Disclaimer: I own nothing except Amara, but not her ancestry… oh well.
A/N: Mild HBP Spoilers…nothing big but if you hadn't read it before some things might confuse you…please R and R!
This takes place in the Trio's seventh year at Hogwarts, Voldemort is still very much at large and the Trio is missing…but you'll find out about that later…
Oh, it's rated Teen for language and other things that might come up later on…not promising anything though.
Riddle Me This
Chapter One-
Draco Malfoy stepped off the train, flanked by his cronies and two 6th year girls at his side, his arms around their waists. Hogwarts castle loomed over him like it had in his nightmares. Lightning flashed across the sky, lighting up the tower from which Dumbledore had fallen.
Suddenly, his left forearm began to burn. He removed his arms from the two girls and rubbed it with a pained look in his eyes. Crabbe stepped forward.
"You okay?" Draco held up a hand and waved him back.
"I'm fine." He turned to the 6th years and kissed one's neck. "I'll catch you later." They whined for a minute before prancing off to a horseless carriage. Well, they weren't so horseless anymore. After this summer…images flashed in Draco's mind and he pushed them out with a shake of his head. The point was, he could see the Thestrals pawing at the ground, waiting to begin moving forward.
Draco spied an empty carriage and hurried to it, his cronies almost running to keep up. As they all piled in, Draco approached one of the demon horses. They weren't so bad. The Thestral snorted at him but allowed him to stroke his leathery wing. Suddenly he heard a voice, a female voice.
"There now little one. That's better isn't it?" He looked under the Thestral only to see someone putting down its hoof and straightening up. The girl took a step to the side so she could see her intruder.
She had short black hair that darkened her face. Except for her eyes, she had eyes like a snake that could only be described as gold. They were bright. She was almost his height and looked in his year, seventh, but he had never seen her before. She was dressed in Hogwarts robes, except she wore slacks instead of a skirt. Her golden eyes looked him over with the same criticalness.
"What's your verdict?" She took him aback. She didn't beat around the bush like most do, but instead went right to the root of what they were thinking. Draco smirked.
"You're new, but you are in 7th year. Right so far, Miss…"
"Riddle, Amara Riddle, and yes, you are correct Mr. Malfoy."
Draco's mouth dropped open and before he could say a word, Amara jumped onto a carriage and they started forward. Draco snapped out of it and leapt into his own carriage. He was silent until they reached the castle and even as the entered the Great Hall, he spoke not a word but only pondered to himself.
Riddle? Tom Riddle? Voldemort? Just thinking about it made his head ache.
The First years filed in, lead by a woman with golden-brown hair who looked about in her mid-thirties. There weren't as many First years as before. Not surprising.
"Students." The lady said in a loud voice. "I am Professor Sonoma, your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and the new Deputy Headmistress. First years, when your name is called please sit on the stool and the Sorting Hat will place you in your House, then your will join your new classmates at the respective table."
The sorting went fairly quickly until one person was left. Draco immediately recognized her as Amara. Every eye was either on her or the new professor. Sonoma finally called out,
"As I'm sure you've all noticed we have a new student this year. She just moved her and will be joining the 7th years in whatever House she is placed." Then the Professor glanced at her list and read, "Riddle, Amara."
The whole Hall fell silent and a few people drew back in fear. Amara seemed unfazed by this as she strode up the stairs and sat on the stool. The Sorting Hat sat at an angle on her head but didn't swallow her like it did the First years.
There was silence. She and the Sorting Hat seemed to be talking. Then finally the Hat opened its brim and called, "Slytherin!"
No one seemed surprised and no one clapped. Amara made her way to the Slytherin table and sat down. A group of 3rd years moved away from her. Amara simply smiled in amusement and took a roll from the plates of food, which had just appeared on the table.
Draco shook his head and ate his supper, talking boastfully among his companions, trying to push Amara from his mind.
After the last plate was cleared and Professor McGonagall gave the beginning of term speech, Draco and company retreated to the cool dungeons and their common room. He collapsed in one of the high-backed chairs and threw his legs over one of the armrests.
A loud chatter suddenly arose and with a roll of his eyes he glanced behind him. Amara had just entered the room and was surrounded by Pansy Parkinson and the other three 7th year girls; Lucy Sanskrit, Fay Johnson, and Sandy Honduras. Pansy was speaking in a very self-righteous tone; she was trying to establish herself as alpha-female to this new addition to her dormitory. Apparently Pansy didn't think Amara was of any relation to Voldemort.
"I'm Pansy Parkinson, and this is Lucy, Fay, and Sandy." Even though she never said it out loud, her body language was yelling it loud and clear.
'I'm the boss, want to say something about it?'
When Amara stood, her posture perfect, she topped Pansy by at least a head. Her face showed blatant annoyance.
"Look bitch, I don't play your stupid little alpha-female games. You are not my boss. No one by my Grandfather tells me what to do, so keep your half-assed remarks to yourself and stay the hell out of my way."
Amara stalked away and sat down in a corner of the common room and pulled out a book. Pansy looked as if she had been slapped. Draco had to admit it was funny. It was about time someone put her in her place. But what confused him was that's even though her body language was hostile, how did she know about the half-assed comments that Pansy made or even that she wanted her to do her bidding like her other mindless slaves?
Amara was such a mystery, but one he would gladly take the year to figure out.
