— I'm really okay, brother — She tried to reassure him, but Tom seemed a bit agitated, still holding her tightly.
— Anna, you worried me! — Refugio's voice sounded concerned — No matter how much I knocked on that door, you wouldn't open it, and I thought maybe you were doing your self-studies as always, but I guess it was a good idea to call your brother.
— I'm sorry for worrying you, it's just that the books were so interesting that I got carried away — She lied, she loved Refugio as a mother and she was deeply grateful to her for taking care of them but in the end she was only a caregiver that even if she tried to protect them, it was difficult for her, because she also has to deal with the others who scold her for taking care of them, she already had enough to add one more — And I'm also very hungry, so let's go eat — She smiled as if she wasn't the one who had been crying in pain and had a nosebleed just moments ago — But first, I'll take a bath...
— I'll go put my things away.
— About that... — She dragged out her words and looked at her brother, who was watching her, and then he understood what she wanted to tell him.
— I'll go prepare something for you. — She perceived they needed privacy, so she left.
.
At Hogwarts, Dumbledore went to inform Director Dippet as soon as he arrived. Every word from Albus was unsettling for the old man.
— Are you sure about that, Dumbledore? — He was disturbed by the news. He got up from his seat and walked in front of the professor.
— In a way, when I saw her, I could feel something different about her, and upon examining her, I could confirm that she is indeed an Obscurial — He affirmed, but an important point was still unclear — But something is suspicious — He said with suspicion, without clarifying.
Seeing him so pensive, the director asked — What is it about?
— Her living like that in an unhealthy environment, it's incredible that she hasn't exploded and caused a catastrophe — He explained.
They both understood that point; after all, they knew the circumstances in which the Riddles lived, and it was a miracle that the girl hadn't shown signs of an Obscurus.
— If the Ministry of Magic finds out about her existence, they'll likely kill her to prevent problems, or worse — They both looked at each other, thinking of a catastrophic possibility — If the Dark Lord learns of her existence, he will try to do the same as in previous years…
An unsettling silence filled the office, as imagining those possibilities would give anyone goosebumps.
— What should we do? — Dumbledore asked.
— It's a shame that Obscurials die at the tender age of 10, and Anna is only 9 years old — He said with pity, thinking that the girl would soon die.
— But Credence Barebone was an Obscurial and lived longer than expected — Dumbledore opined, remembering the young man Grindelwald had wanted for the Obscurus.
— That boy was a special case, and we don't know if she will be too —Dippet sighed with pity for the little girl's inevitable fate — Does her brother know? — He asked, remembering Tom.
— No.
Silence reigned again between the two men. If Riddle knew the truth, they didn't know how he would react, because if someone heard that their sister would soon die, in at most a year, and if possible, perhaps at adulthood, no one could bear that news, much less the affected person.
— It seems I'll have to make a special case this time — The director said, sitting back in his chair, his fingers rhythmically tapping the desk.
— That would be…
— Young Riddle will be admitted to Hogwarts — He declared. Albus Dumbledore's face was undoubtedly surprised. As if understanding his mental question, he answered: — It's well known that children are admitted to Hogwarts at 11, but considering her case, I think we can make an exception — He looked Dumbledore in the eyes, his decision unwavering — Before she enters, we need to give her money so she can buy what's necessary for her first year.
— I understand.
Without further ado, he bid farewell and left, both adults with heavy thoughts and feeling pity for Anna. It was the least they could do for her, so she could experience school life before her death.
.
The main subject of this discussion was now sitting and eating happily with her brother. The other children observing the scene felt skeptical about this unusual duo. But they were surprised when a pair of siblings suddenly approached them with a friendly smile.
— Hello, my name is Lucinda — Introduced a 13-year-old girl with brown hair, cinnamon skin, and black eyes — And this is my brother Logan — She introduced the boy beside her, who was an exact copy of her, except his height betrayed that he was older than her — And you two?
Anna, who was eating, looked at the pair of siblings, and for some reason, the girl's name reminded her of something funny.
— What's funny? — Lucinda asked, looking a bit annoyed.
— It's just that I remembered a dog named Lucy — She replied without any fear of receiving murderous glares.
She was angered by her words, as her face contorted into an ugly grimace.
— Calm down, Lucinda — Logan took her arm to calm her down, or rather, to prevent her from lunging at Anna — She doesn't like being called that, which is why she gets angry. Sorry about that — He excused his sister, who quickly composed herself.
Both Riddles just looked at them without any interest. Anna continued to eat, and Tom simply observed his sister, not bothering to give them another glance.
— We just arrived, so we didn't know about you — Lucinda continued, again with her friendly smile — What's your name?
Tom frowned, seeing that this duo had no intention of leaving.
— My brother's name is Tom, and I'm Anna — Anna introduced, hoping they would leave after knowing their names — Strangely, you don't know about us when they're in charge of informing the newcomers — She pointed to all the older children in the orphanage who always gave them looks of disgust and fear.
— They've told us many things, but I don't think they're true — Logan intervened, seeing that the two of them were staring intently as if to verify they weren't lying.
— Uh-huh — Anna muttered, not very convinced by his words.
— Eat — Tom ordered, affectionately picking a grain of rice from the corner of her lip and then eating it himself.
She just ate, paying no mind to his action; she was so used to it that she found it normal.
— You don't look alike — Lucinda commented, sitting in front of them without hesitation — I don't think you're blood siblings, are you? — Her words sounded normal for any curious person, but for some reason, Anna felt another deep meaning.
Neither of them had ever given importance to the point of not being blood siblings, and had never considered it.
— Whether we are or not, it's none of your business — Tom replied threateningly.
— I was just asking, you don't have to answer me like that — She was annoyed by Tom's rude response, but he seemed not to care about her existence.
The atmosphere between the four was noticeably tense, as if at any moment there would be bloodshed. But that heavy atmosphere was interrupted by an owl that hooted as it entered and stopped in front of the four.
— Looks like it has a letter for you, brother — She said, taking another spoonful of the oatmeal Refugio had lovingly made for her — From one of your classmates? — She asked, seeing him take the letter, but he just narrowed his eyes and opened it without further ado — What does it say? — Curiosity pricked her as she saw her brother's reaction.
— Read it — He handed the letter to Anna, whose eyes widened in surprise as she began to read it. She looked at Tom as if asking if this was some kind of dream or prank from those Hogwarts professors — It doesn't seem like a lie — He answered, seeing her face that expressed all her emotions like an open book.
He would have to be more demanding of his sister so she would learn not to show her emotions so easily.
— That means I… — Her excitement was so great that her eyes sparkled — Mama Refugio! — She shouted happily as she ran to find her.
Tom just laughed at her extreme happiness, enough to call Refugio Mama. In a way, she always did when she got very excited and went to inform her.
— Does a letter make her that happy? — Lucinda asked, seeing Refugio and Anna hugging happily — How silly of her, it looks pathetic — She scorned Anna with all her being, but a murderous glare reminded her that she wasn't alone. Turning, she saw those blue eyes looking at her as if she were a cockroach, not a person.
— We're leaving — Logan intervened, quickly pulling his sister away. Before leaving, he looked at Anna, and deep in his eyes, there was nostalgia and sadness.
Tom noticed this and growled in protest. It was his sister, and he was 100% sure he had never seen him in her life, so where the hell did he get that look to see his sister as if he knew her?
— Brother! — Anna's call made him change his dark face to a smiling one — Now we can be together again — She declared, happy to be able to go to Hogwarts.
He was happy about it, but during his time there, he knew that magical children were accepted at 11 and there were no exceptions. So why would they make one for his sister now?
Well, it wasn't bad news; this way, he could keep an eye on her, and it would be even better if she were in the same house. That way, he wouldn't have to be on edge, worrying about the possibility of his sister being abused by these Muggles.
With this, he could be more relaxed and fully concentrate on his studies.
— I'll become a snake like you, brother. — She showed great resolve, which only made him do what he could: hug her to calm her excitement.
— You will — He affirmed, kissing her forehead.
1 advanced chapters on Patreon.
Patreon (+1): Azeneth2523
Discord: https://discord.gg/pmkqwvrkGm
Recruitment:
Positions are paid.
Translator: Translate Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese, Chinese and French. To English.
Proofreader: Proofread and correct the translation (grammar, punctuation, etc.).
Experience is not mandatory.
In case you are interested, we are also training for the positions of editors (Typper), translators, and Manhwa cleaners.