Albus Dumbledore paced the confines of his office, thinking. The trail taking him past his pensieve, then on to his desk where a tattered book was lying. This book was the object of the thoughts swirling through his mind at a rapid pace. Everything young Harry had told him earlier that day rushed through him, heightening his agitation. What he was thinking seemed impossible. What Harry had described awakened a sense of dread in. If the book was what he thought it was, many questions would be answered at long last. Yet even as questions were answered, the carelessness shown by Tom raised even more horrifying questions. Questions, possibilities that the headmaster was terrified could prove all too real. Would Tom have done it? Yes. Could Tom have done it? He had never heard of it being done, but if it could be done, Tom would certainly be capable. Did Tom do it? It certainly seemed so, but how many? A soft cough pulled the headmaster from his terrible musings. He turned and was faced with someone he hadn't seen in years. Someone he hadn't heard come in. Ainsleigh Garrett stood silently as Dumbledore took in her appearance. Her dark hair fell just past her shoulders in gentle waves. Her lovely face was unlined and shining with health and he realized she hadn't changed. It was only her eyes that showed the age he knew her to be.

"Miss Garrett, how lovely to see you!" Albus moved toward her extending his hand for her to take. She seemed relieved as she took the offered hand.

"Professor, it's been too long. Please, call me Ainsleigh, Miss Garrett makes me feel as if I am still a schoolgirl doing everything I can to impress my favorite teacher." Dumbledore smiled at this statement, Ainsleigh had been one of his brightest pupils and he still had strong affection for her.

"Ainsleigh it is my dear. Might I inquire as to what has brought you here at this hour." Her smile slipped slightly at the question. Her eyes seemed almost unwillingly drawn to the book on his desk. His gaze followed hers. The mood turned serious as he once again made eye contact with her.

"Please sit my dear, may I offer you a biscuit, or maybe some tea?" Ainsleigh took a seat in the indicated chair and watched as Dumbldore made his way around to the other side of his desk and sat. She accepted the tea, but declined the biscuit. She wrapped both hands around the tea cup as if to ward off a chill, and Dumledore watched as her eyes were drawn to the book again and again. She noticed his scrutiny and hastily took a sip from the cup. The tea was wonderful, filling her with a sense of safety, trust and peace. She smiled at Dumbledore. She should have known he would guess her mood and do what he could to relieve her of her burden. Unfortunately, despite the headmaster's intentions, this burden was not to be lifted anytime soon. She knew he was waiting for her to begin, yet she hardly knew where to start. How much had he guessed? How much could she reveal to assist him, yet not say too much? As she contemplated these and other questions, Dumbledore sat silently, knowing she wasn't to be pushed. She finished the last of the tea, and gathering courage, she began.

"I assume you have an idea of the importance of the diary." Dumbledore sat up straighter in his chair, and leaned forward. His blue eyes penetrated her, seeming to look to her very soul. The seriousness of what she was about to reveal was not lost on him.

"I have an idea. Do you?" She seemed hesitant to answer and Dumbledore knew he would have to wait for her to reveal whatever knowledge she had on her terms. Her next statement confirmed his worst fears.

"It is a horcrux. One of several actually, created by Tom Riddle to attain immortality." The breath left his body. He had suspected, but hearing it said aloud was a shock to his system.

"One of several?" He questioned gravely. She nodded sadly, guilt washing over her as he continued.

"How do you know this?"

Tom Riddle walked into the library, his eyes seeking a specific dark head. He walked through the aisles of books, and his gaze finally rested on her. She was sitting at a desk in the back, her left hand absently playing with a curl that had fallen over her shoulder. He made his way over to her, and she looked up as he approached, her expression grave.

"Tom, I have been researching that term you came across, and I have to tell you, I don't understand why this book is even here. The more I read about horcruxes, the dirtier I feel." He watched as she gave a small shutter, her face filling with disgust as she looked at the book lying in front of her. He sat down across and slid the book to his side of the table.

"You found it? Does it say how to create them? The spell? Any..." His voice trailed off as he met her shocked expression. "I don't want to create one Ains, I just want to know, knowledge is everything remember? I only want to know for theoretical purposes, honestly." She studied him for a long moment, amethyst eyes meeting gray. She looked at the book now in front of Tom, then pulled out another.

"This book is the one that tells how to make one. EXACTLY how to make one." She handed him the book slowly, apprehension filling her eyes. "Not just in theory Tom, but in practice. This book is the only thing one needs to learn how to create their own horcrux." She stood up slowly and began to gather her things as she watched Tom pour over the book.

"I have got to get to class, will I see you a dinner?" Tom gave a distracted nod, by now completely engrossed in what he was reading. She walked away, turning to look at him one last time, terrified that she had just made the biggest mistake of her life.

Dumbledore watched as Ainsleigh finally came back to the present. She had been silent a long time, remembering something he was sure caused her great pain. There was a palpable sadness surrounding her as she finally responded.

"I know, because I helped him learned all he needed to create one."