So we are back at it again! I'm terribly sorry for the long wait. I did struggle with this chapter. Also had a lot of life changes going on since then. Thank you for the reviews!! I know many are anxious to get back to this fic, so here we go!! :D
~Force of Nature~
I Won't Forget This
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Three Months Ago
Tom inhaled as the cold air swept across his cheeks. Red coloring his features. He moved through the deep snow. The wetness seeping into his clothes.
Cursing under his breath he continued to walk through the village. It was nearing sundown. A simplistic townhome stood in front of him.
Tom briefly wondered if there was another tedious task involved. His magic simmered within. The door suddenly opened before he could raise his hand.
Surprised in his eyes.
A short woman with a long plain brown dress and black veil greeted him. Her face was hidden from sight. Her tone was firm.
"Ye seek something that ye don't understand. "
Tom frowned.
Who does this woman think she is?
Clearing his voice, he went for the charm persona.
"Milady I've heard that my answers were to be found here. You are the infamous seer are you not?"
That didn't seem to deter the woman. Still she turned her back.
"Come before ye catch ill. Tea is just about ready. "
Tom followed after her.
The scent of burning cedar wood in the air. Candles floating in mid-air. A cloth table greeted them, several old looking books opened all at once. Dried petals of various flowers remaining everywhere.
His gaze taking everything in.
"Are you alone here? " He suddenly asked.
The woman sat down, her magic sifting between them. The veil being lifted. Pure white eyes gazing back at him.
"Aye. "
Tom's smile was malicious.
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Two Weeks Ago
Hermione hurriedly move through the crowd of drunken students. The deep red gown she adorn moving with each step. The black heels clicking against the ground. A few loose curls escaping from her hairdo. Draco followed after her, wand in hand.
"I said stop, Granger. "
She pursed her lips, halting momentarily. Hermione hated when he used that tone with her.
Music could still be heard from a distance. It thrummed against her in soft vibrations. Folding her arms, she turned to face him.
"What is it Malfoy? "
Draco still had his wand pointed at her.
"I know you have something to do with him leaving. "
Hermione furrowed her brows in confusion.
"What? "
"Professor Riddle, Granger. He left because of you. "
Anger lit her features within seconds.
"That's a serious accusation. "
"You think that none of us wouldn't catch on to your pathetic attempts to lure him to you. " he snarled.
Hermione took a step in his direction, her magic crackling.
"You don't know a damn thing. "
Then he struck out. A jet of red headed towards her. Hermione didn't so much as flinch whilst non-verbally and wandlessly sending it back at him.
The spell knocking him on his behind. Slits of red dripping from his cheeks. Those eyes glaring hatefully.
"That's quite enough, Miss Granger. "
Hermione froze at the harsh solid voice. Professor Garrison moving towards them. His hand pulling Draco up.
"Leave us, Mr. Malfoy. See to it that you clean up that face. I'll handle Miss Granger. "
Draco frowned but walked away with a huff.
Callum folded his arms.
Hermione felt the tension. She really didn't need this. Especially not now. The way he stared at her made her feel incredibly exposed.
Why did she agree to even come to this event?
It shouldn't have surprised her when Callum took the moment to grab her hand, leading her away from prying eyes.
She tried to pull away, yet his grip was enough to leave a bruise. Her heels clicking and somewhat scraping across the floor.
"Do keep up, Miss Granger. " he snarled.
Nearly toppling over her dress, she was pulled into a room. Callum placing wards all over. The cold air brushing across naked skin. She tried to withhold the shivers.
"You do realize this is harassment, Professor. " Hermione spoke through clenched teeth.
"Young Malfoy had other intentions that exceed what you think. You ought to thank me, Miss Granger. "
Hermione folded her arms, chin held high and eyebrow raised.
"Well thanks but I'm going to leave now." her tone snippy.
"Tom's plan don't involve you. Sulking like a child doesn't become you."
She scoffed at his words.
"Don't even-"
The words were cut off as his hand suddenly pulled her close. Magic sifting out, dark and burning.
Callum leaned over, the ghost of lips pressing at the base of her throat. The fingers tracing patterns upon the back of her neck. Hermione froze at the contact, heart racing.
Then a cry broke from her lips and she shoved him away. The pain piercing across her skin. Callum stared at her with a heated expression.
Hermione turned away. "What the hell?! "
The door remained lock as she tried to wandlessly open it.
Callum's voice carried over, his body close.
"You won't recall this, Hermione. In fact we'll come back to this when the time is right."
Just as she was about to respond her body convulsed bringing her to knees. Chest becoming heavy. Until her eyesight went dark.
Callum gathered the witch in his arms. Whispering more spells.
She wouldn't remember but damn if her days weren't numbered. He glanced out at the window. The new moon. Callum didn't care, what's one more life.
His footsteps lead them to her dormitory. A shocked gryffindor boy staggering out of the way.
"Miss Granger had too much to drink. I'm here to see her back safely. "
The boy nodded and pointed to the upper side of the corridor. Callum proceeded to bring her up. The red gown dipping as he set her upon the bed.
He couldn't help but stare at her.
Soft features when unconscious. Sighing, he undid her hair with a flick of his wrist. He turned away. Until a groan escaped her lips. Callem halted his movement, peering over.
"Tom. "
Something akin to silent rage flickered in his eyes. So he clenched his fists before moving down the steps. Just a while longer.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Present Time
Tom swerved slightly, the spell missing by an inch. Callum narrowed his eyes, casting another. Tom was unimpressed.
"Undo the curse and I will let you walk away. "
"I won't release her. "
Another dark spell missed Tom. The wizard shifted his movement, his smile was vicious.
"Have it your way, Callum. "
Callum felt his breath catch and he suddenly couldn't see. The room felt sinister to him as he been blinded. Snarling in outrage, he muttered another curse missing Tom entirely.
"Tick tock, Callum. This blindness can be reversed only within five minutes. Undo what you did to Miss Granger. "
The wizard paled, as the threat lingered in the air between them.
"If I do that, what's to stop you from coming after me? "
Tom moved closer, each step clicking in an echo. It brought chills down Callum's spine.
"Actually, I believe we can come to an agreement."
Callum hesitated. The thought was ludicrous but perhaps later he could find a way to outsmart Tom. He licked his lips.
"Alright, Riddle."
A soft voice hissed and within moments Callum was able to see once more. He flinched at how close the other wizard was, Tom's eyes were dark and unreadable.
"Now then undo the curse. "
Callum's gaze strayed to where the unconscious girl was then looked back at Tom.
"I didn't specify on how long it would take to release her. The new moon phase has just past. I'm unable to do so right now."
Tom folded his arms.
"What exactly did you do? "
"Mors marcam."
Tom narrowed his eyes, not liking the answer.
"Imbecile! You do realize that if she dies at Hogwarts then it will still be traced back to you. Using that rune on her is forbidden to wizards. Not to mention especially on a student. "
"You are one to talk, Riddle. " Callum
sneered.
Tom faltered a moment before responding.
"You must really be a fool to think she means anything to me. "
"Oh that doesn't mean shite. She is still yours by law. "
"Oh so are you jealous, Callum? "
"I tried to kill her. What do you think?"
Tom quirked an eyebrow.
An unspoken silence drifting making the air almost spark.
"I see the very thin line, Callum. "
"So what now I'm all of sudden supposed to agree with you. Be friends with you. "
Tom scoffed, rolling his eyes.
"Don't be dramatic, I will send for you. This is too public right now. Don't want to frighten the students."
Callum shrugged before making way to Hermione. The sight of her chest rising and falling, brought him a mixture of emotions. Still alive. Tom watched him carefully.
Callum whispered over her skin. Magic rippled in the room. A golden hue casting her entire frame. A few moments passed and then she groaned.
Tom's eyes flickered over to Callum then to Hermione. He knelt forward. Fingers brushing the curls from her face. She stared up at him, disoriented. Everything ached and all she wanted was to sleep.
"What happened? "
Callum's voice drifted over them.
"Something you don't need to worry about. "
She froze as if suddenly recalling. Hastily Hermione stood up, a burst of vertigo swirling her vision. Tom held onto her before she could stagger away.
"Easy there, Miss Granger. It would be best for you to retire. " Callum spoke out.
"But- "
"I'll write up your excuse. Now let me help you. " Tom pressed, leaving no room for argument.
Hermione felt his fingers tighten around her shoulder. Callum moving to their line of vision. The action making Tom glare.
"Allow me, Riddle. "
"I hardly think that is necessary. Your class begins soon. "
The tone had an edge to it, Hermione noticed. She felt like she was caged in with two dangerous beings with no way out.
"Oh that is true but one more thing I must do. Riddle not a sudden move."
The closer he got the more her heart thudded. She could feel Tom's fingers digging into her. The scent of Callum wafting into her nostrils. It was different scent underneath the magic brimming. This was lighter not quite floral but earthy. Hermione could see something lurking in his eyes.
Callum leaned forward, unfamiliar words leaving his lips right before those very same lips crashed into hers.
Hermione stood frozen, eyes wide. A foreign sensation crept inside. It burned icy, almost as if something connecting within. Shock wearing out. Her palms on his chest tried to push him away. Tom leaned toward her, his voice sending shivers down her spine.
The familiar hiss was all she heard as Callum deepened the kiss. Her eyes closed of their own accord, an emptiness filling her. Then another moment passed. Callum pulled away, looking at directly at Tom.
"That should buy some time."
Tom stared back, face indifferent. Yet his eyes gleamed.
"That's the last time you'll ever touch her like that. "
Callum smirked before turning away and walking out. Tom sighed before setting up his wards. He walked them to the nearby table where she sat atop. It was silent and Hermione couldn't take it anymore.
"What is going on?"
Tom ignored her as he pulled out the parchment, neatly scribbling. Then he passed it to Nox. Nonchalantly, his voice dipped making Hermione become wary.
"You been marked with death. Unfortunately, Callum had resort to other methods to keep your soul intact. Don't dwell on the kiss. It meant nothing. "
Hermione frowned. That didn't even sound remotely right. How did this even come to be? Matter of fact why is Callum even wandering around freely?
"How does this not bother you?"
Tom didn't answer, letting the silence sink for a few moments.
"What did you expect? That I'd maim him? Here of all places? Don't be foolish Hermione. I'm not letting myself in that spotlight for Callum Garrison."
"You have something in mind. "
Tom lips quirked and he let his gaze slid over her. Something dark lingered within. Hermione felt the constriction in her throat. The way her pulse began to rush.
Tom walked slowly to her. His presence engulfing. It was entirely different from Callum. Perhaps that's why he knew never to test Tom in that aspect. He'd lose.
Hermione didn't flinch when Tom came between her legs. No, she held her breath when his hand slid tantalizing up high upon her thigh. Her fingers whiten when she gripped the edge of the table. Arousal heated like a flame.
"Would you like a demonstration? "
It was a simple question. However, Hermione knew better. Well she'd like to think she did. The coursing heat was relentless as Tom continued to move his wicked fingers underneath the skirt.
She shudder at the coolness of touch. The breath escaping in a gasp as Tom moved her thighs apart.
"Tell me no, Hermione."
Gods.
She could almost taste him. His lips brushed over her jaw.
Tease.
There was no doubt he could feel how much she wanted him. Her fingers released and pulled him forward by the front and she kissed him hard.
Tom groaned into her, as her legs wrapped around him. She was tired of waiting. To hell with waiting for marriage. She was of age and damn it, Tom was hers.
Tom pulled back, eyes dark with desire.
"Get up, we aren't doing this here. "
Hermione felt flushed and breathless.
"What? "
Wandlessly, Tom fixed her clothes.
"That excuse is only useful for today. I have a class in an hour. "
Drat.
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Pardon me for ending it here. Ahaha. I'm already working on the next chapter. Also I like to thank the person who pointed out my mistake in the 2nd chapter. It was minor but I like to remind everyone that I don't have a beta for this fic. All the mistakes are mine. Anyhow if anyone notices anything please let me know. Till next time!! :D