A/N: This is a short chapter, for which I am really sorry. I can guarantee that the next one will be longer.

Enjoy!

9.

At exactly half past 9 two days later, Anna Castillo stepped elegantly out of the Headmaster's fireplace, dressed to the nines with her long black hair brought up in a complicated knot. At her arrival, Albus immediately stood up and rushed around his desk to greet her.

"Lady Castillo," he said, shaking her hands warmly, "It's so good to see you again."

Despite their differences of opinion on many things – including her field of study – Albus liked Anna Castillo. She was a strong willed woman with a lot of offer to the world. She was intelligent and proud, but with a tendency to lose sight of everything else when something catches her attention.

"It's nice to see you too Headmaster," Anna replied smoothly and let Dumbledore shake her hands.

"Truth be told Anna," Albus continued after he had invited her to sit down, "I was extremely surprised when I received your letter the other day. I never thought you would have time to visit little old Hogwarts especially now that you have the world at your fingertips. Are you here to see Evan?"

"I am," Anna answered, but something in her tone was telling the Headmaster that that wasn't the entire story. For a moment, his mind went over all the possible reasons for Anna to visit the Castle other than Evan and couldn't come up with one satisfactory enough for his tastes. He sighed internally, willing to let this matter go until he had more information.

"Well," Albus smiled, "Shall I call him down for you? I think he has study hall this morning."

A house elf was sent to fetch Evan and to his surprise, the young man wasn't alone when he arrived at the office 10 minutes later. Tom was with him, trailing after the other man with a disinterested expression on his face.

"Tom," Dumbledore's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the Head Boy, trying to read him. But Tom wasn't a master manipulator for nothing; his face was expressionless as he looked Dumbledore in the eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"I ran in to Evan on the way back from the bathroom," he answered, "Since I have a free period, I decided to tag along. Evan didn't seem to mind."

"Of course not," Evan interjected, "Tom, this is my mother Anna Castillo. Mom, this is one of my friends, Tom Riddle."

"A pleasure," Tom said, shaking her hand.

"I'm going to give my mother a tour and then find a place for us to talk," Evan smiled at the Headmaster, "We'll take out leave now."

"Of course," Dumbledore said quickly, "It was nice seeing you again Anna. And boys? Have a nice day."

"I think he was suspicious," Anna said, taking a seat next to the window. The room they had finally found was a deserted classroom on one of the top floors. With a wave of his wand, Tom had transformed the wooden and rather uncomfortable chairs in to something more suited to a casual conversation between friends.

"Of course he was suspicious," said Evan, "He wouldn't be Dumbledore if he wasn't."

"Evan," said Tom, speaking up for the first time since they had entered the room. Evan turned to look at him, read his expression and sighed.

"Well, I'll be going then," he told the group, as if leaving was all his idea, "Have a good talk."

With a nod towards both parties, he was gone out the door.

Once Tom was sure that the door was closed firmly behind Evan, the Head Boy took out his wand once more and put up some of the most secure wards he knew. By the look on Anna Castillo's face, he had done a good job.

"Thank you for coming Lady Castillo," Tom started once the room was secure enough for his tastes, "I know how busy you are."

"Of course you do," Anna snorted, "So let's cut to the chase; Evan said you had more information on the Hallows. Talk to me."

"First," Tom smirked, "I need you to confirm something for me."

"What about?" she asked, eyes narrowing at him.

"Phoenixes," Tom said simply.

Anna blinked in surprise.

"You wrote an article on them; "The Mysteries of the Death Bird." I found the title rather funny actually, but those blasted White Wizards hadn't appreciated their precious symbol being associated with death."

Anna smiled at that.

"But it's true, isn't it? Phoenixes are imbued with death magic; that's why they can be reborn like they do. It's funny how light wizards still believe that it is a great honor to have a phoenix agree be your familiar; it's not a sign that you are a great wizard; it's just a sign that you have been in contact with death. No one seems to realize that Albus Dumbledore only got Fawkes after he had killed that Dark Lord who had been terrorizing the country for some time. Killing someone leaves a taint on your soul that nothing can erase."

"Ah yes," Tom nodded his head as if he had just thought about it, "You did mention that phoenixes are obsessed with death magic so that's why they are repulsed by wizarding magic most of the time."

"I did," Anna nodded, "But I'm sure you are not here to wax poetry about my work. What do you want Tom?"

"Have you ever heard about a phoenix drunk on a wizard's magic?"

By the derisive look on her face, it was obvious she hadn't even considered that to be a possibility.

"That would only be possible if the person in question was clouded in death magic; and that can only happen if he was dying or has been put under Death's protection as a potential Master of Death."

Tom smirked.

"I thought so as well."

His tone must have triggered some alarm in her head because when Anna turned to him once more, her eyes were huge with disbelief.

"Who," she gasped softly, "How…"

"That is not important," Tom said firmly, refusing to share his secret, "I called you here because I need more information on the Hallows…most importantly, the Elder Wand."

"The Wand to rule them all," Anna frowned, obviously wanting to ask more about Tom's comment, but didn't know how to approach it, "The possession of the Wand can only be transferred by battle; defeating the Wand's old master is the only way to become its new master."

"I heard that anyone who gains ownership of the wand will also see a boost in their magic."

"Yes indeed," Anna nodded, "Once a person becomes the Wand's master, no other wand will do for them. But Tom, no one knows where the Elder Wand is. Rumor has it that it was buried in some grave up north, but when I got there, everything has already been turned upside down."

"I may know who the current master is, but not where the wand is."

"And how in Merlin's name did this person gain possession of this wand?" Anna asked, still a little bit dubious about the whole thing.

"Luck mostly," Tom admitted.

Anna sighed.

"Your story is full of holes," she told him, "But since this is the only lead I had in years, I'll help you out. What do you need?"

"I need to find a way to find the wand if I could find its Master."

"Understood," she said, "But Tom, I really hope you know what you are doing. Death is not something to be trifled with."

"Don't worry," Tom smirked, "I know what I am doing."

TBC