| Not A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes pt. 3

                                    

                                          
"Citizens can bet on a tribute," Tom says. "Like lottery except the odds are more in their favor. There are only 24 tributes."
"Hm," Grindelwald hums, still tinkering with an invention on his table, barely even giving Tom glance. "Any more ideas?"
It  would seem like a swift dismissal, but Tom knew better. Unlike  Dumbledore, Grindelwald actually liked Tom. At least, that's what Tom  liked to think.
Tom clears his throat, trying to keep his voice as casual as possible. "Sponsorship."
"Sponsors?" Head gamemaker Grindelwald asks in confirmation. "Tell me more."
"It's  getting the audience to care about the games more," Tom explains. "If  they can help a tribute win, then they get personally involved. They're  not just watching the games. They become a part of it."
"Interesting," Grindelwald comments stonily.
Tom inwardly sighs in relief. At least he didn't reject the idea outright.
"I've  always liked you, Tom," Grindelwald says as he wipes his hands on a  towel, still looking at his invention. "Such brilliance. You've got so  much of your mother in you."
Tom only remembers flashes of his  mother. How she went crazy after his father died. There was nothing  brilliant about that. Still, Tom smiles. "Thank you, sir."
Tom sincerely hoped Grindelwald would approve his ideas.
Tom couldn't believe that Gilderoy—Gilderoy—of  all people suggested something that would lead Tom and Harry straight  to victory. When the fool hinted that he had an idea, Tom didn't  actually believe he'd have a good one. But he really underestimated  Lockhart.
An interview.
Gilderoy suggested the Capitol host a  televised interview for all the tributes. So that the Capitol citizens  could get to know the tributes more. But really mostly because he wanted  his own tribute to shine. But Tom could already see it. Viktor Krum was  silent as a stone. What winning qualities did he have except his  looks?What did he have to say to impress a crowd?
Tom smirks.
This was going to backfire splendidly.
Tom was almost sorry he didn't think of it first.
This  was his chance to make Harry shine. If Grindelwald approved Tom's  sponsorship suggestion, and it was very likely that he would—because why  else would there be interviews, right?—then Harry could very well use  all that attitude to dazzle the crowd.
Surely, Harry had other special talents than aggravating Tom and killing people.
Maybe he could sing.
Tom did know they sang at twelve.
Tom smiles.
The path to university was getting closer than ever.
"Wow,"  Tom says, genuinely awestruck. He really didn't think his boy could  surprise him even more. "You're absolutely tone deaf."
"I told you  I couldn't sing!" Harry yells at him, gesturing wildly. "That's one of  the things I can't do! I would know! There's not many things I can't  do!"
"Well, what can you do on live TV?"Tom asks, still dumbstruck over Harry's lack ugly singing voice.
Harry looks at him blankly. "I have no idea."
Tom sighs.
Who needed university anyway?
"Thank you, Harry," Colin shakes Harry's hand shyly, a big smile on his face.
"No, no," Harry says graciously, "Thank you, Colin."
Tom was pretty sure that was almost a blush on Colin's face.
Tom  almost frowns. That blush was wrong. It was highly improper. He was he  games' official interviewer. Colin should be able to treat tributes  equally. That wouldn't be too much to ask from someone who just got the  gig because he was a Creevey, wasn't it? Harry was Tom's tribute. Only  Tom could show favoritism to him as his mentor.
"Why are you  frowning?" Harry asks smugly, an eyebrow up in the air. "Did you not see  me charm that crowd? Hmm?" Harry wiggles his eyebrows.
"The crowd isn't the only one you charmed," Tom mutters.
Harry gasps. "Oh my god!"
"What?"  Tom asks, suddenly concerned. Did Harry forget to say or do something  in the interview? Something that could impact their chances at getting  sponsors? At winning? Tom should have noticed. Tom should have checked.  But that Colin Creevey was—
"You love me!" Harry exclaims in  horror. "You love me!" He says again, looking like he wasn't quite  convinced the first time and now just realizing the truth and gravity of  his words.
"What the hell gave you that idea?" Tom snorts. And  then almost covers his mouth in surprise. As far as he knew, Gaunts did  not snort. He didn't even know if Gaunts could snort. His grandfather,  Marvolo, only had two expressions. Elegance. And disappointment.
"You  said—" And then Harry goes on to imitating, well, at least, Harry  thought he was imitating Tom. He lowers his voice in an exaggerated  manner and says, "The crowd isn't the only one you charmed." And then he  points at Tom accusingly. "You love me!"
"Is being delusional your one of your talents too?" Tom sighs. "I was talking about Colin Creevey, you dolt."
"Oh," Harry looks away, sounding almost disappointed. "Right."
"I see," Tom says, nodding his head solemnly.
"See what?" Harry asks suspiciously.
Now, it was Tom's time to smirk. "You love me."
Harry's face morphs into one of anger and turns into a very impressive shade of red. "You wish!"
Tom watches in utter amusement as his boy storms out of the room.