This brat, why is he always thinking about my money?
Dumbledore didn't even say anything about charging us! What are you bringing that up for?
Easy to be generous when it's not your money, huh?
"You're not the one earning it, after all…"
"It was a house left to me by an old friend. It now belongs to me. So no payment is needed," Dumbledore said, waving it off. "Since you're not staying at school over the holiday, go ahead and move in."
"That's great news. Thank you so much, Professor Dumbledore, especially with how busy you are, for still helping us find a place to stay," Wade said gratefully.
"It's nothing, just a small gesture," Dumbledore replied. Then he looked at Wade and Tom, his expression suddenly turning serious.
Wade and Tom both knew—Dumbledore was about to get to the real reason he'd called them.
"I originally thought you would spend Christmas at Hogwarts. That house, in fact, was meant for you to move into during the summer holidays… Can you tell me why you're not staying at Hogwarts for the break?"
Wade was just about to speak—something about wanting to secretly visit Mrs. Cole or similar.
But before he could say anything, Tom spoke up again.
"It's because of me… I wanted to take the opportunity during the holidays to visit my family… Wade plans to go with me."
Wade looked at Tom in surprise. I haven't even started making something up—why did you just spill it?
Based on his past understanding of Tom, Tom should've kept everything to himself and gone to meet the Gaunt family in secret.
So why was he now telling Dumbledore directly?
Dumbledore also seemed a bit surprised. "You've found a lead on your family?"
"Yes… I'd been searching for clues about my father's surname, Riddle, but I couldn't find anything…"
"Then Wade suggested I try looking into my mother's surname instead…"
"I used to think that since my mother had ended up dying so miserably at the doorstep of a Muggle orphanage, she might've been a regular Muggle… That's why I never looked into her background."
"But since I couldn't find anything on my father's side, I casually checked my mother's surname in the library… Gaunt."
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed slightly. "Gaunt… so your mother was from the Gaunt family."
"Professor, you know the Gaunt family too?" Wade asked.
"Mm, they're believed to be descendants of Slytherin…" Dumbledore looked at Tom. "I'm sorry, Tom. I should've asked Mrs. Cole for your mother's name back then. If I'd known earlier, you might've found your family a long time ago."
"It's fine…" Tom replied calmly.
"So, you two plan to visit the Gaunt family together?" Dumbledore asked again.
"Yes. Is there a problem?" Tom asked coldly.
"Well… I don't mean to stop you, but I've heard the Gaunt family has a rather poor reputation. If you show up uninvited, it could be dangerous…"
"Poor reputation?" Tom frowned.
"Yes… When I used to help out at the Ministry of Magic, I spoke with some old Aurors. They mentioned past incidents involving the descendants of Slytherin… Apparently, they often cast spells illegally on Muggles who wandered too close to their home."
Upon hearing this, Tom's expression darkened.
Dumbledore continued, "While speaking with them, I learned that old Gaunt—Marvolo Gaunt—was sentenced to six months in Azkaban for resisting arrest and attacking Ministry officials who came to his home."
"Those six months destroyed his health, and he died not long after returning. So… you should still have an uncle. Given the Gaunt family's reputation and the fact that your mother chose to die at the doorstep of a Muggle orphanage rather than go home… that alone is enough to suggest your uncle may not welcome you. Though you might find this unpleasant to hear, I must be honest with you… So, even knowing this, do you still wish to meet him?"
"I.." Tom was silent for a while, then said, "I still want to go and see the Gaunt family."
Dumbledore looked at Tom quietly, and after a long moment, his expression softened.
"I'm very glad you told me about this, Tom… I'm happy that you trust me. However… I believe it's important that I accompany you both."
...
"Why?"
On the way back, Wade couldn't help but ask.
"What do you mean, why?" Tom replied expressionlessly.
"I mean, why did you tell Dumbledore about this? That's not really your style," Wade asked curiously.
"I just wanted Dumbledore to come with us," Tom said. "That way, you won't have a chance to set me up."
Wade: "??"
"Don't take me for a fool, Wade. You're the kind of guy who never does anything without a reason. There's no way you'd offer to come with me to see my family without something in it for you. So you must be planning something."
"Oh by Merlin's socks~ Tom, you've really misunderstood me… When have I ever done anything only for profit? And—have you forgotten that we're close friends? Helping each other is what close friends do."
"Heh. You said you were Annie's close friend too… and still plotted everything clearly behind her back. 'Close friends' are just people you sell out."
"Nonsense! A close friend is a close friend!"
"Lock your doors, guard your gold… and guard against you! No doubt about it."
"Alright… say whatever you like. I really don't have any hidden motives this time…"
Wade really didn't have any hidden motives this time. Just like when he wanted to watch Dumbledore burn Tom's cabinet, he simply wanted to tag along for the drama.
He hadn't expected that after tricking Tom so many times, the kid would now be so guarded against him…
Tom curled his lip. In his view, whether or not Wade was scheming, it never hurt to be cautious.
Besides, having Dumbledore around did make him feel a lot more at ease.
Dumbledore might not be particularly fond of him, but when it came to serious matters, he was reliable.
And… Wade wasn't wrong about one thing: telling Dumbledore directly this time really wasn't his usual style.
But it was precisely for that reason that this was a great opportunity—to earn some favor in Dumbledore's eyes!
Tom wanted Dumbledore to see that he wasn't the same dark, gloomy kid he used to be!
A wayward son turning back is worth more than gold! Look—I'm not the same Tom anymore! I've started to change, so stop always being on guard around me!
...
The next morning,
The students of Hogwarts were already dragging their luggage and heading for the station.
They had to take the Hogwarts Express to leave the school.
Wade and Tom didn't follow the crowd.
They had brought their luggage early and arrived at Dumbledore's office.
Dumbledore led them to the fireplace.
"I've arranged a residence for you that's protected by the Fidelius Charm. As long as you don't speak the location aloud, no one will be able to find you…"
As he spoke, Dumbledore took out a slip of paper and handed it to Wade and Tom.
"This is the address of your residence. Don't say it aloud. Memorize it, then burn the paper."
_________
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