Delilah Riddle-Part 2
Another Dark Mark
Delilah spent that week working on assorted Potions, much to the chagrin of Tom, the man who ran the Leaky Cauldron. He almost booted her out of the window when one of her potions burnt through the floor and fried Cornelius Fudge's bowler hat while he was enjoying some pumpkin juice. Delilah had to use all of her wits to stop from laughing while she fixed the small hole in the floor and Fudge's hat.
The day before she was to catch the Hogwarts Express, Delilah was walking Ryo through the halls. If he wasn't allowed to literally blow off some steam, he'd start breathing fire. Delilah found that about thirty minutes of walking cured that.
After the walk, Delilah went down to get a drink. Ryo sprung into her lap and sat there, panting happily. "Drool on me and you die," said Delilah jokingly to Ryo. She turned to Tom and said jokingly, "That goes double for you."
"Funny," said Tom sarcastically. "What'll it be?"
"Hmm... cherry fizz sounds good," decided Delilah. Tom fixed her drink and brought it over to her. "Thanks," she smiled, and took a long gulp--and almost spat it out when someone came through the door.
It was the red-haired boy she'd seen at Madam Malkin's. When he saw her, his face grew grim and he whispered something furiously to the boy with him. Delilah recognized him from her reading as Harry Potter himself. She just scooted down in her seat and hoped they'd pass by as soon as possible.
Fate deemed otherwise. Without warning, Ryo sprung out of her lap and went over to the two boys, barking wildly. "Damn dog," muttered Delilah. She saw Harry bend down and start petting him. Ryo stood up on his little hind legs and grinned a doggie grin. "Great. Now he's going to do tricks. Little showoff," said Delilah under her breath. Deciding she'd better get her dog before he got so excited he lit something on fire, she went over and tugged gently on Ryo's leash. "C'mon, boy... let's go to our room."
"What kind of dog is he?" asked Harry.
"He's a Japanese chin," replied Delilah. That happens to breathe fire, she added silently.
"He's cute. What's his name?" asked Harry. Ron just glared at Delilah, acting like she was going to kill everyone in the place.
"Ryo," she replied. "It's Japanese for dragon."
"Why'd you name him tha--" Harry stopped as Ryo started barking wildly and the little flames shot out again, narrowly missing the two boys. "Oh."
"Yeah," was all Delilah could say. "Well, um, I need to walk Ryo a bit more... helps the fire thing. Nice meeting you."
Harry nodded and, before he could say anything else, was practically dragged off by Ron down the hall. Delilah thought about eavesdropping but, judging by what Ron thought of her, decided she didn't want to know. "C'mon, boy... let's go for a run." They went out to Diagon Alley.
They walked down the street a couple of times, then Delilah stopped by the apothecary's. She needed a few more Potions supplies. She had gotten through the fourth-year level, and wanted to be familiar with some of the fifth-year methods. It was that determination to excel that had divided her from the other students at her Muggle school. That and the fact that everyone knew she was Jason's little sister.
After she'd gotten her armadillo bile, dragon claws, and horned slugs, she began her walk back to the Leaky Cauldron. After this, Ryo should be ready for a nap. Suddenly, the once-bright sky went dark. People started to panic. Delilah gazed up and almost dropped her bag.
In the sky, drawing itself, was something bright red. So far, it looked like a skull. Then something came from the mouth. It was a snake. Pandemonium broke out. Delilah picked up Ryo and cradled him close, stroking him, trying to calm him. She would've said something to comfort him, but she couldn't speak dog, for some reason.
People were running everywhere, screaming things like, "The Dark Mark!", "It's him!", and "Run! Get inside!" Delilah stood transfixed, staring. Tom ran outside and tugged her inside the Leaky Cauldron--but not before she saw something nobody else did. Next to the Dark Mark, in a deep, yet glowing purple, was a lightning bolt. Delilah stared as it was surrounded and extinguished by a green light. The same green light she kept seeing in her dreams. Tom had barely gotten her inside and her things away from her before she fainted dead away.
Flightwing
A highly unpleasant odor was invading Delilah's nostrils. She snorted as she pushed it away.
She opened her eyes, her vision cloudy at first. When it cleared she saw a lot of people around her. Tom... Ron... what looked like Ron's family... and Harry. "What happened, Delilah?" asked Tom gently as he gave her a glass of water.
She sipped it and said, "I was looking at the Dark Mark... and... and... after everyone went in, something happened. A purple lightning bolt appeared next to it. Like... like Harry's scar." The woman Delilah assumed to be Mrs. Weasley gasped. Harry turned white as paper. Delilah took another drink. "I kept looking, and this weird green light surrounded it and... it looked like it... engulfed it or something! Then Tom got me inside, and I just fainted."
"Why should we believe you? The guy who originated that... that thing is your bloody ancestor!" blurted out Ron.
"Because I'm telling the truth," she snapped. She got up and saw Ron and his family shy away from her. Only Tom and Harry were willing to get close to her. "I'm going to bed," she muttered as she pushed by, her eyes full of tears. Only when she got inside did she let herself cry--but then only silently, the tears coursing down her face. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction of hearing her sobs.
Delilah awoke the next day highly uncomfortable. She'd cried herself to sleep while still wearing her clothes--and had fallen asleep on the bottle of armadillo bile. Luckily it hadn't broken--but unluckily, it had jabbed her in the back all night. Delilah checked it in the mirror--she had a tiny bruise. "Ugh," she groaned as she went to take a shower.
She cheered up when she remembered that she'd be going to Hogwarts today. She made sure her things were packed before taking Ryo on his walk.
After a jog on Diagon Alley--and a trip to the Magical Menagerie to buy him a leash, as the method of him walking beside her didn't seem to work well at times--she re-entered the Leaky Cauldron, cheeks flushed. It was 7:00 on the dot.
For her last day, Tom had gotten her a huge breakfast of all of her favorite things--chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, and fresh strawberries. "Tom, you're too good to me. I'm going to be destitute without you," she said.
"You'd better send me lots of letters, or there'll be words," threatened Tom.
Delilah smiled. At least she had one person who didn't judge her by her family tree. "The same goes for you," she retorted, eating her last strawberry. She patted her stomach. "Ahhh... that was amazing." She looked down to see Ryo eating some dog food. "You even took care of my baby! You're such a sweetheart, Tom," grinned Delilah. She went behind the counter and gave him a hug. "Thanks for being so nice to me," she whispered.
"Thanks for eating my cooking," replied Tom with a devilish grin. Outraged, Delilah snapped him in the rear with a towel, laughing. She heard a noise in the hallway that could mean only one thing--the Weasleys were coming. Her first instinct was to run--then she hardened her resolve. She was going to show them that she didn't care what they thought. "Hey, Tom? Could I have a cherry fizz?" she asked him. "A large one."
"You can still choke something down?" he said with amazement.
"Just watch," grinned Delilah. Shaking his head, he gave her her drink. Delilah sat placidly in her chair and slowly sipped her drink, Ryo in her lap.
The Weasleys, with Harry and a girl Delilah didn't recognize, came down the stairs. Only Harry didn't react in a negative way when the group saw Delilah at the bar. Obviously Ron had talked with the girl beforehand.
The Weasleys, Harry, and the girl ate their food in mostly silence, giving Delilah cool looks. As soon as they were done, they went to their rooms. "How now, brown cow?" murmured Delilah as she finished her drink with a slurp.
"That took guts," said Tom.
"Why thank you, Tom. I think that was a compliment," said Delilah acridly. "I'm going to go hang out in my room. I'll be back down around eight to leave... I'll chat with you before I go, though." She grinned and left, Ryo prancing along on his leash.
Delilah triple-checked her room, making absolutely sure everything was packed. After she brushed Ryo so that his coat would be healthier, Delilah perched herself on the window sill. This room felt like home to her. She didn't want to go. What if everyone at Hogwarts was like Ron? What if they all hated her? "I'll just cross that bridge when I come to it," she told herself, trying to push down the nervous feeling in her stomach.
WHAM!! Something flew through the window at breakneck speed and collided with the far wall. Delilah sprung up in fright. She ran over to see what it was.
It was a peregrine falcon; the fastest bird in the world. Delilah had seen pictures in books before. The bird looked dazed. A trickle of blood was on the bird's feathers, and its wing appeared to be broken.
Delilah gasped and put her hand over her mouth. "Oh my God..." she whispered. Picking up the bird, who tried weakly to struggle, she held it against her and rocked it gently. The bird was as good as dead.
Her eyes closed to keep out the tears, Delilah didn't notice the white light that surrounded her and the bird. She only felt a warmth enclose her. She cracked an eye open--then quickly shut it again as images barraged her mind. A nest... the ground... the sky... flying... for a moment, she was the falcon. The light subsided. Delilah let go of the bird. It was healed.
The bird looked at itself, then at its mended wing. It ruffled itself, then looked at Delilah. You have done me a great service. I am Flightwing. How may I repay you? came the falcon's voice into Delilah's head.
"My name is Delilah, Flightwing. And you don't have to repay me," she replied.
Will you be here tomorrow? asked Flightwing.
"No... I'm going to Hogwarts," replied Delilah.
I have heard of that place. I will go with you, said Flightwing.
"Well, you see... I already have my pet of sorts, and I can't take another one," said Delilah regretfully. "However, if you went of your own free will... and made your own nest, but one near me... yes, I think that would work. But... why do you want to go?" asked Delilah.
You are a very magical being, said Flightwing. I owe my life to you; therefore, I will give you just that. I will help you in any way I can. That is my repayment.
Delilah flushed. "Uh... what do I say? Thank you, Flightwing."
You are welcome. I will see you at Hogwarts. And with that, Flightwing flew away.
Delilah watched the bird leave. She glanced at a clock. It was 7:55! "Oh no!" she yelped. Holding Ryo under her arm, she dragged her trunk downstairs, having just enough time to say goodbye to Tom before she hailed a cab to King's Cross.
The Train Ride
Delilah paid the cab driver and went into the station. The ride had been a long one--a little over an hour. Luckily, she'd exchanged some of her money for Muggle money while at Gringotts. She had just enough to buy a soda--Sprite, her favorite. She sipped it as she found a trolley and loaded her things on it. She had also put Ryo in his carrier during the cab ride, and she prayed he wouldn't get excited and start breathing fire yet again.
Delilah made her way to the platforms. All she saw were 9 and 10. Her heart plummeted. She looked around--then at the wall in between the two. Of course! You just had to go through the wall--that would be close enough to 9 and ¾, she thought.
At about 9:55, Delilah decided it was time to go through. Pushing her trolley, she pretended that she was looking for someone. She went right through the stone wall, into a world of confusion.
There were people in robes all around her, saying goodbyes to their children and the like. In the distance was a large red train--the Hogwarts Express. Delilah's heart leapt into her throat. This was it--no turning back.
But what to do? Where should she go on the train? She looked around for a friendly face somewhere, anywhere. Her eyes fell on a girl who had a long black braid. Right next to her was a girl identical to her, but her hair was arranged differently. Delilah went over to her.
"Uh, I was wondering... where do the fifth-years go?" Delilah asked the girl, feeling pretty stupid. Seeing the girl's puzzled face, she explained, "I'm new, but I'm going to be a fifth-year, since I home-schooled myself. It's a long story."
The girl nodded. "Just follow me," she instructed. "By the way, I'm Parvati Patil."
"Delilah Riddle," Delilah introduced herself. Relief washed over her when Parvati didn't flinch or try to injure her. Removing her things from the trolley, she followed Parvati to a car.
She sat down with Parvati and another girl, whose name was Lavender Brown. Apparently, she and Parvati were best friends. Parvati's twin, Padma, was also there. "So, what was this homeschooling thing?" asked Parvati.
"Well, when I got my Hogwarts letter, my parents told Dumbledore that I'd died in a car crash, which I obviously didn't. See, my mum used to be a witch, but she gave it up when she married my dad. She still had her old books and stuff, so I taught myself with all of that. Then one day Dumbledore Apparated into my room because I did a spell, and the rest is history," Delilah summed up quickly.
"So you're fifteen, right?" asked Lavender.
Delilah nodded. "And thankfully, I taught myself enough that I can be a fifth-year."
The three girls looked impressed. "What subjects are you looking forward to?" asked Padma.
"Hmm... either Care of Magical Creatures or Divination," said Delilah.
"Oh, you'll love Divination. Professor Trelawney has... the gift," said Lavender in an admiring tone. Parvati nodded vehemently. Padma gave Delilah a commiserating look and rolled her eyes. Delilah nodded slightly in agreement.
"What Houses are you guys in?" asked Delilah.
"I'm in Ravenclaw, and those two are in Gryffindor," said Padma, indicating Parvati and Lavender. "How about you?"
"Haven't been Sorted yet," said Delilah regretfully.
The train started, and they were on their way to Hogwarts. Delilah got to know Padma better--they were on their way to friendship, and both enjoyed a lot of the same things. "Aww... he's adorable!" cooed Padma as she looked at Ryo, who was licking her fingers through the cage bars.
"I warn you now, he can breathe fire," cautioned Delilah. "But other than that, he's the sweetest puppy ever."
Padma grew a little cautious around Ryo then. "Don't worry, he's had his exercise for the day, so he won't do that," Delilah assured Padma.
The compartment door opened and in came a thin boy with a pale face, white-blond hair, and gray eyes. With him were two big lunks. "Who're they?" Delilah asked Padma with a whisper.
"Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle," whispered back Padma. "Slytherins. They're in our year."
Delilah made a face. "What do you want, Draco?" asked Lavender.
"Is this the new fifth-year?" he asked, pointing at Delilah. She gritted her teeth. He had a rather officious attitude.
"Yes, 'this' is," replied Delilah. "Delilah Riddle, at your service--or not."
She saw Malfoy's eyes light up at the word Riddle. "Riddle, hm? I trust I'll be seeing you in Slytherin... have to keep the family name sanctified and such." He grinned at her and winked.
"A pity for you I don't follow my ancestor's footsteps," replied Delilah in a congenial tone, although her eyes were alight with fire. "Now, could you please leave?"
"Whatever you say," said Draco, holding up his hands. He and his goons exited the compartment.
"What was that all about?" Parvati asked Delilah.
"Oh, my great-uncle was in Slytherin... thank God I didn't get any of HIS magic," said Delilah darkly. "I'm hardly related to him... my grandfather's half-brother." For obvious reasons, she wasn't exactly skipping up to people and saying "I'm related to Voldemort!"
"And Malfoy knew him? He must've been a Dark wizard," said Lavender.
"Yeah, he was--or rather, is. I'm glad I don't take after him," said Delilah. She was glad when the three girls just shrugged.
A few hours later, a witch came around with a tea cart. "Food!" cried Delilah dramatically. Parvati, Lavender, and Padma laughed at her. With their instructions, Delilah got some Cauldron Cakes, Bernie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Pumpkin Pasties, pumpkin juice, and Chocolate Frogs. She gave Ryo a pumpkin pasty, which he devoured almost instantly. The girls joked around as they ate and passed around Ryo, having him do tricks. Delilah opened her beans and ate the first one, a white one with blue lines. "Blah... paper," she said, spitting it out. Her next one was luckier, though--cherry.
At one point, Delilah looked out the window and saw a bird outside, trying valiantly not to get sucked under by the train's velocity. "Flightwing!" she cried, opening the window. The girls gasped when the peregrine falcon came inside, collapsing on the ground. "Don't worry... she's harmless," assured Delilah. She gave Flightwing some food and a drink, then sent her on her way.
"Well, I can see why you'd enjoy Care of Magical Creatures!" said Padma.
Delilah just grinned. It felt so nice to have friends that didn't see her as odd.
They kept talking, and somehow the conversation got onto Harry Potter. "He's kinda cute," said Lavender.
"He's an awful date, though," remarked Parvati, having gone with him to the Yule Ball the previous year. "And besides, he has a crush on Cho Chang."
"Really?" said Padma.
"Yeah... now that Cedric's, er, gone, he might have a chance," said Parvati.
"Who's Cedric?" asked Delilah curiously.
Everyone's face saddened. "Cedric Diggory--he was a Hufflepuff. Last year, at the Triwizard Tournament, he was killed by You-Know-Who," said Padma quietly.
"Oh my God!" gasped Delilah. "But... how?"
"Nobody knows. All they know is that they found Harry and Cedric in the center of the maze, and Cedric was dead. The theory is that someone changed the cup into a Portkey, and it took them straight to You-Know-Who... Harry was the target, but Cedric got dragged along too," said Parvati, tears in her eyes. "It was awful."
Tears filled Delilah's eyes too. It was her great-uncle who had done that... had taken an innocent life just because. Everyone was silent for a while. Finally, Lavender said, "Well, I can't really hear all of you when you all talk at once. Do you think I have three bloody sets of ears?"
The tension evaporated and everyone laughed. They talked idly until they arrived at Hogwarts.
The Sorting Ceremony
While her friends got into carriages, Delilah had to go with the first-years to get Sorted. "See you at the feast!" called Padma as they left.
Delilah entered the Great Hall. It was just like she'd pictured it from her reading--but much larger. She got in line, knowing she stuck out like a sore thumb. Draco Malfoy winked at her, and Delilah had to suppress a shudder of revulsion. She wondered nervously which House she'd get. The Kingstons had mostly been in Ravenclaw, with an odd Hufflepuff or Gryffindor here and there, but then again, she had a link to Slytherin House. Delilah crossed her fingers, hoping she didn't get Slytherin.
An old, battered hat was brought out and set on a stool. Of course--the fabled Sorting Hat. Its brim opened into a mouth shape, and it began to sing the Sorting song.
When the hat was done, a woman with a tight black bun and square glasses came out, holding a list of students. "I am Professor McGonagall. When you hear your name, please come and put on the hat." She opened the list and read the first name. "Abbott, Lucille!"
A girl with brown hair and a friendly face tried on the hat. A second later, it shouted, "HUFFLEPUFF!" She joined the Hufflepuff table, which was loudly cheering.
And so the process went. At long last, McGonagall came to the R section. "Raddington, Absinthe!"
A girl with black hair put on the hat. "SLYTHERIN!" shouted the hat. She joined the table, with the Slytherins cheering loudly.
"Riddle, Delilah!" Delilah heard the Slytherins whisper excitedly. Holding back the urge to spit at them, she put on the hat. A small voice began to talk.
"Hmm... I just don't see you as a Hufflepuff for some reason. You're bright enough, that's for sure... and you've got ambition, and courage... and what's this? Slytherin in the blood!"
Not Slytherin... please, not Slytherin, prayed Delilah.
"No Slytherin? All right then... it's between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor now. I get the feeling that the Gryffindors won't like you much... so, we'll put you in... RAVENCLAW!"
A cheer broke out from the Ravenclaw table. Padma was grinning wildly. The Slytherins looked positively furious. Delilah went to the table and sat next to Padma, who embraced her excitely.
"Whew," breathed Delilah, wiping imaginary sweat from her brow. She knew her grandparents would have been pleased that she'd gotten into their old House. She saw what was unmistakable relief on the face of the Weasleys. Bugger them; if they couldn't see past her bloodlines, they weren't worth the effort.
After the Sorting was completed, Dumbledore stood to address everyone. "Another year has begun... let's hope it's better than the last. With that out of the way, I have but one more thing to say to you: eat."
The plates filled with food before Delilah's eyes. Feeling ravenous, Delilah ate some old favorites, and tried some new things. She highly enjoyed treacle pudding, and steak and kidney pie.
When she was so full she felt she could roll down the hall, Delilah went to the Ravenclaw common room. She followed Padma to their dormitory, and about collapsed on her bed, which was hung in dark blue velvet curtains. "I'm so glad you're in this house," said Padma.
"You and me both, Padma... you and me both," yawned Delilah. She had barely changed into her nightgown when she fell fast asleep.
The next morning, Delilah took Ryo for a brisk walk down all of the halls. She hoped that he wouldn't torch the dorm room while she was gone. At lunch, she decided that she'd take him for a run; maybe down to Hagrid's.
At breakfast, Delilah ate while Ravenclaw's house Head, Professor Flitwick, handed out schedules. Flitwick was ridiculously tiny; so short that when he went down the aisle, all you could see was the point of his dark blue hat.
Delilah checked her schedule with Padma's. They had almost identical schedules, except that Padma had Arithmancy instead of Divination. "Trelawney's a bit loony, but Parvati's in love with her," said Padma, rolling her eyes.
"Hmm... ugh, we have double Herbology with the Slytherins," grimaced Delilah.
"At least we have Defense Against the Dark Arts after that... did you see the new teacher?" Padma asked her. "It's a female this year, for once!"
Delilah looked over at the staff table and saw the woman that Padma pointed out. She had blonde hair the color of honey and green eyes. Delilah noted that some of the male faculty seemed very interested. "What's her name?" asked Delilah.
"Professor Figg, I think it was. Yeah, that's it, Figg," said Padma. "She got here this morning--all the way from America! She got the time difference mixed up, I guess." Padma's eyes sparkled with delight at having an American for a teacher.
After breakfast, Delilah headed to the greenhouse. She dropped her quill along the way, though. Bending to pick it up, she looked up and saw an odd sight. It was Professor Figg, but she had a huge dog with her! The dog was black, and looked like a bear. Delilah just shrugged and continued on her way.
Me again. Yeah, I know, this part somewhat makes our heroine to be a combo of Wonder Woman and Little Orphan Annie. By the time I realized this, though, I'd already written it. Tough. Don't worry, though; part 3 actually gives Miss Riddle *gasp* FLAWS! Yes, this is your cue to die of shock. =) ~Phoenix