Hierarchy of Need [REWRITTEN]

Chapter Three

Dumbledore got her schedule together and just before he handed it to her, there was rapid knocking on his office door. "Come in!" He called and a man threw open the door, nearly tripping over his own feet. He was breathing heavily and spun towards Delilah.

"Is this her? Oh hello, my dear!" Slughorn shook Delilah's hand rapidly, the notion caused her whole arm to shake and she managed a brief smile. "Hello, I'm Delilah Pontmercy."

  "The newest edition to Slytherin! Oh, is this your schedule?" He nipped the papers from Dumbledore, whom held an amused expression at his colleague.

"Very bright? Very bright indeed! Oh yes, a lovely addition to my house! Albus, the house cup will surely be ours I'm afraid. What, with Tom and now Miss Pontmercy? Surely it's in our grasp!"

Delilah blinked at how energetic he was.

"Come along! Let me take you to your common room." He shuffled out the door and Delilah glanced at Dumbledore. "We can meet tomorrow morning if you'd like-"

"Come along!" Slughorn shouted. Delilah nodded at Dumbledore and smiled uneasily. It had hit her she'd actually have to sleep in a new place full of people who'd probably hex her if they found out she was a half-blood. She just hoped there weren't any copies of Draco.

As Delilah entered the Slytherin common room, everything was dark and black marble tile spread through the room. A green shimmer filtered in from high windows, due to the Great Lake being just outside. She'd nearly forgotten they were under water. Many couches for lounging were throughout the room, all black leather with emerald green accents and a fire was crackling in a huge mantel piece on the far right of the room. Above it was a painting of Salazar Slytherin and there were other artifacts littered on top. Upon further notice she saw there was a large snake carved out of black stone. It was beautiful.

And to her surprise the whole place smelt like fresh mint and parchment.

"Boys dormitories are to the left, girls to the right. Seventh years will be on the top floor. Shouldn't miss it. Now I have to pop off I'm afraid! But I'll send Tom to fetch you for dinner, that'll give you enough time to settle in. Remember the password is Ouroboros." With that he scuttled out of the room and she blinked. The common room was empty, most likely due to everyone was in class. She eyed the fireplace one last time before turning right.

Getting to her room, she opened the door and took everything in.

This room had black wood flooring and stone walls. There air was warm but as she touched the stone wall it was cool against her fingers. The beds were four posters as well but emerald green curtains hung heavy and had silver tassels to hold them closed. She spotted the empty bed, which was presumably hers, and ran her hands over the soft velvet. Pulling the covers back she saw a black blanket laid on top of pristine white sheets. She sat down and sighed at how comfortable it was.

Before she knew it, she was out like a light. Exhaustion sweeping down on her like a wave.

When Tom was told they had a new student, his eyebrow quirked upward.

They've had a few this past year, due to the war raging all around Europe, but none of them had been sorted into Slytherin. He nodded at Slughorn and plastered on a smile. "Of course, I'll go and retrieve her now." The Potions teacher clapped him on the back as he left and Tom sighed once he was in the hallway.

  That man is insufferable.

He made his way to the last door in the girls dormitories, and read the engraved 'Seventh Years' before knocking. He got no answer and huffed through his nose. Perhaps she was in the bathroom? Or she wandered off? No, that'd be stupid of her if she didn't know the way around the castle. He knocked again and still got no reply. He tested the door handle and it clicked open.