AU! NOT A TIME-TRAVEL FIC.

WRITTEN FOR QLFC, RESERVE LEAGUE

SEASON 7, ROUND SEMI FINALS

Chaser 3: a character makes a sacrifice to ensure someone's happiness

WC: 1015

"So...have you thought about what I said? About the Deathly Hallows?" Tom tried not to sound too hopeful.

Hermione glanced up at him from where she stood near the bookshelf looking for a book. "Yes, but…"

"But what, Mine? You know how I feel about this." He glanced around to make sure they were alone before lowering his voice and continuing, "I want us to be immortal. The Deathly Hallows are the perfect way to do that."

"I know, Tom," Hermione said with a sigh. She stood up on her tiptoes to pull out a book, and Tom gripped her waist and hoisted her up. She gave him a grateful smile when he finally placed her on the ground.

They walked over to the table, and Hermione dropped her book onto it. Tom quickly pulled out her chair for her and she sat down. Tom sat beside her and asked, "So? What do you think?"

Hermione tucked a stray set of curls behind her ear, and Tom was filled with the urge to replace her fingers with his. He still needed to talk to the Mediwitch in the infirmary; Tom didn't want to come down with anything dangerous. He wasn't immortal yet.

Hermione ducked her head before glancing up at him through her thick lashes. Tom's heart did that strange flip that worried him. Hermione murmured, "Tom, you know I don't want to be immortal. I'll support you in whatever you do, but I just don't want to—"

"But why? You and I could change the world. We could travel and learn about Old Magicks and—"

"I'll do that with you, Tom," Hermione said, reaching forward to take his hand. She squeezed it, and Tom's heart skipped another beat. "I just don't want to be immortal."

"But you'll die. Why don't you understand that?" Tom tried to make her see reason. "You could die any second, and I wouldn't be able to do anything to save you. I can't live in a world where you're not by my side. I am not compromising on that."

Hermione sighed and dropped her head onto the table. "Don't you see, Tom? I want a death, an absolute ending to my life. I know you don't want that, and I understand. I do. But don't you understand that I want to get married, have children, and—"

"Fine! Marry me," Tom demanded loudly. He leaned closer to her. "You marry me, and I'll make you immortal. Deal?"

Hermione's shoulders trembled as laughter bubbled out of her mouth. She reached up to cup Tom's face, and Tom's stomach clenched at the gesture. She smiled and said, "Tom, that's not how you propose to someone. You need to work on that."

"If I rehearse it and ask you to marry me, will you?" Tom asked, thinking of how easy it would be for her to stay with him for the rest of their lives if she was married to him. The thought of her marrying someone else caused his stomach to revolt.

Hermione chuckled and said, "You need to give me a reason to marry you that's not immortality, then my answer will be yes."

Tom nodded. "What about becoming immortal after we get married? Wouldn't you like to stay alive for our children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren?"

Hermione laughed and patted his hand. "Oh, Tom, you're so stubborn."

"Is that a yes?"

"No, it's not," Hermione stated before returning to her book. Tom stared at her pointedly until she got uncomfortable. She sighed and closed her book. "Tom."

"Mine."

Her cheeks tinged pink at the nickname, and pride filled Tom's chest at the sight. His heart longed for something he couldn't name or even pinpoint, but he knew it had something to do with the brunette in front of him.

They had been best friends ever since Hermione had taken it upon herself to befriend him on the Hogwarts Express. Tom had been extremely annoyed by her persistence, but over time, she had grown on him. Now, they were rarely seen apart.

Tom didn't want it to change. He wanted her by his side for all eternity. Was that too much to ask?

Hermione stared at him, and he stared right back. Tom finally blinked and asked, "Okay, how about we compromise?"

"I'm listening…"

"What if I find another way for us to age but not die?" Tom didn't even know if anything like that existed, but even if it didn't, he would find a way. He was not going to give up on his dream of immortality, but he didn't want to be immortal if Hermione wasn't by his side.

A life without her wasn't worth living anymore.

Hermione pursed her lips and thought for a few moments. "You mean something like the Philosopher's Stone?"

Of course she knew about that. Tom rolled his eyes at the thought, wondering why he was still so surprised by her extensive knowledge. He said, "Yes, let's assume we have the stone. Would you use it with me?"

"I would," Hermione said after a few moments of thinking.

Tom immediately decided to sacrifice his dream of becoming the Master of Death. His new mission was to create a Philosopher's Stone for them both.

"Then, it's settled. You're marrying me—"

Hermione coughed and shook her head. "You haven't asked me to marry you yet, Tom. And honestly, that proposal you just made? It was the worst proposal in history."

Tom scowled. "Fine. I'll practise and then ask you properly. And it will be so romantic I promise you that tears will stream down your face."

"Is that a threat?" Hermione teased him, and Tom's scowl darkened. She laughed and leaned over to kiss his cheek. "I'm just teasing you, Tommy. Although...I am curious to see what you'll do. You're not the romantic type, you know."

"Who said I'm not a romantic?" Tom demanded.

"Tom, you scowl when Abraxas and Orion talk about courting girls. You're not romantic."

That sounded like a challenge to Tom's ears, and he was determined to prove her wrong.