A Magical Journey Begins

Christmas

The Slytherin common room was eerily empty the first day of the Christmas holidays. Tom was the only first year staying behind, as all of his classmates were eagerly talking about vacations they would be going on with their rich families. From second year and third year, absolutely no one was left and only two fourth year girls were still present. Furthermore, one fifth year boy was stuck with his nose in the books, one sixth year and three seventh years staying behind to study for their NEWT's. All in all, the dungeons were unusually quiet.

Tom had been quick to leave the place behind to join Gwen in the library for the day. Her parents were out of the country for the time being, and she had refused the offer of Octavian to join her cousins. Tom didn't want to tell her of course, but he was incredibly grateful he wouldn't have to be alone for the next two weeks. Yes, he had been alone for his whole life, but since his arrival at Hogwarts, he had grown increasingly used to having people around who actually liked his presence.

"Good morning Tom," the redhead greeted smiling.

"Good morning," the boy replied, a small smile breaking through as well.
"Have you already started on your Charms essay? I was thinking we could do it together."

"Not yet, I'm struggling with the Potions essay..." the girl replied, blushing a bit.

Tom chuckled and held out his hand, smiling kindly at her.

"Let me see," he offered.

Grinning in relief, Gwen handed it over and watched as Tom's dark eyes flew over the parchment, reading the contents very quickly. Tom sighed and handed it back.

"It's pretty good, just add the dangers of taking too much and some detailed descriptions of the ingredients and their other uses," he said.

"Thanks!" Gwen said grinning.

"No problem. Now how about Charms?"

. . . . .

The first week went by without much interesting happening. The older years teased Tom for being the only one in the dorms who wasn't able to visit Hogsmeade, but the boy couldn't care less about that place. He didn't think the village was any interesting. He didn't have any money to spent anyway, so what wold he be doing there? Standing in the snow, watching through shop windows? I think not.

He preferred spending his time reading books. He was already on third level with duelling books in the library and he had a greater knowledge on dark creatures than even the seventh years in his House. When he did go outside, on Gwen's insistence, they usually ended up at the Black Lake, he with a copy of Curses and Counter curses, and Gwen with a sketchbook on her lap.

"I think we best get ready for dinner," Gwen suddenly spoke up.
"Soon the older kids are back from Hogsmeade and I want to be ahead of them."

"Alright," Tom agreed.
"Let's go past my dorm first. I want to put my book away."

"Then we should go past mine too so I can put away my utensils," Gwen replied.

"Let's go there first."

They stood up and started walking towards the castle again. Gwen was cheerfully chatting about the Grey Lady, who was the House Ghost of Ravenclaw. She was apparently very shy and stayed away from most other people. Gwen was extremely proud she had befriended the people shy spirit this early in only her first year.

"She's really kind once you get to know her," she said.
"Really, Helena knows every nook and cranny from the school better than anyone else. She was the daughter of Rowena Ravenclaw herself, you know."