A/N: I've been really pleased with all of the responses I've had for this story! Thank you so much to all of you who've reviewed, favorited and followed! :)
Beta: Glitter
Throughout the rest of the week, Tom and Hermione seem to run into one another at least once a day, usually more. If she thinks it at all suspicious that, just as she settles into her lab hours every day, Tom comes sauntering into Severus's lab to chat with her professor, she dismisses the thought rapidly enough. After all, the time he spends chatting with Dr. Snape is also time occupying the same room that she is in and now that she has admitted (if only to herself) to her not so little crush, Hermione is happy to continue doing her work with one eye trained on the good-looking professor.
Tom keeps his eye on Hermione over the intervening time as well, watching her during her lab times in Severus's classroom when her friends are not around to distract her. She's relaxed and comfortable in Severus's lab, confident in her movements and even able to put up with his old friend's mercurial moods. That alone makes her interesting, but tossing in her intelligence supported by her position at the top of the class and her attractiveness, she has all the qualities he has determined would make a good partner. Perhaps only to him, an older and more appreciative man, because her idiot friends Potter and Weasley seem oblivious to the fact that she is a beautiful young woman.
Of course, there was the relatively minor issue of her being a student at his school. However, she is of age and not under his direct classroom supervision. If she even hints at being interested in return, Tom is fairly sure there's very little to keep him from becoming much more familiar with her in the intervening weeks, and then introducing Hermione Granger into the gathering at the next meeting.
Tom's opportunity to get closer to Hermione comes along sooner than either of them expects.
...
Early Wednesday morning, Hermione is set up and about half way through the week's inventory of the lab equipment. Dr. Snape is usually in not long before she is; however, as soon as she shows up, he will almost always go back down to his office for about an hour for coffee and who knows what else before classes start for the day. She has come to learn in the past week or so that Dr. Snape is not a morning person and his usual three cups before class barely begin the process of turning him into a pleasant human being.
So that's how she finds herself alone in the classroom, bushy hair pulled back from her face with a large clip, when Tom walks in.
She looks up from her inventory of the beakers, startled at his entrance. "Dr. Riddle! I wasn't expecting you in this early, sir."
Tom quirks a brow at her words, smirking. "Of course you weren't, Miss Granger. Has Severus been by yet this morning?"
"Yes, sir. He unlocked the lab for me before going back down to his office. I only do the cleaning duties in the mornings, so he doesn't necessarily have to monitor what I am doing." She bites her lip as she looks over to him as she leans against the table.
"And I'm sure he's down there, chugging coffee as fast as he possibly can before classes begin." Tom grins over at her as he drops his briefcase and coat onto a nearby stool.
Hermione returns his grin before biting down on her lip again in an effort to suppress her amusement. "I would assume so, sir. That appears to be his usual method of waking up in the mornings."
Tom chuckles and swipes his fingers across the lab table as he moves closer to her. "You have no idea, Miss Granger." He looks over at her for a moment, tilting his head slightly as he steps closer to her still form.
"Well… is there anything I can help you with, Dr. Riddle?" She tilts her head back to look up into his eyes. Her lower back presses into the table as she rests her hands on the edge.
"Actually, I believe there may be something you could assist me with. If you're… feeling up to the task." Tom takes a step closer to her, looking down into her eyes.
Hermione's eyes widen slightly as he moves even closer. If she leans towards him, their bodies will touch. She swallows and shifts as though to move those extra inches when he leans down towards her, his hands pressing onto the lab table on either side of hers. Green-blue eyes search hers for a long moment before he tilts his head down slightly. His lips brush ever so lightly against hers before he pulls back just enough to look at her face.
Cheeks flushed, Hermione gasps softly at the touch of his lips on hers. Feeling him pull away, she opens her eyes slowly to look back up at him with shining eyes.
Tom swallows quickly as he lifts one hand, gently sliding his fingertips along her arm and to her shoulder, his eyes locked on her face for any sign of rejection. After a slight pause, he moves his hand to her neck, his thumb grazing her throat as her head falls back with a soft sigh.
Hermione shudders at the feel of his lightly callused thumb against her skin, her head falling back to her shoulders. She sighs again as his fingers slide and tunnel into her pulled back hair, dull nails lightly scraping her scalp. He pulls his hand away after a moment and tugs the clip gently from her hair, letting it fall to the table with a clatter before his fingers bury themselves into her curls, tight against her scalp.
Her eyes move up to his again, the earth meeting the sea, and she drags her tongue against her upper lip slowly. Watching the blue-green of his eyes deepen and darken, she smiles slightly before his hand tightens in her hair to tilt her head into position and his mouth meets hers again, this time harder and more forcefully.
He presses his mouth to hers as his free hand moves to grasp her waist, their bodies pushing together as his tongue brushes over her lips. When her soft gasp parts her lips, he delves into the dark cavern of her mouth with his tongue, groaning softly at her taste – tea and orange marmalade, a faint hint of mint, and something that is distinctly just Hermione.
Hermione moans softly into his mouth, finally moving her own hands up. One arm curls around his shoulder, grasping at his shirt as the other delves into his soft hair. Pressing herself fully against his body, she whimpers at the feel of the proud hard line against her stomach, an irrefutable statement of his excitement.
Tom turns his head as he kisses her, mouth moving slowly and firmly, past asking for her permission and taking everything he wants from her. His fingers dig into her hair, tangling the wild curls hopelessly, as his other hand moves down her waist, grasping at her thigh. He pulls away suddenly, gasping for air before grabbing her hips and hauling her up onto the table with a hiss, easing the distance between them. He leans down, mouth latching onto her neck just above the neatly pressed and starched white collar of her shirt.
She gasps out loud in surprise as he moves her onto the table, letting out a sharp moan when his mouth meets her flesh. Moving and then running her hands through his hair, the tiny bit of her mind left undistracted by his mouth is inordinately pleased with the disarray in his normally perfect style. She hooks one leg over his hip and pulls him in as close as possible, curling the other around his thigh and lining their bodies up perfectly so that his swollen cock is pressed hard against her sex.
Hermione moans suddenly as Tom rolls his hips into hers, dragging his erection along the length of her throbbing pussy. His mouth moves along her arched neck to just behind her ear, sucking lightly at the patch of skin there as she shudders in his arms.
"Shhh, you don't want anyone to hear us, sweetheart." His voice is husky and dark directly beside her ear, making her fingers spasm and dig into his back as she trembles.
"I can't help it! You've, ohhh, do that again – " she shudders as his tongue flickers against the lobe of her ear. "You've completely overwhelmed me!"
Tom smirks as he pulls back slowly, dragging the tip of his nose along her cheek before resting his forehead against hers, breathing deeply as he forces himself to calm down. "I should apologize, but I won't. I've been waiting too long to do that." He closes his eyes as he relaxes, his fingers rubbing slow circles against her back through her shirt.
Hermione shivers at his touch, but as he calms she finds herself relaxing languidly in his arms. Her eyes drift half-closed though she continues to watch him from through her lashes, even at such a close distance. A small smile curls her lips at his words and she scrapes her nails lightly over his scalp. "I won't ask you to apologize because I think I've been waiting just as long for you to do that."
Tom chuckles softly and opens his eyes, looking down into hers for a moment before leaning in to press his lips to hers, a chaste buss compared to only a few moments ago. "Oh? You've been yearning for a snog with me, have you, Miss Granger?"
She smiles widely before nodding at him, her pert nose brushes against his lightly. "Oh yes, Dr. Riddle. I've been yearning for it." She nips softly at his lower lip before brushing her tongue against the faint mark from her teeth.
Tom shudders before pulling his head back slightly to look down at her with as solemn an expression as he can manage while his eyes dance with amusement and a smoldering heat. "You'd better not do that, young lady, or I won't be held accountable for what occurs next."
Hermione laughs softly as she looks up at him, smiling in what she can only hope is a beguiling way. "I cannot find it within me to complain, sir."
Tom smirks as he quirks a brow at her, one hand rising to gently push the unruly curls from her face. "No, nor can I. However, I cannot imagine Severus would enjoy walking into his lab to find us in flagrante." He smirks as he apparently takes a moment to imagine that scenario before chuckling deep in his chest. "No, he would – pardon the expression – flip his shit."
Hermione gasps at his words as her entire face burns bright red as she imagines the same scenario, brown eyes growing wide. "Oh, no no no! We definitely can't do that here!" She shakes her head from side to side vigorously, her curls whipping behind her.
He chuckles and reaches both hands up to gently grasp her head, focusing his eyes upon hers. "No, we won't be doing anything in Severus's lab. I value my parts, and yours, far too much." He tilts his head as his thumbs softly stroke her hot cheeks before he sighs and steps back from between her legs carefully. "We do, however, have many things to discuss before we do anything." With a glance at the clock he frowns. "Classes begin in twenty minutes; I'm sure Severus will be here shortly to send you along. Would you be willing to come to my office at the end of the school day?"
Hermione nods, her eyes focused on his face as she slides from the table and, with a few neat movements, straightens her clothing. "Of course, Dr. Riddle. I'll be there as soon as the day is over. I definitely want to discuss this with you."
He nods, smiling as he reaches out and gently slides an errant curl between his fingers. "Wonderful. I'll see you then. And I believe at this point it would be acceptable for you to call me Tom, at least whenever we are alone."
She blushes, one hand reaching up to press his against her cheek briefly. "Then you should call me Hermione, please. Oh, wait a moment…" She steps closer to him again and reaches up, carefully straightening and smoothing his hair as best as she can before lightly pressing her lips to his.
Tom groans quietly and deepens the kiss for just a moment. "Hermione." His voice deepens into a purr over her name, causing her to shudder in his embrace. "I'll see you this afternoon." He grins and pulls back, winking at her before scooping up his briefcase and coat on his way out of the classroom.
"Bye…" Hermione watches him go with wide eyes, her fingers reaching up to stroke her kiss-swollen lips. "…Tom."
...
The rest of the day passes in a blur for Tom: class, paperwork, tea, another class, and more tea. Between every other thought is the throbbing, distracting memory of the feel of Hermione Granger's lips on his, the taste of her mouth and the feel of her skin beneath his fingertips. It continues to build throughout the entire day until finally classes are over and he is back in his office, waiting for her to arrive.
At last there is a knock at the door.
"Enter." Tom clears his throat and stands from his chair as Hermione slips through the door. His eyes fasten to her figure, slowly moving over her body, as she steps into the room and secures the door.
"I'm sorry I'm so late. Harry and Ron just wouldn't stop pestering me about what appointment I had! As if it's any of their business; they certainly never wonder where I'm going when I tell them I'm off to the library!" She huffs and drops her bag into his chair before she turns towards him with a blush. "I'm so sorry, I just kind of flew off the handle there, didn't I?"
Tom watches her with arched brows before he lets out a quiet laugh, leaning on his hands over his desk before he smirks at her. "It's all right, Hermione. Don't fret." He tilts his head before he straightens and walks around the desk, moving over to her.
Hermione bites down on her lower lip as her eyes reciprocate the same path his did moments before, glancing over his body as he approaches. He's down to his trousers and shirtsleeves, the cuffs unbuttoned and rolled up to just below his elbows. The dull brown belt around his waist draws her attention and, for a multitude of reasons, she feels a pulse deep in her core at the thought of his hands reaching down, unfastening and removing that belt.
Does he even know how good-looking he is? Her eyes flicker back up to his and she can feel her blush creeping down her neck at the intense focus he has on her face.
"I'm so glad you agreed to meet with me today, Hermione." Tom reaches out and, like earlier that morning, gently draws one long curl between his fingers, stroking the hair lightly as he tugs on it.
Hermione tilts her head, smiling as he touches her hair before she takes a step closer to him. "I'm just glad you wanted to meet and didn't feel like you should go running in the opposite direction. I know this isn't technically allowed…" She trails off with a shiver as his fingers brush that spot just behind her ear.
His smirk grows as he watches her reactions to his touch. "There is no 'technically' about it, I'm afraid. If this is… to proceed, we must do so with the utmost discretion. No one can know, of course. However, there are a few pressing technicalities we must discuss before you decide whether or not you do want to pursue this."
Her brows arch at his words. "Technicalities? Such as what, exactly? Do you mean you're actually a member of the royal family? Or that you plan to murder me and hide my body in the bushes?" She grins up at him, her eyes glittering with amusement.
Tom chuckles and shakes his head. "No to both of those, as far as I know, anyway. I have no knowledge of any family connections, but I do know I won't be killing you and hiding your body anywhere." He tugs, more firmly this time, on her hair, his eyes following the straightening and re-curling of the length.
Hermione giggles a bit, reaching up to gently disentangle his hand from her hair. "Oh, you're so sure about that, are you? You've never seen this hair first thing in the morning. You may change your mind when you think you've come across a monster." Her teeth sink into her lower lip as she fully realizes her playful words, her fingers gently curled around his.
He tilts his head and looks down at her, his smirk softening into a smile. "No, I haven't." He twists his hand and gently slides his fingers between hers before using their interlocked hands to tug her closer. "Not yet." He grins at the surprised look that flashes across her face just before his mouth meets hers. It is a gentler kiss than the passion exchanged earlier in the day, but no less sincere.
Hermione sighs softly against his mouth as she feels her entire body loosen and sag against his, pressing in close as her fingers squeeze his. She smiles hazily as Tom pulls back slowly, his free hand rising up to caress her cheek. "Let's sit down and we can talk. Would you like a cup of tea? I'm afraid I only have an electric kettle here in the office, but at least I have good tea."
She laughs and nods as she watches him walk over to the small cart with a kettle and an assortment of boxes and mugs on top, pushed up against a wall underneath one of his windows. "That's perfectly fine, actually. It's better than what I get most days, with school work and lab time. No sugar and just a bit of milk, please."
Tom nods at her words as he begins setting up the kettle, as well as leaning over to grab the mug from his desk and turning over a clean one on the cart. Hermione just watches him for a few moments before she shrugs out of her jumper, laying it on the back of the guest chair and unbuttoning the collar of her shirt. She settles in the chair, tucking her feet underneath the edge, as she watches him pour the now boiling water into the mugs. He carries them over and settles them on the edge of his desk before he leans against it as well, smiling.
"I can see your throat properly now. I do like that much better." Tom grins, a flash of white teeth that makes her blush and squirm in her seat. He laughs before handing her the once clean mug, now full of steaming tea. "All right then, full disclosure. This may come across as… odd, but I wouldn't want to begin any kind of relationship with you without making my personal preferences quite clear. Do you agree?"
Hermione nods slowly, curling her fingers around the mug as she snuggles back into the plush chair. "Of course, I agree completely."
Tom nods, his smile fading as he gazes down at her. "The thing is that I am fairly… peculiar about whom I have a relationship with." His eyes search hers for a long moment before he takes a slow breath. "My tastes are not exactly ordinary. I am a Dominant man, Hermione. Any woman with whom I would form a lasting relationship… I would prefer for her to be submissive. I've never been in a lengthy relationship with one who wasn't, but if you found it not to your tastes and we wanted to continue a relationship together I would, of course, do my utmost to make you happy. But a submissive partner is what makes me happy, Hermione; I don't want to frighten you off by saying so, but… I must confess that for some time now I have fantasized of nothing more than having you in my bed, wearing nothing except for my rope."
Hermione's eyes widen as he speaks, her fingers clutching at the now-forgotten mug cradled in her hands. She stares at him once he's finished speaking, as he watches her reaction. Licking her lips, she searches his face for a moment before she looks down into her cooling tea. She takes a deep gulp, swallowing before she stands up, setting her mug on his desk beside his. She looks up at his face for a long moment, licking her lips. "I don't know how…" she trails off with a small pout.
Tom's eyes darken as his nostrils flare. "Of course. I understand completely. I would only ask that you keep this conversation to yourself." He begins to move away when suddenly her hand grabs his.
"Tom! No, wait. Would you let me finish speaking first?" She glares up at him as he turns back to look down at her, his face kept carefully blank. "You're assuming I'm turning you down, turning away from you. I'm not! I'm… I'm in shock, maybe? A little surprised? No, I take that back. I'm not surprised." She laughs a little, looking down at her hand on his. "Please, don't turn away." She looks back up at him, her mouth relaxing into a gentle smile.
Tom blinks slowly before he relaxes, his free hand reaching out and cupping her chin. "Hermione, I apologize. I just assumed…" He shakes his head slowly before he draws in a deep breath, releasing it carefully. "So, I haven't scared you off."
She grins and shakes her head slowly. "No, you have not. I – I should admit I don't have much, well, any experience, not really… so I don't even know how submissive I am? But I do know I want to be with you. And I do know that I like it when you take control. We can figure out the details together." She licks her lips, looking up at him with her head tilted inquiringly.
He nods, his hand slowly moving down and curling around her neck, his thumb gently tilting her head back just a bit more. "Yes, we will find out together. We will need to work out a few other details, such as when you would be comfortable to begin a sexual relationship with me and how far you'd like to take it." He licks his lips as he takes a step closer to her, forcing her head back a touch more as her shoulders arch back. "Your lack of… experience will dictate how slowly we move. I don't want to scare you."
Hermione shivers and arches her body into his as he towers over her, one arm curling around his at her throat for extra stability. "Yes, sir." She bites down on her lower lip as he pulls her closer into him. "I don't think you could scare me off."
Tom laughs softly, a deliciously dark sound as he tilts his head down and drags his lips across her cheek. "Oh, sweetness, you have no idea what I would do to you right now if only you were prepared for it." He nibbles on her earlobe gently before straightening up again, easing her back up. "If we are going to do this, Hermione, we'll have something of a contract and I'm sure you have plenty questions about everything."
She stares up at him, breathing deeply as she clutches at his arm. "Yes, oh yes. I have so many questions!"
He nods and moves his hand from her throat, gently stroking her hair back from her face. "Yes, I know. Let's sit down and you may ask anything you like." He smirks and steps around her, sitting down in the recently abandoned plush chair before tugging her down into his lap, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her in snuggly against him. "There, this is perfect."
Hermione snorts and laughs quietly, squirming around for a moment before settling on his lap, looking up at him. "All right. First… are you in a cult?"
Tom starts in surprise, his eyes widening before he lets out a laugh. "What?! A cult? Where on earth do you get that idea?"
She narrows her eyes at him as she squirms around to cross her arms. "Yes, a cult. You and Dr. Snape and Mr. Malfoy all wear those bracelets, and I noticed Draco has one like it as well, though his is newer. I don't think I remember seeing it before the past week or two. It's like some kind of… identifier."
His brows arch up in surprise before he chuckles at her words. "You are beautiful and so perceptive. No, love, none of us are in a cult. We are a part of a group, but it's not a cult. We just all share a similarity in our… quirks." He smirks down at her surprised expression. "Oh yes, Severus and Lucius have similar tastes to my own. Draco is learning; he hasn't found his niche yet, but he'll find his comfort zone. I would like you to come to our next gathering actually, if you're comfortable with that idea. It's in about three weeks, the first Saturday of next month."
Hermione's eyes widen as she nibbles on her lower lip. "Oh! Really? Well, I mean… of course, I would come with you. I just - just don't know what to expect." She looks up at him with a small pout, her lips pursed in thought.
Tom groans quietly and reaches up, his thumb rubbing along her lower lip. "That is such a sweet look, love. You're far too tempting." He grazes his lips across her forehead before leaning back again. "Of course I would prepare you and you wouldn't have to come if you truly didn't want to. We'll iron out our own contract first and, if you want, I'll introduce you to our lifestyle. Severus and Lucius will assist, however they won't know who you are, not until you have left Hogwarts, nor will they actually be with you in any way." He watches the flickers of emotion crossing her face through narrowed eyes, his thumb still tenderly stroking her lip back and forth, a gentle rub-rub-rub.
Hermione breathes in slowly and draws in the scent of him so close, mixed with tea and chemical lab cleaner with the faint hint of books and dust. All familiar and comforting. She closes her eyes, concentrating on the feel of his thumb on her lips and his scent for a long, silent moment. Opening her eyes, she looks up to him before parting her mouth and lightly licking the pad of his thumb. "Ok."
He pauses, blue-green eyes intent upon hers. "Ok?" He arches a brow as he watches her open her mouth against his thumb, her small pink tongue flickering from between her lips.
"Yes, ok. We'll do it; I'll do it." She gazes up into his eyes, watching the flicker of surprise pass through his eyes before they darken, pupils dilating, as she sucks on his thumb, her tongue curling around it before she draws back slowly. "I want to do it all with you."
Tom growls softly before he grasps her hips and pulls her close to him. "Yes, we will do it all together." He leans down and kisses her breathless, holding her tightly to his torso. After a long moment, he pulls back with a soft groan. "Will you come to my flat for dinner? We'll discuss everything and you can keep asking all the questions your little heart desires."
Hermione smiles and nods, one hand reaching up to rake her fingers through his hair while the other tugs at a button on his Oxford. "Yes, please. I'd love that."