THIRTY-THREE
Wednesday, 15 October 1944
The rest of Tuesday, Hermione's head was in a fog. She had spent all of lunch still trembling at Draco's side and he didn't help anything by making a show of licking at fingers every chance he got. It was hard to part from him when it was time for her to go to Astronomy, but she knew the only way to snap out of it was to put some distance between them.
It sort of worked, although she sat in Astronomy with a dreamy smile on her face as she replayed the encounter over and over again. She had always been put off by the idea of someone going down on her. She knew most of it was self-consciousness, but the way Malfoy had looked at her and the noises of approval that he made as he tasted her… Her thighs pressed together tightly in her seat and she cleared her throat.
Hermione tried to concentrate in class, but she didn't hear a single word from Professor Daedalus. She didn't even care that Riddle was watching her as she stared down at her textbook, not reading a single word.
As she met up with Malfoy after class, she had come to the conclusion that having someone else get her off was infinitely better than doing it herself. And she found herself wet again as she wondered just how soon before they could do it again.
Wednesday had passed with a blur and they soon found themselves in the common room after dinner instead of in the library. At one point, Hermione excused herself to use the loo and took her time before returning. As good as she felt, she could only listen to someone talk about the glory of Divination for so long before her dinner made a reappearance. She already regretted saying yes to spending time with her roommates instead of going to the Room of Requirement.
She paused with her hand on the door to leave the loo and realized that she was humming. She didn't know when it had started or what tune it was, but it had happened. She let her hand drop to her side and took a deep breath. The last time she had hummed without thinking was… Her nose scrunched when she couldn't remember the last time she had been this happy.
And the thought that Draco Malfoy was the one to cause it was both absurd and wonderful at the same time.
Not even Riddle could ruin it for her.
But Kerus could.
When she opened the door to leave the loo, he was pacing along the wall opposite of it and stopped at the sight of her. She deflated immediately and all of her happy-go-lucky attitude turned way to anger with a little bit of fear. He slowly raised his hands in mock surrender. "What do you want?" she asked.
"To apologize."
She studied him, tipping her head to the side in thought. He was different than she had ever seen him. She knew she could throw a punch, but it wasn't something that could make him suddenly this afraid of her. "That happened ages ago, Nott."
"Still, I should have never treated you with such disrespect."
Her eyes narrowed as her scrutiny increased. "Did Draco do something to you? I know I didn't punch you that hard."
"Draco didn't do anything."
But someone did.
Her eyes went wide and she took a half step closer to him, stopping when he flinched. "Did Riddle do something to you?"
His jaw ticked and fear flashed in his eyes. "I understand what I did and will not make the same mistake twice." He continued to stare at her as if wanting to say something more, but holding back.
"Spit it out," she demanded.
The same fire that had danced in his eyes before she punched him was back again. "You're playing a dangerous game, Granger. I-" The fire died instantly and the fear was there once more. His eyes dropped to the floor and then he was taking off.
So something had definitely happened to Kerus that night. She had asked Malfoy not to do anything to him and he promised that he hadn't. And she knew Riddle had been livid that night as well, but she would have never thought he turned on his own followers. For her. And Kerus was trying to warn her about Riddle. Like he knew.
Hermione swallowed hard and debated on going back to the common room or just turning in for the evening. She wasn't sure she could convince Malfoy that nothing was wrong, but she didn't want to alert Riddle to anything as she tried to mull over the information. With a heavy sigh, she chose the common room, but instead of leaving the hallway, she caught Malfoy's gaze and signaled for him to come to her.
"Everything alright?" he asked, leaning in close so the people turning to watch them couldn't hear.
She nodded and looked up at him as her palms rested flat on his chest. "I think I'm going to turn in a little early."
He inclined his head and then leaned in to brush his lips over hers sweetly. "I'll see you in the morning then."
She nodded and stepped into him, reveling in the comfort his arms around her provided. Tearing herself away, she gave him one last kiss and then retreated back down the hall to turn in for the night.
Thursday, 16 October 1944
Hermione sat across from Malfoy in the library on Thursday before he left for Ancient Runes, just like always. He was going over some of his notes from his last lesson because he had a test today. She had her own texts open with the intent to write an essay for Charms, but her eyes kept drifting to her red leather book. She had been tempted to use it to write to Riddle, but wasn't sure if it would go to him or Malfoy.
Her opportunity came when he stood up with a grumble and excused himself to look for a text. She reached into his bag and found his copy of their books and cracked it open. She hastily scribbled a hello into her book, her eyes glued to Malfoy's. Nothing.
I wondered if you would use the book again.
The words appeared in her copy and she tapped the plume of her quill against her cheek before responding.
I'm cancelling our study session today.
She made sure that nothing appeared in Malfoy's and then stashed his book back in his bag before he returned. As it was, she wanted to be done with hers before he returned so he didn't see her using it.
A bold move, Miss Granger. One I would heavily advise against.
You asked me to let you know in advance if something came up, Riddle. That's what I'm doing.
She didn't wait for a response before putting the book back in her bag. And just in time too as Malfoy flopped back into his seat. "Do you want me to quiz you?" she asked. She had never seen him freak out about a class before and wondered if this is how he had been before the war.
He stilled for a moment and then set his book politely on the table. "I'm not really sure why I care so much. It's not like passing or failing this class matters."
"Makes me feel better that I'm not the only one to act that way."
He snorted and turned in his chair to look at her. "I've seen you freak out on your house mates enough when it comes to studying to know that I am nowhere near as bad as you."
She rolled her eyes and went back to her Charms assignment. "Whatever makes you feel better, Draco."
He was silent for a moment, but she could feel the weight of his gaze on her. "I think I'm getting used to it."
"To what?" she asked, looking at him.
"To you calling me by my first name."
She smiled and set her quill down. "I think we're there now."
"Are you sure?" he asked, the tips of his mouth curving upwards as he leaned in. "I would be happy to convince you a little more if you need more sway."
She blushed, but refused to look away. "We're definitely there," she breathed, smirking as she pressed her face closer to him as well. "Although, please feel free to keep trying to convince me."
His eyes widened. He clearly had not been expecting her to play along, much less say something quite like that. She saw his throat bob as he swallowed and his lips parted. Whatever he had been about to say was interrupted by the sound of the bell.
"You're going to class today," she stated.
He huffed, but leaned in to kiss her before putting his things back in his bag. "I'll see you after class then, Hermione" he said and kissed her one more, leaving her smiling at the sound of her name from his lips.
Hermione waited until most of the other students had cleared out of the library before she pulled out her book again. There was still no response from Riddle, making her wonder if he would still show up to the library anyway. As the minutes ticked by, she began to panic wondering if she had made a mistake. What if she had just angered him and he retaliated by doing something to Malfoy later?
Needing to find him to explain herself, she packed up her stuff and made her way through mostly empty halls towards the dungeons. Riddle wasn't in the common room when she arrived. Only a handful of people were there, most of them Sixth or Seventh Years who just didn't have class like her at the moment.
She made her way towards the dorms and when she was sure no one was looking, she turned towards the boys' side and cast the necessary charms to allow her passage. She stopped outside of Riddle and Malfoy's door, hesitating before she knocked. She could turn back now and just deal with him in Astronomy or she could face him now and get it over with.
As she lifted her hand to the door, it opened and Riddle stared at her for a moment before stepping back to invite her in. He closed the door and tipped his head to the side, eyes alight with amusement at the sight of her. "Had you just wanted to be alone with me in my quarters, Hermione, all you had to do was ask."
She drew in a shaky breath and shook her head. "That's not-" She paused and clamped her lips together, pressing them into a thin line. "Please don't lash out at Draco because I cancelled our session today."
"If you tell me why you cancelled, I will consider your request."
She worried at her bottom lip for a moment and then sighed. "Because I knew I would lose my temper with you and I didn't want to do so in the library."
He was surprised by her words. "What have I done to warrant such a temper?"
"Did you do something to Kerus that night?"
There. It was out there and she couldn't take it back.
The way his eyes darkened and all traces of amusement disappeared, Hermione knew she had her answer.
She crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes at him. "I had told Draco to leave it alone. I didn't think I would have had to tell you too. I took care of the issue myself. I don't need either of you fighting my battles for me." She paused for a moment and lifted her chin. "Least of all you."
He stared at her for a moment and then clasped his hands behind his back. "While your ability to stand up for yourself is admirable, Kerus has been known to cause problems. He has consistently proven himself unworthy of my inner circle time and time again. His behavior towards you was something of a last straw."
"It doesn't matter. I'm not yours to defend, Riddle."
His jaw ticked and his body tensed as if he were going to advance on her, but managed to refrain. "Draco said something similar to me that very night."
"He knew?"
The way his lips curved into a smile caused dread to run its course through her body. "That night he made a valiant effort to remind me that you were his to claim. I made it clear to him that should he continue to provoke me, I can take you from him." This time, he did step forward and Hermione recoiled. "Do I need to remind you of that as well?"
"You can't just remove me from him. I'm not transferrable-"
"I was not referring to your physical being, Hermione," he said, sounding irritated at having to explain it.
Her eyes went wide. "What did you take from him?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Just our conversation of that night," he assured her. "Nothing more."
Hermione exhaled slowly, trying to calm her racing nerves. Her thoughts were running rampant with fear. She couldn't step out of line again. If Riddle had already been messing with Malfoy's mind, he would absolutely do it in retaliation. Whatever he wanted; he would have from her.
"I told you that cancelling on me was ill advised, but since you came to me regardless, I will let it go," he said, closing the distance between them. She nodded as he peered down at her. "You will not cancel on me again, Hermione. You and I have much to discuss and I will not have you thinking you have the upper hand here."
"I won't," she promised. "Never again."
He stared at her for a moment and then stepped back. He moved towards his dresser and opened the bottom drawer. She watched as he rummaged through his things before producing a book and then coming to stand in front of her again. He held it out to her and she reached up for it tentatively. "Do you think you can manage to finish this by the time we meet for observation tomorrow?"
She glanced down at the thin book in her hands and nodded before looking back up. "What is it?"
"Reference material for Grey magic. Do not practice anything. Just read. We can discuss it tomorrow."
She knew it was a dismissal and she was free to leave, but she found herself unable to lift her feet. Instead, she turned the book over in her hands and continued to stare at Riddle.
"Yes, Miss Granger?" he asked, sensing her questions. He didn't even have to be in her mind to know she had several to ask.
"Why are you teaching me?"
"Would you rather I simply exhaust your mind of all that pertains to me and then dispose of what remains?" She shook her head rapidly and he smiled. "Then I believe I am doing you a favor. Your mind and your magic are equally matched with mine. I am too far gone towards the Dark, but the Grey intrigues me. You will satisfy my curiosity by harnessing the Grey and in exchange, I will let you live. Provided you do not challenge me or speak of my past or future to others, so will Draco."
She nodded and found herself able to move. Slowly, she made her way to the door and just as her fingers gripped the handle to open the door, he spoke again.
"Should I find that you are using the Occlumency that Draco is teaching you to conceal any information from me, I will make you kill him. Do you understand me, Hermione?"
She nodded as tears prickled her eyes. She knew it was not an empty threat in the slightest. "I understand," she choked out and then fled from the room.