I knew the moment I first kissed him, that he would condemn me, that I would drag myself through broken glass for him. I just was not sure if he would stay long enough to pull the jagged pieces out.
I never imagined that instead, he would push the...
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"Professor."
Dumbledore rose his head from the rolls of scattered parchments laid out before him, surprise lingering in his eyes as he took in the unusual presence in his otherwise empty classroom. In all his years in Hogwarts, Dumbledore had never seen the young wizard come to him in the solitude of his classroom. The boy had always kept his distance, wary and distrusting of the Professor, so it was a strange sight to see him stand at his doorstep. Tom stood with his hands clasped behind his back, the very picture of composure as he regarded the wizard in return.
Recovering from his startled state, he cleared his throat. "Tom...how may I help you?"
The younger man pursed his lips in a mock thoughtful manner. "I wished to discuss...a delicate manner." He revealed in a smooth tone, causing Dumbledore to pinch his eyebrows in hesitance.
"Of course, Tom. Take a seat." He gestured towards the chair in front of him with his quill.
Tom approached him slowly, promptly ignoring the chair and opting to stand directly in front of the Professor's desk. He looked down at Dumbledore's sitting form as he stood, the heightened point of view allowing Tom to feel a hidden sense of delight in the unspoken display of dominance over the man.
Dumbledore laid his quill down on the table, understanding dawning upon him. "You wish to talk about Miss Laurent." He deduced.
"I have come to the conclusion that you had known about her."
"I am not sure I follow, Mr Riddle."
Tom smiled, though it was not kind. "You played a part in her appearance and disappearance."
Dumbledore's brows knitted as he gently shook his head. "I do not understand where you are leading this conversation, but I assure you, Miss Laurent's disappearance is as much a mystery to you as it is for the rest of us."
Tom cocked his head to the side and Dumbledore was perturbed when he saw a tinge of red glimmering in the boy's eyes. "Is it?" He hummed lightly, before resuming his thoughts. "That certainly does not explain why you would request Arwen to speak with you every month in secret."
The wizard sighed, folding his hands together on the table. "I was aiding her in adjusting to her new environment. You know my door is open to all who wish to unburden their troubles to a listening ear."
"Perhaps that could be true...but I choose not to believe that."
"Tom—"
"That is a time-turner beneath your robe, is it not, Professor?"
Dumbledore staggered, caught off guard at the abrupt question. It was not often he caught himself speechless, yet at that moment, he was at a loss for words. He could only watch in silence as the corner of Riddle's mouth lifted slightly in a ghost of a smirk.
