I'm at a loss for words, about to reply, when the carriage door swings open and a kind old professor pokes his head in. "It's time to go!" he stutters. I nod and hop out, leaving Jesse and Clyde alone. Spotting the dark-haired boy from the train, I dash towards him. He's with Potter and Granger. As I approach, I overhear Potter speaking. "I heard that girl from the train is a Riddle and is joining the school to reform herself." Where did that rumor come from? Fury surges within me, and I tap his shoulder. When he turns, his eyes widen. "Say that again, I didn't quite hear you!" I exclaim. He tries to respond, but I cut him off. "You're messing with the wrong witch in the wrong era!" I declare. "I'm sorry, Opal. But is it true?" he asks, frowning, while Adrien looks on with a slight smile. Before I can stop myself, I blurt out, "Yes, of course I am! Do you want to know what happens to a snake when a Louis Vuitton heel steps on it? Shut up or you'll find out!" Harry looks astonished, and Adrien simply gapes at me. "Damn, she was mad," Hermione remarks. Harry laughs and adds, "She's a Riddle, so it makes sense." I turn and walk away, my secret now exposed. Now I have to pretend to be the reformed girl with daddy issues. "Where have you been?" Jesse asks when I catch up to her. I recount what happened, and she smiles. "Looks like you've already made an enemy!" she says, laughing. I can't help but smile. "You really gave it to him!" "It's time the Chosen One got knocked down a notch. Besides, he's going to try to kill Father. Can't let that happen!" As we enter the grand castle before us, my breath is taken away. The Great Hall boasts four tables with the house banners hanging above them. I take a seat next to Jesse. Chatter fills the hall, and a line of timid first years sit looking around. A man with great bushy white hair approaches the podium. It's time for the sorting. After the sorting is over, the man returns to the podium. "Hello, students, I am Albus Dumbledore," he announces. I snort into my coffee. This is the man my father is afraid of? "I have announcements! Argus Filch has banned fanged frisbees, among other things. Also, we have a new student. Opal Riddle!" he says. All eyes fall on me, and I flush. I stride up to the front, and Dumbledore frowns at me. "I trust that Miss Opal will behave herself, yes? Can't be like her father!" he says with a chuckle. I let out a humorless laugh. He can't even. I explode before I can help myself. "So you're the man everybody is talking about? I can't believe it. I can't believe my eyes! You're ancient, you're ugly, I don't know which is worse! I may bust a rib if I don't die laughing first!" Albus stares at me, and the hall falls silent. "Please sit down so we can sort you, Miss Riddle," McGonagall says. I sit, and she places the large, tattered hat on my head. It almost immediately cries, "Slytherin!" and I hear applause from the Slytherin table. I spot Adrien and sit next to him. "You shouldn't have done that, Opal," he whispers. I shrug and dig into the meal in front of me. As I notice a dollop of potato has attached itself to my hair, I curse inwardly. Why am I so messy? Then, without thinking, Adrien reaches up and takes it out. I flush bright red. "You know, for such a bad*ss, you sure are easy to overwhelm," he says with a smirk. I playfully smack his arm, feeling a warmth spread across my cheeks. Just then, Draco walks over, a smile on his face. "Hello, love," he says, reaching out to remove the stray potato from my hair. I suppress the urge to roll my eyes; I have to stay in character. "Hey," I reply, trying to sound affectionate, and he plants a kiss on my cheek. I flush, noticing that he's not too bad at it either. "I'll see you later, Opal," Adrien mutters, and I watch as he melts away into the crowd. "Why did you have to do that?" I snap at Draco, feeling a twinge of guilt for Adrien's sake. Draco smiles, his demeanor surprisingly gentle. "You're my girlfriend, Opal. It's time you act like it," he whispers, his tone soft despite the underlying sneer. I nod, forcing a smile as I try to shake off the unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach. As Draco walks away, I can't shake off the warmth of his kiss or the genuine concern in his eyes. Despite his occasional arrogance, there's something strangely likable about him when he drops the act. Could it be that I actually like him? I push the thought aside, reminding myself of the dangerous game I'm playing. Getting involved with Draco, even if it's just for show, could complicate things further. And then there's Adrien, with his kind gestures and easy demeanor, stirring up a different kind of feeling in me. Caught between two worlds, I bury the budding feelings deep down, focusing instead on the task at hand.
