Chapter 2

Woke late in the morning. I have got running and unfortunately had no time to eat breakfast. I went as fast as possible to the room of Professor McGonagall, but when I got there the door was already closed. I knocked twice before opening a crack in the door and ask "Excuse me teacher, can I come?" She looked at me mildly disappointed and said "Please Miss silence. Granger. Sit at a table quickly, and 15 points to Gryffindor for being late. "
I sat between Harry and Ron looked at me amazed that after all was not normal I get a little behind in class. I waved to them and tell then I started to pay attention.
The classes in the morning passed quickly, and when I realized I was driving to the main hall for lunch. I made a dish worthy of Ronald Weasley as it did not take breakfast was starving. A few moments after I start eating, Harry and Ron came out and came to sit next to me.
- So Hermione, will you tell us why chagar behind in class today and transfiguration that Dumbledore wanted to you yesterday? - I asked Harry.
- Dumbledore wanted What I do not speak well, you yourselves will what he said in the letter yesterday. And I arrived late because I went to bed very late and I lost time.
- Uh ... Hermione please! Account what Dumbledore wanted yesterday! We promise not to tell anyone, not Harry? - Asked Ron and Harry saw confirming his head.
- Sorry Ron, but even if I wished, I could not tell one thing that has not got it right.
- As well, do not you understand? Who are you and what made him to know it all-I know Granger? - Ron said, and the three of us burst out laughing.
After lunch was the end of Quidditch. It is clear that Gryffindor won. We had a party in the common room and everyone had a great time. Oh, and Ron Lavender asked in dating. I sincerely hope they are happy, I love the Lavender and I think she will do very well with Ron.
Thanks to Merlin Harry nor Ron played Dumbledore in the subject again. At night I had dinner early in order to go find myself again with the director. When I was leaving the main hall bumped into Harry and Ron who were arriving.
- Where are you going so fast? - Harry wanted to know
- I'm meeting with Dumbledore. Even more - he said before leaving near them before they start asking more questions.
I stopped again in front of said gargoyles and Chocolate Frogs. I went and knocked at the door waiting for the director send me join. It was very curious to see what memories he would show me today. A minute later he told me to come and sit down.
- Good evening Miss. I see you're anxious to see the reminder today.
- Good night, but a teacher, I am very curious.
- Well. As we have no time to lose, let's continue. You know the memory we saw yesterday and what Harry told you, about the beginning of Lord Voldemort. Tom Riddle abandoned his witch wife, Merope, and returned to his family home in Little Hangleton. Merope was forgotten in London alone expecting a baby who would one day become, Lord Voldemort. Without money, she sold her only possession: the locket of Slytherin will Caratacus Burke for ten galleons. When her son was about to be born, Merope was an orphanage in central London where the small and innocent at that time, Tom was born and lived until completing 11 years. Any questions so far?
-No, sir.
- Good. So come with me. Today we will get in my memory, the first contact I had with the young Tom - He pointed to the Pensieve and again I approached her plunging my face into silvery water.
When I opened my eyes to Dumbledore was beside me in an old-fashioned and busy London street.
A younger Dumbledore was ahead of us. He entered an empty yard and square in front of a very ugly building, surrounded by high fences, climbed some stairs to the front door and knocked once. After a moment or two the door was opened by a girl wearing an apron.
- Good afternoon. I have an appointment with Ms. Cole, I believe, is in charge here. - Dumbledore said the younger.
- A. .. just a mo '. . . MRS. COLE! - She shouted over her shoulder.
A weak woman, came running to look hostile to them
- Good Night - Dumbledore said offering her hand. - My name is Albus Dumbledore. I sent him a letter requesting a meeting and you kindly invited me here today.
- Oh yeah, well then you'd better come to my office.
She led Dumbledore to a small room that seemed a part of Living Room, where he was the office.
- I am here, as I told you in my letter, to discuss Tom Riddle and plans for their future. - Said Dumbledore.
- Are you family?
- No, I'm a teacher - said Dumbledore. - I came here to offer Tom a place in my school.
- What school is it then?
- It's called Hogwarts.
- Then why are you so interested in Tom?
- We believe he has qualities we are looking for.
- You mean he won a scholarship? What did he do for that? He never got one.
- Well, his name was recorded in our school when he was born.
- Who recorded it? His parents?
- Here - said Dumbledore, who moved his wand once doing an emerging role - I think this will all clear.
The eyes of went out of focus and the role she gazed intently for a moment. - This seems to be perfectly in order.
- I wonder if you could tell me anything of the history of Tom Riddle? I think he was born here in the orphanage?
- That's right, - said Mrs. Cole - I remember it clearly as anything, because I had gotten here earlier. It was New Year's Eve, more bitterly cold and snowing, you know. Horrible night. And this girl not much older than I was at the time, came tottering steps in front. We alojamos and she had the baby at a time. And she was dead in another hour.
- She said something before you die? Something about the boy's father, for example?
- I remember she told me, 'I hope he looks like his father,' and I will not lie, she had reason to expect this, because she was no beauty, and then she told me that he would called Tom, like his father, and Marvolo, as the father and she said the name of the boy should be Riddle. And then she died without another word. Well, we have named the way she told us, it seemed so important to the poor girl, but neither Tom nor Marvolo, much less Riddle came looking for him, nor any family, so he came to the orphanage and has been here since then. He is a funny guy. He was also a funny baby. It was very difficult for him to cry, you know. So when he grew old he was ... strange.
- Strange how? - Dumbledore asked gently.
- Well, he ... - But Mrs. Cole suddenly stopped. - It definitely has a place in your school, right? And there's nothing I say can reverse this situation?
- No - said Dumbledore.
- You will take him away, right?
- Okay - repeated Dumbledore gravely.
- He scares the other children.
- Do you think he intimidates the?
- I think he did, but it is very difficult to catch him in the act. There have been incidents ... nasty things ... The rabbit Billy Stubbs. . . well, Tom said he did not do this and I do not see how he could do, but even so, the rabbit is not alone in the rafters hung, hung?
- Probably not - Dumbledore said quietly.
- I do not know how he managed to do this. All I know is that he and Billy had discussed the day before. In the summer tour - we take them out, you know, once a year to the countryside or to the coast - well, Amy Benson and Dennis Bishop were never quite right after and all that we know of them is that they had entered into a cave with Tom Riddle. He vowed not to have gone exploring, but something happened there, I'm sure of it. And, well, there were many things, funny things. . . - She glanced again at Dumbledore - I do not think many people will be sad to see him in the back.
- You know, I'm certain that we will not be keeping permanently? - Said Dumbledore. - He will come back here at least every summer.
- Oh, well, that's better than a blow on the nose with a rusty iron - said Mrs. Cole - I suppose you would like to see it?
- Very - said Dumbledore.
She led him out of the office and up the stone steps.
- Here we are - she knocked twice and entered.
- Tom? You have a visitor. This is Mr Dumberton or mlhor, Dunderbore. He came to tell you ... well, I'll let you do this.
I Dumbledores and the two entered the room, and Mrs. Cole closed the door.
A boy was sitting on top of gray blankets, his legs stretched out and holding a book. There was no sign of 'Gaunts' in the face of Tom Riddle. Merope had his wish: He was handsome like his father, tall for eleven years, dark hair and pale.
- How are you, Tom? - Dumbledore noticed the hard wooden chair beside Riddle and sat down. - I'm Professor Dumbledore.
- Professor? - Said cautiously. - It's like Doctor? What are you doing here? She let him in order to examine me? - He was pointing to the door through which Mrs. Cole had a little party.
- No, - said Dumbledore, smiling.
- Do not believe you - Riddle said. - She wants me to be examined, do not you? Speak the truth! - His eyes widened and sparkled in the direction of Dumbledore, who did not make any reply, just kept smiling pleasantly. - Who are you?
- I told you. My name is Professor Dumbledore and I work in a school called Hogwarts. I come to offer you a place at my school if you want.
- You can not fool me. The Hospice is where you are. Well, I'm not going to see? That old cat, but she should be at the Hospice. I never did anything small Amy Benson or Dennis Bishop, and you can ask them, they will tell you!
- I am not of the Hospice, I am a teacher and if you sit quietly, I'll tell you more about Hogwarts. Of course, if you do decide to go to school, nobody will force you. Hogwarts is a school for people with special skills ...
- I'm not crazy!
- I know not. Hogwarts is a school for mad people. It is a school of magic.
- Magic? - He repeated.
- Is - said Dumbledore.
- It's ... is magic, what can I do?
- What can you do?
- All kinds of things. I can move files without touching them. I can make animals do what I want them to do. I can do bad things happen to people who hate me. I might cause pain if I want. - His legs were shaking. He stumbled back and sat on the bed and staring at his hands, his head bowed as if in prayer. - I knew I was different - he whispered. - I knew I was special. Always, I knew there was something.
- Well, you were quite right - Dumbledore said, was no longer smiling but looking closely Riddle. - You are a witch.
Riddle raised his head. His face was transfigured: There was a wild happiness of it, however for some reason did not improve his expression, by contrast, features finely carved it seemed rougher, somehow, his expression almost bestial. - You are a witch?
- Yes, I am.
- Taste - Riddle said immediately
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. - If I do this, you accept your place at Hogwarts?
- Of course!
- So you treat me as Professor or Lord.
- I'm sorry, sir. I meant - please, Professor, could you show me?
Dumbledore drew his wand pocket inside his suit jacket, pointed to the wardrobe in the corner and took the wand with a casual flick. The wardrobe burst into flames. Riddle jumped, but then the flames disappeared, leaving the wardrobe completely intact.
- I think there's something trying to get out of your wardrobe. - And a low noise could be heard from within. For the first time, Riddle looked scared. - Open the door.
Riddle hesitated, then crossed the room and opened the closet door. On the top shelf, was waving a small cardboard box and shaking as if there were so many rats trapped inside.
- Remove - Dumbledore said. Riddle took the box trembled. He looked nervous. - Is there anything in that box you should not have? - Asked Dumbledore.
- Riddle threw Dumbledore a long, clear, calculating look. - Yes, I think so, sir.
- Open it.
Riddle opened the lid and turned the contents over his bed without looking.
- You return it to their owners with their excuses - Dumbledore said quietly, replacing the wand in his jacket. - I know it was done. And warn: Theft is not tolerated at Hogwarts. - Riddle did not seem remotely embarrassed, he was still staring coldly Dumbledore. After all he said in a deadpan voice, "Yes, sir."
- At Hogwarts - Dumbledore said - we not only teach you how to use magic, but to control it. You have used their powers in a way without knowing it, in a way that is neither taught nor tolerated in our school. You're not the first nor the last you will, to use his magic to help you. But you should know that Hogwarts can expel students, and the Ministry of Magic more severely punish lawbreakers.
- Yes, sir - Riddle said again, he turned nasty and said Dumbledore - I have no money.
- This is easily corrected - Dumbledore said, taking a leather bag with money from his pocket. - There is a scholarship at Hogwarts to those who need help to buy books and uniforms. You may have to buy some of their spell books and other secondhand, but ...
- Where do you buy spellbooks?
- In Diagon Alley - Dumbledore said. - I have your list of books and supplies with me. I can help you find everything ...
- You come with me? - Riddle said.
- If you ...
- I do not need you, - said Riddle. - I do things I want, I go to London when I want. How do I get in Diagon Alley, sir?
Dumbledore handed Riddle the envelope with its list of substances and then say exactly how to get the orphanage to the Leaky Cauldron, he said, - Ask for Tom the barman come to you.
- My father was a wizard? His name was Tom Riddle also told me.
- I do not know - said Dumbledore, his voice gentle.
- My mother could not have been a witch, or she would not have died - Riddle said more to himself than to Dumbledore. - He should have been ... So when I have all my stuff when I'm going to this Hogwarts?
- All details are on the second piece of parchment on your envelope. You will depart from King's Cross Station on September 1. There is a train ticket there as well.
Riddle nodded. Dumbledore stood up and held out her hand again. Taking it to Riddle told him, "I can talk to snakes. I realized when we were traveling the country, they found me, they whisper to me. This is normal for a wizard?
- It is unusual but not unknown. - Dumbledore was at the door. - Bye, see Tom we will at Hogwarts.
- Let's go back - said Dumbledore holding my shoulder. The next moment we were back will his office. We sat down again and he said - Tom's powers were too developed for so young a wizard, and to some extent, he had discovered how to use them consciously. I hope Miss. is tracking well so far, and if you have no question, we say goodbye for today. - Dumbledore told me with a smile.
- Actually teacher, I have a question. It has nothing to do with the memory, but ...
- Continue Miss Granger. Ask your question.
- Well, I understand the reason for all this to show you Harry, but why me? For this to serve me?
- All the time. It is not time for Miss know the exact reason, but well you say that, you'll probably have to do extra work to help the Order, so to speak. Of course, only if you agree.
- To help defeat Voldemort I do anything.
- Well, if that's it, we'll see you tomorrow at the same time.
- Yes sir. See you tomorrow.
Leaves the room and went into the common room. On the way in which thought Dumbledore had told me and showed me recently. I arrived in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady and whispered the password "Asafugas 'and walked distractedly going straight toward the girls' dorm, when I felt someone holding my arm. I turned and saw Harry, Ron, Lavender, and Ginny staring at me. I think they tried to call me and I have not heard.
- E, called you and you did not hear - Gina said. He did not say?
- Sorry, I'm so distracted that neither realized. Well, I'm tired, I go to sleep. See you tomorrow. - I did not give them time to respond. I went straight to my room and threw myself on the bed.