Unexpected Encounters | Tom Riddle

VI: Shattering the Illusion

She headed to Dumbledore's office, not caring about hiding herself anymore since Tiernan Nott had clearly seen her here already.

"Professor Dumbledore?" She knocked on the door which was ajar.

"Come in."

She smiled when she saw the familiar bag of lemon drops on his table, smile quickly falling when she noticed someone else in the office.

It was an auror.

Theseus Scamander.

Her eyes widened when she saw him, unable to believe that Newt Scamander's brother was right in front of her eyes. "C'mon, I can't be all that impressive," Theseus Scamander chuckled when Lilia stared at him, wide-eyed. "Mr Scamander! Oh my god, it is such an honour to meet you! I have followed your work for a long time now and- Oh Merlin." She was so excited that her words kept getting mixed up together.

"Don't mention it please," Theseus walked up to her, holding out a hand. Lilia shook his hand, squeezing tightly.

This was the man that she had spent hours reading up on. She read up on his strategies and his motivations while trying to figure out how to defeat Voldemort. Theseus Scamander was one of, if not the most accomplished auror the country had ever known. Meticulous, excellent and commanding.

"What's your name?" He asked, smiling at her when she let go of his hand, realising with a slight flush that she had squeezed too tightly. "Lilia Rousseau." "Rousseau, huh? Are you related to the Rosier family by any chance?" "No, not at all!"

Her overzealous answer made him chuckle. "I'm joking, Lilia. Do you mind if I call you by your first name?" "Not at all, Mr Scamander." "Theseus, please. You make me sound so old." "Sorry... Theseus." "Thank you, Lilia. Now, I will leave you to Albus over here. I wouldn't want to disturb your meeting." "Not at all Mr- Theseus. It is an honour to meet you, again." "I hear Lilia is quite competent in her defence against the dark arts classes, Theseus."

She smiled proudly at the auror after Dumbledore pointed out her skills, noting the way he smiled at her. "Would you be interested in a career with the auror office, Lilia?" She practically gaped at Theseus' question. "I- I wouldn't dare. I doubt I would be as skilled as aurors, and I do like magical creatures. So I'm not sure yet." "You should meet my brother, Newt then. In fact, how would you like to meet us for tea one of these days?" "I would love that!" "Enthusiastic. I like you. Well, keep an eye out for my owl. You should hear back from me sometime soon, but I do apologise if I end up taking a while. I am quite busy with Grindelwald."

At this, he gave a pointed look to Dumbledore. "It will all work out," Lilia said before she could stop herself.

Theseus thought she was being positive, but Dumbledore knew better.

When Theseus Scamander left the office, Dumbledore asked her a question, "Does it end well with Grindelwald?" "It does, Professor. The greater good will win."

The dull ache was back in her chest. For the greater good (She didn't know it originated from Grindelwald himself) . That had been their slogan as she endured whatever Voldemort's followers threw their way. As Antonin Dolohov forced himself on her. As Bellatrix Lestrange tortured her for hours. As she obtained scars on her body from fighting deadly curses and terrible hexes. It had only dawned upon her that they were ruined when Harry died. The slogan was useless after he was gone.

"How has life been treating you here, Lilia?" The professor asked her as she took a seat in front of him. "Not bad, it's strange that I adjusted quite quickly. But I... I have nightmares. Of the war."

Albus looked at her, questions burning on the tip of his tongue, but he knew better. He couldn't get in the course of time. "Was it a bad war?" "I lost friends and family in the war." He couldn't fathom the idea that she had been so affected by the war. She was barely an adult and yet, she seemed to have lived through horrors that he couldn't imagine. He wanted to know who this dark wizard was, think about whether he knew him or not.