The rest of June and July passed very peacefully after the heart-to-heart in the library that night. Tom Jr. stayed out of trouble and Tom Sr. allowed him more freedom and responsibility. There was a general ease about the Riddle Manor that even the villagers noticed. While the Riddles were not particularly well-liked, the public opinion was mildly more improved. However, that was disrupted on the 31st with the arrival of a very peculiar stranger. The Riddles were just sitting down to tea when the butler announced a Professor Dumbledore was waiting in the parlor for Master Tom. No one knew a Dumbledore, nor were they expecting visitors. Nevertheless, as he was a professor and Eton was a relatively large school, it was possible Tom simply never had a reason to know of him, and so he left his father and grandparents to meet this Dumbledore fellow.

Tom entered the parlor to find an older man with long grey hair highlighted with auburn and an even longer beard. He wore a purple suit and half-moon glasses. The thing that struck Tom the most though was his bright blue eyes that twinkled merrily with knowledge and power. Tom felt that if this man was from his school, he would have noticed him. Professor Dumbledore was someone who could not be ignored. Dumbledore stepped forward and extended a hand that Tom hesitantly shook.

"You must be Tom. I'm Professor Dumbledore. It's a pleasure to meet you," he introduced himself.

"And you too," Tom returned. "How can I help you?"

"I'm a teacher at a school called Hogwarts. It's for special students such as yourself and we'd like to offer you a place there." Tom immediately refused. His entire family had gone to Eton and he would continue going there as well. Besides, he'd never heard of Hogwarts, such an odd name for a school, and he doubted the quality of its education. Dumbledore laughed lightly when Tom gave the former excuse. "Hogwarts is not a normal school. Tell me, have you ever been able to do things you couldn't explain?" Tom's eyes narrowed at this question. It was very peculiar and made him suddenly feel very self-conscience. Was this a trick?

"Why do you ask?"

"You're a wizard, Tom. At Hogwarts we would train you to control and explore your magic," Dumbledore told him bluntly. A wave of understanding washed over the boy as he suddenly had an answer for what it was he could do. Still, he had a hard time believing the older man. He nodded in understanding, but kept a skeptical look.

"Are you a wizard?" he asked methodically.

"I am."

"Prove it." Dumbledore seemed a tad surprised by this request, order more like it, but obliged nonetheless. He pulled out an oddly formed stick-like thing and waved it, causing the chair next to transform into a cat. Tom watched fascinated as the cat moved about the room rather dazed an confused. Dumbledore waved the wand again and the cat turned back into the chair. "What is that?" Tom asked in regards to the stick.

"It's a wand. You'll have to buy one to come to the school," Dumbledore explained, but Tom shook his head.

"I don't need one of those." Concentrating on the same chair, he caused it to rise into the air. Dumbledore was thoroughly impressed, but not as amazed as Tom assumed he would be.

"That's quite remarkable Tom. Most children your age, especially with non-wizarding or Muggle parents have no control over their magic. While some spells do not require a wand, others do and it is a required," he corrected him. The remark about his abilities triggered another question, but Tom was hesitant to ask. At first, it seemed an odd question, but this conversation was far from normal and Dumbledore was a teacher, so it seemed all right.

"I can talk to snakes. Can other people do that?" This information got the reaction he was previously looking for. The blue eyes narrowed slightly and the twinkle lessened.

"Some, but hardly any. It's a very rare gift known as parseltongue. While there is nothing wrong with it, I would be careful who you tell. Many wizards fear it," he warned. Tom nodded understandingly. Dumbledore watched him for a second before returning to his previously jovial manner. "Very well then. Does this mean you are interested?"

"Yes. I'll have to discuss it with my father though."

"Naturally. Is he here at present?" Tom said he was and excused himself to go retrieve him. As he made his way to the sitting room, a nervous excitement and sense of pride filled him. He was a wizard and apparently the first in his family! He was also a talented and powerful one with a rare gift. He knew he was special. By the time he reached the rest of his family, he was positively buzzing with excitement.

"Father, Professor Dumbledore wishes to speak with you," he said as calmly and normally as possible. He failed rather awfully. His father and grandparents stared at him oddly, unaccustomed to seeing him so worked up over anything, so Tom Sr. rose quickly and headed to the parlor to see what this was all about. Seeing his father's reaction, Tom's buzz died just a little remembering how he'd reacted to the flying rocks. His father was a fairly religious man and probably believed magic was evil. Would he keep Tom from attending? Would he disown him for being the devil's child? Well, if he was disowned, then he could decide to go for himself. How would he pay for it though? Were there wizard scholarships? They entered the parlor and Tom Sr. had a similar action to Dumbledore. Still, he offered a hand and greeted him politely.

"Professor, I'm Tom Riddle. I understand you wish to speak with me?"

"Ah yes. Perhaps you should have a seat." Tom realized this was probably a good idea as the shock could be unpleasant. "I have just talked to Tom about a special ability of his. He has been involved in some unusual circumstances that you may be aware of. This is because he is a wizard." Dumbledore paused to allow Tom to absorb that before continuing. "I am a teacher at a school for magical children and I would like to offer him a place there. He has already expressed interest pending your approval." Tom Sr. nodded distractedly, a generally good sign. He opened his mouth to speak, but words seemed to fail him.

"There... there's a school for this?" Both Tom and Dumbledore found this to be a strange first question.

"Yes. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"And he is one, right?" Tom asked rather distressed.

"Yes." Tom covered his mouth and stared out the window. Dumbledore leaned forward in his armchair and met Tom's eyes.

"Mr. Riddle, I feel this is only a minor shock for you. Is there anyone else in the family who-?"

"No, there's not," Tom answered abruptly.

"What's his mother's name?" Tom Sr. quirked an eyebrow suspiciously as Tom Jr. leaned forward. He didn't know his mother's name. He'd asked about her, but for whatever reason, he'd never thought to ask about her name.

"Merope. She died shortly after he was born," Tom told the professor. Merope. It was such an odd name, yet Tom could sense something almost pretty about it. It certainly fit if her father was named Marvolo.

"I'm so sorry. I asked only because some women have been known to keep this information a secret." Tom Sr. said nothing to this.

"How much will this cost?" Tom felt his hope rise again. His father was considering it!

"Just the cost of supplies. If money is an issue-"

"It's not. Is there a specific place where we buy wizard school supplies?" Now that Tom thought about it, his dad did have a good point. The few times he'd been to London, he couldn't recall seeing wizard supply stores.

"Naturally, the wizarding world is kept secret. Diagon Alley is the best place to go. It's accessible from the Leaky Cauldron. I fear, Mr. Riddle, you'll be unfamiliar with the location as only wizards can see the building. If you'd like, I would be willing to escort Tom there the first time and assist him with finding everything," Dumbledore offered.

"Thanks, but I can do it myself," Tom Jr. interjected before his father could reply. He hated being treated like a child and figured he could do something as simple as shop on his own.

"Actually Tom, I think it would be a good idea for you to go with the professor. It'll be completely unfamiliar and I'll be busy the rest of the month. When would you be available?" Tom asked Dumbledore much to his son's disliking. Dumbledore said he would be able to go anytime, and so it was decided that Tom would go to Diagon Alley tomorrow morning. With that, Dumbledore gave Tom an envelope of parchment and left.

"I cannot believe this," Tom Sr. sighed once Dumbledore left, slouching into his armchair as if he'd just run a marathon.

"It's rather surprising, no?" Tom agreed as he opened the wax seal bearing a crest with a lion, badger, snake, and raven around an H. He pulled out two sheets of paper. The first read:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster Armando Dippet

Dear Mr. Riddle,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore
Deputy Headmaster

Awaited his owl? What in the word did that mean? Was it a wizard idiom for acceptance or reply? He would have to ask the professor tomorrow. The second sheet was a list of supplies. He grew even more excited as he read the names of the spell books. He was an avid reader and couldn't wait to get ahold of them. He handed the list to his father to review and Tom Sr.'s expression grew darker as he saw everything. He muttered to himself and Tom thought he detected a few swear words.

"Had to be expensive didn't it? Very well. If it's what you want," he resigned himself to the notion. Tom smiled brightly and gave his distressed father a comforting hug.

"It is," he assured him. However, Tom Sr. had one condition. Always thinking about the future success of his son, he made consent to a tutor in the summer for matters concerning science and politics. He was still hoping Tom would take that route. The boy didn't like the idea, but allowed it anyways. It wasn't that big of a deal. "Are we going to tell Grandma and Grandpa?"

"Later. Let's keep it a secret right now."

That night, Tom went to bed to the sounds of yelling adults. While his father took the news well, his grandparents did not. Tom was very grateful he wasn't present for that.

XXXXXXXXX

Tom Riddle Sr. was in a very bad mood the next morning. He told his parents about Tom's transfer and they did not take the news well. Not only did they worry about how society would see this (it would be hard to cover this up and the truth could not be known) but it brought back nasty memories from the past. They immediately blamed him for running off with that Merope girl and tainting the family line with her strangeness. They thought they'd seen the last of her. Tom had reminded them that he did not marry her willingly. She was a witch after all and had enchanted him, but they would have none of it. It was entirely his fault.

Tom Jr. came down later than normal for breakfast only to enter a room filled with tension. His wavy hair was tamed and parted neatly. His shirt was ironed and his shoes and cufflinks were polished. He would represent the Riddle family well when he entered the wizarding world for the first time on their behalf. The smile was wiped from his face when he sensed the hostility. His grandmother put on a smile and told him how nice he looked. His grandfather confirmed it and gave a few instructions on his behavior. Tom took a huge gulp of tea and tried to hide his irritation. So their grandson may be tainted with his mother's unnaturalness, but they weren't mad at him. Only with their son who purposefully ran off with the hag, risking the family's reputation and producing a barely legitimate heir. That was logical. The other three people at the table talked about what Tom might see today and what school could possibly be like as if this were the most natural thing in the word. Tom Jr. kept glancing over at him to make sure he was okay and he would do his best to give his son a reassuring smile. Finally, a knock sounded on the door and Tom Jr. asked for permission to be excused while trying to hide his anticipation. Tom couldn't help smiling at his son's enthusiasm and wished him luck as he handed him a roll of notes to pay. With a measured a step as possible, Tom Jr. left the room with a false sense of refinement. The adults chuckled to themselves once he was gone and then fell back into the black mood. He left for work as soon as possible.

XXXXXXXXX

Tom experienced his only moment of doubt at what he was doing when they apparated in front into a dank alleyway. When Professor Dumbledore had described apparation, it sounded as if they would just appear in a new location. Tom had just been squeezed through a tube the size of his little finger! It was a thoroughly unpleasant experience and he worried that other magic would be like this. He was shaking as they started walking.

"Don't worry Tom. Apparation is truly the most unnerving magic you'll probably ever face. It gets better with time and if you hate it, there are other methods of transportation. This is simply the easiest given the circumstances," Dumbledore explained. Tom nodded and pulled himself together. They walked out onto a bright, busy sidewalk in the middle of London and just down the street, Tom saw a dark building with a creaky wooden sign in front of it. Everyone seemed to ignore the building, so it made sense that this was actually their destination. They entered into what appeared to be a dark pub. A man who was beginning to age very poorly was drying glasses behind the counter. He greeted Dumbledore and introduced himself as Tom the bartender to Tom. Tom gave him a small nod and resisted the urge to grimace. While he was proud to have his father's name, it irritated him that it was such a common name at that. They walked to the back and out into a small courtyard surrounded by high brick walls. Dumbledore pulled out his wand and tapped several bricks. To Tom's amazement, the wall opened up onto a busy street.

The cobblestone street was lined with bright-colored shops selling the most unusual of things. Just as peculiar were the people in the shops. People in brightly colored robes bustled in and out of the shops, negotiating prices, and talking with acquaintances. As they walked down the street, Tom could not help staring despite his good manners. They made their way to a giant white marble building at the very end of the street, which was later identified as Gringott's Bank. Dumbledore explained that muggle money could not be used in the wizarding world, and so they would have to exchange it. Tom noticed the riddle on the door as they walked in, but as he had no intention to steal, he didn't worry about it.

"Some say there are dragons in the lower levels of the bank," Dumbledore told him with an especially bright twinkle.

"There are dragons in this world?" Tom asked mystified.

"Oh yes! Dragons, unicorns, fairies, bowtruckles, hippogriffs, and goblins," he finished as they approached the high counter. Behind it sat a small, stern, green-grey creature weighing with scales. It looked up at Dumbledore with a most displeased expression. Tom felt a twinge of fear towards this creature.

"Yes?" the goblin asked in a high, nasally voice.

"We need to make a currency exchange," Dumbledore explained. The goblin took the roll of notes and filled out a few forms, which Tom had to sigh, and then gave him a bunch of odd coins. Dumbledore told him that the big gold ones were Galleons, the smaller silver were sickles, and the smallest bronze coins were knuts. Tom had never seen money liked this, and he liked it. They next bought him regular black robes, a cloak, pointed hats, and dragon-hide gloves. Tom felt as if he were getting ready for Halloween, not school. They also bought him a cauldron and potion's kit from the apothecary, a telescope, and scales. Next, they went to the bookstore. Flourish and Blotts was unlike anything Tom had ever seen before. Books were crammed into this small building in all forms. They were on shelves, stacked on tables, and piled from floor to ceiling in impossible stacks. Tom guessed they were held up magically. The store owner greeted them warmly and set off immediately to get Tom's books. Tom used this opportunity to wander about the store. He found books on curses and hexes, which interested him, but he figured Professor Dumbledore would not approve and he decided to put that off until he came by himself. Besides, he probably did not have enough foundation with this wand magic to perform any of these. He did get one book though: Hogwarts, A History. He guessed a lot of his fellow students would know about Hogwarts, probably coming from wizard families, and he refused to be behind everyone else. It should give him plenty of insight into his new school. He added this to his purchase, and then they left to get his wand. While Tom questioned how crucial the wand was, he was excited about it. In every fairytale, it was the key trait of a magical being. However, as they entered the store, Tom was very disappointed.

Olivander's Wands was a rather unremarkable building from the street, and even less welcoming inside. Everything was coated in a fine layer of dust. They approached the darkly lit counter and Dumbledore rang the bell on there. Immediately, an odd man poked his head from around the doorway.

"Well, Professor Dumbledore, an honor. And who is this?" Mr. Olivander was a tall, thin man with crazy blond hair that stuck out in all directions. Tom introduced himself, and offered a hand, but Mr. Olivander did not shake it. Instead, he pulled out a tape measure that began measuring every inch of Tom. "Which is your wand hand?" he asked. Tom was rather distracted by the tape measure, but guessed his right. Olivander called off the tape measure and disappeared again. The boy looked nervously at Professor Dumbledore who gave him a reassuring smile. Olivander returned with an arm full of boxes. "Try this. Holly and unicorn hair, very flexible." Tom took it and gave it an awkward wave. Nothing happened. Olivander snatched it up and handed him another: oak and dragon-heart string. He gave it another wave and this time a glass vase exploded. Tom apologized, but Olivander paid it no heed. They went through box after box, and eventually Tom wondered if he would ever find a wand. Perhaps this was proof that he didn't need one. Dumbledore continued to be patient as Olivander grew more frustrated. Finally, after an hour and a half, there was a breakthrough.

"Holly and Phoenix feather, just made a month ago," Olivander sighed as he handed him the wand. Tom felt a connection immediately and waved it. A few sparks came out, but Olvander was not convinced. "Almost... I wonder...," he mumbled as he left and dug for another wand. "Yew and Phoenix feather." Tom felt that connection again, but on a much more powerful level. He waved it and a significant amount of sparks in every color flew from the tip. "Ah ha! You have your wand." Tom grinned from ear to ear. "That's a very peculiar chose. You see Mr. Riddle, that wand is part of a set of wands. When the phoenix gave the feather for your wand, it also gave another. It's very rare, it entirely unique that a wand should share a core. Treasure that wand. It's special." Tom was pleased with this information. He was special and deserved an equally special wand.

That concluded their trip. Tom and Professor Dumbledore returned to the alley in which they came and apparated back to his house. Dumbledore gave him a train ticket and explained how to access Platform 93/4 and then warned him that from now on, he was not allowed to do magic as he bore a trace from the Ministry of Magic to watch under-aged wizards. Tom accepted these terms and went into the house to tell his family about his eventful day.

A/N So what do you guys think? I've been dying to write this chapter, and think it came out pretty well. Sorry it took so long. I moved into my dorm on Friday for the first time so I've been extremely busy. I'll try and update faster next time. Please review!!