Just slightly later than I had intended but... Happy Christmas! :)

Beta: Glitter

After the drive to Wiltshire, Tom and Hermione taking his car this time while Severus is left to find his own bloody way, as Tom has told him sternly – still not quite forgiving him for the scene in his office – they both disembark with a number of groans and stretches.

"Bloody drive gets longer every time." Tom sighs, tilting his head back to look up at the large manor.

Hermione chuckles and slips behind him, lacing her arm through his and resting her head against his shoulder as she looks up at the huge house as well. "So, this is Malfoy Manor, hm? No wonder Draco is such a prat."

"Oh, that's purely genetics, love." Letting out a snort, Tom turns his head and presses his mouth to the top of her curls, breathing in her scent deeply for a moment before directing her to the boot. He pulls out the two overnight bags, giving Hermione a stern look when she attempts to take hers before she wrinkles her nose.

With a shrug and a smile, she pushes the boot closed before walking alongside Tom towards the front door before freezing, whisky eyes widening in dismay. "Oh! Wait, shouldn't I have my mask?"

Tom turns, a small frown creasing his face for a moment before he shakes his head slowly. "No, you'll be fine for now. Lucius should be the only one here at the moment; everyone else will be arriving when it's time for the party. Severus and I are the only ones who come and stay. Oh, and Draco, of course. We'll have you ready then, and no one will know."

"Oh, well, all right. I just… I don't want any trouble." She frowns for a moment before blinking, her mouth popping open in surprise, "Wait, did you say Draco would be here as well?"

"Of course. He was initiated last month." Tom smirks, looking down at her. "Is that a problem?"

Hermione gapes at him for a long moment before exploding, "Of course it's a problem, Tom! He knows me! What if he recognizes me? There will be trouble then! He could go and report you or say something to Harry or Ron, or – or – who knows what else!"

Letting out a soft chuckle, before shaking his head, Tom reaches out and curls an arm around her, his soft leather duffle dumping against her arm. "No, Hermione, no. He's been sworn never to reveal anything that he sees at this meeting, just like all the others. Just as you will be for tonight, then… then officially, if you wish to continue."

The seeing me floats in the air between them, unsaid, as she gazes up into his eyes, and he into hers. Letting out a puff of air, she pushes up on her toes and presses her mouth to his, her eyes drifting close.

Kissing her back, Tom tightens his arm around her shoulders, holding her body against his for a long moment before slowly pulling back to gaze down at her with turbulent sea-colored eyes. "Let's get you inside and settled, love."

Hermione lets out a soft sigh before nodding, but then she stops again after only a few more steps and looks up directly into his eyes. "I trust you, sir."

Swallowing the sudden knot in his throat, he nods and leans down to press his lips to her forehead, murmuring, "Good girl." After pulling away again, he turns them back to the door and directs her to use the rather ostentatious knocker. A moment later, the door creaks rather loudly before swinging wide open to reveal a rather squat, wrinkled old man with exceptionally large – and batlike – ears, apparently the butler.

"Good afternoon, Master Tom!" The unexpectedly squeaky voice makes Hermione jump slightly in surprise before she smiles sweetly at the old man, who peers at her before he reaches out with sudden swiftness and grasps her hand. "And the sweet young Miss! Welcome, come in!"

Hermione lets out a squeak when the deceptively fragile old man pulls her into the manor, and she looks back over her shoulder to Tom in shock who merely smirks back at her before addressing the butler. "Good afternoon, Dobby. You're looking well though I must insist you release my companion; she's looking a bit uncomfortable."

The old butler releases her hand with a small gasp, peering up at her with apology. He is even shorter than she is, which seems rather shocking. "Oh, apologies, young miss! I do tend to get carried away when the Master's friends come to visit." He chuckles and with a snap of his fingers, spins towards Tom. "Your usual rooms have been prepared, and you are the first to arrive. Master Lucius is in the library, as usual."

Tom steps closer to a shell-shocked Hermione, who is still staring at the old man, and gathers her close to him. "Thank you, Dobby. Please let him know we've arrived and may join him shortly, but we'll be settling in first." He raises a hand, cutting off Dobby as his mouth opens. "No worries; I know the way, and we'll be just fine on our own. Good afternoon." He smiles before turning Hermione and directing her up the staircase.

Halfway down the second story hallway, she jerks her head up and looks up at Tom in shock, "What was all that about? And the Malfoys have a butler? I mean, this place is absolutely humongous; I imagine they have a number of staff to help keep it up, but an actual butler?"

"Oh yes; Dobby has been with the family for many years. He's part of why we hold our gatherings here each month, it gives him something else to plan and do, other than follow after Lucius like a small dog, yapping and nipping at his heels." Tom lets out a chuckle before glancing down at Hermione, noting the scowl on her face. "Oh, don't misunderstand me, love. Lucius may be the wealthy one, the owner of the house, but Dobby runs the household with an iron fist."

Hermione subsides with a small grumble before looking around with interest as they walk until they reach a set of double doors. "Is this our room? I mean, I assume… uhm." She swallows and looks up to him with a small pout. "We are sharing the room, are we not?"

Letting out another chuckle, Tom nods. He unwinds his arm from around her shoulders in order to reach out, opening the door. "Yes, of course, we are. Let's get settled." He nudges her through the door gently before shutting it, snapping the lock shut as an extra precaution. At Hermione's curious look, he rolls his eyes. "Lucius likes just to stroll through; especially with you here, I'd be expecting him to walk in any time."

Hermione lets out a cough before outright laughing and turning back to survey the room. Decorated in creams and soft seafoam green and oak wood, the spacious room is warm and yet highly sophisticated. The sight of the king-sized bed situated off to the side makes a flush creep over her cheeks as she strokes her fingers along the top of the beside table.

Tom drops the bags onto the couch, tilting his head as he watches her explore the room. Settling his hands onto his hips, he allows her to wander through it for another moment, watching her as she touches the bedspread, pokes her head into the bathroom, and strokes the petals of the fresh flowers on the coffee table. He focuses on her and clears his throat then, waiting for her head to come up and her eyes to meet his.

"Come here, sweet." His voice is deeper and his posture tighter, and she knows that it's a command.

Hermione approaches him, hovering almost indecisively for a moment, before taking a deep breath and dropping to her knees in front of him. He makes a soft sound of approval as he reaches out, stroking a hand over her curls, looking down at her for a long moment before he laces his fingers through her hair and curls them into a fist, gently directing her head up to look up the long length of his body.

"You're such a perfect girl, aren't you?" He smiles as her body tenses at his words, watching her closely for a long moment before speaking again. "While we are here, you must remember that you are with me, you belong to me, and you will follow my every order. This is your first time in public, so I won't ask anything particularly difficult of you tonight, but you'll be expected to do as I say; is this understood?"

Hermione swallows, nodding minutely as his grip on her hair doesn't allow for much movement, before she forces out through a thick throat, "Yes, sir."

Tom smiles again, nodding. "Good girl. I brought something along for you to wear to the party tonight, so that's taken care of. It's your decision as to what you'd like to do with your hair. I prefer it down, but you may like it up and out of the way for any play that we may indulge in; that's acceptable as well." He tilts his head, looking down at her for a moment. "For now, would you like to nap or take a bath before preparing yourself? Or would you like to accompany me to the library?"

Her eyes widen, and she appears to be struggling with the decision. His lips twitch as he holds back a grin, knowing that it's a difficult decision for her to make, but waiting patiently for her to make up her mind.

"I think… oh, this is so difficult, sir!" She pouts up at him, her brows furrowing slightly. "Of course, I'd love to see the library, but a bath does sound lovely, and – oh!" She huffs, her pink lower lip sticking out.

Tom chuckles, tugging her hair lightly. "This is your choice, sweet. But make it quickly, or I'll make it for you."

Hermione draws in a breath as he pulls her hair, before letting it out in a rush. "As much as I'd love to see the library, I suppose a rest and a bath would be a better idea."

"Good choice, sweet. Now, up you get." He chuckles at her begrudging tone, reaching down with his free hand to help her to her feet. Once she's stable, he tugs her closer and leans in, pressing his mouth to hers. Sweeping his tongue along the seam of her lips, his fingers tighten in her hair to hold her in place. When she whimpers, and her lips part at his touch, he curls his tongue against hers, drawing it out and tasting her deeply.

Swaying against him, Hermione moans into his mouth as he kisses her deeply. Her hands move up to clutch his shirt, pressing herself closer against him as he tugs her head back further before he pulls away with a soft sound of satisfaction. She whimpers as his lips leave hers and wiggles against him, pressing her hip against the swollen line of his cock confined by his trousers.

Tom lets out a soft growl, his fingers flexing in her hair as his hips roll and press back into hers. Pulling back to look down at her, he smirks at her kiss-swollen pink lips and hazy whisky eyes. "You look good enough to eat, little one."

Hermione lets out a soft sound, something between a moan and purr, as she presses into him before, with a deep blush creeping down the neck of her shirt, she looks up at him and whispers, "Please do, sir."

He blinks in mild surprise before chuckling and leaning down, stroking his nose against her heated cheek. "Later, love. You'll be dripping for me before the night is out, and I will take you at my leisure."

"Ohh, but… yes, sir." Hermione whines softly, trembling as she presses her face against his hair and drawing in a deep breath of his electric salt scent before he pulls back completely, his fingers slowly sliding from her hair with one last tug on the ends.

He murmurs, "Good girl." Then straightens up and looks down at her with a smile. "Go, take your bath. I'll leave a box on the bed; you're to dress in its contents no later than six o'clock." He waits for her nod before he presses his mouth to her forehead, then swats her arse, grinning at her soft yelp of surprise. "I'll be in the library if you need me; otherwise, I should be back within the hour. Take all the time you need."

He walks over to their bags and rustles through his for a moment before withdrawing a slightly squashed white box, tied with a red bow. Glancing to her with a smirk, he lays it on the bed before pointing to the washroom. "Bath first, then present."

With a wink, he spins on his heel and, after unlocking the door, slips out into the hallway, pulling the door shut behind his retreating figure.

Hermione huffs out a sigh and rolls her eyes with a smile. She allows her gaze to linger on the box for a long moment before she spins and heads into the bathroom for her bath.

-.-.-.-.-.-

Tom strides into the library without bothering to knock, smirking as Lucius peers up at him from over his book, a glass of whisky in his hand. The blond quirks a brow and allows the book to droop as he looks around dramatically. "And Severus reported that you have your delicious little pet with you this weekend. Have you hidden her away already, Tom?"

"Of course, Lucius. She's currently tied up in our room." Rolling his eyes, Tom heads over to the drink cart and pours himself a gin and tonic, before sliding into the butter-soft leather chair across from his old friend.

The barest hint of a snicker slips out before he reins it back in, grey eyes dancing with mirth as he watches the other man. "You know, that's not entirely unheard of. Especially when you're involved."

Huffing out a laugh, Tom motions with his glass and smirks. "I have to admit the truth in that. Though Her- herself hasn't yet experienced a full binding, she has been in my ropes and it was just -" He pauses, taking a deep breath. "Exquisite."

Lucius's smirk widens as he watches one of his oldest friends, sedately sipping his drink as he does so. Only a few who know him particularly well – only himself and Severus, really – could notice the indicators of his anxiousness: the tightness at the corners of his eyes, the steadily tapping finger on his rapidly draining drink, and the minute crawl of his foot inching its way across the wood floor.

"Tom." He waits for his companion's eyes to flicker away from the double doors and back to him. "Go back to your room and your pet, if you're so anxious."

"Anxious? No, I'm not anxious! Just…" Tom huffs, draining the last of his drink and setting it aside before scowling slightly. "Just bloody anxious. As if this is my first time at a gathering, good Lord."

Lucius chuckles, taking a sip of his whisky. He would snort and roll his eyes at his old friend if he were so uncouth as to do such a thing. "Apparently you need some stress relief. Go on with you; go back to your pet and please don't come back until you've come." A grin twitches his lips as Tom turns a dark scowl on him before he stands up, smoothing his long hands down his trousers.

"Bugger off, you old reprobate. You and Severus! You're worse than two old maids." With a roll of his eyes, he turns on his heel and stalks from the room.

Letting out another chuckle, Lucius sighs as he returns to his book with a smirk.

-.-.-.-.-.-

Upon reaching their shared room, Tom pauses just outside the door for a moment, before passing through the doors. Eyes scanning the room, he frowns slightly at the empty room before calling out. "Hermione?"

"In the loo! Just a moment!" Her voice calls out, and he quirks a brow as he tucks his hands into his pockets, eyes locked on the loo as he waits impatiently for her to appear through the door.

After only another moment – an interminable amount of time to Tom, honestly – she steps through, and Tom's heart literally skips a beat.

Her normally wild curls have been carefully pulled back by two thick braids at her temples, forming a sort of crown that trails back into the rest of her hair that is hanging loosely down her back. Over her face is a new mask, a solid black satin piece overlaid by a piece of thick glittering silver lace, which is tied back with a silken black ribbon, wrapped around at her eyes and brushing the pink blush on the apples of her cheeks.

With darkening eyes, he takes a small step closer to her as he allows his gaze to trail further down her mostly nude figure. On her feet and encasing her up to the knee are a pair of thick, extremely soft, heather grey cashmere socks. A pair of the palest green silk knickers encases her hips and arse, large panels of lace at her hips showing off her smooth skin. The matching balconette bra is mostly lace and pretty designs and completely see-through.

"Is this… is this all right? I'm not, uhm…" Hermione bites down on her lower lip as she twists around, turning in place a full three-sixty until she's facing him again.

Tom's eyes narrow slightly as he reaches her, one hand stretching out to grasp her bare waist and pull her close to him. "This is perfect, sweet. You're beautiful." His free hand strokes over her smooth stomach, sliding upwards to cup her breast through the bra, his thumb rubbing lightly over her already hard nipple and teasing it to a pucker. "Perfect."

Holding back a moan, Hermione trembles as she arches up into his teasing hand. "Thank you, sir." Goosebumps erupt across her skin as his fingers continue to touch her. Sliding up from her nipple, his fingertips stroke along the swell of her breast.

"No thanks are needed, sweet. You're perfect; I must have done something very good in a past life in order to have earned your attentions." He chuckles softly as he bends his head towards her, smirking as she automatically tilts her chin up in preparation for his kiss.

Tom's fingers continue to stroke along her skin, moving up and over her collarbone, as his lips brush against her cheek, to the tip of her nose, over the lace edging of her mask – everywhere except for the lips, which elicits a small noise of protest from her.

Hermione whimpers quietly as she steps closer to him, her hips wriggling in an attempt to get closer. He takes a small step back, holding her in place with his hand on her waist while smirking as she lets out another soft whimper. "I need…"

"What do you need, my sweet girl?" Tom slides his thumb along her neck, his fingers burying in the riotous curls at her neck. He uses the leverage to tilt her head back, and he looks down at her, smirking at her dilated eyes, pupils blown wide with her need for him.

"I need you, sir." Hermione gulps, the tip of her tongue flicking out to moisten her dry lips. His eyes briefly dart down at the movement, his smirk slipping just slightly, before going back up to her eyes. She twitches her hips again in an attempt to move against him, and his fingers squeeze lightly in rebuke.

Tom waits a moment, smirking again – this time in prideful pleasure – as she obeys his wordless command to be still. He merely watches her for a long moment, standing still and solid as she stares back up at him, her chest heaving with each deep breath. Finally, he breaks the silence, "What do you need from me, sweet?"

"I need… I don't…" She gulps, her eyes locked on his as she hesitates.

"Tell me, sweet. Remember, I won't do anything that you don't wish for me to do; neither will I do anything that you haven't asked me to do." His voice pours over her, causing a fire to erupt in her belly, spreading through her limbs and pooling between her thighs.

With a small gasp, clenching her thighs together in a futile attempt to ease the building ache, Hermione peers up at him with a small pout on her pink lips. "I know that you've been very pleased with me, with everything we've done, but I… I'm very nervous! And I need, I need… I need you! To touch me, or something, I'm not totally sure what I need right now. I am aching for you, I feel as though I could orgasm with just the littlest touch from you, and I don't want to disappoint you tonight." She draws in a deep breath, gasping a little, "Sorry, I'm just babbling now."

Tom chuckles softly, shaking his head as he reaches up and strokes her cheek with her knuckles. "No, sweet, you're perfect. I know you must be nervous, I understand. I'm here to help you." He leans in and presses a light kiss to the corner of her mouth. "You need to be centered, grounded. I will allow you the choice today – a fingering or a spanking. However, whichever you choose, it will be done at the party, and you are not allowed to come until I have decided that it's time."

A soft, kittenish moan escapes her lips as she pushes her head into his hand as she looks up at him from under her lashes. "Can I be greedy and choose both?"

His eyebrows arch, and he looks down at her, before letting out a soft laugh as he drops his hand to pinch her nipple sharply through her bra, causing her to gasp in surprise. "You are such a greedy, perfect girl, aren't you?" He smirks as she moans again at his words, a little louder this time. He watches her as he rubs his thumb around the sensitive nub, abrading it gently with the lace from the bra. "Yes, I will allow you to choose both tonight. It's your first party; you should be introduced properly." Tom chuckles as she shudders beneath his ministrations, watching her closely as her body twitches and trembles.

"Oh, yes sir, pleeease?" Hermione gasps out, her head falling back against her shoulder.

"Good girl," He smirks down into her eyes before stepping back from her slowly. "Come on, sweet. It's time to go downstairs." He laces his fingers through hers and tugs her with him towards the door.

Hermione balks, her eyes widening. "Wait, just like this?!"

Tom look over his shoulder, a brow arching as he nods. "Yes, just like that. I said we would be taking it slow. Next time, maybe just the socks, hm?" His smile turns wicked as he tugs her out of the door and into the hallway.