Tom Riddle was just a young boy, perhaps 8 or 9 years old, but he knew magic existed. He had lived in a care home for as long as he could remember but he had never been told why. He had also never been told why he hadn't been adopted. That day, he was likely to find out why.
Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, had turned up on the doorstep of the care home asking to see the boy named Tom Marvolo Riddle and his social worker had allowed them to have a meeting together in the library.
"Good morning, Tom," Albus said, smiling kindly at the boy who was standing by the fireplace with something in his hands. "What have you got there?" he asked, trying to start a conversation with the young lad.
"Shotgun," Tom replied, turning to look at Albus. "Who are you?" he asked, sounding rather grumpy about being torn away from his muggle chemistry set to talk to this old man who he didn't know.
"I'm Albus Dumbledore," he replied, smiling at the boy again, "Have you ever heard of a place called Hogwarts?" he asked.
"No," Tom replied, slumping into a chair opposite Albus.
"Hogwarts is a school for magically talented people," Albus explained, "And we would like to give you the chance to be educated there when you're old enough. What do you think about that?"
"What's in it for me?" Tom asked, glaring at Albus. He already disliked this man.
"You'll be able to get a great education and pursue a career as a wizard," Albus replied, "Do you like magic, Tom?"
Tom nodded, "You ask a lot of questions, mister."
"Well, I'm a curious guy," Albus said, looking over the boy before him. "Would you like me to come back another time to see you? Then you can think about it before giving me an answer."
"If you must return…" Tom sighed, rolling his eyes a little at Albus. He doubted he would ever go to a magical school but he supposed he could think about it. "Can I go now mister?" he asked, looking towards his chemistry set eagerly.
"We'll make a Slytherin out of you, I bet," he said, smiling. "Go ahead," he added, rising and heading towards the door.
"Slytherin?" Tom asked, looking at Albus with interest for the first time that morning.
"I'll explain next time," he said, smiling once more. "See you in a few weeks, Tom."