So You Want To Be Immortal

- Chapter 2: Watch Your Thoughts -

September 1st, 1942

According to Tom Riddle, the sorting ceremony at Hogwarts is as boring as his summer vacations. The only reason he hasn't just left the Great Hall right now is because of the little black book in his hand, the one they found on the doorstep of the orphanage just last month. He hadn't been able to check it for any curses someone could have placed on it, as he is not yet of age, but plans to do so when he gets to his dorm later tonight. He only hopes the other boys in Slytherin do not question him about it. His patience begun to run low ever since he left school back in June. Between workers at the orphanage and the other kids there, his self-control was widely tested.

Now, however, he feels more at peace, if only a little. Hogwarts is where he won't worry about being called a freak or forced to be an outsider because of his magic. He will, however, miss the fear inside of the other orphans' eyes when they see him enter the room. He'll just have to find a way to instill that same fear inside the students of Hogwarts.

As Tom let his thoughts wander to future plans and further away from anything to do with the sorting ceremony currently taking place, he realized he began thinking about the conversation between the Head Girl and the other Slytherin prefect on the train earlier. It was almost honorable how she managed to change the Head Girl's entire state of mind from just a few sentences. Would it be possible for him to convince the girl to use that skill for darker things? Like, per say, manipulating other people to get what she wants instead of what the other person wants?

"Welcome back students!" Dippet's voice breaks Tom away from his never-ending flow of thoughts and ideas before he is able to form a plan. "It is time for another year of learning at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I hope you all have a wonderful year. And remember to say out of trouble. The Forbidden Forest is, of course, off limits to all students. Please remember that, as I know many of you enjoy long walks across the grounds. Now, I believe it is time for the feast."

Dippet sits back down and the tables become covered in platters of delectable smelling food. That is how all of Headmaster Dippet's speeches went. A short welcome, reminded to behave, and then the feast. Tom could recall the old man saying the exact same words for every year he's been at this school for, making this the fifth. It was repetitive and annoying, but that's just how it was. Tom knew there was nothing he could or would do about it, because if Dippet wasn't in charge, Dumbledore would be. And Tom hated Dumbledore more than any other professor. Hogwarts under the watch of the Transfiguration teacher would be horrendous.

"Hey, how'd the meeting go, Tom?" said a voice across from the black-haired boy. Abraxas.

If Tom was going to start his great plans this year, he would need someone by his side, who he could trust with even the most important tasks. A right hand man, if you will. That person could only be Abraxas Malfoy. He was heir to a pure-blood family, next in line to receive the fortune, and was desperate to make his father proud. He also had certain ideals about muggle-born students that would give him yet another reason to work with- no, for Tom.

"It was alright," Tom responded at last. "There was an intriguing event that took place at the end, but I shouldn't explain it here. Malfoy, if you would be so kind as to have a... conversation with me after dinner, that would be great."

He knew he was overdoing it with the fake charm, but if he had said the words he was thinking, Malfoy would be scared out of his mind and riddled with anxious thoughts for the rest of the evening. This way the blonde boy would be calm until he talked with Tom.

"Of course, Tom. And maybe you tell me about that intriguing event." Abraxas responded.

"You two sound like you're asking each other out on a date. Is there something we should know?" Another Slytherin boy asks. Leo Lestrange, a boy Tom would eventually have to get on his side, as well. The boy knew just about everything regarding his fellow pure-blood families. That meant information Tom needed.

Tom bit his tongue and rolled his eyes, refusing to give the boy anything more to gossip about. There was little to no point in giving him a reaction. Malfoy, on the other hand, didn't understand that and began bickering. Now they sounded like a married couple.

Tom's boredom returned. He looked around the Great Hall to see everyone thoroughly distracted and invested in their own conversations. Now was a good a time as ever to begin his plans. And step one was mastering and edge over the situations that any possible enemies wouldn't have. Over summer, while buying supplies, he managed to sneak away into the restricted area of the book store in Diagon Alley. There was a book about Legilimency that Tom had found very useful, because the best way to plan a counter-attack is to know what attack is about to come his way. In other words, reading someone's thoughts.

It sounded like such a fantastical thing. Something that was from a fictional story rather than something actually plausible. There were always knew things like this to learn, and Tom felt like he would never get used to the strangeness of the wizarding world.

Tom recalled the spell written in the book, having to go by memory since stealing the book was unacceptable and buying it would only raise suspicions. Then he scanned the tables. It would have to be someone young, someone who wouldn't know their thoughts are being advertised for him to see. His gaze briefly landed on the girl from the train, the other Slytherin prefect. It was possible she wouldn't realize, but then he remembered how well she was in classes throughout the years and came to the conclusion that she wouldn't work. She would figure it out, one way or another.

Then his eyes landed on an unsuspecting third year Slytherin on the other side of the long table. He had his head lowered, staring straight at his food or maybe the markings on the wood, and seemed to be alone. No one would notice if the kid's brain was messed with.

Tom cast the spell and was thrown into the boy's mind, memories flashing across his vision. Images of running around during summer break, getting textbooks, classes from years before. Nothing that was exactly interesting to look at. Tom broke the spell and, much to his relief, the third year continued to stare at the table.

An unfamiliar spark of hope began inside Tom as he formed a mental list of everything he planned to achieve just this year. Some things would have to wait until sixth year or further, of course, but this was a start. A beginning to what would soon be his path to greatness.

**Author's note:

Hi, Hey, Hello.

So, upon writing this chapter, I realized it was significantly shorter compared to the last chapter. I also realized that not much happens in it plot-wise. But there is a reason, I promise. Since Tom and Eleena are just starting their fifth year of school, they still have plenty of time to become who they will be at the end of this book (which, if my plans and outlines are correct, the end will take place at the very end of their seventh year).

Anyway, point being I wanted this book to really show how the two main characters change from who they are to who they will be. Part of that includes how Tom becomes someone to fear and respect simultaneously. He doesn't just automatically start with a group of Slytherin boys by his side and the trust of everyone in the school. Rather, he forms that through thought out plans.

This may seem pointless to mention, but I wanted to include it before continuing. Thanks for reading! :)