authorsnotes: this was actually hard to write at some points, which means I know I'm doing it right.

here we go.

do follow/fav and all that jazz', leave a review, I am dying to know what y'all think of this chapter.

songrecs: psychofreak - camila cabello (her new album familia is out today and it slaaaaaaps).

The next week should have been focused, simple.

After all, they had another set of mock NEWTS in November. The first set had been in September, and she had performed well, all 'O's', that one Defence Against the Dark Arts 'E' that wouldn't seem to leave her alone, but she knew she still had space to improve in other areas as well. After all Tom had outstripped her with ease, at school for two weeks and he had rocketed past the teacher's pet, she knew now he'd been here two months she had little chance of beating him, but she was still determined to get second.

Though, the idea of aiming for stomach made her stomach turn and a flood of annoyance fill her. Sure, she would keep second, had no plans to let Malfoy overtake her or any of the Ravenclaws nipping at the heels of the top 3, but the idea of settling made her so annoyed.

She had thus planned to spend the next week living in the library (though now her old faithful spot made her feel things that did not help her with her studying, thanks to Tom – if he didn't beat her so easily already, she'd have sworn he slept with her in the library to distract her, alas, he needed no such duplicity), head down, books surrounding her, slightly manic energy she always got around exams.

That had been the plan.

But then…

Then in her fit of lonely insecurity she'd spilled just what had been upsetting her to Tom (one of the many things, she was sure she wasn't meant to feel quite so low as she had since getting with Tom, but then they hardly had a normal relationship, and thankfully the lows had been chased away … for now at least), and he had responded with an arm over her shoulders, the undeniable clarity that she was his, 'And I'm yours' – that had been even better.

Hermione had never considered herself a possessive person, and yet when Tom had said he was hers, just as she was his, she'd never felt so pleased.

All of that put together, had resulted in quite the gossip storm at Hogwarts, and more.

He'd walked her into the Three Broomsticks, arm around her, had got them both butterbeers, and then they'd sat in the corner, going through one of the books Tom had picked up – 'The Advanced Guide to Defensive Casting', whilst trying not to be aware of how everyone was looking at them.

Tom hadn't seemed bothered, just talked to her, his hand on her knee, and when he wasn't talking he was devouring the book in front of him in a way she found quite sexy; she'd always liked intelligence as a trait, and the thirst for knowledge to match her own.

She too had tried not to be bothered, but it had been challenging as some people had openly gaped at them even, and many hadn't even bothered to hide their utter disbelief.

The Gryffindor Golden Girl with the new Slytherin Gang Leader, Hermione could understand their curiosity and even disbelief, but that didn't mean she had to like it.

Hermione was more like Harry than Ron in that regard, she'd never want fame, never want to be at the centre. Yes, she liked to be the best academically, but she'd never be suited to being in front of everyone.

"Just ignore them" Tom had offered her, again seemingly unbothered as he had come back with a second round (when she'd offered to pay, he'd dismissed her, describing himself as 'old fashioned' Hemione had bristled but dropped it as he'd insisted).

"Everyone is looking at us" She hissed under her breath, not noticing she'd scooched a touch closer to Tom, not that she needed him as a shield, but she did find herself shrinking away from the sea of eyes fixed upon them and the undercurrent of chatter that followed.

"So?" Tom said with a roll of his eyes, "Let them stare, they don't matter, not like you, not like me"

Tom sometimes knew exactly what to say. Hermione didn't consider herself to be a snob, never thought of herself as better than others (her House Elf crusade spoke to that), but his words somehow soothed her, allowing her to actually focus on the book.

It was like being on a date, the closest she'd ever had – a boy and girl sat in a pub, enjoying drinks, and discussing the intricacies of using shield charms to rebound curses; it was perfect.

Until they got back to the Castle.

Again, the stares continued as they trudged back, Tom's arm slung over her shoulder again, tucking her into his side as the cold air whipped at them, snow would soon come she knew. She wondered where she and Tom would be then, when the first snow fell. Better? Worse? She didn't know, and yet for once she felt more optimistic about their relationship than she ever had.

Though as the week wore on, her good mood started to dull, first to irritation and then outright hostility.

The looks didn't stop, nor did the whispering, even goddamn pointing at one point, and that wasn't even the worst of it.

Of course, Harry had already known what was going on, and so he had lent her the Marauders map, so she could avoid the crowds of people gaping. He hadn't said anything, just made her promise she'd come to him if she needed; sweet, loyal Harry, just as she'd hoped.

The Weasley's were a different story.

As she'd arrived at the Tower from Hogsmeade, within the hour word had swept through the castle, and Ron and Ginny had found her in the common room, both with varying reactions. Ginny had been flabbergasted, 'What are you thinking?', Ron more hostile, 'Are you insane?' Eventually Ginny had calmed down, promised 'they'd talk' and Ron had stormed off and not spoken to her since.

To be expected, but still disappointing.

And the rest of the school were just in shock. It took a lot of effort not to snap at first years pointing at her or fifth years giggling and gossiping.

What was most infuriating was none dared do any of this in front of Tom, not after the first day, he had a reputation for being a bit scary after all, and extremely gifted with a wand, so though people still looked at them on the few occasions they'd left dinner together or walked to class together, he wasn't getting nearly as much attention as she was.

"Just hex a few of them" He'd suggested the night they'd met in the library, thankful her spot crammed in the back had yet to be discovered … for now, "That'll stop anyone else"

"Tom I can't do that" Hermione had said with a roll of her eyes, "I'm a prefect"

Tom had just shrugged, "That's how I'd deal with it"

She had no doubt about that, though she wasn't sure Tom would leave it at a few hexes.

She felt she should be more worried about that, and yet when they went their separate ways after studying and two Hufflepuff girls giggled and followed her back to the Tower she almost employed his techniques, almost.

Taking the high ground sometimes sucked.

And so, the quite week that was meant to be focused on studying had her more distracted than ever. Her late-night library sessions tucked away with Tom were the only thing keeping her on track.

And they didn't always do that.

Three times he'd grown bored of studying, and his hand on her knee had risen further and further, a silencing charm cast over them (at her insistence), just in time for him to hoist her up against the wall, or bend her over the desk, her moans soon filling the space, no doubt to be heard if there had been no charm.

It felt good though, great, and she found it a perfect outlet for her frustrations. She gave as good as Tom did, pushing back against him, her legs quivering under her, her teeth biting down on his lip. In response he had growled, tugged her back by the hair before making it so she could barely even walk, bruises blossoming on her hips. They went at it roughly, no 'making love' or tender kisses, just raw, brutal pleasure that had her seeing spots.

He always kissed her after though, just once, and her heart fluttered as he did, before they'd settled down to study as though nothing had happened, bar Tom's smirk and her little grin of course.

Studying, sex, staring – the week leading up to her NEWT mocks had been a strange one, and yet even with Ron mad at her, even with the awful onlookers, she knew deep down she wouldn't change going public, wouldn't change the way she felt with Tom now.

If it wasn't already love she knew it would be soon.

And for the first time she only felt a fleck of fear at the thought – she'd give Tom her heart, already had really, and for the first time she felt perhaps she could trust him with it.

Perhaps.

It was a day before NEWTS when things got worse, somehow.

Potions had been tough, and she knew her hair had poofed up like a haystack. For once she'd been thankful that Tom's feelings for her (whatever they were), kept the Slytherins at bay, she was sure if Malfoy had quipped about her hair, she'd have flung something at him.

But no, instead as Professor Calhorn dismissed them it was Ron who caused her trouble.

"Library later?" She'd asked Tom as they'd left and he'd nodded, before turning away. They didn't do PDA in public, Hermione never a fan of seeing couples try and devour one another outside classrooms or in the Great Hall, Tom, thankfully felt the same.

Besides her cheeks were already a little red as she knew they'd more than make up for it in the library later, she could certainly wait.

Her little smile soon dropped though as Harry joined her, Ron trailing behind, though as soon as he saw her, he stepped out, cheeks already a little red, stopping her in her tracks, ignoring Harry's "Ron c'mon" – oh great.

She knew Ron would come back for a round two, she had just hoped he'd have cooled down by then. She did love Ron after all, as a friend, and yet it seemed her perception that he was happy with Lavender, that any jealousy was gone had been wrong.

For her it was, for her she had soon realised her childhood crush on Ron was just that; a crush, cured basically as soon as Tom had spoken to her. For Ron she had thought he was making a real go of things with Lavender, and yet she was reminded of their conversation in Charms…

A year ago, Hermione wouldn't have even realised he was jealous, and perhaps now that wasn't the primary emotion, anger at the idea of her 'fraternising with a Slytherin' taking over, but she could see now the undercurrent of jealousy there.

A year ago, she would have been thrilled, now she didn't need nor want it, and only felt a flicker of worry at how Tom would feel if he knew Ron still had feelings for her.

There was a reason she'd shut down Ron so thoroughly last time, she knew Tom was possessive, more so than even she'd come to feel for him, and he would no take too kindly to Ron having feelings for her. He was fine with Harry, clearly clued in that she and Harry were like siblings, but she knew he wouldn't feel the same way about Ron.

"Hermione" Ron's cheeks were blotted red already, damn, this wouldn't be good.

"Ron, let's not…" But he shut her down, jumped in immediately.

"We need to talk about this more" He insisted, and she could already see students lingering, those walking past crowding in. Fuck. When had her life become something of note? She didn't want this; she didn't want people prodding in her personal life.

"Later then" She said, she knew Ron wouldn't drop this, but she didn't need it in front of everyone.

"No" Ron insisted; he'd always been more comfortable at the centre of things than she, though this time he just seemed determined, "You'll just avoid me again" She almost blushed, he was likely right.

"I don't want to talk about this with you Ron" She said firmly, knowing it couldn't be avoided now, but hoping to head it off, "I know you don't approve, nor like Tom, that's fine, but you have no say in my love life"

"He's a bad guy" Ron said, his hands screwed into fists, Hermione had no worry of him hurting her, but she hoped he didn't end up punching a wall, that would set the gossipers off, "He's just screwing with you Hermione, he's a Slytherin for fucks sake"

"Ron" Hermione said, a resigned sigh in her voice, "It's none of your business"

"It is" He said, and Hermione felt almost touched at what he said next, was he now so misguided and up in her business, "You're one of my best friends Hermione, I'm only trying to look out for you" Perhaps he couldn't see his own jealousy, it had certainly taken awhile for Hermione to recognise it.

"I appreciate that" She did, but she didn't appreciate how he was going about it, "But I know what I'm doing, and I don't need you to muscle in"

"He's using you" Ron insisted, "Probably thinks it's a big joke!"

Her cheeks flamed then, and she felt her hands itch in annoyance. Ron's line of attack had never occurred to her, and she felt more secure now to be able to dismiss it; Tom wasn't using her, she was sure of that.

Almost sure. Old insecurities died hard.

"Ron-" She tried to respond.

"Probably laughs about it with the Slytherin tosspots" Ron said, face redder now, "He doesn't care about you Hermione! How can you not see that? Wake up!"

Okay now she felt tears bite at her eyes, more in frustration than anything, but also annoyance. She had certainly considered the idea Tom didn't care for her as she did far too much, she didn't need it flung at her by someone else.

She had no response, her shoulders even wilting a touch. Tom cared for her she was sure, and yet some of her optimism earlier in the week definitely left her. Goddamn it, just as she'd been feeling secure, good.

And yet…

"That's enough" She heard his voice before she saw him, and she knew her eyes widened, almost with hope, as Tom stepped forward, eyebrow raised, wand in hand, stepping up, to stand beside her – no wait, to stand in front of her, even pushing her back a touch by taking her by the waist, giving her a squeeze as he did so.

The romance of the moment was not lost on her, even consumed her for a minute or two – Tom come to defend her, to prove his feelings, prove he did care for her. Her cheeks blushed red and she was sure she almost swooned, the surety that Tom did care for her putting paid to any annoyance at him feeling a need to fight her battles.

For the initial second Tom arrived that was her feelings, romance, a tinge of annoyance – she could deal with Ron alone, could she not? Well maybe she hadn't been by the end but still. But then the shine of romance, at hope, at seeing Tom come through for her faded, as she saw his wand, and realised Ron wouldn't last two seconds against her boyfriend, maybe not even one.

"I think you need to apologise" Tom insisted, and as Hermione stepped forward to grab his arm he ignored her. She just had to hope the crowd would stop him smearing Ron into a stain on the floor, but she wasn't sure.

She hated the part of her that rose up, an awful small traitorous part that crooned at the thought, of Tom defending her, showing how much he cared for her, loving her.

"Stay out of this" Ron said, trying to find Hermione's gaze again, and yet Tom's height blocked her, even as she tugged his arm.

"Tom it's fine" She said into his ear, but again he ignored her.

"Now" He said, "I won't ask twice"

He hadn't been asking, that wasn't lost on anyone.

She glanced around, the crowd was silent now, and growing, Harry stood just by her, and he didn't step in either – his eyes were wide though, and his wand had come out, sure, he was as okay as could be with her relationship with Tom, but even Hermione knew he'd stand up for Ron if Tom fired.

Where would she stand?

Her stance next to Tom told the truth she couldn't.

"This is none of your business" Ron said, though his gaze shifted now and even she could see the fear in his gaze, the red bleeding out of his cheeks to pale. Ginny stood behind him now, and she didn't even try to hide she looked a touch worried.

But then they were Gryffindors, and Hermione knew just as if she'd been stood in Ron's place, she wouldn't back down, and she knew Ron wouldn't either, nor Ginny, nor Harry.

The Slytherins were here too, and yet she knew they wouldn't step forward unless Tom said, likely wouldn't need too either.

Now she felt that fear, and the tiniest traitorous pleasure at Tom standing up for her, it was awful and yet she felt it, in her heart.

"That was two" Was all Tom said, and with a flick of his wand, zero effort, not the slightest bother it seemed to take him, did he send Ron crashing against the wall next to the Potions classroom, pinning him too it, the groan leaving Ron's lips showing he had been none too gentle in getting him there.

As Harry stepped forward, as Hermione tugged Tom's arm, she saw Tom slash his wand this time, and a shield barrier was raised, preventing anyone from getting to Ron, or Tom. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Tom stepped forward, his wand coming to rest against Ron's neck, steady, sure, he didn't shake or hesitate, he just stood, strong, a glint in his eye that even had her shivering.

"Hermione" Tom called to her then, holding a hand out for her, beckoning to her, though he tempered it by turning to look back at her with as close to a smile as he'd allow here, "Come here"

She stepped forward without hesitation, the shield charm allowing her through and no one else.

"Apologise" Tom said again to Ron, digging his wand into Ron's neck harder, leaving a mark likely. "Now, and be thankful I've given you the mercy to do so" He dropped his tone then, to a whisper, so only Hermione could hear as she took Tom's hand and stepped forward, "And try to come between us again and I won't be so merciful"

"Tom" She whispered, her eyes going to Ron who shifted his gaze to her, she could see her own fear reflected back in her best friend. This had maybe gone too far, how would she fix this?

The traitorous part of her didn't care, just looked back at Tom, who continued.

"If the students weren't here, I'd have you writhing on the ground" Tom said, "I'd have you begging for Hermione's forgiveness" He whispered, each word measured, clear, without anger, just simple, straight facts, cold, and much scarier for it. "But I can't go to the bother of obliviating an entire corridor of students, and so, lucky you, you get one more chance to apologise or I will go to the bother"

"I…" Ron began, his gaze on Hermione then, and she had to say something.

"You don't have to..." She began, but Tom's glare at her had her words faltering, dying out pathetically.

"I'm sorry" Ron whispered then, and Hermione knew this had broken something between them, her standing there, hand in Tom's hand as he threatened Ron, she knew they might not come back from this, probably couldn't.

She'd chosen her side.

"Louder" Tom insisted.

"Tom don't…" She responded, but he ignored her again.

"I'm sorry" Ron said, louder this time, for the entire corridor to hear, his gaze back to hers, and Hermione flinched at the betrayal present there.

They'd fought before of course, screamed at one another, but nothing like this, nothing like the power Tom and by extension she had over him. This was different, and this their friendship might not recover from.

She'd chosen her side.

"Good" Tom said, and then he dropped to a whisper again, "Next time I won't be nearly as merciful, remember that" And then with a flick of his wand Ron dropped to the floor, cheeks devoid of colour, even shaking a little, and the shield charm dropped.

Harry went straight to Ron, wand up, Ginny too, the betrayal was present in Ginny too, and to her heartbreak she could see a flicker in Harry too.

Harry, who raised his wand then, turned to Tom … no, no, no.

"What is going on here?" She'd never been so thankful to see Professor Calhorn coming down the corridor, eyebrows raised.

The students scattered, and as Ron stood, his gaze full of hurt as he looked at her, he went one way, Harry and Ginny following.

But her, her hand, still in Tom's, as he turned away, the Slytherins surrounding him, she went another.

sooo thoughts?

and there you go.

that ending was hard to right; hermione has picked her side, and in the next chapter we will see the consequences of that.

I've made it clear before but will again here, tomione here are toxic, be warned it will only get worse..

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speak soon