Blood Lust : Tom Riddle

2: A Familiar Aura

Gwendelyn Graves.

 - 𖥧 -

[author's pov]

The sight of Hogwarts came into view as Victoria sat alone in her own boat, as she still had to be sorted into a "house" as Walburga and Druella called it.

There were four Hogwarts houses they had explained to her on the train. Slytherin, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff—named after the four founders. Though she had to pretend this was all news to her as if she didn't have a history of Hogwarts book sitting in her bag.

It seemed as if her first impression about Walburga and Druella was wrong. They did not revolve their relationships around the status of a wizard's blood. It was more like their families enforced that life on them because the longer she remained in the presence, she could feel the weight that rested on their shoulders and desire to be free.

But Walburga, the sixteen year old turned out to already be recently married (during the summer) to a young man named Orion Black who graduated last year... and is her second cousin with the same last name as her maiden name.

Though it was an arranged marriage, she didn't seem to be against it—allowing herself to be puppeteered. Even though she was truly a young girl at heart.

As she and the rest of the first years neared the castle, the greatness of the school dawned upon her.

The school radiated light and warmth, as if bearing open arms. There was an aura to it that couldn't be compared to the institute she once attended.

As much as she enjoyed her time at Ilvermorny seven years ago, it was as if Hogwarts was giving her a chance to reset. Hogwarts was her present, and perhaps the answer to her future.

Lamp posts were aligned, illuminating the night on a trail that led up to the school. She could see skeleton-like creatures that pulled on carriages as they left the school.

"Thestrals," she thought, remembering them from an article of hers.

She never thought she'd encounter one so quickly. Especially before she even set foot on the soil of the school.

Victoria and the first years were lead up a long trail of stairs. It was an exhilarating sight of depth with every step she took.

They were met by a Professor, who had a kind smile and crescent-shaped spectacles. As his eyes flickered amongst the students, he welcomed them.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," he said with a loud but gentle voice. They continued down the corridor, passing their luggages. "You will find that when we enter the great hall, there will be other students watching you. But do not feel intimidated, as they were once in your place, waiting to be sorted by none other than the sorting hat. I, and

Hogwarts, anticipate to know you all more and teach you the ways of magic."

When they entered the great hall, there was a moment of silence before the chatter inside rose up again. Victoria, standing out among the crowd, attracted quite the attention.

A handful of students couldn't help but wonder why she had joined Hogwarts so late into her education. She could depict some of the conversations that were going on.

"She was sitting on the train with Walburga and Rosier, maybe they're old friends."

"I'm sure they'll sort her last. It's the last thing I'd want if I were in her spot."

"She must be American."

She grinned to herself. It was a blunt yet amusing assumption. There was a fine line between what she considered herself since she spent a long time in America and England.