„Miss Dumbledore, I'd like to talk to you for a moment, if you please?"
Hermione tried hard to suppress an annoyed moan. She had expected Slughorn would invite her to his Club sooner or later. That he now wanted to talk to her after class confirmed that suspicion. She forced a smile onto her lips, whispered a low "You can go ahead" to Abraxas and then turned to her professor.
Beaming and with open arms, Slughorn stepped in front of her: "I have to admit, I am beyond impressed with you, Miss Dumbledore. I've never met a woman who is so brilliantly gifted in my class. I have to be honest and tell you that I am speechless with excitement."
"Thank you, sir," Hermione simply replied. With one fluid motion she put the school bag on her shoulder while looking at him expectantly and a little bit impatiently. If he had anything more to say – which she assumed was the case – he should just say it.
"This Saturday I hold a little party for the most diligent of my students," he finally continued, not at all impressed by her lack of enthusiasm: "To be honest, I never had the pleasure to invite a female student to one of these as of yet. It appears that girls of your age are usually not too interested in potions. You on the other hand seem outstandingly educated, so it would be my honour to have you as a regular guest in our small circle. Of course you need not worry," Slughorn quickly added, "You won't be the only girl present as every guest is allowed to bring a companion to these parties. Which applies for you, too, of course."
"I am so honoured, professor," Hermione answered with a slight nod of her head. Back in her own time she had not liked these meetings, but now that she had decided to no longer try to avoid Tom Riddle, the Slug-Club might prove to be an excellent opportunity to get closer to him. The way Slughorn was cosying up to her still bothered her, but as this was good for her plan, she did not reject his offer: "Of course I will be present on Saturday, sir."
"Excellent," Slughorn exclaimed, rubbing his hands together: "You will receive a formal invitation sometime this week with further details. I am truly looking forward to this first meeting of the year. You'll be the shining light of the table."
With an elegant motion that Hermione had not expected from this corpulent man, he took her hand and placed a small kiss on it. She could not help herself, she blushed seeing this archaic gesture. Obviously this pleased her professor even more as he actually winked at her, slightly inclined his head, and then finally let her leave the classroom. Unsure of what she should make of his behaviour, Hermione shook her head. This really was the forties – in her own time a gesture like that would seem ridiculous, but here signs of respect like this were the norm, she realised.
"Who would've thought that Slughorn someday would actually invite a woman?"
She froze. Of course Riddle waited outside the classroom. During the weekend she had not seen much of him – she actually had not seen Abraxas and many of the other seventh year students, either – but of course he would not lose interested in her just like that. Fine. She could as well get used to her new strategy right now and try to make her plan work.
She gave him a cool glare: "You're waiting for me, Riddle?"
"Obviously," Tom gave back while he began walking to their next class.
Something in the way he regarded her from head to foot made her shudder. Why did she get the impression that she was a rabbit that happened to find itself in the presence of a fox? Annoyed at herself, she shook that bad feeling while placing a sarcastic smile on her lips: "How attentive of you. Thank you."
"So, will you go?"
"If my professor compliments me in such a way, I hardly can say no."
Again his gaze fell upon her on an almost testing way, but whatever he was thinking, Hermione could not figure it out. She definitely felt he was up to no good, his eyes were cold and calculating, even if his words sounded casual and innocent. So she was surprised when he finally spoke: "Professor Slughorn surely told you that we're allowed to bring a companion. I've attended alone as of now, because I never felt like taking a student who wasn't invited herself. He's told you that you're the first girl, hasn't he?"
Goosebumps ran all over Hermione's body as she realised what his words implied. Somewhere in her alarm bells went off. Why should Tom Riddle be interested in taking her as a companion? She believed him when he said he did not want to go with someone undeserving, but nothing was preventing him from going alone again. Did he decide just like herself that he wanted to get to know her more? If so, was that good or bad news? Was she just a future victims whose weaknesses he wanted to uncover? She seriously doubted that he had friendly intentions in asking her out.
With as much composure as she could muster, she replied: "And you're telling me this, because...?"
He hissed in annoyance: "I do not appreciate when people play dumb. I expect you to accompany me, of course. The most intelligent witch of the school should not go with anyone else but the most intelligent wizard."
Shaking her head she answered: "We're not one bit self-important, are we? Do not think you can bully me around like that, just because you payed me something akin to a compliment."
In the meantime they arrived at the classroom for history and the hallway was filled with other students. Riddle stopped, bowing slightly down to her, and whispered so lowly that none of the surrounding students could hear him: "You're feisty, Hermione. I do not like that. Not at all. I will give you one last chance, right here, right now. Take it. For your own sake. As you noticed, I am capable and more than willing to use different methods if I don't get my way. So. Go to Slughorn's party with me."
Hermione swallowed, her mouth suddenly felt dry. So she was right, he actually was testing her, he wanted to find out more about herself and if she did not comply, her life might be over. Great. She managed to make Voldemort mad enough in just one week that he would rather see her dead. Congratulations.
"I never said I won't do it, Tom!" Hermione replied as cold as possible. Internally, she trembled with fear, but she was determined to not let it show: "I only said that I won't let you bully me around. If you ask nicely, I might actually agree."
For a moment his gaze grew even colder and Hermione feared she might have crossed the final line after all. Then, from one second to the other, the hateful expression vanished and was replaced by a most charming smile. Elegantly, he stepped back, held out his hand, and asked for everyone to hear: "Miss Dumbledore, would you do me the honour and accompany me to Professor Slughorn's party on Saturday?"
Several gasps could be heard as the students that had not yet entered the classroom realised what was happening before their eyes. Never before had their beloved, highly respected head boy Tom Riddle given any girl so much attention, let alone invited her to the Slug-Club. Hermione was only too aware that many students openly stared at her, but that was not the problem she had to worry about just now. She did not understand Riddle's actions and that made her uncomfortable.
"It would be my honour, Mr Riddle," she finally replied with her sweetest voice while she took his hand and smiled warmly at him. If he wanted to play a game, he could have it. She would not back down. For the shortest moment her confident response through Riddle off, but instantly his smile was back again. Like Professor Slughorn did before, he placed a small kiss on her hand, before turning around to enter the classroom. He sat down in his usual spot as if nothing had happened.
Hermione felt a bit faint. His charming, friendly behaviour made her even more uncomfortable than his cold, hostile actions, as the latter was honest at least. She was happy to spot the blonde hair of Abraxas in the crowd, especially since she noticed more and more unfriendly faces around her.
"Tom invited you to Slughorn?" Abraxas wanted to know as soon as he was at her side.
Together they entered the classroom, but Hermione halted before she sat down next to Riddle: "It appears so."
"Tom has never taken a girl with him. He always told us that it was beneath him to show up with uninvited guests", Abraxas gave back, raising one eyebrow.
Angrily, Hermione snapped: "It just so happens that I am an invited guest. Professor Slughorn was kind enough to invite me after our last potions class. Why else, do you think, did he want to speak with me after class just now?"
Apologetically he raised his hands: "I didn't mean to insult you, Hermione, truly I didn't. I was just surprised. Especially when I think about how you told me that you don't like Tom. It appears to be the case the other way around, too."
"He thinks that only the smartest wizard had the right to ask out the most intelligent witch", she explained shaking her head.
Again Abraxas looked surprised: "That's a huge compliment coming from Tom."
"Somehow I doubt that he meant it in a positive way," Hermione murmured, but her attention already wandered off. She noticed that Riddle had turned around and overlooked her quiet conversation with Abraxas with obvious annoyance. His face was blank, but Hermione could sense that he was fuming on the inside. But why?
"Hermione," Abraxas whispered nearly inaudible, "you don't have to pretend to hate Tom in front of me. You really don't. I would like it and see it as a sign of your trust if you were open to me. You don't have to be ashamed of your feelings. Every girl in Hogwarts likes him anyway, and now that he asked you out, you have more reason than anyone else to like him."
"I am honest with you!" Hermione shot back indignantly, but the hurt look on his face showed her that he did not believe her: "What do you want to hear? Riddle asked me out in front of everyone. It was impossible to reject him."
Before Abraxas could reply, Professor Binns entered the room and forced them to sit down. Thankful, Hermione noticed that Riddle seemed to have decided to ignore her for the rest of the class.
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"So you made the new girl your date?"
Abraxas froze upon hearing these words from Humphrey. They sounded cold, arrogant, and derisive – a tone no one had used for a long time now when talking to Tom. Humphrey Avery of all people should know to not disrespect Tom Riddle. Still, internally he thanked his classmate, because he wanted to know Tom's motives, too.
"Do I detect disapproval?" Tom coldly replied.
Abraxas shuddered, but Humphrey obviously was not impressed – or perhaps just too simple-minded to notice how thin the ice suddenly became: "Yes, that's right."
Tom raised one eyebrow. Now at the latest Abraxas would have dropped the topic, because he knew that look: It was a certain sign that Tom had absolutely no sympathy for what the other said to him. Until recently, it had just been unwillingness to fight with his best friend that prevented Abraxas from going against Tom. After this weekend, however, and what he had witnessed together with a very small group of friends, he knew to not only respect Tom, but also fear him.
"You talked about how you needed our help on Sunday!" Avery continued hotly, but a bit more quiet now so only the three of them sitting in front of the fireplace: "You told us that if we want to help, we can't let ourselves be distracted. No women, those were your words. Either go all in or not at all. And now you start something with a girl? Bloody Dumbledore's niece of all people?"
"Oh, I see why you are confused, Humphrey," Tom replied as quietly. He sounded as amiable as ever, but Abraxas doubted that it was sincere. Still smiling, Tom continued: "You think my interest in Miss Dumbledore is of romantic nature. But you're wrong. If anyone lets his attention stray, it's good old Abraxas here."
With that, Tom let his hand fall heavily on Abraxas' shoulder. An ice cold shudder ran down his spine. Tom smiled as usual, but his hand was heavy and almost painful on his shoulder. Did Tom really accuse him of paying too much attention to Hermione?
"Our dear friend is devoted to make Miss Dumbledore feel welcome in Hogwarts," Tom continued, still smiling: "Even without my own words on Sunday, I would never have dared to pursue a girl that already caught the attention of so close a friend."
Abraxas started to sweat when he noticed the cool stare of Avery. Tom's hand still was on his shoulder, he was still smiling sweetly, and added: "As you see, no need to worry about me. I asked Miss Dumbledore to accompany me, because she is the first female student who received an invitation from Professor Slughorn. I just thought it would be right for a woman who caught the attention of our dear professor to accompany me and no one else."
"What do you want with her?" Humphrey grunted with a dark look.
Abraxas suddenly remembered how Hermione told him several times that Tom did not like her, that he actually threatened her once. He never really believed her, thought she overreacted. But now, after what he saw his best friend do during the weekend – or was Tom even his friend? – after Hermione's words before, he started to doubt himself. What if it really was hatred that defined their relationship? Had he unknowingly manoeuvred himself into a dangerous place by befriending Hermione?
"Nothing," Abraxas replied way too late, while he tried to maintain a confident composure despite the heavy hand on his shoulder. He was a Malfoy, and Tom was despite his astounding magical ability still a nobody in this world. A Malfoy did not have to bow to anyone: "She appeared to be a smart, educated student, and she already proved several times that she actually is. It never is reprehensible to make powerful allies, don't you think?"
For a moment, Avery assessed him sceptically, but then he nodded: "You're right with that. Perhaps it's not so bad to get close to someone who's related to Dumbledore. I hate that guy. That a crazy man like him is even allowed to teach is beyond me."
Contrary to Avery, Tom obviously had no intention of letting the topic drop like that. Still the hand rested heavy on his shoulder, still he looked at him with an intense, yet unreadable expression. Finally he said so quietly that even Humphrey could not hear him: "Hermione Dumbledore is not just any girl, Abraxas. You know what I am planning. I put my trust in you because you're my closest, oldest friend. I regard few people as highly as I do you. Still, I will not put my plan at risk, my future, just because you are thinking with the wrong part of your body. I will not tolerate anyone who steps in my way."
Abraxas swallowed hard, but he tried to not let his inner insecurities show: "I don't understand why you're telling me this."
"Miss Dumbledore could prove to be a stumbling block. If you aren't fully committed to me, you might be one, too."