I imagine that Hermione is in Riddle's Era and she's a pureblood, for this.

Chocolate Frog Card: (Bronze) Avery I: Challenge: Incorporate Avery I into any Riddle-Era story.

Gringotts: Hermione/Avery [Hermione - Pairings]

Ultimate Hermione Pairing Challenge: Hermione/Avery

February Event: 31. Rose Red (colour), 16. Card/Love Letter (object)

Word Count: 549

"Abraxas," Tom Riddle drawled, swirling his firewhiskey in his tumbler. "I want you to recruit her."

"Recruit her, my Lord?" Abraxas gulped, exchanging a look with Nott who looked extremely pale. He always looked pale at any of the Knights' meetings, though.

"Yes, Abraxas," Tom replied. "Is that so hard to understand?"

"No, my Lord. I just don't think that any recruitment attempts would be appreciated by me."

Tom Riddle looked up from the fireplace and the flames within before turning his narrowed eyes onto Abraxas. He gulped wearily.

"Why ever not?" Riddle asked, chuckling. "Surely you don't doubt yourself. We all know how confident you are with the finer species."

"Of course, my Lord. I am just aware that she may already have a suitor, but if she doesn't, she has an admirer whom she admires back, at the least." Tom tilted his head back in contemplation. "I'd still be honoured to do the job, however."

"Of course," Tom ordered. "I don't want her to have a suitor who isn't amongst our ranks," he told Abraxas and the select group of wizards who he considered allies. "I need her to be tied to us. She's powerful and talented, if we have to get rid of the suitor, then so be it."

A pained sound escaped Avery's mouth, almost too quiet to be heard but not quiet enough.

"Avery?" Tom asked. "Something the matter? Something you wish to share?"

"I'm her suitor," he confessed. "My Lord," he added as an afterthought. Tom looked contemplatively at Avery before nodding.

"If she is returning these feelings of yours, then even better. I want her to join us by the end of the month, Avery. If you disappoint me, it won't be you that I'm punishing."

Avery paled.

"Miss Granger," a voice greeted, startling her from her studying. She blinked, adjusting her eyes to the world outside of old parchment and curled, inked handwriting.

"Mr Avery," she replied, smiling broadly. "How may I help you today?"

"I have a gift," he admitted, a light blush gracing his cheeks. He sat down next to her at the library table and held the rose red parchment to her as an offering. She accepted, her smile turning shy and her eyes downcast. He gently lifted her chin with his finger. "No need to be shy," he whispered.

She nodded, turning her attention to the parchment in her hands and he watched with held breath as tears welled in her eyes.

"I'm sorry," he rushed out once a few had trickled over and littered her cheeks. "Forgive me for being so presumptuous."

"Mr Avery," she interrupted, her hand holding his. "Your letter, declaring your intentions in such sweet words, was probably the most beautiful thing that I've ever received. Thank you."

He smiled, letting loose a few chuckles that really revealed his nerves.

"I'd also not be too opposed to going to Hogsmeade with you next weekend, if you like," she added shyly.

"That would be wonderful, Miss Granger, but I fear the time to spend with you is just too far away. Would you do me the honor of accompanying me to Slughorn's dinner party this Friday?"

"Of course, Mr Avery," she agreed, tucking a loose curl behind her ear. "It would be my pleasure."