Hierarchy of Need [t.r]

Chapter Twenty

That thought made his lips tug upward slightly, and Delilah just barely missed it. It was odd yet fascinating to see on him, she rarely saw him so much as smirk. But this was nearly a lopsided grin. And she desperately wanted to know what caused it.

"Goodnight, Pontmercy." And with that, he turned and left out the common room. She huffed and stared back into the fire, she'd forgotten he had his own dormitory as Head Boy. So why'd he walk her to the common room?

The image of them kissing rather intimately sprang into her mind again and she rubbed at her temples. Sleep, that's what she needed.

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Begrudgingly, Delilah and Tom handed over their wands to Slughorn, and in exchange their Professor gave them cleaning supplies. He was just about to leave when he whirled around and fixed them each with a pointed gaze. "I know the two of you are rather skilled, no wandless magic. I'll know." He tapped his nose before leaving down the hall, observing their wands curiously.

Huffing, Delilah picked up her bucket and rag and went to the left of the room, trying to put as much distance between her and the boy she was with. That stupid image was still ever present in her mind. It even decided to make an appearance in her dream. If she was being frank, part of her didn't mind, but it was a tad overwhelming.

Tom didn't seem to notice any shift in her behavior, and if he did, he didn't comment on it. Barely ten minutes passed in silence and she started to whistle 'A Taste Of Honey', earning an annoyed glance over Tom's shoulder. "I've never heard that before, is it muggle?" There was a slight hint of disdain in his voice, but he did seem curious. The tune was rather catchy and despite himself, it wasn't too bad to hear.

Considering Delilah was awful at singing, her whistling a song was a gift. "You wouldn't know them," seeing as The Beatles won't be around for nearly twenty years. Delilah was about to start whistling again when something caught her eye on a trophy. It was a golden shield that held the title 'Special Award for Services to the School' and underneath it held a name; Tom Riddle.

Stifling a laugh as she grabbed it, Delilah turned to him with a dumb smile on her lips, "Aw, look what I found." Tom turned and caught sight of what she was holding, a scowl curling at the corner of his mouth. "Jealous?" That earned a scoff from the back of her throat as she halfheartedly cleaned it and placed it back on the shelf, "hardly."

A few more minutes passed, the silence not helping her mind keep distracted. Why did it always have to be him plaguing her thoughts? Why not her fear of never getting home? Why not puppies? Or even Brad Pitt? Her lip curled in annoyance at herself and at a smudge that wasn't going away on a plaque. Looking over at Tom, he seemed completely comfortable with the atmosphere around him. He didn't seem to mind the quiet. But it was currently driving Delilah up the wall.

"Would you like to know something curious?" She blurted out before she could stop herself. Tom looked at her through the reflection in the glass, an eyebrow raised. "The symbol of the Deathly Hallows, y'know the triangle-circle thing I showed you?" She smiled slightly as he instantly put down the trophy and turned around, Delilah enjoyed having his attention, but she'd never admit it.

"Well?" He urged, waving the rag at her impatiently, "I usually can't get you to shut up, don't start now." Delilah ignored the jab and craned her neck up to look at him, she was still sitting on the ground and Tom had walked over. "That mark is often confused for being Grindelwald's mark, seeing as the majority of his followers wear it."

Tom raised an eyebrow, but his lack of a reaction made her frown slightly. He didn't seem surprised. Nodding to himself, he began to pace slightly as he bit at his cheek. Grindelwald already had the Elder wand, but if he was associated with the mark of the hallows, that must mean he's aware of the others existence. Which really was quite annoying. If Grindelwald knew of their existence, there was no doubt in his mind he was trying to find them as well.