The Corpse That Lived.

Chapter 25

"SLYTHERIN!"

Dahlia peeked out from under the hat and immediately wished she could hide her face again. The entirety of the great hall was staring at her, most with mouths wide open in shock.

Dahlia gulped and stood on shaky legs to hand Professor McGonagall back the hat.

She was debating on just fleeing and heading back to London when she heard a single person clapping. She looked around and locked eyes with Hyacinth clapping with all her might. This was followed almost immediately by Draco at the Slytherin table. Then Hermione with the Ravenclaws. And finally Neville with the Gryffindors.

She grinned and shot Hyacinth a quick wink, hoping she'd take it as the thank you it was intended as, before walking with her head held high to the Slytherin table.

Don't let them see your fear.

Draco immediately scooted over and cleared a space next to her for Dahlia.

"Way to go Potter," Draco said. "I think you've broken two records tonight."

Dahlia cocked her head at him in confusion.

"Yeah? What'd I do?"

The girl with short black hair, and a small pug nose, laughed.

"Well first you were under the hat longer than anyone in history ever has been." She drawled, looking at her with a mixture of amusement and disdain, a look Dahlia didn't quite appreciate. "Then the wonderful Golden Girl of Magical Britain went and got sent to the snake pit."

Draco rolled his eyes at her, then grinned at Dahlia.

"This is Pansy, Pansy Parkinson. She's acting like a troll, but she's got the right idea."

Pansy puffed up indignantly but smiled sweetly at Draco. Dahlia was pretty sure her smile was as fake as possible but she had to give her props for her acting skills.

"Excuse meee, Draco." She said sweetly. "I didn't realize that your father would be so pleased with your association with the 'Girl-Who-Lived'."

Dahlia valiantly attempted to ignore her whiney and reeding voice as she argued with Draco over 'associating' with her. Instead she watched as Hyacinth was sorted into Gryffindor.

Zabini, Blaise was sorted as the final Slytherin student.

"Alright there Potter?" Zabini asked as he sat on the other side of Dahlia.

Dahlia scowled, annoyed to find herself completely surrounded by other students.

"Fine."

Zabini leant across her to smirk at her.

"How's your family gonna feel about you being in green instead of red?"

She rolled her eyes, "Guess we'll find out tomorrow at owl post, right?"

Zabini laughed, a bright and cheerful sound. Draco, directly across from Dahlia, snorted and the boy sitting on the other side of Draco, Nott maybe?, his lips twitched in amusement.

Zabini turned his attention back to Dahlia as they all ignored the Headmasters speech.

"So what took so long under the hat? He fall asleep?" He whispered.

Judging by the glimmer in the darker boy's eyes, Dahlia got the feeling that he was looking for good gossip and was determined not to give him any.

"Bloody hat said he wanted to chit chat and took up all my time moaning about his boring life." Dahlia whispered fiercely to him, lying through her teeth, but daring him to contradict her.