Consequences
[June 1933]
Severus strode down the street beside Riddle, who was shuffling alongside him, very now and again looking nervously up at him.
After he had told Riddle of his intentions to escort him home, Riddle down right had a panic attack. He had been waving his arms desperately, stuttering incoherently about something that Severus just could not discern.
He was quite against Severus following him to his house, from what Severus could make of the movements. It seemed that Riddle was really doing his best to assure Severus that he was alright.
But this only further fueled Severus' resolve.
He had to spend quite a while attempting to calm Riddle down. After what seemed to be forever, Riddle finally ceased his babbling, which largely relieved Severus. He honestly wasn't sure what he would've done if Riddle had continued.
Although, much to his own chagrin, he had to assure Riddle that nothing bad would happen before Riddle had some semblance of agreement. It was miraculous to Severus how the boy could still worry about his parents when they were harming him.
So there they were, heading towards Riddle's house, Severus striding briskly and Riddle hurrying to keep up. He had to consciously force himself to slow down, in view of the company he was currently keeping.
It was upsetting to Severus that Riddle was so desperately trying to cover for his father's negligence. If the impromptu panic attack was a sign of anything, it was that Riddle’s father was treating him far worse than he initially thought.
He glanced at Riddle.
The kid was still walking hurriedly, fixedly keeping his head down as he led Severus to where he stayed. Astonishing how such an innocent kid could have such an awful life.
His own father was similar, yes. But to his credit, he did have enough self-control to stop after ‘accidentally’ severely injuring Severus.
He still did get beatings often, don't be mistaken. It was just that his father did… slow down after a few hits here and there, maybe more often than not ending it off with a few strokes of the belt.
Severus recalled the extensive wounds that he found on Riddle, and tensed his jaw at the memory. It seemed that, unlike his own, Riddle’s father had no such control.
Severus honestly wondered what kind of person Riddle’s father was.
Would he be similar to Tobias? Or entirely different? Well, clearly there were already some differences between the two, but possible overlaps in nature.
He realized, again, that he and Riddle appeared to have much more in common than he had thought. One would think that someone was pulling the strings, bringing him to Riddle.
Severus was so deep in thought that he hadn't noticed Riddle had slowed down, and was now trailing behind him. He snapped out of his musings, paused, and turned to face Riddle. He eyed the kid and furrowed his eyebrows.
Riddle was shuffling with his head low, still trying to keep up with Severus, but seeming to try and hide behind his figure, as though stalling for time.
He appeared anxious. Something else was clearly bothering the child, and Severus was curious as to what.
“Mr Riddle, is something the matter?”
Riddle just hurriedly shook his head.
So, Severus concluded, something was wrong.
“Mr Riddle, it would be favorable for you to inform me of anything that might be troubling you, so that I might be able to aid you in whatever troubles you may have,” Severus said, a futile attempt at getting the child to speak up, as he would soon realize.
Again, Riddle just mutely shook his head and shuffled past Severus, making the gesture to continue leading him, clearly not going to say anything to the question.
Severus’ arm moved to reach out and stop Riddle, but he stopped before he could execute the action.
He had a good mind to question Riddle further, but he had to respect the kid’s personal space. He knew what it was like to have others pester him on the things that he just didn't want to divulge. Plus, it was no use unintentionally scaring the kid.
Severus started behind Riddle, discreetly observing the kid from behind. Just because he wasn’t going to push on the topic, doesn't mean that he wasn’t going to try and figure it out.
Curiously, they had barely taken more than a few steps before Riddle slowed down once again. However this time, he had come to a complete stop.
Is Riddle lost? Severus briefly wondered, but quickly realized that it was not the problem at all. It seemed as though it was the complete opposite.
From what he could see Riddle was neither looking around in confusion, nor in a way that might indicate that he was lost. He had decisively paused and timidly turned around to face Severus, or his general direction, as if to say, “Well, this is it!”
Severus was mildly confused for a moment. The area seemed to be where the more well off muggles resided. The buildings were far more pristine and much larger in size compared to the houses which he had first seen when he arrived in the era.
On top of that, Riddle had paused in front of what appeared to be the largest housing in the area.
The house was quite big and polished, appearing to be at least three stories in height. One could almost call it a manor. But it was nowhere near as impressive as Malfoy Manor. It was barely even a fraction the size of the aristocrat's house.
Regardless, it was still quite large on its own. Severus assumed that Riddle was just lost, but from Riddle's stance realized a moment after that he was ever so wrong.
Was he… embarrassed that I would see that this was where he’s staying? Severus made the realisation as he studied Riddle and the building that looked colossal next to such a small child.
He had assumed that the Riddles were not too well off money wise, judging from the dirty and tattered clothes that Riddle was wearing. But it was evident that it was quite the opposite. Riddle’s family wasn't poor —– they were rich.
Why Riddle would be embarrassed by this, he wasn't sure, but if a house five times the normal size and gardens the size of tennis courts didn't say ‘rich’, then Severus didn't know what did.
Severus ground his teeth together and glared at the building. They clearly have the resources to take care of themselves, so what reason in Merlin's name did they have to abuse this child?
He had a good mind to storm right up to the door and give this father of Riddle's a piece of his mind, but refrained himself. He couldn't break Riddle's trust. Severus had promised him that nothing bad was going to happen after all. Be it to Riddle’s parents or himself.
Riddle was clearly quite anxious by now. He was fidgeting, fiddling with his fingers and watching Severus uneasily.
Severus took a moment to calm himself down. He had to deal with this like a rational adult would, and not some riled up drunk at a bar.
He looked pointedly at Riddle, making a quick jerk of his head as a cue for Riddle to continue on, and Riddle jumped to lead the way, although it was somewhat of a redundant gesture. Severus just ended up stalking up the path leading to the front door, while Riddle hastened to keep up behind him.
Severus reached the polished front entrance, and expertly rapped on the door. He tapped his foot impatiently as he waited. It finally opened just as Riddle caught up to Severus, panting slightly.
Riddle had yet to notice that the door was open, but the woman who had just opened the door clearly recognised him. She gave one glance at Riddle, and a shocked look appeared on her face.
“Tom?” She had nearly exclaimed in surprise, with a subtle mix of nervousness, as Severus immediately took note of.
Riddle must have noticed it as well, because he had paled slightly, a guilty look crossing his features. The woman’s gaze shifted to Severus, eyes questioning.
“Uh, sorry about that. Good morning, who might you be, sir?” Her soft tone matching her delicate features. He assumed this person was Riddle’s mother, judging from the similar dark hair, ivory skin, and well-made clothes.
Severus eased his face into a passive expression. Assuming that his guess about this woman was right, he had to thread with much more caution.
He evaluated his answer carefully.
“I’m just a new face in town, Ms…?” Severus left the question open-ended.
He needed to keep this conversation away from him, and more towards the woman. That way, he could potentially find out more about the woman, and reveal less about himself.
This socialising business is rather tiresome, isn't it. Severus inwardly sighed. And I wonder why Filius is always pushing me to do this more—— Merlin knows why the man enjoys it so much.
“Riddle, Mrs Riddle.” Riddle’s mother answered hesitantly. Severus nodded his ascent.
“Well then, Mrs Riddle, pardon for the intrusion, but this child here, is he yours by any chance?” Severus asked, seeking.
Riddle’s mother's gaze shifted back to Riddle, who in turn bowed his head, looking as though he had just been caught in the middle of stealing something.
“Yes, he is my son… he hasn't caused you any trouble, has he?” Her expression was, again, of anxiousness, and perhaps a little… suspicion?
Severus regarded the woman.
Riddle didn't seem particularly apprehensive around his mother, which meant that she likely wasn't actively involved in the violence. Yet her suspicion and nervous demeanor suggested that she did have something to do with the situation that Riddle was in.
And even that wasn't alright by Severus’ standards. Someone could cause harm to others not only through their actions but their inaction, as Severus had painstakingly learnt over the years. And in either case, he considered them accountable for the harm.*
Riddle’s mother appeared to be aware of what her husband is doing to Riddle, and yet it seems that she hasn't done anything to really stop it, even if she tried to help somehow. Keyword being tried.
Well, my list of targets has probably just increased from one to two. Severus inwardly smiled grimly. Lovely.
Of course, while all these thoughts were running through his mind, he physically just glanced at Riddle before turning back towards the kid’s mother and replying, “No, not at all, Mrs Riddle,” tone implying nothing but pleasantry.
“Speaking of which,” he continued, aiming to hurry the interaction up, “Is your, ahem, hus ––– ”
“Hey! Who’s at the door?” A shout coming from within the building interrupted Severus mid-sentence. He felt a fleeting annoyance at the interference, but as a tall man emerged beside Riddle’s mother, the annoyance shifted to well-disguised fury.
Severus narrowed his eyes.
The man had appeared looking disgruntled. His cold blue eyes landed on Severus, and an unrecognisable expression passed over his face. Dark hair, pale skin, complexion similar to that of his wife.
But most importantly, he looked exactly like the figure in Riddle’s memories.
The only outward display of his displeasure Severus had really displayed was a twitch in his eyebrows. He usually would've contained his emotions much better, or as he'd liked to think, but that day it was quite difficult to keep himself from whipping out his wand right then and there.
But alas, it was just not possible.
Riddle’s father eyed Severus up and down, which Severus was rather perplexed by. He had no idea what the action was for; it couldn't be for observing whether he was a threat, for it was far too obvious. Neither could it be in suspicion, for the man’s face showed nothing but curiosity.
Perhaps it's to evaluate my clothing, Severus mused, rich people do tend to judge others like that —– just look at Lucius.
“Hello, good sir!” Riddle’s father greeted him with a grin that could only be described as sinister, all traces of his previous irritation vanishing. “Merope, who is this gentleman that has appeared on this fine day?” He continued, addressing Riddle's mother while still smiling at Severus. Rather unsettlingly, might he add.
Judging by the strange and confused face that Riddle's mother was making, Riddle's father likely never speaks, or has never spoken like this on a daily basis.
Interesting.
“A new face in town, you say? Splendid! Well, lovely to meet you sir, I'm Tom Riddle,” he said in an announcer's fashion, not unlike Slughorn, ending by sticking out his hands.
Severus just looked at the hand with well-disguis—–– ah, who was he kidding—–– undisguised repulsion. There was no way by the great Slytherin was he going to even touch the miscreant. Let alone in a handshake.
Speaking of which, he thought, they had named their son after this bastard? What an insult to the kid. If I was named after Tobias, I would've changed my name the moment I was eligible for it. With good reason as well.
“Yes, well, lovely to meet you too,” Severus said aloud, voice laced with covert sarcasm, which Riddle Senior clearly did not pick up.
Neither did he seem to mind Severus ignoring the hand. He had just retracted it as though nothing had happened, and continued eyeing Severus up and down. Merlin knows what for.
“So,” he went on before Riddle Senior could speak once again, “I'm here because I believe I have found your son over here,” he gestured to Riddle beside him, who was as pale as a sheet by now, sweating profusely.
Severus placed a hand on Riddle's shoulder, a nonverbal apology for what he had to do. The kid seemed to calm down just a fraction, but ultimately he still appeared to be shaking in trepidation.
“Yes, I was wondering where you'd gone…” Riddle’s father narrowed his eyes on the kid next to Severus. He tilted his head as if contemplating something, which clearly wasn't a good sign for Riddle.
He placed his free hand in his coat pocket and grasped his wand, ready to interfere if needed. Severus wasn't about to cart Riddle off into certain doom if he had anything to say about it.
“Merope,” Riddle Senior finally said, tone once again overly gracious, “would you take our… son here inside with you? Our visitor—–” his gaze shifted to Severus, a glint apparent in his eyes, “ —– and I could go for a nice chat, couldn’t you, good sir?” He ended off nicely, phrasing the sentence as a question, when it was clearly more of a statement than anything.
Severus was careful to keep a blank face. As much as he would like to keep Riddle within his sights, this could work out in his favour. Riddle Senior had basically done the job of isolating the two of them all on his own.
Leaving Riddle with his mother was far safer than with his father. Even if she had a hand in covering for Riddle’s father, based on his observations it was unlikely that she would outright harm Riddle.
Even Riddle seemed to relax a little at the statement, reassuring Severus that it was probably the best situation to be in at the moment. If Riddle was comfortable with her, she could probably have a second chance before Severus officially puts her on the ‘wanted list’. Metaphorically.
“Very well,” Severus addressed the Senior Riddle, and patted the younger Riddle on the shoulder once, before removing his hand and placing them both into his pockets.
Riddle Senior smirked, which was the worst possible thing to do at the moment, as it only infuriated Severus further.
If Severus had looked down at that moment, he would have noticed Riddle staring at him with worry. Of course in reality, there was nothing to worry about. Severus knew that very well.
“Excellent!” The very man in question clapped his hands together. “Off you go then, Merope, much is to be done. And of course, I will entertain this fine gentleman over here,” he ended by winking at Severus. Winking.
What in Morgana's name was that?
He was briefly stunned, but then disgusted. He had absolutely no clue what that wink was implying, but the action itself was simply atrocious.
Severus decided he was liking Riddle Senior less and less. And his initial opinion of Riddle Senior was already six feet under —— not speaking metaphorically.
He watched Riddle's mother guide an anxious looking Riddle through the doorway and into the house, but not before discreetly, or so she thought, throwing Severus a scathing look. Insignificant information, but still rather odd.
“Now then,” Riddle Senior’s voice brought his attention back to the matter at hand, “come on in, sir, please do.” Severus curtly inclined his head in ‘thanks’ and stepped around Riddle Senior.
He waited and heard the door click shut behind him. A second click —— Severus narrowed his eyes.
Hm.
“Apologies for the wait, the door is a little bit faulty, I really should get that fixed sometime, shouldn’t I, hahah!” He walked up to Severus with an obnoxious laugh.
“So, sir, I never really did catch your name, what was it again?” Riddle asked as he strode forward, obviously expecting Severus to follow. And for once, he did.
“I would rather not disclose it,” Severus said brusquely.
“Anonymous! Extremely mysterious, only adds to your charming demeanor, might I add,” and he winked at Severus. Again.
Severus couldn't help frowning in confusion.
What was this man trying to accomplish by doing that? Needless to say, it certainly wasn't working. Severus couldn't even figure out the underlying meaning behind those obnoxious eye twitches. And he thought himself quite good at deducing such things, thank you very much.
“So, what are you working as?” Riddle Senior said, a futile attempt to start up a conversation.
Severus thought over his next answer carefully. If he were to respond as vaguely as he did previously, it was possible that he’d be asked to leave. Based on his past experience, rich people didn’t usually allow people of the lower class to step into their homes.
But that was only if these people had no use to them nor weren't their friends. Then again, in this case he was neither. Useless justification on both ends.
Severus inwardly sighed. If this was how Riddle Senior was with guests, he could only imagine what the poor kid and his mother had to deal with daily. It was not a nice picture.
He briefly considered his options.
“I work as a… professor,” he ended up responding. Not too conspicuous, yet not that unimportant that he would be classified as underpaid; Although he really was, in his own opinion. But it had the upside of being relatively true.
“A professor?” The man had repeated, sounding surprised. “ I would've thought that with your looks, you were some kind of a model!” Riddle senior glanced back at Severus as he entered into a sitting room, looking amused.
Severus made a non-committal sound.
“Please, take a seat,” Riddle’s father gestured towards some couches. Severus did not. Yet the former didn't seem to notice.
He was occupied with grabbing a few bottles from a cabinet off to the side of the room. Severus studied the man as he faced his guest once more, holding up the bottles.
“Care for a drink?” Riddle Senior asked, raising an eyebrow.
“No, but much obliged,” Severus refused. He couldn't afford to consume alcohol at this moment, much less with the person he was planning against. Besides, who knows what strange substance could be slipped into his drink.
A potions master without his antidotes must always be cautious. Truth to be told, that saying really applies to most other sane beings out there. It was only in one’s best interest to always exercise caution, in Severus’ opinion.
Riddle Senior just laughed out ‘nonsense!’ and moved to place his arm around Severus. However, he quickly pulled away before the elder Riddle could execute the motion.
This fool doesn’t even understand the concept of ‘personal space’, it seems, Severus thought as he strode over to the couches on his own. He would rather seat himself if it meant avoiding contact with the idiot.
But on his short venture over to the seats, he caught a glimpse of what appeared to be… blood on the sitting room floor. It was a small drop, barely noticeable. Should anyone else have walked past they wouldn't have noticed.
But Severus, being an experienced double agent, learnt to pick up such small clues. And there was only one likely candidate that could possibly be the owner of the blood.
Riddle Junior.
That doesn’t sound right at all, Severus grimaced, as he gracefully seated himself on the lavish sofas. Referring to Riddle as ‘Tom’ is much better than that.
Regardless, seeing the drop of dried blood on the floor had evidently reminded Severus of what he was here for in the first place.
He observed as Riddle senior sat down across from him, a wooden table — which was strangely out of place — being the only thing between them.
He poured two shots of brandy, and slid one across the table over to Severus, prattling on and on about some nonsense that Severus didn't pay attention to.
What he was doing was staring into Riddle’s father’s eyes, eye contact which Riddle Senior was conveniently giving him. Unbeknownst to him, Severus was sifting through his memories, to confirm what he had seen in the younger Riddle’s mind.
Sure enough, it was all there, and more. Severus unknowingly clenched his fist, displeasure rising as he stared at Riddle senior’s relaxed face.
“Yes, that is all very interesting, Mr Riddle,” Severus quickly interjected, not more than a few moments into Riddle Senior’s dialogue. “But…” Severus paused, noticing that Riddle’s mother had just entered the room, holding an opaque glass.
“Oh, you've already got… drinks… well, I’ve, um, made this extra glass for you, Tom,” she said before gingerly placing the glass on the table.
“Ah yes, Merope, appreciated, appreciated. Unfortunately I’ve already drunk a shot of brandy, and I’m not quite sure I should be mixing beverages at the moment. Ah!” He exclaimed suddenly, picking up the glass, “Why not offer it to our dear friend here? He hasn't touched his glass at all, care for a drink, good sir?” He raised the glass towards Severus.
In turn, Severus glanced towards Riddle’s mother, who seemed quite nervous at the prospect of Severus taking the glass, which was enough to spark his interest.
He took the drink, and held it up to his face, appearing to be ready to drink it, but in reality he was just getting a whiff of the smell. Severus raised his eyebrows as he recognised the smell of the drink.
It was a powdery, floral scent, mixed with a spicy, woody fragrance. Black iris and cedar, he recognised them as. Yes, Severus knew this scent well. It wouldn't be what others perceived it as, but to him this was how it smelt. It was mild, but unmistakable.
Amortentia.
Of course, it could just be some sort of odd herbal tea. He had seen his fair share of strange tea combinations in his years of attending Dumbledore’s weekly staff meetings, not to mention their individual meetings as well. Thankfully he was wise enough to avoid taking a sip. His colleague’s faces always told him everything he needed to know.
But he highly doubted that anyone would actually serve such questionable tea flavours to guests, much less in 1933 where tea was still very prevalent. Other than Dumbledore.
Yet no magical beings were allowed to have a business selling magical items, let alone potions, to a muggle with no part in the Wizarding world. But not getting the potion through the market could really only point towards one other way of obtaining the item. Brewing.
That pointed toward two very interesting pieces of information. One being that his guess about Riddle was likely right, and the second was that Riddle’s mother —– was a witch.
Really though, Severus thought as he tilted the glass upward whilst discreetly doing a wandless evanesco to clear the liquid, it should have been the first thing I realised the moment I learnt her name. Merope—— typical wizarding name.
Well now he knew why the woman was so apprehensive, but it was ultimately useless knowledge. Other than the fact that Riddle and his mother were magical, it only told him that she was dim enough to try and get this bastard to be in love with her. And that caused his opinion of her to drop significantly.
He handed the empty glass to her, nodding his acknowledgement, and watching her leave in mild nervousness and confusion at Severus’ seemingly indifferent behaviour.
He narrowed his eyes as she closed the door behind her, before standing up and wasting no time whipping his wand out and casting a simple silencing ward on the door to try and keep her and young Riddle away. He could not deal with any more distractions.
He turned back around to face a bewildered looking Riddle senior.
“Why are you out waving your teaching stick like that?” He asked, confused and scrutinizing Severus from where he sat.
“I was just setting up some wards,” Severus replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“Wards?”
“And to correct you, Mr Riddle,” Severus held up his wand. “You certainly might be able to call it a ‘teaching stick’, but how very wrong you are at the same time. This,” he fingered the object, “is a magic wand.”
He surveyed the other’s reaction. Riddle Senior appeared shocked for a split second, before chuckling hesitantly.
“Haha, very funny, nice joke,” he tried to laugh it off.
“You will find that this is no joke, Riddle.” Severus flicked his wand and a small flame appeared at the tip of it.
“No, that must be a lighter,” Riddle senior insisted, still in obvious denial. “A very good trick, might I add, a very…” he trailed off as he watched Severus change the flame into a sphere of water.
There was a brief silence between Riddle senior and Severus, the former processing the information and the latter closely observing the former.
All of a sudden, Riddle senior leapt upon from his sitting position, and pointed accusingly at Severus.
“You, you’re one of those people, aren't you,” He said, body trembling in what Severus saw as either fear or anger, or both.
“One of those people? Wizards and Witches, you mean?” Severus replied casually, completely unconcerned.
“Yes, you moron, one of those people!” Riddle senior advanced towards Severus, seeming to threaten him, but stopped a whole foot away. “And here I thought you were a regular, good-looking person for once, but no! You had to be one of those weird… creeps,” He outstretched his hand as if he was attempting to strangle someone.
“Quite,” Severus responded, uninterested. “Well, I’m here on behalf of your son,” he began, but Riddle interrupted him, once again.
“My son, is that right? Did he tell you something? He’d better hope not, because when I get my hands on him ——”
“You won't be doing that much longer,” Severus interjected, getting annoyed by the other’s long dialogues.
“Oh, is that right?” Riddle Senior said mockingly. “And how do you plan to do that? Do you plan to do what you disgraces usually do, and go about with your stupid, wand-waving nonsense?” Riddle Senior began pacing about angrily.
“This is taking too long——”
“You all act high and mighty, yes! Just because you weirdos have glorified sticks, you all think you have the right to do whatever you want! Bastards, all of you!” Riddle senior angrily swept various ornaments off a mantle, all of which unceremoniously broke into millions of pieces on the floor.
Here we go, Severus pinched his nose bridge and sighed in frustration.
“You imbeciles ruined my life, I tell you. Ruined my life! She comes to me, looking completely normal. ‘Nice looking girl’, I thought. Wrong! She’s been exploiting me, exploiting! She sidles up to me, acts all nice, then she asks for money, and I think, ’Well surely nothing can go wrong.’ But oho, the next time she comes to you she says, ‘I hAve tOo tELL yoU sOmEthInG ImpOrtAnt’ and the next thing you know, BOOM! You have a child with a peasant. And that's not all, oh no,” Riddle smashed a bottle of brandy into a wall in frustration. “Turns out she’s been feeding me some strange ‘potion’ to make me love her, and I cut off the rest of my family for something that I don't even want! Then she says that there are more of herkind out there, and of course my own bastard son had to be one of them! I only kept them around really for her looks, she’s way too pretty not to keep around, But the kid, he’s a real freak, oh yes, the fuc——”
BAM —— Riddle senior was blasted across the room and into the opposing wall. He hit the floor with a thud, and lay unconscious.
Severus was breathing heavily, wand out, and glaring with pure loathing at the unconscious body lying across the room. The rant was becoming much too difficult to listen to. It had already started out as irritating from the start, but as soon as he insulted the kid, he had to end it there.
Severus straightened his clothing and composed himself.
That was certainly much longer than I figured it would be, Severus thought. I probably should have just done this from the beginning; Why did I even bother trying to converse with the idiot?
He was extremely glad for the silencing wards that he had set up. That loud sound would have drawn quite a bit of attention. Nonetheless, he should still hurry and do what he had to before someone stumbles across this scene. It could not be good for him if he was found in this situation.
Severus surveyed the room. Shattered glass, splintered wood, the area was quite a mess. He rapidly flicked his wand a few times, repairing any visible damages to the room. Soon, the room was as clean as it was initially.
He strode over to the unconscious form of Riddle Senior. He sneered, staring down at the body. He conjured a stick and prodded the lying figure to ensure that he was indeed passed out, as if it were a corpse. His face twitched in disgust.
Severus dropped the stick, and promptly vanished it. He then raised his wand and pointed it towards Riddle Senior’s head. He simply stood there for a moment, wand out, mind racing.
The man was right in front of him, unconscious, no witnesses. Well, it was certainly a dilemma.
Are unforgivables still, well, unforgivable in this era? All three would be particularly useful at the moment. Severus pursed his lips. I did promise Riddle that nothing bad would occur… though is it really bad if I use it on him?
Severus sighed.
“Confundo,” he murmured with his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. A light shone on Riddle’s father’s forehead, and quickly subsided.
That should do it.
Severus was tempted to leave Riddle Senior lying on the floor, as he was sure the man had left young Riddle to do the same many times. But that would draw suspicion. It was unfortunate, but necessary. He somewhat reluctantly levitated Riddle’s father and gently(roughly) dropped him down on the sofas.
Just as he pocketed his wand, the living room door opened, and Riddle’s mother entered.
"I heard some sounds..." She began softly, but paused when she spotted her husband lying on the sofa.
She rushed over to check on him. She relaxed slightly when she was sure her husband was alive, before she shifted her gaze to Severus, confusion and underlying suspicion in her expression apparent.
“Don’t worry, nothing’s happened. Your husband has apparently just had one too many shots, and he collapsed onto the sofa and fell asleep. Not too long ago, in fact,” Severus offered her an explanation before she could ask.
Riddle’s mother was obviously having doubts about his story, but thankfully she had accepted the answer and nodded to Severus either in acceptance or thanks.
“Well then, it has been wonderful, but I believe it is time for me to take my leave. Ah, it is quite alright,” Severus added when Riddle’s mother moved to escort him, “I can lead myself out. Pardon me,” Severus curtly inclined his head and swept past Riddle’s mother, and into the hallway.
He paused momentarily in front of the door to the room that he remembered Riddle was in. He had the fleeting thought of going in to see Riddle, but quickly dismissed it and continued down the corridor.
He had spent far too much time dealing with Riddle senior, and it wasn't as if he had a good reason to talk to the kid. All he was there for was to stop the abuse from continuing, and nothing else.
Severus reached the front door and unlocked it before stepping out. He squinted in the bright sunlight.
More time must have passed while I was in there than I thought, mused Severus, seeing that the Sun was at a much higher point in the sky.
He quickly glanced around before doing a wandless tempus charm. 0930 it read. Alright, perhaps not that long, it was still rather early in the day. If he were still at Hogwarts he would probably be…
Wait, 9:30 am?
Severus froze for a split second, fully processing the information, before hastily ducking into a nearby alleyway and quickly apparating to Diagon Alley, rushing his way down the street.
Merlin, he thought, I’m late for work!
To be continued