Chosen to Rise; Destined to Fall

Part Two: The Beginning

Chapter Twelve-

- Hogwarts-

Tom heard gasps of awe around him as they turned the bend. Ogg, the current gamekeeper of Hogwarts, was making his way down to the inky black lake. The moon shone down on the still water, making it shimmer. But what was most impressive was the enormous castle on the other side of the water. It was awe inspiring with its tall towers and size. Several windows were lit, making it feel more welcoming. Tom could feel excitement beginning to build inside him, searing through every part of his body. Bloody hell, thought Tom, thoroughly impressed by the castle. I can't wait!

"Into the boats, four to a boat," Ogg was saying. Tom glanced at the older, burly man, and then climbed into a boat with Randolph and Alphard.

"Do you have room for one more?" asked a quiet voice.

Tom turned to see Shawn standing there. He wanted to snap at him, but to keep up appearances, he only said, "Sure."

The three boys shifted to allow Shawn to take a seat. "Thanks," said Shawn gratefully.

Alphard smiled. "You're welcome. I'm Alphard Black."

"Shawn McErith."

Alphard's eyes widened. "Bloody hell…are your parents the Unspeakables that everyone's always talking about?"

A flicker of sadness appeared on Shawn's face. "My parents are dead," he said quietly, looking down at his hands. His perfectly clean hands, just how his mother liked them. He still had his worn picture of them in his pocket. It never left his side. "I live with my aunt and uncle."

"Oh, I'm sorry," said Alphard, looking honestly saddened.

"Well, I don't see what the big deal is," said Randolph as the boats began to move.

Tom didn't say anything, turning his back to Shawn and looking at the castle. He's no friend of mine, thought Tom.

"Give over, Randolph," said Alphard, scowling. "He's a pureblood."

Randolph glared at him. "He's a McErith."

Alphard just rolled his eyes. "You're only sore because you were beaten by Philip McErith last year in Quidditch."

"I am not," snapped Randolph.

Tom glanced back at them just in time to see Randolph shove Alphard, who fell, bumping into Shawn. Within seconds, Shawn was suddenly knocked into the water, disappearing under the black curtain.

There was a split second that Tom seriously considered just leaving him in the water. Someone would eventually get him out. But then something inside Tom flickered and he reached down into the water. He felt Shawn's shirt within his grasp and hauled a coughing Shawn back onto the boat, falling backwards. Shawn landed partially on top of him and Tom freed himself, barely restraining a scowl. Why the hell did I just do that? he thought angrily.

"Shawn! I'm so sorry!" said Alphard, moving to help Shawn sit up.

Shawn coughed out some more water before saying, "I'm fine. Really."

Tom turned his back to them, moving to the front of the boat. As the castle drew closer, he was itching to get out. As soon as the boats docked, he climbed out and stared up at the castle looming over the first-years. Amazing… he thought, his eyes widening.

"Follow me!" called Ogg and the first-years began to make their way down a stony path along the bank of the river. Soon they came to a great stone arch, under which they passed and stopped in front of two large doors. The doors swung open, allowing them entrance, and the first-years heading inside, whispering to each other and pointing at all the fascinating things.

"I'll take it from here, Ogg. Thank you," said a familiar voice.

Tom looked up the long, marble staircase to see Professor Dumbledore standing at the top. "Welcome," said Ogg gruffly, shuffling out the door. The doors shut with a 'THUD!', startling a few of the first-years.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face. He pulled out his wand, waving it, and a blanket appeared around Shawn. Shawn just smiled, hugging the blanket tightly around him. Out of the corner of his eye, Tom saw Vincent maneuver his way through the crowd to Shawn. They whispered a bit and then disappeared into the crowd.

Tom was nearly a head taller than all the other first-years but for once, he felt like he belonged, in the sea of black robes.

"Follow me," Dumbledore said with a wave of his hand. He turned and the first-years made their way up the stairs, following Dumbledore until they reached two great oak doors, which were closed. He turned to face them. "Now, inside is the Great Hall, during which you will attend the Sorting Ceremony. This is an ancient tradition in which you will be Sorted into your respective houses. Slytherin, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. During the school year you will have chances to earn points for your house and of course, have those points taken away." Dumbledore smiled. "I believe this will be a rather interesting year." His gaze landed on Tom briefly before he turned, opening the doors with a wave of his hand.

The first-years made their way into the Great Hall and Tom just stared in wide-eyed wonder. The ceiling was amazing, with glittering stars and smoky heavens. It's enchanted…I remember reading about it, he thought. He saw that there were four tables set up, at which the different Houses sat. The hall was huge, with tall, thin Gothic windows, torches and candles lighting up the room, and a long table at the front where the Professors sat. The first-years gathered around at the base of a raised platform, on which a stool and an ancient hat sat.

Suddenly, the hat began to sing:

Oh you may smirk

Oh you may smile

But let me say

You're in denial

I'm not just

Any old hat

I'm what Sorts you

Just like that

In Gryffindor

Where dwell the brave

Or wise Ravenclaw

Where intellects crave

Could it be Slytherin

Where the cunning stay?

Or fair Hufflepuff

Where the loyal lay

Each house is different

But united you stand

If survival is key

Listen to the song

And then try me on

"As I call your name, step up and try on the hat," said Dumbledore, pulling out a large scroll. "Amiel, Michael."

A short, blond-haired boy stepped up, taking his seat on the stool. Dumbledore set the hat down on top of his head and within a few minutes, it yelled, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

The Hufflepuffs cheered and applauded as Michael stepped down off the platform, taking a seat with his house.

"He's a real winner," snickered Randolph.

"Most Hufflepuffs are," smirked Alphard.

Tom didn't say anything, watching the Sorting with interest.

"Black, Alphard."

Alphard grinned. "Wish me luck." He strode up to the stool, taking his seat.

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Yes!" Alphard pumped his fist into the air and rushed over to the Slytherin table, taking a seat next to Procyon.

"Carolton, Ewan."

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Lavey, Payton."

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Lestrange, Randolph."

Randolph looked as arrogant as ever, striding up to the stool. He sat down with a smirk on his face. The hat only waited a moment before yelling,

"SLYTHERIN!"

The Slytherins applauded and Randolph made his way to the table, taking a seat next to Rafe and Alphard.

"Longbottom, Philip!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Lupin, Rachel!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Malfoy, Vincent!"

Tom watched as Vincent made his way to the stool, hearing whispers of "He's a Malfoy?" and "I didn't know there were two of them."

Vincent looked confused as the hat rested on his head and then smiled as the hat yelled,

"GRYFFINDOR!"

He hopped off the stool and made his way to the applauding Gryffindor table. Over at the Slytherin table Abraxas was scowling and looked ready to kill someone or something. Rafe whispered something to him, which only made Abraxas' scowl deepen. Some people didn't seem too sure of what had just happened. After all, the Malfoys had always been in Slytherin. Whispers of "Must be a black sheep," and "Maybe it was tricked," came across Tom's ears.

"McErith, Shawn!"

Shawn made his way slowly to the stool, sitting. Whispers raced around the hall once again, this time due to the fact that the McEriths were famous Unspeakables. It took the hat a long time before it finally shouted,

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

The Hufflepuffs went wild as Shawn smiled, moving to their table. He took a seat between two larger Hufflepuffs, who clapped him on the back, congratulating him.

Tom looked quickly away, not about to admit that he cared which house Shawn had been placed in. He watched as more students were sorted, two of whom were a Pettigrew who was placed in Ravenclaw and a Potter that was placed in Gryffindor. Tom thought that Daniel Potter looked too full of himself and just smirked inwardly. He might look like that now. Just wait.

"Riddle, Tom!"

Tom looked up, realizing it was his turn. He made his way up the set of three stairs and took his seat on the stool. He felt the hat graze his head and something say in his head, "You'll go far, young Tom. We'll be watching you."

And then the hat yelled, "SLTYHERIN!"

Tom put a smile on his face, keeping up appearances, and made his way to the Slytherin table, where he sat across from Alphard and Randolph.

"Well done," said Rafe, smiling. "Perhaps the hat isn't as mad as we thought."

Abraxas merely nodded his approval before looking back to the ceremony. Tom turned in his seat as he watched the last students be Sorted.

"Schaffer, Sonya!"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"Travers, Anthony!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

Finally, when at long last "Wallaby, Christopher," was called and Sorted into Gryffindor, a tall, elderly man stood from behind the Head Table.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts," Headmaster Dippet said with a smile. Professor Dumbledore took his seat next to Dippet. "Enjoy the feast!" Dippet took his seat and Tom stared as piles of food suddenly appeared on the tables.

He looked at it all in shock, never having seen that much food in his life. Bloody hell. He started to pile his plate full of food, trying to get a piece of everything.

"You act like you haven't eaten in a week," laughed Rafe, glancing over at Tom.

"The food isn't like this in the orphanage," said Tom, taking a bite of the chicken and savoring the spicy flavor.

"I reckon I'll be spending the holidays here," said Alphard between bites. "Food's much better than home."

Procyon sipped his pumpkin juice, looking at his younger brother. "I agree but don't let mother hear you or Aunt Elladora. You never know what they'll do."

Alphard chuckled. "I won't."

"Going to try out for Quidditch, Tom?" asked Abraxas.

Tom looked at Abraxas as he took a bite of mashed potatoes. He swallowed and said, "I might."

"I'm there," said Alphard, grinning. "I can't wait."

"Well just so you know, first-years don't usually make it onto the house teams," said Abraxas, his tone slightly cool.

"Don't pay him any mind," smirked Rafe. "He's just trying to intimidate you so you won't show him up on the pitch. It wouldn't look too good for the Captain to be outplayed by a first-year."

Abraxas looked at him, his face calm. He took a sip of his drink. "Don't be so sure you'll be on the team again, Rafe."

"I'm your best player." Rafe smirked. "Besides, who thinks up all the fantastic plays?" He tapped his head with a finger. "Right here."

Alphard and Randolph chuckled and even Tom smiled slightly. They continued to eat, enjoying the banter between the two best friends.

Procyon just shook his head, watching them. "They never stop," he said, chuckling and taking a bite of his pork chops.

"Can you pass the gravy please?" asked a female voice. The boys turned to see a first-year girl with her blond hair pulled back into a ponytail. She had dark eyes and a spatter of freckles across the bridge of her nose.

"Here," said Alphard, handing it to her.

"Thanks." She smiled, pouring it over her potatoes.

"You're Payton, right?" asked Randolph.

Tom glanced at Rafe, Procyon, and Abraxas, who seemed to have fallen into conversation with their other mates. He looked back at Payton, taking bites of his dinner and just listening.

"That's right," she said, still smiling.

"What do your parents do?" asked Randolph, his face cool.

Alphard elbowed him. "Stop asking so many questions."

"No, it's fine," chuckled Payton. "My parents are Hit Wizards."

"Bloody hell, that's cool," said Alphard with a grin. "Do they really go after all those dangerous criminals?"

Payton nodded. "They're gone most of the time, so I'm glad to finally be coming to Hogwarts. It gets rather boring in the manor."

"I heard the Minister of Magic, Millicent Bagnold, is sending them after someone named Grindelwald? Is that true?" asked Randolph curiously.

"I don't know about that. I've heard some things," said Payton.

"I think so," said Alphard, looking at Randolph. "I heard my parents mention something about him after they came back from their last mission."

"You're parents are Unspeakables, aren't they?" asked Payton.

Alphard grinned. "That's right. Pretty wicked, eh?"

"Very."

"You think Grindelwald will be a Dark Lord?" asked Randolph randomly.

"I don't think he's smart enough," said Tom, sitting back. He was stuffed and couldn't eat another bite.

They looked at him, startled. "Blimey, Tom, forgot you were there," chuckled Alphard. "You're so quiet."

Tom merely smiled slightly.

"What do you know of him?" asked Payton.

Tom was about to answer when the food disappeared from the tables, replaced by various sweets. The Headmaster stood and all attention was drawn to him. The Great Hall was silent except for the sounds of munching on sweets.

"Now that you've all eaten," Dippet said. "Let's get to the necessities." He smoothed his dark red robe and folded his hands in front of his body. He smiled, looking at all the students. Tom thought he looked rather silly, with his curly white beard and cockeyed wizard hat. The colors didn't match his robes. "The caretaker, Mr. Pringle, would like me to inform you that you're not to be performing spells in the corridors or any pranks. I would like to add that I do not want to see any of you wandering around the Forbidden Forest. There are some dangerous creatures within those trees and it's not wise to tread on their territory. Now," he said, clapping his hands together. "Quidditch tryouts will be in three weeks and tomorrow you get your schedules. Off to bed with you!"

Tom thought the man seemed rather childish, with the smile on his face and the clapping of his hands. But I could use that to my advantage, he thought as he stood. Regrettably, all the sweets disappeared from the long tables and the students made their way out of the hall. Tom glanced back at the Head Table, catching a few of the professors' eyes. They were whispering about something, glancing at him. He frowned but turned, following the rest of his housemates.