Hierarchy of Need [t.r]

Chapter Twenty Eight

"I would think working in the Ministry is perfect for someone with his goals. He'd have infinite connections."

"A person like him needs to keep a low profile, Tom draws too much attention, most of the time it's not even intentional." Twirling her necklace, her eyes drew towards the Hufflepuff table, a weak attempt at finding that girl. Again, she was no where to be seen.

"Think of a professor; a man with no motive. And a man with no motive is a man no one suspects. It allows them to move around freely under the radar. If you keep your opposers confused, if they don't know who you are or what you want, they're blind. They can't know what you plan to do next."

Cain stopped eating and looked at her for a moment. He never thought of it like that before. A dry chuckle left his lips and he turned back to his food.

"Merlin, you two are perfect for each other."

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As they sat high up in the stands, the breeze blowing in their hair with a promise of rain, Delilah's foot tapped incessantly. Closer and closer her name was to being called.

Her eyes danced over the vast maze, built from high walls of stone and trees. From her vantage point, she couldn't see anything useful to give her a heads up before she went in. However each student came out looking like they'd just gone through hell. Of course the end was visible to everyone, though. The universe really did hate her.

The task with the boggart would be clear to see for anyone who's watching from the stands, so far she's witnessed a variety of fears from her fellow classmates. Some vague, some terrible.

Delilah didn't know what she was ultimately afraid of, and that's what scared her. Back in third year when Lupin was the DADA professor they practiced with boggarts, hers was Voldemort, like so many other students. Times had changed however. Voldemort still scared her, but she just didn't feel that ache of terror anymore at the thought of that creature.

So what could she possibly see?

"Delilah Pontmercy."

She suddenly felt heavy as she stood up, her legs shaking as she walked down the stairs. Gripping her wand, Delilah gave a polite but pained smile to her professor. The woman wished her a good luck, and Delilah mentally wished her a restless sleep.

She really didn't want to do this.

Once she got down to the field, the entrance to the maze stood tall and daunting, well around twenty feet high, maybe twenty five.

A draft was coming from inside as well, making the dirt and grass rustle around her feet. Looking down she smiled slightly, due to the possibility of maybe needing to run, Delilah thought it appropriate for a change in shoes.

Her red high top converse were a stark contrast against the green Quidditch field.

Craning her neck up, she looked at all the students in the bleachers, either looking down in curiosity or boredom.

Her professor raised her wand, and three seconds later a bright red light shot into the sky. The timer had started.

Taking a deep breath, Delilah started forward.

The moment she stepped inside, the sky warped from clouds to a pitch black sky. A dim blue lighting made it barely visible to see five feet in front of her. "Lovely," she muttered before casting lumos.

She had been walking for maybe two minutes with no trouble, but suddenly her world turned and she hit the ground painfully hard. Something was wrapped tightly around her leg, and good god did it hurt.