A Change of Heart

Chapter Twenty Eight

Tom sat still for a few minutes after Snape had left. He pushed his hood back. His face was thoughtful. Harry was angry with him? He could not think of what he'd done to earn that. He'd assumed Harry's silence was because of the ministry's new measures. Owls in and out of Hogwarts were being subjected to searches. Tom had, in fact, been relieved that Harry had been sensible enough not to write to him.

But now he was worried. He had to see Harry. Valentine's Day was too far off. It was not even Christmas yet. Not that such celebrations held any meaning for him. But they were a useful way to keep track of the passage of time.

He regretted not sending a message with Severus. But he also knew a simple message would not have sufficed. He had to meet Harry in person. He raked his hand through his hair. His hair had started growing back after the spell started changing him. It was now as thick as it had been during his school days.

He knew what to do, but was not happy about it. Asking Dumbledore for help went against everything he stood for. But he was desperate. He had to see Harry.

He rose and walked out, pulling his hood over his head, throwing his face in shadow. Lucius Malfoy came running.

"Is there anything you require, my Lord?"

"I'm going out," said Tom. "I might not be back tonight."

"All right, my Lord," Tom smiled grimly at the relief Malfoy tried so hard to conceal.

"Your son is in Harry Potter's year, is he not?"

"Yes, my Lord," Lucius sounded anxious.

"I have a mission for him. Have him meet me when he's home for Christmas."

"M-mission, my Lord?" Lucius tried to hide it, but he seemed more scared than elated.

"It's nothing dangerous, Lucius," said Tom. "But I need to test his loyalty."

He would not have given that reassurance at one time, thought he. He would simply have enjoyed watching Lucius squirm.

"Of course, of course my Lord," Lucius was spluttering now, his relief evident.

Tom nearly snorted aloud as he went out of the house. He apparated into Hogsmeade. The sun was setting and the village lay quiet. Tom made his way into the Hog's Head. He knew who the barman was though he'd never used that information before.

He sat down at a corner. The barman came to him,

"What will you have?"

"A meeting with your brother," Tom spoke softly, his voice audible only to the two of them. The barman was still, then he sat down on the opposite chair.
"You know who I am."

"You are Aberforth Dumbledore, younger brother of Albus Dumbledore. I wish to meet your brother. It is rather urgent."

"You could just go upto the castle," he suggested, the shrewd blue eyes, so like his brother's, never leaving Tom's face. Tom knew his face was in the shadow, but it seemed  as if the blue eyes were piercing the shadows.

"If I could do that, I wouldn't be here now, would I?"

"Remove that hood first. I need to see your face."

"It will not mean much to you," said Tom, though he complied.

Aberforth looked at Tom for a long moment, his brow furrowed, as if trying to remember him.

"Tom Riddle!" He breathed finally. He rose rather shakily. "Why do you want to talk to Albus?"

"It's a personal matter. I mean him no harm."