Chapter 4
The Sorting
Tom was very much alone in his compartment. He preferred to be alone. He declined anything from the lunch trolley when it came by around midday. Four boys took up residence in the compartment as the sun began to set, Tom paid them no attention and just kept reading his book. He caught bits and pieces of their conversation, some politics and talk of what they did over the summer.
"I don't know Knott, your dad and my dad are trying to convince the minister together. It would make more sense for them to work together than working separately."
"I suppose that's true. What about you Avery what do you think?"
"I agree with Lestrange. It's going to be easier for them to work together to convince the minister. If they keep giving out gold to the right causes they could effectively control the ministry."
The train began to slow as they reached their destination. Hogsmede station, as Tom overheard a couple students talking about the village with enthusiasm. He grabbed his trunk from the shelf above the compartment and started dragging it towards the door of the train.
"First years this way please." Called a voice.
Tom made his way over to the man that had called out.
"You can leave your trunks over here and follow me."
Tom left his trunk where the man had indicated, though he did not want to he was rather fond of his possessions, and made to follow the man. Older students could be seen getting into carriages. Vaguely, Tom wondered if it was magic that pulled the carriages. After a moment the sound of water splashing onto rocks could be heard. The man leading them walked out onto a dock and turned to face the new coming students.
"Alright everyone grab a boat, no more than four to a boat once everyone is situated we will be off."
"Won't they sink with four of us?" A boy called from somewhere behind Tom.
Although it was a valid point as the boats looked as if they could only hold one maybe two people, Tom smirked at the boys ignorance of magic. At the same time he couldn't help but wonder if magic had its limits if a boat could only carry four at once.
"No, no these boats are magically reinforced to carry no more than four children."
All the first years climbed in the boats and they started floating from the dock as one. The moon overhead reflected off the smooth surface of the lake. Within a few minutes a tall building could be made out in the distance with high towers and walls marking the boundaries. Lights burning through its many windows; It was a marvelous sight. Tom smiled inwardly, he was home at last.
They all got out at the boat house on the opposite side of the lake. Making their way up the very long flight of stairs that zig zagged up to the castle many of the students began to tire and complain of the many stairs. But at last they reached the top and crossed the bridge to the castle doors. The man that had been leading them lead them inside and told them to wait for Professor Dumbledore.
"Good evening and welcome," A familiar voice called after a few moments "in a few moments we will pass through the doors and you will come up to the front, when I call your name, to be sorted. There are four houses named after the founders of the school. They are called; Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor and Slytherin, while you are here your house will be like your family, your triumphs may earn points for your house and any rule breaking will take points from your house. Now let's make a single file line and we can get started."
One by one they filed into the great hall. Older students sat at four long tables that stretched from end to end. Tom noticed some students talked amongst themselves while others watched them march past.
Professor Dumbledore stopped next to a stool with an old raggedy black hat. After a moment the hat opened at the brim and began to sing.
"New students I welcome you
In seven years you'll have the knowledge to do what you please
But for now sit in class and learn with ease
I am the sorting hat left by Godric Gryffindor
Sorting you into houses is what he left me for
Shall you be brave, daring and chivalrous in Gryffindor
Or perhaps you're dedicated, patient, and loyal you'll fit right in in Hufflepuff
Maybe your intelligence, knowledge and wit will place you among Ravenclaw
Are you ambitious and cunning enough to be in Slytherin
Now you have heard the qualities of the houses four
Come fourth and let me place you in the house that best suits what you're destined for."
The hat fell silent and Dumbledore stepped forward unrolling a long list of names. Clearing his throat he started to read the names.
"Avery, Oswald"
Avery stepped up to the stool and placed the hat on his head after a few moments it shouted out "Slytherin!"
Avery took the hat off and made towards the cheering table of Slytherins. Tom remembered him as one of the boys from the compartment. He glanced up and down the table making note all of the students there seemed to be dressed finer than those in the other houses. Not only that but they all had smug expressions as if they thought they were better than everyone else.
"Lestrange, Vladimir"
The sorting hat had barely touched his head when it cried out "Slytherin!"
"Knot, Cadmus"
"Slytherin"
There were a few more Slytherin, some Gryffindors, loads of Hufflepuffs, and a handful of Ravenclaws. Finally Dumbledore had reached "Riddle, Tom"
Tom walked casually forward excited but not letting it show on his face. He kept it impassive. Placing himself on the stool Dumbledore went to set the hat on his head and immediately it cried out "Slytherin!"
Tom walked towards the table of other Slytherins and noticed most of them were glaring at him as he passed. He was not scared of them by any means but he couldn't help wondering why he was getting so many glares. While reading his books he did learn that Slytherin was, for the most part, made up of purebloods. He finally stopped at a space in the bench and forced himself next to a taller, older student with long blonde hair and a badge pinned to his robes.
Armando Dippet, the headmaster, gave a few words before food appeared before their eyes. Chatter immediately broke out among all four house tables. Tom did not care to make small talk with those around him but rather he listened to the conversations around him. In hushed voices near by he caught a few students talking about him. Apparently he had no place in this house with his second hand robes and common name. After he finished eating he waited patiently for the students to be dismissed.
Soon after the headmaster stood up gave a few notices and dismissed the students for bed. Benches scraped against the stone as everyone stood up as a mass. The older students left ahead of the first years giving to the fact that they had already known where to go.
"First years follow us." Voices called above the din.
Following the older students they explained how to get to the common room and other features of the corridors they were walking through. Down, down, down they walked through the castle, everyone noticed it became colder with the only heat coming from the torches on the walls. Finally they reached a portrait of none other than Salazar Slytherin himself. The older boy and girl they had been following gave the password, nobility, and the portrait swung aside letting them in.
There was a fire and chairs around it with a green and silver rug in front of the hearth. Stairs on either side of the room, tables, and bookshelves set up here and there. Looking out the windows it was unnaturally dark outside, with not even moonlight to shine on the pane.
"Boys dormitories are on the left here and girls on the right. You will find your belongings at your bed. Doors are marked by the years. I suggest you get a good nights sleep for a full day of classes tomorrow." The boy said before he and the girl went to their respective dorms.
Tom headed up the stairs leading to his dormitory, upon entering he spotted his belongings at once. He quickly did a check to make sure nothing had been taken. Laying out his night clothes on the bed, Tom then shoved the trunk under his bed. Quickly he changed, got in bed and pulled the hangings closed before any of the others even came in. It had been a long day he drifted off to sleep at once, not even having time to contemplate how glad he was to be rid of that hell hole of an orphanage.
