Memento Mori

Chapter 14: Things to Hide

27th August 1938,

Cordelia had gone back to her usual self but sometimes in between moments of peace, Tom would find her looking at him the way he remembered his Cordelia did—with fear and apprehension but it was gone the moment he turned to her, she'd act as if nothing was wrong.

Something was wrong.

He knew it too and as did she. Yet neither took the first step to confront the other, choosing blissful ignorance for the better part instead of whatever harsh truth both were hiding.

The sun was particularly bright on the fleeting days of summer. It was on one such day that Cordelia and Tom decided to get their school supplies for the upcoming year—their first year at Hogwarts. Tom wouldn't lie and say he wasn't a little eager to return to the only place he considered a true home and he was even willing to ignore the man accompanying them though initially he tried to get Martha or Mrs Cole to accompany them.

Unfortunately, Mrs Cole was occupied treating Billy and Eric over some illness while Martha had to go back home to aid her ailing mother, something that didn't happen last time. Tom kindly offered to go on his own with Cordelia but Mrs Cole promptly shot his proposition down.

Once again, they were stuck with Professor Dumbledore.

Professor Albus Dumbledore, the so-called kind and intelligent professor at Hogwarts, the man who had been so kind enough to deliver Cordelia and Tom's Hogwarts acceptance letter, stared down at Tom curiously. His half-moon spectacles slid down his nose as he looked down at him. He was a lot younger than what he recalled the man being at the time of his death. He had fewer greying hairs and less wrinkled mass of skin. He was different yet so hatefully familiar to Tom.

The most important difference from the Dumbledore of his memories to the one in front of him was obvious: the Professor Dumbledore in front of him was alive and very much well.

Yet the one thing that stayed the same was his inquisitive and untrusting gaze he had on Tom.

"Everything alright, Tom?" Professor Dumbledore smiled softly at him and Tom held in the urge to glare at the man.

There was indeed a small period of time, he looked up to the wise and intelligent professor but that time had long passed, he loathed him.

Tom looked away but Professor Dumbledore didn't. He could feel a slight ache in his head and he knew the old man was trying to probe his mind. "Everything's fine. The sun was in my eye."

Professor Dumbledore merely nodded in response.

He never really trusted Tom from the beginning no matter how hard he tried to fool the old man. Tom kept his face and mind blank, choosing to fill his mind with mundane things or childish thoughts about how excited he was to go to Hogwarts and about being a wizard.

Somewhere along the way, he lost his focus when Cordelia quickened her pace and walked ahead of him.

Like Tom, Cordelia was in her own thoughts. Her Hogwarts letter in her coat pocket felt heavy and she felt a little sick and she was sure it wasn't her nerves but rather something more sinister. She wasn't scared to go to Hogwarts but rather it felt as if it was going to be the beginning of something she should be avoiding. She was nervous, scared and a little cautious of everything and everyone lately, especially Tom.

She needed to confide in someone.

"Miss Alder?" Professor Dumbledore called out to her when he noticed that she had quickened her pace and was now walking towards the road when they actually needed to make a turn. "Miss Alder. Cordelia!"

Cordelia wasn't listening.

Tom, ever so attentive to Cordelia and Cordelia only, was one step ahead of the Professor. He grabbed her wrist just as a car sped past Cordelia and pulled her back.

Tom was furious. "Stop daydreaming, Cora!" He hissed as he tightened his grip on her. Cordelia hissed in pain and tried to pull free. "You could've been really hurt there or…or worse!"

Professor Dumbledore frowned. The calm and quiet boy he witnessed at the orphanage seemed to have disappeared in that second. He seemed quick to anger and had a lot to say about Cordelia's personal safety. "That is enough Tom. You are hurting Cordelia." Calmly he said.

Tom almost glared at the nuisance of a Professor but one glance at Cordelia and he didn't do such a thing. "I'm sorry Cora but I was really worried."

Cordelia scrunched up her face. Tom…was being nice. He was being polite. "That's alright." She said with a small shy laugh. "It was my fault Professor, I wasn't seeing where I was going."

The Professor accepted her apology with a graceful nod, already knowing she didn't mean it but was trying to protect Tom. "That's alright but do pay attention to your path. It would be a shame if you had gotten lost or injured or worse." Professor Dumbledore turned away and started to head back the path to Diagon Alley. "Now come along, we have much to do and I'm sure nobody wants to make a second or third trip. I hardly think Mrs Cole would be gratuitous enough to allow it." Professor Dumbledore laughed a little thinking of the old matron's reaction if the wizard asked to borrow the children's time once again.

The two children nodded and followed him. Cordelia glanced down at her wrist, Tom didn't let go. He held on and would tug at it whenever she lost focus. Professor Dumbledore was amused by the two children, much more so by Tom who he was sure didn't like him for some reason.

They came to a stop at a brick wall. Tom and Cordelia waited patiently as the Professor took out his wand and tapped bricks on the wall before standing back. Nothing had happened at first but soon the bricks started to shuffle as they parted, a small archway opened before it enlarged even more to reveal a bustling street.

Professor Dumbledore paused and turned to face the two children. With a slow and soft smile, his eyes on Tom, he said. "This is Diagon Alley where we will find your school supplies and more. Now it is a bustling street, there will be many parents and children alike along with a few other people. I ask you both to stay close to me no matter what and don't wander off."

The two children nodded and Professor Dumbledore led the children onto the street. Behind them the entry to Diagon Alley closed the moment the last person crossed the threshold.

"Are we going to Gringotts first?" Asked Cordelia, trying to keep up with the Professor and not get lost in the crowd.

"We'll make a short trip to the bank to pick up some funds for Tom and maybe visit your family vault." Professor Dumbledore paused and waited for Tom to ask him what 'Gringotts' was. "Are you not curious as to what Gringotts is, Tom?

Tom was a little bored but nonetheless played his part. "What is Gringotts?" He asked, trying his best not to let his boredom show.

The corners of Professor Dumbledore's lips lifted and he looked away. He was already suspecting Tom and he had yet to do anything. "Gringotts is the only wizarding bank in Britain. It is the safest place to keep your valuable possessions and wealth."

"Is it true they have dragons and many magical beasts guarding its treasures?" Cordelia asked.

Yes. Tom wanted to say but he held his tongue and waited for the Professor to answer.

"I'm not sure. Nobody knows. Nobody has really been foolish enough to test its security."

Nobody yet.

Tom knew one day many would try to break in for various precious things. One such treasure was the famed philosopher's stone. He abruptly stopped before picking up his pace as the thought came to him.

What if?

What if the stone was in Gringotts already?

If he had the stone, he wouldn't need to split his soul—

"And here we are." Professor Dumbledore stopped in front of a snowy white building that towered over its neighbours.

A set of white steps lay in front of them, leading to a set burnished bronze doors.

A goblin with dark hair dressed in gold and scarlett guarded the doors. When he saw Professor Dumbledore, he bowed his head in greeting. "Afternoon, Professor. Here on some Hogwarts business?" The goblin gruffly asked, much friendlier than either Tom or Cordelia or expected them to be.

"Afternoon Filrus, some Hogwarts business and some." Filrus raised his brow and stared at the Professor before opening the doors for him rather than wait for the Professor to open the door. He seemed to almost respect the Professor.

In turn, the Professor seemed to regard them with respect. He didn't talk about the goblins with the children and treated them like he did anyone else. Professor Dumbledore led the children up the steps and onto a small entrance hall with another set of doors. The Professor expected the children to complain a little but neither Tom or Cordelia fussed about the two doors. The second set of doors were silver and on it was inscribed a cautionary message to any potential thieves.

What greeted the children was a vast marble hall with tall columns of marble and chandeliers of crystal and gold. Long stretches of counters with goblins manning them were on each side. Some counters had scales with gold coins filled to the brim that lit an envious fire in Tom's chest.

Cordelia looked at Tom through the corner of her eyes and patted his hand gently. Her nightmares had faded and she felt less angry and resentful towards Tom lately. Mrs Cole wouldn't be too pleased but Cordelia didn't care. She knew her mood swings were uncontrollable, she couldn't do anything about it and had to work around it—it would be unfair to treat everyone around her rudely just because of some voice in her head.

"Afternoon Professor." Another goblin greeted them as they moved up the queue. She flipped the page of the book in front of her and looked at the words through her thin–wire glasses, looking up and writing something. "How may I help you on this fine day?" The goblin with short curled dark hair pinned to the side with an antique gold pin drawled out putting down her quill.

Professor Dumbledore glanced back at Cordelia. "I've come to collect a bursary for a student and Miss Cordelia Alder would like to make a withdrawal."

The goblin narrowed her eyes and leaned back into her seat. "Hmm." She hummed lightly. "Alder?" She questioned, a little confused and suspicious. "Excuse me for a second." The goblin reached for a bell on her desk and rang it twice. A door opened and another goblin appeared. "Arkgras." The goblin called out to the other one in a stuffy voice.

"What iz it Karlor?" Arkgras grumbled. "I waz on my break." He glared at Cordelia, Tom and Professor Dumbledore.

"Miss Cordelia Alder would like to make a withdrawal." Karlor repeated and Tom narrowed his eyes. He didn't recall this happened at all. Of course, he didn't pay much attention back then to her or anything and didn't even stick around after getting his bursary and leaving to go browse Flourish and Blotts. He didn't know there was such a fuss to get inside Cordelia's family vault.

The two goblins stared at each other and then back at Cordelia. "I waz under ze impression that the Alderz all…" Arkgras said nothing more and retreated back to the door he came from, leaving the trio to stand and wait for a bit longer.

Karlor didn't bother to apologise for the wait but instead busied herself with something. She took out a heavy scale and threw a pouch in front of her. She glanced back at the book in front of her and muttered. "Thomas Marvolo Riddle." Tom stiffened at his full name being called and bowed his head.

The goblin was quick as she weighed about thirty galleons, twenty seven sickles and hundred something knuts. Once she was done, she swiftly filled the pouch up with the money and placed it on the counter.

"Bursary for Tom Riddle and wait for withdrawal from Miss Alder's vault." Karlor announced.

Tom stared blankly at the pouch of money. It was meagre compared to what he used to make working part-time and the cheap velvet pouch of money reflected that. It was light and he didn't know how he found it heavy last time.

His attention was stolen when the doors in the back opened and Arkgras hurried over to Karlor. "Miz Alder can withdraw from her vault." He said and Karlor nodded in thanks. "She needz her key. You do have ze key?"

Professor Dumbledore sighed and turned to Cordelia as did Tom who expected the Professor to have Cordelia's vault key. Cordelia reached into the pocket of her coat and pulled out a small golden key Tom had never seen before. He couldn't help but feel a little betrayed that she never confided in him about having access to her vault.

Cordelia handed her key to Professor Dumbledore who passed it to the pair of goblins. The two goblins hunched over Cordelia's key and carefully examined it before nodding. "Anything else?" Karlor asked quickly while Arkgras took over her desk.

"Ah yes." Professor Dumbledore looked like he had momentarily forgotten something. He reached into the pockets of his grey-blue cloak and pulled out a neatly folded letter. "I would like to deposit something to vault 713."

Vault 713.

Tom subtly turned his head closer to the conversation. Vault 713. The home for the philosopher's stone until Quirrel's failed attempts to procure it for him. His eyes followed Professor Dumbledore and he hid a smile. Oh how foolish was he to walk away from this last time. If only he stayed a bit longer, he would have known much without doing little.

The precious stone that he coveted in another life was so close to reach. If he was the same as before, he would have attempted to find a way to part Professor Dumbledore with the stone but unfortunately fate was never too kind to him. There was no way he could beat the Professor in his current state.

Both Arkgras and Karlor paused before opening the letter. The two quickly read the letter before nodding. "Karlor will take you down to ze vaults." Arkgras said nothing else and busied himself with Karlor's work.

"Come along. This way." Karlor paused for a second to look at Tom. "All three of you will be going?"

At first the Professor hesitated. Tom knew Professor Dumbledore was a little reluctant to bring him along but he wouldn't say it. "Is that a problem?" Professor Dumbledore asked and the goblin shook her head.

"Not at all." Karlor led the three to a rail. She motioned them to get on while another goblin helped them settle in. "First stop, vault 403, the Alder vault." The moment she uttered those words, the cart started running, almost sprinting.

They kept going further and further into the vault. Tom didn't know how long they had been on the cart and all he knew was that he wanted to get off. Surely, Cordelia's family vault couldn't be deeper than the Blacks or Lestranges. Tom snuck a glance at Cordelia. His hand was still attached to her wrist. She was unnaturally cold once again and she looked a little pale too almost as if she was a corpse.

Tom spared a glance over at Cordelia and couldn't help but study her face. Her bright blue eyes looked as if they were glowing under the dim lantern light and her pale skin was paler. She really did appear more and more spectre-like on that particular day.

He frowned and shut his eyes, trying his best to chase away those thoughts.

It was just the lighting but when he looked at the goblin leading them and Professor Dumbledore, they appeared normal. They didn't have an unearthly sheen to them and their eyes didn't gleam faintly in the dark like Cordelia's did or was he the only who saw Cordelia like that.

"How long till we get there?" Tom found himself asking without meaning to but he was very curious.

"Not very long." Karlor replied. "Just a little bit more. The Alder vault is one of the oldest vaults at Gringotts."

"How old exactly?"

"It could be said, it is as old as Gringotts." Professor Dumbledore chimed in as Karlor nodded along in agreement.

Karlor snuck a glance at Tom but softened a little when seeing the naively curious look on Tom's face. "The Alder family are as old as the Blacks, Prewitts, Potters, Bones, Gaunts and Peverells—though the Peverell vault was closed some centuries back and merged with other vaults."

Tom leaned forward in his seat as they passed one of the Black vaults. He never knew his mother's family had anything to their names apart from those heirlooms left by Salazer Slytherin. He also thought that they wouldn't bother to ever have a vault at Gringotts, they didn't exactly trust or like goblin, thinking them as things lesser than wizard-kind. At one point, he must've been the same but at that moment, he didn't even care and he just wanted a way to start his legacy.

The loud screech of the tracks nearly muted Tom's thoughts. "I am surprised the Gaunts still have a vault in Gringotts…given their state." Professor Dumbledore said, turning to Karlor.

"It's quite empty but it is there. The Gaunts are temporarily restricted from accessing their vault." Karlor stated, pulling a lever to slow down the cart. They were getting close to Cordelia's family vault. "It happened before my time—a few generations back, one of 'em attacked some curse breaker and a Goblin trying to help 'em—it did not end well for anyone involved. Gringotts took it among themselves to restrict them."

"It was a good decision, given what the current generation has been up to…"

"There's only two left now."

"Only two members…" Tom muttered, staring blankly at the floor of the cart.

Karlor nodded. "That we know of. If they don't manage to fix their act, their vault is closing for good."

"What happens to a closed vault?" Cordelia asked before Tom could.

"Why? It's quite simple. If the family has died out with no blood relatives or a will then the vault is sealed with all its remaining contents donated to Gringotts, Hogwarts or St Mungo's."

"What happens if there are relatives but no will?"

"Then we combine the vaults and the old vault is closed or we hand the vault over to the remaining descendants of the family. The Peverell vault was such a case—three vaults into one and one unto many." Karlor pulled the lever and the cart came to a screeching halt at the door of an old vault.

The young goblin grabbed the lantern from the cart and stepped off. Professor Dumbledore followed her and helped Tom and Cordelia off. Before anyone could react, the cart sped off, leaving them stranded.

They all turned back to the impressively large door of the vault. Tom had never seen anything like this. He had been to the Black, Avery, Malfoy, Lestrange and so many other vaults but none except the Blacks had a custom door.

The Alder vault stood out brightly in the dimly lit cavern with its tall silvery pale lilac-grey doors. It seemed too clean despite being so deep in the belly of the bank.

What caught Tom's attention wasn't the cleanliness of the vault door or how it gleamed against the lanterns flames, no it was none of that.

There was a silver tree on the vault. The metal branches reached the top of the door, curling in just shy of the border while the roots were what interested Tom the most. The roots of the silver tree formed what appeared to be a gateway.

"The Alder family…were quite attached to the Alder tree." Professor Dumbledore explained.

"And do the roots of an Alder tree look like that?" Tom pointed to the gateway formed by the roots.

Cordelia took a few steps forward, free from Tom's hold. "...No, they don't." She almost reached out and touched the gate as if she was in trance. Professor Dumbledore quickly caught her before she did, breaking the trance in the process. She jolted awake and looked around as if she remembered where she was.

Tom took her hand back into his and pulled her back. Karlor raised her hairless brow but said nothing of the gesture. "What is that?" Tom asked again, his curiosity peaked.

With a difficult look Professor Dumbledore struggled to come with a gentle explanation and that only sparked Tom's curiosity even more. "The Veil." Karlor spoke without thinking.

Professor Dumbledore sighed as he almost hoped that Karlor wouldn't mention that thing and Tom did too. "It is an object under the jurisdiction of the Department of Mysteries. I'm afraid no one can tell what exactly it does but that is all there is to know about 'The Veil'."

Tom paled a little. He was fortunate that the cavern was so dimly lit that no one noticed his complexion.

He was however wrong.

Cordelia gave his hand a little squeeze and looked up at him with her bright blue eyes that almost seemed to glow in the darkened cavern. "You alright, Tom?" She quietly asked, almost whispering.

"I'm fine." Tom mumbled out, glancing over at the blissfully unaware Cordelia. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Cordelia lied as she let go of his hand and walked ahead. He followed her movement before turning back to the old doors of the vault.

The Veil.

He knew about it too well. A mysterious gateway to somewhere. Nobody knew where. The ministry and the wizarding world were forever stumped over it. Cordelia was no exception. Like Tom with his obsession over immortality and power, Cordelia had her own obsession—she would rather die than admit it.

A hypocrite to the end.

The two were more alike than she'd ever admit.

"Mr Riddle." Karlor's tired voice broke through his reverie and he found himself at the threshold of the Alder vault. It was wide open, no longer shut but it hadn't been lit just yet. "I suggest you do not stand on the threshold of the vault—if you know what is good for you."

Tom blankly nodded and followed the goblin. Cordelia followed his moving figure before turning back to examine her vault. He did the same and he was a little disappointed. The vault looked less like a vault but more like an…

"It's like an archive." Professor Dumbledore commented, almost as if he had read Tom's mind. "My, quite an interesting vault." He eyed the old tall ornate alder wood shelves greeting them at the front with leather-bound books, tomes and scrolls lining each shelf.

The floor was different from the other vaults Tom had visited in another life.

Unlike the other vaults, it was marble, old marble with flecks of silver and amethyst peeking through. Walls with tapestries lined the vault along with portraits of old Alder relatives long dead. As they walked deeper into the vault, Tom realised that the shelves didn't have any old books or ornaments but they were actually ancient tomes and spellbooks, some were journals or diaries, accounts of Alders long gone.

Tom nodded and looked to Cordelia for anything. Cordelia didn't say a word and just kept on walking as if she knew where to go. It was fortunate that the vault was lit up well or else he would've easily gotten lost in the maze of shelves, antique armours, marble statues and cauldrons.

They all came to a stop at the edge of the vault where two carved wood cabinets stood tall. In between the cabinets was a banner with the coat of arms of the Alder family. On the shield was a silver alder tree sitting proudly against a lavender field with a halo of olive leaves supporting the shield and the head of an owl at top as the crest. Underneath it all was the family motto.

"Hic Manebimus Optime?" Tom said out loud without meaning to.

"Here we will stay, most excellently." Cordelia translated without really paying attention to Tom, she was too busy studying her family's coat of arms to really focus on Tom. "It means that we will stay and stand even if it all seems bleak." She added as an afterthought.

Tom stared at Cordelia in silence. He couldn't help but envy her a little but at the same time, he thought the Alder family motto didn't really suit her. She did leave him when he needed her the most and he almost wanted to laugh at the irony of her saying it to him.

Professor Dumbledore thought otherwise. He seemed to pity the young girl and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder while motioning Karlor to unlock one of the cabinets. The goblin didn't need to be told verbally as she gently pushed Tom out the way and unlocked one of the cabinets, pulling the middle drawer, revealing neatly organised rows and rows of bronze, silver and gold coins.

"Miss Alder shall I withdraw a certain amount or would you like to take what you need?" Karlor asked, taking out a pocket watch and checking the time.

Cordelia took the pouch from Karlor and stuffed a few stacks of knuts, sickles and galleons. It was definitely more than what Tom's bursary was but less than what Tom would pick up himself. When she was done, she closed the middle drawer and opened the one above. She stood on her toes and reached in to grab something. Tom almost went to check but much to his annoyance, the Professor stopped him.

"Found it." He heard Cordelia mutter as she took out a small silvery necklace. The moment Tom saw it, he stiffened. He knew that necklace. He had seen it on her many times. "That's all I need."

But Tom wasn't listening.

He had his eyes on the necklace, one of the few things they found of Cordelia when she disappeared.

Cordelia followed Tom's gaze and quickly pocketed the necklace before turning away and hurriedly going back to the entrance. Professor Dumbledore ignored the two children and quietly spoke to Karlor about their next destination. Tom didn't bother to listen in on the conversation, far too busy stalking Cordelia who had reached the entrance and was now waiting obediently for everyone else.

With a quiet nod, Karlor led them back to the tracks where another cart was already waiting. "Next stop vault 713." The goblin announced and sped off deep into the caverns.

Tom sat up and waited patiently to reach their destination. Occasionally he'd turn to check on Cordelia who was busy playing around with the necklace she had taken from her vault.

The cart suddenly stopped.

Vault 713.

An ordinary vault deep inside the belly of Gringotts, not many would ever suspect what it really hid. Tom quietly stared at Professor Dumbledore's back as he left him and Cordelia behind to deposit his package and all the while Tom considered stealing it but it was a foolishly childish idea. He'd never get away with it.

His concentration was broken when he felt someone's eyes on him. He was sure it was the goblin but when he turned around, he swore he saw Cordelia's turn her head away but she pretended as if she didn't even notice him, still far too busy playing around with her family heirloom but he knew, she was looking at him and he wondered why.