Authors Note: So you definitely didn't think this would be here this quick did you, well I proved you wrong. Ha. My new job allows me to work on this at work so that's that. Also, I'm staying up late tonight because I saw a cockroach on my door and I'm either burning my house down or staying awake until that bitch shows up and I can kill it, because I'm not sleeping with that dick in here. I'm just telling you that right now.
Anyway, I'm actually quite proud of this chapter. I rarely write anything with good plot and I feel like this was good, and of course reviews will tell me if I'm correct or not. I'm not going to claim I'm a master artist or anything, but I feel like this is a good 6-7/10, ja feel? So review and oh my god, my pride is wounded because Nobody, and I mean literally nobody read (or maybe they did and it is absolutely terrible) my new Tomione.
Anyway, expect new chapter within next week or two (In both stories), Review and Enjoy =)
Hermione was barely down the first flight of stairs when it hit her how big of a mistake she had just made. What in Godric Gryffindor's good name made her think she was going to go down, without being caught, to spy on a professor who seemed personally out to get her. She had half made up her mind to turn around but thought better when she spotted what looked like a cat's shadow lurking up the wall. I might as well go on with it now, if Filch is out here lurking around I'm going to be stuck out here for a while...besides I'm still curious. She crept quietly down the stairs, a part of her wished she had asked Harry for his map. However, he would of just asked to come along and then it would have turned into a big ordeal and that was exactly what Hermione didn't need.
She finally made it down to the entrance of the dungeons and stilled herself, the entrance was wide open. The dungeon entrance was always closed at night unless someone was down there, but it was well past midnight now. He had to have gone to sleep, why would he still have been up. Hermione took three deep breaths and plunged herself down the stairs. It was much different going and breaking rules by yourself, she wondered if this was what it was like for Harry every time he explored around in his cloak.
Hermione reached the corridor and paused momentarily, all the lights to the corridor were off but the classroom light was on, and she could hear voices. This was a sign, she needed to turn back, only a moron would keep moving forward. Then why are your legs still moving? Hermione found herself inching closer and closer to the classroom, her ears reaching desperately to hear what they were saying and then she stopped. Her blood felt cold, like it was beginning to ice over. Her breath was stuck, it refused to come out of her throat. No...no..no, no, no. This isn't real, this isn't happening. They aren't here. They are gone, they aren't here. Why are they here, how did they get in. We're not safe, this will never be over-
"I don't see the reason for you needing to stop by Fenrir, I'm capable of handling this situation by myself. I believe I've proved myself more than once." His voice held power, he wasn't afraid. Why isn't he afraid...he knows them?
"We wouldn't be here if he didn't think you weren't doing something wrong Riddle." His voice came out in a snarl. His voice was ferral, like he was barely human anymore.
Hermione slid felt frozen in place, how was she supposed to move, surely he would hear her. He was known for simply sniffing children out, he was muggles and wizards for game. She had no where to go, they would hear her if she ran. Fear had her paralyzed but she had to get closer, she had to see, she had too.
"If I recall Fenrir, I'm a little higher than you on the food chain." Riddle's voice was impassive, uncaring. Is he stupid? Does he want him to rip his throat out?!
"You think that all you want Riddle, you'd be reminded that we know where Dumbledore's at and you don't." Hermione gasped. "We wouldn't be here if Dumbledore was concerned."
The conversation went silent and she grasped her mouth, biting her cheeks so hard she could taste blood. Her eyes squeezed shut so hard that it made her head hurt, if they found her they would kill her, it wasn't any question.
What do they mean Dumbledore, he's dead. Dumbledore is dead, he's gone. They're talking about someone else, they have to be. Why would Fenrir know Dumbledore. Dumbledore would never associate with Fenrir, he wouldn't, he would never.
"I'm the least of your worries Fenrir, I assure you. I'd be more concerned about Malfoy spilling his tongue. He's threatening students, if Dumbledore were to be concerned about anything, it'd be these underdeveloped brats he's left me in charge of." Tom's voice sounded as though he were lounging in a chair reading a magazine. Why didn't he care what was happening?
"He'll get the message, he'll expect you to take care of it." Hermione could hear Fenrir's heavy footsteps walking farther from the door, she slowly crept forward, she had to see.
"Oh, are you giving the orders now Fenrir?" Her professor mused.
Hermione finally peeked her head around the door and if possible, found herself holding her breath. Tom sat at his desk, picking through paperwork while three very large, aggressively hairy men stood in front of it. Fenrir was the largest, it was questionable to even call him human anymore. His clothes were ripped and tattered and his large muscles poked out from all over. One of the men with him looked like a regular man except for the fact his clothes were ripped to pieces and his skin was covered in matted dirty hair, his dark skin rippled with well defined muscles. If I'm caught, they'll tear me to pieces, I need to get out of here. I have to leave...I need to see.
"Listen Riddle, Dumbledore didn't send us all the way here for you to fuck around and play little games. He wants you to do your damn bloody job and keep him updated, stop asking so many damn questions." Fenrir growled slamming his hands on the desk.
Riddle looked up, he didn't even flinch. His eyes held dark malevolence and authority, Fenrir removed his hands and stepped back, even he knew when to be on guard. Tom stood up and his wand had suddenly appeared in his hand, Fenrir eyed it heedfully. Hermione's breaths became superficial and bottomless as she did her best to edge into the classroom, if she could just get herself into the corner…just make it to the corner. She stopped, a lead dropping into her stomach, holding her feet into place. He was staring right at her, surely he couldn't see her. She had mastered this charm, she was invisible, and nobody could see her. She couldn't see herself. His blue eyes flashed violently at her figure before turning away to face Fenrir.
"I've done nothing but follow his command, been nothing but devoted. I've been by his side longer than you've reveled in the flesh of children Fenrir. If he wishes to question my patience and my trustworthiness, then let him. I won't have you," Tom's voice lowered an octave, his eyes flashing in the shadows to an inky black. His wand glowed a vindictive shade of red, Fenrir bared his teeth at it, a deep savage growl protruding from his throat. Fenrir loomed over Riddle but he did nothing, staring into the wand. "Or you damn beasts coming in here and threatening me. I'm taking care of it and you can pass that on. I'm here at this damn school watching over his insipid little juvenile child while you're out there doing all the work."
Fenrir shoved the wand out of his face, his companions had stepped back, watching her professor cautiously. What had they seen him do to be so afraid of him? Three wolves cowering to a wizard isn't something small.
"We'll be seeing you around then, Dumbledore has some company coming this way. He expects you to make sure they stay." Fenrir nodded his head towards the door and Hermione did her best to edge farther into the corner. "We'll be back."
"I'll be waiting." His voice thick with the notion of a threat.
Hermione held her breath as they moved closer towards the door, please keep walking…please keep walking…please keep walking. The mantra on repeat in her head, she was silently grinding her teeth, praying to anything that could hear to please, just let them keep walking.
They didn't.
Fenrir reached the last row of desks and raised his head, sniffing, taking heavy deep breaths.
"I smell something." Tom's eyes flashed quickly in Hermione's direction, but his face gave nothing away.
"This room is filled with prepubescent children daily Fenrir, I'd be worried if you didn't." His voice was mordant, trying to play it off.
"It's stronger than that." He turned his head, facing exactly where Hermione was standing, her body shuddering, her hand covering her mouth desperately trying not to scream out in fear.
"I just had a girl in here an hour ago. You know Fenrir, I'm curious," Fenrir paid him no attention, he continued looking around the room, sniffing. "How is it that you can smell the remnants of a girl's jacket from an hour ago, but not the acrid filthy scent that quite physically fills a room every time you walk into it?" Riddle's voice was heavy with insult.
Fenrir snarled and his eyes flashed a dark yellow, his pupils dilating and his teeth growing longer, the points reaching down to his bottom lips. Riddle made no movement, his expression remained impassive. Is he not afraid of anything?
"Let's go Fenrir, s'no point in wasting our time here." The dark skinned man grabbed Fenrir by his arm.
He ripped his arm free, a low growl emitting deep from his chest before ripping his glare away from her professor and turning and walking out the door, Hermione refused to let her breath out yet, she felt like she was going to suffocate. Tom stood up and waved his hand at the door, allowing it to slam shut, he waited a minute before he finally looked directly at her.
"Are you completely daft or just immeasurably stupid?" His voice was livid, his teeth clenched in anger.
"You're one of them!" She could barely control the anger that had begun to weave itself throughout her body. "How could you- I cannot believe I let you kiss me – I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE EVE-"
His wand came to her throat and she stopped mid-sentence, her breath heavy, her face hot. She glared up into his eyes, her lips pursed. His eyes were narrow and his face held nothing but blank fury.
"I should kill you here and now." His voice was low and aggressive. "Do you have any idea what they would have done to you if they had found you?"
"They'll know it was you. I-I told-"
"You didn't tell anyone you were coming down here, don't lie to me." He cut her off, his wand pressing deeper into her throat. "I wonder how many people will mourn the death of Hermione Granger." His voice became soft, his wand trailing across her collar bone.
Hermione shivered as his wand trailed to the other side of her neck. He's going to torture me, he's going to torture me before he kills me. Her arm tingled slightly, the scar that was permanently etched into her skin prickled with pain, not again, please no, not again.
"I'm not going to kill you," He removed his wand from her neck and turned around, pacing. "I'm only going to ask you once, what all did you hear?'
"What were they talking about when they mentioned Dumbledore? Dumbledore is dead." Her hand gripped her wand tightly, even if she wasn't going to win, didn't mean she wasn't going to go down without a fight.
"How do you know that?" He turned, a small corner of his cheek turned.
"He's been missing for months, he wouldn't just run-"
"You don't understand what's going on around you do you Hermione? You think the threats gone? You think that Potter boy defeated the world's darkest wizard by himself?" Hermione wanted to throw up at the small smile that was working its way to his mouth. "You think some petty child vanquished a wizard who killed thousands? Is Hogwart's smartest witch that foolish? Tell me Hermione, what did Harry Potter tell you happened in that room?"
Tom Riddle stared at her expectantly, his eyes searching her with a mirthless humor. Hermione couldn't think straight, her head was racing. Harry killed him, I know he did. He told me, he told me he killed him. Why would Dumbledore mysteriously go missing as soon as Grindlewald died…that makes no sense. Why hasn't anyone asked questions, why hasn't Harry said anything. Harry would have said something, he would have told me.
"Let me tell you a story Hermione," He walked over to his desk, and leaned against the front of it, pointing to the chair in front of his desk. Hermione stared, she didn't think she could move. What have I gotten myself into, I need to leave. Fuck, I need to get out of here. How can I get out of here, Ginny has to know I'm missing. Please, Harry look at your map- "Come sit, Hermione." His voice was potent.
Hermione slowly walked over, her hand was sweaty on her wand. She eyed his hand cautiously but she didn't know why, she was positive he had mastered wand-less magic and could simply kill her without moving a muscle if he really wanted too. Her head was starting to hurt, she didn't think she would be able to defend herself at the moment if she wanted too. What if he's lying to you? How can you know he's telling the truth? You heard what the Fenrir said…why he would say that about Dumbledore, he wouldn't have made something up, he didn't even know you were there.
"Of course you know how Grindlewald rose to power?' He asked, he didn't expect to explain. Hermione nodded her head slowly as she sat down. "Now, you know of Dumbledore and Grindlewald growing up together, them splitting ways?"
Hermione nodded again, her tongue felt thick and heavy in her mouth.
"Now, Dumbledore was already a world renowned wizard by then, his reputation couldn't slide. He had to take a side, one that wasn't going to lose. Dumbledore is smart, he waits. He knows Grindlewald's plans, Grindlewald told him everything. Now Dumbledore has to fight, but what if agreed with Grindlewald? What if, secretly behind the lines, Dumbledore is building his own army? Dumbledore hates muggle-borns and muggles just as much as the rest of them, but he's smart. He waits, instead he needs a way to wait and build power. He's going to hide where you don't see him, he's going to make you think his followers are Grindlewald's. He's going to find a pawn, someone who he can train, someone who he can trick into taking care of Grindlewald for him. Why no better than Harry Potter, why after all some bogus prophecy proclaimed some child born on this day would kill him. Do you see where I'm going with this Hermione?"
Hermione felt nauseous, she was going to throw up. Her skin was turning sallow, her hands clammy and hot. If she opened her mouth to speak, it would be bile, she could taste it at her throat.
"Now imagine, he wins. The boy kills him, now what does Dumbledore do? He can't keep playing sides and using his pawns as someone else's, no Dumbledore is wiser. He waits in the shadows, he changes tactics. He starts using those who are already bad, if a wolf attacks someone or causes some trouble, you aren't going to suspect he's working in league with a dark wizard are you? No, you think their just being themselves. Giants, werewolves, vampires, thugs, you wouldn't assume they were all working together would you? Now let me ask you another question Hermione, how old do you think Dumbledore is?"
Hermione stared at him, her mouth was still seared shut, it wouldn't open, and she couldn't force it open.
"You don't know do you, nobody really knows. They just know he's old, probably should of died a while ago don't you think? You think a man who is over a hundred years old would be walking around as though he was still in his sixties, wielding so much power that some wizards fear just looking into his eyes. Let me ask you another question, do you know what happens when you kill someone?" Hermione shook her head meekly. "It's the supreme act of evil Hermione."
Hermione felt sick at the bright look that was showing in his eyes, like he was getting some sort of sick pleasure out of telling her this story.
"It quite literally rips the soul, see with innocence. Your soul is whole, pure, one could use the term virgin," A small smile escaped his lips, she shuddered. "Killing someone is the most evil of acts, taking someone's life can't ever be forgiven, it's a permanent evil, do you understand? By taking the soul of someone else, you in return rip your soul in half. Of course, now there's the question, what do you do with the pieces, once a soul's been ripped of course? You hide it Hermione, you keep it somewhere safe. Have you ever heard of a horocrux Hermione?"
"No." She whispered, her voice didn't sound like her own.
"Some people, their so evil…so greedy. Death scares them, they wouldn't say it. How do you fight death? How can you put off death, keep it at arm's length? You tear your soul apart, it isn't very well known of course. To have one horocrux is vile at the least, but can you imagine, seven? To tear your soul into seven pieces? To watch the life drain from the eyes of seven people for your own immortality? You find an object, could be something stupid like a book, a ring, anything. You hide it there, you keep it safe, where no one can find it. You'd have to find and destroy every last one, and you can't just break it, it won't just smash against a rock. It hasn't to be damaged beyond repair, harmed with something that will do unfixable damage."
"Are you telling me that Dumbledore has created a horocrux?" She asked, finally able to speak, her voice low and shaking.
"No Hermione, I'm saying he has seven. He's ripped his soul apart seven times and hidden it across Europe." He crouched down to look at Hermione, his face inches from hers from the other side of the desk. "And I mean to find and destroy every single one of them."
"You expect me to believe you? They knew you, they said you're working for him." Her voice spat. "Why should I believe anything that you've just told me?"
"You think I want to be here Hermione, pretending to be Dumbledore's little rat?" He asked, his eyes looked black in the candlelight of the room. "Do you honestly believe I'd sit here and tell you all of this if I had the intentions to kill you? You know how many people know about his horocruxes Hermione? Only three people, and I've just told one of them."
"Why would Dumbledore do any of this?" Hermione felt tired, perhaps none of this was real.
"The same reason Grindlewald did Hermione, Dumbledore believes Pureblood's to be the only true wizards, what better use for a filthy muggle-born or half-blood who's done nothing but to muddy wizard blood than to have them serve the real wizards. Dumbledore has plans for the wizarding world Hermione, the war has only just begun."
Hermione felt a shiver run involuntarily through her body and she bit her lip as she began to feel bile creep up her throat again. This was ridiculous, this was all ridiculous. None of this is real, he's lying. Why would Dumbledore do any of this, he would never hurt anyone. He took care of Harry, he helped Harry defeat Grindlewald, he could have killed any of us. Why hasn't he killed you if he's lying? He could have given you to the wolves, he has no reason to keep you alive?
"Where is he now?"
"I've no idea, he hasn't spoken to me in months. He is obviously is losing faith if he sent Fenrir to check on me, I'm doing exactly as he's asked-"
"Why does he have you here?"
"Dumbledore can't have any of his werewolves here, it's much too suspicious. He has very few reliable as well as decent looking followers. While Dumbledore has been able to acquire many of Grindlewald's old followers, their families whose good names were trashed in the war. He has to have someone here, watching the school, listening, watching the boy." Hermione noticed how he spat the word boy.
"Harry?" She asked shocked.
"He still has plans for him, he won't say it, but he cares for the boy," He turned and walked over to his desk, reaching into it. He pulled out the book, the entire reason she'd come down here in the first place and she'd completely forgotten. "This, do you know what this is Hermione?"
"It's a book Professor." She replied smartly, his eyes narrowed into a glare.
"Smart. Do you know what information this holds? Dumbledore doesn't just have his horocruxes sitting unprotected, no he has curses guarding them. Enchantments so dark and powerful they'll make you question this book. This book holds the answers to breaking those curses, to getting past them."
"You want to find his horocruxes, and kill him?" She asked, it seemed too simple.
"To put it plainly, yes." He dropped the book back on his desk.
"You don't think he'll notice one of his henchmen hunting down bits and pieces of his soul and destroying them?" Hermione asked skeptically.
"You're not as smart as you let on, are you Miss Granger?" He was leaning against his desk again, a small smirk playing on his lips.
Hermione sat there and stared at him, at the moment she was at a loss for words. She had definitely come to assume that this week had possibly become the worst week of her entire life, simply because of this man standing right in front of her. It was funny to Hermione, funny enough to where she felt that needed to stifle her laughter it hiccupped out her mouth causing Tom to tilt his head and give her a funny look. It was funny, because the worst week of her life had come from someone that Hermione felt so absurdly attracted too, that it was almost difficult to be around him. Why in Merlin's name would God be so cruel as to make her blood rush at the man who had essentially ruined her entire seventh year in one week.
A wall seemed to be coming down around her. Dumbledore wasn't dead, he's gone. He's not just dead, he's worse than dead. How could this man, the man who she had looked up too growing up, be who Tom said he was? Hermione felt her body grow weak, she felt so tired. This war was supposed to be over, Grindlewald was gone. How many more people would die this time around, especially if no one knew?
"Have you found any yet?" She asked timidly.
"I know the location of some, but I haven't done anything yet. As you saw from my friendly visit a moment ago, he doesn't trust me very much. He's smart Hermione, I'm one of his trusted advisors. For him to suspect me and me to go about something like that now, I'm on thin ice." He removed his robes and laid them on his desk, rolling up his oxford.
"You're just going to sit here and not do anything? You're going to let him work his way to power and kill muggles and muggle-borns?" Hermione's voice began to raise shrilly.
"What do you suggest I do Hermione? Please, since you seem to have the whole thing figured out." His voice was mocking.
"I-I, I don't know, but we can't just sit here!" She stood up, smacking her hands on the table.
"We?" He asked, an eyebrow raising.
"I didn't mean-I don't mean we- I simply meant-you of course. You can't just sit here." She felt her face burn.
"Why don't you come along with me then?"
"I-what?" She stopped and looking at him, her eyes searching his for some hint of humor.
"You want to help so badly, why don't you come along, you're always going on about how smart you are, and surely you can be useful along the way?"
"I don't know anything about destroying horocruxes, or that kind of dark magic. You expect me to just come along and get myself killed?" Is he completely mad?
"I'm a professor aren't I? Or have you already forgotten?"
"You hardly act like one, do you? Making out with students and speaking with werewolves at midnight who work for a dark wizard don't seem very 'professor-like.'" She quoted her fingers at him, rolling her eyes.
"Forget I asked then." He removed his tie and grabbed his robe off his desk, pointing at the door.
"I'm not done here, you can't just tell me something like that and then expect me to leave!" She exclaimed, grabbing her wand off the desk.
Tom grabbed her arm and she spluttered indignantly, slightly surprised at the little strength he seemed to be putting into dragging her to the door, he was stronger than he looked. She pursed her lips as they reached the door but he kept his arm on her elbow, leading her up the corridor the staircase.
"You can let go now." She tried to pull her arm away and he tightened his fingers painfully.
"Be still Mrs. Granger, if a professor is to walk by, I'd rather them not see me casually walking with a student in the castle past midnight." His grip on her elbow remained tight.
She puffed her breath dramatically as they walked up to stairs, her arm tingling where his grasp rested on her arm. The walk back to her common room was in complete silence, he looked ahead the whole time. She suddenly realized how tired she felt, she hadn't slept right in almost a week. Her body was so tired, it made her skin feel sore. Tonight had simply been too much, her brain wasn't going to function tomorrow if even she had an exam tomorrow. She was going to sleep all day tomorrow, even if it killed her. Which it wouldn't, staying up another hour and dealing with anymore of the absolute mess she was in now would kill her.
"Sleep well Miss Granger, I have a feeling I'll be seeing more of you now." He let go of her arm, as she began walking up to her portrait, mumbling the password at the snoring lady. "Oh and Hermione, that'll be a month's detention for being out of bed after curfew."