Hogwarts: I, Tangmu, Am Really Not the Dark Lord

Tangmu didn't have a golden finger, but perhaps due to having lived two lives, his memory—though not photographic—was far superior to most. He also possessed an impressive capacity to learn.

Academic competitions weren't exclusive to students in the East—British schools had plenty of their own.

Thanks to participating in various competitions, school stipends, government subsidies, and even appearance fees from television shows, Tangmu had saved a respectable sum.

The cash in his drawer was just pocket money. He had £40,000 in the bank earning interest.

When Dengbuliduo learned how capable Tangmu was, he couldn't help but give a thumbs-up, genuinely impressed.

After bidding farewell to Aerman, Tangmu left the orphanage alongside Dengbuliduo.

For any other child, Aerman would never have been so reassured. But Tangmu's maturity and competence over the years had gradually put her at ease.

Or perhaps Dengbuliduo had secretly cast a charm?

Strolling down the tree-lined avenue, Dengbuliduo didn't use any wizarding shortcuts to save time. Instead, he seemed enthusiastic, leisurely guiding Tangmu to the train station while asking about his daily life like a caring elder.

Tangmu didn't hide anything. He spoke openly about his circumstances.

He had been abandoned and orphaned, and his appearance in this world was itself a twist of fate. His parents had given him nothing but a name and a surname before leaving him at the orphanage gates.

He only heard about them again through a plane crash reported in the news.

No inheritance. Only debt. Thankfully, none of it fell to him.

After listening, Dengbuliduo's mouth twitched slightly.

Cases like this weren't uncommon in the Muggle world—accidental pregnancies, strict abortion laws, children born only to be left to the government. Meanwhile, the parents went on to live carefree lives.

They didn't know that magical Britain was facing a demographic crisis. The Weasley family was one of the few exceptions: six boys and one girl—all pure-blood. Who wouldn't envy that?

So many old pure-blood families must have regretted not marrying Moli Weisilai. Had they done so, they might have had a house full of children too.

Different fates in the same country.

"I noticed the other children at the orphanage seemed to fear you," Dengbuliduo remarked, musing to himself.

When they had left, the little boy named Saisi was still dutifully punching the sandbag under Tangmu's orders. The scene stirred some less-than-pleasant memories for the professor.

"Sir," Tangmu stopped walking and looked up at Dengbuliduo. The professor's beard was so thick it obscured much of his face, but the boy could clearly see those deep-set eyes.

"Do you know what orphans fear most?"

Dengbuliduo gestured for him to continue.

"It's the fear that others will discover your weakness," Tangmu said calmly. "Once someone realizes you're easy to bully, they'll do it just for fun."

"The best way to stop bullying is to strike first. Become the one who bullies."

Dengbuliduo's eyes widened slightly. Even his beard twitched.

"Of course, I'm not bullying Saisi," Tangmu added quickly. "He's my friend. I'm just teaching him some self-defense. He's heading to secondary school soon—he needs to know how to protect himself."

"He'll understand your intentions," Dengbuliduo replied.

Thinking of Saisi's bitter yet determined expression while following Tangmu's orders, Dengbuliduo could tell they were close. The thought lightened his mood.

"In fact, I believe you'd make a fine Hufflepuff—assuming, of course, you don't actually bully anyone."

"Hufflepuff? What's that?"

"It's one of the four houses. They're all quite admirable…"

Their shadows stretched longer and longer until they disappeared at the end of Elm Avenue.

After taking a train and then the underground, the two arrived at the entrance to Diagon Alley: the Leaky Cauldron, old, dusty, and worn.

It was 3 p.m.—not the busiest time of day. Only two or three tables were occupied.

But the moment the patrons saw Dengbuliduo, the atmosphere changed. Wizards who had been drinking and chatting stood up to greet him. Even the hunched man wiping the bar with a worn rag rushed over with a broad smile:

"Good afternoon, Professor Dengbuliduo!"

"Good afternoon, Tangmu—oh, there's another Tangmu here today."

Dengbuliduo chuckled and introduced them. "Mr. Lideer, this is Tangmu. Quite the coincidence, isn't it? Tangmu, this is Mr. Lideer, a new student this year. I'm helping him pick up his school supplies."

"Fate, it must be fate! Pleased to meet you, little Tangmu."

The bar owner Tangmu laughed heartily. With Dengbuliduo present, he was especially courteous.

"Once you're done shopping, stop by for a drink. My treat—non-alcoholic butterbeer, of course."

"Excellent idea," Dengbuliduo replied cheerfully. "Then we'd better hurry. See you later, Tangmu."

"See you, Dengbuliduo."

Dengbuliduo led Tangmu through the bar into a small courtyard out back. There, he drew a wand with knobby joints and explained the method of opening the entrance to Diagon Alley.

"Three up, two across…"

Three taps with the wand, and the bricks shifted. In a moment, a grand arched passageway revealed itself, bustling with sound and people.

Tangmu's eyes lit up at the crowded scene beyond.

"The world of magic…"

"That's right, the world of magic." Dengbuliduo smiled, pleased to see a childlike expression on the boy's face.

"Come on. The most important thing is money."

Dengbuliduo led Tangmu through the alley toward Gringotts. In just a few hundred meters, they were stopped countless times by enthusiastic greetings, a testament to Dengbuliduo's popularity.

At Gringotts' grand entrance, two goblins bowed respectfully. One became their dedicated assistant, escorting them to the front desk to exchange money.

[^1]: In the Wizarding World, a golden finger refers to a special advantage or cheat-like ability, often seen in fictional narratives.