A/N: There's a must-read note at the end, stay tuned!
Isidore walked into the library, seeing the group in their usual corner by a window with the potions encyclopedias neatly shelved behind them. Tom and Eleonora were randomly conversing about their favorite types of desserts, Eva and Elaine were already off-track and comparing characters from a book they were reading together, and William sat with a thousand yard stare looking at the torrential downpour hitting the window. James was resting his head on an arm, reading quietly and unaware of anything going on around him as Victoria napped with her face on the table.
"Is Sinclair asleep?" Isidore asked, nodding to William.
"Let's check," James groaned, stretching his arm before turning to William.
"Will."
James shook him lightly, eliciting no response as he continued to stare out the window.
"Wake up," he yelped, which was loud enough to jolt Victoria up. She had a thick red mark across her forehead from where she laid on the table as she rubbed her eyes.
"There's free girl scout cookies in the great hall," James sighed, hoping that William's sweet tooth would wake him up.
"All Gryffindors are annoyingly patriotic about their house," Eleonora muttered, to which William bolted upright to stand as he declared, "we are not, we just-"
"He's finally awake, you're welcome," she said lazily, then William glowered at everyone as he sat back down, realizing he had been tricked awake.
"Anyway, Tom and Eleonora," Isidore called, and everyone looked to them.
"You two have been summoned to see the headmaster."
There was a stunned silence, then the two of them squeaked, "what?!"
Eleonora and Tom looked at each other, clearly in some distress, and Eleonora exclaimed, "I didn't do anything!"
"Neither did I!" Tom added, and Isidore shrugged.
"I don't know. I was in my dad's classroom, and he told me the headmaster was looking for the two of you. Go ask him if you don't believe me."
Tom stood up, pushing the chair in which Eleonora ended up doing as well.
"I guess we'd better get going," she muttered, feeling her stomach lurch nervously. Eleonora was a Slytherin who never pushed her limits. The risk of being punished outweighed breaking rules for her, and she generally had no desire to not be the optimal student.
"What do you think Headmaster Dippet wants?" Eleonora murmured. Tom shrugged, responding with, "no idea. My guess is it has to do with Isidore's family, somehow. We ended up deeply involved."
"It wasn't our fault though, we didn't do anything wrong!" Eleonora whined. Tom looked at her as she frowned to the window ahead of them. Using his usual charm, he gave her a warm smile, squeezing her shoulder for reassurance.
"Then we won't be in trouble. Don't be nervous about something you haven't done," he said as they arrived to the griffin statue of the headmaster's office. It lifted them up slowly, and the two of them stood taller as they prepared for whatever the headmaster had to say.
"Whatever it is, it can't be worse than any of the shit that's happened so far," Eleonora murmured, and Tom replied, "I couldn't fathom it."
They stepped into the office, looking around at the new surroundings. There was a fire going nearby, and they gazed at the bookshelves lining the tall ceilings, and a large ornate wooden desk between some models of the solar system under a tall gothic arch. Headmaster Dippet stood up from behind the desk, announcing, "Tom and Eleonora, welcome."
"Good afternoon, Headmaster Dippet," they both replied in sync. He smiled, walking out and stopped in front of them. He pulled something off of his desk, clasping it in his hands as he stepped toward them.
"I'd like you two to begin wearing these next year when you arrive here for your fifth year," he told them, opening his fist. Two small emerald green badges laid in his hand, with a silver banner graving crossing diagonally with the word "prefect."
"You two have been selected as Slytherin's fifth year prefects for the 1941/1942 school year. You can accept or decline my offer, but I didn't have a hard time choosing you two with the help of professors. You both have been extraordinary students, going above and beyond to help your professors and peers with anything asked of you. In addition, you both have outstanding grades. I should point out that Professor Slughorn wanted to tell you— Tom— thank you. He wishes he could have been here to congratulate you in person, but promised to at least write to you at a later date."
Tom's eyes sparkled, thrilled with the idea of having access to Professor Slughorn's address. So long as he had it, he could write to him and slowly pry the information he needed out of him after all.
"Well, I thank him. I'm looking forward to hearing from him, sir," Tom answered politely. Headmaster Dippet smiled in return with a nod, saying, "I'll pass that along. Now, as for another thing I'd like to tell you two; Professor Slughorn was the head of Slytherin house. I am appointing Professor Lestrange to fill that position. He was a prefect for years and head boy— well, you know his brilliant record— so he will be taking over that position because I know he will be a perfect fit for it."
Eleonora and Tom both looked happy, with Eleonora gasping and yelping, "really?! That's wonderful!"
Headmaster Dippet nodded, taking his wand off his desk and lazily waving it. A book floated to rest in between them, and the pages flipped to some section near the middle of it.
"This book is one of the many we have about our student body. I suppose you could call it a yearbook of sorts— but it contains academic information as it is more for faculty. But here is Professor Lestrange's history," he told them, pointing down to the book. Eleonora and Tom saw Evander's picture, seeing his familiar perfect smile in a headshot school picture. It moved, like most photos in the wizarding world, having him straightening his posture with a smile, resetting to him preparing for the photo. It looked just like him, just younger, with his Slytherin prefect and head boy badges on his robes. His academic record was on the page, and was perfect. All his OWLs were Os, as well as his classes. The lowest grade he had was an E, which was his Transfiguration class during the first semester of his second year. His Quidditch record was nearly perfect, with three losses to Theodora and one to Gryffindor during his first year as a seeker.
"Looking at this makes me feel stupid," Eleonora muttered.
"This is extraordinary," Tom whispered, engrossed with the fascinating information the book provided. He looked at Headmaster Dippet, asking, "sir, could I ask to please take a look for other family members of mine?"
Headmaster Dippet looked like he was about to protest, and Tom added, "I just learned Isidore is my second cousin, and realize the Lestranges and especially Gaunts are the only family I have that I never knew I had. Sir, it would mean so much."
Tom's expression was innocent, and hopeful, swaying Eleonora's heart easily in addition to the headmaster. He reluctantly nodded, saying, "I understand, Tom. However, this is very important to the school. I can allow you to look at it through Professor Lestrange. He will be in charge of this book; I cannot let this leave the hands of faculty."
"Thank you, sir! I've heard such wonderful things about you as a headmaster and can vouch to say those are nothing short of the truth. You really go above and beyond for your students," Tom said, his charm affecting the headmaster easily. And Tom knew it, seeing the headmaster's touched expression and softened eyes.
"Thank you, sir. I accept the prefect position," Eleonora said, taking the pin out of his hand. Tom did the same, declaring, "I accept the position as well. Thank you, sir."
"You're very welcome. Now, go spread the good news. Your friends will be happy to hear it," he said, motioning to the exit. The two of them grinned, heading away from him, thanking him profusely as they made their way down the stairs.
Eleonora grinned up at Tom, trying to figure out what to say and do. Should I hug him? Can I? Would that be weird? He's looking at me like he's happy, it would be fine.
She took both her hands, pushing his shoulders playfully with a giggle that made him laugh.
Ugh. Way to show your feminine side, she hissed in her head. Luckily for her, he extended a hand for a handshake, saying, "I'm looking forward to working with you."
She smiled at his hand, then jump throw her arms around his shoulders. He staggered back for a second, a bit stiff for a moment before he returned the hug. He hasn't been hugged much, and was still not quite used to the occasional hug from Eva or the other girls. But mostly Eva— she was the most cheerful and affectionate of the group. Although he couldn't deny that it was comforting. Hugs took some getting used to for Tom, but he learned that he didn't mind them.
"Ugh, get a room," they heard, flying apart to find Isidore smirking as he walked down the hallway toward them with his hands in his pockets.
"You knew, didn't you?" Tom asked, and Isidore merely shrugged.
"Knew what?" he replied, arching an eyebrow. Eleonora scoffed, holding the prefect pin for him to see. He then grinned as he looked over her head, saying, "congratulations!"
"Isidore, you scared the crap out of us—" Eleonora laughed, lightly punching his shoulder. Tom rolled his eyes, muttering, "he's always taking the piss when he can."
"I know, someone's a little too sneaky for his own good. I'm a little jealous," she teased, only winning her another smirk from Isidore followed by his sly, "is that a challenge, Eleonora?"
"Oh, I'll get you one of these days, Lestrange," she taunted, leaning close to his face with a smirk to match his. Neither of them broke eye contact, her gaze equally as challenging as his.
"Well, I believe we owe our thanks to Professor Lestrange as well," she finally added, backing away from Isidore and matching Tom's pace as they walked away. Isidore laughed a little, calling, "tell him I said hello."
"How do I get back at that little punk?" Eleonora mused quietly to Tom. Tom grinned in return, saying, "you know, we are roommates."
Eleonora's head snapped in his direction with an eager smile, and she said, "oh that's perfect— ah crap!"
She pouted a little, holding up the prefect badge. She waved it a little, saying, "you now can't do anything to him since you've got one of these."
"Well, I don't have to do anything outside of the school's rules either. However, I believe this is your quarrel with him. I can't do much more than offer guidance. Although you won't need my help."
"Huh? But you're a genius," she said bluntly, not really realizing something like that was not usually just announced in a casual conversation. Tom gave her a humble bow of his head with a smile, shaking his head no as he said, "Eleonora, that's too kind of you. You've grown up with two brothers, and I've known you long enough to be certain you'll think of something."
"That is true, my brothers are pranking me so much I practically sleep with at least an eye open—" she said, stopping in the doorway of the potions classroom. Tom had taken a look down the hallway in that moment, not having realized she stopped, and bumped into her.
"Sorry—" he began, then saw her happy expression had dropped completely as she stared in shock ahead of them. He looked over, seeing none other than Theodora Gaunt seated at a desk at the front of the room.
"Is that—" Tom whispered to Eleonora, who nodded slowly. She finally turned around, then bolted up out of the chair when she laid eyes on Eleonora. Evander heard the noise, and walked out of his office. Theodora then said, "you're from the trial. You got Cornelius arrested—"
Eleonora was silent for a moment, and Tom blinked in surprise. After hearing so much about Theodora and even seeing memories of her, she was finally standing before him. The woman who knew and loved his mother. She still looked thin, but wore her usual makeup from before her time in prison. Her hair was back in its luscious long and think curls with a deep side part, still jet-black and perfectly groomed unlike when she was in Azkaban. Her eye makeup was perfectly done, with winged eyeliner along her now shining blue eyes and her red lipstick accenting her fair complexion. She was dressed in an elegant navy coat, wearing stockings and brown satin oxfords. She was a true beauty, and looked like a new woman entirely.
"Ms. Gaunt..." Eleonora murmured, not sure where to begin her conversation with Theodora.
"Theodora, this is Eleonora Morrigan. Serafina and John's daughter. She's a close friend of Isidore's," Evander told her, stopping behind her as he rested a hand on her shoulder.
"Sera's daughter?" She whispered, taking in Eleonora's appearance. She saw a perfect blend of her two parents as she remembered them from Hogwarts in Eleonora's pretty face, seeing she had taken after her father's tall and lean build rather than her mother's more curvaceous but still lanky form. She wore glasses, which framed her green eyes well. Theodora smiled warmly, fondly remembering Serafina describing Eleonora's eyesight had been bad since she was little.
And Eleonora simultaneously had a flashback— although it was brief. It involved her looking at a scraped knee as she sat on some grass, her with a little toddler waddling up to her as she cried. He plopped himself down next to her, reaching into his sweater vest beneath the little bowtie he had on, digging inside like the magician he had watched the other day on the street. He produced a daisy, holding it out for her with his bright blue eyes glistening behind it, hoping it would help her stop crying. Behind him, Theodora bent over with a smile, lifting Eleonora to stand.
"Walk, my love," Theodora said, the same way she'd tell Isidore to stand back up as he bumbled around from learning to walk. A small Eleonora looked at the grass ahead of her, then heard a squeaky, "walk my love!"
Isidore was happily copying his mother, which made Theodora laugh above Eleonora's head. Eleonora took a few steps, waddling away until she plopped down on another patch of grass in her backyard.
Seeing Theodora's makeup and appearance as it is now instantly made her remember that day. It was the same woman.
I've met them before. I knew her— and apparently, I knew Isidore.
"Thank you, Eleonora," Theodora said, which snapped Eleonora's attention back to the present. Her smile was so kind that it clearly showed her appreciation for Eleonora's testifying in court. She approached her, reaching for the young girl's hands, saying, "I don't know if you remember me, but you've grown so much since I last saw you. Well, from before Azkaban. You're so beautiful."
Eleonora smiled weakly, the memory of Isidore and his mother cheering her up from her toddler days playing over and over in her mind. She realized Theodora was beyond strong— her eyes were the same as before the sentence. How that was possible, Eleonora didn't know. It was as if life had returned to her, and she was eager to live it again.
"Thank you, Ms. Gaunt," Eleonora murmured.
"You're probably wondering why I'm here. Evander brought me here to properly see my kids since summer break's a few months away. I think I just missed Isidore, I was in the bathroom. But I heard he'll be back with his sisters after class in a couple of hours."
"That's wonderful, Ms. Gaunt," Eleonora replied with a warm smile. Theodora squeezed her hands, then nodded at Tom saying, "and who is this handsome devil next to you?"
Eleonora gasped a little, her heart pounding as she realized that Theodora still didn't know of Tom's existence. For all she knew, he disappeared with her cousin fourteen years ago.
"This is Tom Riddle. Your cousin Merope's son," Eleonora answered softly, seeing Theodora's smile change to a look of shock. Eleonora let go of her hands, stepping aside to let Theodora approach him.
"Oh my—" she breathed, looking straight at his face as she remembered the photo of his father. He looked nothing like her cousin; solely looking like a younger version of his exceptionally handsome father. The only thing Tom had apparently inherited from his mother was her magical ability.
"Tom, I— I had no idea you had survived until today— I'm so sorry I never—" she uttered. He shook his head with a polite smile, saying, "it's okay."
"No, you're my family!" She declared, catching him by surprise. It was an odd thing to hear, as he was never considered a part of the family at Wool's orphanage. And because Isidore's personality was not nearly as warm as his mother, he seldom admitted that fact aloud.
"I, well—" Tom said, then Theodora promptly pulled him into a tight hug. She whispered, "I learned from Evander earlier that you were alive and well, but also was informed of your upbringing at the orphanage. I can't help but feel guilt that I wasn't there.
"Tom, I would've raised you, had I known."
He held himself frozen in her arms, his mind falling silent for the first time that he could remember.
She would've been my… mother?
Merely thinking that felt strange to Tom.
"I promise I'll make it up to all of you—" she announced, letting go of Tom with her hands in determined fists.
"I missed out on the life of my children. On yours, Tom. Eleonora's. It was stolen from me. But seeing you all today has given me the resolve I need. I'll get back on my feet, and I will be there for everyone now that I'm back. Nothing will stop me. I may have missed my chance to raise children from a young age, but I can't dwell on that anymore and let that get in the way of what's to come in the future."
Evander watched her, remembering the curse breaking before his eyes in the courtroom the other day. He had never stopped loving her, and was sure in that moment that she never did either. It wasn't too late for either of them, they didn't miss out on life at all. In that moment, he vowed to make sure she knew that. And to make sure she could love him the way she did years ago. They could finally have the life they both wanted, together. He smirked ever so slightly, thinking, there's still time, Thea. You'll be able to raise young children if you so wish. Because I sure do.
Theodora reached out her dainty hand to Tom's face, cupping it lightly, saying, "I don't know what you expect from me, yet. But whatever it is I can do for you, I'd be happy to. Just give it some thought. You don't know it Tom, but you're important to people. And you're important to me."
Tom's mind drew another blank as he tried to process her words. Not only has he never been openly told that he is appreciated by a woman old enough to be his mother, he was surprised of her generosity. It seemed as if she was offering herself without expecting anything in return.
What if she knew I was alive? Would she really have adopted me? How can she say that without being my mother? Was she that important to Theodora, that she'd be obligated to raise me? Or was it because she possibly… wanted to?
His mind then began racing, as he pictured what a normal childhood could've been like.
Isidore, Clara, and Aiyana would've been like siblings. We would fight, we would've played games as children together, rather than when I played alone at Wool's. I would've had someone to cook me food, and who would've tucked me into bed, and told me she loved me.
And told me she loved me?
Theodora's eyes glistened with emotion, seeming as if she already loved him despite not knowing him. The memory he saw of her protecting her children by casting the Cruciatus curse on Cornelius was beginning to seem real, just by looking into her eyes as she stood in front of him.
It was his first time experiencing a mother's love. It was a force to be reckoned with, and was something that could not be explained. But he wasn't prepared to let her go— not when he finally felt a twinge in his heart for the first time in his life. It unfamiliarity was almost uncomfortable. He had to fold his arms to prevent from placing a hand over his heart.
Maybe there is something there.
A/N: Tom has now met the mother figure he always needed~
I really want to jump into the meat of this story because that stuff begins in their fifth year, but this is all important information so we'll get there eventually.
For now, I think my updates will be weekly. I've been busy, plus rewriting the beginning stuff for this story takes a lot of thought and time.
Now, for the BEST PART! If you want to read a really high quality fic about an empathetic Tom Riddle, you must must MUST read The Boy He failed, a Tom Riddle Story by chips. . It is very well-written, and they are really good at describing scenes in a way that makes you feel like you're a part of the story. Not only that, I really like the take on Tom Riddle I'm seeing as I've read the fic. Like me, chips. is looking for any constructive criticism and would greatly appreciate any feedback. Chips. did not badger me to give a shout-out, it was my idea. I'm doing it because I give shout-outs for authors who have stories that are just a pleasure to read. So if I'm recommending something, I really mean it.
*Edit: I reviewed the upload and think the bots edited the pen name so it said "chips . ." So I'm going to write it out this way, but when you look them up, get rid of the spaces because it's separated by the periods without spaces:
chips . n . desalsa
Thank you, all. Have a great week!
