A/N: thank you everyone for the reviews and reading my story. It makes my day to see alerts in my email. This last week has been rough, winter storm coming through with record lows. My pipes froze in my house and we were without water for two days. Then they started rolling blackouts to help relieve the power grids across the state. It has been the craziest Feb. of my life. But we are fine and I didn't forget to get this chapter out. I believe this one wraps up third year. So... let's get to it. Enjoy and let me know what you guys think.

Things had returned to normal after the incident in the Chamber. Hermione was in her classes, trying not to die of boredom. Defense class was amazing. Professor Lupin, despite being a secret werewolf, was an excellent teacher. They had covered so many different creatures in class, though he seemed to skirt around werewolves. She didn't blame him.

Draco had become increasingly annoying. She supposed he wasn't too unbearable. He bugged her about random things. The most absurd questions came from him sometimes. It was after everyone had returned from Easter holiday, he found her studying outside, the sun warming her skin.

He blocked the sun, and she looked up at him. "What is it now?" She placed a bookmark and closed the book she had been reading.

"That guy, from New years, is that your boyfriend?"

She looked at him, he looked so confused. Why was he still hung up on Tom? "Why does it matter?"

"He seems too old for you." His eyes raked over her quickly.

"He's 19." It was the age he gave when they first met. He obviously wasn't aging, so it wasn't technically a lie.

"Granger, he's way to old for you."

She was getting slightly annoyed. "Why would it matter to you?"

He looked shocked by her reply. "It doesn't, not really, It's just." he looked flustered.

She couldn't help it, she had to tease him. "Draco, do you care about me? Are you my friend?"

"In your dreams."

"I can guarantee you, you are not the man in my dreams."

He scowled. "That's not what I meant."

She laughed. "Tom and I are friends, very good friends. And besides, thanks to my time turner use, I am almost 15 already, physically. He's not that much older."

He eyed her again. "Time turner? The school allowed you to use a timer turner? Let me guess, you wanted more classes? Bloody swot." he turned and left her on the grass before she could answer.

She was so confused by him. His moods seemed to change so quickly, but he was her closest friend, besides Tom. She decided to go back inside, her mood for reading dulled now. She packed her things and walked the long trek back to the school. She frowned when she noticed Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley sneaking through the oddly still vines of the Whomping Willow.

There was no way they were supposed to be there. She hurried to the Great Hall, trying to find a professor to help. The only one she could find was Professor Snape. She explained the boys were crawling through some hole at the base of the tree. He sent her on her way and assured her he would find them.

Hermione was not going to waste her time worrying about those two boys. They deliberately looked for trouble it would seem. She didn't understand the need she felt to protect Harry Potter. He was kind of a jerk. She rationalized it that she would help anyone if the need arose. She pushed the thoughts from her mind as she dropped her bag off and left her dorm. When she went to dinner later she was surprised, both of the boys, Professor Snape and Professor Lupin were missing. She gnawed on her lip, should she go to her head of house and let her know what had happened earlier? Harry and Ron were Gryffindors.

Tom was in her head, 'Relax, your panic is palpable, you don't have to save everyone. I will see what I can find out.'

She nodded as she sipped her juice. Tom was back within minutes. 'Tell McGonagall, she and Dumbledore are needed at the shrieking shack.'

Hermione stood and made her way up to the staff tables. She moved quickly and explained to her head of house what was happening. To say McGonagall looked upset would be an understatement.

"Go finish your meal, the Headmaster and I will handle this."

Hermione had done all she could do. She went back, said her goodbyes to the few students who spoke to her and hurried to her dorms. She moved to her bed and warded the curtains. Tom appeared almost instantly.

"What happened?"

He sat there, on his knees in front of her. She took a moment to enjoy the sight of him there, on her bed. She felt herself blush but ignored the reason behind it.

"The two boys followed a rat out to the tunnel that leads to the shrieking shack. The same shack that your professor Lupin goes to during his change. When I flashed in, I saw the three of them talking to a very foul smelling man who was screaming about the rat. With the full moon tonight I assumed you would want someone to help them, to keep them alive at least for a short time longer."

Hermione's head was spinning. Tom had just hit her with a lot of information. "Yes, well, hopefully they will be fine." she nodded at her own words. "Idiots." she added without thinking.

Tom laughed. The sound was so perfect. Hermione looked at him. She leaned back on her bed, the pillow tucked behind her.

He was looking at her, his eyes locked on hers. "What have you been up to today?"

"Normal classes, it's different when you aren't there with me." she frowned. "Draco was asking me some crazy questions today."

Tom looked at her again, "He was?" She nodded. "Like?"

"Oh you know the usual."

He looked at her, "No, I don't know the usual. I was in the chamber most of the day, your thoughts were your own unless you deliberately sought me out."

She was surprised by that. "I didn't know that."

"So, what did he ask?" He ignored her statement.

"He asked if you were my boyfriend." She laughed.

Tom narrowed his eyes at her. He was not laughing. "What did you tell him?"

She swallowed, her mouth feeling dry. "I told him the truth, that you and I are friends, good friend."

Tom leaned forward. His voice was low, his words deliberate. "Is that what we are?"

She blinked. This seemed too serious, she'd only meant to make him laugh at the absurdity of Draco's question. Tom himself, had told her she was his friend. "Isn't it?"

He moved further forward, his hands on either side of her legs. She attempted to lean back to keep some distance. Her back hit her pillow and she knew she was trapped. He was hovering over her, not touching, but close enough she felt hot all over.

"You wear pieces of my soul draped all over you, my family ring is on your finger as we speak. My magic mingles so nicely with yours. So you tell me is that what we are?"

She was so confused. "Tom, I don't know, I don't understand wha-."

He kissed her, a harsh demanding kiss. It felt more like a punishment than an act of affection. He sucked her bottom lip between his, tugging the flesh. She opened her mouth and he pressed forward. His tongue hot against hers. She felt like her heart was beating through her chest. Her brain felt fuzzy and lips felt swollen and raw.

He pulled back from her. Her eyes slowly opened. He was looking at her. "I know there is no label for what we are, I understand it is unconventional." he paused. "But if another man or boy comes asking and you don't want to say I am your boyfriend." she moved to interrupt but he put a finger across her lips to stop her. "All you have to say is the word betrothed, they will leave you alone. In the wizarding world, especially with the older, more traditional families, it is a normal way of life. They will understand, some of them are betrothed at birth."

She had a million questions flying through her mind. She looked back at him. "You want me to tell people we are betrothed?"

He took a deep breath. "I think our connection is deeper than that, but I will settle for that title."

She frowned, that seemed drastic. "Wouldn't boyfriend be better?" She asked him.

He shrugged, "Betrothal takes care of the age thing."

That did make sense. Her voice was low, the question hurt to ask. "What if we never find a way to bring you back, what would I do then?"

"I already know a way to bring me back, but it would only be a last resort."

She was shocked. "You do? What is it? Why didn't you tell me?"

He smiled at her enthusiasm. "It's not an ideal way." he seemed like he didn't want to tell her. She frowned that meant it was very bad.

"Tell me, I just want to know, not actually do it."

"We would have to," he paused reaching for her hand. The gesture seemed more intimate that the kiss they had just shared. Hermione's eyes were locked on their hands. "We would have to make a sacrifice."

She tensed. If he was saying it was bad and it was a sacrifice, that meant... "No." she shook her head. "There has to be another way."

He gripped her hand. His thumb rubbing soothing circles on her skin. "That's why I said last resort. I'm sure we can find something else."

She relaxed, he was right. Absolute last resort. It should have bothered her that she didn't rule it out completely. But she was sure Tom had to be brought back. She needed him to be here, to be hers. She took a deep breath and smiled.

"You do realized, if I tell Draco that we are betrothed, he will tell his father, and Merlin knows who else."

Tom leaned forward again, his torso on hers, and his arms practically wrapped around her. Her thighs cradles his waist and she felt her entire body heat at the intimate position. His face was close to hers, his eyes looking mischievous. "I have already told Lucius of my intentions regarding you, us."

She blinked her surprise. "When?"

Tom smiled at her, the look making her stomach squirm. "At the Manor."

She frowned. He chuckled and kissed her again. The soft touch tickling her lips. Her heart was beating furiously in her chest. "What exactly are your intentions?"

He leaned his head back, studying her face for a second. "Nothing bad."

"Tom that is not an answer." her lips pulled to a frown.

"Don't pout. I just asked Lucius to ready paperwork for me, for whenever we succeed in bringing me back permanently." he paused. "And a marriage contract to be prepared for when you come of age."

She felt sick. Marriage? "Tom, marriage? I'm too young."

"This is why I didn't want to tell you. I said after you come of age. I wouldn't marry a child."

She had offended him again. She could tell, his entire body was tense now against hers. "Tom, I'm sorry I didn't mean to-"

"Hermione, I told you, you and I have a special connection, I can feel it, our magic knows it." He placed his hand on her chest, over her heart. "Do you know, your heart beats in sync with mine?" his eyes moved along her face.

She swallowed, her mouth feeling dry again. Did it? She moved her hand to his chest, his heart was beating furiously in his chest. She felt the same rhythm pulsing through her.

"You came to find my locket, a piece of my soul I had placed inside when I was 19. It called to you. Do you know that holding onto a horcrux is a dangerous thing to do? They try to feed off of whatever magic is around them. They try to get stronger."

She gasped. No she hadn't known that. He smiled at the fear that flashed across her face.

"For some reason, the locket didn't do that. It liked you, my soul found comfort in you. Has any one of my pieces of soul hurt you?"

She shook her head no.

"No, I have only ever felt the need to help you, to nurture you. You have not disappointed either. Your magic talent has blossomed, you are more powerful as a third year witch than most adults." she blushed at the complement.

"Tom,-"

"I'm not finished. It started completely platonic, but you have grown, matured. You were pretty, with your big brown eyes and big curly hair. Now you set my brain on fire when you look at me. I enjoy touching you." his hand slid down to cup her breast over her shirt. She gasped at the contact. "I enjoy kissing you." His mouth slanted along hers. She hummed her delight into his mouth.

He pulled back, looking at her again. "I told you, I want you to be Minister of Magic one day, I meant it." his hand traveled lower, along her flat belly and down to the edge of her school skirt. His fingers trailed underneath. His chest moved, giving him room to touch her again. His fingers sliding easily into her Knickers and against the hot flesh that was practically pulsating.

She could barely follow his conversation, her brain focusing on the feel of his hands. He slid down, his mouth back on hers as his fingers moved inside her, thumb rubbing her bundle of nerves, sending electric shocks through her. It felt like too much and not enough at the same time. He was talking to her, she couldn't concentrate on the words, only hearing the deep tone. His breath hot along her skin, and she felt it again, the same building tension, Tightening, bigger, the feeling was too much, she felt the rush of orgasm explode through her body in waves. Tom continued to touch her as she came down from her high, her body tingling. He pulled his hand free from her.

She felt mortified, she hadn't been looking at him when this happened before. She could feel her face flushed and a fine layer of sweat over her skin. His warmth mixing with her own, trapped in the confines of her bed curtains felt like a sauna.

He was talking again. "When I have my life back, and you are free from Hogwarts, I want us together. The only logical step is marriage. I think you might come to love me one day, and I hope for the same."

She smiled, she already loved him. She had realized that already, but hearing him tell her all these things did calm her down. The prospect of marriage to a man like Tom didn't seem so strange. She heard her roommates rushing in talking loudly about Harry and Ron. She frowned.

Tom smiled. "I'll see you later." he kissed the tip of her nose and disappeared.

Hermione grabbed her wand, cleaning herself and casting a quick cooling charm over her. She dropped her wards on her bed and got up to see what the fuss was about. She moved down the stairs into the common room on slightly shaking legs.

Neville was there, talking with Seamus and Dean. She walked over to the trio and couldn't believe what she had heard.

"Sirius Black was there, turns out, he's not a murderer. Aurors showed up and caught some man who was pretending to be a rat. He confessed to everything, said You Know Who had threatened him and made him give the location of Harry's parents. The aurors took everyone down to the ministry to get it all on file but, " Neville paused, looking uncomfortable. "Turns out Professor Lupin in a werewolf. When that gets out, I reckon Dumbledore will have to let him go. Shame too he is a great teacher."

Hermione's good mood went right out of the window. "Everyone is okay?" She asked.

Neville looked up. "Yea, Professor Snape got a knock on the head but he was fine too."

Seamus spoke up. "Pity that."

Hermione shot him a look. "That's good. Glad everyone is fine." She turned and went back to her room. She needed a shower and an early night. She had no doubt in her mind those two boys would be 'heroes' again. She could already feel the headache behind her eyes building.

The following morning, it looked like half of the school was standing at the Gryffindor table listening to Ron and Harry talk about their latest adventure. She stopped just inside the door way and let out an exaggerated sigh. She turned her head and saw Draco and Theo sitting at the Slytherin table and decided she would eat with them this morning.

Draco looked surprised, but didn't say anything. Theo looked ready to kill her.

"Good morning mudblood. Can't stomach the dunder headed duo and their tales of stupidity this morning?" Draco asked, stuffing eggs into his mouth.

Hermione laughed. "You read my mind."

Draco snorted and continued to eat. Hermione looked over at Theo, who seemed to looking everywhere but at her. She smiled. "Good morning Theo." she said before eating.

His eyes shot to her. She wondered what he would do, what he would say in front of Draco. She glanced at the blonde, he seemed to be curious too. Theo muttered a 'Morning' and was back to his food. Hermione stifled the laugh she could feel bubbling at Draco's confused look. Hermione continued to eat, thinking the entire issue was over, until she heard the angry tone of Theo's voice.

"So, Hermione, cast any unforgivables lately?"

She finished chewing the food in her mouth, she swallowed it and sipped her morning tea. "Tried to kiss any other mudbloods lately?"

Draco was sitting across from her, mouth open in shock. She ignored him and smiled as Theo's face turned red. He slammed his hand on the table causing the dishes to clatter and left them alone. Draco hadn't stopped looking at her.

"What?" she snapped.

"Oh, we need to talk."

She sighed, checking her watch. They had time. "Follow me."

She stood, grabbing her bag and made her way out of the Great Hall. Draco was on her heels. She went to Myrtle's bathroom and warded the doorway after Draco reluctantly followed her inside.

He leaned back against the row of sinks and waited. Hermione put her bag down on one of the other sinks and looked at her face in the mirror. She pretended to primp for a second, seeing how long Draco would wait for his answer. Not long it seemed.

"Nothing you can do in that mirror will help your face, just spill." he said.

She chuckled. "Draco, how is it you are my best friend?" she asked, knowing the question would bother him.

"I am no such thing." he sighed. "Don't try to change the subject. What the hell was Theo on about?"

She smiled. "He planned to grace me with his disgusting pureblood kisses, I refused, he tried anyway I hexed him. Simple as that."

"Bullshit Granger, he said unforgivable. He's still alive, so not the killing curse. Doubt an imperious would have been helpful for you. So that leaves the torture curse. You crucioed him didn't you?"

She shrugged, she would never openly admit to doing something that could land her in Azkaban.

He was looking at her. Looking at her like he'd never seen her before. "He tried to kiss you? Is that all?"

"He confessed to me and then pressed the issue when I refused his advances. My betrothed would not appreciate it. He would have done a lot worse."

Draco's almost white eyebrows shot up into his hair line. Then he frowned. "Tom?"

She nodded.

"I didn't think a mudblood would have a betrothed. Who is Tom?"

"My betrothed."

"That's not what I meant."

"It's the only answer I am going to tell you."

Draco looked surprised again. "I know he's acquainted with my father. Theo's father too."

Hermione was sure to keep her face blank. She would not react any which way to Draco's words.

He waved off the entire conversation. "Will you be coming to the manor during the summer?"

She raised an eyebrow, confused by the seemingly random question. "Probably. I have a lot of research still to do."

He looked thoughtful at her. "Should I keep Theo's visits minimal? I don't want you throwing around any wild hexes or curses in the manor."

She laughed, "I am capable of controlling myself, besides, I will mostly be in the library."

"Fair enough." He smiled. "Maybe we are friends, Granger."

She smiled back. "I knew you liked me."

"I do not." he stormed towards the doors.

She smiled and dropped the wards and the two left for classes.

The harrowing tale of Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley was told and exaggerated so badly, that by the end of term, They had single handedly stupified Professor Snape, caught Sirius Black, revealed the rat to be (long though to be a victim of Sirius Black)Peter Pettigrew, alive and well, and gotten a confession from the man. All of that while also dodging a werewolf who had forgotten to take his wolfbane potion.

Hermione was more than happy to leave the school and get back to her parent's home. She stepped onto the platform, looking for her parents and was shocked to see them chatting with Lucius Malfoy. She made her way over and smiled politely.

"Hello,"

Her mum turned. "There you are," she hugged her. "We have been talking with Mr. Malfoy. He explained that you had a project you have been working on and would need to visit his library this summer."

She smiled. "Yes, Mr. Malfoy has been very generous with his beautiful Library."

Her mum beamed at her. "That's lovely. As long as it doesn't take up too much of your time."

"Well, it has been a pleasure, but I see my son, until next time." Lucius said.

Hermione nearly laughed when Lucius reached and kissed her mothers hand and shook her fathers. She watched them smile as he left to meet up with Draco. They all walked to her parents car and drove home. Hermione told them a bit of what had happened that year and how unfair it was for Professor Lupin to have lost his job because of something he had no control over. She hated the discrimination.

Her parents understood and cajoled her as best as they could. She appreciated the effort. They had a good dinner and she excused herself to her room. She took a shower and combed her hair. She braided it and put on a pair of shorts and a t shirt. She climbed into bed and tried to fall asleep. She put her hand on the locket, feeling the familiar thrum. She hadn't seen Tom all day and she was feeling a bit sad.

She must have fallen asleep, because the sun coming though her window woke her. She blinked into the bright room and rubbed her eyes. Tom was at her small desk, writing in one of her many notebooks. She sat up.

"Good morning." she said, moving to her small bathroom that attached to her room. She washed her face and brushed her teeth. Once she felt alive again she stepped back out and sat on the edge of her bed.

Tom put down the notebook and pen and turned to face her. His eyes shot straight to her legs. Then moved back to her face. "Good Morning."

She blushed under the look he gave her. Sure she wore skirts quite regularly, but they were nowhere near as short as she sleep shorts. At Hogwarts she wore full length pajamas. The castle seemed so breezy and she stayed chilled. Here at home in the summer, she could wear these and stay plenty warm. Tom usually wasn't around when she was wearing them, and she hadn't thought about it. She refused to bring any attention to it.

Tom spoke first. "What are your plans for today?"

"I think I wanted to spend a few hours with my parents, then maybe apparate over to Malfoy's and get back into study mode."

He hummed his approval but didn't look away from her notebooks. She hated how he ran hot and cold towards her. She stood and walked to her wardrobe to pull out clothes for the day.

"I did what you said."

"What's that?"

She smiled. She figured he would like to hear about her compliance. "it's a long story, but Draco and probably Theo know about our betrothal."

He turned to look at her. "Do they?" his face looked way too pleased.

"Yes, if you want the details I can tell you later." she moved back to her bathroom and changed her clothing. She finished getting ready and left the small room. Tom was standing there waiting for her.

He smiled at her, the smile that made her belly warm. He stepped over to her and pulled her into a hug. She accepted the embrace and reveled in the warmth of him. He was seemingly more and more real, but still had no smell. Not good or bad, just nothing there. She sighed into his shoulder and pulled away.

"I'll be back up in a few hours." She left him standing there.

She ate breakfast with her parents, enjoying the horror stories from their dental practice. She seemed to forget that they had an entire different life in the muggle world. It seemed to move on with or without her. She left their time together feeling slightly off. She had told them she would be going to the Malfoy library for a while and they agreed, as long as she was back by dinner.

She hurried back to her room to get ready for the day. She packed her notebooks into her bag and plenty of muggle pens. With the amount of writing she had been doing, quill and ink were entirely too messy. She didn't wait for Tom, he would go where she went. She pictured the gates of Malfoy Manor and turned. The soft whisper of her apparation sounded in her room.