Tom was riddled with denial after her farewell at the restaurant. He couldn't accept that she was willing to let it all go because he made a mistake. If only Hermione could see it from his perspective, he thought to himself. He wanted her to know that what he had with Bellatrix meant nothing. It was a merely a phase in his young life. He was tempted by what his teammates were talking about when they shared stories of women constantly throwing themselves at them.
Truth be told, he was still too young and immature. He'd been spoiled by his parents most of his life, and Hermione rarely said no to him until the night at the restaurant when she returned his gift. He hoped that she would forgive him after his childish antics. It didn't happen the way he planned. Tom couldn't accept the fact that it was his fault. He had no one to blame but himself. Hermione had done everything she possibly could to keep them together until he threw it all away for a fling he immediately regretted.
He hated Abraxas for telling Hermione about his relationship. If she hadn't known about it, she would have forgiven him like she always did. Abraxas had no right to ruin the best thing he ever had. Tom couldn't fathom that this was all his fault. Others had a share of the blame. His teammates and friends were jealous of what he had with Hermione, that they let him run a muck.
A part of him still didn't want to believe that she moved on from their relationship and that she was over him. They were together for years and shared a lot of memories. They went through so many ups and downs, yet she stuck by him. He wasn't sure why she couldn't forgive him like before.
As the weeks went on with training, his messages to her went unanswered. He refused to give up. He was sure that she only needed time.
Quidditch matches and training kept his mind occupied during those tough months without her. It didn't help the loneliness he felt at night. Tom was too weak, he gave in and called Bella, but she wasn't Hermione. She couldn't fill the void in his heart. They broke up again before the Championship match. The team almost lost because he was too distracted. The Minister had a suite for the match, and he'd heard she would be there. Whilst at practice, he flew around the Pitch pretending to train. He flew around, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. When he finally saw her through the window, he lingered close by. They made eye contact for no more than a second or two before she turned away from him when someone had tapped her from behind.
During the game, he couldn't help but remain in the area of where he saw her. The suite was packed. His eyes kept wandering back and forth between the match, searching for the quick Snitch, and hoping to catch a glimpse of her. Tom smiled when he finally did. Hermione had her hair down and was wearing his team's uniform, but next to her was someone else. They were holding hands in the midst of people. She had her eyes on the match, and only turned away to give him a kiss on the lips.
It wasn't until someone pointed at him being so close, when Hermione finally saw him. Tom quickly flew away on his broom. Angry and hurt, he zoomed by at dangerous speeds, between players and pillars, to catch the Snitch. He no longer cared who won the match. He just wanted to get out of there and forget what he saw.
In his carelessness, he nearly fell off his broom. The spectators went silent in those few seconds he hung on his broom, dangling over the top of the Pitch. Then he heard crowd cheering him on. He swung his legs until he was able to kick up over his broom. Once he was back up, he searched for the Snitch with a new resilience. He was one of the highest paid Seeker, and his team deserved to win the Championship. They were so close before. He wasn't going to let the moment slip from his hands again.
His eyes were focused on the match as he flew around. The score between the teams were almost even. It was a continued fight of back and forth. The other Seeker was just as motivated as he was. They constantly bumped each other to throw the other off.
The Snitch was a quick and tough one. They would lose it up in the air as it flew in the distance. His broom wasn't fast enough. He had to catch his breath when he went back down towards the Pitch. The other Seeker hadn't bothered to chase it.
Tom was nearing exhaustion by the fourth hour. He thought he was hallucinating when the Snitch showed itself near the suites. Fate was messing with him, he thought. He flew closer. His broom crept slowly. It looked like a golden bird hovering above the spectator's head, just above their reach. When he got closer, it was no bird. The other Seeker had spotted it as well. It was a race as they both flew close to the crowd. Their bodies bumped the windows of the suites, giving the spectators an up close and personal view.
Thud. Smack. Kicks and punches were thrown. They both fought and reached for the Snitch. There was only one thing they kept an eye on. Faster and faster, their brooms sped. The crowd was in awe and thrilled. They were so close. His opponent tried to bump and push into him, but he stopped abruptly, causing his opponent to slam against the cement wall.
Tom finally had a chance to catch it. He followed it through the crowd. It was too late when he noticed the window and the people behind it. He grabbed the Snitch with his hands and broke through the glass with his broom. He was thrown off and slid on the ground with the Snitch in his hands. It was all that mattered until he realized which suite it was. Hermione was in front of the crowd with a worried look, but that wasn't what caught his attention. Underneath the uniform she wore was a baby bump. She instinctively placed her hands on it.
He quickly got up and picked up his broom. He walked out to the awaiting crowd. One dream ended, and another began when he raised his hand with the Snitch between his fingers.
end.
