The Tale of Tom

Chapter Four: Setting Off

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One more time, Tom thought to himself as he opened the creased envelope bearing Hogwarts' seal.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Armando Dippet

Dear Mr. Riddle,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

(and here was a big loopy signature Tom could barely read)

Albus Dumbledore
Deputy Headmaster

There was another sheet, a list of supplies, but Tom hadn't looked at that too thoroughly. He figured he'd look at it when he needed to. Tom glanced over the letter one more time when something caught his eye. We await your owl by no later than July 31.  His mind started reeling. It was July 31st today, and, needless to say, he did not have an owl. What would happen if he didn't contact them? Would he simply be banned from the world of wizardry?

"No," Tom said to himself under his breath. He would not let them show him this wonderful world yet not allow him to partake in it. Tom silently said that he didn't care if he had to bike to Hogwart's, he was going to let them know.

"Tom, come here." Tom silently wondered why Miss O'Flan wanted him. It was going to be long ride if he had to ride his bicycle to Hogwarts.

A strange sight met his eyes. Miss O'Flannery was hunched the table with a pencil tucked behind her ear. "Er, yes?" Tom said, remembering to speak.

"Oh, Tom." She stood up and Tom could see a piece of paper with many lines drawn on it. "Here," she said, handing the piece of paper to a confused Tom.

"Er--what is it exactly for?" Tom trailed off.

"It's a map."

"A map." Tom repeated. If he squinted he could see names written across the various lines.

"You use it," she pointed to the map, "to reach the wizarding stores."

"You mean Dragon Alley."

"Diagon, Tom. Diagon."

"When you reach the place circled on the map, you ask for Frank."

"Frank."

"Yes, Frank. You can take your bicycle." Tom resisted the urge to repeat bicycle as she clapped her hand on his shoulder. "Good luck."

Tom left and wondered where he was going and why. Lately she hadn't been telling Tom anything which annoyed him greatly. He looked at the map and decided to go one block at a time. Tom went to grab the bicycle. He had learned to ride it perfectly in only a week.

"Hi, Tom," Rose said, waving. "Where are you going?" she asked, noticing him grabbing the bicycle.

"Er, I'm not sure," Tom said slowly, trying to find where the map was circled.

"Like a treasure hunt?"

"Yes, Rose. Like a treasure hunt." Rose nodded, content with that answer and went back to playing with the younger children.

He rolled the bike out of the storage room and set off to--well, wherever he was destined to go, he supposed.

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Disclaimer: I do not own Tom Riddle, et cetera, et all.

A/N: To my dear reviewers: I love you all and sorry if I drag things out too much. It's my writing style. And all of your wonderful reviews inspired me to write this chapter. :o)