To Live is the Rarest Thing

Chapter 16

“Fair enough,” Harry said while he gave Regulus a pat on the back. He understood more than most what it was like to feel lost in your own life.

“Besides,” Regulus added with a crooked grin that reminded Harry instantly of Sirius. “I do like the idea of shaking things up a little in our society. It has become far too stagnant.”

“You’ve come to the right people, then,” Harry said with a chuckle as they both joined the others.

Tom’s business plan was fairly simple. The candidates would sign a contract, promising three months of salaried work for the business after learning the trade before they’d be allowed to start their own franchise. This ensured they wouldn’t simply learn the secrets of hooking electricity up in magical houses, employ it in their own homes and then quit the business before ever earing Harry and Tom a single knut.

Harry and Tom had been burned one too many times in their many lives assuming people always meant well when you offered them a business opportunity, so they weren’t taking such chances anymore, simple as that.

All candidates signed the contract and three days later Tom and Harry started teaching them the tricks of the trade. This included a crash course in muggle chemistry and alchemy, but all candidates applied themselves rigorously and had great potential.

Right as their business got off the ground and they installed electricity in a few muggleborn homes, who were all very eager to be able to watch the telly again even while living in the middle of Hogsmeade or other magical areas, Harry received a letter from Snape.

Mr Bird,

Be advised that Headmaster Dumbledore has officially accepted my request for a sabbatical year and as such is in need for a Potions Master to take over my classes for the coming schoolyear. The headmaster plans to post an advertisement in the Daily Prophet within the next few days announcing this job opening.

While the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts has become something of a joke with not a single qualified person applying for the past decade at least, the position of Potions Master at Hogwarts is far more sought-after and thus it would behoove you to send in an application before the masses do so.

Also, be advised that I have forwarded the favourable results of your first full moon test of the improved Wolfsbane potion to the Guild of Potioneers.

Sincerely,

Severus Snape
Potions Master.

Harry blinked as he looked up at Tom, who sat across from him at the dining table, finishing his breakfast of shakshuka and homemade toast. “Looks like we’re going to have a meeting with the old goat sooner rather than later.”

Tom quickly read over the letter after Harry handed it to him. “Send in your resume, darling. I’ll simply tag along to the meeting. Best to take Dumbledore by surprise.”

“He doesn’t remember you’re Voldemort,” Harry pointed out, feeling a little dubious about Tom’s conviction Dumbledore would treat him so poorly.

“You don’t understand how much Dumbledore despised me already while I was simply Tom Riddle,” Tom said with conviction, and Harry nodded in response, conceding that Tom knew more about that subject than Harry did.