A/N : What ? No, I didn't forget anything.
Oh, right. They don't belong to me, because if they did, I could smack Dumbledore on the head.
December 1943 - Libya, twenty kilometers away from the coast
Rommel stirred in his sleep and mumbled something inaudible. He must be dreaming, Tom thought, as he glanced at the sun. It seemed to be about three in the afternoon. They still had plenty of time, as the shore was no more than thirty-odd kilometers away. It could probably be done in six hours. If no one stopped them.
The British teen smiled at the irony ; what if Rommel, pretending to be himself, was yet stopped by a mistrustful german officer ? Well, he had papers to prove his identity, but papers could be forged... However, an officer would have some nerve if he dared to tell that to someone who could be his commanding officer...
Someone moved behind Tom, and he knew without even turning his head that it was his former teacher, his former most despised teacher at that. Well, former in the sens he was no longer his teacher. Tom still despised him.
"Your friend will probably soon wake up", Dumbledore said cheerfully.
"He's not my friend", Tom replied, before cursing himself for being caught off guard that easily.
Yet, thinking of the german as a friend was... strange. Not that they were ennemies ; they even worked well together, so far. But Tom just did not now him well enough to even think of calling him his friend. Maybe later... he sure did like him.
"No ? I was under the impression you both got along pretty well", the captain said with that irksome mirth of his.
"Did you actually want something, or are you just fishing for information ?" Tom retorted, annoyed at the man.
But the elderly wizard, far from losing his temper, became even more cheerful, if it was possible.
"Just curious", he said. "He's not Dutch, is he ?"
"Professor !"
"Asking can't hurt. Here, have a lollipop."
Tom's eyes widened as the wizard produced a candy from his pocket. The man was incredible. He was sent on a mission in a desert, and what did he take with him ? Candies !
"You really haven't changed", Tom said in dismay.
Then an idea struck his mind.
"You should offer one to my "friend", over there", he added slyly, with a fiendish smile, pointing at the blond german.
Dumbledore smiled politely and put the candy in his mouth. He looked like a six years old, Tom decided scornfully. And what was more frustrating was that the man just never got angry. Every once in a while, the British teen would have liked to see him lose his temper, shout, slap someone, in one word not resort to this calmness and control of himself.
"Have you known him for a long time ?"
"It's no use, sir", Tom scowled. "If you want to know more about him, then ask him, not me."
"Such loyalty", the elderly wizard mused, much to Riddle's irritation.
"I would hardly call it that", he replied. "Only, I'm not your private informer."
"Hmmm", the older man mumbled thoughtfully. "You would not be here if you felt there was a danger to be near this man, of course", he blurted out. "So, what side are you on, my dear boy ?"
Suddenly, he seemed no more like a toddler, but more like a dangerous wizard that wanted answers. He was somewhat less irritating this way. Slightly. But deals of power, Tom understood and mastered more efficiently than Dumbledore's game of making himself look like an inoffensive fool.
"I am British", he said carefully.
This was an act he was used to playing, but Dumbledore had somehow never been really fooled by him, so he had to be careful.
"That's hardly an answer."
"That's the only one I have to offer, sir", Tom replied. "Besides, Rom... ester and myself are your best chance."
He cursed himself. He had nearly given away Rommel's name, and he had a feeling the Feldmarschal wouldn't be pleased if he had. He had never seen the man really angry - and he did not want to. He knew Dumbledore did not like him, so he had to stick by Rommel's side for the moment. At least, the german had no prejudice against him, unlike the old fool.
"That may be so", Dumbledore said slowly.
"Innocent until proven guilty", Tom sneered at him, ironical.
"Quite so", the elderly wizard muttered.
Their discussion was interrupted by the wakening of Rommel. The german rubbed his eyes and checked his watch, then yawned and stretched, before getting on his feet.
"Good afternoon", Dumbledore said with a joyful smile. "Care for a lollipop ?"
He had once more shifted attitudes, and resumed to behaving in his childish manner. Tom scowled. He hated it when he did that.
Rommel cast the man a disbelieving glance, but said nothing. Instead, he turned toward Tom.
"Nothing to report ?"
"Nothing happened while you were sleeping, if that's what you're asking", the teen replied.
The german nodded and cast a side glance to Dumbledore, who had stepped aside and was now talking quietly to one of his men.
"He is always like that ?" he asked Tom in a subdued tone.
"No. You're lucky, he's slightly less irritating right now than he used to be when I was in school. You should enjoy it as long as it last."
"Oh my", the Feldmarschal muttered mockingly.
"Oh, don't worry. You'll get used to it. It's easier to stand him after the first three years or so, you just stop paying attention to his childish manners", Tom groaned.
"Right now, I'm hoping I won't have to."
The german made his way to Dumbledore, followed by Riddle. As he approached the elderly wizard, he recognized the soldier he was talking to ; that was the lieutenant, Jonathan Parck.
"Captain, a word if you please."
"Of course, the british wizard replied, as cheerful as ever.
"We shall leave soon. Better be ahead of schedule."
"I certainly agree", the other nodded. "Lieutenant, would you be so kind as seeing to it that the men are prepared to leave any moment ?"
"Yes sir !" the british officer saluted, and left to do as he had been told, leaving the three wizards alone.
Once he was out of hearing range, Rommel cast a glance at Dumbledore. He did not want to do it, but he had no choice, especially after the discussion he had overheard between Riddle and the wizard captain.
"I take it there is another matter you wanted to talk to me about ?" the older man asked.
"Quite so", Rommel admitted. "You don't trust me", he stated bluntly.
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed slightly, but he kept smiling friendly.
"You hardly gave me any reason to. And you don't trust me either, otherwise you wouldn't have used that audire spell."
"So you knew all along", the german said, impressed.
Despite the childish attitude the elder man enjoyed displaying, he was obviously powerful. The Feldmarschal was starting to understand just why Cornwall had told him the man was an important asset in this raging war.
"Fine", Rommel said sharply. "We need to work together. What will it take for you to trust me ? I already used the juramentum spell. Obviously, it did not convince you. What will it take ? Veritaserum ?"
"My dear fellow", Dumbledore replied smoothly, "I do not make a habit of it to walk around with vials full of veritaserum in my pockets, as I am quite sure you suspect."
"Then ?"
"Tell me your true name."
Dumbledore observed closely the other man's reaction as he said that last sentence. He did not need any kind of potion to know when a man was lying - he had legilimency. Though the german seemed to be unconsciously clouding his mind, preventing him from accessing his thoughts, the elderly wizard was still quite sure he could differ lies from the truth.
Rommel tensed slightly, though he quickly got a hold of himself. He shot Dumbledore a calculating glance, as if pondering whether he should trust the man or not. This distrust alone told the elderly wizard there was indeed a secret hidden in this man.
"What makes you think Romester isn't my real name ?"
"Oh, please", Dumbledore sighed. "Don't insult my intelligence. I can see when someone is lying to me - though you are indeed talented in that particular matter."
The german stiffed and narrowed his eyes at the man.
"Don't ask, and I will tell you no lies", he quoted with a smirk.
"I'm afraid that is not nearly satisfying enough", the older man replied sternly.
"Oh, well. I could tell you another name. But that would be showing quite some faith in you, now, wouldn't it ?" the Feldmarschal observed off-handedly. "Why should I trust you ?"
Now, he had a point, Dumbledore had to admit. But still...
"We are in a stalemate", the elderly wizard said. "One of us has to show some trust at this point, or we won't get anywhere."
"Or you could trust me and not ask questions."
"Or you could trust me, and answer my questions."
They stared at each other, but they both had to admit they were indeed in an impasse. One of them had to give way. Problem was, none of them wanted to.
"Oh, please", Riddle said with exasperation. "I'm frying, here, could we move on ? The swiftest you are all out, the swiftest will I get that cold drink I've been dreaming about ever since I came here."
He wiped the sweat on his forehead. Merlin, he was tired of this country already ! And he had barely been there for three days...
"Sir", he adressed Dumbledore, "we have been sent to help you by the minister for magic himself. If you master legilimency, you can see I'm not lying. So, can you please get over your blatant mistrust and start saying "innocent until proven guilty" as you always did when I was telling you of some other student's pranks ? Why is it you only say it when it bothers me ?"
A little surprised by that unlikely outburst, Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.
"You seem quite vehement about that, my dear boy. But as I am well aware of some... doubtful acquaintances you have had previously, I felt the need to be cautious. Surely you would not blame me for that ?"
"I am well aware that you do not trust me either", Riddle replied. "But as we were sent by minister Cornwall, then it all comes down to the question ; do you trust him ? If you don't, I'll start wondering why you came here in the first place."
"Tom, dear boy, the fact that I am no longer your teacher does not allow you to show disrespect", Dumbledore admonished him.
But he had to admit the teen scored a mark. Anyway, they needed to be moving. And that Romester or whatever fellow had been helping them. So far. But he would get to know the truth, the elderly wizard decided. Even if he had to pester the minister himself to get the information.
"Very well", he finally nodded. "Let's get going, then."
He turned away from them, and called in a loud voice for lieutenant Parck. A few minutes later, they were on their way to finish the last part of their journey.