AN: I'll see if I can start posting multiple drabbles per chapter starting next week. Since this is a what-if AU I've been spending (too much) time on mapping out the past events of the world. Thanks for reading, everyone!
Dumbledore had to be a sadist. There was no other explanation. Riddle went out of his way to avoid the old man. So why was it that he was now sitting next to him during lunch?
"It's great to be eating Hogwarts's food again, isn't it Tom?" Dumbledore helpfully spooned some food onto Riddle's plate. "Make sure to eat a lot, you are a bit thin."
"Thank you, but I can get my own food, Dumbledore."
"Call me Albus, Tom! We are colleagues now." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. Riddle clenched his teeth.
"Of course…Albus." Riddle took a gulp of his bitter and hot tea to wash away the name.
"How are the students?" Dumbledore glanced mischievously at McGonagall, who was discussing something with Flitwick, and nabbed a large slice of pie. "I believe you had both the sixth and seventh years this morning?"
"I can still fix them." Riddle smirked.