Well around three in the morning, Delilah and Tom stumbled through the doors of the manor; albeit Tom was much more graceful. Delilah quite literally tripped over his foot and he easily caught her by the arm, sending her a halfhearted glare. "Do you do this on purpose?"

"Why would I do that?"

Her cheeks were still flushed, undoubtedly from their heated kiss, so he wasn't sure if she was teasing him or not. Tom settled for raising a questioning brow.

As they made their way up the many stairs, she came to realize all of her clothes were in Olive's room. Delilah didn't want to wake her, considering she knew how livid the brunette would be. There was also the possibility of Aleksander being in Olive's room, a sight Delilah was positive she didn't want to see.

Slowing to a stop in front of Tom's door, he looked down at her blankly, she clearly wanted to say something.

"Um, I left my things in Olive's room..."

"That appears to be your problem, not mine," he then bowed his head in goodnight and turned his back, Delilah gaping at him as he went into his room and shut the door.

"Asshole," she muttered, her hand absentmindedly reaching up to touch her still tingling lips.

They had kissed. Many times, in fact she was almost positive Tom sensed the desperation in it. Which was a tad embarrassing, but nonetheless he didn't seem to give damn as he also kissed her back full force.

God, what had she just done? She made out with Tom Riddle, she initiated it, she wanted it. What was wrong with her? Tom was- she didn't know of any proper words to summarize the type of person he was. She knew he was anything but good, he's exactly what she didn't need. Especially not now.

Shooting one last glare to his door, Delilah turned on her heel with the full intention of finding one of the many luxurious couches to sleep on when an arm wrapped around her waist. A slight gasp left her lips as Tom suddenly tugged her into his room. Though she couldn't ignore she was at least a tiny bit pleased with this outcome.

His lips were near her ear as her back was pressed into the front of him, his warm breath making her feel oddly cold yet on fire.

"No need to act like a kicked puppy," he mumbled, though in the quiet room it nearly sounded like a shout.

"I hate you," Delilah sighed as she turned in his arms, simply gazing up at him.

"I know."

_________________________________

A rap on the door jostled her awake. At first she was merely annoyed, burying her head into the soft pillow with a groan. However, when she heard a dry chuckle, Delilah shot up into a sitting position. Rubbing the tiredness from her eyes, the blurred vision of Tom sitting at his desk became clear. His shirt was unbuttoned, hair a mess, and he was writing in his diary.

The creak of a door didn't bear her any mind.

"Riddle, have you seen Delilah- oh."

Delilah's eyes locked onto pale green, both too startled to speak.

There was a sigh from Tom and she was grateful for the meek distraction. "Morning, Rosier. Do you need anything else?"

"Uh," Elio forced himself to look away from her. She looked beautiful, he just wished it wasn't in Tom's bed, of all fucking places. "No, sorry. I just- I was looking for Delilah."

"Clearly," setting down his quill, Tom turned and his eyes bore into Elio's. "And now you've found her. Gather everyone in the drawing room in twenty minutes."

"Why?"

Blowing a slight huff from his nose, Tom opened his cigarette box and placed one between his lips, "has everyone forgotten why we're here?" He snapped his fingers to light the cigarette, temporarily making his face glow orange. The exasperation in his voice was a tad comical, but Delilah couldn't ignore the spark of tension that arose in the room.

The boys' conversation became muffled as Delilah's eyes widened, slowly lifting the covers. A sigh of relief left her lips as she took note she was still wearing her clothes. Besides, Delilah felt like she would most certainly remember if anything happened with Tom. If simply kissing him was that intense, Merlin knows more scandalous activity would never be forgotten.

Clearing his throat, Elio spared a glance at Delilah and all she could muster was a timid smile. What was she supposed to say? Nothing was making sense. Good lord what would the others think? Elio would undoubtedly tell them, a fact she was surprisingly at ease with. Nonetheless, she didn't want anyone getting ideas. Her and Tom weren't together. All they did was kiss and share a bed, nothing more.

However, as the door clicked shut behind Elio, Tom turned his gaze to her. Delilah couldn't ignore the butterflies going on a rampage inside her stomach.

Oh, she was definitely fucked.

"So," she rubbed the back of her neck, her eyes not looking away from a particular crease in the sheets. Tom rolled his eyes as smoke poured out of his nose and stood up, making his way to the bookshelf on her side of the bed. "Please spare me the awkwardness, it'd be greatly appreciated."

Whether or not smack him or appreciate his bluntness, she didn't know. Either way, she took a pillow and hurled it at him. The pillow merely fell to the floor and unfazed, Tom kicked it away as he flipped through a book. Twirling her necklace, Delilah's gaze drifted to the empty spot on the bed next to her. Only then did she realize it wasn't slept in, the pillow didn't even have a dent. She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, she hoped he hadn't slept on the floor or a couch. Both seemed beneath him, but she couldn't ignore the slight pang she felt. Biting at her cheek, she looked at him. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"About what, the kiss? Do we need to?"

"I don't know, do you want to?"

"I don't see a point. It happened, what else is there to say?"

She felt frozen and her head began to ache, he was unbelievable.

Her silence was loud and wouldn't be so easily ignored. Tom pinched the bridge of his nose before willing himself to look at her, "don't pout-"

"Do you regret it?"

Tom blinked, he was slightly surprised at such a suggestion. How could he ever regret kissing her? "No."

"If you do, that's okay. I'd understand, you don't have to lie."

"Delilah," closing the book he tossed it on the bed and put out his cigarette before walking over. He didn't appear to be stopping anytime soon and her eyes widened as she shuffled back on the sheets. Tom reached the edge of the mattress and managed to grab hold of her ankles before she could fully retreat. Delilah barely registered the tilt of lips when he suddenly yanked her forward by her ankles, causing her to fall on her back and her legs to dangle off the bed on either side of him.

His touch was feather light as his fingers unintentionally dragged up the sides of her legs and she repressed a chill as she looked up at him. Tom's hands pressed into the bed on either side of her waist as he looked down at her, Delilah's golden hair fanning out in a nimbus. Grabbing her hand, he placed a chaste kiss on the inside of her palm. The chill of her skin rippled through him, completely welcomed. "I wouldn't change a second of it. Although, that elderly couple wasn't exactly welcomed."

Her laughter met his ears and his lips tugged up more than usual at the sound of it. "That was hilarious, but probably one of the most embarrassing things ever." Slight disappointment flared in her chest when Tom backed away from the bed and went back to his desk, his mind already occupied with whatever he was now reading. Was she really so easy to dismiss? She couldn't keep up with him. One minute he's being strangely affectionate, the next he's ignoring her existence.

"Get dressed, Ministry plans await."

A frown tugged at her lips as she registered his voice. Right, home. What was wrong with her, she should be jumping off the walls.

Tom didn't miss how she visibly deflated and turned his back to hide a slight smile. Was she contemplating leaving? After all this time she seemed so sure, so driven. Yet with a few tender moments he got her to second guess.

He should've kissed her sooner.

Rolling out of bed, the coldness of the marble shot through her bare feet and ravished her nerves. She began to walk towards the door and Tom raised a brow, "where're you going?" Gesturing towards the door, her mood had severely dropped and she felt sluggish. "To change."

"Your clothes are in there," he sat down at his desk and nodded towards the closet. Her jaw went slack as she kept looking between the closet and his back, "who moved them?"

"I did."

Her brows furrowed, why was he so infuriatingly unpredictable? He couldn't sleep in the same bed as her, yet he moved all her belongings into the same room? "When?"

"Last night."

"Why would you do that?"

Tom froze as he was midway through flipping a page, though if he was being honest he hadn't been paying attention to the words much. "If I was mistaken in you wanting to stay in here, I apologize. You can take them back."

She stared at him for a long time, but he did not turn around. "Why? Answer me that at least, I know you didn't sleep in the bed last night, so why would you want to share a room?" More silence met her ears and she felt like screaming just so something could be happening.

"Just fucking talk to me, Jesus Christ!" Delilah turned towards the door again and Tom shot out of his chair and took hold of her arm. His lips parted to say something but a few seconds later his eyes closed and he took a deep breath, well aware of her intense gaze on him.

"I didn't sleep last night, I couldn't," he let go of her arm and leaned against the foot board of the bed. "Noise, it's just noise. And it's constant and doesn't shut up, I have to be doing things when my mind in this state. It's a clock, an incessant tick, pestering me if I'm not acting. I have to be doing something, if not I feel like I'll explode. And with the discovery of Grindelwald's private collection, I've gone into a frenzy." He ruffled his hair aggressively as he took a drag, plus he couldn't stop thinking about their kiss, though he'd never tell her that. The softness of her is an imprint he'd never be able to get out of his head.

Damn her, his pearl of great price.

He watched as Delilah rubbed at her eyes and she seemed to be shaking slightly. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, it's just..." feeling drained, Delilah walked over to his desk and sunk into the chair, burying her head in her hands. Bloody fucking hell, she was in the deep end with a future dark lord. For the man who would kill her. Was she okay? Had she finally gone mental?

Steps approached slowly and she looked up, Tom had his hands shoved in his pockets as he leaned against the window.

"What are we doing?"

Tom gazed out the window for a long while, nothing catching his interest, everything he found beautiful yesterday appeared bleak now. "Meaning?"

"You and I, what are we doing? What is this?"

Pulling his eyes away from the French landscape, he looked down at the enigma in front of him. "I haven't the faintest clue... do you?" Delilah bit at her lip and turned towards the many scrolls sprawled out across his desk, the elegant writing looking foreign to her. Shaking her head, Tom walked over and tugged her up to her feet. Delilah's head fell against his shoulder as she took in a slow breath, the feeling of his thumb tracing over her scar on the back of her hand calmed her. "It's something."

"It's definitely not nothing," he didn't understand himself when he was around her. She was an entity, sometimes not there at all, other times she consumed. Twisting and molding and warping who he was, and all the time she was unaware. He was terrified of her, that he was aware of. The power she held over him was like an invisible scaffold that only he could see, only he could see the daunting fate that awaited him. But would he move out of the way when the blade swung?

"Off you go," he lightly pushed her towards the closet and Delilah halfheartedly groaned.

Walking through the bathroom, she began to slip off her dress but halted with the feeling of his heated gaze. Turning, she smiled rather cheekily before slamming the closet door shut.

_______________________________

She felt heavy as the plush chair seemed to envelope her, though the breeze coming in through the drawing room window calmed her nerves. The air felt stiff but she hadn't had the energy to worry about it. Finally, Tom walked in and barely spared her a glance as he waved his hand and he shut the window.

"Right, down to business since we've already wasted a day." Everyone was staring between Delilah and Tom, making the blonde want to jump off one of the many cliffs of Étretat. "Yesterday Delilah and I came across something, something that will guide us right to the top. Any qualms we might have, I believe this is the solution to winning."

Abraxas raised a brow as Pyrrhus leaned forward, beyond curious. Delilah didn't miss the sudden light that engulfed their eyes. "What we found could make you rich, more wealthy than your entire family lineage combined. Knowledge that must never be spoken will now be at your fingertips."

"Bloody hell Riddle, enough with the dramatics, just tell us."

Tom looked at Delilah for a moment but realized she was avoiding looking at him. Biting his cheek, his gaze then bored into the mirror above the fireplace, his own reflection warping into something unrecognizable the longer he stared. "Grindelwald's private collection."

"Holy shit."

"Fuck."

"Merlin, Tom." Cain rubbed at his eyes and only then did Delilah take notice how tired he looked. Coming to think of it, she didn't really spend much time with him, she barely knew him. He looked at Lolita for a long moment before looking at Tom. "Does your ambition have no limits?"

"Avery everything you could ever want is in there-"

"No, everything you want, is. I'm content with my life and I'd like to keep it. Breaking into the Ministry is already a risk. But fucking with Grindelwald? He's a war lord, Riddle."

Tom sighed as he looked at Cain, he didn't feel any disappointment, nor anger, he never expected much from him anyway. He's a fool in love, of course his judgement is clouded. "You're welcomed to stay out of it, live your little life with your bride to be."

"We both know you'd never allow that, he'd be punished would he not? Why all the lies?" Lolita said plainly and everyone turned to her with brows raised.

"It's my belief that the truth is vastly overrated," Tom's voice had dropped slightly as his temper was starting to rise. Cain was resilient however and shook his head, "truth is valid."

"What is it that you want us to do, exactly?" Pyrrhus cut in, trying to sever whatever incident was about to occur. He knew his friend was just trying to protect that which he loved, Lolita meant the world to Cain. Something he knew Tom would never be able to comprehend. Sure, he had Delilah, but did that really change anything? Pyrrhus admired Tom, but he'd see the world burn if it meant he was king of the ashes, even if Delilah was the cost he had to pay. His ambition clouded his judgement, rationality, and morals.

It will be the death of him.

"At the moment, nothing. We don't know enough yet, first we need to figure out the guards rounds. I'm leaving that to Lestrange and Avery." Tom ignored how Cain had clenched his jaw, rolling his shoulders he came to realize he had been going too soft on them these past few months. More and more do they all seem persistent to fight back, speak whenever they aren't permitted to. A cruciatus curse fired at them is what they needed, but Tom knew damn well Delilah would find out about it. She'd be livid, he couldn't have that. Not when he was so close.

"It's an old house, I'll give you the location, stake out and figure out their schedule."

_______________________________

The group divided as they made their way into town, the boys going who knows where as Lolita and Olive dragged Delilah to a small cafe for lunch.

They had only just gotten their food when Lolita dropped her spoon and blurted, "tell us everything." Delilah raised a brow as she bit into her sandwich, feigning being clueless. Olive rolled her eyes and aimed her fork at the blonde, "we're not stupid, you two didn't make it back until at least three in the morning."

"And you slept in his room," Lolita pointed out. She flushed and her chewing slowed, eventually losing her appetite in full, "nothing happened."

They stare at her.

"I'm not lying! Yes, we might've shared a kiss, but that's it."

"Fine, I believe you. Besides, I think we would've definitely heard you if you two did sleep together, I don't even think I'd be able to keep quiet." Olive muttered and Delilah choked on her drink. "So, why are you moving into his room?" Delilah huffed and twirled her necklace, "you lot are more nosy than Lavender."

"Who?"

"An old friend... anyway, I don't really think my love life is any of your business." Lolita smirked, "love life? So there is a relationship?" She groaned slightly, that urge to jump off a cliff coming back to her.

"Sorry, this is exciting! Riddle is so, how do I even put this? He's just different. You're like a heaven sent, he's changed you know. Definitely for the better- don't tell him I said that."

The girls continued to talk but Delilah zoned them out. Has he really changed? She didn't think so, the only thing she could think of was that he was no longer trying to kill her. That's a rather low bar.

"After everything he's done, " Delilah suddenly said, her voice ceasing whatever the two girls were talking about. "After everything... how could I just do that? Let him back into my life?" Olive shared a glance with Lolita before reaching over and grabbing Delilah's hand. "We forgive people so we don't lose them," she gave her hand a squeeze before the sight of Tom appeared in the window, he was in deep conversation with Abraxas.

"Even if they don't deserve it."

There was a sharp tap on the window and Delilah flinched, turning in her seat she saw Elio gesture for them to come along.

_______________________________

Cain pushed open the doors rather aggressively when they reached the manor again, clearly still pissed off about the current situation. Tom was merely annoyed at his childlike antics, how could he not realize this was so much bigger than them?

An arm was suddenly thrown over his shoulder and he stiffened, "cheer up, mate. Good news." Aleksander smiled broadly, his demeanor not being tainted despite the deadly glare Tom was carving with his eyes. He patted him on the chest before sauntering off towards the bar to pour himself a drink. "Anyone else?" Aleksander waved a glass around and Pyrrhus perked up, "whiskey please, Irish."

"Same here," Cain sighed as he slumped in a chair, Lolita walked over to run her fingers lightly through his hair. She knew it helped calm him down. "Why not a round for everyone?" Delilah suggested and Aleksander clicked his tongue in agreement.

Tom reluctantly took a glass from Abraxas and watched as the bronze liquid poured into the cup, swirling and making itself a home. After a brief pause, he raised his glass and the rest followed with expectant eyes. "To opportunities," with that he downed the burning alcohol. The group murmured the same phrase and Delilah felt her mouth go a bit dry yet water at the same time.

"So, what did you find out? What's the good news?" Olive asked as she took a seat on the arm of Aleksander's chair. Cain poured himself another drink and did his best to ignore the look Lolita was giving him, "there's only one group of guards who have watch, however, we only saw them walk out. Riddle, you said there's another entrance?"

He nodded and set the glass down, "Eques, you're brother is prepared, correct?" Aleksander hummed and he grew a bit more tense, sure he was excited for their plans, he couldn't help his nerves however. They were breaking into the Ministry. "In three weeks time, we'll be waltzing into a government building right under the Minister's nose."

"Speaking of," Delilah chimed as she waved at them all. "You lot have been practicing your patronus' right? This is important." They nodded, though she knew some probably haven't thought about it since they last met in the Room of Requirement. "I've nearly got a full corporeal one," Elio smiled but it fell slightly as he stared at the silver glint of his necklace hanging on Delilah's neck. "I don't know what's holding me back, though."

The group fell into their own conversations and Delilah made her way over to Tom, lightly nudging him in the arm. "What about you, eh?"

"What about me?"

"Your patronus. Have you even attempted the spell? You didn't participate last time." He simply shrugged and Delilah bit at her lip before a smile grew on her lips, causing him to look down at her in question. "What?"

"You're embarrassed to fail in front of them. Of course you are, mister perfect. Though I'd suggest you'd get over your vanity and practice, this spell provides the greatest protection."

Tom scoffed slightly, he wasn't embarrassed. Though he was admittedly annoyed Elio had seemed to get a better hang of it before he did. That being said, he had been practicing. In fact, while he couldn't sleep he had spent about three hours out in the gardens trying to get something more than a fucking mist to come out of his wand. He was frustrated, how could one possibly have a happiest memory? Something that strikes pure joy deep in the heart. Not pleasure, not temporary feelings of euphoria.

True happiness.

Something Tom came to realize he's never experienced, nor did he think he ever would. His life would be full of pleasures, undoubtedly. Nothing would ever be long term. As he looked down at her, Tom assumed she was probably the closest he would get. Even then, people are temporary. They turn to dust.

But not him, never him. Not with his goals, he had one foe to defeat and then he might just make it. He'd be complete. Tom poured himself another glass to hide his smirk, oh poor dear Delilah.

Had she really forgotten, did he have that much influence? Perhaps his shit graduation speech was better than he thought.

Grindelwald's private collection wasn't his endgame, not even the Ministry, that was just a stepping stone in his path. No, his life's ambition was honed in on one thing, his last enemy to defeat.

Tom Riddle would become Master of Death, and there wasn't a damn person who could stop him.

Not even her.

________________________________

Later that night everyone was in the foyer. Abraxas was at the piano, showing the skills he'd learned due to years of forced practice. Meanwhile Lolita was singing 'I'm Making Believe' as she danced with Cain. The atmosphere was warm and inviting but Delilah felt suffocated by it.

Giving Elio a smile, she stood and walked out to the balcony, the breeze felt nice as it combed through her hair and she could smell the salt. Though her moment of brief peace shattered when a waft of tobacco hit her.

Tom walked out, a cigarette hanging from his lips as he leaned against the edge. They stood side by side for awhile, just star gazing as the music hummed behind them through the french doors. A sigh left her lips and her head dropped, of all of time, of eternity, it had to be her thrown into this shit situation.

"What happens after?"

"Hm?"

"After the ministry," her voice was softer than he's ever heard it as she rested her head on his shoulder, keeping her gaze focused on the stars. There was so much out there, undoubtedly other life. Or God. Who knows. If there was some all powerful being out there, she had obviously pissed them off.

"After you leave, you mean?"

Delilah screwed her eyes shut but the imprint of glimmering dots danced behind her eyes. "Yeah," she whispered. "What are you going to do?"

He shrugged and she lifted her head, turning her body towards him. "I know you have a plan," one doesn't just break into the Ministry for nothing.

"Well, it's not like you're going to be around to see it," his voice was cold but she didn't flinch, she did however frown. His tone had hurt laced through it. He couldn't actually care about her that much, could he? "Hey," she looped her arm through his but he didn't budge. "Tom, look at me."

His jaw clenched as he tilted his head down. He had been mistaken, of course he had. Why did he even allow himself for a second to think she'd actually stay, for him of all people. It pained him as she smiled gently, yet he was completely unaware of the pain digging through her chest as she looked at him. "You'll be alright."

She knew he wouldn't.

Something happened then that she hadn't seen in a long while, his mask of cold indifference clouded his features and he suddenly seemed so far away. "Of course I will, why wouldn't I be?"

Her features fell and she let go of his arm.

"Right, of course. I've forgotten who I'm talking to. The man with no meaning besides making everyone feel like shit, Tom Riddle. Honestly, what was I thinking? You're never gonna stop being him." His brows furrowed but he knew now wasn't the time to ask.

"Delilah-"

"What? What could you possibly have to say?"

Tom's throat felt tight, he couldn't breathe, he felt like screaming might grant him some relief. He wasn't what she needed, he knew that. Delilah didn't really see him, she made someone up and put the skin on someone else. Someone she could actually care for, and who could care for her in return. He's not.. he wasn't the made up one. He never would be.

Tom was terrified she'd eventually end up seeing too much of what she didn't like. He wanted to reach out, yearned to, but he felt paralyzed.

Delilah rubbed at her eyes with the palm of her hands, her shoulders dropping, "after everything I did? Everything I've done to help you. Do you even care?"

"Of course I do."

"Then act like it."

A long, heavy pause followed as he raised a shaking hand to run through his hair. "How?" The timidness in his voice threw her off, he looked like the confused boy he truly was as he stood in front of her. Was he really so lost that she had to explain it to him? Against all her better judgement, she took a step forward and grabbed hold of his hand. "The easiest way to put this is don't be a dick."

Tom laughed, it was a soft rumble that carried across the air in a gentle explosion. He appreciated her trying to lighten the mood. "That appears to be simple enough." Delilah chuckled dryly, "you would think that, wouldn't you?"

Absentmindedly, they began to sway to the music, Lolita was singing 'I'll Never Smile Again' and the sound of laughter was mixed in.

_____________________________

"About Grindelwald's collection," Tom began but stopped short and she groaned rather dramatically. Of course he had to ruin the moment. He tapped a finger under her chin, urging her to look up and she gave him a satiric smile. "As I was saying, I think we should try to get back in soon, hopefully if I'm not being too outrageous, tomorrow." He walked over to his desk and opened up one of the drawers, pulling out an ancient looking book.

Unknown to Delilah, he nicked it from the collection before Grindelwald's men waltzed in. It had to do with dark artifacts, something to help guide him to what he needs in the Ministry, as well as what Delilah could possibly need. As the minutes ticked by, nothing from the worn pages jumped out at him, he pinched his nose before finally asking that damned question.

"Why can't you ever return, let alone write?"

Delilah stiffened as she walked out of the bathroom, adjusting her nightie just so she had something to do. "I told you-"

"No, you really didn't. Don't lie to me."

This conversation was the last thing she wanted to be having. "It's complicated."

"Uncomplicate it."

Delilah gaped at him as she sat on the bed, pressing her back into the headboard until it nearly hurt. "It's not that simple." Tom sighed and closed his eyes, "nothing ever is." Setting down the book, he turned and saw that she had laid down, buried under the blood red sheets. She watched as he walked over and began to undo the buttons of his shirt.

"Strip tease? I never expected that from you, color me surprised."

Tom glared at her before shrugging the fabric off his shoulders. He looked at the bed a bit longer than necessary, just standing at the foot as his eyes bore into the many creases and ripples of silk. Delilah observed him for a moment as well before clearing her throat, "problem?"

He bit his cheek, still not looking at her, "it's hard sleeping next to you."

The silence that followed after was tense and she felt as if she was going to break, or perhaps he was. "Tom if you don't feel comfortable with me being in here I can conjure a cot or something."

"It's not that, it's just-" his fingers ran over the cool fabric as if it was water, watching how it glinted in the candlelight. "I never got my own bed when I was younger." Delilah knew he was talking about the orphanage, and damn her if she ever felt the slightest bit of pity for him. Nonetheless, she smiled and made her way to the edge of the bed and sat on her knees. "It's okay if-"

"It's fine, I can manage. Besides the main issue here is that you smell like peppermint. It's a tad overwhelming." Delilah laughed and poked him on the shoulder, "and you smell like cigarettes, do you see me complaining?"

It wasn't a complaint, he thought.

Her cheeks flushed as their eyes locked onto one another. Her fingers lightly traced over the many scars as they ran down his arms and she took hold of his hands, tugging him onto the mattress. "I suppose I'll just stop eating pepper imps, then."

"Why would you do that? You love those."

Delilah did everything she could to ignore the butterflies acting up in her stomach. Lightly pushing his chest, Tom fell onto his back and looked up at her as the coolness of silk sunk into his skin. He watched as she laid down, one arm draped over his midsection as she rested her head on his chest.

He was stiff for a moment, but slowly he rested a hand on her back and began lightly running it up and down her spine. He could feel the scar tissue. Not a single inch of her back seemed to be untouched. What could she have possibly gone through to sustain such wounds? Was this why she had to leave? His mind went back to the day of their DADA exam, of the boggart who took shape of a maniacal woman with a whip, and how Delilah had laughed over the sight of her corpse.

Was that woman responsible? A fire so intense ached in his chest, his nerves burning with fury. If that woman was responsible, he'd end her. He's never seen her before, hadn't the faintest clue. But the world became small when he was angry with someone, they'd have nowhere to run. As he looked down at Delilah with her eyes closed he knew, if he did find that woman, he'd burn the heart out of her. The killing curse would be a kindness, one she didn't deserve.

Tom desperately wanted to ask, but he knew better. Hopefully she'd tell him in her own time. Delilah wasn't meant to be handled with caution. Her worth was priceless, to anyone that knew her. And with the knowledge someone had tried to take that from her carved into him worse than any blade ever could.

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Please VOTE & COMMENT if you enjoyed!!!

Also I finished Peaky Blinders season 5 last night and I am b r o k e n. Kinda want to write a Tommy Shelby fic...