D: ack! Two chapters and still no reviews? T_T perhaps things other than Slash Fics have chances here. *referencing my YGO slash fics* Oh well. I shall continue writing it because I have so many ideas. Let's take bets to see if I'll make all seven years.

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The boat rocked to and fro once the front hit the shore. Quickly, and still dripping wet, the three of them leapt out of the boat and darted towards the massive doors which laid atop a flight of stone stairs. They were exhausted once they reached the top. Not only was the journey tiresome but having the extra weight of wet clothes holding them down didn't do them any better. Despite being tired, the three of them perused on and pushed on the large wooden doors yet no matter how hard they tried, they couldn`t get the thing to budge. "We're gonna be late!" Albus screamed and continued to push on the doors with all his might while Lenore and Thomas had already given up. "It's no use Al," Tom panted. "We've probably missed it by now."

Suddenly, the door budged open, catching all three of them by surprised.

"Dere you are!" Hagrid`s voice boomed with relief at the sight of them. "I was worried I had lost you guys and what you all wet for? Never mind that - `urry up! Da rest of da first years are already inside and the sorting hat ceremony is start`n already!" The massive man opened the door further, allowing the three to rush inside and run towards the great hall doors with Hagrid right behind them. Slowly, the three entered the great hall. The sound of the large doors opening echoed through the hall, interrupting the ceremony. Albus` cheeks flushed red with embarrassment with all the eyes peering at him and his friends for being late and disrupting everything. Hagrid closed the door behind him and waved at the headmaster, "It's alright McGonagall. I found them. Sorry about the intrusion."

The headmaster bowed her head, her pale face riddled with wrinkles and her grey hair was tied back in a tight bun with a few loose wisps of hair falling gently across her face and neck. Oval shaped spectacles rested on the tip of her nose as she looked over them. "Very good, Hagrid. Please take your seat so that we can continue," McGonagall spoke. Her voice was raspy and had a stern tone. Hagrid blushed a little and quickly made his way to the front of the great hall, more than likely heading towards the large chair at the edge of the row of professors that remained vacant. Professor McGonagall then turned her attention to a rather square built man who held in one hand a large sheet of parchment that extended from the floor to his hand and back to the floor once more while in the other a dawty and dirty old hat that was stitched together rather roughly and patches of scorch marks as if it was set on fire at some point. "You make continue Professor Longbottom."

Clearing his throat, Professor Longbottom started reading off the names once more. "Janis Marrow," he called out and a girl with a round face and brown hair stepped out of the crowd. Albus, Tom and Lenore watched curiously as the girl walked up the steps and approached the stool. As soon as she sat down, the professor placed the hat on the girl's head and it sprung to life, contorting itself to form a face as it thought about where to place the girl. Finally the hat yelled out, "Hufflepuff!" And the entire house table applauded and cheered at the decision. Albus was anxiously awaiting his turn when he heard low voices call his name. He looked over to the Gryffindor table and saw that nearly his entire family had taken up seats at the corner closest to the front. He probably had the biggest family in all of Hogwarts with seats being taken up by his cousins, Victoria, Fred, Jar, and Rose as well as his older brother James. Teddy was there too, though he is not directly related to him, he's close enough to be considered a cousin. But Albus never did call Teddy cousin because the thought of having two of his cousins dating each other grossed him out.

Another name was called, "Lenore Louise Livelledelle Linnet."

Lenore approached the front and Tom leaned in to Albus, commenting how long and strange her name was to have all those L`s. "I hope she's in Gryffindor," he whispered back. "I know I'm going to be there. My entire family's there."

Professor Longbottom placed the hat on Lenore's head and the hat raised its non-existent eyebrow as it pondered about. "A crafty one usually means a quick and crafty mind," the hat spoke. "Ravenclaw!"

The Ravenclaw table erupted in cheers as Lenore stepped down and approached them. Albus sighed with disappointment to realize he was going to be in a separate house from Lenore but Tom patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry. We can always visit. Cheer up, we're going to be in the same house together." The two boys smiled at each other and anxiously waited for their turns. `

"Albus Severus Potter."

Albus` heart skipped a beat when he heard his name being called out and slowly, he left the crowd of remaining first years and approached the front. Many students cheered and applauded the calling of his name because of the fame his father's name carried. Professor McGonagall looked at the boy with a smile and glint in her eye as the young boy approached the stool. Albus turned to sit on the chair when he was stopped by Professor Longbottom who started to go beet red cheeks. "I'm very sorry, but it's a pleasure to meet you for the first time. Well… I've met you before but you were far too young to remember anything. I'm a good, good friend of your father's." Albus smiled at him and was startled when the thick man took his hand and violently shook it out of excitement. "Professor, I think that's enough. Please sort the boy," McGonagall spoke up with a stern voice, though you could tell she was trying her best to conceal some laughter.

"Oh, of course," Longbottom smiled and bowed his head before placing the hat on Albus` head. Once on his head, he could smell something very strange that made him think about what the stench might be. "I assure you," the hat whispered in his ear, "that the smell is nothing compared to what I've been through. Your father should know, young Potter." Albus nearly leapt out of his seat hearing the voice in his head but remained seated. "Well…," the hat said aloud for everyone to hear, "the house for you is a pure given. GRYFFENDOR!" The entire Gryffindor table screamed and cheered Albus on as he approached them and joined the rest of his family. Fred and Jar grabbed him aside and gave him a not so welcomed noogie while Hugo high fived him. James clapped with a small smile on his face, obviously unimpressed with the result and Rose nudged him for being rude. "Now we just have to wait for Tom to join us," Albus said as he sat down and turned to look at his friend. The dining hall was still roaring with cheers from the Gryffindor table and Professor Longbottom swelled with pride before looking over to McGonagall, who was giving him an impatient stare.

"Right right, Gryffindor. Calm down now," Longbottom told his house and shushed them into silence.

He began calling off names once more, as James leaned over the table to pat his brother on the head. "Welcome home," he said and sat back down.

"Scorpious Malfoy," the professor called out and the smirk blonde youth approached the stool. The hat was lowered and barely touched the boy's crown before screaming "SLYTHERIN!"

This was no surprise to anyone who knew the Malfoy family. Time passed and five were sent Ravenclaw, three to Gryffindor, six to Hufflepuff and four to Slytherin.

"I wonder when Tom is going to get called, Albus turned to the twins nervously.

"Don't worry-"

"I'm sure he'll be-"

"The next one-"

"To be called."

"Alright," Longbottom smiled at another happy student who ran towards their new house and turned to his list of names, getting nearer to the end. "Thomas Theodore-"

He stopped. Staring at the sheet, the colour in his face faded away. "Uh…" he stuttered and smiled out to the great hall, clearing his throat and licking his lips as if his mouth had suddenly gone dry.

"T-Thomas Theodore R-Riddle."

Albus applauded Tom's name being called out but soon found that he and Lenore were the only ones doing so. The great call remained silent, mostly because of how Professor Longbottom reacted over reading the name. Slowly, and feeling rather awkward, Thomas approached the front and made his way to the front. Albus watched him before he was nudged by Fred. "Hagrid don't look so good," he whispered and pointed out how the giant man's face was just as flushed and in shock as Longbottom`s. The only difference was that his skin matched the streaks of white in his beard.

Thomas sat down on the stood and waited for the hat to be placed on his head. He waited and waited before looking over at the Professor, with a puzzled look about the delay in action. "Professor?" Tom spoke up, snapping the professor out of it. "Ah..s-sorry," the man stuttered and, with a shaking hand, placed the sorting hat on his head. The hat remained immobile. It did not speak, nor moved the creases of its face. Albus watched intently, realizing the hat must be having a conversation with Thomas like he had experienced earlier. Tom's eyes widened and his mouth parted in shock. His lips mouthed the word no over and over until the hat's eyes rose with dread and leaned forward, as if apologizing.

"SLYTHERIN!"