Tom Riddle screamed as the flames filled him with intense pain. His eyes opened and he panicked as he tried to figure where he was. "Easy Tom," an auburn haired man with a long red beard said kindly. A young Albus Dumbledore, he thought.

"Did my magic hurt someone," he asked in a timid voice. I am back at the orphanage before I received my Hogwarts letter, he thought. I can change it all!

"Do you think you hurt someone? Do you already know about magic?" Albus asked, curious about the small, dark haired boy before him.

Albus had been in his classroom working on his lesson plans when Fawkes had appeared and whisked him away to the orphanage. He had felt the accidental magic and gave no thought as he rushed in to sooth the magical child within its walls. Albus believed in fate and knew he was meant to be at this orphanage, he was meant to help this child somehow.

Tom gulped before tears sprang in his blue eyes. He pulled the necklace out from under his shirt and showed the wizard before him. "Hogwarts has given me a second chance and I can't mess this up," he sobbed brokenly. "I am the heir of Slythrein and I belong at Hogwarts. If I continue to stay here, I will be on the same path. Please help me sir, help me change my course. Take me in yourself or ask a light family to. I can't allow the darkness to take me over again."

Suprise showed on Albus' face as he studied the boy. Huge tears rolled down his face and his lips quivered in his attempt to rein in his emotions. Curious of the silver necklace, he grasped it and immediately had images dancing before his eyes. He was unsure how long he saw the images but he knew this boy had been sent to him by Hogwarts or at least a version of Hogwarts. He hadn't been aware the castle could take a corporeal form. "Let's go home Tom," he said as he held out his hand. "You have a Scottish witch to wait for."

Tears of relief fell down young Tom's face as he did something he had never done before. He hugged the powerful wizard tightly. "I will not let you down sir," he said passionately. "My Minerva will be there if I stay on the light path. She is worth everything!"

"Love always is Tom," Albus said as he took the boy's hand within his own. "Let's get your things collected and then we will go to the office to see about signing adoption paperwork."

"Thank you sir," he breathed out as he rushed to gather his meager belongings in a small bag Albus had conjured for him. "I will atone for it all," he promised. Tom would not squander this second chance. His Minerva was worth any task or challenge he had to manage!

A quick stop to the Ministry of Magic ensured Thomas Riddle Dumbledore was the magically adopted son of Albus Dumbledore. Tom had been adopted in both worlds. Albus wouldn't take the chance in a technicality separating the two of them. He felt fate had brought the boy into his life for a reason and he was going to ensure the boy stayed put. He had called in a couple of favors from his friends and rushed the paperwork up. He then led his newly adopted son home to Hogwarts!

Albus led his new son to Headmaster Dippet's office to introduce the two. Albus hoped Armando was okay with his new son residing in the castle. He felt he was supposed to have the boy with him. If need be, he would leave his post and find another job to support them but he didn't want to leave his teaching post if it could be avoided. He felt he was meant to teach the young!

He smiled reassuringly at Tom before knocking briskly on the door. After gaining entry, Albus entered the office with Tom's hand firmly in his own. "Good Evening Armando," he greeted friendly.

Headmaster Dippet, an ancient looking wizard, returned the pleasantries and eyed the young dark haired boy curiously. "Who do you have with you Albus," he asked.

Albus smiled at him. "This young man is my newly adopted son Tom," he said with a smile.

He watched as his friend looked on in suprise at the revelation. The older wizard schooled his features and congratulated him. "I wasn't even aware you were looking into adoption," he friend had said.

"Neither did I," Albus had confessed and smiled reassuringly at Tom. "Tom sort of just fell into my life. Apparently we need each other, right Tom?"

Tom breathed a sigh of relief at Albus' easy acceptance of him. He nodded his head and replied, "Yes sir."

"What arrangements have you made for Tom while you are teaching," Armando asked. Albus realized as long as he continued to teach his classes without incident then Dippet had no qualms about his son residing in the castle.

"I have made some inquiries regarding muggle primary school," Albus answered. "I could Floo him each morning before my classes and then pick up him up after my classes are done for the day. I have a few schools to visit before deciding on which one would work best for us. I will need a couple of days from teaching to visit the schools and enroll Tom in the one we decide on."

Armando studied his friend for a few minutes before nodding his head in acceptance. "Sounds reasonable enough," the man said with a smile. "I will even cover your classes until you sort it out."

"Thank you Armando," the auburn haired wizard said in relief.

"It has been some years since we have a child younger than 11 in the castle. I will look forward to seeing you around the castle Tom," the Headmaster said as he turned back to his correspondence.

Albus smiled reassuringly and led Tom out of the office and towards their home. He only hoped Tom would not be too disappointed by his lack of bedroom. Those things took time and it would take him quite a bit of magic and energy to create one for the child.