Chapter Twenty-One

When Hermione finally entered into the dining room that morning, she was elated to see Reg talking to Tom while Orion sipped tea as he listened to the banter of the younger men.

"Good morning." Hermione muttered. That was as happy as it got in the mornings.

"Are you always this cheerful in the morning?" Tom asked her.

Hermione glared at him warning him not to say another word. She narrowed her eyes. She was going to find out today, what kind of man Tom was. Was he a brilliant wonderful man who would feed her and leave her alone until she woke up, or was he suicidal? She kind of smiled when he pushed toast under her nose. Smart man.

Once she polished off the toast and three cups of tea, she felt much more human and it showed. Her eyes flicked to each man in her life with a peaceful smile on her lips.

"That is absolutely terrifying." Tom sat stunned.

"What is?" Hermione's brow wrinkled in confusion.

"You in the morning. If I dropped you in the middle of a battlefield in the morning before feeding you, I would find nothing left of your enemy's bodies."

"Oh, what poppycock! I'll have you know that me and the boys slowly starved for months on the run, fighting against you and your army."

"And look where we are now. You have changed everything. I would be a fool not to be trembling in my boots." Tom smiled, trying desperately not to laugh in her face. After all, she had only eaten two pieces of toast. Grabbing her plate, he added two more pieces for good measure, sliding it back in front of her.

"As you should be." Hermione mumbled. A defiant and satisfied look gleamed from her eyes as she picked up another piece of the offering.

"As amusing as this is, I will be taking Regulus home today. It is about time the four of you returned to Hogwarts." Orion stated behind the Daily Prophet.

"Reg, do you want to go to Grimmauld?" Hermione asked gently. She had a feeling he wouldn't want to go. He shook his head violently.

"Father, I think Reg should spend some time with Lady Malfoy. She has been feeling unwell and I think with someone to look after, she would get better in no time."

"We couldn't possibly impose."

"It's not an imposition, Sir. My mother wrote to me only yesterday to say how much she adored Regulus. She wouldn't think of it that way anyway. We are family now." Lucius said.

"As if you weren't before." Hermione muttered quietly. She had views on purebloods and their inbreeding.

An owl started pecking on the window grabbing everyone's attention. Avery got up to let him in. Several owls unexpectedly flew in landing in front of Hermione. She picked up the thick envelope from Hogwarts first, pushing the toast to the owls before they flew back the way they came.

"Why is Hogwarts sending you a letter?" Theo asked. Tom narrowed his eyes. What had that meddlesome old fool done now?

She ignored everyone and set that letter aside tearing through the rest of the letters quickly, her facial expression darkening exponentially with the letter form Hogwarts.

"Tom, can I talk to you in the other room?" Hermione asked tightly, obviously angry. He gave her a curt nod and followed her out. Once they were in the drawing room and the door was shut behind them, Hermione laid some of the most powerful privacy wards he had ever seen. He was impressed, although he shouldn't have been. It had just been so long since he saw her in action.

"What is it?" He asked in a low menacing voice. He had a feeling he really wouldn't like this conversation.

"I want the truth. Are you a master of the Dark Arts?"

"Excuse me?" he asked perplexed. Where did that come from?

"I asked you if you were practicing the Dark Arts! Don't you dare lie to me!"

"No! no, of course not! I know some, I dabbled when I was in my DADA apprenticeship. But I don't practice it. What the hell was in those letters?"

"From various sources, I have been told that you should be in Azkaban! That you were merely a façade of goodness. I did not go through every fucking thing in my life for you to turn now Tom!"

"I am not 'turning' as you so eloquently put it! Yes, I could be in Azkaban twice over. I used the Imperius on Grindelwald when we pulled you out of Nurmengard and although I don't regret disbanding the Knights, I used Crucio on the group. I admit, my need for revenge got the better of me. I am not proud of it. They killed my parents and many other families."

"Tom…"

"NO! You asked so now you need to listen. Your good opinion is the only thing that matters to me. You are all I have left. Do you think I would jeopardize that?"

"You have to understand Tom; I know exactly what you are capable of under the right conditions. I will never stop making sure you stay a good man. It is my first and most important priority."

"I am your most important priority?" He asked smiling, all of his anger melting away. This was a testament to how much she cared about him.

"Of course that is what you would pick up from what I said." Hermione muttered, obviously annoyed.

"But you love me anyway." He said smirking, pulling her into a hug.

"So you say." She said, softening slightly. She hugged him back for a few moments before tearing down her wards and opened the door coming face to face with five curious men.

"What the devil did you use on the door? Even I couldn't get in?" Orion asked impressed.

Hermione shrugged.

"Something I picked up in Germany."

"Really?" Tom asked skeptically.

"Really. It was one of the spells used to create the time room in Nurmengard. Absolutely ingenious. I doubt it ever occurred to Grindelwald to use it as a privacy ward." She smirked. The men looked at her with utter astonishment and pride.

**HGHGHGHG**

Perhaps he had done Tom an injustice. Thought Albus Dumbledore and he stood before the restrained Alchemy Professor. Staring distractedly at the man manacled to the stone wall, he sunk back into his thoughts as he fiddled with the handle of his wand.

Knowing young Mr. Lupin would soon need the shack, Albus moved his prisoner into the castle dungeons. Not the portion where students could get to but the holding cells that can only be accessed by the Headmaster unless they were escorted or had his expressed permission. It was dank and moist. These particular chambers had not been opened for a hundred years. It was probably even longer than that since it had been cleaned. Either way he decided it was a Hogwarts matter of staffing and moved the Professor in the dead of night. It wouldn't do to be caught holding a prisoner for a non-ministry sanctioned questioning.

He had known that the Knights still operated on some level. But he also knew that the leadership had changed. He had collaborated with his future self and they had come to the consensus that it felt familiar. Not taking any chances they decided to test Tom and solidify his alliance or guilt.

He had begun circulating rumors about Tom and his darker nature around the school via the portraits to the students who inevitably wrote to their parents. What he didn't count on was the level of respect that Tom already garnered and most families thought it made him more qualified to teach the students DADA. He expected more backlash to be honest. That was last year right before Hermione came the first time and in all that time, not one word of dismissal. How was he supposed to figure out what side the man was on if he couldn't force a reaction?

He sighed, perhaps he should have just asked but that wasn't an option either. Tom was a master Occlumens. He wouldn't have been able to be sure.

Albus flicked his wand, casting a nonverbal 'enervate' at the unconscious professor.

"Welcome back, Michael."

"Albus." He sneered. No point in being polite now.

"I was recently told via owl that Cygnus Black is suspected to be under the Imperius. What do you think?"

"Like I said before. Anything that I know is small potatoes. You need to find one of the Seven."

"It warms my heart to see that we are on the same page."

"What?"

"I need to find one of the Seven. So, start talking."

"I don't know who they are."

"But you know who does."

"I made an oath."

"Isn't it proper redemption to give your life for such a worthy cause?"

"Look at the Great Albus Dumbledore willing to sacrifice my life for some information."

"You already gave up your life when you decided to join the Knights."

"And I am not worthy to be saved?"

"You have shown no remorse, no pity, no regret. You tried to kidnap two charges under your supposed protection. Your intention was to kill at least one of them. So no, I am not worried about saving you. I will give second chances to those who work for it."

"You wouldn't believe me anyway."

"Try me."

"What happens to me if I tell you?"

"I will hand you over to the ministry to receive a trial."

"I want to make a deal. No time in Azkaban."

"I can't guarantee that."

"That's a lie and we both know it. I'll take house arrest or deportation."

"If I deem your information worthy."

"Deal. Make an unbreakable vow."

"No. but I can give you my word."

Professor Hornby thought for a moment, indecision warring on his face. Dumbledore saw the moment he resigned himself to his fate. All of the fight left his body.

"Orion Black."

"Orion?"

"He knows who all of the Seven are. I think he stumbled upon it by accident but I don't think he left with his memories intact. If he did, then he is one of them now. That is all I can tell you without breaking my vow."

Albus slipped easily into the Professors unshielded mind and saw the proof of his statement. Dumbledore's shoulders slightly slumped. This was more convoluted than he thought.

**HGHGHGHG**

Grindelwald stood in front of a full-length mirror, adjusting his clothes here and there in nervous anticipation. He was thirty-five with blond curly hair that had been cut to his shoulders. His once strong frame was now slightly skeletal, prison life not being especially kind. He would no doubt quickly return to become as handsome as he ever was and smirked at his mirror image.

He smoothed his hands over the trousers on his right thigh. A red and blue phoenix in flight had appeared last year which resulted in a very interesting visit by not one but two Albus Fucking Dumbledore's. He was forced to the ground as the two wizards held him to the floor, searching his body, finally finding his new tattoo on his thigh. The elder of the two Dumbledore's pricked his finger and smeared it on the phoenix. At first it hurt. If he hadn't known that his leg was not being consumed by flames, he would have been convinced that it was on fire. After several painful minutes, the feeling of his flesh being devoured by molten lava abated. It still tingled uncomfortably but he was able to ignore it.

"My Lord, my men have told me that she has not yet gone back to Hogwarts but that she was expected back tomorrow morning before classes start."

"Thank you, Burke." Grindelwald said off handedly, smiling to himself. If he wanted to get his hands on her, he would have to make a grab for her before she was under Albus' nose.

He had been pleasantly surprised when the group called the Knights released him from his captivity but as the leader pushed back his hood it all made sense. Together the two men laughed. They had the same goal after all. Hermione Black.

**HGHGHGHG**

Tom stalked the halls of Hogwarts, his black mood apparent to any and all that saw him. The students avoided him, and not very covertly either. Watching as the students practically killed themselves in an effort to get out of his way made his already dark mood, impossibly darker. Even the griffin that guarded the entrance to the Headmaster's office jumped out of the way as quickly as possible, not even waiting for the password. Black eyebrows drew closer together as his lips pinched in further displeasure, slamming the door open as he swept into the office.

"Tom! How happy we are to have you back! I heard about the trial. Good show!" Dumbledore said over his shoulder. He was standing behind his desk with his back to the room. He had been rummaging in the cabinet but drew his hand back and turned when he could feel the anger rolling off of his DADA Professor.

"I am not back, not yet. I have some things to do before I return."

"Tom?"

"Do not 'Tom' me! We had an agreement old man! You were supposed to be on my side! I did not force your hand in the agreement when we vowed we would protect Hermione without her knowing so that she could live a normal life. You have betrayed me for the last time! "

"Calm down, Tom." Albus said calmly as he took his seat behind his desk with his signature twinkle. Tom narrowed his eyes at the amused manipulator.

"Did you know that Hermione was told some very interesting things about me?"

"Oh?"

"The whole school seems to think I belong in Azkaban. Why would that be Albus?"

"I have seen you use an unforgivable before."

"You know damn well that I used them only twice. Once to get Hermione out of Nurmengard and once when we broke up the Knights the first time. I refuse to disappoint Hermione by becoming something repugnant to her. Yet here I find my good name being dragged through the mud! I was mortified... mortified Albus,when she asked me about it. She looked so disappointed, so betrayed! I would never become what she most fears! I will not become the Dark Lord of her nightmares." Tom raged at the still twinkling Headmaster.

Albus leaned back in his seat, obviously comfortable, folding his hands neatly over the top of his knees.

"You know that she willfully changed your life. Do you know why?"

"She wanted a better life for me than that of an unwanted orphan and everyone she loved would live if I did not become the Dark Lord."

"Why does it bother you what the students and teachers think of you. They think that you are fearsome and powerful. What is wrong with that?"

"Hermione may not realize how much of a hold she has over me but I know that you know the depths that I would go for her. So, what is this really about? Why have such things spread when you know what I have been through?"

"I did not spread these rumors Tom."

"Fine. The other you, the Albus Dumbledore from 1997 then. Why did he spread such things and don't act all innocent with me! I know exactly what you are capable of."

Albus sighed and the twinkling disappeared altogether.

"You may want to sit down Tom."

Tom sat stiffly in one of the chairs that was indicated.

**HGHGHGHG**

Lord Burke sat in his study chair with a glass of fire whiskey with a full decanter on the side table to his right. He was shaken. The whole Lord's trials and his hand in all of it was too heavy to bear. He wasn't exactly sure how he ended up in this place, a captive in his own home but Hermione Black was not the only person completely unsettled by the sham of a trial for Orion Black. It was even more unsettling that Cygnus, a previously thought to be an upstanding wizard was gunning for the family seat. A man who was willing to orchestrate the downfall of his own brother-in-law and the death of his sister.

On top of all that Lord Nott was imprisoned for something that didn't sit well with him. He knew Lord Nott wasn't involved. Lord Burke was one of the Original Seven and he was strenuously opposed to what they did to Orion. He was one of the nobility, one of their own. When did things get so out of hand?

He stared into the glass, still more sober than he preferred when his son, Dorian, sauntered in followed by Grindelwald. He was forced into offering his home and his hospitality by the leader of the Knights. The man who effectively unseated the British Lord from his own home. It churned in his stomach like spoiled milk. He knew better to complain now. He had been on the receiving end of his Lord's displeasure one too many times durring his life to fight openly against him now.

That didn't mean he didn't intend to take the necessary steps to protect himself and try to do the right thing. It was he, who forced Rosier into having his son recruit in the school under the noses of the two men who could stop the oncoming war. If anyone could put a wrench in the Leader's plans it would be Albus Dumbledore and Tom Riddle. He chose Rosier for the simple reason that like his father, the son lacks the fine art of finesse and subtlety. It confounded him that either one got into Slytherin.

"What can I do for you gentlemen?"

"We need Hermione to be lured away from her husbands for only a few minutes. Couldn't my Uncle bring her into the shop for a bit?" Dorian asked.

"I highly doubt her protectors would let her anywhere near Knockturn Alley." Lord Burke was wary. He couldn't outright deny the man accompanying his son.

"I need only a few minutes. Whether we capture her or not." The Blond German stated. Lord Burke nodded in resignation. They expected his compliance and he would give it.

**HGHGHGHG**

Hermione and Lucius had decided to stop at Diagon Alley to pick up an early birthday gift for Reg, to help him acclimate to his new home, Malfoy Manor. They walked into the Magical Menagerie to see about a pet. Hermione found the ugliest kitten that was ever born. The second Hermione saw the orange kitten with a smooshed face and a bottle brush tail, she had already decided. She would not leave until she secured the kitten's ownership. Now they had a bad-tempered kitten and still hadn't found a gift for Regulus. Lucius sighed. How had she talked him into shopping? The second she mentioned her intention of a quick shopping trip that day, he had been abandoned by his wives' other husbands. Those bastards would pay.

Hermione smugly cuddled baby Crookshanks. She was deliriously happy she had found him this time around. She glanced at Lucius out of the corner of her eye. He was still sore that he was the one coerced into shopping today. She nearly snorted out loud. Never had she known Avery and Theo move as fast as when threatened with a shopping trip. Lucius called for their House elf who took the new kitten and all of his belongings back to Nott Cottage.

"Young Mister Malfoy! How fortuitous to run into you here! I was just saying to my brother Aetes, one of the owners of Borgin and Burkes as you know, that his latest acquisition would prick your interest. It is a parure of the French magical crown. A young man recently sold it to help family finances and I know you have expressed interest in expanding the Malfoy family jewels." Lord Burke imperiously remarked.

"A parure? Hermione, do you mind if we stop over? Such things are so rare."

"At Borgin and Burkes?"

"Uh huh."

"Will you be quick."

"I will be as quick as I can."

Hermione sighed. She didn't want to go at all but it was the first thing that interested Lucius since they arrived in Diagon Alley, not including the Quidditch shop. Against her better judgment, she hesitantly nodded her agreement. She really hoped she wouldn't regret this.

Lucius and Hermione walked to Borgin and Burkes with Lord Burke. By now, Hermione was used to the stares that they received and ignored them as best as she could. Hermione was looking in the shop windows that they passed when she caught sight of a familiar head of red hair. Coming out of one of the shops she saw Molly Weasley with a toddler on her hip. It must have been Bill! His red hair curled slightly around his ears, his button nose slightly red from the cold, holding a lolly. Hermione wanted to nip over and get to know them once more.

Lucius stared at Hermione watching the Weasley's absolutely perplexed. She had a wistful look on her face that was hard for him to ignore. She must know them in her original timeline. He shrugged, thoughts of expanding the consequence of the Malfoy family taking over his thoughts, relegating the Weasley's to the back for later.

The bell on the door chimed as the three of them walked into the warm shop. Lord Burke and Lucius walked up to the counter as Hermione decided to have a look around. The last time she was in there, she had been tossed out. That was sixth year after trying to figure out what Draco Malfoy had purchased.

She walked to the back of the store where the encased bookshelves were kept. She perused the books, reading the spines with a slightly nauseated look. Grindelwald stepped out of the shadow and into the light, his blond hair a striking brilliance in the field of grey surrounding them. He stepped on a board that creaked, startling Hermione. She spun around, wand raised. She was shocked. The man before her was supposed to be imprisoned in Nurmengard. Why was he in Knockturn Alley? A middle aged Gellert Grindelwald was annoyingly smirking at her.

"Expelliarmus. It's been a long time, Schätzchen and I have waited for this moment for oh, so long. I dreamt about you every night." Grindelwald walked up to her and whispered into her ear, his breath tickling her loose hair on her neck. He slipped her stolen wand with his into an inner pocket of his robe, hiding it from sight.

"Grindelwald. My husband is in the front of the shop."

"I am aware. I have already erected the necessary wards so that we wouldn't be interrupted."

"How did you escape Nurmengard?"

"It's so wonderful how you worry for me. It's such a turn on."

"I am not worried for you. I am upset that you escaped!"

"Schätzchen, you don't have to hide your true feelings for me. We both know how much you have been pining for me. If you just gave in to what we both want, we could be deliriously happy." He ran his finger from her ear past her shoulder and down her arm. Her body broke out in goose pimples causing Grindelwald to smile in pleasure. She took a step back trying to escape but only managed to trap herself further. She was backed into the book case. For every step back she took, Grindelwald moved forward. His hands rested on the glass, either side of her head.

"I think you are delirious alright. I have told you more times than I can count that I love my husbands." She hissed.

Grindelwald leaned in, his lips barely an inch from hers.

"I told you Schätzchen, that when I am finished with you, you will be begging for me."

"And I told you Grindelwald, if you are waiting for me to beg, you would be waiting forever. And I meant it." She snarled. He leaned back, a pinched look on his face.

"Back to that, are we? Call me Gellert."

"I don't want you to be confused and think we are friends."

"You know exactly what to say to make me try harder."

"I don't want you to try harder I want you to forget about me."

"You are not an easy woman to forget."

"Try."

Grindelwald shut his eyes in imitation of deep thought before his eyes popped open, amusement dancing in their depths.

"Mmmmm. Nope didn't work."

Hermione made a sound of disgust and turned her head away, physically unable to look at him any longer. Grindelwald gently cupped her chin and forcefully turned her face to his once more.

"Don't hide from me." He murmured. He moved in closer so that his body was flush with hers. It trapped her there, her arms and legs pinned.

"I'm not hiding. I am just one thousand percent done. Let me leave."

"You haven't seen me in eighteen years. Didn't you miss me?"

"It has only been two weeks for me. And no, I didn't miss you at all. In fact, I'm still bloody furious with you!"

"You're angry? Why?"

"Are you completely daft? You kept me captive in a room without a bed for longer than I care to dwell on."

"There was a bed in there."

"I couldn't use it. You took my wand from me."

"Yes, I did do that. Forgive me just this once."

"You have got to be kidding me! Let me go!"

"This time I will let you go but if you don't come to me in a reasonable amount of time, I will come and get you. This is your first and only warning." Grindelwald leaned in and captured her unresponsive lips. The second her shock wore off she began pushing on his chest. Without a wand, he had the advantage. He seemed to move impossibly closer as she struggled. She stopped and went stiff as a board waiting for him to finish.

"You taste divine, Schätzchen!" He leaned back to look at her, a dazed contented smile on his lips.

"Are you finished?" Hermione deadpanned.

"Not quite." He leaned back in to softly kiss her lips but she hadn't been idle during his pause, she brought her knee up forcefully, connecting savagely with his groin.

"Don't ever touch me again, Grindelwald!" she viciously whispered as he clutched the family jewels.

Hermione searched his jacket and pulled out both wands. She narrowed her eyes as she ripped the wards to ribbons around them, she could still hear Lucius bargaining for the jewelry with Burke. Grindelwald was in too much pain to fully appreciate that his amazing wards were torn down in seconds. Once he was able to stand without gasping, Grindelwald leaned in close being very careful to protect himself from her.

"Remember Schätzchen, you will always be mine."

"You are delusional!" She fumed.

"My wand." His waited with his palm up.

"Why shouldn't I break it and toss it away right now?"

"Because, Maus, I would hate to have to punish you when all I want to do is make you feel so damn good." He snatched it out of her hand and frowned. He started re-erecting the wards but his eyes went wide as she prevented him. Incredible.

Knowing this was a circular argument, Hermione sent him a scathing look that could and has frightened Death Eaters and pushed his chest as hard as she could. As satisfying as it felt to push him, he didn't even move. Their eyes were locked and both were prepared to fight off the other. She spun on her heel, her wand still in hand. Grindelwald watched as she walked away from him to the front of the store to where her husband was bargaining for the jewels.

Hermione angrily stalked to the front of the store and stood stiffly next to Lucius as she waited for him to finish. He looked at her in askance. She just shook her head. She was confident the Burkes were in on getting her in the store to meet Grindelwald.

**HGHGHGHG**

Once Hermione and Lucius got back to Nott Cottage, she found Avery and Theo and dragged them to the master bedroom. Lucius was following along with a very confused look.

She set up some wards before turning and meeting their questioning stares.

"I saw Grindelwald in Borgin and Burkes. The Burkes lured us there so that he could talk to me."

"What did he want?" asked Theo. He took her hand and pulled her onto his lap as he sat on the bed. "And where the hell were you, Lucius?"

"Lucius was in the front of the store where they intended him to be. As for the other, me. He told me he missed me, that he wanted me to come to him. I don't know. He sounded completely off his rocker."

"I think we should tell Professor Tom or Dumbledore." Avery said. "I won't lose you. I refuse. We all thought we had lost you when our tattoos turned black. He was behind that attack and I don't think we should underestimate him."

"Avery is right. If he wanted you bad enough, it is possible he would stop at nothing to get you." Theo agreed.

"When will this be over?" Hermione lamented.

"When his is dead, I suppose." Tom said from the doorway. "By the way, I heard everything."

"Why are you even here?" Asked Theo angrily.

"Theo! Don't be rude! But yes, why are you here Tom? Not that we are complaining."

"I am leaving to go back to Hogwarts and I wanted to make sure you got back safely from Diagon Alley."

"How did you rip down Hermione's wards?" Asked an awestruck Regulus who rounded the corner with an apple hand pie half devoured.

"I have ripped down intricate wards with her before. The way someone casts and dissolves spells tells a lot about how they create wards. Once you get an idea of what they are, tearing them down is a simple matter of will." Tom explained as Hermione nodded in agreement.

"It is so much more than that." Lucius disagreed. "I was there when we brought the Nurmengard wards down and I still cannot tear hers down."

"Well, there is also the point that I am just that awesome." Tom smirked.

Hermione shook her head. Boys. My horse is better than your horse. A time old tradition of pissing males. Better get the ruler out. She rolled her eyes and scoffed. She drew the attention of all five men. She had only a moment to protect herself from the mass of 'rictusempra' spells that were cast by her traitorous family.

She laughed as she deflected some right back while avoiding others but was hit square in the chest by Tom's. The bastard was good.

"Okay, Okay. I give up!"

"I hope that isn't how long you would last in a real fight." Theo joked.

**HGHGHGHG**

"I don't care if you spent eternity in that damn place. She is not yours to have. She is mine!" Said the heavily cowled man. His silvery cloak dragging a trail of dust on the floor. From his voice alone one could tell just how young this man was. A mere child compared with the powerful wizards that completed his circle.

"This is madness." Grindelwald spat.

"No, madness is a life without her. I have already bought and paid for her, the sheer fortune I spent is lying in the Black vaults as we speak. Not even you may touch her Grindelwald!"

"Why am I here then. It looks like you have everything under control."

"Except I will never truly have her while her husband's live. Your whole life will change if they die."

"That is something we agree on at least." Grindelwald admitted.

"No one moves an inch out of line unless I specifically order it."

"Yes, My Lord." Murmured all except the petulant Grindelwald.