The Girl Who Loved Tom Riddle

Chapter 4

Until We Meet Again

Note: I'm putting in Lucius Malfoy's, Crabbe and Goyle's great granddaddies or whatever they would be in Tom's era in here.  I wouldn't doubt Lucius dad and granddad were Death Eaters too.  I've also added a couple of other names that might sound familiar because I'm too brain dead to think of any others! Does anyone know the timeframe Molly and Arthur went to Hogwarts?  I'm guessing they're from the late forties, early fifties.  I'll put in Arthur's parents in as seventh years.  All this math is confusing to figure out!  I don't know about you guys, but it hurts my head to think too much!

"Tom," Sarah whispered, her arms around the older boy, "it will be okay. I'm sorry about your mom and dad, but I'm sill here.  I'm still here."

Worried that someone will see him in tears, Tom took in a deep breath to calm himself. "I'm all right," he said. "I'll be okay."

"Are you sure, Tom?" she asked soothingly.

"Yes," He said, clearing his throat and wiping his eyes.  If Bobby saw him crying he'd tease him for sure.  "I shouldn't be so sad.   It happened a long time ago."

"But you are a good person, Tom," said Sarah, "you did not deserve this."

"Thanks Sarah," Tom mumbled.  "But sometimes, bad things happen to good people.  No one knows why these things happen, they just do…even though it's not fair…not fair that my father left my mother before I was even born…left her to die."

"I wish there was something I could say," Sarah told him.  "I'm sorry you're hurt, Tom, but it will get better."

"Yeah," said Tom, getting to his feet.  "I'm tired from all that shopping."

"You'll feel better after some sleep."  She kissed his cheek.  "Good night, Tom."

"Good night, Sarah," tom said over his shoulder and stepped toward the stairs.

"Tom?" asked Sarah.

"Yes?"

Sarah paused, searching for the right words. "Never forget that you are a good person," she said.  "What happened to your parents was not your fault. I wish I could say more…but I'm just a kid…but I know you're a good person and it will get better, you see."

Tom was so moved by his he went toward, her, picked her up in his arms and gave her the biggest bear hug.  The tears he fought to keep back inked out of his eyes.

"Oh, Sarah," Tom choked on a sob, "I don' know what I'd do without you."

Sarah tightened her arms around his neck.  "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Tom hugged her tighter, kissed her cheek a couple of times, and rubbed her head as he walked up the stairs.  He took her to the girl's room first.

"Sweet dreams, Sarah," said Tom, setting her to her feet. 

"You too, Tom," she said, turning the knob.  "I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Tom smiled, wiped his eyes and went up to the boys' floor. Bobby was arm wrestling with Patrick on the floor, Ned being the referee.  Tom decided to be quiet and just get ready for bed, but Bobby decided to pick on Tom.  Now he had more ammunition, more reasons to tease Tom.

"Hey, Tom," Bobby began, getting to his feet.  "Did you have fun at that—what was that place called again."

"Diagon Alley."  Tom replied softly.  He tried to ignore them.

 "Oh yeah, Diagon Alley.  What kind of town is that?  Diagon Alley?"

"So," Ned sniggered, "get enough for school?"
"Tell us, Riddle," Bobby grinned, "when do you leave for this school for freaks?"

Tom clenched his fist and turned around.  "September first.  When are you leaving for the zoo?"

Bobby's grin disappeared and Ned and Patrick laughed. 

"Shut up, you two!" Bobby growled, elbowing them in the ribs.

"Sorry---Bobby," Patrick wheezed.

"Think you're better than me, don't you, Riddle?" Bobby inquired, grabbing him by the collar. 

"You shouldn't make me angry, Bobby," said Tom, whipping out his wand.

"Ooh, nice stick Riddle!" Bobby howled.  "What are you going to do, Riddle? Poke me to death?"

"It's a wand," Tom said firmly, his dark eyes flashing with anger.  "Thirteen-and-a-half-inches, made out of black poplar and you know what's in it?  A phoenix feather.  The person who sold it to me said there's only one other wand with a feather from the same phoenix.  You know what else that old man told me, Bobby?  He said this is a very powerful wand.  Oh yes, he also said he wouldn't be surprised if I did great things with this wand--some very great things--even terrible things. This is more powerful that that thick fist of yours, Bobby.  I picked up a nice book at Flourish and Botts today called Curses and Countercurses…so unless you want me to do something great and terrible to you, say…lock your legs together so you'd have to hop around like a stupid jack rabbit, then you ought to show me better respect."

"Ooh, tough talk, Riddle." Bobby muttered.

"Remember boys," said Tom in a threatening, yet playful voice, "you can beat me up with your bare hands, but I can do much worse with this little stick here.  Once I get to Hogwarts I'll be learning lots of interesting things to get you back for all that you did to me.  Just remember, you have your muscles, but I've got a magic wand, so don't mess with me. Good night." Thinking this had settled the matter; Tom went to bed and fell asleep, feeling better than he had in years.

--

Tom counted the days until September first.  He went over his spell books, sometimes with Sarah. 

"Pick a book, Sarah," said Tom, settling on 'their' usual spot on the sofa down in the den.

"Okay," said Sara, filing through Tom's book collection.  "Let's see," she took out a large and heavy book titled Hogwarts, A History.  "This one, Tom!" she squealed, trying it to carry it to him.  "Ghuh—heavy."

Tom laughed and took the book from Sarah before she strained herself and she climbed into his lap.  "Hogwarts a History," he said.

"We haven't read this one yet," said Sarah.

Tom cleared his throat and turned to the first page.  "Hogwarts, A History.  For centuries, magic has existed in the world.  Witches and wizards alike have used their unimaginable skills to improve themselves but it was difficult to coexist with other people without magical powers.  Many of these people feared witches and wizards and at that time, wizards and witches suffered much persecution.  It was difficult to find a safe haven for magical beings to enhance their gifts until over a thousand years ago when four witches and wizards came together and made it possible for young witches and wizards to improve themselves in a school of witchcraft and wizardry.  They came from far and wide to found the school.  Godric Gryffindor from wild moor, Rowena Ravenclaw from the glen, Helga Hufflepuff from the valley and Salazar Slytherin, from the fen—these great witches and wizards—were the Hogwarts four."

Tom read the first two chapters and thought the history of the school he was about to go to would be interesting, all the information was getting to be a little boring.  Sarah fell fast asleep in his lap and he weren't too far behind her.  When he noticed that she was asleep---in mid yawn—he couldn't disagree with her.  He closed the large history book quietly and kissed her forehead.

"We won't read that one again," Tom whispered, smiling slightly. 

However, if Tom only knew that he was the heir of one of the Hogwarts founders, he would have continued reading the book to the last cover.

--

The day before term Tom stood over his bed and went over the school list, checking things off that he should need.  Tom couldn't remember being so antsy.  He'd feel really stupid if he were to come to the station and realize he left his wand or an important book or his toothbrush.  Tom wished that he wasn't the only one from the orphanage leaving for this school and that way he'd have someone to talk with on the train.  If only Sarah was a few years older, they could go together.  Though Tom was excited about learning magic, becoming the kind of man he should be instead of some farmer's son chopping firewood all day, he was a bit reluctant to leave Sarah behind.  Sarah was the only one who still liked him after hearing that he was a wizard going off to a magic school.

Before he packed another thing, checked another item off his list, there was something else he had to do.  Was Sarah really all right with Tom going or was she just saying that for his sake?  Tom turned from his bed and went to the girls' sleeping quarters.  A few girls gasped and stopped playing for a bit, then hurried back to what they were doing before Tom suspected them.  Tom walked over to Sarah's bed as she was playing with her doll.

"Sarah?" he asked.

"Yes, Tom?"

Tom sat down on the bed and Sarah pulled her doll up to her.  He sighed heavily.  "You really want me to go?  To Hogwarts?"

"Why are you asking me?" Sarah questioned, raising an eyebrow. "Don't you want to go?  You've already bought everything for school tomorrow."

"Yes, I know," said Tom, "but I want to know if you're okay with me going."

"Yeah," she said.

"Are you?" Tom questioned. 

Sarah nodded.  "Yes, of course, I am Tom.  You really should go to your school.  Why are you asking me?"

"I guess," Tom sighed, "don't want you to feel like I'm abandoning you or anything—that I'll forget you—or you'll be sad."

"Oh, Tom," Sarah smiled, "I don't think I'll ever forget you."

Tom smiled back.  "You…you really think I should go?  You're okay with it?  You won't miss me?"

"I don't think I can't stop from missing you, Tom," said Sarah, "but that shouldn't stop you from going.  I'll miss you very much while you're gone, but I think you know what you should do. You just do what feels right Tom."

Tom pondered that.  It felt right to go, but it didn't' feel right to leave Sarah behind either.  How was he going to keep her from missing him too much?  It was near impossible.  What did he have to give her?  When Tom thought about it, he was going to miss Sarah very much too. Finally, Tom thought of something.

"Sarah, can I see your doll?" he inquired.

Sarah looked confused for a second and handed her rag doll to the boy.  Tom pulled the doll to his chest and squeezed it in an embrace and handed it back to Sarah.

"There, Sarah," said tom, "when you hug your doll, you'll be getting a hug from me too."

Sarah gasped, tears filled her pretty green eyes and she hugged him.  "Oh, Tom…I'll try not to miss you…but I know I will…I'll think of you all the time."

"I'll miss you too, Sarah," Tom admitted.  "I promise, I'll send you lots of letters.  That's what I've got my owl for.  I'll send you a letter as soon as I get settled.  I promise."

"Oh, thank you, Tom!" she squealed.  She kissed his cheek.  "You'd better get some rest, or you'll sleep in."

"I don't think that will be possible," said Tom, standing up.  "I'm too excited."

Indeed, Tom tossed and turned a few times in his sleep and stared up at the ceiling.  In a couple of hours he'd be on a train to the best school he'd ever been to.  Tom was sure about this, even though he hasn't been there or known someone who has and just read the first two chapters in Hogwarts, A History, Tom knew he would have lots of fun at Hogwarts.  Tom was ambitious.  He wanted to be the best wizard in the school, the best wizard alive even. Eventually, he fell into a sleep full of happy, exciting dreams of being the greatest wizard ever. 

Tom woke up at 8 the next morning, took a quick shower and changed into his school uniform, wanting to make a good impression once he got to the station.  He combed his hair neatly and went down the stairs, smelling breakfast.  Mrs. Crabtree left him a good, hearty breakfast.

"Mrs. Crabtree," Tom said, his mouth hanging open, "I'm just going to school…not the army!"

Mrs. Crabtree smiled.  "Well, Tom, it might be some time until you get to your school and I don't want you to go there hungry."

"Well, why thank you, Mrs. Crabtree."  Tom sat down and began to eat his hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, eggs, pancakes orange juice and milk. He hoped the food at school would be as good as Mrs. Crabtree's cooking.

Miss Smith walked out of her office.  "Oh, good, Tom, you're awake.  Mr. Paten will take you to the train station.  When does your train leave again?"

"Eleven," he replied immediately and looked at the clock.  It was 9:30 and Tom wanted to get there early.  He drained his milk.  "I'll go get my trunk."

Tom hurried upstairs to brush his teeth, throw his black robe around him and grab the rest of his stuff.  Bobby yawned and pulled himself up from his bed.

"Oh, you're going now, Riddle?" Bobby asked. "Why didn't you wake me up?"

"You needed your beauty sleep," Tom said out of the corner of his mouth.

"What was that?"

Tom picked up his owl's cage, took a handle of his trunk and grinned at Bobby.  "See you next summer.  Try not to miss me, all right?"

"Yeah," Bobby sniggered, "and don't forget to write."

"What makes you think I'll waste ink and parchment on you?" Tom demanded as he left the room, pulling his trunk behind him.  Bobby groaned and lay back down.

Tom went downstairs, trying to handle the large trunk and his cage at the same time.  Hearing the bumps on the steps, Sarah woke with a start and hurried out the room to catch him before he left.

"Tom! Tom!" she cried. "Wait!  I want to say goodbye!"

Tom turned so suddenly that he almost fell down the stairs.  "Sarah?"

Sarah put her arms around him. "I'm going to miss you, Tom!"

"My train doesn't leave for another hour and a half," said Tom. "You can wait downstairs with me until I have to go.  Mr. Paten is taking me."

"Okay!  Here, let me help you with those!  Can I carry your owl?"

"Sure.  You know, I haven't named him yet." Tom said as they walked down the stairs.  "Why don't you name him for me?"

Sarah looked at the gray great horned owl sleeping inside the cage.  She pondered and said finally. "Smoke."

"Smoke?"

"Yes…he's so gray."

"Smoke it is."

Tom and Sarah waited down in the den for Mr. Paten as Sarah ate her breakfast.  "I wish I could go with you," said Sarah.

"Maybe you will someday."  Tom said hopefully.

Mr. Paten came in. "Tom, it's almost ten.  I got the team hitched up.Ready to go?"

"Yes, sir."  Tom got up.  "Can you take my trunk?"

"Absolutely," Mr. Paten grunted and picked up Tom's trunk.  "Whoa, boy, what'd you got in there?"  Mr. Paten walked away to let Tom say goodbye to Sarah.

Sarah set her spoon down and turned to him.  "I promised myself I wouldn't cry."

"Then just give me a hug," said Tom, stretching his arms out for her.

Sarah jumped into Tom's arms and embraced him.  "I'm going to miss you, Tom.  I'll miss you so much."
Tom hugged her in return.  "Me too."

Nevertheless, tears leaked out from Sarah's eyelashes. She sniffed and pecked his cheek.  "I miss you already."

Tom pu.led back and noticed her tearstained face. "Hey, I thought you said you wouldn't cry."

"I can't help it," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.  "I'll miss you."

"Don't worry, Sarah," he told her, trying to get her to smile.  "I'll be back before you know it."

"Okay," she said, forcing a smile.  "You'd better get going or you'll miss your train."

Tom sat her down. "Goodbye, Sarah."

"Bye," she sniffed, waving.  "Have fun!"

Tom waved back, picked up Smoke's cage and went out to see Mr. Paten climbing into the front of the stagecoach.  Tom set down the cage and pulled himself up and sat next to Mr. Paten.  Because the orphanage had no car, they used a horse drawn carriage for transportation.  Most of the ride, they were quiet.

Sarah looked out the window and watched Tom leave with Mr. Paten. Why did she have a nagging feeling that she shouldn't let him go? Was something going to happen to Tom while he was away, something bad?

"Bet it would be interesting to go to a magic school," said Mr. Paten finally.  "I remember my school days.  I didn't learn a lick.  I wasn't the brightest kid in school."

"Not a lot of kids do like school, Mr. Paten," Tom said.  "How do you feel about magic, Mr. Paten?"

Mr. Paten shrugged.  "I suppose it's interesting to learn.  I could clean the orphanage quicker that way!" He grinned and winked at Tom. "Ah, but I don't mind working hard.  That's what's important, Tom.  Hard work.  Let me give you some advice.  I probably don't know anything about changing people into toads or making fire with snapping my fingers and it probably sounds really easy, but there's hard work in everything.  You're probably thinking magic might be simple, Tom, but no school ever is.  Just don't do what I did, Tom.  Don't be lazy thinking you can shout 'hocus pocus' and expect everything to work for you.  Hard work, Tom, that's what important.  Put all your blood and sweat in it and at the end, it will all seem worth it."

Tom looked up at Mr. Paten, confused.  "What?"

Mr. Paten laughed. "I'm sorry, Tom.  I'm making no sense."  He patted his shoulder.  "I just wanted to give you some advice before your term.  Just work hard, Tom.  If you want something bad enough, you've got to be willing to do everything to get it.  Be the best you can be, all right?"

"All right, sir," said Tom with a nod.  "I'll be the best I can be."

"There's a good lad," Mr. Paten chuckled.  "Well, here we are Tom. Whoa. Whoa."  He pulled on the reins to make the horses stop and jumped off to get Tom's trunk.  He put it on a cart for him and Tom set Smoke on top of the trunk.

"Thank you for taking me to the station, Mr. Paten."  Tom said politely. 

"You're welcome, Tom."  Mr. Paten said, shaking Tom's hand.  "Now you just remember what I told you a'ight? Don't get yourself in trouble.  Until we meet again."

"Goodbye Mr., Paten, sir," said Tom, pushing his cart into the station. 

"Don't forget to write now!" Mr. Paten waved and jumped back onto the stagecoach. 

Tom pushed his cart into the station, reading over his ticket.  "Platform nine-and-three-quarters," he said to himself.  "Seven, eight, nine, and ten…" he stopped between nine and ten, looking for the platform he should be going to. "Where is platform nine-and-three-quarters?  It should be right here between nine and ten."

Tom waited there for a minute or two, thinking if this whole thing was real or not.  Was this Hogwarts a real school?  Had this been some dream and any second now he'd be waking up when Bobby and his cronies decided to give him a rude awakening?  But it couldn't be just his imagination.  Tom really felt this was real.  He had a wand, a very powerful wand and an owl, a trunk full of magic books, and equipment.  This had to be real. Tom felt it.

"Maybe it's hidden behind this wall," Tom said to himself.  Tom looked around the station for people dressed like him, heading for the platform but he didn't see anyone.  Gripping tightly on his cart, Tom walked a couple feet away from the barrier between nine and ten and looked at the two platforms.  If he were right, he'd go right onto the platform and if he were wrong, he'd smash right into the wall and hurt himself. Either way, Tom was prepared.  He was glad that Bobby wasn't around to watch him.

"One—two—three," Tom counted and rushed toward the barrier.  He tried to rid the thought that he was going to crash into it. Bad thoughts would not help.  Tom thought of how great he will be once he got to Hogwarts.  He was now just a foot away from the barrier. He could still stop if he was afraid of hitting it, but Tom couldn't stop.  He ran, closed his eyes and just kept on running, running, running along.

Tom opened his eyes and saw the platform 9 ¾.  Tom stopped and looked behind him to see the wall.  It worked!  He had figured it out all by himself.  Grinning to himself and thinking how brilliant he was to figure out to get on the platform, Tom walked to the train indicated as HOGWARTS EXPRESS.  A young man in a red suit placed Tom's belongings in the luggage cart for him and Tom found a quiet seat in one of the compartments.  He sat there impatiently waiting for the train to start moving.  Tom looked at his watch.  The train would be leaving in thirty minutes.  To pass the time, he pulled out his potions book from his bag and began to read.

Other Hogwarts students boarded the train, talking about how excited they were about going to Hogwarts. The compartments were filling up and a boy with platinum blond hair came to Tom's compartment.

"Are these seats saved?" he asked.  "I'm looking for my two friends but I haven't seen them yet.  They're kind of thick.  I bet they're looking for the cart witch."

"No," said Tom, looking over his book.  "You can sit if you want to."

The boy sat down across from Tom.  "First year at Hogwarts?"

"Yes."

"Mine too.  I'm Alaric Malfoy."

{AN: The reason I'm naming him Alaric because it means all ruler.  Sounds fitting.}

Tom sniggered. 

"Think my name's funny, now do ya?"

"Not an ordinary name," said Tom.

"What's yours, then?" he questioned lazily.

"Riddle." Tom answered. "Tom Riddle."

"Tom Riddle?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Tom Marvolo Riddle," Tom said.

"Riddle's your surname?" Alaric questioned, pondering over the name.  "I don't know any Riddles…are you muggleborn?"

"Muggleborn?"

"Your parents, are they muggles?  Non-magic folk?"

"My father was."  Tom explained.  "My mother was a witch."

"So you're a halfblood," Alaric said casually.

"Halfblood?" Tom inquired, testily, throwing his book to the side. He didn't start to like this boy much at all.

"Yes…you've got one magical parent."  Alaric continued.  "Magic goes back in my family for generations and generations. I don't think that other sort should be aloud in Hogwarts."

"What other sort?  You mean muggleborns?"

"Yes.  They're no good.  Wait until you hear about muggleborns, you see what I mean."

"I guess," Tom said softly.

"What was your mother's surname?  Maybe we'd know her."

"I don't know," said Tom, "My father left her when she told him she was magical.  She died while giving birth to me.  She lived just long enough to name me."

"Then how did you buy all your school things?" Alaric asked, confused.

"The gamekeeper took me to Diagon Alley."

"Oh," said Alaric, "sorry."

"Are you?" Tom demanded.  "I live in a muggle orphanage where half the kids hate me because I'm different.  Unless you want me to tell you to get out and find another place to sit, you'd better learn some manners.  I didn't come here to get in any more fights.  I came here to learn magic."

"That a threat?"

"Take it how you want it, Malfoy," Tom said, narrowing his dark eyes.  Tom picked up his book and continued reading.

"Studying the potion book?" Malfoy asked.

"Yes, it's interesting."

"I haven't read mine yet," Malfoy said with a grin, obviously proud of himself.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't have to," Malfoy told him.  "I'll be in Slytherin House."

"How do you know?" Tom inquired. 

"My whole family's been in Slytherin.  The Head of Slytherin House teaches potions. Professor Griddle.  He'll pass us just for showing up to class.  What house do you think you'll be in?"
"Uh," Tom patted his chin, "not sure.  I didn't read all of Hogwarts, A History.  Whatever's the best."

"That'd be Slytherin then," Malfoy nodded.  "Best of all four of them.  If I was sorted into any of the others, I'd leave."

 Two big boys walked by the compartment.  Malfoy jumped up.

"Well, there you two are!" he exclaimed. "Where have you been?"

One of them pulled out a handful of wizard candy.

"I should've known," said Malfoy.  "Well, sit down, you two."  He looked at Tom.  "This is Crabbe and Goyle by the way."

Tom looked up at the two big boys.  They looked like a couple of Bobby clones. 

"Hello," said Tom politely. 

"Here, Tom, try a chocolate frog," Alaric said quickly, taking a chocolate frog before Crabbe ate it.  "You can start collecting all the famous witches and wizards—of course, none were as famous Salazar Slytherin."

"Thanks," Tom said and took the chocolate frog.  He opened it up to find the card for Salazar Slytherin.  "Speak of the devil!  I got Slytherin!"

"It's got to be a sign," Alaric insisted.  "You've got to be in Slytherin House, Tom."

Tom looked at the picture of Slytherin.  He had blond going gray hair and dark eyes. Something about Slytherin looked familiar.  Tom read the inscription about him.

Salazar Slytherin in one of the four founders for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  Slytherin House is named after him and was one of the greatest wizards of all time.  The most famous factor of Salazar Slytherin is that he was a Parselmouth.

"What's a Parselmouth?" Tom asked.

"Someone who can speak to snakes," Malfoy explained.  "That's why the symbol of Slytherin is a serpent.  You'll see once we get there, Tom.  I know…I'm excited too. I just can't wait until we get there."

--

It was quite a long ride and though Malfoy had bothered Tom when he first saw him, he started to think he was interesting at how much he knew about Hogwarts. It beat having to read the thick book of Hogwarts, A History.  Malfoy knew who were good and who were bad.  Tom listened, finding that he ought to introduce Malfoy to Bobby and see how they would like each other. They finally made it to the Hogwarts ground by around eight o'clock that night.  Tom followed Malfoy and his cronies outside where the gamekeeper was yelling for the first years.  Tom got in the same boat as Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle. 

"My father says there's a giant squid in this lake," Malfoy said in his drawling voice, pointing into the lake.  "I hope it eats a mudblood this year." Before Tom could ask what that was, Malfoy quickly said it's what purebloods call muggleborns.

When they got to the other side of the lake, McKinnon, the gamekeeper, led them inside the castle where a tall wizard with auburn hair and beard greeted them.

"Here are the first years, Professor Dumbledore," said McKinnon.

"Thank you," Dumbledore said.  "I'll take it from here.  Make sure the other students get here."

McKinnon left and Dumbledore looked at the crowd of first years.  There was something about Dumbledore that made Tom's heart fly into his throat.   It had to be his eyes, because when Dumbledore looked at him with those bright, blue eyes, Tom shivered as if there were a draft.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," Dumbledore said, "Before we go into the Great Hall and join the Opening Feast, I must tell you about the four Hogwarts Houses.  They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and," Dumbledore looked right at Tom when he said the last one.  "Slytherin."

Tom found himself gulping. Why did this old man unnerve him?  Did he know something about him?  He didn't have enough time to ponder this because Malfoy nudged him in the ribs and nodded with a grin.

"Slytherin," he said. "That's where you want to be, Riddle."

"You will be sorted into your houses before the banquet.  Remember that breaking the rules will result in loosing points but if you abide by the rules, you will receive points. I ask that you be kind enough to wait as I check and see the rest of the students have arrived in the great hall.  Very important, the Sorting Ceremony."

Dumbledore smiled and walked away.

"Who is he?" Tom asked Malfoy quickly.

"Professor Dumbledore," Malfoy answered.  "He was a teacher when my parents when here. He's head of Gryffindor house."

"What subject does he teach?"
"Transfiguration," Malfoy answered dryly. "I hope he changes into a bee and buzz out of here."

Tom nodded.  He had to agree with him.  Tom hoped that he wouldn't end up in Dumbledore's house he'd have to go back to the orphanage.

"Oooh!  Ickle firsties!" cackled a high voice.

"Who said that?" Malfoy asked, turning around.

"I don't know," Tom looked up. 

A little man in bright colored clothes appeared, took off a flag from the wall and dropped it over the group.

"PEEVES!" shouted a voice.  "THAT'S ENOUGH!"  A ghost with silver bloodstains on his clothes came through the wall.  "Term hasn't even started yet!"

The other ghost gasped and turned.  "Your baron-ship! I was just welcoming the first years, sir."

"Go," said the baron. "Now!"

"Yes, yes sir."  With a crack, the poltergeist disappeared.

"Never mind him," said the Bloody Baron, "he is just the poltergeist.  I am the baron—ghost of Slytherin House—if Peeves bothers you, I'll take care of him.  Hope to see you in Slytherin House."

Three other ghosts appeared with the Bloody Baron.  "Well done, Baron," said a fat monk.  "But Peeves was just giving them a welcoming.  Hogwarts would be rather dull without him."

"We've given him too much chances already," said another ghost.  "Oh, welcome to Hogwarts.  I am Nearly Headless Nick, but you can call me Sir Nicolas."  He tugged on his ear and if it weren't for the tiny piece of flesh left on his neck, his head would've fallen off.  A few girls screamed and nearly fell down the stairs.  "I am the ghost of Gryffindor, at your service!"

 "I am the Grey Lady," said the only female ghost in the group, "I represent Ravenclaw."

"Ah, noticed the first years?" Dumbledore said, walking up.  "We are ready for you now."

"Good luck!" cried the Fat Friar and the ghosts went through separate walls.

"I'm glad he's not the Slytherin ghost," said Malfoy, looking over his shoulder to the Fat Friar. "Bloody Baron, he's the best. The only one in the whole school that can keep Peeves under control."

"I agree," said Tom, "I wouldn't want to wake up when the poltergeist decides to splash water on me."

Tom looked down the four long tables as he followed Malfoy to the front. Dumbledore picked up a long scroll. Anxiously, Tom clenched his fists and bit his bottom lip. The sorting was about to begin and in a short time, Tom's life was about to change forever.

To Be Continued