𝒏𝒐 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒆 | 𝑻.𝑹.

𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒓: 𝒅𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒐𝒏 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎

The Great Hall was ablaze with the warm glow of floating candles, casting a golden light over the students as they filled the room with eager chatter and excited anticipation. The enchanted ceiling reflected the night sky outside, a tapestry of stars twinkling overhead. The long tables, adorned with gleaming silverware and an array of delectable dishes, were a feast for the eyes and the stomach.

The first-year students, their eyes wide with awe, were led into the Hall by Professor Dumbledore, who stood at the front with an air of dignified authority. The Sorting Hat, perched atop a stool in front of the staff table, rustled with anticipation as it awaited its annual task of sorting the new students into their respective houses.

Evelyn and Lysandra made their way to the Slytherin table, their steps confident and their expressions poised. The Slytherin table was decorated in rich green and silver, and its occupants looked up from their conversations as the pair approached.

"Welcome back, Evelyn, Lysandra," said a tall, dark-haired girl named Cressida, her voice smooth with a hint of condescension. "I hear you had quite an interesting summer."

Evelyn gave a nonchalant shrug, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Not any more interesting than usual," she replied, her gaze sweeping over the other Slytherins who had gathered around. Among them was a gossipy third-year named Seraphina, whose eyes lit up with interest as she caught sight of Evelyn.

"Evelyn," Cressida said, leaning in with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I heard you had a rather intriguing conversation with Tom Riddle. Is there something we should know?"

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a slight smile. "And where did you hear that?" she asked, though she could guess.

"Oh, just some whispers," Cressida replied airily. "The sort of thing that travels quickly when you're dealing with the likes of Riddle."

Luckily, the Sorting Hat interrupted the conversation, and began its song and the first-years were sorted, the atmosphere in the Hall was electric with excitement. The ceremony passed in a blur of names and cheers, and soon the feast was underway, with platters of food magically appearing on the tables.

At the Slytherin table, the plates were filling up with delectable fare. Cressida, with her usual flair for drama, leaned in towards Evelyn and Lysandra, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Before I forget, Evelyn," Cressida began, her voice laced with intrigue. "Please do tell us more about that chat you had with Tom Riddle. It's what everyone's talking about."

Evelyn smirked, her tone light and slightly dismissive. "Oh, I'm sorry for you all. I didn't realize my relationship with Riddle was the highlight of your evening."

Cressida's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "Whatever do you mean?"

Evelyn leaned back, taking a casual sip of her drink. "Well, I'm sorry that you don't have more interesting means of conversation. I mean, I knew I was fascinating, but not quite this much."

Cressida's eyes narrowed slightly, though her tone remained teasing. "It's not you who we're interested in, it's Tom Riddle. He's the one who's got everyone buzzing."

Evelyn chuckled, glancing over at Tom, who was now immersed in a book nearly across the table. "Ah, I see. So it's not my riveting company you're after, but rather Tom Riddle, is it?"

Miriam, catching on, leaned in with a smirk. "Exactly. There's something about him that's just so... mysterious. Everyone's dying to know what's really going on with him."

The third year, Seraphina, chimed in, her voice dripping with mock seriousness. "Really, Cressida? You know as well as I do that Tom Riddle is the most mysterious person at Hogwarts. You don't just chat with him and walk away unchanged."