HP Bella's Lie

26 - The meeting with Dumbledore

At the age of 11, Riddle received the admission letter from Hogwarts as scheduled.

The owl seemed to have aimed at the point where he got up, and landed on his shoulder when he just sat up from the bed.

I have long imagined what this moment will be like, but when it really comes, it seems ordinary.Riddle touched its feathers, walked to the kitchen while opening the letter, took out a bottle of milk and poured it on it.

"Drink some milk. I haven't made breakfast yet."

Dear Mr. Tom Riddle:

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to study at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.Enclosed is a list of required books and equipment.Semester is scheduled to start on September 31.We will be waiting for your owl to bring your reply before July [-]st.

Yours sincerely, Principal Armando Dippet.

He unfolded the inventory and scanned the bibliography.I found that most of them are the most basic books——

It is so elementary that there is no one in the old house.

It was only at this time that Riddle realized that his way of getting started with magic was somewhat unusual—Bella was an out-and-out practical school, he had learned a lot of magic before he came into contact with the theory, and when he delved into the literature, he relied on his own feelings and groping. Common knowledge of magic made his learning process always encounter setbacks—however, this is not necessarily a bad thing.

Looks like he's about to make a trip to Diagon Alley.Although relatively speaking, he is more familiar with Knockturn Alley, but who made the identity of the owner of the old house a secret? He can't behave too abnormally before entering school, which will affect his reputation in the eyes of the professor. first impression.

Riddle unconsciously rubbed the kraft paper with his fingers, and Riddle focused his eyes on the "Other Equipment" column of the item list.

The first line reads clearly: A wand.

The sight seemed to burn through the word "magic wand".

After longing for it for a long time, the time has finally come.He can have a wand that belongs only to him and fits him perfectly.

At the touch of this, all his self-control is about to break down.Patience, pretense, planning, and ambition were all driven to a desperate situation by a magic wand with an almost destructive force.

He had to take a deep breath, restraining his urge to burst the embankment.

He has to do something.

Riddle returned to the bedroom, took out a pen and paper and wrote a reply.

Mr Dippert:

I am very glad to receive the admission letter, and I would like to study at Hogwarts.Looking forward to seeing you again at the beginning of school.

Attached is a small request: can the professor who guided me to purchase come earlier?I can't wait any longer.

Looking forward to your visit.

Tom Riddle

There is a little scheming hidden in the seemingly reckless words in the letter - if possible, Riddle hopes that the person who will pick him up is the principal of the school, not the professor of a certain course, so that he can reach the core group of the school to the greatest extent. Get information with the highest authority.

But Riddle didn't force it either. After all, as far as he knew, the headmaster of Hogwarts seldom picks up new students in person. This letter just wanted to give the busy headmaster a preemptive impression, and urge the professor who guided the purchase by the way. .

Maybe the letter really worked, and the Hogwarts professor arrived before Riddle had to wait too long.

Dumbledore wore an elegant fuchsia velvet suit and stepped out of the elevator. He seemed to be full of curiosity about this novel Muggle product, and after a few more glances, he knocked on the door of Riddle's house.

Soon, the black-haired boy opened the door with an expression of surprise and suspicion.

"Good morning." Dumbledore couldn't help showing a kind smile, "I am the professor of transfiguration at Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore. I hope my abrupt visit will not disturb you, Mr. Riddle ?”

"...Of course! Come in, Professor." Riddle's performance was completely in line with Dumbledore's prediction——

A young wizard who grew up in the Muggle world longing for knowledge and magic.

Walking into the living room, Dumbledore found that it was filled with a simple and smooth atmosphere, which made people feel comfortable and informal.Riddle poured him a cup of hot cocoa, then sat across from him, staring at him eagerly: "I was still wondering when the professor would come, but I didn't expect you to move so fast."

Dumbledore smiled.

"I don't dare to delay. Our dear principal showed me your reply letter specially, lest you should be disappointed." He said in a joking tone.

Riddle shyly looked away: "Forgive me, Professor. I—I'm just too curious."

"Yes, I understand, Mr. Riddle. You don't have to feel guilty about it. In fact, I'm very glad to see that you are so interested in magic. Of course, it may have something to do with your upbringing, but it can't kill your own enthusiasm." Function. If you don't mind, can I get to know your family?"

"...I have no family." Riddle's face paled in the morning light.

Dumbledore was taken aback for a moment, and then he said with sympathy and tolerance: "I'm sorry, child. Can you tell me what's going on?"

Riddle lowered his eyes, hiding the impatience and resistance in his heart.

"I was an orphan. My adopter passed away when I was eight years old. I inherited her house and savings." His tone was serious, but Dumbledore didn't seem to care at all, he pushed the half-moon-shaped Glasses, said in a gentle tone: "Your adopter is a respectable lady, I am sorry. However, living alone to this day, I must say, child, you are very brave. Not only that, you also have magical powers Talent, a passion for knowledge. I daresay you'd make a fine wizard."

"Thank you." Riddle replied calmly.

Dumbledore continued: "Okay, let's not talk about those sad things. You probably can't wait to see the world of magic. Before that, forgive me for asking one last question. Any other wizards?"

Riddle seemed to be thinking hard for a while, before he said a little confused: "I'm not sure...Professor, I don't know how to distinguish wizards from ordinary people. Maybe I have encountered them before, but I just don't know."

"Okay, I think I understand what you mean. Next, you should have seen the list of items in the notice - it's not something that can be bought in the Muggle world - let's go to Diagon Alley to buy .It is said to be the entrance to the wizarding world." Dumbledore stood up and said in an encouraging tone.

Riddle took the Muggle cash that he had prepared long ago, and followed Dumbledore into Diagon Alley along the route he had already learned by heart. He did not forget to show a surprised expression when he saw the bricks and stones on the wall automatically move away——

Seriously, it's kind of tiring.He has always been good at disguising, but most of them are disguised as adults. It is more difficult to play an ordinary child than imagined.Merlin knew that he could only try his best to imagine the behavior and reaction of the front desk, so that he could grasp the degree of "a bit of a genius but can't escape the childishness of a child".

Dumbledore led him through the crowded streets to the wand shop that had been selling for thousands of years.

Although the signboard that read "Ollivander: Excellent Wands Since 380 BC" has been eroded by the years, Riddle's eyes lit up instantly, and this time there was no need to pretend, That's his real emotion.

Seeing his unconcealable excitement, Dumbledore blinked: "I know what little wizards want most at this time, so we'll be the first to buy wands. Let's go."

The furnishings in the store are not much better than the outside, but all you can see are densely packed wand boxes, and you can imagine the abundance of stocks here.

Although he had been to Diagon Alley before, Riddle had always avoided this wand shop in case he couldn't help stealing one.This was the first time he had entered the store, and he was very new to everything here, and the emotion from the heart was very convincing. Dumbledore sat aside completely relieved, and motioned Riddle to wait a moment.

After a while of jingling bells, a middle-aged man about Dumbledore's age came out and looked at Riddle.

"Let me see, a little wizard who came to pick out a wand, huh? Professor Dumbledore! You are here too. Then this gentleman is this year's freshman." Ollivander recognized Dumbledore, who just smiled Nodding to him, which made him feel a little disappointed, "Well, I'm busy today too, let's start directly... So, sir, which hand do you use?"

"I think it's the right hand, sir," Riddle replied politely.

An arrogant tape measure climbed up on him, and it was measured against his body. Riddle unhappily pulled it off. Ollivander walked over with a bunch of long and narrow boxes, and saw the tape measure twisting unwillingly in Riddle's hand. Moved and said, "Oh, don't worry about it, just throw it away. It always gets so excited this time of year, I can't help it."

Riddle doubted that dropping it would crawl back, but he let go of the tape anyway.

"Now, let's try this one." Ollivander carefully took out a wand from the box, and stroked its body with a look of admiring works of art, "Made of pine wood and snake nerves, very Inch long. Nice flexibility. Give it a try."

Riddle squeezed the wand, and for the first time he really felt the feeling of holding it in the palm of his hand. It was a wonderful experience both physically and mentally.He has studied wandless magic for a long time, and his control and sensitivity to magic power have long surpassed the level of his peers.As soon as he got the wand, he knew it - it didn't match his magic.It's not his wand.

Sure enough, after waving the wand, nothing happened.

Before he could decide whether to show a disappointed expression, Ollivander stuffed another wand: "Try this... no, it's not right, it's this... ah, it's right..."

Riddle tried one after another, and never knew that choosing a wand was such a time-consuming and laborious task. He himself was fine, and Dumbledore and Ollivander on the side... well, the former has been watching with great interest. During their selection process, the latter actually became more and more excited, and kept muttering: "The more picky the customer, the stronger the wand selected... No, it should be said that the powerful wand will choose him..."

Looks like he made all the fuss...maybe.

Ollivander was right, his business is really hot today...if Riddle hadn't come to visit.

During this long period of choosing wands, several young wizards have come to buy wands.It's just that Ollivander has limited manpower, so they have to come again next time.

Finally Ollivander got a ladder, climbed up to the top of a high shelf, and pulled out two boxes.

"Yes... yes, it must be them. Two unique twin wands. Professor Dumbledore, remember? The two phoenix tail feathers I got from you back then, I used them to make two wand cores The same wands, they are truly my most successful creations, and I daresay I will never make a second pair in my life... Come on, little gentleman, pick one and try."

Riddle picked up the wand on the right without hesitation—

He noticed that feeling of fit...

There seemed to be a gust of wind blowing in the store, blowing the hem of Riddle's clothes up and down, and the tip of his staff shot out fire and silver flowers straight to the roof.

The platinum-haired boy who had just walked into the store happened to see this.