The Secret of Tom Riddle's Diary

Chapter Four Back to School

It was a strange feeling for Victoria as she made her way through the Floo. Until she had followed Rufus Avery, she did not realize that there was any other entry onto the Hogwarts Express Platform. But now that she thought about it, it made sense. The purebloods did't want to mix with the half-bloods or Muggleborn. As she walked closer to the steam that signaled the scarlet engine, she heard the voices and sounds that were all too familiar to her – students eager for another year.

She didn't talk with Rufus Avery. He would not hold much of a conversation due to his state. A few looked at him in greeting, and he replied, but it was a variation on the same thing.

"Yes, I am here with my niece, Victoria. I need to get her to school, and then it is back to work."

She caught a glimpse of Neville and Hermione with their heads down talking about something, but she didn't gawk for too long. Already, Madam Avery's training was kicking in.

"Girl, it isn't polite to stare. Do what you are there for!" She would have said.

At the train, she gave an awkward hug to her "uncle" as Tom had instructed her. Avery used his wand to make her luggage float, then she pushed it on board. She traveled looking either for what was obviously a first year's cabin or the first empty. She pushed open one near the back and she saw a pretty brunette she knew had to be about her age. She was all alone. With the pureblooded voice of confidence, she spoke.

"Good morning to you," she said. "Would it be acceptable to you if I sat in here?"

The girl looked up from her book – she was the picture of pureblood perfection, as Madam Avery was trying to make her. The hair was immaculate. A small amount of blush on the face was there. She was dressed prim and proper in her Hogwarts uniform. Her eyes took in the image of Victoria, and then nodded.

Victoria finished opening the compartment the rest of the way and then pushed her things up and away. Then she inclined her head.

"My name is, Victoria Jane Avery," she said with the drawl that she had been learning at the Manor. "Thank you."

The other smiled slightly.

"A pleasure," she said. Then, she placed her hand out limply, "Astoria Greengrass –"

She smiled at the name. "A pleasure as well –"

With that she sat down. Right away, she began, "Do you have other family attending Hogwarts?"

Astoria smiled. "My older sister is in 3rd year – a Slytherin."

Then, Astoria took the moment to take Victoria's look in.

"You are Rufus Avery's niece, are you not?" she asked. "I read about you in the Daily Prophet. It said you were going to be coming to school our year."

Victoria smiled. "I am."

It seemed the fact that Victoria was one of the Sacred Twenty-eight had relaxed Astoria at this point. Just at that moment, the door opened again, and another head popped in.

"I was wondering –" it was a boy with a dirty face.

Victoria saw Astoria's face tense up. If she could read the signs, she thought – Muggleborn or Half-blood – Now Harry Potter would certainly approve of such as this, but Victoria Avery?

"We are saving it for some friends of ours –" Victoria drawled. "You will need to find another compartment."

The boy looked a little crestfallen, while Astoria's face brightened up.