"Look at you," Lolita gave Delilah a warm smile as she eyed her in the mirror, adjusting her robes. Delilah gave her a small smile in return before turning back to her reflection, a thoughtful gleam in her eyes.

The brunette raised a brow as she fixed her hair, "what's on your mind, Del?"

"Nothing, it's just..." turning, she sat on her bed and let her fingers run over the soft fabric for the last time. "I never thought I'd actually make it to graduation." Seeing as Delilah had spent every waking hour avoiding being killed back in her own time. She didn't even think she'd live to see her eighteenth birthday.

Lolita laughed lightly, "me neither, considering some of my grades." Delilah forced a chuckle and nodded before looking at the mirror.

The door swung open and they were greeted with Olive, looking pristine as ever. Her eyes raked over them both before an annoyed huff passed her lips. "Why on earth are you two not ready yet? Delilah, where's your cap? We have to be down there in ten minutes."

Lolita and Delilah eyed each other with looks of amusement before picking up their pace. Halfheartedly shoving her cap on her head, she made haste out the door and nearly tripped down the stairs due to her heels. She hadn't worn heels in months.

"Graceful as ever," Pyrrhus teased and gave her wink as she returned the gesture with a choice of finger.

"Where's Riddle?" Lolita asked while Cain threw an arm over her shoulders, pulling her in close while placing a chaste kiss to her cheek. They were adorable. "He's having a final meeting with the professors, being Valedictorian and all." Abraxas muttered while he checked his reflection in the mirror.

"Are you excited?" Elio's voice drew Delilah's attention and she nodded once, a hand reaching up to mess with her necklace but all she could feel was the imprint; it was tucked under her robes. "I'm nervous I'll fall while getting my diploma."

A light laughed passed his lips as his hands raised to fix her cap, seeing as she put it on crooked, "you'll look wonderful."

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Rows upon rows of chairs were set up on the bay of the Great Lake, the soft spring air twirling through the lines of students anxiously awaiting for the ceremony to start. On both sides there was seating for family, friends, et cetera. Delilah having no one, though she found some comfort in not being the only one. Tom's parents weren't there either.

Would he be happy if they were? If his relationship with them had been different, would his parents be proud? Their one and only son, Valedictorian of Hogwarts, class of 1944.

She would like to think so, but reality poisoned that thought.

At the front was a stage which held the staff and Tom, a fashioned golden podium front and center. A hush fell over the crowd as Dippet stood up, waving to students and guests alike with a beaming smile. "Congratulations, you've made it!" He cheered, his voice echoing loudly across the mass and the water behind him.

He was met with cheers, whistles, and claps, Delilah joining in, allowing herself this moment of joy. Dippet went on with a speech explaining how proud he was of each and every one of his students, even reminiscing in a few choice entertaining stories. Next were the four heads of houses, and Delilah might've cheered a bit too much as a Slytherin for Dumbledore. She made a mental note to talk to him after the ceremony.

When Slughorn finished, tears seemed to shine in his eyes when he cleared his throat, "now, I have the ultimate privilege to bring forward one of my own students, who's exceedingly bright and our Valedictorian, Tom Marvolo Riddle!"

As expected, everyone broke out into cheers, even guests. Not only was he the schools golden boy, but he had made his presence known out in the world with some high names. Delilah clapped half heartedly, not feeling sure of herself for what felt like the millionth time. There she was, cheering on Lord Voldemort for graduating.

Life was strange.

There was a moment of breathlessness experienced however when Tom stood up, looking beautiful in his robes that somehow made him seem more poised. His head was held high, pride in every step as he walked up to the podium. Shaking hands with Slughorn, he turned to the audience with a charming smile that knocked the wind out of quite a few people.

Delilah herself included.

Since he was Valedictorian, he had a golden stole draped over his shoulders that gleamed in the sun. "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen," his voice curved and bent in all the right ways as he addressed everyone, a deep and alluring baritone. Tom's eyes ran over the students collected in front of him, his gaze faltering for a second as they connected with royal blue.

Biting his cheek for only a moment, his smile returned in full force and he placed his hands on the podium, the cool material calming him slightly. "It is an honor to be standing before you all today."

Delilah restrained herself from rolling her eyes, honor her ass, Tom knew damn well he would always be top of the class.

"As young adults, there's a sense of immortality embedded into us, life feels ever lasting, events never stop."

A respectful silence fell over like fine drapery, Delilah found herself leaning forward absentmindedly, awaiting his next words with a feeling of strong curiosity.

"This is normal, and expected. We're graduating. However, the past seven years at Hogwarts have passed quicker than most of us have realized. We came in with eyes filled with wonder and a hunger. Now we're departing with a new understanding, but that crave for more is still ever present. Waiting just beyond, past the mountains."

He gestured with a hand and everyone's eyes followed. It was always fascinating to see how expertly Tom could work a crowd. Not just his diction, but the way he presented himself. He was charismatic and seductive in a way that appealed to everyone.

"Hogwarts is, and always will be, eternal. For all of us. Personally, I feel indebted to the school as it became my real sense of home and belonging."

"Memories we hold will keep this castle bound to history forever, and it will grow with each passing year. Memories that will put a lightness within us that make us feel invincible. Like witnessing the enchanted ceiling for the first time, learning your first spell, passing an impossible exam, or discovering a hidden corridor."

Tom's mind went back to when he first witnessed Hogwarts in all its beauty. The castle standing tall and glowing in the late September night, a soft breeze carrying the boats across the lake. He knew then and there, this was his home. This is where he belonged.

He never felt true happiness like that before.

"Even memories that may seem less convenient hold such great value. For example, falling into the Great Lake, not minding that it's freezing due to good company. Or even getting sent into the infirmary due to the aftermath of a challenging duel. These are the memories that validate the immortality we feel as teenagers."

Delilah was hanging onto every word, a weightlessness hitting her like a train on a track when he brought up two memories involving her. No one else. She couldn't help the deep blush flooding her cheeks, she felt warm all over. However, Delilah paled as she remembered potions and that night in the hallway only a few days prior.

They had been so close.

"But endings are vital, or else nothing would ever get started. Endings give everything meaning. I've come to understand this more than ever. I state this, today, to remind us time is a privilege."

Tom couldn't help it as his eyes latched onto golden blonde hair. His time with Delilah was a privilege, he understood that now. Seeing as he's almost lost her a handful of times due to his own errors in judgment.

"Don't waste your life to fulfill the expectations of those around you. Make your life amount to something. Never give up, never give in, fight for what you hold dear. I stress this, now is more important than ever."

He knew his wording had to be careful, considering a few choice guests were Grindelwald supporters. A fact unknown to most. Of course Tom knew, though.

"We've come of age, and we will be greeted by a world filled with turmoil and lack of filter. For the past seven years we've been protected, but now that shield is lifting. My understanding is, we're all ecstatic to immerse ourselves in the world that's awaiting us. I encourage this, wholeheartedly."

Delilah felt her mind go numb for a moment as Tom looked at her. She didn't understand what she was feeling or why. Part of her didn't mind, seeing as it felt euphoric. The other half was terrified.

"But I also caution, as it can be cruel. Do not go into your life ignorant. Be ready with an open mind and awareness when you step off that glittering crimson Hogwarts Express for the last time. Because in the end, reality hurts without discrimination."

"I recognize some might not grasp this, or some might blindly nod along. It's easy to feel a sense of optimism on a day such as this. There will be dark days however, its inevitable."

Delilah suddenly felt cold as his words sunk it. He'd be the root cause for those dark days. The darkest of which the Wizarding world had ever seen. He'd be the cause for so much pain.

"Latch onto those memories, tether yourself to them. No matter how repressed they become, you must keep them alive. They are what guide us. We must be greater than that of which we've suffered."

"As I look around here today, at all the people who've shaped me into who I am today, they also help me recognize who I am meant to be. Some might say the future Minister."

There was a sudden fit of laughter and eyes turned to Slughorn, who was wiping tears away from his eyes and wiping at a running nose. He looked so proud of Tom, it was almost endearing.

"Some a professor, and for some, simply a good man."

Delilah and Tom's eyes latched onto one another, and within a second it was as if they were the only two in existence. White noise surrounded their bodies, forming tunnel vision on one another. It was nearly an out of body experience.

"Our time together is up, and I am grateful for each second. As we get into those boats, the very vessels that started our journey, I want to thank you for making these years some of the best. I will not forget one line of it, I swear."

His lips formed into a closed mouthed, almost somber smile as his eyes trailed up to the sky. Observing the clouds for a moment, watching how they formed such peculiar shapes, "I'd like to personally thank Aaron Cloverfield. You led me to the true enlightenment."

Turning his eyes back onto the crowd, his charming smile grew again, bright white teeth shining. "Thank you," he bowed his head in benediction as he was met with a loud round of applause.

Delilah joined in, though she was sure over half of his speech was utter bullshit. Tom had a way with words, that didn't mean a word he spoke was true. To him at least, did he even grasp the concept of what he was talking about?

Who was Aaron Cloverfield? She's never heard Tom mention that name before.

________________________________

Dippet went down the line of students alphabetically, calling each name proudly. For every student called, they would shake hands with the heads of houses, Tom, and then Dippet as he handed them their diploma.

First was Cain, later followed by Aleksander, and Olive.

"Pyrrhus Lestrange."

He was met with cheers and Delilah gave him a whistle as the boy practically strutted up to the stage, a boyish smile lighting up his features. Pyrrhus blew a kiss to Cosette, they've been hanging out with each other a lot lately. When he got up to the stage, he shook all the professors hands and gave a nod to Tom before walking up to Dippet.

"Bet you never saw this coming," Pyrrhus beamed, waving around his diploma for all to see.

Abraxas was called next, and a few minutes later her breath caught in her throat.

"Delilah Pontmercy."

Standing on shaking legs, Delilah turned around and shot Elio a nervous smile, and he gave her a thumbs up. She was met with more claps than expected, Delilah was unaware of this, but she was fairly well liked despite people still being slightly afraid of her.

After all, she nearly killed Tom Riddle in class.

Walking up the steps felt surreal, she was actually graduating, she did it. She made it. She was alive, here and now.

She shook hands with the heads of houses, and when she got to Dumbledore, the smile on her lips pained her cheeks. He raised his other hand and patted her on the cheek, his eyes twinkling, "well done."

"Thank you, sir."

Slughorn apparently couldn't help himself as he shook her shoulders slightly, "you'll do wonderful things my dear, wonderful!"

Clearing her throat, Delilah kept her eyes on the ground as she walked over to Tom, raising a trembling hand to shake his. But as she looked up, she couldn't help let a laugh slip. He probably despised having to shake everyone's hand. Especially when he had to with Aleksander.

"Well done, Pontmercy," he slightly raised a brow due to her amused expression, but he knew now wasn't the time to ask.

"You too." Tom gave her a nod and his lips tilted up at the sarcasm glittering in her eyes.

Despite how infuriating she was at times, she knew him rather well.

Walking up to Dippet, she grabbed her diploma with one hand and shook with the other. "Congratulations, Miss Pontmercy."

"Thank you," she shot a bright smile towards the audience and couldn't help the pure joy she felt as her friends clapped and whistled.

The ceremony went on, Tom was next followed by Elio. Who looked beyond hesitant to shake Tom's hand, but it would look too suspicious if he didn't. Finally the last of her friends was called, and Lolita walked the isle as if it was a runway.

She looked beautiful and she knew it, even shooting Cain a wink as he whistled at her.

_________________________________

After the ceremony was over, students greeted their friends and family, all with wide smiles. Delilah herself made a beeline for Dumbledore. Once the professor noticed the gleam of blonde, he politely excused himself from Dippet and offered her a wide smile.

"Congratulations, my dear."

Not being able to help herself, Delilah threw her arms around the old wizard and gave him a tight hug, something she didn't do too often. A light laugh left Dumbledore's lips and he patted her on the back.

It was odd, Dumbledore smelt like old books but also magic, pure magic. "Thank you," she pulled back, looking up at the ancient yet young man in front of her. "For everything, truly."

He pushed up his spectacles and looked down at her, "you speak as if this is the last time we'll ever be in acquaintance."

"Well I just thought, with me no longer being in the school-"

"Delilah, these are trying times. Especially for yourself, and for what is about to come, meaning you returning home. Don't ever think you'll have to do that alone, I'm always here. Owl whenever you please."

Her cheeks hurt as she smiled again, today had been wonderful, she hasn't felt so elated in months. "I will, thank you."

"And thank you, Miss Pontmercy."

"For what?" Looking down at her hands, which held her diploma, her smile faltered slightly. She's the only one of her friends who's actually gotten to graduate.

"You've been through so much, you've experienced so much more than a person your age could even fathom. Often, that destroys people."

Looking up at him, Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling, but they were so much younger than the rest of him.

"Trauma such as you've been through often ruins our relationship with time. The loss of continuity leads to the inability to imagine a future. But look at you, striving onward head-fast."

Resting a hand on her shoulder, he gestured to the crowd around them, to her friends. "You've accomplished so much."

"Sir," she began, taking a pause to consider her words. "I know I'm not supposed to say anything but, you're going to be spectacular. Absolutely, and completely spectacular."

Dumbledore smiled warmly and straightened his robes, "my dear, I already am."

________________________________

Wood creaked and shifted as her and many other graduates walked along the docks, the water waning and teasing its way through the cracks, yet never succeeding.

Delilah stood off to the side, arms wrapped around herself as she simply observed everyone. Her trunk sat to her left, filled with clothes that weren't really hers, minus her red converse.

Looking over her shoulder, she spotted her reflection and it was a stranger. Perhaps it wasn't, she's been met with this image for months. Shaking her head, she turned her attention to the boats.

The same boats everyone took to the castle their first year. They were a symbolic means for returning to innocence, back across the water.

However as she watched a select few, like Abraxas, get onto his own boat. Delilah knew he was heading for something much more dark, full of corruption and pain.

Her shoulder went stiff as she got hit with the notion of having the power to end it all. Right there, here and now. Delilah could save so many lives, stop so much destruction. All she had to do was raise her wand. Or warn them.

At the sight of Tom making his way down the dock, she knew she couldn't.

Not only because the timeline would implode on itself with endless paradoxes being produced. It was because of him, simply him.

Delilah couldn't tear Tom down like that. If she told the world what he would become, two things could happen. One, she could be thrown in an institution for being mental. Two, Tom would be chucked in Azkaban for the rest of his days, not even being given an opportunity at life.

As she looked at him, walking with sure steps, the wind ruffling his hair, a content look on his features. Right now, he was so full of it. Delilah couldn't kill him, she could never bring herself to. Even the thought troubled her.

Damn him.

Tom was giving a polite smile to someone who was saying their goodbyes before he stopped in front of Delilah. He appeared even taller due to her leaning against a post.

The wind was tossing her hair around, though it avoided her face. Zephyrus must be on her side today. Her joyful spirit had obviously dwindled due to her looking up at him oddly, her lips tugged down in a slight frown.

"What's wrong?"

His smooth voice snapped her out of her head. Both seemed unaware of the lack of space between them. That appeared to be happening a lot lately.

"You."

Tom nearly rolled his eyes, a gesture practically screaming 'what've I done this time?'. Before he could comment, Delilah started off again.

"Me. Everything, I don't know. You-" she took a deep breath and rubbed at her eyes till stars appeared. Sighing slightly, Tom bent forward and picked up her trunk. He never knew when her mood would suddenly shift.

Grabbing her hand to tug her into a standing position, he then placed a hand on the small of her back, guiding her to one of the enchanted boats. The feeling of his hand sent a whirlwind of something through her, and it felt good.

Once they got seated, Tom directly in front of her, his leg between hers since the boat wasn't that spacious. It was strange, he remembered the boats being much larger when he was eleven.

As they began to move through the water, Tom watched Delilah. How her nose twitched every so often, a simple tick she had. He then began to wonder what his life would've been like if she had been at Hogwarts with him since first year. Would anything be different?

He... cared for her. He could admit that now, at least to himself.

"I'm supposed to hate you," Delilah blurted suddenly. Tom blinked away the new revelation he'd reached and raised a brow at her in question. She wasn't looking at him though, instead she watched as the water rippled around her fingers as the boat moved.

"But I don't." Her own brows were furrowed, looking ultimately conflicted. If only he knew the extent of it.

"And I am so confused. Why don't I hate you?" Finally looking at Tom, the lost expression in his eyes made everything worse. Why couldn't he look like the monster buried so deeply under the surface? That'd make it so much easier.

"I wasn't even aware that you liked me," he teased. Masking the relief he felt bloom in his chest. However, why did Delilah look so shaken over the fact?

No, that's a ridiculous question. She had every right to hate him.

Delilah looked back at the water. She didn't like Tom, but she didn't hate him. No, she knew what true, unadulterated hatred felt like. It felt like the softest of winds yet also the violence of a bad storm. Delilah felt it towards him, at one point.

Overtime it had disappeared without her noticing, without her consent. She hated what Tom would become, yes. She hated Voldemort for what he did to Harry, the world, and what he did to himself.

She didn't hate Tom Riddle.

"Why don't I?" Delilah asked again, she needed an answer. For once, somebody had to give her a proper explanation.

Tom rubbed at his cheek before putting his own hand in the chilled water. Watching how ripples from her hand met his. "I truly don't know." He didn't like not knowing.

________________________________

As they stepped off the glittering crimson Hogwarts Express for the last time, they were met with the bustling crowd of Kings Cross Station.

Delilah fell in step next to Olive as the group weaved their way between people to get to a clearing, safe enough for each of them to apparate.

Elio led them all to a decently sectioned off area, he seemed a bit anxious and Delilah couldn't blame him. The Ministry plan was growing closer by the minute.

"Ready?" He asked everyone, and he was met with a series of nods. "You all remember the location? Rosier Summer Manor?"

"Yes! For the love of Merlin, let's go." Cain griped, spinning on his heal and disapparating with a crack. Delilah raised a brow at Lolita and she shrugged slightly, "he gets a bit grumpy on long rides."

Then one after another, each of them spun, Delilah following soon after Abraxas. However, just as the train station warped away from her, she saw a flash of bright red hair and the yellow robes of a Hufflepuff.

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Please VOTE & COMMENT if you enjoyed!!

Schools kinda kicking my butt and taking up time so I apologize. Also I just started season 6 of Criminal Minds and AHHHH. It's such a good show, I recommend.