I remember the first time I saw him.
It was September 1, 1937. I was 12 years old.
I had taken a seat at the Slytherin table next to my best friend Abraxus Malfoy. We laughed remembering how nervous we were last year as we looked over at the line of first years all trembling. We placed bets on which ones would be Slytherins.
Then I saw him. The only boy not trembling, he had black hair that hung loose around his dark eyes. He wore no expression on his face. He just looked straight ahead at the Sorting Hat sitting on the stool that Professor Dumbledore had just set down.
"That one." I said pointing at the boy. "I have no doubt."
Abraxus nodded. "He's a Slytherin."
The Great Hall quieted as Headmaster Dippet stood up to welcome us all back and then the sorting began.
I waited as student after student was sorted for the boy's name to be called. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. There was something both dark and beautiful about the boy.
"Riddle, Tom." Dumbledore called and the boy stepped forward.
I felt myself holding my breath as the Sorting Hat was placed on his head.
"Slytherin." The hat called.
Abraxus looked over at me and smiled as the boy took a seat at the Slytherin table.
I couldn't help but continue to watch him as the other Slytherins congratulated him. He looked down the table to get a good look at all of us.
It was then that our eyes locked. My heart began to beat faster and I got a strange feeling in my stomach. Our eye contact didn't break for what seemed like an eternity.
"Walburga? Are you alright?" Abraxus asked me.
"Yeah." I said pulling my gaze away. "I'm fine."
From that moment on, I never went a day without thinking about Tom Riddle.
