A/N: This chapter is a long one. A lot happens between Hermione and Christian(Tom) and yes they finally have sex. Now, I tried to make the scenes as tasteful as I could. I am aware not everyone likes reading that kind of thing. So, I tried to focus on their feelings during the act rather than the act itself. So hopefully I pulled it off. Some more drama with Ron, yes there is a point to it. Hermione makes some choices and lets go of somethings. I haven't strictly addressed everything in this chapter. The song by Conrad Sewell 'Love Me Anyway', has been my inspiration for the last couple of chapters in regard to Christian's story. So, listen to it if you haven't heard it already. It's a really great song and I feel some of the lyrics apply to my version of Tom.
I apologize for any mistakes I have missed and hope this chapter lives up to expectations.
To guest reviewer: Of course, she does, but it was never going to be easy. I'm trying to show that relationships and people are complicated. Not everything is perfect or can be straight forward.
REVELATIONS
Hermione POV
Sunday 5th January 2014
I feel like I have been driving myself insane for the past two days. I honestly can't even remember what I did yesterday after I left Christian sleeping on the couch, cuddling with Crookshanks.
I was dazed and even more confused If that was even possible. I had never believed that Voldemort could be such a complex person. And here was Christian turning everything on its head. I started to doubt all the things we were told in school about him. Did Dumbledore give us the honest version or a subjective distortion?
As I lay here in bed early Sunday morning not wanting to move anytime soon, I recall my words from a few weeks ago before I had even met Christian. Tom Riddle could have done a great many things for the wizarding world, but Dumbledore had focused solely on his potential darkness. He was a child looking for belonging, realising he was different from the other children. I remember Harry mentioning how Dumbledore treated Tom after meeting him at the orphanage, and even he thought it was a little cruel. What do all children look for? Acceptance. I understand that completely, being a muggleborn and trying to integrate myself into this established society. Even now after the war I still get some resistance, it's like people have forgotten already what we fought for. But this time around could he be different? Was he still looking for power? If so, what are his plans? I'll never know until we have a frank discussion. He is still owed a lecture from me for disappearing for so long without a word.
I think back to Friday morning, I'm still shocked he turned up but I'm glad he did. He must have faith and trust that I wouldn't…..trust…he trusts me to keep his secret. My brain goes silent. He trusts me. The ex-Dark Lord trusts me. It's huge. I sit up hugging my pillow. He came to me in his weakest most vulnerable moment instead of going home. He cried for the little girl and turned her into glitter. He is an enigma, more intriguing and more perplexing that I first thought. It was becoming clearer that Dumbledore gave a very one-dimensional recount of this mysterious man. It made me wonder if he was more pushed into the role of being the villain, rather than wanting to be? Did he feel that everyone seemed to want him to fill the role…so fuck it, I'll just embrace it? It certainly was an interesting train of thought.
I wonder what he is doing today. I miss him already, his smell, his touch, his…I will cut that train of thought off right there. It's like I have a one-track mind lately, all I can think about is what we haven't done yet. As much as I want to, I know until I get my feelings sorted out, it wouldn't be fair to him. I'm more than attracted to him, his mind is brilliant. It is such a turn on. But Harry? The murder? Can I move past those things? I flop back down on the bed. Harry wouldn't have to know…I can't spill his secret. Telling people his former identity would be a disaster. I can't have it both ways.
Harry or Christian?
I want both of them in my life. Christian offers me something I can't get from anywhere else. I know giving him up would make me unhappy, I'd be settling for second best. He would be the one that got away and I don't want to even think about him being with another woman. I get a spike of irrational jealousy. Well I think there is my answer even though I still feel guilty in regard to Harry. I hate that I am torn and to completely honest a little angry that he is putting me in this position. I pull out my phone to text him.
Can you come over tonight? We need to talk.
Simple to the point. We have a lot to talk about, I sense something is going to happen whether it is good or bad I don't know.
Tom POV
I was in America organising the sale of my flat. If I was going to be in England for a while, then there was no point in keeping the flat here. Maria offered me one of her many spare rooms where I can store my things that I don't need and sleep here when I come and visit. I glanced down at my phone and read the message that was from Hermione. I knew this day was coming, where we would have it out. I sense she's angling for a fight, most likely an excuse to use it as a reason not to be with me because she can't reconcile her guilt for Harry. It prevents her from having to make to decision herself. I don't know how many times I have told her I am not him. Stubborn witch.
"What is it, my dear?" Maria comes over and sees my grim expression.
"Just Hermione wanting to talk, I know what women mean when they say that. She still thinks I'm going to snap and turn into Voldemort. She's holding onto guilt because she thinks I killed Harry's parents when I did not, he did". I groan in frustration, is this how it will always be? I guess turning up to her flat drenched in blood probably wasn't going to shine me in a good light. I was weak and emotional.
"Don't worry everything will work out, you just need to show her that being with you is not a bad thing. Maybe yelling and getting some of that sexual frustration out will be a good thing?", she smiled a sly smile, like she was plotting something. I narrowed my eyes. I don't need this woman interfering in whatever the hell I have going on with Hermione.
"Don't give me that look young man and go prove to that girl that you are worth taking a chance on" and walked back into the kitchen. She hadn't realised that that was part of the problem. Was I worth taking a chance on? Everyone else in my past didn't maybe except Abraxas. But I wanted it from her. The one person who in such a short time mattered to me the most.
Back at Hermione's Apartment around 5pm
I knocked on the door waiting for her to answer, I felt stupid standing out here in the corridor holding a bunch of flowers, but Maria insisted. I am not some teenage boy, but she reminded me that every woman deserved and appreciated flowers, so I acquiesced.
She opened the door and looked beautiful as always whether she was all dressed up or just in her pyjamas as I had seen many times. I was never this way before I had met Hermione, but she just does something to me.
"Hi, come in", her tone was light, but her smile was fake. She was fiddling with the sleeves of her long sleeve shirt, she was nervous. I could feel the small amount of hope I had pinned on her beginning to die. It made me a little angry. Yes, anger was a feeling I was familiar with.
I placed the flowers on the dining table and turned around. Well she wanted a fight she was going to get one and maybe finally we could move past whatever it is that was holding her back and not bullshit excuses.
"Out with it", I wasn't going to beat around the bush. A spark of anger appeared in her eyes rising to the challenge.
"Out with what?"
"You know what Hermione, we've been dancing around the issue for over two weeks now. Go on say it, what's your problem?" I crossed my arms over my chest defensively waiting for the cutting words. Waiting for her to be like everyone else.
"I don't like that you are making me choose between you and Harry. He's been my friend since I was eleven and you killed his parents for merlin's sake-"
"I didn't kill his parents, Hermione. Voldemort and I are not the same person! How many times do I need to tell you that? I am not perfect Hermione and I never will be! I am just me!", I was breathing heavy from yelling and I was getting emotional, which was new. She looked a little taken back and a little guilty. As she should be.
"I don't need you to be perfect I just want you to change-", Change? What the fuck?
"I don't want to change Hermione. I'm not your project if you recall. I don't want to be saved. I don't need to be saved. I didn't ask you to change your life, so don't ask me to change mine. I like you just the way you are" somehow we ended up face to face, or as face to face as we could be. She turned away and threw a glass into the sink and you could hear the shattering of it throughout the apartment. She leant on the sink breathing deeply, I assume as to try not to cry.
She turns with tears shimmering in her eyes. "Why!", she yells her voice breaking. "Why does it have to be so damn hard? Why does it have to be you? I should hate you!", it's strangled and it grates but I ignore it. I'm not sure what I should do in this situation, I can see that it is tearing her up inside, her feelings for me. I close my eyes and take a breath.
"You don't think this isn't affecting me as well Hermione?", she doesn't realise how much my own feelings are affecting me. She's caught in her own bubble oblivious to anything else.
"You don't have to choose, you don't have any friends to choose from!" As soon as she said it I could her see wanting to take those words back. Yes, they were true, but they hurt so much coming from her.
"Yes, my only friend died long ago Hermione and you know that. I can see this isn't getting us anywhere, but barbed words thrown with the intention to inflict emotional damage. Maybe I should just go", as I head towards the front door, I feel her hand grab mine and I pause but don't turn to face her.
Hermione POV
I rush after him regretting everything I just said in the heat of the moment. I'm angry but not at him, he just happened to be the target I chose. I'm angrier at myself, his former self, Dumbledore and practically everyone else but him.
"Please Christian...stay. Stay with me. I'm sorry I'm not angry with you. I'm angry at myself and so many other people but not you". The tears are freely flowing down my face. I imagine I look like a giant mess, crying is not attractive.
He turns slightly indicating he is listening to what I am saying. That's progress. I grip his hand tighter, I'm not letting him go. At the prospect of him leaving and watching him take those few steps. I understand what an idiot I have been. Why should I have to give up on my own happiness? What's the point of sacrificing and then being so incredibly miserable? What have I got to lose other than to be honest with him? He has been with me so why can't I use my supposed Gryffindor courage and be an adult? He turned up on my doorstep covered in blood, how much more honest can he get?
I take a deep breath and let it out slowly to calm myself down.
"Christian...I'm all over place emotionally because you have just come in to my life, and literally set a match to it and I'm left standing watching it burn. You have upturned and challenged every preconception I had about Voldemort, Tom Riddle, Dumbledore and even some moral codes. Its shaken me and I'm stumbling in the dark trying to find the light switch." I swallow loudly and continue on looking down, "You scare me", I look up from our entwined hands and find myself staring at his crystal blue eyes. "Not the way you're thinking. You make me feel things I shouldn't want, so intensely", I licked my lips and notice him watch the action. His eyes flicked back to mine.
"You've ruined my life Hermione. You've already burned my world down to smouldering embers, left me with ashes. But you've done it in the best way. You gave me something that I didn't even know I was looking for, that I didn't even know I wanted", his eyes searched mine looking for something. I read the subtext of what he was saying. He wanted me to accept all his imperfections. Him, just him.
I did the one thing I could think of, I yanked him down by his collar and smashed my mouth to his. I groaned as his tongue met mine, god this kiss was just as good as I remembered. It began to turn urgent and I felt his hands exploring my body. Part of me just wanted to rip his clothes off and feel his naked body against mine. He must have sensed my train of thought because he stopped the kiss, taking a breath.
"Hermione?", I knew what he was asking, because damn if I didn't want the same thing. I pulled him down whispering against the lips that I had often fantasized about, "I want you".
Tom POV
Hearing her whisper those three words against my lips, nothing else mattered in this moment. I just wanted to enjoy our time together. I could feel our magic around us rubbing against each other, like an extension of our mind and bodies. I have never felt this raw all-consuming passion and chemistry with another person before. She is the only woman I want to feel this with. She has seen every side of me, my best and certainly my worst.
I capture her lips again as she starts taking off my jacket and unbuttoning my shirt. She moves her mouth from my lips to along my jaw and down my neck, then swipes her tongue back up.
"Fuck Hermione", I breathe out almost in pain, I could feel my erection pressing painfully against the fabric of my pants.
She undoes my belt and pants and pushes them to the floor. I feel her looking at my erection and I'm not sure what she is thinking. She tentatively reaches out and runs her hand along its length. I try to restrain myself from thrusting into her hand. Before she can get to carried away, I lead her to the bedroom. I pull her in for a heated kiss as I hook my thumbs into the edge of her pants and pull them down along with her underwear. I'm trying not to let her think too much or she'll get shy on me. I pull her with me as I scoot back so I am resting on some pillows that are against the headboard. I shift her onto my lap, I bite my tongue from letting out a groan as I feel how wet she is against me.
While I was distracted, she lifts my chin and kisses me softly, sweetly. I let my hands wander down her sides and slowly bring the material of her shirt up over her head, breaking our kiss momentarily. She looked divine, absolutely edible in only her virginal white lace bra. I couldn't stop myself from running my hands up her sides feeling the softness of her skin and the curve of her breasts.
Hermione POV
I felt like I was going to explode any minute. I kept my eyes on his not wanting to miss any twitch in his expression. He looked amazing underneath me, breathing erratically, pupils blown wide, lips bruised, and cheeks flushed. I have never seen him more undone. It was an addictive feeling knowing I have done this too him.
I feel his hands curve around my breasts, his thumbs running over my nipples, I bite my lip and he growls gripping tighter. I don't pull back I push forward. His eyes never move from my face. Christian repositions himself to sit up more, his hands move from the front to around my back. His mouth kisses along my jaw line and down my neck and along my shoulder, he moves each strap down and unclasps my bra flinging it across the room. He looks at my bare chest and licks his lips. I whimper as I feel his tongue licking one of my hardened peaks then sucking it into his warm mouth. I begin to pant, the sensation shoots straight down between my legs. I grind on his hard member, seeking some relief and tugging on his hair. He groans, merlin I want to feel him inside me.
"Christian, I need you", I didn't care how needy I sounded in that moment I just wanted him. It felt like I had been waiting forever. He grabbed my hips roughly, I'm sure it will leave marks later. Lifts me up and thrusts upwards in a single motion. The feeling was amazing and intense, he was dominate but gentle. His magic caressed every inch of my body, it felt like a thousand hands were running over me at once. It touched me in places that no one else had.
Tom POV
Entering her was so intense I had to still her hips from rolling or I swear to fucking Salazar I was going to come. I know for sure now that she is mine. This is the best sex I've ever had. Watching her ride, me, words can't even describe how I feel.
She's a goddess, her hair flowing down her back in soft curls, tousled like she has already been fucked as she throws her head back and moans. It's erotic, my own personal porn. Hands down the single sexiest woman I have ever met, not just in body, but her mind and personality too. My chest tightens and I feel that strange sensation again. It feels like something is breaking away inside me allowing her to seep in to the cracks.
I flip her over on to her back and she squeaks. I run one of my hands between her breasts so I can feel her heartbeat as I rock into her and the other lifting her leg up so I can get a good hold. She meets me thrust for thrust, moving our hips in synchronization. She arches her back and I can feel her muscles clenching me tightly, like a vice and it makes my eyes roll. The sound of her pleasure is like music to my ears.
Her heartbeat was wild, almost thumping out of her chest. "You are so god damn beautiful like this", I said as I lean back down again, my forearm resting on the pillow next to her head, the other still hooked under her knee. I could thrust harder and deeper, not that either of us were going to last much longer. She turned her head to face me, looking deep into my eyes. The eye contact made the experience all the more emotionally powerful. An intimate moment like no other I have experienced.
"Who do you want Hermione?" I whispered to her.
"You", She reaches out to grab my hair and pulls me to her lips, soon after I could feel her shattering around me as she moaned into my mouth. The sound and feel of her orgasm, triggered mine. I could feel it ripple up my spine and explode behind my eyes. I could die happy right now if it was inside her.
I collapsed off to the side not wanting to squish her.
"Holy shit"
"Yeah". No more need for words, I don't think I could have even formed a complete sentence.
Hermione curled up next to me and I could feel her breathing even out. I didn't feel like moving and I could feel myself begin to drift off. I felt relaxed and content, for the first time in a long time.
Hermione POV
Alone and in bed with Christian beside me snoring softly, I think that this thing between us isn't going away and I know that I don't want it to either. He is not the Lord Voldemort that we fought while at Hogwarts. This is a broken vulnerable man even if he won't admit it, that is trying to win my heart in his own way. I'll never reveal to anyone who his former self was, because at the end of the day it doesn't matter anymore. I lean forward and kiss him softly on his lips. I watch as his eyes flutter open and I smile at him.
Tom POV
My eyes flutter open and I stare at her with the moonlight haloing her hair and I realise in that moment, even with my sleep addled mind that I am completely and utterly fucked. She strips me back to nothing, revealing my true self under the hard shell I had constructed around me.
I reach out and cup her cheek, rubbing my thumb in circles on her warm smooth skin. Everything has changed between us now and there is no going back for me. No one and I mean no one will take her away from me. I don't care if I'm being a possessive caveman, she elicits these feelings.
"What are you thinking about?", I ask her. She just smiles and nuzzles more into my hand.
"Two things actually, how much I want to do that again and...", I have a feeling I'm not going to like this change of topic.
I wait for her to continue she looks away then her eyes dart back to mine, possessing her Gryffindor stubborn courage. It must be a sensitive topic, I start to feel annoyance boil up to the surface. I clench my jaw and she swallows, she knows I'm irritated now. I sit up and turn away from her to face the window.
"I just need to know one thing and we can never talk about it again. I don't care about your past anymore, it doesn't matter. I just want to focus on a future with you", she says quietly coming up behind me. I feel her small hands circling around sides and hugging me tightly, her bare chest pressing into my back. If I wasn't so irritated, I would enjoy the feeling of how her body perfectly moulds to mine.
"Ok, what is it?", this not the topic I wanted to get into at...I look at the clock...6:30am. I would've rather been inside her again, fucking until both us were incoherent, sweaty messes.
"I guess I just wanted to know now that you are not a raving lunatic, what you thought of the prophecy?", I stilled my tapping fingers on my knee, this was definitely not what I was expecting. Truthfully, I hadn't really given that much thought about the stupid prophecy. Odd I know considering in hindsight this is what triggered almost everything that had happened in the last 24 years.
I turned so we could face each other. "Honestly Hermione, the prophecy was ambiguous and vague. At the time if people hadn't made such a fuss about it, I probably would have ignored it. Divination is rubbish I don't put much stock in it. It was only because of Dumbledore that, I felt like I had to prove him and everyone else wrong. I wanted to avoid the prophecy, but it got to the point where I couldn't any longer. My followers expected me to do something and so did the bloody order. Inadvertently triggering this prophecy Harry and I in a way self-fulfilled it, when it didn't have to be", I looked at him stunned. I didn't know what to say to that. Because of one stupid decision all those years ago, it had a domino effect on every wizard for the last 20 plus years.
"What are your plans now for the future?", I asked quietly. I didn't want to ruin this moment, but I needed to know to some degree if he thought we had a future together. He smiled wide, I could feel my cheeks flush under his gaze.
"Well my dear Hermione, I do have plans for the far-off future. To help young half-bloods and muggleborns to be integrated at an earlier age", this was a massive turnaround from extinguishing them.
"Really?", it was something I had always striven for but was constantly shot down. Maybe with his support I could finally get something done about it. If it was possible this man just became sexier in my eyes. I could see the lust swirling in his hidden depths as he raked his gaze down my body. I felt even more exposed than I already was. He wasn't just looking at my body but down to my very soul.
"Yes, my dear. But for the immediate future", he gently pushed me down on the bed, "I have plans to feast on your body", oh holy hell I have never had anyone go down on me before. Ron flat out refused to do it, said it was disgusting. But he was more than happy for me to perform it on him.
"Oh fucking hell Christian", the first few swipes of his tongue were pure ecstasy. I couldn't stop my hips from bucking into his face and my hand from pulling at his hair. He grumbled a few times, but I wasn't paying attention just chasing the amazing feeling he was giving me.
Tom POV
As I tasted her desire for the first time, I finally understood now why for so many centuries men would wage war for a woman or even simple boyhood rivalries. The power of a woman was intoxicating, having her want you back even more so.
I never have bowed down to anyone, but I would worship at the altar of her body daily. Multiple times a day if I could.
Watching her writhe on my tongue was a heady feeling. I felt powerful, invincible, animalistic and feral all rolled into one.
She was mumbling random curse words mixed in with my name, she was lost in pleasure and it was a sight to see. I closed my eyes just wanting to listen to her, I feel her body begin to tremble as I circled my tongue around her sensitive nub and then plunging back in. Twice more and she comes apart, her cries make me moan but this is all about her. I lap at her sweet folds as her come floods them. I drink her all in like a fucking animal, holding her down roughly as she bucks into my face riding out her orgasm. She's panting heavily still moaning my name then she screams, not of pleasure but fright.
Harry POV
The Burrow
6th January 2014 Monday Morning
"Ron I really don't think we need to go over there I'm sure she's fine. Hermione would have called us if there was a problem", It's bloody 7:30 in the morning, I just want have my breakfast and a cup of coffee before heading into work. Although the way this conversation is going, I'm not going to be getting either. Ever since the 'bedroom incident', Ron has been even more unbearable than usual. Constantly on edge that this Christian guy is turning Hermione against us. I looked into him and everything is clean. He went to Durmstrang, took some time off to look after ailing relatives, then did a double Mastery in the Dark Arts and Curse Breaking before moving to America and that's where he has been ever since. His test scores where off the charts so I can see why him, and Hermione get along so well. They share academic pursuits, something Ron isn't even remotely interested in. He's a little weird or quirky, but we don't really know him so I feel like I can't judge until Hermione officially introduces us. Well until he gets introduced to the Weasleys, which will certainly be interesting.
"Come on Harry, we just need to duck over there and check that everything is fine. She didn't turn up to Sunday night dinner and normally she lets us know, she doesn't not turn up without a word", ok he had me there, it was unusual that Hermione didn't let us know. But it's not like she hasn't done it in the past because she got caught up in her latest research. Which I'm sure is what happened last night.
"Fine Ron, we are just going over there for 5 minutes then coming home. I need my morning coffee, to get through the day", I wanted to make it clear that was all we were doing. Not going over there so he can spend the morning begging her for forgiveness or lecturing her on how bad Christian is.
"Come on then Harry", Ron said heading out the door to apparate to the park in front of Hermione's building. "Just let me tell Ginny what we are doing", I sigh heading back into the kitchen which is where I would rather be. Suddenly travel mug is placed in my hand and I take a deep breath savouring the smell of the roasted coffee beans.
"Don't worry I have you covered. I'll come with you to Hermione's in case things get out of hand", Ginny said kissing my cheek. I love my wife. I follow her out and we join Ron in the garden.
15 minutes later at Hermione's flat
We knock and there is no answer.
"Harry just use your key, what if she's on the bathroom floor and can't crawl to the door or the phone", I wanted to roll my eyes, but I produce my emergency key anyway and unlock the door. Ron pushes past me and barges into the flat. Crookshanks runs out of nowhere into our path hissing angrily. I'm not surprised by this encounter, he remembers Ron from last time.
We hear noises from the bedroom, I hesitate because well you never know. Ron slaps me on the shoulder, "See Harry I told you she's in pain" and he rushes off. I look to Ginny "I don't think this is going to end well. I have a bad feeling". We follow after him to try to mitigate some of the impending damage that is about to occur.
Ginny POV
We hurry after my idiot brother as we got closer to the bedroom, I realised that he was about to open the door to Hermione having sex. Really great sex by the sounds of it, maybe I should drag Harry home for a quickie before work. But before I can stop Ron from opening the door, he opens it, but the occupants don't seem to notice.
I come up beside him and I hear Harry whisper shit and turn away. Hermione was laying across the bed, so we had a side view of her with I'm assuming Christian by the head of hair, in between her legs. Obviously giving her an earth-shaking orgasm. I smile, didn't know you had it in you Hermione. Ron storms over there and grabs her by the wrist and she screams. I close my eyes, fuck my brother is going to get himself killed by his 'noble' intentions.
I see...yep Christians head snap up and with a click of his fingers Hermione is fully clothed. He grabs the sheet and covers himself standing up. The glare he is giving Ron makes me shiver. He is angry and personally I don't blame him. He doesn't bother wiping his face of Hermione's orgasm, I think he's using it to make a point, that he is the one in between Hermione's legs not Ron.
I know Ron is having a hard time accepting the fact that Hermione has moved on. And I feel sorry for him I really do but doing this is not the way to go. He's going to destroy their friendship or what's left of it.
Hermione POV
I come down from the most intense orgasm and then suddenly my wrist is pulled almost violently out of my hair. My eyes snap open and I am staring into blue eyes and red hair. Oh fuck Ron. I scream and I feel Christian stop licking me between my legs and pull back. In an instant I am fully clothed. I relax although Ron still has my wrist in his grip. I watch Christian stand up using the sheet to cover himself. His body on display with his dark chest hair that I want to run my hands through. Indicating that he is a man in every sense of the word. He doesn't wipe my desire coating his face in an almost embarrassing amount. I like that.
The cold angry look in his eyes however worries me. I can feel his magic flaring wanting to lash out violently at Ron. Part of me doesn't blame him we were in the middle of great sex, interrupted rudely by my ex, so I can see from his point of view how pissed off he would be.
"Ron, let me go. Let Christian get dressed and we will meet you guys out in the kitchen", I try to stay calm even though I really want to scream and yell. I notice Ginny and Harry facing away from me. She gives me a cheeky smile and a wink. I roll my eyes. Ron still doesn't let me go. I refuse to look at him. I am so angry, I'm surprised steam hasn't erupted from my ears.
"Take your hand off Hermione or I'll remove it for you", he steps closer one hand holding the sheet together and the other reaching for me. He dressed me in track pants and a sweater, he even remembered a bra, but no underwear the cheeky bastard. I try to pry my wrist from Ron and I even send him a stinging hex, straight to his manhood to finally release me. Harry comes in and drags him away mouthing sorry.
I take a deep breath and turn back to Christian who is dressed, now looking suave and debonair, just like the time we had tea at the Dorchester. "What are you doing today?" I ask curious as to why he was dressed like that, not that he doesn't dress like this every day any way.
"I have a job interview. But first I need to go into the office and finish some reports. It's only very early in America right now, so I'll go to Maria's first. I won't see you tomorrow mainly because of the time difference, but definitely the day after. Ok?", I pout at not seeing for a whole day, but I understand. I kiss him gently.
"Ok. I'll miss you. But good luck not that you'll need it and thank you for last night and this morning", he gives me a cheeky smile bringing my body flush against his.
"No thankyou Hermione, I'll be thinking about it all day.", he smacks me on the bum, "Now let's get going your friends are waiting". I had actually forgot they were waiting out in the kitchen. At the sight of Ron, my anger returned. Crookshanks was hissing viciously at Ron.
"Crookshanks, that's enough", Christian said from behind me. The cat stopped hissing and came running over to Christian. He bent down and scratched him behind the ears then stood up and walked over to turn the kettle on. Everyone just watched in awe as he walked past. Taming of the cat was no easy thing. I grinned stupidly.
"Ok what the hell were you doing over here so early?", putting on my school teacher voice. Picking up the forgotten flowers from last night, smelling them.
"Ron was worried that something had happened to you, because you didn't show up to Sunday dinner, and you hadn't let us know that you weren't coming", I sighed I really had forgotten, I got so caught up thinking about Christian/Tom Riddle and Harry that I didn't even spare a thought for Sunday dinner at the Weasleys.
"I'm sorry, Christian and I got caught up discussing things and time just flew by and before we knew it was too late", Christian came over handing everybody but Ron a mug of either tea or coffee. Ron just scowled at him.
"Hermione dear", Ron scoffed loudly, Christian white knuckled his tea clearly trying not to curse Ron for my sake. For which I was grateful. "Let me know what day you are free this week, Maria would like to meet you. Anyway, it was nice seeing you all this morning I have to go", I smiled and remembered the older lady that he would often help out. He stepped forward putting his tea down then, wrapping his arms around my waist careful not to bump my tea.
"Sure, I will and thank you for the flowers", he gave me a quick kiss and walked towards the front door, turned and winked at me. I blushed like a school girl.
"So, who is Maria, another woman or secret love child?"
"Ron!" Harry and Ginny scolded him at the same time.
"No Ron for your information she is an elderly lady whose husband dies last year, so he goes around and helps her out with the house and just to check up on her", Ron didn't look mollified by that answer.
"That's nice of him, he'll have to bring her around and met the rest of the family, when you get to that stage of your relationship", Ginny said. I hadn't thought that far ahead with our burgeoning relationship. A small part still worried how the Weasleys would react to me being with someone who wasn't Ron. Was it weird introducing another man to my ex-fiancé's family? I looked to Harry he just shrugged into this cup of coffee. A fat lot of good he was.
"Ok I need to get ready for work", I know I hadn't addressed the issue with Ron. But I honestly wasn't sure what else to do or what I should do. He was making everything complicated. I didn't want to lose the Weasleys they are my only surrogate family left. But I know that if I don't do something soon Christian will, and I can imagine a great many things that he would have no qualms doing.
Tom POV
Later on in the day
I can still taste her on my tongue or at least I can imagine it. I would love to just storm into her office and have her on the desk. But I can't do that. I didn't lie when I said I had a job interview today. I'm sitting here with Minister Shacklebolt, hoping he doesn't pay too much attention to my magic. I just need his signature so I can start working here tomorrow in the consultancy position with Hermione. I had to wait this long because 1. Dermott dragged this out being a prick and 2. because of bloody Christmas.
"I think everything looks great Christian, we would love to have you on board with us here at the British Ministry. We could use all the help we can get with this strange artefact. I'm sure Hermione will be thrilled to have a colleague", I snorted because I knew for a fact, she wasn't keen on having someone else working with her.
"Minister, If I maybe so bold…to keep my identity a secret for now. I would like to surprise Hermione. You see we are friends and know each other quite well, but she doesn't know that I applied for the position. So, she most likely thinks that she is getting a dimwit. I would like to torture her for the rest of the day, while she stresses wondering who it is", I smiled a charming smile. He chuckles a deep rumble from the dark-skinned African man.
"Sure, I can see Hermione panicking about that", he stands up to shake my hand, a rather firm grip. "We'll see you tomorrow bright and early". I step out of the office and make my way discretely down to the Dark Arts department to the office of Pascale Rousseau. I let myself into his office startling him, he nearly falls off his chair. Wow he really was as stupid as Dermott said. It wouldn't be a great loss to the family tree as I had predicted if I killed him. Not that I am here for that.
I slipped my hands into my trouser pockets and cocked my head to the side.
"Rousseau", I say. I slowly watch as recognition lights up his eyes.
"O'Toole", he sneers. "I have heard about you from my cousin", I step forward leaning on the edge of his desk, I get up in his face and whisper.
"Then you'll know not to fuck with me" and I let my magic wrap around him suffocating him. "Now while I have your rapt attention if Hermione asks for that ledger you will give it to her, won't you? Its bad form selling dark objects on the black market straight from the Ministry. I'm surprised no one has caught you yet, you may as well have a blinking neon sign above your head; you're not very discrete. Everyone has turned a blind eye, but Hermione and I won't. Do it or you won't like the consequences", I ease up on the suffocation, I don't need him accidentally dying on me.
"Sure", but his glare is telling me the opposite.
"I'll be watching you Pascale, I start tomorrow. Fuck with Hermione and you have to deal with me", I step out and make my way outside careful to avoid people, I don't want Hermione knowing anything yet. It's a nice crisp day outside and I start whistling as I walk back to my new apartment. Looking forward to tomorrow.