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Let's get on with it.

There was a shared silence. Both parties seemed to be contemplating what they wanted to say next. Hermione would have preferred to have been sent to bed, to pretend that she hadn't just told Tom what she had. Tom was dismayed, broken and feeling hopeless but something suddenly dawned on him. Hermione was here now in this time. He could use her knowledge, her experiences to stop the same future from happening again. It didn't have to turn out the same way. He would stop it. His plan would work. She would help him.

"How many did I make?" Tom decided upon. Hermione wrapped her arms around her knees, resting her head on her knees as though this topic of conversation upset her.

"Enough." Hermione retorted, looking past him. "One was too many." Tom rolled his eyes, he'd heard this all before. "To even consider splitting your soul into two pieces is preposterous, to split it into eight pieces – you weren't even human in the end."

"Eight pieces…" Tom mused. "That's ambitious." He wasn't taking this as serious as Hermione had hoped. "I always imagined that I would stop at seven." He seemed impressed with himself.

"You thought you had." Tom looked at her in confusion.

"An accidental Horcrux?" Tom seemed positively ecstatic and enthralled. "Tell me all about it." Hermione's mind was whizzing with information. Memories clattering together as one.

Harry was a Horcrux, a Horcrux that had been created accidentally when Voldemort had been apparently destroyed the first time when Harry was protected by Luna's love…

No, not Luna. Rose.

No. Lily.

Fresh lilies growing in the garden, her father attacking her mother with the hosepipe, causing her to flee into the house, giggling and screaming. Her father scooped Hermione up in his arms, laughing also. Hermione stole the hose from her father, turning it on him as he screamed and shouted, running into the house.

Screams. Bloodcurdling screams that made her blood run cold like ice. Children were running amok, spells being fired left right and centre as laughter, the most terrible laughter, echoed above everything. She closed her eyes, wishing for that dreamless sleep. Gladly, it came.

Tom watched the turmoil unfolding within the girl. Her eyes were flickering from left to right rapidly before they span back in her head, her eyelids folding over them. He placed his head in his hands, stabilising his inner frustrations. One step at a time Tom. One question at a time. One answer at a time. You have years to solve this, years to turn this around. Do not succumb to impatience. Sighing to himself, he tried to wake Hermione up by shaking her shoulder. It didn't work. Casting his thoughts aside, he picked her up with ease, returning her to the confines of her bed before he set out to clear his head.

**ATTM**

It was dark when Hermione awoke. She ran her hands over her face to wake herself up. Yawning, she stretched her legs out and placed them firmly on the floor. She edged over to the door, half expecting it to be locked. It wasn't. She crept from the room and out of Tom's quarters, into the hallway. She managed to find a library with ease and squeezed through the door, closing it behind her before walking the aisles. Her eyes lit up in wonder at the books in this collection. It certainly outdid the Restricted Section. She took herself to the beginning of the library so that she could traverse it alphabetically. She had only made it to AC and she already had her arms laden with books. She made her way to a table and placed her books down in front of her. She didn't know where to begin. She settled on reading alphabetically as it had worked out for her so far. Just as she was getting herself comfortable in a particular large armchair, she heard footsteps behind her and tried to sink into the armchair to hide her presence.

"Night terrors or insomnia?" Nott rounded her armchair, seating himself right next to her.

"Neither." Hermione answered honestly. "I think I'm trying to force my mind to remember too quickly. I'm muddling myself and I seem to have a constant headache."

"I've told Tom to take it easy." Nott seemed dismayed, thinking that Tom was still taking it too rough.

"I need to keep my brain active. Let the memories pour through slowly, rather than gush." Hermione spoke, flicking a page over in her book. "Try and get ahead of them so that they're not just a big jumble."

"It sounds tiresome." Nott sympathised.

"It must be irony that I don't feel tired in the slightest." She sighed. "What keeps you up?"

"Worry." He laughed, furrowing his brow. "Tom to be precise." Hermione pulled her face, unsure how anyone would ever worry about Tom. "I'm not in love with him, if that's what you're thinking."

Hermione shook her head. "I wasn't."

"I just worry about this path that he is headed down. You have to realise Tom and I have been friends for years Hermione. Imagine your best friend was losing their way. Going down a path that you knew could only lead to bad things and you'd helped them to establish that path, enabled them if you will. You know that your friend has done some really bad things, you know that they've done some bad things that they haven't even told you about but all you can do is hope that they'll grow out of it or grow bored." He laughed as though embarrassed for all that he had confessed. "I just worry about him is all."

"I have a friend like that." Hermione admitted, eyes still in her book. "He's pretty reckless." Hermione laughed, remembering him fondly. "He's the only person I know who hears about danger and asks for directions."

"What's his name?" Nott asked, making conversation.

"Harry." Hermione remembered fondly. "He's a hundred times more stubborn than I am. He'd know what to do in this situation. I was always the smart one, but Harry he just always knew what to do. Although if Harry were here, I think he'd murder Tom in his sleep." Nott looked at her with an eyebrow cocked.

"Something future related?" He questioned. She nodded. It was best she kept it to herself. For now. "I won't pry. Tom wouldn't like it." Hermione knew he was right.

"What do you do when you can't sleep?" Hermione asked.

"I read. I sometimes talk with Tom." Hermione's heart started to flutter in his chest.

"Talk to Tom?" She spoke quietly. Her brain was putting together that Tom might be wandering these halls. What was it that he had said? Anything that gave him displeasure would count as rule break – would he displeased to find her out of bed at this hour? Especially after her previous run in with Dolohov? "I need to get back to my room. Can I take these books with me?"

"You may, as long as you see that they don't come to any damage." Nott smiled at her as she fled the room and hurried back along the hallways to read in bed. The damage was already done. As she walked through the living room, the light was on, Tom sitting on the couch looking highly displeased.

**ATTM**

"How lovely for you to return Hermione." Tom said smoothly. His hair was ruffled as though he had not woken long ago. "Dare I ask where you've been?"

"The library." Hermione indicated to the books in her arms. "I couldn't sleep and I wanted something to read."

"There are plenty of things to read in these quarters."

"I've read them all." She said quickly. "I thought you had given me express permission to leave these quarters?" Hermione interjected, placing her books down.

"With permission."

"Hold on – now I need permission for everything?"

"Were you meeting Dolohov again, was that your purpose for sneaking out?"

"What is your problem?!" Hermione found herself shouting. "Yes, I've been down in the library allowing Dolohov to try and abuse me again. I thought to myself 'Once isn't enough – let's go and see how far he can get this time!'" Tom stepped up, temper fraying. He pushed back his dressing gown, his hand hovering over his wand pocket for a moment. His jaw was like stone, his eyes glaring at Hermione. Hermione had found herself silent, having expelled her rage in the words she had thrown at Tom. The only sound was the sound of their breath, Tom's somewhat deeper and more rapid. Hermione made to move towards her room but Tom held a hand up to stop her. She froze on the spot as Tom kept his hand in the air between them.

"I'm trying really hard here Hermione." Tom managed to say, his voice low but loaded.

"May I go to bed?"

"No." Tom answered quickly. "Why do you test my patience?" His hands were clenched as he started to pace the floor.

"It's not intentional." Hermione tried to assure him.

"I'm starting to feel like it is." Tom said, unimpressed. "What needs addressing here is whether or not you've broken the rules."

"I don't think so-"Hermione was quick to interject. Tom held a hand up to silence her.

"I do not like or appreciate your constant desire to backchat. If this is a sign of what women in the future are like I'm not sure it's a future I want to be a part of." Hermione scoffed, moving towards her room once more. Tom tried the hand trick once more but Hermione shoved it out of her way as she made a move for her bedroom. Growling in frustration, Tom placed a vice like grip on her shoulder spinning her to face him. She span on her heel as he maintained his grip.

"You're hurting me." She said, trying to pull her shoulder from him. He closed his eyes, exhaled and let go of her shoulder.

"If you think that is pain Hermione, then you are in for a sharp shock." He breathed slowly, his voice low and assured. "From now on, before you go anywhere, before you do anything – you ask for permission." Hermione opened her mouth to speak but Tom was one step ahead of her. "Let me finish before you interrupt me Hermione or I will not be accountable for my actions." She bit her lip and placed her hand on her chin, in case the words threatened to spill. "You need to think of yourself as very lucky. I could easily have classed this as a rule break and by all rights, made you seal an Unbreakable Vow. This is your very last chance. Your final chance." Hermione nodded in acceptance. "I have one condition. Tell me for my piece of mind - who were you with tonight?"

"I bumped into Nott in the library." She said honestly. She hoped he wouldn't get into trouble. It was purely circumstantial that they had even met there.

"And what did you talk about?" He asked, his intentions clear.

"Why we couldn't sleep." She said. It wasn't a lie, it just wasn't the entire truth. Tom seemed appeased.

"That sounds like something Nott would talk about." He ran his hand over his face, clearly tired. "Remember what we have spoken about tonight Hermione. Try to remember it. There will not be any more chances." He headed back to his room and Hermione scuttled into hers.

**ATTM**

Nott was at breakfast that morning with Avery and Dolohov. Tom entered the room at around 10 o clock and Dolohov immediately removed himself. Tom stared at Avery who was casually munching a piece of toast and he also departed the table without a word. Nott sighed and turned to face Tom.

"What is it you want to ask me?" Tom narrowed his eyes. He had had an uneasy sleep. The last thing that Hermione and he had discussed had been the horcruxes before she had shut down. Tom couldn't help but worry that she had mentioned something to Nott. He hoped not. He didn't want to think about what he may be forced to do if she had.

"What did you and Hermione discuss last night?"

"Nothing untoward Tom." Nott frowned. "We both couldn't sleep and we both wanted to read. She told me about a friend of hers but she didn't want to go into any other information about him." Tom nodded. Nott was telling the truth. Thank Merlin.

"Just checking." Tom smiled, helping himself to some breakfast. "How are these plans of yours going?"

"I'm unsure of whether or not to have a theme." Nott admitted. "I'm thinking of a masquerade."

"Thrilling." Tom commented.

"You asked." Nott reprimanded him. "Will you be inviting Hermione?" Tom's face fell, he hadn't thought about it.

"I'm not sure." He frowned. "It depends on how she holds herself over the coming days. If she learns nothing then I can't have her in that situation."

"I think a lot of the men are confused about her. You're going to have to introduce her at some point. It's somewhat hard for the men to understand that they're not allowed girls in the house, unless they join the cause, when you have one in your quarters."

"Have they been questioning me?" Tom spat.

"No. Nothing like that." Nott reassured. "I just think it would be better for you to explain her being here. It doesn't have to be the truth Tom. You just need to tell them something. I can see something going on behind Dolohov's eyes and I don't like it. You need to stamp it out."

**ATTM**

Hermione had woken at around 10.30 and had went immediately to Tom's bedroom to ask for permission to attend the library once more. She had finished her handful of book and wanted more. When she knocked on the door, it swung open, revealing an empty room. Hermione sighed, unsure of whether she would be allowed to leave the room without causing annoyance. She decided against it, instead sitting on the sofa and waiting for Tom to return. When the door opened, she jumped to her feet only to fall back into a sitting position when she realised it was Abraxas instead.

"Oh, it's just you." Hermione grumbled, starting to become restless and impatient.

"Hello to you too Hermione." Abraxas shook his head. "Is Tom about?"

"No, I'm waiting for him." She said simply.

"Look, can we get passed this?" Abraxas asked, sitting down on the same sofa. "From what Tom has told me, he 'killed your best friend' but yet all I am guilty of is having a fairly horrible family. I'm pretty sure that isn't my fault. At least, not my fault right now in this time." Abraxas tried to reason with her. "All I'm saying is – give me a chance. I know for a fact that we'll get on." He smiled. "I get on with everyone. Well, mainly everyone." Hermione sighed.

"Fine. I'll give you a chance." She agreed. "But, you need to help me find Tom."

"Deal. Come on then, let's go." Abraxas went to lead the way.

"I need to get dressed first, excuse me." She told him, heading back into the room. She quickly changed into a knee-length navy laced dress with a flared skirt and sheer sleeves that had been delivered to her by Binky. Abraxas was wandering the room when she entered the living room.

"Come on then, if we're lucky we'll catch him at breakfast, I'm starved." Abraxas held out an arm for her to take. She looped hers within his as he led her through the halls. When they rounded a corner that led to the main hall, Dolohov was walking the other way. He growled at Abraxas, his voice low and husky.

"Fucking Malfoy's." Hermione expected Abraxas to just ignore him, but he stopped dead in his tracks.

"What was that Dolohov? Were you attempting to communicate with me there?" Abraxas' tone was harsh, his words cutting.

"I said – " Dolohov started, Abraxas cut him off, squaring up to him.

"I heard fine well what you said Dolohov. What I don't understand is why you said it? Care to explain." Dolohov's face twisted into a dirty smile as he edged closer to Abraxas.

"I should have known the three of you would be sharing her. You, Riddle, Nott. No wonder Riddle didn't want me stepping on his toes. He's already sharing her with the pair of you." Hermione's cheeks flushed at the implication. Abraxas' hand fell to his wand as he pulled it in front of him, just as Dolohov did the same.

"You're vile Dolohov. You need to keep these disgusting fetishes to yourself if you know what's good for you."

"I know what's good for me." Dolohov eyed Hermione deliberately. "And I know I'm not getting any of it." He stepped in her direction as Abraxas brought his wand down in a swift motion. The skin on Dolohov's arm split open, blood gushing across the flooring. Dolohov's eyes turned to meet Abraxas', his teeth bared. "Think you're clever do you?" He held his wand higher before casting 'Crucio' in Abraxas' direction. Abraxas twisted out of the way, shooting another silent spell at Dolohov from under his arm. Another slice appeared, this time across Dolohov's cheek. Dolohov shot another spell, which Abraxas dodged once more as it smashed a vase behind him. Abraxas fired again, slicing Dolohov's chest. Dolohov growled, clearly frustrated. He pointed his wand straight at Hermione, shouting 'Imperio'. Abraxas froze as Hermione felt as though water was washing over her entire body. She could hear what was being said and she could feel herself moving, but she couldn't do anything about it.

"Let her go Dolohov." Abraxas said firmly.

"Or what?" Dolohov wiped the blood from his face as he flicked his wand causing Hermione to walk towards him slowly.

"Do you really want me to answer that question Dolohov?" Tom's bored voice echoed down the corridor as he stepped from the shadows, Nott at his side. Dolohov looked at Abraxas accusingly. "Don't look to him. I heard you fighting from the opposite side of the house." Tom looked to Hermione who was rocking on her heels in time with Dolohov's shaking wand hand. "Release her."

"But –"

"No buts." Tom barked. "Now." Dolohov lifted the spell from Hermione. Her face regained colour as she moved away from Dolohov instantly. Dolohov walked away down the corridor and Tom was quick on his heels, practically chasing him down the hall.

"Come on." Nott told Abraxas. "We should take her back to Tom's quarters. He will no doubt want to speak to you both once he is done with Dolohov."

Thank you for reading!

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All of my love

Until the next time!

~Sapph