"Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
V
Hermione and Tom, along with the other first years, arrived at Hogwarts on a fleet of boats that glided across the black lake beneath a starry sky. The sight of the castle, with its towers and turrets, windows and lights, filled them with awe. It exuded magic and mystery, capturing their imaginations.
They followed Ogg, the tall and imposing gamekeeper, who led them to the entrance. Inside the Great Hall, the sound of chatter and laughter filled the air as the students of Hogwarts gathered for the start of a new term. The four long tables were adorned with candles, plates, and goblets, but the food had not yet appeared. The students eagerly awaited the arrival of the first years, who would soon be sorted into their houses by the Sorting Hat.
At the front of the hall, on a raised platform, sat the staff of Hogwarts. The headmaster, Armando Dippet, was smiling warmly at the crowd, his long silver beard and hair gleaming in the candlelight. Next to him was Albus Dumbledore, the deputy headmister and head of Gryffindor house. He was wearing her purple robes and a stern expression, but his eyes twinkled with anticipation.
He glanced at the large wooden doors, which opened with a loud creak. A line of nervous-looking first years entered the hall, led by Ogg, the gamekeeper. They walked past the tables, some of them looking around in awe, others trying to avoid the curious gazes of the older students. They stopped in front of the platform, where a three-legged stool and an old patched hat awaited them.
Dumbledore stood up and walked towards them, holding a scroll in his hand. He cleared his throat and addressed the hall.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," he said in a clear voice. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony, because while you are here, your house will be like your family. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and its own unique qualities. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours."
The deputy headmaster paused and unrolled the scroll. "The Sorting Hat will now sort you into your houses. When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool, and the hat will announce your house."
He looked at the first name on the list and called out, "Abbott, Jonah!"
A blonde boy with a crew cut stepped forward, trembling slightly. He put on the hat, which was too big for his head, and sat on the stool. The hat's brim opened and shouted, "Hufflepuff!"
The table on the right cheered and clapped as Jonah took off the hat and ran towards them. He was greeted by a friendly girl with a round face, who helped him find a seat.
Dumbledore called the next name, "Bones, Susan!"
Another Hufflepuff, followed by "Beckett, Regina!", a Ravenclaw. The sorting ceremony continued, as the Sorting Hat assigned students to their respective houses. Hermione's heart raced as her turn approached. She had heard rumors that the hat could read your mind and see your deepest secrets. The witch hoped it would not judge her too harshly for being a muggle-born.
"Granger, Hermione!"
Hermione took a deep breath and walked towards the stool. Sitting down, she felt the hat slide over her eyes, and then a voice whispered in her ear.
"Hmm, interesting. Very interesting. You possess a brilliant mind, my dear. You are eager to learn and prove yourself, with an unmatched thirst for knowledge. You would excel in Ravenclaw. However, you also possess a strong will and determination to succeed. You fearlessly stand up for your beliefs, displaying admirable courage. You would thrive in Gryffindor. But where do you truly belong? Where do you fit in? Ah, I see. You possess a rare and dangerous potential, don't you? You are a paradox, my dear. A paradox that only one house can handle. You belong in SLYTHERIN!"
Hermione gasped, desperately protesting, "No, no, please, not Slytherin, anything but Slytherin!"
But it was too late. The hat had already declared loudly, "Better be SLYTHERIN!"
The room fell silent for a moment, then erupted with noise. The Slytherin table erupted in cheers and applause, while the other tables booed and hissed. Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes as she removed the hat and made her way to the Slytherin table. She felt as though she had made a terrible mistake.
Taking a seat next to a girl with long black hair and pale skin, the girl smiled and extended her hand.
"Hi, I'm Cassiopeia Black. It's nice to meet you. You're the first person to stand up to Abraxas Malfoy and his gang of bullies. That was very brave of you."
Hermione weakly shook her hand and muttered, "Thanks. I'm Hermione Granger."
A boy with dark hair and blue eyes leaned over and said, "I'm Pollux Black, Cassiopeia's twin brother. You're amazing, you know that? You and Riddle defeated three pureblood heirs without a wand. That's incredible. The news is already spreading through Slytherin. You two are legends."
The witch smiled shyly and replied, "Thank you. It was nothing, really. We just did what we had to do."
Hermione scanned her surroundings and spotted Tom seated on the other side of her. It came as no surprise when the Sorting Hat announced his placement in Slytherin almost immediately. He glanced at her and offered a small nod, to which she reciprocated, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. At least she had one friend in this house, someone who understood her and shared her secret.
Turning to Cassiopeia and Pollux, she introduced Tom, saying, "This is Tom Riddle, my best friend."
The Black twins greeted Tom, extending a warm welcome to Slytherin for both him and Hermione. They expressed their happiness at having them in the house.
Listening to their words, Hermione felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. Perhaps Slytherin wasn't as terrible as she had initially thought. Maybe she could find her place here.
Glancing at Tom, she noticed a smile on his face. He seemed content, as if he truly belonged in this house.
In the Slytherin common room, Hermione sat on a leather couch amidst a collection of books and scrolls, immersed in her studies for the upcoming exams. She tried her best to ignore the whispers and glares from certain housemates. Sorting into Slytherin had caught her off guard and left her disheartened, but she had discovered a friend in Cassiopeia Black. Cassie and her brother were the only ones who disregarded Hermione's blood status, instead admiring her intellect and ambition.
As they discussed the properties of moonstone, their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a disdainful voice.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here? The mudblood and the blood traitor, getting cozy in our common room. How pathetic."
The voice belonged to Abraxas Malfoy, a third-year student who led a group of pureblood fanatics. Evan Rosier and Radolphus Lestrange followed him, smirking and nodding along with his words.
Hermione felt her anger surge, but she maintained her composure. She locked eyes with Abraxas, offering him an icy glare, and retorted, "What do you want, Malfoy? Can't you see we're occupied?"
The boy sneered. "Occupied doing what? Trying to learn magic that surpasses your impure blood? You should know your place, mudblood. You don't belong here. You don't belong anywhere."
Hermione clenched her fists, but before she could respond, Evan chimed in.
"Yeah, mudblood, what are you going to do for Yule? Return to your muggle orphanage, perhaps? Or maybe you'll stay here and weep in your dormitory, while we enjoy the holidays with our families."
Radolphus burst into laughter, mocking Hermione. "Perhaps she'll attempt to sneak into the Gryffindor tower and plead for sympathy from the blood traitors and half-breeds there. Maybe they'll take pity on her and allow her to join their pitiful little club."
Granger felt tears welling up in her eyes, but she fought against letting them fall. She understood that their intention was to hurt her, to make her feel isolated and unwanted. The girl knew they were lying, she knew she was a witch, even though she was born to non-magical parents.
She prepared to defend herself, ready to say something, but before she could utter a word, another voice pierced through the air.
"Enough."
It was Tom Riddle, her best friend and already one of the most powerful and feared students at Hogwarts. He approached them, accompanied by Pollux Black, Cassiopeia's twin brother. They had just returned from the library and had overheard the commotion.
Riddle's eyes were filled with darkness and danger, and his voice was cold and authoritative. He stood in front of Abraxas, who appeared nervous and pale.
"What do you think you're doing, Malfoy?" Tom asked, his voice low and menacing.
The pureblood heir attempted to put on a brave facade, but his voice betrayed his true emotions. "I-I was just having some fun, Riddle. Nothing personal, just a bit of banter."
Tom narrowed his eyes. "Banter? Is that what you call insulting and tormenting one of my friends?"
Malfoy blinked in surprise. "Your friend? You mean the mudblood?"
Riddle's face contorted with fury. He grabbed Abraxas by the throat, lifting him off the ground. He was on the verge of striking him when Hermione rushed to his side, stopping him.
"Tom, please don't!" she cried, gripping his arm. "He's not worth it. Please, let him go."
The wizard looked at her, taken aback and conflicted. He saw fear and concern reflected in her eyes, and an unfamiliar warmth stirred within him. Hesitating, he released Malfoy, who fell to the floor, gasping for air.
Abraxas glared at Tom, then spat at him. "You're a fool, Riddle. A fool and a mudblood. You may think you're special, powerful even, but you're nothing. You're just like her, a nobody, a freak."
Tom wiped the sweat off his face and cast a cold, cruel smile at Malfoy. Raising his wand, he aimed it directly at Malfoy's left eye. With a hushed incantation, Abraxas writhed in excruciating pain, collapsing to the ground and screaming as he clutched his injured eye.
Riddle had just unleashed the Conjunctivitis Curse, a dangerous spell that induced severe irritation in the eyes, causing them to swell shut, resembling the symptoms of conjunctivitis, commonly known as "pink eye."
Hermione gasped, her shock mirrored by Cassiopeia and Pollux. They knew Tom was ruthless and driven, but they never expected him to stoop to the level of cursing a fellow student.
Rosier and Lestrange trembled with fear, yet attempted to feign bravery. They brandished their wands, pointing them menacingly at Riddle and Granger.
Evan stepped towards Hermione, attempting to push her, but Cassiopeia swiftly intervened, shouting, "Petrificus Totalus!"
The Slytherin student froze mid-air, suspended for a moment before crashing to the floor, rigid and motionless.
Radolphus turned his attention to Cassiopeia, disparagingly labeling her a blood traitor. He sneered, "How dare you align yourself with them, Cassie? How dare you betray your blood, your family, your house? You're a disgrace, a blemish, a source of shame. You're no better than a mudblood."
Pollux retaliated, launching a punch at Lestrange, who deftly evaded it, chuckling. He taunted, "Look at you, Pollux. Look at what you've become. A follower, a servant, a mere puppet. You once were a leader, a pureblood, a member of the esteemed Black family. Now, you're nothing, a mere shadow, a joke. The once revered and ancient House of Black has been reduced to a collection of blood traitors."
Cassiopeia had reached her limit. Raising her wand, she declared, "Stupefy!"
A crimson beam of light struck Radolphus squarely in the chest, propelling him backwards, crashing against the wall before sliding down to the floor, unconscious.
The Black heiress regarded him with disdain, stating, "Power holds more significance than blood. And you, Lestrange, possess none."
A heavy silence enveloped the common room, disturbed only by Malfoy's moans and Rosier's snores. Hermione, Tom, Cassiopeia, and Pollux exchanged glances, their attention shifting to the fallen bullies before them.
They emerged victorious, but not without sacrifice.
Anticipation filled the air as the school year drew to a close. The Great Hall buzzed with excitement, as the students waited eagerly for the announcement of the winner house. The four long rows of wooden benches were draped with the colors and banners of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin, each displaying their house pride. At the head of the hall, the professors and the headmaster, Armando Dippet, sat in their robes, looking over the scores.
Tom whispered to Hermione from the Slytherin table. "Watch, Dippet will give Gryffindor the house cup again, just because Dumbledore is his favorite," Riddle commented, glancing at the silver-haired Transfiguration professor, who smiled warmly at the students.
Hermione frowned, nodding in agreement. "It's not fair. We worked hard all year, and we deserve to win. Dumbledore is always biased towards his own house. He never gives us any credit for our achievements."
Clematis Parkinson, a sixth year prefect, overheard their conversation and joined in. "You're right, Hermione. Slytherin is the best house, and we have the most talented and ambitious students. Dumbledore is just jealous of us. He knows we're better than him and his Gryffindors."
The three of them shared a look of contempt, as they waited for Dippet to begin his speech.
"Attention, please!" Armando exclaimed, rising from his seat and waving his wand. The hall fell silent, as everyone turned to face him. "Another year has gone by, and it is time to award the house cup to the house that has earned the most points throughout the year. I must say, it was a very close competition, and all four houses have done exceptionally well. But there can only be one winner, and this year, the house cup goes to..."
He paused for dramatic effect, as the students held their breath.
"Slytherin!"
The Slytherin table erupted in cheers, as green and silver confetti rained down from the ceiling. The other houses clapped politely, some more enthusiastically than others. The Slytherin students hugged each other, celebrating their victory.
Cassiopeia wrapped her arms around Hermione, who was sitting next to her. "We did it, Mia! We won the house cup! If it weren't for you and Tom, we would have never made it. You two are the smartest and the most cunning in the whole school!"
Granger smiled, feeling proud and happy. She looked at Riddle, who was beaming at her, his handsome face glowing with triumph. The witch felt a surge of affection for him, and wondered if he felt the same for her.
A sneer from across the table interrupted their moment. From day one, Abraxas Malfoy had been jealous of Tom and Hermione. He spat out his words, full of venom.
"Congratulations, mudbloods. You've managed to cheat your way to the top. But don't get too comfortable, because you don't belong here. You're nothing but filth, who should be grateful that we even let you in our house. You'll never be true Slytherins, and you'll never be accepted by the purebloods."
His cronies, Evan Rosier and Radolphus Lestrange, snickered behind him, echoing his insults.
The Slytherin table went quiet, as everyone stared at Malfoy in shock and disgust. How dare he ruin their celebration with his bigotry and hatred?
Pollux Black, who was sitting next to Riddle, jumped to his feet, his wand in his hand. He was about to hex Abraxas, when he noticed that the wizard was clutching his throat, gasping for air. His face was turning purple, and his eyes were bulging out of their sockets.
He was being suffocated.
Rosier and Lestrange panicked, trying to help their friend, but nothing they did seemed to work. They looked around, searching for the source of the attack.
Evan pointed at Tom, who was still sitting calmly, his wand hidden under the table. He recognized the dark glint in his eyes, and the faint movement of his lips.
He was the culprit.
"You!" Rosier shouted, his voice trembling with fear and anger. "You're doing this, aren't you? You're killing him with your dark magic! You're a monster, Riddle! A freak! Stop it, or I'll make you pay!"
But Tom only gave him a mischievous smile, and made a joke.
"What's the matter, Rosier? Cat got your tongue? Or is it Malfoy's? He seems to have a lot to say, but not much to show for it. Maybe he should learn to keep his mouth shut, before he bites off more than he can chew."
Laughter filled the Slytherin row, as Abraxas struggled for breath. His cronies and their insults meant nothing to them. They hated them for trying to interfere with their celebrations. Slytherin had won the house cup for the first time in almost a decade.
Hermione, however, noticed what was happening, and felt a pang of guilt. She knew that Riddle was powerful, and that he had a dark side. But she also knew that she was the only one who could calm him down.
"Let him go, Tom. He's not worth it." She whispered softly. He nodded, squeezed her hand, and stopped.
Abraxas Malfoy could breathe again. He coughed and wheezed, feeling like he had just escaped death. He glared at Tom and Hermione, who were holding hands, looking at him with pity and contempt.
"You'll pay for this, Riddle. My father will hear about this. He'll make you suffer." Abraxas said hoarsely.
But Clematis Parkinson looked at him, and mocked him.
"What would your father think, Malfoy, if he knew that you had fallen victim to someone you considered inferior? How would he react, if he found out that you had been bested by a muggleborn? How would he feel, if he saw you lying on the floor, gasping like a fish out of water?"
She smirked, and the Slytherin table fell silent. Malfoy felt terrified, and wished he could escape. He realized that he had lost, and that he had no hope. But Cassiopeia, who was sitting next to them, broke the silence. She leaned over and whispered in Hermione's ear.
"You know, you and Riddle make a cute couple. You're both Slytherins, through and through." She said teasingly.
Hermione blushed, her gaze averting. A fluttering sensation filled her chest, and her cheeks warmed with a blush. Her feelings for Tom ran deeper than anyone else, but she remained unsure if he reciprocated those emotions.
Tom, too, blushed and glanced at Cassiopeia. Anger surged within him, accompanied by a hint of annoyance. Sometimes, he despised Black for her intrusive nature. Deciding to divert the attention, he swiftly changed the subject, shifting the focus elsewhere. Beyond the walls of Hogwarts, however, a war was brewing, poised to upend the very fabric of both the muggle and wizarding worlds.