C129 Welcome Feast

*BONUS!*

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After unpacking and spending some time alone in the common room, Tom and Druella made their way to the great hall.

When they arrived, the hall was completely empty, but it would be filled with students very soon.

As they took a seat at the Slytherin table, elves appeared to ask if they wanted any refreshments.

"No, thank you. We'll wait for everyone else to arrive before eating." Tom turns them down politely.

When the elf popped away, suddenly the sorting hat appeared on the table before them.

"Hey, kids." The hat nods to both of them. "How have you been?"

"I've been well, Hat." Druella answers first.

"Good, working on a lot of stuff as usual. Why are you here?" Tom asks.

"Put me on. We need to talk... privately." The hat says to Tom, looking around the empty hall suspiciously.

"Alright..." Tom mutters and places the sentient garment on his head.

'What's up, Hat?' Tom asks.

'Lady Hogwarts wants me to voice her worry for your mission. You only have this year and next year to complete it. Although the houses are starting to come together, you don't have much time left in the school.' Hat explains.

'Well, I'll think of something to speed it along. Although even if it takes longer than I have, I could just have the Slytherins keep working at it. Also, maybe I could get a job teaching here? I'm sure Dippet would accept me for any position I apply for.' Tom explains.

'Good, I'll go and report back to Lady Hogwarts. Good luck and thanks for helping, Tom.' The hat says and disappears from Tom's head.

'What was that about?' Druella asks through the mark.

'Lady Hogwarts is getting impatient. She's worried that I won't complete my mission before graduation.' Tom explained.

'Ohh, are you going to complete it before graduation?' She asked.

'I'm not sure.'

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After waiting another ten minutes in the great hall, Students start pouring in.

When they saw Tom sitting at his usual table, everyone crowded around. They wanted to ask questions and just be close to such a famous and strong person.

"How are you so strong?"

"Were you scared when it happened?"

"What was Grindelwald like?"

"Did you get injured in the fight?"

...

The questions went on and on.

Tom, trying to keep his kind reputation, answered every question he could as politely as possible.

As the students hording around him started becoming a bit unbearable, Headmaster Dippet came to the rescue.

"Everyone quiet down and return to your proper tables please!" His magically enhanced voice spreads throughout the hall. "Those that aren't seated in their proper places within the next 3 minutes will be given detention every day for the next week."

That got them all moving quickly. Detention was boring to the extreme, so they all dispersed and got to their tables swiftly. They have all year to bug Tom with their questions anyway.

Tom sent the Headmaster a thankful nod and received a smile in return.

"Now, like every year before this one, we have a sorting to get through. Once that has finished, I will give my normal speech, and then we can start filling our stomachs." Dippet informs everyone.

Soon, the line of new children came strolling in. Each of them scanning the area for the famous Tom Riddle. When they saw him seated at the Slytherin table, every one of them hoped they would be in Slytherin as well. Even some of the children from Gryffindor families thought like this.

The sorting came and went with another song from the hat. None of the new first years were anyone of importance.

This year has to be a new record though. Usually, Slytherin is known as the pompous house of purebloods and doesn't get that many first years as the rest. Though, this year seems to be different.

About half of all the first years were sorted into Slytherin, which is perfect for Tom. More first years means more followers down the line.

When the sorting came to a close, Headmaster Dippet stood from his chair to address the students.

"New and old students, welcome or welcome back to Hogwarts. This year is a special one, as we have an honored student returning for his sixth year. Let's all give a round of applause to the student that single-handedly took down the Dark Lord, Gellert Grindelwald!" He spoke excitedly as the whole room filled with cheer and applause, even from the Gryffindor table.

Once everyone calmed down, he spoke again.

"Alright, I know everyone is excited about Mr. Riddle being here, but please try to treat him as you did last year. Although he may be very famous now, he's still here to complete his studies like the rest of you. Try not to bombard him again as you did when you arrived. Does everyone understand?" He calls out and everyone reluctantly voices their agreement.

After that, the headmaster went on to explain the normal rules. Then the feast appeared on the long tables, as usual, shocking the first years.

Before anyone can eat, Tom stands and walks up to the teacher's platform.

"Headmaster, do you mind if I say a few words?" Tom asks and Dippet nods his head immediately. "Thanks."

Tom turns to the students and they all have their eyes on him.

"Hello, everyone. I just wanted to say that I understand you all have questions, which is why I'll make a deal with you. For the next three days, I'll alternate between each of your tables. So tomorrow I'll sit at the Ravenclaw table for every meal and so on. This way each house will have an entire day to get their questions out, and I won't have get stampeded by all of you at once. In return, I ask that you try to give me my personal space. You're welcome to come to talk to me normally as always, but use your discretion is all I ask. If the reason that you want to come and talk to me is to ask questions about Grindelwald, then try to hold it for your house's day. Is that alright?" Tom addresses them respectfully.

Everyone voices their agreement with happy faces. Especially Ravenclaw, as they were getting first dibs on questions.

"That's good." Tom goes to leave the stage but thought of a good idea. "Oh yeah! Since Druella has been starting clubs around the school, I decided to make my own. It's called the self-defense club. If the Headmaster agrees to it, I'd be happy to teach you all how to defend yourselves. I believe I'm fairly qualified for this. All students are welcome no matter what house you're from." Tom says and everyone looked excited to learn from him.

He did beat Grindelwald after all. Learning from him would be a true honor for them. Those that don't care for joining will probably receive an owl from their parents telling them to join within the week.

"That's all for now. Thanks for listening." Tom says as he goes to take his seat once again.