Hello Again
Delilah
“Ow! Stupid Counter!" I shouted as I stubbed my toe.
Just great. I woke up late, couldn't find my wand for a solid 30 minutes, messed up my eyeliner, and now I'm struggling to get out the door.
I was in the dining room organizing my book bag for the 3rd time in 24 hours, my OCD collaborating with my overthinking mindset.
My brother was on the sofa, laughing at me struggling. He said Blaise was going to come get him in a bit so apparently I was the only one aware of the crucial lack of time left until 11am.
"If you get stranded at the manor with Uncle Lucius until Christmas, don't come crying to me." I said before kissing his cheek in farewell and briskly walking through the halls to the front door, my heels clicking and echoing in the empty hallway.
I walked into the front garden and found Draco and Narcissa waiting for me.
"I'm so sorry, Aunt Cissa." I said sheepishly, glaring at Draco while he tried to hide his smirk. He was the one who hid my wand, and I made a mental note to hex him into oblivion when we get to the common room tonight.
"No worries dear. We won't be late." She said warmly, kissing my cheek and subtly pulling down my skirt that had started to run up my thighs.
The Malfoys and Notts have been allied for generations on generations, therefore Draco and l's closeness was unavoidable. I spent every possible moment of my childhood with Theo and Draco at Malfoy Manor.
Theo and I were 8 when our parents disappeared and later turned up dead, leaving us alone. Following the loss of our parents, Narcissa and Lucius claimed guardianship of Theo and I.
As grateful for Narcissa as I am, it's hard without my mum here. She always understood me in a way nobody else could.
"Where's Theo?" Draco asked and I shrugged.
"Said Zabini was coming to fetch him in a few minutes."
Narcissa then told us that it was time to go, so we grabbed her arm as she apparated us to Platform 9 3/4. The world spun and stretched for a moment before we landed in the crowded station.
The normal apparation nausea subsided when I got a hold of myself and I finally caught the first glimpse of the platform this term. The Hogwarts Express must've been repainted over summer as the newly bright red and black train was shining in the late morning sun.
The windows had first year students peeking through them, they usually board the train early in fear of missing the 11am deadline.
I admit, I was guilty of this when I started Hogwarts as well.
It's stressful, ok?
Ribbits, Hoots, and Meows could be heard among the buzz of conversation, the different pets seeming to be having their own discussions.
Even after 5 years, the thrill and excitement that comes when you step onto the platform is still there.
At 10:50, Theo and Blaise had finally turned up and were ready to go, so I kissed Narcissa's cheek, saying my goodbyes and boarding the train. I made a beeline for the Slytherin compartment, where I saw Pansy and Daphne seated together.
"Is this seat taken?" I teased, making Pansy screech in excitement and scramble over Daphne's lap to get to me. She embraced me tightly, kissing me on the cheek after pulling back.
"LILAH WE MISSED YOU SO MUCH!!" She squealed, hugging me again. I laugh and give Daphne a hug when I am free from Pansy.
"I missed my girls too. How are you?"
"I'm good, you?" Daphne said.
"I'm good."
I sat in the middle of my two best friends, talking about our summers and catching up on drama. Blaise, Theo, and Draco were in the booth behind us, but there was still no sign of the one person I really wanted to see.
Mattheo and I have been together since 4th year and he really is the love of my life. I've never had so much love for anyone else, he has completely taken my heart and is holding it hostage.
I was anxious to see him, we hadn't seen each other since the summer ball, where we had been told we would be given the mark at the end of this year. Mattheo's dad being the ringleader wasn't helping his stress levels either, as he was expected to carry this whole thing on after his father passes.
His mom, Bellatrix Lestrange, had escaped from Azkaban and attempted to murder her cousin, Sirius Black.
Sadly, she wasn't successful, and Sirius has gone into hiding with Remus Lupin. He had been the DADA teacher in 3rd year, but resigned after his furry little problem was revealed.
When he finally came into the compartment, it felt like a weight was lifted off my chest, one I didn't even know was there.
"Oi Riddle, it's about time mate! Come sit." I heard Theo say.
"Nah, I'd rather see Delilah than you."
He walks past the boys and I get up to meet him in the corridor.
"There she is." He smiles, pulling me into his chest.
"Hi." I whispered, breathing in his scent.
"C'mon, come sit with us." I took his hand and led him to the compartment we were sitting in.
"Oh Lilah, finally you're back. I'm trying to tell Daphne why France is so much better than Norway, but she isn't listening." She complained, and I rolled my eyes.
"Oh yeah, thanks Pansy. My summer was great." Mattheo sassed, earning a scowl.
"Not everything is about you, Riddle. I'm gonna go find the trolley witch." She said, getting up and Daphne following her, giving me a sly wink.
We sat down, Mattheo sat on the outside of the booth and I settled beside the window with a book on the dark arts I nicked from the library last night.
"Delilah?"
"Hmm?"
"Isn't it odd that this is our last year as normal innocent teenagers. I mean, next year we'll be criminals as far as the ministry is concerned." He said, fiddling with his tie, something he does when his anxiety is starting to flare up.
I placed my bookmark in my book and set it on the table before patting my lap.
"C'mere love."
He crawled over, plopping his head in my lap and I brushed his hair from his face and started to play with it.
"Talk to me, baby." I said with a soft smile, and his green eyes almost knocked me over.
He is the most beautiful boy I have ever seen, and he's all mine.
"I'm just nervous, y'know? Next year is gonna be scary. All I will be able to think about is you, if you're ok, if you're even alive...I'm scared Lilah." He confessed and I frown at how vulnerable and small he sounds.
"It'll be ok baby, I promise." I said, and he nodded, closing his eyes.
I sigh, peering down at him with admiration and concern.
I have to protect him, and I will stop at nothing.