The Black Dahlia

The train to Hogwarts was always filled with the loud chatter and laughter of returning students, a hive for socializing after a summer away from friends. And then there was always the pestering questions and awes of first years enamored, excited, or nervous about the next stage of their life.

But amongst the cheer and bright, one cabin of the train was silent and gloomy. Two platinum blonde children sat across from each other but preferred to look out the window as the countryside passed by.

Dahlia sat tall and unmoving as though she was chiseled from white marble, not a flicker of emotion on her face. This was the image of the eldest Malfoy that was known by all in the halls of Hogwarts. The perfect pure-blooded Slytherin, silent and always scheming. The girl with the deathly cold stare who could read you like a book.

Draco was still smaller, though not by much, and unlike his sister, squirmed in nervous anticipation of his arrival at the great school. After the events of last term, the students of Hogwarts were more terrified of the siblings than ever. They knew the rumors that circled, that they were the heirs of Slytherin, that they were responsible for the attacks. This was the Draco that only Dahlia was privy too, scared of what people thought, scared of being branded 'evil'. Outside the doors of their self-isolation, he put on a show, a kind of shield. He was the cocky, self-assured Malfoy boy with the same prejudiced beliefs as his father.

"Stop fidgeting, Draco" commanded Dahlia coolly, continuing to look outside. She understood his apprehensiveness, but he was the only person she could never truly read. "What is it?"

Draco met the eyes of his sister with no fear. To him, his sister's unrelenting stare was so normal that he never even registered the cold. "They fear us. They still think we did it."

"Yes, they do" Dahlia stated, no disdain or surprise in her voice. "We know otherwise."

The younger boy rolled his eyes in frustration. "It's still our name being dragged in the mud. Besides, they're half right, aren't they?"

Dahlia dead stare intensified, "we are not responsible for the alleged actions of our father. Do not define yourself by him."

Draco said nothing but Dahlia knew he would consider her words carefully. The two sat silently for a few more minutes before she suddenly giggled and Draco looked at her curiously.

"Your friends are waiting outside for me to leave so they can join you. That girl that follows you about, Parkinson I think, she is completely obsessed with you. She desperately wants to touch you hair."

Draco snorted at the thought. "She won't leave me alone. Bloody persistent, that one."

Dahlia smirked, "be gentle Draco, she's fragile."

With that, the eldest Malfoy stood and barely made her exist before the party outside rushed in to join her brother. Dahlia stood tall as she walked the train, making her way to the prefect meeting. She was a little late, which undoubtably irked the new Head Boy who already didn't care for her. But one cold look at Percy Weasley shut him up before he could being to berate her tardiness.

The meeting droned on for longer than Dahlia would like. Weasley spent the time reminding the prefects of their duties, emphasizing how their new power shouldn't be abused. Ironic considering his thoughts were polluted with fantasies of giving and taking house points at his will. So simple minded, all he wanted was the respect of his younger siblings.

At least he won't be here next term, Dahlia thought to herself, one year of his nonsense can't be too bad.

He had proven her wrong. In an effort to "encourage inter-house relations" nightly patrols would be done by pairs of prefects from different houses, and Percy had chosen a Hufflepuff prefect as her partner. Cedric Diggory.

The second the meeting concluded, Dahlia left the carriage without striking a conversation with any of her peers, including her new partner and her fellow Slytherin prefects. She knew most of them well enough, pure-blooded events and gatherings meant they often encountered each other outside of school.

Dahlia knew little of Diggory. A half-blood, she believed. Diggory certainly wasn't one of the sacred twenty-eight families. From what she could tell after a quick glance into his mind, he seemed kind and genuine, but he would probably try to befriend her. A sickening thought.

Quickly, Dahlia changed into her robes and secured her green pin as the train was soon to arrive. Performing her duties, she stalked the train reminding the students to change, more so demanding and no one moved to argue with her. That is, until she happened upon one cabin that housed two identical ginger Gryffindor's in her same year.

"My, my, Malfoy" mused one of the twins, eyeing the girl up and down. "Don't you look darling with your little pin."

The other smiled along with his brother, "You're right Fred, Malfoy almost looks intimidating."

It infuriated Dahlia, how the Weasley twins seemed undeterred by her cold stare or telepathic abilities, everyone else was. Dahlia moved her stare to Lee Jordan who was too scared to look away, just as she liked.

"Jordan", she commanded, "make sure your mates are ready before we arrive. I would hate to take action so early in the term."

George only laughed, "Loosen up, Malfoy!"

"Seriously, you might actually be pretty if you weren't always so angry!" joined Fred.

Dahlia made sure not to react and simply bore her eyes in Jordan, who nodded in submission. He was easy enough to read, mentally berating the twins for messing with her. It gave her a small sense of satisfaction.

But the moment was short lived when suddenly, the train stopped.

The air grew ice cold and skies outside the window darkened. Even the edges of the glass were glazed in frost. When the lights in the train died, Dahlia was swiftly pulled into the cabin as she took out her wand. The two Weasleys stood up with her, wands at the ready, and Dahlia didn't even notice that one of her hands was being held on to, keeping her in the cabin.

"What's happening?" Jordan whispered, but no one had an answer.

A new weight fell upon the train, a crushing feeling of sadness that pushed the standing wizards back down. Dahlia found herself falling on Fred, unable to find the will to get back up. It was as if all the happiness she had ever known was stripped away and would never return. She couldn't stop her mind from wandering, slipping back into that dreadful day at the Manor. The skies were just as dark then as they were now. The sound of her aunts maniacal laughter filled her ears and she tightly shut her eyes trying to drown it out. But it was only replaced with the thoughts and fears of everyone else on the train, filling her head all at once like crashing waves.

Then a bright light flashed from a little down the carriage and the weight was gone. Fred and Dahlia stayed down, dazed, trying to regain themselves. Dahlia stood suddenly, grabbing onto the frame of the door, keeping her eyes firmly shut. She stayed there for a moment, shaking her head side to side forcefully, paying no mind to the eyes on her back. No one said a word as she abruptly left the cabin.

The train started moving again and everyone found themselves arriving at Hogwarts quickly, rushing off the train. Draco found his sister a little ways from the self-pulled carriages, watching people leave.

"Do you know what happened?" he asked her quietly while his friends waited for him by another carriage.

Dahlia looked at him quickly, "Dementors. They were searching the train for Sirius Black." She paused before continuing scanning the people around them. "The new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor took care of it."

Draco went to ask her more questions, but she waved him off. "Not here, your mates are waiting for you."

He hesitated but complied, briskly walking back to his group and made his way to the castle. Gossip about Harry Potter fainting already began to take over conversations and Dahlia decided to leave for the Great Hall soon after her brother. Unfortunately, she found herself in a carriage with Diggory who tailed after her.

"We didn't get a chance to talk earlier," he began as they rode away, "Look, I know you weren't planning on working with me, but I am serious about this job."

Dahlia reluctantly looked at him, bored but giving him some attention as he went on.

"I'd like to think that I'm hardworking, and you're the smartest girl in our year, I think we could make a brilliant team if we tried."

Dahlia still only stared and she watched as he began to grow frustrated. The one-way conversation was boring her, and she could tell more about him by reading his head.

You're reading my mind, aren't you? Diggory suddenly thought, and the directness startled her. He caught how her eyes widened slightly, and it was answer enough for him.

So, it's true then. You're a legilimens.

It was more a statement than a question.

"Yes. I am." Dahlia confirmed and then turned to look out the window again, ending the conversation and left promptly to the Great Hall when the carriage stopped.

The Great Hall was warm and welcoming, the candlelight illuminated the young cheery faces of all the students. In this room, even Dahlia wanted to smile, Hogwarts was the place where she felt the safest and most protected. Her still cold steel eyes scanned the seated professors, focusing on the new man teaching defensive magic. He was steeling his mind from her, but he was struggling.

Dumbledore must have informed him of her gift she figured. There must have been something that they wanted to keep hidden. It wasn't surprising, all the professors took measures to keep her out, though some were better at it than others. Dumbledore and Snape were the best at it, very rarely did their mental walls slip.

The Great Hall quieted once the headmaster stood to address the student body before the feast began. "Welcome, Welcome everyone to another wonderful year at Hogwarts. First, I am pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Good luck to you, Professor."

The hall erupted in applause to welcome their latest teacher, but Dahlia was focused on Snape's reaction. It was well known that Snape desired the position for years and yet, Dumbledore always seemed to find someone else. But for a moment, Snape let something slip past his mental wards. Jealousy. Envy. Hate. He hated Professor Lupin, and it wasn't just about the position.

"As some of you may know, Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher for many years, has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be filled by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid!"

Hagrid was one of the few members of faculty that couldn't shield their minds from Dahlia, at least not without immense effort. And even then, Hagrid's defenses were more like counter measures than a wall of stone. In Dahlia's eyes, that made Hagrid the most honest person she knew, even if he hadn't meant to be. Hagrid was also the kindest to her, even though she probably didn't deserve it.

"Finally, on a more disquieting note, Hogwarts -- at the request of the Ministry of Magic -- will, until further notice, play host to the Dementors of Azkaban."

Fear shot through the minds of everyone around her and Dahlia gripped her hands more tightly trying to block out the noise.

"The Dementors will be stationed at the entrances to the grounds. While they are under strict orders not to enter the castle itself, you will on occasion see them as you go about your daily activities. Under no circumstances are you to approach them. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to be forgiving."

Dementors at Hogwarts, Dahlia thought to herself, then they must suspect that Sirius Black intends to seek refuge at Hogwarts. Or is it revenge? Dahlia noticed the slightest twitch of Lupin's eye from across the hall and how the rest of the faculty seemed to tense. There was a secret being kept.