"Alright..." Mrs. Cole nodded and drained the wine from her glass. No tuition fees and even financial aid—she couldn't pass up such a good deal. Riddle really was an excellent child, though she still didn't like that strange little fellow. "His room is at the very end. Are you sure you don't need me to come with you?"
Putting his hat back on, Dumbledore rose and returned the chair to its place. "Thank you for the offer, Madam, but I need to speak with him alone~"
Stopping before the last room, Dumbledore put on a kind, amiable smile and knocked on the door. "Young Mr. Riddle?"
Tom nodded and stepped aside, inviting the unfamiliar middle-aged man in. "What did you come to see me about, sir?"
Noticing the child's slightly clenched fists, Dumbledore touched the tip of his nose, removed his hat, and sat down on the chair. His expression grew even gentler. He was fairly adept at dealing with sensitive children. "There's no need to be so guarded~ Please allow me to introduce myself first. Albus Dumbledore, professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I've come this time to deliver your school admission letter~"
Tom sat on the edge of the bed with a frown. Hogwarts? A school of magic? Thinking of his own abilities, a flicker passed through his eyes. So that ability was magic? Still... he would not so easily believe a stranger. "Magic? Are you joking with me? Or is this some excuse to lock me up in a mental hospital?"
Having been dealt another blow, Dumbledore felt a headache coming on. That bastard Gellert's mess still hadn't been dealt with. He had to guide the students in Transfiguration spells while cleaning up that bastard's mess outside. Even he felt deeply exhausted.
Couldn't this little fellow just be more straightforward, nod and believe him, and end this meeting sooner? QAQ
"I would never throw a young wizard into a mental hospital. Perhaps we can let the facts speak for themselves..." Dumbledore merely glanced at the cabinet, and flames instantly appeared. Tom's eyes widened at the magical sight before him. It seemed this professor truly was one of his kind.
A wizard? He had never imagined that he was a young wizard. Tom had just opened his mouth when the cabinet began to shake on its own, the sound of a metal box striking the cabinet door coming from within.
"Hmm..." Dumbledore's smile vanished as he looked at Tom with great seriousness. "It seems there is something here that does not belong to you..."
Tom's expression stiffened for an instant. Frowning, he sighed inwardly. He could tell that the professor was displeased. Pressing his lips together, he stood up, looked at the blazing fire before him, gritted his teeth, and reached through the flames to open the cabinet. He took out the metal box containing the little snakes' spoils.
Tom let out a breath. He had thought he would be burned to death. Looks like he had overthought it. He opened the metal box and poured its contents onto the bed, preparing to explain where the things had come from, but when he saw those warm blue eyes turn cold, he tightly shut his mouth.
"Young Mr. Riddle, Hogwarts does not permit theft... You will learn not only to master magic, but also how to use it properly. Do you understand?" After saying that, Dumbledore rose to leave. "Tomorrow at the same time, I will come to take you to Diagon Alley to buy the things you need..."
Tom lowered his head and stared coldly at the items on the bed. His earlier joy had completely vanished. Digging his nails into his palm, he looked up at the man preparing to leave. "I can also speak to snakes. They listen to me very well."
Before you continue