Chapter 5: Dating

"I guess it makes sense that you were close to Talbott, since you're both, uh, in Ravenclaw..." Delilah's potential date was fumbling a piece of treacle toffee. They were sitting together on the edge of a rather large fountain of bird statues attacking snakes in the courtyard.

"It depends on what you mean by close. I wanted to get closer to him, but that wasn't how he felt. Either way, I'm disappointed." She snatched a treacle tart out of the bag they were sharing.

"There will be other times to get... close to him."

"Hm? Is that a no then?" Delilah was shocked.

"I never said that. Of course it's a yes. How could I ever turn down someone like you? You're basically perfect in every way. At least, perfect for me." He popped the tart into his mouth.

Delilah's heart was racing. "You know I'm not perfect, hence why I always need your help in class. And... perfect for you?"

"You're the only person that hasn't made me feel weak. I highly respect you, and I am honored to be going to the dance with the pretty transfer student. What comes about after that, well, we'll see." He smiled at her before putting his arm around her. Rowan was spying in the distance at a loss for words.

Care for Magical Creatures was a great way to get away from all the dating talk and conversations about the ball. At least Delilah thought it would be.

"Hey Deilah, there's a Bowtruckle on your back."

"Ugh, why? We aren't even learning Bowtruckles today." She flailed trying to shake it off her back. It went into her hair.

"I think it wants to use your hair as a nest. It's cute."

"Barnaby... Could you get him off please?"

"It's a girl actually."

"I don't care, get him or her off. Whatever it is!"

"You ought to be a little kinder to them, Delilah." The bulky Slytherin kid with short brown hair named Barnaby coaxed the Bowtruckle out of her hair. Despite looking like he had the strength to take on a Chimaera, he was as gentle as a Puffskein. But, he also had the intelligence of a Flobberworm.

"Thanks... Where is Professor Kettleburn? I mean I know that fairies are hard to round up but he should have had them all by now." She moved her head side to side checking the perimeter. The only thing she found intriguing was Rowan trying to show a Bowtruckle her book as if to teach it something. This deeply offended it considering they live in trees and Rowan was practically showing it a destroyed home. It was clear that Rowan's parents took care of the wildlife infesting their tree farm and not Rowan herself. It scratched her hand and jumped away. Care for Magical Creatures was never Rowan's strong suit.

"Maybe they got his teeth?" Barnaby thought deeply.

"Um, what?" Delilah was concerned.

"I mean, they're fairies. Could they have taken his teeth like tooth fairies do?"

"Barnaby..."

"What?"

"Just stop talking."

"I've GOT them! Sorry about that class. One of the fairies tried pulling my tooth out. Wouldn't be the first time." Professor Kettleburn limped on his peg leg towards the class with a horde of fairies in an iron cage. One of his eyes was covered with cloth and one of his arms was fake and made of metal. His wispy white hair blew in the breeze. "They don't like the iron. Can't touch it. It's the only thing that keeps them tame. Will be releasing them at the end of class though so don't worry."

"I don't believe it." She peeked at Barnaby and he looked pleased with himself.

Delilah couldn't handle Barnaby's words of wisdom anymore. During class, she partnered with Charlie Weasley, a red headed Gryffindor like every other Weasley in his family. There was no way she was going to try to work with Rowan in this class.

"So Delilah, has being the new kid made everyone ask you out to the dance? Or nobody?" He grabbed an empty bucket.

"Charlie, since when do you care about dating? Lemme guess, you asked out a dragon?" Charlie's obsession with dragons was enough to scare away any girl. She grabbed a bucket as well.

"Actually..." His face becomes more ginger than his hair. You almost couldn't see his freckles.

"Wait, you are actually going with someone who isn't a dragon?" Delilah was taken aback.

"I mean, I guess he could be a dragon sometimes..." He looked away from Delilah and towards his other classmates.

"He? Charlie, spill the beans!"

"Alright fine." He shared eye contact with her again. "I never seemed to be interested in anyone because I wasn't interested in girls. I unfortunately have many family members who would have my head if they found out. My aunt Muriel for example. And my Gran... They would be so disappointed in me. My obsession with dragons is mostly a cover up, although I still love them dearly. Barnaby and I have joked about having a baby dragon someday though-"

"Barnaby? You're dating Barnaby?"

"Shh shh!" He pretended to be looking for creature food, although nobody paid attention anyway. Delilah pretended to look as well.

"Sorry. I can see why it is a secret. Your secret is safe with me though." She meant it.

"His family would disown him so fast.. He is already such an outcast. It's what draws me to him though. He is so kind despite his Slytherin family being so evil to the rest of the world." He closed his eyes. A sincere smile formed as he was daydreaming.

"Charlie, you didn't eat the creature food did you?" Speak of the devil, Barnaby appeared and made both Delilah and Charlie jump.

"No, no, just daydreaming about er, Hungarian Horntails."

"Oh good, because I think it's spoiled. I found some near the den and it didn't taste very good. It is no wonder the fairies won't eat it."

Charlie rolled his eyes kindly. This made Delilah wish more than ever that she could have a connection with someone like this.

"Delilah, you never told me who." He winked.

"Who what? Is there an owl around?" Barnaby began scanning the trees.

"On second thought, I'll just see for myself at the ball."

"Thanks, Charlie." She grinned momentarily before thinking about her fate. The person whom she was going with compared to the person she wished she was going with.

Breakfast time was disheartening. One of the morning post owls dropped Delilah a letter from her father. She knew she couldn't open it in front of Rowan. She knew it wasn't going to be a positive message.

"Hey, Rowan? I realized I left something in the common room. I'm going to head back really quick. I'll meet you in Charms."

"No problem. Don't be late! I refuse to be Ben's study partner again." Flitwick was one of the few professors that encouraged the students to pair up with someone in a different House for a different perspective. Delilah had no problem working with Ben like everyone else did.

Letter clutched in her hand, Delilah zipped upstairs. The common room was empty. Even Talbott was away. She settled at one of the coffee tables and opened up her doom:

Deli,

It has been WEEKS and there have been no updates on our target. What are you doing? Do you want to go to Azkaban? Because being in the Ministry, it won't be hard to frame you for murder. We need that target. The bloody Griffin has been a piece of work. I have no time. Mail me an update ASAP or you'll regret it.

-Aibek

The ink disappeared after she finished reading, as it did in most of his letters. Befuddled, Delilah pulled out a quill and a piece of parchment.

How was she going to reply? That she attacked him and then asked him to a dance?

The moment the tip of her quill kissed the page was when Tulip made herself known.

"Whatcha writing, Delilah Tytonidae?"

"Gosh Tulip! Um, nothing." She shoved her father's letter into her navy blue book bag to avoid the chance that the disappearing ink would wear off in a worst-case scenario situation. Her own letter was no threat due to it remaining blank except for a small ink blob.

"Lemme guess. Overbearing parents?" Dennis hopped onto the almost blank sheet.

"Well, one. My mother passed awhile back," Delilah replied.

"I'm so sorry. Where does your dad work?" For the first time, Tulip seemed actually interested and not putting on a show.

"The Ministry. International Regulations of Unregistered Animagi to be precise."

"Sounds stressful. My parents are both in the Ministry too. Department of Magical Law Enforcement."

This was the first time Delilah actually felt connected to Tulip. Just the idea that she knew what it was like to have a parent in the Ministry made her feel less alone.

"I would have guessed they worked at Zonko's or something," Delilah chuckled.

"Ha. I wish. It is the reason why I love pranking so much. Sometimes you just have to go against the grain... Right, Dennis?" Dennis croaked before hopping back into Tulip's hands. "Anyway, I won't keep you this time. I know how awful it is when those Ministry folk pester you. See ya, Delilah Tytonidae!" She exited.

Delilah had never once wanted Tulip to come back until that moment. Her life had made her feel like having an aggressively strict father was normal, but couldn't ever be talked about. Hearing someone else go through a similar situation made her realize that there were those out there who might listen, who might understand what it was like. Was Delilah also going against the grain? Or at least trying to? With a smirk that would have made Tulip proud, Delilah put quill to parchment once more.

Father.

Everything is going as planned. I have had to become friends with Talbott in order for him to trust me with his animagus form. I am very close to him admitting it. We have a ball coming up and he is my date. This will trick him into telling me. Worst-case scenario, if he doesn't, he will be easy to corner. I will send you an update after the ball.

~Delilah

"Alright, off to the owlry." She checked her watch. "Damn. Never mind. After Herbology then. First, Charms class."

Delilah sprinted for Charms and made it just in time. She immediately sat between Rowan and Ben.

"I almost gave up on you showing up, "whispered Rowan.

"I didn't." Ben interrupted. "Delilah is fully capable of multiple tasks."

"Nobody asked you, Ben." Rowan rolled her eyes.

"Good thing I don't need your permission then."

"Guys, stop." As Delilah commanded, Flitwick put up a palm for silence. Class was about to begin.

"I'll catch you later, Delilah." Ben waved in Delilah's and Rowan's direction after class. Delilah returned it.

"Why has he been so confident all of a sudden?" Rowan grumbled.

"I mean, he has a right to be, doesn't he? Especially in Charms. It's his best subject. I honestly think you guys overhype his fears."

"Trust me, you didn't practically grow up with him. He was a coward in Charms class too back then."

"Well, whatever. Maybe seeing a newbie like myself made him realize he's a Hogwarts expert."

"I don't trust him, Delilah. "

"What's not to trust?" she replied as they reached the greenhouses.

"He seemed to ask you a lot about Talbott today. Like, his schedule and such. What if he is plotting to attack him or something for hurting you?"

"Ha. Rowan, listen to yourself. Do you think a shy muggle-born is going to hurt anyone? I mean honestly. "

"He told you he was muggle-born?"

"Of course. Why hide it?"

"Because it used to make him so insecure..." Rowan became perplexed.

"Well, now he's over it I guess. It doesn't matter. "

The girls saw Penny through the glass before they entered the greenhouse. She saw them briefly, gave them a guilty smile, and continued getting her pots ready for the lesson.

"She didn't mean to hurt you, you know," Rowan said softly.

"I know. I mean, I want to know. I mean she has no reason to upset me. But for whatever reason, my heart is convincing me otherwise." Delilah felt her emotions jumble. "I'm going to work with Tonks today if that's okay. "

"I-I understand. I'll work with Penny." They entered. Class began.

"Class, remember to not TOUCH the Belladonna! It's poisonous. I've already had to send three students to the hospital wing during first period," Professor Sprout called out.

"Yeah, do you mind squeezing the Belladonna, Delilah? I'll hold the vial steady. You know I'm almost guaranteed to slip a finger onto it..." Tonk's bubblegum pink hair brightened up the greenhouse more than the garden did. She was unfortunately cursed with clumsiness. However, she was blessed with being born a Metamorphmagus. She could transform her appearance into anything or anyone at will.

"Hold still, Tonks." Delilah carefully allowed the juice from the Belladonna to drip into their vial, squeezing the plant with tongs and gloves. "Alright, cap it." Delilah took the capped vial from Tonks knowing she'd drop it.

"Done! Glad that's over-" Her arm swiped the vial out of Delilah's hand. A high pitched shatter echoed in their ears. Glass shards decorated the ground. Delilah quickly flicked her wand, making all the shards and dirty Belladonna essence collect into the "contaminated" bin. Tonk's hair momentarily turned blue. "Ugh. I'm so sorry, Delilah... Quick, we have a minute to do it again before Sprout makes her way over here!" Her hair was back to pink.

Delilah wasn't fond of working with her for this reason, but at least it kept her mind preoccupied as planned.

"Any plans for the ball, Tonks?"

"Nah, Tulip and I have other plans."

"What kind? Another prank?" She held the plant steady over the vial.

"You betcha. Filch will be busy 'caretaking' the dance. Making sure nobody is snogging or whatever gross things people do these days. We are going to be rake picking his office door to sneak some fanged frisbees into it."

"Why doesn't he do magic?"

"Ha. Filch is a total squib." She capped the vial. "He couldn't do any even if he tried. Serves him right, that old grouch.

"Maybe he's a grouch because he's a squib." Delilah snatched the vial out of Tonk's hand before anything else could happen to it.

"Maybe. It's easier to prank people without thinking those sort of thoughts though. "

"I guess."

Delilah rushed out of Herbology to reach the owlry before lunch. Rowan was aware that she was writing to her father, just not the details.

As usual, the owlry was saturated with droppings and feathers. She reached the floor she once fought Talbott on. Saddened, she picked a noble looking great horned owl to deliver her message. As she turned to leave, a wand poked her in the chest.

"T-Talbott!" His wand was jabbing her hard. He wasn't letting his guard down for a second. "Lay off. I'm not here for you. I'm literally just delivering a letter." She reached for her own wand but dropped it due to her shaking, nervous hand.

"And I'm supposed to believe you? Doesn't feel good being ambushed, does it?"

"I didn't even know you were here. Look, I'm not even armed anymore. Lay off." Her arms were glued to her sides. She knew she was powerless.

"Who are you going to the ball with?" He spoke quickly.

"None of your business. You wouldn't go with me in a million years anyway, remember?" Rage was building.

"I need to know what you're plotting. Now tell me or I blow a hole through your body."

"You'll see." Feathers coated her once again as she was suddenly a much smaller target who flew to safety. Delilah just barely dodged a red beam of light. Her wand was being carried in her talons for she swiped it from the ground right before taking off.

Her wand was released as her talons outstretched onto the grass. She morphed back before anyone could take notice. Delilah snatched up her wand and jogged back inside til she reached the Great Hall. After taking another breath, she entered.

"Delilah, breathe! What's going on?" Rowan questioned her panting, disheveled friend.

"Talbott... Was in the owlry, "she breathed heavily.

"Okay, but are you alright? Did he hurt you?" Her glasses glared under the sunlight of the enchanted ceiling.

"N-no... He was just asking me who I was going to the ball with..." She sat down. Rowan mimicked her.

"Really? Maybe Penny told him you were upset. Either way he has no right. He's already dating someone. "

This hit Delilah like a train. That was the last thing she wanted to hear. "Maybe he's just jealous. I'm going to assume that and just focus on lunch..." Her eyes misted over as she brought some sandwiches to her plate.

"You know what, you're right Delilah. Blimey, maybe your plan is working. Don't worry, this is for the best. Say, can you pass the turkey and cheese? Let's just forget about boys for the time being."

Yes, this is for the best. The quicker she got over him, the quicker she could end him. Her anger towards him will be her fuel.