End of an Era

Dumbledore sat in his office pondering to himself. It was June 1943, an time for Anyana Riddle to leave Hogwarts and join the outside world. Tom would be continuing his final year this time without a partner in crime to aid him. He reflected on the eldest Riddle sibling, she unlike Tom he had hope for, she had found love with Zarian Knight and he hoped that this may be the answer to preventing her from taking a dark path.

Tom on the other hand was another story entirely. A brief knock on the door drew him from his thoughts.

"Professor" As if summoned the objects of his thoughts appeared before him. "Professor Dippet, said that you asked to see me."

"Yes, please do come in" he replied gesturing to the chair in front of his office. "I just wanted to enquire as to your plans now that you have graduated. My congratulations on that."

Anya looked at the old man in front of her, she couldn't understand Toms loathing of him, he was interfering of course but harmless surely, what had gotten her brother so spooked about him. Dumbledore she knew wanted to see the best in everyone and to see each one succeed. A foolish notion for some of the students at Hogwarts given their magical capabilities. Yet with Tom it was different, what could Dumbledore see that she herself couldn't and what did he see in her.

"I am unsure Professor, I will be going to live with Zarian for a while until I can sort out my father's estate and financial situation."

"Ah but of course, Young Master Zarian Knight...you two are still together I see. It is reassuring to see young love in these troubled times Miss Riddle." he smiled over his half moon spectacles, "but from there where will life take you I wonder, have you a career in mind, such a talent as yours could be applied in many ways I am sure".

They both could hear the undercurrent of that statement, Anya wisely chose not to rise to the bait, and so demurely replied with "I am as yet unsure what path I wish to follow sir, although potions is something I may decide upon. however I would like to further my reading and study, perhaps travel."

Dumbledore looked at his talented student, she could be anything she wanted to be that he was sure of and potions could open many doors to her, but also some darker ones depending on her reading as she called it, he would hate to see such a impressionable mind fall afoul to the darkness beneath. Little did he know of Anyana's already twisted past and her ventures into the darker side of magic. Her soul was already tainted in her own mind.

"Professor Slughorn can do nothing but sing your praises in potions, I am sure that he may put in a good word for you wherever and whatever you wish to pursue".

"Thank you professor. He has been a most excellent professor, as have you" Anya smiled as she thought of her potions master, excellent of course and gullible, not to mention useful particularly to her brother. "I have learnt many things at Hogwarts and will treasure it always, it has been my home and has brought me back family once lost."

"Hogwarts is a home for everyone. Help is always given to those who ask for it. It doesn't end here though, if you need help in the future Hogwarts doors are always open to students both past and present, I trust you know that."

"I do sir, though I like to think that I will be able to handle my own problems now". Anya made a move to stand but hesitated. "I appreciate the sentiment professor, but I am sure whatever happens in the future I have strong enough people around me to assist if necessary."

Dumbledore stood himself now and eyed Anya severely over his glasses. "But of course Miss Riddle, but I would advise caution for the world out there is full of people who may try to take advantage of your power and forgive me your naiveté. Dark magic itself has its own way of creeping into a person soul until they can barely recognise themselves, I would hate for such a fate to fall to you..." Dumbledore spoke boldly and passionately, remember himself how dark magic had held him, when he was barely more than her age, and how he fought so hard now to prevent such a travesty from happening again. "I only ask you to make the right choices in life for you."

It was only brief but there was a flicker of something in Anyana's eyes at the mention of souls being corrupted and she couldn't help a shiver of fear run through her, Tom she thought to herself and the experiments he had been performing with his own soul become the focus of her mind, but Dumbledore couldn't know about that could he? He would have found a way to expose them by now.

"I thank you for your advice professor and will consider all you have said." This was perhaps the only true statement she had ever before made to her transfiguration teacher. Dumbledore regarded her for a moment and she him, this was the last time in many years that they would meet in neutral settings. It was the end of an era and when she left this classroom she would no longer be his student and his opportunity to teach her would be at an end.

"Happiness can be found in even the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light"

Anya left his office after saying farewell, she was at the start of her life now. In the magical world where she belonged, her father was gone and her brother a year away from joining her. As the Hogwarts express left the station and towards Zarian, she kept her eyes on the castle for as long as she could. She somehow knew it wouldn't be the last time she saw it again.

AN - I'm alive. Cannot believe it has been nearly TWO years since I updated this fanfic. I really do want to finish it as it has such a place in my heart and I always come up with ideas but rarely can get them out onto paper, this is one such idea and very rough but I had the urge to write something. This concludes part one of the story, but as you know much more must happen before the end. Thanks to any who have actually stuck this out with me, over many years.