A/N: Thanks to the following lovely reviewers: Silver Tears 11, hanvu, nehimasgift, ellamalfoy8, Natsu-no-Hinagiku, hippychick21, the tofuubeaver, svelte, pottersgirl91, Shadows08, and Barry-bob-jnr. To you all, I give Chapter 20...

Chapter 20 – Troublesome Clothes & Terrible Surprises

Hermione had roamed all over the room in search of Tom, but hadn't even found the slightest trace of him. She was beginning to think he Apparated somewhere after she met back up with Mima and Arthos, who brought no news of him either.

"Where could he be?" Arthos asked as he scanned the room.

"We asked every young officer in this room," Mima sighed as she grabbed some drinks for her and Hermione.

"I even went so far as to ask the Duke and Duchess of Holyhead as well as my father," Hermione said while taking the drink.

"Has anyone thought to check outside?" asked the Austrian girl before sipping her drink.

"Why don't we do that?" asked Arthos as he tilted his head. It was apparent that he was feeling uncomfortable in the warmth of the room in his uniform.

"Sure, let's go," Mima agreed.

The threesome left the room, thankful to get out into the corridor where things were a few degrees cooler and a little less noisy, though voices still carried from the room. They made their way toward the front doors when a thought occurred to Hermione.

"You two go on ahead. I've got two more places to look," she informed before turning off down the corridor at the end of the hall.

Mima and Arthos continued on outside as Hermione went to a rather different looking door. One with cravings. She opened it and set her eyes upon the cage before her, smiling a bit to herself as she saw a dark figure on the bench in the center of the enclosure. She approached, the sound of her heels on the floor louder than before in the quiet room. The only other noise was of the breathing from the two of them. Not even the wings of the butterflies were heard as Hermione entered the cage. Tom didn't bother to look up as she took a seat next to him, watching him as he rolled a rose between his thumb and index finger.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"For what?" he mumbled.

"I wasn't trying to make you jealous or angry... I didn't even want t-"

"Jealous? Angry?" he repeated in an incredulous laugh, cutting her off. "Is that what you think I am?"

"Well, why else would you leave?" she pointed out.

"Because it's all I could do to keep from strangling that prat, Porthos," Riddle said as a fire glittered in his eyes. He grabbed the rose, one fist closing around the stem tightly, and crushed the white petals in the other hand. The petals hit the ground slowly after floating to the floor like soft, silken, white confetti. He let go of the top, letting the remaining petals drop one by one from his hand to the floor.

Hermione noticed red dots hitting the floor where the petals lay. Like red rain, blood from Tom's hand splashed down and landed on the floor and the white petal pieces.

"Stop," she commanded, a hint of worry in her voice as she stood and grabbed his hand. She pried it open, taking the stem from him and discarding it on the ground. She laid his hand atop her own, his hand open and facing upward. Little dots were randomly placed on his fingers and palm and leaked red tears; weeping for the pain they were in.

Hermione looked around for something to wipe the blood away with, but could find nothing. She then lifted the hem of her skirt and pulled her wand from the ribbon she had tied to her leg. Picking up a torn petal, she transfigured it into a soft, cotton handkerchief and began wiping away the blood. When she was finished, she tied the handkerchief to his hand and looked up and locked eyes with him. Visions of daring knights on white stallions danced in her head as he returned her gaze.

"Come along," she whispered, pulling him toward the cage door by his wrist. "Let's go up to my room so I can clean this up properly."

Tom followed her as far as the door, music from the instruments of the band drifting into the once silent room. He stopped her by rooting himself to the spot, and when she turned to see what was keeping him, he pulled her into a dancing stance. Her brow furrowed, and she went to speak, but stopped as he began slowly spinning with her on the spot. With the door slightly ajar, there was no chance of disruption, no chance of being seen, so he made a bold move. He pulled her closer. His arm was now reaching to her opposite hip as he drew their cupped hands in closer to his chest.

She watched with daze and slightly confused eyes as he did so. Her breath caught in her throat when he leaned down, his breath hot on her ear and neck. She closed her eyes to try and keep from shivering as something dropped in her stomach. Her knees felt weak, and it was all she could do to keep from falling as she leaned against him. She felt his cheek move against her own; a sign that he was smiling. She let go of his hand and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, the two of them now swaying lightly on the spot. He stroked his hand up and down her spine gently, his touch rousing something in her, and that something she knew was a deep compassion for the moment they were sharing.

'What am I doing?' she suddenly wondered as she realized that she was slipping under his metaphorical spell. How could someone grow on her so greatly in only mere seconds? 'That, my dear, is a simple answer,' remarked a voice she felt was like her own, but not her own. 'They can't... this has been growing for some time, and you know it. There's no use trying to ignore it anymore; you're not the only one who knows it.'

The music had stopped, and so had Riddle, which woke her from her little daydream. She pulled back and looked up at him, eyes shining brightly. 'Don't do this. You need to get to work on getting back to the future,' she thought to herself.

"Tom, I think we shou-"

"Shh," he cooed, brushing his knuckles gently across her cheek. "C'mon." He led her from the butterfly room and up the stairs to her own room. Once inside, she shut the door and leaned against it.

"Good, now that we're alone, we should work on our plan to get back to the future," Hermione commented as she walked across the room to her wardrobe.

"Is that all you think about, Granger?" he chuckled lightly from behind her as he shut the door to the closet as she started to open it.

She could feel his breath upon the nape of her neck, so she turned around and found herself face-to-face with him.

"Tom," she said firmly, "I think this is getting entirely out of hand. This needs to stop; we're losing sight of what matters most, and that's getting back to the future!"

Her scolding seemed to not phase him though as he ran his knuckles softly down her cheek once more and placed his hand on the back of her neck. Her breath faltered some at the contact, and her brain screamed for her to get away. She slipped to the side, backing away from him toward the balcony. He grinned slyly and followed her slowly, his air becoming more cocky as she found herself trapped on the balcony. She looked over the railing of the balcony, sighing in desperation as she realized she was now backed in a corner with nowhere to go. Riddle was now before her, his hands reaching out for her hips. She pressed herself against the railing, hoping against hope that he would realize at the last minute she was right about things.

She closed her eyes and bit at the inside of her bottom lip as she gripped the railing of the balcony. His fingertips just brushed the fabric of her skirt when there was a knock at her bedroom door.

"Anastasia!" yelled the King from the other side of the door as Tom jumped and whipped around. He ran for the lattice, hanging there as Hermione ran back into the room and sat down at her vanity.

"Come in," she called to the King.

"What are you doing, my child?" he asked as he entered the room.

"Just freshening up," she replied quickly before picking up the lid of a jar which held powder.

"Very well... but be quick about it. There's a young man down here looking for you. Porthos is his name, I believe," the King informed as he walked across the room toward the balcony. "He wishes to dance with you."

Hermione's eyes became wide as she realized that he would surely see Tom who was still hanging on the lattice. She jumped up and went after him quickly, grabbing his arm and trying to steer him back toward the door.

"What's wrong?" he asked as she stood in front of him.

"You know, on second thought, Father, I'm feeling rather tired. I think I might retire for the night. Will you relay my apologies to all and tell them thank you?"

"I uh... I suppose, my dear," he sighed with apparent disappointment that she was turning in so early. With that, he left the room, closing the door behind him. Hermione hurriedly ran out onto the balcony and saw Tom climbing back over the railing.

"Do you see?" she asked a little heatedly. "It's only going to get harder and harder for us to work together, so let's take advantage of the time we have right here."

He seemed to not hear her as he stared at her, a serious expression on his face, though it wasn't a hard one. In fact, she found it hard to read and found herself even more confused when he stepped forward and grabbed her hands in his own. He squeezed them and then let go. She hadn't even time to look up when he stepped closer and placed his hand on the back of her neck.

When she did finally look up, he cupped one cheek in his hand and leaned down to her. His lips brushed hers, and she grabbed his forearms softly. His lips parted from her own a moment too soon for both, but Hermione pushed kissing him again from her mind as she tried to protest once more.

"Tom, ple-"

The rest of her plea was lost to both of them as he kissed her again. She watched him; her eyes open as they kissed. She saw something on his face at that moment as he stood there with his eyes closed, and his lips upon hers. She had never really seen this look on his face, or saw him express an emotion remotely like this before.

He looked happy. Truly happy. She closed her eyes quickly as tears came to them. Hermione felt lighter than a feather in that moment; she was the reason he was so happy. It made her feel so good to know that she brought someone, especially someone like Tom, happiness such as the one on his face.

She cupped his face in her hands and kissed back delicately. Once more, they were lost in time, but not in a bad way. It was the kind of lost feeling that everyone wants to feel; the kind that leaves your knees weak and butterflies in your stomach. The kind of lost sensation that you can only share with someone you care more deeply for than anything in the world.

And no one would know just how deeply Tom and Hermione cared for each other. No one except two other people that is. Those two people who stood watching at the corner of the castle, smiling at the scene before them as though it was an act from Romeo and Juliet. Mima giggled quietly as Arthos gave a soft snort of laughter. He grabbed her hand and led her back toward the front doors, letting Hermione and Tom have their privacy.

The next day, Hermione was roused by the sound of the King's booming voice carrying in from outside. She jumped up and almost fell over her shoes from the night before which had been discarded next to the bed. She ran to the balcony, peeking outside to see the King greeting the Duke and Duchess who were getting off a carriage.

"Oh no," she sighed to herself as she slumped against the wall and rubbed her face in her hands.

She walked over to her vanity to begin getting ready when she saw something that made her smile. Riddle's uniform jacket was hanging on the back of her vanity chair. She sat down, pulling pins from her hair so she could brush it. She gasped as she looked up into the mirror though and saw him still lying in her bed. She spun around in her chair and stared at him as he hugged a pillow to him. She giggled and turned back to the mirror, picking up a brush and stroking it through her hair. She sighed after a while and rolled her eyes as the brush began getting caught. Laying it back down, Hermione looked through the vanity drawers for her wand. Finally finding it, she closed her eyes and began charming knots from her hair. When her locks were once more their wavy, slightly bushy selves, she looked up into the mirror and was a little surprised to see Tom sitting up in bed, his eyes upon her in somewhat groggy scrutiny.

"You should probably get going before someo-," a knock at the door cut her off though. Her eyes grew wide as he threw the covers up over his head. "You can't hide there," she hissed as she came over and pulled him from the bed. There was another knock, and Hermione began looking around the room frantically. "In here," she said as she opened the wardrobe and shoved him in. She closed the door, leaving it cracked as she went to answer the knocking.

"Good morning, Princess," Mary and Janessa chimed in gleeful unison as they entered the room with some of Hermione's freshly pressed dresses.

She cocked a brow at their cheeriness; it was even greater than usual. She smirked and remembered seeing them with two military guys the night before.

"Your father is expecting you downstairs in a-," Janessa began, but stopped as she and Mary looked at something Hermione couldn't see.

"What is it?" Hermione asked as she walked up beside them.

The two of them were staring at Tom's jacket on the back of her chair and his boots beside the vanity. Hermione's heart skipped a beat as they turned to her with surprised expressions.

"Have you... had-," Mary tried.

"That is to say, Princess, with all due respect, but have you been-"

"Did you have a gua-"

"It's not what you think," Hermione began slowly. "I haven't had anyone in my room... doing anything of the sort that's on either of your minds."

"Then why are those in your room?" asked Janessa.

"You see," Hermione began slyly, a tad unsure of what to say. "I was outside last night with Aramis... and it was chilly, so he gave me his jacket to wear."

"But why are his boots here?" Mary inquired.

"Your father would sure go on a rampage if he saw these," Janessa pointed out.

"Oh, please don't tell him. Those boots are only here because Aramis uh... well, he took them off because they were hurting his feet, and he left them in my room when he walked me up here."

"But your father said that you turned in early last night."

"I had. It was after my walk with Aramis. The King just missed those," Hermione lied.

Mary and Janessa exchanged unsure looks before nodding slowly.

"Very well," Janessa sighed.

"Anyways," Mary muttered. "The King is awaiting you downstairs in the study with the Duke and Duchess of Holyhead. You're to have a luncheon with them and Princess Mima."

"Thank you," Hermione said as the two passed her and headed towards the door. They left, and the door to the wardrobe creaked as Tom pushed it open slowly, peeking out while he did. "I think you should probably take your things and leave before they say something to the King, and he comes up here," she informed.

"Good idea," he agreed with an uncertain nod as he grabbed his boots and put them on. "I um... I guess I'll see you tonight, then."

"I guess," she mumbled as he tossed his jacket over his arm and headed for the door, but stopped.

He walked back across the room and kissed her cheek, making her close her eyes. The door shut, and she opened them, a lone butterfly fluttering about in her stomach. She sighed and gathered up her things to go take a bath.

When Hermione entered the study downstairs where the King and their guests were waiting on her, she felt eyes of judgment fall upon her. The Duchess sneered at her from a seat in the center of the room at a table where the King and Duke were conversing.

"Ah, good morning... or should I say afternoon?" the Duke laughed as he stood up with the King.

"Anastasia," the King beamed. "I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to join us for lunch."

"It's awfully rude to keep your guests waiting," the Duchess scoffed.

Hermione saw Mima roll her eyes as she walked up to her.

"Hi," she greeted as the King told them they would be having lunch in the garden after a walk around it.

"Hi," Hermione replied. "How was last night?"

"Wonderful," Mima giggled. "Arthos was a complete gentleman, and we danced the whole night before he walked me to my carriage and bowed while kissing my hand." Mima's face held a dreamy expression as the King called to Hermione.

"Anastasia," he said, "I've invited along another guest. Porthos will be joining us since he didn't get to dance with you last night as he wished."

Hermione fought hard not to grimace as she nodded jerkily while the blond soldier made his way across the room, all eyes on him and his arrogant smirk.

"That bloke has been giving me dirty looks since I was escorted into the room this morning," Mima whispered.

"A different young man? What happened to that Ara- what's his name?" the Duchess barked.

"They're but friends," the King whispered to the Duke and Duchess. "I can hope of no marriage to come of it. Besides... Porthos is an upstanding young man who shows great interest in my Anastasia."

The Duchess nodded as Porthos bow slightly before her and complimented her. Hermione and Mima made gagging gestures before the foursome turned to them and suggested they go for their walk around the gardens.

The Duchess led the way on the arm of the Duke, the two of them almost not fitting out the door together. They were followed by the King and Porthos with Mima and Hermione leaving last. As the girls exited the room, they spotted Tom at the front door with Arthos. Riddle wore an expression of malice as he glared at Porthos and then shifted his eyes to Hermione. She gave him an apologetic look as he held the door for the party of six.

"I smell trouble," Mima said after a smiling exchange with Arthos.

"Me, too," Hermione sighed as they walked down the steps and out into the sun, but they really had no idea.