Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Rubeus Hagrid is polite, distant and calm. He has an iron clad hold on his temper right now, and the only reason he is not letting his temper go, is Tom. The thought of Tom having to face Albus for the next seven years, is the only thing holding Rubeus back. He can't do anything that might harm Tom's chances of having a good Hogwarts experience. If it hadn't been for that, well…

Death has a way of making the living forgive a lot of faults. It had not been a problem Rubeus has ever thought he'd ever face, that of forgiving an Albus who was alive, for the crimes he had yet to commit against those Rubeus loved and loves (Tom, Harry, Tom, the Weasleys, Tom, Hermione, Tom). Rubeus has to remind himself that this Albus is not the same as the Albus he had known. But it is hard, when already Rubeus can see the signs of that Albus in this Albus. It is eye-opening to Rubeus to realise that he has been able to forgive Tom easily, while forgiving Albus is so much more harder. What did it say about him and Albus, that a Dark Lord is easier to forgive than the Light Leader?

(Though, this Albus is giving him more than enough reason to be angry, what with the way he is staring at his son.)

Tom is excited! He is also concerned. He can see that Dad (he is eleven now! He can't keep calling Papa, Papa!) is distracted by something, and that he is being distant to Professor Dumbledore, but still! Tom can't contain his excitement! He is going to Hogwarts! Hogwarts!

He has heard so many stories about Hogwarts from Aunt Liv and the people at the office! Aunt Liv has told him numerous tales about her time in the Hufflepuff House, the adventures she had, the number of times she had snuck into the kitchens for a midnight snack, the time she went exploring the common rooms of the other Houses, she has told him of the secret passages she had found, the Library and so many beautiful and exciting things that made Hogwarts that much more special.

He has heard stories the different Houses from the students Pa-Dad hires. The Riddle giving knocker of Ravenclaw, the cozy underground rooms of Slytherin, the cushy couches of Gryffindor! He has heard about the rivalries between the Houses (it frankly concerns him that the rivalry has been known to become violent on occasion). He has heard of the classes and the Professors, and he just can't wait to see and experience it all for himself!

He got his Letter! He honestly feels like jumping up and down, or maybe spin in a circle like his snakes! (He just knows he has stars in his eyes, he also knows that Pap-Dad is going to tease him mercilessly, and that Papa (Damn it!) is going to tell Aunt Liv and Mona, and that they are going to tease him as well, but!) He is just so Excited!

(He also wants to know if there is something on his face. Why is the Professor looking at him so?)

Albus cannot stop staring. He knows that it is impolite. He knows that Mr. Hagrid is a few moments away from declaring him a creep and throwing him out. He knows he is currently confusing the child and might be giving the child a wrong impression. He knows. But, he cannot stop.

Tom is smiling. Tom is open in his expressions. Tom is curious, but he is aware of boundaries. Tom's curiosity seems to be geared toward magic that can help rather than just curiosity of all types of magics. He is different from Ablus' expectations. He is different from what Albus was. From what Gellert is. Tom is different.

Tom is a child. Tom is Tom.

And looking at this child, Albus finally has an inkling as to what he had been doing. It has taken the complete shattering of his preconceived and solid notions he has made about a child he has never met, for Albus to realize that he has been very egoistic in his approach to any child he perceived as threat.

The obvious protectiveness Mr. Hagrid is showing towards his son, and the very obvious look of permanent harm Mr. Hagrid is aiming towards him, are also contributing to Albus' realization that perhaps he has been hasty in his assumptions about Thomas Hagrid.

(He still can't stop staring. He is going to be kicked. He knows this.)

AN: Thank you for reading. Hopefully the next chapter will be bigger! I might update sometime this weekend.

Thanks!