Authors notes: As I was finishing my next chapter I realized….OMG I SKIPPED OVER TOM RIDDLE!!! So, I'm going to move the chapters around a bit. They will be short but it is such an important event I can't skip over it. I'm so sorry! Please forgive! I also appreciate everyone's comments. They mean a lot! Please keep them coming. I think this is by far not my best chapter but I hope you like this from Dumbledore's pov. Tell me how I am doing! And of course I own nothing related to Harry Potter. All Harry Potter related material is owned by WB and JK.
Chapter 16: Meeting Tom Marvolo Riddle
"Yes, Riddle was perfectly ready to believe he was-to use his word-'special'," I said, looking into Harry's bright green eyes. Harry looked into my eyes and seemed to struggle for the words. "Did you know--then?" he finally asked uncertainly. I considered Harry for a moment and thinking back to that meeting so long ago I shook my head every so slightly. "Did I now that I had just met the most dangerous Dark wizard of all time? No, I had no idea that he was to grow up to be what he is." In the back of my brain I thought back…who could have? Yes, others would say it would be obvious by the way he had acted in the orphanage, but he would not become the man he is if he had not chosen it…chosen to kill so he may live. After Harry left I sat back in my chair and closed my eyes. "Oh, Tom." I thought quietly to myself…allowing my memory inside my head to travel back to that pivotal day in the history of the wizarding world.
I followed Mrs. Cole as she turned off the second landing and stopped very suddenly outside the first door. Knocking quickly she entered. "Tom? You've got a visitor. This is Mr. Dumberton-sorry, Dunderbore. He's come to tell you-well, I'll let him do it." She moved out of the way and there I saw him for the first time. He looked up and stared right at me. He was tall…his black hair perfectly in place. His eyes widened at my first appearance then narrowed in suspicion. Taking another step in I held out my hand. "How do you do, Tom?" He stuck out his hand and gave is a quick shake before pulling it back swiftly. Continuing to stare at me as I sat down in the hard wooden chair. As the silence stretched I took a breath, looking straight in his eyes I decided to give him my name…not the drunken attempts of Mrs. Cole. "I am Professor Dumbledore." I said kindly. "Professor?" Riddle said. There was an edge to the voice…a hard edge that was disconcerting in such a young person. "Is that like doctor? What are you here for? Did SHE get you to have a look at me?" He gestured to the door. I kept my smile and continued to stare into his hard eyes. "no, no." I said slowly. "I don't believe you" Riddle said. Malice dripped from every word as he stared back into my eyes without blinking. "She wants me looked at, doesn't she? Tell…the…truth." He put emphasis on the three words. I did not respond. Rather, I kept smiling as I started to probe his mind…deeper and deeper until…ah…the wardrobe…the top self…finally Tom broke the silence again. "Who are you?" "I have told you. My name is Professor Dumbledore and I work at a school called Hogwarts. I have come to offer you a place at my school-your new school, if you would like to come." Moving with great speed, Tom jumped from the bed and moved away from me as far and as fast as he could go until he was at the wall. "You can't kid me! The asylum that's where you're from, isn't it? Professor, yes of course-well, I'm not going, see? That old cat's the one who should be in the asylum. I never did anything to little Amy Benson or Dennis bishop, and you can ask them, they'll tell you!" His eyes were both on fire and also bottomless…pitiless. Colder then any ice storm could be. I kept the smile on my face. It could not have been easy for him. Never having anyone who truly cared for him, never being singled out for anything except when these strange occurrences happened, it must have been a shock. "I am not from the asylum. I am a teacher and, if you will sit down calmly, I shall tell you about Hogwarts. Of course, if you would rather not come to school, nobody will force you-" Riddle gave me a contemptuous look. "I'd like to see them try." I pressed on, un-phased by Tom's hostility. Perhaps if I went into a tad more detail. "Hogwarts is a school for people with special abilities…"
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After several more minutes of convincing and making him repay for his indiscretions I stood up and stuck out my hand. "Good-bye, Tom, I shall see you at Hogwarts." Walking out of the room I pondered what he had said to me. As I had told him, it is not unusual for a younger witch or wizard to loose control of his or her powers. I had done it myself as a youth, and of course Ariana…well…letting ones powers get the best of oneself was not unheard of. Perhaps being around others like himself it would help Tom. I doubt he had many friends at the orphanage. Walking into the rainy street I continued to ponder the young man as I turned down a dark ally and with a quick glance around and a loud crack I made my way back to Hogsmeade…I was having a craving for some chocolate frogs…sweets always seemed to clear my mind.