Note: adult content in this chapter.
Chapter 21
Though it was the Christmas holidays and most people used the time to relax and enjoy themselves, the mood at Malfoy Manor remained subdued. Lucius Malfoy had recovered enough to allow him to move around the manor albeit with Draco's assistance, and she was surprised when the Malfoy patriarch thanked her personally for her help in brewing his healing potions and for supporting Draco when needed.
A few days before Christmas, Hermione received an owl from Kingsley, asking to meet with her alone. Tom was wary sending her on her own, though, and had ordered Draco and Daphne to drop her off at Kingsley's office and to wait for her in Diagon Alley. Hermione welcomed this idea, for it allowed her time to shop in Diagon Alley as well for Christmas presents for the few people she remained in contact with.
"Hermione," Kingsley said, welcoming her into his office. "I'm glad you can make it. I was afraid that Voldemort would not let you come alone."
"I'm not his prisoner," she told him, taking off her cloak. "Though he does fear for my safety and had Draco and Daphne escort me here. I am to meet with them at Diagon Alley later, so we should get down to business, Kingsley."
"Of course," Kingsley said. "But may I offer you something to drink?"
"Hot chocolate would be nice," she said.
A few minutes later, they were sitting across each other, each of them nursing a mug of hot chocolate. Kingsley began the meeting without further ado. "That attack on the Greengrass estate was, as I had told you earlier, not sanctioned by me or the Order."
"No, but it was Harry's doing," she said. "Tom- Voldemort had gotten information that Harry had formed his own group called The Legion of the Chosen. Do you have any idea about that?"
"I didn't know that is what they are called, but I am aware that a rogue party has detached itself from the Order and is now acting under direct orders from Harry. They are out of my reach, I'm afraid." Kingsley sighed as he lifted a hand to massage his temple.
"I thought so," she said, frowning. "Then why did you call for this meeting?"
"The Order, or what is left of it, has agreed that it is time to stop the fighting. I thought you should know that, and pass it on to Voldemort." Kingsley leaned back in his seat as if in defeat. "The Order was first formed years ago when Voldemort was at the height of his terror campaign. The goal of the Order was to protect the wizarding world against dark wizards who seek to kill and destroy innocent people. So if Voldemort will refrain from acts of terror such as what he did before, then the Order will not act against him anymore."
"I don't believe that you came to that decision so easily," Hermione said suspiciously.
Kingsley was uncomfortable. "Well, of course the Ministry learned what had happened at the Greengrass Estate. I'm afraid that they, too, blame the Order, in spite of my insistence that I had not authorized that particular attack. We are now under the Ministry's watch, not unlike Voldemort's Death Eaters. The Minister does not believe that we had nothing to do with the attack, but lacking any evidence linking the Order to it, she can only watch and wait for us to make a misstep."
"So Harry threw you under the bus as well," Hermione said wryly.
"I don't think he thought about the consequences of his actions," Kingsley said in a weak defense of Harry that was more a reflex than anything else.
"He probably didn't," she agreed. "But at least now we can talk about a truce between the Order and Voldemort?"
Kingsley nodded. "As long as neither side will do anything that will endanger the magical community. I can talk about the particulars of it with you, but I presume that you'd want to inform your lord first?"
"He's not my lord, I'm not his Death Eater," Hermione said firmly.
"Can you honestly tell me why you are still with him?"
Hermione sighed as well, holding up her hands in a helpless gesture. "I can't really explain, Kingsley. Tom Riddle has been a friend since last summer, and he has remained such. Yes, we sometimes argue about differences in opinion, but I do not feel in danger when I am with him. In fact, I feel quite secure. I do not expect others to understand, not when I myself can put it into sensible words."
"Are you sure you are not just blinded by the fact that he is an intelligent and powerful wizard?" Kingsley asked gently.
"He is both those things, and I admire that about him," she admitted. "But I am not a weak witch who needs to attach herself to someone more powerful to validate herself. I believe I am strong in my own way, and my continued friendship-or acquaintance, with him, is not due to convenience. It's a choice I actively made. You should know, that when he succeeded the former Voldemort's position, I did leave him for a while."
"You did?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.
She nodded. "I was fearful that he would only repeat his predecessor's movements. I went back to the Muggle world for a few days, but he sought me out there and we talked." She shrugged. "In the end, we both agreed that staying together would be better for the wizarding community."
"It has not escaped my notice that you manage to temper him somewhat."
"To a degree," she said. "But it is not a basket I would want to put all my eggs in. He does have his limit, and this matter with Harry and the Legion of the Chosen may just try that limit."
"You do know that Voldemort still wants the Ministry under his control," Kingsley said.
"Yes," she confessed. "But I would actually prefer him to be the one in control rather than Dolores Umbridge. That woman is-" She stopped talking, remembering that she was at the Ministry. "She doesn't like me," she finished lamely.
Kingsley smiled this time, understanding what she wanted to say but couldn't. "I daresay you gave her plenty of reason not to. I was surprised when she agreed to completely exonerate you from the charges Harry trumped up against you before."
"Voldemort worked for it," Hermione said, Tom's other name falling easily enough from her tongue. "And you know how easy it is for Dolores Umbridge to be won over by his charms."
He nodded. "And I can't say the same for you," he said. "The fact that you stay with him after all this time makes me think that, perhaps, you were right. We should have listened to you more last summer. I do apologize for what happened at the Great Hall that day."
"He could have killed you, you know," she told him, twisting her fingers together as she remembered that day. "He could have killed you all, but he didn't."
Kingsley nodded. "I know. I'm rather glad, though, to have spoken with you. I wasn't happy that you have become estranged with the Order. You are a valuable member."
"It's unfortunate that none of you remembered that when I came forward with my plan before," she said sadly. "Anyway, that has all come to pass, Kingsley. I do have one question for you. Who among the Order support this truce with Voldemort? I just need to know who else might have joined Harry."
Kingsley leaned forward. "Minerva McGonagall is fully behind this armistice as well. As for the ones who have joined Harry… I can tell you who have broken off from the Order, but I cannot say for certain if they have followed him. Some members of the Order have dropped contact with me since the Death Eaters stopped their activities. Since the attack on the Greengrass Estate, I have not been able to contact the Weasleys, except for Percy and Arthur, who are both still working for the Ministry. I do not know where they have gone. However, I do not know if all of them support Harry's group. Perhaps you can ask Ginny when you meet her at Hogwarts?"
"But the term does not start until January, and I can't wait until then and do nothing," she said.
"I'm afraid I do not have any more information for you on that," he said.
Hermione let out a frustrated groan. "I just want all the fighting to stop, Kingsley," she said. "Why is it that when Voldemort decides to cease fire, another group just takes it up?"
"I suppose some people are not ready to move on," Kingsley said.
"I suppose so," she agreed. "If there is nothing more to discuss, I should be going. I'll tell Voldemort about this truce and ask if he has any particulars he wants written down, and I'll contact you then. We can look over both sides' specifics and iron things out from there. Hopefully, before classes resume because I have to go back to Hogwarts."
"I will owl you when the contract is ready for Voldemort's perusal," he said, standing up with her. "Do you need an escort to Diagon Alley?"
"No, I'm perfectly capable," she said, pulling her cloak around her. "Thank you for meeting with me, Kingsley."
The Auror smiled. "Likewise, Hermione. Take care."
Hermione made her way out of the Ministry feeling more light-hearted that she was on speaking terms with Kingsley again. She respected the Auror a lot, and knowing that McGonagall supported the ceasefire as well boded a better environment at Hogwarts. She walked the short distance to Diagon Alley where she met Draco and Daphne at the Leaky Cauldron. Draco ordered a butterbeer for her as soon as he saw her, and she sat down with them.
"Meeting go okay?" Draco asked.
"Yes," Hermione said. "Did you two get any shopping done?"
"We were waiting for you," Daphne said. "And Draco was feeling lazy."
Hermione laughed into her butterbeer. "I need to get presents."
"Don't tell me you're going to give presents to Potter and his crew," Draco said sarcastically.
Hermione faltered, and Draco's eyes narrowed. "Sweet Salazar, woman, were you actually thinking of getting them presents?"
Hermione buried her head in her hands. She had been thinking of getting Harry something, at least. "I don't know. I've always gotten them something. They're my first friends, Draco."
"Should I remind you that Harry almost got you killed?" Draco asked. "Even in the height of my pureblood supremacy stage and after all the insults I had spewed at you, Granger, I never cursed you so seriously. And don't even let me get started on Weasel."
"You're right, I know," Hermione said. "Things would be easier if I just stopped thinking of us as still being friends, but it's not easy to dismiss seven years of friendship."
"It was easy enough for them," Draco said gently. "Let go of them, Granger. Make things easier for yourself. I know you never really take the easy path, so give yourself a break and do it just this once."
Christmas morning rolled around, and Hermione woke up not knowing what to expect aside from the Christmas dinner she and Draco had sorted out with the house elves. She had gotten presents for everyone that was staying at the manor. As for Harry, she took Draco's advice and sent him nothing.
She was on her way to the Malfoys' sitting room but Tom hailed her before she reached the stairs. She entered his room and he closed the door after her.
"Merry Christmas," she greeted him, her lips lifting automatically as she looked him over. Even at early morning he looked impeccable.
"Merry Christmas," he replied, presenting her with a wrapped package. "Your present," he said.
Her eyebrows shot up. "You got me a present?" she asked, not expecting it.
"Yes, and I'm giving it to you now because I did not get anyone else any," he said, a hint of a smile on his face.
She sat down on the settee to open it. "Thank you," she said. "I have yours under the tree downstairs."
He sat down beside her, waiting as she pushed the wrappings aside. Her face broke into the most beautiful smile when she opened the box to reveal a first edition of Hogwarts: A History nestled inside. "Oooh," she breathed, caressing the leather cover reverently.
It was, to her, a most personal gift. Hogwarts was their first home in the wizarding world, and it was the place where they met, where they lived together for the first time. It was precious to both of them. "Thank you," she said again, not finding any other words to express her gratitude. "This must have cost a fortune."
"It's a rare find nowadays, and I almost wanted to keep it for myself," he said wryly before turning serious. "It is my gift to you, Hermione. For the butterbeer, the fish and chips, the ice cream, and the frozen food you have given me when I didn't have even a sickle to my name. And for all the other less immaterial things you have done. I know it's not easy for you to be with me…"
She stopped him from talking by putting a finger against his lips. "It's easy enough most of the time," she corrected him, leaning forward to replace her finger with her lips.
He leaned into the kiss, coaxing her mouth open, and she yielded to him like she always did, allowing herself to taste him. All of a sudden, she was in no hurry to get to breakfast. She wanted to stay in his arms for the rest of the day as long as he held her like this. She was falling for him, she knew, that attraction turning into a more deep-seated affection, which she felt was not entirely one-sided. Tom Riddle did not get so personal with anyone, nor did he allow anyone else to violate his private space as she was doing now, both hands wrapped around his neck, fingers tangled in his hair.
She was disappointed when he broke the kiss. "We should get downstairs," he said, his voice a little rough.
"A few more minutes?" she asked timidly.
He gazed at her, a slow smile spreading on his face. "As you wish," he murmured. He reached down and placed her book on the table so he could maneuver her onto his lap.
They continued their kiss, bodies melding together once again, breakfast temporarily forgotten, making the most out of the few minutes the had alone.
They went downstairs almost a half hour later, meeting up with Draco, Daphne, Astoria, and Lucius in the main parlor where the Malfoy Christmas tree was. Not surprisingly, it was surrounded by many presents, most of them for Tom coming from the Death Eaters and Ministry officials who were eager to remain on his good side. Draco was under the tree, sorting out whose presents were for whom, when he caught sight of them.
"Granger," he called out, tossing her a present. Then he stood up from his crouching position to hand over a present to Tom. "My lord," he said.
Hermione sat down on the floor as she usually did on Christmas mornings, leaving one of the chairs free for Tom, and proceeded to unwrap her second present for the day. It was a satchel bag from Draco. She opened the rest of the presents, receiving a set of scented bath oils from the Greengrass sisters, and a luxurious winter coat from Lucius Malfoy.
She sat back and watched as everyone else opened their presents, stifling a smile as she watched Tom opening one parcel after another, surrounded by the biggest pile of all. She waited until he got to her present, and he opened it to reveal a ceramic mug that had the Hogwarts castle etched around it, together with a pack of the hot chocolate that he liked so much. He raised his eyes to meet hers and gave her a rare smile. "Thank you, Hermione," he said.
The rest of them finished opening their presents, and Lucius invited them to the dining room for their Christmas breakfast. Since it was not a Death Eater meeting, Tom avoided the seat at the head of the table, leaving it for Lucius, and instead chose to sit beside Hermione and across the Greengrass girls. The table was heavily laden with food, and the six of them started to eat without much ceremony. Polite conversation flew back and forth, and after they were sated, they each retreated to their own activities.
Hermione chose to return upstairs, where she put away her presents. Tom followed her, and once again invited her into his room, settling on the settee beside her. "Not your usual Christmas, I presume," he said.
"No," she admitted, leaning back. "Though I appreciate the efforts Lucius and Draco made in making me feel welcome, and the presents that I got from all of you..."
"Tell me how you celebrated Christmas before," he said, propping his feet up on the coffee table in front of them.
She let out a short laugh. "It was more personal," she explained. "Yes, there were presents and good food, but I spent them with friends and family and now I don't have either of those."
"Do you want me to reverse the memory charm on your parents?" he asked.
She was surprised. "I... but the memory charm can only be reversed by the one who did it. And I made sure to do a really complex one, even I'm not sure if I can do it."
He looked offended. "I wouldn't have offered if I didn't think I can do it."
She thought about it. He was a powerful wizard, and if anybody can do it, he probably could. "Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you couldn't. I was simply resigned to the thought that the memory charm I did was irreversible. Besides, with the war still not resolved, I don't think it's safe to bring them back just yet. Maybe when this is all over."
"It might take a while," he said.
"Have you sorted out the details of the truce with the Order?" she asked.
He shook his head. "I asked Rookwood to do it. I gave him until after boxing day before coming back to me. It is the holidays."
"I thought I'd go around and track people that I suspect will have had some contact with Harry."
"Take Draco with you," he said.
She shook her head. "Most of that crowd will have a negative reaction straight away if they see me appear with Draco. It's better if I go by myself."
He frowned. "It's not safe," he said.
"We're in a war, it's not supposed to be safe," she pointed out. "I hardly had a sheltered life since entering the wizarding world, thanks to your former self. I can deal with it."
"Fine," he said, though he did not look pleased. "But do be mindful."
"Of course I will," she said, and his brow relaxed a fraction. "I'll work on it starting tomorrow. For now, though, I want to salvage what's left of this Christmas. I'm going for a walk in the gardens. I want to try out that new winter cloak Lucius gave me. The material feels so nice."
"Yes, shame he had to get it for you in Slytherin green," he remarked, amused, as he stood up to help her put the coat on.
"I'm not complaining," she said, smiling as she exited his suite. She knew he was aware that she wanted to be alone, and for that she was at least thankful. She walked through the garden of Malfoy manor. There was no snow, but the air was still chilly. She smiled sadly as she wrapped her cloak around her, appreciating the warmth it radiated around her body. She used to receive a Christmas jumper from Molly Weasley every year, but she thought it was ironic that this year, she had gotten a cloak in place of a jumper, and it had been from the Malfoy patriarch rather than the Weasley matron.
She had been walking around the garden for a good quarter of an hour until she spied Draco in the distance, kneeling over what could only be his mother's grave. She stopped walking, wanting to give him the solitude he obviously wanted for himself. She felt even more melancholic at the sight. She wasn't the only one who was missing something this Christmas.
It was the thirty-first of December, and while everyone was preoccupied about it being New Year's Eve, Hermione was more aware that it was actually Tom's birthday. She had been thinking about it since Christmas had passed, wondering if she should get him another present. He had given her one on her birthday, after all, but she did not want to appear too sentimental. After all, she did not know how he felt about his birthday. Lucius Malfoy had arranged a New Year's Eve dinner at the manor, but Tom had told him to discount him and Hermione from the event.
In the end, though, Hermione had decided to buy him a present after all, though she settled for a generic one. She was turning the box over and over in her hand as she waited for Tom in his sitting room. He had told her to get dressed for a night out, and she had finished dressing before him as he had to meet the Death Eaters who had come earlier for Lucius' party. She looked up when he entered the sitting room, and held the box out to him.
He accepted the box with a raised eyebrow. "What's this?" he asked.
"Present," she answered. "Happy birthday."
He appeared surprised for a second. "I didn't think you knew."
"Dumbledore told Harry before, and Harry told me," she said.
He chuckled as he quickly unwrapped the box to reveal a new wand holster. "Thank you, Hermione," he said, trying on the holster on his arm. "My birthday is actually the reason why I decided not to join Lucius tonight. I had always preferred to spend my birthday by myself. However, this year, I want to take you along with me because even if I want to be alone, I don't want to be too alone." He pressed his lips together, knowing that he wasn't being very articulate about it but sure that Hermione would understand.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"I booked a table for us at Kostas a few blocks away from Diagon Alley. I hope you like Greek food?" He offered her his arm.
"I haven't had it very often," she said, taking his arm. "You will have to order for me."
He nodded as he apparated both of them to Diagon Alley after. Hermione had side-alonged with him a number of times now, but it still amazed her how smoothly he could apparate and how easy it was for him to come and go from Malfoy Manor, passing through the ancient wards as if they weren't there. They walked at a leisurely pace towards the restaurant Tom had booked. Diagon Alley had its share of shoppers, and more than a few of them gave the unusual pair a second glance. There were no hostile looks, and Hermione felt that Tom's new, handsome face had a lot to do with society's wary acceptance of him.
They reached the restaurant, and the hostess recognized him at once, her eyes lighting up in appreciation as they moved up and down his attractive form before leading the to a table at the back. Hermione had to resist rolling her eyes as the hostess gave Tom another dazzling smile before leaving them. Tom pulled out her chair for her, his hand lightly brushing her shoulder as she sat down and looked at the menu.
"Does every girl really have to flirt with you," she muttered under her breath as she held the menu before her.
"I would kiss you right now to make my intentions clear, except technically speaking, you still are my student," he said. "Shall I order for you?"
She closed her menu. "Yes please."
He selected a course of cold appetizers for both of them to be followed by the main course. "You know I traveled a good deal after I got out of Hogwarts. Greece was one of the places I had gone to. I liked the food there very much. Have you ever traveled?"
She nodded. "But I have only been to Paris, Switzerland and Australia. My parents were dentists and they did not like leaving their practice for long periods of time. How far did you reach in your travels?"
"Turkey," he said. "I was planning to go around the world, but I turned around and came back because it was time to make my move back in Britain. My first group of followers had come into positions of influence within the Ministry at that time."
Hermione finished her appetizer and she regarded him with a curious eye. ""Why did you want to travel the world?"
"Magic is everywhere," he said, shrugging. "I wanted to learn everything I could. I'm going to take up traveling again later on, when my place in wizarding Britain is secure. Imagine how fun that would be, Hermione, learning about the magic of other cultures. We can write hundreds of materials about it. Egypt, China, Japan, South America..."
She dipped her head, noticing that he had said 'we'. Did he really think that she would still be with him years into the future? "It sounds tempting," she said, thinking that traveling the world with him would be such an eye opener.
He smiled at this as they began to work their way through their main course. "What are your plans after Hogwarts?" he asked.
She swallowed before answering. "I suppose it would depend on the status of the war at that point," she said. "I still want to work for a peaceful resolution to the rift that is currently dividing the community. I always thought of myself going into MLE. Not as an Auror, that's more Harry's type. I want to be in a position that has more influence, though. What about you? Are you going to continue teaching at Hogwarts?"
"No. I only took the position this year to break the curse I put on it," he admitted.
"So you did put a curse on it, the rumors were true," she said, amused.
"My former self was very vindictive," he said. "The MLE would be a good place for you. Not as an Auror, you are correct, but perhaps in the role of a solicitor. You will be good at that."
She nodded as she considered this. "What about you? What are you planning to do?" she asked again.
He frowned slightly. "I was planning to go into MLE as well."
"Do you think they will accept you, given your history?" she asked. "I mean, you would do well in any post you assume, but will they be open to you?"
"Not at the start, perhaps, but public opinion can be swayed," he said, shrugging. "I can be persuasive when I need to be. This year teaching at Hogwarts will have given the public enough rest from the acts of the previous war. I will have to see after June."
"At least the you have signed that truce with the Order," she said. "What do you think of Kingsley Shacklebolt?"
"He is honorable," Tom admitted. "Wary of me, yes, but that is inevitable. He is an Auror, and I am a dark wizard. I find him reasonable, though. I meant to ask you, if you had turned up anything while talking with your friends regarding Harry Potter?"
Hermione set her plate aside, done with her dinner. "I talked to Neville, Luna, Seamus and Dean. None of them had seen Harry. Ginny hasn't answered my owl, but I'm not surprised. I think they're together. I'll know more when school starts again."
He nodded at this, and they continued on to dessert. It was late in the evening when they finished, but Tom had no desire to return to Malfoy Manor yet as Lucius' party would not be over until well after midnight. Not having the luxury to roam wizarding Britain, as technically they were still teacher and student and they wanted to avoid any scandal as much as possible, they would up in Hermione's Muggle neighborhood.
They stopped at a small café for coffee, taking their cups with them as they were not inclined to stay with the crowd. They walked around, meandering aimlessly through the busy streets, her hand tucked comfortably in the crook of his arm. She pressed her cheek against his shoulder briefly as they squeezed through a group of merry makers on their way to the park for the midnight celebrations, closing her eyes briefly and just appreciating his nearness.
He shifted his arm, wrapping it around her shoulders and pulling her closer to him to help shield her from the buffet of people streaming past them. They walked in companionable silence for a few more minutes until they found themselves standing in front of Hermione's house, where they decided to take shelter for the rest of the night.
"It seems so long ago that we were here, hiding in my house," Hermione said with a short laugh as they entered the familiar living area.
She raised her arm to turn the light switch on when Tom stopped her, pinning her hand to the wall just beside the switch. "We're still hiding, in a sense," he said in a low voice that sent a delicious shiver up and down Hermione's spine.
He pressed her against the wall as he caught her lips in a kiss that he had obviously been holding back since dinner. Hermione gasped at the unconcealed desire in the way that he crowded her body against the wall, wrapping one leg around his as he nudged her legs apart with his knee. His tongue delved into her mouth as they turned their heads to deepen the kiss and she moaned with want as she clutched as his shoulders.
Hermione felt a gentle shifting and she opened her eyes to see that he had apparated them to her bedroom. Her heart raced even more when she realized that he meant to take it further tonight, and she was astounded at the visceral reactions of her body. She let him nudge her towards the bed without breaking the contact of their kiss.
They sank into the mattress together, and she let him press his weight upon her, relishing the feeling of being surrounded by him. He ground his hips into hers, giving her a sense of his arousal through his trousers. She reached down with her hands, grasping at his firm buttocks to press him even closer to her, showing him that she wanted him just as much.
"Hermione," he breathed almost pleadingly in her ear as he traced a line of kisses up her jaw line.
She arched her back from the bed, giving him access to the zip of her dress, and he slipped a hand behind her, helping her get out of her it. She shivered momentarily as the chill of the air hit her bare skin, and he quickly put up a warming charm over both of them to take the bite of the December air out. He pulled back to gaze at her for a moment, lying there clad only in her underwear, then he lowered his head to place an open-mouthed kiss at the hollow beneath her throat, one hand caressing the skin just above the lace of her bra.
Hermione threw her head back when she felt his tongue tasting her skin, sighing at the tingling sensations that seemed to spread throughout her entire body. She wanted to feel more of him, and she started to unbutton his shirt, her fingers trembling but managing to do the job. She slid his shirt off him, fingers grazing his shoulder as she did so. She twisted slightly to drop his shirt on the floor, and he used the opportunity to unclasp her bra, leaving her upper body completely naked before him.
"I want you," she whispered as she looked up at him. "Please, Tom."
He nodded quickly. "Yes, I know," he murmured, leaning down again to kiss her, pressing his bare torso against hers. He groaned quietly as skin met skin, and she wrapped her legs around his hips to hold him closer. He simply felt wonderful to her, and she lightly gave his bottom lip a gentle nip before tracing her tongue up his neck to start sucking on his earlobe.
He shuddered at this, and she pulled more of his earlobe in, grazing it with her teeth. He groaned again, louder this time, and he slid his hands down to brush his fingers against her knickers. Hermione gasped, releasing his earlobe, when a host of new sensations flooded her with that brief contact. He turned her head gently, catching her lips again as he slipped his hand inside her knickers to touch the bundle of nerves there.
Hermione whimpered at his teasing, and brought her hand down to grasp at his bulging erection through his clothes. He gasped as she rubbed her hand against it, and he stopped his teasing of her to still her hand with his. "Wait," he rasped, momentarily getting on his knees. She heard, rather than saw, him undo his belt and remove his trousers and she reached down to rid herself of her last piece of clothing.
He lay back down against her, skin against skin, no more barriers, and she trembled in his arms. "Have you ever been with anyone else before?" he asked her softly, rubbing his sex against hers.
"No," she said quickly, shaking her head, amazed that she could still process what he was asking amidst the overwhelming feeling that he was just there outside her entrance. "Just you, now," she gasped out as he ground his hips against her again.
"Just me, now," he agreed, sinking down into her gently but firmly, his shaft slipping through her slick folds until he was fully sheathed inside of her. He threw his head back and groaned from deep within his throat, and for the first time since meeting him Hermione saw Tom Riddle lose control of his careful facade. The thought of her having such an effect on him made her forget the brief pain of her first penetration, and only the sensation of being completely filled by him remained.
He started to move against her, pulling out slowly only to thrust in her again, his cheek pressed against hers as his breath came in ragged gasps the faster he moved. She wrapped her legs around his hips, allowing him to reach deeper inside her, her hands clutching at his shoulders as she felt consumed by him. She cried out when he hit her sweet spot again, and he maintained that angle, continuously thrusting into her as he hissed in pleasure. He braced himself on his elbows, increasing his pace until his hips were pounding against hers at almost inhuman speed.
Hermione felt her pleasure crest until it was almost unbearable, and she cried out as she reached her threshold, feeling the tight coil in her abdomen melt as her inner muscles squeezed him in her throes of pleasure. He threw his head back as he came after her, thrusting into her one, two, three times as he spilled his seed inside her. Hermione looked up at him as he climaxed, his head thrown back with his eyes closed and mouth open in a silent cry, and she thought he never looked more beautiful.
He slowed down as he came back from his high, resting his forehead against hers as they both struggled to catch their breaths. "Hermione," he said in between breaths.
She cradled his head as he rested it in the crook of her neck, still basking in the afterglow of their orgasm. She had wanted him for some time now, but it was only after she had witnessed him climaxing above her did she understand why it took him longer to pursue intimacy. It put him in a position where he lost control in that few seconds of an orgasm where his body's visceral reactions overruled everything else. To her, it was a beautiful zenith of two people engaged in the act of lovemaking. To him, it was a momentary weakness, because he always associated control with power.
To think that he had chosen to be intimate with her anyway endeared him to her even further, and Hermione felt herself fall over the edge of the cliff she had been trudging over for months. I love him, she thought, caressing his hair as he calmed himself down against her, his body limp against hers. She bit her lip as she closed her eyes and rolled the words over and over again in her head. I love him.
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