Timeless Charm (Tomione fanfic)

Chapter 12: Blooming Desire

The first rays of sunlight filtered through the windows of Hogwarts, casting a warm glow upon the castle's stone walls, Archon Malfoy made his way down the hallway, his footsteps echoing softly in the early morning stillness. As he turned a corner, he caught sight of Tom Riddle and Hermione Granger walking side by side, their figures silhouetted against the golden light streaming in from the windows.

A pang of jealousy surged through Archon's chest as he watched the pair, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly as he observed their easy camaraderie. He quickened his pace, determined to confront them and discover the reason for their early morning excursion.

"Tom, Hermione," Archon called out as he approached them, his voice tinged with false concern. "Where have you two been at such an early hour?"

Tom glanced at Hermione briefly before turning to face Archon, his expression guarded. "We took a stroll in the forest," he replied evenly, his tone giving nothing away.

Hermione nodded in agreement, her gaze steady as she met Archon's eyes. "I couldn't sleep, so I thought a walk in the fresh air might help clear my mind," she explained, her voice calm and composed.

Though his outward demeanor remained composed, a simmering rage bubbled beneath the surface of Archon's facade. His fists clenched involuntarily at his sides as he struggled to contain the jealousy and frustration that threatened to consume him.

"I see," Archon replied, forcing a tight smile. "Well, I'm glad to see you both back safe and sound. Perhaps next time, you could let someone know before wandering off into the forest alone," he added, his tone laced with subtle accusation.

Tom and Hermione exchanged a knowing glance before nodding in agreement. "Of course, Archon," Hermione said, her tone polite but tinged with a hint of defiance.

As Hermione briskly walked away, leaving Tom and Archon standing together in the hallway, an uncomfortable tension settled between the two boys. Archon watched Hermione's retreating figure with a sense of possessiveness, his jaw set in determination.

"You do realize, Tom, that Hermione is my fiancée," Archon reminded him, his voice tight with underlying threat.

Tom's expression remained impassive as he regarded Archon, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features. "She's not your fiancée yet," he retorted coolly. "And besides, she's not anyone's property to claim."

Archon's eyes narrowed at Tom's words, his grip tightening on the strap of his bag. "Not yet, perhaps," he conceded, his tone dripping with arrogance. "But once her mother approves of our union, Hermione will be mine."

A surge of anger flared within Tom at Archon's smug demeanor, his fingers curling into fists at his sides. He fought to maintain his composure, to resist the urge to lash out at the other boy.

"And let's not forget," Archon continued, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips, "it was you who encouraged me to get closer to Hermione in the first place. So really, you have no one to blame but yourself."

Tom's jaw clenched at the reminder, a surge of bitterness rising within him. He had never anticipated that his own manipulation of Archon would come back to haunt him in this way.

For a moment, the hallway seemed to crackle with tension as Tom and Archon stood locked in a silent battle of wills. Inside Tom's mind, a part of him yearned to curse Archon, to hurt him for daring to lay claim to Hermione. But he knew that to do so would only serve to escalate the situation further.

With a forced calmness, Tom nodded in acquiescence, his gaze cold as he met Archon's. "You're right," he said curtly.

As Tom watched Archon stride away, a flicker of annoyance crossed his features. He couldn't shake the lingering sense of unease that had settled over him since Hermione's departure. Her words echoed in his mind like a haunting refrain, stirring something unfamiliar within him.

"I want to get to know you better."

It was a sentiment that should have set off alarm bells in Tom's mind. After all, in his world, trust was a luxury he could ill afford. Everyone was a potential enemy or pawn in his carefully orchestrated game of manipulation and ambition.

And yet, despite his better judgment, Tom found himself inexplicably drawn to Hermione's words. There was a sincerity in her voice, a genuineness that he couldn't ignore. For the first time in a long while, he felt a flicker of something stirring within him, something he couldn't quite name.

His heart raced as he grappled with the unfamiliar sensation coursing through him. Why did Hermione's words affect him so deeply? And why did he feel a surge of anger at the thought of Archon laying claim to her?

Tom clenched his jaw, his mind spinning with conflicting emotions. He knew he should be wary of Hermione's intentions, of anyone's intentions for that matter. But try as he might, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something different about her, something that set her apart from the others.

With a frustrated sigh, Tom shook his head, pushing aside his tumultuous thoughts. There were more pressing matters to attend to than dissecting his own emotions. But deep down, he knew that the encounter with Hermione had stirred something within him, something that he couldn't easily ignore. And as he turned to walk away, a sense of uncertainty lingered in his mind, a nagging question of what the future might hold for him and the enigmatic girl who had managed to capture his attention.