Always || Tom Riddle

Returning to 1998

"Ah, Clara, we were wondering when you would be joining us again" The warm voice of Dumbledore welcomed me back, upon turning to face him, I took note of the fact that the portrait that had once hung on the aged stone had vanished, and that Dumbledore looked to be in almost perfect health. "You are a difficult person to figure out, Dumbledore, I did not even suspect that you had made the school nurse aware of my position in 1942...I suppose what I am meaning to say is; did what I risked my life for work? Is everything changed?" There was a moment of silence where Dumbledore stilled, a flicker of guilt crossing his features as he pushed the draw on his desk shut, walking around it to stand before me; before he had even begun to speak I suspected that what he was about to tell me would be painful. "Amber is dead; when you left she took ill. We did the best we could for her, but it was too late...dear Clara, I am so sorry." Time seemed to slow as tears welled up in my eyes, a burning sensation starting to form in throat, as I stumbled towards the headmaster's desk, my legs becoming too weak to hold me steadily "I too, believe it or not, know what it is like to lose someone so young, so soon" Dumbledore reached out tentatively for my shoulder, giving it a slight squeeze, as if not knowing how I would take his touch. 

"H-how did she die?" I asked hopefully, my voice brittle, as a glimmer of hope that Amber had died the angelic, peaceful death that a sweet, innocent child such as her was so deserving of flashed before my eyes. Dumbledore momentarily paused in thought, his hands clasped behind his back, a crease appearing on his forehead as his brilliant mind searched for the right words. "She died in the arms of people she knew and trusted; Penelope and Charlus, were there with her right from the moment she started showing signs of illness." I involuntarily sobbed as I slid down the desk, clutching to it as I realised that I was not there when Amber needed me most; when her own mother should have been there for her, to comfort her and hold her close until she took her last breath. In all meanings of the word, I had failed as a mother completely, by nature I was meant to protect and comfort my little girl, and when she had needed me, I was in another time entirely, hopelessly unaware of the pain she was going through. 

"If it is of any comfort to you, she died knowing her mother had left her side to save the wizarding world...Amber was extremely proud of you, as should you be. You, single-handedly have achieved what we thought to be impossible." My eyes snapped to his, ablaze with pain and guilt as sadness turned to blame. "That does not excuse the fact that I was not there for her. I should never have left! You should never have placed a weight so large onto my shoulders, I already bear enough burdens without this!" Letting out another sob, I wiped away stray tears that had fallen onto my cheeks, leaving the door open to Dumbledore's office as I knew it would annoy him more than me slamming it; just the thought of his irritation lifted my spirits. I walked quickly through the halls, my mind a jumbled mess as I searched for some sign of life, someone who could tell me of Charlus and Penelope's whereabouts. 

I eventually reached the Great Hall, where it seemed dinner had been served, for many rows of students sat happily eating the feast with their friends, oblivious to the pain I was going through only meters away from them. At the teacher's table, I spotted McGonagoll, who made for me the second her eyes met with my blurry ones, as a fresh wave of tears started to fall. A few of the students had stared as their professor led me away from the buzzing Great Hall, and into the grounds of Hogwarts. Her comforting arm around me dropped to her side as she moved away from me to look at the small grave that lay just below the now still Whomping Willow. As soon as my eyes fell onto the grave I made for it, falling to my knees at the very sight of my baby girl's name engraved into the stone. My fingertips lightly brushed the bluebells that were placed neatly into a pretty floral vase. 

Out of the corner of my eye, McGonagall hesitantly moved towards me, a look of pity in her eyes. "She was too young to die, after all those years I fought tooth and nail to keep her safe, only for her to die of a fever that her immune system was too weak to fight...It's just not what I expected to happen; if she were to die of anything it would have been by an accidental spell hitting her..." I trailed off as a wave of pain became too difficult to suppress, I sobbed, sniffing as I furiously wiped away the tears, gathering the strength to read her Epitaph. 'In loving memory of Amber Marie Riddle. The past is history. The future is a mystery. But we will hold dear our memories of her, her smile, the sound of her laughter...forever.' 

"Her funeral was beautiful; for a beautiful little girl. I truly am sorry, Clara. She was a very talented student, and I do believe she would have gone on to be as talented as you" I smiled weakly up at her, before turning back to the grave, with a flick of my hand creating a small bunch of pink tulips in the vase beside the Bluebells. "Did you know of her slowed ageing?" Upon McGonagall shaking her head no, I continued. "Because of me and Tom creating Horcruxes, it slowed down her-" I paused, taking a shaky breath in  "I know people often wonder why she looked so young, it was only natural. I couldn't take her to a doctor about it because of the danger she would have been in-" 

"You do not have to explain yourself to me, let yourself come to terms with what has happened, and seek help from those around you." She left, presumably to leave me in peace as I wept. Sensing someone's gaze on my back, I slowly turned, getting to my feet and coming face to face with Tom, who looked more perplexed than ever. "Why are you crying?"

AN: Hey guys! I hope this wasn't too bad, it was mainly a filler to give you guys an idea of what had happened while Tom and Clara were back in time. I hope you liked it, and don't forget to vote and comment!