Burning Obsessions : Tom Riddle

25: Deja Vu

[victoria's pov]

I entered Dippet's office with no second thoughts. The few portraits that were hung up in the office portrayed previous headmasters. Some slept peacefully and some eyed me curiously. I gripped my parchment and took a deep breath before sitting down before him. I placed the document in front of him, which boldly read WITHDRAWAL FROM HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY.

Dippet raised a brow with slight concern.

"I'd like to be gone as soon as possible," I said blankly. Dippet's eyes examined the document with an unreadable expression. His eyes then traced back to me and he sat straight up in his chair.

"It is not often that students request to withdraw from Hogwarts," he says. "Does something worry you?"

Yes, I'm tempted to tell him.

"No, headmaster."

He grunts and I can see he does not believe me.

"Headmaster Dippet, I know the school year is just months from an end, and exams are back on but-"

The old man interrupted me and said, "It is not the exams that concern me about your withdrawal."

I cocked my head slightly. Could he know the real reason I wanted to leave Hogwarts? Did he also figure Riddle was up to something? He was the headmaster after all...

Dippet sighed and said, "I understand you haven't been coping very well with everything that's been going on. It's mind-boggling and can be terrifying at times..."

"Headmaster-" I pause, wondering how much he knew.

"Miss Locke," he interrupted me. "If you could kindly let me continue."

I lowered my head, giving up on my protest.

"The last time we met, you spoke of your friend very deeply," he started. "I am sorry for you and I hope you know the ministry is doing everything in their power to find her."

That's what I was afraid of.

"Is something the matter?" Professor Dippet asked me.

"No."

"Then I shall bid you a goodnight," he said, standing up. He repositioned his spectacles. "Don't want to be caught up late by caretaker Pringle now, eh?"

I was almost taken aback. He hadn't even heard me out. The chair I sat on magically scooted back and I stood up, taking it as my sign to leave. I took the form in my hand and stepped out of his office.

"Goodness Godric," I said, almost in disbelief at his dismissive behaviour. Did he always treat students like a chore?

I practically stormed off until I reached the end of the corridor, cursing under my breath. My only chance of freedom was gone. Of course, I could have told Dippet the truth... but not at the risk of Riddle taking away everything I love. Knowing him, he was always a step ahead of the game.

My heart raced as I remembered Myrtle's cold face against the stone ground. My breath quickened as I visioned Riddle's father, shadowless, and breathless on the carpet. The unspeakable things he was capable of, he could easily do to Theo...

I found myself wandering the corridors, slowly making my way to the dungeons. As I turned around a corner, I stopped in my tracks from running into someone.

"Professor Dumbledore," I noted.

"Locke," Professor Dumbledore greeted. "It's about curfew. What business has you out and about this time of night?" He raised his brow slightly.