Hierarchy of Need [t.r]

Chapter Twenty Eight

However, no one was able to register the sight below them before there was a flash of light. The boggart was gone, and in its place was a simple bush of white roses. Her mouth fell open slightly, how the hell did he defeat it so quickly. Yes, he's talented and is able to over come obstacles well. But these dark creatures take the form of ones greatest fear, it should be paralyzing, at least for a few seconds.

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Tom had also been avoiding Delilah ever since what happened in Potions. He didn't want to speak to her until he found a logical reasoning as to why she was what he smelt. The 'object of his affections' was something his brain wouldn't allow him to accept.

After the exam was over however, their curiosity led them back to one another and they met in one of the closed off walkways in the back courtyard just as the rain started to pour.

The moment he was within ear shot, her question tumbled from her lips. "What did the boggart look like for you?"

He didn't respond until they were standing right in front of each other, barely a foot apart. Tom easily fired back a response as he lit a cigarette, "tell me who that woman was."

One hand was shoved in his pocket while the other lifted the tobacco to his lips as he looked down at her, taking all of her in. Her wind tousled hair, the freckles on her nose a bit more pronounced since she's been outside more, the blush to her cheeks, and the annoyed gleam in her royal blue eyes.

"Never gonna happen."

Tom shrugged, holding the cigarette by his teeth as he raised a hand to brush back the hair the wind had blown into his eyes. "It appears both of our questions will go unanswered, then."

Biting her cheek, Delilah rolled her eyes and did her best to ignore how the wind was swirling the fragrance of tobacco around her. It smelt awfully appealing mixed with the fragrance of rain.

"Fine, whatever. It was probably something stupid like a dementor."

He watched as she suddenly paled and a moment later she smacked his chest, earning herself a questioning glance.

"Dementors! Fuck, I completely forgot they had them at the Ministry."

"Well if all goes smoothly, they won't be a problem."

A dry chuckle left her lips and she crossed her arms, "you have complete faith that absolutely nothing could go wrong? Since when are you an optimist?"

He grimaced slightly, "don't insult me. But yes I agree, we should prepare."

"Thank god you have me."

Tom took a drag and pulled it away from his lips, holding the smoke for a moment as he looked her up and down. As he blew the smoke from his nose, he couldn't help the near smile on his lips. Again with the never ending surprises.

"You can cast a patronus?"

Delilah shrugged but couldn't help it as her features turned slightly smug. "Like I said, I'm a fantastic witch."

Before she consciously thought about it, she gave him a wink before walking off to her next exam.

He watched her go for a moment, taking one last hit before throwing the cigarette to the ground and stepping on it with his shoe.