Hierarchy of Need [t.r]

Chapter Twenty

Pyrrhus shrugged, "he never talks about it." He bit his lip and poked her cheek, thinking for a moment. "Want to tell me what happened between you and Elio?"

She groaned and threw her head back, ignoring the sharp pain that shot through her skull.

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As she sat down at the Slytherin table with the girls, well away from a certain green eyed boy, her eyes found Dumbledore at the staff table. As if sensing her gaze, the man turned and gave her smile.

After everyone was settled, Dippet walked up to the golden owl podium and cleared his throat. "Welcome back!" He cheered, his voice bouncing off the stone walls. He went through the typical beginning of term information. Delilah zoned out, staring expectantly at her empty plate.

Olive nudged her side though and gestured for her to look at the front. "It's that bloke from the ball." She whispered, staring curiously over the crowd.

With brows furrowed, Delilah turned and her eyes landed on a dark skinned boy with a charming smile. Their gazes locked and he sent her a wink, causing a handful of people to look in Delilah's direction curiously.

"I'd like to introduce another new student! Everyone welcome Aleksander Eques, a seventh year Ravenclaw." The table clad in blue and bronze clapped the loudest, as did Delilah. She felt her eyes lingering on the table of eagles a bit longer than necessary. That was her true house, after all.

Well, now she definitely had an excuse to hang out in Ravenclaw tower. Her eyes then landed on a redhead and she smiled widely, waving her arm to get his attention. He was a bit farther down, but eventually he spotted her. Septimus grinned, his freckled cheeks stretching with the movement and he returned her wave.

"Since when are you friends with Weasley?" Lolita asked, grabbing a bread roll off a platter. Delilah hadn't realized their food arrived. "Oh it's quite the fascinating tale, I accidentally set him on fire."

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She'd managed to go through half the week avoiding everyone, especially Elio. Delilah felt awful for putting off talking to him, she just couldn't find the courage.

Her success on avoidance crumbled however when Slughorn asked her to stay a moment after class. "Yes, Professor?" She fumbled with the strap on her bag, rocking on her feet slowly, she felt restless.

"I do hope to see you tomorrow night." The old man blustered, fumbling around in his briefcase. Her eyebrows shot up and she looked around the room, "pardon?"

Slughorn looked up at her with a funny expression, "the Slug Club dinner? Did Tom not tell you?" Delilah shook her head, annoyance at the coffee colored eyed boy bubbling in her chest. Well, she couldn't fully blame him. She's been avoiding him all week.

Then again, if Tom wanted to find someone, he would. Did that mean he was avoiding her as well? They didn't really talk much after the air raid. She couldn't blame him, they left things... awkward? Delilah wasn't really sure, but something seemed to shift in the space between them. And whether or not it was for the better was an entirely different question.

It was good to know that he didn't want her dead, however. At least not yet.

Delilah nodded at Slughorn after a moment, feeling a new layer of stress fall in her shoulders like a heavy quilt. "I'll be there."

Walking out of the Potions room, the dungeons were relatively empty. Most students were probably out in the courtyard or down at the Quidditch pitch. That's where the girls should be, but Abraxas and Elio would no doubt be practicing. No, she couldn't go there, she wasn't ready to face Elio yet after their breakup.