Ab aeterno

“They are leaving… for reals, this time,” Dolohov was the youngest of the gang, and that alone made him think he had to prove himself, to justify Tom’s decision to let him in his inner circle. “Are you sure?” “Yes, Theo, I am sure!” It was almost funny to watch the boy so indignant. He huffed and took his seat at the table. “But why now?” Avery sipped his pumpkin juice thoughtfully. “They should have finished the semester at least…” “Isn’t the timing self-explanatory?” Tom finally put down the newspaper he was reading. He was subscribed to the Daily Prophet, and always got a copy with morning mail. “It’s Grindelwald. The war is getting out of hand.” Boys looked at each other with obvious unease. Nobody liked to talk about the war aloud. They knew it was happening somewhere, and this year more students stayed at Hogwarts for the holidays than usual, but it was easy to forget about anything of the sort and submerge oneself in the daily routine, classes, homework and quidditch. War was distant, war was out there. “I heard the Ministry asked Dumbledore to fight him.” Nott mentioned with a knowing look that meant he had heard that rumor directly from his parents. “And he refused.” “Obviously. He doesn’t want to end up dead, as all the others,” smirked Dolohov busy with his breakfast. “He stands no chances. Grindelwald is the greatest wizard of all time!” “Is that so…” Nott looked at Riddle right in time to see a shadow crossing his face. “So far,” Theo corrected Antonin. “He is the greatest wizard of all time that is known so far.” Tom smiled and said nothing. Now he was watching the group of students at Hufflepuff’s table. Those were exchange students from Castelobruxo, the Brazilian wizarding school. In the beginning of the school year headmaster Dippet announced their arrival, and for some time it was the only subject of discussion in Hogwarts. Tom wished to apply for an exchange programme but he wasn’t allowed to – this opportunity was available only for the students in their final year of education. At first disappointed, he then was glad the way it turned out. Tom talked a lot with exchange students and learned that Castelobruxo was most proud of its Herbology and Magizoology disciplines. These subjects, though valuable and important, weren’t among the priorities for Tom, and he felt that Hogwarts could offer him much more. And now those foreign students were leaving. “Well,” Tom shrugged his shoulders. “Grindelwald surely has the style. We all know that his ideas are based on solid ground… I heard he was expelled from Durmstrang for his experiments with Dark Arts. I wonder what they were, those experiments.” “Something really bad, I suppose. Durmstrang studies Dark Arts more closely than we do in Hogwarts,” Avery sighed. “My second cousin twice removed studied there. He’s a very odd mate… he had had a bad accident there and had to transfer to Beauxbatons. Durmstrang doesn’t give a tiny rat’s ass about students’ safety.” “Isn’t that a natural selection?” Nott yawned, not even trying to hide that. “Maybe so. But he’s a pureblood, you know. That should matter.” “I wish I could be a part of an exchange programme with Durmstrang,” said Antonin thoughtfully. “I would value an opportunity to study Dark Arts in a way Hogwarts wouldn’t allow us…” “What about you, Tom?” Nott curiously looked at their leader. “Would you like to study there?” “No. I’d rather study at Hogwarts… where my roots are.” There was a moment of silence, and then understanding smiles appeared on the faces of his followers. They all knew. The heir of Salazar Slytherin was having his breakfast with them… that was more important than being proclaimed the greatest dark wizard, much better. Tom let them talk but he wasn’t paying attention to the discussion anymore. His eyes were fixed on Dumbledore. The teacher looked tired and unhappy listening to something professor Slughorn was telling him in a low voice. Was Theo right? Did the Ministry actually ask Dumbledore to fight Grindelwald? But why? Dumbledore was rumored to be one of the greatest wizards of Great Britain, and that fact alone was pretty strange in Tom’s eyes. Why wouldn’t Dumbledore then become the Minister for Magic? Why would a wizard of that level choose to stay at school and waste his time here? There had to be something about Dumbledore’s decision… He knew something. Something that made him stay in Hogwarts. Unlike the beginning of the year, there were no speeches and no gala dinner when Castelobruxo students left. Headmaster Dippet mentioned that post factum when they were already gone, in a matter-of-factly way. Some students from Hufflepuff were really disappointed as they seemed to get along with Castelobruxians. But, in general, this went on mostly unnoticed. Tom noticed, though. The Daily Prophet was pretty straightforward for once while offering the reason professor Armando Dippet decided against naming. The headmistress of Castelobruxo wasn’t sure anymore that Hogwarts was safe enough for her students to stay at. Because Grindelwald was winning. “Professor Dippet, sir.” “Hello, Tom. What is that about?” Armando Dippet was obviously overworked. His eyes were tired and red as if he didn’t manage to get enough sleep the night before. He nodded at the chair and Tom sat, his back straight and never touching the chair itself. “I was wondering if I could request a special permission to stay at school for the second half of the summer.” “Is there a reason for that?” “Yes, sir. Mister and missis Nott have offered me to stay at their residence for the whole summer but I… well… I do not want to be a burden and abuse their hospitality for that long.” “The Notts, huh… well, that’s pretty unusual… I mean… we usually don’t let students stay at school… it’s important to spend time with your nearest and dearest, at least, in summer, and…” “Professor Dippet, sir, with all the respect…” Tom looked at the headmaster with pleading eyes. “As you know… I live in an orphanage. It was moved to the countryside, away from London now… because of the bombings. If there’s a chance…” “I will see what I can do.” Dippet replied swiftly, and Tom saw at once why. Professor Dippet was ashamed that the magical community did nothing to protect the other part, the non-magical population of the British Isles. “Thank you, sir… I am very grateful,” he mumbled shyly and got up. “And… I am sorry that it turned out this way with the exchange students.” “There will be another time, I’m sure.” Dippet saw him off himself. That year Tom Riddle came back to Hogwarts in the middle of summer to have a better look around the castle. He had some searching to do as the heir of Slytherin. He had to start searching for the chamber.