Riddles Past and What's Behind It (Demo)

Making Friends

Hepzibah Smith bustled into Borgin and Burkes, her plump cheeks flushed with excitement. She had heard that Tom Riddle, the promising young student at Hogwarts, was a collector of rare magical artifacts, and she was eager to see if he had anything to add to her extensive book collection.

Tom emerged from the shadows, his sharp eyes assessing the rotund witch before him. "May I help you, madam?" he asked, his voice cool and polite.

Hepzibah beamed at him. "Yes, yes, I'm looking for something special for my collection. I hear you have quite the eye for rare items."

Tom smiled thinly. "I do indeed. What, specifically, are you looking for?"

Hepzibah rummaged through her voluminous bag before producing a worn leather-bound book. "I'm particularly interested in ancient texts. This one belonged to Salazar Slytherin himself, or so the rumors say."

Tom's eyes flickered with interest as he took the book from her. "Yes, this is indeed a rare find. The secrets contained within its pages could be...most enlightening."

Hepzibah clapped her hands together in glee. "Oh, I knew you would appreciate it! And what about these other volumes?" She gestured to the pile of books in her bag. "Do you think any of them might be of interest?"

Tom took a cursory glance at the books before shaking his head. "I'm afraid not, madam. They're all rather...mundane."

Hepzibah's face fell slightly, but she rallied quickly. "Well, I suppose I can't expect every book to be a treasure. But I do appreciate your time, Mr. Riddle."

Tom inclined his head slightly. "Of course, madam. And if you ever come across anything truly extraordinary, don't hesitate to bring it to my attention. I'm always interested in expanding my collection."

Hepzibah nodded eagerly before making her way out of the shop, the leather-bound book clutched tightly in her pudgy fingers. As she left, Tom's eyes lingered on her for a moment, his mind already turning over the possibilities presented by the ancient tome.

Perhaps there was more to be learned from its pages than even Salazar Slytherin had ever imagined. And with his growing knowledge of dark magic, Tom Riddle was just the wizard to uncover its secrets.

Horace Slughorn made his way through the dusty streets of Knockturn Alley, his beady eyes scanning the storefronts for the familiar sign of Borgin and Burkes. He had received a message from Tom Riddle, one of his brightest students at Hogwarts, requesting that he pay a visit to the shop.

Slughorn had been curious about the young man for some time. Riddle was intelligent, ambitious, and had a certain...charisma that made him stand out from his peers. And he had a knack for collecting rare magical artifacts, a skill that had caught Slughorn's attention from the start.

As he stepped into the dimly lit shop, Slughorn was greeted by the sight of Riddle, standing amidst the dusty shelves with a small smile on his lips.

"Tom, my boy! What a pleasure to see you," Slughorn said, his round face creasing into a genial smile.

Riddle inclined his head in greeting. "Professor Slughorn. Thank you for coming. I wanted to show you something that I think might be of interest to you."

Slughorn's eyes lit up with anticipation. "Well, don't keep me waiting, Tom! What have you got for me?"

Riddle gestured to a small wooden box on one of the shelves. "This, professor. I believe it once belonged to a particularly gifted potion maker. It contains a rare ingredient that I think you might appreciate."

Slughorn made his way over to the box, his fingers twitching with excitement. He opened it eagerly and let out a small gasp as he beheld the contents inside.

"My dear boy, this is...remarkable. How did you come across it?"

Riddle's smile widened. "Let's just say that I have a nose for these things, professor."

Slughorn chuckled indulgently. "Well, I must say, I'm impressed. You have a real talent for finding rare and valuable magical items. It's a skill that will serve you well in the future, I'm sure."

Riddle's eyes gleamed with a fierce intensity. "Oh, I'm counting on it, professor. The power that comes with knowledge and the acquisition of rare objects is...intoxicating."

Slughorn raised an eyebrow at the young man's fervor, but decided not to press the issue. Instead, he took one last admiring glance at the potion ingredient in the box before making his way to the door.

"Thank you for showing me this, Tom. I look forward to seeing what other treasures you uncover in the future."

Riddle nodded politely. "Of course, professor. I'm always happy to share my findings with those who appreciate them."

As Slughorn left the shop, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease. There was something about Riddle's ambition that made him wary, something that hinted at a darkness lurking beneath the surface. But for now, Slughorn pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the rare ingredient in the box, already planning the potions he could create with it.