Author: Brandi Vincent
Disclaimer: This is the sequel to Demon Beneath My Will; I do not own any of J.K. Rowling's characters except for Shane Pompe.
Summary: It seems a new character has entered the picture, except he is a Riddle and very well known, and he doesn't look like he wants to have tea and crumpets with Hermione anytime soon.
~~~Chapter 3: The First Death Eater~~~
By that Friday, everyone was restless from working hard all week for that one-week trip to London. Hermione and Shane had been working together every night since Monday, causing a bit of jealousy and turmoil between Shane and Draco. Draco did NOT trust Mr. Smooth-talker, and he was going to make sure pretty boy did try anything too smooth.
"So I was thinking we give The Lord of the Rings series as an example, you?" Hermione asked as they sat at a desk in the common room together.
"Perfect! I guarantee we will have the only A," Shane replied confidently, scooting a little closer to Hermione.
He was interrupted from going any further by James, the purple painting of a Cheshire Cat, "I interrupt your studying to bring you an urgent news flash from outside," he said dully, drumming his fingers and holding his head up with a paw.
"Oh great," Shane mumbled, obviously annoyed and confident who it was.
"Draco, I presume?" Hermione replied as James eyes rolled over.
"He threatened me again, Ms. Granger! Another insult like he gave me and I'm going to have that poker playing pug down the corridor take my place!" James exclaimed, hopping up.
"No need to get back out there, James. I'll open common room door," Hermione insisted, getting up and walking across the room.
"So," James asked Shane, "you come here often?"
Hermione swung open the common room door and portrait and clearly saw Draco looking around, then up at her. She had that annoyed, 'I'm expecting an explanation NOW' look on her face. His face sort of brightened up, hoping to cheer her up as well.
"Hey, you!" He said in that happy though sorry tone.
"What is it NOW, Draco? You've been coming here to check up on me all week! Shane is sitting over there, not on my lap! The only thing he is touching is his quill! What important lie have you mustered up tonight?" Hermione snapped, having Shane over hearing. He snickered at him and leaned over for him to see.
Draco growled in anger, and turned his attention back on Hermione. "I didn't come by to claim you...at least tonight I haven't. Dumbledore told me there is no possible way for Voldemort to get out. He also concluded it's probably a mind trick or an image of what the sword had killed. I know it's not true, but he said I could have it back anyway tonight. I was sort of hoping you'd go down with me and practice sword fighting? I am definite Lucius will be back, so we'll have to learn a few new moves anyway," his eyes seemed so hopeful and persistent, that Hermione couldn't help but smile.
"Fine," she replied, turning back to Shane who was chatting with James, "Shane! I'll meet you here later, I'm going to get Draco's sword back!"
Shane looked up, glancing at Draco. He stood up and strutted towards them, pulling his robe off, "You can sword fight?"
"Yes," Draco replied, annoyed and irritated.
"Well, I've been the #1 Sword Fighter in England ever since I was twelve. Would you like to battle your wits with me later?"
"No thanks. Come on, Hermione," Draco replied ignoring the brunette.
"What's the matter, Malfoy? Bit beyond you standards? Don't worry, I'll go easy on you," Shane smirked and sighed, seeing Draco as an amateur. Hermione groaned, knowing all too well what Draco would say next.
"You're on, pretty boy," he huffed through clenched teeth, "Though I must warn you, I've been at it for years. I've been through a lot more fights than you have in your whole life span."
"Oh, and counting the fight you had with Hermione where you almost killed her?" He pondered, looking completely thoughtful and innocent.
"That…was...not…me," Draco barely mumbled as Shane's statement hit him hard in the gut.
"Is that so? Then who was it, the Black Satan? Little boy, that demon is still apart of you. It will always be apart of you. And I suppose only I can comply to notice you are evolving into it yet again," Shane smirked, speaking quite clearly.
"All right, ENOUGH!" Hermione shouted, getting in between the two before Draco could jump. "If you two want to have a sensible sword fight, fine! Be my guess! But I'm not going to be there to watch!" She yelled, then abruptly turning on her heel and into her room, slamming the door behind her.
"Well then. Are we going to settle this like men or fight for the title of the alpha male right here? Only that is the ignorant and air headed way, but either way you choose," Shane told Draco, still leaning against the wall.
"Fine by me. But I want witnesses to spread around that I have claimed the adrenaline rush of victory, got it? Sunday, do you accept or are you a coward?" Draco replied, acting more adult. He didn't want to result to having to mimic Shane, but it was the intelligent reply.
"Agreed. But I suggest you don't keep your hopes up," Shane replied, slamming the common room door on Draco's face.
~~~~~~
Tom Riddle brushed past Hermione, grabbing her by the waist gently and pulling her closer to his firm chest. "You will join me, Hermione?" She didn't dare breath but only closed her eyes, nestling her head against his shoulder.
"I…I…" she stammered, trying to slow her heart rate down as he began to trace his fingers slowly down her stomach. Though they were still clothed except for his unbuttoned shirt, she felt naked and naughty. Something she regretted.
"…Yes?" He implored, licking her ear lobe.
Wait, what am I doing? She though suddenly, as getting back to her senses. This is Tom Riddle! I'm not safe with him! Where am I? She pushed away, escaping his grip, "What are you doing?" She asked, her eyes falling to his firmly formed chest, then snapping back up to his face.
"Exploring your mind, helping you become what you are," he replied seductively, chest pounding. "I know what you can really be, do not be afraid of him or me. We're here to help. To make your horrible life better. Freedom and passion is all you thrive for. Let him lead you, and me handle the rest."
"What do you mean?" She asked curiously, stumbling backwards.
"Well, when I died, my spirit took over. That is he, and in him is me at my younger stage. It was predicted Gore-Fest would happen," he sighed, leaning against a wall in the shadows, "But I did not take it seriously. Though, just in case, I made him. He was created. You may not know exactly who at first, but when it does happen, you will. It could be anybody to you. Draco didn't work with my little demon, so it was given to my other half. He will help you, and you will forget about Draco."
"I don't understand. Who?" Hermione asked eagerly, stepping forward.
Tom smirked and stepped forward as well, challenging her. "Why Hermione, you already know," with that said, he yanked her head forward with one strong hand and forced his tender lips on hers, making rough movements until pulling away.
And that's when her dream ended.
Hermione snapped her eyes open and sat up in bed quickly, her covers feeling a little bit too hot. What just happened? She thought, feeling her forehead. Maybe that was some sort of prophecy or prediction…or mere coincidence…
She looked over to the digital clock on her bed stand. It was only three a.m. She sighed, thinking her dream or nightmare over. That was Tom Riddle, and you know when Tom Riddle is in a dream it's either just a horrible nightmare or it had a purpose. Since he was talking and touching, not stalking, she figured it was meant for her. But was it really…Voldemort?
~~~~~~
Hermione had thought in bed for a couple of hours, not realizing the time. When she came to recollecting the time again, she figured she could catch Draco practicing Quidditch on the field. Indeed, he was captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team for the second time, and now he has been focusing more on the snitch rather than punching Harry in the air for amusement. She had seen him play once last year, although trying to focus on Harry and Ron talking she couldn't help notice his agility and style. Possibly he had gotten better.
She changed into a black shirt and stretchy black pants, throwing her robe on as well. Pulling a brush through her hair, she pulled on her long tie-up boots and opened her door silently. Even though she doubted Shane would be up at five a.m. in the morning, she still didn't want to break the silence the room held.
It was almost December, so not many would be out practicing Quidditch, but had that ever stopped Draco before? Dumbledore had announced earlier in the week that the Quidditch games would begin in March, since it would be too cold before then.
Hermione opened the common room door silently and crept out, as a cheery voice made her jump. "Hermione! How pleasant to see you at such an hour! I am normally in the cheese portrait dealing cards with the teacup mouse a corridor down, but this morning I decided to just stay here in my little tree and relax. Plus, I had a little chat with Shane earlier in the hour. He already left somewhere, I forgot," James told her delightfully, giving her his enormous, half-moon shaped beam.
"Wait, Shane already left?" Hermione asked, looking up at him.
"Oh, yes! Just about half an hour ago! He left with this huge, difficult book. I suspect he went to read in the library or the lawn," he replied, balancing on the deformed branch.
"Oh, well," she replied quizzically, wondering why he hadn't just read in the common room, "I bid you good-bye, James."
"Fare well! See you later in the day!" James waved, now swinging on his branch. Hermione nodded to him and walked down the tower, her robe end flailing behind her.
As she skimmed past the library, she peeked inside to check if Shane was actually in there. She sort of needed someone up to her intelligence to speak to about her inane dream. The oblivion of it all was a little odd for her to acknowledge, so she needed help to comprehend it. No, he wasn't in there. Not a soul anywhere in the corridors, so she just decided to stop checking rooms and go out to the field.
It was cold, but not as cold as the day before when it was 50 degrees. Actually, there was just a cold wafting breeze in the air and the rest was solitude. And there, about thirty feet in the sky, was Draco's beautiful face blood letting under his eye and on his lip.
Hermione gasped, stepping back a bit to see why he was bleeding so early in the morning. At the right of him was Shane on his broom, whacking him across the head with the end of his broom. Draco spun around in the air but got back on track, swinging a punch at Shane's jaw. Shane ducked and whacked him in the jaw with the front of him broom. Draco turned upside down, losing his conscience. His eyes began closing slowly and his head began nodding down, then he saw Hermione
She looked utterly disgusted in the both of them, yet worried. Worried he would fall, and he didn't want her to panic about his safety. So he snapped his head back up and flew behind Shane in an instant, bopping him on the head. Shane's chin hit the beginning of his broom hard, having it sore and bleed. As he was looking down, he saw Hermione as well and panicked, looking over to Draco and flying down. Draco followed, beating him to the grass. He planted his feet on the ground and mounted off his broom, looking up to her.
Now she seemed pissed. He decided it would be best to just stay where he was until pretty boy came down. Soon enough, Shane mounted off of his broom, sharing a glare at Draco as Draco did to him. Hermione, glaring at them both, stepped forward, her arms folded across her chest.
"So. This is practice and reading?" Hermione asked sarcastically, looking to one then the other.
"Guess that clears it up," Draco replied, clutching both ends of his Slytherin Quidditch uniform with his beige snitch-catching gloves. He liked to wear it when he was flying; it made him feel a little important, plus he thought he looked damn sexy in it.
Damn, he does look sexy in that, and has that innocent look on his face…what if he just pulled that green robe off? Hermione thought, looking him up and down, then shaking the thought away, and remembering she was mad at them. Then she saw Shane, who was not in uniform but was on the Ravenclaw Quidditch. They looked winded, and also pretty hot, but that didn't change her mind…if she could help it.
"We're terribly sorry, Hermione," Shane insisted, attempting to step forward, "A bit of turmoil steamed between us, so we decided to settle it in a childish matter."
"Please," Draco rolled his eyes, leaning against his broom, "I bet him he couldn't beat me in a race on our brooms, I won, and he got all smart ass on me. I started it, okay?"
"Fine! But if I EVER catch you fist fighting again, it will be my foot in your ass, got it?" Hermione told them, tightening her robe around her shoulders.
"Well… That was very well put," Draco replied, walking towards her as Shane stayed put.
"Then I best be on my way," he said, grabbing his broom and book and walking off of the field, "But before I leave, Draco, we are still on for our duel, right?"
"What is it with you two and proving who is the bigger alpha male?!" Hermione groaned; making sure Draco didn't get too close after her obvious anger.
"We're on and don't worry, Hermione. We just like to have a little…fun. In a bloody sort of way, but you see my point," Draco persisted, glaring at Shane.
"You constantly seem anti-disestablishmentarianism, which practically means against the society's laws," Shane informed him, "I'll see you later, Hermione."
"Like hell you will," Draco muttered, standing next to Hermione.
"I'm getting fed up with you and Shane," she told him, shaking her head.
"He's an annoying pick! He's not perfect one bit!" He exclaimed, kicking a pile of dirt.
"That is so cute! You're jealous that he's been spending more time with me and are afraid I might like him more! Look, Draco, I've only one hero in my life, and he's the one that saved the world," she said, kissing him on his cheek.
"Not necessarily, my father of the year is still out there. Come London he'll show up, I know it. But I'll be prepared. Maybe not as much as him but all the same I will be," Draco promised, padding his broom back and forth.
"Maybe that's why Dumbledore gave you back the sword. Like he said, it's probably just a flashing image of him, not really him. Maybe he thinks that you'd be better off fighting Lucius by yourself and without tons of other's by your side. Though I think having tons of wizards by you side would help a bit… Just remember that you have a lot on your side. Professor Snape, Professor Lupin, Dumbledore, me, etc," Hermione reassured him, patting his firm stomach twice.
"Possibly," he looked down at his broom and handed it to Hermione, "Want to learn how to fly a broom?" He owned a Snitcher, one of the fastest brooms on the market, and the amount of the Snitchers was limited. She looked at it for a moment, before taking it one hand and holding it at her side.
"Sure," she replied as he got behind her in a pinto-second.
"First, you mount the broom firmly," she put either leg at the side of the broom, "Then bend down and shoot yourself in the air. It's as simple as that. You'd only have to learn how to control it, which is easy with that broom." Hermione did so and boosted herself in the air, a little nervous and cold. She stayed about ten feet above the ground for a moment, until she learned how to balance her body. Soon enough, she was going left to right slowly, getting the hang of it. She was going rather slowly, as to be careful, until she flew higher, liking the adrenaline rush of it all. She looked down to see Draco staring back up at her, both hands stuffed inside of his green robe pocket. She looked to the door that led back inside of the Hogwarts castle, and spotted Professor Snape. Gasping, she lost control for a minute, flying higher, until seeing someone else with him.
It was the beautiful, dark Professor Figgs. Hermione smiled, thinking it to be quite cute of Professor Snape. I'm not one to talk, but he really needs to get laid, she thought, shaking her head. Professor Figg's mother had been pretty scary in their 5th year, Hermione even thought she scared Snape. But her daughter was different. She was kind, pretty, but certainly had a bit of nasty and scary thoughts and ideas going around under those black locks of hair. Professor Snape seemed to be enjoying himself too, obviously had yet to spot her and Draco. Then she looked down to her hero, who certainly had noticed him.
He looked up at her with panicked eyes, until mellowing down when he saw her calm ones. They were only practicing their flying, so Snape couldn't sue them for that, plus it was a Saturday.
"Good morning, Professor Snape and Professor Figgs!" Hermione yelled, waving a hand and balancing herself with the other one. Professor Snape looked up and sort of sneered, before remembering his manners and waving back.
"What are you two doing out here so early in the morning?" Snape yelled back and Professor Figgs waved to Hermione.
"What are you two doing out here so early in the morning?" Draco replied, looking at Snape.
Snape hesitated a moment, "Just out for a walk. Besides, I should be asking the questions!"
"Indeed you shall but it's a Saturday. A little too brisk of a morning to be out for a walk, indeed?" Draco asked, Hermione and him staring at Snape.
Snape hesitated again, before deciding, "Fine, smart mouth, I didn't see you and you didn't see me."
Hermione giggled a little, never had seeing Snape so jittery. They agreed and went on their way, as Professor Figgs smiled and waved good-bye.
"Well, that was awkward-" Hermione heard Draco say, before a jolt of pain tugged at her brain and her eyes glazed over.
What's happening? She thought, holding onto the broom tightly.
Don't worry, another seductive voice drawled in her mind, I'll catch you. Somehow her mind relaxed and eased, as the voice came again, Little kitty bats a ball, forgetting all and forgiving all. All she knows is that she's loving, poor little kitty never saw it coming, it sang. Suddenly, her heart skipped a beat and her mind kept skimming over memories and flashes. She began jolting side to side in the air, as it didn't say another word. She could only see black and colorful spots.
All of a sudden, she felt herself falling into the cold air. It felt sort of fun, not knowing where you're going but just falling and falling. She heard a muffled scream of her name, but she ignored it, falling.
Until she hit the ground hard. Poor little kitty…
~~~~~~
She saw Tom Riddle again, leaning against the door of the infirmary, smirking. He frightened her somehow, it was possibly just his aura, but there was something evil luring about him. Something mysterious begging to get out. She sat up, looking around. There was no one in sight, just Tom and herself in the room. She felt her head; there was a bandage on it. She looked down, where her wrists and ankles were wrapped up too. Then she looked up at him.
"You did this, you made me fall," Hermione accused with a dry voice, too weak to get up and slap him.
"I'll admit I did it, but I did it to help you," Tom replied, pushing himself off of the wall and stepping towards her.
"Why do you keep saying that? You're not helping me! You're only making me go crazy!" She scooted away from him, trying to make him not touch her.
"I did it to warn you," he replied, resting a hand on the bed. "You're not safe with him!"
"I'm not safe with you!" She exclaimed, forming a wad of spit in her mouth and shooting it on his forehead, between his eyes.
He wiped it off slowly, cringing, but not losing his temper. "Kitten, you did this to yourself. You're letting me get in your mind. Only you can let me in, and that means you're depressed. You did not care if I came and crept in your thoughts. If I'm ever in any of your dreams or fantasies or in your presence, it's real. It is I and this is I. I'm warning you, if you stay with him you will get killed too."
"You'd kill me sure enough! Why do you want me?" Hermione snapped, avoiding his hand.
He chuckled softly, looking down, "You will find out sure enough." He paused a moment, then looked into her eyes. "Have you not noticed he didn't catch you? He had enough strength and enough time, yet he hadn't the effort to catch you."
She glared back at him until realizing he was right. But there had to be something wrong, something was wrong. It got even more wrong when Tom pulled her head towards him and forced his lips on hers. She didn't want him anywhere near her, but something came over her. She returned the kiss, as he slipped his tongue in her mouth.
What is going on? Why am I going crazy? Hermione thought with a small tear, as he pulled her closer roughly and stuck his tongue deeper down her throat. She could hardly breath, but somewhere in her said who cares?
Tom pushed her down on the bed and tangled his fingers in her hair, licking every last spot in the roof of her mouth. This is insane, she thought, horrified. Once getting back to her own self, she attempted to push him away. She closed her mouth, pushing his slithering tongue out of it and closed her eyes tightly, wanting nothing more than for him to go away.
"Kitty…" he purred, nuzzling and nibbling on her neck.
"Go away," she growled in a croaky voice.
"My kitten has some bite in her," Tom said lightly, chopping his teeth in her face, "I'm actually not really here. It is me, of course, but I can disappear like that before anyone could see me."
"Then go away and spare yourself some time!" Hermione replied, trying to push him off.
"But then I'd be bored. I'm merely amusing myself," he got up, having one knee at each side of her waist, "and this is quite amusing." He began straddling her waist; moving his hips back and forth and up and down.
"Get off!" Hermione shouted, too weak to punch or slap him.
"Hermione?" A familiar, reassuring voice called, stepping towards the infirmary.
"Oh, that's not fair," Tom pouted, looking over his shoulder, "I'm leaving, but when I come back, it's his turn to fall." He disappeared right as Draco opened the door and stepped inside.
"What's the matter?" Draco asked, speeding towards her.
"Him…he was here…" Hermione told him, sitting up, and "Tom-" Then she stopped, figuring this would only worry and destroy him. "I mean I…dreamed about a guy named Tom…"
"Sure…" He replied, sitting down next to her, "Are you ok, now?"
"Yea, I guess," she answered, hesitating a moment, "Draco, why didn't you catch me? You could have."
He scratched the back of his neck, sighing, "Snape had called me over just a moment before, and I was too late to run back to catch you. I'm sorry, I feel like an idiot. But what I can't get out of my mind was why you fell. Didn't you have control of it?" He stood back up, facing her at the bedside.
Hermione, trying to pay attention, saw in the corner of her eye Tom. He was standing right behind Draco. She didn't know whether that to scream, cry, or warn him, so she stayed shut. Tom's charming eyes caught her stare, and he smirked, having the 'up to something' expression.
"Hermione?" Draco asked curiously, staring at her.
"Oh, um, I lost my train of thought so I lost balance of the broom," Hermione replied quickly, keeping one eye on Draco and one eyes on Tom. Tom was now pulling something out from behind his back; it was Draco's sword. She gasped as he began to shimmer it in the light and balancing it on one finger. How he got it she'll never know, but he didn't look like he was about to cut cake with it. He raised one eyebrow and raised it high above his head, the blade pointed for Draco.
"NO!" She screamed, shooting up from the bed. Draco turned around in time to see Tom disappear, the sword clinging against the floor.
"What the hell?!" Draco cursed, staring at the sword, "Who the hell was that?!"
"Tom Riddle," Hermione stated in monotone, clearly showing this meant business. "I had a dream about him this morning, then he made me fall off of the broom in the air. Then, about a minute ago, he was here seducing me, now this! He attempted to kill you! I have been violated the last time!"
Draco's face twisted in a disgusted hatred, now glaring at his sword, "He's the first Death Eater, he can do just about anything he wants. We can't necessarily stop him, but we can prevent him from doing anymore damage. Are you strong enough to make it to Dumbledore's office?"
Hermione nodded, grabbing hold of his arm and standing up, still in her black pants and black shirt. He helped her up and grabbed his sword, walking out with Hermione stumbling beside him.
Tom reappeared in the infirmary, cringing with sarcasm, "Little kitten's got a big scary dog on her side," he thought aloud. "All I need to wait for is London."
~~~TBC~~~
Chapter Four of Damned Eyes: Nah, I'm too lazy to say…
BrAnDi's Note: Well that took longer than expected. I was originally going to call this Sword Fight, since I was planning the sword fight in this chapter, but it never happened. Ok, to the people who just skim this story, I suggest you just start all over and read it again. You probably missed A LOT and missed a lot of the plot. This takes longer to upload, since I have another story Thoughtless where Draco and Hermione go to a muggle school. I even thought the plot was stupid at first, but if you listen to KoRn you'd see why I named it Thoughtless. Ehm. I'm hungry, gawd damnit! I want Krispie Kremes!!! I want Ramen! I want a lot of things…wait, what was I saying?