore took one himself. "Now, Professor Flitwick mentioned you had something important to discuss."

I nodded. "I have information that could help you. It concerns Tom Riddle and could save many lives. But I'd like to make a trade."

Immediately, the atmosphere changed. Magic rolled off Dumbledore in waves as his expression hardened. The office doors shut with a snap, his wand already in hand, pointed at me.

"How do you know that name?"

Time slowed.

Almost lazily, my hand shot forward, snatching the Elder Wand from Dumbledore's grip and vanishing it into my Gate of Babylon in an instant.

Superhuman speed for the win.

Dumbledore froze, eyes widening before narrowing in a mix of shock and wariness. "That was an impressive feat, Mr. Grim," he admitted, voice calm but laced with tension. "But I must insist you return my wand."

"No need for wand pointing, Professor. I am not your enemy, and I am certainly no ally of Tom Riddle." I met his gaze evenly. "I have discovered why Riddle hasn't died. My associates and I have encountered several of his... soul anchors. Soul phylacteries. Or as you would call them, Horcruxes."

Dumbledore's frown deepened. Though the term was unfamiliar, he understood its implication. His mind was sharp enough to piece it together.

"I have in my possession four fragments of Riddle's soul and know the location of a fifth anchoring him to this world." With a wave of my hand, the four Horcruxes appeared on his desk—Ravenclaw's Diadem, Slytherin's Locket, the Gaunt Family Ring, and the diary labeled 'T.M. Riddle.'

Dumbledore eyed them carefully, his expression unreadable, though his fingers twitched slightly. He recognized them for what they were.

"May I have my wand back to inspect them?" he asked evenly.

"No," I said simply. "That wand is mine now. We both know what it is, and that was what I wanted to trade for."

Dumbledore studied me carefully but said nothing.

"The last Horcrux I know of is Helga Hufflepuff's cup, currently in the Lestrange vault at Gringotts. What you do with this information is up to you. As for how to destroy these artifacts, basilisk venom and fiendfyre work best. Be careful—they are cursed and can possess the weak-minded."

I stood, brushing off my robes. "Well, it was nice meeting you, Professor." Grabbing another handful of lemon drops, I tossed them into my mouth before heading to the door.

Then, in a flash of lightning, I phased right through it, leaving a silent Dumbledore staring after me.