IV - OF CATS AND MICE

~O~

One has to let people believe in their own influence.

The essential thing is that they don't have any.

- Ludwig Toma.

~O~

Cursing inwardly, Hermione hurried through the common room. She had fallen asleep over her homework, so she wouldn't make it to the library before her Astronomy lesson. Why had she decided to take this subject? She valued her sleep, so the regular hours deep in the night weren't helping.

"Out this late, Miss Dumbledore?"

She rolled her eyes before turning to the speaker. "I'm on my way to Astronomy, Mr Lestrange."

His eyes grew wide as he indicated a bow. "Alone? Don't you have a man to escort you through these dark corridors?"

Hermione just snorted. "Do I need one? Are there dangers lurking within Hogwarts?"

Lestrange's eyes showed a strange gleam as he replied with a smile, "You shouldn't feel too safe anywhere. I shall accompany you."

A cynical smile appeared on Hermione's lips. "You mean to tell me I'm safer around you?"

He put both hands to his chest in mock shock. "What is that supposed to mean? Are you implying that I'm incapable of protecting you?"

Shaking her head, Hermione walked towards the exit. "No, I'm implying that you're a danger yourself."

She heard him follow her. Carefully, she felt for her wand, making sure it was within easy reach so she could react quickly enough. Lestrange sounded amused as he said, walking beside her, "You are as direct as ever, Miss Dumbledore. An unusual trait for a Slytherin."

"Maybe I'm just good at picking my own battles and know when I can dispense with politeness as my opponent is outmatched," she teased back. She had no interest in ingratiating herself with Rufus Lestrange, no matter how much Tom would like her to wrap him around her finger.

To her surprise, Rufus remained polite. "You are very sure of your abilities, Miss Dumbledore, and you are never afraid to show it. A remarkable trait in a lady."

She grinned broadly at him. "Maybe I'm just not a lady? Maybe I don't value being a lady?"

Rufus rubbed his chin in a thoughtful gesture, but remained silent for the time being. Together they climbed the steps to the Astronomy Tower and Hermione began to wonder when he would attack. She was sure it wasn't a question of if, but when.

"After Tom made you his own, you are probably justified in feeling like you can do whatever you want," Rufus finally said.

Annoyed, Hermione stopped and looked up at him. "In case you hadn't noticed, I haven't paid much attention to what's right or appropriate or polite before. I'm here to learn."

He tilted his head. "A fascinating attitude. What are you going to do with all that education?"

"Oh, what could one possibly do with education and a good degree?" Hermione asked wryly, "Really, what would it be useful for? Such a good question you ask."

Rufus flashed an almost wolfish grin. "You misunderstood me. As a woman, what do you want to do with all that education?"

She shook her head resolutely. "You can't provoke me, Lestrange. I know how little you think of us women, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm pretty sure of my knowledge and intelligence and am pursuing my own independent plans for the future."

"Does Tom know that?"

Hermione shrugged her shoulders as disinterestedly as possible. "I don't know. I don't see why I'd need to discuss it with him."

Rufus raised both eyebrows. "You can't work without your husband's permission."

Hermione gave him a sweet smile. "Well, what can you do, eh? If Tom objects, what am I going to do? Ah, I know. I'll just not marry him! Such a clever idea, don't you think?"

For the first time, Hermione saw genuine surprise on Lestrange's face. Was that thought really so inconceivable to him? Was this man really so caught up in his conservative views that he couldn't imagine her wanting to remain single?

Rufus took a step closer to her. Hermione let her wand slip into her hand inconspicuously. Whatever he was planning, she was prepared. But instead of attacking her, he only asked in a low voice, "You would betray Tom?"

Hermione blinked several times. Where had that question come from? She had no intention of cheating on Tom, at least not in the way this young man was obviously thinking. She explained cautiously, "I don't see it as cheating. I haven't been proposed to and I don't intend to accept any such thing. If it doesn't work out between Tom and me, we'll go our separate ways."

Rufus looked down at her seriously, obviously pondering her words. Had it never occurred to him that a relationship now didn't mean she would marry in the future? Still whispering, he replied, "I got the impression that you were not only at Tom's side, but on his side as well. Loyal and supportive. Are you suggesting that's not the case?"

Hermione laughed involuntarily. "Have you seen Tom and me together? Do we really seem like a happy couple, united in all things, the world revolving around only each other?"

Rufus quickly glanced left and right to see if anyone was coming up or down the stairs, then took another step towards her, forcing her back against the wall. He said seriously, "It is dangerous to show such open opposition to Tom, Miss Dumbledore. I am one of his closest confidants. Do you really want to risk his wrath?"

His last words had barely left his mouth when Hermione put her wand to his throat with one fluid motion. "Are you really threatening me, Lestrange?"

His eyes turned icy cold. "You dare raise your wand against me?"

Hermione's eyes flashed as she replied angrily, "Obviously. I found myself in this exact position my first week here at Hogwarts. Except that Tom threatened me then. Do you really think you can intimidate me where he failed to do so?"

"You held your wand to Tom Riddle's throat?"

Annoyed, Hermione rolled her eyes. "I thought it would be fairly obvious by now that I don't play by the prevailing rules. I'm my own person. I fight back when I'm threatened, no matter who threatens me. You're a Lestrange, I should probably tremble at your family's name. I should probably tremble that your family can destroy my future after Hogwarts. But you know what? I don't. Political intrigue, threats, blackmail, and all that will have no effect on me. I'm not interested."

Hermione looked him firmly in the eye. She meant every word. Sure, it helped that she knew there would be no post-Hogwarts for her during this time. She couldn't care less if the Lestrange family tried to destroy her future during this time. But even if they did. She would not submit to such means. She had submitted to Tom where necessary to get close to him, but she would never again submit to any other human being, much less a man.

"You can put your wand down," Rufus murmured to her, "I never intended to hurt you. I'm not tired of life. Tom has made it very clear how he feels about you being harmed."

Hermione held his gaze for a moment longer, then lowered her arm. Tensely, she pressed out, "I'd rather you kept your distance from me because you respect me. I don't need a knight in shining armour, even if his name is Tom Riddle."

A laugh rang out, a real, loud laugh. Rufus Lestrange actually looked amused. Grinning, he put a hand on her shoulder. "You really are the opposite of all the other women here, Miss Dumbledore. You don't want to be protected by Tom? Why?"

Grumbling, she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "It would only give him power over me if he imagines that I need him. And I'm not prepared to give him that kind of power."

"Every word out of your mouth sounds like you're not in love with him."

"Because I'm not."

The answer was out before Hermione could think about what she was saying. She widened her eyes in horror and stared at Lestrange. Was it really wise of her to talk so openly about her relationship with Tom? Wouldn't it be better to keep up the pretence that they were lovers, even if perhaps not according to the traditional rules?

Shocked, she noticed Rufus place a hand on her cheek and force her to look up at him with his index finger under her chin. "You're in a committed relationship with a man you're not in love with?"

"Unhand me," Hermione demanded, "or I'll put a curse on you."

Without paying attention to her, Rufus followed up, "Is that the custom in America? You let yourself be kissed and spread your legs for a man you don't love?"

"Lestrange," she hissed, but again he ignored her. Instead, his free hand closed around her hand that held her wand.

"Would you spread your legs for me, too, if I offered you enough in return?"

His tone sounded contemptuous and almost ironic, but there was something in his gaze, a strange intensity that made Hermione's breath catch. He was serious. Rufus Lestrange wanted to pay her to sleep with him. Her heart began to race. This was exactly what Tom wanted. He had told her that he would be in favour of her wrapping Rufus around her finger and making him vulnerable to blackmail.

She licked her lips nervously. She had to get out of here. She had to resolve this situation before this unpredictable man did anything. She swallowed. "I would have thought you were smarter than Abraxas."

Rufus had closed their distance to the point where his lips almost touched hers. He paused, but Hermione could feel his warm breath on her cheek. She prayed he would change his mind. She couldn't handle this. She didn't want to do this for Tom. Lestrange's grip on her wrist tightened. "I wouldn't have to offer you anything, would I? It would be a secret between us, a secret that Tom should never know. A secret that would weigh on me. It would make me cautious. Paranoid to be found out."

Hermione nodded. Rufus was actually quicker than Abraxas. He realised that Tom was playing games with them because Rufus himself expected exactly that. He wasn't as blind and naïve as Tom.

Instead of letting go of her, he pressed forward a little so that his whole body pressed against hers. He leaned further down to whisper right next to her ear, "Too bad I know that now. Do you think Tom would still approve if I really seduced you, mh, Hermione? If you fell for me and left him for me? Don't you think that would drive him mad? Men can be so jealous."

Disgusted, Hermione turned her head away. "You would never succeed, Lestrange. Never."

He forcibly turned her head back and looked deep into her eyes. "I could just take you now, against your will. Do you think he would like that? I could have you without having to worry about secrets. Would you tell Tom? Would you confess to Tom the shame you've brought upon yourself?"

Horror spread through Hermione's stomach like an icy chill, but she ordered herself to remain calm. She couldn't let him realise that she was afraid. As unfazed as possible, she explained, "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I wouldn't see it as a disgrace, but as exactly what it is: an illegal act of violence against me that should be reported and punished. Of course I would tell Tom. He'd be unhappy with me for falling victim to you, sure, he'd probably punish me too. But I know, Rufus Lestrange, I know he would kill you for it. Slowly, agonisingly, in unimaginable pain."

His gaze flickered briefly, but then he shook his head arrogantly. "He wouldn't dare. He needs me. He can't afford to incur the hatred of my family."

Hermione licked her lips again. "As if your tragic death could be blamed on Tom. He's not that stupid. And I'm sure our dear friend Abraxas would be only too happy to give him an alibi."

She stared at him challengingly. She would not be intimidated, not by him. He was intelligent and powerful and full of contempt for women, but she knew, she saw, he wasn't insane. Not like Tom.

He finally let go of her and took a step back. With a snide gesture, he patted her cheek. "You've got guts, little Dumbledore, I'll give you that."

Rolling her eyes, she returned the compliment, "You're clever, Lestrange, I'll give you that."

He laughed again. "I'm glad we had this conversation. I'm sure we'll find a way not to hex each other into the afterlife in the future."

Hermione could only snort in response. "Do you seriously expect me to believe that you suddenly have something like respect for me?"

He just grinned. "No. But I think we can call a truce for now, don't you?"

"I didn't realise we were at war before."

He didn't give her an answer to that, instead he said with a wide smile, "I think you're too late for Astronomy."

Cursing, Hermione pushed him out of the way and hurried up the stairs. She was relieved that she had come out of the confrontation in one piece, but Rufus' over-friendliness made her stomach hurt. She suspected that he wasn't finished with her yet.