Riddle

Snape watched Dumbledore's face without any change in expression.

Occasionally, a wisp of breeze slipped through the gaps in the window, gently rustling the pages of the open books on the desk.

Dumbledore soon sat back down in his chair.

Under the dim, flickering light of the office, he seemed to have grown older and wearier by several degrees.

"Do you know what that name means?" Dumbledore broke the silence first.

"That's exactly the question I wanted to ask you," Snape said, having already chewed over the matter in his mind.

"It seems I can find traces of him everywhere at Hogwarts."

He counted off on his fingers.

"Recipient of the Special Award for Services to the School, Prefect, Male Student Council President, Professor Slughorn's favorite, the Gamekeeper's enemy, and perhaps the creator of the ghost haunting the girls' bathroom?"

He paused for a few seconds, then continued:

"Such an outstanding person, leaving Hogwarts with so many dazzling honors, yet choosing Borgin and Burkes, and then vanishing without a trace."

"What exactly did you learn from the Death Eaters, Severus?" Dumbledore asked.

Whether it was an illusion or not, Snape caught a hint of coldness in Dumbledore's gaze.

"Professor," Snape said, striving to keep his voice calm, "after that night on the Knight Bus, I suddenly remembered one day that Mulciber had once boasted to me casually.

"He told me smugly that since his student days, his father had been Voldemort's most loyal servant, and that he himself was destined for a bright future."

Dumbledore still watched him in silence, and under the unspoken pressure, Snape had no choice but to continue.

"This gave me some inspiration. After the term started, I kept looking into who the most outstanding student was during Old Mulciber's time at school.

"Among all the candidates, Riddle's brilliance was unmatched by anyone else.

"As it happens, Riddle seemed to have no future, while Voldemort had no past."

"So, Professor, may I ask you a question?"

Snape said slowly.

"Is Tom Riddle Voldemort?"

Dumbledore sat up straight, bringing his fingertips together in his customary gesture.

"Remarkable," he said softly, a note of helplessness in his tone. "Severus, since you've traced it this far, even if I denied it, you wouldn't believe me, would you?

"Tom was probably the most brilliant student Hogwarts has ever seen. I taught him myself here over thirty years ago."

Dumbledore sank into recollection, his gaze growing distant as if returning to that far-off time.

"Later, after he left school, he disappeared, traveled far and wide, ventured to the ends of the earth, sank deeper and deeper into the mire of Dark Magic, and mingled with the most evil wizards in the magical world.

"After many dangerous magical transformations, he eventually reappeared as Voldemort. By then, it was hard for anyone to recognize him.

"Hardly anyone would connect Voldemort with the clever, handsome Male Student Council President who once studied here."

"So it really is him," Snape murmured. "Out of so many paths, he chose the worst one."

He turned his gaze to Dumbledore and saw the Headmaster smiling faintly.

"I'm glad you've made a different choice, but I hope you won't pursue this any further.

"You're still a student, and not yet of age. Learning knowledge and protecting yourself are your current tasks.

"Also, please don't tell anyone else about this. It could put them in danger."

"Alright, sir, I won't. Thank you very much for your trust," Snape said, though his expression was like that of a cow that had just listened to a concert.

Snape couldn't help but yawn.

"It's getting late, Professor. Shall we call it a day here?"

Dumbledore nodded slightly. "Good night."

After leaving the Headmaster's office, Snape slowly descended the spiral staircase.

When he reached the statue, the monster leaped aside again, revealing the gap leading to the corridor.

The light of the full moon streamed through the high windows of the corridor, spilling onto the floor in a silver band.

Snape had already set foot on the stairs leading to the dungeons, but suddenly he remembered the damage he had caused to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom during his earlier fight with James, which was still in a mess.

"Ah, this is my own doing. I'd better go take a look."

He checked the Marauder's Map again to see if there was any trouble.

After confirming it was safe, Snape turned and went upstairs, arriving at the door of Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. He reached out and pushed open the wooden door.

The sobbing inside abruptly stopped.

"Severus!"

Myrtle swooped over to the door, calling out with exaggerated emotion.

"You came back to see me so soon!"

"What?!"

Snape was so startled he nearly pulled out his wand.

"Er—yes, it's me again. Moaning Myrtle, are you well after a short while?"

"Wonderfully," Moaning Myrtle said, her face suddenly radiant. "I was just thinking you might be tricking me again."

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry for making such a mess of your bathroom tonight."

"It's all right," Moaning Myrtle said softly. "If it's you, I don't mind."

"Ah?"

Snape instantly had a bad feeling and wished he could leave right away.

He had no desire to be a kindred spirit of Ning Caichen.

If there was one secret buried deep in his heart that he didn't want known, it was that he wished he could go to the forests of Albania and see if he was still in time to do something for Nagini.

"Wait, don't speak."

Snape hastily waved his wand, pacing back and forth in the bathroom.

With a series of flashes, the shattered glass fragments from his earlier battle with James pieced themselves back into a whole mirror and returned to the top of the stone sinks.

The twisted candlestick holder straightened itself in midair and jumped back to its original spot. The candle stub flew up again, relighting with a dim yellow glow.

A heap of broken porcelain shards automatically repaired themselves into a fully intact toilet cistern.

Every damaged, torn, or gaping place in the room was restored to its original state, and the stains on the floor and walls scrubbed themselves clean.

"You're so thoughtful," Moaning Myrtle sniffled, looking like she might cry. "I don't know how to thank you."

"No need," Snape said quickly. "I have to go. Goodbye."

"Can you stay?" Moaning Myrtle said reluctantly. "I could let you use all these stalls."

"That won't be necessary!" Snape bolted for the door. "Don't see me out!"

He yanked open the wooden bathroom door and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"What a mess this is... truly dreadful..."

Just fished out by the Penglai Editor, now signed.

I'll keep writing diligently.

Begging for collections, follows, recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, comments—a thousand thanks!