Hierarchy of Need [t.r]

Chapter Twenty Three

Delilah's mind was moving so quickly she could barely register her own thoughts.

"How about we also tell her what really happened fifth year? Oh what a clever trick that was, fooled the whole bloody school! You paraded yourself around like a hero. Even got yourself a shiny award, Tom Riddle, savior of the day. Tell that to Myrtle."

Delilah felt a pounding start at the back of her skull as she tried to remember that day, the last thing she could recall was Tom giving her that rose.

And what about fifth year? Isn't that when he said he got Hagrid expelled? And Myrtle? Did he mean Moaning Myrtle? "What are you talking about? What happened?" But she wasn't heard over Elio.

"The things you make us do, what you make us feel like we have to do."

"Rosier, I advise you to stop talking." Tom's voice became that of ice, the kind that burned when touched. Abraxas and the other boys tensed, taking a small step forward if they needed to come to Elio's aid. They've seen that look on Tom before, and it ended very poorly.

"And I advise you to start listening, my lord." Elio stepped towards Tom, his fear forgotten and clouded by well over a year of built up anger.

Tom visibly tensed at the name, his eyes darting to Delilah quickly before shifting them back on the boy he looked like he was about to kill. And he just might, his hand that was twirling his wand froze.

Delilah's head spun, what did he mean 'my lord?' What the fuck is happening? That ache in her head grew a tad bit stronger.

"Cain what are they talking about," Delilah tugged on his arm but he shrugged her off, his attention solely focused on the two. He had no doubt in his mind that a cruciatus curse might go flying around, and if it got to it, possibly even something much more deadly.

There was a flash of red inside her mind, her head began to ache terribly as a memory tried to prod its way to the surface.

Pale green eyes danced between the dark pools of Tom's. "I am tired of you taking whatever you want, whenever you see fit. No matter who it harms in the end. Just because you're the heir doesn't mean you can own whatever catches your eye. Object and person alike. You're not entitled to a damn thing, yet you act like you are."

There was a beat of silence and Tom was just about to flick his wand when Elio sighed and stepped away, rubbing at his face. "I'm exhausted, truly. And I've had enough."

He turned and looked at Delilah, "Go on and ask him, ask him why he dragged you back from the woods unconscious, and had Dumbledore and Madame Fontaine brought to the Manor. You were passed out on a table in the kitchen, you looked like you were about to die."

Delilah paled, her brain scrambling to try to put the pieces together, but she couldn't and a new sense of fear ran up her back as her gaze turned to Tom.

"What happened?"

"Leave, all of you." His words were directed at the boys, but his eyes remained solely focused on Delilah.

When no one moved, his gaze suddenly turned furious as he looked at them all.

"Now!"

It was a rare thing to hear Tom yell, it caused all of them to flinch except for Delilah. No, her confusion clouded her rationality. If she was in her right state of mind, she'd also know to get the hell out of there.

The boys scrambled and made to leave, sparring her abrupt glances of worry. Elio however spared a long look at Tom before shaking his head, taking his time to leave. He stopped when his shoulder met Delilah's and he leaned down slightly, "be careful," he muttered.