An: IMPORTANT: for all of those that read the previous chapter quite early: I wasn't satisfied with how I portrayed the countryside scene and thought I made it a bit too short - so I went back and added some extra information. (If you know who "that voice" was then you've read the updated version). It's not necessarily important for the rest of the story, however. So don't worry, that was just me. It still might be interesting for you to read, though. Enjoy!

Chapter 9: Life Changing News

The starting point of all achievement is desire - Napoleon Hill

It was a busy afternoon. Mrs. Cole put a couple of unopened bills away, grumbling something under her breath when Martha entered the office once more to tell her something while Mrs. Cole scribbled a quick response.

Professor Dumbledore,

I would be pleased to welcome you to Wool's Orphanage on the fifteenth of July.

Kind regards,

Elizabeth Cole

"Joelle, dear, can you please gather the laundry?" Asked Mrs. Cole and Joelle nodded with a smile, starting to walk around the several rooms. Tom followed her.

"Where are you going? Joelle? Joelle? Listen to me!"

Joelle glanced over her shoulder, paying Tom an insincere smile.

"You haven't talked to me a lot since we came back." He said. Joelle glanced at him, wanting to say something, but Tom cut her off.

"You think it was me."

"No."

Tom chuckled. "Joelle...don't lie to me. You think it was me. I didn't hurt Amy or Dennis, you have to believe me!"

"Marvolo..." Sighed Joelle, walking past him, but Tom was having none of that. He glared at her back and the laundry went flying everywhere in the corridor.

"Don't. Walk off. When I'm speaking. To you." Tom said through gritted teeth, his arms clutched to his sides stiffly. Joelle slid down the wall exhaustedly, looking up to the ceiling with the laundry all over the place while starting to massage the bridge of her nose again; Tom caught her doing this a lot whenever she was too stressed out by him.

"Joelle..." Said Tom softly then, kneeling in front of her. "Please...believe me...you...you're the only one I trust, please don't be like them, don't blame me like them...you're...all I have?" He sighed and Joelle's eyes started to twinkle with tears. She instantly pulled Tom into her arms, kissing his cheek a couple of times.

"I'm sorry snowman, I didn't mean to doubt you..." She said softly while Tom hugged her back - a grin crept up his lips but he closed his eyes for once and just enjoyed the little bit of closeness.

It was a strange day. Even though summer has just started, it rained outside as if fall was knocking on the doors already, not asking for entrance, simply storming in - or so Joelle thought. She yawned a little, it was also one of those days where it was difficult to wake up, despise the fact that it was a Friday afternoon.

"Potatoes...cucumbers...carrots..." Joelle murmured to herself while adding everything into a basket, checking her list a couple of times before proceeding to pay for the shopping.

"Slut! Thinking dressing up in a black coat makes you a lady? And these dark stockings? Those black shoes? No girl, no! That's not how a proper lady dresses up! And that umbrella looks like an onion!"

"Good day to you too, Mrs. Kenneth." Sighed Joelle, rolling her eyes as she walked into the orphanage and put away the umbrella. What was that woman's problem? It had a beautiful form. Shaking her head, Joelle took off her shoes and wet coat, walking into the kitchen, but frowned at Tom, who was accompanied by somebody else on the stairs.

"P-Professor?" Frowned Joelle and Tom's eyes widened. Professor Dumbledore smiled gently, looking from Tom to Joelle.

"Ah, young Miss Cole, how small is the world?" He asked, but he saw how Joelle had her head lowered and did not seem to be all too comfortable. Dumbledore sighed softly and nodded to himself, then took his hat off politely before putting it back on, smiling when Mrs. Cole accompanied him out of the door. Tom and Joelle glanced at each other in sheer disbelief.

"E-e-explain!" Said Tom, grabbing Joelle around the wrist, running upstairs with her. The door of his room locked on an instant and Joelle pressed her back against it, but her eyes wandered over to the wall behind Tom's desk.

"Is that my card from the cave at the countryside-"

"HOW! How do you know him?!" Tom thundered out and Joelle lowered her head.

"Marvolo..." She sighed gently.

"Tell the truth! Tell the truth! Right now! Or I swear by all means-"

"I knew what you are. Because I am, too." Said Joelle softly. Tom's eyes simply widened in shock.

"You...you knew...?!" He asked, a sudden bright grin embellished his face, giving him more of a beastly look than anything else.

"Then you went to Hogwarts too?!" Tom asked. Joelle shook her head, looking away while fiddling around with the fabric of her clothes.

"What? Why not?!" Tom asked, pulling her over to him by her hand, pressing her down onto the bed. Joelle still stared to her lap.

"I wasn't allowed to go..." She said softly.

"What?! Who forbade it?! Your parents?!"

"My mother." Said Joelle. "She wanted me to...learn something else, she forbade me to visit that school."

"Why! How can she say that?! She's not even a witch, she wouldn't have died if she had been..." Said Tom and Joelle looked up into his eyes; which was when Tom noticed his insensitivity.

"But your father doesn't appear to be magical either..." Frowned Tom. "Then who is? Of your family?"

Joelle shrugged. "None of my parents, that's for sure." She chuckled bitterly.

"Is that why you could open the door that day I had locked it?" Asked Tom. Joelle chuckled and nodded.

"You have a lot more control over your abilities than I do. But yes, I really wanted to get out that day, just wanted to shock your ego a little...unfortunately my abilities have a limit when I'm downright terrified. That's why nothing worked against John."

Tom huffed, then grinned. "You will come with me! You can...can learn too! Everything!"

Joelle smiled and shook her head. "It's too late, Marvolo. People from that world are almost done at my age."

"No! You will have to come with me! I've been wondering how to take you with me ever since Dumbledore-"

"Professor Dumbledore." Corrected Joelle firmly.

"Professor..." Tom grumbled. "Dumbledore told me what I am. I can't believe you are, too! This is perfect, this is...meant to be! It can't be a coincidence, the both of us...!"

"Marvolo." Smiled Joelle. "I'm afraid there is no place for me in your world. I had to refuse my magical career-"

"You were forced to! You did not want to, did you?! You did not want to refuse it! I saw it on Dum- Professor Dumbledore's face when he looked at you, he wanted to talk to you but you were distant and I'm sure he...he did not want to make you suffer upon asking you again or something!"

"Well observed." Smiled Joelle, patting Tom's head. "But I'm...quite happy with my life."

"I won't accept this, Joelle. You know me by now." He then got up, glancing to the box on his desk that Joelle glanced at.

"Is that Amy's Yo-Yo? And...Dennis's harmonica?" Joelle asked with a frown. Tom glanced at her, then away again.

"They...gave these things to me to play with...but...I will return them." He said and Joelle raised an eyebrow, then nodded.

"Back to what truly matters." Smiled Tom, pulling out the letter again. "Diagon Alley, he told me how to get there. You will be able to see the place too if...you're magical. Even if you weren't, I'm sure you could still see it. I mean, how are the other non-magical parents helping their children to find their stuff?" Tom grinned widely at the sound of the word "magic".

"I suppose so..." Said Joelle with a sad smile.

"We will go there to get my things." Said Tom. Joelle smiled again, this time more sincerely.

"You want me to accompany you?" She asked.

"Yes. Dum- Professor!", he grumbled upon Joelle's stern look, "wanted to accompany me but I told him I didn't need him. I wanted you to come with me instead."

Joelle smiled once more, pecking Tom's cheek. "My snowman will go to Hogwarts." She sighed again, her eyes lowered to the ground and Tom lowered his head as well.

"You're coming with me..." He said softly. Joelle shook her head.

"I'm not allowed to, Marvolo. Even if I wanted to. I told you, I decided against that world-"

"Involuntarily! You have the potential, you can't just throw it away!"

"But maybe my future lies right here! I want to study and become a psycholo-"

"Forget about that! That's your past from now on!" Growled Tom, his eyes eyes reddened slightly and Joelle sighed again.

"I will find a way, Joelle. I will." He said.

"No, Marvolo. I'm happy with my life as it is, I really am. I'm just unhappy about letting you go." She glanced away in sadness, but Tom shook his head.

"No. I won't let this happen. You're coming with me." He said full of determination. Joelle chuckled.

"You're not allowed to use magic outside of school. You can't make me." She grinned and Tom's eyes widend. She was right - he had absolutely no power over anyone anymore now that he was forbidden to use his "stuff", as Billy often called it. His expression softened. The others didn't know. But Joelle knew. He glared again.

"Oh you don't think you can go ahead and break all the rules now that I'm forbidden to use my powers!" He grumbled and Joelle laughed.

"You'll be as ordinarily ordinary as you have to be. Unless you want to be expelled, of course. What first? I think I'll go and kiss Bryan now." Joelle laughed heartily when she got up and Tom pulled her back down - shaking his head as he watched her rolling around with laughter.

"You laugh now, Joelle. But wait until I have my wand. There must be a way around not using magic outside of school. And the first thing I will do is setting your bottom on fire."

Joelle exploded with laughter, howling loudly and Tom sighed but chuckled to himself, just letting giggly Joelle have her moment of joy while he thought about everything. He would find a way to take her with him, even if it was against her will.

The next day was absolutely amazing. Tom got up early, unable to sleep any longer.

"Joelle? Wake up." He said softly. Joelle yawned and checked the time, frowning. "But sweetheart, it's not even six in the morning...!"

"You will take ten minutes whining about getting up, another ten minutes to brew your tea while whining about getting up, then thirty minutes to fix breakfast while whining about getting up and-"

"Yes, yes. Okay. I got it. Can you please be a quiet donkey again? I prefer that over whatever this is." Grumbled Joelle grimly while yawning. "Urgh...I don't want to get up..."

Breakfast was quiet this time because nobody was up yet. Joelle quickly fixed Tom and herself some pancakes that they ate on their way to Diagon Alley; Tom insisted on leaving as fast as possible. Joelle smiled to herself, she could understand his excitement, even though she was unable to recall ever seeing him this eager about something.

A while later, they arrived at Diagon Alley, walking into some strange pub. People eyed them up and down curiously but glanced away again; people like Tom and Joelle belonged to the daily scenery.

"So this is the Leaky Cauldron?" Whispered Joelle and looked around the place. Tom just gave it a halfhearted glance while walking up to a man behind the counter, cleaning some glasses.

"Are you Tom the barman?" Asked Tom, slightly snarling up his nose upon saying the name.

"Why yes, I am. And you wish to...?" He suspiciously raised an eyebrow at Tom.

"Get into Diagon Alley." Said Tom and pulled out the Hogwarts letter. The barman nodded at him with a warm smile and Joelle linked her arm with Tom's while watching how the barman tapped on a couple of bricks on the wall - and they instantly moved to the side. Joelle frowned widely while Tom's grin couldn't have been brighter. It looked like a market in front of them - a marked of curiosities and people none of them has ever seen before.

"Oh- th-anks Sir, good day to you!" Squeaked Joelle at the barman who tossed his hand up with a chuckle, watching them disappearing through the wall.

"Marvolo! Look at this place, this is just awesome..." Gasped Joelle, looking around at the people and they looked back, eying the both of them up and down. Diagon Alley consisted of plenty of houses that appeared tipsy to Joelle; their shapes wobbly, as if they'd crash down all too soon.

"We aren't dressed properly..." She said, clearing her throat in embarrassment when a witch huffed at Joelle.

"Anyway, what's on the list?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. Tom did not appear as excited as she was, quite in fact, it was like there was only one thing that mattered to him.

"I want to get a wand first!" Said Tom eagerly, looking around. "Can you see a store that looks like it could sell some?" He asked. Joelle shook her head and the both of them started to stroll around.

The scent of freshly baked pumpkin rolls ensnared their senses, chattering about the latest 'Quidditch' match, the news on the 'Daily Prophet', it all left Joelle with a feeling of amazement and a tinge of longing. She was, however, truly happy for Tom to be able to experience this.

"Over there!" Joelle then pointed ahead towards a store. "Ollivanders Wandshop, makers of fine wands since 382 B.C." She read out and Tom pulled her in on an instant. Everything looked incredibly old but exquisite, it had an enchanting personality. Joelle smiled to herself while watching the scene.

"Hello my dear boy." Said a man with a soft tone, blue eyes and brownish hair that started to turn grey.

"Hello, Sir. I need a wand for my first year at Hogwarts." Said Tom. Mr. Ollivander nodded with a smile.

"Of course, of course you do." He said, eying Tom up and down, then nodded, walking off. Joelle watched him curiously but smiled assuringly at Tom when the latter turned around to her for a second, then stared ahead, observing how Mr. Ollivander pulled out several long packages that were stacked up like shoeboxes.

"Maybe this one. Holly, ten inches, dragon heartstring." He said, handing over the long piece of wood. Tom grabbed it cautiously, holding it in his hand, and without further instruction needed, he aimed the wand at the door, causing it to break off its hinges and flatly fall down - Joelle just jumped in surprise at the noise when it hit the ground.

"Perfect!" Said Tom, but Mr. Ollivander shook his head.

"Oh no, no, no. This is not perfect, my dear boy. The wand chooses its master, you see. Those who studied wandlore are familiar to that phenomenon. No, I say you need something else. Here. Maybe this one. Yew. Thirteen and one half inches, Phoenix feather." Ollivander handed it over. Tom raised an eyebrow, he was satisfied with the first one but as soon as his hand wrapped around the wand in his hand, he felt an odd electrifying pulsation of energy rushing through his body, his eyes flickered red for just the split of a second - he felt connected. He aimed it at Joelle - and Joelle gasped, but found herself right next to Tom the other second and she frowned, looking around with widened eyes. "Oh my god!" She squeaked. Tom smirked.

"Indeed, perfect. This is your match, my boy." Smiled Mr. Ollivander as he took the wand out of Tom's hand, who grumbled lowly, but lightened up when the box was handed back to him. Tom paid and walked out of the store while Joelle was still overly amazed.

"Aww, you've got a wand. You're a proper wizard now." Smiled Joelle and ruffled through Tom's hair. Tom grinned slightly, glancing at his bag, then to his list again. After another two hours, Tom had everything he needed. He and Joelle sat in a café, talking about everything. The trip was exhausting.

"They even have their own currency. That's awesome." Smiled Joelle.

"Mhm." Nodded Tom, paging through A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration, glancing up at Joelle, then to the book again.

"When is school going to start?" Asked Joelle then.

"First of September. You will come with me to King's Cross station. The train awaits me there." Said Tom while paging through the book a little more furious. "They don't even teach how to..." He murmured inaudibly.

"Are you okay?" Asked Joelle while sipping on a butterbeer, snarling up her nose upon the flavor. "Oh my god this tastes horrible..." She whispered but a witch to her right heard it and just raised an eyebrow, causing Joelle to lower her chin in shame, snickering a little when Tom grinned, shaking his head at her before sighing.

"What's wrong snowman?"

Tom stared at Joelle, making her feel a little insecure.

"Marvolo?" She asked again.

"I want you to come with me." Said Tom colorlessly then but Joelle sighed. "That's not possible."

"Yes it is. It has to be..." He narrowed his eyes at her before flipping through another book again.

He would find a way to take Joelle with him. He had to. There was no discussing about it, not now that he knew Joelle had the same talent he had. Anger swelled up in his chest. She could've had a different life if only her parents had let her.

But it did not matter.

Tom would take care of it now.

AN: whoops I'm at the bottom! Did you notice that in the books the first wand Harry Potter tried out was of made of Yew wood, Tom Riddle's match? Of course it did not work for Harry. That's why I made Tom try out Holly, Harry Potter's match, that did not work out for Tom. I just thought it was a funny. Funny? Anyone? Okay...