#askkyoki

"I've loved him since we were children Ginny, and he's never seen it, never truly seen me. " Tom stopped by the door of a bedroom, hearing a familiar voice inside, one of his flat mate and childhood friend. He stood quietly at the door entrance, the door slightly ajar but he remained behind the door where they couldn't see him. His blood boiling at the idea that Hermione Granger, the girl he had been enamored with since childhood dared to love someone else.

Secretly he wondered who it was. He had dealt with the others who had tried to date her. Viktor Krum the exchange student in secondary school had been the hardest to deal with for the boy didn't frighten well, not to mention that the boy had been athletic and well built. He hadn't been afraid of Tom's 'friends'. Didn't backdown from the challenge.

No, With Krum he had to resort to more underhanded methods. He had whispered doubts into Hermione's ears, seeding doubt in her about Krum. It had taken a few months, longer than he liked, but eventually they went their separate ways, Krum leaving the UK and Hermione staying. It had been a relief; he wasn't sure how much longer he could hold back his anger every time he saw them kiss.

Now Tom had to deal with a mystery man, one that Hermione had loved since Childhood. There were two possible suspects, neither of which were worthy of having Hermione. Harry Potter was a popular guy, an orphan, like himself, who was popular with the ladies. He was Hermione's best friend and most likely culprit. Then there was Ron Weasley, the poor redheaded bastard that had constantly teased Hermione when they were children, calling her a bookworm and otherwise being a jerk to her, all in order to get her attention.

No, It couldn't be Weasley, for Weasley at least had the good common sense to know that Hermione was worth something. Was worth pursuing. Potter, however, could very well have friend zoned he and been oblivious of her affection towards him.

"Hell, if it wasn't for the fact that we share the same flat, I'd probably never see him again" Hermione continued.

Tom actually stopped breathing at her comment to her friend Ginny. Hermione Granger only had one flat mate, and Tom knew for certain that the person in question returned her feelings. This wouldn't do at all. He would have to correct this.

Tomm opened the door, his face taking on stoic expression as he entered the room silently. Ginny, who was sitting on the bed in the room facing the door looked up and paled slightly, causing Hermione to turn around herself, her face falling as she realized who was standing in the doorway.

"Tom..." Hermione started but he held up a hand cutting her off.

"Ginny, Out." Tom commanded, leaving no room for the younger girl to argue. Nor did she want to. Instead she abandoned her friend to face Tom's fury by herself.

Once Ginny left, Tom closed the door calmly, turning to look at Hermione who was still on the bed, loooking mortified.

"How long were you there?" she asked him.

"Long enough to know you are in love with your flat mate" he replied, slowly, methodically taking step after step towards her.

"Tom, I.."

"How long?" he asked cutting her off, standing in front of her. Hermione stood up from the bed.

"Tom, its not important. Please lets just forget about this" she whispered to him.

Riddle reached out, grasping her shoulders, his fingers digging into her delicate skin "How long?" he repeated, his voice gravelly.

"Since I was 13." she finally replied, tears in her eyes " Please Tom, you weren't supposed to find out like this." she whispered desperately.

"When were you going to tell me Hermione?" he snapped letting her shoulders go. Hermione looked down at her feet, giving her answer.

She was never going to tell him, would have kept her secret from him for many more years. Already she had kept this secret for 8 years.

Tom took a deep breath, calming himself and his anger, seeing Hermione's shoulders trembling. With a sign, Tom reached for her chin, grasping it and forcing her to look up at him, tear filled eyes met his own. He didn't need to search her for answers, they were plain on her face. This wasn't some sort of joke.

Using his thumb, he wiped away her tears before he leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her lips.

"You should have told me Hermione" he growled the words "8 years you've wasted." he gripped her chin a little tighter before he moved his hand to her hair, his fingers bunching in the curls as he pulled her head back, exposing her neck to him. Quietly he placed small kisses on the exposed skin, nipping at delicate surface. "8 years you left me in the dark, had me thinking that it was you that didn't see me."

"I always saw you" she whispered, whimpering as he bit her neck, moaning as he sucked on the spot, he just bit.

Tom stopped kissing her neck, ignoring her whimper of protest. instead, he leaned down and claimed her lips again, this time in a brutal kiss. He delighted in how she leaned into the kiss, his hold on her hair giving him easy access to her mouth. He stopped the kiss, pulling away from the kiss, but not before nipping her bottom lip.

"Tom..." Hermione started, but stopped at his expression.

"8 years of this you missed out on" he continued as if she hadn't said a thing. He loosened hsi grip on her hair, his hands going to her hips, bringing her body flush with his own. He saw her face turn pink and he smirked down at her " Do you know how long I have waited in the background, wanting you, waiting for you to stop wasting your time with men beneath you?" he asked her.

"No.. i don't" she whispered leaning into him.

"Since I was 11 years old. I knew you were the only one for me since I was 11 years old" he replied, looking into her eyes. "10 years I have waited."

Hermione said nothing, unsure what to say, what to do. Finally she spoke "I'm not the only one to blame, you could have said something Tom"

"How many times did I turn down another girl to spend time with you. How many times did I spend what little money i had on you, on taking you out, or buying you a special gift?" he asked her " I wasn't subtle with my affections Hermione." He growled her name. "You friend zoned me, long ago"

"I'm sorry" she whispered.

"No, but you will be" he replied as he guided her down onto the bed until she was sitting on the plush mattress. Slowly he knelt down in front of her.

"Tom what are you-" she was cut off by his hand sliding beneath her skirt, soft fingers brushing against her sensitive skin. she shivered slightly at the contact, unconsciously opening her legs slightly, allowing him easier access to her body.

"Good girl" he murmured to her, trailing his fingers up the sensitive skin to the line of her panties. slowly, delicately he run is fingers over her panties, smirking at her.

"You are soaked" he informed her with a satisfied smirk on his face, watching as her skin turned red. "All it took was a few kisses and you are already ready for me" he purred. slowly he pulled down her panties, letting them tangle at her feet, enjoying that it limited her movements.

Slowly he traced his finger down her seem, feeling her shudder under his touch.

"Tom..." she whispered weakly, her voice thick with lust.

"So wet for me" he smirked up at her "What a good girl, knowing who her master is" slowly he slid a finger into her core, watching as her eyes fluttered closed at the sensation, slowly he curled his finger inside her, watching as her mouth made a little o and she bucked into his hand unconsciously.

"Did they ever touch you like this, Dove?" he asked her wanting the truth from her. He would kill them, whoever had touched her like this, whoever else had gotten the pleasure of spending this precious time with her. Of seeing her like this, so open and vulnerable. He would kill them.

"No" she whispered the words, her eyes fluttering open "It never felt right."

"Good girl" he responded, slowly moving his finger in and out of her, relishing each soft whimper and moan.

"Please Tom, more" she pleaded softly, her breath coming in short little gasps.

He smirked at her, knowing she was telling the truth, that they never touched her like this, she was so innocent, thinking this was all he would give her tonight. Slowly he inserted another finger, watching as her eyes fluttered back shut, He chuckled lightly, watching his little dove enjoying the pleasure he was giving her. He moved his fingers in and out of her faster, enjoying the way her eyes rolled back, how she bucked into him, wanting more friction.

He smirked as he used his thumb to rub at her little bundle of nerves, delighting in the fact that she actually jumped in surprise at the contact.

"Tell me who you belong to Hermione" he murmured softly into her ear, having moved closer to her even as he worked her body like a fiddle.

"You Tom, it was always you" she replied panting as he sped up his pace, wanting to reward her, to see her come apart from his minstrations.

It didn't take long, his thirsty girl begging for more and him supplying it, until finally she went over the edge. His name on her lips like a prayer.

He enjoyed that, watching her come apart, hearing her call for him. Yes, he would enjoy this so much more than he had with other women.

Once she had come down from her high, he removed his fingers from her, smirking as she whimpered from the loss. "Don't worry Dove," he murmured into her lips, kissing her softly as the words escaped from his mouth. "This is far from over, but first, lets go home"

Hermione nodded, her honey eyes looking into his own, her eyes wide.

Tom chuckled softly as he cleaned himself up, helping her with her panties before placing a gentle kiss on her brow.

Oh yes, tonight was going to be a long night, and Tom was going to relish ever second of it.

Harry snuck a glance across the great hall, his eyes finding the body of one Draco Malfoy, for the 30th time that day. Harry had been enamored with the boy since they entered their 1st year, though he would never admit it. Unfortunately, whatever friendship could have bloomed was put into a freeze when Hermione translated what Draco had said to Ron, his only friend at the time.

It had started a rivalry between the two boys, one of which harry wanted no part of. Yet, he was a part of it, privy to withering glares and laughing remarks in French. Then put in that they were both a part of the quidditch team and in different houses? Well, there was very little room for friendship let alone anything else to develop.

Over the years, Harry's resentment to the young man had turned into attraction He couldn't help but think how handsome and pretty Draco was. Couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to kiss the prissy boy. Those thoughts were mostly unwelcomed at first, the very idea putting harry off. He was supposed to be into girls, not guys. But the older he became the more his attraction grew, and the more his understanding of his likes and dislikes grew.

That led him to today. He had spent as much time as he could with Hermione, studying French like it was going to keep him alive.

Harry stood up as he watched Draco get up from his table crossing over to where harry and his friends sat. "Y a-t-il un œuf sur mon visage Potter" Draco sneered at him.

Hermione perked up, waiting for him to get pieces of the information, but was disappointed when harry looked at her lost. "He wants to know if there is egg on his face" she said "probably because you keep looking at him." she clairified

"No--I wanted to ask you something" he said grateful that Hermione was translating for them.

"Continue alors" Draco replied

"Aimeriez-vous sortir avec e à Pré-au-lard ce week-end ?" Harry asked in french.

Draco stated at him for a minute, taking in his words "Putain de merde" Draco said pinching the bridge of his nose " your French is shite"

Harry looked at hermione who sniggered "Is that a no?" he asked Draco, feeling self-conscious.

"Oui, je sortirai avec toi." Draco replied, looking at Hermione himself for translation "Vous devrez peut-être inviter le rat de bibliothèque avec vous"

Hermione translated for him, making Harry laugh. He dared to reach out and grab Draco's hand, giving it a light squeeze "If that's what it takes then it's a price, I'm willing to pay" he told the other boy, received a squeeze of his hand back and a smile.

Hermione stated at her parents in horror at the news they were giving her. She had a twin brother who was left at the orphanage they took her from.

They had renamed her to Hermione Granger. 

“You said my name was what?” she asked again, blinking in surprise and disbelief. Surely it couldn’t be.

“Hermione Riddle dear” Jean said taking her daughter’s hand “we know it's a hard thing to come to terms with, but we couldn’t take two children and we always wanted a little girl” her mom said “We love you just as much as if you were our own flesh and blood, more even.”

Hermione squeezed her mothers hand absentmindedly, her mind whirling. Riddle was a common name. Surely it was just a coincidence. 

“What was my brothers name?” she asked

“Tom” Frank answered gruffly, worried about his daughters state of mind “I told you we shouldn’t have told her yet” he said to Jean.

“She’s 18 this year, she deserves to know” Jean responded “Hermione dear, are you alright?” she asked. 

Hermione nodded, lost in thought “I'm ok. Thank you for telling me this” she said getting up “I just need some time to process this all” she whispered.

Jean nodded” Of course honey, if you have any more questions let us know” she said.

Hermione nodded and thanked her parents before she went upstairs to her room. Once inside she closed the door and sank into her desk chair, shaking slightly.

There was no way the world was this cruel to her. She looked at the picture of herself and a handsome boy, both reading in the library. She remembered her friend Abraxas had snapped the photo while they weren’t looking. It was her favorite picture of her and her best friend, her boyfriend.

Her stomach churned as she looked at the picture, looking for similarities in their features.

It couldn’t be true, her boyfriend couldn’t be her brother. Life wouldn’t be that cruel would it?

Taking out a piece of parchment and a quill she began to write a letter to the headmistress of the orphanage that her parents had adopted her from. 

Severus Snape was not an overly emotional person. There were few times in his life where he felt strong emotions, after all, feeling made you vulnerable. There had always been one exception in his life, and that was his childhood friend, Lily Evans. She was the one person he allowed himself to care for, to love. Then she had turned her back on him. His world had turned dark, without her light to help guide him, he felt lost.

Until he met her.

He had seen her just as everyone had, during the sorting ceremony on his 6th year. She was a strange thing, withered looking, as if she had starved to death, scarred. What he had found strange was the way she held herself, as if she were ready to be attacked at any second. No one seemed to mention it, but he noticed.

He had watched as the girl walked to the stool and sat, waiting for the sorting hat, her face blank of all emotion. Most people would look apprehensive, excited, anything, but she did not. He had waited with everyone else wondering where the hat would put her. 

Finally, after 6 long minutes, the Hat shout out that the girl belonged in Gryffindor.

He had thought that would be the end of it, as he watched her head to the table, sliding next to Lily Evans, James and his crew introducing themselves to her.

It hadn’t been.

She was in every one of his classes. He was used to no one sitting next to him in potions, it was obvious no one wanted to be around the half blood slytherin, and it didn’t bother him. He was better at potions then any of these fools. So it surprised him when she sat next to him.

He wasn’t sure what he was expecting, but the comfortable silence was not it. They worked together silently, finding a rhythm that suited them. They finished the potion, and then parted ways after class. That was it.

No introductions, no mindless chit chat. She merely did the work, and went about her day.

He didn’t think it was strange until he noticed how she interacted with the other students, even different Slytherins. She would smile at them, chat about random things. She became quick friends with Potter and his gang. He assumed she had just felt she had no one else to sit next to, perhaps at that point she hadn’t been friendly with Lily or James.He could have lived with that, merely moved on with his year.

Except she sat next to him during the next lesson.

Again there was no conversation, no introductions, just silence, getting their work done and off she went. What truly baffled him was she had actually stopped and told Lily she was working with him instead.

This went on for weeks until he finally had asked her “Why do you refuse to talk to me? I’m sure Potter and his friends have told you all about me by now, so why do you sit here when you can sit anywhere else?”

She didn’t look at him nor did she answer him at first, her lips pursing in concentration as she added wormwood to the potion and stirred it 3 times counterclockwise, watching in satisfaction as it turned an emerald green. 

Finally, after what felt like forever she turned towards him, her honey eyes looking into his “Yes, they have told me about you” she confirmed “But I don’t let peoples personal opinions sway my own. As for why I sit next to you, it is simple. I don’t have to pretend with you” she turned her attention back to the potion as it had started to bubble, “I wasn’t refusing to speak with you, by the way, I’m happy to talk to you, I’m certain you can hold a great conversation, but since you did not speak to me, I was under the assumption you preferred the silence. I apologize”

He had not expected that. Perhaps he had expected her to tell him Potter put her up to it, or that she thought he was gross. He never would have guessed it was because she was taking a queue from him. She wasn’t sure what to say, so he remained silent.He hadn’t missed the smile that spread across her face. It was the first time she had smiled at him.

Hermione Granger was a mystery to him, even as the days passed and they became closer and closer to each other, He couldn’t completely understand her. They had grown close and he couldn’t help but notice that her presence and friendship kept Potter’s crew from torturing him. Not even Lily had been able to convince them to leave him alone for long.

Weeks turned into months and then years.

She stayed by his side, as she had throughout the school years, even when He joined the Death Eaters, when he told her, she stood by his side.

She did however share with him a secret she had never told anyone. She pulled up her sleeve, watching him closely as he saw the ugly slur carved into her soft flesh, the scar jagged and looked like it would never heal properly.

Mudblood

She didn’t tell him who did it to her, merely stated that was what Voldemort’s message was. Muggleborns were worthless. That to the dark lord she was nothing. Lily was nothing.

He hadn’t wanted to believe her, he was a part of something that would help him, help them in the future. She did not argue with him.

He wished he had listened.

This could have been avoided.

Dark eyes glanced at the carnage before him, his mind unable to comprehend the scene. He knew what had happened, had watched it before his very eyes.

It shouldn’t have happened, he should have protected her, but he hadn’t. He had watched, petrified by Bellatrix’s wand as she was dragged forward, tortured by the Dark Lord. Her screams in his ears. He wasn’t sure he would ever be able to hear anything else.

And then somehow, she had managed to fight through the pain, his Hermione a fighter. She had distracted her assailant long enough to draw her wand, to get into a fighting stance. He watched in horror as the woman he adored – loved battled for her life, a fierce lioness, not backing down from the monster before her.

Unfortunately she lost, her body falling to the ground in agony as the dark lord threw a curse at her, slicing her flesh.

He struggled against the magic as she stared up at the vision of death poised above her, wanting to protect her.

“Did you think you could defeat me Mudblood?” The dark lord drawled, tilting Hermione’s chin up, even as her blood pooled around her

“No.” she replied, smiling at him “But if there is anything I know, it’s that you are arrogant Tom” she spat name, as if it were poison, and the room watched in confusion as the Dark lord stiffened

“How do you know that name?!” he demanded

Hermione smiled “I know so much about you Riddle. Like where all your Horcruxes are. Could you feel them when I destroyed them? Every last one of them?”

Voldemort was shaking with fury, but Hermione continued “You caused so much damage in my time, I lost everyone I loved because of you. “ She whispered “It’s only fitting that I take this from you”

He would never forget how quickly she acted, her hand darting into her boot and pulling out a wicked looking blade, and plunging it into Voldemort’s heart.

Bellatrix screamed, running to the man they had called their master, though it was too late, he was gone. Severus was able to break the spell that kept him immobile, rushing to Hermione, Pulling her into his arms, trying to close the wounds on her body, though they refused.

“You’ll be ok. You’ll be ok” he kept repeating over and over, ignoring the chaos around them, death eaters running away. He held her close to him, her blood soaking his robes, but he didn’t care “We’ll get you help”

“Severus.” Her words were soft, weak, and he forced himself to look at her, taking in how pale her skin was “I’m not going to make it. So I need you to listen”

“You-”

“No, I won’t. That doesn’t mean it’s the end for us. I have told Dumbledore the truth, he will protect you. I am from the future, one that won’t exist now, for I changed the timeline. But, I will still exist. I will still be born. Actually… I was born in September. I checked. In 11 years I will be at Hogwarts, and you will be my potions master. Sev– I love you, I will in the future.. I promise”

“Hermione–” he couldn’t help the tears that were falling down his face, even as he still tried so desperately stop the bleeding “Please hold on”

“When I go away for good, do you promise to remember me?” she whispered, her hand reaching up and cupping his cheek, forcing him to look into her eyes “Will you still love me?” He didn’t get a chance to answer her, for just like that, her breathing stopped and the light left her eyes.

He clung to her lifeless body, rocking her back and forth repeating the same word over and over again.

Some things were meant to change, some for the better, some for the worst.

Tom had learned that at the age of ten when his father had come to the orphanage and collected him. It had been strange, going to the Riddle manor, of being away from the other children.

Part of him wondered if his father had just found out he was at an orphanage or if the man had known all along and had left him there to rot. He never asked, a part of him assuming the worst of his father.

It was easy to believe as well, the man seemed to be distant, almost as if he was put out by the very idea of Tom. It made him wonder why his father had even bothered to come get him. He received an answer almost as soon as they got to the manor.

Tom starred up mildly surprised, not having expected that his father would live in such a fine place. He felt a bubbling of resentment towards the man. All this time he lived in luxury and Tom had suffered for no reason.

"This is where you live?" he asked. Surely there was a mistake. Perhaps the man lived here as a servant.

"Where you will live as well, with myself and your grandparents" Thomas Riddle Sr answered, not looking at the boy who bore his name.

"My Grandparents?" Tom was surprised by this, had he just received an entire family in a matter of hours?

Tom Sr nodded, but said nothing more as they pulled the Lagonda LG6 into the driveway of the manor. Tom looked out the window, seeing some people gathered out front. Tom's eyes passed by them, wondering which were his grandparents, if any of them.

Tom's father got out of the car, going to his side and opening the door for him "Come on boy" he commanded, "Time to meet the staff"

Tom kept his face blank as he slid from the car. Anyone else would have felt nervous or overwhelmed, but Tom kept his emotions behind a tight mask.

Thomas Sr put a hand on the boy's back, guiding him forward until they stood before the steps.

"This is my son , Thomas Riddle Jr." the man boomed, looking at the employee "as my heir he is to receive your full respect and dedication"

There was a chorus of agreements from the staff.

"Where is Hermione?" Tom sr asked, looking through the crowd of people.

"I’m right here Lord Riddle" a girl said. Tom watched as a girl around the age of 19 came from the back of the crowd. Tom noticed two things as the girl appeared from behind the crowd, the first is she looked rather thin, her figure looking like she rarely ate, much like himself.

The other thing he noticed is the way his father looked at the girl. Tom had seen some of the men that delivered goods to the orphanage look at some of the nuns the same way. He also noticed how his father opened his arms, as if expecting the girl to walk into his loving embrace.

Hermione had other ideas, instead she stood next to Tom, smiling at him.

"Tom, this is your nanny, Hermione Granger."

"Nanny?" Tom asked, taking a closer look at the girl in front of him. Weren't nannies supposed to be older? "I'm too old for a nanny" he stated.

"Nonsense," his father stated, placing his hands on the girls’ shoulders, stranding behind her like an imposing figure. "I kept my nanny until I was 18 years old. She will be in charge of your needs, education and in charge of your budget as well.

"Budget?" Tom inquired. This was all new to him, he had his own budget?

"Yes boy, your budget" Tom Sr stated looking frustrated. Tom half expected the man to lose his temper and try to hit him, but the nanny, Hermione took a step forward, turning around to face tom sr instead, giving him a smile "He's probably overwhelmed Tom" she said sweetly, "Remember I was overwhelmed by the idea as well" she took his father’s hand in her own, giving it a light squeeze " He will adjust quickly"

Tom's father looked at Hermione quietly as if contemplating whether to punish her or not for protecting the boy from his wrath.

"Very Well Hermione, you know what is best for him"

Hermione nodded, waiting for his father to leave before she turned to Tom.

He was expecting her to sneer down at him like the nuns at the orphanage had, instead she turned a smile to him, and he noticed that it didn't quiet reach her eyes. "Hello Tom, it's nice to meet you" she said, holding out her hand for him to shake. He reached out and took her hand, secretly liking the warmth of her.

"It's nice to meet you as well" he said, watching her as she went to the back of the car, and opened the boot, pulling out his only belongings. Whatever she was thinking she kept close to her chest, cause Tom didn’t sense the normal pity or disgust coming from her. 

“Are you and my father… friends?” he asked curiously. Would this young women be his step mother?

The girl looked mortified for half a second, before she schooled her features “No, I’m an employee, nothing else” she responded

Tom nodded quietly, following the girl into the manor, wondering what all waited for him in the future.

____

Hermione was a constant figure in his life from the moment he met her. She helped him with his thirst for knowledge, knew his favorite foods and kept them on hand, despite their rarity from the war. She didn't talk down to him like most adults did, she talked to him as if they were the same age.

It was refreshing.

Hermione herself was different than most adults. She didn't look down on him because he was a kid, but there was more to it then that. She was intelligent, kind, cunning. Special like himself.

It was about a week after he arrived that he overheard a conversation between Hermione and his father. 

"We could always get rid of the boy, start anew" he heard his father say, making Tom peek into the room.

"That would be highly Irresponsible Lord Riddle" Hermione had said, looking rather uncomfortable "Plus I told you, i want to be here for Tom"

Thomas Sr took a step towards her, bringing Hermione into his arms as if they were long time lovers. He buried his face into her neck. Tom watched as the girl stiffened under the man's touch, but didn't move away.

" I've told you, Tom is special" she said the words so softly he almost couldn't hear her "Like his mother, like me"

Thomas sr stiffened, moving away from her "must you remind me of that?" he demanded.

Hermione pulled fully away from him. "It's merely the truth." She looked towards where Tom was peeking in and caught him, her eyes locking with his own. She didn't say anything though, merely looked away and continued her conversation with his father. 

Tom had left, wondering if Hermione was really like himself. If she was, then his mother might have been as well. It was an interesting concept, for he knew his father was ordinary as were his grandparents.

It was later that same night that he approached her.

“What you said to my father earlier, about my mother being special, what did you mean?” He asked her curiously, putting down the book he was reading . 

Hermione who had been sitting across from him reading her own book “ looked up giving him a stern frown “ eavesdropping is below you Tom” she commented before closing her book.

Tom didn’t answer, merely waited for her to continue. 

“Do you think I wouldn’t notice? The strange things that happen around you?” She asked him gently “ or how the other kids at the orphanage feared you?”

“How did you know-“ 

She cut him off by raising her hand “ I’ve known about you for a long time. Unfortunately I could only get to you now” 

“How do you know about me?”

“I did research on your mother’s death. She’s distantly related to my dad’s step sister. I wanted to connect our families again, but found out that she had passed, but not before giving birth to you.” she leaned forward looking at Tom “It took me two years to find your father and to convince him to bring you back here.”

Tom was surprised she was telling him the truth about his father being reluctant in taking him in, most adults would treat him like a kid, would tell him that his father loved him dearly, that he was a normal kid. Hermione didn’t seem to see him as a kid, but as an equal.

“How did you convince him?” he asked curiously. Did she threaten him or scare him into submission?

He noticed how she wrinkled her nose as if smelling something foul. 

“That doesn’t matter, what matters is that you are here now and so am i” she gave him a smile “and together we can do anything”

Tom frowned at his nanny, a little upset that she didnt tell him how she subdued his father. “Tell me how you control him” he sadi the words firmly, his fists clenched till his knuckles were white.

Hermione looked at his fists and sighed softly. “You should work on your anger, it will get you nowhere” she replied gently “ I didn;t subdue your father, everything he is doing is his own choice. He just believes in an outcome that will never bear fruit. An outcome he fabricated by himself.”

“Is that why he was talking about having another child and getting rid of me?” he asked

He noticed how she stiffened slightly” Heard that did you?” she sighed softly, “Yes, he believes us to become lovers.” she smiled softly “but you don;t need to worry about that. You won’t be having a sibling” 

Tom pondered this for a minute, feeling a sense of relief, though he wasn't sure why. Some part of him didn’t want Hermione to focus on anyone else. He enjoyed their time together, reading, conversing, and being educated. It was refreshing. He could see her with another child, playing with them, teaching them. He didn’t like it at all.

He felt it then, the thing that made him different came roaring to life. He felt the flames before he understood what was happening, the darkened fireplace between them bursting into high flames for no reason. To anyone ese it would have sent them into a panic, but Hermione just looked at the fire as if amused “YOu know, my first bit of accidental magic was turning my cat blue” she informed him.

“Magic?” he asked, watching as the flames crackled.

“Yes Tom, Magic, you have it, as do I. That's what makes us special” she gave him a smile “You’re a wizard Tom.”

“You’re lying” he replied setting eyes on her, watching her coldly “You think i’m stupid”

Hermione frowned at him “I think you are many things Tom, stupid was never included,” she replied “You don’t have to believe me, you’ll see once your letter arrives in the summer.”

“Letter?” 

Hermione smiled at him , brightly “ Yes, your letter to Hogwarts.” she responded before getting up and putting her book away “I have a meeting with your father, i’ll be back later and we can talk about it then.”