In the courtyard garden, Hermione finally spoke, worry clouding her face. "Tom, is this a diplomatic incident now? I trust Dumbledore will not side with guests over us, but if Ilvermorny gets angry and goes through the Ministry, will you be in trouble?"
Tom sipped his juice, unhurried. "Relax. What happened between me and Voray is a schoolyard spat. Did she suffer any harm? I never used an attacking spell."
"But you put her in a wall..." Hermione still fretted. "She could have a breakdown."
"I did not use anything esoteric." Tom shook his head. "Professor Wilkinson was right there. The moment we left, he was bound to let her out. The heaviest punishment would have been petrification. By morning the effect wears off."
He had trained enough that Death Perception and petrification were under fine control. Against a minor like Cassandra, if he set eight hours, it would be eight hours, not a minute more, not a minute less. One thing he had misjudged was Rouse's mischief. To make Frank suffer longer, Rouse had ensured Cassandra would be stuck just as long.
Hermione eased a little at his explanation. Daphne was blithe. "Hermione, you overthink. Right now Tom fears no one but Dumbledore. A few bumpkins from abroad will not turn Britain upside down. Just wait. At worst Dumbledore docks a few points and has a Head of House put Tom in detention for a couple of days. Then it is over. No apology either. Voray was the one strutting around."
The more Daphne spoke, the more indignant she grew. She slapped the table with a small palm. "No girl gets to act more arrogant than me at Hogwarts."
Hermione's and Tom's mouths twitched in perfect sync. The little witch shot Tom a blaming look. When they enrolled, Daphne had been haughty, and Hermione had argued with her more than once, but not like now, playing the big sister in charge. Tom had spoiled her. With him backing her, Daphne truly could walk the school sideways.
Tom kept his gaze calm. A bit of swagger saved him trouble, as long as she did not pick on people. He knew her temper. She was flighty, not cruel.
"I will go to ground for a while, so Dumbledore cannot draft me as a rescuer." He told the girls, cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself, and headed for the Forbidden Forest.
...
Inside the castle, Dumbledore hurried toward the second floor with Rouse, Solenne and Professor McGonagall. He had been discussing next term's expanded exam schedule with Minerva when Rouse and Solenne arrived. Once they sketched the situation, he was stunned. McGonagall nearly fainted.
"Albus, I have walked on thin ice my whole life. Do you think I can live to see your retirement?"
Dumbledore:
Truth be told, he was not sure he would last to see Voldemort settled. Tom found him trouble with uncanny efficiency. Second day after the visitors arrive, and he had boxed up a student and a professor's pride along with her. Was he trying to ascend to the heavens?
"Minerva, first things first. We need to get them out." He steadied her, and they pressed on.
At the stair, the crowd had only grown. Professors Flitwick and Sinistra had arrived as well, but, warned by students of Rouse's caution, neither had dared act. Tom's reputation had spread in its own way.
"Clear off. Back to your business. Do not crowd the landing." McGonagall's bark sent the flock scattering.
Dumbledore examined the scene, then flicked his wand. The two heads slid free of the stone and tumbled forward, bodies still stiff as boards.
"Albus, why not lift the petrification?" Minerva asked.
"Because I cannot." Dumbledore circled them, blue eyes seeing too much. "Mr. Riddle did not use the standard Body Bind. It looks more like..."
He paused, then finished it. "More like Miss Clearwater's condition."
McGonagall's face tightened. "You mean basilisk?"
"Yes." Dumbledore nodded slightly. "A curse based petrification. Far lighter than Miss Clearwater's, but not something ordinary counters will break. Best let Mr. Riddle undo it himself. Otherwise we wait until morning and let the timed curse release."
"Send them to their dorms first," Rouse suggested. "Leaving them here helps no one."
"Not the hospital wing," Dumbledore decided. "Minerva, take Miss Voray. Professor Caruso, see to Professor Graves."
"Filius, please find a few Slytherins and tell Mr. Riddle to meet me on the fourth floor of the West Tower. I will be waiting there."
"Headmaster, let me," Rouse cut in at once. "You have plenty to handle. I can wait with Solenne."
"Thank you, Rouse." Solenne's eyes softened.
"Very well, Rouse," Dumbledore said. He issued the last instructions and moved off.
On the way to the West Tower, Rouse excused himself to the lavatory, pulled out Whatsapp, and rattled off a note.
[Rouse: Dumbledore has sent for you. He does not look very angry.]