A/N: For Cella (Voldybadass).
the (splendorous) cruel trinity
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When she fell in the past, Hermione seemed to be just another Gryffindor girl with their characteristic fiery personality and lack of control over their actions. Too hot blooded, too impulsive, too noble, too Gryffindor. She would stand up for the weak ones and side up with her housemates, defending them even if they were wrong, being loyal to them. That drove him mad. He hated all this Gryffindor-ish behaviour and the insolence Hermione Granger didn't even manage to hide when she was near him.
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She always had an answer hanging on the tip of her tongue to every thing he said.
She always had that stupid, smug smile on her lips.
She always had a spell ready to be shot.
She always had a trick in her sleeve.
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Abraxas was the first one to notice the Slytherin in her. 'Had you seen what she did to Walburga, you would know what I'm talking about,' Malfoy had said and he didn't believe it, but his friend kept pointing out the various things Hermione Granger did that incriminated her.
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Hermione would get deep into dark stuff with the excuse, one day, using it for the good.
Hermione would plot rather serious revenge tricks to those who displeased her.
Hermione would use low tricks if they helped to get where she wanted.
Hermione would make odd deals if those helped her.
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And Abraxas was right. Buried deep within her, there was a little Slytherin snake. All it would take to set it free was to gain her trust and tempt it. She would still be a Gryffindor, of course: loyal, brave and somewhat impulsive, but he could see that she was also calculating and, to a certain point, selfish and cunning. In order to help those she was loyal to, Hermione would do anything within her reach.
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She would even appeal to dark magic, if that was necessary.
She would use her magical power.
She would use her intelligence.
She would sabotage plans.
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He would give her a good position next to him and she would accepted it – but not before ordering him to change a few things in his ideas, of course. She was daring enough not to fear bossing him around. Hermione would embrace all the knowledge he granted her and would used it the way she wanted, shape it in the way she saw fit, never betraying him, of course. After all, she would still be a loyal Gryffindor. While Abraxas worked hard to attract the rich and snob pure-bloods with his well-known name and pretty smiles, Hermione would go after the low-born witches and wizards, bewitching them with gentle eyes and good-natured chats.
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Granger would gain the trust of people who didn't sympathize with him.
Granger would guarantee people would see him as a good person.
Granger would spread his ideas with her gentle voice.
Granger would help him.
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When he rose to power – no, when they rose to power, because he was not a fool, he knew Malfoy and Granger were important pieces in his plan -, she would stand by him all the time. Tom, Hermione and Abraxas, the splendorous trinity – or, as some people would call them, the cruel trinity – would have the wizarding world in their hand. No one would be able to escape from Tom's intelligence and craftiness, Hermione's gentleness and wit, and Abraxas' influence and money. Each of them had something useful and, when put together, they would be invincible.
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They would be invincible if only Hermione was not too much of a noble Gryffindor, always seeing the good and evil as two completely separated things.
They would be invincible if only Abraxas managed to use all his influence and not be held back by the duties he had with his family.
They would be invincible if only Tom had not succumbed to madness so early.