Riddles Past and What's Behind It (Demo)

Arrival

Tom Riddle's entrance into Hogwarts was quiet and unassuming. He stood nervously at the entrance, clutching his trunk and peering up at the towering castle with wide eyes. As the other students rushed past him, he hesitated, unsure of where to go or what to do.

Finally, he spotted an older student wearing a prefect badge and approached him tentatively. "Excuse me," Tom said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Can you tell me where to go?"

The prefect, a tall boy with sandy hair, looked down at Tom and frowned slightly. "First years go to the Great Hall for the Sorting Ceremony," he said, pointing toward the massive double doors.

Tom nodded, looking even more apprehensive. "Thank you," he said before hurrying toward the doors.

The Great Hall was even more overwhelming than the entrance to Hogwarts had been. The room was vast, with towering ceilings and a long table stretching the length of the room. Students from all four houses chatted and laughed, while professors bustled around, making sure everything was in order.

Tom felt small and insignificant as he made his way to the front of the room, where a stern-looking woman with a pointy hat sat waiting. She introduced herself as Professor McGonagall and explained that she would be sorting each student into their respective house.

One by one, the students were called up, and their names were announced. Tom watched nervously, his hands shaking slightly as the line grew shorter and shorter. Finally, it was his turn.

"Riddle, Tom," Professor McGonagall said, peering down at him over her glasses.

Tom took a deep breath and stepped forward, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew that this moment could determine his entire future at Hogwarts.

The Sorting Hat was placed on his head, and immediately, Tom felt a strange sensation wash over him. It was as if the hat was reading his mind, seeing all of his fears and doubts and hopes for the future.

After a few moments, the hat spoke. "Hmm, interesting," it said in a voice that echoed around the Great Hall. "You are clever, resourceful, and ambitious. You would do well in Slytherin."

Tom felt a surge of pride and relief as he was ushered over to the Slytherin table, where the other students greeted him with applause and cheers. For the first time in his life, he felt like he belonged somewhere.

As the Sorting Ceremony came to an end, Tom looked around the Great Hall, feeling a sense of wonder and excitement. He knew that his journey at Hogwarts was only just beginning, but he was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.

Armando Dippet stood at the front of the Great Hall, his eyes scanning the sea of students before him. It was the start of a new school year, and he knew that many of the students were anxious about what lay ahead.

"Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," he began, his voice ringing out through the room. "I am honored to be your headmaster, and I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you in the coming months."

Dippet paused, allowing the applause to die down before continuing. "As you know, Hogwarts has a long and storied history. For over a thousand years, we have been training young witches and wizards to become the best versions of themselves. And this year, we have an especially talented group of students."

The headmaster looked around the room, his eyes twinkling with excitement. "But with great talent comes great responsibility. Each of you has been entrusted with a powerful gift, and it is up to you to use that gift wisely. Remember, magic is a tool to be used for the betterment of society, not for personal gain."

There was a murmur of agreement from the students, and Dippet nodded approvingly. "As you embark on this new school year, I want you to remember that Hogwarts is more than just a place to learn magic. It is a community, a family. We will support each other through thick and thin, and we will always stand together in the face of adversity."

The headmaster took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the room once more. "Now, I know that many of you may be nervous about what lies ahead. But I assure you, there is nothing to fear. With hard work, dedication, and a bit of bravery, you will all achieve great things."

There was a round of applause as Dippet stepped down from the podium, his smile beaming with pride. As the students filed out of the Great Hall, they couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for the year ahead. With Armando Dippet at the helm, they knew that anything was possible.

Armando Dippet stood once again at the front of the Great Hall, this time with a piece of parchment in his hand. The students had just finished their first meal of the year, and he knew that they were eager to learn who their teachers would be.

"Before we begin our first classes tomorrow," Dippet began, "I would like to introduce the Hogwarts teaching staff for this year."

There was a hushed murmur of excitement as the students leaned forward, eager to hear who would be instructing them in the ways of magic.

"First, we have Professor Albus Dumbledore," Dippet announced, his voice carrying throughout the hall. "He will be teaching Transfiguration."

There was a round of applause as Dumbledore, a tall, thin man with a long white beard, stood and bowed graciously.

"Next, we have Professor Minerva McGonagall," Dippet continued. "She will be teaching Charms."

Again, there was a round of applause as McGonagall, a stern-looking woman with her hair pulled tightly back, stood and acknowledged the students.

"Professor Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank will be our Care of Magical Creatures teacher this year," Dippet continued. "And Professor Septima Vector will be instructing us in the art of Arithmancy."

The headmaster paused, scanning the parchment for the next name. "Ah, and of course, our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor this year will be Professor Galatea Merrythought."

There was a murmur of excitement and a smattering of applause as Merrythought stood and bowed, her curly hair bouncing as she did so.

"And last, but certainly not least, we have Professor Horace Slughorn," Dippet announced. "He will be our Potions master this year."

There was a mixed reaction from the students, some looking excited while others looked slightly apprehensive. Slughorn, a portly man with a large walrus-like mustache, stood and beamed at the students.

"I trust that each of our esteemed professors will provide you with an exceptional education this year," Dippet concluded, his voice ringing out through the Great Hall. "Now, off to bed. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow!"

The students rose from their seats and filed out of the Great Hall, chattering excitedly about the teachers they would have in the coming year. As they climbed the stairs to their respective dormitories, they couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for what was to come. With such a talented group of teachers, they knew that they were in for a year unlike any other.