Chapter 2
There had only been three weeks left before graduation, and Hermione forced herself to concentrate on that. Originally, she and Tom were going to go to the same school, but she wasn’t sure that was an option now. She stared blankly at the acceptance letters from several schools.
They had applied to the same ones, had promised that they would pick whichever school they both got into.
Friends until the end. However, that had been her idea. She questioned a lot of things now, remembering how it had been she who always insisted they do things together, he never initiated anything with her, even the beginning of their friendship.
Had he only been her friend because he thought he couldn’t do any better? Every thought sent her into further depression, every day she felt worse. If only he had never had that surgery.
She shook her head as she stood outside his manor, her acceptance letters in hand, her stomach-turning. This would be the first time she would spend time with him since he had healed, the first time they would be alone again. She knocked on the door.
It wasn’t Tom that answered, but his father. He looked down at her, with a frown “Yes Hermione?”
She felt her heart drop, “I... I was hoping Tom was around?” she asked softly. Mr. Riddle said nothing for a minute as if debating on what to say, “He’s at the Diner” he finally said.
Hermione thanked him and went towards the diner in town. It would be a good place to talk about schools...
It was just a ten-minute walk, but she never made it to the diner, hearing his voice. She smiled and started to walk quickly towards the sound, slowing only when she heard the giggle.
Then she stopped in her tracks, seeing them now as they walked closer.
There he was, her beautiful best friend, Tom Riddle, his arm wrapped around the shoulder of one Cho Chang. She stared; the sight burned into her brain, Cho grinning up at him with lovesick eyes, as he whispered something into her ear that made the girl giggle again.
She felt sick. He had never touched her like that, never made her feel like that. They stopped when he caught sight of her. Neither of them said anything. It was Cho that greeted her, smiling.
“Hermione! How are you?” she asked. Cho was kind, it wasn’t her fault.
“I’m good. I’m just heading to the diner,” she said softly, eyes on Cho and carefully holding her acceptance letters close to her chest as if to protect them from his sight. It didn’t.
“You got your acceptance letters?” She started, eyes darting to his \as Tom asked the question, his eyes on them as he removed his arms from Cho and walked towards her “Let me see.”
She looked at him as he got close “Maybe later, I, I don’t want to spoil your date,” she whispered so only he could hear.
“Hermione...” Tom started but she cut him off with a jerk of her head, straightening her shoulders. “Just forget it, Tom. I loved you as you were, but it’s obvious you never truly saw me. Enjoy your date” she said. Brushing past him.
“Hermione are you alright?” Cho asked as she started past, she stopped her “If you want me to—”
“No Cho, you enjoy your date. I’m fine.” She said softly, “I’m fine.” she repeated, ignoring Tom calling her name. She couldn’t face him again.
The next three weeks flew by, Hermione choosing her school and preparing her acceptance letter. She had gotten a full ride, so at least that was taken care of.
She avoided Tom, as much as she could, though she still saw him everywhere. Every day hurt more and more. She knew she was depressed, lonely, never thinking her best friend would just be gone.
Abraxas had started to get concerned. Though he was equally popular with the ladies, he was the one spending the most time with her now.
He kept trying to reassure her, telling her Tom would come to his senses, he was new to the attention, he would realize who mattered soon. Hermione would just stay quiet, hearing but never quite believing his words and reassurances.
However, Prom was two days away, and as expected no one had asked her. The rumor was Tom had yet to ask anyone, but Hermione was certain he would soon. She suspected he was trying to figure out who would look best on his arm since he could pick anyone.
Abraxas stood next to her as she rummaged through her locker, clearing out things she wouldn’t need anymore.
“Has anyone asked you to the prom yet?” he asked
“No, and I don’t expect them to, especially since, I’m not going” she whispered, “I couldn’t bear seeing him with whoever his girl of the week is.”
Abraxas frowned, “Hermione, it’s prom, you need to go, you deserve to go, you won’t get another.” Hermione shut her locker, turning to look at him.
“Why Brax? Why do I have to go? To see him dancing, flirting, and touching another girl? To be reminded that I was never an option for him? Am I to go alone and look decently pretty only for no one to ask me to dance?” she felt hot tears falling down her face, but she didn’t care, the halls were seemingly abandoned.
“Hermione...” she heard his voice crack as if he was trying to control his own sadness for her.
“I can’t do this anymore Abraxas. Don’t you understand?” she whimpered like a wounded animal, trying and failing to erase evidence of her streaming tears, “I love him so much, and to realize in the end,” she choked on her own tears “in the end I was nothing to him.”
She felt Abraxas pull her into his arms, and she pressed her face into his chest and cried, unable to help it. “Make the pain stop, Brax. Make it stop!” She pleaded as he held her tighter, stroking her hair gently.
“I wish I could love. I wish I could.” He tilted her head up, wiping away her tears, “Come to prom with me. Be my date.” She attempted to step back, but failed, drying her eyes instead,
“Don’t ask me out of pity”.
Abraxas smiled at her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and continuing earnestly “I’m not. I always thought you were beautiful, always wanted to ask you out, but you and Tom... everyone here thought you were a couple, including me” he said softly. “I know I’m not him, I’m not what you wanted, but I can make you happy. You won’t even notice him. I’ll make sure of it, promise.”
Hermione frowned, shaking her head at him “You never wanted to ask me out.” she snorted glad her crying had stopped at least. “You are kind to pretend so, but we both know you can do better.”
Abraxas cupped her chin, forcing her to look him in the eyes, “You are the full package Hermione, don’t you know that? Beautiful, smart, witty, kind. Tom might not see your worth, but I do.” He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.
It took Hermione a few frozen moments to realize he was actually kissing her, she pulled back “Brax...”
“I know Hermione, I know how you feel, but give me a chance to mend your broken heart?” he whispered.
She searched his eyes, seeing his sincerity, hoping what she saw was real. Finally, she nodded, “ok”, letting him draw her into another kiss, this time tentatively kissing him back.
Neither of them noticed the pair of pained, blue eyes watching them a short distance away.