CHAPTER 8- An Offer

{Hey everybody! So sorry about being so long to continue Tom and Hermione's story, but I've been traveling. So new chapters might come out as soon as you might like. BUT, it's here now. So I hope you like it.}

Hermione woke up stiff-necked, to a dark hospital wing. She hadn't really meant to sleep that long. She slowly got up from the bed and was surprised to find Tom already up, reading one of his many books. Hermione's widened as she realized her situation. How long had he been up? Had she been drooling? She reached up a hand to check. Tom put down his book and looked at her.

"I…ah… wanted to see if you were going to be alright," Hermione said awkwardly by way of explaination.

He raised his eyebrows as reply, but Hermione could see a shadow of surprise in his eyes.

"Madame Bedford said to take that once you woke up." Hermione pointed to the small bottle still lying next to the bed.

"What is it for?" Tom said warily

"The pain you sustained from my spell," Hermione said. Now that she had recovered from the shock, she was rather proud of herself. She had singlehandedly knocked out Lord Voldemort with nothing less than a well placed stunning spell.

When he didn't reach for the potion, Hermione said "Well, aren't you going to take it?"

"No, I'd rather not"

"Oh, honestly! Just take the potion. I'm sure you must be in pain."

"I can handle it," Tom said apathetically.

Hermione snatched the bottle from the table and handed it to him, an expectant expression on her face. "Drink," she ordered. He stared at the tiny vial for a moment before sighing and looking up at Hermione.

"If it will make you calm down, Evans. You're carrying on as if I almost died." With that, he lifted the bottle to his lips and downed it in one swig. He grimaced as the foul tasting potion passed his lips.

"Happy?" Tom said as Hermione settled back into the wooden seat.

"Ecstatic. What were you thinking? You scared me half to death."

"It really wasn't my choice to be knocked unconscious. That was one powerful spell." To her surprise, Hermione saw his eyes twinkling in amusement.

"Sorry about that," Hermione shifted uneasily as she waited for his response.

"I've never lost a duel, Evans. But I'm glad I lost to you" He said the last few words mostly to himself so Hermione had to strain to hear them. As she took in their meaning, she felt warm inside like she'd just taken a sip of firewhiskey. It must have taken a lot for Tom to say these words. He was a very proud person. Admitting defeat was just something he did not do.

"Ah, you're up! Good. Now, boy, has she given you your potion?," Madame Bedford interrupted.

"Yes, Madame Bedford," Tom said politely.

The mediwitch nodded in satisfaction. "Now you," she turned to look at Hermione. "It's past curfew. You best skedaddle. Go on!" She made a shooing motion as she ushered Hermione out of the Hospital Wing. Hermione took once last look at Tom and left him to Madame Bedford's ministrations.

The next morning, Hermione was up at the crack of dawn. She wanted to get down to the Great Hall early. For what (or whom), she wouldn't let herself admit. Hermione took more time than usual in front of the mirror that morning, trying out a few charms to tame her unruly hair. They worked relatively well. Her chestnut hair now fell over her shoulders in soft curls. Hermione grabbed her book bag from the bed.

Hermione sat down at the sparse Gryffindor table and Tom was nowhere to be seen. She spent the rest of breakfast politely answering Ella's questions with one or two word answers or a nod of agreement. Tom make an appearance until Charms that morning. When he sat down in his usual place beside her, she surreptitiously glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. He was his usual proud, silent self, albeit the way he carried himself told her that he was still a bit sore. Hermione was satisfied; he didn't seem to have sustained any lasting damage. At least, he seemed not to blame her for his injuries. The rest of the class period was spent in silent note taking and when the bell rang for break, Hermione hurried out of the classroom.

She walked towards the Library for some peace and quiet and someplace to organize her thoughts, but was stopped by Abraxas Malfoy.

"Hello Evans," he drawled with every bit of self-importance as his grandson in the future.

"Malfoy," she acknowledged

"I saw your little duel yesterday. Very impressive"

"I'm glad you think so," Hermione said dully.

"Not many people can beat Tom Riddle."

"Oh?" Hermione was on guard. Slytherins never went out of their way to talk to Gryffindors, even if they were Head Girl. The casual tone of his conversation made this situation even more suspicious.

"Yes. Now I have a proposition for you, Evans. I would like you to join my club. You would be a valuable asset, even if you are a Gryffindor."

"Ah, no." Hermione had an inkling of what kind of club he was talking about. She didn't want to have anything to do with Malfoy. He gave her the creeps.

"No?" Malfoy obviously wasn't accustomed to not getting what he wanted.

"No," Hermione repeated. Malfoy stepped toward her, a menacing expression on his face.

"Listen here, Evans, you are going to join my Knights."

"I don't think I will" Malfoy's expression turned thunderous. He took another step toward her, so they were nose to nose, only inches apart.

TOM

Madame Bedford wouldn't release Tom from the Hospital Wing until his first lesson, Charms. No matter how much he tried to persuade her, she was adamant that he was still too "weak" to be up to breakfast in the Great Hall. Her resistance was something; not many people could stand firm under Tom's flattery. She insisted on giving him one last check up before letting him out of her clutches.

Charms was a dull affair, the highlight being Evans' glances out of the corner of her eye when she thought he couldn't see and the odd occasion when their eyes actually met. Tom still didn't understand why that mattered so much to him and was still contemplating this then when he left the classroom for break.

Younger students parted way for him as he walked towards one of the more secluded corridors. He really needed to sort out these thoughts.

"Evans, you will not refuse me" Tom heard Malfoy's voice dripping with malevolence. Tom was filled with an inexplicable anger and quickened his step.

"You heard me, NO," Evans spat. Tom turned a corner to find a fuming Malfoy and an apparently calm Evans, but Tom could tell just from her stance that she was moments away from drawing her wand. Malfoy was about to reply when he noticed Tom's tall form heading his way.

"Is anything wrong, Evans?" Tom asked her while staring at Malfoy, channeling all his anger into his gaze.

"No, I think we were just finished," she said coolly. Malfoy gave her one more furious look before stalking away.

"Are you alright?" Tom said quietly still trying to banish the feelings that had fought their way to the surface when Malfoy was threatening Evans.

"Yes. Thank you, Tom" Evans replied not noticing Tom's reaction to the way she said his name until she looked up into his eyes. Her eyes grew wide as she saw the softness that had crept unknowingly into his face. He never willingly let anyone call him by his first name, but coming from Evans it was somehow acceptable.

Tom suddenly gasped and jerked a hand to his abdomen. That burning pain was back stronger than before, but just like in the Hospital Wing the burning lasted less than a minute. But those few seconds were all it took for Hermione to look at him with wide, scared eyes.

"Tom?" Evans whimpered. Tom straightened up to his full height and tried to banish the lingering pangs.

"Did I do that?" she whispered, eyes shining. For some reason, Tom hated seeing her like that. Afraid and scared.

"No" Whatever it was, Tom was sure Evans had nothing to do with it. It felt nothing like the ache he felt after their duel. This was different.

"I'm sure it was nothing." He said trying to reassure her. He wasn't sure why we wanted to make her feel better. If it was anyone else, he could have cared less.

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