Tom Riddle

What happened before:

Taking out her quill, she wrote the following words:

-This is now the property of Ruby Ravenwing, Hogwarts student, house of Ravenclaw.-

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

-Hello there, Ruby. My name is Tom Riddle.-

Ruby stared in shock as her ink faded and the diary wrote back.

What was happening? Mrs. Osward said she was a witch, did this used to be a wizard's diary? Did diaries in the wizarding world write back?

What 'Tom' had written disappeared, but more words were taking their place.

-Did I startle you?-

Ruby picked up her quill again. -A bit. Do normal wizarding diaries write back?-

-No. I am the only one. I was trapped in here by an evil wizard.-

-I'm sorry. Is there any way I can get you out?-

-No, but thank you. There is nothing you can do to free me from this. My imprisonment is permanent.-

-I'm sorry then.-

-Don't be, you didn't trap me in here.-

-I was going to use this as my diary, but since you're in there, I won't bother you.-

-That's very thoughtful, but I don't mind. I would love someone to talk to, anyway.-

-Okay. What should I talk about?-

-Anything you want. You said you're in Ravenclaw, what year?-

-First-year, this is my first day too. I was just sorted less than an hour ago.-

-Congratulations!-

-Thanks! Okay…- Ruby paused, thinking of what to write. -I'm a muggleborn, and I only learned about my magic a week ago.-

-How do you feel about it?-

-I always knew I was different, but I'm glad there are others like me. Before I felt like a freak or something.-

-You're not.- Tom firmly stated. (wrote?) -Your parents don't say that, do they?-

Ruby blinked away a tear. -They don't know. They died when I was one.-

-I'm sorry. That was insensitive of me.-

-You didn't know.-

-I was an orphan too.-

-Really?-

-Yes. I grew up in a poor orphanage, we struggled a lot. I don't know how they are now. They weren't doing so well when I got sucked in here.-

-How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?-

-I had just turned fifteen when I was sucked in here. The diary works so I can have a conversation, but after we stop talking, the time in between is dull. I technically fall asleep, but I'm aware of time passing. The downside is I can't think, I can only be aware of the time passing.-

-That's terrible. If I write to you more often, would that make it more bearable?-

-I don't want to burden you. Please, you should just ignore what I wrote.-

-It won't burden me. Besides, I think you're the only person who truly understands what it's like to have no parents. Well, Potter lost his parents too, but he's not sympathetically inclined.-

-Who's that?-

-Harry Potter. His parents were also killed when he was one.-

-But you say he's not sympathetic?-

-No. I can read people pretty well, like their emotions and stuff. When I told him, I could tell.-

-You read emotions?-

-Yes? Most of the time it's on accident.-

-That sounds like legilimency.-

-What's that?-

-You wanted to know what he was thinking, correct?-

-Yes.-

-Well, Ruby, you used something called legilimency to read Potter's surface emotions. I think it was accidental magic.-

-Cool. Hey, did you go to Hogwarts too?-

-Yep. I am a fourth year, would-be fifth if I was a real person.-

-You are a real person. What house?-

-Slytherin.- Tom wrote slowly, as if hesitant to tell her.

-Cool.-

-What?-

-I said 'cool.'-

-Do you not hate Slytherins then?-

-Should I?-

-No, it's just a rivalry thing. All the houses against Slytherin.-

-Why did you tell me then? You could have made something up and I wouldn't know the difference.-

-I don't want to be friends with people who can't accept who I am?-

-A worthy reason, Tom. Me too, I guess.-

-Do you have any friends yet?-

-Can I call you a friend?-

-I'd be honored.-

-Then you, Slytherin Astoria Greengrass, Slytherin Draco Malfoy, (2nd year) and Ravenclaw Luna Lovegood.-

-I'm glad. Okay, let's see. What's your wand?-

-Ashwood and unicorn hair, eleven inches.-

-Do you like it?-

-Absolutely. Can I ask you questions too?-

-Go ahead.-

-What are some important wizard things I should know?-

-Have you heard about the code of respect?-

-Yes, Draco told me.-

-How about Quidditch?-

-I've heard about it, but I don't know what it is.-

-It's a game we play on a broom…-

Tom explained the basics of Quidditch to Ruby, who quickly grasped the idea. Apparently, it was a popular sport in the wizarding world, and it intrigued Ruby a lot. She was surprised to learn that it was the only sport played in the wizarding world but reminded herself Muggles and Wizards are very different. Thankfully, with the mind of a Ravenclaw, Ruby remembered everything Tom said, so he didn't have to repeat anything.

-Do we learn to fly in Hogwarts?-

-You should. Also, unless they changed the rules, you can play starting your second year.-

-They didn't change the rules, they announced only second years and up at the start-of-term feast.-

-Are you thinking of playing?-

-I haven't thought about it yet. I only just learned about the game, so I'm not sure.-

-Ah, I understand. What time is it there?-

-10:17, September 1st, 1992.- Ruby wrote after glancing at the clock.

-Wow. That means I'd be sixty-six years old if I wasn't trapped in a diary.-

-What do you mean?-

-My mental and physical age is actually fifteen.-

-So if you were to come back, your life would time-skip from the end of your fourth year to now?- Ruby asked.

-Yes, that's right.-

-Is there any way at all that I can free you?-

-No.-

-I'm sorry.-

-Again, not your fault.-

-I know, but I'm still sorry. I should probably go to bed, would you be okay?-

-It's not pleasant to be incapable of thought, but you have a life too, and you'll certainly need your sleep for your first day of school.-

-Okay. I'll write back as soon as I can.-

-Thanks, Ruby. Goodnight.-

-Goodnight, Tom.- She wrote, then closed the book, falling asleep in minutes.