On the way to London Theodore was still a little shaken up, and for some godforsaken reason they were walking. Don't they only have four hours to get everything done? If he understood Dumbledore's directions correctly it will be at least a three-hour trip on foot and its hot and humid and he was shaking, dizzy, and out of breath. Each step Theodore nearly tipped over as it felt like the ground was being pulled from underneath his feet, but he was too fazed to make a fuss.
He didn't pay attention to where they were going, he wasn't even concerned if Dumbledore was leading him to a terrible hiding spot unknown to police, he was too distracted by the early morning events, wondering what Azkaban is and what his next three nights are going to be like to be paranoid for his safety now. So imagine his surprise when in no later than 10 minutes of walking, Dumbledore snapped his fingers to get his attention so he could show him the entrance to this alledged magic market.
It was a plain brick wall that was exposed to all the... Muggles, they didn't appear to notice it though. Dumbledore must have got confused and explained the directions wrong, there's no way they're in Leadenhall already, they probably haven't even left Croydon. Theodore expected Dumbledore to pull a hidden lever or press a hard to notice button to open the door in disguise like in the movies, but it seems that's not how magical hidden entrances work.
Dumbledore took out the stick-wand again, that's the third time, it must be a very important tool, and tapped the bricks in what Theodore believes was in a pattern. What's the point of having a password if no Muggles can access the wall without a wand and Magic to power it? Perhaps this is a security measure to keep magical folk from different countries unable to enter. Hmm, Theodore found himself wondering if he could learn how to cast whatever that is to use on his door and window in the group home.
The display the bricks made was fantastical, flipping themselves over and twisting between each other like cogs. When the bricks solidified again, with the mortar smoothing out in between like wet putty, Theodore looked from around Dumbledore's back and saw that the false wall lead into a pub. Inside it there was a towns worth of weirdly dressed medieval times wizards just like what Dumbledore dresses as, though most of them looked much younger.
'Go on.' Dumbledore nudged him gently. 'Don't be shy.'
Theodore dismissed Dumbledore's encouragement and stayed glued to the spot behind him, he wasn't moving forward until Dumbledore does, no one who dresses like these people is sane. He frowned when Dumbledore chuckled at his reluctance to follow orders, it was teasing and bedeviling, and he was just being cautious and safe, so why laugh at basic common sense self-perseverance?
After a second the old man finally moved ahead and Theodore was practically walking on his heels trying to stay hidden. How unfortunate, turns out Dumbledore is popular in this magical world and Theodore got swarmed by people in awfully coloured robes all climbing over each other to say hello and shake Dumbledore's hand. Due to their hysterics, they never noticed Theodore cowering in the back trying not to get separated from his guide.
'Sorry about that Theodore.' Dumbledore said after a minute of torment when they made it to a dark brown door in the back of the pub. 'I don't come to Diagon Alley often, but when I do people always get excited like that. But don't worry, they're more respectful out on the road.'
Theodore glared at him; he didn't know why he did but it felt right to do so. Dumbledore didn't notice, or maybe he didn't care to react, turning back towards the door with a wide smile and crinkled eyes. He opened the door and terrible sunlight shot in, illuminating the dark pub. It took a few seconds of painful blindness for Theodore's eyes to rejust and when he could see again, he was met with a sight that was both beautifully charming but just as much terrifying and uncanny.
The first thing Theodore noticed, he didn't like at all, tens of giant birds of prey, owls specifically, flew over them, their threatningly long talons gleaming in the way too bright sun. Then he noticed something strange, they were all holding some sort of mail, whether it be letters or scrolls or even large packages. There's no way these small-brained killers are employed as couriers in this unreal world? That can't be possible. A moment to look down and he noticed the second thing he didn't like, absolutely everyone in the wizarding world dresses as stupidly as Dumbledore. Theodore thinks he'll never get over this ridiculous attire.
Everything else on the other hand, was absolutely astonishing. The street and the shops were beautiful, old fashion lampposts on the sides and with a smooth grey cobbled stone road to walk on, not drive on-in fact, there wasn't a single nosey or smelly car in sight. The buildings were the best part so far, wonderful architectural art pieces, they weren't a solid flat colour that resembled boring reflective bricks standing on their bottom like in the muggle world. Here the buildings were all different shapes and colours, it wasn't obnoxious but noticeable, and it looks like they're made from real stone and wood instead of red or grey brick. They had planks, arches, shingles, carvings, wear, destruction, personality, it felt like each building was constructed with thought and care by hand, or maybe wand.
None of them looked like asylums either.
'Theodore, come.' He heard Dumbledore call him. Theodore listened to follow, but he kept his eyes on the buildings as they walked.
He hoped Dumbledore didn't notice, but he took hold of the back of his robe so he doesn't drift away from him while studying his surroundings. Most of the buildings had wooden hanging signs on them, like stores did in the old days. The words on them were written in bold colours that stood out and were written in entertaining fonts. Theodore saw two shops for books, a pet shop, writing equipment shop, a shop specifically for brooms for some reason, and what was odd about that store is there are a lot of children, boys mostly, with their noses pressed up against the glass and drooling at this broom on display. Is it common for wizard children to be that into cleaning?
'Gringotts, our first stop of the day.' Dumbledore announced, patting Theodores's shoulder to get his attention.
Theodore took one glance at the building and stopped. Intimidated in its shadow as he stared up at it, his breath ran short. He was right after all, this one looked like it could be an asylum. It was white like the traditional old hospitals but despite the light colour it still gave off a dark atmosphere, it was big, tall, and most definitely solid. It looked to be made completely from stone, the windows on the sides were small, presumably to keep people from escaping, and the front doors were large and heavy looking; hard to open quietly. Theodore was so preoccupied in his delusion, he didn't see the gigantic words that read "Gringotts Wizarding Bank" engraved right on the front of the building.
'Theodore?' Dumbledore brought him back from his fear induced trance. Theodore looked up at him, heart hammering in his ears he sucked in a breath having not noticed he stopped breathing. 'This is where wizards and witches store their money and other valuables. Here you can exchange muggle currency for wizard currency, but since you don't have your own family funds, we will be taking the money from the Hogwarts vault.'
'So, this is a bank?' Theodore interrupted, just now registering what Dumbledore was saying.
Dumbledore confirmed his question, pointing up at the very obvious neatly carved sign that said "BANK". Theodore felt heat rising to his face and ears, how did he miss that? As they walked up the stairs leading into the bank Dumbledore went on with telling Theodore how everything about wizard currency works, but for some reason his attention couldn't focus on the lesion.
Listening to Dumbledore's lecture became impossible when they stepped inside, this place was distracting beyond imagination. The entrance hall looked like a billionaire's home, ceilings so high Clifford the big red dog could comfortably stand up under them, though the huge glass chandeliers would make it awkward for him, the floor was made from something... expensive, definitely not from wood or stone, there were fat black pillars lining up the lobby, and on each side worker booths had the most distracting thing about this bank. They were tiny, short people, except they didn't look... right.
'Goblins.' Dumbledore said.
'What?' Goblins? Those exist? Theodore looked at the little people again, this time he paid more attention to their features and saw they definitely were not human. Their noses and ears were pointed like sticks, their mouths ran back to their molars, and speaking of teeth, theirs looked like a sharks. Goblins were not pleasant to look at and their constant sneers they displayed to the two of them as they walked past gave the impression those sharp canines are used often.
Off topic but Theodore half wondered what their skulls looked like.
'Stay close to me, goblins are hard workers and you don't want to get in their way.' Dumbledore warned.
Theodore did as he was told. The buzz of this place was dizzying, goblins were seen scampering up and down the lobby and leading people threw an absurd number of doors. The building looked big on the outside, but it was impossible he could've guessed it was this roomy inside. Is this another magic trick?
Dumbledore stopped at a comically tall desk at the back of the lobby where a comically short goblin sat writing away with its feather, not paying them any mind. Dumbledore cleared his throat and the goblin laid the feather down to sneer at him. At least it wasn't fawning over him like those blokes in the pub were.
'We're here to take some money out of the Hogwarts vault.' Dumbledore paused to reach into his robe pocket, pulling out a small golden key and handing it to the goblin.
The goblin studied it, nodded its head, and called out for another goblin, "Laggrat". The tiny creature "Laggrat" stood just under Theodores shoulders but it's snarl as it greeted them said it saw itself as something much bigger than them. Theodore felt himself smirk at the goblins little waddle as it led the way to a pair of grand wood doors, they move like penguins.
Laggrat the goblin turned out to be surprisingly polite, smiling (as much as a sharp tooth creature could smile) as it held the large door open for the two much taller people to walk through. Maybe all that snarling and sneering doesn't mean anything negative, it's just what a goblins face does.
Theodore needed to do a double take when he saw what was behind the door though, it wasn't grand or beautiful like the lobby, it looked more like a creepy old abandoned mine shaft. Torches lit up the dirt walls that were stabilized with wooden beams and there were webs in the corners. No wonder the lobby was so expensive looking, that's where all the banks budget was spent.
Theodore didn't mind the creepy atmosphere, rather he enjoyed it, that is until the goblin told them to step into a rickety looking metal cart on train tracks. Theodore looked over the edge and saw a great black abyss. Woah! Theodore backed up so fast he nearly felt down. They're expected to climb into a weak clunky metal cart that is over hanging The Void and ride it down the thin train tracks to where ever this vault is? Nope, not happening.
But before Theodore could turn around and sprint to safety Dumbledore grabbed his forearm. 'You're not ending your first trip to Diagon Alley so soon? We haven't gotten a single item on your list yet. Don't worry, these systems have been in use for thousands of years. They're safe.' Dumbledore didn't allow Theodore the chance to object as he lifted him by his arms and placed him gently on the seat, getting in himself right after.
Theodore was completely frozen, the second Dumbledore sat down the goblin hopped in and the cart zoomed away, the wind feeling like blades in his eyes with the speed they were going. He heard Dumbledore giggling beside him like they were riding a roller coaster and not a sheet of metal that could easily break any second and plunge them to their deaths.
It lasted a whole minute, maybe more, before the cart came to a safe stop and Theodore was the first to jump out, landing on wobbly legs that threatened to give out. Stretching his tense fingers from gripping his seat the whole ride, Theodore was dizzy and out of breath.
'Are we taking thiss thing back up.' Just that one sentence was enough to make Theodore feel like he was about to empty his already empty stomach.
'It's the only way in. Keeps greedy wizards from stealing from others.' Laggrat the goblin replied.
It took them to a tall dark metal door with tons of twisty metal bars that are welded like those fancy thin door handles, littered all over the surface of the door, top to bottom. Laggrat entered the key Dumbledore had and Theodore learned those metal bars were a series of locks. They twisted and turned like the levers in those pinball machines, moving down the door and clinking every few seconds until the door cracked open with a hiss.
Dumbledore stepped forward and opened the door the rest of the way, revealing towers upon towers of gleaming coins, all neatly piled up like pirates' gold. Theodore didn't know if it would be right to step in when this isn't his vault, so he stayed beside the goblin as Dumbledore collected the money. How much was this vault worth? Theodore wondered. It belonged to a school, yet the number of coins suggested this could be a dragons hoard.
'That should be enough to get everything you need. Come along, we only have a couple hours.' Dumbledore moved back onto the cartage as the goblin sealed the vault.
Theodore was left without words as he mindlessly followed behind him, first of all there was no reason for him to come down here in the first place and secondly, how much money does one magic school have? No wonder the trip down here is so traumatizing, if Theodore knew he could break in safely, he would steal the entire school's budget not even thinking twice about it.
Happy to finally be out of that death trap, Theodore couldn't take enough deep breaths to fill his lungs back up as Dumbledore lead him to their long list of stores they need to visit. After obtaining everything from his books to a cauldron and telescope, nothing too magical or fun, they were off to the most boring stop of the day, a shop named Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
He was going to get fitted into those ugly robes everyone is obsessed with here. Jesus Christ.
The shop was awful, full of adults and children running around and ignoring their parent's orders to stay put. Here you couldn't just pick your size from the hangers like you can in the muggle world, instead they have this unnecessary process of having every single child stand up on a stool for ten minutes while they prick your skin with needles and size you up.
Dumbledore wasn't with him right now, he had stepped off to someplace else muttering about a new hat, leaving Theodore alone in a corner holding the sack of money or "Galleons" as Dumbledore called them. He wanted to melt against the wall under all the curious stares and some sneers people were shooting at his clothes, which stood out among their dreadful fashion trends. Minutes pass and the people kept watching him.
Maybe falling into one of his new books will make him feel more comfortable, he wants to learn as much as he can about this magical world. Theodore cracked open the one he was most curious about, a book titled Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them. Just what other fantasy creatures besides goblins actually exist?
'It's really odd, isn't it? How many animals we were taught didn't exist have been around for as long as us.' A haughty female voice spoke beside him.
Theodore turned his attention to her. Hey, the first person he's seen all day that was dressed in normal clothes. Her smile was too big to be natural, defiantly forced a bit, or maybe her lips just couldn't contain her beaver teeth, and her hair looked like a lions', light brown, pompous, and frizzy. A beaver and a lion? This girl is a mythical creature on her own. Theodore smirked at his own joke and noticed one of the black robes he got fitted in hanging out her bag with the Hogwarts crest on it.
The girl beamed at his smirk, puffing out her chest. 'I'm Hermione Granger and I'm going to Hogwarts as well.' She held out her hand to shake and Theodore politely did so.
'Theodore Riddle.'
Hermione nodded, a red tint dusting her cheeks and she gestured to his shirt. 'You're from the muggle world?' Theodore nodded, now guarded. 'So, are you a muggleborn like me then?'
Muggleborn? Oh yeah, that thing Dumbledore told him about while they browsed ingredients for potion making (turns out wands are not the only tool one needs). MuggleBorns are people with magic that were born from two muggle parents, and from what he could squeeze out of Dumbledore, he's not Muggleborn.
'Halfblood.' If he understood what Dumbledore told him correctly. 'Both parents were magical, one was a halfbood who had a muggle dad and the other was pureblood.' Theodore regurgitated what little information Dumbledore told him on the walk here.
'One of your parents is a pureblood?' Hermione gave him a tight lipped smile but Theodore knew she was uncomfortable. Why though? Is she afraid of the people who don't have any muggleblood in them? Before he could ask, Hermione changed the subject.
'So, are your parents here with you today?'
Theodore blinked at the question. No one has ever asked him that before. 'Um, no. I'm with Dumbledore, he's the headmaster-'
'Headmaster of Hogwarts! You're lying.' Hermione crossed her arms.
'I'm really not.'
'So, you really know the famous Albus Dumbledore?' Wait, famous? For what? 'That's amazing! You must be really special then...' Hermione drifted off, she looked shy but that didn't last long, she straightened up and smiled down at him. 'I don't have any friends in the magical world yet, and I would like for us to be friends. For your information, I was going to ask you before I knew you were special.' Hermione stared, her eyes bore into him as she slowly swayed back and forth, waiting for an answer.
It's probably not a bad idea to have at least one friend before going into this school, even if she did act a little too... pushy? Forced? For his liking. 'Alright.' Theodore felt a little shaky after that, his first friend who isn't Evangeline. This is new, but is it a good idea?
Hermione beamed at him, bouncing from her heels slightly. Right after a woman in normal clothing, a muggle, came up behind Hermione and told her she's paid for everything. With a enthusiastic parting Hermione followed her mom out telling her about the new friend she's just made.
Theodore couldn't stop thinking about his new friend as he and Dumbledore walked down the cobblestone road to a wand shop called Ollivanders. He felt panicked, it wasn't a good idea to accept her friendship, it's going to screw him over in the near future, Theodore can feel it.
'Theodore Riddle.' He heard someone say in front of him. Snapping out of his stupor, Theodore looked in front of himself to see a shaggy, scrawny old man with wild Albert Einstein hair, standing behind a counter.
'Yes?' Theodore replied. He took a moment to look around the room Dumbledore dragged him into. It was glumly lit and looked like a hoarder's house. There was a blanket of dust covering most surfaces and hundreds of small rectangular black boxes stacked everywhere there is to walk, but most of them were behind the counter on shelves. Disgusting, in a corner Theodore spotted a clump of dead brown spiders.
'Riddle, Riddle, Riddle... I never expected to be serving another Riddle, not after the last one.' Theodore snapped his head back to the old man. What did he mean by the last one?
'Are you talking about my mother or father?' Theodore asked, getting straight to the point.
'Your father, Mr. Tom Marvolo Riddle.' Theodore heard Dumbledore sigh from beside him. So, his father's name is Tom? 'I don't know what woman would choose...' the old man started, but ran short before he could finish his sentence.
'Mr. Ollivander.' Dumbledore interrupted. 'I'm sorry to rush, but we have only under two hours before we need to head back to London.'
Ollivander smiled at him and without another word and walked into the dust behind the counter, disappearing like it was fog. Ugh. Theodore turned to Dumbledore, who was already looking down at him from the corner of his eyes.
'My father's name is Tom?' Dumbledore nodded, but said nothing else. 'What happened to him-is he still alive?'
'Now is not the time.' Dumbledore laid a hand on his shoulder, Theodore believes that was supposed to comfort him but it did the opposite.
Before Theodore's brain could make him fall over dizzy with endless questions, a floating measuring tape puffed up out of nowhere and started slithering all over his body, while not ever touching him. It measured the length of his arms, his total height, around his belly, his shoe, and between the gap between his eyes, then poofed away. That was a very weird experiance, Theodore shivered like the measuring tape had been a giant centipede.
Ollivander returned from the dust holding a small black box. He opened it, revealing a thin red wand with rounded thorns along the shaft.
'Apple wood, 12 1/3 inches, with a unicorn hair core.' Ollivander took the wand out and handed it to Theodore, who only stared at it. Unicorn hair, as in, a real unicorn? 'Go on, wave it and let's see what happens.' He smiled at Theodore.
Theodore looked at him, a little apprehensive, but obeyed after a few hesitant seconds. Theodore waved the wand very lightly but somehow that was enough to explode the tip, splinting the wood down to his fingers and the single thick strand of white hair slipped out of the wand and softly glided down to the floorboards.
'I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!' Theodore panicked, jumping back from the loud pow. Ollivander didn't reassure or scold him, all he reacted with was a 'Nope! Nothing made with unicorn hair.' and took the ruined wand back and disappeared into the dust, returning a second later with another box.
'Chestnut, 14 inches, phoenix feather core.' What? A bloody phoenix? Ollivander handed Theodore the wand, he flinched when his fingers brushed it, fearing another explosion. When he waved this wand, he felt a small hum but otherwise, nothing happened. On the second wave it flew straight out of his hand and imbedded itself into the wall, almost stabbing Ollivander if he weren't so quick to dodge.
'I guess not that one either.' Ollivander left the wand in the wall and went to go pick out another box.
He was taking a long time. Theodore stood there wondering how picking a wand works, he remembers Dumbledore telling him before they left Madam Malkin's that the wand chooses the wizard, but he's tried two already both wands either destroyed itself after a second of knowing him or tried to hurt someone else in an effort to get out of his hand.
'I'm not going to lie to you Mr. Riddle, most customers I've served, I've been able to tell easily what wand is a good pairing, but for you it's just guesswork.' Ollivander presented a red box. 'Cypress, 11 2/4 inches, Veela hair. Old left over from before I decided I will not use this core anymore.'
The wand lit itself on fire and burned Theodores's hand. Another wand snapped in half when he flicked it, a pointy wand shot at his chest, another one knocked a shelf full of boxes down, and the one that scared him most was a dark wand who exploded a lightbulb lamp and shot glass everywhere, the last one did nothing at all but apparently that's not good either. Theodore was beyond frustrated and embarrassed, the two old men looking at him with what he could tell was a mixture of pity and dare he say humor?
'Aspen wood, 13 inches, dragon heart string core.' Ollivander handed him a boring, plain, beige coloured wand. It could've fooled Theodore into thinking it was a sanded down stick. With a huff Theodore waved the thing and felt a pleasant hum, like he did with the Chestnut wand, but this time instead of penetrating the wall, the wand glowed an eerie dark green for three seconds and after Theodore felt like he just made a bond for life.
'There we go!' Ollivander smiled wide, cheering on his success and Dumbledore stood up from the seat he took after the third wand breathing out loudly with a ha. 'Number eleven. You're a little fighter Mr. Riddle.'
'Fighter?' Theodore repeated. Is he a fighter because he didn't give up until he found the right wand? That's a lame thing to say.
'Yes, a fighter, duelist is the proper name. Wands made from Aspen wood are destined to choose wizards who are destined to become excellent duelist, a match as strong as bees and pollen. I'll be expecting to hear great things from you.'
Theodore heard Ollivander mutter 'let's hope his great things won't follow his fathers' before Dumbledore walked in front, blocking Theodores's view, brandishing the satchel of Galleons. His wand costed seven Galleons and when Ollivander dropped them in his own satchel, Theodore noted he never heard them land.
Dumbledore was in a hurry to leave Ollivander's, waving goodbye and forcing Theodore out the door by body blocking. He heard him tell Ollivander he'll send over more money over 'owl' for the couple destroyed wands. Theodore slumped in his step, feeling guilty.
'One more stop before we get dinner, alright Theodore?' He nodded as Dumbledore pulled him into the pet shop, Magical Menagerie, he saw when they first got here.
The smell was the first thing to hit him as he entered through the door, a strong musty sent you would expect a barn to have, the second was the hot and heavy humidity, like the blowing heat when you open an oven. It's one of those smelly pet shops, Theodore nearly gaged.
Theodore surveyed the small shop. Metal cages lined the perimeter of the space, stacked up messily with different noisy creatures occupying them ranging from cold-blooded reptiles(?) to fuzzy warm...ball shaped things. Among the weird animals never before seen by Theodore, there were also normal creatures like rats (only black ones who seemed to be trained for a circus), bats, dogs (with two tails?) and a large tortoise, no crab, tortoise crab? It had jewels jutting out of its shell.
'Why did you take me in here what could I possibly need from this?' Theodore asked a little irritated and more than a little disgusted. Why do so many pet shops think they're animal warehouses?
'To get a familiar! Every witch or wizard needs a companion, good for the morale and you'll always have a friend. You can choose between a toad, cat, or owl.'
'But I don't need a pet, and even if I did, I don't think the group home would let me keep it.' That's a good thing too, lots of children there have issues with understanding animals can feel physical pain.
'Nonsense Theodore. How's this idea.' Dumbledore bent down to his level, looking him in the eye. 'You go browse the shop and if you see any of the three acceptable animals that you would like to have, I'll banish it to Hogwarts to be taken care of until you get there, if you don't find anything, we'll leave.' Dumbledore smiled at him before standing up, patting him on the shoulder, and wandering off to go look at the crystal tortoise crab.
Theodore was breathing heavy as he moved through the grossly cramped shop, dodging the free roamed cats that ran around in front of everyone and layed underneath people's feet, what a dangerous tripping hazard. Theodore didn't know what would be a good pet from the short list he has to choose from, he doesn't want just some useless animal to worry about. A toad can't do anything, a cat doesn't care about anything, and an owl would be dangerous to have around.
What a waste of time-Theodore thought as he turned around aimlessly, not knowing where to go. As he was about to find Dumbledore to leave, his eyes caught on something tempting. Inside a small alcove in a corner there were several glass boxes, looking closer he saw they were all empty except for one on the ground with a slab of wood on top with blocks to keep the animal inside it contained, a very large snake. The tag read "Dumerils Ground Boa".
'Hello.' Theodores first instinct whenever he sees one is to speak with it. The boa slowly curled out of its tight coil, lifting its foamy face from underneath it's body. Oh no. 'Why are there bubbles coming out of your mouth?'
With a loud wheeze the boa looked up at Theodore and jolted to a stop, it was just staring at him. 'You can talk?' The boa gurgled in a voice that popped. 'Dear me biped, I thought you were a new arrival, was about to threaten you with my stomach.'
The bubbles were covering the entire inside of its mouth and there was a sloshing sound coming from its midsection with every breath it took, an overabundance of mucus getting whipped around by air. It has a respiratory infection, Theodore remembers a reptile shop in the muggle world where every single snake in there was foaming like this, they never lasted past a year.
'So, biped, tell me, how can you speak Parseltounge?' Parseltounge, is that the name for snake language? Why hasn't any other snake told him that?
'I have been talking to you fellows since I was eight, I don't know how or why and I've never met any other biped like me either.'
'That's odd biped. Stick out your tounge, I want to see if it's split in two like a Fellows or if it's a fat lump like a bipeds.'
'It's a fat lump.' Theodore stuck out his tounge, he smiled when the boa did the same.
'You are very unusual, biped-fellow, or fellow-biped? No, it's biped-fellow.' The snake wheezed again, it almost sounded like it was coughing. 'My sincerest apologies, biped-fellow, I don't have much energy for speaking anymore as much as I would like to, you are curious. I need my rest. Thank you for this lovely chat.' It mumbled the last part before turning back towards its cold, burrowing its head so the light can't reach its eyes.
Theodore watched as it made itself comfortable, that was the first snake he's been able to talk to since Dumbledore first visited him. He's not insane, he's brain is fine, Dumbledore said so, that snake can talk to him and he to it. That's not a useless animal.
'Goodnight, I'll see you later.' Theodore whispered to the most polite snake he's met.
'What's all this hissing I hear from you Theodore? What are you trying to get the attention of? I assume not a toad, cat, or owl?'
Theodore jumped, twisting around to see Dumbledore staring down at him. He stood up, for some reason feeling ashamed for speaking Parseltounge. Why? It's not like it's a crime.
'We were talking.' Theodore kept his head down, glaring at the floor. He's not about to get scolded for talking, is he?
'We?' Dumbledore looked at Theodores feet where the large snake slept on the other side of the glass. His face darkened.
'It's very sick, it has fluids in its lungs.' Theodore said, frowning at the snake. 'Is there anything we can do for it, like vanish the fluids using magic?' When he looked back at Dumbledore, there was disapproval on his face.
'Theodore, it is against magical law to perform magic on someone else's property without permission.'
'We could buy it, then it would be my property and I'll give you permission to heal it.' Theodore tried despite Dumbledores clear dissatisfaction.
'Absolutely not. You can only buy a toad, cat, or owl. Of course, there can be exceptions, you will see them when you go to Hogwarts, but snakes are not one of them as they are forbidden.'
Theodore stared at him, challenging him with his eyes. Dumbledore wasn't buckling, this isn't fair, bring him in here, tell him to get an animal, but no, not that one.
'Forbidden at Hogwarts, why? Why can't they be an exception for me? I have an advantage! They're more useful than any other pet because I can talk to them-why aren't I allowed to use my gift-'
Theodore stopped suddenly when he saw Dumbledore take out his wand. He froze in shock, believing he was about to get punished.
'Muffliato.' Dumbledore mumbled before putting his wand away.
'What did you just do?' Theodore did a quick look over himself, not knowing what changed.
'Don't fear Theodore, nothing to you. The spell makes it so we can talk without anyone overhearing. Snakes are forbidden at Hogwarts, that is the rule and it will remain that way. They cannot be an exception for you because, as you've already mentioned, it would be an advantage that only you have. How would I or any professors know if you're using the snake for cheating? Breaking rules, hiding secrets? Do you understand Theodore? Snakes are not trustworthy creatures, yes you have a gift that drawls you to them, but don't be mistaken. Your gift is not a good one, it is a dark gift and it would be a good test for you to reject it.'
Snakes are not that complex as to help him with hiding secrets and cheating, they're just animals. And no animal is fully trustworthy, even a dog will bite his best friend if they go too close to it's bone. What's so bad about talking to snakes? It's not like they've ever influenced him into anything. But Theodore could tell this was a waste of breath. 'I guess that makes sense.'
'Good. Now, let's check out the other animals.' Dumbledore pulled out his wand and canceled the spell. He led Theodore out of the aclove and away for the poor boa towards the branching hallway to the connected specialty pet shop Theodore had been avoiding like the plague, the sign read Eeylops Owl Emporium. Keyword owl.
'You say you want a resourceful animal, not just a pet?' Dumbledore asked, Theodore nodded. 'Can't say I'm surprised by that. Let's check out the owls then, they're used for sending letters to your friends.'
'I don't like birds.' Especially not ones with knives for toes.
'Why not? My familiar is a bird, best companion I could ask for.' Theodore stared at the back if his head. His familiar is a bird? Has to be one of those big red tropical parrots, seems like the type. 'With an owl, you can keep in touch with your friend at the group home. Just tell the owl to leave it at the doorstep so the Muggles don't see who delivered it.'
Theodore's eyes widened and he stopped in his tracks. No way, he can talk to Evangeline if he gets an owl? Wow, snakes aren't that useful. And the owl can understand his orders? Can they talk back like a snake too? He's never tried with an owl. As much as he hates to admit it, an owl sounds like a smart investment in the long run.
'Yes.' Theodore stated simply as he jogged back up beside Dumbledore. 'I want one.' He heard the old man chuckle.
The owl store was a lot calmer and cleaner than the pet shop, almost pleasant to be in if those killers weren't stalking him with their spotlights for eyes. Theodore ended up getting a very large owl called a Blakiston's fish owl. Apparently, the shop owner has never seen this species as long as he's worked with owls, this one just showed up in the newest shipment, and Theodore likes the rare status. Though it wasn't a very pretty owl, it will still make an impressive decorative piece once it dies, that's the only way Theodore can ever enjoy looking at these animals.
'What will be your name for it?' Dumbledore asked him as they walked back to the Leaky Cauldron, finally done with this day.
Theodore looked at the calm silent bird, like the others it was watching him like he were a mouse. 'Dumeril.'
'Why that name, it's seems specific.'
'It's the name of the species of snake I wanted to get instead of this bird. By naming it Dumeril I still got what I wanted, in a way, despite your wishes.'
'Hmm, how reminiscent of what my Slytherin student's would chose.' Dumbledore said with amusement in his voice as they entered the Leaky Cauldron for dinner.
'What's a Slytherin?'
'I'll explain once we get our food.'
Bacon. After three weeks of wishing for bacon, it finally got granted, as well as beef, mashed potatoes, leaks, and corn nibbles. This is the best moment of today so far.
'So, what's a Slytherin?' Theodore spoke with a mouth full of bacon. Most days he is against talking with his mouth full, it's dangerous, he could choke to death doing this, but after today... whatever.
'Ah yes.' Dumbledore stopped eating his steak and potatoes and clasped his hands in front of himself. 'Slytherin is one of the four houses you can get sorted into at Hogwarts. Think of them like a family, your House works together, helps each other, eats with each other, and live together in dorms with their own common room. You get sorted based on your personality, learning style, previous family if that applies, values and experiences. You share a lot of the same characteristics as your father, and Slytherin was his house, I think it is likely you'll get sorted into Slytherin as well.'
Theodores ears perked with interest when he heard mention of his father. 'I have Slytherin traits? Tell me, what are they?' Asking out right about his father will probably cause Dumbledore to close off about him again.
'Slytherin is the House of the cunning, ambitious, and resourcefulness. People who get sorted there are known to value self-perseverance, selective loyalty, and they are often independent and make great leaders. I have seen these characteristics in you popping up all day, you're a child and yet you didn't get excited about getting a pet until you knew it would be of use to you. That's a strong example. But I am not the judge of who gets sorted where, who decides that is a surprise!' Dumbledore finished with a wink.
That answer didn't satisfy Theodores urge to know who his father is, should he just ask? He did bring him up this time, maybe that means he's ready to share. 'Who was Tom Riddle? Mr. Ollivander did seem to dislike him, but he said he did great things too-i heard him mumble it. So, what did he do?' Theodore's not going to stop this time until he gets his questions answered.
'His full name wad Tom Marvalo Riddle.' Dumbledore finally spoke after a tense silence. 'He was a student of Hogwarts, a brilliant student, and a great wizard who could do great things. Top of his year, every year. But he wasn't a good wizard.'
Dumbledore looked Theodore in the eyes, waiting for him to do or say something, but Theodore just stared expressionless.
'Your father was... a dark magic user, he talked to snakes just like you, and he hurt people. He was completely consumed by dark magic and it destroyed him. There was nothing anyone could do; nobody could save him.' Dumbledore waved his hand in a way that said "oh well."
Dark magic? What's that? It sounds powerful if it destroyed a person, and speaking to snakes is dark magic? 'And my mother? Dead?'
Theodore wasn't exactly sure, but Dumbledore looked a bit off put by his reaction. Was he expecting him to be sad or resentful, of what? He can't cry over someone he doesn't know, he just wanted to learn about him.
'She is not dead. She is serving life imprisonment in Azkaban, the magical prison we talked about this morning. Like your father, she was a dark magic user, a dark witch, and she was very dangerous. Azkaban does not allow visitors; in case you were wondering. It's better that way Theodore.'
Theodore kept his eyes on his plate as he played with the hem of his shirt, processing everything he's just heard. At least there's a good reason why nether have tried to find him. Both his parents were evil, does Dumbledore think he'll join them? 'That's why you brought up Azkaban this morning, out of the blue. You think I'm going to turn into someone like my mother and father?'
'Not necessarily. Anyone can fall victim to the seductive nature of dark magic, and your family history and upbringing can play a role in whether or not you fall for it, but that doesn't mean it will be your fate. If we address the kind of behaviors you've displayed so far, like with your bully and talking to snakes, we can help you before it's too late. You can become a very good successful wizard just like everyone else Theodore. Using light magic, not hurting people. Do you understand Theodore?'
Theodore was silent, face unreadable. Why is dark magic so seductive if it's bad? What exactly is dark magic and why did it chose him in the form of parseltounge if it's something he should reject? 'I understand. Be a good person, don't hurt people, stay out of Azkaban, don't be my parents. Simple enough.'
'Simple enough.' Dumbledore nodded. 'I am very proud you were able to reach that conclusion Theodore. I know this was a difficult talk.'
'Yeah.' Theodore shrugged him off, focusing back on his dinner. The conversation wasn't difficult.
He didn't talk to Dumbledore after that, sticking with head nods to communicate until he was brought back to the group home. Theodore was slightly annoyed that Dumbledore brought up Azkaban again, using the parents Theodore has never met as a crutch for his excuse on bringing it up and leaving the most interesting day Theodore has ever had under a gloomy blanket for whenever he'll think back to it in the future. Why did dark magic choose him?