Chapter 262: The Tutor
The moment Riddle's writing faded, the diary's yellowed pages seemed to lighten, as if they were losing color. Almost immediately, a messy scrawl in what looked like frantic, uneven handwriting appeared across the paper. Kyle squinted, trying to make out the words:
[Don't ever give this diary to Dumbledore... I mean, Professor Dumbledore is the person I admire most, and I'd rather visit him in person than have just a memory go to him. I'm sure I'd feel the same way even fifty years from now.]
As Kyle read, that unsettling sense of prying crept back, stronger than before. This time, he could even hear a faint whisper in his mind, gently urging him to believe Riddle's words, nudging him toward obedience. However, thanks to Occlumency, the subtle hint became clear and almost crude, more like a blunt command that he was supposed to follow.
Can he use the Confundus Charm on top of Legilimency? Kyle mused to himself. Either that, or he's just really laying it on thick.
Raising an eyebrow, Kyle feigned obliviousness and wrote with a calm expression, "You're right, Tom. I was careless."
"I think Headmaster Dumbledore would also prefer it if you showed him the diary yourself."
[Exactly, you're absolutely right.]
Riddle's handwriting returned to its usual neat form.
[So, you must promise not to show him the diary, okay?]
"Since you put it that way... alright," Kyle responded, agreeing without hesitation.
Following this exchange, Riddle became unusually restrained, focusing exclusively on his role as Kyle's "tutor," as though terrified Kyle might change his mind and take the diary to Dumbledore after all. But despite Riddle's compliance, the experience grew frustrating for Kyle.