Chapter 3
She walked towards the Ravenclaw table, head held high and refusing to look anyone in the eye. Even she had to admit, she had thought her entrance would be a bit more of a spectacle, but it seemed that most of the students were too busy catching up with their peers. Ginny looked over all the different witches and wizards and stumbled slightly when they began to notice her presence.
Come on Ginny, just a few metres and you'll be at the table.
Her heart was beating like mad though she reasoned to herself that she was over exaggerating the situation. No one knew who she was, yet.
The table was in reach and Ginny went a few paces down so she could sit with some students who looked closer to her age. She found a large enough space where she would not be disturbing anyone's group and sat down, staring down at her hands placed in her lap, cheeks burning.
Obviously someone would have had to have noticed her sitting down, she could almost feel all the eyes upon her. "Who are-"
"Quiet! Quiet please." Ginny glanced up to see Headmaster Dippet standing at the podium. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Let us bring in our new first year students and begin the sorting."
Ginny turned towards the entrance to watch the group of first year students being ushered through by none other than Dumbledore. She almost let out a chuckle seeing their nervous, small faces darting around trying to take everything in, that is until she remembered where she was and more specifically when she was.
The sorting hat was already at the front of the hall sitting upon an old three-legged stool. Once they were congregated around the stool Dumbledore walked to stand beside it, a scroll held in the one hand.
It was always a laugh seeing first year's reaction to the withered old hat bursting into song and they did not disappoint. It looked as though one boy had toppled over in fright. Ginny discreetly laughed into her fist masking it as a cough.
Throughout the Sorting Hat's rhymes regarding house virtues Ginny peered over at the staff table. She could recognise a young Professor Slughorn, still just as plump. The rest she could not recognise at all. Maybe she would be able to learn something new out of these teachers though she was quite disappointed Professor Flitwick was not around. She'd always loved Charms.
It didn't seem that long until all of the new first years had been sorted and Dippet was once more standing at the podium.
"Now we also have a bit of a special case here at Hogwarts this year."
Don't you dare!
The wizard's eyes scanned the long table before settling on her. "Joining us for her sixth schooling year is Ginevra Fawcett, who has been sorted into Ravenclaw." There was a small pause, but that's all it took for everyone to swivel around in their seats to get a glimpse of the 'new student'.
Once again Ginny could feel her whole face burning. She stared down at her lap letting her auburn hair cover her face from view, mentally cursing the headmaster. I bet Dumbledore would have had more tact.
"Her previous tutor has left for an expedition in Australia I believe. Looking for dragons, very exciting stuff." She was going to curse him, it was official. "Be the welcoming wizards and witches I know you to be."
Ginny tuned out the rest of his speech, too mortified to lift her face. Suddenly the tables filled with large platters of roast meats, pies and roasted potatoes, signalling the end of his speech and realising just how hungry she was, Ginny began to fill her plate.
Noticing that the chatter had yet to commence around those closest to her she let out a sigh and looked up to her new house mates. Funnily enough most of the people she made eye contact with looked away. She smiled to herself, maybe this would be easier than she though.
"Ginevra was it?" The girl sitting next to Ginny questioned. A small smile graced the girl's lips as Ginny turned towards her.
The nerves were back in full force. Ginny felt like she was back in first year trying to make a good impression, something she knew she was not great at. It didn't help that she had just shoved a huge forkful of beef in her mouth.
She attempted to swallow it down, too quickly it seemed as she could not hold in the loud cough. Raising her hand to her mouth she gave an apologetic smile. "You can call me Ginny."
"I'm Evelyn Hopkins. It's nice to meet you." Ginny looked over the girl. She had long thick brown tresses that went down to her waist. A small smattering of freckles across her nose, not nearly as many as Ginny had. Looking at her encouraging smile she gave the impression of being friendly. Given that her nose didn't turn up in disgust at that little display, Ginny had a good feeling about her.
"I'm a prefect here at Hogwarts so if you'd like I can help you find your way around and answer any questions you may have."
"Thank you Evelyn. I appreciate it." While eating she glanced at the other students sitting around them. Evelyn must have noticed as she took it upon herself to introduce each sixth year to Ginny, though she was hardly paying attention, too absorbed with the food. She gave the necessary smiles and greetings though by the end of her first serving all but Evelyn's name had slipped from her mind.
Ginny couldn't help but notice how subdued the Ravenclaw students were compared to the Gryffindor's. No mini food fights, no errant spells flying around, no competitions of who could eat the most pieces of pie. Surprisingly it was actually just what she needed right now. Peace.
She noticed Evelyn still speaking to her and felt quite guilty, after all she was being very welcoming. Vowing to pay more attention she turned back towards the Ravenclaw prefect. Who knows? Maybe she had some interesting titbits of information about Hogwarts she did not know of yet. Hogwarts must have changed somewhat in fifty years.
Evelyn pointed towards the staff table giving a small explanation of each teacher.
"Oh, and on the end there is Professor Fancourt. She's our head of house and astrology professor. She's absolutely marvellous, you'll love her." The woman in question looked quite old with short grey hair and a magenta pointed hat sitting atop her head.
"At the end of the year one house wins the house cup. I'm sure you already know all four houses well after the hat's song but there's a house cup awarded at the end of each school year based off house points." Ginny nodded along to Evelyn's explanation of the points system, she'd earned her fair few over the past five years. Lost a fair few too.
"Hmm what else do you need to know?" The brunette began to look around.
"Oh and of course there is also the Head Boy and Girl." Evelyn pointed towards the end of their table. Craning her neck Ginny could see a statuesque blonde with the Head Girl pin sitting proudly in place eating a piece of steak and kidney pie. "The Head Girl is one of us Ravenclaws, Josephine Savic." She said proudly. "A whiz in transfiguration and always happy to help a fellow Ravenclaw."
Ginny smiled politely and nodded, attempting to file away all this new information.
"A-and the Head Boy. He's just over there." Ginny watched as the prefect, now sporting a slight blush, surreptitiously pointed towards the table in front of them. Attempting to see the wizard who could elicit this kind of response from Evelyn, Ginny slid along the bench slightly and looked over the heads of the students sitting opposite them. She wasn't certain which one Evelyn was referring to. "His name is Tom Riddle."
Her eyes instantly locked onto the pale teen sitting amongst the Slytherins. His angular features contorted into a face of deliberation. Dark brunette hair neatly parted to the side with the slightest wave. His eyes the colour of the darkest ink imaginable. She was going to be sick.
It wasn't bad enough she was stuck here for Merlin knows how long without her friends and family through no fault of her own. She had to be stuck with the darkest wizard of all time.
Her hands began to tremble as she continued to watch him sit and observe his fellow peers. She could feel the perspiration on the back of her neck as the chatter from the Great Hall turned to white noise. It felt as though her very mind was searching for any traces of his slimy presence within, as if she was once again possessed with no control of her own thoughts or actions.
"Ginny what's happened?" She fumbled slightly and tore her eyes away from Riddle, the trance broken, to see Evelyn looking at her with great concern. "Quick drink some pumpkin juice, you look terrible." She grabbed the large pitcher and hastily poured a cup for her, sloshing some of its contents on the table. "Are you not used to the food?"
Ginny grabbed the cup and took a large gulp, still tingling from shock. "Must not be." She mumbled with a slight nod of her head. She noticed the cup shaking within her hands and quickly put it back down so as not to draw attention.
"Don't worry, the feast looks to be finishing up now and you can get to the tower for a lie down."
It won't be my tower, she thought miserably as the left over desserts and utensils vanished from the table.
Dippet's voice carried through the hall. "Now off to your dormitories. Prefects please direct the first years."
Ginny shakily rose to her feet, needing to brace herself with both hands on the table. It felt as though her bones had turned to jelly. Evelyn rose from her seat and held her elbow, trying to assist her with standing up.
"I'll take you to the common room with the first years." She glanced back at Ginny. "It may have to be a speedy tour for this batch of firsties."
She let out a small chuckle. "Don't worry about me. Should have never had a bite of that steak and kidney pie." She said feebly.
Evelyn gathered with the other Ravenclaw prefects to begin guiding the new students through the castle. Ginny wanted more than anything to make her way to the tower herself, desperately needing even just a minute to herself, but no luck. She had a part to play.
Evelyn motioned for her to join them and they began to walk down the aisle and towards the exit, the other sixth year prefect walking beside them. Ginny could not remember his name.
"So would you say you're quite knowledgeable on the subject of magical creatures?" He asked towards her. She met his eye thinking how blunt people of the 1940s seemed to be.
Ginny gave a shrug. "As good as any I suppose."
His eyebrows scrunched up in slight confusion. "I only ask because of your previous tutor. Dippet said he's looking for dragons right?"
She felt the blush instantly colouring her cheeks, mentally chastising herself. She hadn't even been here a day and already she was stuffing everything up. "Oh well, yes I suppose. I do know quite a bit about dragons." Thank Merlin for her brother Charlie. She was going to have to work harder to not draw any suspicions.
The boy's eyes lit up but just as he was about to begin his questioning Evelyn cut in. "Oh there's the Head Boy and Girl," she said excitedly, her pace increased, "Come on, I'll go and introduce you."
Instant panic. The feeling could be felt in every cell of her body. "No! It's really not necessary. Please I'm still feeling quite poorly."
"Oh it will only take a second." Ginny looked up to where Evelyn was guiding them. He was much taller than she had imagined, nearly a head above her own height, and he was currently exchanging what looked to be terse whispered words with Josephine, the head girl. When they noticed the small group approaching they shared one last word before looking towards them.
Their eyes met for only a moment, but that was all Ginny could take before she glared down at the ground. Sick murderer she thought, hating that she was in this position. Pretending he wasn't the absolute scum he was to the wizarding world.
"Congratulations again on your new positions." Evelyn greeted as they stood before the new heads.
"I just wanted to introduce you to Ginny here." She said smiling encouragingly at Ginny.
She tried to get a sentence out she really did, even just a smile, but all she could achieve was a grimace as she pointedly stared at only the head girl. She could see the falter in her friendly expression because of Ginny's weird stance.
Evelyn's eyes darted between Ginny's 'I'm going to be sick' face and the others discomfort. "She's feeling a bit under the weather!" She exclaimed. "Must be the new food she's not really used to." A forced nervous laugh escaped her lips. "I'm just going to take her up to the tower."
Josephine gave a slight frown, concern shining from her eyes. "Oh that's too bad, and on your first night here! My name's Jo Savic and this is Tom Riddle, you're really going to love Hogwarts," She paused thoughtfully, "maybe you should take her up to the dormitories Evelyn… she's turning green."
"Will do." Evelyn said as she placed her hand upon Ginny's back, guiding her back to the staircases. They'd only made it a few steps before his silvery voice carried over to the small group.
"It was a pleasure Miss Fawcett."
She could feel her ears turning red. What was that supposed to mean? That slimy, evli, vile, unpleasant-
Ginny tripped over her feet and stumbled to keep balance. "Oh sorry Ginny. Just keep following me. Nearly there." Evelyn removed her hand and continued to walk forward.
She didn't know what it was, maybe curiosity or self-loathing, but she turned back to catch a glimpse of Riddle. Ginny instantly regretted that decision. Her eyes locked with his and it was obvious he had been watching her walk away. Unlike any other person he continued to stare at her betraying no emotion upon his face. Riddle continued to talk with the head girl but his eyes did not waver.
It felt as though she had just apparated, dizziness clouding her mind. Finally she was able to break eye contact and turn her back from him, but this did not assist with her current state of mind.
How could the darkest wizard of all time be able to prance around the school with not one person realising how dangerous he was. Hastily she corrected herself, Dumbledore always knew. It made her feel queasy. Try as she might she could not dispel her thoughts from drifting back to her first year with the diary. Her very first friend. Revulsion grew within her.
Looking at him before even she had to admit he did not seem as evil as she knew him to be. When he had stared into her eyes she could not deny the raw power she saw within, they were not the red irises she had been told by Harry. School boy or not it was fact that by now in his seventh year, he had committed murder. A shudder rippled down her spine.
"Do you have a fever now too? Maybe we should take you to the Hospital Wing instead." Evelyn's worried voice cut into her musings.
"I just need a lie down."
The group made their way up the stairs, through a corridor or two and to the Ravenclaw tower, the new batch of first years trailing behind them, staring up in wonder at all the portraits on the wall and the staircases with a mind of their own.
Ginny of course had already been to the tower many times when she had been dating Michael Corner. She acted surprised and interested at all the correct times during Evelyn's tour, though it was difficult considering how drained she felt. After what felt like an eternity later for Ginny they had made it to the dormitories.
There were six beds in total set up in the room with blue draping and bedding. It seemed her dorm mates were still down in the common room as no bed was occupied.
"Oh it looks quite strange with an extra bed in here!" Evelyn exclaimed. "That one over there must be yours," She pointed to the left-hand side. "You're next to me."
A plain-looking brown trunk sat at the end of her bed. This must be what Dumbledore had been talking about earlier. "It looks cosy." She murmured, walking towards her new trunk and unlatching the lid. It was all neatly packed together her new robes and school supplies.
"I might just pop down to the common room and see everyone. Make sure you get some rest."
"Wait! Evelyn?" The brunette spun around, giving an encouraging smile when Ginny's words faltered. With a sigh Ginny plopped down on the bed. "Just thanks, you know?" There was an awkward pause. "For being so helpful I mean."
Evelyn laughed and walked towards her bed, sitting down and facing Ginny. "Anytime, it's refreshing having someone new in the year." She stretched over to the other side of the bed and came back holding up what looked to be a bar of chocolate. "I left it here just before leaving earlier this year, did you want some?"
The grin on Ginny's face answered the question. Both girls let out a simultaneous laugh. Evelyn snapped off a large chunk before passing it over and began nibbling on the left overs.
"Chocoholic huh?"
"I don't trust anyone who doesn't love chocolate." Ginny revelled in the creamy richness that was Honeydukes chocolate. The tenseness in her shoulders caused by the Riddle run in dispersed and she began to feel more like herself. It also helped that she was not in a crowded room with hundreds of people staring at her.
Evelyn let out a small giggle. "Glad I'm not the only one." Ginny glanced up at Evelyn and saw that her eyebrows were scrunched up just the slightest as she looked at her depleted chocolate supply.
"What is it?"
Before Evelyn could question Ginny gave her a pointed look. "Come on, out with it."
"Did the food really make you sick?" Ginny averted her eyes from Evelyn's curious look. "I don't mean it in a rude 'you're lying' way." A long sigh left her lips. "Sorry I'm not good at this. What I mean is. You must have been nervous."
Ginny wasn't sure what she was supposed to say. She did not want to screw up her back story once again in just one evening but she was also very grateful for Evelyn's kindness. Not many people from back in her time would be as gracious as she was to her.
Evelyn rose up her hands, palms open. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. Forget I said anything."
"No, no it's fine." Ginny looked up through her eyelashes sheepishly. "You're right, I was incredibly nervous."
Evelyn's laugh surprised her. "I'm just glad," she said, "Who doesn't love the food here?"
Ginny let out a laugh. "It was delicious. It was just daunting feeling hundreds of eyes staring down at you."
"Oh I can imagine." Evelyn said consolingly. "Everyone loves a bit of gossip here, but I wouldn't worry too much." Ginny gave her a questioning look. "Something more exciting and dramatic is bound to happen in the first week and everyone will leave you be."
Somethings never change. Ginny smiled and polished off the last of her chocolate. "I hope so. Thanks for sharing."
"Anytime." Evelyn pushed back her long hair and hopped off the bed. "I'm going to have a shower and go to bed, I'm not really friends with anyone down in the common room truth be told. Do you mind, or would you like a moment to yourself?"
"No that's fine."
"Alright, I'll wake you up tomorrow and show you how to get back to the Great Hall. This castle can get confusing."
It was hard to hold back the smirk from her face but Ginny managed. "I'm sure I'll manage."
Once Evelyn left Ginny got ready for bed and drew the curtains. At least the beds in Ravenclaw were the same as Gryffindor's. When Ginny laid her head on the fluffy pillow she could just pretend she was back in her proper dorm in her own time.
Her mind went over every single detail of what had happened that day. The funeral, the break up… the time travel. She still had no clue how this had all happened. She blindly reached under her pillow to unearth the small stone Luna had given her before she'd left. Its warmth spread through her fingers as she clasped it in her hand. In all the commotion of arriving here and running to find Dumbledore she had forgotten all about the strange circumstances behind it now being in her possession, but now in the confines of her bed, she pondered what this gem was capable of. Definitely something to report back to Dumbledore.
Not much time had passed before Ginny's eyelids began to flutter and her mind drifted off, her hand still clutching the stone. Her brows still crinkled from the worry of what tomorrow would bring and how much trouble living in the same castle as a certain dark wizard could cause.