I think it was April, two thousand thirteen. I was sixteen years old and my father was working with Dumbledore to stop the dark wizard who was taking his spot on the most nefarious villain list. Mother had long died in a mission against the very Order he was fighting now with. So you can imagine my surprise when he didn't wring their necks as he had promised me he would when I became motherless.

Thanks to the wizard oath everyone took, we were not allowed to kill or injure each other, safe for self-defense while this Voldemort copycat still breathed. Which meant that I was finally going to see Hogwarts and live there, maybe for years. To live in the midst of starving lions, such joy.

But I wasn't shaken; Father was there, indomitable, courageous, invincible father. Everything was going to be alright.

I stepped into the Great Hall along with him, the scenery was breathtaking. He looked oddly nostalgic but quickly schooled his expression when he saw Albus Dumbledore.

"Tom," the old man said gravely, yet kindly, almost like a father who wanted a mediwizard for a son who instead worked in broom production. Only the feeling seemed amplified by an eternity.

The rest of the order of the phoenix was near him, side by side. It included the skilled Minerva McGonagall, the powerful, traitorous Severus Snape whom father had been fond of, and of course Harry Potter, the chosen one. He was thirty-three years old.

"It is Voldemort now, decrepit, old man," Father said and Potter snarled, almost like a dog.

Dumbledore ignored father and said, "And you must be young Delphi."

He was studying me, carefully. I felt the pinpricks of Legilimancy and I immediately occluded.

"I would say it was a pleasure, but I'd lie. I'm not fond of people trying to read my mind."

"The shame, Dumbledore, using Legilimancy on a mere child," Father gloated and mocked.

"You're one to talk. Didn't you try the killing curse on a mere baby?" Harry Potter asked.

Father sighed and said, "Harry Potter, a thorn in my side as always."

He seemed awfully proud of it.

Some more barbs were exchanged but I tuned them out. I didn't eat anything the night before because I was too nervous about seeing Hogwarts.

"Where's the food?" I suddenly asked and everyone interrupted their "battle plans."

"Delphini," Father hissed and I smiled sweetly. He couldn't stay mad at me for long.

"This way, child," Dumbledore said and I could have sworn his eyes twinkled. Father went with me and wouldn't let me eat anything until he had tested for poison, even though Dumbledore assured him that they were quite safe.