A/N: Thank you to all the people who read this and your lovely comments! I have never been to England before so everything I pretty much google to make sure place names and streets etc are accurate. So where Hermione lives is an actual apartment building complex and I looked at floor plans for her apartment. For The British Museum I downloaded the map from the museum website. Everything else regarding security is an assumption on my part and how you would mix that with magic.

As for Christian (Tom) and Hermione naturally I have plans for my favourite pair.

This chapter is quite long, but I wanted to fit everything in.

I apologise for any mistakes i made or missed.

THE HEIST

Hermione's Apartment

14th December 2013, 6pm

The last two weeks have been particularly stressful and an emotional rollercoaster, so in typical Ginny fashion she suggested a night out on the town. Harry informed her what had happened on Thursday and suffice to say she was ashamed of what her brother had done. So, her solution was to get drunk. She said while I didn't get drunk very often, I needed the release.

"Come on Hermione let your sensible side take a night off, you need to blow off some steam. Burn off that emotional turmoil. Come on you need the release!", she said throwing a dress at me which under normal circumstances I would not wear.

"I need a release alright but not that kind", I slapped my hand over my mouth, mortified I had just said that out loud.

"Hermione! Now the truth comes out. When was the last time you know…I know you said you haven't been with anybody since my brother, but I mean the other thing", at first I just looked at her while I thought over what she had just said.Oh.

"You mean that release?"

"What other kind of release is there?" I rolled my eyes at her, "So does that mean that Christian hasn't given you one?", my cheeks burn with humiliation. The man I want won't even touch me, it's frustrating. Do I practically have to be naked and throw myself at him? Not that I would do that mind you. I have dignity and self-respect.

"No, on Thursday I asked him if he wanted to stay, but he said I wasn't ready for that", I stood up and moved in front of the mirror on the back of my bedroom door. I held up the dress, it really was pretty, it was red lace and short, mid-thigh, it wasn't tight which is also what I liked about it. It had half sleeves that finished above my elbows. It was tasteful, but gave a hint of what was underneath and that was what made it sexy, I guess. I was never sexy. Ron had often complained about my modesty, but Christian brings something out in me…more confidence. I want to be sexy for him.

"Try the dress on Hermione, you'll look stunning it in. Look, I'm sure he wants you what man wouldn't? But after what he saw and experienced on Thursday, he probably thought you were too emotional and perhaps would regret it later. And who wants their first time with someone marred by regret and overshadowed by their ex-fiancé?"

"Ok you are probably right. Alright I'll put the dress on, but I am not getting too drunk I want to remember tonight and not do anything stupid"

Ginny saluted me "Yes Mam'" with a sly grin.

A few hours and a few (many) drinks later

Somewhere Hermione can't remember

(Club White around 1am)

"Ginny what's two hundred and thirty-six times four hundred and forty, then take the square root. I desperately need to know the answer", Ginny looked at me like I was crazy.

"Ahh, I'm too drunk to know that and even if I wasn't, I would have no idea", mmm Ginny didn't sound that drunk.

"I'll tell you it's 322! Roughly", she slapped her hand to her forehead.

"Only you could still do complicated math while drunk", she shook her head trying not to laugh.

A man comes over to where we are, trying to get my attention, I guess the red is a real man attractor, but I want my man here and now, touching me. Maybe I could call him? Would he come? I giggle at that. I want him to come. I'm really on top of the innuendos while I'm drunk. Ha! on top. I want to be on top, would he let me be on top?

"I would let you be on top…beautiful", he man gets right in my face, his breath smelling of a sickly-sweet alcohol. I push him roughly out of the way.

"Yuck, I don't want you anywhere near me! I want my man and only my man!" I was getting a little loud by the fact that Ginny was trying to shush me. I felt her reach into my handbag, did she need more money? I couldn't really focus on that right now. I had another guy come up to me.

"Well he isn't here, now is he? So, I could take his place…between your legs" he sidled up to me caging me in between his massive body and the wall of wherever we were. I can't remember.

Ginny POV

Oh boy. We're in trouble now. Harry will kill me. As soon as I saw that guy come up talking about being on top. It was hilarious watching Hermione's inner musings spoken out loud. She doesn't often relax or have any sort of girl talk because it is inappropriate. Hopefully, being away from my brother might awaken her inner woman.

I dig through he handbag looking for her mobile. This is getting out of hand and Harry isn't answering. So, I decide to call Christian, not like I can call Ron. I take a chance. I can't take on these buffoons all by myself. I'm watching Hermione thumping the guy who has her caged, hopefully Christian can get here quick enough.

"Hello Hermione, you realise it is…just after one", he sounded sleepy.

"Ummm, Christian? This is Christian right?"

"Who is this? Why do you have Hermione's phone?", now he was alert.

"It's Ginny, we are at Club White and we need help we're in a spot of trouble. Hermione is drunk and being harassed by two guys"

"I'll be there in 10 minutes" and hangs up. I really hope he is.

Hermione POV

"Get off me you oaf, ogre, troll wannabe! No one touches me!"

"Come one sweet heart show us the goods, I bet you are sweet tasting. Nectar of the God's all the feisty ones are", suddenly a bag is swung at his head and I look to see Ginny was the one holding it. Then the other wanker grabs her and holds her arms.

I bring up my knee to connect with his groin, I somehow manage to aim correctly, but my right hook is completely off, and I just swing at air. The guy tackles me into the wall I groan as my head connects against the brick. I'm going to have a splitting headache in the morning oh wait it is the morning. He grabs my face and smashes his mouth on to mine, the taste of his tongue makes me want to be sick. I swing both my fists into the side of his face as hard as I could in my drunken state. He is wrenched off me suddenly and thrown back, Christian grabs me and I am staring at him like it is Christmas morning. My man.

He throws me over his shoulder, careful to keep the hem of my dress pulled down so I don't flash anyone. As soon as we are outside, he apparates us both to his hotel room. He points to the bathroom and I go without arguing. My drunk mind is struggling to process, but I know that I'm in trouble. I brush my teeth and clean myself up as best I can.

I enter the room again and he is sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for me. I walk over at stand in between his legs. I'm starting to sober up, but I'm still drunk enough that my inhibitions are lowered.

"Thank you for coming tonight", I run my hands through his luscious curly hair.

"Of course, I would come if you called, no matter the time", he answered me seriously.

I close my eyes and revel in that thought, I could feel the lust still running in my veins as I thought about what I had said earlier.

"Hermione", god I want him to say it again.

"Say it again", my voice was becoming thick.

"Hermione?"

"Touch me Christian", I said as I reached under my dress to pull my underwear down. There was that sensible voice in the back of my mind screaming at me 'to stop this right now'. I watched his face morph into shocked as he watched my panties fall to the floor.

"Hermione…", my mind was a mix of oh god and you idiot. He stood up and tossed me on the bed. Then crawled over the top of me, but careful not to touch my body. He held on to my wrists and he lent down to whisper in my ear.

"Don't tempt me Hermione. You are drunk, I'm not going to take advantage of you in this current state. While I would enjoy ravishing you until you explode in ecstasy now is not the time. Now sleep", he touches my forehead, and everything goes black.

Tom POV

This little seductress is going to be the death of me. It took all my self-control not to fuck her senseless. She thinks I don't want her - I do, but I need her to trust me and when morning comes, she will regret and be embarrassed by her actions. Plus, I know she has suspicions about my identity, I've caught bits and pieces that she has inadvertently projected. I don't want her to think I've betrayed her. Such a Hufflepuff.

I pick up the desk chair and throw it, how very muggle of me taking my frustrations out on a piece of furniture. It's uncouth. She has wheedled her way under my skin taking up residence like a parasite. A parasite I'm not sure I want to get rid of. I look at her sleeping gracefully in my bed. I clench my jaw. I flick my hand and magically change her in to one of my t-shirts. It instils a bit of manly pride. I snort. Ridiculous. I summon my wand and proceed to obliterate the chair, then piecing it back together, then destroying it again. I do it multiple times until my frustration as ebbed away. I sigh. It's going to be a long morning knowing there is a half-naked woman in my bed. I transfigure the chair that had incurred my frustration into a simple cot. I willed myself to sleep and not think about the way she asked me to touch her.

Hermione POV

I woke up to sunlight streaming in through the window. My brain felt like a thousand jack hammers where going off. My tongue felt like a piece of sandpaper and I was parched. I blinked slowly, taking in my surroundings. Where the hell am I? I moved my head and saw Christian holding a mug, he was sipping it every now and then looking out the window contemplatively. I took a moment to look at him, he was wearing stripy sleep shorts and a plain grey t-shirt. His hair was messy from sleep, I wondered if he looked this good every morning. I probably looked like I have been dragged through a bush. I sat up and realised I wasn't in my dress, just a shirt. Oh boy, did we? It doesn't feel like we did, and I doubt he would agree to have sex while I was drunk.

Images started to flood my brain of last night. I closed my eyes ashamed of my behaviour I can't believe I said those things; how can I look him in the eye? No, I need to own my behaviour. I said things I wouldn't necessarily have while sober even if they were true. Now I know the meaning of liquid courage.

He turns around surprised I am awake. I just stare not sure what to say. Again, I'm being stupid. Where was the confident self-assured Hermione of last night complaining about him not touching me? And also, it would prove Ron somewhat right. I sit up straighter and keep eye contact. He smiles and arches an eyebrow.

"There's my girl", I blush furiously. I open my mouth to apologise, but he holds up a hand.

"You don't need to apologise Hermione. I already know what you are going to say. You were drunk, I think your allowed to have a night off", he walks over and places his mug down on the bed side table. He sits down on the bed leaning back on one of his arms.

"Now my dear, you need to go freshen up and get appropriately dressed for conducting a burglary", my jaw drops.

"We're doing that tonight? I thought we were doing that tomorrow?", he grins deviously, I find that I don't mind it when he is being cunning. That grin however is very reminiscent of Voldemort...

"Well I changed my mind. Sunday is probably the best day to do it. Most people are at home, Sunday afternoons are spent busy thinking about the working week ahead". I have to agree, generally I'm at home or at the Burrow. I just wasn't mentally prepared to be thieving today. I kind of just wanted to go home and wallow in self-pity.

"Ok. What do I wear?", he looked at me as if to say, 'are you serious?'

"Well I don't know you're the burglar here", he chuckled.

"I guess just wear something comfortable, we are going to be waiting in a storage cupboard for a few hours", I blushed at all the possibilities of what we could do in that cupboard while waiting. He must have sensed my train of thought.

"Hermione, there will be plenty of time for that later. I want to get to know you better", he reached out and squeezed my hand. I felt there was a hidden meaning to that, but I had no time to think about it as I felt his lips on mine. It was a whisper of a kiss. Tease.

"Come on we have work to do Princess"

Out the front of The British Museum

Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London

15th December 2013 around 4pm

After the leaving Christian's hotel room, I returned home and fed Crookshanks, who was rather cranky that I hadn't been home. As I took Christians shirt off and let it fall to the floor, Crookshanks decided to poke and prod it with his paws until he was satisfied and then curled up in the middle of it. Clearly, he was missing Christian again.

The plan was to meet up outside the main entrance at the bottom of the stairs an hour before closing time. I was dressed in all black, I went for practical. Black leggings, a long sleeve shirt, a thick black knitted jumper. I brought a long down filled jacket that went to my knees. I also wore some après boots, it looked like it was going to snow tonight, and I wanted to be wearing appropriate footwear for our quick getaway. I had my phone and wand tucked away in my pocket, i didn't bring anything else.

Because I was looking around at the people walking passed, I failed to observe a person come up behind me and wrap their arms around me. I went to scream, but a hand covered my mouth.

"Ready?", the person whispered in my ear.

I relaxed as I recognised the voice and the smell of his cologne. "Did you have to do that? You scared me and I'm already on edge. I feel like everyone is watching" I know I was being paranoid because we were about to do something very illegal.

"You weren't observing your surroundings so I had to remind you that you should keep alert", I rolled my eyes, lucky he didn't see when I did that.

"Well thank you for that lesson Dad, but I'll be fine. So, what's the plan once we get in there?", I was really anxious because I still wasn't 100% sure of the plan. He scowled at the dad jab, serves himself right.

"First we'll just have a wander inside, then closer to the closing time enter the shop, I'll send a pulse of magic to the camera that's in the shop to make it flicker long enough for us too disillusion ourselves and get into the storage cupboard"

"What about the shopkeep? They may be rather attentive especially if they see us hanging around right on closing time", I was hoping he wouldn't suggest, injuring them or something.

"It depends, I may have to use a mild imperio to prompt them to leave early, thinking they have done everything for the day. I know it's illegal, but it's the best option without hurting them" while I don't agree with the imperious curse, in mild cases I can see why some people use it as a strong suggestion.

"Fine, I agree if that's all you do" I had my bossy pants on. This was already pushing the boundaries of my morals and ethics by stealing back this artefact but using unforgivables I couldn't really handle much more.

Tom POV

Quite frankly I couldn't care less about the damn muggles. The things I do for this woman. Maria said Hermione will be good for me curb some of my darkness from getting out of control. But what does she know? I've only really known Hermione for 4 weeks. But everything has changed. Love not love, it's nothing more than a chemical defect. I like the girl nothing more, but perhaps Maria might be right in that Hermione could be my greatest ally.

I quite enjoy the museum, I just wish we had more time to enjoy it together. We circled around level one just waiting for the final bell to ring indicating the museum would be closing in ten minutes time. Then we would make our way down to the shop next to room 30.

We stopped and leaned over one of the balconies just watching the muggles walk back and forth without a care in the world, even though there was something just in their immediate vicinity that could kill them. I should amend that to two things because I am not just talking about the tablet. Hermione is leaning her head on my shoulder and she stiffens when the final bell rings.

"Hermione, if you don't want to do this we could just walk away right now and no one would have to know", I knew she wouldn't take the offer to retreat. She was just as curious as I was about the tablet. Even though it scared her, she still wanted to figure it out.

"No, we need to do this" and with one final determined look I descended the stairs after her.

The shop was filled with a few tourists trying to get their souvenirs at the last minute. It meant we could hide at the back of the shop relatively unnoticed and lucky for us that meant facing away from the view of the camera. I discretely sent an energy pulse at the camera wanting it to flicker and go blank.

"Disillusion yourself and I'll distract the shop keep", I quickly glanced back up to the camera to make sure the red-light indicating power was still off.

"What do I do now?", all I heard was a whisper in my ear. "Go wait near the storage cupboard door". The shop keep was becoming eagle eyed, while serving the last few customers. I will have to use the imperio on him, they're too observant. In addition, I didn't like the way he was looking at Hermione earlier, she's mine.

I watch as the store clerk walks over here sizing me up, how pathetic, this snot nose little twit actually believes he has a chance?

"Sir you and your…daughter where ever she is, will have to leave the premises now the Museum is about the close", I can't help but roll my eyes.

"She's not my daughter, clearly your math skills are not up to scratch she's my partner you fool", girlfriend was such an immature way of explaining our relationship, whereas, partner felt more appropriate.

The foolish dim-witted poor example of a muggle just open and closed his mouth like a goldfish gulping for air. Thank the powers above I get to imperio this moron. I checked the camera once more before pointing my wand at his head right between the eyes. I mouthed the incantation, forcing myself into the haze of his mind. I implanted false memories of him closing up the store as a normal afternoon activity. I also made sure he would stay away from Hermione in the future. Satisfied with my impeccable magical work, I let him robotically leave the store. I shut both the main entry door and the door that lead out into the gallery; I went to lock them but realised neither had locks. Security must come through here when they loop back.

I slowly open the cupboard door, so I don't startle Hermione, the last thing we need is for to scream in fright. I look around the cupboard is a little bigger than I thought but not by much. The cupboard is lined by two skinny shelving units stacked with boxes and various items and there are some boxes haphazardly placed on the floor which limits the amount of floorspace we have to sit. It will be tight for the next few hours. I notice her looking through some boxes and she pulls out two water bottles and a packet of mixed nuts.

She plonks herself down and pats the floor beside her. How plebeian sitting on a dirty floor. How my life has changed.

"What's the next stage of the plan?" she says as she offers me a bottle. I take it considering my answer.

"Well the next stage will be vanishing the display cabinet. It was too busy before to do it people would have noticed. So…adjusting for this change in plans…the psychological warfare begins"

Hermione POV

The storage cupboard

I frowned in thought psychological warfare? Then it clicked getting security to what turn off the cameras? Lights?

"What exactly is the aim of that?"

"Well if it works it will make them turn off the lights, cameras and motion detectors possibly even stopping their security rounds in this section. With the silent alarms constantly going off they will get irritated and not wanting it to keep happening they'll stay away. It would make our lives easier if it works, it would make stealing the tablet straightforward. I will transfigure something in here to look like the tablet and swap it…is there another bag of nuts?"

I felt overwhelmed as the reality of what we were doing was starting to set in. Like at the hotel, I started to internally freak out. This was now happening, I know we needed to do it to save a lot of people but that wasn't going to stop the irrational part of my mind from panicking.

"Hermione, breathe and calm down. I'll be doing most of the work, ok?", he pulled me in to his chest and just breathing him in was enough for the initial panic to subside.

"So… bag of nuts?", I laughed not meaning to be so loud. But I doubt people would be able to hear us here in the bloody cupboard.

"Here take this packet, I'll look around for another one in these boxes"

"I just wanted it to transfigure into the tablet", I looked at him.

"I suppose that would be funny when it turned back into a bag of nuts, to see the look on their faces", yes when they realised what a foolish simple mistake they had made. I still cannot fathom how they had managed to make such a disastrous mistake.

I watched as Christian concentrate on the bag of nuts with his wand firmly pointed at it. I saw the swirl of magic erupt from the end of his wand. I had never paid too much attention to his wand before, but now being able to have a clear look at it I can see that it is Holly.

Wand lore was something that I surprisingly didn't pay too much attention to during school, there wasn't any time to indulge in extra research, as most of the time was helping Harry survive. It wasn't until after the battle was over that, that I was more curious about wand lore. For as much as wizards and witches rely on their wands, there isn't many books on the subject. It apparently is only passed down in families who make wands such as the Ollivanders. The few books I did find where enlightening.

Voldemort's old wand was Yew with a phoenix feather core, and it is a wood that enhances magical ability, transformations and immortality. Which partially makes sense why he was so obsessed with gaining immortality. It was a wood that was put on the graves of the deceased in Celtic mythology as a reminder to the departed spirit that death wasn't the end but a brief stop before rebirth.

Christian's wand is Holly, I don't know what the core is, and I am not about to ask, but if this is him it would be rather poetic to end up with a Holly wand as it symbolises rebirth, protection and invulnerability.

I really like him, and I know that I have been ignoring certain things, that have been niggling at the back of my mind. His magic is familiar I just can't seem the place it or my mind doesn't want to. He knows more about Horcruxes than perhaps he should, but he did do a mastery in the Dark Arts, his smirk and that glint he gets in his eye sometimes are so alike with Voldemort it is hard to dismiss.

I can't be in denial forever, living in this bubble like we have been. I will have to face the truth sooner or later, but what will I do when it is staring me in the face? I have goblin paper in my beaded bag, I can always use some of those bloodied rags I still haven't placed in the bin outside. Wetting them and using that on the paper should theoretically work, then I will know for once and for all if it is him.

I am pulled out of my internal musing by Christian waving his hand in front of my face.

"Sorry I was lost in thought then", I looked down I was looking at a full replicate of the tablet. It looked so real, wow he was good.

"Wow, merlin's beard that is a really good transfiguration. Because I've studied so much, I can see that it is not the real thing, but to an untrained observer it would look like the real deal", I couldn't help but smile this was really good.

"Well it was a good as it was going to get, without actually doing the complicated duplicate spell. But we just need it to last for a couple of hours. Alright I'm going to go out and trip the gallery-", he cut himself off as we heard the voices of the guards walking through the shop.

He quickly disillusioned both of us in case they opened the cupboard door. Lucky, he did because moments later they opened the door, flicked the light off and closed the door. I breathed a sigh of relief. They came around earlier than expected, I looked at my watch 5:45pm. We sat in silence for twenty minutes not wanting to make a noise.

"What I was saying was that I'll go disillusioned and set of the motion sensors in the gallery the sooner we get this plan rolling the sooner we can get back home", he kissed my forehead before magically unlocking the door and then slipping out. I sat worrying the whole time he was gone. It was only a few minutes later and he was back.

"So soon?"

"I was just setting off the sensors, now we just need to wait and see what happens"

Sure, enough twenty minutes later the guards came back around again. I held Christians arm tightly as they jiggled the door handle, satisfied it was locked they kept walking. Once they left, I relaxed again, knowing he is going to have to go back out there soon enough to disturb the peace again. In the mean time we spoke quietly about his job in America, as I wanted to know more about this mysterious man.

It was nearly 7:30pm when Christian left to go back out again, I wasn't as worried this time even though he did take a little longer.

He came back in, in a flurry.

"I put a magical dampener on the tablet and vanished the cabinet. Next time if this all goes to plan, we should be able to swap the tablet and leave without too much trouble."

"But would the magical dampener prevent us from doing magic if we are close to it?"

"It shouldn't but I can't be too sure. We will just have to improvise if it does which…..is why I brought this", he pulled out a shrunken box and then enlarged it.

"what is it?", I could feel the dark magic emanating from it, it was disgusting.

"I know it is dark magic Hermione, but this box maybe the one way to hold the tablet long enough to get it to the ministry without causing any problems. Or activating while it is with us. My guess is that the tablet will eventually eat through this magic or consume it. The tablet seems to be sentient or appears to be to a degree. Holding it down in the Dark Archives is a smart idea as all that dark magic will distract it. I didn't mention this earlier because I didn't know how you would react to this. But we needed a backup plan and I would rather not get my magic and soul sucked out to that"

"No…I agree. I don't like it, but I am not as naïve as I was in school. I do understand that dark magic has its place, and this is useful if it will prevent us from killing ourselves while doing this", we heard the guards talking loudly as they walked through the store.

"I don't know why they make us do this, it's just old dusty trinkets, why would anyone want to steal this stuff? Not like anyone is in here, every time we walk through, nothing comes of it. Plus, you would hear people walking around, it echoes in the corridors"

"They should just let us turn off the security in this section. If the motion sensors keep picking up nothing and triggering the silent alarms the police are going to get the shits from having to keep coming here. This is the second time already"

"It's actually working", I was slightly surprised but if I were the police, I would get annoyed at having to come out for 'false alarms'.

"I told you, it's all psychology. A third time should do it, then the fourth time when we leave, they should ignore the sensors as we leave, just have to affect the cameras on our way out and voila we are free with the tablet"

I was getting excited at the prospect of getting to the end of our plan. Christian got up to go back out there and swap the tablet this time. He tried the door, but it wouldn't open, he tried again but wouldn't budge. He tried magically and it still wouldn't open.

"The door is stuck", he sounded confused.

"The door is stuck how?", I knew that was a stupid question, but I couldn't help asking it. He banged his head against the door.

"I mean it is locked Hermione, but magic is not opening it, which means… the dampening field has unfortunately extended to where we are"

"We're locked in here?" I screeched. This was bad, I did not want to be stuck in here helpless in a locked cupboard. There wasn't much we could do except wait or make a lot of noise and get caught. Neither was an option I wanted.

"Don't worry Hermione, I am prepared. I am a burglar, what good would I be if I didn't carry around a lock picking kit?", I sat stunned on the floor. He was right, he was burglar after all. I felt rather stupid and that was a feeling I wasn't accustomed too.

I watched him for maybe 30 minutes unpicking the lock using my phone as the only source of light. I would hazard a guess and say that wasn't an easy thing to accomplish. We heard the final pin click in place and the door opened. He picked up the transfigured nut packet and bolted off towards the gallery. Literally five minutes later and he was back with the real tablet ensconced in that offensive box. I hope we weren't cooped up for too long with that thing.

"Well how did the swap go?"

"I reconjured the cabinet so it looks exactly like it was, nothing will look amiss. We just have to wait now till they come back around, hopefully the police will not attend this time"

Fifteen minutes later the guards came back around again whispering loudly, "This is the last time I am doing this, it is pointless! It must just be a fault of the sensors". Then another voice, clearer and louder sounded out in the silence. "Yes, Mr Stewart an astute observation, I will be logging a maintenance request for in the morning. Seal off this section. When you do your regular rounds, just stick your head in and have a look then continue on as usual. The police will be told that they will not have to attend anymore silent alarm trips for tonight. Continue on your rounds, Mr Stewart", then the voices where gone.

I looked to Christian, he looked stone faced. I couldn't tell what he was thinking, but I assumed planning the escape stage of our heist. I feel like I haven't done much in this burglary so far.

He looks to me and says "Hermione, do you feel comfortable taking this box back to the ministry? You will have to carry it that far."

"Yes, I understand, and I am fine with it. I chose to do this, I know the consequences"

"Are you ready?", he said standing back up stepping over to the door.

"As ready as I'll ever be", he shrunk the box to a size I could place in the pocket of my jacket. I hated having this thing close to my body. It felt like a cold wet fish was rubbing up against you. It wasn't pleasant.

I grabbed his hand and we stepped out into the now darkened store. It was eerily silent. We place silencing spells and a disillusioning charm upon us. I could feel a slight flare of magic from the box.

"I don't think we have much time, so we need to hurry", he whispered in my ear. As we entered room 24, I noticed our next problem was going to be getting out of the Montague place entrance. It was a smaller entrance with double doors leading out onto the street. We just had to make it the 100 or so metres without something going wrong. I could see two cameras facing the exit and one pointing right at us if we were visible. I sent a pulse of energy wandlessly at the cameras as we were walking, I could feel the disillusionment charm beginning to fail.

"Run", I heard Christian say. I ran on pure adrenaline, I just had to make those last few metres before the spell completely dissolved. I shot an unlocking spell at the doors and thank merlin they opened. I didn't look back to see if Christian was following me, I just kept going until I made it to Bedford Square a kilometre down the road. I stopped in amongst the trees catching my breath. I wanted to see Christian to make sure he was ok and the other part of me wanted to use that Goblin paper to find out once and for all.

I felt my phone vibrate and pulled it out. It was from Christian.

You go to the Ministry and I'll meet you back at your place. Be safe- Christian.

Getting in and out of the ministry was easy, no one bothered me. Almost no one except for security workers were there. They waved and said hi, seeing me wasn't unusual. So, they would not have thought it strange me being here.

Placing the tablet in the Dark Archives vault was a satisfying experience. I felt one weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

Once I was at home, I was a bundle of nerves, part of me doesn't want to know this outcome and just live oblivious to the fact that Christian may be Voldemort in disguise. I felt nauseous, the bile was clawing at my throat as I transfigured my bracelet back into my beaded bag and silently accioed the Goblin paper. My hands were shaking digging through the bin to find the bloodied tissues. I wet the tissues under the dripping tap and placed them on the paper, now I just had to wait. I squeezed my eyes shut like a child refusing to open their eyes, hoping it would all just go away.

Breathe in...breathe out...breathe in...breathe out. I opened them and looked in the mirror, I was pale and sickly looking. What was the real issue here? That he was Voldemort or that I felt something for him? Who was I kidding I know that I feel something for him. As Christian. Knowing that he maybe Voldemort was a far of thought that before I could shut down anytime. It was abstract. I could hide in my ignorance, blissfully. But not any longer, with the very tangible fact it maybe him. Would my feelings change? Would I be betraying Harry? This man who respects me, brings me Chinese and wine, who pats Crookshanks and discusses the latest research papers in front of the fire. That's what I'm having trouble with now reconciling the two different personalities and my own feelings. I feel like a mess of emotions.

Logically, I knew that while he could be Voldemort he technically wasn't. He is younger than Voldemort was, and he clearly has a whole soul. Therefore, he is just Tom Riddle. I took another deep breath to brace myself as I looked down at the paper in front of me to see what the result was. And there in perfect script was…

Thomas Marvolo Riddle Jr

A/N: Finally, the reveal. I know she may seem a bit back and forth in this chapter, but realistically speaking I don't believe she would just automatically be ok with everything. It would be an emotional struggle. While she knew it was a possibility she could hideaway from the fact and just ignore it, but there was too much to brush off so she had to know the truth.