Chapter 4: Dumbledore's Visit

Albus Dumbledore approached the Benjamin Fitzgerald Home for Boys; he could see that at one point in time it had been a rather handsome building. However, now it appeared gloomy against the gray sky. The building was in need of a paint job, vines create up one side of the house, and the front porch sagged a bit. Dumbledore approached the house and took in the ominous atmosphere. He found himself that this was no place for a child to grow up. Dumbledore knocked on the door where he was met by a fretful woman, whom was continually casting nervous glances around her. When Mrs. Pemberton found out who Dumbledore was there to see she immediately sent him up to his room assuming the worst. Tom went up to his room and sat on the age of his bed to think.

"They did it. They finally did it," Tom thought to himself. He had immediately assumed that they had sent for the doctor and where planning to send him away just like they had sent Phil away. Tom could not claim to have been surprised by this. In fact he had expected and planned for it. Although, he would never admit this he was hurt and afraid. Hurt, because although this was an awful place to grow up and live it was the only place he had ever been able to call home and afraid because what if they succeeded? What if they sent him away to someplace he couldn't escape from? To a place where Nagini couldn't follow?

These were the thoughts running through Tom's head, while Dumbledore was calmly explaining to Mrs. Pemberton that he was not there because of anything that Tom had done, but rather to inform them that Tom had been accepted into a rather prestigious school.

"But…but I don't understand we have never applied for Tom's admittance to any…um, what was the name of this school again?" Mrs. Pemberton inquired.

"Hogwarts. His mother sent in the application before he was born," Dumbledore replied patiently.

"Well, I don't it makes very much. We simply don't have the funds to send any of our children to private schools," Mrs. Pemberton sighed. You see, Mrs. Pemberton hated to see an opportunity like this slip out of any of the boys' fingers, even Tom's these boys received so very little in life and an opportunity like this being flaunted in their face was the ultimate cruelty.

"Not to worry, when had spread of his mother death we decided to take him on as a scholarship student. It won't cost anything," Dumbledore stated. Mrs. Pemberton looked up in surprise, but did not say anything, so Dumbledore continued. "It's a boarding school, so Tom would live on campus and all of needs will be taken care of by the school during the school year."

Mrs. Pemberton never thought she would hear the words Tom and boarding school in one sentence. She nearly fell out of her chair. "Are you sure that Tom is the right person you're looking for?"

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled in amusement. "I am quite sure. Now, I would like to speak to Tom before I leave."

"Oh. Of course," Mrs. Pemberton said while rising to her feet still a bit in shock. While walking up the stairs she realized that it would be improper of her not to tell this Mr. Dumbledore what kind of child he would be admitting into his school. "Um, Mr. Dumbledore there are things that you should know about Tom… He's not like other children."

"How so?" Dumbledore inquired.

"Well, there have been incidents with the other children. Nasty things. Understand there is nothing I can point to and say that he has done, but he was always seem to be around when these things happen," Mrs. Pemberton paused for a moment. "There was an incident with some other children in a cave a few years back. No one will talk about what happened in that cave!" Mrs. Pemberton stated with all of the exasperation that she had been pent up inside her over the years. "Mr. Dumbledore, I know what I sound like, but I felt like I had to say something." Mrs. Pemberton said as they stop in front of Tom's room.

"Thank you, I very much appreciate all you have told me," Dumbledore replied patting Mrs. Pemberton on the shoulder. These kinds of situations were not uncommon. Children with magical abilities growing up amongst muggles often encounter situations like this, so Dumbledore did not give much thought to Mrs. Pemberton's warning.

Dumbledore opened to the door to find Tom sitting on the bed with a somber expression on his face. Most children at the orphanage had to share a room, but Tom had his own room due to a series of not-so unfortunate events (at least as far as Tom was concerned). As soon as Dumbledore entered the room, Tom asked him the question that has been on his mind, since Dumbledore made his appearance on their door step.

"You're a doctor, aren't you?" Tom asked looking Dumbledore straight in the eye.

Dumbledore was not disturbed by Tom maturity like many adults tended to be. He knew that like himself, Tom experiences in life aged him at a rather rapid rate out of necessity. This does not mean that he was blind to Tom's character's faults, rather he simply believed that the bad habits that Tom had developed, like most children, could be unlearned.

"No, I'm a teacher," Dumbledore answered.

"I don't believe you. She wants to send me away. She thinks something's wrong with me," Tom said as he eyes Dumbledore suspiciously.

"No Tom, I'm like you…"

"No one's like me," Tom interrupted him.

"You're wrong."

"Prove it."

Just then Tom's wardrobe flew up in flames and just as suddenly the flames were gone. A slight rapping started to come from inside the wardrobe. "I think something in your closet is trying to get out," Dumbledore said as he places Tom's acceptance letter on his bed. Tom got up to open his wardrobe and Dumbledore followed. There in an old cookie tin was a few of the things he had collected from the other children over the years. "Theft will not be tolerated at Hogwarts, Mr. Riddle. I expect you to returns these things to their rightful owner." Dumbledore stated as he turned to leave. However, just as he reached the door Tom said something else.

"I can talk to snakes. They find me. Whisper things. Is that normal…for people like us?" Tom asked.

"No, that is very unique indeed."