Graced By Angels

Chapter 2: "Friends"

Emyr wasn't surprised at the attention he gained as he was walking into the receiving Hall. Though he did expect people to be a bit more quiet with ludicrous rumors about his family and himself.

He didn't want to be known for what the rumors have said, but sadly that's all people ever wanted to hear.

Tom Riddle, who seemed to like to imitate chewing gum and cling, was much more observant than he thought. He looked even more determined to lock me to his side after seeing people make a fuss over me.

I didn't mind, because I was also very interested in him, he was odd, he looked and sounded charming enough, but there was a cold air to him. I pushed my thoughts aside as I was called up to be sorted. The Deputy Headmaster smiled warmly as I sat on the stool and just a second as he placed the hat yelled, "SLYTHERIN!"

The Slytherin table clapped and cheered, I slipped off the stool to walk to my house table. Many of the older Slytherins grinned and admired as I sat down.

"Well I didn't expect less, the Dulcel family has always had their heirs as Slytherins." An older Slytherin grinned, "I'm Abraxas Malfoy, seems like my father knew yours. Well before he deceased."

I put on a polite smile when he recognized the lastname, "Yes, I've heard of your father. They did seem close, didn't they?" Of course the young Malfoy's father never reached out beyond offering condolences a week late after the funeral.

"My father said that they were best mates when they were in Hogwarts. So how about we do the same?" Abraxas suggested, he looked confident.

I glanced at his smug face and decided, why not entertain him? So I nodded with a polite smile, "Of course."

Malfoy's head seemed to swell with pride because of my agreement to his offer of friendship.

'Ridiculous pride for such a young man.' I thought and moved my gaze to the group of the unsorted first years.

My eyes then spotted Tom Riddle, he was looking in my direction as well, which again is odd. He broke our eye contact once he was called up and gave a charming smile as he walked up to the stool. The hat was lowered and it suddenly yelled, "Slytherin!"

Tom was satisfied with the house that he was classified as he held a smirk walking towards the table that was cheering.

I removed my eyes from Tom as soon as he was seated. Though I was relieved he was in this house as well.

After all the first years were sorted we listened to the headmaster say his speech. My eyes then wandered to the faculty table, there was a sense of hostility coming from one of the staff and my eyes were caught on the deputy headmaster. His eyes held a low hatred as he looked over the students seated in Slytherin and his eyes lingered a little too long on Riddle as he glared.

"Who caught your eye at the faculty, Dulcel?" Malfoy asked, following my gaze.

"The Deputy Headmaster is glaring in our direction." I said calmly, "Did someone mess with his robes? I'd be glaring at us too, if someone made my robes capable of blinding people."

Malfoy grinned, "Funny and no, the old fart has got it against us since he's worked here according to past students. Slytherin keeps winning over his former house, Gryffindor."

I hummed in response and narrowed my eyes slightly, "He's glaring mostly at you, Riddle."

Tom turned his attention to me at the mention of his name, "Does it seem that way? I haven't done anything yet."

I smiled, "Yet? Are you scheming already?"

Tom shrugged, "We're not close enough to let you know about my plans, Dulcel."

I calmly closed my eyes with a small smile and shrugged a shoulder, "It was only curiosity, I didn't plan to be involved in what you have in mind."

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The headmaster was finally done with his long speech and we were allowed to dine.

The foods served were the same as I would eat in my manor, besides the bigger amounts of dessert it was no different, which was slightly disappointing. While we ate, many students held conversations about vacations and who did what during the past years from older students.

I glanced at Tom, he seemed to feel my gaze as he looked at me as well. He looked confused as to why I tried to get his attention, but then opened his mouth to say something, "Why—"

"Dulcel, why don't you meet my friends? They seem interested in knowing you some more." Malfoy cut in gaining my polite attention.

I looked behind him and saw three more boys looking at me with slight admiration. I recognized one boy, whose family had attended my father's funeral and gave a small speech of vague descriptions of my father's personality in kindness.

"Mr. Avery, I remember you." I smiled politely.

He grinned, "Yeah we attended the funeral. My parents knew your mother so it would have been rude if we didn't go." Avery shrugged and broke his stare from me to look at his feet.

"Yes, thank you, that was very kind of your family to do", I gave a small incline of my head as a polite bow of gratitude.

"Ah don't worry about it, I'm more interested in being your friend. My parents would be rather happy hearing the news of me befriending a Dulcel just as they have." Avery held out his hand across the table to me.

I reached over and shook his hand, "Those good news should meet their ears soon enough." I joked with a slight smile.

Avery laughed and nodded, "I'll be expecting my mum to faint." He grinned widely.

"And the other two?" I looked back at Malfoy, who was glaring at Avery in envy as he had a previous event to bond over with me.

He glanced at me and cleared his throat, "This is Rheinhart Lestrange and Theo Nott." He gestured to them as he introduced them to me.

"I'm glad we have been acquainted, please sit." I offered, which they sat immediately and made conversation once more.

I glanced at Tom Riddle, he was observing me, burning holes through my skull in amazement.

After idle conversation and a never ending stare down from Riddle we were guided to our dormitories. The dungeons were dark, moist and quite honestly eerie, it didn't seem like a right place to put children in, but it was better than the barrels that the Hufflepuffs had to deal with.

The common room was revealed to be the opposite of what the outside displayed, it was very neat, warm, and of course green. The scent of the apple wood burning in the fireplace made the place feel cozy.

"Don't get lost too quickly." I heard someone whisper to me.

I glanced to see Tom Riddle next to me, "Oh good, I was going to ask if you'd be my dorm mate. Since I have noticed you're quite attached to me." I said smugly.

Riddle didn't look impressed, "I don't get attached, I just collect interesting things." He emphasized.

"You've turned into a magpie I see, let's say I've done the same. So, agreed?" I said calmly.

Riddle thought it over and answered with a curt nod.

"Excellent, shall we?" I gestured to the stairs that lead up to our dorms. Tom Riddle walked ahead as if to lead the way, which I just followed. What an exciting first day.

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