1st September, 1938
Tom Riddle woke up bright and early on the morning of September first. The very first thing he did was to check under his pillow for the small piece of paper that was supposed to be his ticket. Relieved to find it intact, he let his thin fingers trace the golden carving of the ticket, lost in his thoughts. The one day at the Diagon Alley was his only experience of the magical world; the world of witches and wizards, of wonderful magical things. He wasn't allowed to go back there another time, despite all his requests. Apparently, the man who had come to tell Tom of his heritage, who had introduced himself as the deputy Headmaster at Hogwarts, had advised his matron against allowing him to go wandering too much.
The paper in his hand wasn't some random ticket; this was his ticket into another world, his world. A world where he was supposed to belong, where magic existed and people had the power to make impossible things possible. He no longer had to be an unwanted orphan child who everyone hated; he would go into a new world where he would be someone important. Tom knew that this was a rare opportunity and he would have to do everything for surviving in this new world and it wouldn't be easy. Yet, he had a feeling that his life was about to change for good.
Tom had prepared all he could for the new school. He had read and re-read all his course books a number of times and knew them all by heart. He regretted not buying more books but at the time he hadn't known he would not be allowed to go there again. Also, he had been given limited amount of money where all he could afford was second hand things.
Nine o'clock that morning found the eleven year old Tom Riddle in the matron's office. He was dressed in his best clothes and even though he wanted to wear his wizard robes, he couldn't. The deputy headmaster of his new school had warned him against wearing robes in muggle world because the existence of their world was supposed to be a secret. Muggles, oh how he hated them all!
"Ah Tom? Come in." Mrs. Cole looked up when he knocked on her door. He walked inside dutifully.
"I see that you are all packed and ready to leave." She said, inspecting him from her narrowed eyes. Why couldn't she just be happy to be rid of him as he was of her!
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Well, I just want to say that you've got a really good opportunity here, Tom. Nobody else from this orphanage has ever got an invitation to attend a boarding school before. I hope you'll not give them any reason to expel you." Mrs. Cole warned in her usual no-nonsense voice.
"I understand, Mrs. Cole." Tom said, quite sincerely. If he got his way, he would never ever want to return here again. But, he had to return here every summer; the deputy headmaster had been quite rigid about that.
"Good, good. Do you need someone to drop you to the station, then?" Mrs. Cole asked. It was clear to Tom that she was in the same hurry as he was, to get him out of here.
"Yes, Ma'am. I cannot carry the trunk all the way there." Tom hated to admit that he needed help, but he wasn't foolish enough to let his ego get the better of him.
"Very well, I'll send the gardener with you." Mrs. Cole replied, rising from her chair.
Tom followed behind her, as Mrs. Cole set out to find Dennis, the gardener.
An hour and a half later, Tom pushed his trunk through the barrier between platforms nine and ten and walked into the magical world. Tom had ditched his companion at the entrance of the station and it was a good thing that he had, since the muggles seemed oblivious of the entrance to the magical platform.
A scarlet steam engine train whose engine carried the name 'Hogwarts Express', was waiting for him on the other side. The platform was mostly empty except for a few older students who were chatting amongst their group of friends. Of course, their reason for arriving early was different from him; they seemed eager to meet their friends after a long holiday. Tom hoped there would be people surrounding him too some day. He had never had friends, did not even like the concept of friendship, but it would be nice to be known and respected by people.
Tom proceeded to board the train, tugging his second hand trunk with him. With some effort, he managed to pull it inside the train. The coaches were mostly empty. He decided to sit in one of the last carriages of the train, in hopes to avoid the rush when other students arrived.
He passed a compartment which contained a sleeping boy who looked to be around Tom's own age. Tom thought it was strange that the boy had come so early and had already fallen asleep. He looked smaller for his age, definitely a first-year. The boy looked quite peaceful, and his unruly hair seemed to stick out at odd angles. Tom unconsciously straightened his own black hair; he did like being tidy. Yet, Tom could say that the messy hair somehow suited the other boy. Tom decided to join the boy, but he was stopped by an invisible barrier when he tried to walk inside his compartment.
Huh, the boy did not want to be disturbed then. It was a brilliant display of magic, Tom admitted that. He looked like a first year and still was so ahead in his skills. Tom had a hard time ahead of him if he wanted to be the best in this new world. He looked at the other boy one last time. He was definitely wearing Muggle clothes, but his trousers looked a little snug and made of unusually thick blue material. Strange, Tom thought as he settled himself in the neighboring compartment.
As time passed, people began filling in the platform. Tom observed quietly from his window with interest, as smoke from the engine drifted over the heads of the chattering crowd, while cats of every color wound here and there between their legs. Owls hooted to one another in a disgruntled sort of way over the babble and the scraping of heavy trunks. The wizarding world definitely took some time getting used to, Tom thought, specially for someone like him who had no idea it ever existed before.
Tom had been wishing that he would be left along for the train ride, but he was joined by two senior girls soon after the train started. It seemed that he wasn't the only one who was unsuccessful in getting past the compartment which had contained the other boy.
"Ah, at least we can get into this one." one of the older girls said, giving Tom a cold look before sitting down. It looked to Tom that she had a temper issue.
"Please don't mind Helena; she is a bit… annoyed that she couldn't figure out the wards the boy next door has put up in his compartment." the other girl offered kindly.
Tom knew how important first impressions were. He had already messed that up for his would-be Deputy Headmaster and did not want to repeat that same mistake again. So, he put up his most innocent expression.
Before Tom could say that he didn't mind their intrusion at all, which he did mind as a matter of fact, the rude girl Helena spoke again.
"I am a sixth year now, Beccs. And I'm supposed to be a Ravenclaw Prefect, and yet I can't dismantle the wards put up by some ickle firstie, no offense to you." She said, pointing the last bit towards Tom.
Tom decided to keep himself out of the way of his seniors' conversation. He was, however impressed by the other boy who seemed to be really advanced in his magical skills.
Thankfully, the kind looking girl called Beccs was trying to calm the distraught one.
"'Elena, you don't have to be so stressed about a little thing like this." At this, Helena looked like she was ready to protest, but Beccs continued talking, "Look, maybe the boy didn't put them himself. Perhaps his parent or someone else put them up so that he couldn't be disturbed. He could be ill or something."
Helena seemed to think about that.
"But parents aren't allowed on the train, are they?" she asked.
"An older sibling, then. He must have a seventh year sibling. Come on, 'Elena. The boy barely looked eleven, you can't really think that he did those wards himself."
Tom was wise enough not to voice his own opinion because that would probably put Helena in a worse mood. He knew that there was no other senior on the train when he had boarded the train. He had the feeling that the boy had himself done those 'wards'. He would have to research about them himself when he reached the school; they did look to him like they were very useful.
The two girls then started talking about their vacations, ignoring Tom for which he was quite happy himself. He took out his Charms textbook and started reading.
A witch with a trolley full of sweets came around once, but none of them bought anything from her. Tom was curious about wizard sweets but even if he had enough spare money, he would never waste them on buying sweets. So, he kept his head buried in his book while the girls muttered something about 'not getting fat'.
"You'll fit right into Ravenclaw, you know."
Tom looked up from his book, to see Helena smiling at him. So, the girl was actually pleasant when she wasn't being insecure about her abilities.
"It can't really be decided before the Sorting, 'Elena. He could feel right at home in Hufflepuff too." Beccs said. Tom concluded that this girl belonged to the Hufflepuff house. From what he had read from the few pages of a book called 'Hogwarts: A History' at the bookstore stands, Hufflepuff was home to kind-hearted and loyal individuals. This girl was a proof of that and Tom knew for sure he would never be sorted in that house.
"Both sound equally amazing to me." Tom replied, not wanting to make either of them disheartened. His answer indeed made both of them smile at him. It really was so easy to charm girls, even if they were witches.
"So, how exactly does this Sorting take place?" Tom asked. He hadn't gotten to read about that before the shopkeeper had shooed him away.
"It's actually supposed to be a secret." Helena said. Tom had a feeling that she was a stickler for rules.
"Don't worry, dear. It will be a nice and wonderful experience." Beccs assured him. Tom knew that had the other girl not been present, he would've been able to manipulate the Hufflepuff into telling him about the Sorting. But he didn't press on. The Sorting definitely didn't sound like a test, if it was being described as a nice and wonderful experience.
The train journey eventually came to an end and Tom, now clad in the Hogwarts robes, stepped out into a tiny, dark platform. Tom shivered in the cold night air.
"First years, this way please." A loud voice called.
Tom joined a small group of students gathered around a tall muscular man, all of the students were supposedly first years. Tom looked into the excited, happy faces of his would-be classmates.
"… twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty. There's still one missing." The man supposed to be taking charge of the first-years muttered.
"Actually, it's thirty-one. You did not count me." came a clear, high voice.
Tom noticed that the same boy from the other compartment was leaning against a tree leading to a narrow path ahead. The boy looked quite awake now, and was ruffling his hair with a hand, either to straighten it or make it even messier Tom wasn't sure.
"Alright then, follow me. And don't stray from the path if you don't want to get killed." The man warned, before heading towards the narrow path.
The rest of the first years looked a bit subdued by the grumpy man's words, except for the strange boy. He simply looked... happy. The entire group of thirty-one students walked behind the man.
There was an audible gasp from the crowd when they all got their first glance at the Hogwarts' magnificent castle, a wide black lake in front of them. Even Tom's eyes were wide, looking at the impressive building that was going to be his home for the next seven years. The boy with strange green eyes was also watching the castle, with a rather emotional expression, Tom noted.
They were all told to occupy a boat with maximum four people in each of the boat. Tom accompanied three of his new classmates who seemed already familiar with each other and were happy to ignore Tom. Tom was happy to ignore them as well and instead he marveled at the self-rowing boats and admired the castle in silence. And in the next twenty minutes, they were all gathered inside the entrance hall awaiting the Deputy Headmaster as instructed by their escort, the gamekeeper.
Tom already knew who the Deputy Headmaster was and it seemed, he was fashionably late. That gave time for the students to make introductions among themselves. Tom was vaguely aware that the strange boy with unruly hair, had managed to find a quiet corner not far from himself and was successfully avoiding any conversation. A dark haired boy with stormy gray eyes approached Tom and held out his hand. He had a mischievous air about him.
"Alphard Black, from the Noble and most Ancient House of Black."
Tom shook the hand offered, but before he could ask what the boy more about his House, they were then interrupted by a loud girl.
"Really, Alphard! BLACK! Now you remember the House you belong to! When it is easy for you to make connections, isn't that right?" The girl, clearly a relative, was scowling at the now subdued boy. They had begun catching attention from the rest of their classmates. Tom did not find the girl's voice pleasant at all, not to mention her tone.
"Ahem, I don't really care about your House. My name is Tom Riddle." Tom spoke to the boy, hoping to cheer him a bit. He had after all been the one who had first initiated a civil conversation with him.
The boy however, had only just managed to open his mouth when his relative cut him off; her screeching now directed at Tom.
"Riddle? Never heard of that name before! You must be a half-blood, then. Or worse a mudblood!"
The way those words were spat left no doubt in Tom's mind that they were meant as an insult. Unfortunately, he didn't have enough knowledge about the customs of the wizarding world. He regretted even starting the conversation.
"Sorry about my sister, er Riddle. I am pleased to make your acquaintance. Excuse us for a moment." Alphard Black said in an apologizing tone before dragging his sister off with him.
Coincidentally, at the exact moment Tom turned towards his right, and he caught himself looking straight into the most beautiful shade of green eyes he had ever seen. The boy that had caught his indirect attention from the time Tom had boarded the Hogwarts Express, was looking at him clearly in surprise. Tom wondered what brought that expression on his face, when the entrance hall fell silent and the Deputy Headmaster made his appearance known by a distinct cough. Tom tore his eyes away from the startling emerald ones and looked up at the professor.
When he finally arrived, Albus Dumbledore gave a little speech which was supposed to be about informing them of the houses and the rules and regulations. Tom, however wasn't fooled by his overly charming demeanor and judging by the cautious glances the teacher sent him, the man hadn't forgotten about their first encounter either.
"Ah, I see that all of you have arrived here in one piece, not that I had any doubts about it. Our caretaker, Mr. Pringles is more than capable individual. Easy to cross though, I warn you. Only if you are caught breaking any school rules."
Here he gave the students a sweeping glance, his eyes pausing on Tom a bit longer. Tom was just glad that he hadn't actually mentioned about his stealing habits in front of all of them, they all would have started hating him from the very first day.
"The rules will be explained by your heads of Houses in detail later or you can consult the list put up outside the caretaker's office. Now, speaking of Houses, there are four of them here at Hogwarts, each named after the four great founders of this school. Each of these Houses value certain attributes and provide the right environment for you to further your skills. For example, Gryffindor house mainly comprises of individuals who are brave and courageous. Ravenclaw has those who value wits and knowledge above all the other things. Hufflepuffs are kind-hearted individuals and fiercely loyal as well. While Slytherin house has ambitious and cunning students in abundance. I know that some of you are anxious about the Sorting, but be assured that an unbiased individual is going to put you in your right House."
The last statement, followed by a grandfatherly smile, was meant to comfort the students. But Tom got even more anxious wondering if the individual that Dumbledore was talking about was himself. Before he could follow that line of thought some more, Dumbledore started speaking again.
"Your House will be like your family while you are here. Hogwarts is after all a home away from home. Your competence will win your House points, while your carelessness may lead to their reduction. At the end of the year, the House Cup will be awarded to the House with the most points. Any one who wants to say something, speak now."
It seemed that Dumbledore was encouraging the students to ask their doubts, but one look at them told Tom that they were too nervous to voice their opinions. Just when Dumbledore opened his mouth to speak again, a voice interrupted him.
"Nice choice of robes, professor. They rather compliment your hair and well … beard." The same boy who had caught Tom's attention again and again was the one speaking. He even heard some students snort at the obvious sarcasm behind these words. Tom himself was revolted by the orange robes that the professor was wearing which together with his auburn hair made him look even more flashy.
Dumbledore's expressions turned even more jovial but his sharp blue eyes showed that he was evaluating the young boy who was casually leaning against a pillar, a picture of leisure.
"Why, thank you, my boy. I must admit, no one has ever complimented me for this particular color." Dumbledore said, his blue eyes fixed on the carefree boy.
"Well, I think I can see the resemblance with Godric Gryffindor himself, professor. You are but short of his famous sword." The boy replied nonchalantly. Tom wondered whether the boy had purposely ruffled his hair or it was naturally so unruly.
Dumbledore chuckled at his reply.
"I expect to see you in the House of Gryffindor himself then, young man. I must say you'll fit right in, I myself am a proud Gryffindor."
"Oh, I don't know, professor. The Sorting is done by an unbiased individual after all." The boy smirked, as if he was just remembering an inside joke.
"Now, form a line and please follow me inside. The rest of the school is waiting for us." Dumbledore called to the rest of them, not before giving the boy an intrigued last glance.
Tom was amazed once again when he looked up at the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall, which according to the book 'Hogwarts, A History', was charmed by magic to look exactly like the sky outside. The Hall was bustling with the chattering older students, who were no doubt, busy catching up with each other. The students were seated among four long tables, and judging by the different colored banners handing above them, they were all of different Houses. There were torches lit on the walls and a number of candles were floating above the tables, covering the Hall in a golden light. There was another table at the top of the Hall, where teachers and the Headmaster were seated, facing the students. The Hall certainly did justice to Tom's expectations of a magical school.
Tom noticed Dumbledore slipping inside a small door, and wondered if he was going to call the 'judge' he had mentioned. Tom took a deep breath and braced himself for the Sorting.
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