𝕬 𝕷𝖎𝖙𝖙𝖑𝖊 𝕳𝖊𝖎𝖗 𝕽𝖎𝖘𝖊𝖘 | 𝑇𝑜𝑚 𝑅𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 |

Chapter 8- Meeting with the Minister

Out of all the things Tom could imagine himself doing the following weekend, pacing outside the Minister of Magic's office was obviously not one of them. Maybe when he was older and inevitably worked in the Ministry, but certainly not as a thirteen-year old boy. However, Dumbledore had whisked Frankie back to London to meet her family, and she'd begged Tom to come along with them for moral support. Of course, he'd said yes, despite all the hassle and inconvenience. He wanted to meet them far more than she did, unsurprisingly. If he was about to give her up and go back to being alone at the orphanage, he needed to make sure that these people were worth it. However, he wasn't nervous about the meeting at all. Although on paper these people seemed to be very impressive, they did not really intimidate him. Tom was only pacing to keep up with Frankie and trace along with her nervous steps. He was practically shadowing her as she shuffled her way across the ornate granite floors of the hallway they'd been left in. Honestly, he was expecting her to make a break for it at any moment.

"Would you please just sit down?" he begged, gesturing to the dark wooden bench sitting only five feet from them that they'd been instructed to sit in while they waited.

"I simply cannot. I'm far too anxious." she admitted, flatly. Frankie stopped for a fraction of a second to fix her hair ribbon and flatten her already well-ironed dress, before continuing her pace. "What if they don't like me, Tom?"

"Then, I can keep you." Tom concluded, with a half-smile. It was a win-win situation for him. If these people liked her well enough and wanted to start over, she would be happy with a new family. He'd still see her at school and of course she'd invite him to see her over the summer holidays. However, on the very slim chance they did not want her, she would stay at the orphanage with him. "They'll love you as much as I do. Trust me."

Before she could dare question this incriminating phrase, the door to the Minister's office opened. Dumbledore, having gone ahead for a private word beforehand, gestured for them to come inside.

"He's ready to see you."

Frankie tried a few calming breaths. She was blushing feverously. Although, it was not so much from the nerves anymore. They entered the office at a slow steadied pace. The décor of the room was much less ornate then she was expecting, considering the rest of the Ministry's standards. It was much like Dumbledore's or Dippet's office at school with its various moving paintings and strange magical devices. It made her feel at least a little more at home. He was sitting off to the side at a large wooden table that had been set for afternoon tea. McGregor Bane was tall and clearly had the past of a warmth-soaked Gryffindor. His long auburn hair flounced merrily at his cheeks and illuminated his lined face. He wore a suit that nearly made him look too ordinary for such a high-powered position, but he just managed to pull it off.

"How do you do sir?" Frankie mumbled, with a curtsy, as if he were just another perspective parent at the orphanage. Tom bowed; despite the fact the Minister hadn't bothered to take notice of him yet. His gaze was solely set on her.

"Very well. It's so good to finally meet you." Bane replied, with a smile. He stood to shake her hand and, upon rising, finally realized she was being accompanied by someone other than Dumbledore. "—Who's the extra, Albus?"

"His name is Tom Riddle. He's one of her friends at Hogwarts whom she insisted on having escort her today." Dumbledore replied for him. Tom tried to smile and don his charming persona, but was finding it difficult after that lowly introduction.

"He's my very best friend and a brilliant wizard. I met him at Wool's Orphanage and now we attend school together." Frankie added, attempting to redeem Tom in the eyes of the Minister.

"One of the Gryffindor boys, eh? It's a pleasure—"

"Actually, I'm a Slytherin." Tom remarked. Although, it was important that the Minister liked him, Tom felt like for once he should be honest about himself. If he ever hoped to see Frankie again, he'd be wiser off to tell the truth. Dumbledore had chosen to lie, and the situation was not currently in his favor. He'd also lied and nearly lost her favor. It just wasn't worth it.