Chapter 21: A Beginning of Something Beautiful

Riddle had a wonderful dream where he was the King of the woods and Hermione his fairy Queen. His subjects were deeply devoted to him and those unworthy banished from his kingdom. Goblins, elves, centaurs all bowed to his will. Hermione made a beautiful queen. "Immortality becomes you" He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her with aching desire. Her scent surrounded him. Her hair in his face, her smooth skin pressed against his chest.

Hermione stilled. One of Riddle's hands were stroking her thighs. The other on her breast. Through the thin nightgown he played with her nipples, erect under his attentions. His hand climbed higher up her leg and slipped under her underwear. Not wanting him to stop she stifled a moan. "Hermione" he whispered, still fast asleep as he dipped a finger down to her throbbing clitoris. Gently he circled the little nub while he pressed his body against hers. She could feel his hard on against her back. She rocked back against him causing him to drag her nightdress down and touch her bare breasts. Another finger went further down and stroked the opening of her cunt. As he penetrated her Hermione moaned with pleasure and he awoke, frozen as he realized what was a beautiful erotic dream was in fact reality. A real Hermione Prince was writhing under his touch.

"Hermione?" Riddle asked croakily.

"Hmm?" Hermione blushed deeply.

Riddle knew that she'd been awake.. and that she'd let him. Turning her around he trapped her with his arms, straddling her waist. Licking his fingers he grinned impishly at her.

"Aren't you a naughty girl" he purred. Hermione's exposed breasts peaked at the comment. She bit her lip as she hungrily looked into his dark eyes, heavy with desire.

Wandlessly he casted a silencing charm on her curtains and turned her over. Lifting her nightie she heard her hold her breath as he spanked her bottom.

"Your punishment Ms. Prince for permitting strange men into your bed." Riddle reproached her as he watched her smooth bottom redden. Stroking the place he's hit her he kissed her back before spanking her again closer to her cunt.

"Understood Ms. Prince?" Riddle whispered hotly in her ear. Hermione nodded. "I want you to say 'Yes, my lord'".

"Yes, my lord." Hermione whispered. Humiliated, yet wet with want.

Riddle continued to alternate between spanking her red bottom, kissing her and stroking her better. Unable to contain himself he took off his trousers and turned her around. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes bright with tears. He placed his fingers between her legs and saw that she was soaking.

"You're enjoying this." Riddle chuckled as he kissed her breasts, her navel, then suckled on her clit. Hermione arched her back.

"God!"

"You address me as lord, Hermione." Riddle looked at her firmly. Hermione nodded.

"My lord" she said softly, seductively, making his groin ache with pleasure. He could cum like this he thought as he inserted his tongue inside of her holding her so she couldn't escape his touch. One hand circled her nub as he sucked and licked her cunt, the salty taste, the smell like a drug, intoxicating him. It didn't take long for her to cum. She shuddered, buckling under him. Before the last wave had passed Riddle thrust into her. She cried out loud and dug her nails into his back. He held her legs over his shoulders and thrust deeply into her, hitting her cervix. hermione thought she saw stars as his pace quickened. Riddle kept his eyes on her the entire time. Helpless, she looked at him as he fucked her mercilessly. Taking his cock out he turned her around, grabbed her legs and drove into her again, tighter in this angle she grabbed hold of the headpiece to stop from being banged against the wood. A few more thrusts were made before he ejaculated inside of her. Moaning he fell back beside her. Hermione smiled happily as Riddle snaked his arms around her possessively and pulled her into his embrace.

A few hours later Hermione awoke with a start. She was late!

Hermione showered quickly, dressed and ran down and out to the grounds. Malfoy was on his third lap. Hermione joined him breathless from her sprint.

"Morning sunshine." Abraxas winked.

"What?" Hermione fought to keep up.

Abraxas looked pointedly at her neck, Hermione felt around her neck and felt bite marks below her collarbone.

"Riddle won't be happy."

Hermione blushed and pushed herself further, overtaking him easily.

At breakfast Scarlett and Jackie sat opposite her their mouths wide open.

"What?" Abraxas looked at Hermione suspiciously.

"So I wake up this morning and hear snoring from little missy's bed. I'm thinking she'd never snored before. I stalk over to her bed and pull at the hangings and who else is lying there, completely naked, but Tom Riddle." Xander kept her voice low not wanting the news spread to Alphard.

"I thought I saw your bed moving." Scarlett narrowed her eyes at her.

"I like Alphard." Jackie pouted.

"Seconded." Abraxas panicked. "Hermione, Tom is not… good news. He's dangerous."

"I fucked him. So what?" Hermione bit into her apple and chewed. "I'm not marrying the guy."

"Hermione!" Xander shook her head in frustration. "No one just fucks Tom. He's no Potter. No offence."

Scarlett shrugged her shoulders.

"And you're going to Hogsmeade with him." Jackie pointed out logically.

Hermione grabbed another piece of toast and left them gawking after her. She hadn't planned on a hogsmeade trip as she planned on submitting her draft to Dumbledore on Monday. She also hoped to plan an excursion to Egypt for her research of magical sand with Rosaline the following weekend.

Entering their dormitories she saw with a relief that Riddle had left. Looking into her wardrobe she settled on a white sundress, white gloves and a tailored deep red coat. Hermione chatted with Scarlett as she waited for Riddle. He finally came as the last carriage came forward. Wearing a deep blue sweater and his hair perfectly combed to the side he looked nothing like the feral prince in her bed. Grinning he helped her into the carriage.

"Good night?" Riddle grazed the love bite on her collarbone. Hermione shivered.

Hermione looked out the window while he watched her, memories from last night lingered on. Undoubtedly she was a brilliant witch. On the side of his cause they would surely succeed.

"What would you like to do?" Riddle thought it'd only be polite to ask.

"Tomes and Scrolls." Hermione replied immediately.

"Anything else?"

"A coffee maybe." She shrugged.

"The Three Broomsticks?"

"If you like."

"You aren't much of a conversationalist." Riddle commented.

"I'm under a great deal of stress."

"The proposal?"

"I'm planning to finish my first draft tonight."

"Impressive."

They reached Hogsmeade. Riddle offered her his arm once again and walked to the bookstore.

"Why time travel?"

"I want to make the theories an actuality. Also vested interest. There's so much material out there. The wizarding world is ready for a breakthrough."

"And you think you can deliver?"

"Oh, I know I can deliver." Hermione said confidently, entering the bookshop.

Riddle smiled and followed after her. He didn't doubt her one bit. Hermione headed to the magical theory section and scanned the shelves for more material on time travel. Finally she found a small book titled "The key to unravelling time". She purchased the book and waited for Riddle to emerge from the dark arts section with two books under his arm. Paying for the books they headed for the three broomsticks.

"What did you get?" Hermione asked him.

"Flamel's essays on the philosopher's stone and a book on unicorn blood."

"Unicorn blood is cursed."

"But is it?"

"Killing a creature that pure."

"Old wives tales"

"Riddle!"

"The key to immortality lies behind the properties of the ingredients that extend life."

"Your project then is immortality?"

"Yes. Horcruxes are one option but I want to look at why the soul is required to be maimed."

"Thank god for that." Hermione rolled her eyes as she took a seat at the booth.

"Shall I order us lunch?" Riddle had a look at the menu. On cue her stomach rumbled.

"Beef burger and chips, please. With salad." Hermione decided.

"Back in a minute."

Riddle returned with two foaming butterbeers.

"Why were you so keen to take me to Hogsmeade?" Sipping her butterbeer.

"I think you are a remarkably gifted witch" Riddle stated simply. "And rather pretty"

"Oh".

There was a pause as Hermione looked around. The bar was busy with Hogwarts students. Friends, couples… Potter was snogging his latest conquest.

"Do you think you'll see your father again?"

"He's a muggle." Riddle flinched.

"He's your father. He's human." Hermione rhetorted.

"He abandoned me."

"Your mother fed him love potion for years! You can't blame him for wanting to keep his distance."

"You and Dumbledore are both fools. Muggle lovers." He sneered.

"Just because we don't believe in wizard supremacy!" Hermione said heatedly. "Flesh and blood."

"Their natural place is beneath us." Riddle said coolly.

"According to who?"

"Filthy stupid ugly creatures."

"Why do you think of muggles so lowly? You grew up with them. Didn't you have any friends?"

Riddle said nothing.

"That's it isn't it? You were mistreated at the orphanage and formed your opinion on a broken institution." Hermione said sadly. "You're wrong Riddle. Muggles are intelligent creatures in their own right. Writers, artists, scientists… In their own way they've managed fine without magic. More advanced than the wizarding population in some ways."

"You know nothing about me Prince."

"I recommend you read Dostoyevsky. And Austin. Shakespeare. Bronte. Then you can tell me if you still think muggles are beneath us."

"I will do no such thing."

"Come with me to the theatre next week. We'll go to the globe." Hermione said excitedly. "I haven't been in so long."

"I don't think so."

"Riddle." Hermione sighed. "You need to open your eyes. You're blinded by hate."

"I will consider your invitation." Riddle said reluctantly.

Knowing that was all she'd get from him she returned to her butterbeer.

"Do you miss France?"

"I miss my family and friends so no, not France. I'd be as alone there as I am here."

"You aren't alone. Xander, Scarlett... Abraxas."

"Perhaps. Who are your friends?"

"I have no need for friendship."

"Don't be ridiculous. We all need friendship."

"Well then. You." Riddle looked at her seriously.

"I'm flattered." And she meant it. "What did you think of Diana?"

"She's full of life… and love."

"And her husband?"

"Intelligent. Adventurous."

"They're muggles."

"I suppose."

"What are you doing after Hogwarts?"

"Working at Borgin and Burkes."

"Oh."

"Problem?"

"No… Well I guess you're working so hard on your NEWT's. Top of the class. Thought you'd be interested in the ministry." Hermione suggested hopefully.

"I have bigger plans."

"Sounds like it."

"Well what about you?"

"I'm hoping to get an apprenticeship with Nyneve"

"The lady of the lake?" Riddle dropped his fork.

"Yep"

"Impressive." Riddle said softly.

Their food arrived. Hermione thanked the witch graciously before devouring her meal. Riddle was amused as he sipped his soup delicately. They ate in silence for a few minutes. Hermione let her gaze wander, eventually falling on a handsome boy that had just entered with a girl on his arm. Hermione looked away when his eyes met hers. Alphard had a date. Part of her was relieved but… she mourned the possibility of a shared future together. Though she knew she was being selfish.

Riddle looked around and finally found the man responsible for Hermione's sudden interest with her new book.

"Do you still like him?" Riddle asked her, reaching for her hand.

"I don't know." She said looking at his hand over hers. She looked up at him. Riddle stroked her hand with the pad of his thumb. Hermione suddenly felt so incredibly isolated. She didn't belong here.

"Hermione?" He said her name softly, as it caressing the word.

"I don't belong here." Hermione whispered. Her eyes welling with tears.

Riddle hesitated before passing her a handkerchief and stood to be seated near her. Unsure whether he was doing the right thing he robotically placed his arm around hers and patted her hair against his chest. Hermione sobbed softly onto his shirt.

"I didn't expect our date to end in tears." Riddle smiled nervously.

"Oh we're on a date?" Hermione looked up at him in surprise. "Is this how they normally end?" She teased him lightly.

"I wouldn't know. This is my first one." He confessed.

Hermione stared before leaning in to kiss his cheek.

Walking back to Hogsmeade that evening Riddle held her hands nervously. She accepted equally unsure of what it meant. Now, in this instant, Riddle was vulnerable and beautiful. There was no trace of evil or malign intention. Yet she knew what he would become. She knew he continued to meet his followers and plot his rise to power. He was enchanted by the dark arts, hungry for power and determined nothing would stop him. As they walked, evening fell and Hermione realized she only truly had him in this world, because neither of them had anyone else. The thought made her shudder.

A.N. Adventure will follow soon.