This is my first story so please any advice is welcome. This is only the first chapter so please be patient the next chapter's release date is uncertain. By the way Anna Bailey and Lucy are made up characters; they are not mentioned in the books.
A train's whistle split the still, foggy air. It began to chug slowly at first with long intervals in between, but it became progressively faster and faster becoming a sort of melodious repetition of sounds. As the train fought its way through the thick stew of clouds, inside the noise of children's laughter predominated the space. Children in long robes raced in and out of booths playing and eating strange things. As it may appear to outside muggles these children were just rowdy and sugar filled, but to one who knows there was an undeniable sense of power in that train almost as if the air was laden with magic.
In the corridor a sole girl stood on her tipy-toes her black eyes glancing in the booths when a small voice caught her by surprise. "Can I help with something?" The black eyed girl whirled around to see another child in the corridor with blond ringlets spilling over her shoulders. "I-I'm looking for a place to sit all the booths are full." The black eyed girl's cheeks flamed.
"That's quite alright, I'm looking for a booth as well, shall we look together?" The black eyed girl nodded then after a second of silence offered her hand "I'm Anna Bailey" the blond girl shook the outstretched hand "Lucy." And with casualties exchanged they walked down the hall together.
Inside an empty booth a few cars down a boy sat alone looking out the window. His dark rode matched his hair and eyes and as his hand reached up to brush back his hair a silver ring flashed on his finger. He was startled by a knock on his door. At the door he saw a girl with fair looks smiling politely at him." Sorry to intrude" the girl said "But my friend and I are looking for a booth all the others are full. Would you mind if we stay here?" Tom, quickly recovering from his shock, put on a charming smile "Of course not." The girl smiled and pulled a darker girl inside and sat down. "Would you mind giving me the honor of knowing your name?" The boy said looking into the blue eyes of the fair girl. The girl giggled and muttered "Lucy" the boy smiled and took her hand , faintly brushing his lips on the knuckles and muttered "I'm Tom Riddle, pleased to meet you." Lucy giggled even louder although an irritable sigh caught Tom's attention. He turned toward the corner of the booth to see the dark haired girl gazing at them with an annoyed expression. Tom was about to dispel her when her shoes caught his attention. "What are you wearing on your feet?" The girl looked down and when she met his eyes she looked quizzical "Boots."
"Yes" Tom said "But aren't they boys boots?" The girl's expression hardened " I've heard this before but as I've said I can be just as feminine in boys boots as I can in girl's shoes." Tom was astounded by her "What's your name?" the girl looked suspicious "Anna Bailey" Tom leaned back in his seat intrigued by her aggressiveness.
As the ride continued and Lucy's wooed giggles filled the booth Tom would smile, his ears focusing on and anticipating the sighs and irritated noises of his new friend.
There in an unknown land in an unknown county in a mysterious continent stood a school made of stone. It stood over the land in majesty cloaked with the sun and the stars. It seemed to open up to the students as with open arms and wide eyes as a mother would to her long forgotten children. Inside the students flocked and lingered in the hall awaiting their cue to walk into the dining hall. Soon the doors were flung open and the children sauntered in their knees quivering in anxiety. A tall man with a long brown beard, streaked with gray, beamed down at the children. The room quickly filled with whispers of "Quiet, it's Dumbledore" The man simply smiled and continued. "Now we will begin the sorting." The room was swept by silence. A different teacher stepped forward a long scroll in his hands and began to call out the students by alphabetical order. "Lois Avery" A tall girl with midnight colored skin and hair the color of ink walked forward and lowered herself on the stool. An old, raggy, extremely oversized hat was placed on her head, falling over her eyes. The creases of the hat formed a sort of face the folds pressing deeper as it seemed to concentrate. A moment of silence passed before, with a booming voice the hat cried out "Ravenclaw!" A table filled with children clothed in purple cheered and welcomed the girl with great enthusiasm. And so went the rest of the children, chosen by the hat and cast out into a sea of craze filled children. "Lucy Olsen". Lucy stepped forward her eyes glistening with tears of the unknown. The hat was placed on her head for but a moment before the name "Gryffindor!" flew into the air. Lucy giggled and bounced to the table of gold dressed students. "Tom Riddle." He casually walked to the table, his face full of calamity and assurance. The hat pondered for a moment longer then proclaimed "Slytherin!" Green and silver students jumped up and cried out a sort of battle cry. With a bemused smirk Tom walked toward the table. "Anna Bailey Ramos." Anna Bailey scurried to the stool her hands sweaty with nervousness. The hat fell over her eyes and ears muffling the silence. "Well now." A solid, raspy voice filled her ears "Where to put YOU..." "I beg your pardon?" She thought
"Oh don't be offended, you're just a curious one." there was silence
"Hmmm…"The hat said muttering words seemingly to it's self. "Courage, Loyalty, yes. Intelligence and curiosity, Brilliant. Slyness and wit, determination, intriguing.
"Yes. Yes I do believe that is the right choice. Anna Bailey I do expect great things from you."
"Like what?"
"To clear a great name and disprove the idiots."
"How?" She asked
"Just by being yourself. Slytherin!"
The hat was removed from her head unleashing the unhindered sound of her house mates in her ears. And so began the story of a bright and brilliant life. A life damned from the start.