THESE MEMORIES ARE TAINTED WITH RIDDLES

Revised: October 23, 2013

When Harry's feet touched ground he found he was standing in an old-fashioned London street. He waited for Dumbledore to show up. It just occurred to Harry he did not know whose memory this was.

"Sir?" Harry asked, turning to him.

"Yes Harry?"

"Whose memory are we in now?"

"Why, we are in my memory," Dumbledore smiled.

"Oh…"

"In fact, there I am right now"- Dumbledore pointed to a figure walking in front of them on the sidewalk.

Harry looked; the younger Dumbledore had long auburn hair peeking out of his hat and wore a very interesting ensemble- a velvet suit the color of plum. Many people stopped what they were doing to point out the strange-looking man. Harry and Dumbledore followed behind his younger self through iron gates into a gloomy looking courtyard and stopped in front of the door into a large dark building. The younger Dumbledore knocked on the door. It opened to reveal a young girl wearing an apron. Her eyes rose at the looks of the man in front of her.

"Good afternoon miss, I have an appointment with a Mrs. Cole today," he greeted.

The girl nodded and called out for the woman in question then went back to the tall man. "Come in, she's comin'."

Harry and Dumbledore walked inside behind the younger Dumbledore. Harry gulped and took in the building with large eyes. It was dark and gloomy but clean. At once he knew where he was at- an orphanage. He could tell by the large sign hanging in the reception area and the papers around, not to mention the occasional child walking around. He was so busy looking at the area to notice a tap on his shoulder. He looked up and saw Dumbledore nod in front of him- he was signaling to follow behind himself and a woman who had to be Mrs. Cole. They walked into a small room which had to be her office.

Dumbledore took a seat into an old chair and Mrs. Cole behind a cluttered desk. She looked at Dumbledore with some hesitancy.

"I am here, as I explained in my letter, to discuss the future of one Tom Riddle," Dumbledore began.

"Oh, right, of course." She looked at him sharply. "Are you related to him?"

"No, I am a teacher. I have come to offer Tom a place in my school."

"What school is this then? Where is it?" she asked quickly.

"It is called Hogwarts and it is a bit of a way from here in Scotland."

"Scotland?" she gasped then went back to her suspicious view of him.

"Yes," Dumbledore simply said.

"Why do you want Tom then?"

"He has certain, well, qualities we are looking for in our school."

"Qualities eh? Such as?" she snapped.

Harry frowned; this woman was very pushy and nosy.

The past Dumbledore frowned, then took out a paper from his pocket, waved his wand and passed it to her. She read the paper with a dazed look upon her face before handing it back.

"Yes, that does explain things," she said, still a little unfocused.

Harry watched as she offered a bottle of gin at that moment and they began to drink. Dumbledore then set his glass down.

"If you don't mind, I was wondering if you could tell me anything about Tom Riddle's history?"

"History?"

"Yes, for starters- was he born in the orphanage?"

"Oh yes," Mrs. Cole said nodding. "I remember that night well, I just began working here myself. It was New Year's Eve- nastily cold out. This young woman- not even twenty-five came staggering up our steps- very much in labor. She wasn't the first one to do so and I know won't be the last. She had her baby in an hour, and in another hour she died."

Harry listened with interest for his own benefit- not because the headmaster wanted him to.

"Did she say anything before she died? Did she tell you anything about the baby's father?" Dumbledore asked.

Mrs. Cole rubbed her chin. "As a matter of fact she did." She took another gulp of gin. "I recall very well- she turned to me and said, 'I hope he looks like his papa.' I won't lie; she was one to hope so for she wasn't a beauty herself. She then told us to name him Tom after his father and Marvolo after her father. I know, it's an odd name isn't it?" she said, looking at Dumbledore's interested expression. "The boy's surname was to be Riddle and not long after, she died. Well we named the boy like she wanted, it seemed so important for her to do so, poor thing, but as the years went past no one with the name Tom, Marvolo, or Riddle ever came. No one at all, so he's been here at the orphanage all this time," she finished.

Dumbledore nodded, rubbing his great beard.

Mrs. Cole then frowned as she gripped her gin glass. "He's a funny boy," she stated suddenly.

"Is he really? I was expecting him to be," Dumbledore nodded.

"And not just that, he was funny since birth. Hardly ever cried, and as he aged- well, he just became odd…"

"Odd in what way?" Dumbledore asked.

Harry noticed Mrs. Cole open her mouth as if to answer but shut it again, looking around nervously.

"You say he's got a place in your school?"

"Yes."

"Permanently?"

"Yes."

"No questions asked? No strings tied?"

"Yes."

"Nothing I say will change it?"

"Nothing," Dumbledore sighed.

She bit her lip then cast another nervous glance before saying, "He scares the other children."

"Scares them? Do you mean he's a bully?"

"He must be," Mrs. Cole breathed. "But the odd thing is it is highly difficult to catch him at it. There have been- incidents, nasty ones, nasty things happened…" she shuddered.

Dumbledore did not ask her to continue but she did not stop.

"Well one time- I mean, Billy Stubbs' rabbit well… well Tom said he didn't do it, and I don't know how he could have done but- well, it couldn't have hung itself in the rafters could it?"

Harry's eyes went wide when she said this. A rabbit hang itself in the rafters?

"Well I would think it's not possible," Dumbledore said.

"But if it didn't well, how did Tom know how to do it? How could it even be possible? I know he had an argument with Billy the day before but…" she took another gulp of gin and continued. "Well another time it was a summer outing- we take the children to the seaside or countryside once a year to get out, well, Amy Benson and Dennis Bishop were never quite right after the trip. All we ever were able to get out of them was that Tom led them into a cave and well, something happened. We just don't know what. And there have just been a number of all sorts of odd things. Very odd funny, unexplainable things…"

She sighed and sat back in her chair for the first time. "I really think that is all you need to know about him."

"Very well. Oh- just one little thing, I do hope you understand that Tom will have to return here at the very least, every summer."

"Well can't ask for anything better can we? I know it's rude but he's a funny boy and will not be missed by many." She then got to her feet. "Well then, I suppose you would like to see him?"

"Yes indeed," Dumbledore inclined his head.

They walked out her office and up the stairs, Mrs. Cole calling out instructions and telling this and that to the occasional helper and child. Harry glanced around at each child, his hands in his pockets. This was a very grim-looking place even though the children looked cared for enough. He knew though that after what he had suffered his early childhood at the Dursleys was far worse than growing up here, and given the choice, he'd choose an orphanage.

At least it's everyone's responsibly to care for the children and make sure they have clothes that fit and enough food to eat Harry thought grimly. Plus, there is always that chance a loving family would come in and rescue you from the gates of the orphanage…

"Here we are," Mrs. Cole another finally, stopping at the first door of a long corridor. She knocked twice and entered. "Tom? You have a visitor. This is Mr. Dumbletron- I'm sorry- Dumbledore. He's here to- well, he'll tell you…" with that she left.

Harry walked in after the past and present Dumbledore. The room was bare except for a wardrobe and a bed. A boy was sitting atop the gray blankets of the bed, legs crossed, holding a book. Merope had got her wish- young Tom was as handsome as his father, dark hair, smooth pale skin, and tall. He looked at Dumbledore suspiciously as he came forward.

"How are you today Tom?" Dumbledore asked, and held out a hand.

Riddle looked at it for a moment then shook it. Dumbledore took the wooden chair by the bed and sat down facing him.

"I am Professor Dumbledore."

"'Professor?' like 'doctor'? What are you here for? What has she been telling you about me?" the boy demanded, obviously talking about Mrs. Cole.

"Relax dear boy, she hasn't been telling me anything that should bother you," Dumbledore said easily.

Harry stole a glare at the present day Dumbledore- why on earth did he have to lie like that? The headmaster seemed to take no heed to the teenager next to him.

"She's been saying all sorts of things hasn't she? She wants me looked at! She thinks I'm crazy! Tell the truth!"

"I am telling the truth young man. I am not here to look you over."

"Who are you then?"

"I am Professor Dumbledore, and I am a professor at a school called Hogwarts. I have stopped by today to offer you a place in my school, that is if you would like to come."

Riddle only leapt to his feet. "You can't kid me! I know you're from the nut house or some sort of asylum! I never did any of the things that crazy old woman has told you! Just ask anyone! Ask Amy Benson and Billy Stubbs! They'll tell you the truth!" he rang.

Dumbledore still sat calmly. "I am not from any sort of asylum, I am a teacher. If you kindly sit back down I will tell you all about Hogwarts."

Riddle looked weary still but decided to follow the old man's command.

"Now then, Hogwarts is a school for children with special abilities"-

"I'm not mad!" Riddle shouted.

"I never said you were. Hogwarts is not a school for mad people; it is a school for magical people."

Riddle's eyes went wide for a second then his face calmed. Harry saw as he watched Dumbledore's face for any hint of a lie but did not find one. Finally he spoke.

"Magic?"

"Yes," Dumbledore nodded.

"Magic is what I can do? That's what I've been doing all this time?"

"Well what sort of things have you been doing?" Dumbledore asked simply.

"Nothing like that old bat's been telling you!"

"Then I would like to hear it from yourself."

A look of real darkness caressed the boy's face. Harry did not like it one bit. "Oh, I can do all sort of things. I can move things without touching them; I can make animals do whatever I tell them to do. It's like I can force things to happen without a real reason of doing it. I can make bad things happen to those who annoy me; I can cause pain if I want to too."

Riddle shook his head as if to make sure this wasn't all a dream. "I knew it, I knew it. I knew I was different, I knew I wasn't crazy, I felt it. I knew everyone was lying when they said I was crazy. They can't feel the things I feel, do the things I can do."

Dumbledore frowned as he watched the boy in front of him, as if he was about to show off just how intense his magic could be. "Well yes, you are quite right. You are a wizard."

Riddle looked up again at the headmaster. "Are you a wizard too then?"

"Yes, I am."

"Prove it, show it to me now," Riddle ordered.

"If I do, I take it you are accepting a place at Hogwarts"-

"Yes! Do it!"

"Then you will address me as 'sir' or 'professor.'"

Riddle's expression darkened for a moment then recovered and he replied back in an unusually polite tone, "I'm sorry sir. What I meant was please could you show me Professor?"

Harry was surprised when Dumbledore nodded. They were in a building full of Muggles! However Dumbledore pointed his wand at the old wardrobe in the room and flicked it. It burst into flames. Riddle cried out and leapt to his feet, Harry had a feeling his processions were inside there; but a moment later the flames disappeared and the wardrobe was as unharmed as it was before it caught fire. Riddle then eyed Dumbledore's wand.

"Where can I get one of them?" he asked as if it was a loaf of bread and he was a child deprived of food.

"All in good time," Dumbledore said casually. "I think there is something trying to get out of your wardrobe," he added when a rattling sound could be heard behind the door.

Riddle looked nervous for the first time that afternoon.

"Open the door," instructed Dumbledore.

Riddle bit his lip for a moment then paced to the other side of the room and opened his wardrobe. The top shelf held a small selection of plain clothing and on the shelf atop it laid a small moving box.

"Take it out," Dumbledore said.

Riddle took out the squeaky box.

"Is there anything inside you ought not to have?"

"Maybe, I suppose sir…"

"Open it."

Riddle opened the box and dumped its contents onto his bed without a glance. On it lay a yo-yo, silver thimble and an old mouth organ. The items stopped quivering once out of the box.

"You are to return the possessions to their owners and apologize," Dumbledore instructed. "I will know if you have or not. And just to warn you now, thievery is not at all tolerated at Hogwarts."

Riddle didn't look to happy to be told what to do, obviously no one ever spoke to him like this before. He said simply, "Yes sir."

"Now then, at Hogwarts we teach you to not only do magic but to control it. I have to say this now; you seem to have been using powers that will not be tolerated at Hogwarts. You are not the first nor will you be the last to have your magic run away from you so easily. Hogwarts can expel students just like any other school, as can the Ministry. Yes, we have a Ministry- they can punish lawbreakers more accordingly. All new wizards must know this and accept it, and from day one they must follow the rules wizards set out. It is important that we do so."

"Yes sir," Riddle said.

Harry couldn't tell what he was thinking, what was going on inside the boy's mind.

"Sir, I haven't any money," Riddle said bluntly.

"That is easily taken care of. There is a fund at Hogwarts for those who cannot afford all the necessary clothing and equipment that must be used. You might have to buy some of your items second-hand I'm afraid," Dumbledore said as he took out a money bag from his pocket.

"Where do I buy spell books?" Riddle asked after taking the gold from Dumbledore without any thanks.

"In Diagon Alley, the wizarding equivalent to a common London street market," Dumbledore answered. "I have here a list of everything you need; I can help you find it all"-

"You're coming with me?" Riddle frowned.

"Well, if you need assistance"-

"I don't need you, I don't need anyone's help," Riddle said coldly. "I can do anything by myself. I go round London on my own all the time. I'll find where this Diagon Alley is; just tell me how to find it."

Harry thought Dumbledore might insist to travel along with Riddle but he made no such movement. He handed him his Hogwarts letter and told him how to get to Diagon Alley.

"You will be able to see it, although Muggles- non-magic people cannot. Ask for Tom the barman, easy enough to remember as he shares the same name as you do"-

Riddle twitched at that moment.

"You dislike the name 'Tom'?"

"Tom is one of the most common names out there, too many people are called Tom," Riddle said under his breath. Something then lit up in his mind at that moment. "Was my father a wizard too? I know he was named Tom Riddle too, they told me."

"I'm afraid I do not hold the answer to that."

"My mother can't have been magic or she wouldn't have died," Riddle said looking nasty once again. "It must've been him. So when I've got all my stuff, when do I come to this Hogwarts?"

"All the details you need to know of are written in your letter. You will leave from King's Cross train station on Platform 9 ¾ on September the 1st. there is already a train ticket included in your letter."

Dumbledore got to his feet again and shook hands with the young boy. Before Dumbledore left however Riddle had to ask one more thing.

"Sir- I can talk to snakes. They find me, whisper things. It's happened every so often, is that normal for a wizard?"

Harry's eyes went wide for a moment although he knew this wasn't anything new. It was still unusual to hear Riddle say something like that.

"It is unusual, not very common," Dumbledore heisted. "But not unheard of."

Dumbledore and Riddle looked at one another for a long moment before Dumbledore left. "Good-bye Tom."

A voice spoke near Harry.

"I think that will do," the present-day Dumbledore said, and the next moment Harry felt himself floating up and out of the memory and back in the headmaster's office.

Harry looked at the headmaster, not saying anything.

"Sit down," Dumbledore said.

Harry did so.

"First off, I would like to know- and hope that what you saw wasn't as disturbing as the first memory I showed you Harry."

"No, it wasn't," Harry shrugged. "Sir," he added.

Dumbledore smiled. "I am sure you do not want to sit here going over what you just saw"-

Harry shifted in his seat.

"So I can try and keep things as simple as I can before you begin to distaste me again. Did many of your questions get answered from what I showed you, just before we went inside?"

"Um, some of them yeah."

"Are you certain nothing you saw bothered you Harry? I only want the best for you."

Harry felt his blood run cold at that statement; it was taking every fiber of his being to not retort back. He clamped his jaw tight, resulting in painful pokes from his braces but he could not, would not shout at the old man, not again.

"Harry?" Dumbledore asked again. He must have seen just how tight and stiff Harry had gotten at that moment.

Harry finally parted his lips. "Nothing too horrible no."

"Is something troubling you Harry?" Dumbledore's voice said.

"I'm fine," Harry said rather ruder than he wanted.

"Well if you're sure… is there anything from the memory that captured your interest? Anything you were shocked to see perhaps?"

"Is there- something you were expecting me to see?"

"Not necessarily, just the memory as a whole."

Harry thought about what he just saw and waited for something to pop up. Something did and he knew he had to talk things over, at least some, with Dumbledore. "Um, well, there was one thing…"

"Yes?" Dumbledore asked promptly.

"Well, it was a bit interesting to see Riddle believe that he was a wizard so quickly. I mean, it's a pretty huge thing to tell someone isn't it?"

"It is, yes," Dumbledore nodded.

"I know Hermione can't have taken it so easily, nor could her parents. I didn't believe Hagrid when he first told me, but Riddle believed you."

"Well he did feel he was 'special' his whole life. He was ready to believe anything that would be good enough of a reason why he could do the things he could."

"I didn't like it much, I mean, well, it was a bit unnerving to hear him and see him accept so quickly. There was a really dark look to his face when he found out," Harry said, looking at his hand.

"Yes, there was."

Harry waited for a moment to see if Dumbledore would say something else. When he didn't Harry voiced how long he expected him to stay.

"Only as long as you're comfortable with. I would like to talk about what we saw a bit more but if you do not want to anymore tonight, I will let you leave."

Harry sat up straighter in his seat. "Well, if that's the case then I think I might like to leave soon. I want to think about what I saw, it's kind of unnerving to see him as a boy, you know?" Harry said carefully.

"So you wish to leave now?"

"I'm sorry but I'm very exhausted, I hardly slept last night plus I still need to study for Transfiguration."

"Yes, your lessons are highly important Harry, although I can't help but wish you would stay longer. There really is much to discus and I cannot work around your schedule all the time."

You never were… "Yeah well, I really need to get to bed, really. Sorry."

"These lessons are very important Harry," Dumbledore reminded him a 100th time.

"I know that, really sir. I just don't think I have the stamina to even stand anymore tonight, I barely slept a few hours last night."

"I hope you aren't leaving because of something you saw."

"No, I'm leaving because I need sleep. You can call me back up here tomorrow if you want, but I really should go."

Dumbledore sighed, looking defeated. "Well if that's what you feel is the best choice Harry, then I can't stop you."

Harry was on his feet. "Yes well, I'll see you another time then. Good-night Professor."

"Good-night Harry."

Harry nodded and hurried back to Gryffindor tower. His hands were in his pockets and he was bombarded by a tidal wave of yawns the way there. He'd be more alert tomorrow or another day, and if he didn't have homework and he wasn't so damn tired he would've stayed longer, he really would have, but he couldn't. So he spent ten minutes studying Transfiguration before flopping onto his bed without even changing into pajamas.

The next morning Harry woke refreshed more, although a small terror with Vernon in it interrupted his sleep for a moment. Harry was eating a sad bowl of porridge for breakfast when Hedwig came swooping in the Great Hall, landing rather ungracefully in a bowl of butter.

"Hey there girl," Harry smiled when she ruffled herself. "What do you have for me?"

A medium-sized parcel was tied to her legs. Harry relieved her of her burden and gave her a bit of bacon before she flew off.

"Who's it from?" Ron frowned from across the table, digging into a large plate of eggs.

Harry couldn't tell just yet so he tore off the brown paper of the box then opened the box itself with his wand. A note lay inside. "It's from Helena," he answered looking at the signature.

"What does it say?" Hermione asked over his shoulder.

Harry read the note aloud (so only they could hear):

"Dear Harry,

Remus stopped by the house weeks ago and told me you did not have a new copy of Advanced Potion-Making and alerted me to pick it up when I had the spare time. So here it is, a brand-new copy of Advanced Potion-Making for you! I would have sent it sooner but I have been really busy with work and the baby. I am very happy you were able to get into N.E.W.T. Potions after all. Hoping you and Hermione and Ron are well,

Love,

Helena," Harry finished.

"Ohh good! This is great news then," Hermione said gleefully.

"So that's your new book then?" Ron asked.

Harry opened the paper over the object and sure enough, a shiny new copy of Advanced Potion-Making lay in his hands. Harry however didn't smile.

"What is it?" Hermione asked. She saw as he was frowning at his new book. It hit her, and her eyes narrowed. "You aren't upset to be giving the old written-in book away are you?"

"No," Harry said carefully.

"You are, you are upset at giving away that stupid Prince book!" Hermione said eyes wide.

"Fine, I am, but you can't blame me, it's given me the best marks in Potions since I first started it!"

"You could've gotten the same results if you paid more attention in that class," Hermione pointed out.

"Don't start going there," Harry glared at his girlfriend. "You know I was never meant to be a potions master."

"I've offered tutoring several times the past years but you never picked up on it," Hermione scoffed.

"I"- Harry licked his lips and said softer, "I just can't give up my book okay?"

Hermione pushed aside her plate. "So what? What are you going to do with this new one? You know Remus will want to check your bag to make sure you're using the new book."

Harry's expression hardened at the mention of his uncle. Hermione noticed and her face softened for a moment.

"Is something wrong with Remus, Harry?"

Oh no, just the fact that he doesn't seem to care enough for his son's mental state… "No," Harry said firmly, stuffing a spoonful of porridge into his mouth.

"Are you sure?"

"Really 'Mione, it's fine," Harry said, forming what looked to be a painful smile.

Hermione looked at his strained eyes and wired mouth then raised a brow. "You better be right Potter."

That day was first spent in Potions. Slughorn however did not ask for the old copy of Advanced Potion-Making when Harry settled at the usual table with Hermione, Ron, and Ernie.

Maybe he doesn't know I have a new copy, mused Harry. But one look from Hermione was all it took for his stomach to bubble with guilt. Harry carefully took out the Prince's book, and when Slughorn passed his table Harry called him back.

"Um, Professor, I received my new Potions book this morning…"

"Did you?" Slughorn wondered.

"Yeah, so um, I'll give you back this..." Harry reluctantly handed over the tattered used copy of Advanced Potion-Making to the teacher.

"Why thank-you very much Harry, I'll keep this here then in case someone else needs it…" and Slughorn walked into the back room with the book.

"You made a wise choice Harry," Hermione beamed.

"Yeah well, I sure hope I begin to feel it soon because that was almost as painful as a root canal…" Harry grumbled.

"Don't exaggerate," Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I'm not!" Harry objected. "That book was what's been giving me the best marks in this class since I was eleven Hermione! I know you don't know what it's like to barely scrape by at a subject but I've been that way since I was in primary school, and whenever I was finally able to excel in a subject, well, it was a great feeling…"

Hermione pursed her lips together. "Yes well, did you pass those classes by cheating?"

"I haven't been cheating Hermione! I've just been taking alternate directions!"

"It's cheating because it's not the actual ones and they are shortcuts! They are!" Hermione cried as Harry and Ron rolled their eyes. "Look, if you were in a race and your opponent found a path that was shorter and quicker to the finish line and he won, wouldn't you accuse him of cheating?"

"That's a race, this is just work," Ron said.

Hermione opened her mouth but at that moment the class had to silence to await instructions for the day's lesson.

"Good morning class, today you will begin the first stage of a difficult potion that some may find is too soon for you to learn but I have seen some pretty amazing work in these two months"- Slughorn winked at Harry. "-than I have in the past. So today you will begin to brew a potion that takes a week and a half to mature, a highly useful one, the Bone Mending Potion."

Hermione gasped.

"Ah yes, a bit surprising isn't it Miss Granger? Well now that I know the very first Quidditch match will be arriving shortly- as does Madam Pomfrey, she has asked for a batch of Bone Mending Potion to prepare herself for the usual mess that is Quidditch. Now it doesn't have to be perfect, I would be astounded if anyone is able to come close. Now we all know spells are usually used to mend bones, but in the case they are not, this potion is very useful. So, is everyone ready?" Slughorn finished looking around happily.

The class looked very surprised and slightly hesitant to perform such an important advanced potion.

"Right, turn to page 244 and begin!"

Slughorn was right, this little 'challenge potion' was more impossible than challenging; even Hermione was getting fed up with it.

"Really, why did he assign us something way back in the book so soon?" Ernie was muttering to the three Gryffindors.

"Seems like he was in the mood for a challenge," Ron muttered angrily, just having messed up starting the potion the third time.

"Doesn't it feel good to follow the right directions Harry?" Hermione asked her boyfriend as she chopped up beehiss grass.

Harry didn't say anything; his tongue was wedged in his teeth in frustration. "If I had that book I'd be done by now."

"It takes a week to brew," Hermione reminded him.

"Well I'd be almost done."

Finally the lesson was held off when the bell rang an hour later. Slughorn instructed everyone who had a passable potion (only Hermione) to pour it into a bottle and label it so they could continue it next week Monday.

"Did you see how he was looking at me? I felt like such a failure," Harry told Hermione and Ron as they walked into the common room for a free break.

"You can't win everything," Hermione stated.

Harry and Ron looked at her with the widest eyes.

"What?" she demanded.

"Please don't tell me you said that Hermione, please," Ron said wearily.

Hermione chose to ignore this and went to study for an Ancient Runes exam she had to take Friday. The day went by like any other but Harry was feeling like crap as usual when night rolled by and he was situating himself in bed. He sighed as he absentmindedly stroked Wronski Feint, thinking. Remus had given him a few glances all day and Harry was feeling very uncomfortable about it. He looked down at his gray cat.

"It's too soon to apologize isn't it Weinki?"

Weinki only nudged his hand.

"You're right, I don't need to be the one apologizing, I haven't done anything. He was the one who chose to walk out on me in the hospital wing, and the reason he did so… well, I don't care if I hit a 'soft spot' in him or not, I know what I told him was right and he knows it too."

Weinki began to purr.

"I mean who does he think he is? Acting as if I'm his number one priority one day and the next go completely against my back by- by taking the side of, well," Harry shook his head. "I know Dumbledore's not a bad man, he's all knowing and one of the greatest there is. But I feel unimportant to him, as if the only thing he cares about is if I'm able to defeat Voldemort in the end. Like I'm his pawn. I need to hurry and do what he says and that's all that matters."

Weinki had his eyes open slightly as he looked at his master.

"He showed me the memory of when Voldemort was a child and found out he was a wizard. It's hard to see him as anything but what he is now though. I know this is important and I hate how I care a lot about myself than I used to. All thanks to Moony and Padfoot, they made me take my own thoughts into account. I hate that I see Vernon in my dreams again, I'm over what he did but he won't go away." Harry rubbed his eyes and sighed. "What am I going to do Weinki?"

Of course the animal could not answer back. Knowing it was useless to dwell on such things, Harry took off his glasses, got under his covers and went into yet another restless sleep, confused by everything and wishing he knew the answers to his thoughts.

Magical love: Rose