Hello there! So...I've noticed how there aren't that many fics about Voldemort's school years, so I've decided to do something about that!
Anyway, as a small summary: Voldemort's always been particularly close to Nagini so I thought, ok, what if she was a person who got transformed into a snake. The first chapter is written in Nagini's perspective but will shift to Tom Riddle's in the following chapters.
Tom Riddle's eyes glanced haughtily at the brunette. "I find it absolutely atrocious that a Muggle-born such as yourself should be sorted into Slytherin."
Nagini felt her own eyes narrow in response. Drifting through orphanages, she wasn't a complete stranger to bullying gits - and Tom Riddle had to be the biggest bullying git she'd ever met.
"Yes, well, I don't hear you going on about me being Muggle-born when I beat you at exams."
The childishness of her response wasn't lost on Riddle's gang - Rudolphus Lestrange's superior smirk and Nott and Avery's knowing glances at each other were enough to tell her that she'd made a know-it-all fool of herself again. It was bad enough being the youngest in the grade without being considered a teacher's pet.
Riddle's dark eyes narrowed. "This isn't a place for Muggle-born scum - Slytherin has only ever had pure-bloods."
"Which you aren't." Nagini snapped.
He couldn't stop the flush rising in his pale cheeks, and his group around him glanced nervously at his twitching wand.
"Fighting, are we?"
The Transfiguration master, Professor Dumbledore, provided a very welcome distraction.
"No, Professor." Riddle replied, his tone not quite as respectful as it could be.
Professor Dumbledore gazed hard at him, through his half-moon spectacles. "I find it amusing, though not surprising, that you would lie to me, Tom. Brilliant as you are, I find your behaviour leaves much to be desired."
Riddle's flush deepened, and he glared at Nagini with pure hate. Used to it, she turned her back on him.
"Nagini, Professor Slughorn wants you - I'm afraid you won't be able to slip out of his latest invitation that easily." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, and he went on his way.
"Barmy old coot." Rudolphus snorted. "Surprised he doesn't trip over that beard of his."
That elicited a few cackles from the group, though Riddle remained silent.
Rolling her eyes, Nagini hurried off to Professor Slughorn's office. She passed Barney Clearwater as she did so, and his face was extraordinarily solemn.
"Did you get locked out again?"
Barney nodded, his expression not changing a fraction. "I never seem to get the answer right." He sighed. Surprisingly for a Ravenclaw, Barney had the brains of a gnat.
Perhaps it was this that made him a good friend, the fact that he was entirely devoid of a higher than average IQ. Nagini had a great mistrust of smart people - they seemed to always have their own agendas, none of them good. Fleetingly, she was reminded of Riddle.
"Well, you'll have to wait for Xenophilius to show up, then." She replied, in as sympathetic a tone as she could.
"Where are you off to?"
"Slughorn's." Nagini let out a great sigh. Professor Slughorn was by far her least favourite teacher, as she found him incredibly shallow. "I think he wants me to join the Slug Club."
Barney let out a roar of laughter. "Ha - I'm imagining you sitting next to Riddle and those 'Death Eaters' of his while old Slughorn pontificates like the dreadful bore he is."
"It's not funny!" Nagini hissed, annoyed at being laughed at. "I'd rather toss out my broom and never play another game of Quidditch than-"
"My, aren't you overreacting." Barney chuckled. "I'm sure it won't be that bad. There'll still be the food." His eyes widened a little.
"Merlin's broomsticks, Barney!"
"What? There's nothing wrong with being a fan of food-"
Grinning inwardly at Barney's food obsession, Nagini hurried on her way, her fingers crossed in the pockets of her robes, hoping that being late for Slughorn's meeting might make her lose favour with him.
okay, so that's it for the first chapter! Give it a read (if you want) and tell me what you think! 😁