Riddle's little snake

The art of being sorted

The train station was packed with muggles. You couldn't floo straight onto platform 9 ¾ but there was a room filled with fireplaces that was only visible for magical folk.

Tom was pushing the trolly, which had Curare's stuff on, through the masses while she stood on it with a grin. When they were on the other side of the wall you could see many students, hugging their parents and saying goodbye to their siblings. Curare never wished for a brother or a sister. She was very happy with having just Tom and Nagini and she wouldn't change it for the world.

"I'll miss you my little snake. Write as often as you can, and you must tell me in which house you get sorted into. You know I don't care as long as you are happy. "Tom said wrapping his arms around her body.

"I will Dad. I'll miss you and Nagini too".

Tom gave her a kiss on her forehead before she entered the train. Curare walked past many students, looking for Draco or an empty compartment. She was almost at the end when she saw the familiar blonde-haired boy with two other boys and a girl.

Curare opened the door and wanted to say something, but the black-haired girl was faster. "Who are you. Get out of here." The girl snapped. "Go find a different compartment, this one is only for us."

"Shut up Parkinson. Don't talk to my best friend like that" Draco hissed. He pushed her away and patted the place beside him, which was now free. "Come on Cura...I thought you got lost on the way."

Curare smiled, pulled her hood down and sat beside Draco. "These are Crabbe, Goyle and Parkinson" He said, pointing at the other three.

"Pleasure to meet you, well some of you." she said with a friendly smile. Crabbe and Goyle were immediately flustered and turned red. Pansy also turned red, but in anger.

"Who do you think you are, you filthy mudblood?" she sneered. "Do you know who I am? I am Pansy Parkinson."

"Regrettably I know who you are. I've heard quite a bit about you and let me tell you, none of it was good. As I don't like judging people before meeting them, I was ready to give you a chance, but it seems your exactly how everyone said you would be" Curare gave her a final look before turning around to leave. "I'll go and find myself a different compartment." Before anyone could say anything, she was gone.

A few doors further she saw a Gryffindor boy sitting all alone. He was holding a toad in his hand and looked lonely. Curare opened the door and stuck her head in. "I'm sorry for disturbing you, but may I sit with you. Everywhere else is full?"

The boy jumped at the sudden noise and nodded quickly when he saw her. "Yes of course...please come in" he stuttered. "I'm Neville. Neville Longbottom" His face was beetroot red and he stretched his hand out for her to shake.

"My name is Curare Riddle. "Now Neville really looked like he was about to faint. His Gran always had something good to say about the Riddle's and it was Tom Riddle who made sure Grindelwald's followers, who had tortured his parents, were sent to Azkaban for life.

"Ri...Riddle?!"

"Yes, judging by your expression you've heard that name before?" The question wasn't mean and Curare had a nice smile on her face. Although she typically didn't like that many children Neville was just really sweet. He was someone you knew you could always count on.

The rest of the train ride was unspectacular. Neville talked about the castle, the teachers, especially Snape who scared him (Curare didn't have the heart to tell him that Snape was her godfather and treated her like his own), and all the subjects.

Apparently, the boy loved Herbology and was the best in class. He promised to help Curare out if she ever needed tutoring. The Death eaters didn't really find Herbology interesting enough to teach the young girl, but she was sure it couldn't be that difficult.

The train stopped and the two of them parted ways. Neville said he'd hope to see her at the Gryffindor table and if not, they would stay friends anyway. It was no secret that she was the heir of Slytherin, it was very likely for her to be sorted into that house.

By now a few other students had recognized Curare and were giving her curious looks, but before anyone could ask any questions Hagrid called them all to the boats, which was an odd but memorable experience.

The Grand Hall looked as majestic as ever. There were hundreds of students, and you could see a few ghosts flying around as well. Some of them greeted Curare as she had been in Hogwarts as a baby and they knew her already. Also, Tom took her a few years later after she had begged him to meet the ghosts. She had read a book about it and really wanted to see one in real life.

Dumbledore stood up and the students went quiet. A few seconds later Professor Snape came in, holding up both Ron and Harry by their cloaks. The two boys looked petrified and stumbled to the Gryffindor table. Ron had a branch sticking in his hair and Harry had leaves on his cloak, they looked like they had battled a tree.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts. I am very happy to see you again and would like to welcome all of you also in the name of the staff. " Dumbledore said, he had a friendly twinkle in his eyes and his robes looked as weird as ever.

"The sorting will begin now...Camille Amuls."

Curare zoomed out. She saw many children sit down and be sorted. She had seen, a few Ravenclaws, some Hufflepuffs, new Gryffindors and the odd Slytherin. Every time the entire table clapped and the newly sorted were greeted warmly.

"Curare Riddle" The hall was immediately filled with whispers 'did she say Riddle?', 'Tom Riddle daughter?', 'she's as Hogwarts?', 'Is that her?', 'Wow she's gorgeous', When will the feast start, I'm hungry?', 'Pay attention Ronald.'

Curare had just walked a few steps when the hat already yelled "Slytherin...I can figure that out form here, but I want to talk to her anyway" Professor McGonagall looked startled but still out the hat on the young girl's head.

"Oh, you have an ingenious mind. Simply amazing. Just like your father...you also look very much alike. Definitely Slytherin" with that her sorting was also over. The Slytherin table cheered loudly, even louder than the Gryffindors when Potter was sorted into their house and Curare was welcomed with open arms.

Pansy Parkinson looked mortified when she heard who she had insulted earlier. It would be easy for Lord Riddle to fire her parents if Curare asked him to do so and she was sure he'd do anything his daughter wanted.

Curare sat down beside Draco, who immediately but a protective arm around her. The sorting resumed but many eyes were still on the young heir.