For the two, they only had each other; the two against the world, which despised them for their magic.
For a child like Tom, at 7 years old, he had already gotten used to the cruelty of the other kids of the orphanage, but for her younger sister, it was painful seeing her act as if everything was right when her eyes made clear the wish of having friends.
That's why he decided to excel in everything to give his sister a chance; today, he ended elementary school. Thanks to his studies, he earned a scholarship, which enabled him to pay for his studies with government money. And also, school supplies and the rest were used to buy Anna things. Thinking in her face full of happiness upon receiving her gift, he quickened up his pace to arrive earlier at the orphanage, and even if he hated the place, there was still a reason to go there, and it was his sister.
Upon arrival, he saw Anna waiting for him at the entrance, sitting on the stairs with the clothes of the orphanage, and in her little arms carried a book advanced for her age.
— Brother! —Called with happiness while dropping into his arms.
— I'm back, Anna. — Said with a bright smile cause of the attachment to her sister, and the truth was she was always with him.
— Welcome, Tom. — Saluted Refugio with a maternal voice, seeing him. — Since Anna sat at the entrance, I knew you were close. — Said with a smile.
— Good afternoon, sister Refugio. — He greeted the woman who raised them with love and never hated them for their being.
— You've arrived at a good moment. It's time for lunch. — Said, taking them to the dining room, where all the others were eating lunch.
— Let's go. — Tom took the little one's hand and guided her to the dining room, and saw how they were watching them with hate and fear.
Those looks were full of evil. Before, they were painful and uncomfortable. Now they were just like trash in his eyes; there wasn't any other feeling. He just had to end his high school and doctorate, and then he could protect her without being limited.
Ending dinner hour, he pulled her to go directly to their room. Now, both alone, he smiled while taking a book, and saw a spark in her chocolate coloured eyes with that gift.
— It's for you, Anna. — Gave the book with a happy expression.
— Thank you, brother! — Her silky and smooth voice made his heart warm over all the sweetness of his sister.
The contents of the book were full of animals and everything that had to do with them. He could say that her sister was as smart as he. At his age, he read books due to how excluded from the others he felt, so he always resorted to books with her sister, reading them to her.
— It's nothing, little one. — Messing up with his hand, her mane.
Anna smiled upon seeing her brother spoil her with gifts as he could. Really, in this life, she has a good brother who took care of her with love. And even if he couldn't give her much, he tried to give her something, even if it was second-hand.
While that happened, she saw various images in her mind and remembered a tiny part of her life. She had a family like everyone, just that in her case, she was an illegitimate girl who wasn't wanted in the new family; all those memories made her heart squeeze and fill with sadness.
Was she hated by her old family?
Did that mean that her new parents hated her, too, and that's why she was abandoned?
Her eyebrows frowned at the thought of that possibility, only by knowing that there's a reason to be abandoned and not loved.
— Did something happen? — Asked Tom, worried after seeing the little one's face go dark and her eyes filled with sadness. — Something bothers you, Anna?
— Why do they hate us, brother?
He remained silent on the question; he knew she was worried by the disdain of the others and hadn't grown accustomed to it yet.
— They don't accept that we are special, and that they can't do what we can do. — Explained while sitting in front of her to see her directly in her eyes. — That's why you shouldn't worry, Ana. You have to learn to ignore all those envious eyes of the children and be stronger so they never know you're hurt by what they say. — He squeezed her hand as a signal that him being there to protect her from everything. — You have to be strong, Anna Riddle.
— I get it, brother. — Her eyes sparked with determination. At that moment, she promised to be strong and not let herself get intimidated by anyone.
Years passed in the blink of an eye for the two; their hobby was to read books, and they were their only refuge from the others. When Anna went to school, she followed her brother's steps and went through elementary school airily, just like high school, and soon got two titles: Psychology and Politics, just like Tom, who is now only dedicated to reading extremely advanced books.
Soon she'll be 9 years old and Tom 11, now, the two brothers could be seen in a certain hidden part of the library, sitting on the floor with various books on the ground already read, and soon would end the one in their hands.
Tom, besides having 10 years, would be handsome judging on his facial features, his eyebrows were like two blades, his blue eyes were so strong and cold as if only from watching it your soul would be absorbed, his lips thin and pink along side with his pale skin gave a feminine stroke, and he was bullied too much for that.
In Anna, baby fat could still be visible; her chocolate eyes sparkled more every time she read more and more. Her black hair reached her hips, her white, firm skin made people feel like pinching her lovingly, her red lips were attractive even at her age, and there was no doubt she would be pretty when she grew up.
She was pretty but not a beauty; even so, she was bullied by the other girls in the orphanage.
— It's closing time, kids. — Announced the librarian, already accustomed to seeing the two children until nightfall.
— Thank you, Ms.Maribelle. — Thanked the two. Both stretched their body after having sat all day surrounded by books.
— Tomorrow, let's go to the park for a while, brother. — Suggested Anna while stretching still.
— Fine. — Answered while putting the books in their place. — Stop stretching like a snake and come to help me. — Scolding her for being that lazy.
— Ok~
After finishing, they departed and on the way, talked about the books they read, and what they thought of them based on their comprehension. That was their life, for some, boring, but for them, it was everything. When they arrived, they were still talking, ready to go to their rooms, when a voice interrupted.
— Tom. — Called Refugio. — Someone was waiting for you. — Informed upon seeing the face full of doubt of who would search for him at that hour. — He came on the afternoon, but as you weren't there, he waited until you came.
Raised an eyebrow at knowing that said person had the patience to wait for him at that hour. — Who is it, sister Refugio?
— Greetings, young Riddle. — Saluted a man around his 40s with an English brown suit, his auburn hair well-styled, with a fine-cut beard and a charming smile.
He was handsome, and Anna had to admit that fact upon seeing him. If she were in her past life, she was sure she would've flattered the fine gentleman.
— Greetings, sir. — Saluted with a cordial smile, but Anna knew he was just being formal, and that she shouldn't put that man in his eyes. — Can I know who you are?
— I'm Albus Dumbledore, teacher of Hogwarts. — Introduced himself with a smile.
— Albus Dumbledore. — Whispered Anna without taking her eyes from the man, who, upon hearing her, stared at her, intrigued by her eyes. It was like they knew each other, but at the same time, not. — Hogwarts… — Whispered, backing up with eyes full of surprise.
— You know that place? — Asked Tom, seeing her acting weird.
— I… Don't… —- A strong headache stung her head so much that she moaned in pain and fell directly to the ground.
— Anna!
— It's nothing, I'm OK. — Excused. — I just had a headache, nothing more. — Lied, her expression didn't show anything, but her head was a total mess.
— I need to talk with you, young Riddle. — Requested Albus. Tom only nodded and saw Anna for the last time. She only smiled.
— Are you sure you're ok? — Asked, Refugio was worried by the pale face of Anna.
— It's nothing. — Went to the room without giving explanations, a room in another hall, far from Tom's room.
Now inside, she smashed the door closed. Now, remembering everything, knew where she was. Now everything made sense to her, especially that deja vu feeling.
Before her death, she was reading Fantastic Beasts, the second book.
— This must be a joke. — Whispered with tangled feelings, realising everything.
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