Chapter Six – Tom Riddle and Misunderstandings

Tom Riddle sat in the Headmaster's office alone. The headmaster and Dumbledore had brought him in and left him to stew while they - tried to investigate - Tom assumed.

He was casually drawing patterns of smoke in the air with his fingers as he waited for Dippet and Dumbledore to return with whatever ideas they had.

He had been pleased that he had some time alone before the interrogation; he needed time to regain his composure after his transformation, and also to puzzle out just what Black had gotten him into - and how he could get out of it.

This is getting ridiculous. Surely they don't think they'll find anything after an hour? Waste of everybody's time, especially mine...

Tom leaned back, drew a jagged seven-pointed star in the air and admired it for a few moments. It began to change color, from a grey mist into a fiery rune, a flaming crimson light. Tom watched it grow in intensity for a few moments, then, dismissing it with a wave of his hand, he leaned back in the chair to think.

"Well, what do you think, Albus?" Headmaster Dippet asked as the man returned from the dorm.

Albus Dumbledore frowned. "I didn't see anything overly suspicious, his wand hasn't done anything of note recently, and his room does not seem to have any lingering magic that is of major concern." He didn't want to mention the intensity of lingering Transfiguration, since Dippet was hardly the expert, but it had seemed almost unfamiliar at first.

Albus went on. "I believe on this matter it may come down to a misunderstanding. Even I find these particular claims a little too far-fetched. However, we will still need to speak with Mr. Riddle about it, and while we have the chance, we should talk to him regarding the other matter. The two may be related in some way I cannot see yet." At any rate, he was deeply curious to hear Tom's excuses and his version of events.

Headmaster Dippet frowned. "Oh Albus! Do you really think Tom is involved with this other nonsense? Still? It hardly seems like a matter worth investigating In my own opinion."

Albus did not, but if Tom Riddle was in fact involved, it was a cause for deep concern. "It's worth looking into in any case while we have him here," he replied shortly. After all, how many innocent misunderstandings with one boy could there be? Eventually you start had to connecting the dots, even if the patterns were abstract and made little sense.

Albus Dumbledore had taken it upon himself to try to tame the wildness in the boy over the years. There was much potential in him, yes. However, it had seemed like a lost cause from the start, and perhaps Albus hadn't tried as hard as he could have. But when you took a boy who had such control over his magic before even taking a wand, and left him so long among Muggles, how could his stubbornness and independence be a surprise?

"Albus, what's wrong?" Headmaster Dippet crinkled his eyes, tipped his head to the right, and stepped closer to him.

Albus Dumbledore shook his head to disregard the question, and put on a passive expression. "Let us go to speak with Mr. Riddle, and get to the bottom of this, shall we?"

Finally, finally, Tom heard footsteps. He had been waiting in silence so long that he started, fearing for an instant that Aurors were coming to arrest him, before his natural calm reasserted itself. The Headmaster, coming to apologize. And -ha! - Dumbledore.

It had been long enough that Tom's mind had started to wander and look at his situation from every angle. He had been careful, but one could always be more careful. Underestimating Albus Dumbledore would be a mistake he shouldn't make again - he hardly counted the House Elves - but it would be just like the old man to put together a pattern to deduce Tom's extra-curricular activities. And if so... then this was all a ruse to get him alone and unarmed.

Tom had absolutely no intentions of ever being captured willingly. Even if he didn't seriously think he was on the verge of being arrested at this point, it was something to consider.

"Your plan has to have at least 3 backups or it was like to fail".

He sat in his chair with his fingers interlocked behind his head; he was facing the desk and rear wall, with his back to the door. He was admiring the brightness of the blue sky outside the window a few feet behind the desk. If three Aurors were coming to get him, there was no point in facing the door without a wand. As far as Tom could see, his best bet was to play dumb and timid until the last possible moment.

Unless Dumbledore is present… He may be invisible, so assume he is present to oversee the arrest… Dumbledore would see through a false surrender. Then I suppose I'd have to at least argue and make threats…

You couldn't feel magic outside the Headmaster's office with the door closed - at any rate, Tom couldn't. And a silencing spell would quiet all traces of noise. All he could do was wait; once the door opened, he would be able to feel the presence of an Auror trio without having to look.

Tom was trying to focus his magic and build it up as much as he could, in case he needed to spring to action.

"Merlin!" Tom whispered.

Not only had his magic returned to him at an impressive rate, but the well of his power was much deeper than before he had completed the transformation. He had expected some sort of boost, but the increase was shocking even by his standards. He found that he had to suppress his magic now, as to not cause immediate alarm if the authorities came in. Whether Aurors or simply the Headmaster, he would have to explain even more if they felt him holding so much magic.

It was dawning on Tom that "Unforgiveable Curses" were in fact punishable by a life sentence in Azkaban. And despite his youth, arson, robbery and extortion would probably be more than a slap on the wrist. Not to mention the other things Tom had to do sometimes to earn money, or "pay" Tobo Mott.

I have been careful though… They might suspect things, but they can't PROVE anything. They can't prove anything, unless Dumbledore put some arcane magical trace on me. Some radical magic which I know nothing of and Tobo cannot sense… And that is highly unlikely.

Tom shook his head at that notion, and at how ridiculous the law was. It was probable that they didn't even require any real proof against him, only circumstantial evidence of a "true crime", of which he had committed plenty. Then they would give him a "trial," which would be little more than a formality, before he was shipped off to the… The Dementors...

No, no! The Headmaster is just searching, and since there is nothing to find, they are taking a while. That's all.

He would be prepared for anything however.

If it is a capture mission, they would likely only use the standard trio for an unarmed 5thyear student… The Aurors would come in single file, immediately to spread out and surround me in a triangle the moment they walked in, shields and wands raised.

Tom smiled and leaned back even further in his chair.

If they surrounded him where he sat in front of the desk, then one of them would have to go around the desk to form the capture triangle for the arrest. That Auror would then come back around, breaking formation once Tom was on his feet and walking towards the door.

They won't expect anything at all from a wandless fifth year student.

Tom smiled; he was beginning to almost hope they were coming to arrest him, it could prove interesting. He could see it now: he would stand up, raise his hands in surrender, then turn to the door as if to leave peacefully, frightened and helpless, in total submission. But the moment his back would turn to the window, the triangle broken, he would simply stumble back a step and bring his hands down. A massive blast cast to reflect off of the Auror's shields could propel him backwards through the window.

Tom stared at the window and felt the edges of the wards. One enormous burst of his entire magical load as he was flying towards the window should be able to pierce the wards - Dippet's office was nowhere nearly as heavily warded as Dumbledore's, so it wouldn't require anything else.

Tom would have walked over to the window to calculate the drop, but he couldn't be sure they weren't magically watching him right this moment. So he simply estimated how high he was in the castle at the moment. About two hundred feet, but he could time another blast/shield output to offset the impact. And once he was on the ground, the Whomping Willow was but a short sprint away. Especially with an adrenaline burst.

Running the distance before an auror got a shot off out the window and hit him would be the most difficult part as far as Tom could tell. If they had any type of real training they were probably at least as good a shot as he was, and the window was large.

Tom didn't think anything he had done was enough to justify burning through the wall with Fiendfyre and coming after him, but that would be one thing he couldn't fight against. On the other hand, Aurors probably wouldn't do that at Hogwarts but for a very last resort, which would mean he was absolutely done for. Highly unlikely, at any rate, so all he'd have to do was run fast, and he was a very fast runner. Outrun the shots, press the hidden knot, go into the secret passage, grab his hidden emergency luggage, and he could then be easily out of the country by midnight.

The biggest unknown would be the ministry's reaction time, but it really didn't matter too much. After all, once he had past the Hogwarts' wards, he could apparate anywhere.

Tom could make it that far down the serpentine passageway in 25 seconds flat under the effects of the road runner potion in his bag, though it would cost him energy once it wore off. Polyjuiced and dressed as an old muggle woman should give him sufficient safe recovery time once he was away however.

It's a shame to leave my true wand behind, but –

Tom's thoughts were cut off by the noise of footsteps. Two people walking. Two old people walking. Dippet and Dumbledore.

Hm. It's almost a shame.

"Headmaster, I'd ask that you explain why I have been detained." Tom still faced the window.

"I'm sorry, Mister Riddle. You see, there had been a number of, err, strange rumors, and we had to be sure of some things." The Headmaster was coming around to sit at his desk now while Dumbledore took a seat on the side, observing Tom intently the entire time.

"May I have my wand back, please, sir?"

Tom had asked Dippet, but it was Dumbledore who handed it over almost grudgingly.

Oh, so very reluctant to arm me again!

Tom gave it a wave to see if it had been tampered with, but it felt utterly perfect on first glance. I'll have to do some more vigorous testing on it later.

Tom looked up at Dippet, and then to Dumbledore. "What was the nature of these 'rumors', sirs?" Tom asked.

Dippet replied, "Well Mister Riddle, Terence Keen had said Bellatrix Black admitted the two of you were performing some sort of dark ritual."

Apparently saying I was in the library was too complicated for her.

Dippet continued, "Also, another student reported that he saw you take a cage into your room shortly before, apparently containing a number of squirrels."

"Excuse me sir, which student would that be?" Tom demanded.

Dumbledore was the one to answer him, "That does not matter, Mister Riddle. It is clear to me that no ritual was performed, and I myself see no benefit of using squirrels to any end."

And we see Dumbledore's lack of creativity has saved me.

Dumbledore was leaning forward now and staring at Tom with his blue eyes now stormy. "However Mister Riddle, I am curious about the Transfigurations you were performing in your room."

Tom smiled at Dumbledore. "Why, sir, I was just preparing for my OWLs, nothing too fancy, but I was certainly practicing hard." Tom sighed deeply. "That is why I asked Miss Black to send anyone looking for me on a goose chase to the library." He then forcefully said, "I didn't want to be interrupted while I studied." In a calmer voice, he went on, "Why Miss Black started making such inappropriate jokes I couldn't say, but, believe me, sir, there was nothing special happening this afternoon."

Tom was putting on his very best innocent-orphan-act, but Dumbledore's eyes remained fierce as he spoke. "Mister Riddle, I fully expected you to pass your Transfiguration OWL with flying colors as early as two years ago. I have never known you to be the type to take tests so seriously."

Tom was starting to become confused. What did I say?

"Well Sir, I see now that these tests are serious, and I mean to do well." Tom shrugged his shoulders.

"Upon inspecting your wand, the last spells you cast were seemingly for target practice, having nothing to do with Transfiguration," Dumbledore pointed out.

Obviously, I wasn't using my wand, old fool!

"I was taking a short break, leisure time," Tom replied.

"Why was your basic Transfiguration so important that Miss Black must prevent anybody from interrupting you?" Dumbledore was on him again, faster and more intent.

Calm as ever, Tom replied, "It wasn't important, sir, I would wager that Miss Black probably read into what I was saying and projected her own silly ideas. Poor girl." He tried to put an air of a long-suffering suitor with an undesired suit. "Besides, sir, my Transfiguration ought not to be called 'basic', I think you would have to agree with me on that point, Professor." Tom smiled broadly.

The instant Tom was quiet, Dumbledore asked another question, with no hint of appreciation for the wit. "Why are you scaring children during the night, Mr. Riddle?" Dumbledore was leaning forward even more now, and Tom could feel magic pressure building.

Tom was speechless. "I… What, excuse me sir could you elaborate on that last one?" Apparently something was going on that Tom Riddle was actually not responsible for. But his memory did seem to recall such an incident, despite it not seeming relevant enough to fully impress upon him.

Dumbledore paused for a moment and seemed to almost relax, but when he spoke his voice was still as sharp and focused as before. "Children have been roaming around at night, trying to sneak into the kitchens. The House Elves don't deliver late night snacks to them anymore as they once would on occasion."

Tom bit his lip to stop from smiling as Dumbledore continued.

"During their roaming, they have been chased off several times by what they describe as terrifying noises." He stared at Tom. "So you see, I thought perhaps you were behind this, since you were involved with the Elves in the first place. Not to mention your history of 'mischievous' behaviour around the school." Dumbledore was looking at him with absolutely no expression now, which Tom found even more disconcerting than the open hostility.

"I see…" And for once, Tom was totally honest as he spoke to Dippet. "Well, I assure the both of you, I am no way concerned with scaring children in the night; I have far better things to do. I do recall hearing a snippet of conversation about these events at one point, but other than that, I am at as much of a loss as you as to what is happening. I don't know what else I can say on that matter, Sirs."

It's almost relaxing to be so honest.

Dumbledore nodded and leaned back, "I believe you then, Tom."

Tom simply nodded. Dumbledore is paying much more attention to the way I speak than he ever seemed to before. This whole business is odd.

Tom considered before asking, "Can you describe the nature of these incidents?"

Dippet started to speak, "Well Mister Riddle, these childr-"Dumbledore cut him off.

"No, I do not believe we need any help from you, Mister Riddle, thank you though."

Ignoring him, Tom went on. "I'm just saying, there are a certain group of 7th years you may want to look into, if you hadn't considered the obvious yet. This seems like it would be right up their street."

"Yes, well, we will look into that." Dumbledore replied, while Dippet seemed rather confused and displeased.

Tom looked back at Dippet. "May I go then sir? If that's all…"

"Yes, yes, Tom, I believe we have taken up enough of your time, back to your studies then." Dippet escorted Tom to the door.

Tom walked out and the door closed behind him. He considered the curious interrogation as he walked back to his dorm. It wasn't so strange that they investigated the Dark Ritual rumor, but as the squirrels were gone, there was no reason whatsoever to press it. He was, however, insulted that they thought he was behind the scaring of children. My plots are more sophisticated than that! He was starting to become curious, though - what was the purpose or point of scaring first or second years?

The lights in the hallway dimmed slightly as Tom walked past them back down to his dorm. Once there, he slammed the door behind him, hopefully disrupting the sleep of other children.

His whole plan was basically ruined tonight - tonight his actions would be especially watched. He pulled the now useless rings out of the pouch and tossed the lot on his desk.

He sat on the bed, steepling his fingers under his chin. Would they actually be watching him after such a lecture? Wouldn't Dumbledore think he'd been scared into behaving? He was quite irritated that the old man would be so obvious in his distrust in front of Dippet. Unless that's why he was so open in showing me his distrust. To provoke me into doing something…

Tom leapt up, rubbing his forehead in frustration. I certainly have to be more cautious about the man, but there is no reason to get paranoid yet.

It wasn't paranoia that was causing him to pace, it was anger and he couldn't think properly while he was angry.

Bellatrix Black! How many times would that girl drag him through a lake of Fiendfyre? She simply couldn't think properly once given a command. Perhaps I should bind her with a Vow so she never disobeys a direct command again. And then from there on, be very, very specific when telling her what to do...

Of course that was ridiculous. An Unbreakable Vow wouldn't even keep Bellatrix Black under control. The smartest thing to do at this point would be to disregard her completely and never involve her in anything again. Even leaving school wouldn't work; she'd most likely follow him to the ends of the Earth. Fool girl! I should just have her killed!

It wasn't the first time Tom had considered killing Bellatrix Black, but he knew there was a far more appropriate target to take his rage out on.

The goal is not to simply kill the Dark Wizard. The main goal is to find the evidence for Tobo to protect his business.

Tom frowned. But a good fight might help to calm my rage.

Tom smiled as he glanced at the rings on the desk. He had planned to have Tobo enchant them for him. While wearing them on his wand hand he would have had all the extra power and speed he could possibly need. Added to his own natural skills, the fight would be one-sided, and there was no fun in that. No rings, no more help from Tobo. This will end tonight, and I will move on to other affairs.

After dressing for the weather, Tom left his room, then the Slytherin dorm, making sure to close the doors quietly.

Once Tom was out the front door of the school, he pooled his magics to cast the Disillusionment spell, but before he even said the words, a small noise sounded, like the cracking of an egg, and he was invisible. He was slightly surprised, as he'd never been able to cast that wordlessly before.

In fact, before being brought to the Headmaster's, he had been so worn out, but now, Tom was feeling a great deal more powerful than he was that morning, the previous day even. And he knew why.

Powerful wizardry breeds powerful Wizards.

Tom was also aware he was undergoing what was known as "Magical Puberty". A wizard's full potential developed during their teenage years, and their power could take leaps and bounds if they practiced properly.

The Animagus transformation certainly counts as powerful wizardry, but I hadn't expected this large of a boost, nor did I think it would be immediate… I didn't even notice it happening.

Tom was briefly tempted to try some more serious magic and see how strong he really was, but there was plenty of time for that later. Right now, he had a long way to go... and much that could go wrong.

He briefly stopped in the tunnel to make sure this escape bag was in fact still securely hidden, and it was. He considered using the Roadrunner potion to save extra time, but he would be tired when it wore off, and it was better to save it for when it was truly needed.

As soon as he was past the wards, he apparated to a spot in the forest that Tobo had brought him to. Unfortunately, the home of this Wizard would be much harder to find.

Tom touched his wand to his throat and let an incantation pass through his mind, "Sonorous". He felt the spell vibrate down his throat and into his vocal cords, the magic warming his body.

"Brotherss come to me, sspeak with me." The hisses echoed deep into the forest.

He tucked his wand away securely, double-checked that his other tools were secure, and then Tom transformed into a large colorful snake.

He swung his head from side to side, tongue flickering out and tasting the air.

"There iss prey here… Large variety of prey…"

He started slithering off to the east, towards the delicious smell of a very large rodent of some sort, a magical one. Consuming it would make him strong.

"Focuss…" He tried to remember his human motives.

"Brotherss are coming, sspeak with them, sstalk with them."

The many types of delicious edibles around the forest were a distraction, but there was larger prey to hunt.

He slithered around in circles rapidly, trying to coordinate himself; he hadn't had the room to sprawl out the only other time he tried this. Having the body of a snake and most of the mind of a person was proving to be exceedingly difficult.

He focused his mind and the scrap of magic left in him, and closed his eyes.

Things started to become clearer, more coordinated between mind, body and spirit. The urge to hunt rodents diminished and now he had the urge to hunt larger prey, prey that could truly fight back.

Snakes started to arrive by the dozens and circle around him. He looked around in approval and they continued to show up at his side. He waited, until the slithering slowed, and the snakes stopped showing up. There were well over two hundred, closer to three hundred different colored serpents slithering into position, ready to listen to their new master.

He reared up and began to speak. "Brotherss! I sseek one who hidess in your foresst, he iss outssider, and I mean to hunt him."

The snakes hissed among each other and the general consensus was that this man certainly was an outsider; his magic was an inconvenience to the snakes and other creatures - not to mention, he was cruel. They confirmed that he was in fact living in the forest. Where he was, they could not say for sure at the moment; there were rumors and sightings a few days old but nothing concrete yet.

"Sseek for me, sstalk for me and I will reward you brotherss."

So it was done, the snakes would move quickly through the forest, spreading the word and looking for this dark cabin, intruding on them and distressing all the forest animals.

Tom was now sitting in the grass, rather dazed and confused at the moment.

I don't think I needed to sspeak wi- sspe- speak with them as a serpent to get their cooperation, but it's probably better to get used to being a snake.

Tom shook his head to try to get the smell of rats out of his mind; he was aware of how hungry he was now, but he shook it off. This will only become easier.

Tom sat for a few more moments and then rose. It would take time for the serpents to spread the word and locate the wizard's home, and they had assured him they could do it "before pre ssun". Tom had time, if he needed the entire next day he had it. He could explain away his absence by saying he was wandering around the school, or indeed, in bed and overworked. I doubt I will need very long however, my friends seem to be quite capable.

Tom was still sorely tempted to try out some magic now that he had achieved another boost up the power ladder, but it would do no good to draw attention to himself. I have to be very careful not to let my human presence trigger his wards, lest his house relocate one hundred miles east suddenly, or perhaps alert him and have him ambush me.

Instead, Tom sat back on a large stone and watched the stars. He had always appreciated the beauty of the stars.

It was a few hours later when a single snake approached Tom, and then started to slither in the opposite direction again.

"Brother, it iss me," Tom hissed to the retreating serpent.

The snake returned, confused for a moment. It smelled the air with its tongue and eventually agreed that the human Tom was in fact his serpent master as well. The snake informed Tom that the wizard's home was currently about half an hour to the southwest according to the word that was passed along.

Tom thanked the snake, reassured it of his promise, and then promptly transformed into a snake himself once again to follow his brother to the rest of his flock, waiting at the doorstep of this so called dark wizard…