19 C19 Arriving at Hogwarts

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The house-elf popped Tom directly onto platform 9 3/4, so he didn't get the chance to run through the wall. As soon as Tom's feet touched the platform, the elf said its goodbyes and swiftly left to perform other elfly duty's. The platform is packed with different family's seeing their children off for another year at Hogwarts. Children dressed in robes and some Muggle-Borns not already in their robes could be seen boarding an impressive red train.

Tom decided to wear his wizarding robes even though he doesn't quite like wizarding fashion. He would have to wear the robes every day for the foreseeable future, so he might as well start now. He also took off his heir rings, as he won't be revealing his heirships to anyone just yet. Since he had no one to say goodbye to, Tom Boarded the train and found an empty compartment all to himself. Looking out the window, a small part of Tom was jealous of the students with parents to see them off. The old Tom had no idea what he was missing out on, so he didn't feel this way, but the new Tom has Gregory's life experience. Gregory had loving parents that would have come to see him off as these children have.

'Since I don't have my own family, I'll just have to make my own as Voldemort did, except they won't be a bunch of racist murderers. I'll make the death eaters into something that even Harry Potter would be honored to call himself. Maybe I should change the name though. Whatever, I have time to think this stuff up.' Tom swore to himself.

Once it was time to set out and every student was on board, the train blew its whistle and moved down the tracks. Not long after the train set out, a knock could be heard on Toms compartment door.

'*sigh* I was hoping to be left alone until we arrived. At least they have the manners to knock before entering.' Tom thought. "You may enter!" He calls out loud enough for whoever is outside to hear.

The door swings open to reveal a group of three first years. Two boys and one girl. They peek their heads into the compartment and see that Tom is alone. Tom stands up as they enter the compartment, and gets ready to use his newly learned wizarding etiquette.

"Hello, all of the compartments leading to yours are full. Would you mind if we sit with you? I'm Orion Black by the way." A slightly tall black-haired and grey-eyed boy with an aristocratic face introduces himself.

"No, please come sit. I'm Thomas Riddle, but you can call me Tom." Tom says, not hiding his muggle last name at all. 'Wasn't Orion the father of Sirius? Whatever, it doesn't matter, as the future will inevitably change due to my actions.' Tom thought.

Although Tom didn't hide his muggle name, due to his perfect etiquette and state of dress the three purebloods second-guessed themselves.

'Is Riddle a pureblood house?' Each of them thought and couldn't remember for sure whether it is or isn't.

"Thanks for the invitation. Searching for another compartment would have been tiring." Orion says and seeing as he and Tom are already introduced, Orion introduces his two companions. "These are my friends Abraxas Malfoy..." He says and motions towards the white blonde-haired boy with silver eyes beside him, who simply nods towards Tom. Abraxas wouldn't waste his time with someone that isn't a confirmed pureblood. He looks a bit similar to his grandson Draco Malfoy. "...and Druella Rosier." Orion then motions towards a cute redheaded girl with green eyes.

"It's nice to meet you, Tom." Druella says with a small smile on her face.

"It's nice to meet you as well." Tom replies with his own smile in return. "Well, feel free to settle in. It's a long ride to Hogwarts."

At Toms prompt, they make themselves at home and everyone sits down. Orion and Abraxas sit across from Tom and Druella. Throughout the ride to Hogwarts Tom learned a bit about each person. Orion was a bit of a show-off, but he was good company as long as you are a fellow pureblood of course. Abraxas is a very quiet person and barely contributed to the conversation. Lastly, Druella is a kind and happy girl. Although she does act a bit spoiled at times.

By the time they arrived at Hogwarts, the sun was setting on the horizon. The group of four could be said to be almost friends after spending so much time together. Except for Abraxas, as he mostly stayed quiet the whole ride. Once the train stopped, the first years were lead to the boats that would take them to the castle. While the second years and up boarded carriages pulled by thestrals. Thestrals are skeletal creatures about the size of a horse, with a reptilian hide, white eyes, and leathery black wings. They are considered a breed of winged horse and are only visible to those that have seen death. Many first-year students were confused as to how the older students would get to the castle in a carriage with no horses.

Tom and a few unlucky others could see the thestrals as clear as day. This included his new group of friends. It surprised him that even Druella saw the Thestrals. Tom shrugged it off and moved to the boat and boarded with Orion, Abraxas, and Druella. They floated over the black lake and once they went under a bridge the castle was visible from a distance. It was truly a beautiful piece of architecture that caused many children to become speechless. Every first-year was mesmerized and would tell the story of their first time seeing Hogwarts for years to come.

Suddenly, a child fell off of his boat and into the cold water of the black lake. Many of the students gasped in shock as a few purebloods laughed and said something about stupid mudbloods. As the boy that fell into the lake tried and failed to swim, a giant tentacle breached the surface and wrapped around him. Screams of horror could be heard as the children saw a monster grab the drowning boy. Then the unthinkable happened. The tentacle picked the boy out of the water and placed him gently onto his boat. The tentacle then went back into the water and disappeared. Many students stared into the air shocked at what just happened.

The person that was guiding them towards the castle then goes on to explain about the black lake and its inhabitants. The merpeople and the giant squid that just made its appearance. Once they arrived at the shore, everyone had already calmed down and the boy that almost drowned was magically dried off. The first years were then taken to the front doors of Hogwarts where they were greeted by Dumbledore himself. He invited everyone in and spotted Tom chatting with three pureblood children from dark family's. He expects Tom to be sorted into Slytherin based on the crowd he's surrounding himself with.

'I'll have to watch the boy carefully. I have a bad feeling about him.' Dumbledore thought as he escorts the new first years into the castle.

"The other students have already arrived and are seated in the great hall. If you don't already know, you're all about to be sorted into one of the four houses of Hogwarts. They are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. In Hogwarts, your housemates are like your family. You will live with them, eat with them, and study with them. The remainder of your seven years here will be spent in one of those houses." Dumbledore explains and many children get nervous. "Though you have nothing to worry about, as your house is chosen based on what would suit you. Now, I'm going to go and make sure everything is ready. Tidy yourselves up as you'll be in front of the whole school for the sorting."