"You wanted to see me sir?" Harry asked while stepping up the few steps to where Dumbledore was seated at his desk, green eyes watching as the older man slipped something into his desk before old eyes met younger ones.

"Ah yes, tell me Harry, how are your classes?" the headmaster asked while standing from his chair and made his way around the desk.

"Alright, I suppose"

"Professor Slughorn seems to think you have promise in positions"

"I think he over estimates my abilities sir" Harry chuckled and Dumbledore was reminded of the numerous times his father had sat in his office with that same laugh.

"And do you?" the old professor asked with a fond smile.

"Definitely"

"And your friends, how are they?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye for the group that seemed to forever be in trouble for something.

"Fine"

"I've noticed that you spend a lot of time with Ms. Granger?" he asked while stepping around the confused boy towards the bowl by the wall. "Uh, no… I mean, she's brilliant and we're friends but no… just friends," Harry stammered while his face flushed in embarrassment. "Well, forgive an old man for his gossip"

"I trust you remember what this is?" Dumbledore asked Harry and at his nod, the older man continued. "All evil starts with a beginning, this is the first time I came in contact with Tom Riddle," Dumbledore said while the two leaned into the bowl and allowed the memory to consume them.

A young Professor Albus made his way through the rain towards the ominous, dark, and looming building ahead of him. Upon entering the building, he encountered an older woman with an aged face and graying hair sitting behind a worn desk, a tired expression in her dull eyes.

"I am here to visit a Tom Riddle," Albus said, eyebrows rising at the woman's shocked expression before following behind her up the rickety staircase.

"Are you family?" she asked with curiosity.

"No"

"A doctor perhaps?"

"No"

"Oh… it's just, well, Tom doesn't get many visitors… Tom, you have a visitor," she said and the boy in question continued staring at the peeling wall ahead of him.

"Are you the doctor?" the young boy asked once Dumbledore sat down, skeptic eyes watching him that held something in them the professor could not place.

"No my name is Albus, I'm a professor at a school for special children… children special abilities" he said while he watched the boy's eyes narrow.

"There's nothing special about me"

"Oh but there is Tom"… can you not do things the others can not?" Albus asked, watching as memories reflected in the boys eyes.

"The school where I teach, Hogwarts, is a school for children like you, special children who can do extraordinary things"

"I can do things the others can't… I can think of things and they happen" the boy said and Albus nodded his head. "As can I" he answered, not at all surprised when the boy demanded that he prove it.

The cabinet in the corner of the small room started to shake before it burst into flames, all the while Albus' eyes were fixed on Tom's as they watched the burning cabinet in fascination. The fire died down and the door opened, a lone box sitting at the bottom of the cabinet. Albus rose to his feet and walked towards the door, turning in the doorway to look at the boy one last time.

"Theft is not allowed at Hogwarts, Tom. That won't be a problem I hope" Albus stated while turning to leave.

"I can talk to snakes…is that normal at your school?" the boy asked and Albus stopped in his tracks, looking over his shoulder at the boy before continuing on his way.

"You see, while at Hogwarts Tom Riddle was very close to one professor, Horace, which is why it was critical that he return this semester" Dumbledore explained and Harry nodded in understandment.

"Do you want me to let him collect me?" Harry asked, taking his leave at Dumbledore's nod.

In another part of the school, a pair of grey eyes scowered the dark cabinet in front of them with fear and anger behind them. Draco wished he was strong enough to refuse but knew he wasn't and looking at the cabinet in front of him solidified that fact. He tossed the green apple Anya had given him earlier up in the air before catching it in his pale hand, repeating the action several times. With one last look at the cabinet, he turned on his expensive Italian leather shoes and left the room.