Chop And Change (Sequel to The Eternal Prophecy)

Merope Gaunt's Wish Comes True

        I was still sitting in Dumbledore's office, even after Harry went away..........
        "Now that it is sorted, I want you to have a look out here Aria."said Dumbledore as he took out two more vials."Let me tell you Aria, that I had taken Mrs. Cole's words under due considerations, making me end up keeping an eye on him, and Tom being the sensible boy, could never charm me as he charmed my other colleagues, and neither did he attempt to.
        Now as you know, that being the heir of Salazar Slytherin himself, he was placed in Slytherin house. He came out as an ideal, bright model student. As he moved up the school, he gathered his group of dedicated friends or as you call followers. And undoubtedly Tom had no affection for him whatsoever. This group had a kind of dark glamour within the castle, a motley collection of the weak seeking for power, ambitious seeking some shared glory, and thugs following a leader who showed them refined methods of cruelty."
        "So they were the forerunners of Death Eaters, or so as they called the the Knights of Walpurgis."I said.
        "Indeed" said Dumbledore. "and rigidly controlled by Riddle, never detected in crime unless by your maternal grandmother Rebekah Ravenclaw Petrova or by your maternal grandfather Ezraniel Gryffindor Mikaelson. Although their seven years were marked by a number of nasty events to which they were never brought to link with crime, as Professor Dippett was in denial of your maternal grandparents's theory, and you know the most serious nasty incident being the opening of Chamber of Secrets which resulted in the death of a girl."
        "Myrtle's death."I said.
        He nodded his head."And Hagrid's expulsion from school as a student. Now I would like you to have a look into these two memories." he said as he gave me two vials. I poured the memories and put myself into the pensieve as I allowed myself to get sucked into the memories.
        The scene changed to that of the Gaunt house, now far more filthy and dishovelled as ever. The walls full of cobwebs, with grimy flooe, mouldy and rotten food in crusted utensils. A man with overgrown hair lay slumped in an armchair near the fire, so much so that his eyes and mouth could hardly be seen. He more so appeared to be dead. But soon he jerked awake, a wand in his right hand and a knife in his left, as he looked at the door. The door creaked open to reveal none other than Tom, who stood at the doorway, while the man staggered upright, making empty bottles clatter and tinkle across the floor.
        "YOU!" he bellowed. "YOU!" as he hurtled drunkenly at Tom, his wand and knife aloft.
        "Stop." said Tom in Parseltongue. The man skidded into the table, sending many pots crashing into the floor. He stared at Tom followed by a long period of silence, as they contemplated each other.
        "You speak it?" 
        "Yes, I speak it," said Tom, as he moved forward showing complete lack of fear, his expression showing mere disgust and disappointment."Where is Marvolo?" he asked.
       " Dead," said the man, "Died years ago, didn't he?" making Tom frown.
        "Who are you then?" asked Tom.        
        "I'm Morfin, ain't I?" replied the man.
        "Marvolo's son?" ennquired Tom.
        "Course I am, then........." said Morfin as he pushed his hair, allowing Tom to get a better view of him, showing off his Gaunt ring."I thought you was that muggle, you look mighty like that muggle............"
        "What muggle?" asked Tom sharply.
        "That muggle my sister took a fancy to, that muggle who lives in the big house over there," said Morfin as he pointed to the Riddle Manor."You look right like him, Riddle. But he's older now, isn't 'e? He's older 'n you, now I think of it........" he said slightly dazed as he clutched the end of the table for support. "He's come back, see" he said as he stupidly pointed out to the Riddle Manor. Tom gazed at Morfin appraising his possibilities. 
        "Riddle came back?"asked Tom as he came closer.
        "Arh, he left her, and serve her right, marrying filth!" said Morfin. Dude that piece of 'filth' gave birth to your nephew who's standing right in front of you............ "Robbed us, mind, before she ran off! Where's the locket, er, where's Slytherin's locket?" Tom stood silent, while Morfin worked himself into rage, as he brandished his knife taking up the house in a stampede. "Dishonoured us, she did, that little slut! And who're you, coming here and asking questions about all that? It's over, innit..........it's over....". He looked away staggering slightly as Tom moved forward, the scene darkened and turned black. The scene then changed into another one to that of the house of a ginger-haired old lady in brilliant pink robes that flowed around her giving her the look of melting iced cake. 
        "Hurry up Hokey!"said the woman"He said he'd come at four, and it's only a couple of minutes to and he's never been late yet!" said the woman excitedly as she tucked away her powder puff. "How do I look?" she asked as she turned her head to admire the various angles of her face.
        "Lovely madam" squeaked Hokey.  The doorbell tinkled and both the woman and the house elf jumped.
        "Quick, quick, he's here, Hokey!"she cried and the elf scurried out of the room, crammed with objects that it was difficult to  see how anyone could navigate their way through without knocking over at least a dozen of things. The elf returned within minutes foll owed by Tom who was plainly dressed in a black suit, his hair longer, and his cheeks hollowed, but it suited him well, adding to his features. He picked his way trough the cramped room and bowed low over the woman's fat little hand, brushing it with his lips.
        "I brought you flowers,"he said quietly producing a bunch of roses.
        "You naughty boy, you shouldn't have!" squealed the woman, as I noticed she had an empty vase in the room. "You do spoil this old lady, Tom.......sit down, sit down........Hockey......." The house elf came dashing into the room carrying a tray filled with little cakes, which she set at her mistress's elbow. "Help yourself, Tom"said the woman"I know you love my cakes. Now how are you? You look pale. They overwork you at the shop, I've said it a hundred times............."she complained as Tom smiled mechanically and the woman simpered. "Well,what's your excuse for visiting this time?"she asked, batting her lashes. Eww, woman going cougar town. 
        "Mr. Burke would like to make an improved offer for the goblin-made armour, five hundred Galleons he feels is more than fair."said Tom.
        "Now, now, not so fast, or I'll think you're only here for my trinkets"commented the woman as she pouted. Jeez, talk of throwing yourself like a poulet over a man. Yucks.
        "I'm ordered here because of them,"said Tom quietly. "I am only a poor assistant, madam, who must so as he is told." Oh yeah Tommikins! "Mr. Burke wishes me to enquire -- "
        "Oh Mr. Burke, phooey!"said the woman, waving a little hand, "I have something to show you that I've never shown Mr. Burke! Can you keep a secret, Tom? Will you promise you won't tell Mr. Burke I've got it? He'd never let me rest if he knew I'd shown it to you, and I'm not selling, not to Burke, not to anyone! But you, Tom, you'll appreciate it, for its history, not how many Galleons you can get out of it........"
        "I'd be glad to see anything Miss Hepzibath shows me,"said Tom quietly, as Hepzibah gave a girlish giggle. 
        "I had Hockey bring it out for me...............Hokey, where are you? I want to show Mr. Riddle our finest treasure.....in fact, bring both, whii"le you're at it...."she said.
        "Here madam,"said Hokey as she gave Hepzibah two leather boxes, one on top of the other, moving across the room as if of their own volition, though she knew how to wend her way through the cramped up maze. Hepzibah took one leather box, and opened the lid. It revealed a golden cup with two finely wrought handles. On seeing a closer look I saw it was Helga Hufflepuff's cup, as I saw a red gleam in Tom's eyes his face full of greed.
        "A badger.Then this was.......?"began Tom.
        "Helga Hufflepuff's as you well know, you clever boy!" said Hepzibah leaning forward and pinching his cheek. "Didn't I tell you I was distantly descended? This has been handled down in the family years and years. Lovely isn't it? And all sort's of powers it's supposed to possess,too. But I've kept it safe,and not tested it's powers yet." She took the cup back from Tom and gently restored it into the box, so engrossed in keeping it back that she hardly noticed the shadow that crossed Tom's face as the cup was taken away. She then gave that box to Hokey who took it away, as she opened another smaller leather box, revealing a fine filligree clasp and flipped the box. There upon the smooth crimson velvet lay a heavy golden locket. "Bought it from Mr. Burke himself, and I daresay he'd love it back when I'm gone." Tom reached out his hand without invitation, and held it up in light, staring at it.
        " Slytherin's mark,"he said quietly, lightly playing with the ornate serpent 'S'.  Lord, this was Salazar Slytherin's locket! 
        With that the scene darkened and went black as I resurfaced to Dumbledore's office.