Chapter 1: Master
"B-But father..." Delilah's voice shook as she spoke. Her hands not much more stable.
"Deli, you're the only one capable besides me. You know this. If I had the time, I would bring him down myself. The International Regulations of Unregistered Animagi department is very demanding. If I don't get something done about that Griffin spotted in Cairo, we're all in trouble," stated Aibek.
"But father, he's only a student! Can you honestly expect students to already be registered? Can't we just ask him to register?" Delilah's eyes glistened as they bore into Aibek's.
"You know what happens when these scums of the earth trot around unregistered! Rishima DIED because of them! Do you have any respect for your mother, Deli?" He seemed to grow taller than he already was and his chest flared out. He grew as as his temper grew.
"A STUDENT is NOT going to-"
A sudden smack hit her across the face. Delilah toppled to the cold ground, her left cheek rosy red. A small cut shown beneath the rosy color where one of Aibek's nails snagged her skin. Her moss-colored eyes moistened. Her already messy, dirty blonde hair sprawled out onto the dusty hardwood floor.
"I am very disappointed in you, Deli," he said calmly. He raised his hand, and Delilah flinched while still on the ground. However, it was to fix his own dark blond hair, much more sleek and well kept than his daughter's. "I hope that, someday, you'll be more honored to avenge your mother. You have done so well in the past with these tasks. Much more capable and willing to listen compared to those other oafs at the Ministry. Hell, I don't see why being underage makes any difference when you're a criminal. A crime is a crime." His obsidian black eyes stabbed her quickly with their gaze before he turned to exit the room. "Your train leaves for Hogwarts on September 6th," He stated coldly. He departed without a sound.
Delilah finally rose back up carefully. The shimmering moonlight shone on her pale face, wet with tears. She inched towards her skinny bed to sit. Before she laid down to kip after the exhausting conversation, she gazed upon the photograph thumbtacked to the dull, gray wall near the cracked window. The picture was of her mother's face shining back at her from the branches of an old oak tree, beaming as bright as the moonlight. Delilah looked a lot like her mother, except her mother's hair was a silvery white blonde, and she was much thinner. The photograph gave her mother motion. Her hair was whipping in the breeze. Rishima's emerald eyes blinked and met those of the daughter she'd given them to, before Delilah flopped onto her bed and weeped.
"I-I'm so sorry, mother... I promise to make you proud. I promise to make things right. And if that means it has to be a student, so be it..."
"Talbott Winger. That's your target, Deli," stated Aibek as he pointed at the crisp photograph in Delilah's jittery hands. His eyes were emotionless. He towered over his daughter patiently waiting for a response, curious on how she'd react. It was like testing a dog. "Currently his animagus form is unknown, but according to the minimal records we have, it is bird-like. A strange bird has been seen flying out of his old home.
"F-father... Are you sure-"
"That's. Your. Target." Aibek's eyes remained unchanged, however, a subtle smirk emerged.
"Yes, sir..." Delilah was careful not to weep in front of her father this time. She had to remain strong for him. Strong for her deceased mother.
"Father? What happens if I get caught, er, going after this target?" she asked cautiously.
"Simple. You go to Azkaban. And I'll make sure of it. I highly recommend you do this correctly. If you can't capture him, kill him." His smirk faded and his black eyes narrowed.
Delilah didn't dare respond in fear of responding incorrectly. She gulped and nodded. Without a sound, her father left her. Shakingly, she studied the picture again. The photo featured a thin teenage male with milk chocolate skin. His skin looked smooth, despite his pointed cheek bones and strong chin. Garnet red eyes bore into her own, although occasionally looking side to side as if to make sure someone wasn't spying on him. His hair was spikey, yet finger brushed back. It barely flickered in the wind. The top half was chestnut brown, and blended into a caramel tone towards the back and sides. Black and electric blue robes draped him. Must be a Ravenclaw. His surroundings were nothing out of the ordinary considering it was a simple school photo. However, there was a gray tower in the background with some owls flying around it. None of which looked like barn owls.
Delilah stuffed the picture of Talbott in her back jean pocket. For some unknown reason, her face felt a bit warm, but she ignored the sensation. Maybe it was due to her thick sweater. Her sweater was a pale blue and pastel pink turtleneck with alternating blue or pink puffskeins in the stripes... She brushed it off.
Generic music began ringing downstairs. It was the bland tune of the doorbell. They were expecting a visit from Albus Dumbledore, the Hogwarts Headmaster, with the Sorting Hat that morning. Sorting into your Hogwarts House was only done at Feast with the first years. Since she was going to be 5th, she would need to be sorted beforehand. Being a transfer student was irritating, but nothing she couldn't handle. Thankfully, even though it was known that Dumbledore was a skilled Legilimens (ability to access another person's thoughts), her family's innate talent with Occlumency (closing off one's mind) would keep any errant thoughts about their plan from reaching the mind of the headmaster. It was also rumored that the Sorting Hat itself could read minds in a way, and Delilah intended to close her mind for as long as this whole process took. Otherwise, the entire plan would be been demolished before it even began. Being pure blooded has its perks.
Delilah skipped stairs on her way down to meet the headmaster. Her father had already granted him entrance and was showing respect with a courtly bow.
"Very, very pleased to meet you, Sir", Aibek began. "Make yourself at home. It is not much. Considering we find ourselves traveling often, it gets the job done. Hope you do not mind. Would you like any tea-"
Dumbledore cut him off with a quietly raised palm. Nobody had ever cut off her father like that before. Delilah's widened eyes quickly glanced from Dumbledore to her father. Aibek seemed so submissive that he didn't even flinch at the interruption. It was quite the show.
"Tea would be lovely, thank you," Dumbledore replied. His long, white beard nearly dragged on the floor. He definitely didn't hide the fact that he was a wizard, for he wore bright purple and green robes, with a pointed hat to match. Behind his half moon spectacles were baby blue eyes, aged with experience. In his hand, he carried the most raggedy witch hat Delilah has ever seen. It looked more like a clump of black crusty fabric than a hat. She was praying she didn't have to wear that thing long. Apparently, a student has to wear the hat in order for it to sort you. Somewhere beneath all the dust and tears was a mouth that would speak.
Aibek left to make the tea with a pep in his step, his pine green and black robes trailing behind him. Delilah hasn't seen him so delighted since he caught the Thestral animagus roaming London. The fact that such Animagi existed baffled Delilah, especially since you can only see Thestrals if you've witnessed and remembered death. They were terrifying too, being skeletal black horses that only ate meat. It was no trouble for her father, since most civilians couldn't see it anyway. It still felt rewarding to catch such a beast. Perhaps predictably, now that she thought about it, the offending wizard had been a graveyard worker. Seen plenty of death in that profession. Well, now he'd know a darkness much colder than the grave alone.
"Good morning, Miss Delilah," Dumbledore spoke again.
"Hello, Professor. Pleasure to meet you," she replied gratefully. She wasn't used to hearing "Delilah" instead of "Deli". It was nice. "Let me show you to the living room so you can enjoy your tea."
"I'll be delighted to," he replied. He followed Delilah as her messy dirty blonde hair danced behind her. The two sat down in opposite seats, Dumbledore in the amber armchair and Delilah on the matching couch. Embarrassing colors for furniture, but it was cheap during endless moving. He seemed to not notice, or he was extremely polite about it.
"So, as you know, we are here to get you sorted into your respective House before the school year starts," Dumbledore began. "I don't want to assume, but have you heard about our four Houses and what they represent?"
"Oh yes, " she replied. "I have done endless research on them. My favorite is Ravenclaw, which isn't too surprising considering I love learning. I'm pretty creative too. Although Slytherin is intriguing as well being both creative and ambitious... And don't forget Hufflepuff's devotion to hard work! Gryffindor... Am I brave? Considering all my traveling and the different schools I've attended, I guess I have had no choice but to be brave. Eagle, serpent, badger, and lion... Tough choice."
Her mind began swimming with possibilities before her father interrupted her thoughts with the tea.
"Thank you, thank you, " Dumbledore said to Aibek as he handed him the hot tea. Aibek glided around the coffee table and surprisingly gave Delilah some tea as well. She would take advantage of this kindness while she had the chance.
"I see you have done exceptional research. Well done," Dumbledore started. "Thankfully, the choice is with the Sorting Hat, so you won't have to choose."
He placed the raggedy old hat on the coffee table, sipped his tea, and continued on.
"When you are ready, we will sort you."
"A-Alright..." Delilah reached for the hat when he father stopped her.
"My dearest daughter, let me place it on your head. It should be someone else after all. Normally, it is Professor McGonagall placing it on the first year's heads. You aren't the only one who loves learning."
"It isn't required, Aibek, but it is true that Professor McGonagall normally does the honors. If you feel so obliged, place the hat."
Aibek reached for the Sorting Hat and held it by the saggy tip. As he was about to place it on Delilah's wild hair, the Sorting Hat formed a mouth and screamed, "Ravenclaw!" before it even touched her.
"Wow, it didn't even touch me! I mean- Yay Ravenclaw!" Delilah's eyes were beaming. The Sorting Hat, however, was not done. In her father's hand, it broke out into a song:
"Though scales and fur may call you friend
It's feathers that will be your end
An eagle's wings surround your head
Like the witch Rowena who sewed my threads
Though you cloud your mind, it is astute
And in Ravenclaw you'll find your truth!"
The hat silenced. Aibek placed the hat back onto the table without another word.
"Congratulations, congratulations. Ravenclaw will be a fine House for you," Dumbledore beamed. "I'm assuming you already have your school supplies?"
"I do. I like to be prepared." She had everything excluding a pet. Delilah knew that looking over a pet as well would complicate her main mission.
"Very well. I must be off. Lots of errands before the new year." Dumbledore rose, picking up the Sorting Hat. He gave a bow that exactly mirrored the one her father had given him earlier.. "Thank you for the tea. It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Delilah."
"Same to you," Delilah replied gratefully. She led him towards the door before he exited. Aibek, however, never once moved or said goodbye.
"Ravenclaw, eh?" he began. "I thought it likely you would be sorted into Slytherin, given your ambition and the cunning you will apply to this task."
"Father, this is actually great news! Talbott Winger is also in Ravenclaw. This means that I'll be able to close in on him quicker. Learn his secrets and habits." She tried to sound as confident as she could.
"Hm, very well. Well done, Deli." He walked over to the window and peered out of it, expressionless." Now I have complete faith that you won't let me down. You have no reason to screw up."
Fear shot through her spine.
"Bloody hell, is this a joke?!" Aibek was furious and searching frantically for Platform 9 3/4, the platform that would contain the train to Hogwarts at King's Cross Station in London. Delilah was struggling to keep up with his long strides. Like usual, the muggles (non magic folk) around were oblivious to the frenzied witch and wizard.
"Father, wait! I think I remember reading something about the platform. Please, slow down! Listen to me!"
After getting nowhere by ignoring his daughter, he finally turned to her without a word, coming to a complete stop. He raised an eyebrow.
"We have to go back to platforms 9 and 10. I know it wasn't there, but I think I remember that it's in between them somehow. It might be concealed to keep the... others out," she said carefully to not draw suspicion from the muggles.
"In between, eh?" He studied her eyes only for a moment before taking off again without warning. Delilah dragged her school supplies clumsily. Quickly, they reached platforms 9 and 10. They exchanged looks of concern, as they stared at a blank barrier. Finally, the answer they've been waiting for arrived. A blonde haired, blue eyed witch about Delilah's age caught her eye. She was too pretty for her own good, as if she were part veela. Braided pigtails rested in front of her shoulders on her beige jacket. Only this girl could make that jacket look so good with her jean skirt and black tights. The witch gave Delilah a wink before running straight into the barrier, luggage and all. Delilah almost gasped before she witnessed the witch not crash miserably, but completely disappear into the solid brick.
"That's it! How could I have not remembered that?" She looked up at her enraged father. To her advantage, she knew that he couldn't lose his temper on her in public eye. Although, he did crouch down to whisper, "I'll see you soon with the target." He disappeared swiftly by apparition, leaving Delilah alone. This lifted her mood, for she preferred solitude.
She dragged her luggage onto the Hogwarts Express after entering the barrier. Keeping the image of the photograph in the front of her mind, her search began. Up and down, left and right, he wasn't anywhere to be found. She was about to give up when she casually bumped into the blonde witch who was stopped in the middle of the aisle.
"My apologies, " Delilah said, smiling. Although, she wasn't sure why she was so happy. She should have been upset that she never found Mr. Winger.
"I see you made it on the train in one piece, " she replied grinning. "You're new. I know because I know everyone at Hogwarts. And you're definitely not a first year. Fourth? Fifth?"
"Fifth, " Delilah said carefully. Was this witch too dangerous to be giving information to? Or useful?
"Penny Haywood. Hufflepuff". She reached out her hand and shook Delilah's before Delilah had a chance to properly extend it.
"Delilah Tytonidae, "she said with a little more confidence. "Ravenclaw."
"Hm. Mind if I call you Lilah? Sounds much prettier with such a pretty face like yours." Her eyes bore into Delilah's as if demanding a prompt answer.
Delilah was blushing. Nobody had ever called her pretty after her mother was murdered, which was when she was 8. "That... would be lovely actually. Thank you. "
"Great. Now we're friends. Since we're friends, I'm inviting you to sit with me and one of my other friends." She grabbed Delilah's hand and skipped until they reached a compartment in the back. When Penny slid the door open, Delilah's heart stopped. There, in the almost empty compartment, sat Talbott Winger.