Tom Riddle's Dark Secret

School: Hogwarts: Secrets

Year: 3

Word Count: 1310

Prompt # 1- [emotion] Rage

Prompt # 2- [First/last line] As my story came to a close, I realized/ that I was the villain.

Prompt # 3 - [quote] "The version of me you created in your mind is not my responsibility

The year was 1943 and 16-year-old Tom Marvolo Riddle was in his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He had just committed a coldest and unthinkable deed known to the wizard, witch, and Muggle kind. He had killed another in cold blood. He had opened the Chamber of Secrets and unleashed the Basilisk on his love, Myrtle Warren. He did not mean to kill her, but something happened inside Tom when she suddenly died. The emotions of hurt resulting from her death did not give him any closure. He felt cold and dead inside. His soul was split into pieces now. He knew he could now make a HORCRUX.

Tom went to his dorm room and fetched a black leather-bound journal and a small dagger, then walked back to the Room of Requirement. He sat down at the table and pulled out a hair ribbon that used to belong to Myrtle. He placed it on top of the journal, before getting a small vile from the cupboard. He would use this to extract any emotionally attached memories of her that he had.

He held up his wand to his temple and started extracting the memories. "My dear Myrtle, the version of me you created in your mind is not my responsibility. I loved you so much and yes, I wanted the baby but was scared when you told me. I have always been so focused on the academic career that I never opened my heart to anything at all until you came along." He lowered the silvery strands of memories into the vile and corked it, setting it on top of the ribbon and journal.

"I will rid myself of any emotions of love from you and for you!" he ranted in a rage, grabbing the small dagger. He unsheathed it and sliced furiously at his left palm. "I give my blood to the dark arts and ask to have these artifacts bound with a piece of my soul."

The blood dripped from his hand and landed on the stack of items. It started to bubble and the ribbon, vile, and blood Were absorbed into the journal. Once they had faded, leaving no trace behind, Tom pulled out a handkerchief from his pant pocket and wrapped his hand.

He was startled by Professor Dippet's voice.

"ALL STUDENTS WILL REPORT TO THEIR HOUSE DORMITORIES IMMEDIATELY!" Headmaster Dippet shouted over the loudspeaker. Tom grabbed his journal and dagger and calmly but quickly went back to the Slytherin Dormitory. He had the dagger in the waistband of his pants so no one would notice as he entered.

On his way back He noticed four Ministry Aurors carrying a body on a stretcher down the staircase. A hand and braid fell out from the covering. It was Myrtle's body! Tom stood frozen, numbly watching them go down the stairs. Professor Dumbledore noticed Tom and came over to him.

"Tom, my boy, are you alright? I know you and Miss. Warren was very close. Let me ask you something. Did you know she was with child?"

Tom looked up, feigning shock. "No, Professor, I didn't know she was pregnant. Why would someone do such a heinous thing to my love! I swear, Professor, they had better catch who did this, or I will!" Tom stormed off to the Slytherin Dormitory still acting hysterical.

Albus sensed that, indeed, Tom was the father of the baby. He decided to keep an annoyingly closer eye on Tom from now on. He had a feeling that Tom had the potential to go down a dark path. Hopefully, Albus could stop him before it was too late.

Through the next twenty-four hours, the teachers and Aurors were buzzing about the school like a rabid infestation. Albus kept close proximity to Tom so he could scrutinize his behavior. Tom quickly caught onto what Professor Dumbledore was doing. As highly alert Tom was, he thought that Dumbledore displayed hardly any subtlety. Tom had to get the professor to change trails and focus on someone else. Who could he pick in this school that was dumb enough to take the fall?

Then it struck him—HAGRID!

He knew Hagrid kept an Acromantula in his dorm trunk and that was against school rules. He could say that the Acromantula killed Myrtle and Hagrid set it free. Yes, that would work perfectly. He raced for Hagrid's room and burst in.

"Evening, Rubeus," Riddle said sharply.

Hagrid stood from his desk chair. "What're yeh doin' 'ere?"

"It's over, Rubeus, You know you're not supposed to have dangerous pets, and with the attacks and now poor Myrtle," Tom said coldly.

"No, Aragog wouldn't kill anyone!" Hagrid cried out.

Tom raised his wand and pointed it at the trunk. "Alohomora!"

The trunk flew open and an acromantula crawled out of it and scurried away.

"Aragog, no!"

"You're not going anywhere." Tom smiled coldly. "You know they will take your wand for this, don't you. Let's go, I am gonna walk you to the headmaster's office and turn you in myself."

Tom marched a protesting Hagrid from his small room to the headmaster's office at wand point. The entrance to the winding staircase was already open at their arrival.

"Knock on the door," hissed Tom.

Hagrid trembled but did as he was told.

Headmaster Dippet allowed them to enter. The boys entered the office. It was a wide-open area with a large wood desk in the middle and some astronomy items on the upper levels.

Dippit looked confused and asked, "What is all this, Tom? Why do u have your wand drawn on Mr. Hagrid?"

"Headmaster, Hagrid has been keeping a dangerous pet within the school walls and it is the reason that Myrtle Warren is dead!" Tom coldly stated, slightly pressing his wand tip harder into Hagrid's back.

"That's not true, Headmaster! I wouldn't do such a thing! I wouldn't unleash a creature on another student to be killed! Sir, you know I have a soft heart for creatures and wouldn't do such a vile thing." Hagrid fell to his knees almost in tears.

Professor Dumbledore appeared from a wing of the office with a cup in hand. "My dear, Mr. Hagrid, we know you could never have the heart to kill but we cannot rule out that your creature did it. Professor Kettleburn and I have been watching you and I think we have a better solution than immediate expulsion. Headmaster, if I may propose an idea?"

Headmaster Dippit nodded. "Go ahead, Dumbledore. You know I don't like expelling children."

"How about this, to satisfy the Ministry, Professor Kettleburn and I will take you on as a ward and you will train as a Groundskeeper and care for the creatures here? We will need to take your wand and break it, unfortunately, and you won't be able to use magic that we know of. There is a hut just south of the castle you may live in it is comfortable and cozy. We don't want to send you to Azkaban, Rubeus. If the Headmaster accepts this proposal, will you be willing to take it?" Albus proposed.

"WHAT? Are you serious! He killed Myrtle! He has to go to Azkaban Prison! GAHHHH!" growled Tom, his anger peaking. He clenched his wand with a threateningly tight grip, his veins popping out from the strain. He was so close to achieving his goal of immortality. If only the fat oaf could be framed for poor Myrtle's unfortunate death. There was more Tom had to do.

He lowered his wand, turned, and sulked away out of the office, the smirk on his face not escaping Albus's notice.

Tom thought walking out: As my story came to a close, I realized that I was the villain and I am ok with that.