The Truth

Hermione woke up and smiled; she was curled into Tom in a very promiscuous way. She smiled at his ruffled hair, so uncommon for him and yet very sexy. His arm was draped around her, her hand on his chest. She hadn't expected it to happen last night, and she definitely hadn't expected that he would be a sex god.

He'd brought her over the edge countless times, and she was floored.

She smiled, rubbing her fingertips along his chest. He groaned, awakened by the touch.

"Hermione," he said rolling over, crushing her. She giggled. "I need sustenance; you've worked me too hard."

"Be a man, Tom," she challenged him.

"You're a cruel woman, you know that?"

"Yep, I'm aware." She pushed him off of her, getting off of the bed. She blushed as he looked her up and down. "Let me fix you some breakfast." She said, putting on her t-shirt and jeans.

"Mmm that sounds good," he stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her, "But I'd rather you didn't put your clothes on for that."

"Tom!" she said blushing, "I'm a guest here; I can't just walk around naked."

"I'm guessing Jack wouldn't complain." He put his own shirt on and Hermione had to admit she was disappointed too.

"Still, it's not right to abuse his friendship like that."

"Then come and live with me, you'll never have to get dressed again, and I'd be happy." Hermione stopped at his offer, wondering if he was joking.

"Seriously, you really want me to live with you?"

His face grew serious, sincere, and he smiled genuinely, "Yes, of course, Hermione. You make me happy, and if you say yes I suppose you only don't have to be naked all of the time, although I still wouldn't object."

She smiled in response, "Okay, yes, I'll live with you."

"Really?" he asked, excited, his face lit up. His eyes displayed a happiness Hermione somehow knew he'd never felt.

She kissed him passionately in response and he groaned.

"We must eat or we will die, Hermione." She laughed and walked hand in hand with him to the kitchen.

As they walked into the kitchen, Hermione saw Jack and Greta sitting at a table. The expression on Jack's face as they walked in together was horrified to say the least. Hermione wondered if he could tell they had sex, if he could sense it.

She immediately tried to let go of Tom's hand. He, however, would not have it and frowned.

"Jack," he said, daring him to say anything. "Is something wrong?"

Jack apparently, had no sense of self preservation because he did say something.

"Tom how could you?" he stood up, coming near them. Greta was confused, not seeing a problem. "You promised you wouldn't touch her. You've destroyed her future now, that's not fair to her."

"Jack," Hermione interjected, "What is wrong with you? I choose who I spend my time with."

"Yes, Hermione, and I respect that, it's just this is not the kind of man you want to spend your time with. He will ruin you, hasn't he told you what he's wanted you for all along?"

"Jack!" Tom yelled, warning him not to say what he was about to.

"He wants you because you're smart, and he believes it will help his child become smart too. He knows your passion and excellence for magic, and he wouldn't dare leave you. He hopes your greatest qualities will transfer to his son. He wants his son to someday rule the world, and he can't do that if that child is an idiot!"

Hermione didn't really know what to say, it would seem that she only knew the half of what Tom's intentions were. She violently pulled her hand away from his.

"Tom," she whispered sadly, "is that all true?"

He looked at her, defeated. Sadness was clear in his eyes, he closed them.

"Yes, Hermione, it is," he looked at her. She took in a breath, ready to yell at him, hurt. "But you must understand; I do love you. I didn't realize I would but I did. You intrigue me, you're the kindest person I have ever known, aside from my mother, and I love you. We work together, Hermione. You must be able to see that."

"I don't know what I see right now." She said and walked away, out of the kitchen and down the hall.

She walked to Jack's study, wanting one thing – rum. She knew, from closely observing Harry and Ron that alcohol could make you forget, if only for a moment. She was no fool, she knew that it would be worse in the morning; she knew that it would be a mistake, but she never made mistakes. She watched her life so closely all the time and she never let herself mess up. So, she needed to be free, if only for one night.

She took the unfamiliar flask and held it to her lips. She tipped it slowly, a tear fell down her cheek as she gulped it. It burned, it made her eyes water and her throat feel like a fire.

She kept drinking though, made it all the way through the flask in a matter of minutes. She could hardly even breathe. She heard someone walk through the door, but she didn't look up.

"Hermione," it was Tom, she looked up. His eyes were sad, his hair still ruffled, his body in a defeated pose. "Would you mind sharing?"

She looked at him, scoffing, "There's none left." She said, glumly, he laughed.

"There's always some left." He reached into a cabinet behind her, pulling out more. She smiled.

"Tom?" she asked, leaning towards him because he was blurry. "Why did you become evil? Why?"

He looked at her, scrutinizing her. She could tell he was debating whether or not to open up to her like that.

A/N: okay, yeah it's short but the next part really needs to be in Tom's perspective. Review!!!!!