...
Ulren's Book of Incompetence. It's been a rather long while since one of his professors had come complaining to him about it- A few years even. After the first few attempts failed to get a reaction out of him regarding the book, most professors just gave it up and simply started ignoring the varied suggestions and ideologies that festered student minds when they took their first gander at it.
It had been a few decades since one of his professors came to him with a reasonable suggestion about it, however. To make it all the more surprising, the professor that had come to him about it had been Severus Snape. His current most vocal professor of having the book burned and buried somewhere it wouldn't give him a headache every time a student came to him with the next 'big' discovery.
Needless to say, his curiosity had peaked.
Even more so when he'd found out the student involved had been the very same one that had helped him realize the magnitude of Professor Quirrel's... Status. And a reminder that, though magic was wonderous in what it could do, he had gone a tad too far in hoping it would be enough to curtail the worst of possibilities of having the philosopher's stone hidden in the castle.
He watched idly as the boy warily made his way into his office, his eyes shifting around uncomfortably, making an effort not to meet his.
The pang it sent filtering through him returned in full force- Using Legillemency was rather frowned upon in the magical world, no matter how useful. As headmaster, he really ought not to succumb to it, even if say a Troll had stumbled on its way into the castle.
He had made a mistake in doing so at the time, and now had a student who thought him to use it at every opportune moment- To the point, he refused to meet his eyes.
The lack of trust was on him truly, a fact that given the student's need to hide something about himself, and his overall situation meant he would find it difficult to come to him for any help should he need it.
In that particular aspect, he had failed as a teacher.
"Headmaster?" Rodrick brought him out of his musing, the boy had taken the designated seat before him. "Professor Snape said you wanted to see me?"
"I did," He remarked easily, a genuine smile on his face as he picked up the parchment his professor had handed off to him- The parchment with only a few rather... Unprofessional comments on it. Which as far as Severus was concerned, was a good report. "I had a look through this-" And given the way embarrassment seemed to fill the boy's face, he knew exactly what the parchment was about it.
"...I didn't mean for it to waste your time as well." The boy deadpanned, the flush of embarrassment disappearing.
Dumbledore blinked once, his mind running faster than before.
The boy's face was transfigured, that much he already knew. Yet... Most attempts at such human transfiguration tended to fail to convince anyone due to the lack of, well, emotions. Some could've faked those, though with effort- But to see it happen, instinctively along with whatever the boy felt, to see a modified face react as if it were the original-
A sense of wrong, of danger, of fear filtered through him.
The level of control it would've taken... The sheer magnitude of the spell required itself-
How long it must've taken to learn? Who could've possibly taught a child long enough for the boy to learn it to such an extent?
There was only one person, capable and available of such a thing given the time and the advancement it required, that came to mind that could've pulled it off- And he himself certainly never taught it.
Every visit the boy shared with him gave him more and more questions, gave him more and more of a reason to poke his nose which he knew would only lead to things he did not want to learn.
He set the paper down and schooled his thoughts, remembering why he'd summoned the boy.
"I have to say, Rodrick, rather keen of you to suggest transfigurating items that, even when reversed, left a positive effect on anyone who drank the effected potion." And if the boy was capable of modifying his own face to such an extent, then he saw why he felt confident enough to suggest such a thing, for he could certainly not feel any outside party holding the Transfiguration on his face, the magic itself humming around the boy's form alone- Which only suggested that whoever had taught him, had likely known he would've seen through their own attempt at holding it from afar.
"Oh!" The boy remarked, a hint of surprise on his face. "Uh, thanks?" He shrugged, relief flooding his form. "I uh, just figured it might work, though Professor Snape told me no one would trust it!" The boy finished, a hand rubbing the back of his head.
When he made to say something, he found the words not leaving his mouth as he saw something flash through the boy's gaze as he slapped one fist onto an open palm.
"...I just realized even if it worked, it'd probably lead to abuse of magical creatures..."
And as if on que, Fawkes chirped rather loudly behind him, his own gaze only now noticing the boy's stuck to the annoyed phoenix.
"Phoenixes most of all!" The boy remarked, his finger pointed at the bird in question.
At Dumbledore's bemused expression, mostly due to the sheer childlike qualities before him going against everything his mind was trying to tell him, earned him a sheepish look from the boy.
"I uh, mean the phoenix tears you know? Everyone would probably try to Transfigure that!"
Well, he certainly wasn't the first person to think it, though- "Few would ever consider doing such a thing, Phoenixes only release their tears when absolutely necessary, it would be rather heinous to force such a beautiful creature otherwise."
Rodrick nodded quickly at that, an apologetic expression on his face as he stared at the magical bird behind him.
"I mean to be fair, you'd only need one set of tears- One stasis charm on that and you can keep multiplying it... Might not be as effective but hey, healing's still healing right?"
Well... One or two wizards and witches he'd known off had once suggested that as well.
"Indeed, yet the act itself is what prevents the magical community from doing so- As... Beneficial it might be Rodrick, very few would wish to take advantage of it in fear of repercussions, personal or otherwise." A single beat passed. "No one ever wants an angry phoenix after them either," He chuckled. "I'll tell you that much."
Rodrick nodded wordlessly, before letting out a snort.
"Wouldn't have stopped muggles if they found out about it."
He frowned at the words, his own reaction causing the boys to wilt in response. "What makes you say that?" He questioned, leaning in the slightest.
"Uh... You know, magic uh... Makes us more appreciative of... Karma?" The boy finished, unsure of himself. "Something like that," He finished with a shrug.
"Is that right," He questioned good-naturedly, a smile building upon his own face. "I happen to know quite a few muggles who firmly believe in... Karma as you put it."
"Hm..." The boy frowned at him. "Funny that, I happen to know an orphanage who thinks it doesn't exist."
The smile on his face slowly died down as he stared at the boy.
"What makes you say that?"
And just like that, the easy-going nature immediately disappeared from the boy's face, wariness replacing it completely.
"...I...Uh..." The boy stopped, taking a moment to think his words over as his gaze met the table. "I've used Wandless magic, you've heard of that I am sure?"
He tilted his head the slightest bit before nodding- The boy was opening up, which was rather surprising all on its own.
His talent with the magic was, while certainly rare, not entirely unheard off- Yet the only other person he could remember who'd managed it at such a young age was... Tom.
"Well, I used it in the station right, before I got on the train?" He blinked at the words, having not heard about that particular part. He'd figured the Daily Prophet would've at least mentioned it at the back of their paper. "And, besides a few surprised and-" The boy looked somewhat dumbfounded as he continued. "-jealous looks, everyone just... Kind of ignored it? You know, no distaste, dislike, or what have you." The boy shrugged. "But in the orphanage, it's kind of different-"
Oh Merlin, did the boy use magic at home too?
"-Like obviously, I don't use magic there, you know, try and fit in and all but no one really gives me a shot- It's like they know I am different without me showing it?" A single beat passed as the words, for whatever reason, seemed to strike a chord with him. "But here, in Hogwarts, and even Diagon Alley actually, it doesn't matter how different or weird I might be, they all just sort of accept it!" A single beat passed as the boy's face turned thoughtful. "It's kind of reassuring really."
He opened his mouth to respond, and yet no words came out.
The boy had finished his words with a smile on his face, one that was slowly dying down at his lack of response.
Yet, no words came out.
Because in that very moment, a small part of him had finally understood why Tom Riddle had... Chosen the path he had.
The muggle world... Or rather the orphanage he'd been in had rejected him and that had likely turned him off to the rest of it...
Perhaps...
Had Tom, due to the actions he'd taken regarding the boy before his rise, felt completely rejected by magical society as well? His status in Slytherin likely not helping him to begin with...
"...Headmaster?" Rodrick called out after a moment, bemusement marring his face. "I... uh didn't mean... that?" A single beat passed. "The orphanage is great?" The boy deadpanned, his own face unable to believe the lie.
"Apologies Rodrick, your words just brought back some memories of another student."
"Oh, was he an orphan too?"
"Yes, he was actually."
The words seemed to bring about a sense of relief to the boy.
"Hmm, was he good at magic as well?"
He nodded warily to the question.
"Huh, maybe being an orphan makes a better wizard out of you." The boy deadpanned. A single beat passed before the boy tilted his head at him. "What's he up to these days?"
"...Soul searching I imagine."
It wasn't long before the boy was dismissed, after a few comments and suggestions regarding his report on Ulren's Book of Incompetence- Words that the boy seemed to enjoy even.
...
Hope You Enjoyed! Don't Forget Feedback!