Chapter 8: I Love You

"Come in," Professor Flitwick replied to the gentle knocks on his office door. The door was normally open for students, but not this early on a Sunday. He needed some peace and quiet from the tiresome but joyous night before. Delilah heard the lock being magically disabled, likely with a spell the dueling master didn't even think about.

Delilah crept in. His office was a little tight, making a perfect space for the short professor. The walls were decorated with portraits of old wizards (most of them quietly snoozing), shelves which held bronze trinkets, a sturdy bookshelf, and a tiny bed in the far corner. Professor Flitwick was sitting at his cherry wood desk on a matching chair that was obviously charmed to have longer legs. The surface of the desk was cleared off completely, which was a sign of trouble. Normally, a batch of charmed cupcakes sat at his desk for incoming Ravenclaw students.

"Miss Tytonidae", Professor Flitwick nodded, his curly mustache droopy. "Where is Mr. Winger?"

"Sir, " she began shakily. "I told Talbott not to come."

"Miss Tytonidae, you have no right-"

"Please, Sir," she interrupted. "I told him to stay and I'll take the blame. It was all my idea anyway. I don't want him getting in trouble. He's too good a person."

He paused to think, studying her. "I'm quite disappointed in you, Miss Tytonidae," he sighed. "You've been one of my top students until now. What happened? Professor Snape gave me a summary, but I would rather hear it directly from you." His hands were folded and rested on his desk. He was eyeing Delilah peculiarly. He didn't look angry, just curious and tired. Professor Flitwick wasn't easy to anger. He was one of the most perky professors at Hogwarts.

"I'm deeply sorry, Sir. Talbott and I just wanted to touch up on our dueling skills, especially to impress the Dueling Champion." Delilah looked innocently at him, then focused on the ground, and glanced back up at him.

Professor Flitwick thought for a moment, beady eyes not focused on her this time, but on his empty desk. "Well, in order to impress the Dueling Champion, you should have asked the Dueling Champion for permission." He met her eyes again. "However, I appreciate your honesty." He gave a weak smile.

"I really am sorry, Sir. Especially for making you get up this early. We really just wanted to become better at dueling. We are best friends, you know. We wanted to help each other get stronger." Delilah struggled to hold off a grin.

"Alright, alright. I can't exactly punish my students for trying to better themselves. You already lost us House points. That alone is a pretty standard punishment for this sort of thing. However, next time there will be harsher consequences. We 'claws actually learn from our mistakes."

"Oh, absolutely, Sir!" She gave a brisk bow. "Well, now that we're here and talking about it... Do you think I could get some tips on dueling? I mean, it doesn't have to be right now. I understand the night was long." She held her other arm shyly.

"Oh, don't worry about that. I can't turn away someone wanting to learn, and we're already here." He smiled and got up.

Professor Flitwick made his way to the bookshelf. With a quick flick of his wand drawn from his pocket, he levitated a book into Delilah's hands from the second topmost shelf. It was called, "The Secret Dueling Book."

"THAT, will give you plenty of tips, and even teach you potions that are beneficial for dueling. Too many wizards forget that potions are legal in dueling. It isn't all just spells," he squeaked. "Some of them Professor Snape has taught you, some of them he has yet to. Given that you have already had an unfortunate encounter with him regarding dueling, I would not ask him about which are the best potions to use. Refer to the book or to me."

Delilah flipped through a few detailed pages that had numerous diagrams and text, closed it, and returned her focus to Flitwick.

"Thank you so much, Professor! I promise to return it as soon as I can."

"A Ravenclaw like you, no doubt, will have the entire book read before lunch." He winked. "However, do be sure to share it with Mr. Winger. I wouldn't want him trying to duel any of his other classmates. Although, I'd be quite surprised if he did... He is the quiet type."

"Aren't most Ravenclaws, Professor?" Delilah beamed.

"Oh, that reminds me... I also have an appointment with Miss Karasu. She is anything but quiet. Poor Mr. Filch had quite the mess to clean up last night. You best be going."

"Of course, Professor. Thank you." She turned towards the oak door.

"Miss Tytonidae."

"Yes, Professor?" She turned her head halfway towards him and paused.

"Please, stay out of trouble. You're not only one of my most gifted students, but the only good friend to Mr. Winger. He is so bright, but he is so closed off. In five whole years I haven't been able to get through to him much. Thank you for befriending him."

"Of course, Professor. " Delilah gave one more nod before exiting, hiding the victory on her face.

Delilah barely made it down two flights of stairs before she was halted.

"THERE you are." Ben was coming up the stone steps towards Delilah as she was coming down them. They met in the middle and began walking down together.

It dawned on her that she never had a chance to explain to Ben what had happened. The moments between the ball, the duel, and meeting with Professor Flitwick seemed like a whirlwind of actions and emotions.

"Ben, oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. After the ball I-" she broke off. "Wait, how did you find me here? Nobody else knew I had detention with Flitwick."

"Professor Snape told me last night that you would be getting detention," he said rather proudly.

"You talked to Professor Snape? Why?"

"He isn't all bad. At least, not to students who understand him. He was the only one to walk back into the ballroom after you and Winger left, so I figured he was the reason you didn't come back."

"I don't understand either of you to be honest. You're lucky I like you," she half heartedly joked. A part of her wondered how long Ben and Professor Snape had been on decent terms. Delilah had bigger issues to worry about for the time being. They began walking again. "Do you... remember what happened, Ben? I dueled Talbott, but I don't remember why or even beginning the duel."

"You were hammered, of course. Nothing wrong with that. I kept you safe for as long as I could," Ben replied seriously.

"Kept me safe?"

"Well, yeah. You're my girlfriend after all. Of course I'm going to look out for you. But, I figured you knew how to duel well so I let you chase Winger. You're a strong and clever girl, Delilah."

Delilah blushed. "Why do you call him by his last name now?"

"Why do we have to talk about him at all?" Ben barked and picked up his pace.

"Oh, I just... nevermind." She had a strange familiar feeling of being snapped at. However, it wasn't like Talbott speaking sharply to her at all. It felt more like her father's frustrations. Delilah was briefly saddened before reaching the Ravenclaw common room door.

"I have to let Rowan know what happened. I'll meet you down for breakfast."

"Delilah", Ben said calmly. His shoulders were broad and proud.

"Hm?"

"I love you." Ben's face was stone. His emotions couldn't be read.

Delilah felt nauseous, however she wasn't sure if it was excitement or dread. "I-I love you too...Ben."

Ben smirked and exited down more stairs. Relieved, she answered the eagle knocker's riddle and entered the common room. Delilah was almost knocked back out by the force of Rowan's hug.

"Delilah, I've been so worried! You of all people in detention?! Are you okay?" Rowan's glasses were glittering in the morning sun due to her tears.

"Geez, does EVERYONE know I had detention?" Delilah grumbled.

"What? No, I just found out from Talbott. I mean, I asked him. Who else knows?" Rowan let go and eyeballed her.

"Oh. Well, Ben. Maybe it's just you guys then."

"You told Ben and not me! Delilah how could you?!"

"No, no, he found out on his own. He was worried about me. You know, like a good boyfriend does..." Delilah half smiled.

"Boyfriend? You mean this wasn't a one time date? Yuck, Delilah. See, this just proves how bad he is for you. First date and you've already landed detention."

"It was hardly detention. Professor Flitwick would never actually punish me, " she sneered.

"Ooo did he give you that book?" Rowan glanced at the book under Delilah's arm.

"He did. I'll show you later. It's a dueling book. Anyway, is Talbott still here?"

"Yes, he's still here." Talbott appeared from behind Rowan. "Was he mad?"

Talbott looked exhausted. Sleep wasn't difficult last night for just Delilah after all.

"No, Professor Flitwick wasn't mad. I told you I'd get you covered, and I did, "she giggled.

"Good. Now stay away from me. Both you and Ben." He trudged out.

"Ugh. Sorry Delilah. I guess he doesn't agree with you dating Ben either though. You should learn something from this. There's plenty of fish in the sea. Shoot, you had a whole school last night in the Lacustrine Ball."

"Learn what?" Delilah scoffed. "I dueled Talbott because we don't like each other. I'm... I'm perfectly happy with Ben. Let me put this book away and we'll get some breakfast. I'm starving. Professor Flitwick obviously didn't have his usual cupcakes out this morning. "

"Oh, what a drag. They're always so delicious and fun to watch bounce around. " Rowan said dreamily.

Delilah hurried to the girl's dormitory and slipped her book into her suitcase. I have to remember to write to Father soon, too. Off she went to the common room again where Rowan and her exited.

At the entrance of the Great Hall stood Ben. His arms were crossed in a disapproving manner, and his lips were curled.

"You said you were just going to tell Rowan what happened, not bring her down to have breakfast with you," he scoffed.

"I didn't say I wouldn't bring her too", Delilah said through clenched teeth. Rowan looked swiftly at her, then at Ben, and at her again.

"I-I don't mean to be a bother," fussed Rowan. Her shoulder drooped.

"You're not," Delilah quickly replied before Ben could respond. "Ben, I'm going to have breakfast with Rowan since I didn't get to see her at all last night. I'll have lunch with you later." Her face was stern.

"Fine, fine. At least hug me." Ben opened his arms. His facial expressions remained the same.

Delilah moseyed over without confrontation. Rowan noticed Ben whispering something into her ear. She only saw one arm around Delilah. His other hand must be in his pocket. But why? Strange...

He kissed Delilah on her cheek before letting her go. He walked away down the hall without another glance at either of them. Delilah returned to Rowan.

"Are you okay, Delilah? I don't like him bossing you around." They proceeded to the Ravenclaw table.

"Oh, yeah. I'm okay," she said with her head low.

"Delilah, look at me. You don't have to-"

"I said I'm FINE." Her face was pale and lifeless. "I love Ben with all my heart. How dare you question us!"

A few surrounding students began to stare.

Rowan was taken aback, too much so to even cry that her friend snapped at her.

"I.. I don't know what to say to that."

"Then don't say anything," Delilah said in a monotone.

"Fine. I won't." Rowan ate in silence. What has gotten into her? Ben must just be a bad influence. I know, I'll talk to Talbott later. He might have valuable information on Delilah's new behavior since they dueled last night. He doesn't know me well, but maybe he'll trust a fellow Ravenclaw. He trusted me enough to tell me they dueled in the first place.

Rowan glanced over at her friend. Delilah ate without a single expression. By now, the surrounding students stopped eyeing them, bored with the lack of a scene.

Delilah cleared her plate and hurried off. To where, Rowan didn't know. She finished her own breakfast and strode toward the owlery. She had a brief memory of Penny talking about Talbott eating there sometimes. If she was quick enough, she may be able to catch up to him.