Students had already started to depart for Hogsmeade as Delilah leaned against the wall, watching couple by couple leave. She wasn't mad at Elio for being late, in all honestly she just wanted to crawl back into bed.

  She watched as third years bustled with excitement, the village still being a new adventure for them. The sudden realization she had no money dawned on Delilah and she cursed. "God dammit." She kicked the wall lazily in a huff, she was at least looking forward to buying some pepper imps from Honeydukes but now she couldn't even do that.

  "Delilah!" She turned at the sound and saw Elio making his way down the main staircase, taking two at a time. "Sorry I'm late, Dumbledore asked me to give this to you." He handed her a small satchel that was a deep purple, and was decently heavy. Peering into the bag, her eyes widened at the amount of money inside. Of course Dumbledore knew.

  Delilah felt the sudden urge to hug the old wizard but she was too afraid to do so, he's done so much for her. Closing the bag with a smile, she took the arm Elio was offering.

  As they made their way down to Hogsmeade, Elio kept looking at her.

  "You look lovely." He finally said, it took him a few minutes to muster up the courage to the compliment. "Thank you, you do too. Loving the green get up."

  Elio was wearing a suit somewhat similar to Tom's. She cursed herself mentally. She'd been comparing a lot of things to Tom lately. But Elio's suit wasn't monochromatically black, it had green undertones stitched into the shirt in a delicate design.

  "I don't know my way around Hogsmeade," she lied. Delilah actually knew of a few secret passageways between the castle and the village. She was also sure she was the only one who knew Dumbledore's brother, Aberforth, owned the Hogs Head Inn.

  "No worries," Elio assured. "I think we'll start with Honeydukes, that treat shop everyone talks about. Then I thought we could pop into a few different stores just to see what you like, and then after the Three Broomsticks. Have you ever had butterbeer?" Delilah shook her head and nearly laughed at the horrified expression on his face. "Merlin, how you've lived this long without it baffles me." He said exasperated.

  Reaching Honeydukes, Elio held the door open for Delilah and she smiled at him. She practically made a beeline for the pepper imps as soon as she saw them stacked against the wall.

  "You like those?" A new voice said from beside her. Turning, she saw Abraxas with his nose scrunched up at the sight of the candy. "They're the best. Not only do they taste like peppermint, but you breath fire!" Her tone was excited but Abraxas simply raised a brow. "Oh c'mon, they're cool." She was about to put one in her mouth to demonstrate but he quickly grabbed her hand. "I'd rather not have my hair singed off, thank you."

  Halfheartedly narrowing her eyes, she threw the sweets in her shopping bag before looking for the sugar quills.

  As she turned down one of the isles, a head of fiery red hair caught her eye and she gasped. "Ron?" The boy turned to look at her with a puzzled expression.

  A boy who was most definitely not Ron.

  Delilah scolded herself and muttered an apology before shuffling away. An ache in her chest began to grow. Elio said he wanted to visit Zonko's, but she didn't think she could manage. Delilah would just think of Fred and George the entire time, which would put her in a glum mood. Something she didn't want Elio to suffer through.

  Finally finding the sugar quills, she reached for one but another hand got to it before her. Turning, she nearly fell over her own feet as she tried to step back.

  Tom was oddly close.

  "How are you finding Hogsmeade, Pontmercy?" He asked, his tone one of polite interest. Though Delilah was sure he couldn't care less.

  "I was about to grab that." A slow disdain was building for the boy next to her as she plucked two sugar quills and put them in her basket. Tom twirled the one he had gotten before her around his fingers, similar to how he usually twirled his wand.

  Delilah suddenly blushed as she remembered trying to copy the movement one night. She dropped her wand on the ground nearly twelve times before she gave up. Bloody Tom Riddle. Did he have to do everything correctly? "Olive is enjoying herself, I hope?" Delilah didn't know why she was attempting to make conversation, but she rarely had the chance to speak to him on his own.

  "I would like to say so." He indicated towards Olive, who was picking treats as she pleased. Delilah assumed Tom had offered to pay.

  "And are you enjoying yourself?" He'd already asked the question, but she deflected it. Much to his annoyance. "Yes, I think so. I've got my two favorite treats. And Elio's been raving about butterbeer. It's a lovely village." Tom nods, interest shining in his eyes that's false, but convincing. That inkling of dislike crept up Delilah's spine.

  He hasn't necessarily done anything.

  And that's what made her dislike him. She was confused by Tom Riddle, and his last name was all too much a coincidence. She was never sure around him, he was intimidating in his own right. He walked with a certain stride, with power high on his shoulders. Yet he was kind and brilliant. But it was like he was too aware. His actions look natural, but they didn't feel natural. He was too calculated.

  Delilah wouldn't have noticed this, but she recognized it in herself. He was hiding something, just like she was. But what on earth would a person like Tom have to hide?

  That got the curiosity burning in her veins. He was handsome, charming, polite and well versed. He could probably talk circles around anyone who challenged him.

  It was breathtaking to watch him in Defense Against the Dark Arts when they got to duel. His movements were quick and graceful. His wand held lightly, as if he was conducting music and not magic. Tom had natural talent. Delilah would watch with careful eyes, breaking down his movements. He was light on his feet, his face passive. Tom was like a predator calmly stalking through tall grass, ten steps ahead of his prey.

  In a way, Delilah supposed, he was terrifying.

  Tom was electric, charismatic, a magnet everyone was drawn to. But his skill and knowledge provided him with the upper hand, he held all the cards.

  In the last month, Delilah had observed how the school seemed to be bent to his will. He could smile and professors would move aside, and with a simple glance he could silence, and with his words...she's seen the way Pyrrhus' hands tremble. The way Elio never looked Tom in the eye. The way Abraxas' jaw ticked. The way Cain seemed to shrink in on himself when Tom said his name.

  Perhaps one of Tom's greatest weapons was his tongue, not just his wand.

  "I have a question." Her voice surprised her, and perhaps it surprised Tom as well. But he didn't show it. Delilah's had stiffened. He never showed anything.

  He nodded his head once, as if giving her permission to continue. "Why's the password Ouroboros?" Something about it bothered her. She knew faintly about it, and she's seen the symbol. A shiver ran down her spine. It reminded her of the Dark Mark.

  "Do you know of the meaning?" He asked, eying her for a moment. She was a strange creature. Her eyes unsettled him. The dark royal blue glinted as if they knew something he didn't, they looked like they knew too much. And not many things could unsettle Tom Riddle. The only other person who had eyes like that was Dumbledore.

  Delilah slight shook her head, "I have a vague understanding, but do enlighten me."

  Tom surveyed her for another moment before gesturing towards the door. Her eyebrows furrowed and she began to protest. "I should wait for Elio-"

"He'll know where to find us." Tom led her to the counter, bodies quickly moving out of the way for him. Delilah awkwardly smiled at a few of them as a silent apology. Before she realized it, Tom took her shopping basket from her hands and paid for her treats.

  "Riddle, you didn't need to do that." He ignored her handed over the bag of newly purchased treats and she shifted on her feet. "Thank you." He nodded and made for the door. Not knowing what else to do, she followed.

  They were already walking through the front door of The Three Broomsticks when Delilah remembered he should be with Olive. But here she was, following whatever silent command Tom issued. Annoyed with herself, she grumpily sat down across from him. They were in the back corner, decently secluded and Delilah felt they were too close all of the sudden.

  The smell of him was intense and inviting, drawing her in, making her want more. The smell of parchment greeted her first, it was crisp and familiar. Next came the smell of burnt wood. And then...was that cigarettes she smelt? Delilah shook her head at herself, Tom doesn't look like the type. Although she supposed she shouldn't be surprised if that was his vice, even if it was mundane.

  He ordered two butterbeers, and the warm tankards were soon in their hands. "Ouroboros is an ancient symbol derived from Egyptian iconography." He began, his tone even and clear.

  Delilah rested her chin in her palm, he had her full attention.

  "The symbol entered Western culture via the Greek Magical Tradition, and was adopted in Gnosticism and Hermeticism, notably in alchemy." Tom felt rather satisfied at how she was acting towards him. Delilah was leaning forward in her seat, like he was breaking her down with his words devine and a steady voice.

He wanted her to always look like that when she had her eyes on him.

  Delilah was too guarded, he couldn't read her. Her dark blue gaze typically narrowed in unclear suspicion. Note, Tom did find it rather amusing. She always looked a bit confused not only at him, but at herself. He had the urge to know what she thought of him. What could make her seem so conflicted?

  "The usual aim of alchemists can be described as individual self-perfection through physical transmutation and spiritual transcendence, with a focus on the eternal unity of all things as well as the cycle of birth and death. Which is what most alchemist seek to liberate. Take Nicolas Flamel for example with the Philosopher's Stone." He was testing her. Testing her knowledge. He was intrigued by how she was second in their class, her marks just below his.

  "So," Delilah said slowly. Her suspension was proved correct, though she wasn't sure if she was glad if this. "Are we talking immortality?"

  She did know of the stone, which was interesting. A vast majority of the wizarding world don't even know if its existence, or they simply don't acknowledge it.

  Tom nodded, "in a sense."

  Delilah had to force herself to drink the butterbeer in order to hide a grimace. So it was exactly like the Dark Mark.

  "The symbol shows a snake eating its own tail. There is not a beginning, nor is there an end. Not really. It is about overcoming death. The snake eats its own end, ceasing death from ever being a possibility." He talked, animated with his hands doing various gestures to keep the pace of his voice flowing.

  Delilah was quiet.

  Tom watched as she ran a nail up and down the side of her tankard. Her eyes seemed to fog over, lost in the thoughts of her always moving brain. "So it's creating an infinity within itself." She said, blinking at the nearly pleased expression that rippled across his features.

  She huffed a dry laugh as a finger traced a dent in the wood table, "a death eater." Her voice was barely audible, her whisper just barely reaching his ears.

  He was genuinely pleased Delilah understood. Tom imagined having this discussion with Olive and he nearly shuddered. His words would have landed on empty ears and blank eyes with fluttering lashes.

  "Slytherins are quite conspicuous." Delilah mused. Leave it to the house of Slytherin to find an in-depth symbol of a snake, it was like a silent warning of the future.

  "Del!" Someone called. Confused, Delilah turned around to see Lolita striding towards her, followed by the rest of her new friend group. She spotted Elio, who smiled at her warmly. A tinge of guilt stirred in her stomach.

  Then her eyes landed on Olive, who didn't look as furious as she was expecting. Though as the girl looked between Tom and Delilah, she was clearly displeased. But she didn't seem surprised.

  "Del?" Delilah questioned with an eyebrow raised. "Yes, it's your nickname. You've been calling me 'Lita, so I thought it only fair." Delilah shrugged, not seeing a point to argue.

  Elio sat next to her and threw an arm over the back of her chair. She felt bad for leaving him, way more than what was probably necessary. She offered him her tankard, "butterbeer is atrocious."

  Delilah kept her tone straight and scrunched up her nose in feigned disgust. Elio's eyebrows shot up and he looked offended. "How in the name of Merlin-"

"I'm kidding." She smiled brightly at him, a smile she usually reserved. A smile she also hasn't had the privilege to use in nearly two years. It hurt her cheeks, but Elio's eyes softened and his shoulders relaxed, and it was worth it. "It's delicious, you were right, I don't know how I lived all these years without it."

  As they walked back to Hogwarts, Elio and Delilah trailed behind the group. Remnants of laughter were still on Delilah's lips from a joke Pyrrhus told.

  Elio had been attempting to hold her hand but clearly didn't know how to go about it, leading her to be the one to twine their fingers. "You're such a charmer, how the girls of Hogwarts are sane baffles me." She mused and he sent her a halfhearted glare. "It's not my fault you make me nervous." Delilah felt her smile soften. "Why on earth would I make you nervous?"

  Elio thought for a long moment, his eyes watching the slow fall of leaves as he tried to find the right words.

  He recalled the first Quidditch game of the year, Slytherin against Hufflepuff. Confidence in his own skill came easy to him, but when he walked out he instantly spotted a gleam of gold amid a sea of green and silver. And there she was. Clad in emerald green, her cheeks flushed, wind rustling her wild hair, and eyes alight as she waved at him, a cheerful yell on her lips.

  He was captivated by Delilah. She's captured something of his. Whether it was just his attention or his heart, he didn't know. Elio wasn't sure if he wanted to know. But one thing was for certain.

  "You take my breath away, Delilah." His tone was set and true, an honesty gleamed in his pale green eyes. It was a brash decision, but Delilah found herself tugging on his arm to bring him closer and she kissed him.

  His mouth still warm from butterbeer, and her her's surprisingly cold.