Disclaimer: Duh, I only own Maria Riddle and whatever else is related to her ('cept Voldie)
A/N this might be a very different writing style from the last 2 chapters, but it's been a while since I worked on this. I hope this will put a little depth in Maria's character.
Chapter 2: The Castle
Hogwarts drew closer. Maria looked at the tall towers, the rippling lake; and wished she could just enjoy coming back. Despite her love of magic and the comfort of the castle, never could she let her guard down with so many enemies of her father. If only she could just say it, and not have to worry how it would be held against her ... but it was a foolish hope. No one would ever believe she was not her father.
She had been lucky this term, no curious student had chosen to sit next to the reclusive Slytherin, the girl whom many wondered about. Everyone always wants to know the inner life of the person who doesn't want to share, it was just the way the world works. But Maria had worked hard to distance herself from that world.
Finally, the Hogwarts Express pulled to a stop and the carriages pulled in. Threstrals galloped, their skeletal wings pressed against their backs. Maria always wondered why she could see them. She couldn't remember seeing anyone die, and yet they stood clearly before her. She reached out gently to stroke one before climbing into the carriage. Deep in thought, she hardly noticed when the other occupants came in.
However, eventually she noticed that they were there. It was Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood and Justin Flinch-Fletchly. It was really rather interesting, there was a person from each house their, though none of them seemed to enjoy the Slytherin company. The other three were unusually quite, unwilling to speak while in the cold gaze of one of the most mysterious students in school. Luna was the first to risk it.
"Hello. My name is Luna, and these are Neville and Justin." Luna waited for a response. When none came she retreated back to the gloomy silence for a few moments, then continued.
"What's yours?" she asked. "Your name, I mean."
Maria almost laughed. Loony Lovegood, it almost seemed obvious that she would try to make normal conversation with a Slytherin. She decided to give Luna what the other two expected.
"Just because I didn't curse you when you walked in doesn't mean I'll talk to a lunatic, an idiot Griffindor and a Hufflepuff. Why don't you just read your daddy's stupid magazine?"
Luna didn't seemed very disturbed by this comment, but didn't address Maria again. Maria smiled to herself, she just got to put down all three houses at once.
After what seemed like hours to all of them, the carriages arrived at Hogwarts. A great sense of foreboding seemed to emanate from it, unlike it's usual cheer. With Dumbledore dead, the castle didn't seem like it was the great place of learning it had been a year and more ago. At least, it seemed like this to most. Maria felt no different then when she had approached the castle before, the misery that everyone else felt now had been hers for her whole life. Still, even Maria felt the change in attitude among her fellow students.
Maria, Luna, Neville and Justin all climbed out of the carriage and walked up the steps to the great hall. Once inside, they discovered that even Peeves was drooping a little, and that though the hall was decorated to celebrate the return of the students, the staff seemed solemn. Maria went to sit with the Slytherin table, at the end that was closest to the doors. Normally she was left alone, but Malfoy hadn't had enough on the train.
"So Riddle, are you going to hand over that diary or will I have to take it? There's teachers here to keep you from cursing me now" Crabbe and Golye sniggered, Malfoy was so smart. She would have to give it to him.
"You forget, the teachers will also stop you. You can't take it away from me without their noticing." Malfoy stood, dumbfounded. He hadn't thought of that. He would have to find another means to get it. And once he had that diary in his hands, she would find her deepest, darkest secrets posted where all the school could see, for them to laugh at her crush or her dreams of being rich. He grinned and sat down.
"I'll have it eventually. Nothing will stop me. I'm offering you the easy way to do this."
It's just as easy not to let you get it." Malfoy gave her a cold stare, one that normally made anyone give him what he wanted. Maria merely returned it with another one, filled with ice and flame deeper than the lake outside. He quickly withdrew his gaze.
"Alright then. C'mon Crabbe, c'mon Goyle. We have rumors to spread". He smirked. He would think of something really good if he didn't get what he wanted soon. But before he could say another word, Professor McGonagall stood.
"I am sure we are all aware of the tragedy that happened last term. In light of recent events, I will be headmistress until we are able to properly select someone to-" She paused for a moment, tears in her eyes. "To replace Professor Dumbledor. The new students will be arriving shortly."
And as soon as she said it, they walked in. Maria observed their pale faces, totally unlike the expressions on the new students last year. They sensed something was wrong, though many of them did not know what. Maria, however, remembered that was exactly how she looked when she first came here. She knew, even from the beginning, that she had more unknowing enemies here than almost anywhere else.
She sunk deep into thoughts and memories, not noticing the sorting ceremony but also not caring. More people who hated her father, followed her father, or merely hated her came every year. Best to ignore them while she still could.
McGonagall stood up and said a few words before the feast appeared. Maria ate almost as little as possible, then went down to the dormitory in the dungeons.
"Basilisk." The wall moved from view, and she quickly retired to her room. She wished she could be anywhere else, just not this silenced place.
A/N C'mon, give me some feedback. I know it's a tad long, but I need to know how I'm doing. Mostly I would like to know how Maria is developing.