Hey there, Delilah!
"Hello, Mrs Lovett!" waving my pale, slender fingers, I greeted the haggard woman politely as I passed her pie shop.
"Hello, dear," she said, smiling. "Would you care for a pie?" Her daughter, Mary, glanced shyly at me, before turning to the baking pies once more.
"No thank you, Mrs Lovett," I said, throwing her a dazzling smile. "I need to get home!"
"Bye, dear!" she called after me. But in a swish of my graphic black and white designer Louis Vuitton skirts, I was gone.
It was a hot day and I was wearing a light, off-the-shoulder t-shirt to cool myself down. I was heading to Malloy Towers – my home. I lived there with my inventor father, Dr. Professor Draco, my eldest sister, Viola and triplet sisters. I'm Delilah Malloy, I was born twenty minutes after my second-eldest sister, Victoria-Jane and my little sister Alexa was born fifteen minutes later on the 25th December. I am in the middle, though I am the shortest.
My long, violet hair falls in loose curls in which it mingles with natural streaks of sunshine gold. My face is pale and pointed, which I hate, and my eyes are a deep, dazzling green which evolve into a shimmering gold when I converse with Harley, my hot-pink pet dinosaur. It's a special connection we share. Although my height is petite, my limbs are long and elegant, I am a sensational dancer who bewitches every youth who sees me busting my graceful moves. I attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with my sisters – I'm in sixth-year. I have wand of the purest mahogany, the core is a delicate concoction of fairy dust and moon flower pollen. We live in Wiltshire, England – that's where Malloy Towers is.
We've always lived in Malloy Towers, but we've never known a mother. She was deeply in love with our father but was forced to marry the evil red-headed man. All Father will tell us is that she was part Veela and then he goes all sad and won't tell us any more. It annoys me so much! We have the right to know who are mother is! But still, he won't say a word.
I had just reached the huge, oak doors of the entrance to Mallory Towers. The polished gold lion's head knocker bared it's teeth at me. I grinned, knowingly. I did not need to knock.
Suddenly, a loud, blaring, youthful voice startled me: "Miss Malloy!" it called. "Excuse me – Miss Malloy!"
I turned on my feet, my skirts and hair swishing gracefully. I saw who the speaker was – Frederick Boyle, the local butcher's burly young son. His thick, blonde hair lay flatly against his head and his heavy jaw was jutted into a freckly grin.
"Good afternoon," he said, walking towards me. He was very tall, his muscled arms swaying at his sides. "Tis a glorious summer day, wouldn't thou agree?"
"Why, yes, good sir," I replied, politely, trying to cover my eagerness to get home.
"Would the fair young maiden care to take a gander around the flourishing meadow? Tis a beautiful sight in the current climate – such stuff as maiden's dreams are made of, my lady!"
"What a delightful offer!" I lied, "But, alas, I may not accept. My dear Father is wanting me home with him. I do not dare disobey his command, my lord, or there will be most grave consequences."
"Ah, was ever woman in this humour woo'd?" he said cheekily.
I laughed. "We should be woo'd and were not made to woo, sir!"
"The lady doth protest too much!" he chuckled and then held my dainty, white hand in his ruddy pink hams. "Parting is such sweet sorrow. Until we meet again, fair Delilah,"
"Farewell, good sir!" I called at his retreating back.
We had to get used to talking like that, ever since Father invented his time machine. He's an inventor, he started it as a hobby to take his mind off the crushing grief and chagrin of losing our mother. He created the time machine and brought us to the year 1578, six years had passed since then and we had pretty much gotten used to it. Father enjoys it when we talk to him – he says we're well-spoken.
"Hey, Delilah!"
Oh my goodness! Who was it now? I turned, a little less graceful than I would – but, of course, I was in a frustrated state.
I sighed with relief: it was a friend, Sunny. We had met that first day on the Hogwarts Express with my sisters. I wasn't as close to her as I was with Victoria-Jane and Alexa, but she was okay, if not a little annoying and dependent.
"Hi, Delilah," she said, smiling toothily at me.
"Hi, Sunny," I said, but I had hardly any time to get my words out, Sunny had just started gabbling.
"I saw you talking to Frank Boyle's son – you know, the butcher – do you fancy him? Because I heard from my friend, Marie-"
She went on for a full ten minutes and twenty-eight seconds before I said "Hey, Sunny, can we talk about this a bit later? It's just I have a few things to get sorted,"
For a moment she looked surprised, then disappointed, but then she put on her usual toothy smile.
"Okay, then, Delilah! See you! Hey, what if we go to The Leak-" she said, walking away.
"Sounds good!" I said irritably. I turned back to the door.
"Alohomora!" I commanded, exhausted, flicking my wand – the doors instantly swung open, revealing the lobby. The walls were covered in exquisite tapestries, whilst the floors were covered in thick rugs. Sparkling glass ornaments were placed geometrically on tables and bookcases. The hall showed evidence of our many travels: thick, Mexican blankets were draped over the plush sofas; Renaissance paintings decorated the walls, the pale faces reflecting the ethereal beauty of those who inhabit the house; beautiful embroidered Japanese silks were used as curtains, framing the large, designer French windows and a vast collection of precious stones and eggs were locked away, safe inside a large, stone cabinet with gilt handles. Father enjoys his home comforts.
"Hello?" I sang out, I heard my sweet voice echo through the empty hall. Nobody answered.
How strange. I kept my wand erect, waiting cautiously for any sign of movement. At Hogwarts, I was the best at Defence Against the Dark Arts, my teacher would constantly applaud me for my fantastic shield and defence charms. I never needed to use Expelliarmus, ever since I was little I was able to control soft breezes in the air, as I grew older I could create great gusts of wind with the flick of my wrist. So I could just blow my competitor's wand clean out of their hands. The instincts just kicked in.
But then I heard the clatter of nimble footsteps – it had to be one of my sisters.
Alexa came rushing down the grand marble staircase, her long, silky black-blue hair fanning out behind her.
"Delilah!" she called, waving, her silver bangles flashing and clinking on her slender, pale arm. "I heard you talking to that boy, Freddie, outside! You don't fancy him, do you?" she giggled. "Got tired of your bit of mature, eh?"
I sighed. "Like you can talk."
She coughed politely. "At least my boyfriend isn't almost a thousand years old like the Doctor!"
"Well, he doesn't act it! And he doesn't look it either!"
She giggled again. "You like experience, don't you?"
I pretended to hit her over the head.
"Where's Viola and Victoria-Jane?"
"Oh, Jane's out with Alex!" she chuckled. "You know. Alex. Alex Courage. The white knight."
"Yeees..."
"And Viola's out flying her broomstick."
"Anyway, I need to consult Harley. Doctor is coming to see me tonight and I've nothing to wear!" I said, brushing myself down and gliding towards the paddock where Harley lived. The air was sweet with hay and green apples and the late afternoon sun made the water in the trough sparkle mystically. I saw Harley's thick, magenta tail whip suddenly from behind a bundle of hay, I squealed.
"Oh, Harley!" I scolded, my eyes turning into the shimmering gold, whilst the chubby little dragon gave a tinkly laugh. "You gave me a fright!"
"Oh, forgive Harley, Miss Delilah, just Harley's little joke," he chuckled, before settling himself on a soft patch of hay. "So, Miss Delilah, come to see Harley - why?"
"Well, Harls," I said, inspecting my beautifully manicured nails. "Doctor is coming to take me out tonight.. and, well..."
"Well?" said Harley, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't know where we're going so I don't know how to dress!"
"Has Miss Delilah given her Doctor any hints?"
"Hm," I said, thinking. "I've mentioned Venice lots of times, but we always end up going on an adventure – which is tons of fun!" I assured him. "But I'd just like a normal, romantic date for once." I sighed, tossing my long purple locks attractively.
"Harley would say "sports casual"" he said, whipping his pink tail around. "Go for the Brigitte Bardot look."
"You think?" I asked, conjuring up a silver hand mirror. "But I'm not blonde – and we all know that's her trademark."
"Improvise," said Harley, as though it was that simple.
"Fine!" I said, standing up and turning to go up to my bedroom. "Bye, Harls! Thanks for your help!"
"Don't mention it, Miss!" he called.
I passed Father as I rushed up to my bedroom.
"My, my, Delilah! In a hurry, aren't we?" he said laughing. For a dad, he was pretty handsome. He hadn't that many wrinkles and his sleek, platinum-blonde was always combed immaculately against his scalp. His eyes were grey and twinkled whenever he was excited. He dressed casually – but fashionably, wearing a button-down cream shirt with brown pinstripes and charcoal cotton trousers. I saw his silver cuff links flash as he stroked my cheek lovingly.
"Oh my, you're growing up so fast," he said nostalgically, curling my hair around his finger. "Going to see the Doctor, eh? I know you'll be sensible, Delilah. He's a good man – sensible, too." He paused for a moment – I saw sadness in those silvery eyes.
"Dear goodness... you look so much like your mother, darling," he closed his eyes briefly and opened them, wearing a brave smile. "Off you pop, then, sweetheart," Patting me on the back encouragingly.
I ran up the winding, marble staircase where the carpets were a rich, dark red with swirls of deep pink, flock wallpaper was plastered onto those winding walls were various painting and photos – colour coordinated to my favourite colour – silver – hung. There were paintings of the moon and stars and ladies wearing silver jewellery and black-and-white photos of me and my family. Finally, I swished around the last winding bend and came to the round, modern-chic style, pine door. A silver plaque read in twirly italic writing:
Property of
Delilah Juliet Renee Malloy
Not bothering with magic, I twisted the door handle, which was in the shape of a leaping unicorn, and entered my bedroom. The walls were deep purple, with a mural of beautiful, blooming lilies which I had painted myself. The four-poster bed was made of black barley and tiny cherub heads carved onto the poles. It was an airy room, with three large windows, giving me a view of the village below. I opened the door of my walk-in wardrobe. By the time it was seven o'clock I was wearing a black v-necked sweater, tight ski trousers, fluffy Ugg boots (we take the time machine to the future to buy clothes for occasions such as this one) and Gucci sunglasses. I had painted my lips crimson, outlined them were scarlet and my eyes were smoky and mascaraed. I was trembling with excitement – Doctor would be here soon.
I heard a knock at my window – Speak of the devil, I thought, as I rushed to draw back the purple glass beads. Of course, it was him. The Doctor. Leaning out of his hovering TARDIS, coming to collect me.
"Alright?" he said, giving me a roguish wink.
"Alright," I said, as I bounced inside of the TARDIS.
"So," I said, as I took of my sunglasses (wearing them indoors is way too pretentious). "Do you have any idea where we're going?"
"Well," he said, fiddling with his bow tie. "Let's just say I'm glad you dressed for the occasion! You know, there's no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes,"
"Er – I've dressed for the occasion?" I said, turning my head slightly to the right quizzically, my hands on my hips.
"Yes, well, the place we're going is pretty cold -" he said, I noticed he looked slightly uncomfortable.
"How cold is "pretty cold" - exactly?" I persisted.
As he swung the lever down, I felt the TARDIS lurch into life. "ERM, have you ever been to the Himalayas?" he said, holding onto a rail for dear life.
AN: Thus ends the first chapter. Next up will be a small insight into the life of Delilah's younger triplet sister, Alexa Malloy!