Ian: I Really Deserve to Die

Tom heard a gasp, turned his head, and looked at the short figure who had appeared at some unknown time. His robes weren't new, and he didn't seem like a difficult person to get along with. Tom offered a timely, humble smile and politely invited the person to sit down. "The train is about to depart, we should sit down first. I'm Tom Riddle. How should I address you?"

"Ian Gallagher~" Ian sat down and then carefully observed the peer opposite him, scratching his somewhat red face. He had never seen anyone so good-looking. "You wouldn't happen to be pure-blood, would you? My dad is a wizard, and he's been teaching me spells before school started. Unfortunately, I can't even do the Levitation Charm properly."

Not quite understanding what pure-blood meant, Tom frowned slightly. Although the red-haired person opposite him was a bit noisy, he still got some useful information from him. At the very least, he could consider his own talent to be quite good.

Those basic spells weren't difficult for him to learn. Reaching out to stroke his wand, Tom felt a bit more confident. He lowered his eyes and tugged at his second-hand school robe. "Sorry, I don't know anything about my background..."

Stunned for a second, Ian, who realized they were in wartime, really wanted to slap himself. He pursed his lips in annoyance. "Sorry, sorry, I didn't know you were... uh.." He braked in time, pinched his thigh, and decided to change the subject. "Right! Which house are you planning to go to?! Professor Dumbledore is in Gryffindor. My dad said because Professor Dumbledore is there, the Wizarding Supremacy Party from Germany hasn't come here to cause trouble."

Tilting his head and blinking, Tom heard the term "Wizarding Supremacy Party" for the first time. It seemed he really didn't know many things. He hoped to find all the answers at school. But could he possibly go to Gryffindor House?

"Hmm, do you know how the Sorting works?"

Ian's expression changed, his face gradually turning pale. That idiot father of his wouldn't tell him how the Sorting worked no matter what! He just patted his head with pity, warning him to be careful! "I... I don't know. Dad didn't tell me. Merlin! Could it be very dangerous!!!"

Tom recalled his first meeting with Professor Dumbledore, and his mood became a bit heavy. Did he have to pass through fire? Or participate in some bizarre ritual, like in a picture book, tied to a cross, where only those qualified to continue studying would survive?

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Tom didn't believe anything dangerous would happen. He gently and steadily soothed his companion, who was almost pulling his own hair out. "It probably won't. We're just new students who don't know anything, aren't we?"

Ian snapped out of his fantasy and blushed again looking at Tom's smile. He shifted uncomfortably. "You're right, my dad must have been scaring me. He always likes to tease me."

Not wanting to hear about family matters, Tom's eyes darkened. He tried hard to maintain his expression, not letting any jealousy show. "Can you tell me what the Wizarding Supremacy Party is? You know... I don't know much about the wizarding world."

Ian blinked, feeling a bit sorry for his new friend. He's so unlucky! Why did he have to mention that idiot dad! It's making my friend feel bad! Carefully recalling what he had heard, Ian haltingly recounted everything he knew.