Sorry it took so long to upload. Between school and work, I've only had some evenings to write and I'm usually dead tired. I hope you enjoy this chapter though!
I really like the way it turned out. : )
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Chapter 4 - The Boy Who Lived
--
And I still remember the sound of your voice
All though your silence still rings so clear
And I know there is,
some place I can go
where no one knows my name
--
September 1st 1996
Almost every compartment on the train was full. Panting ever so slightly, I continued to walk through the train, I must havebeen walking for at least five minutes. Suddenly, the train lurched forward, causing me to almost tumble to the ground. A group of girls wearing black robes with green badges snickered at me as they walked by. They must be in the infamous Slytherin, at least I hoped they were.
Finally, I found a compartment farther down the train that was completely empty, after slipping past a group of first years who looked as nervous as I felt. I closed the door quickly after entering the small, but comfy room. I sighed, and dropped Stanley's cage onto the cushioned bench. Perhaps I should have joined one of the other compartments, rather than have my own. I didn't like being alone, I had become accustomed to the constant company I had in Grimmauld Place.
I reached over to unlock Stanley's cage, by froze when I heard the compartment door open.
"There's already someone in here!" I heard a screechy voice whine.
"Well tell 'em to scram!" A deeper voice grunted.
Looking up, I came face to face with a short and rather unattractive girl, with a pug-like nose and long black hair. She, was also wearing a big green badge on the side of her robes. Behind her were two rather large boys, they had stupid looks on their faces, that thoroughly reminded me of a mountain troll.
"Er, hello," I said, smiling nervously.
The girl's lipped curled upward, "Who the hell are you?"
I raised my eyebrows at this girl's lack of common manners.
"I'm new to Hogwarts," I told her slowly. "My name is Delilah Lunde."
She opened her mouth, most likely to retort with another rude comment, but she was interrupted by a soft voice.
"What's the hold up Pansy?"
My eyes widened as I stared at the doorway, standing there was a boy. But not just any boy. The sad looking boy I had seen in DiagonAlley. His face had become even paler, and the circles under his eyes even darker, giving him the appearance of being very sick. As soon as his gaze met mine, he became even paler, which didn't seem like it was possible. Why did he act so strange whenever he saw me? I gave him a curious look, but he just torn his eyes away from mine, beginning to continued down the hallway.
"We can find another one." He said quietly.
Pansy looked me up and down suspiciously then stalked off after the strange boy. His bodyguards following closely behind.
I exhaled in relief. Although, I was becoming even more nervous by the minute. I hadn't even arrived at the school yet, and already people hate me. Hopefully someone would be gracious enough to talk to me once we arrived at Hogwarts.
A soft mew broke me from my thoughts. I bent down and unlocked Stanley's cage, freeing him from the small plastic box. He mewed again in thanks and curled up beside me on the comfortable bench.
"You're my only friend here Stanley," I said softly, stroking his chin as he purred happily, "You better not leave me as well."
"Are you talking to your cat?" A amused voice chuckled.
My eyes shot up, I hadn't heard the door open.
Standing in front of me, resting against the edge of the compartment door, was a boy. He had flaming ginger hair and freckles speckled all over his face. I blushed slightly.
"Maybe" I shot back quietly, slightly flustered.
He gave me another shy chuckle, sensing my discomfort, before taking a quick glance out into the hallway, "Where have they gone off too," I heard him murmur, before turning back to me, "You don't mind if me and my friends sit in here do you? All the others are full."
"Not at all," I said warmly, perhaps this was a good chance to make friends.
"My names Ron by the way, Ron Weasley," I froze "I don't think I've seen you around here before, are you new?"
"Yo..you're Ron Weasley?" I pointed at him stupidly, before giving him a huge grin, "I'm Delilah Lunde."
He blinked at me. His face scrunched up as if he was trying hard to remember something. My grin faded. Perhaps he didn't know who I was. But it seemed rather unlikely that Ms. Weasley wouldn't mention me at least once.
"You…you don't know who I am?" I looked away awkwardly, focusing my attention back onto the cat that still purring happily on my lap. I noticed Ron's ears turn a dark shade of pink.
"Actually, I know you probably as you know yourself," He looked extremely embarrassed, "Mum's been talking about you nonstop ever since she met you, no offense, but it's actually becoming a bit annoying."
It was my turn to blink at him, before bursting into laughter that is. He looked quite frightened by my reaction.
"Now that sounds more like your mum," I took a deep breath and motioned towards the seat across from me. He hesitated but ended up giving me a slightly scared smile and sitting down. I look down to Stanley and softly scratched his dark chin. He stretched his short legs and yawned loudly.
"Do you like cats?" I asked Ron in a chuckle as Stanley nuzzled his nose with his free paw.
He blushed again, "Uh they're alright I guess, never had one, I prefer owl's more they seem a bit more useful, not that I have anything against them, I mean I guess if I got to know one then maybe I'd like them more, your cat looks nice, I've just had some really bad experiences with some, like this one time my Aunt Muriel's cat Whiskers…" He froze, eyes bulging slightly, "Er…sorry."
I stifled my laughter, "No, please go on, I would love to hear about Whiskers."
"Well basically it ended in my hand swelling to the size of a watermelon." He said gravely, but I noticed a small smile making its way on his freckled face, "Never really trusted them after that."
I laughed openly, "Well then, I don't blame you."
He chuckled again, a little more comfortably this time. Taking one of his hands he scratched the back of his head innocently.
"So Delilah," He said my name quietly, "What year are you going into? You definitely don't look like a first year."
"Sixth," I said proudly, "Although I would have liked to have come here a lot sooner."
"Oh, really? Me too. If you need anyone to help show you around or anything I'd be glad to help." He said hopefully.
"Thanks," I smiled genuinely, "So, tell me about Hogwarts."
Ron started excitingly into his many adventures and his previous years at Hogwarts. A few of them scaring me thoroughly, something about a basilisk and an evil diary that convinced people to tell it their deepest and darkest secrets and sucking and concealing their soul out in the process. I was becoming a little less excited and more nervous by the second. I wasn't ready to face three head dogs and dementors. He assured me thought that Hogwarts was one of the safest places at the moment, especially with all that was going on in the wizarding world at the moment. Even though he didn't say it, I knew he was thinking it, with the return of the dark lord Voldemort the world was becoming even more dangerous each day.
He had also told me about some of the professors at Hogwarts. McGonagall was the head of the Gryffindor house, and although she was strict, she could also be very kind and understanding. Most of the other professors seemed to be quite nice. But there was one that made Ron cringe, Professor Snape, the head of the Slytherin house. Described as a greasy git by Ron's standards. I wasn't exactly surprised by Ron's reaction though, George had informed me that all Slytherins were rude and self obsessed, why should the head of the house be any different.
The food trolley passed at about half past noon. It was filled with all sorts of wizarding chocolates, candies and drinks. Ron passed, saying he was set for the journey, but I sensed a look of disappointment in his eyes. I grabbed a couple chocolate frogs and cauldron cakes. After paying and waving goodbye to the nice old trolley lady I threw some in Ron's direction. He gave me a gracious look and began to eat happily.
"So, what school did you go to before coming to Hogwarts?" Ron asked between bites of his cauldron cake.
I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out, I not prepared myself for this question.
"A small school in the US, New York to be exact." I said calmly, "My mom sent me there, wanted me to be more multi-cultural or something to that effect," I gave a stiff laugh.
"Mhats ceool," Ron said, swallowing down a painful looking amount of cake at once, "So why are you coming here now?"
I tucked a long golden strand behind my ear; do I tell him the truth? "Something came up, family issues. It's quite boring actually," I laughed, hoping to get past the subject. At the same time I felt slightly disgusted with myself for putting my mother's death off as nothing, even though I hadn't intended him to think that's what I was talking about.
"Ah, well that sucks," He said, obviously oblivious to the real meaning of what I had said. If only he really knew the whole story, he probably wouldn't even look at me twice, let alone talk to me.
Ron's attention was suddenly focused on outside of the door. "Harry!"
I turned, suddenly even more nervous. Harry Potter was standing directly outside of the door. Smiling curiously in my direction. He had messy black hair and bright green eyes. He opened the door and stuck his head in, his round glasses hanging off the bridge of his nose.
"I'm not interrupting anything, am I Ron?" He raised his eyebrows in Ron's directions. I blushed. Excellent.
"Oh shut it Harry," Ron turned redder than myself but couldn't help but suppress a grin, "This is Delilah, remember my mom kept going on about her?"
Harry turned to face me, his eyebrow no longer raised and the teasing grin no longer on his face.
Instead he looked unsure, curious even. But he still managed to suppress some common courtesy , "I'm Harry Potter, in case you didn't catch that before," He chuckled nervously, he probably dreaded introductions, just because he knew most people acted and looked at him like he was some sort of celebrity.
"Nice to meet you Harry," I said politely with a kind smile. He looked somewhat surprised by my reaction, but returned the smile.
Harry sat down in the seat beside Ron, grabbing a chocolate frog out of his hand. ``So Delilah, do you know what house you`re going to be in yet?"
"Not yet," I sighed, "But as long as I'm not in Slytherin I'm happy."
Harry laughed, "Spoken like a true Griffyindor."
"Although any Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw would say the same," Ron snorted.
They both burst out into laughter. Slytherin's really weren't liked by anyone at Hogwarts.
Then I remembered something.
"I actually met a Slytherin earlier, he was with two huge boys, and a…er rather unattractive girl," I chuckled, "Although I don't remember his name."
They both looked at each and shared the same look, their lips curled in mock disgust, "Malfoy." They both said in union.
I froze.
Malfoy.
That name was so familiar. It was strange, I remembered exactly when and where I had heard that name. But before today I had not had a single thought of it.
"Hurry, Fernir." I cold voice demanded.
"I'm done with this one Malfoy." A growling laugh filled the cold air.
I took in a sharp breath, the pain overwhelming and my head becoming weak as my body began to drop drastically in temperature.
I coughed. I felt blood drip down my face. The laughter grew further away and suddenly I was alone.
I'm going to die.
"Delilah?"
My head shot up, Ron looked worried at my silent response. My hands were balled up into fists.
I relaxed my hands and gave him a reassuring look. "So I take it you guys don't like him very much," I laughed quietly, ignoring his questioning expression.
His expression changed to disgust, "He's a great prat,"
Harry shared a different expression, he looked curiously to me, "We've basically been enemies since the first years." He sighed, then raised his eyebrow, "He wasn't trying to start anything was he?"
"Oh, no, I was just curious," I explained.
Ron looked convinced and merely shrugged and continued scarfing down his cauldron cake. Harry on the other hand looked strangely suspicious.
"Do you know which way he went?" Harry asked quietly.
"Hm?" I said, startled by the question, "Oh, that way I think." I pointed down the right side of the hallway.
Harry nodded and grabbed something thin and silvery from his bag. "I'll see you guys when we get there." He said swiftly before leaving the compartment quickly.
I stared curiously at Ron, who didn't look too worried, "What was that all about?" I asked.
Ron swallowed a lump of cake, "He's convinced Malfoy's a death eater." He said simply.
"What?" I said, surprised by how he was acting as if it was nothing. "That's a pretty big accusation."
"Yeah, well although I'm not entirely convinced," Ron said, "I wouldn't really be surprised, look at his parents! His father's in prison right now for working for You-Know-Who and his mother with probably be joining him anytime soon."
I had a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach. I was almost certain it was his father that had been there on that night. That boy must know something then, it would explain his behavior towards me.
"Anyways," Ron said, breaking me from my thoughts, "We should probably change into our robes, it's already dark out."
I nodded, "Suppose you're right," I stretched my legs out, before grabbing Stanley and stuffing him back into his carrier, "I'll see you when we get there, thanks for keeping me company."
"No problem," He smiled warmly, "See'ya later."
I smiled back and hung my bag over my shoulder. Opening the door to the compartment, I made my way slowly down the hallway, so wrapped up in my thoughts that I hardly even took notice when I accidentally bumped into a large ginger cat.
--
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