"What's left?" Mrs. Cole made a gap, "The woman left nothing but the child. ”

"You might as well think about it again, did that woman leave any strange words?" Dumbledore said.

"Everyone will say some nonsense before they die, and when death comes, people will always have all kinds of hallucinations." Mrs. Cole said, "Perhaps, but I've heard so much nonsense that who remembers what the woman said." ”

"Richard." Dumbledore called out a little warning to Richard, who was a little nervous. Silver, Harry thinks Richard wants to be a detriment to Mrs. Cole.

"Can you tell us about the kid, then?" Dumbledore said.

Mrs. Cole poured herself another glass of gin almost absent-mindedly. Two blush flushed her cheekbones. Then she said, "He's a quirky kid." ”

"yes," said Dumbledore, "I guessed it too. ”

"He was very eccentric when he was a baby and almost never cried. Later, when he grew up a little, he became very ...... Weird. ”

"Weird, what's weird?" Dumbledore asked gently.

"That's right, he-"

Madame Cole paused suddenly, and she threw an inquiring glance over her gin glass at Dumbledore, which was not at all dazed or confused.

"He's sure he can go to your school, right?"

"Definitely." Dumbledore said.

"Whatever I say, it won't change that?"

"No, it won't." Dumbledore said.

"You're going to take him away anyway?"

"Anyway." Dumbledore repeated sternly.

Mrs. Cole squinted at him, as if judging whether to believe him or not. Eventually, apparently thinking he could be trusted, she suddenly blurted out, "He's scared the other kids." ”

"You're saying he likes to bully?" Dumbledore asked.

"I think so," said Mrs. Cole, frowning slightly, "but it would be difficult to catch him red-handed. There have been some accidents...... Some malignant incidents ......"

Dumbledore didn't rush her, but Harry could tell he was interested. Mrs. Cole took another long sip of gin, and the flush on her cheeks deepened.

"Billy. Stubbs' Rabbit ...... yes, Tom said he didn't do it, and I don't think he could have done it, but that the rabbit wouldn't hang himself from the beam, would he? ”

"yes, I don't think so." Dumbledore whispered.

"But I can't figure out how he got up there to do this. All I know is that he and Billy had a fight the day before. And later—" Mrs. Cole took another sip of gin, this time spilling some to her chin, "going out on a summer outing—you know, once a year. We take them to the countryside or to the beach -- and since then, Amy. Benson and Dennis. Bishop never quite right, and when we asked, they only said it was with Tom. Riddle had gone into a cave together. Tom swore they were going on an expedition, but something must have happened in there. I'm sure. And then there's many, many things, weird......"

"What a bastard." Richard said, but there was an indescribable joy on his face, as if to little Tom. The fact that Riddle is a jerk kid is very happy.

"Oh, of course he's a bastard boy." Mrs. Cole drank another glass of gin, "I think many people will applaud when they see him leave." ”

"I'm sure you'll understand that we're not going to keep him in school all the time," Dumbledore said, "at least he'll be back here every summer." ”

"That's really sad news." Mrs. Cole said.

"If I could, I'd like to adopt Tom. Riddle. Richard began. So that he will not cause you any trouble. ”

"That's the best—"

"But—"

"Dumbledore, Tom. Riddle is also a relative of mine, and of course I am qualified to adopt him—you don't think his uncle will take him in, do you? "Richard. Silver had already regained his composure at this time, "Let me adopt this child, it's good for everyone." ”

"I'm in favor of the idea, if all of them are in accordance with the procedure." Mrs. Cole said, "But the adoption process will take some time, do you want to see the child now?" ”

"I really want to, I can't wait to meet this kid." Richard. Silver stood up.

"Then come with me."

Dumbledore had to get up and follow.

Mrs. Cole led them out of the office and up the stone staircase, shouting and reprimanding her helpers and children as she went. Harry saw that the orphans were all dressed in grey tunics. They all seemed to be reasonably well cared for, but there was no doubt that growing up in this place made the atmosphere very gloomy and oppressive.

"We're here." Mrs. Cole said that they turned a corner on the third-floor landing and stopped at the door of the first room in a long hallway. She knocked twice on the door and walked in.

"Tom? Someone has come to see you. (To be continued......)