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  Dumbledore knocked once and the nerves in the tips of her fingers seemed to sting with worry. What if Dippet didn't believe her? What if he wouldn't allow her in?

"Come in!" Said a boisterous voice and Dumbledore shot a smile at Delilah before opening the doors.

"Ah, Albus! Hello- oh hello!" Dippets gaze fell on Delilah and he wobbled himself around his desk. Delilah blinked at the old and large man in front of her. He oddly resembled a walrus.

"Hello," she greeted timidly and shook Dippets hand. "I've come to get her enrolled." Dumbledore told him and the man's eyebrows furrowed. "Enrolled?"

Dumbledore explained her 'situation' with ease and Delilah marveled at how good of a liar he was. She didn't know whether to appraise him or be put off. Nonetheless she took mental notes. she needed to me remarkable at deceit herself if she was to pull this off.

"Oh, poor child!" Dippet called and ushered her to quickly sit down. She bristled at his tone, not liking being spoken too as if she were a six year old. "Why yes of course! I'll just have to get the paperwork sorted but-oh yes of course!" He was practically shouting and Delilah repressed a wince when her ears began to dimly ring. "We have to get you sorted don't we? Let me just get the hat."

Delilah's eyebrows knitted together as Dippet brought out the old and torn hat that had decided where she belonged all those years ago apparently. Or perhaps, this hat hasn't exactly done that yet. Delilah looked at it apprehensively and Dippet misread it for fright. "Oh don't worry! You'll hear a voice in your ear and it'll just decide which house it sees you best fit into."

Her lips parted to ask a question but his arms reached out and the hat hovered above her head. Sighing lightly through her nose, she spared one last glance at Dumbledore before it fell over her eyes.

  Everything was silent for a few seconds before a gruff voice cleared its throat in her ear.

Hello?

Oh, Miss Meddows? Well isn't this a surprise. Come for round two?

Wait, you know me? But we don't meet for another half century-

Don't think too hard about it, dear. I don't think your brain can take it, so much is happening inside your head it's giving me, of all things, a headache.

Can... can you tell me which house I was in? Before, I mean. Or I suppose later.

Ravenclaw.

She bit her lip as a few small memories began to paint themselves on the back of her eyelids. The color blue, something about riddles, and perhaps a blonde girl covered in paint.

So what does that mean?

Well, what do you mean what does that mean?

What the hell is that supposed to mean? Stop being cryptic.

The Sorting Hat chuckled and Delilah felt the urge to rip it off her head and set it on fire.

It means, Delilah Meddows, that you belong somewhere else in this time. Your skills are to be of use somewhere else, somewhere to help.

That's still not making any sense...what house if not Ravenclaw?

Why, Slytherin, of course!

A boy moved his way to the front, taller and dark skinned with one of the most beautiful smiles she'd ever seen. Blaise. But then flashes of that Draco boy shone behind her eyes and she got an uneasy feeling in her stomach, only one word rang to mind as she thought of his face - asshole.

You're joking.

I never joke.

But you said I was in Ravenclaw.

You're wise beyond your years, my dear.

How is that an answer?

Believe me, you are needed in the house of Salazar Slytherin. Time will tell, it always does.

Now just hang on a bloody minute-

"SLYTHERIN!"

Delilah's mouth fell open and she ripped the hat off, shooting daggers at the old cloth and set it rather roughly on Dippets desk. "That was infuriating." She muttered but froze when she saw Dippet looking at her confused and Dumbledore wore a slight smile, though he didn't look happy.

"What was infuriating?" Dumbledore asked and she shifted a bit in her seat, her fingers playing absentmindedly with her sleeve.

"Oh nothing it was just...not what I was expecting." Based off the man's reaction she drew the quick conclusion he probably wasn't fond of Slytherin house. She herself couldn't remember much besides Draco and Blaise. Two confronting feelings of annoyance and adoration swirling in her chest.

"Well isn't this exciting, a new addition to Slytherin! Oh, Horace will be very pleased."

Delilah turned quickly to look at Dippet. The name ringed with familiarity.

"Albus, I believe he has a class at the moment, so would you get her schedule together and show her around the castle?" Dippet asked as he began to file through enrollment papers. "Of course, sir. This way." He led Delilah out into the hallway and as soon as the door shut she whirled around. She attempted not to snicker as Dumbledore leaned back in order not to get hit by her hair.

"I cannot believe it put me in Slytherin." She whispered fiercely. Something about the placement felt wrong. He sighed and gestured for her to keep walking. "What house were you in before? Gryffindor perhaps?" He mused and Delilah shook her head with a slight smile. "No, it told me Ravenclaw."

"It's not that I have anything against Slytherin," she began and kicked at a pebble. "It's just, I don't belong there. Despite what the hat said. It said I'd be useful and I was there to help. Though it wouldn't tell me why. And," she cut herself off as she stared at a fountain they were approaching. An echoing sound of her laughter and another girls swirling in her head. Remember maybe only a glimpse of fiery red hair.

Delilah wasn't a pureblood, but she wasn't a muggle born either. And something told her that fact would be dangerous. "I'm a half-blood," she started quietly. "Will that be an issue?"

"No. but," Dumbledore began. "Should the occasion arise when you're asked about your ancestry. You can say you're from a distant line in France." Delilah nodded but bit at her lip, a bad habit of hers considering how raw they felt.

"We can meet weekly, and should any problems occur please come tell me. If you ever fear for your well-being, please alert me at once. Personally I feel you'll do well, I believe you can handle yourself. However... some of the people in Slytherin have slightly questionable morals, I suppose. Just be careful, Miss Pontmercy." He patted her on the back and she smiled at him.

Confused for only a moment as she remembered that was her new name.

"Let's get your schedule together, do you know your O.W.L or N.E.W.T scores?"

  "No, though I hope I didn't flunk any of them."

He managed a light laugh, "I think you'll fair well in the N.E.W.T courses. But if the world load is too much, please inform me and we can get it sorted. Perhaps they'll even help trigger more memories."

Dumbledore got her schedule together and just before he handed it to her, there was rapid knocking on his office door. "Come in!" He called and a man threw open the door, nearly tripping over his own feet. He was breathing heavily and spun towards Delilah.

"Is this her? Oh hello, my dear!" Slughorn shook Delilah's hand rapidly, the notion caused her whole arm to shake and she managed a brief smile. "Hello, I'm Delilah Pontmercy."

  "The newest edition to Slytherin! Oh, is this your schedule?" He nipped the papers from Dumbledore, whom held an amused expression at his colleague.

"Very bright? Very bright indeed! Oh yes, a lovely addition to my house! Albus, the house cup will surely be ours I'm afraid. What, with Tom and now Miss Pontmercy? Surely it's in our grasp!"

Delilah blinked at how energetic he was.

"Come along! Let me take you to your common room." He shuffled out the door and Delilah glanced at Dumbledore. "We can meet tomorrow morning if you'd like-"

"Come along!" Slughorn shouted. Delilah nodded at Dumbledore and smiled uneasily. It had hit her she'd actually have to sleep in a new place full of people who'd probably hex her if they found out she was a half-blood. She just hoped there weren't any copies of Draco.

As Delilah entered the Slytherin common room, everything was dark and black marble tile spread through the room. A green shimmer filtered in from high windows, due to the Great Lake being just outside. She'd nearly forgotten they were under water. Many couches for lounging were throughout the room, all black leather with emerald green accents and a fire was crackling in a huge mantel piece on the far right of the room. Above it was a painting of Salazar Slytherin and there were other artifacts littered on top. Upon further notice she saw there was a large snake carved out of black stone. It was beautiful.

And to her surprise the whole place smelt like fresh mint and parchment.

"Boys dormitories are to the left, girls to the right. Seventh years will be on the top floor. Shouldn't miss it. Now I have to pop off I'm afraid! But I'll send Tom to fetch you for dinner, that'll give you enough time to settle in. Remember the password is Ouroboros." With that he scuttled out of the room and she blinked. The common room was empty, most likely due to everyone was in class. She eyed the fireplace one last time before turning right.

Getting to her room, she opened the door and took everything in.

This room had black wood flooring and stone walls. There air was warm but as she touched the stone wall it was cool against her fingers. The beds were four posters as well but emerald green curtains hung heavy and had silver tassels to hold them closed. She spotted the empty bed, which was presumably hers, and ran her hands over the soft velvet. Pulling the covers back she saw a black blanket laid on top of pristine white sheets. She sat down and sighed at how comfortable it was.

Before she knew it, she was out like a light. Exhaustion sweeping down on her like a wave.

When Tom was told they had a new student, his eyebrow quirked upward.

They've had a few this past year, due to the war raging all around Europe, but none of them had been sorted into Slytherin. He nodded at Slughorn and plastered on a smile. "Of course, I'll go and retrieve her now." The Potions teacher clapped him on the back as he left and Tom sighed once he was in the hallway.

  That man is insufferable.

He made his way to the last door in the girls dormitories, and read the engraved 'Seventh Years' before knocking. He got no answer and huffed through his nose. Perhaps she was in the bathroom? Or she wandered off? No, that'd be stupid of her if she didn't know the way around the castle. He knocked again and still got no reply. He tested the door handle and it clicked open.

Idiots, they should always lock the door. Who knows what could happen?

He peered in slightly and saw a form on one of the beds, her body rising and falling as she breathed. Making his way around the bed he titled his head to the side as he observed her.

She was asleep of course, and had her mouth hanging open. Her hair was a dark golden and sprawled out across the pillow in a mess. She looked like hell. Cheeks sunken in as if from fatigue and her skin looked sallow as dark purple moons hung beneath her eyes.

Tom stepped back a bit and knocked sharply on the wood of her nightstand.

She shot up, blinking the sleep from her eyes.

Tom eyed her wand in amusement as she had it in her hand, ready to fire a spell and pointed right at his chest. "I'm sorry to intrude but, Slughorn sent me to fetch you for dinner."

Delilah shook her head slightly to calm her dizzy mind as her eyes turned towards the polite voice. Her breath hitched once they landed on Tom, blinking up at him like a child caught on Christmas.

He was tall and slender, and his hands were clasped behind his back and his head was tilted to the side as he stared at her down his nose. His dark curls fell nicely in place and his eyes were a warm brown but still oddly cold. They looked empty. His skin was pale and pulled tightly across his cheekbones, giving him a sharp and almost dangerous appearance.

All and all, he was handsome and Delilah blushed. "Right, of course." She hopped off the bed and attempted to pat down her hair as she turned towards him. He was even taller than she first thought, standing at what looked to be six foot three.

"I assume you're Tom, then?" She held out a hand and he eyed it for a second. Strange. He smiled politely and shook her hand, it was oddly cold.

"Tom Riddle, the Head Boy. You are? I'm afraid Slughorn was so excited he forgot to mention it."

She smiled at him but something began to nudge at the back of her head. His name sounded familiar but she couldn't place it. "Delilah Pontmercy." He nodded and gestured for her to walk in front of him.

As they made their way out of the common room, Tom eyed her over. Her attire was different to say the least. They were good quality robes, so he assumed she wasn't issued a uniform yet. Although, he caught sight of her shoes and his eyebrows furrowed. They were a bright red and the word 'Converse' could be read on a white circle on the inside of her ankle. Peculiar.

"If you don't mind me asking, where are you from?" Tom could never ignore his curiosity. Usually he wouldn't care, but she didn't exactly sound foreign, so he wondered why she wasn't at Hogwarts already.

"Well, I'm from here. Technically. But my parents sent me to school in France. Beauxbatons."

Tom raised a brow in polite interest. Delilah's heartbeat skipped a few times as they made their way to the Great Hall. She was nervous she'd fumble over her words, hoping to god she was an incredible liar.

"Really? Why not Hogwarts?"

She wanted to ask him why he was so interested but bit her tongue. He was just being polite and was making conversation.

"They don't exactly agree with the teaching system here, problems with the Ministry I presume. I don't know why, every time I bring it up they get prissy."

Tom hummed and looked at her, plastering on his charming smile so many people fell for. Delilah wasn't prepared in the slightest to see it. His teeth were perfect and it really wasn't fair. His pink lips pulled up but, almost too sweet to the point where it felt wrong.

"Aimez-vous votre temps en France?" He asked her and she blinked at him.

Okay, that really wasn't fair. It was bad enough he was handsome and charming, but to also speak another language was rude.

"Oui. Merci de demander. Aimez-vous votre temps à Hogwarts?"

Tom kept his smile on his face but sighed lightly through his nose. So she could speak French. He was hoping it might've been some rouse. He didn't know why, but something was off about her, it was like he could feel it. Once that flame of curiosity and wonder was alight inside of him, his urge to figure it out was insatiable.

Reading people was second nature to him, yet her book seemed to be written in a dead language.

He laughed lightly and nodded his head. "Yes, Hogwarts is a magnificent place. You'll have much to discover while you're here. Although it's shame you'll only have a year. I've been here for seven and I still have yet to discover every secret the castle has to offer."

Delilah hummed, the thought should excite her. Or at least peak her interest. There was undoubtedly many things to unravel about the school. But any distraction felt like a waste of time.

They reached the Great Hall and Delilah's breath caught in her throat. Each table was full with laughing and chatting students, all bunched together with their friends in their houses. Smiles were everywhere and the lighting was a warm orange glow. It was overwhelming for her. To see so much... happiness.

"Miss Pontmercy?" Tom asked as he eyed her, he feigned concerned and she turned to look at him.

Blinking a few times, she yanked a close mouthed smile on her face. "Sorry."

Tom easily saw something was bothering her and often wondered how people coped with wearing their emotions on show like some ghastly wound.

"So, Slytherin is the all green table I presume?" She pointed to the table to the far left that was clad in emerald green and he nodded.

"Correct, this way. You can sit with me if you would like?"

He'd actually prefer if she didn't, but it would look wrong if he didn't offer.

Besides, Delilah didn't seem like a jumbled mess of hormones when she talked to him, like so many others, so perhaps it wouldn't be insufferable.

"Oh, sure. Thank you." She followed him and ignored to her best ability all the stares she was getting. None of them appeared to be negative, just curious.

Tom gestured for her to sit down and he sat next to her. "Gentleman, this is Miss Delilah Pontmercy." He introduced her and she smiled kindly at all the boys. It faltered however when a boy with platinum blond hair made his way into her line of sight. There was no mistaking he was related to Draco the longer she looked at him.

He had the same aristocratic air about him, but his features weren't as pointed. His nose was soft and held a few freckles, he had a strong jaw and his crystalline eyes seemed gentler. He was much more muscular than Draco however, Draco was more lean if she recalled correctly. It's been ages since she saw him. The boy in front of her also had a severely different hairstyle. Draco's was always slicked back but this boys hair was similar to Tom's. Styled into neat waves that were brushed back. It was suitable for this time period, she supposed. It fit him.

"Pyrrhus Lestrange, just call me Lestrange though." A boy with messy black hair and black eyes shook hands with Delilah. A chill ran up her spine at the sound of his name. Something very unsettling resting itself in her spine and her back suddenly itched.

The boy to his right held out his hand. He had amber brown hair that was significantly messier than the others, and his eyes were a pale green. "Elio Rosier." Delilah shook his hand as well and stared at him just a bit too long. Green eyes, green... Harry.

Her head lurched forward almost imperceptibly at the thought of him, feeling like she was about to puke again but covered it up with a light cough.

Next was a boy with muddy brown hair, his skin was tanned with sharp features and freckles dusted over the bridge of his nose. He held a light smile, "Cain Avery."

The platinum blond Malfoy turned his gaze on her and smiled charmingly, it was crooked and endearing. "Abraxas Malfoy." Her heart was beating rapidly and she was sure they'd be able to hear it. She wondered if Abraxas had any of the same mannerisms as Draco - more specifically if he was a dick.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all." The food appeared on the table and she feigned surprise. "Oh how lovely!" She laughed lightly and her eyes seemed to wander towards Elio. It was quite unfair that all of Tom's friends were attractive.

He returned her smile and leaned forward on his elbows. "If you think that's something, look up." She let her eyes wander upwards and a genuine smile reached her lips. A vague image of her being eleven and gaping at the star covered ceiling showing itself.

"It's beautiful."

"Miss Pontmercy-"

She laughed and shook her head at Tom. "Call me Delilah, please. Miss Pontmercy is too formal."

"Of course. Well, Delilah, do you know what classes you'll be taking up?" She told them what her curriculum was and Cain raised his brows at her. "Well you're certainly a smart one, you're seriously taking advanced arithmancy and alchemy?" He shook his head in disbelief as he bit into a roll of bread.

"My brain hurts just thinking about it." He said through a mouth full and Pyrrhus hit him upside the head. "You have no manners, I swear." He muttered and Delilah smiled in amusement before it slipped off her face. Why did she feel guilty?

"What school did you go to before? Or are you home-schooled? I heard people were doing that now because of Grindelwald." Abraxas asked.

Before she could open her mouth, Tom answered for her. "Delilah went to Beauxbatons, believe it or not."

They scoffed and turned towards Delilah in amazement.

"That school is beautiful, especially the ladies." Pyrrhus commented and Tom shot him a look. "Manners, gentlemen." Pyrrhus shrugged and winked at her, picturing the blue uniforms the boys and girls there wore.

Elio rolled his eyes and smiled at Delilah with a bit of a challenge behind his smirk. "Parlez-vous vraiment français, mon cher?"

She blushed slightly as she filled her plate. "Oui. Est-ce que tout le monde parle français ici?" First Tom spoke to her in French and now Elio?

"N'excluons pas l'autre moitié du groupe, l'anglais s'il vous plaît." Tom mused and only then did Delilah notice the confused looks she was getting from Cain.

"Sorry." She said with an awkward cough.

"Oh, no. Please keep going. When Rosier speaks French it's annoying but it's sounds like heaven coming from your lips, love." Pyrrhus grinned at her and Delilah was sure she was beat red in the cheeks.

"Merlin." Elio chuckled and shook his head as he smacked his friend on the arm lightly.

"What? A little flirting never hurt anyone." The raven haired boy shrugged and Delilah decided to just quietly eat her food. However, Dippet called attention and she froze with her spoon halfway to her mouth.

"May I have your attention!" He called, his voice boomed and she could only assume he charmed his vocal chords. "I would like to welcome a new edition to Hogwarts, Miss Delilah Pontmercy. A transfer from Beauxbatons and a seventh year Slytherin!" He gestured for Delilah to stand up and she shook her head.

She spotted Dumbledore smiling at her in amusement from the staff table and she mentally cursed him. Delilah attempted to duck down, but Pyrrhus gripped her elbows. "No, stop it!" She whispered and he smiled at her mischievously.

He stood up and practically dragged her into a standing position.

"She's a little shy." He called out, voice bouncing around the great hall.

She'd known him all but five minutes and felt like punching him.

Delilah smiled awkwardly and waved. "Hello." She was slightly surprised by the reaction she was getting. On one half, most were just curious or indifferent. A good majority of the Gryffindor table had suspicion behind their eyes. She resisted the urge to flip them off, but settled for rushing to sit back down and she elbowed Pyrrhus.

"That was embarrassing," She bit and glared at the amusement radiating off of him.

"Now, I expect all of you to give her a warm welcome! And if she or any student needs help, I expect each and everyone of you to give it." With that, Dippet nodded and returned to the staff table.

Delilah flushed at all the glances she was getting and sunk lower into her seat. "He has a flare for the dramatic, I'm afraid." Tom said as cut into his apple but paused as he watched Delilah bite into hers. Her left cheek pushed out as she chewed and she raised a brow at him before it dawned on her, he probably thought she looked like a hamster.

She swallowed and set her apple down.

The others were wrapped up in their own conversation.

"Tom, would it be too much trouble for you to show me where my classes are tomorrow?" He shook his head although he'd prefer to just have Elio or Abraxas do it. She seemed rather taken with those two. As Head Boy he had a reputation to uphold, however.

"Of course, I believe we have Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts together tomorrow."