Reckless ~ Tomione

Malfoy

I didn't think I would be writing any more of this story, so it had been a year or so since the last update until yesterday, but I opened this book and I saw the comments and I couldn't bring myself to abandon it, so even if I'm going to have to make it shorter than I planned when I started it a few years ago, I am going to finish it somehow. So I'm picking up this book again (hopefully), and if you have any thoughts, drop a comment! Also, I'm re-editing the earlier chapters; the plot was... something else. So I changed a few things, but the gist of it is still the same. Just dialogue and Tom Riddle and some logic issues.

One bright Saturday morning, Hermione found herself wandering the halls of the school, enjoying the view. She passed several people as she made her way to the Black Lake, a place where she would have some privacy. In her hand was her purple beaded handbag, with everything she owned from her own time.

"Greystone," a voice called behind her. Hermione whipped around, a smile appearing as she caught sight of Abraxas. 

"Malfoy," she greeted. "Going somewhere?"

"Wherever you are," he replied poshly. He dipped in a slight bow, extending his arm to her. "Shall we?"

Hermione paused. If Abraxas joined her, she wouldn't be able to do the reading she had hoped: history books from her time couldn't be revealed to him. On the other hand, she enjoyed his company, although she wasn't sure he could be entirely trusted. 

"It would be my pleasure." Hermione curtsied, taking his arm. They walked out onto the grounds in silence, with Hermione leading the way to a tree on the edge of the lake. 

She plopped down, dropping her bag next to her. Abraxas sat down opposite her, leaning his elbow on his knee and his chin resting on his hand. Hermione leaned against the trunk of the tree and opened her bag. She pulled out a copy of Hogwarts: A History.

"Undetectable Extension Charm?" He whistled. "Pretty advanced magic."

"I guess, but being in a war and everything, I kind of had to learn everything." Hermione flipped the book open and started reading. Abraxas sat in silence for a few minutes.

Small waves splashed onto the shore, and in the distance, the Ravenclaw quidditch team ran laps around the pitch while the captain yelled at them that they needed to get in shape.

"I thought the goblet was losing its power when we found out that you had also been chosen," Abraxas finally said, breaking the silence. "But now I wonder if it wasn't a mistake."

Hermione bristled. "What makes you say that?"

She kept her tine even and kept her eyes on her page, even when she felt Abraxas' stare.

"You're the first person in a long time that has been able to keep up with Tom as he is," he responded. "You surprised him, and he is a pretty good judge of character."

Hermione looked over her book to meet his grey eyes. Grey, just like Draco's.

"I think it was only that he didn't expect that I had as much practice as I do, and certainly not that I've experienced war," she said evenly. "Because I know that, magically, I cannot compete with him."

"Perhaps you aren't as talented in magic, but your knowledge and application certainly make up for it." Abraxas seemed to be in deep thought, though he didn't look away. "And Tom wouldn't ever use his magic to its full extent here."

Both held their gazes, seemingly searching each other for any reason the other shouldn't be trusted, but never finding an answer.

"Brax? Can I ask you something?" Hermione's voice grew quieter. He nodded. "Are you nervous?"

He smiled. "I'm feeling a lot of things about it, but I trust that Riddle knows what he's doing."

"He's the best there is, I heard."

"Aye, that he is." Malfoy nodded. "Not even you could beat him when he's not holding back."

His eyes darted down to his arms, which were covered by his sleeves. Hermione looked towards the lake in thought. Even Abraxas Malfoy had faced the consequences of Tom Riddle's anger.

"Are you nervous, Hermione?" he asked. Hermione heard the concern in his voice, but couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes again. 

"Perhaps, but I'm not scared." She rested her head back, against the trunk of the tree. She filtered her words, but even knowing that Abraxas could have been sent by Tom, she found that she didn't care much. She needed someone to talk to, and if that person was Draco Malfoy's grandfather, then so be it. "The worst is behind me, and whatever they give us can only be better than things I've been through."

He nodded. "And Arcturus?"

Hermione hesitated. Draco was cocky, and confident in his abilities, though he had no reason not to be. However, morally, he didn't seem too sure. "I'm not so sure. I know he can handle himself in magic; he's quite talented actually, but I don't know him too well. I've known him a long time, but we haven't always... gotten along."

"In what way?" Abraxas seemed amused. His usual Malfoy smirk appeared, the same one that Draco had worn so often as they were growing up.

"When I was thirteen or fourteen, I punched him." Hermione smiled at the memory. Abraxas' eyebrows rose.

"Punched? Remind me to never get on your bad side."

"Socked him right on his jaw." Hermione imitate punching her own jaw. "I think I broke his nose."

"No you didn't." Draco's voice sounded behind her, sounding amused. "You did some collateral damage to my ego though."

"Bummer."

"Talking about me, though, Hermione? I'd like to hear some good stories about myself, not that one." Draco sat down beside her, nodding at the other Malfoy. "Like the one where I got an 'O' on my Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.s and you didn't."

Hermione glared. "Screw off, Draco."