Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 407-405: The Cave (Bonus Chapter 35)

Why Bokin-Bock?

Sheen asked compliantly.

"Oh, you didn't know that?"

Well, I suppose once you delve into Haoqi's memories, you'll see what made that place so appealing to him. But it wasn't Tom Riddle's first choice. Not many people knew at the time—I was one of the few who heard it from the old headmaster.

Tom Riddle first approached Professor Deppet to ask if he could remain at Hogwarts to teach.

Dumbledore seemed to be waiting for something, but Sheehan remained silent.

Do you know what he's going to teach?

Dumbledore took a sip of tea.

"It's probably not Defense Against the Dark Arts class."

Sheen thought for a moment and then made a little joke at the right time.

Dumbledore smiled:

“I believe he had several reasons, although he didn’t tell Professor Dippet any of them.”

Dumbledore said,
"First and foremost, Tom Riddle loved the school more than any person. Hogwarts was the happiest place for him, the first and only place where he felt at home."

Sheen blinked but didn't say anything.

"Of course, if it were you, child, I would be happy to let you inherit Minerva's position."

However, if you want to replace me, you'll first have to find a place for an old wizard.

Dumbledore blinked too.

"Secondly, this castle is an ancient stronghold of magic. Tom Riddle has undoubtedly discovered more secrets here than most students, but he may feel that there are still many unsolved mysteries and many magical treasures to be discovered."

But reality played a cruel joke on him: those who don't care about treasures are always the ones who control them.

Dumbledore shook his head.

"Third, as a teacher, he can have a great influence on young wizards."

This idea may have come from Professor Slughorn, one of his closest professors.
Slughorn showed him how much influence teachers could have. I never thought Tom Riddle intended to stay at Hogwarts forever; I thought he saw it as a good place to recruit and build his own army.

Sheehan had already guessed what Dumbledore was going to say.

He made a sour connection to the biggest club in Hogwarts' history.

His thoughts drifted, and a strange image inexplicably came to mind:

Dumbledore stood in the headmaster's office, facing him:
"Alright, Principal Green, when are you going to oust me?"

He quickly shook his head and saw Dumbledore smiling meaningfully.

"An interesting idea..."

Later, I was very uneasy about Tom Riddle's choice.

I advised Armando not to hire him—I didn't cite the reasons I just mentioned, because Professor Dippet liked Tom Riddle very much and had great faith in his honesty—but I didn't want Tom Riddle to return to the school, especially not to a position of power.

The good news is that Professor Dippert said he was only eighteen and too young, but welcomed him to apply again in two years if he still wanted to teach by then.

Dumbledore began to speak slowly.

"So he went to Bokin-Bock."

Sheen always knew how to extend the conversation at just the right time.

“That’s right. Tom Riddle went to Borgin-Bock. All the teachers who admired him said it was a pity that such a talented young wizard had become a shop assistant.”

But Tom Riddle was more than just a clerk. Because of his politeness, good looks, and intelligence, he quickly landed special jobs that were only available in places like Burkin-Bock.

You know, Sheehan, these shops specialize in items with unique properties. Tom Riddle was sent to persuade people to hand over treasures to the shop for sale; supposedly, he's particularly good at it.

Dumbledore continued.

"Ah."

Sheehan knew, of course, that although Tom had gradually lost his intelligence after his soul was split, he was not Voldemort at that time.

"yes,"

Dumbledore gave a weak, slight smile as he spoke.
"Now it's time to hear the memories of the house-elf Hodge. Her master was a very old and very wealthy witch named Hepzba Smith."

Dumbledore tapped a small bottle with his wand, the cork flying off. He poured the swirling memories into the Pensieve and said:
"Together, Sheen?"

……

They spent a long time learning, through the memories of the house-elf Hodge, that Tom Riddle had killed her owner, Hepzba Smith.

They also stole two important items from Hepzibah Smith—a cup and a locket.

Finally, the whole thing was blamed on the house-elf Hao Qi.

Hepzba Smith has passed away.

Dumbledore stood up, and so did Sheehan.
"The Ministry of Magic has determined that the house-elf Hodge accidentally put poison into her mistress's evening cocoa tea."

When Haqi was convicted, Hepzba's family discovered that two of her most valuable possessions had been stolen.

Dumbledore's words were tinged with melancholy.
"It took the Ministry of Magic a while to confirm this because she had many secret treasure locations and always kept her collection very tightly under control."

Before they concluded that the cup and locket were missing, the young man who worked at Bogin-Bock, the one who frequented Hepzba and was so good at winning her over, had already resigned and disappeared.

His bosses didn't know where he had gone either; they were as surprised as everyone else. Tom Riddle disappeared for a long time.

"But what did you find?"

Sheen said with some certainty.

"certainly--"

Dumbledore smiled.

"As you've probably seen, this time he's not after revenge, but after profit. He wants those two rare treasures that poor old woman showed him. Just like he robbed the other children at the orphanage, just like he stole his uncle's ring, this time he stole Hepziba's cup and locket..."

Want to go for a walk?

They left the castle and walked along the path shrouded in twilight.

The rain came as fast as they walked, and by the time they reached the edge of the forbidden forest, it was already pouring down.

Lights shone from the windows of Hogwarts as they walked.

While Hogwarts is fast asleep, there are always wizards who need to stay awake.

"I'm not sure which one it's hidden in—but I believe it's in a cave by the sea, a cave I've been searching for for a long time."

Do you remember the cave where Tom Riddle used to scare two orphans during his annual trip to the orphanage?

"Dumbledore said, stepping on the grass."

Sheen knew that the news he had been waiting for had arrived.

(End of this chapter)