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 couldn't bite back a smile. "Hello, I'm Delilah Pontmercy." It was weird introducing herself to him again.

  "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. Sure, he was always good natured in her time but he was much older and seemed tired. In the nineties he was at Hogwarts again, seemingly for protection. The Death Eaters kept trying to recruit him.

  "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. Delilah had only been down to the Slytherin common room once and she didn't hate it, it was just so vastly different from her own house. 

  The Ravenclaw tower was one of the highest and had the best view with floor to ceiling windows. The walls were white granite and had royal blue velvet curtains that looked like water falling. The dome ceiling was enchanted, similar to the Great Hall, but it permanently showed the cosmos. Off to left there was an archway to their own private library and in the middle of the room was a marble sculpture of Rowena Ravenclaw.

  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.

  "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. Again, it was so different from what she was used to.

  Ravenclaw dorms were in a high tower so natural light poured in from the huge windows. They had dark wood flooring and a large cream colored rug was set in the middle. The ceiling was domed as well and each bed was a four poster with those rich royal blue curtains with bronze accents.

  This room however had black wood flooring and stone walls. The room was warm but as she touched the wall a chill ran up her spine. 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. She pulled the covers back and 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.

  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 was 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.

  He peaked in slightly and saw a form on one of the beds, their body rising and falling as they breathed. He made his way around the bed and tilted his head to the side as he observed her. She was asleep of course, and had her mouth hanging open. Her hair was golden and sprawled out across the pillow, it was a nice contrast to her pale skin and her cheeks seemed permanently flushed. He stepped back towards the door and cleared his throat as he knocked harder on the wood.

  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. "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.

  He was tall and slender, and his hands were clasped behind his back and his head was tilted to the side. His dark curls fell nicely in place and his eyes were a warm brown but still oddly cold. They looked guarded. His skin was pale and pulled tightly across his high cheekbones. All and all, he was handsome and Delilah blushed slightly. "Right, of course." She hopped off the bed and attempted to pat down her hair as she walked towards him. "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 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 picked up pace slightly as they made their way to the Great Hall. She was nervous she'd fumble over her words but she was an incredible liar. She hoped that would get her through this. "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, something was slightly off. It didn't seem to quite reach his eyes.

"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.

  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 and an amused glimmer shone in her eyes. Oh, she knew well what secrets this Castle held and she'd be damned if she ever shared them. If she was stuck here for the time being, they were hers and hers alone. It seemed the only thing giving her reassurance, besides Dumbledore.

  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. She hadn't seen the Great Hall look like this in what felt like an eternity. In her time, the Great Hall was now in ruins. Part of the ceiling had caved in, the enchanted ceiling no longer worked, and the windows were shattered. The two massive oak doors had also been blown off their hinges.

  "Miss Pontmercy?" Tom asked as he eyed her, he feigned concerned and she turned to look at him. She blinked a few times and it seemed she was remembering something, something important. "Sorry." She mustered and forced a light laugh. Tom easily saw something was bothering her. "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 blonde hair made his way into her line of sight. There was no mistaking he was a Malfoy. Could this really be one of Draco's relatives?

  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. His hair was 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. Flashes of the maniacal laugh of Bellatrix flickered in Delilah's mind but she shook her head. Bellatrix was only a Lestrange by marriage.

  The boy to his right held out his hand. He had light 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. His eyes reminded her of Harry, though Elio's weren't as vibrant.

  Next was a boy with dirty blonde hair, his skin was tanned and he held a light smile. "Cain Avery."

  The platinum blonde 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. "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 already knew he was talking about the enchanted ceiling, but she let her eyes wander upwards and a genuine smile reached her lips. She'd missed looking at the stars during her meals. Or if it was raining, thunder clouds would rumble softly above their heads. "It's beautiful."

  "Miss Pontmercy-" she laughed and shook her head at Tom. "Call me Delilah, please. Miss Pontmercy is too formal." She realized she'd have to get used to the much more formal etiquette of the forties. "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.

  "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." The boys 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 Abraxas, both were picturing the light blue skirts the Beauxbatons girls 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? Well, she expected him to know. A majority of the Rosier line lived in France. "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 and Abraxas. "Sorry." She blushed.

  "Oh, no. Please keep going. When Rosier speaks French it's annoying but it's sounds like heaven coming from your lips, love." Abraxas winked at her and Delilah was sure she was beat red in the cheeks. "Merlin." Elio chuckled and shook his head as he smacked Abraxas on the arm lightly. "What? A little flirting never hurt anyone." The blonde 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 and Delilah's eyes widened and she smacked his chest. "Shut up." She hissed and spun around to look at all the eyes on her.

  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, she hated house prejudice. She fumbled at she sat down and 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.

Right. Forties etiquette. I'm supposed to be a dainty female.

  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."