To a Better End

Chapter 23

October 2nd 1943

Hermione's relationship with Tom had progressed in the smallest of ways. Tom had gone from offering his arm to Hermione to offering his hand. Instead of waving and smiling as they parted ways for her apprenticeship, Tom would give her a simple kiss on the lips. He had even taken to sitting across from her for most meals so he could admire her, much to Malfoy's chagrin.

Hermione had worn the chain with the ring on it every day, taking care to remove it before bed, even on nights when she knew she'd be restless. Her fear of him being able to access her mind while she was at her most vulnerable allowed her to keep some semblance of common sense, even if he did have her swooning daily.

Dru had all but gushed about how romantic Tom was and how gentlemanly she found him. Walburga, still a woman of few words, simply nodded along while reading her book. Hermione could have sworn she caught a hint of a smile at one point.

Rather than allowing herself much-needed sleep, Hermione obsessed over casting diagnostic upon diagnostic on her ring, favouring answers over the little rest she got each night. She was able to confirm that it already harboured a part of his soul and that there was, in fact, a curse on it. It was an intricate one, meant to curse any wearer besides the creator or the official recipient of the ring. It would still curse Albus but would never harm Hermione.

Breakfast was spent mulling over her gathered intel; she was so involved in deep thought that she didn't hear the owls delivering the morning mail. When a large box thumped onto the table, threatening to catapult the platter of scrambled eggs onto a group of second years, did Hermione snap out of her reverie. The box was accompanied by a letter, which fell beside her untouched plate of bacon and eggs.

Inside the envelope was a scrap of parchment which read "for my date". After tearing through the brown paper, Hermione was met with black lace and tulle, with a matching silk mask.

"Fancy, Granger," Malfoy said sourly before getting up, leaving his morning tea unfinished.

Hermione returned to her room with the box; she was barely able to secure it closed once it was opened. When she was in the safety of her empty room, she pulled the dress out to have a look at it.

The top was all lace high collar that had a closure in the back of the neck. It was open in the back, just enough to reveal the centre of her upper back. At the waist, the lace began to transform into layers of soft tulle with a silk underlayer. It was gorgeous.

Just as she grabbed the mask and sat on her bed, Hermione was startled by the abrupt entry of a very excited Druella.

"HERMIONE!" Her voice bounced off the walls.

"Dru..." Hermione responded hesitantly.

"Let's see this dress," the blonde witch picked up the dress without waiting for Hermione's permission. "Oh Merlin, it's beyond lovely. Has a sort of hauntingly enticing feel to it. Oh, and I have just the heels to pair with it. You'll look so stunning!"

Druella went on for a few minutes about how she was going to do her makeup and hair. Hermione caught a few words but found herself in a haze once again. Last year, she promised him a dance. And this year, Tom was courting her and sent her an extravagant dress to wear as his date. What on earth would come next year?

*****

October 31st 1943

Hermione received a letter a few days prior from St Mungo's that she needn't show up on Monday to her apprenticeship. They had given all the students they had the day off, knowing very well that most of the older interns they had would end up drinking more than they should and didn't want to administer a plethora of hangover potions.