Chapter Twenty-Nine: Confrontations

"Professor Dumbledore! Sir!"

Cordelia almost sounded akin to a five-year-old as she chased after the older man, paying no heed to the peculiar gaze sent her way by the Hogwarts headmaster who chatted away with the painter. Just as she was beginning to pick up her pace and prepare for a sprint, Cordelia noticed the Transfiguration professor pausing as he turned on his heel, quizzically gazing at Cordelia as she caught up to him.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, Miss Black?"

His question held a hint of amusement, one that caused a light smile to erupt across Cordelia's face as she replied.

"I'm sorry professor, but I need to speak with you about something of dire importance."

This caught his attention as Dumbledore squinted his eyes, unsure of what to make of the situation. For a moment he seemed to have settled on a reply, but then his gaze flickered to where Cordelia presumed Tom was giving his interview. A light frown overcame his features as he turned back to the girl before him, seeming more serious than he did before.

"Does this concern-"

"Yes."

Cordelia felt weird cutting off Dumbledore, but she couldn't risk Tom listening to his name, especially not mere hours after their talk with Dippet.

"Stop by my chambers in exactly one hour. I presume you already know the password?"

She nodded at his question, recalling the password given to her and Tom during a conversation between the champions and headmasters.

"Alright, professor."

Dumbledore seemed content with her reply as he turned on his heel, bidding her farewell with a nod as he continued with a nonchalant gait, pretending nothing had transpired amongst them.

While his mannerism had certainly fooled Dippet, who stopped eyeing the pair from his peripheral vision as she turned back towards the painter, a certain brunette Slytherin hadn't quite bought Dumbledore's ploy. Tom Riddle seemed almost absorbed in the interview as he leaned back in his seat and propped his right foot on his knee.

Even so, Cordelia noticed the way his right hand clenched around the armchair's arm as he cocked his head to the right. Tom waited a moment for Natalie to start dribbling with her quill before he sent a gaze over his shoulder, his mocha eyes surprisingly settling right onto Cordelia.

The glare was one of suspicion and anger, so much so it made a shiver roll down her back as the brunette aristocrat shuffled a hand through his loose curls, turning back to the front just as Cordelia attempted to mirror his glare.

"Shit."

She hadn't even bothered to lower her voice, not caring that if he had focused hard enough Tom would have probably heard her. All Cordelia could think of at that moment was that regardless of the outcome of her conversation with Dumbledore, she would have at least one very angry Dark Lord confronting her.

Cordelia just prayed to Merlin it would be the younger, less experienced one.

"So, to make things clear. You assisted Tom in voicing speculation of a budding relationship between Grindlewald and I to Dippet, without any solid proof?"

Cordelia winced at Dumbledore's words, bowing her head to analyze her fiddling digits as she replied.

"When you put it that way it sounds worse."

Dumbledore chuckled at her reply, leaning back in his seat to gaze upon the brunette girl as she guiltily looked at him through her lashes.

"The tea's getting cold Miss Black."

His response made her smile as she reached for her teacup, allowing the two of them a moment of silence as Dumbledore contemplated the situation.

Usually, Cordelia would be undeniably uncomfortable in such a situation, but she was weirdly close with the Transfiguration professor. She hadn't realised when the bridge between Saturday detentions and showing up at his classroom to ask for advice was crossed by either of them, but in the end, it resulted in Dumbledore being Cordelia's personal adult advisor.

He was as wise as they came, and knew enough about her family to empathise with Cordelia without catching onto her not so good intentions for the Wizarding World. Cordelia had begun asking him for advice during her fourth year, and ever since then, they arranged a schedule of sorts.

If she truly had to ask him about something important then Cordelia was permitted to stop by his office, otherwise, she would have to wait for Friday afternoon to come around.

At first, Cordelia was unsure of his preposition, thinking she didn't talk to or trust Dumbeldore enough to show up every Friday to discuss issues and ask for advice. Admittedly, she had been wrong to underestimate her openness to gossip about daily life affairs.

There were certainly a few things off the table, Tom and her family being the most prominent ones, but Cordelia truly enjoyed her afternoons with Dumbledore. Even if she didn't have much to talk about the brunette witch would adamantly make an appearance every Friday.

During her days of silence, they would idly sit together and grade homework or try to weasel Quidditch tactics out of one another. Cordelia had never thought about it before her sudden affairs with Riddle, but Dumbledore had become the fourth person she trusted enough to talk to, his predecessors being Orion, Druella, and Theodore.

In fact somedays she would presume he filled in the void of a father figure she had in her life. The void that peculiarly, needed someone as wise yet calculative as Dumbledore. Someone who had her walking on eggshells and flying on Hippogriffs depending on the day and topic.

"Your actions-" Dumbledore's sudden words surprised her as Cordelia abandoned her thoughts, turning towards him with an encouraging smile.

"Might have caused a bump in my road, but nothing too drastic."

She sighed at his statement, feeling relieved for herself and for Dumbledore. It was weird, but Cordelia wasn't too keen on hindering their acquaintanceship just yet. Perhaps she would think of it in the years to come, but the serpent knew she needed Dumbeldore to make it through the tasks.

"I'm sorry, professor, but I wasn't aware of your intentions and Riddle can be...influential."

Dumbledore chuckled at her words, leaning back in his armchair to sip his tea before replying.

"I presume I should have informed you of my plans before departing."

This drew Cordelia's interest, yet she didn't dare show it. Over their various meetings one thing had always remained the same; regardless of the topic, day or mood neither of them would trust each other enough to reveal ulterior plans. Having Dumbledore place that trust in her while he was aware of her father's past with Grindelwald was baffling.

"I presume I don't have to explain past events?"

Cordelia simply shook her head, disregarding his subtle dig at her parents' positions.

"Well, it is true that I have met with Grindelwald during our stay at Beaxbaton and, as you predicted, I did offer to settle things quietly. He, however, didn't take too kindly to that offer."

His words had her settling her teacup on the table,t his time openly showcasing intrigue as Dumbledore continued.

"But, I am aware it would be beyond foolish to give him an opportunity to attack, thus the minister was informed of our meeting, and in time, Dippet will be as well."

Cordelia nodded, glad for the clarity. However, there was still one question bugging her, a question that she voiced just as he finished.

"If you know him so well, why would you bother with the offer?"

Dumbledore smiled, his wise twinkle returning behind half-moon spectacles.

"I placed the offer because I know him so well."

His words made Cordelia furrow her eyebrows and lean back in her seat, contemplating exactly what Dumbledore had planned. It was clear he knew Grindelwald enough to be aware of his intentions, but Dumbledore was no fool, and had a reason for everything.

But that wasn't what made Cordelia uncomfortably shuffle in her seat as she nibbled her bottom lip in contemplation. Was Dumbledore aware of Grindelwald gathering new recruits? Moreover, was he aware of his rival's activities in France?

The most important question was whether he should be made aware.

"Professor-" Cordelia paused, holding herself back even as he stared at her expectantly.

"What if I told you Grindelwald was-" she let out a breath, settling on something not far from the truth "-attempting to reach Hogwarts students?"

Dumbledore furrowed his eyebrows, cocking his head to the side as he replied.

"I would ask you how you know this for certain, and whether he contacted you."

Cordelia shook her head, sculpting a mask of perfect worry as she gazed at her lap, taking a moment to analyze her skirt in fraudulent doubt before seeking again.

"It's not me you should worry about, but the boys."

Dumbledore nodded, catching onto her drift. Dark Lords were known for their preference in having Slytherin followers, thus her lie wouldn't be caught or unfolded any time soon.

"Grindlewald sent out a letter to every reputable pureblood Hogwarts boy present in France, most of which were Slytherins. I read Orion's letter and it was rather persuasive."

A worried frown overcame his features as Dumbledore nodded, quickly casting a spell to fetch some parchment and a quill.

"I'll notify the Beauxbaton head to keep an eye on any unregistered letters sent to the Hogwarts students."

Dumbledore looked up just as he began to write, sending Cordelia a smile through his glasses.

"Thank you, Cordelia, truly."

It was weird hearing a professor address her by her given name, much less a professor of high stature, but Cordelia found she liked the idea of Dumbledore trusting her. After all, they might not be aware of each other's plans or intentions, but a certain amount of trust would be just enough to help her if and when such a moment arose.

Dumbledore quickly scribbled his signature at the end and sealed away the letter, placing it to the side of the table to dry as he turned back towards Cordelia.

"So, how are your Tournament preparations coming along?"