The Muggle Cartel

Hermione paced her living room floor, her heart thudding in her chest. This wasn’t good.

Her men had gotten to Pettigrew, though he knew nothing about the inside man, unfortunately. He did however give the information up that there was a plot to tie up loose ends.

There was only one loose end to tie up, Harry.

For the first time in a long time she had felt terror, terror at losing her best friend, her fiancé. She wished she had never dragged him into this world, even though he didn’t know she had.

She used him, using his credentials to get information she needed, to leak information on Grindelwald’s operation, intent on getting him taken out without losing any of her own people.

She had contacted her men inside the prison, telling them to stay on guard, but she knew the truth of it.

If they wanted Harry dead, no matter what, he would end up dead.

Still, her men were under strict orders to not stray from his side. He was her inside man, unwitting as he was. He was to be protected at all costs.

Tom cursed to himself silently, he had waited all afternoon for the news that Harry had been killed, but something had gone wrong. The man was still alive.

He had planned on delivering the news to Hermione tonight, to help her with her grieving process, to start the process of taking her as his own.

That was all put on a halt.

He wasn’t sure why, but members of the Muggle Cartel had seemed to take a liking to the cop, though no one knew he was a cop yet. They had made sure to make that a secret, in order to protect him.

There were other ways to get the job done though.

He just had to be a little creative.

It took two weeks, two long weeks before he could make the arrangements. She had come to him that same day, asking him if there was any way she could see Harry.

He had been reluctant at first, had told her he would do his best, watching as she gave him a smile, the first one he had seen in awhile that didn’t look so broken. It made his heart ache.

The last thing he wanted was to see her near Harry again, to watch them as a couple. Harry didn’t deserve her; he didn’t know that his perfect girlfriend wrote such horrific things. And Tom had read them all the second he had found out.

He had become even more entranced by her, reading her writing, her prompt lists.

He ached to discover the side of her no one seemed to know. HE wanted to be the one to figure her out, to discover her every secret.

In the end, he had decided to honor her request, making the arrangements so that she could see him, with an escort of course, himself.

He picked her up at 8 am, their appointment was at 10 and neither of them wanted to be late, though each had very different reasons.

Hermione had been kind enough to bring them both a cup of coffee, having made biscuits for them to have on the way.

He felt jealous, wondering if she did the same for harry, making him breakfast, seeing him off with a kiss.

Biting into one of the biscuits he found himself wanting that for himself.

He knew it would take time, but after today, he would be able to work towards that.

He glanced over at her, noticing how she looked, light makeup on, her hair back in a tight ponytail. She looked anxious, even though she wore a sweater and blue jeans. She looked like the girl next door, beautiful, sexy.

He wondered if she had dressed like that for harry, or if it was for her own comfort.

The drive was filled with nervous silence on Hermione’s end, to the point where Tom had dared to reach over ad take on of her hands, squeezing it reassuringly “It’ll be ok” he told her gently, wanting her to calm down.

“I know, I’m just anxious to see him, and it’s my first time in a prison”

Tom chuckled “What you haven’t done any hard time?” he joked “I mean, you are obviously involved in illicit activities.”

Hermione turned to face him, forcing her body to remain relaxed “What?” she asked. There was no way he knew. No way he had found out. She was careful. Only Grindelwald knew her face, and though he had it out for her, he was a man of his word.

“Your biscuits” he said gesturing to the nearly depleted container “There is no way they should be legal” he joked “They are like a drug, you crave more”

Hermione actually laughed, unable to help it. Not noticing the way Tom looked at her, a hungry look in his eyes. He had no clue how close he was. He joked, but he was on the money. Not about the biscuits of course, she would never use the product for baking. Her profession however he hit on the nose. “You caught me officer.” She said as she controlled her breathing “Are you going to arrest me?”

Tom watched her carefully, the mood changing slightly at her words, not spoken in a sexual manner, but coming out in such a way. She had seemed to realize it, for her eyes widened, looking at him. As much as Tom wanted to respond and take her up on her unintentional offer, he knew he could not. Hermione would not cheat; he knew it had been a quip that came out wrong. So instead he smiled at her “I’ll let you off with a warning” he said softly, watching her visibly relax.

It didn’t take much longer to get to the prison, Tom pulling into the visitor parking and helping Hermione out of the car.

It was unintentional, but he kept her close to his side, as if he was protecting her. And in a way, he was. She was not used to this world, and even now, the inmates in the yard hooted and hollered at her. She looked towards them, and he followed her eyes, spotting harry, who was looking at them both, surprise on his face.

Tom did not miss the smile that brightened Hermione’s face,

He hated seeing it directed towards the officer but took solace in the fact that he would never again see that smile directed at the man.

Eventually it would only be for him.

Harry had gotten up from where he stood, two Muggle Cartel members watching him as he headed across the yard.

They shouldn’t have let him go, for the second Harry stood an inmate walked towards Harry, though he didn’t seem to notice until it was too late.

No one had seen it coming, the man stabbing a shive directly into Harrys throat, hitting his carotid artery before pulling it out.

Tom Heard Hermione’s scream of horror, even as the chaos around them commenced. He grabbed ahold of the girl, dragging her back, even as she fought to get to Harry, even though there was a fence between them, criminals between them.

Tom pulled her back to the safety of the parking lot, holding her as she sobbed, mourning the loss of her lover.

Neither of them needed to hear the report to know that Harry Potter was dead.

He had bled out instantly, leaving Hermione behind.

Leaving her in tom’s very capable hands.