It was either a stroke of luck or a cursed blessing. A lightning strike, seconds where one stood. A fortunate misgiving, maybe. Things that never made sense, like a beautiful disaster.
Trapped in a time, not of his own, he stood naked as the day he was born. It was the Hogwarts he attended, but not the one he knew.
Hands covered his crotch and behind, as students stared. A huge, burly man separated the commotion, followed by an old wizard.
"Professor Dumbledore," he greeted them.
"Tom Riddle," Dumbledore stared with a dumbfounded expression.
Underneath his bare feet was his old diary. He looked like his Sixth Year counterpart. The perfect Prefect was just as confused as everyone.
Hagrid removed his brown coat and covered the shivering student. "Never thought I'd be doing you a favour, Riddle. You did me one good. Nearly had me sent to Azkaban."
"Not now," Dumbledore intervened. "Come with me, Mr. Riddle."
"Everyone, get back to dinner."
Dumbledore and Riddle, walked out the Great Hall without another word. Students returned to their seats. Whispers soon followed.
"Who do you think that is?" Hermione asked, a Second Year Gryffindor.
"Beats me," Harry shrugged and fixed his glasses. "Might want to wipe off your drool and pick up your jaw from the floor."
Ron was too busy with chicken drumsticks in each hand. "I'm starved."
"Didn't you see what just happened?" Hermione asked, in disbelief.
"Book came out of nowhere. Wind opened it then poof, naked boy. By the looks of it, someone you fancy," Ron answered with food in his mouth.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I do not fancy him."
"With those heart eyes, I doubt anyone believes you," Harry chimed in with a smirk. He was always a cheeky boy.
The two turned back to their food. Ron, sat in front of them, had taken most of the chicken in their area.
"First come, first served."
An older student handed them another platter filled with chicken. Harry offered her some and took some for himself. Hermione stuffed her mouth with a huge bite, to hide the mischievous smile. Her planned had work. Technically, Riddle's planned had worked, and no one was the wiser.
end.