Hogwarts Express, September 1941
Tom had been quietly studying the book he had bought with his few extra Knuts ('The Art of Learning Magic' by Brutus Fudge) when the doors of his compartment slid noisily. A boy about the same age as Tom stood awkwardly at the doorway. When their eyes met, the boy gave a tiny smile and a curt nod. Tom was slightly taken aback by the boy's formal gesture.
"Err, excuse me. Can my friend and I share this compartment with you? My sisters kicked me out of theirs and everywhere is full so..."
The boy's face contorted in slight discomfort as he explained his circumstances. Clearly the idea of asking favors does not sit well with him. But did he say friend? Tom looked around but saw nobody with him until a tiny bobbing yellow ball moved behind the boy's back. The ball moved further and Tom realized it was not a magical floating ball but the very blonde head of a very small girl. The girl stared intently at Tom as if studying a painting.
Even though he had wanted to be alone for the train ride, Tom decided that having somebody else might be a good idea. Perhaps they could answer some of the questions he had been thinking of since Dumbledore's visit.
"All right, come on in," he replied kindly.
"Thank you," said the boy, offering his hand. Tom shook it quickly but stared at it for a few moments before taking it.
Afterwards the boy took in his luggage along with his companion's into the compartment. He moved with efficiency as if he had been planning for this trip his whole life. Maybe he did, Tom thought. He must have grown up in a wizarding household and had been preparing for Hogwarts the minute he could say magic. After the boy and his friend settled down, the compartment once again filled with quiet.
Tom went back to his book but felt a strange sensation later; he sensed that the boy and the girl were staring at him. He loosened his collar a bit but went on reading. He already regretted having them share the compartment. The uncomfortable atmosphere hung in the room until it was pierced suddenly by a loud high-pitched whistle.
The train started moving and from his window Tom can see parents waving and bidding their children farewell. Some kids have stuck out of the window and giving teary goodbyes. The scene started to move and get smaller and smaller until the station and the people completely disappeared from his sight.
The boy and his friend had been chatting quietly much to Tom's delight and to add to the pleasure, they had not forced him to join their conversation. He observed that they must have known each other for a long time because sometimes they finished each other sentences. But most of the time the boy did the talking. He also noted that they spoke in a very proper manner, not like the brash talk he heard around the orphanage.
They were also dressed very well. The boy wore a simple cotton shirt and pants but they appeared to be tailor-made for him. He also wore the shiniest leather shoes Tom had ever seen. A sense of embarrassment came over him as he tried to push his own old brown shoes under the chair so they would not see. His black hair though was cut in a very severe manner which made him look too much like an adult. His dark eyes looked intent and with purpose. He was very lanky and tall, much like him. He reminded Tom strongly of the solicitor that came once a month at the orphanage and he had to keep himself from smiling at the thought.
The girl's appearance though was a strong contrast to her friend's. Whereas the boy looked very mature and grown-up, she looked like a delicate porcelain doll. Her eyes were very big and very blue. Her skin was rosy white with freckles scattered all over her face. She was so tiny that her feet barely touched the floor. And everything she wore matched.
Sunday's best, Tom told himself. Of course their parents wanted them to look their best on their first day of school. As he had read in Hogwarts, A History the first day meant Sorting. They were to be presented in front of the whole school and a Sorting Hat was placed on them to determine their House. Whatever that meant he had no idea, but at least he knows. He carefully chose what he wore that day but as he did not have many clothes to choose from, it was a quick process. However he dearly wished he had tailor-made outfits that matched.
"Uhm, hullo. Do you want some?"
It was the first time the girl had spoken directly to him. She held out a carefully wrapped package and gestured for Tom to take it.
"They're turkey sandwiches. My mother made them," she explained as she reached out to give the sandwiches to Tom. The sandwiches smelled wonderful and Tom murmured a thanks as he took them. The girl looked pleased that she had shared her food with him.
He hadn't noticed how far the train had gone. A moment ago there were houses and buildings whizzing by the window, now fields and farms went by in a blur. He also did not notice how hungry he was. The aroma of the sandwiches made his mouth water. He opened the wax paper and ate. "Mmm, they're really good", he said.
"They are, aren't they? Sophia's mother is the best cook in the world," the boy exclaimed as he bit into his own share. "I wish my mother can cook, too," he added wistfully. Suddenly his face shook in alarm and looked from the girl to Tom. "Oh, I'm sorry. We didn't get to introduce ourselves. We were so excited about Hogwarts that we just started talking and we didn't want to interrupt you from reading your book. Both of us are first years and we didn't want to bother you."
"Oh, but I'm a first year too. I was just reading to pass the time," Tom replied politely. "I'm Tom, Tom Riddle."
The boy and the girl looked at Tom and both cast admiring looks upon him. Tom felt slightly proud that they were impressed by him.
"I'm Bartemius Crouch. But just call me Barty," said the boy.
"My name's Sophia Smith," spoke the girl as she gave him a warm smile. She looked down to the floor before looking back at Tom. "The way you were reading, both of us thought you were at least a second year. 'The Art of Learning Magic', that's an OWL level book, you know."
"Owl? The bird?" Tom asked, quizzically.
"O-W-L – Ordinary Wizarding Level. It's a test to see if you're an up-to-standard wizard. Also to determine your NEWTs", Barty explained breathlessly. "My sister has a copy, a much newer edition though. It's a review book of all the magic you've learned in five years. She says it's good for a quick read if you're cramming for exams."
None of the things they said made any sense to Tom. He thought he had been prepared enough for studying at this Hogwarts (he managed to read all the books assigned to him and practice some spells) but it was not enough, clearly. He felt a sense of defeat at the realization and must have looked crestfallen because the way both Sophia and Barty looked upon him changed.
"Muggle-born?" Barty asked.
That phrase, Tom told himself. It infuriated him to be called that though he did not have a reason to feel that way. It just made him feel less special, as if he was a second-class kind of person.
"I grew up with M-Muggles," Tom stuttered. He never stuttered. "Honestly, I could barely keep up with half the things you two said. I read all the books assigned to us and even tried a few spells. But truthfully, I really don't know much about wizards and magic." He gave them a meek smile and hoped they would buy the helpless persona.
Sophia nodded her head in understanding while Barty eyed him curiously. Tom looked down and stared at the floor. It felt better not having to see their faces.
"A lot of Muggle-borns do as well as those who are from wizarding families in Hogwarts." Sophia said encouragingly. "And you did say you have read the books and practiced some spells and by the looks of it, you are way ahead many of us. I barely touched my school things after I bought them at Diagon Alley," she added with a mischievous smile on her face. "If you're afraid of being at the bottom of the class, don't worry, that'll be me. I was surprised I got my letter. I barely exhibited any magic till a year ago."
Sophia looked startled about her personal confession. She looked out the window which was now dark and gloomy. The trees were very thick in this area and the sky had now turned a deep lavender. A few moments of silence passed between the three of them.
"We better get changed into our robes," announced Barty, breaking the silence. He took out a silver pocket watch and looked at the time. "We should be there in a few minutes."
They all took out their robes and dressed quickly. As expected, Barty and Sophia sported brand new robes while Tom had to be content with his second-hand ones. A heavy quiet once fell over their compartment and it made Tom feel very perturbed.
Slowly his excitement about the prospects of Hogwarts became tinged with nerves. But why was that? Sophia had thought he is already ahead many of his peers. Surely that's a good sign. However Barty was still eyeing him in a peculiar manner. Was it his Muggle upbringing?
As the train started to slow down Tom felt to his relief that his anxiousness is drifting away. He decided not to let anything bother him. Not Sophia. Not Barty.
He was special. He knows it.
Author's Note : This story came to me when a few years back when I J.K. Rowling released an incomplete family tree for the Blacks. If you've seen it, there was a Charlus Potter and a Caspar Crouch that married into the Black family. Some have suggested that Charlus is James' dad (it was indicated that he had one son) and Caspar is Barty Sr.'s dad. But I think Harry would have noticed these or Sirius would have definitely pointed it out to Harry. (In HBP, they were looking at the Black family tree for an awfully long time and even Harry noticed that Sirius was related to Lucius!). I think the family tree was just a way for J.K. to illustrate that most wizarding families are related (or maybe just to tease us with the possibilities IDK, haha). But this whole pre-Harry Hogwarts got me thinking about Tom Riddle's Hogwarts. Some of the Blacks were definitely within Tom Jr's generation. Also they lived in such an interesting time; WWII is raging while they were at Hogwarts and that must have been some great stories to tell. So yeah, that's my excuse for writing this fic. Also this is the first fic I have published so a review would be nice. Thanks for visiting! Updates should be weekly, I hope :D