Kaylee sleepily acknowledged Walden McNair's presence at her side and turned to the path around the lake they jogged each morning. After Tom had dropped her back at her room, she had collapsed into sleep the moment her head hit her pillow. The ritual had taken a toll on her energy and had used a substantial amount of her magic causing her to sleep deeply. She had had to drag herself out of bed for the run but did not want to give any indication to McNair or anyone else that something had happened last night.
"You look more tired than usual." McNair's deep voice penetrated the sleepy fog over her mind. She glanced at him in surprise; she couldn't remember exchanging any conversations since starting to jog together. Walden was an extremely quiet man that seemed content to observe the world around him rather than actively participate.
"I've been studying a lot…for NEWTs. They are getting closer and I want to do well." She hoped she sounded convincing, her mind was not running at peak efficiency. Kaylee wasn't sure if Tom planned on telling his knights about their bond and she wasn't going to bring it up first.
McNair nodded. "That could be the cause, but you seem…different this morning." He stopped their jog with a touch at her elbow, turning her to look at him. "Are you…alright?" He seemed cautious, most likely because he didn't want to step over any boundaries Tom had set but he also seemed…concerned.
"Different? I…I don't know what you mean." Her voice came out much too shaky for her comfort but he couldn't possibly know about last night, right?
"Your aura or magical signature is slightly different and you have this." He reached for her left hand and held it up between them. There on her ring finger, a silver band of runes were etched into her skin.
She stared. How had she not noticed that? She vaguely remembered a burning sensation on her finger last night but with everything else happening, she hadn't really paid attention.
"I…"Her voice trailed off. What could she say? She looked up into his dark eyes with a worried and slightly panicked expression.
He dropped her hand and motioned her to continue their run.
"I have seen something like that before on my grandmother, I doubt many others will even notice or know what it is." He glanced at her briefly. "I was not trying to scare you Kaylee."
She almost stumbled, he had never called her by name before and he seemed actually concerned for her.
He continued before she could reply, "I only brought it up because…I want to make sure you are alright." His voice had gotten softer.
"Why do you care?" she asked, genuinely curious now. He rarely spoke to her and was only there under Tom's orders. Why take an interest in her now?
"I have been required to spend a good deal of time with you over the last few months," he smirked slightly at her, "but I believe you are a genuinely good person. I know that I have already committed to…him, but I would try to…assist you if you needed help." He seemed unsure of himself by the end, as if not sure what he really could do.
"Thank you Walden," she said softly. Kaylee was rather touched at the man's concern. He had always seemed different to the other boys, quieter and more mature. She just hoped his concern for her wouldn't get him into trouble.
"I am alright though. The…the bond had to be willing." She stressed the word, hoping he understood the implication. It had been her choice to accept although she thought they both knew there was little chance of her denying Tom if it was something he truly wanted.
McNair nodded again. "My grandmother said as much but I also know Tom…"
There was nothing much else to say. They both knew the situation and had to be committed to their decisions regarding their loyalty to Tom. Without saying anything else, they finished their jog and parted for their separate dorms.
April found every seventh year in the library either studying or passed out between NEWTs. The exams extended over two weeks and each included written and practical portions. The bond was pushed to the back of Kaylee's mind during the weeks except during her practical portion of exams. Her magic had changed dramatically because of the bond and she had to adjust her output of power several times to not alert the professors. A small notice-me-not charm kept most eyes from noticing the silver band; glamours had not worked much to Kaylee's chagrin and Tom's amusement.
A brief break was given during the second week of exams when news reached Britain that Grindlewald had been defeated by their very own Transfiguration Professor, Dumbledore. Although Tom had been annoyed over the news, especially considering the country was hailing his hated nemesis a hero, Kaylee was grateful for the reprieve in studying. Although she had to spend most of the day trying to calm Tom down from the news.
"Why didn't you tell me about this?" He asked her. They had returned to his room for some privacy since the library and both his and her common rooms were packed with students.
"I didn't really think it was important." He gave her a credulous stare. "I mean, it didn't pertain to your rise to power so I guess it didn't seem necessary to bring up."
"You do realize this will gain him significant power in our world. Not only is he in line to be Headmaster of Hogwarts soon but I know of several positions in the Wizamgot are being offered to him, including Minister of Magic!" He had all but shouted at her. Tom rarely raised his voice which let Kaylee knew he was extremely angry about this.
"He won't accept most of them, including minister." She looked at him beseechingly. "Yes, he will be Headmaster soon and will take a few positions but he will never use the power given to him. We already talked about this. It's one of the reasons I lost trust in him this year; the realization that he had the power to make change and didn't."
"It would have made my job bloody easier if he hadn't gained the power in the first place."
She placed a hand on his arm, allowing her magic to flow into him, calming the stormy edges.
"I am sorry for not telling you but I think there will be certain events that will have to still pass regardless of any changes you make. We've read through every time related book that we could get our hands on and I'm sure you have read more than me, considering your lack of restraint on dark magic. Some pivotal moments will not be able to change without ripping the timeline apart. I think this is one of them."
She felt his magic settle as his anger receded. He turned to regard her closely, "We will discuss the…important events that you believe to be unchangeable tonight so that this doesn't happen again, understood?"
She sighed. Kaylee would have to go through her memory of what important events she could remember in history that would fit this type of situation before they talked. History had never been her strong subject.
Lost in her thoughts, she failed to notice the shift in Tom's magic as it began to dance with her own.
Tom directed his magic to caress hers in a sensual manner, slowly drawing her attention back to him. He was still…annoyed over the incident but it didn't honestly change his plans. As much as it irked him, she was correct in that there were events that would have to remain. But that didn't mean he couldn't enjoy a small punishment over her actions, he needed to be sure she wouldn't keep information from him, ever.
He smiled darkly as he watched her breathing increase and a flush rush into her face. Still so modest even after their multiple afternoons together. As much as he had thought sex was a chore before the bond, he had to admit it was an excellent way to relieve stress or frustration…and the added bonus of melding their magic more closely during physical intimacy made the act even more appealing.
He waved his hand and her clothing vanished. She squeaked and her hands came up to cover herself before seeing his dark look. They had already discussed this before; she would not hide herself from him…ever. She was his, meaning her body was also. Tom watched as she forced her hands back to her sides.
Without saying anything, he gripped her hips and pulled her against his still clothed body and brought his mouth down to hers. She whimpered at his forceful kiss and brought her hands up to toy with the hair at the nape of his neck. Something he quite enjoyed to his surprise.
Stroking her tongue with his own, he backed her up to the bed and guided her down. Releasing her hips, he flipped her over onto her stomach. His cock hardened to the point of pain in his trousers, desperate to be free of its restraint. Ignoring his own need for the moment, he wandlessly bound her hands to the bed above her head and pulled her up onto her hands and knees.
Leaning over her, he whispered into her ear. "Since I cannot use my usual methods of punishment on you little one, I am going to have to be creative." She gasped at his implication and tugged at her hands futilely. He chuckled at her movements causing her to release a small growl.
"What are you going to do?" Her voice was breathless and her chest heaved with her fast breathing.
"Oh, I think we will both enjoy this sweetling…although I might enjoy the beginning more."
He trailed his hand lightly down her spine, watching the small shivers that wracked her body. Skimming over the curve of her delightful round cheek, he dipped a finger into her folds. She whimpered as his finger skimmed her wet pussy and toyed with her clit.
"Already wet for me?" He chuckled again when she growled at him. He removed his hand from her despite her whine of protest and removed his clothes. Coming back to her, he leaned over her again until his chest was flush with her back.
"Now little girl, I think you have a punishment due." Before she could ask again what he intended, he slapped her ass…hard.
She yelped and struggled again with her bonds holding her in place. It was a good thing he had added a few to hold her legs in place as well. He smiled at her struggles and slapped her again.
"Stop! Why are you doing this?!" He traced a hand up and down her spine.
"I'm reminding you pet who's in control…and that you are not allowed to withhold information from me." He smacked her again at the curve between her cheek and thigh. He knew it was a tender spot on the body.
She yelped again and then whimpered when he traced a finger down to her wet pussy. Feeling her increased wetness, Tom had to forcefully remind himself to control. He toyed with her clit for several seconds before slapping her cheek again.
He kept up the rhythm for several minutes; alternating between slaps and rubbing her clit. By the two minute mark, she was arching her back to meet his swats and groaning between each one. He smiled as he withdrew from her pussy again and she whined loudly.
"Please!" she wiggled her body, trying to gain friction. Her pussy was soaking by this point and her clit was hard and swollen.
"Have you learned your lesson?" He asked as he positioned himself behind her. Running his cock up and down her pussy, he drew back every time she pushed towards him.
"Yes! Please Tom!" Her voice was desperate; he knew she would come the minute he was inside her.
"Alright pet, since you asked so politely." He grabbed her hips and thrust into her in one firm stroke.
Her pussy clamped down immediately as she tipped over the edge. Her scream of release echoed through the room. Tom was glad he had remembered silencing charms when they had come in.
Without giving her time to breathe, he pulled out until only his tip remained before thrusting back in harshly. She panted into his mattress and raised her hips; offering herself to him. Her submission pleased him so he snaked a hand around to play with her clit.
Keeping up his harsh thrusting, he drew hard then soft circles on the nub until he felt her squirming with renewed arousal. Feeling himself draw close to the edge, he pressed down on her clit firmly and demanded, "Come now Kaylee."
She broke with a loud moan, her pussy clamping on him like a vice. He growled as he released himself in her, holding her in place until his cock finished twitching inside of her.
After withdrawing, he released her bonds and lay down next to her. Waving a hand above them lazily, he cleaned them both up and drew her to his side.
"Sleep little messenger. We will talk later." She barely acknowledged his words as she drifted off next to him.
Albus returned to his quarters at Hogwarts late at night, after the last day of exams. After his duel with Grindlewald, he had intended to return to the school but had been waylaid by the British ministry for several days. Turning down several offers including Minister of Magic, he only expressed his desire to remain at Hogwarts and continue teaching.
With several days to wind down from his travels, he had turned his mind to his other problem plaguing him. Kaylee needed to be returned to her proper time. The school year was almost complete and he wouldn't be able to keep her under his control once she left. Her continuing relationship with Tom was another reason she needed to leave. If he every gained her knowledge, he would be an even bigger threat than the one Albus just defeated.
Sitting down at his desk, he sorted through the piled correspondence. One letter in particular stayed his hand and he opened it eagerly. Reading the contents, his mind raced with the new information. This could be the key to sending her home. The letter mentioned a possibility of a special type of portkey and Albus recalled Kaylee had mentioned an object in her hand that had never been found. If such an item was recovered…The letter cautioned the drain on magic could be detrimental to the user activating such a portkey. If it could send her back, Albus was more than willing to take the risk. After all, it was for the greater good to not mess with time.