"Are we going back now?" Robert asked.
Tom, who had just been forced to sign an unfair agreement, nodded slowly, his face sullen.
Robert suddenly added, "But… you already know your father's information. Do you want to ask if there's a Muggle family with the surname Riddle nearby?"
Tom's brow furrowed at the mention of "Muggle family."
Only today had he learned from his uncle that his father was actually a Muggle. It was the complete opposite of what he had imagined.
In other words, he wasn't pureblood.
The realization left Tom feeling lost.
"Tom, haven't you come to your senses yet?" Robert asked, frustrated. "Pureblood or half-blood—what does it matter?"
"You're a half-blood, but you've defeated other pureblood students at school. Even Morfin Gaunt, a pureblood descendant of Slytherin, wasn't your match. Isn't that proof enough?"
"Do you really need courage just to accept the truth?"
Tom lowered his head. After a long pause, he sighed.
"Fine… let's go find out."
Dumbledore, observing from the side, smiled slightly.
Yes, he thought, his decision had been right. Robert could indeed change Tom.
The Riddle family was considered a prominent family in the Muggle world—because they were rich.
So, it didn't take long for Dumbledore and the others to locate them.
To their surprise, the Riddle manor was only five or six miles from the Gaunt family's shack in Little Hangleton.
That explained why Merope had often seen Tom Riddle Sr. passing by her house.
While gathering information, they overheard some town gossip about Tom's father.
It was said that Old Tom Riddle had disappeared for an entire year over a decade ago. When he returned, he seemed confused, mumbling about witches and magic.
People thought he had lost his mind. But over time, he gradually returned to normal.
Even so, the story remained a favorite topic of conversation in Little Hangleton for years.
Hearing this, Tom's expression darkened.
Though he didn't know exactly what his mother had done, it was obvious that his father hadn't married her willingly.
As a witch, she had plenty of ways to make a Muggle fall in love with her.
In other words, if he went to see his father now, he might be treated no better than the Gaunts.
Tom's mood plummeted.
Logically, these two places should have been his home. But now…
He couldn't return to either.
"Tom, what do you think?" Robert asked. "If you're not ready, we can come back another time."
He glanced at Dumbledore before continuing, "If we're just visiting a Muggle family, there shouldn't be any danger. So, Professor, if you don't have time, we can come back on our own."
Dumbledore frowned. "It's not safe outside right now, Robert. I'll go with you. Even if I didn't have time, I wouldn't let you two come alone. Students aren't allowed to use magic outside school… and Tom has already broken that rule once."
Grindelwald was interested in these two children. Dumbledore couldn't afford to let his guard down.
"Well… Tom, think it over first," Robert said, stepping aside with Dumbledore to give Tom space.
Tom hesitated for only a moment before deciding.
"Since we're here, we might as well do it. No matter how bad the situation is, it can't be worse than the Gaunt family. Professor, let's go to the Riddle house."
Originally, after learning that his father had been forced into marriage, Tom had no intention of meeting him.
It would be best if they never saw each other again.
But after thinking it over, he changed his mind.
Even if it was just to fulfill his mother's last wish, he had to go.
Robert grinned. "Then let's go! Professor, you take the lead. If the Riddles come at us with a shotgun, well… with your magic, it won't be a problem, right?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "A simple Transfiguration spell could turn a shotgun into a snake or a rat… You could do it too, Robert. But students can't use magic outside school. That was an exception, and I won't allow it again. If it happens, I'll handle it this time."
Tom understood what they were trying to do—lighten the mood—but he wasn't in the mood to appreciate it.
The Riddle estate was enormous.
Compared to their grand manor, the Gaunt family's shack was little more than an outhouse.
As they approached the large iron gate, an elderly butler stepped forward.
"Who are you looking for?" he asked.
His gaze landed on Tom, and his expression changed instantly.
"You… wait here! I'll call Master Riddle!"
He hurried off, nearly tripping over himself in his haste.
Dumbledore and the others exchanged glances but remained where they were.
"Tom, your father isn't hiding, is he?"
Tom snorted. "Hmph… hard to say."
Dumbledore said nothing, stepping in front of the two boys, ready to shield them if necessary.
Before long, the butler returned—this time with a carriage.
Dumbledore felt a little relieved.
The old butler wasn't carrying a weapon, which meant they weren't in immediate danger.
The carriage stopped, and an elderly gentleman with white hair stepped out.
Despite his age, he looked strong and full of energy.
Robert found it strange—this man didn't seem to be Tom's father.
But he did bear a striking resemblance to Tom.
That's when Robert remembered—Old Tom's father was still alive at this time.
In other words, this man must be Tom's grandfather.
Master Riddle's gaze swept over them before settling on Tom.
No words were needed. The resemblance alone was enough—he knew this was his grandson.
His expression turned complicated.
"Hello, sir," he said, turning to Dumbledore. "May I ask why you're here? And… what is your relationship to the woman who kidnapped my son?"
"The woman you're referring to… was my mother," Tom answered coldly.
Master Riddle's pupils shrank slightly. He took a deep breath.
"So, that means… you're the same as her?"
"If you mean magic," Dumbledore interjected, "then yes."
Master Riddle sighed. "Very well. Come inside."
The carriage was spacious enough to accommodate them comfortably.
As they rode, Master Riddle kept stealing glances at Tom.
"So… you know the truth about your background?"
Tom gave a short nod.
"And your mother… she didn't come with you?"
"She died eleven years ago. The same year my father… abandoned her."
Tom's voice was like ice.
Master Riddle visibly relaxed.
Clearly, his son had told him about Merope.
Given how terrified he had been upon returning home, he must have described her as a monster.
So, Master Riddle had feared his daughter-in-law, whom he had never even met.
A Muggle man, abducted by a strange woman, forced into marriage, and made to have a child he didn't remember conceiving…
No wonder he had been terrified.
Now, knowing Merope was dead, Master Riddle felt relieved.
But Tom noticed—and he didn't like it.
His voice sharpened.
"I came today only to see my father—to fulfill my mother's last wish. Then, we'll leave. Where is he? Does he not even have the courage to face me?"
Master Riddle hesitated. "You must understand… what happened to him was traumatic. When he heard you were coming, he assumed… your mother had returned. So, he hid."
Tom sneered. "Coward."
Master Riddle had no response.
He knew one thing—these people were wizards.
The kind of wizards Muggles feared.
Even if one of them was his grandson.
(End of Chapter)
FOR MORE CHAPTERS
patreon.com/STEPHENHART427