Hermione's Riddle

First Lesson of the Summer

"Did you have fun exploring?" asked Dippet during dinner.

Hermione flashed her grandfather a smile. "Your home is marvelous."

Tom chuckled. "How would you know, we never made it past the library," teased Tom.

Dippet lifted a spoon filled with soup to his mouth. His eyes sparkled with amusement and something else that Tom couldn't place. "The library is the best place in the manor. Next to it might be the small quidditch field I have set up in the backyard."

Tom's head whipped around to face Dippet so fast that he almost gave himself whiplash. "You cannot be serious, sir?"

Dippet took another agonizingly slow bite before he spoke. "I quite am. When I found out you would be joining Hermione and I, I snuck back here one evening and resurrected one so if you two ever want to have a friendly match."

Tom found himself staring at Hermione. She gulped and shook her head. "Absolutely not."

"What do you have against quidditch?"

"It's not quidditch I have a problem with," said Hermione. "I'm not a fan of flying on brooms. I only ever do so in dire situations." Tom looked at her with his mouth agape while Dippet looked on with a sad expression. Tom couldn't believe his ears. She couldn't be serious. Flying on a broom was exhilarating. Nothing else could compare. An idea struck him. "Oh, no. Wipe that look off your face."

"Not a chance. First thing tomorrow, I will get you on a broom and flying in no time," grinned Tom. Finally, he found something that he was better at than the witch.

Tom excused himself after dinner and made his way back up to the library. He found the book he was reading earlier and sat down on the couch.

Dippet's library was a treasure trove of information. There were books on ancient charms, potions, and astrology. Books on other magical civilizations and their downfall. Books dedicated to Merlin and the ancient gods. But the books that caught his attention the most were the ones about the inner workings of the wizarding community and the Ministry. Tom's goal was to gain power in the wizarding world, and those books were the key to help better his knowledge.

A creak of the steps alerted him to the presence of another. Brown frizzy hair appeared first, followed by the rest of Hermione. "We meet again," teased Hermione upon seeing him.

"We do. Don't think you can hide in here from me tomorrow." Hermione's face blanched. He had the feeling that tomorrow was going to be a lot of fun.

"You're not serious about teaching me, are you?" Hermione bit her lower lip nervously. Tom's eyes were driven down by the movement. She physically gulped, and he was pleased to find her eyes staring at his own lips. Bloody hell, he was going to drive himself crazy. He did not like these feelings that were swirling inside of him when he was with her.

"Deadly," said Tom when he realized she had spoken.

Hermione looked away with a pout and grabbed the book that she had been immersed in earlier that day. She tucked her legs up underneath her, but instead of leaning toward him, she was leaning against the arm of the couch.

. . . .

Tom woke early the next morning. He quickly changed into his quidditch uniform and went to get Hermione. He was excited to be able to be out on a broom for once during the summer.

Tom ran his fingers along the shrunken broom in his pocket. It was an excellent broom, and it gave him more than a fair chance against other pure-blood players. It also helped to boost his standings in their eyes. Hermione had helped him in his goals, and she didn't even know it.