Author's Note: Very AU one-shot. Loosely based off of Cameras/Good Ones Go Interlude by Drake.

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Hermione smiled tightly at the couple before her, her eyes lingering on the manicured hand that was placed on the man's chest. Her own hand tightened on the arm that she was holding.

Bellatrix Riddle laughed beautifully at a joke that Hermione's date, Alphard Black, had told but all Hermione could focus on was Bellatrix's fucking hand on Tom Riddle's fucking chest.

She could feel Alphard's concerned eyes on her but she ignored him.

"And what about you, Miss Granger?" Bellatrix asked, haughtily. "Your parents are Muggle, are they not? Will you be relocating with them as with the other Muggles in their primitive war."

"Now, now, Bellatrix," Tom spoke, "We're no longer looking down on the Muggles. Miss Granger has been leading a perfect campaign to re-introduce our societies."

He looked at her for the first time that evening and she traced the high cheekbones and stormy eyes that were intimately familiar to her with her own golden eyes. She forced herself to look away from him and met Bellatrix's gaze. The woman had noticed and Hermione saw her eyes flash angrily.

"No," Hermione answered, politely, "The Dark Lord has requested that I stay to assist him with some policies and I have been promoted to Senior Economic and Arthimancy Advisor as well as the department's head."

"I see." Bellatrix responded, staring at her husband.

A thick tension grew between the four of them as Bellatrix eyed both Hermione and Tom slowly. Alphard broke the silence.

"Hermione's the brightest witch of our age, if you remember. If she was in our year, she would have given the Dark Lord a run for his money!" He chuckled.

Tom cut in, "Now that you've mentioned it, Hermione, I do believe that I have some policy issues to discuss with you for a second."

"Really, my Lord?" Bellatrix interrupted, "We're at a gala. The politics can wait."

"It'd really be just a second, love." Tom answered.

Tom left his wife and Hermione followed him into the manor and into his office. He locked the door behind them and warded the room.

"What are you doing?" Tom asked.

"Pardon?"

"What are you doing with Black?"

"He's my date, Tom." She stated, arching her brow. "Is there an issue?"

"Yes," He responded curtly. "You're mine. You're not supposed to be with anyone else."

Hermione's eyes widened incredulously. "Excuse me?"

"You're not supposed to be with anyone but me."

Hermione scoffed, "Unless you've fucking forgotten, my Lord, you are married to someone else who isn't me so who I am with does not matter. You just called her love for fuck's sake."

"Hermione," Tom warned.

"Tom," She shot back.

"I'm serious. End it tonight or I will have to kill him. And besides, she's not my love. You are."

Tom rearranged some papers on his desk as Hermione sputtered with indignation.

"You're fucking kidding right? You go off and marry Bellatrix of all people and what, you want me to become a spinster because you don't like to see me with another person?"

He didn't answer. Hermione scoffed.

"I'm leaving, Tom. I'm going with my parents to the States to protect them. Call Theodore Nott. He is about as good as I am. He can replace me."

Her voice cracked in the end and Tom glanced up to see her eyes watering.

"Don't be rash. You know I only love you. You're the only one who matters to me." Tom said, softly. He stepped towards her with his hands up, placatingly.

"No!" She screamed, stepping backwards. "No! Stay the fuck away from me, Riddle!"

She knew if he got his hands on her that he'd pluck her strings like a violin, showering her body with affection and pleasure, until she forgot why she was upset in the first place. She knew his seductive touch too well.

Hermione trembled with anger and tears streamed down her face. The room seemed to spark as her magic filled it and her hair grew wilder.

"No!" She said more resolutely. "Do you understand how much it hurts, Tom, to see you and her all over each other in the society pages? Every single fucking day there's a new article about the two of you and how in love you both are, what your future children may look like, or what gifts you've gotten her for the week. And to see you here with her tonight? You're married to another woman and you won't even let me have dinner dates with other men?"

"Hermione, her family has influence and I —"

"NO!" She snarled. "I don't want to hear it. I don't fucking care why you're married to her — you can't keep interfering into my love life when you have A FUCKING WIFE! THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME YOU'VE PULLED THIS BULLSHIT!"

"You just need to calm down."

Hermione's eyes flashed with fury at his words and her wand slipped from its holster positioned on her forearm into her hand. She uttered the only spell she knew that would convey her pain.

"Crucio."

The spell hit the handsome man with full force and his knees buckled but he stayed upright. Hermione was impressed that the only sign he showed of being in pain was the clenching of his jaw. After what seemed like eternity, she let up the spell and glared at the man who was breathing heavily — as if he just ran a marathon. She was surprised that he hadn't pulled his own out in retaliation.

"That," She said coldly, "Is how it feels. Every single day, every minute, every second. You can't have it both ways, Riddle. You can't have me and her. I have too much pride to be a mistress no matter how much I love you."

Silence followed her statement as they stared each other down. Hermione angrily wiped the tears off of her face and took in a calming deep breath.

"You can't have it both ways," She whispered brokenly, "Now, if you'll excuse me. I'll be returning to the party."

Hermione spun on her foot and stormed past him. Just as she touched the doorknob, Tom spoke.

"I never realized, my love. I'm sorry. Just know that I only love you and whatever you see is only for the cameras. I don't love her. She's not you. She could never be you. You're the only person who's safe from me."

Hermione turned her head and she looked as if she was about to answer but she just sighed heavily before leaving the room.