Sadly I own nothing, all rights go to our Queen JKR.

5th June 1985 - Draco's Birthday celebrations bedtime; I keep wanting to add cute paragraphs with Tom and Hermione, this just turned into a chapter. I believe in my story he has a small need to prove himself, this will dwindle as she gets older I am sure. He will not 'pussyfoot' around any intolerance, misbehaviour or rudeness from any of the children and he will punish them accordingly. Also be mindful that this is obviously an AU :)

The hot weather had brought some icy cold rain which in turn created thunderstorms, something Hermione did not like! Waiting for the noise to decrease, Hermione exited her room rather quickly to her Father's study in hopes he would be there.

Father?" Hermione knocked on her Father's study door.

"Enter."

Hermione slowly opened the door to Tom's study.

"Little princess, why are you awake?" Antonin's voice broke Hermione from looking at her Father's worried look, he looked very busy.

"I apologise, Father, I was unaware you had company."

"Do not apologise MOY MALEN'KIY DOROGOY." Antonin walked around the furniture and knelt on his knee in front of her.

"Antonin." Hermione curtsy to the elder wizard in front of her.

"Pochemu Ty s posteli dorogaya?" Antonin picked her up and walked back to the chair he had previously vacated sitting down with her on his knee.

"Shtorm ispugal menya."

"Very good, you are improving your Russian, why does it upset you so?"

"I do not like all the loud bangs."

"Shall I read to you?"

Hermione swivelled around on his knee see face her Father who had spoken to her, his desk was now clear of all paperwork.

"Yes please, Father."

Tom 'Accio'd' a book and beckoned for Hermione to join him whilst dismissing Antonin also.

"Antonin and yourself get along very well."

"I don't want to marry him."

"I was not going to suggest such an act. Why would you?" Tom opened the book but did not read straight away.

"Well, Draco and Harrison were speaking of the two Witches they are betrothed to recently."

"I will have you know that neither of them know who their betrothal contracts have been agreed upon, I can assure you I only mentioned that as the future Dark Lady, Antonin is a fantastic friend and Aly to keep. Now, which story shall we read?" Tom handed her the book to look at.

"This one." She said pointing to the story 'Babbity Rabbity and the Cackling Stump'

Easing into the comfy chair in his study, Tom pulled Hermione to his chest and kissed her forehead.

"Okay, Hermione." Opening the book, Tom turned to the page, cleared his throat and began reading.

Hermione enjoyed listening to her Father read, she snuggled deeper into my chest, staring at the page full of words intently,

"A long time ago, in a land far away, there was a kingdom ruled by a foolish King who decided that he should be the only one to have magical powers. He formed an army, which he called the Brigade of Witch-Hunters, and armed them with black hounds." Tom began.

"Father, why did the King do that? Why was he foolish?" Hermione asked, interrupting him.

"Well Hermione, he wanted to be powerful and he was scared that someone would overrule him, so he wanted to have all of those people captured."

"So, kind of like you?" She said with a smile. Tom grinned down at her.

"Yes, now let me finish." He said.

She nodded her head and I continued.

"At the same time, he wanted an Instructor in Magic, so he made calls for a wizard or witch from one of the nearby villages to teach him. Of course, nobody dared to volunteer, except for a cunning charlatan who had no magical powers. He convinced the foolish King that he would be able to teach him by performing a few simple tricks. He was then appointed as the Grand Sorcerer in Chief, the King's Private Magic Master."

"That man is cool Father." Hermione said.

"How so?" Tom frowned at her asking her.

"Well, he outsmarted the King and made him believe he was a Wizard." She said simply with a shrug of her shoulders. "Kind of like how you were able to trick all your under men that work for you."

Tom paused for a second. 'How did she know all of this!? I don't like her knowing of my more deranged past.' Tom thought distracting himself from the task at hand.

"Father?" She asked. "The story!" She giggled.

"Oh, right." Clearing his throat again, Tom began again.

"Once in position, the charlatan told the King that he needed money so that he could purchase a magic wand, precious rubies for casting charms and silver chalices for storing potions. This was another trick; the charlatan only wanted the treasures for himself. He stored them in his house and returned to the palace, unaware that he was being watched. Babbitty, the King's washerwoman, saw the charlatan snapping two twigs from one of the King's trees and disappearing into the palace. The charlatan gave one of the twigs to the King, assuring him that it was a powerful wand. A wand, however, that would only work when the King was worthy of its powers. Each morning the King and the Charlatan practised in the grounds, shouting nonsense whilst waving around their wands. One morning Babbitty was watching their foolishness from the window of her little cottage. She laughed so loud that the King could hear her, which made him very upset and instantly stop his chanting. He was fed up of practising and wanted results. The King decided that the next day he would invite all the court to watch him performing magic with the help of his teacher. The charlatan tried to back off by saying that he had to go out of town but the King threatened to send the Brigade of Witch-Hunters after him. The King went back to his palace leaving the charlatan alone and afraid, knowing that the King would not be able to perform magic and he could not help him."

Tom looked down to see a finally sleeping Hermione again.

A/N As always, I do not speak Russian and so I rely on Google Translations!

MOY MALEN'KIY DOROGOY - My little dear.

Pochemu Ty s posteli dorogaya? - Why are you out of your bed sweetheart.

Shtorm ispugal menya - The storm frightened me