Author's Note:Updates will be sporadic and there will probably be long stretches of time where I don't update. The story isn't dead, I am just working on other things. I am sorry for not updating sooner. I know its been like a literal year since the last update. I have been busy with school and writing other projects. I have so many ideas for this story written down in my notes app. Don't worry I won't abandon this fic. This fic is always on my mind and I am constantly adding to it in terms of ideas. Thank you so much for your patience. I added in dates for it to be easier to read and for you as the audience to be able to better tell the passage of time. Happy reading.
October 1, 1945
It is a crisp fall day. The fall wind blows Hermione's hair. She felt rather nervous. She was headed to the ministry of magic to try to convince them they had misplaced her OWL and NEWT test results. Tom walked beside her. He flashed a winning smile at her. Hermione rolled her eyes. He was so pretty. Tom pulled his scarf up on his neck. His old Slytherin scarf. It held a special place in his heart. He got it his first winter at Hogwarts. Hermione reached out and grabbed his hand. The cold ring on his finger burned Hermione. They had a few blocks till they reached the visitors entrance to the Ministry of magic. The wind was cool but not insanely cold. Tom gazed over at Hermione. Hermione's hair blew in the wind. It was sleek and shiny. Not at all like it normally was before she charmed it. It looks better natural Tom thought. Although it is quite pretty right now there was something he loved about seeing her morning bed head.
"Are you nervous?" Tom asked.
"A bit. I should have thought of a cover story before coming all this way. What am I going to say? Yes I am actually from 1998. " Hermione says sarcastically.
Tom laughs. He gives her hand a light squeeze. Hermine smiles at him.
"oh I am sure they would love that. They would probably send you straight to St, Mungos, either that or they would treat you like an animal." Tom says.
"It will be rather daunting retaking both my OWLS and NEWTS. Then having to sit for the college entrance examination. Do you think I can get it all done in one day?" Hermione asked.
"I don't see why not." Tom says.
"Are you going to stick around once I begin the exams?" Hermione asks.
"I brought a few books. I know I can't go in to exam rooms with you but I will be nearby. I don't want to leave you high and dry on such an important day." Tom says.
Hermione smiled. The fact that he wanted to be as close as possible to be supportive warmed Hermine's heart. He didn't want to leave her. Not if he had any choice in the matter. Today was a big day for her. He wanted to be the most supportive boyfriend he could. They shared a glance as the red phone booth came into view. Tom had a smirk on his face. Hermione loved his smirks. She thought they were sexy.
"What on earth are you smirking about?" Hermione asks.
"oh nothing, just remembering last night." Tom said.
A slight blush coated Hermione's cheeks. Whether it was from the cold or his statement Tom didn't know. Hermione's blush caused Tom's smirk to widen. Oh Merlin. The look he was giving her. It was causing her heart to pound in her chest. They came to the door of the red telephone booth. They both stepped inside. The space was claustrophobic. An old fashioned telephone was sitting there. There was just enough space between them for their bodies to not be touching. Tom quickly closed the distance between their bodies and kissed Hermione. It was divine. They felt electricity as their lips touched. Tom held her waist and pulled her into his body. He wasn't letting her go anytime soon. Tom broke the kiss and started kissing her cheek. Hermione sighed. The pressure of Toms kisses increased as Toms hands wandered lower.
"Getting handsy are we?" Hermione teased.
"What can I say. I want a repeat of last night. Are you up for it?" Tom asks.
Hermione laughs and pulls him in for a kiss. Tom slips his tongue into her mouth. He can feel the cool saliva against her tongue. Tom's grip tightened on her ass. Hermione groaned and slowly pulled away from him. Her eyes met his. He had a content smile on his face.
"As much as I would love to shag you I can't waste any more time if I want to get all these exams over in one day." Hermione says.
Tom pouts. He whines softly.
"Would you shag me if I said please? What if I got on my knees and begged you?" Tom says.
"I thought Tom Riddle kneeled for no one." Hermione says.
"I will make an exception for you. What do you say?" Tom asks.
"I'm sorry but the answer is no." Hermione says.
Tom rolls his eyes and runs his fingers through her hair. It was so soft. He played with her hair as Hermione dialed the numbers 62442. A loud voice came out of the speaker.
"State your business." The voice said.
"I'm Hermione Granger and I need to go to the records department to sort out an issue with my OWl and NEWT tests. Then I need to sit for the college entrance exams." Hermione stated.
There was static for a moment. It sounded like an aluminum wrapper was being rubbed on the speaker. The noise was scratchy. A silver badge popped out of the old fashioned telephone. It had Hermione's name and purpose for her visit engraved on it. Hermione attached the badge to her sweater. She felt a little guilty. Tom had just bought her this sweater last Tuesday. Slowly the red phone booth began to move downwards. It reminded Hermione of a muggle elevator. As they descended into the underground passageways they became shrouded in darkness. Tom felt himself freeze. Fuck. He hated the dark. He didn't know why he hated the dark he just did. Tom immediately reached for Hermione's hand. As the minutes ticked by Tom felt fear. He felt like there was a knot growing in his chest the longer the darkness went on. The only thing that managed to cut through his mental fog was Hermione's smooth palm. He gripped her hand tightly.
"Are you alright?" Hermione asked.
How was he supposed to answer that. She couldn't know about his fear of the dark. He would sound like a child. He didn't want Hermione to see the fear in his eyes. He decided not to say anything. More minutes ticked by. Tom could feel his heart rate speeding up. This darkness reminded him of something. He didn't know what it was but he knew it was bad. Ever since he could remember he had been afraid of the dark. Not all darkness was scary. But pitch black rooms like this set Tom on edge. Tom tried to calm his breathing as he felt Hermione put her hands around him and hug him. He laid his head on hers. With the heels she was wearing she was the perfect height to do so. The smell of her hair wafted up to Toms nose. He felt himself relax as the embrace deepend. He was ok. He had Hermione. She made him feel safer. Hermione could feel how tense Tom was. Something was wrong but he wouldn't say what.
"You are very tense. Are you sure you are alright?" Hermione asked.
On the one hand Tom was extremely afraid of the darkness but on the other hand he didn't have to control his face and hide his fear because Hermione couldn't see it.
"I-I'm f-fine" Tom said.
Hermione wasn't buying it. He was tense and clinging to her like a drowning man. In her time it took at least 15 minutes to get to the atrium. It was that far underground. She thought back to the last time she had come to the ministry of magic. Her heart felt like it had been stomped on. Harry. Ron. She missed them so much. Hermione whimpered a bit. Tom noticed. Even though he couldn't see her something was bothering her. Tom's own fears became less important.
"Are you ok?" Tom asks.
"I was just thinking back to the last time I was at the ministry of magic. It was when Harry, Ron, and I infiltrated the ministry. We were looking for one of your horcruxes." Hermione says.
"How many did I have?" Tom asks.
"8, that includes the unintenial one that you made when you tried to kill Harry the first time. I miss them. I miss them so dearly." Hermione says.
8 horcruxes. He had made 8 horcruxes. That was nothing to scoff at he thought. Tom feels Hermione lean her head against his chest. She wraps her arms around him and squeezes him as tight as she can. For a moment all fear of the darkness left Tom as Hermione embraced him. A few minutes passed and finally light came back into the booth. Tom felt like he could breath again. As the phone booth descended down to the atrium floor Tom stopped to gawk at everything. It was a rather big room. He would soon be working here one day. The thought excited him. The phone booth hit the floor slowly. As the door opened Tom stepped outside and offered Hermione a hand. Hermione grabbed Tom's hand and stepped into the atrium. She grabbed him and they entered the throng of people walking about. Hermione and Tom walked over to the information desk.
"Excuse me, I need to get to the department of records where do I go for that?" Hermione asked.
"Down the hall to your right. It is a blue door you can't miss it" a woman said.
"thank you" Hermione said.
They walked down the hall. Tom felt himself relax now that he was back in light. Hermione looked back at Tom and smiled as she tugged him along after her. Soon they came to a blue door that read : Department of Records. Hermione pushed the door open. A long wooden table stood a few feet away. An exhausted looking wizard was sitting looking at some parchment. Hermione walked up to the man. The man looked up at her and scowled.
"How can I help you today?" The man asked in a very bored voice.
"Yes, I am here because umm... because my records from my Owls and Newts have been misplaced. Could you check and see if you have them on file? The name is Hermione Granger." Hermione asked.
Hermione knew for a fact they wouldn't have them on file. She hadn't even been born yet. The man waved his wand and a file appeared. He scanned through its contents.
"I am sorry Ma'am but it appears we have no records under that name. I am sorry to say this but you will have to retake them. Here take this. Present it to the person in room 40b. They will know what to do. Its just down the hallway." The man said, not sounding sorry in the slightest.
Hermione and Tom walked out of the room and down the hall.
"He was very cheery wasn't he?" Tom said sarcastically.
"Oh Totally, couldn't you tell by the look on his face?" Hermione joked.
They made eye contact and laughed. A few minutes later they found room 40b. They walked inside. A very pretty witch sat at a desk. Hermione gave her the slip. The witch clucked her tongue.
"Martin, we got another one." She yelled.
A man walked over hurriedly and took the slip from the witch. He frowned.
"Another one? That is the third time today. They really need to work on their filing system." Martin grumbled.
"Which one of you is retaking the exams? The college entrance exams are today as well if you wanted to do those today too?" Martin said.
"I am sir. Yes. I was hoping to do the college entrance exams as well as OWLS and NEWTS." Hermione said.
"I hope you are prepared to stay here all day. The written tests are awfully long. Then there is the practical portion of course. I am sure you remember after taking them the first time round." Martin said.
"Yes sir. I had expected this." Hermione says.
"Follow me please Miss..?" Martin said.
"Granger sir." Hermione said.
"Ah yes. Miss Granger. Follow me" Martin said.
Hermione placed a quick kiss on Tom's cheek. Tom felt his stomach flip. Even the lightest of her kisses still affected him so deeply. Hermione started to walk down the hall. Tom watched her retreating figure. Damn. She's all mine. My brilliant witch he thought. Tom watched her hips as she walked. Her heels made her ass more round. Tom loved high heels. He watched her hair sway as she turned her head as they walked around the corner. Her blue skirt hit right at her knees. He could see her black nylons. She was wearing the sweater he had picked out for her. Tom sighed. He could still feel the lipstick on his cheek. He touched the lipstick with one of his hands and saw red on his fingertips. She sure loves her red lipstick. She wore it all the time. Tom leaned back in his chair and opened the book he had brought with him. He sat back and began to read. After a while Tom felt the hair on the back of his neck begin to prickle. He felt like he was being watched. Tom looked around the room and noticed the witch at the front desk staring at him. Great, just what I need? A stupid bint ogling me. He thought sarcastically. He had to admit she was pretty. Not as pretty as Hermione. Nobody was as pretty as Hermione. He didn't really give two fucks about the witch. He rolled his eyes. After he went back to reading he looked up again and noticed she was staring at him. She was looking at him like he was a prime cut of steak. Tom had had enough. Tom slammed his book shut and walked up to the lady at the front desk. He put on an intimating look. His eyes flashed.
"Excuse me, do we have a problem? Why are you staring at me?" Tom said.
The woman blushed and looked down at the desk. She giggled nervously. Tom fought the urge to roll his eyes. Stupid bint. He knew the effect he had on women. It had come in handy multiple times. He looked at the witch calculatingly. How did he need to respond to this? He put his mask back in place. No emotion showed on his face.
"I'm sorry. Its just... you are rather handsome... are you with the witch who just walked in" the woman asked.
"Yes. She and I have been together for a little over a month now." Tom says.
The woman's expression changes into one of sadness.
"oh, I see. " The witch says.
They make eye contact and the witch quickly looks away.
"I suggest you stop staring at me. I am happily taken." Tom says icily.
"Sorry to bother you sir." the witch says.
Tom sits back down and rolls his eyes. Women. They could be so annoying sometimes. Tom wondered how Hermione was doing. Was she managing ok? His hermione. He liked the sound of that. He smiled and went back to reading his book.
Hermione followed Martin down the hallway. Martin opened a door. There were a couple other people sitting in desks taking exams. Hermione had studied extensively for the last two weeks. She should have started studying months ago but it can't be helped. Hermione sat down and Martin handed her the OWLS written portion of the exam. Hermione took a quill and dipped it in ink. 100 questions. I can do this. I can do this, she thought.
1) What is the difference between a grindylow and a hinkypunk?
Hermione sighed and thought back to defense against the dark arts. Hermione sucked on the end of the quill. Aha. The answer came to her now that she had remembered.
The difference between a grindylow and a hinkypunk is that a hinkypunk is a one legged creature. Its appearance is that of white, green, or blue smoke. A grindylow is a pale skinned water demon. The difference between them is that one is classified as xx beast and is water dwelling and the other is classified as x and they tended to lure travelers in the dead of night away from their destinations while grindylows strangled and ate their prey sometimes including humans.
2)Name the five signs of a werewolf?
The fives signs for a werewolf. Hermione thought back to Remus Lupin and her third year. Werewolves were such looked down upon and feared people in the wizarding world. They had a hard time holding down jobs because of people's prejudice. She thought back to Snape's lessons. The answer came to her.
1) It snout is shorter than that of a regular wolf. 2) Its eyes glow yellow and change color from their human shape to more wolf like. 3) It's tail is long and touches the ground. 4) They would age prematurely. 5) Their howl is different than that of a normal wolf.
Hermione looked at the paper satisfied with her answer. She moved on to the next question.
3)Translate the rune Ewhaz into English
Ewhaz means Partnership.
Hermione continued on with the exam and finished it in a few hours. She looked around. There were still a couple people taking the written portion of OWLS. She stood up and handed in her exams. She had to get at least exceeds expectations in every subject or she wouldn't be able to get the required NEWTS tests. Hermione was trying to calm herself down as she handed in her exams. The fear of failure gnawed away at her. She couldn't fail. She couldn't. But what if she did? What if she failed. Hermione took a deep breath and tried to calm her racing thoughts. Just relax. You did the best you could. Martin took her into another room for the practical exam. There was a bunch of potion ingredients and a cauldron sitting at a work station.
"For the practical portion of this exam you must first vanish this iguana, then you must brew the polyjuice potion, and then you must banish a boggart." Martin said.
Martin handed Hermione the iguana. Hermione could feel her magic flowing through her body. She tapped the iguana with the tip of her wand.
"Evanesco" Hermione says.
As the iguana vanishes Martin writes something down on his parchment. Now Hermione walks over to the potions station and sits down and begins to work. Hermione added 3 bundles of fluxweed into the cauldron. Then she added 2 bundles of knotgrass into the cauldron. She took the ladle and stirred it four times in a clockwise motion. As she was stirring it Hermione couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic. The polyjuice potion brought up memories of another time; practically another life. When she, Ron and Harry were in their second year and they were trying to figure out who the heir of slytherin was. Hermione chuckled and shook her head. The heir of slytherin was sitting out in the waiting room. The heir of slytherin was her boyfriend. If Harry could see her now what would he say? As Hermione was done stirring she looked up to Martin.
"The Polyjuice potion needs an hour to brew. You can leave as long as you come back within an hour. I will remain here to make sure the potion keeps bubbling on the fire. See you in an hour Miss Granger." Martin said.
"Are you sure its alright if I leave and come back? I don't want points docked for me not being present." Hermione says.
"Don't worry Miss Granger. You deserve a break. Return in one hour and I won't dock you points." Martin says.
Hermione got up and walked quickly back to the waiting room. Tom was sitting there with one leg crossed over the other. His hair was perfectly in place, his high cheekbones stood out; he looked as handsome as ever. Hermione plopped down beside him. He looked up from his book. He had a smirk plastered on his face.
"That was fast." Tom says.
"I have an hour break until the potion is done simmering. Then its back to testing for me. For defense against the dark arts practical we have to face a boggart. I hate those bloody things. If I scream its just because I am facing a boggart." Hermione says.
Tom places an arm around her and pulls her close and kisses her cheek.
"I am sure I know what we could get up to for an hour if we found a quiet place." Tom says.
Hermione snorts and rolls her eyes. They make eye contact. His green eyes are boring into her brown ones. Hermione bites her lip.
"You and I both know we would lose track of time. Its not going to happen. When we get home however I will take you up on that offer." Hermione says.
"Hermione that's going to be hours from now." Tom pouts.
Hermione places a hand on his knee. Tom freezes. He sucks in a breath as Hermione pets his knee. Hermione laughs.
"You will live. The anticipation will make it even sweeter." Hermione says.
Tom lets out a frustrated groan. He moves her hand up to his inner thigh and Hermione pulls her hand away. He pouts again.
"I am surprised at you. The great Tom Riddle is pouting simply because he isn't getting his way. I thought you had some dignity" Hermione says.
"My dignity leaves me when you are around. You bring out my baser desires. I positively am aching for you now my darling." Tom says.
Hermione kisses Tom softly. Her hand touches his face. Hermione feels her heart beat pick up. It feels like she can hear it roaring in her ears. She feels her body start to tingle and hum with arousal. Tom picks her up and pulls her closer onto his lap. He kisses her throat. Her smooth silky skin is intoxicating. Tom bites down on her throat and takes pleasure in the shivers that he elicits from her.
"oh Tom. Fine, we have 45 minutes. That gives us 15 minutes to get back. Come on." Hermione pants.
Toms face breaks out into a suggestive smirk. His eyes glow triumphantly. They stand up and rush off to find an empty room. After a few minutes of searching they come upon an unused room. As they walk into the room Tom casts a locking spell on the door. Hermione leans against the table. Tom walks swiftly towards her and kisses her fiercely. A feeling of electricity and arousal floods them both. Tom kisses her neck slowly savoring every whimper he steals from her lips. Tom touches his wand to Hermione's crotch of her tights and casts diffindo and cuts a hole.
"Not even going to bother with taking off my tights are you?" Hermione asks.
"That would waste too much time. I need to touch you." Tom says.
Tom unbuckles his belt and pulls down his underwear and pants in one swift motion. Hermione turns around and bends over.
"No darling. I want to see your pretty brown eyes. I can't see your face if you are that way." Tom says.
Hermione slips off her skirt. Tom groans in arousal as he touches Hermione's nethers. So warm. So wet. It feels divine. Tom feels himself harden at the feeling of her wetness wrapped around his fingers. Hermione twitched as she felt the cold metal of Tom rings against her body. They didn't have much time. He couldn't savor her like he wanted to. He entered her swiftly and moaned at the contact. Hermione wrapped her legs around his waist. He pumped in and out of her at a quick tempo. Tom squeezed his eyes shut as the pleasure surrounded him. He was close. He cursed himself and his high libido. He wanted to savor this. He wanted to take his time with her. But they didn't have the luxury of time. Toms hands dug into Hermione's hips. A few more thrusts and he could feel his body trembling in desire.
"Fuck. Fuck. Hermione. Oh God." Tom moaned.
A few more thrusts and Tom was panting. He was moaning. Hermione was clinging to him. Her wide brown eyes were studying his face. Oh God. Her face. Her eyes. How he loved her eyes. With every thrust he felt himself growing more and more in love with the witch in front of him. She could never know. He would never tell her. If she found out how much he cared about her she would surely leave him for his weakness. Pleasure overtook him. He was right on the precipice. With one last thrust he kissed Hermione and moaned loudly as he spilled himself inside her. Tom's body trembled. His body felt weak but he felt content. They only had 15 minutes left. Shit. That wasn't enough time to get Hermione there.
"I guess now is the time to test out that instant orgasm spell Arabella mentioned. Are you ready darling?" Tom asked.
"Yes." Hermione said.
Tom pressed the tip of his wand to their joined bodies.
"Clitorus Orgasmus" Tom said.
Instantly pure pleasure radiated from Hermione's body. Her body shook in pleasure. She screamed and buried her face into Toms shoulder. She was gasping and shuddering as her pussy throbbed. It felt like bliss. It felt like heaven. Hermione felt Tom's body holding her as she moaned in ecstasy. She panted as the pleasure began receding and pure contentment rushed through her. Tom kissed her softly. He was looking into her eyes. The way he was looking at her made her very breath seem to stop. In his eyes she saw only softness and affection. Tom withdrew himself from her body and cast scourgify on their bodies. He cast reparo on her underwear and tights and they were as good as new. They held each other in the afterglow. They were both panting from exertion.
"I am going to need you to pop home and get the birth control potion for me. We should be fine. We have 24 hours after sex for the potion to be effective. I just want to make sure we don't have any accidents." Hermione says.
"You don't like the idea of bearing my child." Tom teases.
"Be serious Tom. We aren't ready for children. We have only been together not even two months." Hermione says.
"I will pop home and get the potion for you. You don't have to worry. Just focus on your tests." Tom says.
Tom ruffles Hermione's hair and kisses her. He holds her in place and sucks on her neck leaving a hickey where his lips were. Tom and Hermione dress. Once they are dressed Tom holds Hermione close to him. His calming smell assaults her nostrils. He smelled like cinnamon and cologne. Hermione hugged him tight and tried to savor his smell. Tom petted her hair and cooed at her.
"You are going to do great on your exams. You are the brightest witch of your age. I believe in you. You are going to get outstandings. I can feel it. Thank you for indulging me. We didn't get nearly as much time as I wanted. You are going to have to make it up to me. I want to cherish your body the way it deserves to be cherished." Tom says.
"I will hold you to it. I am looking forward to making it up to you. I promise you we will make up for lost time. You get better and better every time we have sex." Hermione says.
Tom has a huge smirk on his face. He kisses her forehead. They walk back to the exam rooms and arrive right on time. Hermione kissed Tom on the lips and Tom apparated back to his manor to grab the birth control potion. Hermione greeted Martin and continued on with the exam. While she worked Hermione could feel Toms cum sloshing around inside her. She could feel it oozing down into her underwear. A bright blush overcame Hermione's face. Shit. When Tom cast scourgify he hadn't gotten everything. It was hard to concentrate on the exam when she could still feel Toms cum. Hermione added 4 leeches to the cauldron. Hermione added the pre crushed lacewing flies to the cauldron. Hermione heated the cauldron for 30 seconds on low heat and waved her wand over the cauldron. She added 3 measures of boomslang skin to the potion. She crushed the bicorn horn into a fine paste and added it to the cauldron. Heat for 20 seconds.
"Normally we need a day to let the potion finish how will we get around it?" Hermione asked.
"Not to worry Miss Granger. We have a potion already prepared for you to finish the potion. Let me check your work so far." Martin said.
Martin walked over to the cauldron and wrote some things down. Martin brought out a new batch of potion. This one must be for the students to use.
"You will proceed with the potion using what we have provided." Martin said.
Hermione added one additional scoop of lacewing flies. She stirred the potion three times counterclockwise. She waved her wand and completed the potion. Martin walked over and marked some things down on her parchment.
"Very good Miss Granger. Now you will face the boggart." Martin said.
Fear gripped Hermione's heart. A boggart. Her worst fear. She had already lived her worst fears. What could she possibly be shown now? Martin opened the cupboard and the boggart twisted and transformed. Harry stepped towards her. Harry. She felt a lump in her throat. Tears stung in the corners of her eyes. The last time she saw him... no don't think of that. Hermione tried to wave the image of Harry's dead body from her mind.
"Why didn't you save me Hermione? Why didn't you save Ginny? Now you are carousing with my enemy. He killed my parents Hermione. You failed. You failed me. You failed Ron. You were the last one left. You were supposed to avenge us and you didn't. You are a failure. I hate you. I hate what you have become." Harry said.
Hermione felt her stomach dropping down to her butt. A sour taste was in her mouth. Tears were threatening to flow down from her eyes. He was right.
"Harry, I am so sorry. I am so sorry Harry. I failed you. I failed all of you. I couldn't save Ginny. Ron... he, he did the unthinkable. I failed you." Hermione said.
"You fucked up. You fucked him. You are disgusting. I can't believe you would betray me. You betray me every day that you are with him." Harry says.
That snapped her out of her fear and pain. No matter how angry Harry was with her he would never call her disgusting. It wasn't really Harry. Not really. She hoped he wouldn't call her these things. What if he could see her now? Tears fell from her eyes.
"I can't even stand to look at you. You are no longer my best friend. You are dead to me." Harry says.
It felt like a vice was squeezing Hermione's heart. She couldn't breathe. He was right. About everything. The way Harry was looking at her made her want to scream. She never wanted Harry to look at her like that. Her heart was breaking one piece at a time.
"I am sorry. I am so sorry. Please forgive me." Hermione said.
"I will never forgive you. Not after what you have done. I will never forgive you for this Hermione." Harry says.
Tears were streaming down her cheeks. Her arms shook as she started performing the wand movements for the spell. Harry. Her best friend. Her heart hurt. Her chest ached and she could feel bile rising in the back of her throat. It felt like she was going to burst. She felt like she was falling apart into a million tiny pieces. She had failed him. She had failed them all. She bit back sobs as she finally performed the spell.
"Riddikulus" Hermione shouted.
Harry transformed and he was now wearing muggle clothes and wearing roller-skates. Harry fell down on the floor. Hermione smiled. Martin banished the boggart back into the cupboard. She could barely make out what Martin was saying. Harry's words were reverberating in her mind. You betray me every day that you are with him. Guilt began to eat away at her conscious. Was she guilty. What would Harry and Ron say? They didn't understand. She had betrayed them. She betrayed them every hour she spent with him.
"You will have a 15 minute break and then you will have your written NEWTS Exams." Martin said.
Hermione walked shakily back out into the waiting room. A blonde girl walked into the room after her as she found Tom. He was holding the birth control potion in his hand. Hermione took the potion and downed it. Tom was staring at her tear stained cheeks. A look of concern crossed his face.
"What happened?" Tom asks.
"A boggart. They made me face a boggart." Hermione said numbly.
Tom held Hermione close and she breathed in his scent. Tom could feel Hermione shaking. Whatever the Boggart had appeared as had really shaken her. Hermione could feel Tom petting her hair. He was humming the song that her father used to sing to her. Hearing his voice was soothing. Hermione cried into his arms. She felt disgusting. He had murdered thousands. Had she truly failed her friends? What would they say now that she was receiving comfort from the very man who they despised? She could hear his heartbeat in his chest. It was calming. She couldn't get fake Harry's words out of her head. She had failed them. She failed them all. She was falling in love with the man who murdered her best friend. But could he truly be guilty of these crimes if he hadn't even committed them yet? Tom rubbed her back soothingly.
"I am here Hermione. You are safe." Tom said.
A wave of nausea rolled in Hermione's stomach. Tom was trying to make her feel better. He was saying the only thing he thought would help her. It just made her feel worse. Tom gave her a sandwich he had made. Food always makes everything better.
"Thank you" Hermione says.
Hermione ate the sandwich. It tasted good. The taste distracted her from her worries. As she was eating it she started to feel better. At least only mildly.
"I thought you might be hungry after all that brain power" Tom said.
"How thoughtful of you" Hermione said.
Tom smiled at her and squeezed her hand. The words that Harry spoke wouldn't leave her brain. She was a failure. Tom saw her frown and tried to make her smile. Slowly the more Tom joked with her the further the boggart was driven from her mind. She had Tom. Her Tom.
"There is a smile. I love your smiles." Tom says.
Tom stroked her cheek softly. He planted soft kisses on her lips. Hermione could see her lipstick residue on Tom's lips she noted with amusement. One of Toms hands rested possessively on her waist.
"What if I get Ts. What if I get Trolls? What if I fail?" Hermione asks.
"The Hermione I know would never get a T. Troll isn't an option for you sweetheart. My brilliant girl it is impossible. You are far too smart and competent to get a failing grade. I would have to dump you then. No girl of mine gets a T." Tom says joking.
"Be serious Tom! If I fail I won't ever be a healer. I will just be a stupid stay at home wife." Hermione says.
"Would that be so bad? I will always provide for you and protect you. You don't need to work. My family's wealth will always provide for you." Tom says.
"I am not some simpering 1940s woman. I can look after myself. I want to be useful. I want to make a difference in the world." Hermione says.
"You already made a difference in my world. You can do anything you set your mind to. You are a fierce and fiery witch. You won't get a grade of Troll Hermione. My girl is always resourceful. You will do great things darling. Besides as a future minister for magic I will need a beautiful witch by my side." Tom says.
Hermione smiles weakly at him. Tom kisses her forehead. For such a capable witch she really did have insecurities. She was going to do great. She would pass with flying colors. She just needed to believe in herself. Soon enough it was time for Hermione to continue with her NEWTS. Harry's words echoed in her head. Failure. Failure. She was a failure. It was one of her worst fears. She always felt like she had to be the best. She had to measure up. She had to prove to the wizarding world that she belonged. That she wasn't just a stupid mudblood. She broke out into a cold sweat as her anxious thoughts started to take over. Failure. Failure. Failure. What if she failed? She couldn't fail. Failing wasn't an option. It never had been. She took a few shaky breaths and tried to calm her anxiety.
"You will do amazing sweetheart. I believe in you. I was just joking about leaving you. You know I would never leave you. You got this Hermione. You got this. Just take it one question at a time. You won't fail. I believe in you. My brilliant little witch." Tom says.
Tom kisses her forehead and held her tight. Hermione breathed in his scent and everything else faded away. The exams, the fear of failure, even boggart harry's words faded away. His scent was so calming. Cinnamon and cologne. Hermione took deep lungfuls of his smell. Protection. He was holding her tight. She could do anything while in his embrace. She could do this. She could face this. Tom believed in her. He was here. She stopped shaking. After a few minutes Martin stood waiting to lead her back to the testing room. She could do this. She wouldn't fail. Just relax. Just take it one question at a time. As the door to the testing room closed and she sat at her desk for the first time since the boggart, Hermione felt a sense of calm flood through her.. She could do this. She would get outstandings. This test had 250 questions. Jesus. She would be here for hours. Hermione sat down and began to answer the exams questions.
1)Explain the purpose of a protean charm.
Hermione thought back to her 5th year. When she had cast the protean charm on those fake galleons. Hermione sucked on her quill as she thought.
The purpose of the protean charm is to make different objects change at the same time. The protean charm is made to allow several objects to change simultaneously. For example a master coin connected to different coins. When the master coin is changed the other coins will follow suit.
2)What are the 8 uses of Unicorn horn?
The first and one of the most famous uses of unicorn horn is as a psychoactive hallucinogenic. It is snorted through the nose. Its effect is said to be simultaneously calming and arousing. It increases sexual arousal. It creates a sense of euphoria and a connected feeling with the universe. It is often used at parties. It sharpens the senses and sharpens memory recall. The second use of unicorn horn is as a poison antidote. It is commonly used in antidotes of all kinds. The third use of Unicorn horn is as a food additive. When combined with food ingredients the unicorn horn loses its psychoactive qualities. So it is safe for underage wizards and witches to consume. The fourth use of unicorn horn is as an aphrodisiac and fertility aid.. Wizards use it to aid in conception. It is said to enhance the virality of wizards. For witches it is just an aphrodisiac. There are no known fertility benefits for witches. The fifth use of unicorn horn when put in potions and soups is said to help enhance the health of the user. It is known as a home remedy for less serious illnesses. The 6th use of unicorn horn is as an adhesive. The substance is said to be very sticky, especially when combined with adhesive spells. It can be used as a glue for art projects. The 7th use of unicorn horn is used commonly in love potions. As it has already been stated to be an aphrodisiac it tend to heighten feelings of love also unrelated to sexual desire. In love potions the unicorn horn is said to evoke a pleasant feeling of contentment and strong feelings of love. It is one of the ingredients in amortentia. The last use of the unicorn horn is as a stimulant. When smoked it loses its hallucinogenic products and is often used by Hogwarts or college students as an aid for staying awake to study. As previously stated it enhances memory recall.
3)What was the cause of the house elf rebellion of 1898?
Hermione sucked on her quill. She tried to think back to her history of magic classes. They were so boring. Hermione furrowed her brow. House elf rebellion. There were two different rebellions. One in 1758 and the other in 1898. The one in 1758 was about the right to name their own young and for their young to not be taken from them. They won the right to take care of their own young. Now she was thinking of the house elf rebellion in 1898.
The house elf rebellion of 1898 had to do with working conditions and the level of abuse that house elves had to endure. They sat vigil for 59 days at the steps of the ministry of magic. They went on a work strike and did not perform any of their duties until the abuse was brought up before the wizengamot. From 1898 onward physical torture of house elves was outlawed. However that does not stop the abuse of modern day house elfs. As long as it doesn't fall under the theme of torture abuse towards house elves is still tolerated.
Four hours later Hermione was finally done with the written portion of the exam. Hermione looked at the clock on the wall. It read 4 pm. She still had the practical portion of the exam to take and the college entrance exams. Fuck today was going to be a long day. Hermione stood up and turned in her exam to Martin. Martin ushered her into the room next door.
"For the practical portion of this exam you are going to have to perform the patronus charm, the protean charm, change this mouse into a spoon, draw the magical enhancement ritual with ancient runes and lastly repot a mandrake."
"Changing the mouse into a spoon, and repotting a mandrake is all stuff that we did in the first few years of hogwarts. They are much below the level of NEWT." Hermione said.
"Please humor me Ms. Granger." Martin said.
Hermione tried to think of a happy memory. She thought of Harry and Ron. Her mind went to the final battle. Harry laying dead on the floor. Shock and fear plain as day on his face. He had been so brave. God, did she miss him. She tried to think of Ron but her mind kept going back to finding his suicide note and burying him in the Forest of Dean. Suddenly, a memory sprang to her head. It was of her and Tom in the first few weeks talking at the three broomsticks. Her magic vibrated wildly. She thought back to the first time he hugged her. The scent of his cologne and cinnamon. She could feel her magic on the tip of her wand ready to explode. She thought back to their first kiss. It was fiery and passionate. She felt her magic responding. This memory was good but would it be powerful enough for a corporeal patronus?
"Expecto Patronum" Hermione says.
A silver mist erupted from the tip of Hermione's wand. It wasn't a corporeal patronus. Hermione began to panic. Had the war changed her? Could she no longer conjure a corporeal patronus? The silver mist stayed there and formed a shield around Hermione. Her anxiety was going haywire. She felt her hands begin to shake. She searched her brain for something stronger. She couldn't use her memories of her old life. That much was obvious. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't form a corporeal patronus. The war must have taken too much. The war had changed her. She was broken. She had too many tainted and sad memories. They were all tainted by war. Martin wrote down something on his parchment.
Martin got out three cups and laid them before her. Hermione concentrated.
"Protus maximus" Hermione said.
All three cups now had her name branded into the side of the cups. Martin wrote down more things on the parchment. Martin got out a mouse and handed it to Hermione.
"Mutatio mus" Hermione says.
The mouse turns into a silver spoon. Hermione begins searching her memory for all of the different runes that are required for the enhancement ritual. Slowly she mouths different runes and they appear in a circle on the floor. They glow with a red sheen. Hermione walks over to the desk and there are a pair of earmuffs and two pots. Hermione successfully repots the mandrakes with zero trouble. Martin writes one last thing on his parchment and sends Hermione back the waiting room. Tom is deeply invested in his book. He looks up and spots Hermione walking towards him. He smiles.
"Its just about dinner time. Are you ready to go now darling?" Tom asks.
Hermione leans against his shoulder and sighs. She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I just got done with my NEWTs Practical exams. They have to grade it and then I still have to take the college entrance exams. Luckily there are no practical aspects to the college entrance exams. I am honestly so tired." Hermione says.
"If you want after your college entrance exams we could go out to a restaurant, or I could make you something at home if you like?" Tom asks.
"I don't have the energy to go out. Could you make something for us when we get home?" Hermione asks.
"Sure thing darling. Don't you worry how does a nice shepards pie sound? I can make it from scratch. We just went shopping a few days ago." Tom says.
"Can we make some brownies tonight too? I know how much you love sweets." Hermione says.
"How about this? We make some brownies with a nice sweet dessert wine? How does that sound? When we get home you will relax and maybe take a nap while I prepare dinner. I'll take care of it." Tom says.
"Thank you Tommy." Hermione says.
"Don't call me Tommy." Tom says.
Thirty minutes go by and Martin calls Hermione up to the front desk. The pretty witch from earlier is staring at Hermione. She begins to feel uncomfortable. Like she is being heavily scrutinized.
"We have your results from your NEWTs and your OWlS. You got outstandings on everything except Defense against the dark arts which you got an exceeds expectations. Congratulations Miss Granger you may now take your college entrance exams." Martin says.
Hermione goes back into the testing room. Hours pass. Eventually Hermione completes her test and hands it in. It is now eight pm. Hermione walks back to Tom. She sits down and yawns. Hermione takes Tom's arm and they walk to one of the floo fireplaces. Hermione and Tom step into the fireplace and arrive back in Tom's manor. Hermione immediately goes to the bedroom to lay down. Tom trails behind her. Hermione lays down in the big plush bed. She feels so tired she feels it in her bones. Tom smiles at her affectionately. Tom kisses Hermione's forehead and strokes her hair. Hermione quickly falls asleep. The exertion of today took so much out her. Tom stares at her. He strokes her cheek.
"I adore you darling. My darling. I will make you food. I can't wait to see the look on your face when you taste what I make. Sleep well dearest." Tom says.
Tom took another few moments to just stare at her. She was magnificent. She was brilliant. His eyes shone with affection. She was his. He couldn't help himself. He was falling in love with the witch in front of him. Tom turned out the light and headed into the kitchen. He started preparing the shepards pie. He hummed as he worked. His girl was working hard at achieving her dreams. She had made such a huge step today. He was so proud of her. Of course if they were to ever marry she would have to stay at home but they had a while until then. Soon the smell of the cooking permeated the kitchen. As he put the shepards pie in the oven to bake he got out the book he had been reading earlier. He had been searching for a way to rid her of that horrible scar. He frowned. That woman had hurt her and she was going to pay. He didn't care if he had to go to the end of the earth he would find who hurt his darling girl and make them pay. Tom kept an eye on the oven while he read.
A few days ago he had started researching ways to stop the wound from reopening. But it was blood magic. Blood magic was very old and very dark. He had his work cut out for him. He would succeed. He had to. He didn't want Hermione to be constantly reminded of the torture she went through at the hands of that woman. His jaw clenched as he remembered the reaction of Hermione in pain. He was about to get to the next chapter when he heard footsteps. He saw Hermione had changed into a nightgown. Her hair was back to its bushy normal state. Tom looked at the time and got the shepards pie out of the oven. He cast a cooling charm on the pie. He got out two plates and two glasses of wine. Tom set the table. Hermione eyed his book. She had been too preoccupied with her studies to give it a proper once over earlier today. Tom got out a nice vintage of rose wine. It was from the 1700s. Tom poured them both a glass of wine. He cut them each a piece of shepards pie and set the plates down on the table. Hermione leafed through the book.
"This book is about blood magic? Why do you have this book?" Hermione asked.
"I am planning on helping you get rid of that mudblood scar. You don't deserve to have the constant reminder of what happened to you. You deserve peace" Tom said.
"You don't have to do that for me. It's fine." Hermione says.
"It's not fine. I will not let you go around forever with that mark on your arm. It's obscene." Tom says.
"Why, because you don't want everyone to know you associate with a mudblood?" Hermione asks.
"No, your blood status stopped mattering to me a long time ago. I simply wish to stop you from hurting. I just want you happy. I thought if I helped you remove it that it would bring you some peace of mind. I don't like to see you upset and I know what anguish that scar causes you. I am just trying to help." Tom says.
"Thank you. I didn't realize you noticed how much it bothers me." Hermione says.
Tom takes a few sips of his wine and digs into the pie. The crust is flaky and golden. The mashed potatoes are creamy and delicious. The meat is tender and warm. Hermione takes a sip of her wine and then takes a huge bite of the pie. Her eyes go wide and she moans softly at the taste. Hermione smiles. He can cook? Voldemort can cook? Who would have thought that cooking would be one of Voldemort's talents.
"The pie is good. I didn't know you could cook." Hermione says.
"I learned from the house elves at hogwarts. After eating the crap that the orphanage served for 11 years and after finally having tasted something delicious like the hogwarts food I didn't want to go back. So I learned to cook. I learned to cook without magic which was quite the challenge. I couldn't use magic over summer break so I had to make do." Tom says.
"I had no idea cooking was something you did. I always assumed you had other people do it for you." Hermione said.
"Once I came of age I considered hiring staff and house elves. I decided against it. I would miss cooking my own meals. Its very calming. Its one of the things that brings me peace. I often struggle with a chaotic mind but there are a few things in the world that bring a calming sense of peace to my brain and cooking is one of them. What about you? Is there anything that brings you peace?" Tom asks.
They continue to eat their meal. Every so often they take sips of their wine. Eventually they pour themselves another cup of wine.
"Reading always brings me peace. It just sweeps me away to another world. Speaking of reading we should go to Flourish and Blotts and use that gift card you got me. Can we do that within the next few days?" Hermione asks.
"Sure, yeah we can" Tom says.
"ooh we could even use the face masks and make it a self care day. oh, we could paint each others nails and have a real spa day what do you say?" Hermione asks.
"That is for girls. I don't want to -"
Hermione gives him the puppy dog eyes and pouts. Tom rolls his eyes and sighs. He could never resist the puppy dog eyes.
"Fine fine, we can have the spa day. But you are going to have to tell me how it works. I have never done a spa day before." Tom says.
"Yay. Thank you Tommy" Hermione says.
"I told you not to call me that" Tom says.
"You love it" Hermione says.
Hermione smiles coyly and Tom rolls his eyes. They continue eating their dinner in companionable silence. After they are done eating Tom clears the plates and casts a nonverbal washing up spell to make the dishes clean themselves.
"Now for the brownies." Tom says.
Tom combined all the ingredients in a bowl and started mixing. Hermione could see the tendons of his arm, as he had rolled up his sleeves. It was fascinating. Seeing the ripple of how his muscles moved had Hermione transfixed. Hermione stood with her mouth agape. Tom looked at her slyly.
"You are going to catch flies with your mouth open like that." Tom teases
Hermione closes her mouth and swallows hard. She brushed her hair behind her ear. A blush spread across her face.
"Its cute. You look cute when you blush. I'd like to make you blush more often." Tom says.
Hermione giggles and stands nearby waiting for him to finish mixing. Tom poured the mixture into a pan. He used a spatula. As the last bits of the brownie batter hit the pan Tom scraped the edge of the bowl and handed Hermione the spatula. Hermione took the spatula and popped it in her mouth. Tom charmed the dish to start cleaning itself. Tom put the batter in the oven to bake. Hermione hummed with the spatula in her mouth. Her eyes closed and she sucked on the spatula.
"Fuck, do you have to do that?" Tom asked.
"What you don't like my noises of pleasure?" Hermione teased.
"Its giving me ideas. Ideas I know you don't have the energy for tonight. Fuck me Hermione." Tom said.
"When I have the energy I definitely intend to. You better get ready Riddle. I am going to fuck your brains out and there is nothing you can do about it." Hermione said.
Tom approached Hermione and bent his lips close to hers. They were inches apart.
"Oh I wouldn't want to stop you love. I can't wait to be inside you again." Tom says.
Hermione snorts and slaps his shoulder. Tom pulls her into his body. Soon the baking of the brownies can be smelled throughout the manor. It smells delicious. The brownie smell wafts through the air. Tom gives Hermione a peck on the lips.
"You are tastier than any brownie. I want to take a bite out of you." Tom says.
Tom starts kissing Hermione's neck passionately. He licks her skin. Tom groans.
"Fuck darling, you are positively sinful. As if Aphrodite herself formed you from clay. Your beauty makes my loins ache." Tom says.
"Fuck Tom, if only I had the energy. The way you kiss me. oh, God." Hermione groans
"Don't moan out some other man's name. When I have my hands on your body, mine is the only name that should fall from your lips. Understood?" Tom says
"Yes sir" Hermione says.
"Good girl" Tom says.
Tom bites into Hermione's neck and sucks on it. His teeth dig into her tender flesh. He sucks and slurps and when he pulls away his teeth marks have left an indentation in her neck. They kiss. Their tongues intertwine. Hermione stands on her tiptoes to reach Tom's lips. Saliva drips from Hermione's mouth into Toms. Tom groans. Hermione moans. There is nothing but the sound of their breathing. They pull away from each other with a loud pop. They lost track of time kissing. Soon the brownies are done. Tom pulls out a captivating red dessert wine and pours them a glass.
"1697 french red. Enjoy my dear." Tom says.
Tom kisses Hermione and gets the brownies out of the oven. Hermione digs into the brownies as Tom sits down. She moans and wiggles her body in a little happy dance. She sways as she chews.
"What are you doing? You are so adorable" Tom says.
"I am just happy. I sometimes dance when I get happy. Sorry. Do you want me stop?" Hermione asks.
"If you are happy I don't intend to make you stop doing things that make you happy. If you fidget and sway while happy who am I to judge. I have my own oddness too." Tom says.
"For as long as I can remember I tend to fidget when I get happy. Is that weird?" Hermione asks.
"It isn't weird. Its just one of the things that makes you you. Keep being you darling and don't let anyone criticize you for your quirks. I love your little quirks. There is nobody in the world like you Hermione. You are one of a kind. A diamond in the sand dunes of life." Tom says.
Tom takes a sip of his wine and finally tastes the brownie. He groans as he takes a bite. The chocolate is gooey and flakey. It is decadent and rich. The chocolate chips stand out.
"Fuck me this is good. Now I know why you were making those sinful noises earlier." Tom says.
"You seem so at ease and relaxed. A nice contrast to how you usually are." Hermione says.
"I find being with you relaxing. You tend to have that effect on me." Tom says.
They eat their brownies and talk for the rest of the night. They talk and laugh and flirt. The revel in each others company.
October 2, 1945
The next day the sun dawns. It lights up the sky. Hermione rolls out of bed. She decided that she wants to get a better look at the book Tom is reading. Hermione searches the room in the dim morning light. She doesn't find the book. He must have hidden it. What she does find is even better. She finds sketches. Tom's sketches. They each have his signature on the bottom.
"Lumos" Hermione says.
The light emitted from the tip of her wand illuminates the pages. They were beautiful. They were stunning. They were each a work of art. Hermione gathered his sketches and spread them across the floor. Each sketch was meticulous. There were some of the Hogwarts castle, some of the Slytherin common room. Tom even had one of himself. Hermione sat back and marveled at his skill. She got up to make some coffee. She padded into the kitchen and giggled to herself as she prepared her coffee. Tom was an artist. Who would have thought that Voldemort had a soft side. If she would have told herself years ago that Voldemort was a talented artist and had a sensitive side she would have laughed in disbelief.
Hermione could hear footsteps. Tom kissed her on the cheek.
"Good morning love, I see you found my sketches." Tom said.
"Are you mad? I'm sorry. I was searching for the book you were reading and.. and .." Hermione stuttered.
"Hush love, its alright. I am more embarrassed than anything. I don't show anyone my sketches. I put a piece of me in every drawing; well not literally. " Tom says.
Tom hugs Hermione close and kisses her temple. Toms hands wander to Hermione's waist. He pulls her close.
"Im sorry" Hermione says.
"Don't be, I should have showed them to you sooner. So what do you think of them? Be honest, they are shit aren't they?" Tom asks
Hermione turns around in Toms arms and faces him. Her warm brown eyes meet his dark green ones. They are dark like the night sky, like charcoal, and yet their color was mesmerizing. She was always mesmerized by his eyes. His eyes searches hers. He was searching for acceptance. Tom felt very vulnerable. He hated feeling vulnerable. He cursed himself in his idiocy for keeping his drawings out in the open. Tom held his breath as he waited for her judgement. What if she didn't like them? What if she thought they were shit? Hermione giggled and kissed him. His heart was hammering in his chest.
"I think your work is amazing. You are extremely talented. I'd love to see more of them. I am surprised to see you engage in something so muggle" Hermione says.
"I normally wouldn't engage in something so muggle but Hogwarts offered art classes. I took them and I enjoyed them. It brings me peace." Tom says.
"Would you ever be up for drawing me?" Hermione asks.
Tom swallowed. She wanted him to draw her. Did she really trust him that much? The relationship between artist and subject was an intimate one. Its why he only ever drew himself when it comes to people. Tom breathed in her scent. The sweet smell of summer rain. Summer rain and apples. He could draw her. He would have to find the perfect place. It had to be perfect. Everything had to be perfect when it came to her.
"Sure, I want you in my Hogwarts robes though. Get changed." Tom says.
"Yes sir" Hermione says.
"Thank you for following my orders doll." Tom says.
Tom waited for her to change. Was he really going to do this? Would this change things between them? In some ways drawing is just as intimate as sex. Different, but still just as intimate. Tom thought back to his art classes. Yes, he would draw her and he was determined to enjoy it. Hermione meanwhile was changing into his Slytherin school robes. He had worn them recently so they smelled like him. Cinnamon and cologne. Such a comforting smell. She was excited. Her pulse quickening. Tom was going to draw her. She had never been drawn before. Hermione came out of the bedroom and Tom gathered his supplies. He whistled and hummed as they walked to a wooded thicket on the property.
"Here will do nicely. The sun is still rising. It's perfect. Just like you my little temptress." Tom says.
"I am not perfect Tom. Where do you want me? How do you want me positioned?" Hermione asks.
"You are perfect in my eyes darling. Sit down against the tree with your elbow on your knee and your head in your hand." Tom says.
"Like this?" Hermione asks.
"Perfect, just perfect hold that pose." Tom says.
With those words Tom got to work. His right hand darted across the paper. Every so often Tom would stare at her. It was giving Hermione chills. His intensity and focus. His eyes trailed across her every contour. Soon the paper was covered in his scribbles. It didn't look like a person yet. He was concentrating on her face. The line of her brow, her eyelashes and jaw. Tom was studying her intensely. Feeling the full weight of his gaze was intoxicating. Would she ever get used to it?
"You are awfully intense over there" Hermione teased.
"Don't talk. I can't afford to get distracted. Fuck, you are a vision. I don't know that I will be able to capture your beauty and power but I'll try." Tom says.
Tom focused in on her lips. They were plump and delicious. Perfect for kissing. He focused on her freckles. They were dusted over her nose and cheeks like stars that dotted the night sky. She was a beauty. She was everything. He couldn't believe she was letting him draw her. This moment would always be precious to him. He focused on her shoulders and the curve of her breasts. They were buried underneath all that fabric. His eyes were drawn to her thighs and then her calves. The drawing was finally starting to look like a person. Hermione sat staring at Tom. He was being so intense. His bit his lip in concentration. She wanted to laugh but Tom had told her not to move and she didn't want to disobey. It was a direct order after all. His brow was furrowed, his eyes darted back and forth as he sketched her. The charcoal flying across the page. What was he thinking? Tom meanwhile was putting the finishing touches on her hair. It always crackled with power. He loved her hair when it was like this. Natural and untamed. Just like her. He would tame her though, she was his.
"Done" Tom says.
"That didn't take long" Hermione said.
"An hour or two at most" Tom said.
"Come look at it. I think its my best work." Tom says.
Hermione got up and walked over to Tom.
"Oh Tom, it's lovely. You even got my freckles." Hermione says.
She sits down on Tom's lap and kisses his cheek.
"I drank in every inch of you. Do you like it?" Tom asks.
"I love it. You really captured me. Me and my bushy hair" Hermione says.
Tom laughs and buries his face into her hair. They spent a while just holding each other as the new day dawned.
October 3, 1945
The next day Tom and Hermione are wandering around in Flourish and Blotts. Tom has an empty basket waiting to be filled with books. Hermione quickly wanders over to the romance section. Tom catches up with her and raises an eyebrow. Hermione blushes fiercely. Her normally charmed hair was as bushy as could be. It made Tom smile. Hermione was looking at a book.
"Really Hermione, I never would have taken you for liking romance books. I thought you would like to read magical theory books." Tom says.
"I happen to like a good love story. It's rather a guilty pleasure of mine. You have no right to judge me." Hermione says.
"Me, judge you over your taste in books, never." Tom teases.
Hermione places a couple romance books in the carts. Tom picks up a book. On the cover of a book is a shirtless wizard with a witch in muggle clothes.
"My Sorcerer, My Lover" Tom drawls.
"You can't seriously find this interesting. what's this one?" Tom asks.
This book has a picture of a woman with a cherry in her mouth and she is tied up with silk and she is blindfolded.
"Its a book series about a brooding bad boy, he stalks this girl and becomes her dominant. Its a classic. I lost my copy in 1995." Hermione says.
"Weren't you a little young to be reading these kinds of books, besides you want someone to stalk you? You like that behavior?" Tom asks.
Hermione scoffs and rolls her eyes.
"My friend Ginny and I stole our mothers' copies if you must know. I was quite young. I was 14 the first time I read Damien. I am allowed to have my guilty pleasures am I not? Besides surely you have read romance books before." Hermione says.
"Nope, not my thing. You are the only thing that sparked my interest in romance." Tom says.
Hermione slipped another book into the basket.
"Besides, I figured the smut in these books could give us some ideas for our own bedroom exploits." Hermione said.
Tom looked at Hermione curiously. His lip curled up into a smirk. Hermione felt her stomach flip. She loved his smirks. They made her knees weak and chest heave. Tom wrapped one arm around Hermione's waist and stood close to her. She could feel his breath on her neck. His aroma filled her senses. Merlin did he have to be so seductive?
"You are saying you want to use these books as inspiration for our nightly rituals. Am I not enough for you darling?" Tom whispered in her ear.
"Of course you are enough for me Tommy. I just thought... we could reenact some spicy iconic scenes. I thought you would like that." Hermione says.
"Don't call me Tommy, doll. I am certainly warming up to the idea. As long as your book boyfriends know their place. I am the only one who can satisfy you. I am the only one who gets to make you cum. From now on and always. I am the only man who gets to touch you. I am the only man who gets to see your legs spread with my cum dripping down your thighs. You are mine doll. Mine. I own you. Say it." Tom says.
Hermione turns around and sees the look in Toms eyes. There is desire and hunger but also something else. Insecurity perhaps. It made her feel a strange emotion knowing that she had caused him to be insecure. Tom's eyes were blazing. Their dark green depths were enchanting and mesmerizing. Tom slid his hand around her neck. The cold metal from his rings burned her throat.
"Tom we are in public." Hermione whimpered.
"I don't care. I demand that you tell me I am better than your stupid book men. I command it!" Tom bellows.
Their eyes meet and Hermione sighs. He didn't want her to know, but his confidence had been shaken. Why should she be seeking out other men? Even if they were fictional? He should be the only one who got to bring Hermione desire. It made his heart ache. He was her dominant. What if he wasn't enough for her? What if she found someone else? She wouldn't seek out other men if these fictional men weren't enough would she? He was normally confident, bordering on arrogant. Yet, seeing her look fondly on these covers of shirtless men made him feel; dare he say it insecure. He wasn't insecure. She was his. Tom's grip on her throat tightened. He stared down at her hungrily. He brought her in for a claiming kiss. Their lips were on fire. The kiss said it all. Hermione stood there, her head growing dizzy from Toms kiss. Hermione gasped at the electricity that she felt as Tom deepened the kiss. Tom removed his hand from her throat and ran his fingers through Hermione's hair.
"I am yours Tom. I am yours and only yours." Hermione said.
Hermione placed her hand where Tom's fingers had been only moments before. Tom's face changed. A concerned look flitted across his face.
"I didn't hurt you did I doll? I wanted to be dominating not hurtful. Are you alright?" Tom said.
"Yes, I am alright. I didn't realize that me reading romance books would affect your confidence." Hermione says.
Shit! She figured it out. She was too smart for her own good. He had been trying to hide his insecurity. It felt too vulnerable. She was too smart, his precious girl. Tom set the cart of books on the floor and pulled Hermione in for a hug. Her scent engulfed him. Everything else faded away. The book store, his insecurities. It was just her and him. He felt as if they were drifting through time and only existed together. He had to smooth this over. He couldn't have her thinking he was weak.
"I am not insecure. You are mistaken" Tom says.
"I am not mistaken. You are insecure." Hermione says.
"Hold your tongue. Or do I need to punish you?" Tom says.
"I'm sorry sir. I meant no disrespect." Hermione said.
"That's better doll. Come, lets find you some more books." Tom says.
They spend the next few hours searching for books. In the end Hermione buys 15 new books. Once they get home the real fun begins. As they get home and Hermione puts her books away, Hermione brings out a bunch of different nail polish colors and brings out tubes of mud masks. Hermione and Tom both changed into casual clothes. Hermione squirted the mud onto her fingers and spread it across her face. She did the same to Toms. She cast a lubrication spell onto the mud to really get it to soak into their skin. Hermione sat back and described to Tom how her mother and her would get mani pedis in the muggle way and as she was describing it Tom got an idea. He decided he would pamper her for her obedience. Tom conjures the things that Hermione talked with him about. Tom spreads the salt scrub across Hermione's arms and legs and rubs them into her skin. Hermione leans back and sighs.
"Enjoying yourself?" Tom asks.
"I am being massaged by a very handsome man so of course I am enjoying myself. We could use some music" Hermione says.
Hermione wordlessly cast a spell on the phonograph in the room. Music started to play. It warbled out of the speaker. Tom grabbed a bottle of lotion and pumped it and spread lotion on Hermione's skin. Her skin was smooth and glistening. Tom casts an anti callus charm on her feet. He ran his fingers on the bottom of her feet and Hermione started to laugh.. Hermione kicked him in the face. What the fuck?
"What was that for?" Tom asked.
"Sorry, my feet are ticklish." Hermione said.
Tom smirks and kisses Hermione's feet. Tom conjured hot stones and laid them across her legs and arms. He used a sticking charm to make sure that no matter if she moved the stones wouldn't fall.
"Which color are you going to choose?" Hermione asks.
"Do you have black?" Tom asks.
"Yes, you would choose black" Hermione teases.
"What color are you going to choose?" Tom asks.
"I am going to go with a sultry and seductive red." Hermione said.
"Ah red, the color of desire. It suits you. My seductive vixen." Tom says.
"I would hardly classify myself as a seductive vixen." Hermione says.
"You don't see yourself how I see you. You ooze sex." Tom says.
Hermione snorts and laughs. The laugh makes Toms stomach flutter. He loved that he could make her laugh. Her mud mask was starting to crack. He could feel the mud of his own mask starting to crack. It was causing his skin to itch. Tom takes the hot stones off her thighs and wraps some hot towels around her legs. Half an hour later Tom takes the stones off Hermione and take the towels and begins to massage Hermione's arms and legs. Hermione looked serene. It was the most relaxed he had ever seen her. All the stress seemed to melt off her in waves. Hermione lay there basking in Toms pampering of her. She knew he didn't have to pamper her the way he did. It was still nice to see him trying so hard. Tom paints her nails a delicious red. It was a seductive color and it made Tom shiver. He wasn't very good at painting nails. He had gotten the nail polish on her skin. It caused Hermione to giggle. He was trying and that was what mattered.
Tom cast scourgify on the areas outside her nails. As Tom held her hand in his he marveled at how smooth her skin was. Tom painted Hermione's toenails in the same way he had done her fingernails. It was messy. Hermione didn't mind. It was cute actually. Seeing him attempt something new made Hermione feel proud. She felt proud that he was trying to do an activity that she enjoyed even if he didn't exactly like it. Tom meanwhile started humming as he worked on Hermione's feet. He loved taking care of her. It was becoming his purpose and his drive. It was terrifying how much power she held over him. She could order him to do anything and he would happily comply if it made her happy. It scared him. He shouldn't be head over heels for her. Love was dangerous; it was a weakness. It made him frustrated. Tom cast a drying charm on her nails.
Tom sat down in a chair near Hermione. Tom hands Hermione the black nail polish. Hermione takes the nail polish in her hands and a smile spreads across her face. It brought up fond memories with Harry. She and Harry would sometimes rock out to green day in the Gryffindor common room. The would headbang together. Harry had to explain to Ron what rock was. It was a precious memory. Hermione smiled again but this smile was tinged with sadness. It seems everything reminded her of her friends in a way. It made her heart ache.
"I never took you for an emo boy" Hermione teases.
"Emo boy? What is an emo boy?" Tom asks.
I have always had a thing for emo boys. The eyeliner especially. It just does something to me. Emo is a type of subculture that arose in the late 1980s and early 90s when I was growing up. It was a big thing in the muggle world. It is also a type of rock. My mum never let me dress emo and I resented her for it for a while. Can I put eyeliner on you?" Hermione asks.
They took off their facemasks and wiped their faces. Hermione beamed. Hermione went into her makeup bag and brought out an eyeliner pencil. Tom was skeptical but if it made Hermione happy he would comply. Tom nodded. She slowly put the eyeliner on Toms eyes. When she was done she stepped back and admired her work. Tom went and stood in front of the mirror. His dark green eyes stood out even more.
"You look just like Billie Joe Armstrong. He was a childhood crush of mine." Hermione says.
"Who is Billie Joe Armstrong?" Tom asked.
"He is the lead singer of Green day. I have some of his music if you want to listen to it." Hermione said.
"First you should paint my nails." Tom says.
Hermione carefully painted Toms nails. He really was giving emo vibes and it made Hermione's heart flutter. She remembered listening to Green Day with Harry. They had such fun listening to muggle music together. It was something that they did sometimes. Ron never understood it like Harry did. She remembered Harry and her would dance together. It brought back fond memories. Memories that made her chest ache. She would never see Harry again. Tom noticed she had stopped painting. Hermione was just staring off into space while her eyes glazed over.
"What's wrong?" Tom asks.
"Its nothing. I don't want to talk about it. Sorry. I got lost in my thoughts." Hermione said.
Hermione continues to paint Toms nails black. Black like his soul. Hermione cracked a smile at that thought.
"You just like bad troubled boys don't you. You have such a savior complex." Tom teases.
"Shut up" Hermione says playfully.
Hermione goes into her purple extension charm bag and digs out a muggle cd player. It still had one of Green Days albums in it. She hands Tom the headphones. He looks confused.
"These are called headphones. You put them on your ears so you can listen to the music. Here." Hermione says.
Hermione puts the headphones on Tom and presses play on the cd player. As Hermione watches Tom she wonders what a man of his time would think of rock music. Rock wasn't even invented yet in his time. Tom started bobbing his head along with with the music. Hermione started cracking up. Tom started headbanging. It was the most ridiculous thing. Tom was rocking out hardcore. He was swaying his hips and dancing. Hermione covered her mouth as laughter burst forth. Harry was always an awful dancer too. Tom on the other hand was a good dancer. Tom had his eyes closed and was swaying to the music. Tom took off the headphones.
"Do you have more of this kind of music? I have never heard anything like it before. Its rather invigorating." Tom says.
"I have a couple of their cds yeah." Hermione said.
Tom hands Hermione the headphones and cd player. He walks into the bathroom and casts a spell lighting candles and conjuring rose petals. Tom begins to draw a bath.
"How about a bath to relax my dear?" Tom asks.
Hermione began stripping off her clothes and climbed into the bath. The water was warm but not too hot.
Fuck, she was a goddess. He would worship her for the rest of their lives. He was never letting her go. Even if she wanted him to. Tom quickly undressed and slid into the bathtub behind Hermione. Tom wrapped an arm around Hermione's waist and kissed her neck.
"We had a very productive day didn't we. But it was still relaxing." Hermione says.
"Indeed my pet we did." Tom says.
"Your pet, really Tommy?" Hermione teases.
"I told you not to call me Tommy." Tom says.
"If you get to call me pet I get to call you Tommy deal?" Hermione said.
"Fine, my pet. You are lucky I care about you so much. If anyone else talked back to me the way you do they wouldn't live to see another day. Now where we on our discussion on the origin of the patronus charm." Tom says.
They spend the next few hours soaking in the tub together just enjoying each others company.