I woke up thinking, Wow. I can't believe that I'm finally going to Hogwarts. I picked up my diary and began to write.

I'm 16 and I'm just being sorted into Hogwarts. Unheard of. Apparently it was to keep me safe. I've known I was a witch since I was 7 years old and have learned a lot about magic. But, considering who my dad is, it makes since. My adoptive mother kept my heritage from me for a long time, but I figured it out. There's only one wizard with the last name Riddle. That's Tom Marvolo Riddle; better known as Voldemort. She was reluctant to send me, with good ol' dad rising to power again, but I told her I needed to be with witches and wizards my age. She finally gave in.

I put down my pen and began to get ready. After all, I'm going to be going to the famous Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. AMAZING!! A voice from downstairs snaps me out of my reverie.

"Schylar, we've got to go!"

"Okay, I'm coming. Be right down, just gotta get my cloak."

"Well hurry. We've got to get you to the platform because I can't apparate to the school with you."

I walked down the stairs, "I know."

Professor McGonagall, or as I know her, Mini (short for Minerva), smiled at me,

"You look great, Schylar."

"Thanks," I smile at the woman who raised me, but never made me call her Mum. "Now, let's go!"

Mini dropped me off between platforms 9 and 10. Before I could ask her where Platform 9 ¾ was, she was gone. I looked around, completely confused.

"Now where am I supposed to go?" I thought out loud.

I heard a voice behind me, "Are you looking for Platform 9 ¾?"

I jumped and turned around to see a girl with bushy brown hair, "Yeah, do you know where it's at?"

"Yes. I'm Hermione Granger. Is this your first year at Hogwarts?"

"Yes, it is. I know I'm a little old to be sorted in, but my adoptive mother wouldn't let me come until now. It's nice to meet you, Hermione. I'm Schylar."

She smiled then explained how to get on the platform. I have to admit I was a little wary about running into a brick wall, but I trusted her and sure enough, it worked.

Hermione invited me to sit with them on the train and introduced me to everyone.

"Everybody, this is Schylar. Schylar, this is everybody."

I waved to everyone, "Hi."

"Hi, I'm Harry Potter," Of course I knew that.

"I'm Ron Weasley," a tall boy with red hair and freckles said.

"I'm Ginny, Ron's sister, and these two," she pointed to twin boys sitting in the corner, "are my brothers Fred and George."

They looked up long enough to say, "'Ello."

A quirky blond girl looked up, "Hi, I'm Luna Lovegood," she said in an airy voice. She motioned to the boy holding a toad next to her, "This is Neville Longbottom."

He looked up and nodded toward me.

"Luna, doesn't your father write 'The Quibbler'?"

"Yes, Schylar. He does. Do you read it?"

"I do. I find it very interesting. Especially the Nargles and the Wrackspurts."

She nodded happily. Hermione glanced at me, her look saying, Really? I can't believe you believe her father's nonsense.

I just laughed under my breath. Luna didn't hear.

Ron was looking out the window, "So, Schylar, why didn't you start Hogwarts at 11? You look about 16."

"I am 16. And because, my mother was worried that my life was in danger and that if I came to the school, Harry's life would be in even more danger." Harry looked up at this.

"But the only way that could be is if your father was Voldemort," Hermione stated, looking scared and concerned for me.

I looked at her, finding it easier to admit this horrible secret to someone logical and kind, like Hermione, "He is my father."

Hermione sat next to me and gave me a hug. I then told them my entire story, figuring they might as well know everything. Harry listened quietly the whole time. The others mostly looked shocked.

After I finished George said, "Wait a minute, let me get this straight; McGonagall raised you? And you're not stuck-up?"

I laughed, "Yes, she raised me. And no, I am my own person, you know."

They all caught what I meant by that. I'm not like my father and I felt I had to prove that to them…and to myself. Ginny said to me, "You don't have to prove anything. Not to me, anyway."

Everyone agreed with her. But, I still had myself to convince.

"Hey," that was the first time Neville spoke the whole time, "on a happier note, we're almost there!"

I was so excited, I felt like I was going to burst. When we got off of the train, I saw these carriages that were lead by the most amazing black horses. Harry saw me looking at them. "Thestrals; Only those who have seen death can see them." Amazingly, we found a carriage big enough for all of us, minus Fred and George. They ran off, but not before I made them swear not to tell anyone what I told them.

"Don't worry," Fred said.

"We're not stupid; you got some serious power flowin' through your veins," George finished.

I don't know why, but this made me laugh. "Good," I said. "And that goes for all of you. Please."

They all agreed not to say anything. I was so pleased to have found friends I could trust. I only hoped I could be in the same House as them. Either in Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. But, NEVER in Slytherin; that was his House and I was determined to make a separate name for myself.

I walked inside and Mini told me to stand with the first-years. She stood next to me, "In front of the other students, I would like you to address me as Professor."

"Of course, Mini. I mean, Professor." I smiled.

Mini ushered us all into the Great Hall. I looked around and saw all of my friends looking up at me. All of them were hopeful I wouldn't get into Slytherin. This made me all the more happier to have them as friends.

==================Chapter 2===================

It felt like ages waiting for my name to be called. Then finally I heard it.

"Schylar Riddle"

Everyone in the Hall went silent and stared at me; trying to figure out if I was related to who they thought. Then almost everybody in the Hall started muttering all at once; everybody except the people who knew the truth, my friends.

Mini put the ancient Sorting Hat on my head and I heard its ol voice in my mind.

You have great blood in your veins; a terrible and great ancestry. A direct heir of Slytherin and He Who Must Not Be Named. It would be a shame for you not to be in Slytherin's House. You would benefit there.

All I could think was, I am not my father and I do not want to be in Slytherin. I want to be my own person. I hoped the hat was listening to me. I heard what it did for Harry.

So, you want to have a say in where you go? I have only done that for one other. He had so much to prove, as do you. You have much more to prove, I think. You are kind like Hufflepuff and brave like a Gryffindor. Your wits outmatch many of those in Ravenclaw; maybe even those of Rowena Ravenclaw herself. This is perhaps the hardest decision I have ever had to make. I'll place you in…

"SLYTHERIN!"

My heart fell. I felt like crying, as I looked towards all of my friends, who looked just as devastated. Hermione, I knew, was worried that some boy named Draco Malfoy, who was a supposed follower of my father, would have a bad affect on me.

Sullenly, I sat down in an empty space; all of the Slytherins were cheering. After Professor Dumbledore welcomed all of us and went over the rules of the school, dinner was served. I just poked at my food, to upset and angry to eat. As I was sitting there, a boy with white-blonde hair sat next to me. I ignored him.

"Hey, Riddle. What's the matter? You're in the best House at this place. Stop moping."

I looked into his grey eyes, "Who are you?"

He looked shocked, "You don't know? I'm Draco Malfoy."

"Is that supposed to impress me? Because I really don't care."

Before he could answer, Dumbledore said it was time for bed. I was thankful, because I really didn't like Draco. He was horrible, cocky and conceded.

Hermione, Harry and Ron walked up and offered to take me to my Common Room. I was happy because some mean looking Slytherins were walking towards me and some first-years. The trio told me that my Common Room was located in the dungeons. I found that creepy and intriguing at the same time. On the way there Harry said, "The hat gave me a choice, did it ask you what you wanted?"

"It asked, but I guess it figured that I'd do better in Slytherin. I think it wants me to be challenged. Does that make sense?"

"Yes. It's odd though, you have so much more to go through than I did; I don't get why the hat would place you in a position that would make life all that much harder."

"I think that the hat is just gettin' too old and needs some help," Ron said.

Hermione spoke up, "Maybe it wants to show everybody that not all Slytherins are bad."

"That makes more sense," Ron agreed with Hermione. I had to agree with her, too. What she said made sense. Maybe that's what the hat was trying to do.

We were walking down the stairs to the dungeons, and because I still wasn't used to them, I stumbled. Harry caught my arm and gasped in pain; falling to the floor.

"Oh, my gosh! Harry, are you Okay? I am so sorry," I exclaimed, knowing immediately what happened when he grabbed my arm.

He looked up, still holding his head, "Yeah, I'm fine. You didn't know that would happen; it's not your fault." Ron helped him up.

"I'll remember to be more careful. I don't wanna hurt you."

Hermione looked from Harry to me, "Don't worry, Schylar. None of us blame you. You can't help it and it's not your fault. Don't think that it is." It was like she knew what I was thinking.

"She's right, Schylar," I heard Harry's voice in my head.

"Whoa! Did you just-?" I stammered, wondering if I heard what I thought I heard.

"Yeah, I think I just telepathically spoke to you." He looked as shocked as I felt.

"What?" Ron asked. "You two can communicate…with your minds? I wanna be able to do that. Here, Schylar, grab hold of my arm. See if it woks for me, too."

"Ronald, it's not going to work," Hermione started, "Harry and Schylar were already connected through-well you know. Anyway, I really don't think it'll work."

"Oh well, I'll try anyway. You never know, Hermione."

I reached out to grab Ron's arm. He had an expression like he was expecting to be shocked by 1000 volts of electricity or something. As I touched his arm, I wasn't really sure what to expect. Then it hit me: I knew exactly what was running through his mind. He also could feel what was going through mine. It was like a rush of emotion. Then I let go and it disappeared, like nothing ever happened/.

"Did you see everything that I was thinking?" Ron asked.

"Yeah, I did. But, you also got to see my mind, too. So don't complain."

He looked like he was concentrating.

"Don't strain yourself, Ron," Harry remarked, looking at Ron.

"I can't hear what you're thinking."

"Aww, man! I was really hoping it would work." He looked crestfallen.

"Sorry, Ron."

Hermione had been watching all of this in silence; observing and analyzing everything that happened. "It only seems to work with someone, other than Harry, through contact. I think you both should be very careful with this. If you are too lenient with this, Voldemort could find you both easily."

"You're right, Hermione. I think we should try to communicate again tomorrow, Harry. Just to see if it still works," I had a feeling that it would. "And Ron, I want to see if it works with you again, too. You, also, Hermione; I'll check in class, or at break with you two."

I thought she'd object, but she didn't say anything, Truthfully, I think she was just as anxious to get to the bottom of this as I was. Ron still looked slightly depressed that I couldn't hear his thoughts, but, he did look excited to find out if it'd still work. Harry seemed to want to follow Hermione's advice, but wanted to tell me something at the same time. We were finally at the doorway to the Slytherin Dorms.

"Thank You, guys. This means a lot to me. I'd hug you, but…yeah. Y'know."

"Hey, don't worry about it, we're happy to help you," Harry said.

"You better get going. I don't want you to get in trouble for being out to late."

"Okay, Bye, Schylar," Ron and Harry said.

"See you tomorrow," Hermione waved as they walked away.

I turned towards the wall, looking at it for the first time. The wall was adorned with snakes twisting up the wall. The snakes' eyes were either deep, red rubies or dark emeralds. To me, this showed how greedy my ancestor was.

I took a deep breath readying myself to enter my new home, "Purple Bumbleberry"

The snakes moved on the wall, revealing a door. I walked into the dark Common Room, wondering who chose the password into the Dorm. I looked around. The Common Room was spacious and dimly lit. There were many pieces of black leather furniture and black desks all around the room. There was a particularly large couch in front of a roaring fireplace. In all honesty, the room reminded me of a well-furnished dungeon. Just as I was walking up the stairs to the girls' dormitory, I heard a voice behind me. I stopped on the stairs.

"It took you long enough to get here, Riddle."

The voice was smug. I immediately recognized it as belonging to Draco Malfoy. I was really hoping I wouldn't have to see him tonight; or ever really, but I knew that was just wishful thinking on my part.

"What do you want?" I asked turning around.

"I want to know who you really are. Riddle is a very curious name."

I looked him square in the eye, obviously not something he was used to, "The only thing curious here, is why you think so highly of yourself. You really aren't that intimidating. In fact, I think you're a bit of a prat."

He shook his head, "Now that's not very nice. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were influenced to think that by that Mudblood Granger."

"She had no influence over me. You're the one who made me think that. And if I ever hear you calling anyone a Mudblood ever again, you won't know what hit you."

At that I turned around and walked up stairs to my room. As I walked into my room, I found all of my stuff had been brought up and organized for me. That's nice, I thought. I then changed into my pajamas and lied down. Within minutes, I was asleep, dreaming. I was in the Great Hall with Harry, Ron and Hermione and in the shadows; I saw a cloaked figure watching us. I woke with a start to find myself still in my bed. After that I laid back down and did not have another dream.