𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙽𝚒𝚗𝚎

We were in the study hall working on our class assignment together. It was so quiet in the room, the tension was so thick I could cut the air with a knife. I was almost done with my assignments and I felt like I was being watched. I looked behind me and saw everyone staring at Harry and I then quickly looked away. I felt my stomach drop and I felt like my head was heavy and that there was a weight on my chest preventing me from taking a full breath.

I finished my assignments and abruptly closed my books, breaking the silence in the hall. "I'm going to bed early. I'll see you tomorrow." They gave me sympathetic smiles as I stood up. Harry abruptly stood up and spoke. "Me too." He and I left the hall and as soon as we were on the other side of the door I stopped walking. I pressed my ear against the door and heard whispers going a mile a minute in there. "Hey, try not to let them get to you." Harry said.

I looked at him and nodded. "I know, but it's hard when they're judging and gossiping every time I'm there. And not there." We left and went to our common rooms. Once I was in mine, I sat on the empty couch in front of the fireplace. Everyone was in bed or in the study hall so I had the room to myself. I took out my journal I found in the abandoned bathroom and opened it to the first page. All the pages were blank. I was about to write in it when I noticed the ink accidentally dripped off the pen and onto the page. Then the ink disappeared.

"What in the world?" I whispered.

I dipped my pen back into ink and drew a line on the page. Soon that line disappeared. 'My name is Alastor Riddle.' The words disappeared and to my surprise, a response appeared on the page. It was as if I was talking to a book. 'Hello Alastor, my name is Tom Riddle.'

'Am I talking to a book?'

'No, this is a charm placed on the book. I'm actually a person just like you.'

'We have the same last name. Do you think we're related?'

'We are related.'

'Who are you?'

'I am your father.'

'How do I know you're not lying?'

'I can prove it.'

Just then the book started to glow and I was sucked into the book. I looked around my surroundings and saw I was in a strange yet familiar room. I turned around and saw me as a little kid playing with a bald man. He looked vaguely familiar. "I love you, father." The young me said. Just then it was all getting further and further away from me. "Wait no... Father!" I yelled reaching out for him. Next thing I knew I was sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace again. I looked around and adjusted my eyes, wiping away rogue tears.

'You're really my father?'

'Yes.'

'Where have you been all my life then? Why was I adopted?'

'I was very weak and could not look after you, I had to give you up.'

'Are you ok?'

'I'm getting stronger by the day.'