A/N: Hello all! Thank you for your continuous dedication to reading and (somewhat) reviewing this story! Haha. Sorry it's taken me so long to update. Might have gone on a slight drinking binge. :/
This chapter has one of my favorite scenes in it! I hope you enjoy it as well.
Disclaimer: No. Not mine. Ever. Ever. Ever. Ever. Ever. Etc.
Chapter Six
HERMIONE'S POV
I stood next to Tom at the front of the Great Hall, in the teachers entrance where I wrung my hands continuously. Dumbledore was about to introduce us to the school as the new Head Boy and Girl. We hadn't spoken a word to each other for two days now. I wasn't complaining or anything, it was quite okay with me if he wanted to be a git and blame me for getting hit with that curse.
He's perfectly fine now, mind you.
It wasn't like I actually wanted to get close to Tom bloody Riddle. The whole idea was insane if you asked me, but…in the end I felt like it was imperative that I got closer to him. That was why I was here, right? My 'destiny'.
'What an obligation!' I thought disdainfully. 'Maybe he will come around and I won't have to initiate some sort of friendliness between us?' Doubt it.
My mind was somewhere else as Headmaster Dippet gave our introduction. I felt a thousand eyes on me, and I couldn't have kept the blush off my face if I wanted to. We were allowed to take our seats, before they started sorting the plethora of first years in the middle of the Hall. I sat next to the only other person I knew, Abraxis. I gave him a grateful smile as he pushed a pale, skinny boy over so I could sit down.
'Thank you,' I mouthed as one of the teachers I hadn't met yet called out names to be sorted.
Dippet finished the sorting with a speech that no one seemed to understand, but we all politely clapped anyway. I had finally received the chance to meet those sitting around me. Abraxis introduced me to the skinny boy I was sitting next to as Marcus Dolohov. He was polite and shy, like a Slytherin Neville. Next I met Corrine Prince and Romilda Black; two girls with dark hair, but features drastically different. Romilda, or Romi as they called her, had a round face with soft features and hard eyes. Corrine had a pointed nose and a strong jaw. They both gave me small nods in greeting.
Tom took over the introductions, "This is Amycus Carrow and her twin brother Alecto," two black-eyed, heavily built, blondes waved lightly at me. "That's Mona Parkinson, next to her is Donnie Flint, then Tyler Brown, and Fedele Zambini. There are a few others worth introducing; a couple fifth and sixth years. You'll meet them later." The one he introduced as Zambini winked roguishly at me as I met his gaze. I blushed and looked away.
We continued eating with small conversations about our summers going on around us.
"Have you two talked, yet?" Abraxis at me while nodding toward Tom.
"No," I frowned. "I don't know if we will…I mean aside from the Head Boy and Girl stuff, of course. He seems pretty angry. Do his grudges last a long time?" he chuckled softly at my question.
"Tom is the master of grudges, Hermione. If you get an apology out of him, then you must be the most important person in the world."
I rolled my eyes dramatically, "I suppose, but I guess my complete inability to focus on my tasks at hand are too much to forgive!"
Abraxis laughed loudly at my over-dramatics, whilst catching the attention of those around us. Including Tom a couple seats down. He furrowed his brow at me before continuing his talk with Alecto. I giggled at Abraxis' flushed cheeks. I couldn't help but admire his looks. He was shorter than Draco had been, around 5'10, and he had thick, shaggy blonde hair that hung in his eyes. His cool, grey eyes sparkled with mirth as he gazed at me. I smiled jokingly and ruffled his hair.
"At least you're talking to me," I joked. I'm not sure how Abraxis and I started talking. I guess we had just gotten bored with sitting in silence in the library looking for answers to Tom's curse. It was easy to talk to him once we started. We went from all subjects in just a couple of hours, and somehow a friendship blossomed out of those three days.
We walked together out of the Great Hall once Headmaster Dippet had dismissed the students to their dormitories. Something had felt decidedly wrong about leaving the welcoming feast without Harry and Ron at my side. It was completely different…I lived in a different time period where the threat of war wasn't nearly as intense as it was in the future. The castle was at ease and this was just another typical school year for any other student.
Abraxis pulled me into a one armed awkward hug when we came to the point where he had to go to the dungeons and I to my common room on the second floor.
"Good luck," he whispered as he took off with the rest of the Slytherins.
In the back of my mind, I knew his eyes had been on me the whole time I was with Abraxis and the whole time I walked to our rooms. I had deliberately slowed my pace to see if he would catch up to me; he slowed as well. I dawdled outside the portrait hole seemingly having 'forgotten the password' as I waited for him to arrive. If he was going to be positively childish, then so could I.
"What are you doing?" he asked when he walked up.
"Oh! Geez, Tom. I didn't see you there!" I said, pretending to be startled. "I forgot the password…"
"No you didn't," he stated.
"Yes, I did. Don't you think I'd be in my room right now if I knew it? Instead of being out here with someone who hates me for…what was it? My idiocy?" I crossed my arms over my chest. He stared at me with a blank face; eyes the same.
"Right, I-" I watched him as his eyes focused at a point behind my head. He seemed to be having an inner battle with himself. "I don't…hate you. I…was having conflicting emotions with the situation I had found myself in, if you understand. Mandrake." I narrowed my eyes at his back as he walked through the portrait hole first. What is he playing at?
"Er, okay. So you aren't upset with me then?"
"I didn't say that, Smith." he said while taking off his cloak and sitting on the couch. "I just do not hate you. Fair enough?"
"I suppose," I sat across from him and watched as he loosened his tie. I felt Annie sliding along the back of the arm chair to curl herself around my neck. I was curious to see some more interaction between her and Tom. "Hello, Annie."
"I think you should know a few things, Smith." I guess, it's my last name now, I thought. I had a feeling I knew what Tom was going to say. "First of all, I demand respect from all those around me, and you will soon realize that everyone does, indeed, respect me. I can help you gain respect from those around you, if you'd like, of course. You will also realize that there are a select few Slytherin's who 'report' to me, you could say. They 'work' for me, in a way. I think it would be highly beneficial if you would consider 'working' for me as well."
I couldn't say anything right away. I was stuck between the urge to curse him for his complete arrogance and the urge to run away. Annie let out a small hiss and Tom quirked his brow at her.
"And if I decide not to work for you, Tom?"
He smiled, "Well. You would find yourself with a severe lack of Slytherin comrades. I noticed you were awfully close with Malfoy. It would be a shame if you had to end that budding friendship. It's fairly simple, working for me, all you have to do is attend a few meetings and do what you're told. No questions asked." his voice was light and cheery. It was disgusting.
"So, you would be like…my boss? The leader of the group, right?" I humored him. I was having a hard time listening to him. Harry, Ron, and the rest of the Order's faces kept popping into my mind. Tom Riddle was sitting in front of me having a casual conversation about joining his Death Eater ranks…whom eventually kill everyone I knew. Lovely.
"Exactly, but it's a secret group. You cannot tell anyone about it." his false enthusiasm was intriguing to say the least; impressed, I was not. I looked into Tom's eyes, they were as blue as ever as he sat, waiting patiently for my answer. I scrunched my nose in thought as I recalled the Sorting Hat's words. Destiny. I slowly focused my eyes on the person in front of me. Such a deceitful boy, but I am a deceitful girl.
"I can't work for you, Tom," his eyes darkened, "but I can work with you." He appraised me for a moment and stood up. I stood as well, the height difference intimidated me.
"What do you mean, Hermione?" my name rolled lightly off his tongue.
"I-I, well, I mean I can help you reach your goals. All groups have a common goal, correct? If you ask me for help, I will. Only if what you ask is reasonable, that is. I could be a 'secret agent' of sorts. No one will know I am helping you, unless you tell them. And I won't have to attend any meetings. The respect would go both ways." This seemed like the safest answer for me to give. I could get an inside look at his plans, without having to call him 'sir' or 'my lord'. I could add 'not getting tortured for screwing up' on to that list too.
"I have never had someone working on the 'side lines'. I don't know, Smith. I generally do not allow this sort of thing. I am a firm believer in higher authority…having a person that has the option of saying 'no' to a request that I put forth doesn't settle right with me." He was idly twirling his wand around in his fingers.
I took a bold step as I walked toward him and got on my tip-toes as I gripped his tie; securing his face a few inches from mine.
"Think about it then," I let my warm breath trail across his skin and brought my falsely sultry eyes to his. I wasn't surprised to find an emotionless mask of indifference plastered on his face. "Goodnight, Tom."
I grabbed Annie from the couch as I walked calmly back in to my room. I sank to the floor in a puddle next to my door once inside, "Gosh, I hope I know what I'm getting myself in to, Annie."
The next morning I walked out of my bedroom to find Abraxis leaning against the couch with Annie in his hands.
"Good morning, ready for breakfast?" he asked. I nodded. Breakfast went by quickly until Professor Slughorn passed around our schedules. I hadn't even noticed Tom until I heard his soft voice in my ear.
"What's your schedule like, Hermione?" Hogwarts had block scheduling, four to five classes a day.
I gave him a calculating look before answering. "Uh, I have all NEWT's…Ancient Runes, Arithmacy, Double Potions, and Herbology on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. And Transfiguration, Charms, and Double Defense on Tuesdays and Thursdays. How about you?" I inquired.
"No electives?" I shook my head. "Same as yours except I am the teachers assistant during your Herbology class for the first years in Potions. Luckily, I'll be in your Potions class to…help along…my fellow, struggling classmates." I looked away from him and curled my lip at his haughty smirk. I stood up and left with shooting Abraxis a smile and Tom a sort of weird grimace.
I walked quickly to Ancient Runes, thoughts flowed through my head at rapid speed. My musings were stopped by a feminine voice calling out behind me.
"Hermione! Hey! Wait up!" I turned to see two people in Ravenclaw attire running toward me. "Hello, I-I'm Alice Sh-Shoemaker." She was out of breath. Her pale skin stood out against her dark, red hair and brown eyes.
"Hello," I said uncertainly, "can I help you two?"
"Oh! No, we," she indicated to the boy next to her, "just wanted to introduce ourselves. I'm Alice, as I've said, and this is Jesse Coroner. We're the seventh year prefects for Ravenclaw." We made light conversation as we continued our slightly slower trek to Runes. Alice was a bright ball of energy, while Jesse was a freckled, baby-faced boy who hardly said a word.
"I'm not quite top of our class, but I am in the top five percent, but…I mean, if I like could be top, well…Tom Riddle would have to stop attending Hogwarts. But! Then! I know that my marks aren't as 'good' as his, but…" Alice's prattling was interrupted by a snarky comment from said top student from behind us.
"That's right, Shoemaker, they aren't." Tom's face showed no humor or jest. I watched as Alice's cheeks colored and she looked at the floor. My eyes followed him as he walked confidently past us.
"Don't worry about him. He's been in a bad mood recently." My comment made Jesse laugh.
"And by recently, you mean the past seven years…well then yeah definitely a bad mood recently," I chuckled lightly at his joke. It brought a small smile out of Alice, too.
When I got to Potions with Abraxis after lunch, Professor Slughorn was having everyone stand at the front of the class to make 'assigning the seats easier'. Abraxis whispered that our Head of House puts all of his Slytherins in the front row with either a lesser or better Potion maker. I caught Tom's eye as he was standing next to Black, Dolohov, and Brown. I watched his mouth form into a genuine smile at something Tyler said. The smooth skin of his cheeks had pushed up, making a dimple appear on his left cheek. I quickly looked away and focused on the overly large Professor in front of me.
"First row!" Slughorn's voice boomed. "Malfoy and Coroner," Abraxis gave me smirk as if to say 'see?' "Black and Weasley." My heart swelled as I watched a tall, red head walk up to his desk. "Dolohov and Belby. Brown and Bell. Carrow and Shoemaker. And ? Could you come here for a moment?"
"Yes, sir?" I questioned.
"Now, , I know you're in NEWT level Potions, but I just want to make sure you're up to par, so I am going to partner you with Tom who is our resident T.A. this year. He will just work with you for a couple weeks until we know you know what you're doing." Tom was already seated at a desk on the far left of the room. He smirked at me as I sat down next to him.
"You did well in Runes and Arithmacy today, Smith." I heard the sarcasm in his voice. He and I had been the only two to raise our hands in both classes. It turned into a competition to see who could answer the most questions. It was a tie, luckily we earned eighty points for Slytherin combined.
"Thank you, you did…okay," before he could respond the Potions Professor began the lesson. Today we would be brewing Pozione Sognando. We had done this in fifth year with Snape.
"Who knows what Pozione Sognando means?" Slughorn asked. I saw Tom's arm jerk to shoot up, but he must have remembered that he's the teachers assistant and that he wasn't supposed to answer questions in class. I rose my hand slowly.
" ?"
"It means 'Dreaming Potion', sir."
"And it's uses?"
"The potion is usually given to someone who is having continuous nightmares. Instead of putting you in a dreamless sleep like the Dreamless Sleep Draught, this one will make you relive your happiest moments over and over until you wake. It only works for so long, then the taker becomes immune to its benefits, even if the after effects remain. Although it does get rid of the nightmares, it is likely to cause Hallucinations at random points in the day if you've taken it for over two weeks. It's considered a highly addictive potion." I finished.
"Fantastic! Ten points to Slytherin! Tom it seems you've been partnered well! You probably won't even have to guide her along!" He said while clapping the Head Boy on his shoulder.
After successfully brewing our potion, I started to pack my bad to leave when I felt someone grab my hand. I looked over to see Tom raise my hand to his lips. He pressed them lightly to my knuckle and winked. He left in a flash. I caught the eyes of several girls in the room giving me a bewildering look. I looked at my hand only to see a piece of parchment balled in my fist.
'Meet me by the lake after your last class, T.R.'
I ran my thumb over the words, another talk with Tom I guess…
I impatiently sat through Herbology, I was beyond anxious to go meet Tom. I wasn't sure why, maybe it was apprehension about what he had to say about last night? I couldn't get the feeling of his soft lips off my hand. I had gone to the restroom twice to wash my hands and cast two Tergeo's, but I still could feel the burning trace of his lips on my skin.
TOM'S POV
I believe I had just realized that Hermione was physically attracted to me. I had noticed her staring previously, but that was even before I was trying to get her to stare at me. Her cheeks colored and her hands had become damp instantly when I kissed her hand. I was use to women reacting a certain way to my looks, but Hermione had been…different. She never reacted in a girlish, immature way to anything I had done thus far.
A part of me relished at the thought of having a strong advantage over her. I, fortunately, had the ability to mask any distracting emotions that swam through my head. Attraction being one of them…most of the time.
'I will be glad when this short phase of life is over,' I scowled, referring to my hormonal teenage instincts, fueled by lust.
Her knowledge had surprised me, to say the least. I had hardly seen her pick up a book since she had arrived, granted I had only been around her a handful of times. My first class with the younger potions students was soon. I was going to have to leave the area I was pacing, damn. I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to say to Hermione when we meet by the lake. I think I was going to say no to her counter offer, until further notice. I would need to observe her for a longer period of time. I needed to think of the right way to make her think she would be my equal, but have her as low as anyone else.
"Er, T-Tom?" I spun around quickly at the nervous voice of Dolohov.
"Yes, Marcus?" I said impatiently.
"I-I'm on my way to Herbology and I was wondering if you wanted me to start, uh…doing what you asked?" he was afraid. I looked around and grabbed his upper arm to pull him into an alcove.
"You will pay for bringing this up in public, Marcus," he flinched. "Do what I asked, use the spell I taught you. Fairly simple. Capture the 'images' of Abraxis and Smith whenever you see them together. Not just during bloody Herbology. I need to see how close they actually are for my plans to progress. Now, leave or we will both be late."
I watched the trembling, skinny boy run off in the other direction. I do not recall how many times I have asked them not to talk to me about private matters in public. As I dismally sat through class, I was excited to use my new found 'advantage' on Hermione to get what I want. She would bend eventually. Just like Romilda did when I needed a peek at her family's library.
It seemed all humans will succumb to flattery. It's like they couldn't help it…give them enough compliments and praise them on their accomplishments and they are yours. It would be so much easier to get what I wanted by using my wand on them, but for the time being my charm and good looks will suffice.
I walked down to the lake slowly, stopping to politely chat with fifth year Slytherin prefects, reminding them of our meeting tonight at nine in the Heads common room. Hermione and I hadn't even discussed that, I recalled as an afterthought.
"Tom!" Marcus called as I turned. He handed me a folder and took off. I opened the folder. Copies of the images Marcus had managed to take were printed onto Muggle paper. Rather impressed with how Marcus had managed to get the memory like images onto the paper in the first place, I began to look through them.
It was apparent that they were, indeed, close. They were touching in each photo. Friendly touches…arm over the shoulder, a nudge, Hermione rubbing dirt on Abraxis' face, he doing the same. The last image produced a strange feeling in my stomach. Abraxis was cradling Hermione's face in his hands, tenderly wiping the dirt from her cheek with an all too knowing expression in his eyes. Abraxis Malfoy was or already had some 'feelings' for the girl…after what, a week?
I banished the pictures and continued on my way. The new information creating an anger that hadn't been there beforehand. I saw her before she saw me. She was lying on her back with her wand hand held lazily above her. She had wandlessly created small origami birds that fluttered peacefully around her. My anger had hardly subsided, but I could still appreciate impressive magic when I saw it.
I took out my wand and hit one of the birds with a nonverbal Incendio. Hermione gasped and lost her concentration. The birds fell softly to ground.
"Tom," she said softly, while standing.
"Smith," I said curtly. "I believe I've come to a decision of sorts." I could feel the anger bubbling beneath my skin. I wasn't even sure where it was coming from…I blamed it on Malfoy for not telling me his plans with the girl and I blamed Hermione for…for…acting like a slag in front of everyone!
"And…" she pressed.
"Well, I typically work alone or have people working beneath me. I will have to observe you further to see your…capabilities before I can make a final decision…" I was pacing.
"Okay…"
"Don't interrupt me! I'm not finished." I hissed at her. She took a step back. "So far my observations have yet to indicate you worthy of 'working' with me, let alone worthy of any attention at all! The only thing I've seen is a developed feminine body that you can't seem to keep to yourself."
The slap that followed the end of my sentence seemed to echo for miles. The stinging on my cheek had been like fuel to the fire. Our eyes met, hers were wide with shock at what she had just done. Her hands were covering her mouth as she took a step backward. I stalked forward, her small form matching my pace away from me until her back hit a tree.
I pushed her up against the tree with my body and held her wrists in one hand as she struggled against me.
"Get away from me," her voice trembled.
"Did what I say hurt your feelings, Hermione? Tell me, does it feel good when Abraxis touches you?" I placed my lips at the crook of her neck. "Does it send tingles up your spine?" I bit down softly on a spot slightly above her collar bone.
"Tom, g-get off me. Now!" Hermione's voice was acidic.
"Why? Afraid your boyfriend will see?" I continued biting and licking my way to her earlobe. The resounding shiver from her that accompanied my menstruations made me feel powerful.
"I don't know what's wrong with you!" she hissed, afraid to draw attention to us from the other students who were outside by using a loud voice. "Abraxis is just a friend, not that it matters to you!"
"Of course it matters to me." I smiled while looking into her eyes. Her brown eyes held a burning gaze on my own. "You are my project. Mine. Any friendships, romances, or anything else…matters…to…me." my lips kissed down her neck with my last words. Her body tensed at my words. I rested my forehead against hers. It was so easy to take control of her, she was so small in my arms that all it took was minimum physical restraint to keep her still.
Hermione's eyes and expression had changed. She made full eye contact with me before she pressed her hips closer to mine as her lips ghosted against my jaw, sending a heated shock to the bottom of my stomach. She whispered something, a word, so soft I almost didn't hear it.
"Oppugno Maximus…"
Oppugno? I stepped back as I felt her magic crackle around me. What spell had she just said? I turned to see the small birds she had conjured earlier weren't so small any more. Three larger paper falcons hung in the air above me. Her use of wandless magic this powerful had me still with awe. I looked at the girl in front of me, she had a sardonic smile on her face, with her wand pointed at me. I drew mine. At least she hadn't made them attack me.
"Tom Riddle. We've played 'nice' thus far, haven't we? I think that it is time for a change. I feel as if we should come to a compromise. I am still willing to help you, but you cannot dictate my life. You can send Dolohov to watch me all you want," this meeting had taken a very large change of direction. "but I will still be who I am and do whatever I want."
My mind went into overdrive as I tried to figure out what would be the best move to make in my advantage. I thought of the woman who had her wand directed at me, I thought of her intelligence, and power. Then I thought of my intelligence and power. It all clicked.
The steady thrum of the Falcon's wings were the only sound to be heard. It would take time to break her down, to make her mine to utilize as I please. I wordlessly burst the birds into flames and then put a shield of water over us to block the falling debris that immediately turned to steam when they hit the shield.
We hadn't broke eye contact the whole time.
"Okay, Hermione. Let's compromise."
We walked toward each other until we were a foot away.
"You do not interfere with any of my plans." I stated.
"Yes, unless they directly effect me or my plans," she countered.
"Deal."
"You let me in on your future plans, and I'll help you with whatever I deem necessary," I scowled.
"As long as you take an Oath of Silence." I would not have any plans ruined because of her.
"Deal," she said after a moment of hesitation. "We don't talk of this in public."
"Of course. You talk to no one else that 'works' for me about our plans, unless I give you permission." She nodded. "Shall we shake on it?
I extended my hand. She stared at it for a few seconds before placing her soft, womanly hand in mine. A soft white glow emitted from our joined hands.
I smiled triumphantly. She was mine. I brushed my fingers across her soft, rouged cheek. She slapped my hand away.
"And no touching either!"
"Sorry, Smith, we already shook on it." I said with a sympathetic shrug of my shoulders.
"Ugh, how do you expect to ever come near me again after the words you just said to me?"
I ran my hand through my hair. "Because you're smart enough to know words are just words and you'll forget about them later. It's actions we remember, Hermione." I brought my hand to her cheek again.
"Will you stop?" she pushed me. "You chauvinistic arse!" her eyes were angry. It only caused me to laugh.
"Just wait and see, Hermione. You have so much to learn." I turned to walk back to the castle. "Come. We have to go over the prefects meeting tonight since we weren't on the train yesterday."
She let out a huff, but eventually I could hear her reluctant footsteps trailing behind me. I had a feeling she would always trail behind me.
HERMIONE'S POV
Twenty four students ages fifteen and up sat in front of Tom and I. Spread out on the couches, chairs, tables, and floor surrounding us. I let Tom do most of the talking. He seemed to like the sound of his voice, the prick. My eyes trailed to Annie, who was hanging lovingly around Tom's neck. I rolled my eyes.
I kept repeating, 'I just made a deal with the devil' in my head. And I had.
I should have been prepared for an outburst from Tom. All of our other encounters had been docile and calm, with the exception of the Hospital Wing. Tonight I caught a glimpse of the dark, possessive, vindictive Tom. I couldn't figure out why he was so angry in the first place. I wasn't a slag…and the only reason I had flirted with Abraxis in Herbology was because I knew Dolohov was watching us.
I shivered when I thought of how cold his voice sounded. I felt his anger in every part of my body. I shouldn't have slapped him, just like I shouldn't have hit Draco in third year. Every part of me was screaming at 'defend yourself'! the shock I felt afterward scared me. I couldn't believe what I had just done. I may be on an equal academic level with him, but there is no way I could use a Unforgivable, like I knew he had.
My first instinct had been to back away, but he followed. When he pushed his body against mine I felt something building inside of me that I had never felt before. Fear mixed with power? No matter what Tom had said I still felt like the ball was in my court. I repeated 'power of deception' as I brought my body closer to his. I could feel the firmness of his chest and stomach as I leaned into him. My neck was still thrumming gently from where he had his mouth. I let my lips gently brush against the under side of his jaw, I felt a shock of fire leave my mouth. I could almost see that fire traveling through him.
Oppugno Maximus left my mouth in a soft whisper. My confidence soared the further he got away from me. Words had flown out of my mouth in the form of a compromise. I felt powerful. The compromise benefited us both. My anger was still present, but Tom's had disappeared completely. He seemed joyful and cheery. I loathed him, but there was nothing I could do about it. He was right though. I could forget words, but actions followed me persistently in my mind.
As much as I want to ignore it, I was pulled to Tom. Not just because I had a destiny to fulfill and not because of my desire for Ron and Harry to live normal lives, but because of who he is. Exceedingly bright and powerful, charming and charismatic. I had never met another like him, just as I was his 'project', he was mine.
My mind turned back to the meeting as Tom handed me half of the patrol schedules to hand out.
"You will always be paired with someone from a different House while on patrol. You know, to ensure 'inner House communication'." Several of the prefects laughed. I was pretty sure I saw a couple of girls actually swoon.
"Tom," I scolded playfully for the public eye.
"What?" he asked innocently, his blue eyes alight with jest.
I rolled my eyes, "Your patrols are always to be done in pairs. If you need certain days off, please try to at least give us a weeks notice!"
I took a step back after I had handed out the papers. I hadn't had a chance to talk to Dumbledore about his fight with Grindelwald, but I needed to. The atmosphere at the school was full of elation at not being in a war anymore. I was dead curious, especially since that infamous duel wasn't supposed to happen for another six months. I put that idea to the side of my mind, to be remembered when I see him again.
"Alright," Tom began, "does anyone have any more questions before you leave?"
"Do we have to have an idea for the Halloween thing by next week?" asked a fifth year Gryffindor. "No, Davids, we don't. Hermione already set up the suggestion box outside the dorm. When ever the light bulb in your head goes off and you get an idea, write it down, put it in the box and we'll vote on it at the October seventh meeting, yes?" The small Gryffindor's cheeks colored at Tom's patronizing tone.
"And remember the whole school has to be able to participate, so nothing too mature. We are going to try to keep it outside also, to keep the 'spookiness' of Halloween alive…and to try to scare Tom." a few of the people laughed at my joke. Alice giggled loudly and gave me a thumbs up.
"Like that would ever happen, Smith," his arrogant tone hitting my nerves.
"We'll see," I mumbled so only he could hear. "Okay! That's all then guys, Malfoy and Boot have fun taking the East half of the school tonight. Davids and Allen, have fun with the West!"
Abraxis gave me a scathing look as he stood with the rest of the prefects, he seemed upset to be patrolling with the petite, blonde Aimee Boot. It was Tom's idea, of course. I definitely saw the smirk on Tom's lips after Abraxis turned around.
"Hermione!" Alice squeaked my name.
"Hello again, Alice," I said in a friendly manner. Alice wasn't so bad. She could hold a mildly intelligent conversation, although she instilled a bit too many 'uhs' and 'likes' into her speech.
"The meeting went well, yeah? I can't wait for the Halloween weekend to come around! I have so many ideas! What about you? Do you?" I listened to her rapid voice carry through the common room.
"Well, I haven't really thought about it yet, but maybe a corn maze? Or a Haunted House? 'Enter at your own risk' type of thing?" Alice stared at me.
"Wow, Hermione! I mean…those are like great ideas! Perfect actually!" her enthusiasm was almost overbearing, but she meant well so I kept listening. "Maybe a Haunted House that led to a corn maze? My ideas don't even seem worth it now."
"Oh come on, Alice, I'm sure they're great. Let's hear them…"
"Okay! First I was thinking…" I tuned her out as I watched Tom magically clean up the room behind her. He had his oxford shirt sleeves rolled up, revealing his tanned forearms. I could see the muscles gently flex with his wand movements. His lips were moving as he looked at Annie. I squinted my eyes in wonder. I really didn't like what they could possibly have to say to each other. "…so we could all do that and like just dance in costumes and…Hermione? Hello?" she was waving her hand in front of my face. "Are you even listening?" she asked incredulously.
"Yes, yes of course! A dance! Good idea!" Alice turned and looked at Tom, who kept his head down to hide a smirk on his lips.
"Right," she said, "I'll just be going then."
"Alice," she smiled softly at me, "…good night?"
"Night, Hermione," her eyes trailed to Tom with a wistful look. "G-goodnight, Tom."
He waved her off without looking at her. Alice's face fell as she turned to go.
Huh, I thought as I watched her leave. Confusion set deep on my face. When I looked back at Tom he was gazing at me with a intense look in his eyes as he set Annie on the couch.
"Sleep well, Hermione…"
AN: Welllll? What do you think? I'm sorry it's taken so long. Work has been kicking my butt, and when I get home, I need a beer. It's pretty sad actually. Haha.
Review, if you'd like? I know it keeps me going!
Thank you!
-Bailey!