"If I cannot be better than them, I will become so much worse."

- Holly Black, The Cruel Prince

Chapter 8: Bubbles and Duels

If Hermione was good at anything, besides killing people that is, it was staying out of sight and hiding. Death Eaters never saw her coming when she didn't want to be seen. Shadows and darkness had become her allies, her comrades. A source of comfort when everything felt too suffocating. Like the recent violation of her sanctuary.

He had violated her home. Had violated her space and as fucked up as it was, it disgusted her almost as much as the amount of despair Voldemort caused in her own time period. Tom Riddle made her feel like a fool. Sure, he had cornered her at Parkinson's soiree and kissed her the other night, but nothing made her feel more cornered than knowing at any point he could just get past her wards she had so carefully placed and lulled herself into thinking she was safe. She was a fool. She was naïve.

Draco would be so disappointed in her lapse of judgement and letting her guard down.

She was here for one thing.

To kill Tom Riddle and by Merlin, she wanted to more than ever, especially after his recent invasion of both his mouth on hers and his person in her home.

He was suffocating her, and she knew that he knew it too. Action had to be taken. But where to go from here? Abraxas Malfoy had sent her a post yesterday inviting her back earnestly to revisit the library. A trap no doubt set up by Riddle to corner her yet again. She had briefly found peace in the soft, crinkled pages of the books in the Malfoy Manor library and now that fucker was tainting that. Hermione didn't bother with a reply. She didn't owe Abraxas anything and her hands were full already with one, Tom Riddle.

She couldn't figure him out. The sane part of her refused to believe that Tom Riddle, Voldemort, the Dark Lord himself was actually interested in her, but as her eyes cast to the rose that laid on her vanity, across from where she sat, she couldn't help but think maybe he did. Hermione had huddled herself against her headboard, her chin on her knees, as she glared between the red rose and the red throw.

Too much red.

Not her Gryffindor red.

Red like blood. Like Tom Riddle's blood seeping into the crevices of her home and her life.

Yes, she had been hiding, but also planning her next steps. They had to be calculated. The man clearly showed interest in her or else he wouldn't have kissed her, wouldn't have broken into her home, and definitely wouldn't have given her a pet name and left a rose. But is it just a passing fancy for him or a fatal attraction? It had been so long since Hermione was chased by a boy… Not that boys really chased her in school, but she knew men could be attracted to her now.

Maybe she was just a passing fancy to him. She could see how Pureblood socialites wouldn't cut it for someone like him. He seemed like he used people for his benefit just to throw them away and it would be hard to do that with the women in his circle. Maybe Hermione was just the shiny, new, mysterious plaything that he didn't want to share at the playground. It would explain why he was forcing Abraxas to invite her back to his stupid library just to prove a point. Her scowl deepened. She was not a fucking plaything for the two of them to play tug-of-war with. She had to stop being chased and needed to start doing the chasing. Abraxas gave her the creeps and as much as she hated to admit it, Riddle did have a sense of charm about him that Abraxas just did not have.

The more she thought about it, maybe this could be how she gets close enough to him to kill him. A best way to get close to a man is to make him think with his other head Hemione smirked to herself, but immediately frowned. The feeling of leading Riddle on to get close to him made her want to vomit. Every avenue of getting into his ranks didn't make sense though. He wouldn't recruit her as a prominent Death Eater without reason. She didn't have a Pureblood family legacy to get her into the ranks and she didn't have deep enough connections with any of the others yet to coast on their "memberships".

She needed to find out more about him and his habits. His black notebook was still burning in her vanity drawer. Hermione still hadn't wanted to risk opening it in case it was a horcrux even though she had a strong suspicion it wasn't. Moaning to herself, she closed her eyes and bent her head down to her knees. A migraine was threatening to make an appearance and all she could visualize with closed eyes was Riddle's dark, tendrilled magic snaking its way through her home. The boy was getting too comfortable disturbing her peace. Ripping the covers off of her, she stalked over to the rose and glared at it. She needed to get in a different way. Find another access point that wasn't Abraxas Malfoy. Crumpling the rose in her hand, ignoring the tear of her skin from its thorns, she threw it into her trash bin and sat at her vanity, blood dropping like tears onto its surface from her hand. As she reached for her stationery, she smiled at the blood coating her hand. Tom Riddle's world was going to be saturated in it.

"Miss Vulpecula!" Hermione heard from behind her. Turning, she smiled at the tall figure that was Alphard Black. Hermione felt herself immediately relax at the sight of him. It was easy to feel relaxed when it felt like Sirius was looking at you.

"Alphard, please", Hermione smiled as he stood in front of her," Call me Hermione."

"Of course,", he nodded," So, to what do I owe the pleasure? I haven't heard from you since Miss Parkinson's party. I was a little surprised to receive a post from you."

Hermione smiled sweetly at him, trying her best to seem genuine, which was surprisingly easy with someone as kind as Alphard," Well, I have been sitting at home long enough. I was hoping to be shown around the city a bit and I so enjoyed our time together. I was wondering if you were free for the day. Maybe grab some lunch or something?"

Alphard beamed at her invitation and Hermione couldn't help but smile back at him. She felt like she was a strong judge of character, and he didn't make her feel threatened and didn't feel imposing at all.

"Of course I am", Alphard replied," Please, let me show you around."

Hermione graciously accepted his elbow that he extended towards her and let him guide her further into Diagon Alley.

Alphard was nothing short of a gentleman. Had Hermione not had the constant thought in the forefront of her mind of her end goal, she could have easily been swept up in the day the two of them were having. He opened doors for her, took time to explain why he was choosing the stores he was choosing to show her, and took her interests into consideration by watching what she was drawn to. It didn't take him long to see her love of books and she was thrilled that he led them to two different bookshops that she could have easily spent hours in. Hermione was positive even if she did, Alphard would have waited patiently for her to be finished.

With her shopping bags surrounding her feet, she gazed over her menu at Alphard as his blue eyes scanned the menu half covering his face. His icy eyes glanced up at hers, making the briefest contact before Hermione lowered hers to her menu, her cheeks twinging pink at being caught staring at him. Although she was in the past, the Leaky Cauldron didn't have much different to offer than the one she experienced in her own timeline.

"I hope you don't mind that I took you here instead of some prim and proper place", Alphard smiled at her, lowering his menu to the table," I can't stand the kind of places where everyone looks to see if you used the right fork for the salad or the entrée."

Hermione laughed," No, this is completely fine. I honestly prefer this as well. I know that us socialites are supposed to want only the best, but sometimes the simpler things are the best."

"I could not agree more", Alphard smiled warmly," My mother would whole heartedly disapprove, as well as my sister."

Hermione tried her hardest not to scoff at the mention of his sister," Yeah, well, their loss. How is your sister anyways? I heard from the dinner party that she is getting married?"

Get to know the Purebloods better…

Alphard rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair," Fine, I guess. We aren't very close, and the wedding is being planned by our mother. She is marrying our cousin, Orion, much to Walburga's dismay."

"Oh?" Hermione quirked an eyebrow, feigning interest. Everyone in her own timeline knew that Sirius' parents loathed each other, and he came from a very unhappy home, but obviously Hermione wasn't supposed to know any of that.

"Is it dismay for the person or just marriage in general?" Hermione asked.

"Both", he shrugged," Walburga isn't interested in marrying him and she doesn't want to get married. I'm sure if it was to someone else she wouldn't be so hard up on it, but since it's to him and she doesn't get a choice in the matter…"

"She hasn't exactly been a joy to be around. Not that she really ever is", he laughed at his own joke, his blue eyes connecting with Hermione's.

Hermione folded her arms across the table surface, leaning against them," Is there someone in particular she'd rather marry?"

At this, Alphard rolled his eyes and looked away scoffing," Oh for sure. But it's never going to happen. Even if she could marry this one guy, he isn't the marrying type. I don't think anything, or anyone is really his type to be honest."

Tom Riddle.

That's the only person she could think of that would warrant such an answer. Walburga wanted to marry Tom Riddle. And it would be foolish to think Parkinson wasn't interested in him too based on her eyelash batting at him the other night. Although she wasn't planning anything specific with this information, it was nice to have more intel on the Purebloods around her. Information is power in this world and Hermione was going to rack up all the info she could get.

"Well, what about you?" Hermione smiled cheekily at him.

Alphard eyed her, lifting his eyebrow and smirking at her with his beautiful white smile," What about me what?"

"You know…" Hermione chuckled awkwardly," Any impending nuptials coming up for you?"

"No", he laughed lightly and shook his head," I haven't found anyone to commit to yet. It's hard when you know everyone in our society, and everyone is already lined up for marriages that were decided at birth."

"That's fair", Hermione said," I suppose I can't relate. My parents are very liberal when it comes to Pureblood ties. It really isn't a big deal over in the States."

Alphard sighed and smiled," Must be nice. My parents are very overbearing. But!"

He clapped his hands together," It can't be helped. Can I get you a drink and some food?"

"Please", Hermione beamed at him," I'll get whatever you're having."

"Really?" he quirked an eyebrow and laughed," You sure?"

Nodding enthusiastically, Hermione watched Alphard walk towards the bar and admired how elegantly he leaned against it. As much as he looked like his nephew Sirius, Hermione could definitely tell he was his own person. It didn't bother her nearly as much as how much Abraxas looked like his grandson, but that could also be because Abraxas came on way too strongly. Perhaps if Abraxas was as calm and casual as Alphard, Hermione wouldn't be so put off by him. The more she spoke to Alphard, the more she saw him instead of Sirius, which was probably a good thing considering she was definitely feeling charmed by him. But she would not get persuaded off of her course of action when things were falling together so perfectly.

"Here you are."

Alphard returned with two pitchers of a light, bubbly liquid in two tankers. Hermione grabbed the frosted handle and brought it to her face, sniffing the liquid discreetly.

"Should I ask what this is before I ingest it?" Hermione quipped, earning a smirk in return.

"I could tell you…" Alphard took a sip from his glass before placing it back on the table," But where would be the fun in that?"

Hermione eyed him sharply as she raised the rim to her lips, letting some of the bubbling liquid pour slowly into her mouth, coating her tongue. It had a pleasant fruity taste, and she felt the bubbles popping. She was sure Alphard hadn't poisoned her, but she still couldn't help being cautious as she swallowed the small amount of liquid and waited for something to happen, honing in on her body and seeing if it would react in any certain way.

"Have you deemed it safe?" Alphard laughed, a look of amusement on his face," I've never seen someone so wary of a drink before."

Hermione smiled sheepishly trying to cover what was probably looking like an overreaction to him," I have deemed it safe and it in fact tastes wonderful, thank you."

After they sipped their drinks in comfortable silence, Hermione decided it was time to bring out the big guns.

"So", she began, placing her glass down, the bubbles starting to get to her a little bit," What do you Purebloods like to do for fun around here?"

Alphard tilted his head to the side, thinking over her question as he sat his glass down," Depends on what you're wanting, I suppose. They always love to get together for lavish dinner parties and get drunk. Some like to party, some like to duel, some like to sleep around…"

His bluntness surprised her, but he said the perfect thing that she was looking for.

"Dueling?" Hermione perked up.

Nodding while taking another drink," Yeah, the dueling club. A lot of us go to it."

"Is anyone allowed to go?" Hermione pressed, her heart starting to beat faster.

"You have to be invited by a member", he told her and smiled," Why? Are you interested?"

Hermione nodded and gave him her biggest smile," Oh, yes! I love to duel, and I haven't been able to since I moved here."

"Alright", he chuckled at her and thanked their server as plates were placed in front of them. He had ordered a standard fish and chips, and Hermione was relieved at his safe choice.

"I have to tell you though", he continued as he shook salt onto his food," Not many socialites go to the dueling club. It's a mostly men."

"That's fine", Hermione shrugged. Although her act was casual, her insides were buzzing. She was so close to getting another access point into Tom Riddle's life. Another chance to rattle him like she did at the Parkinson dinner, and it was making her skin itch.

"Would I know anyone that attends this club?" Hermione tried her best to ask innocently," Like any of my new friends that were at Miss Parkinson's dinner the other night?"

"Oh, for sure", Alphard nodded as he popped a fry into his mouth," All of the men that were there that night go, especially Tom and Abraxas. Tom has a pretty strict training regime."

"Well, I would love to go", Hermione said," When is the next meeting when you're free? I'll make myself available."

"You're in luck. There is a meeting two days away at 6pm. I can meet you where we met today and I can escort you", he offered.

Yes… Fuck yes…

"That would be perfect! Thank you so much, I'm so looking forward to this."

Look out Tom. I'm coming to bleed into your life like you did mine…

xoxo