Tiny chapter. Bygones and futures.

Chapter 34

"I can barely read you at all. You've gotten much better," said Aleksandr Varsky, grey eyes amused and wistful.

Tom Riddle-Figg-Dumbledore smirked. He looked out over the Black Loch as he walked beside his friend. "We recently started teaching Legilimency and Occlumency to the most gifted students. There's a psychological screening process...though the true sociopaths can get around the tests. At least we know who's good at what."

"I taught myself. I wonder what that makes me."

"You're not a psychopath."

"Back then...I could've used different curses. I could've been merciful, but I didn't want to be."

"You had every reason to take revenge."

"No, I have no need for excuses. I accept responsibility. When we met, I didn't really care if I lived or died. That's why I could take such risks. I had no business asking you to help me. I knew you didn't want to hurt anyone...it was never like that for you. But you helped, even though you weren't sure about me. Why?"

"I couldn't tell if you were good or bad...but I knew what you were doing was important. I wasn't sure about myself, either."

Aleksandr flexed his left fingers in the space where his right hand would've been. "I didn't want you to become the same as me. You reminded me what it was to care about someone. Thank you for saving me. I know this apology is about ten years too late, but I'm sorry that the price you paid was so high."

Tom smiled gently. "I accept your apology, but I'd pay that price again. My choices were my own, and I'm at peace with them. Can we just get on with being friends?"

"I'd like that."

They locked eyes. Tom said, "In that case, I advise you not to get involved with the Cold War. You'll be unnecessarily worried right up into the Nineties. There isn't going to be an atomic war."

Alek looked startled, then he grinned. "Yes, you're much much better, professor. How is your extended family?"

"I only see them once a year now. I have to wait another forty years before I get to watch Harry and Hermione finally grow up. It's so odd. They'll still be students then."

"Why not travel with them?"

"I want to make the future better for them. And there's just too much to do here and now. I'm the Defense teacher and the Head of Slytherin House. You should've read the furious letters we received when Saskia began teaching Muggle science. We call it 'universal studies', but the parents know what that means: genetics, physics, chemistry...all the disciplines the Wizarding World has been largely ignoring. The pureblood supremacists don't want to accept that magical genes aren't diluted by interbreeding with Muggles. They don't want to see scientific proof. But Saskia's work is garnering notice anyway. It amazes me how long we've remained in the dark, not bothering to try and describe the physical processes of magic. Of course, we'll never uncover the mysterium tremendum-"

"Sorry, what?"

"Basically, God. Despite all our calculations and theories we don't get much closer to understanding what's really going on, and why. Not even the Time Lords know. I asked. The Doctor just shrugged. I think he's an atheist. M said he thought it must have something to do with love, as silly as that sounds. Even the tiniest particles come in pairs, and they seem to want to interact."

"Are you and Saskia...is she your match?"

"We'll be married, I think."

"You think?"

Tom took out a small box from his jacket pocket, and opened it to reveal a gold ring in the shape of a snake, set with three emeralds. "I've been working up the courage to offer her this. Do you think it's too Slytherin?"

Aleksandr gazed admiringly at the piece. "I wouldn't know. But if she loves a certain Slytherin, I'm sure she'll find it beautiful."

Tom smiled and closed the case. "Did I tell you Violet married two years ago?"

"No, you didn't. Do you feel all right about it?"

"Oh, yes. We still exchange friendly letters once in a while. Have you got someone, back in Sweden?"

"Ah, well...unfortunately at Durmstrang there aren't many women teachers. And also, I had that idea of becoming a spy. You can't really have a family if you're going to do that sort of work. Now I'm not sure what I'll do."

"We'd be glad to have you here, even for just a course or two. Teaching Defense is a job for more than one person, and you're the best duelist I've ever seen."

"The Highmaster would never have me back if I defected to Hogwarts...but I'll think about it."

Just then, a tall brunette witch strode by them, walking in the opposite direction around the lake. "Good afternoon," she said crisply.

"Good afternoon," said Tom.

"Who is that?" Alek asked, after she was out of earshot.

"Minerva McGonagall. The new Transfiguration professor. Whip-smart and no nonsense."

Alek absentmindedly smoothed his hair down. "She has an elegant walk."

Tom smirked and asked, "Do you like cats?"

"I guess so. Why?"

"Just curious."