— Does that mean you're leaving, brother? — She asked reluctantly upon realizing that Tom wouldn't be with her for two years and that she might only see him during holidays.
— I wouldn't like to leave you alone either, but… — In his eyes, you could see the internal struggle over whether to go or not because of her. — If I go, I'll be able to discover who I am and also be with people like us — He declared, a shine in his blue eyes as he understood why he could do things no normal person could.
Anna found herself in a dilemma upon learning the truth: her brother was the future Dark Lord -Lord Voldemort- who would become stronger than the current Dark Lord of this era.
That nemesis of Harry Potter who hadn't even been born yet, whose grandparents were at Hogwarts. Tom had cared for her with all the affection a big brother and even a father could give to a girl only two years younger. She really couldn't even imagine that this affectionate brother of hers would someday become a maniacal psychopath obsessed with a boy who could destroy him.
At that moment, she decided to lead this brother of hers down the right path, but since they weren't the same age, they couldn't go together. So during these two years, she feared Tom would become corrupted as he learned more about the wizarding world. But she could also use these two years to learn about magic herself and be of help to Tom, guiding him toward the right path.
And if she failed, at least she was the younger sister of the Dark Lord, and most likely, being his family, she would be hunted by his enemies, so her life could be in danger. It was better to know how to defend herself starting now.
— I'll be okay, brother — She assured him with a firm but sad look over his departure. — But promise me you'll stay in touch every day.
Seeing Anna sacrifice herself for him despite knowing she would be sad over his departure made his heart clench as if swallowing needles. His sister always wanted the best for him and was the first to jump to his defense with her small, frail body.
— I promise — He said, with a serious look, not taking it lightly.
— Don't forget me — Tears began to roll down her cheeks, but she refused to let out a single sob. — Don't forget I exist.
Her words sounded as if she'd never see him again, but it wasn't her fault. In her previous life, she'd had shitty brothers who despised her for being an illegitimate child, and she never received affection from her older brother; on the contrary, her younger sister made her life hell whenever she could. In this world, she had found the love of a brother who, despite not being related by blood, treated her like his true sister.
— Silly — He scolded her upon seeing her like that, hugging her tightly while giving her soft pats on the back to calm her down, but letting her cry on his chest. — You'll always be my little sister, and I'd never forget you, Anna — He assured her. — You're my only family, and that fact will never change — He finished with a warm smile, looking directly into those chocolate eyes he loved to see.
Anna just nodded. That night, neither of them slept. Even though she had her room, she always sneaked out at night to crawl into bed with Tom. He had long given up on fighting Anna's habit and left the door unlocked for her to come in easily.
The next day, Albus Dumbledore arrived after breakfast to take him to buy his school supplies.
— I want to go! — She declared without hesitation, eager to see Diagon Alley, that place she had always imagined from the book and movie descriptions.
— About that… — Albus seemed hesitant at Anna's request to come along.
— She's like you and me, sir — Tom spoke, taking her hand as if tacitly understanding between the two of them that he wouldn't go without her.
— Very well…
With sweaty palms, she gripped Tom's hand tightly as if she still couldn't believe she was going to the wizarding world. The group of three walked through the streets of London, both children nervous about seeing this new place but at the same time sad because they'd soon be separated for a long time.
When they stopped, they saw what to many would look like just another pub, but for the three of them, it was a small, old tavern. Upon entering, everyone stared at them, but seeing the adult, they already knew these two children accompanying him were new Hogwarts students. But seeing more clearly, they realized only one of them was the student, since the girl was younger.
— Hello, Professor Dumbledore — Greeted a chubby man with a bright smile.
— Hello, Ned — He replied amicably.
— I suppose you're guiding them to buy their supplies? — He said, smiling at the two children who only nodded in greeting. — Rest assured, you're in good hands with the best DADA professor — He praised Albus, giving them a wink. They only smiled politely but didn't say a word. — I guess you're both shy. Well then, I'll leave you to it.
Albus just nodded and led the two of them to the secret entrance to Diagon Alley. The Riddle siblings watched closely as the man was doing, which seemed to be a password. Anna made sure to memorize that password; it might come in handy if she ever planned to return without anyone else's company. The only problem would be getting a wand without the Ministry of Magic tracking it, but no one would sell one to a nine-year-old.
At that moment, she remembered something: from all the fanfics she had read, she'd seen some adaptations where Harry could use wandless magic. Even though she couldn't confirm the truth of that, she could still try to see if it worked.
— First, we'll go to Gringotts to withdraw what's needed to buy your supplies, young Riddle — He explained.
Anna's eyes sparkled upon realizing she would meet the goblins who protected the riches of all wizards and were also known for their high security against thieves, a clear example being that warning sign with a hidden but clear message to anyone who dared steal: it wouldn't end well for them.
Upon entering, the goblins didn't even lift their heads and continued counting money, signing papers, and not caring who walked in. In other words, they were arrogant; they wouldn't spare a glance unless you were offering them a profitable deal.
— Wait here — Asked Albus before walking over to a goblin, who then led him to the vault.
— :::::Amazing::::: — Tom hissed to Anna.
— ::::: From what I know from the books, goblins value gold as their life::::: — She replied in Parseltongue.
Both of them could speak Parseltongue, an ancient and extinct language in the wizarding world, spoken only by descendants of Salazar Slytherin. But supposedly, there were no more of them. Tom was one of those descendants, so it made sense that he could speak it. But… Why could she?
For some reason, she could also speak and understand Parseltongue. She really was getting more and more interested in her origins.
— ::::: So it seems ::::: — He agreed with Anna, just watching how they counted the gold on their desks.
They silently watched the actions of these gold-obsessed goblins until Albus Dumbledore returned and then led them to Diagon Alley. As they entered the bustling street of wizards, both were amazed to see people in robes, some with distinctive witch hats, and various shops filled with strange and never-before-seen things for humans.
— Welcome to Diagon Alley — Said Albus with a smile, seeing their amazement at witnessing a different world. — First, we'll buy your books and the other things. We'll get your robe and wand last.
Tom controlled his curiosity to keep exploring, but didn't take his eyes off the professor, acting maturely while holding Anna's hand, who seemed like she might disappear at any moment due to her curiosity. Still, he patiently guided her.
The supplies were bought quickly. Anna, for her part, looked around curiously without letting go of Tom, afraid of getting lost in this sea of people bustling about with their children buying their school year supplies.
— You two go get the wand; I'll go get an owl — Said the man, leaving them in front of Ollivander's.
They only watched him leave and then entered. The shop was simple yet sophisticated, with a faint scent of sandalwood that was calming just by breathing it in, but no one was at the counter.
— Hello? — She called out loudly to see if someone would come out, but no one appeared. — Maybe he's in the bathroom? — Anna asked curiously upon not seeing the owner.
— Could be — Tom replied, as it was one of the possible reasons for his absence.
— I assure you, I'm not in the bathroom — Said a voice behind them, startling them.
Anna even screamed out of surprise. — Oh my God! — She exclaimed, clutching her chest to calm her racing heart.
— I didn't mean to scare you — The man clarified upon seeing their pale faces due to the fright he gave them. — As an apology, I'll give you some Chocolate Frogs.
Both raised an eyebrow at what Ollivander offered. She knew what Chocolate Frogs were, but knowing that they moved like real frogs didn't exactly make her want to bite into one, despite it being chocolate.
— Thanks — She said, not very convincingly grateful for that candy — she was an animal lover, okay?
And even though she knew it was magic that made the chocolate move, the thought alone of a real frog gave her the creeps.
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