"I can resist everything except temptation."
Oscar Wilde
IX
The woods around Riddle House held many mysteries and secrets. Hermione and Tom wandered among the trees, when they came across a shack that looked old and decrepit, its walls and roof crumbling and rotting. As they approached, the young witch felt a strange sensation warning her to stay away. Yet, Tom's curiosity was piqued, and he eagerly pulled her along, urging her to see what was inside.
Reluctantly, Hermione hesitated, her unease growing. "Are you sure about this? It seems dangerous. Maybe we should turn back," she suggested.
The wizard rolled his eyes dismissively. "Don't be such a coward. It's just an old hut. We might find something interesting," he countered, determined to investigate further.
With that, he pushed open the creaking door and stepped inside, dragging the girl along. The interior of the cabin was in disarray, with dust, dirt, and broken furniture scattered everywhere. Cobwebs hung from the ceiling, adding to the eerie atmosphere, and a foul smell permeated the air. Hermione wrinkled her nose, desperately searching for an exit.
Then again, Tom's fascination with the sight outweighed any concerns. He moved about the shack, meticulously examining the objects and walls, hoping to uncover hidden clues. His attention was drawn to an old cabinet near the fireplace. Ignoring the tattered clothes within, he picked up a a wooden box. Opening the box, he discovered a golden ring with a black stone and a diary, its first page bearing the name Marvolo Delphinus Gaunt.
A surge of conflicting emotions washed over the young wizard as curiosity and anger mingled within him. The name was familiar; it belonged to his grandfather, the man who had abandoned him and his mother. Flipping through its pages, he searched for answers.
Meanwhile, Hermione had wandered into one of the two bedrooms at the back of the cottage. Inside, she found a bed, a dresser, a mirror, and a nightstand. Curiosity compelled her to open the dresser, revealing more clothes, a comb, a brush, and a photograph. As she picked up the aged photo, her breath caught in her throat. It depicted a woman bearing a striking resemblance to Tom, with dark hair, pale skin, and piercing grey eyes. The woman wore a simple dress and a somber expression. Turning the photo over, the witch read the name "Merope Isolt Gaunt."
Realization dawned upon Hermione; this must be Tom's mother, who had tragically passed away while giving birth to him. Sympathy welled up inside her as she pondered the hardships this woman had endured and why she had resided in such a wretched place. Eager to share her discovery with her best friend, she called out to him.
"Tom, come here! I've found something you should see!"
Riddle heard her voice and closed the Marvolo's diary, tucking the ring into his pocket. He made his way to the bedroom where Hermione stood, holding the photo. Snatching it from her hand, he gazed upon it with a mixture of intense emotions. This woman was his mother, the one who had brought him nothing but pain and suffering. Hatred swirled within him as he read the name written on the back of the photo, disgusted by the connection he shared with her. In a fit of anger, he dropped the photo to the floor and bitterly spat out his words.
"This is her. This is my mother. This is where she lived."
His icy gaze pierced Hermione as he sensed her pity and concern, fueling his resentment. Clenching his fists and biting his lip, he struggled to suppress the surge of anger and pain threatening to overwhelm him. Abruptly, he spun around and stormed back into the living room, leaving the witch behind. He yearned to escape the haunting memories and revelations that plagued him, wishing he could incinerate the shack and everything within it.
Hermione followed, her heart pounding and mind racing as she sensed him pushing her away, shutting her out. As the girl entered the living room, she found him standing by the fireplace, clutching Marvolo's diary tightly in his hand. His gaze was fixed upon it, a blend of curiosity and malice.
Softly, Hermione approached him, her voice filled with concern. "Tom, please, talk to me. What are you doing with that book?"
Ignoring her, he continued to read, awaiting a response that only the pages could provide. Urgency creeping into her tone, the witch repeated her warning. "Tom, that diary is dangerous."
Still refusing to acknowledge her, he smirked and replied, "I know. It belonged to Marvolo Riddle, my own grandfather. The same man who tried to kill me and my mother after she fled."
Deciding to give him some space, the witch sought a distraction. Her eyes fell upon a bookshelf mounted on the wall, with only a few books remaining. Curiosity tugged at her, and she approached it, scanning the faded titles. One book caught her attention: "Magicks Moste Evile." Reaching out to touch it, she was abruptly interrupted as a large, orange, and grumpy-looking cat leaped onto her from behind. Digging its claws into her shoulder, Hermione let out a piercing scream, dropping the book in shock. The cat hissed and leaped to the floor, leaving the girl startled and in pain.
As the book hit the ground, it opened on its own accord, capturing the attention of both Hermione and Tom. They watched in trepidation as a deafening scream erupted from its pages, chilling them to the bone. A flash of green light followed, accompanied by a burst of flames that engulfed the book. Fire quickly consumed the shack, devouring the wood, cloth, and paper within. Smoke billowed, filling the room with heat and chaos.
Panic seized the two orphans as they desperately sought an escape route. They rushed towards the door, only to find it blocked by a wall of fire. Frantically searching for a window, they realized that now there was none. Trapped within the inferno, the two felt a growing sense of dread and an overwhelming lack of escape.
Tom urgently pulled Hermione's hand, guiding her across the shack in search of an escape route or a way to extinguish the raging fire. Regret flooded his mind as he reflected on the fateful decision to visit this perilous hut.
Terrified and filled with despair, the witch followed him, hoping for a miracle to save them from their predicament.
As they reached the other side of the cabin, their eyes locked onto the cat once again. Serenely perched on a table, it observed them with an air of calm superiority. The flames seemed to have no effect on the feline, almost as if it possessed some form of magical protection. Gracefully, the cat leaped off the table and landed before them, its piercing yellow eyes beckoning them to follow.
Spotting the cat, Hermione's spirits lifted with a glimmer of hope. Memories flooded back of the cat's intervention, saving her from the cursed book by leaping onto her just in time. She wondered if the cat held knowledge of an escape route, if it was trying to aid them.
"Tom, look! It's the cat that saved me from the book! Perhaps it knows a way out! It could be our salvation!"
She pointed excitedly at the small feline, attempting to sway Riddle to join her in following its lead. Still, Tom remained cautious, harboring suspicions that the cat was part of a trap, leading them to their demise. He adamantly refused to follow its guidance.
"Mia, have you lost your mind? That cat isn't our ally! It's entangled in this cursed place! It's attempting to deceive us! Don't be fooled!"
The wizard forcefully pulled Hermione away from the cat, desperately searching for an alternative solution. Yet, amidst the chaos, he found no other options, only the relentless encroachment of fire and impending doom.
Observing the flames intensify around them, the witch summoned her courage and made a resolute decision. She chose to trust her instincts, take a leap of faith, and follow the cat. Relinquishing her grasp on Tom's hand, she darted after the feline, silently praying that he would follow her lead.
"Tom, please! Trust me! It's our only chance! Come on!"
Her plea echoed through the room as she raced after the cat. Guiding her to a corner, the cat halted near a wall with a small opening. The hole seemed just large enough for Hermione to squeeze through. The cat gazed at them intently, emitting a soft meow, as if urging them to hurry.
Peering at the hole, the girl's eyes widened with newfound hope. Beyond the opening lay the outside world, with its sky, trees, and grass. A smile of gratitude illuminated her face as she thanked the cat. Turning to Riddle, she implored him to join her.
"Tom, look! There's an escape route! A hole in the wall! We can make it! We can survive!"
Taking hold of his hand, Hermione tugged him towards the opening. The wizard resisted initially, but eventually relented. He followed her through the cramped space, experiencing both pain and relief. Finally, they emerged on the other side. Coughing and gasping for air, the two friends stumbled out of the Gaunt shack. Flames consumed the wooden structure, casting sparks and smoke into the sky.
The cat, faithful to the end, followed them outside, hopping onto Hermione's lap. Purring and affectionately licking her face, it provided much-needed solace. Grateful, the witch embraced the feline, cherishing its warm fur and tender gestures. She glanced at Tom, his pallid face betraying the trauma he had endured.
"Are you alright?" she asked, her concern evident.
He nodded silently, unable to find the words. His gaze shifted towards the cat, a mix of curiosity and resentment simmering within him. Riddle harbored an aversion towards animals, especially those that seemed to favor Hermione over him.
Suddenly, a loud crack pierced the air as two figures apparated nearby. It was Cecilia, Hermione's aunt, and Frank Bryce, the Riddle's gardener and a squib. Observing the billowing smoke from the manor, they had rushed to investigate.
"Aunt Ceci!" Hermione exclaimed, relief flooding her voice. "You're here!"
"Mia, my dear, what happened?" Cecilia inquired, hastening to embrace her niece. "Are you hurt? And what about Tom?"
"Tom is fine," Hermione hastily assured her. "We were exploring the shack when I stumbled upon this book, and it... it..."
She trailed off, unable to complete the sentence. The girl hesitated to divulge that the book belonged to Tom's ancestor, his grandfather, who had abandoned his own daughter to die. She wished to keep her fascination with the dark arts tome and the secrets it held a secret.
Glancing at Tom, who stared at the ground, guilt and shame etched across his features, Hermione understood his remorse. They both acknowledged their mistake in entering the hut, wishing they could undo their ill-fated decision.
Frank Bryce, with his amiable countenance and thick accent, noticed the cat nestled in Hermione's lap. Smiling, he remarked, "Well, well, well, if it isn't old Crookshanks. It's been quite some time, you mischievous old rascal."
Extending his hand to pet the cat, Bryce chuckled and added, "This cat is half-kneazle, you know. That's why he's so clever and loyal. He can sense good and bad people, always sticking with the brave ones. Looks like you've found a lifelong friend, young miss."
Hermione beamed, "He saved us, Frank. He guided us out of the shack. He's a true hero."
Bryce nodded approvingly, "Indeed, he is. A brave and cunning cat, he is. You should keep him, young miss. He'll make a wonderful companion."
Examining the hut in flames, Cecilia shook her head and expressed her relief, "This is for the best. The shack was a nightmare. And now it's gone, destroyed by a cursed book. Only a nefarious family like the Gaunts would keep such a thing at home. They were always trouble, those Gaunts. Dark and twisted, they were." Riddle, aware that she was referring to his family and bloodline, flinched under her gaze. Although a surge of anger and defiance welled up inside him, he chose to keep it to himself, not wanting to cause more trouble at the moment.
Sighing, Cecilia suggested, "Come on, you two. Let's return to the manor. You both need rest and some food. Frank and I will take care of the fire. Using charms and spells, I'll extinguish it and make it appear accidental. We don't want to attract any unwanted attention, do we?" Taking Hermione and Tom by the hand, she led them towards the apparition point.
Holding the cat close to her chest, the young witch felt its heartbeat and warmth, finding comfort and happiness in its presence. She glanced at Tom, who met her gaze with a small, rare, and genuine smile. He felt grateful and sorry, along with an indescribable emotion that eluded definition. Together, they apparated away, leaving behind the burning shack.
It was a bright and sunny morning at King's Cross station, where hundreds of students and their families were gathered to board the Hogwarts Express. Among them were Hermione and Tom, who were accompanied by Lady Mary and Cecilia.
Hermione was holding a cage that contained Crookshanks, her orange cat and faithful companion. The cat was meowing and scratching at the bars, clearly unhappy and restless. The witch tried to calm him down, but he wouldn't listen.
"Shh, Crooks, it's okay. We'll be there soon. You'll love Hogwarts, I promise," she whispered, caressing his fur.
Tom, who was carrying their trunks and bags, looked at the cat with a frown. He usually didn't like animals, especially ones that made noise and caused trouble. The wizard thought they were a nuisance and a distraction. Still, Riddle liked the crunched faced half-kneazle.
"Mia, why don't you let him out?" he suggested. "He's obviously stressed and uncomfortable. Maybe he'll be better if he can roam around a bit."
Hesitating, Hermione felt torn. Losing Crookshanks or letting him get into trouble was not something she wanted. Neither was seeing him suffer. Her eyes met Lady Mary and Cecilia's, who nodded in agreement.
"Alright, I'll let him out. But only for a little while. And you have to stay close to me, Crooks. Do you understand?" she urged, opening the cage.
Free from the enclosure, Crookshanks landed on the ground with a thud. A stretch and a yawn followed, then he rubbed his head against the young witch's leg. His eyes scanned the surroundings, curious and alert. Magic and excitement filled the air, and he seemed to sense it.
With a smile, Hermione lifted him up and cradled the feline in her arms. His warmth and his heartbeat filled her with joy and gratitude. A friend for life, she had found, and she wasn't going to let him go.
Smiling, Lady Mary and Cecilia hugged Hermione and Tom. Pride and happiness filled their hearts. They had seen them grow and learn, and they knew they had great potential.
"Are you ready for your fifth year at Hogwarts?" Lady Mary asked them. "I'm sure you'll do wonderfully. You're both very talented and smart."
With a smile and a hug, Hermione expressed her gratitude and affection to the old woman. "You've been very kind to us, granny," she told her.
Tom nodded, showing his respect and appreciation. "You've helped us a lot," he acknowledged.
A blush rose to Lady Mary's cheeks and she waved her hand. "Oh, it was nothing. You're very welcome. It was a pleasure to have you at Riddle Manor. You're always welcome there, you know."
Cecilia nodded and agreed, "Yes, you are. And we'll miss you very much. But we'll see you soon, don't worry."
A serious and concerned expression crossed her face. Lowering her voice, she warned them, "But you have to be careful, you two. The world is not a safe place right now. There's a dark wizard on the loose, and he's very dangerous. His name is Gellert Grindelwald, and he wants to start a war between the magical and the non-magical people. He's already attacked several places in Europe over the last decades, and he might come here next. You have to be vigilant and alert, especially when you go to Hogsmeade. That's where he's most likely to strike."
Hermione gasped and exclaimed, "Grindelwald? I've heard of him. He's the one who killed all those muggles in France, right? He's the one who escaped from the Bastille, the French magical prison for the worst criminals."
She looked at Tom, who nodded. Grindelwald was not a stranger to him, either. Books and newspapers had informed him about the dark wizard. Intrigue and fascination filled his mind. What was he like, what did he want, what could he do?
Riddle voiced his concern, "But what about Hogwarts? Could he get past the wards and the defenses?" He sounded worried and curious, wondering if the school was safe.
"No, he couldn't," Cecilia shook her head and reassured them. "Hogwarts is one of the safest places in the world. It's protected by ancient and powerful magic, by the founders and the headmaster. No one can enter or leave without permission. You don't have to worry about Grindelwald at Hogwarts. You're safe there."
She paused and added, "But there is another cause for concern. A mysterious phenomenon has been occurring at the school since last year. Students have been petrified by an unknown source."
A look passed between the two orphans. What she was talking about was familiar to them. They had been involved in the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets. In the Hospital wing, they had seen the bodies of the victims.
Hermione shivered and said, "But it's a mystery to us, what it is, or who's behind it. We don't know how to stop it, or how to prevent it. Uncertain if it will happen again, or who will be the next target."
A smile lit up her face and Cecilia encouraged them, "But you're not alone, you're never alone. You have each other, and you have us. Remember that." She spoke with warmth and affection, reminding them of their bond and their support.
The older witch hugged them again and affirmed, "Now, go on. It's time to board the train. Have a wonderful year at Hogwarts, and don't forget to write. We love you, and we're proud of you."
Grateful, Hermione and Tom thanked the women and bid them farewell. Their trunks and bags in tow, they made their way to the platform. An empty compartment awaited them, and the two friends settled in. Through the window, they saw Lady Mary and Cecilia waving at them. Smiling, they waved back.
The orphans felt excited and nervous, happy and scared. They didn't know what the future would bring, what challenges and dangers they would face. But they knew they would face them together, as friends and partners, as allies and equals.