The Tale of Tom                    

Chapter Two: A Day at the Orphanage

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The bright light spilling through the window woke a sleepy Tom. He opened his eyes groggily and suddenly remembered what today was. Today was the day Miss O'Flan had promised him a surprise. He jumped out of bed and quickly dressed. He took the Hogwarts letter and stuffed it in his pocket. It had been a week since Tom had received his letter, but he still carried it with him, as though it was some unspoken talisman that would protect him from harm.

Tom walked to where breakfast was being served and sat in a seat next to a four year old boy named Henry.

"Hi, Tom," Henry said in his soft voice.

"Hello, Henry. Sleep well?"

The younger boy nodded, and they both returned to their breakfast. Henry finished quickly, leaving his bowl at the table with Tom. Tom sighed and went to wash it out. He often took care of the younger kids for Miss O'Flan but he didn't like feeling he was supposed to.

"Tom?"

"Yes, Miss O'Flan?" Tom called over the running water.

"Can you watch the kids for a bit? I have to go do something."

"Alright, Miss O'Flannery," Tom said, trying to keep the bitterness out of his voice. Somehow he didn't feel it was fair to him, but he had long ago stopped complaining about things not being fair. The world was not a fair place, a lesson oft repeated.

Tom took a deep breath and tried to be optimistic. After all, he did like watching the babies. They were very cute.

"Hi, Tom!" Rose bounded up to him, her strawberry blonde hair shining in the sunlight. "Can I help?"

"Sure, Rose," Tom said smiling. "I'm just going to warm up the bottle, and then you can feed William."

Rose seemed too absorbed playing peek-a-boo with William to hear. Tom smiled at the sight and grabbed a bottle. He held it over the stove, using tongs, until it seemed the right amount of time had passed.

Tom walked back to the nursery and saw Rose in a chair holding the baby. He cringed and ran forward. "No, no Rose. You have to be sure to support his neck," Tom said, moving her hands.

"Oops," Rose said, dismissing it easily, an act that slightly annoyed Tom.

Tom handed her the bottle and stood thinking of what to do, when he heard the start of a cry. He rushed over to the cradle of the unhappy baby and scooped her up. "Hush, hush," Tom whispered into her ear as he hoisted her up onto his chest. "Come on," Tom said quietly, walking around the room. The baby became quiet and Tom heard the door open. He suspected it was Miss O'Flan as people rarely came without appointments.

"Tom?" Sure enough, he was right.

Tom set the little baby back down in her cradle and took the empty bottle left from the feeding. "In a minute," he responded washing and drying the bottle. He tucked it in a cabinet under the sink and proceeded to walk to the entry room where he couldn't believe his eyes.

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Disclaimer: I do not own Tom Riddle or anything of the like.

A/N: Thank you to my historical sources and beta-reader.