Purebloods

Tom had quietly entered the Slytherin dungeon after Snape spelled out his fate to him.

"'Pure blood' is the password," the Potions Master had whispered into his ear before taking a narrow staircase that led to his office.

Tom had found an empty dorm bed and fell asleep instantly.

It was still early at 4 A.M. when someone shook him awake.

"Oi, Riddle!"

"What is it?"

Blaise Zabini was a tall, dark-skinned boy with high cheekbones and long, slanting eyes. He had a self-assured look about him, the kind you get when you know you're good-looking.

"Come to the common room. Malfoy wants to talk to you."

Tom rubbed his eyes and followed Blaise without any questions. He had barely gotten a few hours of sleep and was exhausted after being almost killed by a Living Shroud. However, Malfoy was the de facto leader of first-year Slytherins. It would be foolish to disregard such a summon.

The Slytherin Common Room had rough stone walls. It was dominantly green, further highlighted by greenish lamps hanging from the ceiling by chains.

It was a four-story-high gathering space dominated by a large stone-carved Basilisk and dark wood cupboards. Stone walls lined the perimeter walls, surrounding the glowing aquariums that contained magical creatures and artifacts.

A fire crackled under an elaborately carved mantelpiece; the portrait of a serpent adorned the mantle- the intimidating legendary snake that adorned the crest of Slytherin House.

Several Slytherins sat in black, button-tufted, leather sofas. A comfy recliner sat by the fire. They were silhouetted while light illuminated a blonde boy on the recliner.

"Did you know the Slytherin dungeon extends into the Great Lake?" Malfoy asked Tom.

"Of course. We have an underwater view of the lake near the sixth-year dormitory walkways."

"Hmph," the first-year grunted. "We? You aren't a Slytherin, Riddle! Did you also know that no outsider has ever entered these halls in the last seven centuries?"

"Oh, really?" Tom fired back calmly. "Then why am I in the Slytherin dungeon?"

"You belong in the Gryffindor poor-house with your buddies Potter, Peasley, and that mudblood!"

Tom felt a wave of anger cross him as he heard abuse against Hermione.

"You're right, Malfoy. They are all peasants and mudbloods. Potter, especially, is a pretender. The Boy Who Lived? What a joke! He's the boy who clung to life." A bunch of Slytherins sniggered.

Malfoy also couldn't help but join in. "Then why did you hang out with them as best friends?"

Tom took a deep breath. He sensed all the eyes in the room were on him. It was time to charm. "You, see, my friend. Potter is pretty close to the old fool Dumbledore, and my guardian wants me to find faults with him. Anything shady is found, he'll be kicked from the Wizengamot."

The blonde boy's tense face relaxed. He jumped off his armchair. "My father also asked me to do the same!"

Tom walked forward and put out his hand to shake. "Well, then, Draco, let's join forces, and be friends."

Malfoy's eyes shimmered. He shook his hand and nodded. "But what about your sorting?"

"Hmm. Professor Snape told me he'll take care of it."

The Slytherins rejoiced, having received a bold new member. Tracey Davis smiled at him from the crowd. Tom winked at her, and she blushed.

***

Students were having a specially cooked breakfast in the Great Hall. Apparently, the Ministry was delighted that the Living Shroud had left the area and migrated into the seas. The Daily Prophet showed the picture of Rufus Scrimgeour holding up a piece of skin of the Lethifold.

"How did the dumb auror manage to get his hands on that?" Pansy Parkinson asked. "Aren't these creatures undying like the dementors?"

"Careful now," Tracey warned. "Some say he's going to be the next Minister, considering Grindelwald dies of old age soon..."

"What?" Malfoy scoffed, pricking at the kidney pie on his plate. "You know nothing, Davis. Things are afoot. Someone from our ilk will be at the helm sooner than you think. My father knows things."

The Slytherins nodded and murmured their agreement.

Malfoy looked at Tom beside him. He was silently mincing his breakfast. "Riddle… I have a plan to teach the trip a lesson," he said, gesturing at the merry Gryffindor table. Harry, Hermione, and Ron appeared to be in high spirits. Tom felt left out.

"What is the plan?"

Malfoy leaned in and whispered, "Meet me in Knockturn Alley today during our Diagon Alley trip."