Work Text:
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15th june, 1950
Dear Tom Marvolo Riddle,
I am pleased to inform you that I request your presence at Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, for an interview regarding the teaching position for Defense Against the Dark Arts which has just been declared vacant. The interview will be on the following Monday, 17th of June.
If you are not available to attend on the provided date, please ensure to inform me as soon as possible and I will try to reschedule. If you, of course, are still interested in the offer. If not, I would still like a letter pertaining your decline to the offer.
I expect a response before the allocated date to allow us flexibility if you are not willing to attend.
I hope this letter finds you in great health.
Sincerely,
Headmaster, Armando Dippet.
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Friday , 16th June, 1950.
Tom prided himself in his ability to remain calm and composed in situations where 'freaking out' to put it simply, was more appropriate. That was before he finished reading the letter. At the current moment, the urge to start whooping in joy and celebrating his basically guaranteed position in his preferred career was close to being fulfilled but he was mindful of the passerby's who could see a man jumping up and down in glee by his window and so the urge was refrained and he settled for a satisfied smile.
He was indeed so happy that the fact he only had a day to prepare for everything did not seem to bother him at all, instead he hung the letter on the wall of his temporary flat and admired it. Tom wasn't one to give up easily. When the first time he had asked Headmaster Dippet for the position he was turned down both due to 'inexperience' and because they already had a teacher that was much more qualified than him. And although the thought to clear the position for himself did cross his mind, he determined it would arise suspicion and so he decided to leave it for the time being and gather 'experience' whilst also collecting more money to stabilise his life.
It seemed to serve him well now, Tom had his money locked away in his vault in Gringotts (he remembers first accessing his vault and felt pride burn his chest although he was frankly very disappointed to see that both the Slytherin and Gaunt vaults were emptied of money, he made due with the Dark Arts books and transcripts that were hidden in there along with some portraits and relics), enough experience and knowledge to rival many of the professors at school and an empty position waiting for him at school without having to get his hands dirty at all.
As far as everyone knew, Tom Marvolo Riddle is a perfectly respectable citizen and a perfect employee who is just working to make a living and has absolutely no plans for world domination. No, absolutely none at all.
Lord Voldemort did not exist as long as Professor Riddle did.
Tom wrote up a letter that confirmed his pleasure in attending the interview and made sure to be as charming as he could be with his lettering before placing the sealed letter in the mouth of the owl. He contained the yelp that was to leave his mouth upon the pricking of his finger by the owl who glared at him and instead glared back. Once opening his window to let the owl back out, he all but pushed the tiny creature as revenge. The owl snapped its head back at him continuing to glare at Tom but the young man merely sent a sweet fake smile, dusting his hands as he waved it goodbye.
'Everything is going according to plan'
The evil cackle that he produced quickly got stuck in his throat and he bumped his chest, ears reddening in embarrassment as he got ready for work.
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Saturday, 17th June, 1950
'Everything is not going according to plan'
Tom arrived to Hogwarts on the day of the interview, prepared to find Headmaster Dippet seated in his office waiting for him to commence with the interview that will surely lead to his acceptance. He was fully ready for the old fool Dippet but was met with the slightly less old fool Dumbledore.
"Oh, come in, Mr. Riddle." Dumbledore motioned for the man standing at the door to fully enter "Have a seat." The older man with white mixing with his auburn red hair motioned to the empty seat in front of him. Tom was quick to get over the shock and hesitantly set himself down.
"Is there a reason you are here instead of Headmaster Dippet, Professor Dumbledore?" he asked smoothly, voice impassive and attitude amiable. Tom would not allow Dumbledore to ruin his chance at finally getting his dream job, if he had to act like he liked this man and did not want to watch the life escape his annoyingly twinkly eyes like he had to just five years ago, then so be it. Dumbledore was his favourite man to exist.
"Ah yes, Headmaster Dippet was feeling a bit under the weather today and had asked me to take over the interview." he responded calmly, eyes twinkling "He did not want you to have come by for nothing.
'the things I would do just to tie this senile fool to a chair and curse him with all the dark curses I've accumulated over the years' and despite the fact that Tom was extremely talented in the art of occlumency, he did not trust his mind to be able to block out his violent thoughts and so he stared at the painting behind the professor instead of his eyes.
"That is a shame, I do hope that he recovers quickly." Tom smiled sweetly, his mind focused on cursing Dippet for getting sick on the day of his interview.
'He just had to ruin my big day, out of all the days to fall ill?'
Tom did not trust Dumbledore at all. He could answer every question right, show all the ways in which he was qualified and still be refused the placement because the ginger found one fault that suddenly overshadowed all his good qualities. No Tom was not being salty.
"I suppose we can not reschedule?"
"I'm afraid not, Mr. Riddle." said Dumbledore in response, he popped a sherbet lemon candy in his mouth before folding his arms "We must find a professor by the end of this week and I am not certain Dippet will have recovered by then."
Suspicion rose in RIddle's head as he narrowed his eyes slightly at the smiling fool, who stared at him with bright eyes 'I would not be surprised if you had something to do with that, Albus'
"Tell me Tom, how have you been? I heard that you began work in Borgin and Burkes, has it been satisfactory?"
Tom schooled his features to mirror the smile Albus wore and he sat up straighter whilst folding his legs, arms resting on the arms of the chair "I have been well professor, and yes my job there has currently been quite satisfactory, although many would think it is useless, looking down upon it, I find it to be quite educational and worth while."
"Interesting, how so?"
"There are many things you could learn from working there, I found many old informative books that have been sold away for some extra cash, they do vary in fields but many of them are regarding theories behind old magik and such."
"I must say Riddle whilst being knowledgeable is important, it is not the only factor needed in order for one to be a successful teacher."
"I believe so as well, professor, as a retail worker I have worked with a range of people, one must be able to accommodate to all their wants but gain a profit as well and you must imagine how hard that it."
"It must have been indeed." Dumbledore gave him a small smile "now that we have discussed your work experience, I will be moving onto your qualifications."
Dumbledore conjured some documents which Tom recognised as the documents he had sent along with his confirmation letter.
"Let's see," Dumbledore adorned his glasses and looked over the papers that reveal Riddle's competence "You're a straight O student having gotten yourself 12 OWL's and 12 NEWT's" Tom discretely rolled his eyes, Dumbledore knew all of this but still had the nerve to act surprised "On top of that you were also a Prefect and Head Boy?" Dumbledore finally looked up from the paper to give Riddle a good look over "I saw that you have also attended University?"
"I did indeed." Tom nods, feeling pride at the begrudging look of impressiveness Dumbledore gave him.
"I underwent training to be a professor and received a diploma within 2 years, I believe you can find it behind my qualification certificates." Dumbledore nods slowly.
"I am very impressed, Mr. Riddle." he puts the documents away and clears his throat "If you don't mind, I have two more questions to ask of you and then you may leave until a decision has been made." Riddle uncrossed his legs and gave the man his full attention, this was it. These questions could make or break it for him."
"Why would you like to become a professor here at Hogwarts and how do you wish to improve upon our educational system - slash - qualities?"
'Easy question. I want to become a Hogwarts professor because I actually like this place and I want to have the future generation under my control, like loyal subjects.'
"I must say professor, the reason in which I'd like to become a professor and teach here at Hogwarts is quite selfish," he paused and looked at the older man sitting before him who held a curious gaze with an abashed look "I simply wanted to be close to Hogwarts, you see." He shrugs his shoulders and allows his cheeks to dust with a light pink "It is as what the muggles often say, 'Home is where the heart is.' and I believe that my heart belongs in Hogwarts, it's where I first properly experienced the world of magic and I have grown attached and quite fond of it I do say so myself."
'I would've made for a great actor'
"You're hired."
"As for the way in which I could-" Riddle abruptly paused as he finally heard the words the professor uttered at once and his eyes widened and he couldn't believe himself "I beg your pardon?"
"I believe that you're more than qualified and so it is safe to assume that you've been accepted for the job Mr. riddle, I will discuss this with Headmaster Dippet and get back to you." Tom stared at the older man blankly as he offered him his hand I congratulations before guiding him outside and giving him a congratulatory pat on the back. He watched distractedly as the man walked the opposite way and disappearing in the many hallways the school held.
'What in the actual fuck??'
Tom Riddle was not aware of the smile that formed onto his face, he was far more distracted by the new beginning this presented him. He was now a professor at Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (he could say this with full chest because he was certain that Dippet was fond of him).
Tom continued his exit with a bounce to his step, he believed that nothing could sour his mood.
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He forgot he had such shitty bosses.
"Where have you been?" was the first thing Tom heard once he entered the dark shop, following the jingle of the magical bell.
"Nevermind that," Burkes said quickly shortly after, shoving a box into Tom's unexpected arms and once he felt the content within shake he exhaled rather strongly "Take care of this."
All Tom could do was comply, his DADA position was still not guaranteed and he still need to make a living for the time being "Yes, sir."
"Don't damage anything," Borgin grumbled from the back of the shop, a jug was held in his hand and Tom would bet that it was full of alcohol "It'll be coming out of your pocket." Burke nodded before retreating to the back to join his colleague.
Tom found himself to be sadly reminded that killing was a crime and that the man who had power to decline him his future job knew the two idiots he worked under were his bosses. He sighed in disappointment once more.
'What a shame, no one would've missed them'
As he opened the box, Tom was quick to use the cover as a shield. Once he was sure he was safe and heard no commotion, he moved the cover to find that the cards pierced the wall and were stuck on it.
'On second thought, I can surely come up with something.'
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