Back to Hogwarts
As usual vacation ends, and its time for the students to buy their books. Elena is among them buying dozens of book-
A history of magic, magical theory, intermediate transformation, The Dark Force; a guide to self defence. All the book she need for her fifth year.
She finds Tom Riddle on 9.3/4 station as usually surrounded by his group. She walk toward him.
“How was your summer, Tom?”
Tom make a disgusting face as if the question itself disgust him. and i knew well enough to know how much he despised going back to Wool’s orphanage.
“What do you expect, spending summer with those dirty muggles? Or maybe you know better than me.” He said the last sentence sarcastically.
I roll my eye. he and his hate for muggle.-“How can i know better than you? the muggles that I live with are my Uncle and Aunt and god bless them they are nice to me more than my pure blood mom.”
“You should feel ashamed of yourself for considering muggles better than us.”
Avery laugh. I shot him a glare “Find something funny?”
I watch as his laugh vanishes and face pales. Good he should know his place. The ride back to Hogwarts Wizarding school was mostly silent until Tom took out a badge.
“Care to pin this?” He extend the badge toward me as i take it curiously.
“Merlin’s beard, Tom! You became a Head boy?”
His mouth twitches as if in proud victory close to a smile. “what do you expect from a boy favourite of every professor.”
“I think you should change the line, I hardly think Professor Dumbledore plays favourites.”
Elena watches him as his expression turns cold. she lean toward him and pin the badge on his Uniform.
“It suits you.”
Tom gives Elena a quick and quit glance as Train come to stop with a loud honk. Ogg recieves the students on station as to take them via black lake.
Somehow, the castle looked exactly the same- same cloudy decorations, a grand buffet on everyone’s table. Elena sits beside Tom. Avery and Nott Sr. opposite him. Tom’s eyes were fixed on Professor Dumbledore.
Sorting hat started it’s selection and everytime it announced “Slytheryn”. It was recieved by a wave of applause from Slytheryn side and everytime Elena would join them.
Finally Professor Dippet stand and start his welcome speech, the great hall fell silent.
“Welcome back to Hogwarts,” he began, his voice carrying easily across the hall using magical spell. “I trust you have all returned rested and prepared for another year of study.”
His eyes travelled over the students lingering for a second on Tom.
“To our returning students, welcome home. And to those joining us for the first time, I hope you will soon discover that Hogwarts is more than a school-it is place where wizards are trained, friendship are formed, and traditions are carried forward.”
A few students smiled. Dippet adjusted his spectacles.
“There will, as always, be rules to follow. There will also be challenges. I expect every one of you to conduct yourself with dignity and respect.”
He paused.
“Now before the feast grows cold-welcome back”
applause rose through the great hall. The applause slowly faded, replaced by the clatter of plates and the excited chatter of students.
Elena leaned back in her seat, looking across the Slytherin table. “That was shorter than i expected.“she murmurs.
Cyrus lestrange beside her laughed. “You wanted a speech?”
“No, I wanted dinner.”
“You could have simply said that.” A quit voice came from across the table.
Elena looked up. Tom Riddle was watching her.
“And miss the opportunity to complain?” she asked.
“I suppose that would be unlike you.”
Elena narrowed her eyes, “You have been gone for two months and you have already became more irritating.”
A faint smile appeared on Tom’s Face. “And you have become more observant.”
“I was always observant.”
“Not enough.” Tom said quitly.
Elena raised an eyebrow. “What exactly am i supposed to be observing that i might be missing now?”
Tom didn’t answer immediately. His gaze shifted toward the doors of the Great Hall. Then back at her. “nothing.”
Elena stared at him for another second. she didn’t believed him.
Across the table, antonin Dolohov shook his head, “you have been back for less than five minutes and you are already starting.’”
“I didn’t start anything.“Elena speak seving herself. “He did.”
A few students around them laughed.
Tom simply continued eating, apparently unaffected by the conversation. he had always possessed that strange ability to remain perfectly composed while everyone around him became louder. even among his own Housemate there was something about him that made people instinctively pay attention when he spoke.
One of the boys leaned forward. “So Riddle, did you actually spend the whole summer studying?”
Tom looked at him, eyes emotionless “would it surprise you?”
Another student smirked. “I heard you were at the library before breakfast on the first day last year.”
Elena smiled. “That’s because he has no idea how to enjoy himself.”
Tom finally looked at her. His eyes assessing her smile. “And you do?”
“Of course”
“What did you do this summer?”
Elena paused. “I was reading about Dementors the onlookers for prisioner of Azkaban.”
The table erupted in a laughter. She frowned. “What.”
“You just proved his point.” Someone said.
Before Elena could counter back. one of the younger Slytherins spoke up. “Is it true you are Head boy, Riddle?”
Tom nodded.
“Dippet must trust you, i wish i could be Head boy too”
“He does.” Tom answered. The confidence in his voice made Elena glance at him. He didn’t seem to think he needed anyone’s approval. He simply expected people to recognize what he was capable of.
Professor Dippet rise agiain. Silence fell over the hall.
“Now that the feast is over, I request the Head boys and prefects to guide the students back to their common hall. Have a nice and cozy sleep before you start your students chores.”
Few students laugh. Professor Dippet swing his Wand and the Buffet disappear.
