His engagement was never formally announced, nor was it officially called off or ended. Since last week, when Tom professed and declared his love for her in front of his parents, the Blacks, and most of the school, Hermione faced the wrath and hate of many pure bloods and some half bloods. She was harassed and called plenty of names under the sun, from home wrecker, slut, fiancé stealer, Mudblood, filth and many more. Her House mates apologized for not being able to stop it, but she couldn't blame them. They would only put their selves in harms way, and she didn't want that to happen.
Names were thrown at her when Professors, Harry or Ron wasn't around. Tom's name remained unscathed and untouched. His family was too powerful for anyone to dare cross the line. She took the brunt of it all, and by the end of the day she was exhausted and hurt. Her boyfriend didn't find out until days later because his mother had pulled him out for a few days to talk to him.
It wasn't until he came back, a week later, that he found out what she went through. He wasn't simply told. He was yelled at by Harry and Ron, the moment he stepped foot on Hogwarts, early in the morning during breakfast.
Harry grabbed Tom by the collar of his robe and shoved him back out. "You arse, imbecile, and selfish prick. You leave her by herself for those pure blood wanks to scratch and claw at her," Harry pushed him down to the ground with Ron behind him.
"You love her, mate? Where were you when they all had their turns with her, calling her all sorts of filthy names?" Ron added.
Hermione came running out, pushing the crowd that had joined them. "Harry, Ron, please don't. You'll both be punished. Go back inside," she grabbed both of their hands and pulled them away. "I need to talk to him alone."
"We're not leaving you alone with him," Harry fumed in anger. He had witness every night she cried, even when she tried to pretend that she was okay.
"Just give me a few minutes with him, please. Take everyone with you," she nodded her head towards the group of students behind them. "Please," she pleaded.
Harry and Ron eventually walked away. They pushed the crowd back inside but remained close. They didn't trust him or other Slytherin, since they were the ones, who kept attacking her when they weren't around. Their families may no longer be in the famous inner circles, but they still had some influences in the Ministry of Magic.
Hermione helped Tom up from the ground. "Are you alright?"
He didn't bother to fix himself up. "What they said. Is it true?" he asked, as he stood in front of her. He had been out of touch from everyone since his mother kept him locked in the Gaunt Estate, whilst his father tried to get him out. The couple had separated some time during after 1 September, when he was Hogwarts, and never told him. His mother moved back to the Gaunt Estate with her parents. His father stayed in the Riddle Mansion and wanted his son to live with him.
She avoided his eyes and stared at the ground. "I don't want you to make a big deal," she said, as she tried to fight the tears.
"It clearly is when your guard dogs attack me. Who was it? Tell me, Hermione."
"Who else but Slytherin," Harry yelled, with wand tightly wrapped around his hand.
Tom hugged her and she cried into his chest. "Sorry, I wasn't here. Mother refused to let me leave and come back here. I won't leave you again. I'll explain everything later," he said, and softly placed his hand underneath her chin. "Look at me."
Her eyes were bloodshot and tear filled. After a week of names and harassment, she was hurt and deflated. Many times, she thought about breaking it off with him. The pain had been too much, especially when he wasn't there.
"You're not okay," he whispered. "I'm here now. I'll take care of it," he wiped her tears on his sleeve. "Stay with Potter and Weasley, alright?" he walked with her back to the huge entrance and stopped where Harry and Ron waited for them. "I have a few things to take care of. Make sure she eats and gets to class."
"Tom, don't, please," she held onto his arm and tugged at his robe. "You'll only make it worse."
"Sorry," he said and pulled his arm away from her clutch. "Make sure she doesn't watch," Tom said, and ran inside the Great Hall to the Slytherin table.
Only a few words were exchanged before he threw punches. They had the audacity to call his girlfriend names. Professors fell silent and were shocked. After hearing Mudblood and home wrecking slut from their mouths, he lost it and became angry. He threw punches at Lestrange, Black, Malfoy, Rosier, Avery and anyone else who tried to stop him before Professors could stop them.
Wands broke in the middle of their brawl. Tom yelled, punched and pushed. He fought with everything he had to get all his anger out. He hated the pure blood supremacist and glad his father had finally done something about it. There was too much anger in him. He disliked his mother for keeping him away from Hermione, and was only able to leave because the Headmaster had paid them a visit. He hated his mother and grandparents, who all made his girlfriend go through hell.
Girls ran away for their safety. The other Houses backed away for theirs. Punches and kicks were thrown before Professors could stop the group. Slytherin House table was a mess. Food were thrown on the floor. Benches were kicked to the ground. A table was toppled over.
A few Professors had to hold off Tom, who was still too angry. He was covered in cuts that bled. His knuckles were red and bleeding. They had to pull him out of the Great Hall, as students watched his dark eyes glare at his enemies and former friends
The other students were far worse than him. One had a broken nose, one was missing a tooth, a couple had broken wands, and all had cuts and scrapes all over their faces. They all knew that it was the beginning of something bad and horrible once their parents find out. No one in the inner circle ever fought, everything was said behind the others back. They had little trust to begin with but needed each other to keep a stronghold over the Ministry of Magic.
"Tom," Hermione gasped, when she finally saw as he was dragged out of the Great Hall. Harry and Ron had to hold her up.
"You should see the others," he smirked, but he flinched from the cut on his upper lip.
"Come, Mr. Riddle," Headmaster Dumbledore led the way to his office.
The rest of the Slytherin, who fought, were all escorted out of the Great Hall. They all looked her way and glared at her.
"Filthy Mudblood," Malfoy sneered. "This is all your fault."
"Minus ten points for Slytherin," Professor McGonagall announced, and shook her head in disappointment. She heard the rumors but without any Professors, ghosts, or paintings being present at the time of the harassment, there was not much they could do. Not even the students spoke out. No one wanted to be the prey and victim of Slytherin.
Professor McGonagall, left the others escorting the group of Slytherin. "Miss Granger, please come with me."
Hermione nodded and followed, so did Harry and Ron. Professor McGonagall paused and stared at the two boys. She wondered why she even bothered.
"You, too, Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley. Follow me."
xxxx
Classes were dismissed for the rest of the day before it even began, but all students were escorted back to their House Tower. They weren't too disappointed being stuck in there. Some went back to sleep, others played, read, or caught up with missed work. The halls were quiet without students roaming. Ghosts and portraits only had each other to talk to.
The three Gryffindor students were in Professor McGonagall's office being served tea and biscuits. "Feel free to begin anytime."
"We had nothing to do with it," Ron said, before stuffing his mouth with biscuits, as if he missed breakfast. He had a plateful before Harry pulled him out of his seat, but one plate was never enough.
"I filled in Riddle with what's been happening since he left last week," Harry confessed, with a smile. "They all deserved it. Maybe not Riddle, but the others did."
"Yea, Professor," Ron agreed as he took more biscuits from the plate. "They'd been calling her all sorts of name. You heard that loud mouth Malfoy."
"Mr. Weasley," Professor McGonagall warned. "Miss Granger, anything to add?"
"No, Professor," she shook her head. She didn't want to relive the horrible things she had to go through over the past week. If she was able to hear what was said before the fight began, so did the other Professors inside.
"Very well. I'll escort you back."
"Professor," Ron said with a mouth full of biscuits.
"Yes, Mr. Weasley, you can have all the biscuits you'd like."
xxxx
Tom looked around the office filled with portraits of past Headmasters and Headmistresses. They all looked at him, and he felt like he was being judged.
"Mr. Riddle," Headmaster Dumbledore said, as he walked over to his desk and sat on the high chair. "Would you care to explain what happened in the Great Hall during breakfast?"
"I believe you heard what they all said about Hermione Granger, sir. From what I was told, it was happening all week whilst I was away. They did it again in front of me and everyone in the Great Hall. I wasn't going to let them disrespect her."
"You could have let me or the Professors handle it."
"Taking away points from our House wasn't going to stop them. I'll take any punishment you deem necessary."
"Very well, Mr. Riddle. I will have to discuss it with the Head of Slytherin. I will escort you to the infirmary with the rest of the knuckleheads," he chuckled.
xxxx
The group of injured Slytherin students were escorted to the infirmary. Madam Pomfrey, had her hands full, but it wasn't the first time it happened in all of her decades at Hogwarts. Their cuts were cleaned and covered in plaster whilst they groaned in pain. It took some time even, with the help of the Professors.
Avery drank a nasty, bitter potion to help regrow his teeth and had to stay. Lestrange had to get his nose fixed with an incantation to place it back, but the pain was too much. He was given a potion for the pain, and he quickly fell asleep. Malfoy's hand was nearly crushed when someone stepped on it during the fight. He drank the same one as Avery and needed to stay as well.
Black, who was trying to uphold his cousin's name, and Rosier were both lucky to have only suffered minor cuts. It would heal in a couple of days. One of them might have accidentally stepped on Malfoy's hand, whilst he was down on the ground but pretended not to see. Malfoy was always a bugger, using his family's name to do as he pleased.
Headmaster Dumbledore walked in with Tom, soon as Madam Pomfrey was ready to rest. "My apologies, Poppy, we have one more."
"Teen wizards will never change," she shook her head.
"They never will," agreed the Headmaster. "I will leave him to your care," he said, and quickly left with Professor Slughorn, the Head of Slytherin.
"If anyone fights in my infirmary, I will see to it that none of you ever leave until winter break. Am I clear?" Madam Pomfrey announced, once the Headmaster was gone.
They all nodded, except for Tom, who was sat on a bed in front of her, as she busily tended to his cuts and scrapes. He mumbled yes, whilst a cotton gauze that was doused In healing ointment, was between his lips, to help close the cut on his busted lip. His face was covered in plaster, one over the bridge of his nose, both cheeks and right eyebrow. His knuckles were tended to last. Luckily, he didn't have any broken bones, just small cuts. It was cleaned and covered in plaster.
Professor Slughorn came back in and informed them that Slytherin lost sixty points for all six students involved in the fight, and an additional fifty points for calling another student derogatory names, ten points for each time it was said. They were also all being punished and not able to play in the next two Quidditch matches. They were all unhappy about that since they were all part of the team. It meant they would most likely forfeit the games.
Before he left, Professor Slughorn warned that if any of this got out to their parents, there would be dire consequences that goes beyond the walls of Hogwarts. They all swore to secrecy and that they wouldn't fight again, but out of precaution, Headmaster Dumbledore pulled Tom out of the infirmary. They needed to find a place for him to stay for the night until they figured out what to do with the Slytherin dorm situation. The Headmaster didn't want another fight in the middle of the night.
They first headed to the Hufflepuff House Tower, where most students felt uncomfortable with him staying there. Slytherin students had a nasty habit of bullying their peers. The Ravenclaw House students were nearly half yes and no, but no won out by four votes. Lastly, they went to the Gryffindor House Tower. All the students looked at Hermione, who felt extremely uncomfortable. They were the last House and had nowhere else to turn.
"We have a spare bed in our room," Harry spoke up. Ron elbowed him. They shared the same room, along with Neville Longbottom.
"Alright with me," Neville agreed.
"Fine," Ron grumbled.
The rest of the House voted yes. He was a decent Slytherin since he started dating one of the smartest Gryffindor. They only disliked him during Quidditch matches.
Harry led him up to the room after Headmaster Dumbledore left. Everyone else went back to what they were doing. Hermione was too preoccupied to pay attention to the board game some of them were playing in the middle of the common room. It was going on for more than an hour and no one was close to winning.
All the friendly banter and shouting helped her be at ease. She regained her composure and cheered on her dorm mate, another Seventh Year, Angelina Johnson, who was highly competitive.
"Hermione," Harry interrupted. "He wants to see you. Upstairs."
She stepped away from the game, and walked along the crowded common room. When she finally made it to the bottom of the boy's dormitory stairs, he was sitting on the steps, waiting for her. She sat next to him. "Are you okay? Anything broken?"
"Just cuts," he answered and placed his arm around her waist and pulled her close. "Don't be mad."
"I'm not. I just," she sighed. "It's complicated, isn't it?"
"More than you think," he replied. "Parents are separated. They've been for a while now. The engagement was all Merope's idea."
"She's your mum. And I'm sorry about your parents."
"She kept me locked up at the Gaunt Estate," he said angrily. "If it wasn't for Headmaster Dumbledore, I wouldn't be here. I'll be living with my dad at Riddle Manor. Away from that crazy witch."
"She's still your mum," she replied. His mother always hated her and made it completely known on the two occasions she had dinner with them at their home. After the second dinner, she refused to come back and only met with Tom and his father, where he apologized profusely for his wife's behaviour.
"Not a very good one. Dad doesn't support the engagement either. He just wants me to be happy."
"Tom, you'll be an outcast and disowned by the Gaunt's."
Every family in the inner circle was influential in all levels of the Magical World. They had people everywhere and made it very difficult for Muggle born to find a footing, but they were countered by another group of families, who became outcasts. Longbottom's, Potter's, Weasley's, and McLaggen's, along with Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall, had a pretty good standing with people in the Ministry of Magic. They helped those who deserved to employed by the Ministry.
"It doesn't matter. Dad is on our side."
"It does matter. What about your future? You'll be blacklisted from the Ministry."
"I can just be a Quidditch player. They make loads of money. With my handsome good look, I'll have plenty of endorsements," he joked, as he posed and smiled.
She shook her head and sighed. "Please be serious for a minute. You're throwing away your future."
"I don't want one without you."
"We're still young."
"Exactly, we're still young. There's plenty of time to think about it."
"Tom," she pleaded.
"Hermione, I didn't fight them for us to break up."
"It's not what I meant. I just," she paused. "It's been a tough week."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It's not your fault. We both made the choice to stick together. Just have to endure a few more months here."
"I'll beat up everyone for you."
"And ruin this handsome face?" she leaned over and kissed his lips. "How are you supposed to get all those endorsements?" They laughed for a few seconds to relieve some tension. "You must be exhausted. Get some rest."
"I missed you," he replied. "Sleep can wait."
xxxx
The next morning, Tom was in the common room waiting for her whilst wearing his Slytherin uniform. It was an odd look in the room filled with Gryffindor colors surrounding him. He felt uncomfortable as he looked around. It was better than the other choice.
"You stick out like a sore thumb," she smiled at him as she made her way down the steps.
"So I've been told by your two guard dogs. They're already at the Great Hall."
"Ron can't miss breakfast."
They heard a shriek from the portrait when they stepped out together. The Fat Lady was elsewhere when the Headmaster and Tom came yesterday. "Oh, Merlins. Gryffindor must be turning in his grave."
They ignored her and walked to the Great Hall hand in hand. Most were used to it. They received nasty looks from his House mates until he returned the same stare. No one would dare fight him again after yesterday. They quickly remembered who he was and who his mother was. They had the same dark eyes.
When they arrived at the Great Hall, there were whispers and murmurs from the Slytherin table. Some weren't happy to see them together, and the others didn't say a word, afraid that he would retaliate like yesterday.
"Alright if I sit with you?"
"Of course. You already know my friends."
They sat with Ron and Harry. The rest of Gryffindor didn't bat an eye. After yesterday, they expected it. Though, it was somewhat strange to see Slytherin amongst them.
Classes weren't any easier. There was tension between the Slytherin students once he came in. It was worse when it was with Gryffindor they shared classes with. Professors had to break up arguments and separated students. It was a continued back and forth all day long. The halls were crowded and voices were raised. It was Slytherin against Slytherin, the other Houses stayed away.
As the week went on, it didn't get much better. The arguments continued, but at least no one fought or used wands to duel, as many Professors roamed the halls along with ghosts and portraits. The Head of Slytherin threatened all with severe punishments if they continued. It was beginning to drive him mad. They lost more points than the House had accumulated and were close to losing any rights to play Quidditch for the rest of the year.
Still, they couldn't let bygones be bygones. There was animosity and discomfort from the long time friends. Tom didn't care if he never went back there, and Headmaster Dumbledore made the decision to have him stay in the Gryffindor boy's dorm and sent his trunk there.
He was happier. They didn't make him feel like an outcast, also helped that he was one of the smartest wizard in their class. Group studies made it easy for all Seventh Year students. Ron bemoaned it, and so did Harry. Their friends were too busy studying for their N.E.W.T.s when they wanted to play games or relax.
Hermione was pleased with the change in their House. It was difficult to be happy when names were still shouted at her when she was alone. She couldn't be with one of them all the time. The words still hurt, but at least Tom's engagement was officially called off.
Instead, Black and Lestrange were engaged. The official announcement would come during the holiday break and neither of the Riddle's were invited, not that they would go even if they were. The Riddle's divorce was still pending, but Merope returned to using her Gaunt surname and never asked about her son. It was for the best for all.
The name-calling decreased, but there were still moments here and there. Weeks flew by quickly with so many things going on before the end of the year. They had exams to study for that took up most of their time, especially those taking five or more subjects. The holiday cheers weren't exactly cheerful but filled with stress.
The last week before holidays were crazy for both Professors and students. The exams turned them into zombies as they prepared all day and night without much sleep. Some were sad that they had to stay at Hogwarts for the holidays because their parents or guardians were going to be busy for those two weeks. The distressed students had to be calmed in between classes.
When the last bell rang before their break, cheers broke out in the halls. The exams were over. They had two weeks to relax and not think of anything. They could eat, sleep or play to their hearts content.
The Great Hall was filled for the last night. There was a huge feast on the tables for everyone to enjoy. They did so, with smiles on their faces.
xxxx
The holidays were passing by too quickly. It was a blur. The two weeks were a whirlwind of emotions. The Riddle's and Granger's spent it together at the Riddle Mansion. They were brought there through Apparition By Tom's father, who was more accustomed to it. They were dizzy the first few minutes, but everything went back to normal after.
Her parents were in awe most of the time, as it was huge and extravagant. There were many halls and passages all throughout. It was easy to get lost if one didn't know their way around. They were given their own room. Hermione had hers, although Tom kept sneaking in after their parents went to sleep, and placed a Quietening Charm. Not that either parent didn't have an inkling. They were always exhausted in the morning.
It was also the first time parents were in a Magical Village. There was a different feeling as they walked through the streets. They couldn't help but smile most of the time. There was a calmness around them, and it wasn't too loud like the city, nor busy.
On Christmas morning, they exchanged gifts, but the biggest surprise was when Tom proposed in front of their parents and the house elves. Hermione was too shocked to give an answer. Her eyes kept drifting to him on his knees holding up a platinum ring with an emerald surrounded by tiny diamonds, he was a Slytherin after all, and back to everyone around them. She loved him, that much she knew.
"Can we talk in private?"
He closed the back box and placed it back inside his trousers pocket. Her parents weren't surprised. He asked for their blessings on the day they arrived. They were both still so young, but nonetheless they gave their blessings to him. Knowing their daughter, she wouldn't give an answer right away. She always had to think about it until she was sure, and there was not a doubt in her mind.
They walked to his father's study and locked the door behind them. Her heart was still racing when they were finally alone.
"What were you thinking?" she asked, as she paced back and forth in front of his father's desk. She loved him, she felt it in every fiber of her being, but it scared her because she knew nothing last forever. They almost broke up once, and it still hurts her to know that she was so easily replaceable. Her world and his were too different. There were more powerful forces wanting them apart.
"I've already told you how I felt. Why is it so surprising that I proposed?" he said as he leaned on the desk and watched her. He smiled at the thought of them spending their lives together.
She stopped in front of him. "We haven't talked about marriage or children or anything pertaining to it. This is a huge deal, Tom. It's a lifetime commitment. We're still young."
He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her waist. He was sure of it. The moment they argued and almost broke up, he was sure then that he didn't want anyone else but her. Since the moment his mother tried to get him engaged, he knew that there was no one else for him but her. "We don't have to get married right away."
"But you proposed."
"I was there," he retorted. "Don't you feel the same way about me? There's no one else for me, Hermione."
"How would you even know? You haven't been with anyone else."
His arms loosened around her. "Is there someone else?"
"Of course not. It's not what I meant. Sorry it came out that way. I just," she sighed. Her emotions were all over the place. The exams only made her forget for a short while that she was disliked by many because she was dating him. "What if we end up like your parents. They married young."
"Because they had to. It was arranged like most pure blood marriage. This is different. Our circumstances are different. Don't you see us having a future together?" he placed his arms around her waist again and pulled her close.
"I do. We've talked about it but not marriage."
"What's the difference? We'll be together either way. Neither of us has to wonder what the future may hold. We can wait a year or two before getting married. It doesn't have to be soon. After Hogwarts, we can live together like we planned."
"Tom, I love you. I don't have an answer for you, at least not one that you want. I'm sorry," she buried her face in her hand. She hated that the past was still on her mind and giving her doubts.
"Hermione," he softly grabbed her hand and lowered it. Tears ran down her cheeks. "What's really going on? This isn't about my proposal, is it?"
She shook her head as she wiped her tears. "After what happened before," she paused briefly to gather her thoughts. She hated that others made her doubt herself. "There's so many who would like to see us break up."
"Who cares what others think?"
"Tom, you're not the one who continues to get attacked. There's only so much I can take. What if your mother tries something else?" she asked, she wasn't sad but angry. They didn't like her because she was a Muggle born.
"She's no longer in my life," he replied as he wiped her tear stained cheeks with his sleeve. "I love you, Hermione. I know I don't say it often enough. I love you more than anything in this world. After what we've been through, I don't ever want to lose you."
"I'm sorry. I just can't stop thinking of what happened before and what can happen. You can do so much better, you know?"
"There's no one better or smarter or prettier. I don't want anyone else. I only need you."
She nodded and hugged him. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It's not your fault. I didn't realize it still bothered you. I'll do better."
"It's not your fault either," she wiped her eyes as she looked at him. "I don't doubt what you feel for me. I want what you want, I do, but I'm scared of what could happen."
"No matter what, I won't let anything come between us," he tightened his arms around her.
"You don't know that."
"Let's try. The both of us together," he leaned down and kissed her lips. "Marry me."
"You're not asking," she replied.
"I'm tired of waiting," he smirked.
"It hasn't been an hour since you proposed," she retorted.
"Will you marry me?" he pulled out the box from his pocket and opened it.
"It's beautiful," she said as she stared at it. "Yes, Tom, I'll marry you."
The Riddle's and Granger's had a lot to celebrate that night, but their children, who were not so little anymore, assured them that they would wait to get married and not rush into it.
end.