Hierarchy of Need [t.r]

Chapter Three

"Aimez-vous votre temps en France?" He asked her and she blinked at him. Okay, that really wasn't fair. It was bad enough he was handsome and charming, but to also speak another language was rude. "Oui. Merci de demander. Aimez-vous votre temps à Hogwarts?" Tom kept his smile on his face but sighed lightly through his nose. So she could speak French. He was hoping it might've been some rouse. He didn't know why, but something was off about her, it was like he could feel it. Once that flame of curiosity and wonder was alight inside of him, his urge to figure it out was insatiable.

  He laughed lightly and nodded his head. "Yes, Hogwarts is a magnificent place. You'll have much to discover while you're here. Although it's shame you'll only have a year. I've been here for seven and I still have yet to discover every secret the Castle has to offer." Delilah hummed and an amused glimmer shone in her eyes. Oh, she knew well what secrets this Castle held and she'd be damned if she ever shared them. If she was stuck here for the time being, they were hers and hers alone. It seemed the only thing giving her reassurance, besides Dumbledore.

  They reached the Great Hall and Delilah's breath caught in her throat. Each table was full with laughing and chatting students, all bunched together with their friends in their houses. Smiles were everywhere and the lighting was a warm orange glow. It was overwhelming for her. She hadn't seen the Great Hall look like this in what felt like an eternity. In her time, the Great Hall was now in ruins. Part of the ceiling had caved in, the enchanted ceiling no longer worked, and the windows were shattered. The two massive oak doors had also been blown off their hinges.

  "Miss Pontmercy?" Tom asked as he eyed her, he feigned concerned and she turned to look at him. She blinked a few times and it seemed she was remembering something, something important. "Sorry." She mustered and forced a light laugh. Tom easily saw something was bothering her. "So, Slytherin is the all green table I presume?" She pointed to the table to the far left that was clad in emerald green and he nodded. "Correct, this way. You can sit with me if you would like?"

  He'd actually prefer if she didn't, but it would look wrong if he didn't offer. Besides, Delilah didn't seem like a jumbled mess of hormones when she talked to him, like so many others, so perhaps it wouldn't be insufferable. "Oh, sure. Thank you." She followed him and ignored to her best ability all the stares she was getting. None of them appeared to be negative, just curious.

  Tom gestured for her to sit down and he sat next to her. "Gentleman, this is Miss Delilah Pontmercy." He introduced her and she smiled kindly at all the boys. It faltered however when a boy with platinum blonde hair made his way into her line of sight. There was no mistaking he was a Malfoy. Could this really be one of Draco's relatives?

  He had the same aristocratic air about him, but his features weren't as pointed. His nose was soft and held a few freckles, he had a strong jaw and his crystalline eyes seemed gentler. He was much more muscular than Draco however, Draco was more lean if she recalled correctly. It's been ages since she saw him. The boy in front of her also had a severely different hairstyle. Draco's was always slicked back but this boys hair was similar to Tom's. His hair was styled into neat waves that were brushed back. It was suitable for this time period, she supposed. It fit him.

  "Pyrrhus Lestrange, just call me Lestrange though." A boy with messy black hair and black eyes shook hands with Delilah. A chill ran up her spine at the sound of his name. Flashes of the maniacal laugh of Bellatrix flickered in Delilah's mind but she shook her head. Bellatrix was only a Lestrange by marriage.

  The boy to his right held out his hand. He had light brown hair that was significantly messier than the others, and his eyes were a pale green. "Elio Rosier." Delilah shook his hand as well and stared at him just a bit too long. His eyes reminded her of Harry, though Elio's weren't as vibrant.