Chapter 12:

Hello!

I must apologize I did promise an update sooner than today. But your long wait is over. R&R!

Love,

SW.

Dinner

I grabbed Draco's arm with enough force to leave a bruise. He didn't comment on it.

Upon reaching the door to the dining room I sighed. The colossal door had intricate weavings of rich flowers and delightful Ivy, on each corner a splendid musician sat. There was a sensuous woman playing the harp, an innocent girl with a violin, a merry man with a lute and a boy with a drum. The doors had the strength of the earth and the harmony of wind.

Antoine proceeded to open the doors and entered.

I stood as tall as I could and walked in. One step at a time, Draco walked with a brisk pace full of purpose and determination. My steps where silent, but firm. Perhaps this is how a person sentenced to death feels like in that last walk. There is no turning back, no running, just facing what is to come.

I shuddered. Tom always made me feel on the brink of my existence, with him in a room there was no past and no future, just the moment.

Tom and Antoine stood regarding each other for a second, before identical smiles graced their features. Antoine rushed to hug Tom, all in one fluid motion like a river meeting the sea. Tom was an inch shorter than Antoine. Power inhabited both frames.

In their presence the room appeared to shrink in awe or perhaps in fear. Light and shadows played with their essence. They were two opposites painted by a master in the art of power. One pure and ethereal, while the other dark and mighty. Nonetheless, these Titans of old shared a distinct sparkle of immortality in their eyes.

After the hug ended, they held each other at arm's length with an intimate touch in the forearm. Here stood two beings who had seen far too much, known too much and which had gained a deep respect for each other while doing so.

Draco and I stood in the background as they spoke, two forgotten pebbles among jewels.

"Tom, you are a sight. You look just like you did last time we met; I might even say you look a couple of years younger. You've wandered too long from these walls. How many years has it been since we last spoke five, perhaps ten?"

Tom laughed, as I had heard him laugh only once or twice in the time I had known him; his voice a cascade of delicious velvet.

"Antoine, you haven't changed a bit, still the charmer and trickster." He smiled, "I hope your mind hasn't started failing you since the last time we met, you know better than I do how long it's been. Twenty five years. Yet I find your house full of life. You know I would've never returned here if it weren't for the company you keep."

Antoine's smile faded, his face lost some of its light.

"I guess I must thank Hermione for this. It is a shame we parted as we did, and if you don't change Tom I am afraid you will part from her as well."

Tom's smile disappeared and his eyes hardened.

"I will forgive your boldness this once. I do not idly forget our friendship, but I must demand that you withdraw your protection from your current guests. They are my concern and mine alone."

Antoine looked at Tom long and hard. Letting go of his arm, he added, "I'm afraid that won't be possible, Thomas. Not after you've played your twisted game with Hermione. She is a frail being. Besides I haven't forgiven myself for unleashing you unto the poor unsuspecting world. This once I'll do what is right."

Tom smirked.

"You forget Antoine, who you are speaking to. You didn't unleash me as you so arrogantly claim. It was I who spared you."

Antoine turned his back on Tom and came to stand right next to Draco and me.

"Be that as it may, I won't change my mind. It is tiresome to bring the sour past here, but it is you who forgets his place. Have you forgotten the Cliff, I did save your life."

Tom drew his wand. Antoine stood in front of him and gently guided his arm to his side.

Antoine sighed, "I don't want to argue with you."

Saying this he went to stand by the table. "For what it is worth I must say, I've missed you, my friend."

Tom nodded the slightest bit.

Antoine guided me to my chair. I could feel Tom's eyes drilling the places where Antoine touched me.

Draco sat by my side and remained silent. The table for four gave the grand room an air of a private place, like a home. Just like the Great Hall used to feel.

Draco sat between Antoine and me, in front of Tom. It was the best sitting arrangement I could think of.

I avoided Tom's gaze until he grabbed my hand and planted a kiss on my palm.

"How have you been love?"

I couldn't help laughing.

"Considering last year's events I'd say I have been fantastic, Voldemort. Antoine here has been a great host."

He smirked.

"Innocent Hermione, do you really think Antoine is doing all of this from the goodness of his heart? I would've expected more from you. This Veela is evil at heart; he simply likes playing with the idea of goodness."

Antoine followed the conversation, not blinking nor denying the accusations.

I freed my hand.

Food appeared in front of us, delicious mixtures of fruity salads, freshly baked bread and roasted lamb. I felt no desire to eat; my gut was tight with anxiety. For far too long had I travelled this unforgiving road. His alluring smile, his witty words just left me unbalanced.

I smiled my biggest smile.

"Draco would you mind passing me the salad? After we survive this supper would you like to go out and take a walk with me?"

Draco paled.

Antoine laughed, "Hermione, are you trying to get Draco killed?"

I smiled and gave him an innocent look.

"Who, me? Never in a million years, he is the last friend I have left," I lowered my eyes, feeling the weight of unshed tears.

Tom put a comforting hand on my upper arm.

"So it is true. Potter has disserted you. It is odd he never seemed the sort of coward to simply give up. Contrary to your current company, Draco here has always been a coward. I am sorry you have to carry such a great weight on your shoulders, little one."

A tear travelled down my cheek. I tried to speak but found my throat rough.

"Voldemort I find it deeply ironic that you try consoling Hermione when you are the only responsible for her pain. You call me a coward, but it is you who has beaten the smile from her lips and the light from her eyes."

I tensed. Was Draco mental? I looked at him and paused. His eyes were an intense grey, there was loathing written in the corner of his mouth and unveiled hate in his posture.

He looked astounding. Sitting here among masters of magic, his figure did not only stand as an equal among the mighty, but also shined with sincerity; something which neither of the other two figures portrayed.

I knew then we could defeat Voldemort. Here stood a man who grew tired of serving evil. Come what may his path was set.

"Draco, it appears you have grown a lion's courage. I am glad you have, it was about time you did. I bet your mom will be proud of his son. Well she might have been, were she still alive. I'll make sure your Dad knows exactly why he receives the treatment of a traitor once I return."

Draco's hands became fists, a thought crossed his mind and they returned to their original state. He smiled and looked my way.

"Finally does she rest, as for my father he deserves anything you throw his way."

I could see the pain he tried to hide.

"Enough of such gruesome talk in my house, please let us eat."

Was that joy in Antoine's face? Did he relish Draco's pain?

I ate slowly measuring each mouthful. Let them talk, let them interact. I needed to know where Antoine stood.

An hour later I found my answer, when Antoine entered Tom's mind and he let him. A truly good person couldn't stand Tom's mind for any length of time. There was something crooked in there, twisted and alluring. Tom paled and looked at me.

I ignored his look. From the moment I had set foot on this place I knew I'd have to fight my way out of it. Served Tom just fine to know where his plots had led me.

We had hit a dead-end. Voldemort would hunt us down if we left this place, as for Antoine who knew what he was capable of?

Draco and I remained silent the rest of the meal. He seemed to be far from the aroma of food and the sound of plates.

They discussed magic, politics, strategy and ancient runes. Long ago I would've killed to hear such a conversation, today I couldn't care less. I lazily played with the rim of my cup.

Minute by dreary minute the time passed. At long last it ended.

I stood from my chair unable to wait a moment more. Draco sprung to his feet a second afterwards. We were like two caged animals ready to bolt.

"Antoine, would you mind if I stayed the night? It is too late for me to travel."

I felt the bile rising in my throat.

I smirked and looked him in the eye.

"Afraid of the dark, Tom dearest? I agree, it's better if you stay for the world would mourn your loss. What would we do without mighty you to rule over the Wizarding World?"

He flinched at my words. I felt a sadistic pleasure at the sight.

Suddenly I felt a sting on my cheek. Antoine had slapped me. The tender flesh throbbed. I touched it only to find blood on my fingers. His ring had ripped opened my skin.

Draco was outraged. He drew his wand ready to cast.

I smiled truthfully for the first time in the evening.

I was static, "Lower your wand Draco."

My smile broadened, "Now I finally know where you truly stand Antoine. You've made your choice. Marvelous! No more wondering."

I grabbed Draco's hand.

"Let's go Draco. I'm tired."

Draco smiled.

"Would it be too much to ask for some sort of warning before these little stunts of yours?"

I twirled just for the sake of movement.

"What would be the fun in that Draco? Besides with people like them I just go with the spur of the moment."

Tom's deep laugher stopped me short.

"You'd do well not to underestimate her, Antoine. I'd enjoy to see her beat you, it'd serve your ego just right…"

Antoine's face was strained.

"Just like yours did when she defeated you?"

Tom had tears in his eyes from laughing. "I do not mind, at all. She can defeat me as much as she pleases it's what makes her worthy of my time."

He looked at me and walked towards me. Draco made a move to stop him, but I stalled him with a movement of my hand.

Tom's face sobered up. He drew his wand and raised it to the level of my face. I stopped breathing out of instinct. He smiled at this, and proceeded to close my wound.

"In the past you have been magnanimous with me Antoine, only for that will I allow this incident to pass. But if you ever lay a finger on Hermione, or harm her again it will be your end. That isn't a threat it is a promise."

Silence descended once more on the dining room.

"Love would you mind taking a walk with me?"

His pleading eyes always disarmed me.

"Tom, I don't think it would be wise."

He leaned forward and placed a kiss on my cheek, "No, it wouldn't be. But then again when have you ever done the wise thing when it comes to me?"

I pouted at him.

He smiled.

Draco grabbed my arm and pulled me away from Tom. I was glad he did.

"Mr. Malfoy, till you have your mother's corpse in your hands I wouldn't become so familiar with Hermione if I were you. For it might have slipped my mind and your mother could still be alive."

At this Draco's hold on my arm slackened.

"So what say you love?" He extended his arm for me to take, "Shall we?"

His threat hadn't been meant only for Draco.

I grabbed his arm, "Do I have an option?"

"You know you never do."

We left the dining room and I couldn't help worrying over Draco. Leaving him in the company of an upset Antoine couldn't bode well for his health. But then again the threat Tom had made to Antoine did not only include me, but Draco as well.

I sighed.

"You seem to know this place like the back of your hand. How long did you spend here?"

He shrugged.

"A long time, more than I care to remember. How have you been?"

"Better than I care to acknowledge."

After that we continued to walk in silence leaving the house and going into the woods.

He was being elusive. He was learning from his mistakes.

We walked till we reached a wooden bridge. I let go of his hand and ran till I stood in the middle of the bridge. The sound of rushing water calmed my senses. I leaned on the rail with my eyes closed.

He came to stand at my right side.

There was a tilt of happiness in his voice, "Some things never change."

I smelled his perfume, felt the caress of his clothing. He leaned to kiss me and I moved. I crossed my arms over my chest and turned to face him.

"Some things do."

He smiled a bitter sweet smile. I could see his pain and I cared.

"The best things shouldn't change. Do you remember that summer in the Black Residence…"

Unbidden images came to my mind.

"How could I ever forget Tom? It was… lovely."

"If there is one thing I regret Hermione is all the time we could've had together."

I avoided his eyes.

"There is no use crying over spilled milk. You made your choices I made mine; we made this of our lives."

He grabbed my hands in his and looked at me in the eye.

"Have you ever been tempted to go back and change things so we could be together?"

I kept my face blank.

"I thought as much."

"I have thought about going back, but only to kill you when I had a chance."

"Lie."

He chastely kissed me on the lips.

I sat on the rail only to put space between us.

He cast a spell and flowers bloomed all around us. Petals started falling from the sky.

"You've become a romantic Tom? Why so corny all of a sudden? What would your Death eaters think if they saw this?" I mocked him, with venom in my voice.

All this beauty could have been ours, we could have done so much good. If…

No use tormenting myself. The past was gone, gone beyond recall.

"I have a time turner, Hermione."

My heart stopped. He couldn't go back. He'd change everything.

I turned pleading eyes to him.

"So this is goodbye. You'll take it all away? Just like that?"

He caressed the palms of my hands.

"I'd never take anything from you. I have been tempted to do just that…"

I tightened my hold on his hands.

"Tom you mustn't. Imagine all the things that could go wrong, imagine…"

His voice became a whisper. "I would be extremely careful, for you, for us."

I despaired, all was lost.

"Then be gone. There isn't a damned thing I can do about it here, in this place. If only I had convinced Antoine to allow me the use of magic here, like he must have allowed you. I could attempt something."

I could feel myself shuddering.

"It is extremely cruel of you to tell me this. You should've gone without telling me."

He let go of my one of my hands and caressed my cheek, drawing my gaze to his.

"Fear not little one. You stop me from meddling with time. You are perfect for me just how you are right now. If I were to change the past I'd change you and I couldn't handle losing you, the you who now stands before me."

My eyes softened.

"Tom…"

He put a finger to my lips and went down on one knee and took a small box from a pocket in his robes.

"I should have done this a long time ago. Would you Hermione Jane Granger do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

His heart was in his eyes, but I couldn't draw my attention from the ring he held. I had seen this ring before. It was the ring from the painting.

Damn it all! Was fate mocking me?