So this chapter I really enjoyed writing and I really kind of took the ball and ran with it. I once again want to thank you guys for the reviews they keep me going and give me inspiration. This is my first major cliffhanger and I hope you guys like it ;)
It was almost like a dream, walking through the halls of Hogwarts once again, not much had changed in the course of seventy years. The same paintings still covered the walls, the same stairs still led to the same places, and the same people still walked the halls. Of course the people were not the same in appearance, but they were still the same in ambition. I watched with a cool expression as I saw my old classmates once again. I saw a young boy with dark hair sitting alone away from everyone else, Neville. I saw a pretty blonde girl muttering things under her breath looking out at the sky with a dreamy expression, Luna. An older girl with red hair sat hugging her boyfriend close and whispering things in his ear, Ginny and Dean. It was so interesting to see how little time can affect things. As I continued walking many people turned to look at me, but none tried to stop me. See, my love, they already know you are better than them. I tried to smile convincingly, reassuringly, but I knew that none of them were fooled.
Molly Weasley always told me I had the most beautiful smile, but after the war it had been locked away and I am afraid I had lost the key. I always had beautiful tanned skin that shone like golden honey, but the scars that martyr my skin took away the healthy glow. Most importantly, though, I lost my large doe like brown eyes, they been replaced by eyes that held nothing but hatred and …emptiness. Perhaps the students stopped to see the new girl, or perhaps they stopped because they saw someone that did not belong in their world. In their perfect utopia everyone had their cheery, happy place, but me. No, I was once content with my place, but it was ripped from me. So I continued ghosting down the halls, I could see the students parting ways to let me pass.
There was one girl though small and mousy who was darting through the student body, she failed to notice me. I laughed softly as I saw her rushing to get to class papers flying in every which direction trying to be the first in class, like Hermione Granger. I kept laughing until she ran into me and knocked me over, and then my laughter stopped. She clamored trying to get off of me until I got fed up and threw her off. She landed in a small ball desperately trying to collect all of the papers she had dropped. I picked myself off the ground, when I noticed that everyone was looking for my reaction, and who am I to deny what they want.
I sauntered over to the girl and gave her a sideways glance, in a lot of ways she reminded me of myself with the outfit that looks like it was thrown together in the dark and her obvious social grace, or rather lack thereof. Take pity on those, my child that did not take any on you. I felt a tugging by my shoes as I saw I was standing on a piece of her parchment, as she desperately tried to get it out from underneath my foot. I bent down and grabbed the paper myself; she made no move to stop me. I offered her a hand to help her out and she looked questioningly at it.
"I don't bite," I said, in a musical like tone. She smiled in a shy like manner and graciously grabbed my hand, "much." I muttered as I handed her the parchment. Without as much as a thank you she was gone, as I turned my head to see her once again darting to get to class. I shook my head and continued on my way through the castle. I heard whispers as I passed everyone wondering where I had come from and why I had helped that girl, that mudblood. Why indeed. I clenched my fists together and ignored them as I finally arrived at Dippet's office. A whirlwind of thoughts were running through my head as I stood before the phoenix that I was all too familiar with. It wasn't until then that I had no idea what the password was. Fortunately Dippet came bounding up the steps to his office right as I was starting to worry, that was until I looked over to see Tom Riddle behind him. Ignore him child, you must first focus on Dippet, Tom will not attempt anything while he is present. I quickly plastered on the fakest smile I could muster as I gave the headmaster a sweet smile.
"Headmaster, I am afraid I have been here quite some time and I was so weary last time we met that I forget to ask you the password to your office." He seemed confused at my sudden appearance; apparently he had forgotten that he was going to meet me at all.
"Oh, of course, my dear I apologize it has been a very hectic week."He simply laughed as he said "chocolate frogs" as the phoenix began to turn. He gestured for me to go first.
"Come Ms. Belle, we have a great many things to discuss." I nodded as I followed the familiar path to his office. Like everything else the office was still very much the same, though there was no portrait of Dippet hanging above the fireplace, but rather a different wizard, whom I was not familiar with. In place of the phoenix that resided in Dumbledore's office a midnight black owl stood squawking annoyingly until Dippet pet his head. I felt a strong, sudden pull of dark magic as Tom made his way into the office and sat in a chair adjacent to the headmaster's desk. He gestured me to do the same though I simply settled on glaring at him, as I stood still as stone.
"I do not believe Ms. Belle, that you have met our slytherin prefect Tom Riddle. He was the one that saved you two nights ago." He pointed out as he sat in the elegant chair behind his desk. As if on cue Tom grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips, one thing I was growing very weary of. Always the gentleman.
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Ms. Belle." He said smirking, as Dippet was totally unaware of how much of a lie that was. I reluctantly replied the common courteous response.
"I can assure you Mr. Riddle that the pleasure is all mine. I also must thank you for saving my life the other night." I admitted through clenched teeth. Tom gave me a knowing look and simply bowed his head in response as he once again settled himself back in the chair. I looked back to the headmaster, my eyes desperately begging for this to be over quickly, it had apparently become dangerous for me to be around Tom for an extended period of time. As if answering my prayers Professor Dumbledore walked in, Tom instantly tensed up. Interesting, this is perhaps something you can use to your advantage. Dumbledore said hello to Tom who simply nodded once again. He then turned to me.
"Good morning Ms. Belle, I heard you were out and about this morning you made quite a fuss in the infirmary. Regardless though I didn't want to miss you getting sorted, so I figured I had better come over here before I missed anything." His presence greatly calmed me down, as I laughed quietly, his eyes ever friendly and his smile always welcoming. Suddenly with bruising strength my snake tightened dangerously around my neck I tried to remain calm, but it was becoming difficult to breathe. Do not be so quick to accept him back. I mean after all he led Harry right to slaughter after filling his mind with so many hollow delusions. Yes, you're right and I do hate him for that, but right now I need him more than anything, perhaps sometime later I will question his actions, but for now him being here means more to me than anything else. My little, loyal lioness. The snake released his deathly grip, although still remained tighter than was customary.
"Of course, but I still have some questions first. After all, we must have the paperwork in order." I sat there quietly while he pulled out parchment and scribbled some things down, I knew there was no paperwork he was merely trying to make sure that I wasn't a spy, but why not let him play his little games. So I sat there and answered numerous questions about my parents that didn't exist, about my home that wasn't there, and about the life I never had. I flawlessly answered question after question, but I would occasionally look over at Tom and see him filing these details away. Feed him lies, my love, if only to keep his interest at bay. The only question that I struggled with was the question about why and how my parents were killed.
"I know this is very difficult for you, my dear, but could you in your own words tell us about what transpired between your parents and Grindlewald's men, but also about the night they were killed." So I told the story I had been retelling over and over in my head, calling on tears that made my story only that much more believable.
"As I said I was homeschooled for all of my life, but I would still often go about town when all of the other kids were in school, and listen to their lessons, and noticing how different they were from mine. As they learned about math and language I learned about potions and runes, when they discussed friendship I discussed tactics, when they were out at recess I was training vigorously. A lot of times I wouldn't get to the school on time, but sometimes my mom let me out early so I could hear the fairy tale stories all the other children listened to." Dippet interrupted me.
"You're pureblood mother approved of your interest in muggle teachings?" He asked as if the idea sounded foreign even to him, and then I realized that this was a different time and that despite what I wanted to say I had to play along. Ignore you're sense of right and wrong, my child; this must be what they want to hear not the truth. I inhaled sharply as I once again continued my story.
"Yes, my parents, while never allowing me to be friends with muggles, still allowed me to partake and explore their culture, if only to see how ours was superior." I glanced at Dippet's face to see he had accepted the lie, relief flooded through me as I continued on with the life I never had.
"Regardless, I was on my way back one day the sun was setting in the sky and Mother always wanted me home before dark. When I arrived I saw two men both dressed in dark clothes, one had claw marks stretching along his face while the other, was clean shaven and looked like he was very well off. I hid behind a bush trying to hear what they were saying. I couldn't make out much, but I could hear raised voices and soon it escalated to screaming then I could hear every word they said, and to tell you the truth monsieur I wish I hadn't." I shivered involuntarily, or so it appeared. "They were telling him about how Grindlewald has taken an interest in the power my family was known for and how he wished us to go to his side. My father, while not caring for muggles, still said no, that he would not be party to such a disgrace to his family's name, that murdering thousands in the name of a belief that he didn't hold true to his heart was something he would never do. With that he slammed the door in their face and I waited patiently as I saw the men, anger clear on their faces, stalk away back to the woods. I really admired my father, then." I was once again interrupted, but this time it was by Tom.
"So what makes you believe it was them that had killed your family?" He asked innocently, with malice clear as crystal in his eyes. Such pretty eyes, but wouldn't they look so much better filled with fear. It felt as though the snake flickered his tongue along the nape of my neck as I absent mindedly stroked it.
"It was after two more refusals from my father that they had been killed. Yes, Mr. Riddle you would normally be right, but I am afraid I saw them with my own eyes. Four nights ago there was a bad storm and my parents and I sat huddled together reading the tale of the three brothers by the fire. When a knock broke us out of our peaceful state, they didn't wait for anyone to answer the door as they beat it down and barreled into my home. The light shown dangerously off of their eyes, eyes that held no look of remorse or pity, as their clothes were caked in blood running down onto the floor. I will never forget their words as they told my father that his boys didn't put up much of a fight and that they hoped he would be better. He dueled them, but two on one is difficult odds for any wizard. My mother had gone into shock, and I desperately tried to drag her out of the house, but she refused to leave my father. I tried to grab her wand, but she told me to run and not to look back, that no matter what I do I can't look back." I had to show how much this hurt me, but it was hard to know exactly how I should respond. So I settled on some quiet tears, as I thought about nothing in particular. Dippet graciously offered me a handkerchief which I gladly accepted and dried my tears. You are learning quickly, my child, this makes me proud.
"If you do not mind, Monsieur, I prefer to leave out some of the details about that night," he nodded his head understandingly, "though suffice it to say I left the house, quick as I could, throwing every kind of spell I could think of behind me. I kept running until I collapsed on the ground from exhaustion when I woke up I was here in the infirmary."
Disbelief was written all over Dippet's face as I finished my story. I handed him back his handkerchief and waited patiently as I let my story sink in. I looked at Dumbledore, but his face was blank expect for the dulled twinkle in his eyes. Dippet quickly gathered himself, although I noticed he forgot to take any notes on anything I had said, nor had he filed any paper work, some people were just too easy.
"I cannot say how sorry I am Ms. Belle; no child should ever have to endure that." He whispered still a little shocked at the haunting past I possessed. With a quick shuffling of some papers he scribbled down some more notes, I can only assume merely for show. I said nothing, because I found it unnecessary to press my luck. "Do you have any other family members that I can inform of your safety and well being?" He asked clearly trying to figure out more about me. I merely smirked.
"None that would care monsieur, I can assure you." Dippet did not question me as he excused himself as he went to the back of his office to grab something. I looked at Dumbledore expectantly.
"Are you familiar with sorting, Ms. Belle?" He asked, although I think he already knew the truth.
"No, monsieur, I am afraid I am not." As he was about to respond Dippet came back with the sorting hat in one hand and a key in the other.
"Sorry, my dear, it seemed this ratty old thing was trying to hide from me. Anyway I am not aware if you already know, but Hogwarts is broken into four houses Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, Gryffindors, and Slytherins. Each house contains a certain trait, and this hat determines in which house you belong based on that trait, among other factors." My eyes widened a little and I pretended to be entranced by this magical hat. I saw Tom out of the corner of my eye perk up a little bit, it would appear as if I wasn't the only one interested to know what house I will be in….this time.
"So if you will, my dear girl, sit here on this stool and I shall have you sorted." He said in a kind, friendly tone. Without hesitation I sat on the stool and felt the familiar weight of the hat once again on my head.
So we meet once again, I can honestly say I had not expected I would sort you again. Then on the other hand the founders can be quite mischievous when they want to be. I already know they have been talking to you, telling you so many different things. I know what you must be thinking, Ms. Belle or should I say Ms. Granger, I am a magical item therefore I am not affected by such trivial things as time. I remember every child I ever sorted and you, my dear, have changed so much. Oh, yes to be sure, your bravery is still there, as is your loyalty, but now I see such dark ambitions, child, and such power. Where oh where do you belong?
Come home, my love, to the snake pit.
Come home, my child, to the lion's den.
I felt my breathing halt as his decision rang out loudly through the room.