Riddles Past and What's Behind It (Demo)

Get Rid of It

Tom Riddle stood before an old witch, a collector of rare magical items, in her cluttered shop. The shelves were lined with various trinkets and artifacts, each one possessing its own unique enchantment.

"Madam," Tom began, his voice calm and measured. "I must implore you to consider selling all of your magical belongings. It is for your own safety."

The old witch scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "Nonsense, young man. These items are my life's work. I've spent decades collecting them. They are not for sale."

Tom leaned forward, his piercing gaze fixed on the old witch. "But have you considered the dangers they pose? In the wrong hands, these items could cause immeasurable harm. And with the war brewing, the stakes are higher than ever."

The old witch bristled at the mention of the war, but Tom pressed on. "I assure you, I am not trying to take advantage of you. I merely seek to protect you and the magical community as a whole."

The old witch hesitated, studying Tom for a moment. She had heard of him, of course. He was a prodigy, a young wizard with a reputation for intelligence and cunning. If anyone could be trusted to handle her collection responsibly, it was him.

Finally, she relented. "Very well," she said, with a sigh. "I will sell you my collection. But be warned, young man. If any harm comes to these items, I will hold you responsible."

Tom nodded gravely. "I understand, madam. And I assure you, these items will be in the safest hands possible."

Over the next few days, Tom worked tirelessly to catalog and secure the old witch's collection. He made sure each item was properly contained and protected, so that it could not fall into the wrong hands. And when he was finished, he paid the old witch a fair price for her collection.

As he left her shop, Tom couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. He had done the right thing, he was sure of it. And he had gained a valuable asset in the process, one that could help him in the coming war.

But he also couldn't shake the feeling that he had just made an enemy. The old witch was not one to be trifled with, and Tom knew that he would have to be careful from now on. For in the world of magic, even the smallest misstep could have dire consequences.

Tom Riddle strode through the aisles of Borgin and Burkes, his sharp eyes scanning the shelves for rare and powerful artifacts. He had always been drawn to the darker side of magic, and this shop was a treasure trove of forbidden items.

As he perused the various objects, he noticed a young student browsing nervously nearby. The boy looked up at Tom with wide eyes, clearly intimidated by the sinister atmosphere of the shop.

"May I be of assistance?" Tom asked, his voice smooth and persuasive.

The boy hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I'm looking for information on the Restricted Section at Hogwarts," he said. "I've heard there are some powerful books there, but I'm not sure if it's worth the risk."

Tom smiled knowingly. "Ah, the Restricted Section. It's true that some of the most valuable and dangerous books in the school are kept there. But it's not a place to be taken lightly. You need to be prepared for what you might find."

He motioned for the boy to follow him to a secluded corner of the shop. "You see, the books in the Restricted Section cover a wide range of dark magic. Some are simply theoretical, while others contain actual spells and curses. And there are some that even I would hesitate to read."

The boy's eyes widened even further at this. "But...why would anyone keep those kinds of books in a school library?"

Tom smirked. "Why indeed? It's almost as if someone wants to give young witches and wizards access to forbidden knowledge. But that's a topic for another time. The important thing is that you must approach the Restricted Section with caution. Read only what you feel you can handle, and don't let your curiosity get the best of you."

The boy nodded, his expression serious. "Thank you, sir. I'll keep that in mind."

Tom patted him on the shoulder. "Good. Remember, knowledge is power. But only if you know how to use it."

Marcus Flint strode confidently into Borgin and Burkes, his broad shoulders brushing against the various cursed artifacts on display. He had come to speak with Tom Riddle, one of the few people at Hogwarts who commanded his respect.

Tom emerged from the shadows, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Marcus Flint. What a surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"

Flint grinned, his eyes glinting with a fierce intensity. "I've come to talk business, Riddle. I hear you're the man to see when it comes to the...darker side of magic."

Tom raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? And what makes you think I have any interest in helping you?"

Flint chuckled. "Because we both know that we share a common goal. Power. And I believe that together, we could achieve great things."

Tom considered this for a moment before nodding slowly. "Very well. I am always interested in expanding my...associations. What did you have in mind?"

Flint leaned in conspiratorially. "There's a group of Slytherin students who are looking to make a name for themselves. We've been practicing dark magic, but we need more...substantial resources. And I think you could provide them."

Tom's lips curled into a predatory smile. "I see. And what, exactly, do you think I can offer you?"

Flint's grin widened. "Access to the Restricted Section of the Hogwarts library, for one. And perhaps a few choice items from this shop of yours."

Tom's eyes glinted with amusement. "You drive a hard bargain, Flint. But I think we can come to an arrangement."

And with that, the two began to discuss their plans, hatching a scheme that would have far-reaching consequences for the wizarding world. As they spoke, the objects in Borgin and Burkes seemed to shift and stir, as if sensing the dark magic that was about to be unleashed.