Chapter One: An Enigma Of Sorts.

Cordelia had many thoughts clouding her mind, most of them regarding her return to the majestic magical school of Hogwarts. She was aware of the fact that nearly everyone who was someone was aware of the Tournament, and its limited amount of participants. She was also aware that her parents not only expected her to be one of those chosen few but to also end up as champion.

A sigh escaped her lips as she glanced at the mess the Parkinson and Nott heirs had made the previous night when they abruptly decided to stay for a sleepover. Feathers, clothes and food items were strewn across the floor, some weird substance even plastered onto her esteemed window space. The only places left untouched were her closet and bathroom, their doors facing similar treatment to her room, but the rooms left clean.

Some would be appalled at the prospect of three teenage pureblood Slytherins causing such havoc, those people were obviously neither purebloods nor Slytherins, which explained their opinions. You see contrary to popular belief Slytherins weren't always brooding and serious, the keyword there being always.

Yes, they probably would end up that way when they became their parents' age, but teenage purebloods were much like any other teenagers. Chaotic, egotistical, ambitious, and above all struggling to find their place in the world. It didn't help much that as purebloods they had a tower of expectations and responsibility staring them down wherever they went. The only place they could be themselves was around each other in the confines of their common room, dorms, or the Hogwarts Express.

The latter being the location the Black-Macmillan family was currently Apparating to. With yet another sigh Cordelia put out her arms and started muttering cleaning spells, directing them to each part of the room. She could've just called upon Tinky, her house-elf, but the little creature would certainly snitch on her and she didn't want her mother to chastise her.

Finally, when everything was returned to its place and the room looked as good as always, she pulled on her school robes and addressed the mirror, making minor adjustments to her appearance. Porcelain arms pulled her chocolate brown locks to the back of her head, her fingers making quick work with the silky substance. The hair was divided into two parts, the left half falling onto her shoulder as she dealt with the right half placed in her hand.

Cordelia further parted her hair, dividing the right half into an up and down section. When she was satisfied with the partition, her digits weaved a simple fishtail braid from the top half, stopping as her fingers slipped towards her shoulder. She tied the braid to ensure it didn't loosen and instead moved onto the left side, repeating the process and once again halting as it met her shoulder. Then, she released each braid from their plastic restrictions, and tied them both together, forming a 'y' of sorts and completing the elegant yet simple hairstyle.

The pureblood witch gave her reflection a satisfied once-over, her eyes dwindling in their prowess as the queer blue irises met their reflection. A sigh escaped her lightly painted lips as she deeply examined her eyes, the pupils dilating and cornea watering as Cordelia's mind drifted off to a foreign place.

"Mistress's presence is required. Master Orion sends Tinky, Mistress."

Lia's upper body turned as she sent the house-elf a prominent frown, delaying her response as she once again glanced at the mirror.

"I'll be down in a minute, you can take my trunk."

Ever the punctual creature, Tinky yanked the black trunk towards her tiny frame and Disapparated, leaving Cordelia alone. Blue eyes once again glanced at themselves as she deeply stared into her pools, almost reassuring herself as she set her mask in place.

Cordelia descended down the stairs, muttering a quick apology over her delay. As always the Black males and females apparated with each other, reaching the platform in two duos, the adults quickly mingling with their friends and family. Orion and Cordelia, on the other hand, were left to find their friends.

The first familiar face she spotted that was around her age, was that of Phyllis (Philly for friends) Parkinson. The Parkinson heir had styled her long, blonde hair in a braided updo, tiny strands peeking out from the several braids on her head. Her frame was taller than most, touching five-eight feet, causing her to stand out from her second-year siblings. Upon further inspection, Lia realized she was conversing with none other than Arora Fawley, another member of their friend circle.

Arora, more commonly referred to as Rory or Ro, had chosen to leave her dirty blonde hair in loose curls, the back of her hair covering not only her robe's hood but also the Niffler resting inside it. The creature was small enough to hide there inconspicuously, but knowing its interests it had probably migrated to Ro's pockets. How her nimble friend obtained the creature wasn't much of a mystery.

The Gryffindor half-giant had been tampering around with yet another one of the infamous Fawley creature stashes at Hogwarts, and as payback she had stolen his Niffler's baby, raising it as her own. It was quite amusing to watch Hagrid attempt to steal the Niffler back and fail time and time again. After all, the Fawley clan were known for their creatures.

"Lia!"

The two blondes finally seemed to notice her approaching form, speed walking towards her in order to maintain public decency. The three of them talked about their various trips over the summer, Phyllis going on and on about the various gossip she obtained. Melania and Arcturus had finally conversed with all of their relatives and turned towards their children. Melania swept both of them in a warm hug while her husband sufficed with a verbal goodbye.

With all the formalities out fo the way, the Slytherin children made their way onto the train, walking into their usual compartments. As she finally settled down onto the seat beside the window, Cordelia noticed the new addition to their compartment. Their usual group of seven had been turned to eight.

Her brother had never been one to tag along with her and her friends, yet here he was sitting directly beside the entrance engaging in polite conversation with Rodolphus Lestrange and Ignatius Prewett sitting beside and in front of him. She noted someone glancing at her and proceeded to settle her gaze onto the figure sitting opposite her, sending a slight grin to the one and only Theodore Nott.

Nott wasn't like her other friends, he had a tendency to keep to himself, only choosing to include himself in their conversations when the opportunity of belittling someone or conversing about books arose. The only reason he even tagged along with them was due to his tight-knit friendship with their part of the Black family, that and his and Lia's shared interests. She settled on making polite conversation with the introverted pureblood.

"Thanks for the feather fest you left behind, I really appreciate it."

He snorted and shook his head. "You're the one who challenged Phyllis and I."

After a few minutes of discussing last night, as well as the muggle novel known as Pride and Prejudice, Druella Black, a fair brunette who was the daredevil one of the lot, let out a shriek and glared at Ignatius Prewett.

"What do you have against Tom? Honestly, you and Lia have got it out for him!"

Young Miss Cordelia sighed at the conversation that had occurred quite a few times prior to this.

"Well for starts he's fishy."

She decided to add fuel to the fire and spite her brunette friend even more by adding onto Ignatius's claim.

"And bigoted."

"Don't forget egoistical."

"Oh and a complete and utter suck up." She finished, grinning at Druella's reddening face.

"You have to admit, you're not much different."

Cordelia turned her gaze onto Druella, a fake glare plastered across her face as she met her golden-brown eyes.

"Yes, but at least I'm not uptight and certainly don't kiss the professors' asses."

"I think you're just jealous Sluggy prefers him." Druella quipped.

"And Dumbledore prefers Cordelia, and as much as I hate to say it, the bespectacled oaf is more reputed and important than Sluggy."

Orion was quick to retort in place of his sister, sending her a slight grin as he settled back into a conversation about Quidditch with Rodolphus.

At this, the whole compartment broke out into snickers and giggles, all except Druella who pouted in fake anger, hiding her snickers.

"Don't you need to leave for your Prefect duties soon?"

She questioned, attempting to subtly dismiss their previous topic while also reminding Cordelia of her duties.

The brunette nodded her head, giving the cabin a once over, glancing at all the brunettes, blondes and redhead who'd become a family of sorts to her over their past five (now about to be six) years at Hogwarts. After a few goodbye calls and even more sarcastic comments, she set off on her way across the train towards its front.

"Watch it Mudblood."

A growl cut through the air as someone pushed past a Gryffindor first year, the latter scurrying back into her cabin. Cordelia smirked, already aware of whom the brown hair, regal form, and enchanting brown eyes belonged to. It was the boy everyone seemingly cherished, the one who held a position above others, the one and only, Tom Marvolo Riddle.

Her smirk widened as she advanced towards his form, already imagining his hostility towards her. Usually, he wasn't rude or sarcastic, choosing to be the paragon of a well-brought-up pureblood, but after their little encounter the previous year where she made it clear he wasn't fooling her with his charismatic mask, he began to loath her more than usual. Their academic rivalry turned to something more, a battle to come on top not only as a student but also as the most powerful and influential wizard.

"Is that how you're supposed to address a fellow student? I thought you'd know better Riddle."

"I am in no mood for your mock ignorance Black."

"Ah, well then it's quite unfortunate we're heading in the same direction."

His gaze finally settled onto her, giving her frame a once over, picking apart every detail, before scoffing and continuing his journey towards the Head's Cabin. The cabin itself wasn't much, just three times larger than the usual cabins with a round conference table holding a specified seat for each member of the student body. Its designs were mundane, each of the four walls painted in each house's seal and colours respectively, the animal representative made to move around in its pentagon.

Sometimes, if you looked close enough, you could spot the lion rearing back on its hind legs ready to pounce onto the snake drawn across from it, the latter coiling back and hissing in return. People presumed that was why the animals were encased in their pentagons, to avoid inter-house conflict. After all, the students themselves provided enough of that.

"Once again I shall inform you to take your duties seriously. The job of a Prefect isn't one you would like to mess up, and anyone who chooses to do so will answer to myself and headmaster Dippet. Am I clear?"

The occupants of the cabin nodded to Head Boy Riddle's annoyingly cliche speech, all except Cordelia who chose to instead role her eyes from her position beside him. She wouldn't admit it, but she had been stricken with a brief pang of jealousy upon realizing Riddle not only became the head boy in his sixth year but would be the head boy for two consecutive years. How he landed the role was beyond her, but in doing so he left her position as Prefect for two years and (anticipated) Head Girl to rot in the dust.

He droned on and on about their schedules, the update rule book, and restricted pranking supplies, finally shutting his trap an hour later. When the meeting commenced, the three other female prefects decided to stay back and pretend to have questions for Tom. All for a bit of attention from Hogwarts' most eligible bachelor.

"Excuse me. Black!"

"What Riddle?"

"Stay back, I need to discuss a few things."

A sigh escaped her lips as she obliged to his demand, resting onto the table as everyone else scuttled away. She had half a mind to hex Riddle and leave with the others, but she knew the consequences of doing so and was curious about his request.

Nothing can ever go right with Riddle but it won't hurt to satisfy a curious mind.

"Are you participating in the Tournament?"

Out of all the things she had thought of, Cordelia hadn't expected him to ask about, or even know about, the Triwizard Tournament taking place that year.

"What's it to you?"

Bad move Cordelia, answering a question with a question always means yes.

"It's always nice to know what you're going up against. "

Cordelia took up a defensive stance as she leaned further into the table, knowing they'd be here for a bit longer. "Well yes Riddle, I do happen to have plans to enter."

"Even after last year's results, you don't seem to understand you can never beat me. It's baffling really."

"What's baffling is the size of your ego and the high horse you've placed yourself on."

His eyes slightly darkened as he stepped closer to her, encasing her right wrist which had previously been resting on the table's top.

"Let me make this very clear Black, I don't do well with competition, so it'd be better for you to stay out of my way."

His pathetic threats had little to no effect on her as she straightened up, meeting his challenging gaze. "How can I stay out of your path if you're blocking mine?"

Her rhetorical yet literal question elicited a smirk from the male, right before he straightened up and walked away, leaving her to ponder over the enigma known as Tom Marvolo Riddle as well as the tournament bound to reach Hogwarts in due time. What was to be seen was who would be the victor.