A/N -I want you all to know that I' edited this literally at my desk (at work) bc that's the kind of person I have become.

XIII.

Ginny fidgeted uncomfortably next to Hermione, angling herself as though there was something she wanted to say, but her face fluctuated between uncertain and annoyed and Hermione feared the absolutely worst when the boys finally got up to go to class and the red-headed witch took her elbow in what she could only describe as a death grip.

"What are you doing with Riddle?"

"Excuse me?"

"What are you doing with Riddle?" Ginny repeated calmly, letting for of Hermione's elbow as they got up from the table.

"Nothing."

"Hermione," Ginny tugged her into an alcove after they'd left the Great Hall. She sighed before saying, "I have been seeing two of his housemates-"

"Gin!"

"I know. It's stupid, but," she shrugged. "That isn't the point. Has Theo really walked in on you all multiple times?"

"Yes."

"Did you really go out with them?"

"How do you know that?"

"Hermione," she fiercely whispered. "He's a Grindelwald supporter. He would sooner mock your blood, regardless of any stupidly beautiful thing he's said or done to get whatever he wants from you. Please be smart."

"I thought you supported me."

"When I thought you were being smart. But, people walking in on you? Publicly spending time together in un-academic ways? Joining him? That's more than just fucking."

"He and I aren't seeing each other anymore. It's fine."

"What were you thinking?"

"I wasn't."

"Obviously."

"What are you thinking, then?"

Ginny grinned, but it wasn't for Hermione, which she thought was charming, and almost made her feel bad for asking. "I didn't want to," she told her. "That was the point."

"Actually, I was. I was thinking a lot. I thought about it a lot, too. I…I learned a lot with him, Gin. So much. It's as though he understands and remembers everything without even trying, but he doesn't let that stop his curiosity. He wants to know more and more and is never satisfied and I- I- I can really appreciate that. And he isn't as bad as I thought he'd be?

"I really thought he'd be like Draco or Bellatrix but he's, well, he's sweet. And he's gentle. I understand that he wants something from me, but it's not really different from anything I want for myself?"

"So…you're still seeing him."

Hermione felt herself change, disappointment and loneliness settling over her. It'd been two weeks since she'd said anything to him. In a few days they'd leave for holiday and she'd be forced to give everything up.

"Oh," Ginny said suddenly. And then, as though she'd suddenly realized something important, she said, "Oh."

"What?"

"You're in love with him."

"That's dangerous," Hermione told her with a dismissive shake of her head.

Ginny grinned, "Just a few weeks ago you asked me if him thinking you were his equal was enough, and now it's dangerous?" There was a teasing quality to her voice that drove Hermione crazy.

She blinked. "He's a monster, Ginny. He…he hates Muggleborns and thinks we have no place in this world. He's alright to me but that's only because he thinks I'm an exception, which is annoying. And he doesn't treat people kindly. He has no qualms about hurting someone to get what he wants, either. Like really hurting someone if it means-" Hermione's eyes went wide, realization flooding her.

"What?" Ginny questioned. "What's wrong?"

"If it means getting what he wants," she murmured.

"Ok?"

She half laughed, rubbing her forehead tiredly. "He did it for me."

"What are you talking about?"

The curtain they were hiding behind was suddenly yanked back to reveal Blaise Zabini and Tom Riddle. If Hermione had been paying attention, she would have noticed the way Ginny reacted, her skin flushing and body softening, but instead she found herself staring at Tom, who looked at her as though she was a stranger. Like she didn't matter.

She refused to believe him.

It was Blaise who said, "The two of you should be in class right now."

"We're dealing with something…and anyway you all should be, too," Ginny told him, tearing her eyes away from him to look at Tom. "Riddle…you're looking-"

It was Hermione's turn to grip her friend's elbow, pushing her around the Slytherin wizards as she said, "We were just going."

He was looking worse for wear, if she was being honest with herself. And it was so obvious that it was disturbing.

Her hand brushed Tom's as she passed him, their eyes meeting briefly. For a moment, Hermione saw the world reflected in his, dark and handsome and waiting, and for as many time as their eyes had met, she wasn't sure that she'd ever seen herself reflected so clearly.

He smirked.

She felt her heart in her head for the rest of the day.

.

.

.

She crawled into his bed late that night, her face pressing familiarly into the back of his shoulder and arm tightening around his waist. Her fingers drew under his shirt and over his stomach repeatedly.

When he tightened his fingers around hers, hooking them through her knuckles and bringing them to his mouth, she pressed a kiss to his back.

"Tom," Hermione whispered.

He didn't quite hum in response. It was more like a hiss, quick and needy and throatier than it should have been. He was too in control of the sound. With her eyes closed and his breath fanning against her knuckles as he held her hand to his mouth, his tongue tasting her palm in an oddly comforting way, she realized that he was communicating. She realized-

She kissed him again. That was it. There was nothing more. She realized and she understood.

"I am so sorry."

He twitched. It was storming outside his window, and every so often he would shudder at the moment lightening stuck. She tried not to acknowledge it. She knew he wouldn't want her to.

"I was protecting myself, and I hadn't realized I was hurting you in the process."

He rubbed his lip against her knuckles, his tongue quick against her skin.

"I…I know that you said I wouldn't have to worry. I know that it was one of our rules. But, this wasn't in the mix, then. We had no idea that we'd grow so dependent on each other."

He was quiet for so long that she thought he'd fallen asleep.

"You really didn't know?"

It took her a moment to realize that he was talking about their growing affections. "Did you?"

He didn't say anything, and she asked, "Why did you let this happen to yourself?"

"It's the book, Hermione. You don't get the world without sacrifice."

She sat up, attempting to see his face. His room was too dark though, and he wouldn't turn toward her. "But I'm fine, Tom. Shouldn't it be equal?"

He turned to look at her, then, watching he in the same way he always did, blank and waiting. And, it took a moment, but Hermione realized what he was telling her with a mix of awe and disturbance.

She'd been right. But what did he want so bad? Why would he shield her from this?

"You're taking all of the effects. I told you to stop doing stupid things."

"I know your magic, Hermione. You wouldn't have survived this."

She hated to hear him say that, because she considered herself to be quite a powerful witch, but remembered him mentioning that morals and expectation had a lot to do with magic, and where he had none, she had too much.

Hermione reached over and touched his face again, half smiling when he leaned into his touch. "Why do you always underestimate me?"

He chuckled. "I know you're a rash little lioness, but I know you, Hermione."

"Evidently not, though. Because they last thing I would want is for someone to go through this for me."

"It looks worse than it is."

"I doubt that. And, anyway, you have a fractured soul. What we did, Tom, it was meant to be done with someone who has a full one, not someone working with a disability- don't look at me that way. I want you to stop whatever it is you're doing to keep the effects from me. I can take it."

He frowned before plainly saying, "Ok."

She nodded. "Right, well," Hermione moved to get off of his bed, but he said, "Wait," and she realized that for whatever reason, she would have waited forever.

He opened his arms to her.

"I want you to stay," he told her.

She shouldn't have wanted the same thing.

She laid back down, her body fitting perfectly against his.

.

.

.

"So," Ginny grinned. "You and Riddle."

"Yeah," Hermione smiled, "don't mention it."

She sat down next to her on the wall, "The entire school knows, Hermione. But, we don't have to talk about it you don't want to."

"I like having something that is wholly mine. Be it a mistake or the best thing I've ever done -because at any given moment, it feels like both-, this is mine. Ours. No one can take it from us and it's weird because...everything is temporary. I know that. But this feels like it could go on forever."

"I know what you mean."

She reached over to wrap her hand around Ginny's, and considered telling her that she didn't know what she meant for a number of likely illegal reasons, but ultimately decided against it. "And that's dangerous. People can lose themselves in situations like this. It's like...all or nothing with us. But, I'd rather have everything -his ideals and my issues and whatever else- then go back to the loneliness I felt before."

They sat in silence for some time before Hermione tightened her grip on Ginny's hand and asked, "So...who is it?"

"Oh," she laughed nervously. "I've never said it out loud. It's...like you said, it's been ours all year. It's going to be weird being in the castle without them. Without you all, too."

"Everything that's meant to be always finds a way."

"Have you been talking to Luna?"

It was Hermione's turn to laugh. "After exams, we had a double date with she and Harry. It was...weird, to say the least."

"She's really helped him this year."

"I know."

"It's Blaise and Theo."

"Oh my god!"

Ginny covered her face with her hands. "I know. I know."

They shared a smile.

"Wow," Hermione breathed, looking up to see Tom and Theo coming their way. Theo's face betrayed nothing when he saw Ginny, but Ginny gave a little squeak that caused Hermione to laugh. "Lucky you."

.

.

.

"You should move in."

Hermione's brows rose. "With you? Into the house you killed your father in?"

He gave her a flat look, taking a sip of his pumpkin juice. "I bought a flat in Knockturn Alley."

Her eyes widened. "So you want me to die?"

"Don't be dramatic, Hermione. Come and see it at least. You'll like it."

She rubbed her face tiredly before grabbing a piece of toast. "My parents would kill me if I moved in with you. They think you're dangerous."

He chuckled. "And you're what, an innocent lamb?"

"I'll see the flat," she told him. "But I can't promise that I'll move in with you."

Tom frowned, setting down his fork and briefly studying her. "Why?"

"I like being able to go home and clear my head. Remember that I'm human and kind and tolerant of all life."

"That's your problem, love. Not every life is worth tolerating."

"I know." She propped her elbow on the table and put her jaw in her hand as she smirked at him. "Evil, lecherous, vindictive people. Racists. Murderers. Rapists. They all deserve to die."

"Watch yourself," he told her, absolutely unamused. "I'll meet you for your lunch break to show you, okay? You'll love it."

"Oh. I'll love it now?"

He only smirked at her.

XIV.

"This is a mistake."

He set the chalice down, glancing at her as though he wasn't quite sure why she was there. There was a spot of blood on her cheek where he'd touched her after killing the old lady.

"I'm not going to tell anyone about anything we've done. It's meant so much to me," her voice came out light and breathy, and she cursed herself, and smiled at her so handsomely that she nearly forgot what she was going to say. "You've opened my eyes to so much."

"Is that so, my love?" He questioned, refocusing on Hufflepuff's cup. Before she could answer, he hummed appreciatively. "You have opened mine to more than I care to admit as well."

"I don't think we should see each other anymore, though, Tom. It's…it's risky. I want be somebody. I can't have you –a criminal- as my boyfriend."

He was frowning as her again, obviously not truly listening. He tapped his wand repeatedly against his thigh. "How long before sunset?"

"Five minutes."

"I'm not a criminal."

"You just murdered a hundred-some year-old lady for a cup, Tom."

"That you found. And you got us in to her house. You watched."

"I didn't think you'd kill her."

His brows rose. "Did you think I'd kill you, my love?"

"Well, no."

He smiled at her again, softly this time. "You look so pretty in this light."

She hated him.

"You will be Minister, my love, if that's what you really want. And I will be immortal. We will both be happy. Together."

"Tom-"

"You get in these moods where you think we're better apart-"

"-Because I don't want to change you-"

"-Don't you?" He questioned, his tone genuinely curious. He repositioned the cup as the light shifted.

"There is plenty I wish you'd want to change for yourself, Tom. But I don't want it to happen for me. I...I like that we challenge each other morally."

He frowned at her. "I think it wastes time. I wish you'd just kill someone for once. It's incredible. Your whole world will change."

"I'll take your word for it."

As though they'd never shifted the conversation, he said, "But, I've always known we'd be better together. I've always known there was nothing more for us than each other. Our…earthly desires only exist to distract us from that. But we are successful in that, too."

She tilted her head. "Under four minutes. Do you really think it's more important that we are together?"

"Yes."

"So you would stop this? The murder, I mean."

"Oh. No. I find that fun. And if you relaxed enough, you would too, my love. You already love torture."

"I wish you'd stop bringing that up."

"I love thinking about it. I love you, too, my little monster."

She groaned. "I'm trying to break up with you."

"I know. And I'm trying to get you to realize.

"Listen, are you going to stay for this? I've never had a live person around during. I don't know how your presence will affect the bond."

"In theory, your soul would prefer a being similar to the one it's leaving to transfer to. It is less painful that way. More dangerous as well. Considering living beings die."

He seemed surprised.

"A normal job gets you into the Department of Mysteries."

"Are you volunteering, though? Imagine," he seemed amused, "you: a vampire horcrux. Me, an immortal wizard. You will never want for anything again, my love."

She gave him a flat look as she passed him. He leaned in and kissed her.

"The vampire part is negotiable. So long as you're a horcrux."

"How long have you been planning that?"

"The horcrux part is very new. The vampire part," he tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, his dark eyes all over her face. "Have you ever watched one of them feed? It's inspiring."

"If by inspiring you mean gross and a mess."

"And they are always hungry for something more after-"

"Oh, so what you really want is for my sexual desire to match yours."

He didn't seem to hear her. His fingers stroked down her neck, thumb pressing familiarly into the swell of her throat. "I have always imagined you covered in someone else's blood as we fucked" -she hated herself, because as soon as he spoke the words, her breath caught in her throat; he smirked- "And you take some of mine." He chuckled. His eyes met hers.

"My sweet little lion," he murmured. "So beautiful."

"You're delusional, Tom."

His nose brushed hers. "Please be home when I get there."

"Don't do this."

He smirked. Kissed her fingers. "Marry me."

She felt her heart in her head and her head in her stomach. Everything was, for the first time since they'd left Hogwarts two years ago, unreal. Perfect.

He kissed her fingers again. Worked his second horcrux off of his finger. Offered it to her. "This is everything. We either have each other, or we have nothing."

"Luna said what we think we want distracts us from what we need."

"I need you."

She closed her eyes. She couldn't help the smile on her lips. His tongue swiped them. Swiped the blood off her cheek.

"Marry me."

Their eyes met, and she'd be lying if she said there wasn't everything she'd ever wanted in his.

"Thirty seconds," she told him. She leaned in. Waited a moment before she pressed her lips to his. "I love you."

She took the ring and went home.

A/N - I was going to rewrite and kill him but I figured what the hell they can get married it's fine that's what drunk me wanted :'D

Thanks so much for reading/reviewing/following/favoriting. I really appreciate seeing and hearing that you all love the story!