A Little Trip Through a Diary / TOMIONE (COMPLETE)

Chapter Twenty-One: Love is in the Air

'And without thinking, without planning it, without worrying about the fact that fifty people were watching, Harry kissed her. After several long moments – or it might have been half an hour – or possibly several sunlit days – they broke apart.'

_Half-Blood Prince_

The first week back at school was mundane, as ever. Typically, for Ginevra, it wouldn't be, but she had been enclosed in the school for a period of time that would cause anybody else to go insane, or round the twist. Tom and Abraxas were being as nice as normal (so, Tom was acting coldly and superior, and Abraxas didn't say much), but everybody else was ignoring her, due to her reputation as Tom's 'study buddy'. It didn't help that 'everybody else' was mainly girls.

Ginevra wasn't really sure what her feelings were towards Tom. As far as she could tell, Tom and Abraxas were far too close for her to come between them, and she didn't think Tom understood anything about love, or even desire, anyway. Even so, he still managed to upset her with what he said. It was like Ron all over again.

*

Tom knew he was attractive. He had a svelte figure, curiously dark eyes, and pale skin, like a vampire's. The girls giggled and gossiped when he spoke, and the boys gave him similarly jealous glances whenever he passed. But Tom didn't understand. He didn't understand the difference between infatuation and love, and he certainly didn't understand when Nott ran into the hall, shouting:

"Greengrass has a crush on you!"

Obviously Nott was punished, later, but at the time, Black, the idiot Black, then asked him,

"What do you know of love?"

Tom had replied coldly.

"If it is silly, stupid, hormonal young girls flinging themselves at you, I would not, and could not, care to know."

Hearing this, Greengrass promptly dissolved into tears, fleeing the hall, and was shortly followed by Ginevra.

Tom returned his gaze back to his book, but was interrupted by Abraxas' elbow in his ribs.

"Explain," he sighed, clicking his fingers.

"They're girls, you're a boy; they are now upset because they both like you. A lot," Abraxas stated emotionlessly.

"I get Greengrass, she's an idiot, but Granger?" Tom shook his head. "She's meant to be clever."

Abraxas was the one who sighed this time.

"Granger hasn't many friends, and so she's emotional, and an unsociable wreck. Also, she hasn't been out of this castle in months, and I think it's starting to play on her mind."

"Okay," Tom said slowly. "I sense I have a role to play in this. What do I do?"

"You go after Granger, and invite her to Hogsmeade."

"On a date?"

Abraxas blinked.

"She may be shocked but, sure, go ahead."

*

Ginevra hadn't cried, she really hadn't, but the words had hurt her... for some reason. Surely they must've hurt Abraxas too? After all, Abraxas loved Tom, even if it was only in a platonic way. She supposed she was feeling a bit... emotional, and it was the first week of school. Perhaps she would be fine next week, or after the next Hogsmeade visit. Oh, but then she had no-one to go with. No Harry or Ron to tag along with 'as friends'.

"Granger?"

Drat. It was Tom. She quickly pushed aside a tapestry and waited in the hidden alcove for him to go past. But it was Tom, and Tom always knew where she was.

"Granger."

It was now a statement of relief. He clearly hadn't wanted to have to search the next six floors.

"Tom."

"Why did you walk out just now?"

Hermione ran a distinctly stressed hand through her distinctly stressed hair.

"Erm, it's all been a bit much, starting sixth year. You know, free periods that you thought would actually be free, stuff like that..."

"Ginevra."

His tone made her stop.

"Yes?" She asked tentatively.

"Would you like to go into Hogsmeade with me on the next visit?"

Her heart stopped. Like, literally stopped. She took a deep gulp of air.

"I would absolutely love to, Tom," she replied at long last.

"Brilliant," he said, smiling. It was a strange look. "I'll see you at ten-thirty outside the Great Hall next Saturday."

"Yes."

She was now beaming with happiness.

"I'll walk you to your next lesson."

Why couldn't boys be this courteous in the nineties? Where had all the respect for women gone?

"I don't know," Tom said suddenly.

She looked sideways at him.

"What?" She asked, startled. Had she spoken aloud?

"I was answering your unspoken question," Tom replied philosophically. "Considering I don't know what the question actually was, I couldn't answer it."

"Oh. That makes sense."

"Yes, yes it does," commented Tom. "Anyway, ten-thirty outside the Great Hall. Don't be late," he warned.

Ginevra smiled grimly as he walked away in the opposite direction. Only Salazar knew what would happen to her if she was late, but she wouldn't be. This was her first social occasion in months, and she was determined not to mess it up. Determined, like a good Gryffindor always should be.

*****

A.N. The ship is soon going to leave port, so just be ready! Don't miss it setting sail! xD

I thought the quote worked, considering Hermione's taken Ginny's name in this time. Who knows, the quote may soon pertain to her and Tom.

This is dedicated to @Brocken18 for asking me to update and reminding me of my everlasting commitment to this story.

Thank you for reading, and PLEASE COMMENT!!! Especially, about Tom and Hermione's upcoming date. :)