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Heart of A Snake	By : articcat621 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Hermione/Voldemort Views: 13693 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 8
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor the characters from it. I am making no money from posting this story.

Chapter List
- 50
- 51
- 52
A/N: Thank you so much for everyone for your reviews and support with this story. The only bit left after this is our Epilogue. Thank you all again. I condensed some earlier chapters so some of you may not be able to review… if you really loved it (or hated it) send me a PM! I'd love to know your thoughts.
Disclaimer: JKR owns Harry Potter, not me. I'm making no money from the posting of this story.

Chapter 51
Tom stepped into Malfoy Manor, his heart racing erratically. Looking around, he inhaled deeply. You're doing the right thing, he reminded himself. He needed to do this if he hoped to have any future with Hermione.

Hermione awoke the next morning, a yawn escaping her lips. Sleepily, she rolled over, her hand reaching out into the space next to her only to find emptiness. Picking up her head, she looked around the room and saw she was alone. Where was Tom?
Sitting up, she grabbed a bathrobe. Shrugging it on, she frowned. She felt a bit miffed that she was walking up the morning after her wedding night alone. She understood that he was busy, but shouldn't he have made time for her? For them?
There was a small pop and a house elf appeared. "Mistress Riddle, my name is Mitsy. May I get the Mistress anything?"
Startled, Hermione looked down at the little elf. "Do you know where Tom is?" she asked politely.
Mitsy frowned, her large ears drooping. "No, Mistress. Master left very early this morning."
"Oh," she answered quietly, willing herself not to cry. Gently rubbing her stomach, she looked to the elf. "Could you bring me some breakfast please?"
"Oh, yes!" Mitsy cried, disappearing with a pop.
Sitting on the bed, Hermione wondered where Tom was. He didn't leave a note or anything, which was rather unlike him.
I'm sure something just came up and he's busy. He'll be back soon, she reminded herself gently.
Mitsy appeared a few moments later with a tray full of fruits, toast, pastries, and tea. Thanking her, Hermione started to eat.

Tom stared intensely at the golden chalice that was sitting on the desk.
It was strange for him to be so close to the object. Tom had never thought he'd see it again, but here it was… here he was. His stomach was churning at the idea of what he was about to do.
He had spent so long researching ways to become immortal. After years of research, even torturing some to get information, he had finally found a solution. He, Lord Voldemort, was immortal.
But he was going to give that all up. He reached up, dragging his hand through his wavy brown hair. Closing his eyes, he reminded himself just why he was doing it… for Hermione.
The door opened up behind him. Turning, he looked at the assortment of people now in the study. He had never in his wildest dreams imagined he would be in the same room with them without wanting to throw a curse or not. But here he was.
"Tom?" Lucius said gently, looking into his friend's eyes.
"I'm fine," he answered curtly, waving his hand.
Potter, Kingsley, and Lupin all stood off to the side. Snape hovered near them, a look of apprehension on his face.
"So how is this going to work?" Harry asked after a few moments of silence. He looked around the room uncomfortably. Kingsley and Remus had reassured him that he wasn't in any danger, but Moody's words of Constant Vigilance rang in his mind.
"I'm not really sure," Tom replied honestly. "I'm just going to hold them and feel remorseful?"
"So you didn't think this through?" Remus asked, a bit surprised.
"Of course not!" Tom snapped. "I didn't exactly imagine making myself un-immortal when I made them." Idiots, he mentally sneered.
"Now, now, let's just try with the cup and we'll see what happens," Kingsley said.
Tom sighed, nodding. Reaching forward, he gently picked up Hufflepuff's cup. It was hot, almost too hot, for him to touch. He brought the cup upwards, resting it against his heart. He cringed, the cup growing even hotter. He closed his eyes and thought of Hermione.
He thought of their first kiss.
He thought of the moment where she had almost died and the pain he had felt for her.
He thought of the two of them dancing around the ballroom, joyful in each other's arms.
He thought of the way her body melded into his in almost perfect.
He thought of the love he had for her.
His last thought before his world went black was his two beautiful unborn children.

Hermione glanced at the clock. It was almost noon; where in Merlin's name was he?
"Mitsy?" she called out, hoping the small elf would have some news.
Mitsy appeared. "Yes, Mistress?"
"Have you heard word of Tom?" she asked.
Mitsy shook her head. "No Mistress, but may I show you the nursery?"
Nodding, Hermione stood. "Yes, Mitsy, please." Maybe looking around the nursery and the rest of the house would help pass the time.

Tom groggily opened his eyes. "What happened?" he murmured, sitting upright.
"You were holding the Horcrux to your chest and then there was a white flash. When the smoke cleared, you were lying on the floor unconscious," Severus answered as he ran some diagnostic spells over him.
"Did it work?" he asked.
"The cup is destroyed, so I assume so," Harry said, looking at the disfigured relic. "This is what the ring looked like when it was destroyed. The locket looked like this too."
Tom sighed. "It must have worked then. There's two left. One is at Hogwarts and the other one is Nagini."
"Well, let's go get them then," Kingsley said, standing.
Tom hesitated. "Er, if I go to Hogwarts, I'm sure Dumbledore would not be very accepting of my presence."
"Well, you have to face him at some point," Lucius pointed out.
"I'm sure if you spoke to Dumbledore, he'd understand," Harry said, looking at him pleadingly. "He's a good man, Dumbledore, and I'm sure he'll see that you've changed."
Everyone was quiet for a moment. Tom looked at Harry, seeing him as the young man he truly was. A young, naïve man who had placed all his love and trust in the hands of a manipulative old man.
"Harry," he said gently, looking into the boy's green eyes. "Albus is blinded by his hatred for me. There is no way he'd allow me to live."
"But-"
"No, Harry, he's right," Remus said with a sigh. "Why don't you and I head to Hogwarts to retrieve the Horcrux? We can use the cloak so no one will notice."
Harry nodded. He turned to Tom. "What are we looking for?"
"I hid it in the Room of Requirement when I applied for the Defense against the Dark Arts position all those years ago. It's Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem. It looks like a crown or a tiara."
Harry nodded. "We'll be back as soon as possible." He turned on his heel and exited the room, Remus following close behind.
Frowning, Tom turned to Lucius. Lucius gave him a sympathetic nod. "Gentleman, why don't we move to the sitting room?"
"But what about Nagini?" Kingsley asked, looking towards Tom.
He was quiet for a moment. "Nagini has been my familiar for many years. I'd… I would like to be alone with her before…"
Kingsley nodded. "My condolences," he said softly. He exited the room, following Lucius out.
"Join us when you're ready," Severus said softly, briefly touching Tom's shoulder.
Tom nodded curtly. Once Severus left, he quietly called Nagini in.
She slithered up to him, watching him apprehensively. She almost knew what was about to happen.
I'm sorry, Nagini. You've been a wonderful familiar and I hate to do this… but I must.
She nodded her head in acceptance, curling at his feet in a submissive position.
Closing his eyes to the pain, he pulled out his wand.

Harry Apparated into the foyer of Malfoy Manor. "Got it!" he shouted, walking into the drawing room. He stopped when he saw all the men looking sullen. "What's wrong?"
Lucius' face curled into disgust. "Why this may be an exciting even for you, Potter, it is not for all of us."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Harry spat, his anger temporarily taking over. "Sad your little adventure to take over the world is over?"
Lucius stood, fury in his eyes. Severus quickly stood, placing his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Sit down, Lucius," he said quietly. "Potter, we are simply trying to cope. Our friend is going to be going to Azkaban, leaving his heavily pregnant wife alone. This is not a happy situation for us."
Realization dawned in his eyes. "You mean that Hermione-"
"Will have to raise our children on her own."
All heads turned to see Tom leaning against the doorframe. He looked as if he had been trampled over by a herd of thestrals.
"And she's okay with that?" Harry asked, disbelief in his voice.
Tom pursed his lips.
"Harry," Remus gently said, already knowing that Tom had decided to do this all behind Hermione's back.
"You didn't tell her," Harry said flatly.
"She would have tried to stop me," Tom replied. He closed his eyes, picturing her angelic face. "I couldn't let her stop me from fixing the mess I have made."
Harry was dumbfounded. To see Voldemort in front of him, doing something so selfless was astounding. It was obvious that he loved Hermione, which while he didn't understand, was something that intrigued him. Both Hagrid and Dumbledore had said remorse wouldn't be possible for Voldemort… they had said there was no way his soul would be able to repair itself. But it obviously wasn't true.
"Did you retrieve the diadem?" Tom asked, glancing over the young boy. Harry held it up. "Well, hand it here, let's get this over with."
The process of the merging was completed once more.

Rubbing her stomach, Hermione looked out the window. The snow was falling down quite heavily, large snowflakes landing on the large windows of their bedroom.
She didn't understand where he was. Had something happened? Things had been progressing so well she would hate to them be set back.
Hermione sighed. She hoped wherever he was, Tom was safe.
A small kick disrupted her thoughts. Her hands cradled her stomach as she smiled. "Hi babies," she cooed. "Getting restless, aren't you?"
A kick answered her. "Why doesn't Mummy find a book and read out loud to you two? I know babies like to hear their Mummy's voice." Padding towards the library, she picked out a book and sat down to read.

Tom groggily stood. This was it… the Horcruxes were all destroyed.
"How do you feel?" Severus asked, running diagnostic spells once more.
"Strange. The emotions are overwhelming," he admitted softly. It had been so long since he had been fully human that he felt disoriented.
"You'll adjust," Remus said, giving him a weak smile.
Tom sighed. He turned to Severus, a pleading expression on his face. "Will you take care of Hermione? Move into Riddle Manor and watch over her? I don't want her to be alone… not this late in her pregnancy."
Feeling touched, Severus nodded. "I'll guard her with my life."
"Thank you, my friend." He placed his hand on Severus' shoulder. The two stood for a moment, just staring at each other. Lucius joined them as well, placing a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Err, I have a question," Harry said, hating to interrupt the moment. "What about the prophecy?"
Tom frowned, turning towards Harry.
"Actually, I've thought this one through," Kingsley said, addressing the room. "It says that either Harry or the Dark Lord must be vanquished and well, since Tom is mortal now, he's really not the Dark Lord. I do not think he even has a dark bone in his body anymore."
Harry's eyes widened. "So by merging his Horcruxes, he has cleansed his soul?"
Kingsley nodded. "Only someone with pure intentions would have been able to do what he did." Kingsley gave a small cough. "Unfortunately, this brings us to the next part of the plan."
"Which is?" Harry asked. He had only become involved with the plans last night. Some details were still missing for him.
"My arrest and trial," Tom said, paling a bit at the idea of Azkaban.
Kingsley nodded.
"Let's just get this over with," Tom said, reminding himself again that he was doing this for Hermione and his future.
Kingsley sighed, going into Auror mode. "Thomas Marvolo Riddle, Jr., you are under arrest by the Ministry of Magic." He muttered a charm, manacles appearing around Tom's wrists. "Your trial will be held immediately." Taking hold of Tom, he Disapparated them to the Ministry.
"Now, we'll all speak on his behalf to lessen his sentence, right?" Remus asked, looking back and forth.
Lucius nodded. "Yours, Kingsley, and Arthur's statements will help. Severus and I will also speak, but what would really do the trick is if Harry would make a statement." He turned to the young man. "Something from you would mean the most to anyone."
Harry nodded. "I'll do it. Even I can see he's changed."
"Wonderful, let's head to the Ministry," Severus said, shuffling the group towards the fireplace.
"What about Dumbledore?" Remus asked, glancing back at Lucius.
"We'll deal with that when we get there."

Hours had passed and Hermione could feel herself falling asleep.
"Mitsy?" she called out, hoping the elf would finally have some information.
"Yes Mistress?" Mitsy replied, looking up at her fearfully.
"Where is Tom?" she asked, suddenly getting a feeling that the elf had been lying to her.
"He's gone," the elf whispered.
Anger surged within her. "Where is he Mitsy? And don't lie to me!"
Mitsy cowered. "He's at the Ministry!"
Hermione was taken aback. "At the Ministry? For what?"
"Trial," Mitsy squeaked.
Hermione's eyes widen. "What?" she whispered, her mouth going dry. Her mind kicked into overdrive. She turned, quickly summoning her jacket.
"Mistress, no!" Mitsy cried. "You mustn't go!"
Hermione ignored her, Disapparating to the Ministry of Magic.

"This is ridiculous!" Dumbledore shouted, pointing his finger towards the chief of the Wizengamot, Alfred Cornell.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, if you cannot be quiet, then you will be escorted out," Chief Cornell practically shouted.
"You shouldn't even be listening to him! This man is a monster! He's killed hundreds of people. He should be Avada'd on the spot!" Dumbledore shouted.
"That's not how we do things here! He will stand trial."
"And you!" Dumbledore shouted angrily, pointing his finger towards Harry and Severus. "How dare you sit over there! You're betraying the Order and your friends."
"I'm doing what's right, sir. Please, just sit down and hear everyone out. He's changed, truly."
"You've must have been Imperio'd," Dumbledore said gently, as if speaking to a child. "Why don't we just take care of him and then move on with our lives?"
"Sit down, Dumbledore!" Chief Cornell shouted, banishing his wand. "I will not have you interrupting this trial every five seconds."
Dumbledore's wand was quickly pointed towards Tom. "Avada Ked-"
"Stop!" a loud shout interrupted him. All heads turned to see a very pregnant and very angry Hermione walk into the courtroom. She ignored Tom's pleading eyes as she moved to stand near him.
"Miss, you have no right to be done there!" Chief Cornell said, sputtering at her.
Hermione placed her hand on Tom's arm, looking into Cornell's eyes. "Sir, you see I have the only right to be standing here by his side."
"And you are?" he inquired.
"Hermione Jean Riddle, his wife," she stated, head held high.
There was uproar in the classroom.
Dumbledore could take no more. "How dare you! Sitting there carrying the spawn of the devil inside of you. It's an abomination, you're an abomination!"
Hermione felt her mouth go dry. "How dare you!" she shouted, pointing her finger at him.
"Chief Cornell, I believe we have digressed," Tom said, looking towards the Chief Warlock.
"Yes, we have Thomas Riddle. Dumbledore, I'll have to ask you to leave."
"Avada Kedavra!" Dumbledore shouted, the jet of green flashing towards Hermione.
She screamed, throwing her hands up in defense.
A body slammed into the side of her, knocking her out of the way. The flash of green flew over their heads.
"Hermione, are you all right?"
Blinking, she looked up and saw Harry peering down on her. He brushed some hair out of her face. "Are you and the babies okay?" he asked again.
Dumbly, she nodded. Harry helped her to her feet. Looking up, the two of them saw a swarm of Aurors tackling Dumbledore.
Tom was shooting daggers with his eyes, struggling against the chains binding him to the chair.
"Take him to Azkaban for attempted murder and use of an Unforgivable!" Cornell shouted, waving his hands about.
They all watched as Dumbledore was subdued and brought out of the courtroom.
"Now, let's continue on with this trial, Mrs. Riddle, you may begin with your testimony."

"Hermione, calm down," Harry said, rubbing her back. "I'm sure things are going to be fine."
"How can you say that? Do you have any idea what could happen? He could get the Kiss!" she practically shrieked.
"He won't," Harry said. "I'm sure of it."
She rested her head on his shoulder. "Harry, what are you doing here?"
"Remus and Kingsley explained to me what was going on. This morning, Tom had reemerged his Horcruxes with his own soul. It was then decided that he would stand trial in order to hopefully have his sentence lessened."
"But what if it's not?" she asked fearfully. "I can't raise these babies on my own."
"And you won't be alone," Severus stated. "Come on, they've decided on his sentence."
Shakily, Hermione stood. Severus led her along the hallway towards the courtroom, Harry trailing behind them. Entering the room, she took her place by Tom's side. The two of them had not yet spoken… she didn't know what to say.
"No matter what happens, I love you," he whispered quietly for her ears only.
Hermione bit her lip to keep from crying out. "I love you, Tom."
"Attention," Chief Cornell said, gaining everyone's attention. "Thomas Marvolo Riddle, Jr., the Wizengamot has decided on your sentence."
Hermione gripped Tom's shoulder roughly.
"You've been sentenced to ten years in Azkaban-"
Hermione felt the tears well up in her eyes. It could be worse, she reminded herself.
"With no contact from the outside world," Chief Cornell finished.
She felt her world collapse around her. Ten years without seeing or speaking to him? The room started to spin.
"Hermione, it's okay," Tom said, peering up at her.
"Okay? It's not okay! They're going to take you away from me!" she sobbed. "I can't lose you."
"You can do this, Hermione. Please," he begged. "These ten years will fly by, and then we'll be together. Please."
"How could you have done this without me? Why didn't you tell me?"
"You would have stopped me."
"Of course I would have!"
A set of Aurors approached.
"No, please!" she cried, throwing her arms around his neck. "Please, don't take him," she sobbed. "No!"
A pair of arms gripped her waist. "Hermione, let go," Severus said gently.
"No!" Her lips quickly found his, kissing him with all she was worth.
Seconds later, she felt herself torn away from him. She screamed, trying to get out of Severus' strong arms. "No!" Hermione watched as Tom was dragged out of the courtroom, tears pouring down his face as he watched his love disappear from his eyes.
Hermione continued to struggle long after Tom had left the courtroom.
"I can't do this," she cried, collapsing to the floor.
Severus wrapped his arms around her. "Come on, let's get you home."
"I'll come with you," Harry said, looking at Hermione with concern.
Severus scooped her into his arms. He carried Hermione back to the Manor, knowing that this journey ahead of them would be a long and difficult one.
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Heart of A Snake