Prompt: First Encounter
Word Count: 590
Dawn of a New World
Chapter Ten
September 1st, 1947
"McGonagall, Minerva," called Professor Merrythought, reading from her long scroll of names. Tom let his eyes rest on the throng of students as they separated, allowing Minerva McGonagall to shuffle up to the stage.
Every pair of eyes in the Great Hall followed a young girl as she headed up to the front of the line of first year students, towards the stool where she would be sorted into a house.
She was the first student to pique Tom's interest. He had been sitting over at the Slytherin table, with his head resting on his palm, watching the trail of first years trickle into their respective, sorted houses. He clapped unenthusiastically when anyone was sorted into Slytherin alongside him, but really, he just wanted the feast to be over, so that he could go down to the Slytherin common room.
Only an hour into the welcome feast, and Tom had already socialised with other students more than enough.
He was surprised by how confident the young girl appeared when she walked up to to the stool. The other students bit their lips; shuddered with embarrassment; stared at the floor. But Minerva paraded straight through the group of first years, and stalked up to the front of the hall, with her chest thrust out and her head held high.
Her new uniform was smart and neat, with her school tie fastened in an immaculate knot. Her robes swished as she stalked up to the stool, whipped around and sat down heavily. She stared straight ahead with deep, emerald green eyes, casting icy glances at anyone who made eye contact with her.
Professor Merrythought placed the Sorting Hat on her head, and it slipped down over her face, exposing only her long, tightly braided black hair.
A small, interested smile crept onto Tom's face. There was no doubt about it—this girl would definitely be sorted into Slytherin. Her sharp features and meaningful stares spoke volumes to Tom.
"Gryffindor!" called the Sorting Hat, almost seconds after it had slipped onto her face. Her mouth spread into a grin, as the Gryffindor table gave a roar of applause.
She jumped down from the stool, and strode over to the table, where a seat was already being made for her. Tom continued to watch her, slightly confused.
The Matron at the Orphanage used to tell him to never judge a book by it's cover—but he always did have a habit of not listening to her.
oOo
A few hours later, when everyone was heading to the common rooms, Minerva realised she had left her school hat at the Gryffindor table.
She whipped around in the middle of the corridor, beginning to weave her way through the constant stream of students. Within minutes, the smaller girl had collided with an older, taller boy.
"Watch where you're going!" a hiss emitted from the mouth of her victim. She glared up at him, her pink lips pursing.
"Hurry up, Tom," one of the other older boys shouted to the boy that Minerva had just bumped into. Tom continued to stare back at her for a few moments, his lips twisting into an unusual smirk.
"Hmph," muttered Minerva, as she pushed past him, heading back to the hall. There was no way she would ever have anything to do with that guy.