What if He had a Choice?

It was a lot of work, something which Tom knew would happen. Even with the resources which he currently had, curtesy of Lucius Malfoy and Lucius' resources, they were practically waging war here. They were trying to take down one of the most influential and powerful Wizards among the government. Tom Riddle, however, was never one to do things half way. When he chose to do something, he ensured that not only would he be capable of doing it, but that nothing would stop him from managing to do what it was that he wanted to do. What he wanted, right now, was Dumbledore to be driven from his post. However, he could not be hasty about these things. it was important to do things in a level, and a highly organized manner. One wrong step could lead to the downfall of everything, and therefore, it was quite simple in the realization that one wrong step would not be allowed. They needed to start small. Rumors, they were quite useful when used as they should be. Luckily, Tom knew just how to make use of rumors.It was not that complicated, you just needed to be careful, and very precise with the rumors which you used to spread. The information that was given had to be done in a good manner. You could not give away too much, however,  you needed to have enough information that the rumors would catch fire. Information that, vague, but interesting enough that everyone would be spreading it. 

That was what he had Lucius do. Well, part of what he had Lucius do. He had a lot of things for Lucius to do, and he did not allow failure, or underwhelming expectations. He expected the best, and he ensured that Lucius knew that he was to provide that to him, or face the consequences. He could not afford to not have everything done to his expectations, especially when dealing with such a powerful wizard. He was determined to launch a series of attacks against the old man, and he was determined that each one be just as bad as the first. It was the beginning of a series of battles which would be fought relentlessly and from all sides. Tom had no intentions of not fighting this battle and not winning. He would be patient, and he would be careful, and he would ensure that he got what he wanted. After all, it would be rather remiss should he rush through things and not get what he wanted. He had to obtain what he desired. Should that not be managed...Well, some people were going to feel the consequences of failing him. Some of which would not be pleasant. Failing? That was simply not an option, and he had the entire summer in which to obtain what he desired.

He started slow. Staring slow was the best thing to do, and he knew the advantage of that. He had Lucius round up some people and send rumors about a orphan magic child. He had them implant memories of a vague description of the child, and what they saw, wizards only, of course. It would not do to have muggles have that description. Though he could not leave the muggles out, and as much as Tom may despise the entire muggle population, he did not hate them so much to the point that he would not use them if it would further his purpose.  The whole point of the rumors being that Voldermort had a half-blood son that was ditched in the East and entirely overlooked given the fact that magic was not as strictly regulated would be useless if the muggles did not see said child wandering around at some point. 

It took about two weeks for everything to be finished. The planting of the memories of a boy in an orphanage, memories of the matrons, the children, even random muggles who had visited the orphanage every once in a while. Random street vendors, and, of course, the wizards who would have been curious. It was not easy to manipulate 15 years worth of time of a child that does not exist, so Tom was lenient, especially since they had done better then he had expected, and he was quite pleased with the work. As expected, once some of the smaller Wizarding journals ran the rumor that Voldermort had been around Hogwarts for the last two years the rumors of the orphan boy began to rise. Even more so when information about Voldermort was published a bit in said news. At the same time, he had Lucius beginning on his gathering evidence. 

They needed as much evidence as possible against Dumbledore. Lucius obtained statements from students during Dumbledore's time as a teacher, hushed acknowledgements from current students, and families, and past staff. It took time, and it was already the beginning of July when all of the evidence was gathered. After having obtained all the evidence that he could, he began slowly publishing said evidence. 

Evidence was sent, not just to the Prophet, but to quite a few Wizarding journals and magazines. Some would not dare publish the stories, and would not even begin to look at the evidence, Tom knew that, especially Dumbledore sympathizers. He did not care for that, however. He did not bother with that, and he did not need them to do so, enough people outside of them would be publishing them and people would be reading them and that was really all that was necessary. 

Secrets began to be pulled up from a long and dark past, buried under mountains of fake actions and supposed 'good will'. Tom knew better, and he would make sure that everyone knew exactly the type of person that Dumbledore was.

He got what he wanted, however. Which was Dumbledore eventually removed from Hogwarts. It happened soon after his own story was published, and towards the beginning of August, something which he found utterly ironic. The fact that Dumbledore's removal of Hogwarts happened so soon after his own story was published. His own account. Oh, it was quite wonderful, really. 

Lucius had been quite pleased with that one, and upon the revelation of what happened, Tom was more then happy. Oh, it was quite wonderful.