Thank you for all those who have read Part 1. Seriously, it means a lot. I'm sorry for the hold up on this update but I was conflicted on how I wanted to do this. Obviously, I want the characters to mean something to the reader so I spent a lot of time on character development. Unfortunately it was getting to be too much so I had to separate it all into different chapters. So I guess we will take this one year at a time with each chapter. I hope you gorgeous mother fuckers enjoy.
And to the reviewer who felt the need to criticize a spelling error, it's called a typo. Get over it.
Thomas came to Hogwarts seven years ago with one goal in mind. To become the greatest Auror the wizarding world has ever seen. He didn't want to have a boring desk job at the Ministry of Magic like his father and he would rather die before he spent all his days in a shop repairing brooms like his mother. He was going to become something more. Somebody amazing. Hogwarts would sing his name by the time he graduated and all the wizards would know the ashes to riches story of Thomas Wombleton.
His excitement grew when his parents took him to the shop to get his wand. As his parents talked to Garrick Ollivander, Thomas wandered around the shop, fascinated and in awe of all the different wands that were stored there. And to think somewhere on the shelves was what would be his tool, weapon, and companion in the art of magic. He slowly scrutinized each wand, unsure on how he would know which one to take home.
He was brought back to reality at the sound of Garrick Ollivander's voice. "So my boy, preparing for your first year at Hogwarts?"
Thomas returned the wand he was holding to the shelf and turned towards Mr. Ollivander. "Yes sir."
"Fine school. Very fine school," Ollivander mused as he began stack wands on the counter. "Best memories I ever had took place inside those castle walls. Think you'll take after your parents and become a lovely Hufflepuff!?" He asked as he finished stacking an assortment of wands and began to organize them on the countertop.
"Most likely not," replied Thomas as he eyed the wide assortment of magical instruments before him.
"Why do you say that my boy?"
"I suppose I just don't want to be in that house." Thomas said nonchalantly, turning his eyes up to Mr. Ollivander.
The old man chuckled and turned to Thomas' parents. "I suppose your boy would want to make his own path hmm?" He turned back to Thomas. "Nothing wrong with that my boy. Nothing at all. Just be sure that whatever path you chose remains your own. Don't fall victim to the pressures that can be put on by your peers. Can you do that my boy?" Ollivander asked with a kind smile.
"Yes sir."
"Good. Now, let us see what wand seeks to have you as its owner."
An hour later Thomas left with his parents cradling his new wand. A dragon heart string core with an oak shell. Ollivander told him that he uses 3 cores, phoenix feathers, dragon heart strings, and unicorn hairs. Dragon heart strings provide powerful spells, Unicorn hairs made up a consistent and dependable wand, and Phoenix feathers were adept with more varieties of magic. Apparently, Thomas' core came from a Hungarian Horntail who had been one of the few dragons EVER to have died of old age. Ollivander said the Dragon heart string core guaranteed his wand would have strength, not power, but strength. And coupled with his strong oak shell Thomas could always count on his spells to never fail him.
Thomas loved his wand immediately. He was now a writer with a pen. A warrior with his weapon. A craftsman now equipped with a tool. He was now more excited than ever to be going to Hogwarts.
Of course, that was before he discovered who would be accompanying him to Hogwarts. Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, The Chosen One. That's all anybody ever talked about. How he survived an attack by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named while he was just a baby, but lost his parents in the process. A remarkable story for sure, but it's not like Harry had consciously done these heroic acts. Whatever magic that was called upon that night, it was not Harry Potter that had manifested it. Thomas didn't see why the wizarding world should treat him like a hero because baby Potter got lucky.
Thomas immediately developed a deep seeded dislike towards his classmate, despite knowing very little about him. He was being regarded as royalty without doing anything to earn the title. His enmity for the novice wizard only increased when he witnessed young Potter reject Draco Malfoy's attempt at friendship on the first night at Hogwarts. How arrogant can one person be? You survive one killing spell and that gives you the right to act like you're better than others? Like they are below you? It was unacceptable and unfair. Thomas wished he could usurp Potter from his precious pedestal and bring him down to sit with the precious commoners below him.
With Harry Potter taking the spotlight Thomas' original plan of fame at Hogwarts went right down the loo. He decided to change tactics to simply staying behind the scenes and blending in with the crowd in preparation for his moment, waiting for the right time to show up and show off. It would an ashes to glory story for him. He just had to be patient.
The sorting hat was a tense time for Thomas. Both of his parents were Hufflepuff when they went to Hogwarts. Thomas knew he was better that that. That house was below him. A refuge for the outcast and kind was no place for someone as ambitious as himself. No, he was too smart and prestigious for the Badgers, and after seeing Potter sorted he was determined to avoid Lions. It looked like it was Ravens or Serpents for Thomas. They happened to be 2 houses he fit very well in. He was very smart. Ever since he was small he loved to read, both magical and muggle books. His fascination with all that was in the world and continuous quest for knowledge meant Ravenclaw would be a perfect place for him. However, he was also extremely confident in himself. Some would say arrogant, but to Thomas arrogance is just when one believes they are better than they actually are. Thomas had no delusions of grandeur. He knew he had what it took to be the best wizard and rise to any challenge that dared face him.
He ended up being one of the last to be sorted. His hands shook at the darkness that encapsulated him as the oversized, worn down hat fell over his eyes and a voice penetrated his mind.
"Such a strong boy you are. Strong and intelligent, but relentless. Merciless. I feel a great deal of potential and ambition in you. You are cunning and fierce. You seek greatness, that which you will achieve, but you care little for those around you. Your desires are selfish and directed only inward. You feel you owe no allegiance to any faction except to those that help you reach your end goal. Not a shameful thing, but also not honorable. Therefore I deem you a…"
"Slytherin!" The Hat shouted. Thomas joyously removed the hat and made his way towards the Slytherin table. He was not bothered by the hat's assessment. The thing was right. He wasn't at Hogwarts to make friends, he was hear to become a master of magic. The Slytherin house and lifestyle just happened to be able to help him achieve that, so he had no complaints or objections.
Even if he had come to make friends he was sure he wouldn't find any in his house. Unlike Thomas, the other Slytherins were not there to enhance their magical abilities, but were only motivated by increasing their power over others. They were all cruel and vile and obsessed over their rivals, the Gryffindors. Salazar Slytherin was a fantastic, amazing, and powerful wizard. But the Slytherin house depended too much on the heritage he had set down and not enough on carving their own paths of greatness. Instead of studying or making class a priority, they dawdled through the castle or joked during lessons or, worst of all, bullied other houses.
Thomas knew that when it came down to it, Slytherin would destroy the other houses in a straight up fight. The Hufflepuffs were meant to help others, a directive Thomas fully supported. The world needed those who would provide a sanctuary and a safe place of peace and you could always count on the Hufflepuffs to provide one. The Ravenclaws were thinkers and philosophers. Intelligent minds meant to help further the study of magic and enhance the wizarding way of life. Gryffindors were regarded as the "brave" ones. They were also insubordinate, dim witted, self entitled, and incredibly thick. Being brave is great but it does nobody any good if you're also stupid. As far as Thomas was concerned, the Lions were only good for crossing a frozen pond to ensure that the ice was thick enough for him. Now the Slytherins… Slytherins were masters of magic. They wielded magic like a hammer. Both a useful tool and a powerful weapon. That is the heritage of Slytherin and Thomas embraced it wholeheartedly, burying himself in his studies and becoming one of the top students in his class. So much for being invisible, he mused to himself. Thankfully, nobody at Hogwarts really paid attention to the student rankings.
Although he loved the snake sewed onto his robes that labeled him as a Slytherin, there were times he grew tired of his house's bullying. Thomas could never forget the image that greeted him as he made his way to library to study in preparation for his first year Final Exams at Hogwarts. Two fourth year Slytherins were prancing around a first year Ravenclaw kicking her books around the hall and reading aloud her diary. Thomas immediately stepped behind a suit of armor and out of sight of his housemates, lest he be the target of their persecutions next. The girl struggled to move. It was as if her feet were stuck to the ground, no doubt by a hex casted by one of the Slytherins.
"There's a boy in my Potions class!" One of the bullies read in a high pitch voice, mocking the young Ravenclaw. "I don't think he knows I exist. Aw is little birdy in love!?" The bully momentarily stopped to jeer at her. "I almost talked to him today but Snape had come over to grade our work. He seemed really impressed with his and he left no comment on mine, which I've come to accept as a good thing. By Merlin I just wish he would look at me! Show me that he knows my name or at least I exist!"
The Slytherins nearly doubled over laughing as the young Ravenclaw blinked back tears. "Poor, poor birdy," The other bully interjected. "Who would ever want to notice…" He stopped and eyed the pathetic and small girl standing before them, pausing his insult for dramatic effect. "This." He spat as he took the diary from his partner and tossed it at her. The bounded leather book soared through the air before hitting her square in the face. The boys laughed and turned towards the dungeons, having had enough fun and ready to retreat to the Slytherin common room, leaving the young Ravenclaw with her feet still glued to the floor.
As the girl sobbed into her hands, she didn't notice Thomas silently approach. It wasn't until she heard books and parchment being stacked at her feet that she opened her eyes, surprised she wasn't alone. When her deep blue eye's met Thomas' dark brown ones, she gasped in surprised. Thomas assumed she didn't expect a Slytherin to help her, especially after what his housemates had done to her. He shrugged it off and continued to gather her things.
"What was the Hex?" Thomas asked the girl.
"What?"
"What Hex did they cast on you?" He asked once again, this time motioning to her stuck feet.
"I- they- …" She paused. No longer crying she furrowed her brow at the Slytherin as he placed the last of her things in a neat stack at her feet. "Why are you helping me?" She demanded. "Trying to get me to tell you the spell so you can just practice the Hex for yourself and cast it on another defenseless student? I know how you Slytherins are! Just go away and let me handle this myself."
Thomas looked up to her with a scowl on his face. Here he is trying to give her assistance and she berates him? What nerve! "You know what? You're right." He stated flatly. He turned and continued on his way to the library. "I'll just leave you here. You obviously don't want my help and I'm sure my house mates have friends who would just love to read your diary. Let's see how long it is before they pass on the word that a helpless little Ravenclaw is stuck in a remote part of Hogwarts where it's highly unlikely a professor will be. So long." Thomas said, indifference layered throughout his words.
"Wait!" He heard the girl call. Thomas shouldn't have stopped, she didn't do anything to deserve his pity. He shouldn't have turned around and walked back to the girl, she could find her own way out of this. He definitely should not have looked in her deep blue eyes, he didn't need to waste his time with her. He most certainly should not have cared about her feelings, he didn't even know her. As fate would have it though, he was raised by Hufflepuffs. So naturally, he did all of these things.
"A Stickfast Hex. Colloshoo was the spell." She said quietly. Suddenly keen at avoiding Thomas' eyes.
"Then that's easy. Only your shoes are stuck. You can take them off and return with a professor to cast a counter hex and get them back." Thomas stated in a matter of fact tone.
The Raveclaw dropped her gaze. "…I know…" She whispered, a blush beginning to form on her cheeks.
"Ok…" Thomas said, irritation apparent in his tone. "So why don't you do that so we can leave and I can go study?"
The girl shyly bent over to untie her shoes, taking a painfully long amount of time to do so. When they were finally untied, she slowly stepped out of the foot gear cemented into the floor and onto the cold castle tile, wearing the ugliest most horrendous pair of Winnie the Pooh socks Thomas had ever seen. Thomas stared for a few brief seconds at the socks. Then back at the girl who was trying to hide behind her jet black hair that had suddenly seemed to fall in front of her face. Then back at the socks.
Silently, Thomas quickly removed his shoes and handed them to the girl. As she timidly took them from his hands, they met eyes once again. "I probably wouldn't have wanted to take them off either." Was all Thomas said before he motioned for the Ravenclaw to put his shoes on her feet. When she was done he handed her her things. "Come on, I'll walk you back to your common room so you can change your socks and all of Hogwarts can sleep soundly tonight without the sight of them seared into their minds." He stated flatly.
They were silent for most of the way back to Ravenclaw tower. As they ascended the main stair case he heard her mumble something behind him. "What was that?" He asked over his shoulder, not slowing his pace and anxious to get his shoes back.
"I said thank you, Thomas." That had made him stop and abruptly turn to face his trailing companion.
"How do you know my name?" He demanded as he faced the girl. He had been at Hogwarts for almost a full school year now and nobody besides the professors knew his name. Not even most of the Slytherin house. He made sure of it. If some random Ravenclaw knew him, then he hadn't been doing a good job at flying under the radar.
"I- We- But-" The girl stuttered, unable to formulate a sentence and a look of hurt apparent on her face.
Quickly growing tired of this girl's bumbling, Thomas continued on.
"We sit across each other in Potions!" The girl finally remembered her words as she hurried forward. "You lent me some on your newt tails just last week! How do you sit across from someone in the same class every week for a full hour and a half but don't know their name!?" The girl demanded, catching up with Thomas.
"I guess when I'm in Potion's class, I'm there to learn Potions, not names." Thomas said nonchalantly. They had arrived at the Ravenclaw entrance. "I'd like those back now." He said, pointing to his shoes on her feet.
"Do you even try to have friends!?" The girl said as she hastily removed the shoes, disgust apparent in her voice. "I mean for Merlin's sake you Slytherins ARE all the same! I can't believe you don't at least care enough to try to get to know the names of your classmates." She spat as she shoved the shoes at Thomas.
Thomas silently put his shoes back on and tied the laces, thinking very carefully about his rebuttal. When he stood back up and was face to face with the girl, he very quietly responded, his voice just above a whisper. "And I think the fact that you care so much is a little creepy. Especially if you're writing about me in your diary."
The blush returned to the girls face, causing a smirk to carve its way onto Thomas'. He decided to drop one more bomb on the little Ravenclaw before he left. "Take care of yourself Trudy." He said over his shoulder as he walked away from the bewildered Ravenclaw, not bothering to look back to see Trudy's jaw drop in disbelief.
That was the only interaction they had for the rest of the year. Although Thomas had caught her frequently staring at him in Potions, the two had done no more conversing besides a small wave from her in the great hall at breakfast or a curt nod from him on his way to class. He did pay more attention to Trudy though. She was incredibly smart. Definitely smarter than him and probably even smarter than that Gryffindor, Hermione Granger. If she wasn't so shy she could stand out more and be recognized for the genius that she was.
But of course Potter and the pair of misfits that followed him had to take the spotlight once more. Not only had they broken multiple rules by going into parts of the castle deemed off limits to students but they had risked their lives and the school in doing so. Thomas could only imagine what the ministry would have done if they had been killed. The rumor of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named returning sounded like a pile of shit. If the Daily Prophet published a story about the deaths of 3 students at Hogwarts, the place would be shut down before Thomas could say Lumos.
Thomas could not bear the thought of Hogwarts being shut down and taken from him. But of course this was overlooked by Headmaster Dumbledore, who had been known to demonstrate as much favoritism to Gryffindor as Professor Snape showed to Slytherin. Because of Potter and Co.'s little escapade, Gryffindor managed to swipe the house cup from Slytherin. That had made Thomas just oh so happy.
As Thomas walked through Kings Cross Station to meet his parents he saw Trudy running to meet her own at the entrance. Thomas stopped walking and watched curiously at the reunion. With how gifted of a witch Trudy was, he never would have guessed her parents were muggles. Trudy's mother bent down to kiss Trudy and her father scooped her up and gave her a bear hug. After he set her down and their greetings were finished, her father grabbed her trunk and the small family headed towards the exit of the station.
As they neared the exit Trudy turned her head and saw Thomas watching her. As his dark brown eyes met her deep blue ones, Thomas couldn't help but smile at his acquaintance. Trudy smiled back and gave Thomas a quick wave before exiting the building. Thomas returned the wave as he lost sight of Trudy. "Until next year," he mumbled to himself as he picked up his trunk and walked out to meet his parents and head home.