Tom Marvolo Riddle

The Scarlett Train

The Scarlett Train

To say Tom Riddle was nervous, was an understatement. He had grown used to life at Malfoy manor, he had met plenty of wizards and witches, had magic like no other and was extremely intelligent. Yet none of that could prepare him for being reintroduced to children his age.

The only wizarding children he had met were Abraxas and the two that had attempted to scare them that day at the tavern. Rufina had wanted to introduce Tom to them all together in a safe space, however Enceladus did not want to coddle Tom too much. Yes his original home life was bad, but he also did not want to stunt the boy's growth further by spoiling him. He didn't even say yes to Abraxas all the time. He had to get out and make these connections for himself and Tom understood this as well.

He found he really did like Enceladus Malfoy. And one day he would ask if it were really true that the man thought of him as a second son.

King's Cross was a place Tom had only ever heard of. It was a very large train station with bustling muggles, signs pointing the way to different platforms and plenty of staff members walking around to help anyone that needed it. Never in his life did Tom think he would be able to leave London on a train. Let alone to a magical school full of students who had grown up in the magical world and probably knew much more than he did.

Abraxas assured him this wasn't the case but Tom still kept his guard up as the trio, Tom, Abraxas and Enceladus, made their way through the crowd. It wasn't extremely difficult as Enceladus had mentioned there was a spell to keep crowds away from them unconsciously. He had cast the spell on them just before entering the station and Tom was thankful. He did not like being touched, especially by people he did not know. And it didn't help that most of the people around them were muggles.

"Alright Tom?" questioned Abraxas lowly, noting how tense the darker haired wizard seemed. "Fine. There's just too many people for my liking." muttered Tom, his grip on his cart tight as Enceladus led them further along to a platform that seemed to be emptier than the rest. Tom spotted another child with an owl and he knew this must be the entrance to Hogwarts' hidden platform for the train.

Enceladus stopped the boys at a plain brick wall and the two looked up at him.

"I will say, I was tempted to enroll the both of you at Durmstrang, mainly because there are changes happening we may not like. However the Malfoys have always been Slytherin and no Slytherin heir is going to a rival school. I will warn you, especially you Tom, there is a hierarchy in Slytherin. We are not like the other Houses. This hierarchy's rules are determined by the King. I suggest one of you become King. Normally you can not talk about the Slytherin hierarchy unless given permission by the King. Even after you graduate, the King remains King until another takes his place. Though all Kings have the same status. Luckily for you two I was the last Slytherin King. That however, is all I'm telling you." Enceladus, paused, smiling when he saw that Tom was already thinking deeply about his words.

"In Slytherin you'll find allies. Your true friends. However, still be very cautious. There are those that would do anything to be at your side just to get a taste of the power and wealth you have. Do not be naive." he finished, smiling again when the two nodded firmly. "Of course father. We'll be okay. We'll write every other week when we can." Abraxas reassured and his father rolled his eyes, nodding toward the wall. "Good luck and you two had better have the best marks in your year." he said as Abraxas waved, bracing himself before running through the wall.

Ignoring his nerves, Tom gripped his cart firmly and rushed through the brick wall, shuddering as he passed through a cold barrier. He briefly wondered if everyone felt it the way he did, then looked around, taking in the hundreds of magical children and their parents. He would have never known there were that many wizards in England.