She woke up the next morning and padded out of her bedroom, not noticing the viper that was perched on her couch. Only after a cup of strong, dark coffee did she turn to him, blushing slightly. His countenance was cool, no emotion to be seen.
"We should see if there's a flat nearby that's available, get you your own place. Assuming you plan on staying in this time."
"I suppose." His voice was cold, icy. He looked at her.
"I'm sorry. For last night." She said, after a pause.
He just stared. Blankly.
She walked over to him, and sat down next to him. There was an awkward pause. She leaned on him, and spoke, softly.
"The last time, Ron and I, it didn't" She choked out.
"Hermione, breathe."
"It's okay. I'm not him."
She looked up at him. His face had softened, no longer an ice cold mask.
After a while of laying there, on that dirty old couch, Hermione looked at Tom. Tom looked at her, the witch that he had worked so hard for, and spoke.
"I know you have questions, love. I do too, but I want you to go first."
"Ummmm, okay. Why me?" She asked hesitantly.
"You're the brightest witch of your generation. And you're going to ask how I know that. The year after I graduated I did a spell that would show me my future and how to change it. I saw my downfall, I saw you leading to it. I saw that I could make a time loop, with a time turner, and eventually, create a version of myself that could exist in the future. So that's how I'm here. As for why this exact moment in time, well, I thought you might want a break after dealing with past- me for a while."
"Wow."
"Anything else" He asked patiently
"Not really. That's about it. Oh wait, what's your plan for taking over the world." As she said those words, his eyes glinted dangerously.
"Well, we're not going to just take the ministry. We're going to become the people's chosen ones, the natural leaders so when your dear friends, or sorry ex-friends screw up, we'll be there to take their place. A smooth transition. Of course, we'll have a group of like minded individuals surrounding us, to make sure everything goes according to plan. So what do you say, darling."
"Yes. That would work. We should start with a new home, this place is a dump. How much money do you have, is your bank account still able to be accessed?" She started to shoot off questions, rapid fire, planning already. He smiled, something people from his time had learned to fear.
"Of course love. Now its my turn." The smirk had returned, and she felt herself shiver at the possibilities.