Chapter Twenty-Four: Speculation

Hermione wasn't sure how to explain why she suddenly thought Albus Dumbledore was a creepy old man to Tom Riddle. She was aware that Tom did not care for the man, but she'd always assumed until now that it was because he always had his nose in Tom's business. But, since she'd spoken to him on Halloween night, she suspected it went much deeper than that.

Now two weeks had passed, and she was still acting unusual, she could tell Tom suspected something was wrong. She worried on her bottom lip, wondering what she would tell him if he actually asked.

They were sitting by the lake this afternoon, each with a book in their laps, attempting to study even though it was difficult to do when they were so close together. Tom's thumb lightly brushed the side of her thigh, and she felt the gentle touch all the way to her core. Her little shiver tipped him off as to her mood, and with a sly smirk he did it again.

"Tom, what are you doing?" she grumbled. "You know we have finals tomorrow."

"Let's go somewhere," he said suddenly, grasping her hand in his.

"What? Where?"

"How about Paris?" he inquired as he suddenly turned and laid his head on her lap.

Giggling, Hermione asked, "What, just like that?"

"Why not?" he said. "We're perfectly capable of popping right over there, right?"

"We're not allowed to pop off whenever we please," she reminded him.

"What's the point of wielding great power if you can't even do anything with it?" he wanted to know. "If I was in charge of the Ministry, I'd make a few changes, let me tell you."

Hermione sighed deeply when she heard this. She asked, "Like what, Tom?"

"Firstly, I wouldn't make wizards hide from Muggles like they are something unnatural," he answered. "I would not make seventh year students have to wait till they graduate to be able to use their spells outside of school. I would not make wizard orphans return to the orphanage for the holidays."

"Is that what this is really about, Tom?" Hermione asked. "You just don't want to return to the orphanage for the holiday?"

"No, Hermione, that's not what this is about," he said. "It's about wresting control away from the Ministry, because what they are doing is wrong. Someone has got to make the changes we need. Someone has got to make them see reason."

"And you believe you're the one to do it?" she asked. "Tom, you're a half-blood, they're not going to listen to you."

"I'm a direct decedent of Salazar Slytherin himself. I have a right to be heard despite the fact my father was a Muggle," he insisted.

"Tom, why do you preach about purity when you are not pure?" Hermione asked then, making him scowl up at her.

"My own circumstances have nothing to do with it," he said as he closed his eyes. "If anything, we half-bloods are even more powerful than those who wish to prevent us ever being born. And because of that power, I will be able to stop them. It's for that reason that the Ministry fears half-bloods so very much—because they know what we are truly capable of."

"But Tom, you have surrounded yourself with supremacists," she said. "Why would any of them follow you, or fight on your behalf?"

"Because my followers believe in the need to overthrow the Ministry," he said. "They are willing to do whatever it takes to reach that goal. It's about time that it was done. What happens after they are defeated can be dealt with then."

"Aren't you afraid that they are just using you to get inside? That once they've succeeded, you'll no longer be of any use to them?"

"Not if they value their lives," said Tom in earnest as his eyes opened so he could stare up at her. "And what about you, Hermione? There are so many things you know—you could help, too. Tell me the mistakes I made, so I don't make them again."

"I don't think I should do that, Tom," she answered uncomfortably. "I shouldn't have even told you that you'd combined with a snake. It's dangerous to know too much about one's destiny. But I'm not worried about any of that at the moment."

"Then what is bothering you, love?" he asked. "You've been on pins and needles ever since Halloween night."

"I—I wanted to tell you about this, but in order to do so, I have to admit something that might make you mad."

"What is it?" he asked, sitting up and watching her intently.

"I—I decided to try to follow you that night, to see where you and your friends went," she admitted. "I'm sorry, I was just worried about what you might do."

Tom looked angry, but he held his temper in check, merely grinding his teeth together a bit before he said, "Go on."

"Dumbledore found me sneaking around, and stopped me before I could catch up with you," she said. "He said something very strange."

"Really?" Tom asked, his whole body tensing up now. "What did the old man say?"

"Well, he told me he knew you and the boys were up to mischief, but because he wants to be famous for his goodness, he must cultivate an enemy to defeat. He told me that he could never be considered so good unless there was someone evil to compare him to. I think he's hoping to defeat Grindelwald soon, to make himself look great. But I also believe he hopes for a new opponent once the old one is gone. He's hoping to create Lord Voldemort, so that when he defeats you he'll look greater than he ever did before."

"Why do you believe this?" Tom asked as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Because in the future you are the villain, and Dumbledore is the great hero who stands against you," Hermione said. "It all makes sense to me now."

"And you know that he kills Grindelwald? You know that he is famous for that?"

"For defeating him, yes," Hermione said. "And with him out of the way, it leaves plenty of room for you to take his place."

"So, I become great and powerful, but turn to the Dark Arts to do so?" Tom inquired speculatively. "What is wrong with that? It's just a means to an end."

"Everything is wrong with it, Tom Riddle," Hermione practically shouted. "People are going to die because of you. Doesn't that bother you at all?"

"It does, Hermione, and if I can avoid those deaths I will," he answered. "But my target is not Albus Dumbledore. I wish to stop the Ministry itself."

"And Albus Dumbledore seems to be willing to let you," said Hermione darkly. "The real question is, to what lengths would he go to make sure that you succeed?"