Chapter 1
Tom has just finished his shopping. The fund for students from poor families was not very large. There was only enough for used robes and books. Fortunately, the wand was only his. He held the yew wood tightly and felt its power beneath the surface. He was a wizard. He could now plan for the future, become someone significant - not a demonic child whose name the superior was afraid of. He was supposed to go back to the orphanage - curfew was starting soon. However, something caught his attention. He saw a big beautiful shop at the end of the street. In the shop windows he saw flying dragons, little brooms that could fit in the palm of your hand, racing each other. There were wooden mermaids on the shelves, combing their hair and smiling. He also saw carousels that rotated and made a nice melody. They were beautiful toys. For a moment Tom felt a twinge of anger that he hadn't been raised in the wizarding world and hadn't received such toys from his parents. It was just a moment, it shouldn't worry about it. However, the strange feeling still lingered inside. The jealousy was familiar, but it was something different, something stronger. Suddenly Tom felt moisture on his cheeks. No it is not possible. He's not like those stupid little kids on the fourth floor who keep yelling and crying. He quickly wiped the wetness with his hand and was about to march furiously forward... when suddenly the store door opened.
He saw a beautiful woman in the doorway, she was... well, you don't find women like that on common streets. Beautiful face, porcelain colored skin, stunning green eyes and beautiful black hair. Women of this type were wives of wealthy husbands and usually came to take pity by making some generous donation to the orphanage. Mrs. Cole was very obliging at the time, and orphans used sneaky techniques to try to be adopted. He never bothered about it.
Interestingly, this woman wore neither a witch nor a Muggle London outfit.
It was a long burgundy floor length dress with sleeves and she wore a matching necklace around her neck. Her hair fell loosely around her shoulders and was long to her waist.
She looked at him friendly. This surprised him a little because no one had ever looked at him like that before. Tom knew the looks of pity, anger, disgust... but it was just curiosity and openness.
''How do you like my shop?'' she smiled, pointing proudly at the sign ''Lady Sigyn's Magic Toys''. She had a strange accent, something he had never heard before. She wasn't British by birth, but he didn't say anything to to show his ignorance, that he didn't know where she came from.
''Shouldn't a lady be at her husband's house?'' Tom was impertinent, but he wanted to understand.
''Well, sometimes things are more complicated,'' she said.
Tom nodded at the strange statement. He wanted to demand answers, but he had to remember the curfew. If he's late, he won't get dinner. As he was about to leave, the strange lady looked at him again and said, 'Wouldn't you like to earn some money?
Tom stopped.
''Why are you offering me a job?'' Tom narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
''I see you're not doing well,'' she pointed to his clothes. ''I have a lot to do at the store and I need help. Although this job requires living in a room behind the store.
A job that requires staying in the store. He'll stay in Diagon Alley. Not in the orphanage. It wasn't a job on the street or a chimney...it was a nice shop in the wizarding world. It couldn't be that simple.
''I start school in September,'' he pointed to the supplies. It was only January, but he wanted to warn his potential employer that he might not be as available as they would like.
''Of course, Hogwarts. You can work until September and then during the holidays,' she replied.
''Why me?'' Tom demanded an answer.
''I saw you looking at the toys... longingly,'' she said, and Tom turned his face away. ''You didn't have them, it gives you a unique perspective that I can use to make toys.''
Tom wanted to argue, but pursed his lips. Maybe he should swallow his pride... He looked at his books and robes. Terrible and cheap, such things will not command respect. So, he could stay here.
''How much will I earn?''
''2 galleons a week,'' she replied.
This was a very high salary in his situation. He was just a ragged orphan. Additionally, he was to be given a place to live in a shop. He thought about the potential benefits. If something goes wrong, she can always ask the snake to bite her.He looked back at the store. Three large windows with a display of toys, stained glass windows hanging in front of the door with the Hogwarts coat of arms. He never had a home. It wasn't home either, but it could start here. He will gain money, contacts, knowledge about wizards. He remembered Dumbledore's look at him reproachfully.Something heavy fell from his heart. He doesn't have to come back. Never again. They will probably report him missing, but after a few days no one will care anymore.One less mouth to feed. Good thing for orphange.
He had nothing to lose.
''I'll take the job,'' he said.It was a bit absurd that he didn't ask about the terms and responsibilities, but he didn't care. He's been given the opportunity to be away from the orphanage, and he's eager to take advantage of it. Even if something goes wrong, Tom will find another job. Don't ever come back to this dark place again.
''You can call me Lady Sigyn,'' she smiled.
''I'm Tom Riddle,'' he replied, he never liked his name.
''Beautiful name, I've never known any Tom,'' she said in her lovely foreign accent.
He smiled involuntarily as she opened the door and stepped inside. He felt something he had never felt before. Membership.