Chapter 4
Of all gods, there was one Tom had never prayed to.
Aphrodite.
The goddess of love, beauty and fertility. Tom had never disrespected her, obviously, but he never felt any need to pray for her either. Tom was quite aware that he was handsome. Even as a kid, he'd always been praised by his beauty and intellect. He never fell in love with someone nor had Tom ever considered the thought of having kids.
But all that changed when Tom saw him.
Harry James Potter. Tom hadn't even noticed the tiny 1st year earlier. Actually, from the look of surprise from his classmates, no one else had noticed him either.
He didn't seem confident or even a little bit curious when walking to the middle of the platform. He looked nothing like the hero that was described in Tom's history books.
He looked weak.
So why couldn't Tom take his eyes off him?
The sorting hat covered the boy's eyes in a way that didn't happen to any other students yet. Potter was clearly small, maybe even malnourished.
(Why did Tom care?)
As the minutes ticked by, the students grew agitated. The sorting was clearly a hatstall at this point. It didn't matter what house Potter was sorted into, Tom wanted to be sorted in the same house as his.
The hat then yelled, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Tom felt his heart sink, he didn't think he could be sorted into Gryffindor of all houses.
After Potter's sorting, it didn't take long for Tom to be called too.
"Riddle, Tom!"
McGonagall said loudly. Differently from Potter, Tom walked with his head held high, he had no reason to be insecure after all.
The hat didn't cover his eyes either, probably because Tom was too tall for his age.
You aren't a very difficult sorting, young Tom.
Is that?...
Good. Since you already know who it is then I get spared from trying to explain.
Tom rolled his eyes. He didn't like the idea of something rummaging through his head. It was sort of his personal space.
The hat gave a barking laugh, While you clearly are built for Slytherin and you know that, I see you're also interested in another house?
Damnit, his face was starting to get red.
Oh young love, so powerful yet so fleeting. I shouldn't say this, but I'll tell you something: That bloke, Harry, was looking at you even before the sorting.
Wait, what–
Before Tom had the chance to ask tho, the hat yelled, "SLYTHERIN!"
Some people clapped politely in an absent way. But there were only a few handful that did so, and none of them were from his house. In fact, no one in his house had clapped. Most of them simply ignored him, but there was a handful few that was openly glaring at him and making faces.
Oh the joy, another great place to make some friends. Tom thought sarcastically.
But it was fine, they could rage and hate him all that they wanted. Tom would always have the last word. Always.
And not only that, he had something way more interesting to think about.
Harry.
And the first thing he did after arriving at his new dormitory was pray to Her. Hopefully, Aphrodite would be interested enough to give Tom her blessing.