Breaking Hermione

Dark Delights

Rain hammered against the tiny window near us, and I thought longingly of being in bed cosy and warm with a book. But sadly for me, this wasn't going to happen for a long time since I was still trapped in Headmaster Dippets old office at a Dinner party with the brooding bad boy Tom Riddle.

I stood slowly, my legs tingling after sitting down for so long. Tom was already standing, looking down at me like I was some piece of dirt he'd just kicked off his shoe.

"If I find this conversation has reached others you will be sorry." He promised.

"I will be sorry?"

I raised my eyebrows, crossing my arms across my chest defensively. Only moments before he'd just told me that he'd wait until I was ready to kill people. I couldn't handle him at all.

"More threats." I said blandly. "What will you actually do to me if I did tell someone? Like what else do you actually have up your sleeve-"

It was more curiosity that made me open my big mouth, and before I knew it Tom's dark eyes were flashing scarlet with danger. You're pushing it!

"I could seriously hurt you. Even more than I have." Tom's voice was very low and very soft, a deceptive lure while the rest of him emitted terrifying waves of anger. "Since you don't seem to be showing me much respect how about I give you a little more of a taste of just what happens when I get pissed off ?"

As silent as a shadow he moved out from behind the table, his tall figure approaching me with the slow, easy grace of a predator. I felt my eyes widen like a frightened gazelle. We were alone, no one was down this end of the office.

"What are you going to do?" I asked. I licked my lips which were suddenly dry.

"That's for you to find out." Tom said dangerously. "You wanted to push me by opening your mouth and provoking me. What? Don't look at me like you're going to fucking cry. You brought this on yourself."

I could almost envy how easily he seemed to get the upper hand of every situation, leaving me in the dark and clawing the walls for an escape which was never there. I blinked rapidly. "I was just asking, Tom-"

"And I was just saying." He adjusted his tie, walking slowly past me so I had to turn to face him. "I suggest you be very careful over the next few days." He threatened.

"Why? What are you going to do?" My mind was racing with all sorts of hideous possibilities. Would he steal my memories again? Hurt one of my friends?

"Nothing too extreme."

Tom's voice was edged in amusement. "I have power and authority in this school, Hermione. All of these puppets, did you ever think about who was pulling their strings? It was me. All along. I hold a great deal of power over many people. And if one thing is for certain, by the end of this you are never going to want to contradict me ever again."

He turned so his face caught the light of an overhead candelabra, shadow breaking across his face as he stepped away from me. "You'll see in the end just who's the smarter one out of the both of us Hermione. And I can promise you this. It won't be you."

"Tom my boy!" Slughorns untimely presence made me jump out of my skin. "There you are..." Tom didn't even flinch as Slughorn approached, slamming his hand down on his shoulder with a drunken smile.

"Enjoying the festivities are we?" He boomed.

"We are." Tom's eyes locked on mine. Don't say a word.

"How about you Miss Granger ? Are you enjoying yourself?" Slughorn turned to me, a good natured smile on his face.

"Yes, Professor." I lied. "I am."