Chapter 12: Death Eaters

The Artefact Room was nothing more than a small storage facility that reeked of creature food pellets. Shelves upon shelves held various objects and bags. In the far left corner was a random chalkboard with Transfiguration notes.

Ben could barely stay on his feet. Delilah sat him down on the ground before questioning him. She needed this to go as quickly and smoothly as possible.

"Colloportus." The door behind them locked. She sat in front of him, tucking away her wand.

"Ben, can you hear me?"

He nodded instantly.

"Can you understand me?"

He nodded again, but wasn't looking at her. He was looking off into space.

"Why have you been using the Imperius curse on me?"

"To control you," he said quietly.

"Duh..." Delilah thought hard on how to best word her questions. "Why are you using me to attack Talbott Winger?"

"I have to kill him, but I don't want to do it myself because I am too scared," he mumbled. He eyes were all over the place, unfocused.

"Why do you have to kill him?" Delilah was getting concerned. Is he working for my father?

"To save my parents."

"What? Why would that save your parents?"

"The Death Eaters will kill them if I don't kill Talbott Winger."

Her heart started beating quicker. "Death Eaters aren't around anymore, Ben. Not since You Know Who lost to Harry Potter. He doesn't have anymore followers."

"They hide in the shadows. One works as a professor in this school."

"What!"

Delilah heard voices in the hallway. She pulled out her wand again.

"Muffliato."

She kept it out this time.

"Ben, who is the Death Eater at this school?"

"Professor Snape."

She paused. "Well, I can't say I'm shocked. Is he threatening you?"

"No, he is protecting me."

"From the other Death Eaters?"

"Yes." Ben finally looked at her.

Delilah was getting emotionally uncomfortable. "Why do they want to kill your parents?"

"They're Muggles, Delilah. I'm Muggle-born." His eyes watered but he didn't cry. "They don't think Muggles deserve life in this world."

"Why do they want Talbott Winger? You have to tell me, please." Of course he had to tell her, but Delilah wasn't thinking clearly anymore.

"He was supposed to die with his parents. He's a threat to the Death Eaters. He knows too much."

"So they're using you rather than doing it themselves?"

"They hide in the shadows, Delilah. You Know Who will rise again, but not yet. They must wait."

"Ben-"

"I have to keep my parents safe, Delilah. Kill Talbott Winger."

Ben's eyes darkened. His head fell forward, as if he fell asleep. Delilah scrambled, undoing her previous charms. Maybe he won't remember what happened. She reached for the unlocked door when she witnessed Ben rise from the corner of her eye.

"Going somewhere, sweetheart?"

"Depulso!" Delilah cried out.

"Protego!" Ben's spell mostly shielded him. His feet stayed put as he got pushed back a small bit.

"You'll alert the whole school at this rate, Delilah. But go ahead, run. I can't wait to tell Professor Snape you stole his veritaserum."

Delilah was about to make her escape when her thoughts worked against her, keeping her still. Ben was a threat she couldn't run away from.

"I had to know the truth, Ben."

"And yet, I still don't know the truth about you. Why you also go after Winger. It was obvious the moment you set foot in this school. Not everyone watches people like a hawk like I do. You have always had something against him. We could be great, you know. You and I. And as a result, my innocent Muggle parents could also be free."

Were his parents innocent? She doubted he would lie about that. They are just Muggles after all. She could potentially free his parents while also freeing herself from her father's wrath. But that would require Talbott's life...

Delilah turned around to face Ben. "You need me, Ben."

"What?" He was confuddled.

"You need me," she tantalized. "Because I know all of your secrets. You still don't know all of mine. I could easily go to Professor Dumbledore. He will investigate. He wants to know why I've been doing the things I've been doing anyway, like that fire. I will have him investigate that Imperius curse you've been using on me, how you've been using it on me all along. I doubt you can use Occlumency. I'll even admit I had to steal veritaserum in order to get the truth out of you for torturing me. I'm sure the Death Eaters would looooove that. Huh, Ben?! Huh!" Delilah shook with excitement.

Ben, in turn, looked as cowardly as ever. He knew he was trapped. He stuttered, but words did not form. He looked around the tight room as if there were any other opening.

"But-but my parents..."

"We'll worry about your parents later. For now, you listen to me. Got it? Or I will ruin you and your parents will be dead anyway."

He merely shook his head.

"And don't go crawling to Professor Snape. I'm sure Dumbledore would lose his trust knowing he's possibly a Death Eater. Although I still don't understand why a Death Eater would protect you from other Death Eaters..."

"H-He simply doesn't agree with them. He doesn't want the other professors to get suspicious either. I trust Professor Snape completely." Ben twitched in nervousness.

"Whatever you say, Ben. Now, get to class. We're both about to be late. Don't go after Talbott until I give a signal. You work for me now, got it?"

He hesitated, then nodded. He rushed past her in fury, leaving Delilah alone in the room. She quickly exited after him, both surprised and proud that any of that went well. She was immediately met with Rowan.

"You've got to tell me what he said, Delilah! He looked furious."

"I will later. We have to get to class." What lie could I make up...

"Right..." Rowan agreed as the two sped to Divination.

Rowan and Delilah reached the classroom and sat down at a circular table in the middle row. All of the tables were draped in ruby red tablecloths with various constellation designs. The Professor was always late, giving them a brief moment to whisper what happened. Their moment, however, was taken by Penny a table away. She, like her usual self, craved attention. The entire class was transfixed watching her snog her girlfriend. Delilah and Rowan were caught up watching with the rest of the class. Even Talbott was awestruck, who was sitting at a table in the bottom row with Tonks. Tonk's hair was as red as her cheeks.

The witch Penny was snogging (although Penny was smiling knowing the class was staring) had silver hair cut right above her shoulders. She wore casual clothes, rather than a Halloween costume, consisting of denim pants and a gray sweater that exposed her shoulders. Around her neck was a shiny blue pendant. The witch looked a bit more shy than Penny, but was just as beguiling.

Penny finally separated and begun talking to Delilah as if nobody noticed anything. Delilah and Rowan listened eagerly.

"Oh, Lilah. Didn't see you there. How's your Halloween so far? As you can see, mine is fantastic. Meet my girlfriend, Chiara."

Delilah nodded, Rowan was still in a trance, and Chiara barely waved in awkwardness.

"Us Hufflepuffs stick together best I think. Besides, Chiara has fallen in love with my potion making. How sweet, right?" Penny giggled. Chiara blushed.

Professor Trelawney finally came in to take over her classroom. Or, as well as she could. Nobody ever took Divination seriously, especially not from someone with such overly large glasses, decorated with layers and layers of jewelry around her neck and fingers, and many shawls in the blistering hot classroom.

"Settle down, class. Today, we will continue palmistry."

"You can read any part of me, Chiara," Delilah heard Penny whisper.

"Remember, that more than one line signifies doom. Beware the lines," said Professor Trelawney in a monotone.

Rowan and Delilah chuckled.

"Beware the lines in Hogsmeade, Delilah," whispered Rowan.

Delilah peeked at Talbott, who was also chuckling at Professor Trelawney's awful prophecy.

The holidays were a delight for Delilah. Her father was so preoccupied catching other unregistered animagi (people often tried to surprise a significant other or a family member with a new form they had) that he barely had time to write to her. Christmastime was spent at Hogwarts of course. Rowan left on the train to see her family. Delilah was alone, and so was someone else.

"Hey, Talbott."

Delilah found Talbott having a meal in the empty Great Hall Christmas morning. She sat down slowly next to him.

"Deli," he replied. He was bundled up in black winter clothing. His gloves were on the table. A blue and bronze striped Ravenclaw scarf wrapped around his neck.

"Happy Christmas, " she said softly. She still wore her pajama pants, being teal with golden feather prints and a plain pink long sleeved shirt. Her shoes were white sneakers.

Delilah and Talbott spent the months after Halloween barely conversing. Ben from time to time would pull a quick spell on him, but this usually ended in Delilah warning him against it with threats. Delilah utilized this power over Ben to keep Talbott safe. However, she still had her own problems to deal with. She wasn't off the hook, and she still needed to figure out a way to please her father. The holidays wouldn't last forever. Maybe after the holidays I'll go back to my original mission... Poor Talbott...

"Happy Christmas," he stated. "I know we aren't fully on good terms, but I really would like to spend Christmas not fighting for my life. So, don't attack me today."

"If I planned on it, I would whether you told me to or not. I assure you though, I do not plan on it. I do understand you not trusting me." Delilah was saddened. Trying to build a friendship at this point would be a waste of time. She knew it would take years for him to fully trust her.

"Good. Where's your friend?" He finished his breakfast.

"She has a family to see, unlike me." Delilah fumbled with her fingers. She knew the topic of her parents might come up. She hadn't decided if she would ever speak about her mother or not to him. "I bet she is talking all about how she won that Costume Contest. She deserved it. Although she gave the prize to Tonks. Rowan hates Zonko's."

"I don't have family anymore either," he replied. "Let's not focus on that though. I'm heading up towards the owlery anyway. I'll catch you later."

"Alright, I'll catch you later I guess." Delilah was both relieved and dispirited.

He left her alone once again, alone with her thoughts. The powdered snow whipped around outside the chilled windows. The fireplaces kept the Great Hall cozy. No matter how comfortable she was inside, she knew she belonged outside with him. Neither of them should be alone on this day.

Maybe if I got him a gift, it would brighten the day just a little bit. But what? It is already Christmas.

The idea came to her many times, although she kept brushing it off because it was silly. She eventually surrendered to it.

Delilah bustled upstairs to the dormitory. Once she reached it, she undressed, then dressed.

Without hesitation, she opened one of the windows, transformed, and soared. To the owlery she went. The snowy air blew against her feathers. The sky looked like a giant white cloud. Below her, the snow sparkled against the sun's rays. Tree branches wore piles of snow and ice.

Delilah sensed Talbott immediately. He was the only human placing around the tower. She flew in. At first, he paid her no mind. She was just an ordinary owl to him. He paced and paced before he realized he recognized this particular owl.

"Deli?" He said looking in her direction.

Delilah transformed. She too was bundled up, except her winter garments included a long white coat with a fur hood that was down, white gloves, and a pair of Uggs. She wasn't exactly wearing pants...

"I-I didn't know what to get you for Christmas, Talbott," she began. "So, I thought I'd bring back a funny memory."

She unzipped her coat. Talbott's eyes were glued to her. He stopped pacing and was frozen in place, but not due to the cold. Beneath her coat was the silky teal nightgown. Delilah had enough sense to keep the coat on, at least. The air was frigid, especially against her bare legs.

The original worry on Talbott's face faded. It was replaced with a grin. "Deli, I-"

"Happy Christmas. I know it's stupid, I just-"

"Are you kidding? I love this. I mean, I-"

"You mean you love me in a nightgown?" Delilah blushed.

He paused, unable to control his smile. "I love that we can go back to being normal. No dueling. No Ben. Even if it's only for a day."

Delilah wanted to warn him. She wanted to warn him that they would be enemies again once the holidays passed. She didn't have the heart to do it. She couldn't break his heart like this on Christmas.

While she distracted herself, she felt a hand on her coat zipper. Delilah didn't notice Talbott zipping her back up.

"You shouldn't catch a cold for me though. Especially not for me. You should get back inside." He frowned.

"Come with me?" she pleaded.

"I-I can't." The wind howled.

"Why not? Why must you be up here alone?" Delilah began to shiver.

"I... lost something. I need to find it. Please just go."

"Oh. Well, I'll help you find it."

"Deli, get inside. It's too cold."

"I'm helping. You can't make me leave. Now, what are we looking for?"

Talbott knew arguing with her was pointless. "I lost a necklace."

"Oh? What did it look like?" Delilah vaguely remembered him wearing a necklace with a feather on the end.

"It's silver," he answered. "Silver with a white feather."

"Okay. Where did you see it last?"

"That's what I'm trying to remember." He sighed.

"How did you lose a necklace with a scarf wrapped around your neck anyway?"

"That's it! Maybe I am glad you stuck around after all. Normally, I prefer my privacy. " He grabbed her hand before leading her down the steps. Delilah took in the moment, not caring where he was taking her.

The two exited the owlery and arrived on the grounds near the Whomping Willow tree. This tree was known for striking anyone that went near it.

Delilah caught her breath. "Why... are we here?"

"Because I wasn't paying attention earlier. I simply got distracted with memories and didn't realize how close I got to this tree. It tried to hit me. It got ahold of my scarf for a moment. The necklace may have flung off without me noticing. I was too preoccupied with getting away from its swinging branches."

"And you didn't notice when you readjusted your scarf?"

"Again, I was preoccupied."

"Thinking about your family?"

"That too, yes." He turned away from her and began digging through the snow, hoping to find his necklace.

"Oh, so more than just that?" Delilah snickered and began searching with him.

"I- nevermind."

"Please tell me. I need to distract myself from the cold." Delilah's legs were red.

"You...remind me of my mother in some ways."

Delilah wasn't prepared for this. Her hands stopped picking up snow.

"Your mother? Um... What happened to her?" Delilah tried to sound as unknowing as possible. If he guessed that she read his poem, he would never speak to her again.

"Please don't speak of this, especially not to Ben."

"I promise." She smiled.

Talbott turned to her. "She was murdered by Death Eaters. Both of my parents were. This necklace was from her." His eyes glistened, whether it be from his tragic past or the snow reflecting light she couldn't tell.

"I-I'm so sorry..." she whispered.

"You never get used to it, so I wear her necklace in her memory to comfort myself. I have to find it."

"And we will," Delilah said cheerfully. "My..." she paused. "Mother was murdered too. She was killed by a bobcat."

"Whoah, a bobcat?" Talbott replied in surprise. "I'm sorry, Deli. I had no idea..."

Delilah kept her lips zipped that it was a human bobcat that did it. She didn't want him guessing her entire previous mission.

"What about your father?" he asked.

"He... works for the Ministry. He only cares about his work though. " she sighed.

"I can understand that. We have a lot in common after all. Sadly, it's death..."

Talbott's sulking was interrupted by Delilah's squealing.

"I found it!" she exclaimed. She pulled the necklace out of the snow. It sparkled magnificently covered water droplets.

Talbott quickly grabbed it out of her hands. His eyes lit up. He couldn't stop smiling.

"Deli... Thank you. Seriously, thank you." He untied his scarf and put the necklace on. He didn't care that it was cold. He wrapped himself back into his scarf. "Let's get you inside now. Your legs are going to fall off."

The two laughed as they headed across the grounds towards the building. Delilah got so caught up in the moment that she didn't see a patch of ice cross her path. She fell miserably, grabbing Talbott's hand as if to save her and pulled him down with her.

He landed on her, knocking his head on hers. Their groans of pain lasted seconds, following with more laughter. Delilah wanted time to freeze, but her bottom was on the ice.

She swam in Talbott's gaze one more time before pushing him off and into the fluffy snow.

"What was that for?" He chuckled.

Delilah stood up. "Because my cheeks are going to fall off otherwise."

"Which ones?" He raised his eyebrows as he stood up.

"Talbott Winger, how dare you," she giggled. "Come on, I need some hot cocoa and a warmer outfit. "

"Ask Matilda Collins for an outfit. She has plenty. I heard she wins them at random bingo games."

Delilah struggled to get to the door due to both laughter and their gelid surroundings.