Hierarchy of Need [t.r]

Chapter Twenty Six

Tom would've been under constant supervision from Dumbledore year after year, so maybe, just maybe things would've turned out for the better. Then a question suddenly arose; why didn't he end up teaching?

He watched the movements of her hand for a moment, taking in her words and registering them. Did she really think so? He kept telling himself that her opinion didn't matter, but he also couldn't ignore the sudden lightness he felt.

Instead of divulging any of this, Tom brought a slight smirk to his lips and looked down at her. "Yes, I would."

"Oh, don't get all cock-sure, remind me never to compliment you again." She jabbed him in the chest with one finger but quickly drew her hand away. Just then she realized how peculiar this all was. Joking about with him, the soon to be Dark Wizard.

As she watched his brows furrow, Delilah knew that he wasn't that yet. He just wasn't. It was beyond complicated to wrap her mind around.

Because in moments like these, standing by a crackling fire and encompassing one another, it felt normal. Perhaps she could pretend it was.

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Two days passed of Delilah wandering about the castle, attempting to keep herself busy as everyone else was studying. Currently, she was leaning against the fountain in the courtyard, flipping through a book and eating pepper imps.

Spring had finally reared it's head, warming the air and making the flowers grow. She even considered heading out to the Forbidden Forest, anxious to see what new life had bloomed.

"Delilah Meddows?"

Bones felt like marble as she froze, her eyes glued to the page and her breathing suddenly falling shallow. The only other person who knew her name was Dumbledore, and that voice definitely did not belong to the old wizard.

Slowly looking up, Delilah was met with a fourth year Hufflepuff. She looked like she'd just been petrified. The girls eyes were wide and glimmering, her fiery red locks sticking up in odd directions.

Blinking as a weak attempt to clear her thoughts, Delilah swallowed dryly and mustered up a smile. "I beg your pardon?"

Suddenly shooting forward, the girl gripped Delilah's hand and tugged, growing nearly frantic. "Please you must come with me, you must. There isn't enough time. Time. Oh what a funny thing that must be to you, time doesn't account for you at all."

What the fuck is happening? Did she know who she was? Delilah's never seen her before. So many questions rang in her head, but the girl tugged again and yanked Delilah up to her feet.

She was left stumbling after the girl as she practically dragged her through the school grounds, both completely oblivious to the odd glances they were receiving. All of Delilah's questions landed on deaf ears.

They turned one corner and Delilah felt the blood fall from her face, leaving her cheeks oddly cold.

The Divination classroom.

Trying her best to tug her arm out of the vice like grip the Hufflepuff had, it was a failed attempt as she was lead up the ladder.

The classroom was empty but the atmosphere still felt dense and congested, due to the heavy drapes cast over the windows and the blazing fire. It all made Delilah feel dizzy.

Just as she turned to look at the girl, hands were placed on her shoulders and she was shoved into a chair.

"You're so far away from home."

Her lips felt heavy as she tried to speak, everything was happening much too quickly, Delilah couldn't keep up. Whatever she was going to say died on her tongue as she watched the girls eyes turn a foggy gray, gazing off like she was witnessing something terrific yet invisible. Perhaps she was.