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The Hogwarts Christmas Orb	By : Nerys Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Hermione/Voldemort Views: 8467 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter Five

Getting Closer

Time seemed to fly by. They were in her office for yet another day, Hermione busy with the parchments on her desk and Tom lounging in the windowsill, when he suddenly said, ‘There is more to life than pushing paper.’

Hermione groaned. ‘Are we going to have that discussion again?’

‘I am just saying that you’re wasting your time here. You could do so much more.’

‘I’m not wasting my time. As you’ve seen I’ve changed plenty of laws, enhanced the lives of many who were oppressed, and made this department the smoothest functioning government operation in the United Kingdom.’

‘Yes, and now that you achieved all that, all you do is fall into the silly routine of putting your signature on the new laws your department is drafting up, going to boring meetings and giving guidance and advice to your employees.’ He yawned. ‘Boring.’

‘I don’t care what you think. I find the law fascinating. What we do here impacts everyone’s life. I couldn’t give it up even if I wanted to, which I don’t. I like my job, and I don’t care that you find that incomprehensible.’

‘I think you like your job because it’s safe. It’s what you excel at. You’re secure in it. You don’t have to worry about failure because there is no challenge. You’ve outgrown it ages ago. You’re just staying because you’re scared of change. Not very Gryffindor-like if you ask me.’

‘I’m not scared of change,’ Hermione started but a knock on her door interrupted her. ‘Enter!’

‘Sorry to disturb you,’ Marcel said, looking around confused. ‘Oh, I thought you had company.’

‘No, I often talk out loud to myself,’ Hermione said, smiling. ‘It helps me think.’

‘I do that, too.’

‘So what can I help you with, Marcel?’

‘The new Auror shifts are causing some personnel problems. We seem unable to fill in all the slots. I know this isn’t really a part of your job, and I’d normally ask Harry, but he’s on vacation as you know and his replacement doesn’t have a clue how to fix this.’

Riddle let out a very exaggerated yawn.

‘Let me see,’ Hermione said kindly, holding out her hand to accept the parchment and ignoring Riddle who was dramatically pretending to fall asleep now. She didn’t see Marcel shifting on his feet nervously as if he were trying to gather the courage for something else. ‘Oh, here it is, you forgot to factor in the new recruits who start next week after leaving Hogwarts.’

‘Of course,’ Marcel said, slapping his forehead. ‘How stupid of me.’

‘You don’t say,’ Riddle commented.

‘Thank you, Hermione. You really are brilliant.’

‘You’re welcome, Marcel,’ she said, focusing back on her paperwork.

‘Clueless,’ Riddle said.

She looked up and glared in his direction. He wasn’t going to disrespect her employees if she had something to say about it.

‘I meant you,’ Riddle said, nodding towards the still present Marcel.

‘Oh, Marcel, sorry, is there anything else you need?’

‘Well, I—I got two tickets for the next Championship match between Montrose Magpies and Tutshill Tornados,’ Marcel said awkwardly.

‘Really? Lucky you,’ Hermione said cheerfully. ‘I’ve heard Ron complain to Ginny for ages that she didn’t get him tickets to that one. You know it’s bound to be an exciting match. Both teams are so equally matched, they’re already betting it might break the record of the longest match ever. You know, you should ask Maggie from the Wizengamot Administrative Services. I’m pretty sure she fancies you,’ Hermione said, beaming at him.

‘She does?’ Marcel said, red-faced.

‘Completely clueless,’ Riddle muttered.

‘Yes, ask her, Marcel. She’ll say yes, I know it,’ Hermione said, nodding encouraging at him before focusing back on her paperwork

‘Oh, okay,’ he replied, disappointment spread over his face as he quietly retreated out of the office.

Riddle closed his eyes and groaned, banging his head against the wood panelling behind him.

‘What?’ Hermione snapped.

‘“You should ask Maggie. I’m pretty sure she fancies you”,’ he mimicked, exasperatedly.

‘She does. I overheard her in the cafeteria once.’

‘Sweet Salazar! He was trying to ask you out, Dumbo.’

‘No,’ she said disbelievingly.

‘Yes.’

‘Oh.’ Hermione looked back at her work before saying, ‘Well, I only saved him a rejection. It’s not like I could go out with him. He works for me.’

Riddle snorted.

‘What? What!’ she exclaimed when he started laughing.

‘Oh get real, Granger. You always have some excuse when a bloke asks you out. You never go anywhere; you just work, go home, eat, read and sleep and that’s it.’

‘Yeah, because dating would be so much fun with you tagging along, commenting on every single detail,’ she snarled. ‘You know I used to have a life.’

‘You? Pfffttt… you’re duller than Dippet.’

‘I am not dull.’

‘Then prove it. Do something fun for a change; go out; live,’ he challenged. ‘I’m betting you’ll bail at the first possible opportunity.’

‘You don’t think I could date someone?’

‘Granger, you do nothing but reject blokes before you’ve even tried them out. Granted some of them are remarkably uninteresting, but you’re not exactly winning the excitement award either.’

‘I can be very exciting,’ she snapped, slamming her hands on her desk in aggravation. ‘Maybe I’m just boring around you, because of your constant incessant yapping.’

‘I’ll keep my mouth shut and you won’t even know I’m there.’

‘Hah!’ she laughed. ‘That’ll be the day.’

‘Looking for excuses not to do it again? Sure, blame me all you want, but it’s your life you’re wasting away, Miss Boring.’

‘I’m not boring.’

‘You so are.’

‘Am not.’

‘Are too.’

‘You’re such a childish baby at times,’ she snapped, leaning back in her chair and turning away.

‘I knew you’d chicken out. Bok, bok, bok, bok,’ he taunted, flapping with his arms.

Hermione buried her head underneath her arms on her desk. If anyone had ever told her that one day, Lord Voldemort would be hopping through her office making chicken noises, she would’ve had them hospitalised. The trouble was that he’d hit a sensitive nerve. She hadn’t dated anyone after Ron and she had broken up. Even though there had been a couple of suitors, she’d held them off, wanting to focus on her career. And after she’d got that career, she felt more comfortable going places with her old friends. She’d gone on a couple of dates with men that Ginny had set her up with, but those dates had been such a disaster that she didn’t want to revisit it. When she didn’t know people, she was so socially awkward that it was embarrassing. She really didn’t feel like dating anyone. She didn’t!

However, she also didn’t want Riddle to think he’d won or have him thinking he was right about her being dull. She wasn’t dull. She was an independent strong witch who could handle anything, including a couple of stupid dates.

‘All right,’ she said, rising. ‘You’ve got yourself a deal. I’ll go on dates, but you better make yourself scarce.’

Smirking, Riddle extended his hand. ‘Deal,’ he said as they shook on it.

Finally, he’d get the chance to see more of the world than her workplace, the shops and her flat. If Granger were suitably distracted, he might be able to do something to improve his situation.

xxx

Amused, Riddle saw Granger go on date after date after date as if she were proving something to him. Of course, it didn’t bother him at all that she was laughing and snogging other men. He took advantage of those moments to hang around other people, listening in on their conversations and checking out any information he’d been unable to obtain when she’d been so house bound. Now that she went places, he could go anywhere within a certain distance of her. He’d sneaked into many buildings next to the ones she was in. Without her knowledge, he’d become capable of touching small objects. It only lasted for a couple of seconds, but it was encouraging. He was making progress even though there were still large gaps in his knowledge. But someday, he’d be who he had been again. And then, the world would pay for disobeying him.

However, now they seemed to be going back to her place. That hideous, obnoxious, stupid, boring twat she was on a first date with was escorting her home. He rolled his eyes. As if Granger needed protection. He seriously hoped she wouldn’t invite that idiot in. He didn’t think he could stand having to listen to that insipid moron babble some more about his uninteresting life and his card collection. It was even worse because he had to stay silent or he’d lose their bet. Sometimes he wondered if Granger picked these dolts to irritate him so much that he’d be forced to open his mouth and make a scathing remark, but he didn’t think she was that devious. Besides, she had to listen to them more than him and react. If she did it to torture him, she surely was biting herself in the arse with that strategy.

Oh Merlin, the dolt was going up the stairs with her.

Riddle banged his head against the wall, wishing he could just vanish into thin air. He’d been sure she’d not liked this bloke from her barely veiled, bored reactions to his constant babbling about himself. Why had she asked him in?

‘The phone is on the mantel,’ Hermione said, pointing to it.

‘Thank you. I can’t believe I forgot my mobile. My mum must be out of herself with worry.’

Great, another Mudblood. Just because he could tolerate her didn’t mean he should be exposed to more of them. Blasted insects.

‘No problem,’ Hermione said politely.

Riddle plunked on the couch, bored. He really hoped that bloke would piss off soon. Hermione met his eyes and winked deviously. Then she turned to her company. ‘Can I get you something to drink?’ she asked sweetly.

Too sweetly.

Riddle narrowed his eyes at her. That little shite was doing this deliberately. She’d noticed how much he loathed this one. He bit his tongue, determined not to make any comments.

‘Oh, lovely, some firewhiskey please.’

‘Sorry, I don’t have strong liquor in my house. Coffee, tea, milk, lemonade, Butterbeer…?’ she trailed off.

‘Coffee is fine,’ the insignificant leech said, smiling. ‘She’s not answering.’ He put down the phone. ‘I’ll try again later.’

‘Sure,’ Hermione said, handing him the coffee.

‘This is coffee is perfect,’ he complimented after taking one sip. ‘And you’re very beautiful.’

‘Thanks. You’re very kind.’

Riddle stood up, walking to the alcove and muffling his mouth with his fist. He really needed earplugs.

‘Ermm…’ he heard Hermione say. ‘I’m sorry, but I don’t think this is a good idea.’

Tom looked over his shoulder. That obnoxious twat was holding Hermione around the waist and attempted to kiss her, while she leaned back.

‘Oh come on, you know you want to.’

Tom raised his eyebrows and sat down, crossing his arms and stretching out his legs. Suddenly, the evening had a chance of turning out entertaining after all.

‘Excuse me?’ Hermione snapped, pushing him away hardly.

As he thought, this would be quite the show. He should sell tickets.

‘Oh, don’t be like this. You asked me in,’ the soon-to-be-dead idiot moved back to Hermione to Tom’s utmost amusement.

‘You said you needed to call your mum. Let me guess, some stupid excuse to get inside?’ Hermione snarled, pressing her wand in the fool’s chest right when he was about to touch her again.

‘Playing hard to get, are we? I don’t mind a challenge,’ he said, making an attempt to grab her wand and finding himself blasted off his feet. He smashed into the couch with his legs, tippling backwards and tumbling over the backrest, feet in the air, collapsing onto the floor and crying out in pain.

Tom snorted, unable to refrain from laughing now.

Hermione glared at him.

‘Doesn’t count,’ he said, still laughing. ‘You can’t say this is still a date. And you never said I couldn’t comment on a battle.’

‘Just shut up,’ she said.

‘You fucking, frigid bitch, you broke my wrist!’ The guy scrambled to his feet, holding his arm tightly. It did stand at an odd angle.

‘Nice,’ Riddle commented.

Hermione flicked her wand at the front door. ‘Get out.’

‘You’ll pay for this, Granger. I’ll make you pay!’

‘Whatever,’ she said dismissively, turning away from him.

Riddle’s eyes widened and his wand was in his hand when the Imperius Curse impacted on Granger. The bloke kicked the door to with his foot and he leaned against it, still holding his broken wrist in his hand despite the wand he had pointed at Hermione. ‘Come here, you slut,’ the bloke ordered.

Riddle was about to move forwards, too, when he saw Granger’s eyes as she turned around like an automaton. He smirked, sitting down again. Nice act, he mouthed.

Hermione stopped right in front of the fool who hadn’t even ordered her to drop her wand. Riddle shook his head over so much stupidity. It was one thing not to notice your Imperius Curse wasn’t catching on at all, but another to leave an enemy armed.

‘Unzip my trousers.’

Hermione complied like a robot. It was an impeccable performance, Riddle had to give her that. He filed said knowledge away, just in case he ever had to Imperius her.

‘Pull out my cock, bitch.’

She reached her hand inside his trousers, pulling his underwear down.

‘I’m going to fuck you in every orifice available, starting with your arse and then I’ll let you lick it clean wi—AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!’

He collapsed to his knees, hands clutching to his bleeding crotch, screaming in agony as Hermione coolly stepped back with all of his genitals in hand. They were blackening in her hand as dark magic swirled around her. Riddle watched interested at the completely detached manner in which she tossed the ruined body parts to the floor in front of the delirious man. He reached for it as if they could still be reattached, still be saved, which Riddle knew was impossible given the curse Granger had used.

Without his hand pressing to his groin, blood sprayed even harder from it and Hermione’s attacker collapsed on his side, his face white. He’d stopped screaming, barely breathing, and passed out. He was on the brink of death when Granger stopped the bleeding.

‘You can’t keep him alive,’ Riddle commented quietly. ‘He’ll turn you in.’

‘He won’t be able to,’ Hermione said coolly, pointing her wand. ‘Obliviate!’

‘That’ll work, too.’

‘Glad you approve,’ she said snidely.

‘I do. It’s a very fitting punishment.’

‘I’ll be right back.’ She tapped her wand on top of her head and her attacker’s, using a Disillusionment Charm to make them both invisible.

With a crack, she Disapparated.

Riddle braced himself. Within seconds, he’d be hauled through space to her new location since she’d not put up her special wards. It was never a pleasant experience. The first time it had happened, he’d been dry-heaving for what seemed forever.

Crack!

The telling noise alerted him that the Disillusioned Hermione had reappeared. She shimmered back into visibility, wand in hand. With a flick of her wrist, she swiftly cleaned up the bloody mess on the floor and her clothes. Another flick and the mug the bloke had used was vanquished. She swiftly erected her wards. Then, she pocketed her wand and grabbed her coffee, calmly drinking it. Riddle observed her utterly collected demeanour and complete lack of distress.

She’d be an excellent follower if only he could persuade her. Too bad she was not following material. He just couldn’t see it in her. She was a born leader.

Partner then?

He couldn’t even believe he was considering it, but what he’d just seen her do had turned him on so badly that he was glad he was wearing wide robes. He was pretty sure now was not the time to come on to Hermione. He kind of valued keeping his private parts attached to his body.

She had the mug still positioned against her lips when she said, ‘You had your wand out.’

Tom shifted uncomfortably. He’d hoped that wouldn’t come up. ‘Yes,’ he merely said.

‘Why?’

‘I figured if I touched you, I could curse the bastard.’

‘Yes, I got that part, but why? You never minded killings and tortures. Why would you bother?’

Because you’re mine. ‘I never liked rapists,’ he said blankly.

She looked at him contemplatively. It made him uneasy because she gave him the same feeling Dumbledore had always given him, as if she saw straight through him. He really did detest rapists, but it wasn’t the reason he’d wanted to stop this one.

‘So you do have some boundaries?’ she teased, sipping her coffee.

‘Oh please, don’t even attempt to go there, Granger.’

She laughed. ‘Do I look delusional to you?’

It was a rhetorical question, so he didn’t answer, waiting for her next move.

She placed the mug on her bar with a clank and gained a mischievous twinkle in her eyes before she asked, ‘Tell me, was this evening exciting enough for you?’

‘Well,’ he said, pausing tactically, ‘it’s nice to see the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement issue her judgement swiftly. All that paperwork can be such a drag,’ he smirked at her.

Hermione shook her head, smiling. ‘You’re never going to stop nagging about my job, are you?’

‘Not when you have the potential to be so much more.’

‘We are on complete different pages as to what is considered more.’

‘After what I saw here tonight, I beg to differ.’

They silently gazed at each other.

‘I’m not getting into this,’ Hermione said finally. ‘I’m going to bed. I’ve got to be up in less than four hours.’

‘Cast a harmless spell with your wand first,’ Riddle said.

Hermione looked over her shoulder at him.

‘People saw you with that shithead at the bar, and I think Potter knows you well enough to put two and two together. You’ll be sorry you didn’t do it now if they bang on your door in the middle of the night.’

Hermione flicked her wand at her dishes, cleaning them. ‘Happy now?’

‘Very much so.’

‘Paranoid bastard,’ she muttered.

He snorted. ‘Coming from the one who keeps such close taps on me, that’s rich.’

‘Well, you cannot be trusted,’ she said, walking into her bedroom.

It was the first time she didn’t close the door behind her.

xxx

Though he didn’t understand how she could possibly stand all these dull meetings she had to go to, they were utterly convenient, Riddle considered as he flew back in vapour form to her office from his little trip to the Department of Mysteries. He’d discovered that changing his appearance was related to his mood. If he made himself feel something strongly, he was able to shift to whatever form he’d ever had. He still preferred his snakelike, bald and eerie shape over any other—it exuded power, demanded attention and made it clear he was more than a measly human being.

Still, he’d mostly kept to his appearance as he’d come out of the orb, thinking Hermione reacted most positively to that one. He didn’t even want to consider what was the deal with that strange baby-like form and being a tiara also wasn’t on the list of useful things to turn into. Tom shivered, flowing through the cracks of Hermione’s closed office door. When he’d discovered this vapour-like shape, completely invisible and fluid in the air, he’d been beyond himself. This was so useful for clandestine missions. He also liked that he was capable of turning into a big King Cobra, but the snake would’ve been more fun if he’d actually been able to scare and bite people. Alas, since he was not, he didn’t see the point of it.

Perhaps one day he could freak Hermione out with it. He sniggered to himself, until he realised she probably wouldn’t be bothered. Most likely he’d find himself in a terrarium before he could even show his fangs at her. The little witch always thought rapidly on her feet and had a huge amount of self-control, never breaking down until it was safe—quite an admirable trait in his opinion.

Once fully inside her office, he shifted back to his ‘Tom Riddle’ form and walked to the charmed window. Hermione always had interesting scenery to look at, though he’d never admit that to her. She really was brilliant, always taking even the tiniest details—such as enhancing a charmed window—under consideration. He clasped his hands behind his back and began admiring the latest Astronomy thesis displayed in the stars when the door opened and a melodious voice asked, ‘Oh, Hermione isn’t in?’

Talk about stating the obvious, he thought, annoyed, turning around and looking at the dreamy blonde with giant sunflowers dangling from her ears. Her faint eyebrows gave her an almost constant surprised expression, but he was unnerved by her focus. Those silvery grey eyes stared straight at him and he wondered if she ever blinked.

‘You are also waiting for her?’ she asked.

She could see him?

‘No,’ he said, deciding to put it to the test. ‘I just love staring at charmed windows,’ he said snidely.

‘Oh yes, they are beautiful. Has it shown the Oompa Loompas yet?’

‘Those are fictional creatures,’ Tom corrected.

‘Oh many think so, but Mr Dahl often reported what he’d seen on his magical travels under the disguise of children’s fiction. I’m surprised the ministry lets him get away with it. It’s quite a breach of the Statute of Secrecy,’

‘They’re not real. Nobody but Dahl ever sees these “wonderful” beings.’

‘Only those who’re not willing to look beyond what’s right in front of them,’ Luna said, cheery.

Tom scratched the back of his head. Was this one somewhat mentally challenged? Next thing she’d tell him Charlie from the chocolate factory was real. He snorted, unable to contain his amusement.

‘So have you seen Hermione?’

‘I’m afraid she’s at a meeting next-door.’

‘Oh perfect.’

‘And can’t be disturbed!’ he yelled fruitlessly after the crazy one, wondering why he even bothered.

‘Hello hard-working ministry people,’ Tom overheard her say, and he groaned. Definitely mental, that one.

But she’d seen him. What if others now could, too? He would have to flee, which he couldn’t. Blasted connection! He looked back at the charmed window and noticed he still wasn’t visible in its reflection. So, how did that crazy broad see him? Maybe only mental patients could?

‘Luna, what are you doing here?’ Hermione asked.

Tom sniggered, considering Hermione as such. It would explain her free the house-elves obsession.

‘Neville asked me to bring you this in person and tell you he’s not taking no for an answer.’

‘Whatever happened to owls?’

‘You tend to rsvp that you can’t make it and owl your gifts. I’m here to say that’s not an option this time.’

Hermione laughed. ‘I am reading the scary threat right here. I could’ve him arrested.’

‘Ah, Harry said you’d say that and asked me to relay that the Auror office has actual business to attend to and will supply you with an escort if you fail to show.’

‘Oh, it’s a conspiracy, a criminal organisation at the highest governmental levels,’ Hermione joked.

‘Yes, and we’re all in on it, so don’t think you’ve got any options to bail. We still have our DA coins and can round up quite a large number to drag you there.’

‘All right, all right. Tell Neville that I’ll be in Hogsmeade for his birthday party next Saturday.’

‘Okay, I will. Bye lovely people. You’ve got Fubblewubbles swarming your head, Mister.’

‘What?’ a scared voice asked.

‘Don’t worry, I’ll deal with them,’ Hermione said, sounding dismissively. ‘Is that all, Luna? Because we do need to finish this meeting.’

‘Oh yes, of course, got distracted. Bye.’ A door closed and the woman named Luna came back in sight, stopping in front of the opened office door and looking back at him. ‘You know you should gather some Rudolph Reindeer Boogies Draught to stop that curse on you. Santa doesn’t know how to counter his own. Though you should’ve known better than to get involved with the likes of him, he’s a very dark wizard.’

What?!

Not only could she see him, but she knew who he’d been involved with to gain this body. Who the hell was this broad?

However, when he rushed out the office, she was nowhere to be seen anymore. A ministerial employee walked straight through him. That always was a disconcerting experience, as if he didn’t matter. Getting out of the crowded hallway, he walked back into the office.

Rudolph Reindeer Boogies Draught?
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The Hogwarts Christmas Orb