Minister Riddle Will See You Now

Chapter 11: Dinners with Friends

The next day had started out with Tom's dark head of hair buried between her thighs. She'd woken up on the brink of orgasm and had been afraid she'd hurt Tom when her thighs had jerked upon the strong reaction to her wake up call.

He had laughed off her concern as he sauntered to the bathroom, leaving her to recover.

She'd dressed with clothing from her satchel and removed the box Tom had given her to hold the diamond. When he'd come out of the bathroom, freshly showered and shaved, Hermione had handed him the precious gem.

"I'll get this fitted into metal so that you can keep it on you at all times. I'll ask them to get it to you as quickly as possible," he'd promised.

"Please," Hermione had requested, "nothing too gaudy or above my means."

A kiss to the forehead had been the only response.

As discussed, Hermione used her day to write to her former teachers, requesting that they write a letter in her favor to accompany her application to the magical branch of Oxford for study in the potions department. Severus' letter had been twice the length because she also had to ask for a second letter of recommendation to the Saint Mungo's potions department.

Narcissa had owled her a request for shopping Thursday night.

Hermione,

I want to once again thank you for joining us for dinner Sunday night. It was so nice to have someone accompany Tom. I know I put you on the spot but I sincerely appreciate it.

As to the reason for this letter, I have procured us a dress robes fitting at Twilfit and Tattings after hours Thursday. If it is convenient for you, just floo to the Manor and we'll all go together. My mother-in-law wishes to accompany us although she already has her dress robes for the occasion and I have to agree that it will be nice for the three of us girls to spend time together.

Please reply that the time and date suits you. If it doesn't, make a suggestion and I am sure that I will be able to change the appointment.

Best Regards,

Narcissa Malfoy

Hermione had written back that the time and date was fine and that she was looking forward to it, lying through her teeth. She hated shopping and she hated being on display. Shopping for things she couldn't afford and having her appearance be the sole focus of two well-groomed older ladies was the stuff of Hermione's nightmares. She knew that this was the part of being with Tom that she would have to get used to so she gritted her teeth and promised herself she'd find a way to make the experience as pleasant as possible.

Her seafoam green parchment chimed as she was going over the preparations for dinner that night. She grinned like a crazy person as she read it.

Hermione,

How is it that I've been Minister for 6 months already and only in the past two days have I realized how tedious my job is? I think you're to be blamed. The only thing that could drag my thoughts away from a job I was previously happy with, is you and that thing you do when you come on my tongue. I'm looking forward to doing that again soon. I love the way your hand feels in my hair as you try not to push me into you. I want to let you in on a secret...eating you out is a huge turn on for me. It's got me aroused under my desk right now, remembering this morning.

Tom

Damn, he can get me wet with only a few words.

Tom,

Me? What about you? I had better plans for myself after graduating but now all I do is spend my day going through the motions while I wait for you to get done in the office. I must need a job to keep my mind occupied as it's already gone to mush only three days out from graduation.

On a serious note, Narcissa asked me to go shopping for dress robes Thursday. I don't really think I'll like the answer, but I have to ask: how am I to pay for whatever I find?

I wrote to ask for recommendation letters like you suggested. I already have the application to Oxford so I'm filling it out while I await responses. I've got a new inquiry for St Mungo's, in case Professor Snape is willing to write me a recommendation for that as well. It's a waiting game now and there's nothing to fill my time except delicious thoughts of you and what might happen after dinner tonight in my flat.

Hermione

P.S. I'm starting to itch a bit. Should I just try to do more spells? I've done an average amount this morning and it's not helping.

Ginny was starting to look at her funny when, by that afternoon, she had cast three first year spells that were overpowered. The first was earlier that day. Hermione and Ginny were charming the walls different colors in an attempt to decorate. Ginny had turned and bumped the coffee table, knocking off Hermione's book. Hermione had then summoned the book rather than bending over to pick it up. The problem was that the book had zoomed across the living room with such speed and power that she had been struck in the face. Her nose had bled a little and Ginny had been laughing too hard to be of much help to her friend.

Knowing she'd accidentally overpowered her spell, Hermione was a little surprised to discover that she felt itchy an hour later. She'd written to Tom but he hadn't responded by lunch. Luna was there in the bathroom with Ginny and Hermione as they had moved into the loo to decorate the walls. Hermione had been casting cleaning spells at places that muggles would never be able to or think to clean during the process. She'd just cleaned the shower drain and decided to wet the inside of the shower stall in order to cleanse it properly when a harsh stream of water jetted out of her wand rather than a misting. The stream of water had been strong enough to ricochet off the shower stall walls and drench all three girls. Hermione apologized and dried off her friends, leaving their clothes statically charged and their hair fluffy from the instant heat.

"Why don't I do yours," Ginny offered with a suspicious look.

She checked the parchment and saw that there was a response after that incident and she closed herself off in her room to read.

Hermione,

Thank you for agreeing to let Narcissa take you shopping. She always wanted a little girl and having you to shop for helps them. Melvinna was the same way with Narcissa but Narcissa didn't need her assistance as much so you will hopefully understand their interest in the topic. Don't worry, I'll be giving instructions to her on what I expect her to help you buy and I have an account with the store. They will receive prior authorization from me to charge my Gringott's account for any charges made in my name. You won't have to see the exchange of any money. I promise.

I'm a little concerned that you're itchy after leaving my bed. I admit it's a new occurrence to me. I usually leave witches sated rather than with their skin crawling. I think maybe you should only do simple spells and do them often as long as you can do them safely. I'll look into the matter and will give you an answer as soon as I have one.

See you tonight,

Tom

P.S. I have an idea that involves you, your bed, and the alliges duplicia spell.

By dinner time, Hermione had showered and dressed herself casually in a simple sheath dress of pale pink. She had twisted her curls into a clip at the back of her head and had prepared a dinner that she hoped was delicious. Luna hadn't come out of her room yet and Ginny had left for a night out getting to know her new teammates.

She'd received a few owls that afternoon. One was a response for a job that she no longer wished to interview for and she'd responded that she had something lined up already. Another was a letter from Professor McGonagall stating that she was happy to forward to her the recommendation she'd written Hermione months ago which made her blush despite no one being there to witness it. The third owl was Severus'. He simply wrote that he was working on a proper response and he'd send it when he was done.

The lights flickered, a charm Luna had added to the floo. Now when someone flooed into their address, The Ghetto, the lights would flicker on and off twice in quick succession. Hermione had added a 'whoosh' sound effect and now they had their own alarm system in place. It was Ginny who thought to tie the charm to the door bell, the door knocker, and the apparition alley.

They had been able to add in a couple wards to the flat to strengthen their protection as well. The three of them agreed to a weekly recasting to keep them strong. Hermione had cast hers and she knew that she'd overdone it when her vision was spotted after she was done. Unlike Sunday evening, she did not faint, though.

She stepped away from the kitchen to see Tom and Draco step out of the floo. Draco was looking like his mother had dressed him for a formal meal and Hermione smiled to see Tom was leaving his robes on even though he usually removed them as soon as he was out of the Ministry.

"Welcome, Draco. Luna will be out in a moment. Please, make yourself at home. Tom," she greeted openly.

The taller, dark haired man crossed the room and wrapped her up in his arms. "Witch," he greeted back before pulling her into his body and kissing her deeply.

Hermione was still wearing muggle oven mitts and it was slightly awkward to wrap her arms about his neck like that but Tom didn't seem to mind.

"Well, that's quite the greeting. Sorry, Draco, I think I'll shake your hand instead," Luna quipped.

Like the well-mannered pureblood that he was, Draco stood from his seat on the sofa and reached for her hand. He bowed and kissed the back of Luna's fingers as he had been taught to with a murmured, "Thank you for agreeing to this set-up."

They all laughed a little and Hermione excused herself to the kitchen to pull the meal out of the oven and place it on the table. Luna took over as hostess by inviting Tom and Draco to sit at the table while she poured everyone a bottle of the wine that Draco had brought.

The dinner itself was pleasant and did not feel forced. Draco and Luna had magical creatures in common which made conversation that all four parties could participate in. They each differed from Luna on what species that they believed existed but she could see that Draco and Luna were both more relaxed in each other's presence by the end of the main course though. She was pleased that she had helped both Draco and Luna to see the connection between them, even if it did not end up being successful.

She served a chocolate pie for dessert, knowing Draco liked chocolate and the other three dinner companions enjoyed their slices. Hermione had opted to not have a slice as she wasn't a fan of chocolate that much and was teased by the others for having made a delicious dessert that she wasn't partaking in.

Tom's behavior had surprised her because she hadn't really thought that he would be so fantastic at helping keep the focus on Draco and Luna. He interjected when necessary to keep the conversation flowing but backed off as soon as it took off. He didn't speak to Hermione exclusively, pressuring the other couple to get along without them nor did he ignore his new girlfriend.

Hermione suggested that Luna show Draco the muggle television after dinner as she knew Draco's exposure to the muggle world was lacking. She began to levitate the dishes to the kitchen and she must have overpowered it because the plate she'd been focusing on zoomed into the sink with a loud and shattering crash.

Two blonde heads peeked into the dining room in time to see Hermione's eyes flutter for a moment and heard Tom's muttering swear.

"I think maybe you should sit down for a moment," Tom suggested lightly, trying not to draw attention to the situation.

His strong arms wrapped around her waist and she was walked over to the couch.

"I'm fine," Hermione protested, feeling fine now. "I've just been distracted."

Draco snorted in a way that was reminiscent of Severus. "Seven years of classes together, Granger, and I've never seen you have issues with spells. Not during OWLs when you came down with a case of dune flower poisoning and had to be restrained in the hospital wing for three days. You were stressed and having panic attacks and your wand never wavered. That's twice in three days I've seen you do this, though."

Hermione was a little surprised at how much Draco seemed to have observed about her but she really did have a light head and didn't feel like reacting.

Tom sent his godson a look that Hermione thought meant for him to shut up before Luna caught on but it was no use.

"I agree," Luna said serenely. "She's done it at least three times today."

Tom's hands paused on her where he was settling her into the couch. He was crouched in front of her, between her knees, feeling her forehead with the back of his hand. Tom turned his head to look at Luna. "Three times?"

Numb with panic, Hermione closed her eyes and listened helplessly as her flatmate regaled Tom and Draco with the tale of the spells that Luna knew she'd overpowered during the day. She really did not need Tom to worry over her.

"Sit here. I'm getting you some water," he told her.

She opened her eyes warily and watched Tom and Luna walk into the kitchen, talking too quietly for her to hear.

"Damn, Granger," was Draco's comment. "You know he's asking her for the details."

Wearily, she leaned her head against the back of the sofa. She was feeling a bit better now. "I'm aware."

A moment of awkward silence passed.

"Thanks for the set up," Draco said at length.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. It helps me save a little face."

"Happy to help. Luna's not nearly as….looney...as people think she is. She puts that facade on for others but she's a good person," Hermione confided.

"I'm seeing that now. She doesn't really believe in Crumple Horned whatsits, does she?"

"That she does but the rest is mostly for show."

Tom and Luna returned from the kitchen with a glass of water for Hermione and smiles that looked a bit tense. Both of them. That worried Hermione. Luna was never tense. What had Tom said to her?

After a half hour of sitting in the living room and enjoying a conversation about the muggle television, movies and other forms of entertainment, Luna offered to walk him to the apparition spot. When they were gone, Tom wasted no time in scooping her up and carrying her to her bedroom. From the look in his dark eyes, Hermione knew not to protest.

The door shut behind him and Hermione raised her wand to cast the locking and silencing charm but Tom gave her such an intense look that she lowered it. He spoke both spells aloud so that she knew he had actually cast them this time for which she thanked him for.

For a moment Hermione was worried he was angry with her and she simply watched him run his hands through his hair as he turned around to face her. She perched on the edge of the bed where he'd set her down and waited for him to say something.

"I think we need to see someone about your magic. I'm concerned," Tom admitted.

"Something is wrong with me?" she whispered with worry lacing her voice.

Shaking his head, Tom walked up to her, standing between her legs and looking down at her. "I don't know. I have never heard of a power exchange recurring with this intensity after the initial virginal penetration. I don't like you being helpless."

Huffing, Hermione crossed her arms. "I'm not helpless!"

Tom stroked her hair, his face serious. "Your magic is too strong and I don't think you're able to cast any weaker. What's more is that after you cast, you grow faint. I don't want you passing out from simple spells. That would leave you susceptible to attacks."

He made sense but she didn't want to admit it.

A kiss was pressed to her temple.

She wrapped her arms around him and felt the tension in his back. For a person who liked control, this was certainly not something he would appreciate happening.

"I want to call a healer for a home visit," Tom stated in a tone that told her that he was going to do it no matter what, telling her his wishes was just a formality.

Hermione Granger was not one to give up just because the cause might be impossible, though.

"It's not necessary," she insisted.

"It is and I insist on it happening. Now."

And that was how she found herself sitting on her bed in her blue and green plaid pajama bottoms and a blue t-shirt patterned with white and green runes, an only hand-me-down from Harry after spending the night at his house unprepared three Christmases ago.

Tom entered the room a few minutes later followed by an older wizard wearing the lime green Healer's robes from Saint Mungo's. The wizard looked to be around fifty years old, with pepper gray hair that was cropped close and a matching goatee.

"Hermione Granger, this is Healer Wyler. Caspian, this is Hermone Granger."

She awkwardly stuck her hand out to shake the healer's from her seat on her bed. She uncrossed her legs to stand and wobbled. She cursed herself as Tom lurched forward and forced her to sit and lay back again. She was never going to be allowed up if she couldn't act fine. She flushed as she saw the two wizards exchange looks. She hated having others talk about her and treat her like she couldn't handle herself. It made her feel weak and stupid.

"As you can see, Miss Granger is not feeling as she should and I've called you here to keep this out of the Prophet," Tom was telling Wyler, as Wyler pulled a tiny something from his robe pocket. He enlarged it, a stool, and took a seat on it next to Hermione's bedside.

"I see," he said as we waved his wand over Hermione.

She lay still watching the lights and numbers that presented themselves to the Healer.

"I assume that she is something to you, Tom, other than just the brilliant young witch that just graduated from your alma mater?"

It was a statement that masqueraded as a question.

"Yes," Tom said through his teeth. "I don't want her in the Prophet over this."

Nothing else was said for a few minutes as more and more diagnostic scans were cast. Healer Wyler said nothing as he cast. Tom stood behind him, arms crossed, looking like a statue with eyes that followed the wand movements.

Finally, Wyler pocketed his wand and swiveled to look at Tom. "I will need a few minutes alone with the patient, please."

Tom did not move. He raised an eyebrow.

Wyler cocked his head at Tom's challenge.

With an angry sigh, Tom left the room and closed the door behind him.

Hermione watched the healer turn to face her. He smiled kindly underneath his mustache.

"Well, I think I need to ask you some questions before I can make any diagnosis. Please be aware that Tom pays me well to be his private healer and that I've had this arrangement with him for...oh, say 6 years now. I have taken vows as a healer and as Tom's healer, not to reveal anything about his health to anyone that hasn't also taken the vows. As a healer, I am only allowed to discuss the details with other healers that meet those conditions under dire circumstances. As Tom's private healer, I am only under the usual healer vows in regards to this visit. I am willing to give you a vow myself if you require one."

She swallowed. "Oh, well, I don't think I need to make you take a vow. Do I?"

Chuckling, Healer Wyler threw his hands up in the air. "I don't know. I've never seen a patient who had some sort of a relationship with Tom. His family has their own private healer so this is a new and unique circumstance. Maybe when you hear the nature of my questions, you'll know if you need a vow from me in order to answer?"

"Sure," she responded, not likely where the conversation was headed.

"When did you become sexually active?"

She blinked. Yep. Right into it, they were heading. She considered Tom's vow. She wasn't allowed to say certain things. Would they be asked? Was it worth trying to answer?

"Perhaps it might be necessary to know that you won't share my answers with anyone."

Healer Wyler did not hesitate in holding up his wand and verbally vowing to not share any of the details of Hermione's health with anyone except Tom, Hermione, and possibly another healer when her heath required him to share.

He replaced his wand and waited patiently for her answer.

"Sunday," she whispered.

Wyler made no reaction to this. "For clarification, that was your first experience with sexual relations?"

"Yes,"

"Of any kind?"

"I've kissed before," she mumbled, red-faced.

A smile graced his face, making him look much softer and more grandfatherly. "Okay, so Sunday was your very first experience. Did it include penetration for you?

She nodded.

"Did you, by chance, do a ritual?"

Another nod. This was the most humiliating conversation she'd ever had. The only way it could be worse was if it was with her Head of House.

"Were you coerced into sex or into the ritual?"

Angrily, she snapped her eyes to the healer. "Certainly not!"

He smiled again. "It's a standard question that I have to ask. Which ritual did you perform?"

Hermione told him, eyes still narrowed a bit at the insinuation that Tom would have seduced her into his bed.

"And, since then, you've been sexually active?"

"Yes."

"How often?"

Her eyes bugged out.

"I apologize for the bluntness and the invasive questions, Miss Granger. I must know in order to properly diagnose you. I have a good idea what has happened but I can't help you get better without the answers."

Counting in her head, she tried to do math but Wyler interrupted her.

"I can see that 'active' is a very accurate statement and I don't need an exact number. Am I safe to assume that the answer would be multiple times a day, everyday, since Sunday?"

A meek nod was all she could manage.

The following questions were about her magic. She was able to tell him truthfully that she'd never had any issues with her magic before, even under extreme duress and illness. Wyler wanted to know the specifics of which spells she'd cast recently, which ones had gone awry, how she'd felt afterwards, and so on.

There was a knock on the door and Tom reentered the room.

"Both your flatmates have returned. Hermione," Tom said by way of an explanation as he took a seat at the end of the bed.

Wyler looked at Hermione with a questioning expression.

"He can stay," she permitted. Not like asking Wyler to kick him out for her examination would do any good anyway. She'd just have to relive it all later to Tom if he wasn't allowed to witness the diagnosis.

"Okay, well, I have an idea what is going on," Wyler said, turning so he could see both Tom and Hermione before launching into a clinical and professional explanation.

"The issue starts with both of you being powerful. Even before becoming sexually active, Miss Granger was a powerful witch based on her responses to my questions, her NEWTs, and what gossip I've heard from a couple of her professors," and here Hermione blushed a bit.

"It's not the ritual that has caused this. Simply put, you are both very powerful and the...shall we call it "power exchange" between you is a bit more than Miss Granger's body is used to. Tom had had time to gradually build up to hosting this much magic in his body over time since his first sexual activity," Wyler spoke to her directly.

"You, however, have already got the max amount of power your body can handle and then by engaging in "power exchanges" with Tom, a very powerful wizard, your body isn't used to it. It's difficult to grow a capacity to house it all this quickly. Are you following so far?"

She frowned. It sounded like a euphemism. Tom's magic was too large and powerful for her tiny, virginal body and she would have to grow to be able to handle it all.

"I thought the "power exchange" was mostly just the first time," Hermione admitted.

"Well, it's the largest power exchange," Wyler nodded. "It's fairly common for a bit of power to be exchanged by a well-suited pair of lovers. Some couples never exchange anything. Actually, exchange is a bit misleading. In your situation, you aren't actually trading or swapping anything, as far as magic is concerned. You are making it. When it's created, it is divided up and stored inside you each. It's not always an even split and I think you've been getting most of what magic is created, Miss Granger."

She was stunned. Muggles called it "making love" but she was literally "making magic" with Tom? What she'd read before the ritual had made her think that after her first experience, the "power exchange" wouldn't be occurring and that given time, the bond created between them would weaken. She asked about this and Wyler rubbed his chin.

"I can't say for certain without looking into the matter more deeply, but I feel fairly confident that your first experience together caused such a strong bond that is allowing these power exchanges to continue. I don't know if they will slow down or stop. I can tell you that feeling lightheaded after magic is simply your body's way of regulating how much magic to use. Over time your body will get used to housing more powerful magic than you've been housing. When it learns the new dosage of magic required, it will stop depleting itself with small spells. When you send out too much at once, there's a gap in your body and the magic that rushes in to fill that gap is what causes you to faint."

Tom spoke up. "What do you propose she do?"

The healer thought for a moment. "I think abstinence would be more harmful than positive so if you're both inclined, I would say you should restrict yourselves to once a day. When Miss Granger is able to handle the power exchanges you are creating once a day without any outbursts or fainting for at least two days, then you could consider more."

Oh Merlin, this was embarrassing! Did he really just imply that Tom has been fucking me into a coma?

"And what approach should she take to her magic usage?" Tom was asking, brushing off the healer's mention of them not shagging like kneazlers so much since her body couldn't handle it all.

"Monitor her, certainly. She should use simple spells a few times a day. Nothing taxing and not too often. If she doesn't perform at least some magic daily, she'll do a 180 in the other direction. She'll have too much stored and she'll feel itchy, I believe, is the best description."

At her and Tom's exchange of looks, she was forced to tell Wyler of what happened Sunday evening at Malfoy Manor.

"Yes, you should be sure to do small, simple spells throughout the day. Don't let the magic build up until you feel that way. Let it out in small amounts without overdoing it."

Tom asked a few questions that were technical and about documentation of this occurrence before Wyler turned back to her to ask if she had any questions for him.

"No. Not really," she responded.

"Well, I have plenty for you if you feel up to a few," Wyler grinned, looking much more youthful.

"About what?"

"Your potion, of course!"

She was stunned as Wyler proceeded to ask her about her curse scar and about the potion she developed. He'd been hearing about it for weeks and now that he had a chance to meet the creator, he was very eager to hear the story of how a 7th year student had created such a revolutionary potion. Hermione was happy to discuss the potion's creation and her research progress into it.

"But when that didn't work, I simply substituted knotgrass as it was much less acidic. The fluxweed, though, gave me an idea for nerve damage," she confided.

Healer Wyler was delighted to hear she already had a new project and was about to delve into a discussion on nerve repair when Tom stood and cleared his throat.

"Oh," Hermione smiled apologetically at them both. "I'm sorry. I tend to get excited and go on when asked about my project. I need to learn when to shut up," she laughed.

"Nonsense! But, perhaps it's getting a wee bit late in the evening for this particular conversation," Wyler admitted as he stood and shrunk his stool.

"Thank you, for making a house call," Tom shook his hand before unwarding the door.

"Thank you for making it worth my while," Wyler said. "Miss Granger, it was a pleasure to meet you. I want to see you in a week. Follow my suggestions and feel free to owl me with questions. Caspian Wyler, Head of Spell Damage at Saint Mungo's will make sure I receive the message.

She was alone for a minute as Tom showed Wyler to the floo. When he returned, he sat beside her on the bed but left the door open. She glanced at it and then to the handsome wizard in front of her. Leaving the door open was odd.

"I think it's safe to say that this was an interesting evening," Tom observed while pulling up her blankets over her legs.

She frowned not really liking what his actions were indicating but also she felt odd knowing that she was disappointed at him not wanting to stay with her. "Are you not staying?" she asked cautiously.

He smoothed the blankets over her unnecessarily in a stall. "I think, in light of Healer Wyler's advice, that staying would put you in danger of going against his orders."

'Damn,' Hermione thought to herself, 'I forgot about this morning.'

"That shouldn't count, though," Hermione protested.

Tom's mouth broke out into a slow and sexy grin. "If it counts as sexual, then it counts in this case."

Chewing a lip, Hermione tried a new tack, "Well, how am I supposed to get my next dose of medicine?"

Tom shook his head at her as she blinked her eyelashes innocently at him.

"I promise that I won't neglect you. After all, healer's orders, right?"

"Right," she agreed, the mirth leaving her face knowing he was leaving.

Leaning over, Tom kissed her sweetly with his long fingers curling into her hair.

"Thank you for dinner, it tasted delicious. I also appreciate you helping Draco. I think Miss Lovegood will make the perfect distraction for the gala to allow Draco time to recover from the whole thing," Tom spoke while holding her closely.

"You're welcome," Hermione murmured back at him, her hand holding the wrist that was cupping her head.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Don't go anywhere alone," he demanded from the doorway.

Hermione rolled her eyes, unthinking.

"You're very lucky to be confined to your bed for rest or I'd have you over my knee for that eye roll," Tom threatened, his face blank and hard.

Her breathing hitched. "I'd still be in bed," she offered. She'd never been spanked before but so far everything Tom had done to her had been sublime.

Tom didn't respond. He laughed as he left through the floo.