Merry Christmas! Here's an update, and you know the deal. I don't own crap, okay, let alone a story as wonderful as anything Harry Potter. So, enjoy and if you would be ever so inclined, please review. It'll take two minutes to type up what a great job I'm doing. Or three to tell me I suck. So, whichever amount of time you want to waste, be my guest.

Chapter Five

September 1

Tom kissed her soundly on the platform 9 ¾. They had spent that last week and a half together and he found it getting easier and easier to see her more as a lover than a meal ticket. And that was bothersome. And he never felt more confused. She was warm and confident and challenging, except after they would fuck. Then, she became distant. He didn't mind it one bit, he hated clingy women, but it was unnerving how cold she suddenly became. Like an orgasm was a turn off for her. He knew she enjoyed it while they were going at it, but it was like the release of pressure and the rush of endorphins left her depressed.

She pulled back and let the balls of her feet finally touch the cement. She had been on her toes while they were kissing to give him less distance to bend down. The smile on her face was slightly swollen and very satisfied. This was the girl he wanted to see, not the distant one. Even she was colder than what he wanted his pawn to be. It made it difficult to gauge her feelings.

"When will you be back?" he asked.

"Next summer, I'll probably stay over the holidays. Unless you had other plans…" she trailed off. There was no real question in her voice, just a mild inquiry.

"I might be in Hogsmead if you want to meet me there," he offered.

"That sounds nice, whatever the hell that is," she laughed and kissed his cheek. "I'll write you and we can talk about it then. Okay?"

"All right," he said nodding. He looked around. There were still kids in the years behind him still on the platform. If any of them glanced his way, he could see the sudden dread in their eyes and they quickly looked away. It brought a smirk to his face. They remembered him, and they remembered him well.

She shouldered the pack that had been sitting by their feet and looked up at him one last time. The silence between them was suddenly awkward, something unusual. He gave her one last smile, and she smiled back. She turned around and walked toward the nearest opening to the train. When he asked about the rest of her luggage, she had just patted her pocket and said, "Taken care of, Tom."

Tom watched her ass in the jeans she was wearing. That was probably his favorite part of her body- she had an amazing ass that filled his hands perfectly while he had her against the wall.

Just before he turned to leave, he saw someone approach Chris. He was a handsome guy, a pretty boy. He looked innocent enough, but Tom had been who he was too long, and knew that this man was not good news. He grabbed Chris' arm and spoke to her sharply. She turned and frowned at the man. Tom went to intervene; no one was going to push around someone of use to him, when he heard the conversation.

"He wants the book, Chrissy. Today," the man whispered.

"I don't have it," she told him. "And it's not where I thought it was."

"Where is it?" the man snarled this time. He reminded Tom of a jackal.

"If I knew where it was, don't you think that I would do anything in my power to get it?" she snapped. They were speaking quietly now. "Stall him, get me more time. I'll find something for him, all right?"

"I can't get you more time. He's not listening to me anymore, Chrissy. You're old man is getting awfully pissed."

"Good for him. Now, let me go, Greg, I've got to get on the train."

The man grabbed her other hand and let go of her to pull down the sleeve. The light blue band flashed as he shoved it into her face. "Remember who you are, Chrissy, and who's going to get hurt if you don't cough up the goods."

"Like this doesn't remind me every day," she gestured at the band, and for the first time, Tom saw that something was written on it in runes he had never seen before. She tore herself from the man, and he could see the loathing in her eyes.

Then, he intervened. "Is everything all right, Chris?" he asked, walking up and putting his arm around her.

"Yeah, everything's just peachy," the man answered. The look that Tom received from him was deep dislike, as if Tom was some sort of threat. Tom was and he made a purposeful motion to grab his wand.

"Is there a problem?" Tom asked, ignoring the man- Greg- and looking directly at the girl. She looked up and he saw how plastic her smile is.

"Yeah, Tom, don't worry, everything's fine," she said, and then she let out a deep breath. "Anyway, I've got to go. It was nice seeing you again, Greg," she said with a false jovial wave and she pulled away.

Before either man could say anything, she hopped on the train just as the whistle blew. The train took off, but Tom wasn't paying attention. He was sizing up Greg. This man looked confident, but there was a weakness to him that did not appeal to Tom. That, and Chris didn't like him. That was definitely against the guy too.

"She's mine, dude, back off," Greg suddenly said.

Tom smiled. "I doubt it. She doesn't much care for you, does she?"

"Like you know anything. Our relationship is complicated, but concrete. You better stay away."

"If you're 'relationship' is so intact, why was she fucking me the last couple weeks and not you?" Tom asked before he could analyze the risk.

Greg's gaze turned dark, unnaturally so. In fact, his eyes blackened completely. Tom had never seen that. Greg took a step and looked him right in the eye. "You have no idea what you're dealing with, wizard, so back off before it's too late."

Then Greg was gone and Tom was staring at the spot where the other man's eyes were. And suddenly, who Chris was became interesting on a new level, one that Tom would die if he didn't know.