A/N: Sorry about the late update but I've gotten into a creative writing program that has taken up quite a bit of time. Though I will try to update at least once a month.

Chapter 10:

Does not play well with others.

That's what her first report card said. Quinn was never one to fit into the conventional education system and when she finally left it was a relief to both her and the school. If Hogwarts wanted her then they would have to take her on her own terms.

Standing in front of the full-length mirror in her room, Quinn parted her new short black hair on the side and smoothed it back. While she didn't want to be here some part of her felt that it was right that she make a good impression on her professors.

Now began the task of finding something decent to wear. Quinn figured that her usual jeans and t-shirts wouldn't be appropriate. Flipping through the clothes she hung up, Quinn was sure she still had that black skirt.
"Yes," Quinn said as she pulled the hanger out of the wardrobe and examined the clothing. It had been a few months since she wore it last. To court actually after that unfortunate incident with the gas tank… It was made to look like crushed velvet but was made of an unbelievable light and stretchy fabric. Quinn liked it because of the mobility it offered her. Slipping it on and adjusting it, it fell mid thigh and clung to her still developing curves. Not horribly short, Quinn thought. It did however show of one of her two tattoos.

About a year ago Quinn had this dream she was walking through a field at night. She wasn't afraid in fact she felt powerful, like nothing could stop her. As she made her way to the top of the hill a flash of light flew up into the sky. Looing up she saw a skull shimmering green and a snake coming out of its mouth. The snake lunged toward Quinn but disappeared like falling glitter right in front of her.

The dream was so vivid more than any other dream she ever had. Thinking it must mean something, Quinn had one of her friends draw what she described and traded two ounces of weed for the tattoo. A small skull was placed between her ankle bone and her Achilles' tendon and the snake wrapped its way around her leg growing larger as it went higher until the hissing mouth of the python laid on the outside of her upper calf. It hurt like a mofo but Quinn wanted the detail to be perfect. She was quite happy with it. The artist managed to put all the intricate detail in without making it so large it took over the entire leg.

Quinn thought for a moment that showing of her tats wouldn't be the best way to make an impression but the malcontent in won over. If they wanted her here so damn bad then they would get her. All of her. With that thought Quinn pulled out a knit purple halter. If she was going to show off the body art they might as well see the rest. Slipping the shirt over her head Quinn thought about Gabby. Gabby knitted this particular top around the same time that Quinn got the skirt. It was a rather plain knit stich in lavender sport weight yarn with some ribbing at the bottom. Gabby took three hours at the store to pick the yarn. After rejecting just about every one, they found this batch crammed in the corner of the bins.

"Can't have my girl look like shit," Gabby answered to Quinn's protests.

The collar came up and around her neck like a chocker. Quinn turned and looked over her shoulder in the mirror to tie the short braided strings. Before she turned around she pulled down the back, making sure as much of the tattoo was visible. The blue Mobius strip stopped right at her tail bone and traveled up to the top of her spine just below the neck. Most people thought she was nuts to get such large tattoos at such a young age but Quinn was certain, when she looked at her mother, that she wouldn't be getting much bigger. Not enough to screw up the art. The Mobius strip was the newest, having just finished healing a couple of weeks prior. It was a lovely shaded blue; Quinn truly thought the artist outdid himself with this one. At certain angles, and under UV light, you could make out runes in the middle of the strip. Quinn got the rune pattern from an old bracelet her mother used to have. When Becky went off the deep end about it being the devil's jewelry and got rid of it, Quinn decided that she wanted to get another tattoo. Though it was an act of pure rebellion it still was meaningful. In Quinn's logic she thought it was a way to honor her mother. Pissing her aunt of was just a bonus.

Quinn walked out into the sitting area and looked at the clock on the mantle, she had a few minutes before she needed to leave. After taking another cigar box off of her bed Quinn sat on the chaise. Opening the box, Quinn pulled out several tiny musical instruments. One electric guitar, one electric bass, two acoustic guitars, and a viola box, McGonagall assured her that the spell wouldn't have any adverse effect on the instruments. Quinn laid them on the coffee table in a row. She hoped that she could get them unshrunk soon.

By necessity Quinn had to grow up fast but the one thing she had, outside of her books, was her music. It started simple enough, while her mother was still coherent she bought Quinn a toy guitar. As her mother started to fade form the world Quinn would play for her. Eventually when Miranda was gone Quinn would retreat into a world of fantasy and music. A place where nothing could touch her, a place where she was safe, in the moments while Quinn played she felt like a normal fifteen year old girl. Not some juvenile spawn of Satan.

Quinn looked at the clock again, ten minutes till. She got up and headed to the door. When she opened it she found Snape, with his hand raised, as he was about to knock on the door.

He was startled by the similarity between her and her father. It was much more pronounced with her hair short. Severus remembered the memories that Dumbledore had shown him. The resemblance was almost uncanny. Quickly masking his features, he gave her a cursory glance.

"Come along Miss Riddle," he said before he tuned and strode down the hall. Quinn trotted behind him to catch up.

The walk was mostly silent. Until Quinn darted a little ahead and did a cartwheel down the hall, standing back up she saw the dour potion master scowling at her with his arms crossed.

"Control yourself," he said before walking off again.

Quinn resisted the urge to continue irritating Snape but she didn't have to resist very long because they came to the statue of the gargoyle at the foot of the headmaster's stairs. Quinn could have sworn that she saw a little color rise to his cheeks as he said pixi sticks. Then she could have been mistaken. She smirked as she followed him up the stairs.

"Ah, Miss Riddle," Dumbledore said when Snape and her walked into the room. He paused for a moment when he saw Quinn but quickly recovered. Not fast enough though, Quinn noticed the dark cloud that passed over his features. "I would like to introduce you to two of your professors." Albus came around the desk and lead Quinn over to a small table where Professor McGonagall and two other people sat at. Severus took a seat next to a small man. He looked more like a child if it weren't for the dated suit and the wrinkles. All three collectively gasped when they saw Quinn. Quinn smiled at them nervously uncertain as to how to proceed. "Miss Riddle, this is Professors Sprout our herbology professor and Flitwick our charms professor." The group stared mutely at her. Dumbledore pulled out a chair for Quinn. "If you'll excuse me for one moment, I'll go get the hat."

Quinn sat and fidgeted with her fingers as the silence grew larger and more awkward. It felt like decades before the headmaster returned. She started when he placed a large hat on her head. If it weren't for the headmaster's hands on her shoulders she would have jumped up when the hat began to talk inside her head.

"Another Riddle eh?" Its voice deep and gruff "didn't think I'd see another one of you ever again."

"Have you had many," Quinn thought back.

"No, just one and one was more than enough," the hat hesitated but went on. "It was a shame about poor Tom. So much potential…"

"Tom is my father."

"I know… I don't think you're like him though. A brilliant mind here, just like him. Cunning. You may well belong in Slytherin but I think you have enough cunning to last you several lifetimes." The hat shifted on her head, it was a disconcerting feeling. "Should develop your other skills. Maybe you'll be on another path than him."

"What path is that?"

"Better be…" The hat spoke the last word aloud. "Ravenclaw."