Hierarchy of Need [t.r]

Chapter Forty Five

The halls seemed to whisper throughout the day, generations of magic thrumming underneath the castle now obvious due to it being so empty. Tom came to notice this as they walked down to the kitchens, he could feel the power of the grounds reverberate through his body with each step.

His fingers were twined with hers, their hearts beating in unison. For now, they had the day to themselves as Dumbledore left to retrieve the time turner. Delilah hadn't been able to help her curiosity before the old wizard left.

"But how are you going to get it?" she had asked, He then explained that after all the chaos of the recent attack, security was in shambles as they scrambled to hold trials to try to figure out how Grindelwald could've gotten into the Ministry. Dumbledore was a man with many resources, it'd be easy for him to get one.

She was relieved, yet at the same time anger started to flare in the base of her heart. If it was so damn easy, why couldn't he have helped more when he sent them? Of course, just like them no had suspected Grindelwald to ambush them.

Nonetheless, it was reckless of him. A lot of things about him were reckless, no matter how calculated. Something just wasn't sitting right in her chest. Before Dumbledore stepped into his floo, she called out to him. "Professor, is the time turner the only reason you're going to the Ministry?" Even if security was fickle, Dumbledore was a very prominent figure. He wouldn't risk being caught so easily.

He looked at her for a moment, his blue eyes twinkling, then he smiled. It was small, nearly not there. "My personal affairs need not concern you, you have much ahead. Rest up and I shall return by the end of the day." And then he disappeared in a whirl of green flame.

Delilah snapped out of it when Tom reached forward and tickled the pear, shortly after the canvas swung open and they walked into the kitchens. They were empty, seeing as the elves go to secondary work when the castle is void of students and staff.

Tom's hand slipped from hers as he made his way to the massive supply cupboard, a feeling of longing drifting over her skin at the loss of contact. She watched as he went inside, the shelves were lined with supplies and other fresh produce, it automatically restocked to fit whatever needs.

She watched the curve of his neck as he tilted his head back to observe the upper shelves, the marks she'd left on him on show. Her eyes trailed to his hands and she felt hot all over again as she remembered the events that unfolded the day prior.

It wasn't like they've never done anything before, the first time they explored anything sexually was that night in the bath. However yesterday was the first time they went all the way. It was all very mind blowing. When she was with him, so intimately connected it was the closest thing to heaven she thought she'd ever get.

"What do you want to eat?"

Shaking her head, she came to find him standing in the doorway of the pantry, hands on his hips awaiting an answer. She wasn't hungry, her nerves had ruined her appetite but she knew she had to eat something sooner or later. Shrugging, she sat down at one of the tables, "just a sandwich is fine."

He nodded his head, "pasta it is."

Delilah rolled her eyes but didn't object as she watched him pile ingredients along one of the counter tops before lighting the large stove. "I don't like red sauce," she informed him and he scoffed but didn't comment further. She was pleased when he put the tomatoes back. Tom made quick work, his movements relaxed and practiced. Smiling, she rested her chin in her palm, "I didn't know you could cook."