Out of Time

Back to Usual

The school year had started back with the usual fuss. Scared first years and cocky 7th years. Hermione was excited for her classes, she was sure that she would have no issues. She'd studied all this course work last year in her free time.

Tom was not entirely happy to be back at school. He did love the place, but now that he didn't have to return to an orphanage during the holidays, life was looking better. He was gathering plenty of people in his power base. By the time he finished schooling, his men would be in control.

As the school was enjoying the feast, he watched Hermione. She sat with other 6th years but spoke with no one. He wasn't sure if he liked her isolation anymore. He would have to find her acceptable friends.

Hermione was reading at the table. She knew it just alienated her further, but she didn't care about anyone's summer. She didn't care who was dating whom. She just didn't care. She enjoyed reading, absorbing the knowledge she wanted to know.

She looked up when Dumbledore finally dismissed everyone for their dorms. She put her book away and stood to leave.

"Hermione, can I walk you to Gryffindor Tower?" Tom asked, offering her his arm.

"Thank you, Tom." She said smiling up at him.

Hermione was sure everyone was watching them as they started up the staircases. Tom ignored them, his eyes only for her. She loved him. It was scary how strongly she felt for him. She couldn't tell him the depth of her affection, he'd be scared away for sure.

The thought made her feel a bit queasy. She pushed it away and focused on Tom.

"Did you hear a word I said?" He asked smiling.

"No, I was thinking." She said truthfully.

"I said I'd like for you to sit with me at meal time. No more kitchens." He said.

She felt the panic. "Tom, I don't know if I'm-"

"Hermione, I want you to eat with me, we will be fine." He stopped their stroll and turned to face her. "Please?" He asked.

Her stomach flipped, his eyes looked into hers and she'd lost the fight. "Okay, I will try." She promised.

He leaned in and kissed her. A chaste kiss, but she felt it all the way to her toes.

She blushed when she noticed several people watching them. She pulled him back to walking.

They reached the tower entrance, stopping a few feet from the portrait.

"Do you want me to meet you up here? Or at the Great Hall?" He asked pulling her up to his chest.

She couldn't think with him pressed so close. Her brain stuttered for a second. "The door to the Great Hall, if I have to go in, we go together." She said.

"Perfect." He said and kissed her again, lips pressed into hers, longer than before. He pulled away and turned to leave.

Hermione stepped into the portrait and walked to her dorm. As soon as she stepped into the room, she was bombarded with questions.

Lavender cake up to her, "Are you and Tom together?" She looked surprised.

"That's none of your business." She said walking to her bed.

They were all talking at once. She ignored them and sat on her bed, pulling the drapes closed around her. She had to eventually cast a few privacy charms on the drapes.