The Chosen Two (Harry Potter X Reader) Years 1-7

Chapter 3

Third Person P.O.V.

"I am not family. But his name has been known to me since birth." Dumbledore responds

"I see..." But she doesn't really.

She stops and frowns before saying "I think I should tell you. He's afunny boy -- Tom. Odd. There have been incidents with the other children. Nasty things."

"Perhaps you could give me an example."

Mrs. Cole starts to speak, then shakes her head and moves on. As Dumbledore makes to follow, his eyes happen upon a framed photograph on the wall, old and yellowing,depicting a seaside scene of a sharp rock outcropping and a cave. He moves on to Tom's room and Mrs. Cole knocks then turns the knob. The door opens up to a small room, grim and shadowy. Tom, is  11 years old. He sits atop a bed, hands in lap. The walls crawl with reflected rain, oozing like oil down a grimy window. "You've got a visitor, Tom." Mrs Cole say's.

Dumbledore steps forward, and extends his hand. "How do you do, Tom."

Riddle eyes Dumbledore briefly before looking away. "Well, I'll leave you two to yourselves." Mrs. Cole says before leaving, making sure to close the door.

Dumbledore studies Riddle, then begins to tour the room. Carefully placed upon a low shelf are some odd souvenirs. A grouping of seven stones, a book containing seven matches, and seven brass keys. Moving on, Dumbledore passes a tall cabinet, he traces his fingers over its surface, as if the wood's grain were Braille, as if somehow "seeing" what lies within.Then Dumbledore pauses. Strewn on a small table are a grouping of seven dark drawing. A boy and girl, their faces anguished. A sea-swept cave. The same cave from the photograph. Dumbledore begins to reach out. "Don't."

Dumbledore stops and turns to find Riddle's level gaze on him. "As you wish." He responds simply.

Riddle looks away and Dumbledore, for the first time,notices his hands. They are splayed, utterly still, and interlaced with a silky web, where a spider knits back and forth. "You're the doctor, aren't you?" Tom questions.

"No. I am a Professor."

"I don't believe you. I hear Mrs.Cole talking, her and the rest of the staff. They want me looked at. They think I'm different."

"Perhaps they're right."

"I'm not mad." Tom says in a very slight defensive tone.

"Hogwarts is not a place for mad people." Riddle looks up and cocks his head ever-so-slightly. "It's a school. A school of...magic." Riddle stays looking, but says nothing. "You can do things, can't you, Tom?Things the other children can't."

It was a statement, not a question yet Tom Riddle eyes Dumbledore intensely, unblinking. "Yes."

"Tell me some of the things you can do, Tom."

Tom watches the spider. "I can make things move -- without touching them. I can make animals do what I want without training them. I can make bad things happen to people who are mean tome. I can make them hurt... if I want." Dumbledore studies Riddle -- then the boy looks up. "Who are you?"

"I'm like you, Tom. Different."

Riddle closes his hands and the web collapses. "Prove it." It is not a request.

Without breaking his gaze,Dumbledore's eyes narrow ever-so-slightly and the wardrobe bursts into flames. Riddle wheels and slowly smiles. Dumbledore studies him. Abruptly, the wardrobe begins to shake. Riddle's smile fades. "I think there is something trying to get out of your wardrobe, Tom.Open it." Tom doesn't move "Open. It."