Chapter 73 - Midnight Snack Ⅱ (2/2)
”Yes, it is a very delicious cake,” the two elves chimed in firm belief despite never having prepared the said item before.
”Then I look forward to it,” Dumbledore said with a chuckle.
”Thank you, Professor!” The two tiny elves chimed as they bowed forward, before quickly departing from which they came.
Dumbledore watches the two tiny figures depart as he muses out loud, ”I wonder which student snuck off into the kitchens? What do you think, Fawkes?” Fawkes lets out a chirp as if saying, ”What do I care as long as you share?”
And as if understanding Fawkes, Dumbledore replied, ”Excellent point. But still, I do look forward to the new array of treats.” Fawkes cries out in agreement as Dumbledore returns to reading the letters on his desk. In the corner of his desk is a carefully kept copy of the Daily Prophet from a few weeks earlier with the title, ”Azkaban wizard found innocent! Innocence proved by Abraxas Malfoy!”
Perhaps, Dumbledore kept it out of curiosity, but truth be told it was all because of the name of a former student, Tom Riddle.
Dumbledore eyes crinkle fondly behind his spectacles as he reads a letter from Dedalus Diggle, a former student, now in his early twenties. Quite the excitable little man always wearing a purple hat. Reading the letter, Dumbledore quietly chuckles, before putting the letter aside and reading a more somber letter from Alastor Moody that had already been read several times before.
”To Headmaster Dumbledore,
I was assigned to track down a former student, Tom Marvolo Riddle. I'm sure you've seen and read a copy of the Daily Prophet. If not, I have enclosed a copy just in case. I am currently in the process of trying to gather information on him. I am wondering if you happen to know of any friends or acquaintances, he still might be close too or places he might seek refuge in.
I have been seeking information on him and I've found that he was missing for ten years until some years ago he popped up again. I've heard that not long after that he requested a teaching position at Hogwarts. Might I ask, why you denied his post? I understand that you must have seen something the rest did not see as all that all I've asked that knew him are horrified and can only say with pity say, he was such a nice young man.
Really, you would think he was quite suave from their descriptions. What utter rubbish! As if a monster cannot learn to hide its true colors under a cover of good. But do pray and tell, Dumbledore, why did you not fully trust the boy? What did you see?
Please reply as quickly as you can, Dumbledore. I fear dark things are stirring and the order that you once spoke about might be what is needed. I know you believe me paranoid, Dumbledore, but trust me, when I say this, that boy is not only a Dark Wizard but a danger to the wizarding world itself! You may not believe me know, but I know and fear that time will prove my words true.
Sincerely,
Alastor Moody.”
Dumbledore carefully puts the letter as he clasps his fingers together in deep thought. Tom Marvolo Riddle, just what have you become? And despite the lateness of the hour, Dumbledore remains in the silent candlelit flickering light long into the night.