A Deeper Connection: A New Beginning

A Deeper Connection - Part II

"Of course not, Severus. I believe the evidence presented at Gringotts was very clear in that regard," Dumbledore lied, making the Dark Lord want to roll his eyes and to abandon his masquerade in favour of strangulating the old coot, "although my visit is because of Thomas, it has nothing to do with my original doubt concerning his identity. In fact, I am here in my function as Headmaster of Hogwarts to ensure that young Thomas here receives a proper education."

"I see," the Potions Master said curtly, urging Dumbledore to continue with one raised eyebrow.

"Am I right to assume that your ward is going to attend Hogwarts?" Dumbledore asked.

"Obviously," Severus replied with his familiar drawl, "since almost all members of my family have attended the school."

"Splendid," the Headmaster continued, trying to sound cheerful, "I just wanted to make sure that his name is on the list before we send out the letters of acceptance to all of our new first yea-"

"First years?" Harry asked, an expression of confusion on his face, "Thomas is twelve already just like I am going to be in a few weeks, and he was taught by his parents. Should he not be placed in my year?"

"Is that true?" Dumbledore asked, his attention now solely on Tom.

Squirming under the intense gaze, the Dark Lord tried to make himself smaller, pulling his knees closer to his chest.

"It is alright, Thomas," Harry said after a few seconds of silence, putting a reassuring hand on his trembling arm, "you do not have to answer, a nod will be enough. Did you parents teach you?"

Encouraged by Harry's words, the Dark Lord nodded his head in confirmation.

"While that is all good and well," Dumbledore said, "I am rather sceptical of the benefits of homeschooling, especially given the lack of practical experience without a proper wand. Therefo-"

"But Thomas has a wand," Harry protested, "and he has practiced quite a lot. His Levitation Charm is very good."

"Is that so?" Dumbledore asked, his eyes shining at the prospect of seeing a familiar Yew wand. Again, Tom nodded his head.

"May I see it?" the Lord of the Light continued, reaching out his hand in clear expectation. With some hesitation, the Dark Lord pulled his Apple wood wand out of the left sleeve of his casual, rather worn Muggle jumper bearing the navy-blue logo of Le Havre AC on the front.

For a fraction of a second, the disappointment in his blue eyes was on clear display at the sight of the light-brown, yet warm colour of the wand instead of the desired yew. A blink of an eye later, Dumbledore had sadly gathered himself, "Where did you get this wand, Tom?"

While the Dark Lord stared at the Lord of the Light in confusion, Harry cleared his throat, "Professor, his name is Thomas. Not Tom."

"My boy, you must excuse an old man. My memory for names is not as good as it once was, especially not after being Headmaster for so long," Dumbledore apologised, a faked sheepish expression appearing on his face, "would you please answer my question, Thomas? "

Taking a moment to gather himself, the Dark Lord began to explain, his eyes never once leaving the cherished piece of wood in his hands, "Sh... sh... shortly after my... my tenth birthday, my... my fa... father invited this wandmaker and I selec-"

"What did he look like?" the impatient Headmaster injected, "what was his name?"

"I... I... cannot re... remember the name," Tom stuttered, quickly averting his eyes after meeting the intense gaze of the Lord of the Light for a fraction of a second, "she... she was tall... and... and very pale... with... with long whi... white ha... hair... She..."