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Chapter Eleven

Pensieve Memories No. 3 (Source: A. P. W. B. Dumbledore) — Conversation With Tom #1

It took three knocks on the door before Albus called out a, "Come in."

The door opened to reveal an eleven years old with dark hair but vibrant violet eyes wearing Slytherin robes. Tom Riddle Jr. walked into his office, his hands clasped behind his back and his face devoid of any emotions. Other students would've been shaking with nervousness, thinking that they had done something wrong to be called to a professor's office, but that wasn't the case for the young eleven years old. He was completely confident in himself that he hadn't done anything wrong or, if he did, he hadn't been caught. The Transfiguration professor gestured for the seat across from him and Tom took it without any words or greetings.

"Hello, Tom," greeted the professor with an amiable smile on his face. "You look rather well."

"Thank you, sir," said Tom politely. It was a huge contrast to the boy who threatened bad things to happen to him. His violet eyes trailed on the yellow and silver robes he was wearing tht had flashing images of the sun embroidered below. "The same could be said to you, sir."

Albus perked up. "Thank you. My daughter bought this robes for me the last time we went to Diagon Alley."

His twinkling blue eyes caught the slight twitch on the Slytherin's lips. "She has good taste, sir."

"She was the one who chose the purple suit the day we went to give you your admittance letter." Albus turned pensive. "She was quite incessant that she'd join me that day. It was quite out of character for her. You know, she rarely leaves the castle."

There was a greedy glint in those violet eyes. "Why, sir?"

"Why did she join me?" Albus shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe she was tired of staring at castle walls and wanted a change. She was quite excited to see the muggle side of the world. She said that what she learned from books could be wrong and wanted confirmation herself. She was... appalled when she saw the conditions in the orphanage." The professor looked apologetically to him.

Tom shrugged. "Donations are hard to come by these days, Professor. I hope that Hermione hadn't done something drastic?" He raised his eyebrows, silently questioning if Hermione had done something.

"Oh, she tried." Albus chuckled, remembering how she huffed and how loudly she protested after they left the orphanage. "We are actually going there this Yule. She wanted to visit and give gifts to the children. Although I think that she might just want to visit you."

Tom's face was blank. "I've already decided on not coming back to the orphanage this Yule, sir."

"Really?" Albus rubbed his long beard. "I don't suppose that Hermione knows? The two of you have gotten closer this past week."

Tom blinked, seeing through the professor's intentions. "Is this the reason why you wanted me to come, Professor? So you could prod my relationship with Hermione?"

The word relationship rang in Albus' mind. What an odd choice of word. He could've used friendship but he deliberately used relationship.

"You must understand, Tom," said Albus. "I am a father and my first priority will always be my daughter." He hesitated before continuing, "Hermione is good, Tom. She is wise beyond her years but she is also painfully innocent. She knows that there is evil and darkness in this world but she still sees the good and the light, and does what is right and willing to forgive what is wrong. Her innocence makes her believe in the good in everyone and in humanity. It's hard not to take advantage of a girl as naïve and as innocent as my Hermione. A father worries. Please, don't take it personal, Tom. I am naturally suspicious of the people who Hermione associates herself with."

"Even Gryffindors?" Tom questioned with a bitter note to his voice.

"Especially Gryffindors," Albus answered without missing a beat. "Even the students from my house are not above taking advantage of Hermione just to gain my favor. That's why, when I saw that you two have gotten close, I was naturally curious. I wonder why you're befriending my daughter when you had steadily avoided her a week ago."

The eleven years old tightened his lips. "I agree with your statements about Hermione, Professor," he said eventually. "However, I think you're underestimating her. She knows what and how people will react to her being a Dumbledore. She is innocent but she's not gullible. Even I can see that she keeps people at arm's length."

"But not with you," Albus pointed out, eyebrows raised.

"Yes, not with me," Tom agreed although his frown indicated he didn't want to. "Frankly, sir, I didn't like your daughter a few weeks ago. However, Hermione is a true definition of a Gryffindor: stubborn, relentless, and brave. She doesn't take no for an answer and after quite some time, I found that she's not so bad to be around. She has proven herself to be a good," Tom paused and choked out, "friend. And a good person. A very good one."

From an orphan who saw the wrong side of the world far too often, admitting that Hermione was good was a very high compliment.

"So, you have come to appreciate her?" Albus' smile was welcoming but his eyes were sharp.

Tom didn't seem to notice. "Hermione is not that hard to appreciate. If I may speak so frankly, sir, she is the only person I appreciate in my life."

Albus didn't why he found his proclamation daunting. Hermione was his daughter, his blood, and his family. She was the light in his life, the one who mended the rift between him and his brother, Aberforth. It should've relieved him that someone else had appreciated Hermione for herself and not just a name to collect. But what Tom had said didn't relieve him.

"Is that all, sir?" Tom politely inquired.

"Oh yes, Tom," Albus replied smoothly even with his chaotic emotions. "Thank you for being understanding. It's quite hard being a father, you see. Oh, care for a Lemon Drop before you go?"

Tom was already standing. "No, thank you, sir."

"Are you sure?" His hand hovered in the air towards him, the candy pinched in his fingers. "I grew fond of this candy when Hermione gave it to me one day. She had caused quite a scandal among us. She snuck out of the castle and went to Hogsmeade without an escort to buy me this. It's quite tasty."

Tom hesitated for a moment before saying, "I think I might just take one, sir."

Albus beamed, watching as he took the Lemon Drop from his fingers before he left. When the door closed, his smile fell.