Chapter Eighteen: Beauxbatons

Previously: I glanced at the berries a few times before deciding to go for it and lifted Hermione's chin ever so slightly, forcing her to look at me. I took a deep breath and signalled to the plant above our heads. I expected her to blush and nibble her lip nervously. But she seemed raring to go to be honest.

I smiled at her peaceful expression, watery eyes, curved lips and freckled skin before stroking my thumb against her cheek and moving in closer until I could feel her breath tickling my mouth, leaving me craving her touch.

I couldn't wait anymore; seriously, the time this kiss was dragging out was taking the piss.

I closed the distance between us with one swift movement, and moulded my lips with hers.

Hermione Granger P.O.V

Kissing Tom was always sweet and magical. It shocked me that such a simple thing could create such a glowing spark in my stomach, and his fingertips could leave such a trail of fire across my skin. It was truly magical, and I loved every moment of it. He would handle me so gently and delicately, as if I were a china doll. It made me feel very special, and delicate, and wanted…but at the same time I wanted him to be more forceful. He was always hesitant, as if I would break any second if he handled me too harshly. I wanted to tell him to forget about my "fragility" and kiss me, and hold me and…stuff, well, how I wanted him to!

Of course I couldn't really tell him; that would be rude.

Tom's hand ran over my stomach gently before resting on my waist and tugging me more gently towards him. His lips were soft and slightly moist; they skimmed over mine with a feather light touch, almost as if they weren't even there. He only applied the tiniest bit of pressure with his lips whilst his other hand slipped from my cheek and trailed down my neck, painfully slow. I parted my lips slightly, allowing his tongue to skim across my bottom lip. I heard a growl erupt from his throat as my tongue snuck out from my mouth, and timidly touched his.

Suddenly, I felt as if I had been dunked under water and held there until all the blood rushed to my head. It was almost painful…but the sparks emitting from his every touch gave me such an explosion of satisfaction that I just wanted to lean forward and let him make me mine…but for some reason, I felt that he didn't want that. Well, it wouldn't surprise me if he didn't want that; we hardly knew each other, we'd only been together for a small amount of time, definitely not long enough to move to that level!

But as his hand resting on my hip calmly slid further up my side and his fingertips danced over the skin of my stomach, all my doubts suddenly disappeared and the room immediately became very warm.

Tom surprised me by pulling away, separating out lips but pressing our foreheads together and panting.

"Hermione…" he breathed, the traces of a smile tugging at his lips and his hand tracing circles on my stomach. I had failed to notice until now that, as the hall was completely empty, I had somehow managed to straddle Tom and it was only now that I figured out exactly what I could feel poking against my thigh.

Oh Merlin…I thought, maybe I was wrong…

I felt myself go red and my palms suddenly seemed very hot.

"Tom…" I began, panting slightly, "Maybe we should…go find the others?" I suggested quietly.

Tom raised his eyebrows at me and nodded. When he didn't move I gave him a questioning look, but immediately felt guilty when he gestured to our position, more over, the fact that I was standing either side of him rendering him unable to move.

I stepped from over him and smoothed the creases in my skirt, patted my hair down which was slightly wild from Tom running his fingers through it, then leaned forward to give him another lingering brush of my lips. The moment I felt his hands move to hold me closer and his lips press harder against mine, I pulled away earning a disgruntled expression from my boyfriend which I found rather amusing.

"Tease," he smirked and reached out for my hand before lifting it to his lips and pulling me along to the Slytherin common room.

"Have you heard?" Mona shrieked from across the common room, clutching a letter to her chest.

I turned to Druella, with an uninterested eyebrow raised. She shrugged and turned to ask Mona what she was talking about. At the time I thought it was probably some irrelevant news about an ex boyfriend or something stupid like that, but I didn't expect some news which would possibly jeopardise my current relationship with Tom.

"I have a friend from Beauxbatons, and she's just owled me saying that Hogwarts has agreed to take on three students from France for three months!" she beamed, before returning to her letter.

I rolled my eyes at the giggling girl and Druella smirked at me.

"Merry Christmas by the way," she laughed, leaning forward to hug me.

Tom Riddle P.O.V

Girls never really interested me very much. The majority were brainless and had no ambition. The fair few girls, who did have brains and ambition, were just too blind to do something with it. Hermione was the first girl I had met who had ambition, and used her brain and would definitely one day strive for greatness. She was clever; actually, clever would be an understatement. And although she had turned my offer down before, I knew it was only a matter of time before the temptation of Powers seductress weighed heavy on Hermione and she would allow herself to be consumed in my plans for our future together. How could she not agree to them? Any normal person would agree, any normal person would dream of such power, any normal person- well; Hermione wasn't exactly a "normal" person though. Or at least, she wasn't like most people. Maybe that's what attracted me to her in the first place, not forgetting that she was by far the beauty of the school. Yes, I was indeed very lucky to have her.

When the news of three new students from Beauxbatons would be staying at Hogwarts for 3 months, my interest couldn't have been lower. In fact, no one really seemed very interested at all apart from Parsons and Avery. Although I was pretty sure that their interests were completely different.

"I don't know why she's so excited," I heard Cygnus mutter from beside me. I glanced over to my fellow student who was currently muttering for his chess piece to destroy mine. I would have laughed, but I didn't want to utterly destroy his hope of beating me for once.

"She gets excited over trivial things, Cygnus." I replied, "We all know she'll regret it once they arrive and have the full attention of the 7th year boys."

He chuckled and nodded before downing the rest of his Firewhisky and reaching for a mince pie. He must have thought I was blind if he thought I hadn't noticed the heated looks he was sending in Druella's direction and his eyes darken every time she leaned forward to reveal the tiniest bit of chest. Honestly, he looked like his hands should have been tied to the table for fear of suddenly prancing on Druella and molestering her.

"Man, do you ever feel like you just want to take 'Mione up the wall?" Cygnus whispered urgently, refilling his cup and taking another gulp of the foul liquid.

I laughed and grabbed the goblet from his hands, sipping the contents and shaking my head. "Yes," I replied simply before standing up and walked over to give Hermione a peck on the forehead before winking at her friend and nodding my head in Black's direction. She soon got the message and smiled shyly at us both before skipping over to Cygnus.

"So, new French students..." she muttered, leaning her head against my shoulder and breathing lightly on my neck.

I clenched my jaw to prevent myself from shivering and replied sarcastically, "Yeah sounds thrilling doesn't it."

Hermione snorted and pressed her lips to my jaw before whispering, "Just don't get too close to them, ok?" and closed her eyes in exhaustion.

I frowned and studied Hermione for a moment. I was surprised by what she had just said; did she think me as disloyal? I didn't quite understand why she would say something like that…

"I'm glad you're with me this Christmas," I heard her whisper softly.

I couldn't help but smile at the warmth those words gave me and replied, "And why is that, my dear?"

I felt Hermione breathe on my neck as she sighed and muttered, "Because I love having you around. Plus, I would hate to think that I was safe inside Hogwarts enjoying my Christmas whilst you were stuck in an orphanage in the midst of a war." She explained.

I felt my breath catch at her words. How did she know about the war? Almost no one in Slytherin was aware of a war in the muggle world. She surprised me by the things she said sometimes, unexplainable things that a girl such as herself shouldn't know.

I would have interrogated her further, but she seemed so peaceful that it would have been cruel to rouse her. I would ask her about it in the morning, by time the new French students would be here.

Hermione Granger P.O.V

"I don't see what's so special about those three anyway," Druella muttered furiously. I couldn't help but laugh at her attitude towards the new students. Yes, they were…beautiful, and they had the attention of the whole student male population, but they would only be here for three months, so there wasn't really anything to be afraid of.

Their names were Bree, Ivette, and Estelle Delacour. Somehow I wasn't surprised that at least one of them was related to Fleur judging by their blond hair, slim figures, blue eyes and high feminine cheek bones. Two of the three had been sorted into Ravenclaw, and the remaining girl, Estelle had been sorted into Slytherin. Bree and Ivette seemed quite put out because they weren't all together, but Estelle seemed rather proud of herself as she glided over to our table, her hips swaying as she went with a charming smirk plastered on her spotless face.

"I bet I can guess where she'll be sitting," 'Ella grumbled, and clenched her fist tight around her fork as she stuffed some bacon into her mouth.

She surprised me how bitter she could get sometimes over the most trivial of things. I understood why she was so annoyed with these girls suddenly turning up, and there was no doubt that part of me was a little worried…but Cygnus was a loyal boyfriend, and I was certain that if anyone's relationship was tested these next three months, it would be mine and Tom's.

I hate to admit it, but Ella was right about where the new student would sit. It wasn't a total shock to me, I mean, when I first arrived here I was immediately drawn to Tom…but this girl didn't seem quite right. If she was like Fleur, then I would probably get on with her just a little, but deep down I knew that if she got too close to Tom, I would go ape shit.

I glanced at Estelle from over my goblet and watched her closely as she drew closer to our far end of the table. I removed the cup from my lips and looked closely at her, noticing how her eyes lit up when she noticed the crowd of year 7 boys seated opposite Druella, Mona, Eileen and myself. The only males who didn't seem in the slightest bit interested in the three new specimens were Cygnus and Tom. Draco, Avery, Mulciber, and Lestrange on the other hand seemed to be hypnotized by the girl approaching them. She smiled shyly at them and brushed her golden hair from her eyes delicately, before turning her attention two three boys in particular: Draco, Cygnus and…Tom.

I could feel my heart drop to my stomach as she chose to sit in the space between Tom and Draco, then almost as if she'd known him all his life, she reached for his goblet and took a sip before placing it back down and smiling innocently at him.

"My name is Estelle," she breathed, with a feminine, French accent and perfect English, "It's a pleasure to meet you all."

Three Days Later

"Stupid French slag…" I grumbled, turning another page in my book and almost tearing it clean off.

Eileen chuckled softly and leaned forward to stroke the hair from my eyes then glancing behind her to focus her attention on Mona, who was currently sulking in the corner of my common room, sending hexes around the walls and blowing up all the Christmas decorations in sight. I would have stopped her, but I was neither in the mood, nor could be bothered. Christmas wasn't feeling particularly Christmassy for the moment anyway, thanks to a few people.

"What did I tell you, Hermione?" Druella said, smirking and leaning back on the sofa.

I snorted and replied, "Yes, and I didn't listen. But at least your boyfriend hasn't got a French slag licking the ground he walks on."

"Yes," Eileen agreed, "and the majority of the males in the entire school are totally smitten with her! I heard she's part Veela actually, although it really doesn't surprise me looking at her…"

I nodded and sat up slowly, reaching for my wand and returning it to my back pocket. I was right about Mona; she was upset because of the lack of attention she was receiving from Avery for the past few days since the French students had arrived. The only of us who didn't seem particularly bothered by this turn of events was Eileen, and she surprised me how laid back she could be about some things.

Tom's birthday was only four days away and I found myself almost dreading the day. I was worried that I wouldn't be spending much time with him as I should do, thanks to Estelle. I was worried he wouldn't like his present. Moreover, I was worried that I wouldn't last the next four days knowing that someone was all over my boyfriend and he was making no effort to discourage her…he seemed blind to my feelings towards him. How could I tell him I was feeling jealous towards a blond bimbo who spoke better English than I did! He wouldn't understand. Of course he wouldn't understand.

We were interrupted by Draco walking through the door with an annoyed expression on his face. I greeted him and shuffled over to give him room. He nodded his hello and practically threw himself on the sofa.

"What's the matter?" I asked, just as Eileen gestured to the others for them to leave.

I smiled my thanks and watched them leave the room before focusing my full attention on the sulking blond beside me.

"Do you know how annoying your fucking boyfriend is?" he growled.

My eyes widened; I wasn't expecting it to be about Tom. Although, nowadays it didn't really take much for him to annoy Draco. I knew it was bound to be about me, as much as it hurt.

"What's he done?" I sighed, leaning against the pillows and crossing my legs.

"He doesn't realise how lucky he is to have you, Hermione. Yet there he is openly flirting with that French slag…let me hex him, Hermione, please?" he explained.

"W-what?" I stuttered, feeling tears in my eyes.

Draco tilted his head to look at me closely. He frowned and brushed his hair from his eyes.

"I'm sorry to say this, Hermione…but I fear that Riddle isn't as loyal as people might think he is," he said slowly, leaning forward to stare me straight in the eye. Draco had a tendency to make me feel very small when he looked at me with such an intense gaze. It was almost like he was mentally undressing me, or looking straight into my soul and reading my thoughts…It was truly horrible.

My mind was spinning…I wasn't quite sure what to think; part of me didn't believe that Tom would get close to some girl he'd only just met, but at the same time, I sort of did believe it. Estelle was beautiful, she was intelligent, and she was Pureblood. Yes, I was also intelligent and most probably more intelligent than her, but apart from that, she was everything I was not. I wouldn't blame Tom for being interested in her; she could probably assist him to glory. Me on the other hand…

"Tom wouldn't betray me, Draco." I whispered half-heartedly.

He snorted, obviously daring to doubt my reply. "Well, he seems to be doing a good job of it at the moment, Hermione."

I hung my head in my hands and inhaled deeply. This couldn't be right; Draco was just playing with my head. Of course he was; Tom would not do this to me. I meant something to him, I knew I did.

I stood up quickly and flicked my wand at the door. It flew open immediately and without a second glance at Draco, I bolted out of the door and straight to the Slytherin common room where Tom was bound to be, along with the company of Estelle Delacour.

Tom Riddle P.O.V

Estelle leaned over the desk slowly, blowing her chest out and supposedly attempting to seduce me. Pathetic girl, I thought and turned back to my book thinking about when I would next see Hermione.

"What are you reading?" she inquired shyly.

I sniffed and without looking in her direction replied, "Moste Potente Potions."

The French girl giggled and walked around to my side of the table, laying her hand across my back, she leaned over my shoulder deliberately breathing on my ear to read the book in my hands. I felt myself shiver at the disgust I felt for her touching me so closely, and unfortunately she took it for a shiver of…what? Pleasure? Don't make me laugh; she didn't seriously find herself attractive did she?

How dare she touch me? She must have been mistaken if she thought I had given her any signals saying that she could even breathe within ten yards of me! I stood up from my seat and snapped the book shut, earning a yelp of surprise from Estelle as she leapt backwards from the sudden movement.

"If you'll excuse me," I said politely, nodding my head at her and walked calmly away from the giggling student.

Don't ask me where she appeared from, because I really couldn't tell you- but one moment she was no where in sight, and the next she was marching towards me with tears in her eyes, cheeks blazing red, and her wand aimed behind me.

"Densaugeo!" Hermione spat, and surpringly, Estelle's top teeth suddenly increased their size at least two inches longer.

She squealed as she felt her teeth graze against her chin and her hands flew up to her face to cover the monstrosity. I smirked at the sight and turned to see Hermione fuming with her wand now pointed between my eyes.

"Oh, loyal, loyal, boyfriend!" she said sarcastically.

I frowned, "I beg your pardon?" I replied politely. What on earth was she on about?

"You…You! Flirting with this- this…this BIMBO!" she shrieked, stabbing her wand in Estelle's direction.

I almost laughed at her conclusion; if I'd done anything- I definitely wouldn't have "flirted" with her! That was just ridiculous; why would I want to flirt with anyone when I had Hermione? I was perfectly satisfied enough not to test the water by flirting!

"Hermione," I said softly, "I have not been flirting with her. The opposite in fact," I paused and frowned, "But where on earth did you get that idea from anyway?"

Hermione lowered her wand slowly, eyeing me carefully with her face screwed up as if she was trying to figure me out. "I was told." She said simply.

"By who?"

"No one of importance." She snapped.

I smirked and took a step forward, not noticing that the French girl had already exited the room, clutching her mouth and sobbing. Served her right really; she knew I was with Hermione, yet it didn't stop her from getting so close to me. Cygnus had told me that from the day she had arrived, she'd had her eye on me. I just ignored it, until she started touching me, not intimately, but the way that a girl you've just met shouldn't touch a boy in a relationship.

I was now only a foot from Hermione, my hands which were itching to reach out and touch her, were caged in my pockets. I had an eyebrow raised at the now semi-calm girl before me, now with her wand hanging beside her but a determined frown still gracing her features.

"What do you want me to do, love?" I whispered, moving forward slightly, leaning towards the angel with our lips only inches apart.

Her eyes flutter down to my lips, and I saw her tongue flick to moisten her mouth. I growled with excitement, removing my hands from my pockets and placing them firmly on her waist, pulling her tight against my body. Honestly, she was a seductress and she didn't even realise it.

"I want…" she trailed off softly, "I want-" she paused again, then smiled slightly before lifting her hand to brush her feather light finger tips over my jaw.

"I want you to tell that slag to keep her hands off my boyfriend." She said sweetly, leaning forward to give me a gentle kiss on the cheek and skipped from the common room, leaving me alone.

She's certainly an interesting specimen, I thought, and laughed.

Well there you go people :) I hope you enjoyed that chapter. I did enjoy writing it to be honest, although it was quite a timid chapter. Don't think that you will hear the end of Estelle Delacour, oh no, she's part Veela people! She will stop at nothing I say ;D I'm very happy with the length of this chapter, it's significantly longer than usual :L I would like to thank Liane, who has requested a sex scene in a chapter soon. Well, detail or no detail? Tell me what you would like…well, that's if they even do have a little fun eventually :L please, read and REVIEW! I love hearing your feedback everyone. It makes me feel great to know people enjoy to read what I'm writing :) until next time!

P.S: the next chapter will be called No Sleep Tonight. I'll give a shout out to the first person who can tell me who that song is by, and the name of the album :) xx