AU!

WRITTEN FOR QLFC, RESERVE LEAGUE

SEASON 7, ROUND 1

Beater 1: write about making a mountain out of a molehill.

WC: 1995

Tom was about to turn around the corner of the hallway when he heard Hermione's distinct giggling. He stopped dead in his tracks and crept closer to the wall, irritation prickling at his nerves.

Why was Hermione laughing? More importantly, who was making his witch laugh?

Okay, so maybe Tom was getting ahead of himself, but everyone knew Hermione Granger was his witch, didn't they? So, who would dare to try to steal her from his side?

He listened closely and Abraxas's voice reached his ears. "Shh, Hermione, we don't want Tom to catch us, do we?"

Hermione giggled again.

Tom's blood turned lava-hot in his veins. He clenched his fists, and a Dark spell immediately made its way onto his tongue. His wand slipped into his hand without his knowledge, and he was ready to curse Abraxas into the next world. He didn't care there were witnesses around that could easily testify against him; fury and jealousy ran rampant through his chest.

How dare Abraxas flirt with Hermione? Tom's Hermione? Did Abraxas think he could pull the wool over Tom's eyes? Tom couldn't wait to rip him limb from limb. He would gouge out his eyes with a blunt knife, carve out his tongue and make him choke on it. He would cut open Abraxas' chest and pull his heart out while it was still beating. Maybe he could even feed the traitor's entrails to that spider Hagrid had? Or would stabbing him with a poisoned blade...No, it would be too painless. Tom could feed him to the basilisk.

As far as Tom was concerned, Abraxas Malfoy was already a dead man walking.

Tom rounded the corner, prepared to torture Abraxas to kingdom come, but to his surprise, Hermione and Abraxas were nowhere to be found. He scanned the hallway but assumed they were long gone by then.

Tom stormed down the corridor, keeping a lookout for Hermione's distinct curls and Abraxas's platinum-blond hair. His mind was filled with images of Hermione curled up in Abraxas's arms, a coy smile playing on her lips, her cheeks would be obviously flushed, and her eyes shining with adoration. He imagined Abraxas's hair forming a curtain to hide their faces as the boy leaned down to capture Hermione's mouth with his.

Unable to find either of them, Tom walked down the stairs, disappointed with himself for not having caught the couple in the act. He entered the Great Hall and made his way to the Slytherin table, where Orion sat with Alphard. The moment the cousins caught sight of him, they sprang apart from each other like they had been burnt.

Tom barely held back his sneer as he sat down, his wand still in his hands. Orion cautiously slid away from him, and Tom gritted out, "Where's Abraxas?"

Orion shot a worried glance at Alphard, which Tom didn't fail to notice, and then, he looked back at Tom. "Uh...He's with Hermione. Why? Do you need anything?"

Tom heard the words 'with Hermione', and his fingers clenched around his wand. It began to creak, and Alphard cried out, "You'll break your wand! Be careful!"

Tom glared at him, knowing Alphard was right. He lowered his wand and pocketed it. "I want to speak to Abraxas. Go, find him, and bring him to me."

Orion mouthed something to Alphard, and Tom immediately knew they were aware of something he wasn't. Like a snake, Tom's hand shot out and grabbed Orion by the back of his neck. To an outsider, this would have looked like a friendly gesture, but Orion knew how furious Tom really was if he was being physical in public.

"What do you know, Orion?" Tom asked, his eyes trained on Orion's face, waiting for the latter to give any indication of his knowledge.

Orion's eyes darted to Alphard, and Tom knew Alphard was in on this scheme too. He let go of Orion's neck and turned to Alphard. "You don't want to get on my bad side, now, do you, Alphard?"

The fourteen-year-old boy shook his head and swallowed. "W-we don't know what's—"

"Don't you dare lie to me," Tom snarled, leaning close to the boy.

Alphard lowered his head and whimpered. "I'm not. We don't know much because Hermione and Abraxas are keeping it a secret."

"What is the secret?" Tom hissed, his voice lowering in pitch in his fury. To his surprise, neither boy answered him. Sweat beaded on their temples, but their mouths were shut. Tom glared at them and growled, "Well, then, if you're not going to answer, we will have to do this the hard way."

Just then, Hermione strolled in through the doors of the Great Hall, arm in arm with Abraxas. She had a huge grin on her face, and Abraxas looked a bit uncomfortable with the situation.

Tom saw red.

He stood to his feet gracefully, his hands fisted, and strode towards them. Hermione squealed when she saw Tom and ran straight into his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in his chest.

She had never failed to calm him down with just her touch, but today, Tom was more furious than he had ever been in his life. She was his witch, wasn't she? Why would she betray him like this?

"Get away from me," Tom hissed, his arms stiff by his sides. Hermione's eyes widened as she gazed up at him. He glared at Abraxas over her head, not wanting to meet her eyes, for he knew his heart would melt if she gave him a puppy-dog look.

"What's wrong, Tom?" Hermione asked, not letting go of him.

"I am not going to make a scene here," Tom said, ignoring her. He stared straight at Abraxas. "You have some explaining to do."

To Tom's fury, Abraxas glanced at Hermione. Tom stepped closer to Abraxas, and Hermione, who was still clinging to him, was dragged along. Tom lowered his voice and threatened, "Don't you dare look at her."

"Tom, what are you talking about?" Hermione asked, stepping onto his feet. Tom still ignored her, glaring at Abraxas, who was beginning to sweat profusely. Hermione reached up and cupped Tom's face. "Tom. Look at me."

Tom gritted his teeth but met her brown eyes. His anger began to slowly recede, and he had to force himself to look away from her. "I can't look at you. I'm furious."

"Why? What happened? What did Abe do?" Hermione asked, turning her head to look at Abraxas.

"Don't act innocent, Hermione," Tom hissed, not looking at her. "I know what you two have been up to. I heard you two today talking behind my back."

"You...did?" Hermione whispered.

Tom nodded and stared at Abraxas. "Just wait till I get my hands on you, Abraxas. You're going to be in a world of pain."

"Why would you hurt Abe? I'm the one who came up with the idea," Hermione said, tugging on his arm.

"What idea?" Tom frowned, finally looking down at her.

"Your eighteenth birthday party, of course," Hermione said, cocking her head to the side in puzzlement. Tom's face lost all blood, and Hermione noticed it. "Wait...What were you talking about?"

"What birthday party?" Tom tried to distract her with his question, but judging by the look she gave him, he knew he hadn't successfully diverted her attention.

"We were planning a surprise party for your birthday," Abraxas said with a sigh. He ran his hand down his face before pointing at Hermione. "It was her idea, so, please, don't blame me for anything."

A cascade of thoughts ran through Tom's mind. Confusion at why she was throwing a birthday party for him came first. Then relief that Hermione and Abraxas weren't in a romantic relationship. Finally, the realisation that he might have let his fears get out of hand

The anger he had felt just seconds earlier evaporated, and a sense of calm washed over him. Thank Merlin he hadn't told them why he was furious; he had a feeling Hermione would be hurt by his baseless accusations.

Hermione's lower lip jutted out in a small pout, but she glanced up at Tom and said, "I know, I know. You don't like parties, but this is your eighteenth birthday—your last birthday at Hogwarts! Next year, we'll be out there, working, travelling, or something else. Who knows if we'll be together or n—"

Tom's finger immediately flew to her lips. "Don't say that. We'll always be together."

Hermione smiled and cupped his face. "Of course, we will, Tom. But I'm talking about us being together with Abe, Orion, Alphard, and the others. Orion will be in his sixth year, and Alfie will be in his fifth. They've got a few years before they can join us on your birthday out there. So, please, let us celebrate your birthday. Please, Tom?"

Tom's heart clenched at her words. Guilt pricked at his heart when he realised he had made a mountain out of a molehill. How could he have not trusted her? He was deeply ashamed of his thoughts. He lowered his head and pressed his lips to her forehead, his kiss apologetic.

"I'm sorry I thought you were doing something else," he whispered against her forehead. "Please, forgive me, Hermione."

"What were you thinking, Tom?"

"I...thought you and Abraxas…" he trailed off, his ears warming at his admission.

"Tom, you idiot!" Hermione cried, smacking his arm and stepping away from him. Her eyes were wide with shock. "How could you think that Abe and I were...together?"

"Is the thought of being with me that terrible?" Abraxas asked, piping up curiously.

"Abe, don't encourage him," Hermione said, waving him off. Focusing on Tom again, she wrung her hands as she said, "Tom, why would you think that? You know I like you. I've liked you, and only you, for years!"

"I...have an overactive imagination?" Tom questioned cautiously, not wanting to tell her he was just jealous of her interactions with Abraxas. How could he say that to her in front of everyone?

Hermione sighed and shook her head. "You're usually so rational, and you always take time to think things through. What happened now?"

"Try saying that five times fast," Abraxas said to Alphard, who immediately tried to repeat the phrase.

Tom ignored the boys and murmured, "I'm sorry. I—I can't explain it."

Hermione cocked her head to the side and stared at him for a few moments. Tom tried to remain impassive, but he couldn't help but flex his fingers to get rid of some stress. Hermione's eyes widened as she seemed to see through him, and Tom knew she would hit the nail on the head.

"Were you jealous?" Hermione whispered, her eyes trained on his face. Tom's jaw ticked, and she cried out, "Oh, Merlin! You were? Tom, you have nothing to be jealous of! Especially not of Abe!"

Tom ducked his head, too embarrassed to show his face to her. "Hermione, I…"

She stepped closer to him and tugged on his hand incessantly until he met her gaze. She beamed at him and reached up to cup his face. "You're so silly, Tom. Don't you know I only have eyes for you?"

Her words almost knocked him over.

Did she mean it? Of course, she meant it! Hermione had never lied to him before, so why would she start now?

"You mean…" Tom choked on his words, unable to get them out.

"Yes, you idiot," Hermione said with a roll of her eyes and a small smile. "You've always been blind to people's feelings, so I figured I would have to hit you over the head at some point down the line…"

"I'm still not sure how I feel," Tom muttered honestly.

"We'll figure it out together, okay? But first, promise me you won't think the worst of me again."

"I promise," Tom swore instantly.