A Change of Heart

Chapter Thirty

Tom was frowning as he went back to Dumbledore's room. Dumbledore gave him a sharp gaze.

"Did you know what Umbridge was doing to Harry?" He could not help the accusation in his voice. Dumbledore was supposed to keep his students safe, not let that Umbridge woman do whatever she wanted with them.

"She has been given a lot of powers," said Dumbledore quietly. "I cannot stop her at the moment."

"Don't give me that!" Tom was really angry. "What is the use in being a powerful wizard if you can't even protect your students?"

"She's making a lots of rules and making things difficult for them, I agree. But that hardly warrants any drastic measures. I know Harry might be disappointed with his Quidditch ban, but-"

"I'm not talking of some stupid game!" Snarled Tom. "I'm talking of the scars on his hand!"

Dumbledore's gaze was perplexed. "Scars?"

Tom stared at Dumbledore. "Merlin! You didn't even know!" He shook his head. "So much for omniscience!"

"What scars?" Asked Dumbledore again.

"She made him write lines with a Black Quill."

Tom quailed at the look of fury that came to Dumbledore's face. He could finally see how Dumbledore might have defeated Grindelwald. Tom had never been scared of Dumbledore, though he did have some caution regarding him. But right now, Tom felt that fearing Dumbledore might not be a bad option.

"That's illegal!" Said Dumbledore, mastering himself. "I must speak with the minister."

"Yes, the minister will be keen to believe you, won't he?" Asked Tom. "How do you even know she's doing this without the minister knowing?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "What do you expect me to do?"

"We both want the same thing here," said Tom. "But your methods are not going to be effective here whereas mine..." he left his sentence unfinished.

"I can't use your methods," Dumbledore's voice was sharp.

"You don't have to. All you need to do is to turn the other way and not interfere."

"I can't let you harm her. She's a staff at Hogwarts."

"I'm not talking about her."

"I can't let you harm Cornelius either."

"I don't plan on harming him, not just yet. I only plan to give him a proper warning."

"Tom, I wish I could trust you,"

Tom made no answer to that, instead saying, "May I beg Hogwarts' hospitality for tonight?"

"You want to stay here?"

"Yes. But you need not trouble yourself. Severus might give me a bed. Or a couch at least."

Dumbledore sighed. "I will take you to him."

Snape was surprised to find Tom there.

"Severus," said Dumbledore. "Please accommodate Tom for tonight."

"Couch will do," Tom said moving into the room.

"I do have a spare bed," said Snape tight-lipped.

"Good night, Dumbledore," Tom smiled at his old teacher.

"Tom, don't do anything foolish," there was a note of warning in Dumbledore's voice.

"Just don't get in my way, Dumbledore," smiled Tom as he closed the door.