"These violent delights have violent ends.

And in their triumph die, like fire and powder Which,

as they kiss, consume."

- William Shakespeare

Chapter Five: Owls

Hermione seethed, hot air firing through her nostrils as she threw a kitchen knife at a wooden post in her backyard. Walking over, she extracted it with a huff and stalked back over to her spot to throw it again. She had been out there for hours, the night prior processing through her head, filling her with a rage that needed to be let out. Where do pureblood socialites in the 40's go to let out their anger and frustration?

The bars in their own homes…

With every thud of the knife in the wooden post, she imagined it was Tom Riddle's fucking face. His face that was next to her, his wand pressed against her chest. She could still feel his cold breath in her ear as he spoke to her, feeling the faint touch of his lips against it. The plan was working. Hermione knew she had already started getting under his skin based on how tense he was acting during dinner. He wanted to know more about her, that much was obvious. The feeling of being under his skin so much in just a few shorts days should feel like an accomplishment, but her insides were raging.

Stuck at a table, drinking, and sharing food with people that if they knew who she really was, they'd spit on her while killing her, calling her a mudblood. Laughing and sharing glances with Alphard to get under Riddle's skin was all for naught. The monster didn't even look at her once during the evening after their secret confrontation. When she let Alphard lead her back into the sitting room, he was already sitting there, drink in hand, conversing with his cohorts like nothing had even happened. It was like she didn't exist to him for the rest of the evening.

Hermione knew it was all a façade.

She didn't let her side glances to Riddle be noticed, but she spotted him white knuckling his glass throughout the evening. Curious body language for a king among his subjects.

Little fox.

His voice rang in her ears. He was mocking her. Cornered her like an animal being hunted, like a fox. The feeling of his dark magic wrapping around her, dragging her away, sent chills down her spine. His magic was strong and pulsating. It could be felt by touching your skin. The darkness emanated from him in that room, enveloping her and everything around them in his shroud of dark magic.

The freedom fighter couldn't be held back as he threatened her, holding her at the end of his wand, feeling trapped. Recalling how rigid Riddle went when Hermione dared to press her lips against his ear, the smell of his hair and how smooth it felt against her lips, and how tall he was, bending him down to her by his collar, set a wave of heat up her neck and immediately made her feel flustered.

She growled out and threw the knife as hard as she could. The knife landed on target, going through the wood and clean out the other side at the same time a bell chimed from inside her home. Glaring at the knife, she turned and stalked back inside, finding a post had been delivered through her mail slot in the front door. Muttering a silence Revelio over the letter, it didn't seem to have any hidden messages or threats.

Dear Miss Vulpecula,

Please pardon my intrusion. I inquired to Miss Parkinson of your address to

send a post to since I was unable to last night before you left. I would like

to extend my offer to show you my family's estate and our vast library.

You needn't worry about implied favors or meanings. I would just love to

would just hate to deprive a fellow reader a chance to indulge in their

favorite hobby. Please let me know when you are available at your earliest

convenience.

At your service: Abraxas Malfoy

Hermione snorted at Abraxas' obvious attempt to seem like just a friend. Although he didn't leer at her a second time, the first still left its impression. The feeling of stepping foot in that damn manor made her feel sick but she knew it had to be done. It was clear throughout the entire past evening that Abraxas Malfoy was the confidante of Tom Riddle, and she couldn't pass an opportunity like this up. He wanted to get closer to her and she was going to let him. She had to reply to him soon and looking at the clock, Hermione was suddenly grateful that to get to the owlery in Diagon Alley, you had to walk past Knockturn Alley.

The street was dimly lit and quiet. People making their final purchases as shops closed up and trying to get home. The setting sun set the sky on fire and Hermione briefly let herself enjoy the benefits of her new reality as she couldn't remember the last time she noticed the sunset. A pang went off in her heart as she thought of Draco and Harry, wondering when they last got to enjoy a sunset and hoped they were doing well in whatever new reality was slowly unfolding for them.

With her head still tilted up looking at the sky, she accidentally bumped into someone, dropping her letter addressed to one, Abraxas Malfoy.

"Oh, I am terribly sorry", she muttered bringing her head down from the clouds, bending over to pick up her letter, but not before a pale hand reached out and snatched it from the ground. Looking up to see the person she had offended, Hermione had to fight the smile that threatened to appear on her face.

"Miss Vulpecula."

Tom Riddle eyed her suspiciously as he fingered the envelope in his hand.

"What is such a pretty, young witch doing out so late?" he asked, quirking an eyebrow, the corner of his lip lifting to mock her.

Casually walking past Knockturn Alley at the time Borgen and Burkes closed hoping to run into you.

Hermione smiled politely before extending her hand," Just delivering a letter. I don't have an owl yet, so I have to use the local owlery. If you don't mind?"

Before handing over the letter, she watched his eyes graze over who it was addressed to and saw his jaw clenched, his pressing into a frown. His eyes focused on Hermione as he continued to hold onto to the letter.

"Why are you sending a letter to Abraxas?" he asked. Hermione's heart sped up as his eyes poured venom into her.

"If you must know", Hermione reached out for the letter, but Riddle pulled back, and actually smiled at her attempt to reach it, holding it past him above her head," He sent me a letter a little bit ago asking if I'd be free to come see his family's library and I am sending my response."

She reached for it again, jumping towards it and he actually laughed, holding her back with his hand. Their eyes met and Hermione's cheeks instantly turned red at how charming and boyish he looked when he was smiling. His eyes sparkled and his teeth were perfect. He looked so much more relaxed and younger when he smiled, even good looking. The thought immediately upset her, and she backed up from him drawing her wand. Catching her movement, Riddle had his out in a flash, his smile gone. Although their wands were not pointed at each other, the tension became thick.

"Accio letter", Hermione said, and it fluttered towards her. Unfortunately, she underestimated how quick he was and snatched it back into his hand.

"Damn, you! What do you want?"

"Such language from a socialite", he smirked at her," Here's the deal. I will give you this letter if you let me accompany you to the owlery and back home."

"No thank you", she flared at him," I am perfectly of getting there and back myself."

Riddle inhaled sharply, making a hissing sound with his tongue like he was scolding a child," See, I don't think so little fox. Look what misfortunes have already fallen upon you. You were too busy looking up at the sky, which is now dark mind you, and you've already lost the letter once."

Hermione rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

"So, if you want this letter to get mailed", he turned and started walking towards the owlery," I suggest you keep up."

"Why is this so important to you anyways?" Hermione asked as she caught up next to him, his black cloak flowing behind him. She had worn her cloak around her as well, wearing black tights the peaked underneath it, with ankle boots.

"Why is what so important to me?" he kept his head straight ahead, but his eyes slid to her.

"Me spending time with Abraxas", Hermione stated like it would have been obvious.

"It isn't important to me", Riddle replied, his voice monotone," I just think you should be careful with what you get involved with."

"Oh, trust me", Hermione scoffed," I am well aware of who I am getting involved with."

She regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth, but it couldn't be helped now.

"You would think two people who were involved would use each other's first names", he commented," It seems Abraxas still doesn't know yours."

Hermione knew that wasn't what he meant. She wasn't stupid. He was referring to them and this unspoken tension between them. Tension to him, she was sure was just him being curious about her, but for her, was wanting to massacre him where he stood. They reached the owlery and he gestured for her to go first. Reluctantly she accepted his gesture, rolling her eyes as he bowed slightly waiting for her to walk past him. His smirk was her response. They slowly started their ascent.

"I suppose he doesn't know my first name", Hermione appeared like she was pondering his statement," I suppose one could just ask what they want to know though. You know, like an adult."

Hermione hoped her comment stung because he didn't immediately respond, but she could feel his glare at the back of her head. When they reached the top, he passed the letter to her hand, his cold fingers grazing her palm. She walked over to an owl and tied it to its leg before handing it a treat.

"Thank you very much for your service", she smiled at it and watched as it flew off.

"You are very polite to thank an owl", she heard him comment from behind her.

She turned to smile at him," Why not be nice when the opportunity presents itself?"

He said nothing but stared at her with a blank expression. Although there were moments when his face seemed blank or impassive, it was always his eyes that were showing emotion. Hermione didn't know the color black to be able to show anything, but she was so wrong. Every emotion of his could be felt through his stare and right now, it was observing her. Shifting from foot to foot, she started to head towards the stairs to go down, walking past him.

"So, you still walking me home or are you just going to stand there and work at the owlery?" she teased, turning to him on the top step. He smirked at her joke and started to walk towards her.

"I suppose that was part of the deal."

They walked in silence towards her home. Hermione's heart was thumping hard at the reality of Tom Riddle now knowing where she lives. She couldn't imagine he would do much with the information or threaten her in her home, but it still would be a mark against her and tip the scales in his favor. She would have to get to know where he lived.

"Where do you live?" she said as they walked down her street. Her home now coming into view.

"Planning a visit?" he smiled at her, his hands in his pockets.

"Fair is fair", Hermione reminded him," A home for a home."

"I suppose that would be fair", he replied like he was contemplating it. He turned to her smiling, his eyes glinting with mischief," But I don't ever play fair."

Hermione frowned at him causing him to laugh," I'm sure you'll find out one day. Don't be in a rush to find things out."

What the fuck does that mean?

"Well..", Hermione sighed," This is me."

They stood in front of the pathway that led to her door, Hermione turning to face him.

Merlin, this is awkward.

"I suppose it would be the polite thing to thank you for escorting me safely", Hermione stated, her eyes focused on his cloak buttons, refusing to look at his eyes. Her heartbeat was in her ears as her thoughts swam in her head.

Kill him. Kill him now. No one is here. But he was nice. You need the horcruxes first. His eyes.

"I suppose it would be."

She heard the humor in his voice. Daring to look up she saw that damn charming smile on his stupid good-looking face making him seem like he was human.

"In that case", Hermione inhaled deeply before casting her most innocent wide-eyed look she could muster and met his eyes," Thank you, Mr. Riddle for escorting me and making sure I got home safely."

He said nothing, but she saw his jaw tick and his nostrils flare. She took it a step further by stepping into his circle like he did hers last night.

"I enjoyed our time together more when your wand isn't pointed at me", she joked lightly, giving a small smile as she pointed at his chest where his wand was on her. His chest was rising and falling sharply underneath her finger. She watched his chest where her finger was as his pale hand came up and gripped hers. The coldness of his skin feeling refreshing against how hot she felt in the awkwardness of him bringing her home. Their hands joined together, his fingers threading through hers and gripping her hand hard.

"You may call me…" he gritted out as he gripped her hand tighter," Tom, if you'd like."

Her face completely dropped as she looked up at him quickly. His eyebrows were furrowed, and he looked like he was in pain telling her that. Her hand still clenched in his, his knuckles were white from how hard he was gripping it and Hermione was sure if she didn't have such a high pain tolerance, his grip would hurt a lot more than it did.

Swallowing the lump in her throat," Okay, Tom."

His fingers flexed.

"I suppose, you could call me Hermione." Her voice came out like a whispered and she lifted her eyes to meet his. His pupils dilated and his nostrils flared. His mouth was set in a line as he said her name.

"Hermione Vulpecula", he stated her name.

"Tom Riddle", she stated back. Hermione was sure her face was as red as that damn red throw he sold her and was thankful for the darkness of the night, hoping it concealed some of it. She felt him tug her slowly towards him with their joined hands until she was almost flushed against him. His neck bent to look down at her while hers strained up to look up at him.

"As beautiful a name as that it, I think I almost prefer", his voice came out like a caress against her face," Little fox."

His nose was almost touching hers and fear gripped her entire being. A ball of guilt started building in her throat as she stared into Tom's black orbs he called eyes that sucked her in. His being was entirely magnetic, and it felt entirely too suffocating. Hermione needed air.

"I am not a little fox", she whispered, meeting his eyes boldly. His smile was sinister as his eyes flashed at her, bringing his nose down to touch hers.

"Then why do you I always seem to trap you like one?" he told her as his eyes flicked down to her mouth and before she could stop him, he pressed his lips into hers, hard.

Hermione's eyes closed and as she felt the softness of his lips, her eyes flashed open in alarm and the taste of bile filled her mouth. She raised her hands and pushed hard against his chest, his lips detaching from hers. Without looking back, she ran inside, locking the door behind her and had her wand in hand in case he ran after her. Tears instantly flooded her eyes as her hand flew to her mouth in horror. His lips were on hers. She wanted to get into his close circle, but she didn't think he'd ever make a move on her like that, quite so quickly. Breathing hard, Hermione looked through the peephole in the door and was relieved he was no longer there.

Sliding to the floor, her body shook as tears flowed out. Hermione sobbed, images of her friends and family in her mind and how disappointed in her they would be. How disappointed Draco would be in her and how she had to go to his damn family's manor the following day. Hermione wouldn't remember when she fell asleep on the floor in front of the door, but what she did remember was her thought before going to sleep was how soft Tom Riddle's lips felt.

xoxo