Disclaimer: don't own.
Hermione decided to keep her mouth shut – for a change. It was not wise to ruin Tom's mood.
Tom and Hermione didn't talk much as they neared the center of the garden where a water fountain was emitting different coloured water. Life fairies were flying around with little lanterns and Hermione suddenly felt completely peaceful and happy. Even in current company. Or should you rather say, BECAUSE?
Tom was not a guy who liked romance or anything that had to do with girls for that matter. But at this very moment, he wanted nothing more to hold this girl in his arms forever and ever. The music was far away though still enough that they could make out the songs.
A very slow, slightly Russian sounding melody began and Tom noticed his chance. Natalija would probably like that song.
"Wanna dance?" he asked her in a low voice.
Hermione nodded and he took again her waist and her hand, and Hermione put her other hand onto his shoulder, trembling slightly. She remembered that Victor Krum had also liked that song very much – though 50 years later the techno version.
"Do you like that song?" she asked Tom, her voice trembling slightly when she looked into his handsome face that was half-hidden in the shadows.
"Yes, I do." Tom smiled slightly. He looked down at the beautiful girl in his arms, her wonderful face and her perfect lips, waiting to be kissed. He was not interested in girl, right? 'I only look for power! Nothing else matters, not even the girl in my arms!' he thought harshly and even had half a second to consider whether to push her away or not.
To his surprise, he remained there, revolving slowly on the spot. Two fairies were fluttering above their hands, holding hands and looking deeply at each other.
Tom didn't think. He pushed Hermione's chin up and looked her deeply into her eyes. First, he saw confusion and maybe a bit fear, but then those emotions were replaced by happiness and nervousness.
'Well what can I lose?'
Tom's and Hermione's faces inched nearer and nearer and then their lips touched, though only lightly, as light as the wind and soft as a feather. It lasted not longer than two or three seconds.
Hermione and Tom drew slightly away, but then Tom gave in to his senses. He pulled Hermione towards him and kissed her. This time, the kiss was passionate and hot. Tom marvelled at the feeling of Hermione's lips. They were like heaven to him. He pulled her even closer and gently tried to enter her mouth.
Hermione willingly agreed and let his tongue explore her mouth. She was, in return, kissing him like there was no tomorrow. Hermione knew that it was his first time – but he was again perfect – as he was perfect in everything. Hermione savoured the kiss. It was as if all her dreams had come true. Instinctively, she pressed herself nearer to Tom. She felt unnaturally safe and happy in his arms. Their bodies were heated and Hermione couldn't suppress a moan.
Tom was a good kisser, Hermione had to admit. If she wasn't together (well technically) with Ron, she knew that she would cross all boundaries. Now, she wasn't sure. But on the other hand, Ron wasn't even born yet. And all of her friends from her time were sasfely inside, not knowing what was going on.
Natalija was perfect. Her looks, her intelligence, her sweetness, and well – her kisses – were just hot. Not once in his lifetime had Tom ever thought that he would enjoy kissing a girl so much. Not once had he felt so much for somebody, and the need to protect her had never been stronger.
Both savoured the feeling, not wanting to let go.
But it was Hermione who broke away first – with a gasp – because of the lack of oxygen. Tom laughed quietly and gave her a quick peck on her lips.
Without a word, he took her hand and led her to a bench near another, more secluded rose bush. There was no need to talk. It was a comfortable silence as they both watched the stars in the dark night sky. It was one of the rare times when Hermione felt happy, complete, without any sorrows and just peaceful. She hoped that Tom would feel the same.
When she looked at him and he smiled and put an arm around her shoulders, she knew that he definitely felt the same. His face and eyes said everything.
They gazed into each others eyes with a mixture of different emotions. Tom, beginning to like kissing and making out in general, turned Hermione's face towards him and kissed her again. Softly, lovingly, sweetly, and then the kiss became more heated, passionate and he entered her mouth again.
This time it was Tom who broke away from the kiss. He smiled at her a real smile and stroked her hair. "You are beautiful, Natalija." he confessed in a voice that Hermione had rarely heard before. It was neither the polite voice he used in front of the teachers, nor the menacing voice for his enemies and followers, nor the neutral, professional voice he used in classes. Tom's voice was full of sincerity and pleased feelings.
"Thank you. The same can be said about you though Tom." Hermione meant it was well.
"I'm glad." Tom held her closer and Hermione felt herself cuddle towards him, longing for him and his touch.
"I guess, we should both go back to our dates." Hermione said with a mixture of sadness and urgency.
Tom laughed lightly. "I think Abraxas is already back in the Slytherin dorms, sleeping."
Hermione raised her eyebrows questioningly. "What do you mean? It's surely not that late…?"
"My dear Natalija, it is 2:00 in the morning." Tom smirked. Then Hermione noticed it too. It was very quiet. Too quiet. The students must have gone off to bed.
"Is nobody awake anymore?" Hermione tried to keep the fear out of her voice, in which she failed, however, horribly.
She was alone in the dark with Lord Voldemort. Come on, a little fear is allowed in that situation.
Hermione shuddered. It was also getting a bit cold.
"Are you cold?" Tom asked with more concern than necessary.
"Yes." Hermione answered truthfully.
Tom peeled out of his jacket and put it carefully around Hermione's shoulders. She looked up at him and her face said more than thousand words. It said more than thank you. More than words could describe how she valued this little gesture.
"I guess that not everyone is really wide awake. Let's get you back to the common room." Tom motioned her to stand up. "I'll walk with you. It's dangerous to walk the corridors at that time of the night."
Hermione nodded and they made their way back to the castle hand in hand. It sounded crazy, but she felt safe with him. With the future Dark Lord who was holding her hand and seemingly protecting her from danger.
When they arrived in front of the Ravenclaw common room, Tom gave her one last, passionate kiss. After they had said their good-byes, Hermione knocked onto the eagle knocker.
"What is the counter potion for amortentia?" the musical voice asked.
Hermione gaped like a fish and she felt her heart stop beating for a second. 'Excuse me? The counter potion for amortentia? Was there such thing?' She couldn't remember it at least. It couldn't be true. Now of all times, when she wished for her bed and it was in the middle of the night and NO ONE else outside?
She had never been denied entry into the Ravenclaw common room before and mastered every question without failing even once.
In her time, the counter potion for amortentia was probably banned, forbidden or whatever. It frustrated her to no end.
"Could I have another question please?" she asked timidly, not even trying to keep the menacing edge out of her voice.
"No. Either this question or wait until somebody worthy of Ravenclaw comes along." the musical voice almost sneered.
Hermione wanted to kick the door in frustration. She humpfed and turned around and did something she would never have done before.
It was now or never.
Taking a deep breath, she began her mission.
"Tom" she called out and didn't mean to sound so desperate.
Tom, who was already some staircases below her, heard her only faintly. But he did.
He slowly strode upwards again to see her, standing in front of the Ravenclaw common room, glaring at the eagle.
"Yes?" he asked grinning, knowing the problem already. He wasn't a Slytherin for nothing. He had charmed the ghost of Rowena Ravenclaw to force the eagle to ask this question when NATALIJA would want to enter the tower. He knew that Natalija couldn't get in – and why? Because he was cunning and ambitious. And Natalija was his new project. Well, how good was he at charming even ghosts? It had worked unbelievably well. And Natalija was of course clueless. Did she really believe that there was an antidote to amortentia? It looked very much like it.
"Tom, can you help me get in? Please? I don't know the answer." Hermione said, her cheeks glowing red.
"Oh. I'm sorry, but I as a Slytherin am not to answer the question." Tom said politely.
"Oh. I didn't know that. So you cannot help me get in at all?" Hermione asked incredulously.
"No. Gryffindors are allowed to answer the password, but Slytherins and Hufflepuff are entry denied even if they knew the correct answer." Tom explained calmly.
Hermione looked at him with wide eyes. "So what do I do now? Nobody is awake anymore!" she said with an edge of hysteria to her voice.
Tom smirked. "You either stay here and get a good night sleep outside in the corridors – " Hermione huffed. She would more than likely get a cold and she would be extremely scared. All her Gryffindorishness had vanished since she had arrived in the 40s.
Tom smirked even broader: "Or you go with me. You can stay in the Heads Dorm."
Hermione had considered that as well. But under what circumstances. Now, she was just tired.
"I guess, I would prefer that." she said after a long pause.
"Very well then, come with me." Tom said and they both walked to the head dorm, not holding hands this time.
"Unity." Tom said clearly when they were in front of the Heads Portrait – a beautiful young woman and a young man holding hands and looking each other into the face. Hermione smirked at the irony.
When they entered the vast room, Hermione noticed that mostly Gryffindor and Slytherin colours were dominant. Of course, since both heads were from either house. Two plush couches (green) were grouped in front of a Wizarding TV, blue cushions and red carpets. The windows were wide and probably overlooking the lake and the forest. A beautiful view, as the Head dorm was in the same height as the Ravenclaw common room as far as Hermione could tell. It looked all in all very comfortable and cosy.
Tom muttered a spell and the fireplace that Hermione hadn't seen before suddenly was alight and a warm fire crackling in the background.
"Very well thank you Tom." Hermione grinned.
"You can sleep in McGonnagal's room. She never sleeps here." Tom said with a strange expression and she followed him up to the chambers.
Suddenly Tom stopped. "Stupid Gryffindors." he muttered.
"Why? Wha-?" Hermione didn't understand.
"She warded her room, so no one can come up here." Tom glared at the closed door.
Hermione sighed. "It's okay. Don't bother." she made her way to the living-room to sleep on the plush sofa.
"Tom followed her outside and conjured some blankets and cushions. They were green, of course."
Happily, Hermione snuggled herself into the green warm blanket Tom had conjured out of nowhere.
But why was there another blanket? And two other cushions? And why did Tom just get under the under blanket on the same sofa just on the other side?
Tom grinned at her. "Don't worry, I won't sleep here with you. Let us just watch a bit TV."
Hermione thought it was a perfect idea. after all, she had never watched wizarding TV before.
"What about my dress?" Hermione asked him. She didn't want to sleep in it, nor did she want to be in just her underwear.
Tom laughed uncomfortably and summoned her a large t-shirt that she wore as a nightdress. It was a dark green and suited her. Her blonde hair contrasted beautifully to the colour.
Tom and Hermione both sat cuddled into the blankets on the same sofa, just on other ends and were watching a witches-sitcom. Hermione felt completely at ease and gazed side-ways at Tom. Right, at TOM. This person wasn't Lord Voldemort yet. And she would help him to not become the cold-hearted monster.
The next thing she knew was that she was woken up by bright sunshine that was shining through the windows. At first she didn't know where she was. Then slowly the whole night made sense and all the pieces fit… Hermione didn't want to scream at the sight that greeted her. The Dark Lord was sleeping peacefully on the same sofa, cuddled into a green blanket. He looked utterly peaceful and his dark hair was dishevelled which made him even more irresistible, Hermione thought.
She quickly did a non-verbal spell to do some temporary make-up. It made her look okay at least, though only for an hour. She would do the extended beauty routine later. But she did want to look presentable in front of the head boy.
They both must have fallen asleep in front of the TV which was turned off to her surprise. Tom was almost snoring and Hermione's gaze fell onto the large clock on the table next to the fireplace. She was shocked. How could it be 11:48? Had they slept this long? Hmm, to be honest, she had slept surprisingly well even though the Dark Lord had kipped on the same sofa.
Then she suddenly remembered. They had kissed. Several times. And she liked it. What would be now? Could they still talk? What about the future?
She couldn't dwell on her thoughts as Tom let out a loud yawn and squeezed his eyes open.
"Natalija." he muttered surprised and his voice was still rough and thick from sleep.
"Good morning to you too, Tom." Hermione smiled.
Tom didn't return her smile.
"What are you doing here?" he asked harshly.
"Well, let's think… I couldn't get into Ravenclaw common room and you gallantly allowed me to rest here. Thank you by the way." Hermione tried to keep her composure.
Tom suddenly remembered. Of course.
"Oh. I didn't quite remember at first." he said this without any regret Hermione noticed.
"And we both slept on the same sofa." Hermione remarked, rolling her magnificent made-up eyes.
"Obviously." Tom remarked dryly.
"And-" Hermione felt her clothes. "What happened?" she asked a bit unsurely.
"Nothing."
Hermione still looked sceptically at him.
"I repeat: nothing."
Hermione didn't answer.
"Look, I might not have the best reputation as some fear me and are afraid, but I would never stomp onto that level as to violate a woman. Besides, I needed my sleep as well." he smirked slightly, raising an eyebrow. Sexy
"Okay. I believe you. But why does the Head Girl not use this magnificent room?" Hermione asked.
"Minerva McGonnagal is a typical Gryffindor. A tiny bit of her admires me and a larger part of her is scared of a big, bad Slytherin." Tom smirked.
Hermione couldn't help but smile as well. Tom had a point. Minerva McGonnagal was someone that Hermione had put onto her list of "People who are not to be liked" and therefore she agreed wholeheartedly with him.
"She can be a real pain in the ass. Follows me around like there is no tomorrow, giggles and blushes all the time whenever I need to speak to her. But when she is alone in the room here with me – which happened I think twice – she was shy and didn't utter a single word and looked at me with big eyes, deeply scared." Tom continued his rant and Hermione had to smirk inwardly.
Too correct she was. The McGonnagal-younger-version wasn't even a little competition.
"By the way, it's already 12." tom said gazing at the clock in front of him.
"Yes, that's correct. We had a good long sleep." Hermione said.
"But I never sleep that long! There are more important things than sleep." Tom said alarmed, getting up from the couch and looking at Hermione pointedly.
"Let's go to lunch. I'm starving."
"Me too." Hermione reluctantly pulled herself up from the couch. "But I need something respectable to wear. If you have some female clothes, I'll be more than happy as the Ravenclaw common room is too far away."
"Hm, as it happens, I do not have any female clothes. What do I do with them? Well, as you don't have anything respectable to wear we can get breakfast in bed." Tom said clearly without a trace of sarcasm in his voice.
Hermione said nothing. Breakfast in bed with the dark lord? And how?
Tom looked at her and explained: "The heads dorm has a speaker system that leads into the kitchens as well and we can order breakfast in bed here. It's not as big as in the Great Hall. And therefore I thought we could also order lunch. It's worth a try."
Hermione was still too shocked to say something.
Tom rubbed the beautiful pink stone that was on the table as well. Hermione had first thought that the glittering shining stone was just a decoration.
"Kitchen." Tom said commandingly. Immediately they heard the voice of an elf and Hermione cringed.
"We would like to order lunch for two." Tom said.
"Okay, Lissy will be right back." the elf squeaked and Hermione still gawked at the stone and at Tom.
"You can close your mouth now." Tom smirked and settled himself comfortably onto the sofa. Their legs and feet touched again and Hermione felt her skin tingle at the contact.
2 minutes later, the elf arrived with two trays packed with salad, bread, spaghetti with tuna sauce, chocolate éclairs and water. Hermione thanked the elf sweetly.
Tom was shocked. Natalija was nice to houseelves. To houseelves of all creatures. As if they were one of them. An equal.
He shook his head in disagreement but didn't say anything which was so much unlike him and began digging in to his meal. He was starving and the beautiful girl in front of him was probably starving as well although she was eating gracefully and taking small bites.
He marvelled at her beauty even when she was eating.
She looked up at him and frowned. "I don't like it when you are watching me when I'm eating."
"But I like watching you when you eat." Tom stated honestly.
"But I don't. And then I cannot eat." Hermione shook her head. "Please stop."
Tom grinned. "Since you said please. But don't get used to it. I don't usually give in."
"I'm honored then." Hermione joined him in his game and both of them grinned.erHHHerm