Out of Time

Hogsmeade

Tom woke Saturday morning feeling good. Things were going his way, he was about to take his OWLS and would be staying at Malfoy manor over the summer holiday. Hermione was exactly where he wanted her, and Draco and Harry were acting much better. It had taken one good round of crucios to right their attitudes.

He made his way to the washroom, getting ready for the day. He had a wager to win after all. He made his way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. He had hoped to see Hermione while eating but he was sure she ate in the kitchens again.

He read the Daily Prophet Draco had given him. Tom scoured through them front to back, trying to catch up on all things non academic. While Hermione had thoroughly outlined all of the subjects he needed to catch up on, she shied away from current affairs.

That was fine, he could find this all out on his own of course, he wasn't an imbecile. He set the paper down and turned to look at his small group.

"Hermione will be joining me today in Hogsmeade, you will not make her feel unwelcome. If you do, you will answer to me." He said, all emotion gone from his voice.

"Sure." Draco said the rest nodded

"Make sure Potter knows as well."

"He will." The blond assured him.

Tom stood to leave, he wanted to relax before he met with Hermione. He mad his way back to his dorm and laid on his bed, he had his diary and laid it on his chest. The magical pulse of it soothed him.

Hermione was a mess. She felt as if she would vomit at any second. She woke to all of the girls going crazy with what to wear, how to fix their hair, who was escorting who. When she started to get ready to go, the girls were looking at her as if she had grow a second head.

"Are you going Granger?" Lavender Brown asked.

"Yes, I was asked to go." She replied

"Who asked you?" The girl sounded surprised.

"I guess you will have to wait and see." She spat back.

Hermione may not be the most popular or the prettiest, but she wasn't awful. The tone Lavender took had felt insulting.

Hermione fixed her hair, making it relax some, and decided on a summer dress and cardigan. She pulled on a pair of ballet flats and made her way down to meet Tom.

She stepped out to the courtyard and smiled. There he was, the sun seemed to shine only on him. She walked up to him.

"Are you sure you still want to go with me? It's not too late." She half-joked.

He turned and smiled at her. She looked beautiful. "I'm glad you didn't chicken out." He leaned in and whispered, "You look amazing."

She felt the blush heat her face. "Stop that." She lightly slapped his arm.

The courtyard had begun to fill and the prefects started escorting groups down. Tom grabbed her hand and walked with her. Hermione was sure she die of embarrassment. It felt like everyone was watching her. She glanced around, they were watching.

Tom didn't seem to mind, she noticed. They reached the small village and Tom walked them to the book store, Tomes and Scrolls.