Chapter 716: The Mysterious Riddle (Edited)

"But if Dumbledore hadn't tried to take you to Hogwarts, you probably wouldn't have met Minerva or us," Hermione said as Fish stared fixedly at Dumbledore, wondering where to begin.

"Well..."

Fish immediately dropped his defensive stance and fell into deep thought.

Dumbledore was glad that he had agreed to Fish's request to bring Hermione along.

"Besides, isn't Professor Dumbledore still injured? Why don't we wait until he's healed, and then we can continue with Voldemort's story?"

It was clear that Hermione knew exactly how to quickly distract Fish, and it was the stories that attracted Fish more than Dumbledore's relentless pursuit. So she quickly calmed down the furious Fish.

"Alright then, Fish will leave Albus alone for now."

Fish pouted and mumbled a few words, then reluctantly let go of Dumbledore.

The others refocused their attention on the Pensieve.

The conversation between Dumbledore and Voldemort continued, and when Voldemort learned about the existence of magic from Dumbledore, he showed no skepticism at all. He was even thrilled.

"I always knew I was different," murmured young Tom Riddle excitedly as he looked at his trembling hands. "I always knew I was special. I always knew there was something here."

For the first time, young Dumbledore restrained his smile, sensing a familiar scent emanating from Riddle's body. The name of that scent was ambition.

But at that moment, Dumbledore didn't take it too seriously because in a way, being ambitious wasn't a bad thing. So even though Dumbledore didn't like Riddle's behavior, he was just going to keep an eye on him at school.

"You're a wizard," Dumbledore continued explaining to Riddle.

Riddle's face erupted in a frenzy of joy.

"Are you a wizard too?"

"Yes."

"Prove it to me," Riddle ordered in a commanding tone, the way he usually treated other children at the orphanage.

But Dumbledore was not a child from the orphanage.

"Yes, as far as I understand, you agree to go to Hogwarts..."

"Of course, I agree!"

"Then you'll have to call me 'Professor' or 'Sir.'"

Riddle's expression froze for a moment, and then he suddenly said, in a tone of distinguished courtesy, "I apologize, sir. I mean, Professor... Would you mind if I take a look around?"

"Voldemort is quite clever, nya! Fish used to use this method to deceive Minerva when he got into trouble as a child, but unfortunately, it didn't work for very long, nya..." Fish said, nodding seriously.

Amidst the astonishment of the crowd, young Dumbledore waved his wand carelessly, demonstrating the existence of magic to Voldemort.

"Where can I get one?" Riddle eagerly eyed the wand in Dumbledore's hand.

"You'll have one in due time," Dumbledore said, "There's something in that closet of yours trying to get out."

Indeed, a faint crack came from the closet that Dumbledore had just set on fire, but it remained intact. For the first time, Riddle seemed alarmed.

He then opened the door at Dumbledore's request and pulled out a cardboard box... from which the cracking sound had originated.

"Is there something in that box that you shouldn't have?" Dumbledore asked.

Riddle gazed deeply at Dumbledore with a clear and deliberate look.

"Yes, I believe so, sir," he finally said in a hoarse voice.

"Open it," Dumbledore said.

Riddle opened the lid and dumped the contents onto his bed without looking.

Inside, contrary to Harry and the others' suspicions of finding Horcruxes, there lay a collection of mundane objects, including a wire swimming tray, a silver thimble, and a shiny harmonica that had lost its luster.

Once out of the box, they ceased trembling and remained still on the thin blanket.

"You will return these items to their rightful owners and apologize," Dumbledore calmly stated as he pocketed his wand. "I will know if you do. I also warn you: stealing is not tolerated at Hogwarts."

"That's right, nya!" Fish continued nodding his head with a sullen expression, then nodded again. "When Fish stole some food from Honeydukes, Minerva got so angry she deducted snacks from Fish for it!"

In contrast to Fish's ignorance, Riddle knew stealing was wrong, but there was no shame on his face. He continued to gaze coolly at Dumbledore as if weighing him.

Finally, likely realizing he was no match for Dumbledore, he reluctantly said in a dry voice, "Yes, sir."

Dumbledore proceeded to give Riddle further warnings, but it was clear that Riddle wasn't paying attention. His mind was solely focused on how to improve his magical skills.

"I don't have any money," Riddle told Dumbledore.

"That's easily remedied," Dumbledore said, pulling out a leather bag of money from his pocket. "Hogwarts has a fund for those in need of financial assistance to purchase textbooks and robes. I'm afraid you'll have to buy some of your spellbooks secondhand, but..."

"Where do I buy my spellbooks?" Riddle interrupted Dumbledore, taking the money bag without thanking him and examining a thick golden Galleon.

Dumbledore had mentioned Diagon Alley and offered to accompany him, but Riddle had refused.

"I don't need you," Riddle said, "I'm used to doing things on my own. I always wander alone through London. So, how do I get to this Diagon Alley... sir?" He caught Dumbledore's gaze and added the last two words.

Dumbledore handed Riddle the envelope with the shopping list, provided him with the exact route from the orphanage to the Leaky Cauldron, and said, "You'll see it, even if the Muggles around you... who know nothing about magic... can't. Ask for Tom, the innkeeper... easy to remember, the same name as you..."

Riddle flinched in annoyance, as if trying to shoo away an irritating fly.

"Don't you like the name 'Tom'?"

"There are too many people named 'Tom'," Riddle muttered.

Next, Riddle asked Dumbledore about his origins, and after receiving no response, he inquired about the way to Hogwarts. Just like with the purchase of textbooks, he didn't need anyone else's help.

And at the end of the day, as Dumbledore was about to leave, Riddle suddenly said, "I can talk to snakes. I found them when we were on a field trip... they found me and whispered to me. Is that normal for a wizard?"

It was obvious to everyone that he deliberately delayed mentioning this peculiar ability until the last moment, intending to throw Dumbledore off.

"How amazing, Fish can talk to all animals!"

(`')

Fish curled his lips disdainfully and then lifted his head triumphantly.

The young Dumbledore didn't show much surprise either, as he casually said, "Rare, but not unheard of."

Riddle remained expressionless, but there was still a hint of disappointment that could be detected.

"Goodbye, Tom. I'll see you at Hogwarts."

While the younger Dumbledore bid farewell to the younger Voldemort, the older Dumbledore joined Fish to extract the memories of the others.

"So, what do you see in this memory?"

Dumbledore asked as he sat at his desk, leaning his arms on the edge and intertwining his fingers, once everyone was back in the headmaster's office.

This time, it was Fish who spoke first.

"The old Voldemort was a bit like Fish, nya."

(?ω?)

Fish scratched his head, then pointed with his finger and said, "He steals things, collects trophies, talks to other animals... and acts all friendly!"

"Pfft..." Ron couldn't help but laugh.

And Harry and Hermione couldn't help but smile.

"What's so funny, nya!"

(`н´)

Fish questioned, pouting.

"Yes, it's not funny at all," Dumbledore said in defense of Fish. "Fish knows several important traits of Voldemort: his disdain for rules, his vanity, his talent, and... he knows how to restrain himself."

"Yes, that's it!"

Fish remained still for a moment, then intervened seriously, "That's what Fish thinks!"

Everyone, including the portraits on the wall, smiled affectionately, not bothering to argue with Fish.

"But there are other qualities of Voldemort that we must not overlook," Dumbledore continued after containing his smile. "He doesn't experiment with magic haphazardly like the average young wizard. He already used magic against others, used it to intimidate, punish, and control them. The story of the hanged rabbit and the boy and girl he tricked into entering the cave says it all... he can hurt people if he wants to."

"He still speaks Parseltongue," Ron and Harry said in unison.

"Yes, an uncommon ability, it is said to be related to dark magic, but we know there are people who speak Parseltongue among the great and good wizards. In fact, his ability to speak Parseltongue doesn't bother me much; it's the cruel, reserved, and dominant character he apparently displays that concerns me."

"Also, I'm sure you noticed how Riddle reacted when I mentioned someone with his name, also called 'Tom'," Dumbledore asked again with a sigh.

"He despised the name," Hermione replied.

"Yes, he despises anything that chains him to another person, anything that makes him seem ordinary..."

"That's why he gave himself the nickname 'Voldemort,' right?"

Fish didn't quite understand the idea.

"Didn't Minerva say it's impolite to call people by their nicknames? And Tom is obviously a much easier name to write than Voldemort."

"Because he wanted to be different, like when I told him that magic existed, he accepted it instantly because he wanted to be different from others," Dumbledore explained.

Harry and Hermione knew this well; it had taken them a long time to accept that they were wizards.

Fish and Ron didn't feel much more realistic about it.

"Time plays another trick on us," Dumbledore said as he gave Fish and the others further analysis of Voldemort's character traits and looked at the darkening sky outside the window. "It's time for you to rest again."

Since this memory was a bit longer, Fish and Hermione bid farewell to Dumbledore and instead of going out another night, they returned to the common room with Harry and Ron.

When they returned to the common room, they didn't immediately go to rest; instead, they sat around and chatted about it.

"I hadn't realized that Voldemort was so terrifying in his adolescence," Ron whispered. "But I still don't understand why Dumbledore wants us to see this. I mean, it's interesting, but for what purpose?"

"He said the memories would help us find Voldemort's Horcrux, but I don't think he used a thimble or a harmonica to make his own Horcrux," Harry shrugged.

"I find it fascinating," Hermione said seriously. "It definitely makes sense to try to understand Voldemort as a person; how else would you discover his weaknesses?"

And Fish's thoughts were simple...

"These stories are quite interesting, and it would be nice to see more of Dumbledore's old battles against Voldemort, nya!"