A tantalizing scent met her nose, almost lethargic as she absentmindedly inhaled. Her mind felt numb for a moment and she nuzzled her head further into the mattress, it was soft and warm, but oddly hard.

Slowly blinking her eyes open, Delilah came to realize she was wrapped around Tom. His breathing was steady, the rise of his chest every few moments in a rhythm put her at ease. She could feel more than hear his heart beat as her head laid against his midsection. Her arm was draped over him and Delilah became acutely aware of the fact that her leg was wedged between his.

She didn't make an effort to move.

He was leaned up against the headboard, bathed in soft orange light from the candle. One hand held a worn leather bound book, his other was running a single finger along the nape of her neck.

Delilah eyed the cigarette hanging from his lips, smoke billowing in swirls. Tom pulled the joint from his lips and tapped it on an ashtray next to the bed, she watched as the ash crumbled softly.

"Why do you smoke?"

His gaze remained on the words, from her angle she couldn't see what exactly he was reading but the pages were yellowed with age. "Helps with nerves." Tom replied flatly. Her lips quirked upwards slightly as she leaned her chin on his abdomen, tracing a nail along one of the many scars that littered his skin. "Do I make you nervous?" The question was a simple tease and rather just a jab, but the way his eyes slowly raked along her body made her smile drop, she shivered.

"In that night gown you do."

In a weak attempt to hide her blush, Delilah looked towards the window and saw it was still dark out. "What time is it?"

"Four in the morning."

Her brows raised slightly as she sat up, "why are you awake?" Chills ravished her skin as he placed a hand on her leg, rubbing his thumb back and forth on the inside of her thigh.

"In an hour or so we need to get everyone up, we're heading back into the collection today. I'd prefer we do it early."

"But we don't know where the other entrance is."

"Which is why we're going through the front, it'll be easier to find it inside."

Delilah paled as she recalled the nightmare like scenario she had to go through the first time, "but the defenses set up, the cave, I..."

Sighing, Tom stubbed out the cigarette and rested the book against his chest. "We need to get in."

"Do I have to go? Can't I just, I don't know, stand watch outside?"

He stared at her for a moment, contemplating his words and he squeezed her thigh slightly. Tom's lips quirked a bit as he watched her breath hitch. "I need you there with me. It called to you, and you're the only one who can open the door."

Slumping against him, Delilah observed their reflection in the mirror across from the bed. It was odd, they looked so normal. Just a boy and a girl, wrapped up in each other on a plush mattress.

"I can't handle seeing Harrison again, not like that."

"It's not real. It's a defense mechanism that latches onto ones psyche, making their worst fears, memories, nightmares, et cetera appear in front of them. It's very effective, but now that you know it's not real, it'll be easier."

Delilah tried to feel at ease with his words, but panic was still shooting through her. The image of her brother may not be real, but that didn't make it hurt any less.

Tom tapped a finger below her chin, his dark brown eyes latching onto hers, giving her a wordless promise that she'd be okay.

Reluctantly, she agreed.

_______________________________

Dawn was just christening as the group walked through the town. The only other signs of life were the calls of seagulls and shop owners unlocking their doors.

"It's beautiful here," Lolita sighed as she rested her head against Cain's shoulder, looping her arm through his. He hummed and placed a chaste kiss to her temple, "wedding location, perhaps?"

"Oh, a beach wedding would be marvelous."

"We could get a small town house, one along the edge of a cliff, imagine waking up to this sunrise every morning." Cain gestured to the houses lining the cobblestone streets, narrow and tall, but homelike.

"Rosie would love it here, don't you think? And she'd have to be our flower girl of course, she'd be livid if she wasn't." Lolita looked up at her fiancé with such admiration, her heart swelling at the sound of his laugh.

"She's always wanted to go to the beach, Merlin knows she'd probably kick sand everywhere." Cain's little sister was a nuisance, but he loved her to death. He didn't have that close of a relationship with his family, but with Rosie and Lolita, that was all he needed. They made his world go around, pushing him to keep going.

"Perhaps she could live with us, in do time. I know you don't like her living in that big manor alone with your parents." Lolita said softly, twining her fingers with his as she raised his hand and placed a kiss to his knuckles.

Cain smiled slightly at the idea, Rosie would be so much happier with him and Lolita to watch over her, they'd actually be there for her.

His life was finally starting to settle down, all they had left to do was the Ministry break in and they'd be done. For the most part at least. Cain would have the life he's always wanted, with the girl he loves, and the sister he adores.

Everything was falling into place.

Elio was walking next to Delilah, his hands shoved in his pockets as he kicked a pebble around. "Are you ready? To go home, I mean."

The answer that should've left her lips was yes, but she hesitated.

Dumbledore warned her about this, but she dismissed him. Like always. Maybe if he hadn't been so cryptic, she would've taken better caution. Then again, Delilah didn't think anyone could've predicted these past few months and really, she had no one to blame but herself.

What would she even tell her friends when she got back? How much time would've passed, days? Months? Years? With the time turner, Delilah could only hope no time would've passed at all. Maybe none would, but she was a different person now. Time passed for her.

Delilah's eyes locked onto the back of Tom and she didn't know whether the lack of guilt she felt was a good thing. If her friends found out who her heart belonged to, they'd never forgive her. Nonetheless, she didn't regret one moment.

A few months with him had gifted her a life time of experiences, and she couldn't be more thankful.

God, Harry would be so disappointed in her.

Anger she could handle, anger softens over time. Even hatred. Disappointment however, was a slow burn no one fully recovers from. Would she even be able to look Harry in the eye, knowing she's fallen for the man who would kill his parents and so many others he loved?

When she did leave, that'd be it. Delilah Pontmercy would be wiped from existence, just a shadow passing through, a flicker of light. There one moment and gone the next. She'd be dying all over again.

"Will you remember me?"

Elio furrowed his brows and pulled her to a stop, the rest of the group oblivious.

"How could I not?"

She felt like he was just saying that, she knew. "Sure for awhile maybe, but over time memory loses its hold." Merlin, was she really this selfish? She didn't want them mourning over her or anything, but part of her didn't oppose the idea. "Just, spare me a thought from time to time?"

"Delilah," Elio began, his tone hardening but remained soft and gentle. He placed his hands on her cheeks to urge her to look at him, his pale green eyes calming her. "You have made such an impact not only on me, but everyone. No one will forget you, it's simply not possible."

She smiled slightly, "am I really that annoying?"

He laughed lightly and pulled her into a hug, resting his chin atop her head. "You're unbelievable."

Truth is, he didn't want her to leave. He'd do anything to make her stay, but that was wrong and he'd never forgive himself for keeping her away from her family.

Delilah closed her eyes as everything poured in, how amazing and wonderful Elio was. How he always said the right thing. "Elio," she began.

She'd regret this, but then again maybe not.

He hummed and looked down at her. She bit her cheek and eyed down the street, the group just about to make a turn.

"I have to tell you something, and you have to swear not to tell anyone."

"You're hopelessly smitten for Lolita? You know honestly I'm not surprised and I would-"

Delilah squeezed her eyes shut and placed a hand over his mouth, causing Elio's smile to drop and his teasing manner to diminish. "Swear to me, if you love me, swear to me you'll never tell. Especially Tom." She knew she was being unfair and cruel, laying this weight on him felt wrong but everything was just waiting to burst out of her.

Elio's jaw set and he looked at her for a moment, searching, before nodding once. "Okay."

She took a breath, and she told him everything.

From the moment she 'died' at the Ministry, to when she arrived, all the meetings with Dumbledore. She told him everything apart from the fact that Tom Riddle was Voldemort, and that he was the one who killed her.

Elio just stared, for what felt like the longest time. Slowly, shock seemed to register on his face as his eyes darted back and forth, up and down, all over her. His mind was reeling. "How are you okay? Are you okay? Fucking hell," he then pulled her into a bone crushing hug that knocked the wind out of her.

Confused, she patted him on the back slowly. "You're not mad?"

"Why would I be mad?"

"Because I didn't tell you, I've been lying for months."

"Not telling and lying are two very different things, Delilah. And considering your situation, I believe you're allowed some lee way. You did what you had to."

A warmness filled her, "why are you so wonderful?"
She felt his chuckle through his chest. Delilah suddenly felt light, then. Relief surging through her at the notion that finally someone knew, someone who wasn't Dumbledore.

After a moment he cupped the back of her head and placed a chaste kiss to her forehead, "we have to get you home, Delilah Meddows." He didn't sound eager or happy, but he was determined.

It was odd hearing her actual name after all these months.

"Listen," pulling back she circled her arm with his as they continued to walk. "About the Ministry break in, that's where I'll find what I need to get home." He raised a brow, raking his mind to think of anything capable of doing that until it clicked.

"A time turner?"

She smiled, but it was more strained than she would've liked.

_________________________________

Finally they reached the old house and Tom raised a brow at Delilah in a 'where the hell have you been?' sort of way. He looked between Elio and her, how their arms were twined, it was obvious something just transpired between them but now wasn't the time to ask.

"Rosier and Eques, you're posted a block down. Hornby and Tremblay, lamp post down the street. Lestrange and Avery, you've got the back. Malfoy, you circulate." Everyone nodded, as well as yawned seeing as Tom had woken them up so early.

He nodded his head towards Delilah and she reluctantly walked over to him at the foot of the doorway to the house, her eyes weary. Tom took her hand in his, running a thumb along the scar before giving her palm a squeeze, letting her know he wasn't going anywhere.

That pull latched onto her again, filling her up with surety as she took a step into the house. Her fear drifted away as it lured her towards that winding hall. Tom watched curiously as she dropped his hand, it looked as if she was gliding.

They reached the cave like room, nothing had seemed to change. The cold stone surrounded them and that empty vastness against the far wall stood daunting. Tom was a few cautious feet behind her, his wand at the ready.

The inky blackness pooled into her eyes. Delilah felt her breathing slow as her mind began to go fuzzy, she'd been preparing herself to see Harrison again, but the cavern greeted her with something unexpected.

She crumbled to the floor.

What sounded like a banshee screaming tore from Delilah, her eyes not being able to leave the abyss in front of her.

"Hey," Tom kneeled down beside her, brushing the hair away from her face. Her back would arch off the floor before slamming back down again as she thrashed, she looked like someone was killing her.

What the hell was she seeing?

"Lilah, look at me darling," her pupils were dialted and it took a moment for her to even sense where his voice was coming from, flashes of those months were on replay in her head and she felt like tearing her hair out.

"All that pain? I can take it, let me take it." She gripped at his hand and shook her head furiously, she couldn't let him see this. Not this. She didn't want anyone knowing, especially not him. Never him.

"Give it to me."

"No no no, you don't understand-" she cut herself off with a scream, and Tom placed his fingers to her temple, his eyes rolling back as he took whatever she was seeing away, imbedding it in himself.

When he heard the crack of a whip he whirled around, the black void of the cave warping into what looked like an airy room in a manor. With a few more seconds he came to realize it was the Malfoy residence.

The room was filled with people he's never seen before, although they looked slightly familiar. Like echoes of a few families he knew. He didn't recognize Delilah at first, but when he did his stomach dropped and he felt sick. Her back was basically torn to shreds, covered in blood, bits of skin hanging off.

Her shirt was nothing but soaked threads of fabric, the cloth sticking into the deep gashes of her back. She was shaking, her feet slipping on her own blood that was pooled on the floor.

A woman with wild black hair stood a few feet away holding a whip, blood splattered over her pale skin. Tom registered it was the woman that the boggart has changed into.

She wasn't doing anything, she just stood panting and Tom realized she was waiting. Waiting for to Delilah to cave, to break, to beg for mercy.

Even as Delilah was hanging from a wooden post located in the middle of the room, her muscles straining to keep her upright, she would not beg.

The woman was panting, wiping away sweat at spat at the floor next to Delilah. She cackled in amusement as Delilah tried to stand up, only causing her feet to give out as her body hung painfully by the metal shackles on her wrists.

Her torturer pulled her arm backward and landed another blow to the girls back. Delilah took to biting into her arm until she tasted blood, screaming through the paint that seemed to pulse.

The sounds tearing from her throat sounded guttural. Tom couldn't handle it, he placed his hands over his ears but it was fruitless, everything just seemed to get louder. He tried to take a step forward, to get to Delilah, but he couldn't move. His feet were stuck to the floor, paralyzed.

Stalking forward, the woman gripped Delilah by her hair, yanking her head back. "Look at me." Her voice was a quiet whisper, her breath tickling Delilah's cheek, but she kept her eyes wound shut.

"Look at me!" Begrudgingly, she opened her eyes, greeted by the sight of a monster in the form of a mad woman. "Think you've had enough, you filthy half-breed?" She asked, her tone light and teasing. She let go of Delilah's hair and her head rolled forward, all her muscles quivering with their last bit of energy.

She stepped back angrily, her breaths coming out short and harsh. And before Delilah could string together a coherent thought, lash after lash assaulted her already maimed back.

The woman had thrown away whatever restrictions she set on herself. There were no breaks between, no taunts, just deep lacerations on repeat. Delilah felt light headed and she started to lose feeling in her back and arms. "I will cut into you until your bones make an appearance. Or perhaps I'll bleed you dry? You deserve such a thing for speaking ill of the Dark Lord." She hissed.

Her face was one contorted into sheer agony, Delilah's eyes blinking rapidly as things started to go blurry. She looked around the room and her eyes landed on one person.

The boy with platinum blonde hair looked like he was about to faint. His already pale skin had gone a sickly grey, he was sweating, and he was leaning against a wall. His head was turned away from Delilah, though her screams were causing his legs to shake.

Tom recognized him from one of Delilah's other memories, she had called him Malfoy. Anger at the boy ignited in his chest. Both times he's seen him in one of her memories, he'd turned his back as Delilah got scarred. First her hand, now this.

Blood started to pour from Delilah's mouth due to her biting at her cheeks and tongue with such force, a weak attempt to keep the pain at bay. She was on the verge of blacking out, her head hung back and her hair was damp with sweat and blood.

The young Malfoy wasn't the only one who looked ghastly. An older looking Malfoy and a woman with blonde streaks in her hair looked just as shaken, and a handful of the other people in the room had turned their heads long ago, not being able to bear the sight of a seventeen year old girl being cut open relentlessly for hours.

Tom screamed out in fury, but no sound left his lips. He wanted to curse them all, kill them all, for just standing by and watching this happen.

What he really wanted to do was take that whip and wrap it around the mad woman's neck before dangling her off the highest point on earth he could find. He could almost picture the satisfaction he would feel as he heard the snap of her neck.

Instead he was greeted with another crack through the air. The woman's eyes were alight as she took in the beauty of her creation of crimson. His ears were ringing at the sound of her maniacal laughter and Delilah's screams.

The woman was about to land another hit when the woman with blonde streaks suddenly spoke. "For Merlin's sake, Bella look at her!"

The more he looked, they looked awfully alike. Perhaps sisters? Bella, he assumed that was her name, was about to snap at her sister when she stopped short at the sight of her victim.

Delilah's eyes were closed, mouth hung ajar, and she was swaying slightly. Completely limp. "Oh no, have I gone and killed her?" Bella whimpered falsely, skipping over to the girl, nearly slipping on her blood.

She pouted when she noticed the girl was alive, but really it was some what of a relief for her. "That Lovegood girl is useless when it comes to information about Harry Potter." She traced a nail along the girls jaw, down her neck, to her shoulders, and stopped just before her back.

"But miss Delilah, you'll be incredibly helpful indeed."

She was about to poke at the girls wounds, an excited smile on her face, when someone gripped her arm. She whirled around, wand raised, but paused at the sheer ferocity in her sisters eyes.

"Bellatrix that's enough."

Suddenly Delilah's head snapped up, but no one seemed to notice. Her head slowly turned and her bloodshot eyes landed right on Tom, red was running out the sides of her mouth and her teeth were stained.

He fell to his knees at how broken she looked.

"You did this."

Tom threw himself back, looking over at the real Delilah wide eyed and panting. She was currently curled up in a ball, hitting her head repeatedly against the stone floor. His eyes danced between the her golden hair and her back. One look at Delilah and one would never imagine the hell she's been through.

I did this.

Her screams were still echoing in his head as he carefully made his way over to her and eased a hand under her head to stop her from hitting it further. It pained him when she flinched. He barely registered the sound of the stone wall disappearing and the door emerging.

"It's over," her current pain was his fault, he accepted that and the guilt that gnawed at his chest was overwhelming. He convinced her to come with him.

He eased her up into a sitting position as she shook against his chest, she wasn't crying, a fact he wasn't surprised by, but she looked awfully pale

He rocked her slightly for a moment, "I'm sorry."

That snapped her out of it.

Sniffing, she brushed her tangled hair away from her face as she leaned back, trying to get a grip on her senses. "I'm fine."

He knew she wasn't.

There was a tense silence between them as they made their way into the collection, neither knowing what to say. So instead they distracted themselves by searching, not saying a word.

Tom poked around more shelves of books, pretending to look for an exit as he dove into his thoughts. Wondering, trying to see what she could possibly need to get from the Department of Mysteries.

He had the basics; travel, no return, no communication, secretive, able to hide.

He came up short, however he wasn't so fruitless in his attempts with the object he needed. Months of research was now starting to fall into place, and with the help of the collections books, he was able to find more out.

The object he was looking for wasn't necessarily small, but it was handheld and fragile. It's also either shows visions or multiple scenarios, either of the past or future. He wasn't sure yet, but at least it was something.

About fifteen minutes later they met back up on one of the lower floors. Tom still didn't know what to say, but he knew what he saw wasn't the right topic at the moment.

"What were you and Rosier talking about?"

Delilah felt uncomfortable, something she wasn't used to feeling around him. Part of her screamed this was his fault, he's why Bellatrix tortured her, he was the root for so much pain. Again and again, she had to remind herself that it was Voldemort's fault. But now, Tom had seen the lowest part of her life, he's seen more of her than anyone.

Was she okay with that?

Delilah forced herself to chuckle, "jealous?"

His nose scrunched, "hardly."

They're quiet.

Walking down another floor, eventually she sighed and grabbed hold of his arm, "Tom."

"We don't have to talk about it."

"I know you probably want to."

"Right now is not about what I want."

"That's a first."

He smiled slightly and she tried to return it.

The air around them was a bit lighter as they reached the bottom floor, searching each crevice for any hint of an exit. Raising her wand, she cast revelio but nothing happened.

"It's clearly protected."

She glared at him, "I know."

Tom was circling one of the back walls, running his fingers along the wall. This far down everything was stone, including the floor, jagged and uneven. He was about to turn around when something caught his eye. Bending down, he lit the tip of his wand and an almost manic smile breached his lips.

"Gotcha."

The symbol of the Deathly Hallows could just barely be made out, but it was there. He traced the marking lightly before pressing the center of it, slowly the wall sunk back and a passage formed out of the wall.

"Holy shit," Delilah mumbled as she stood behind him. He motioned for her to go first, a rather smug smile on his lips and she rolled her eyes.

It was a long and winding passage, some areas ridiculously steep and slippery, so they had to grip onto loose roots and imbedded rocks. Tom would've been complaining more, but his view wasn't too bad considering Delilah was wearing a dress.

Eventually the sound of waves met their ears and the smell of salt greeted their noses. Daylight poured into the cave as the ground evened out, and they exited into what looked like a cave at the base of one of the cliffs that lined the beach.

Tom bit his cheek at all the sand and she snickered before muttering they should go get the others.

________________________________

Awe was etched onto each of their faces as they took in the sheer size of the collection.

"Do you think there's a liquor cabinet in here somewhere?" Pyrrhus asked and Abraxas hit him lightly upside the head before walking off.

For the next few hours until the guards returned, they group spent their time looking up defensive spells, hexes, and studying objects they can use. Delilah had also been making them at least practice a bit with their patronus charms, her nerves were put at some ease seeing as most of the group almost had corporal forms.

Elio couldn't stop looking at her.

Delilah was still the same but... new. Layer upon layer kept getting added to her character, the complexity almost overwhelming. He snapped out of it slightly as Tom walked over to her, the barest touch on her arm and she smiled slightly.

Elio saw how Delilah and Tom acted toward one another, it wasn't overly physical, but the small touches and the way they looked at each other made it obvious.

There was an understanding between them, Delilah looked happier than Elio's ever seen her. Not necessarily that she was bouncing off the walls at the moment, but there was a glimmer in her eye.

Someone clapped him on the back. "It'll get better." Pyrrhus said quietly, looking at Tom and Delilah as well. Elio smiled the best he could and shrugged his friend off. "I'm fine." But the truth was, he was the happiest he'd ever been with Delilah, and now that was over. Tom yet again took something he held dear and he couldn't do the slightest thing about it.

He was still in love with her, despite everything. She was happier with Tom, and he had to accept that even though it hurt like hell.

Turning his gaze back towards the couple, he wondered how Tom would handle her leaving. Now that Elio knew there was no possible way of her returning, he didn't know if Tom had fully accepted that yet. It was never easy for Tom to let go of things he valued.

How would he handle it?

Elio wanted to be believe that Tom didn't actually feel anything, that he wasn't human. He used to be, but then Delilah came along and warped his reality.

Tom would break, and the repercussions of that might cause him to lash out towards the source of his pain.

If Tom was to break her heart, Elio just hoped Delilah knew he'd be there for her. If not as a lover, then as a friend.

Always.

No matter where she was, who she was with, or when.

A little later Delilah was off with Cain, trying to decipher some symbols they found littered in a few different books.

Tom was standing at a large desk, numerous scrolls around him as he poured over the information. Hearing footsteps approach, he looked up for a moment and saw it was Elio.

"Anything useful?" He asked as he unrolled another piece of parchment.

Elio was silent, trying to figure out a way to approach this topic, it was a long shot Tom would even listen to him.

"She's leaving soon."

Tom felt his shoulders tense but kept himself moving "yes, she is."

"And what are you going to do?"

That was the same thing Delilah asked him, but he didn't answer. "What do you need?"

Elio sighed and looked over at Delilah, she was laughing as Pyrrhus strutted around with a knights helmet on. "Why are you doing this now? It'll only hurt more."

"Meaning?"

"You're finally accepting you have a heart, and now she's leaving. You can't stop her... don't be angry at her."

Tom snapped the book he had grabbed shut and rested his hands on the table before looking at Elio.

Debating.

"I'm trying not to be."

Elio was slightly surprised Tom was actually talking to him, but didn't let it show on his face.

"Finally I have something right in my life, and she's just," he rubbed his eyes. "Walking away."

"It's not any easier for her, Riddle. She'd probably go to hell an back for you."

Tom's jaw clenched as he remembered this morning, she already had.

"And I'm sure she'd give anything to stay."

They stood there for a moment, "this is going to hurt both of you. Probably in a way you may not ever recover from. Maybe it would be best if you..." he trailed, trying to find his wording.

Tom thought for a moment before deciding to hell with it, and poked into Elio's mind. It only took him a second to figure out the boys thought before he stood up straight, whatever semi truce they had reached shattered.

"You want me to stay away from Delilah?" Tom said slowly and watched as Elio paled slightly at the realization Tom read his mind, but he shook his head and pushed onward.

"It'd be better if you did, for both of you."

Elio felt like he was being burned alive with the way Tom was glaring at him, but he cleared his throat, "I'd feel better knowing I had your word"

Tom's lips tilted up slightly, "I'm sure you would."

He waved his wand and everything the group had moved went back to its original place. Delilah crinkled her nose slightly in annoyance as the book she was holding flew out of her hand. She was trying to find any information on what that object could've been that sent her to the forties in the first place.

"It's about time we leave, we'll return tomorrow."

_________________________________

As they walked through the manor, Delilah took hold of Tom's arm and led him down to the first floor and into the kitchens. He raised a brow but didn't question it, his eyes following the numerous house elves that worked around them, offering food every few minutes.

Delilah took to snacking on a piece of bread when she finally snapped under his heavy gaze. "People like me and you should say things to each other." Tom's eyes didn't pull away from her when his voice spoke out and echoed around the kitchen, "leave us."

The elves scattered and Delilah felt the loss of their company, she didn't like how quiet it had gone.

After minutes ticked by, Tom sighed and began to walk aimlessly around. "Who was that woman? I've seen her before, during the defense against the dark arts exam."

Delilah remained quiet.

How the hell was she supposed to explain that Bellatrix was working for him, that she was one of his fanatical followers.

"She said Dark Lord, she works for Grindelwald?"

Delilah nodded mutely, it was close enough. But the weight of all the lies she'd been telling these past few months suddenly dropped on her shoulders and she felt like collapsing. Just one more, was what she kept telling herself. One more lie and everything will be fine.

"That's why I've been here, seeking asylum, but I've been around too long. I need to keep moving which is why I can't come back-"

"Bullshit."

Delilah blinked at Tom, "what do you mean?"

"Why? Why cant you tell me? Where are you going?"

"Home-"

The clatter of metal echoed in the kitchen as Tom kicked a side table and it went toppling. The dishes clanging to the floor and the heavy dull wood hitting the stone.

She shut her eyes and took a breath, Tom mentally scolded himself for losing his temper as he paced, raking his hands through his hair and tugging at the roots.

Maybe Elio was right, maybe he should stay away.

Oh, the genius of pain. Perhaps if he got it over with now, it would hurt less down the line, maybe. All he had lately were maybes.

"Delilah I think we should stop."

She paled.

"Don't."

"It makes sense. But Merlin, is it fucking ironic." There she was, his light slipping through his fingers. Sure, without Delilah around he wouldn't be so distracted. But what is success when you've lost hope?

"You don't mean that," her voice was a rasp as she shook her head.

"What are we doing? You're about to up and leave, what am I supposed to do? Go on? Pretending I didn't even know you? Or am I supposed to shove you into a corner of my mind, only sparing you a thought now and then, until one day there's nothing."

Her chest burned, "I'm sorry."

"You're sorry?" He laughed and dug in his pocket, pulling out the cigarette box she'd gifted him. The engraved words practically screamed at him; amor vincit omnia.

Apparently not, he thought as he took in the Latin scrawl.

He lit the cigarette as he leaned against the counter, "Truth is, Delilah, I'm never going to be able to do either of those. I don't have that luxury. I'm going to remember every moment." And it was going to hurt like hell, because no matter what he would do; whether that was drown in booze or immerse himself in his work... she still won't be there.

He snapped out of it when he felt her hands on his ribs, her arms slowly circling around him, embracing him tightly. She placed a kiss below his jaw and he blew the smoke out of his nose in a sigh.

Resting his chin atop her head, his eyes shut and he focused all his attention on her. How she smelt like peppermint, the way her chest pressed to his and how it felt when she breathed.

"I'm sorry," she muttered again.

He wrapped his arms around her and Delilah settled herself in the space between his legs, "don't ever apologize for being better than me."

Because she was, she was being selfless. If he was in her shoes, he'd end everything and everyone just so he could have a few more moments of happiness. He still might.

After all, Tom Riddle was a selfish man.

The kitchen door then threw open, slamming into the wall and Abraxas appeared, looking as if he was about to pass out. He didn't spare their position a thought as he gasped out a barely coherent sentence, "foyer. Cain. Now. Grindelwald."

And then Abraxas was gone.

Delilah and Tom only looked at each other for a second before taking off in a sprint. Since they were on the first floor, well across the manor, they'd been unaware of anything happening the past hour.

However, as soon as they made it to the second floor they could hear screaming and glass shattering. They shot through the door and Delilah and Tom skidded to a stop at the sight in front of them.

She felt like she was going to throw up.

Cain was on his knees, screaming as he clutched Rosie to his chest, his little sister limp and pale.

Dry blood was caked at the corners of her mouth and her eyes were vacant as they looked at her brother.

The sound coming up the back of Cain's throat burned and boiled, sounding too broken to be a scream.

Lolita was on the floor by the couch adjacent to them, biting her knuckles to hold back her sobs, Rosie had been her family too.

Tom was trying to process what was in front of him, how could an eight year old be dead? He'd seen her only a few months ago. She was just a child.

Rosie's arm fell to the side and Tom narrowed his eyes at peculiar red marks on her greenish skin. He began to walk forward but Delilah gripped his elbow and shook her head.

"Her arm," he muttered and her brows furrowed.

Delilah turned her head and squinted her eyes, trying to push down the pain that was carving into her heart. 

"Didn't anyone ever teach you children not to touch what doesn't belong to you?" her eyes then moved down and Delilah's feet finally gave out.

Grindelwald's symbol was carved underneath.

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Can we just talk about the Shadow and Bone cast please?? Ben fucking Barnes is playing the Darkling!!! And Freddy Carter as Kaz Brekker!!! The Grishaverse fandom is winning!!!