The night was dark and cold, bitterly so, the soft snow fell slowly to the earth covering the ground like a silky white blanket, a bitter chill pervaded the air and as the lone boy trudged slowly back towards the looming shape of Hogwarts Castle, lights from countless lamps glittering from the windows, countless spires and towers stretching high into the sky. The pale moon, waxed high in the sky, barely illuminating anything it hovered like a lonely soul in the midnight sea.
Shivering with cold the boy carried on regardless, his boots making fresh new tracks in the crisp snow. Coming within the edge of the welcoming light emanating form the lamp that swung gently on a bracket above the entrance to the school the boy pulled his long cloak closer around him, hoping to go unnoticed. It was a vain hope fro the boy new he would be seen before he left the warmth and safety of the Slytherin dormitory in the castle cellars far below his feet. Slowly he crept up to the big wooden doors waiting for a cry of recognition from one of the teachers or, if he was lucky, prefects that were told to wait by the main doors for any students returning for late night jaunts. But as he edged closer and closer towards the door, no shout came from the dark. Slowly and carefully he mounted the first step of the daunting stone staircase his form now completely illuminated by the lamp. Cursing at his own stupidity he pulled his wand from beneath his robes and extending one pale hand he uttered a single command and the light winked out as if covered up by an unseen cloth. Breathing a sigh of relief the boy continued up the staircase with the renewed relief he would not be caught, just a few more steps then I'm done, he thought. Slowly his foot passed over the last step and he stopped to take breath, the long walk up to here had tired the boy out, long days spent resting in his dormitory reading books when he should have been exercising had taken its toll on the boy.
He had just turned his attention to the problem of large wooden doors looming above him and how he was going to get in when he heard footsteps behind him, slow, heavy footsteps. Cursing under his breath he rummaged in his robes looking for his wand. As the footsteps came closer he began to worry, frantically searching for the wand that might save his life amongst the thick cowls of his long robes. At last as the footsteps stopped right behind him he found it and turning apprehension in his eyes he held his wand out straight in one quavering arm.
In front of him was a hulking shape, bigger than any person he had ever seen, he stood almost twice as tall as the frail boy, a huge mass of muscle and dark, a long mane of shaggy black hair was the things only distinguishing feature. In one thick hand he carried a massive locked case that the boy was sure he could not carry in both hands.
"I demand you tell me who you are and what is your business?"
"Ere' put that wand away, you might 'urt me or someone with that thing,"
"I demand you tell me who you are!"
"Me' names Rubeus Hagrid, 4'th year in Gryffindor. Pleased to meet you."
The giant man extended one big hand to the boy who, reluctantly offered his in return. "My name is Riddle. 6'th year, Slytherin, now if you don't mind," The boy turned back to the gate and studied it carefully for a few minutes and turned back to Rubeus. "Any ideas my big man?"
"I left a door open to the kitchens, it's how I always get in and out when I'm taking her out for a it of fresh air," He motioned to the case in his hand.
"her?"
"Her names Aragog, she's my pet Acro… spider."
"Quite." Riddle said looking slightly bemused. There was an awkward silence for a few seconds before Riddle said "Well come on then my good man, lead the way."
Chapter 2