Lick it up, Baby!

Hermione groans for the fourth time since she pulled out her notebook she uses with Pansy. Tom looks up from his Transfiguration essay to raise an eyebrow at her. It’s been almost two weeks since Hermione and Pansy were partnered up and Tom was still trying to figure out what boons were granted for each of the two girls to get them to work together without any incident. Hermione had always been pragmatic for academics, but Tom was sure that their pairing would end with furious arguments and insults. She mentioned that they came up with a deal that made sure they were respectful to each other for the rest of the year, but little else. She has been secretive of what the two of them were doing, which irked Tom to hell and back. Out of everything he thought it could be, she would constantly refrain from spilling any secrets. Salazar, she could be a Slytherin if she stopped having such a bleeding heart and knack for confrontation.

“Granger,” he whispers, mindful of the group of Ravenclaws next to them looking like the dead. OWLs, if he guesses correctly. They look younger than him, but that wasn’t much of a challenge since he’s technically in his seventies. “If you so much as make another sound, I will confiscate that infernal notebook and feed it to the Squid.”

Hermione looks up at him, hair bouncing with her frustrated movements. “No, you wouldn’t. You would read it and then use it as blackmail, you snake.”

Tom makes an affronted motion, hand clutching his heart. “Ouch.”

Hermione groans again, head hitting the open notebook and hair obscuring her entire layout of papers and quills. “Sorry, it’s Just these blasted tests Parkinson wants me to take. She’s gotten Daphne Greengrass in on this whole affair and now it seems to have gotten out of hand.”

Tom perks in his seat. “Well, what is it? Maybe I could help-“

“You really wouldn’t be able to.”

“You don’t know that,” Tom smirks. “Besides, if Parkinson has someone on the inside of this secret affair, why don’t you? That doesn’t seem very fair.”

Hermione sits up at that. “You’re right. Maybe I should ask someone to help me make sense of this.”

Tom spreads his hands on the table. “So?”

Hermione starts packing her books away. “I’m asking Ginny. She’s sure to be more helpful.”

Tom double takes. “Ginny?”

Hermione freezes, wand in the air. “Maybe Lavender. But if Lavender knows, so does Parvati. But both of them have to equal one Greengrass. Maybe I'll ask them.”

“Is it a womanly issue we’re dealing with?” Tom furrows his brow. “This whole time I was sure it would be divination lessons. It’s one of the only things that works up like this.”

Hermione flicks her wand in a flourish, closing the flap of her satchel with a magical flip before picking it up. “I’ll see you later, Riddle. I still need you to read that DADA essay on shield charms. I’m sure it’s all correct but another pair of eyes should perfect it. Have a good day!”

Tom watches her leave, hand halfway frozen in the air in front of him. What could her airheaded dorm mates know that he doesn’t?

Hermione is able to spot Parvati in the halls on the third floor after leaving the library. She’s talking with her sister and another Ravenclaw near one of the large bay windows.

“Parvati!”

She turns to look at a frazzled Hermione. “Hermione?”

“Uh,” Hermione seems to just realize that Parvati was not alone. “Hi. Yes. Um-“

“Oh, Hermione,” Padma smiles softly. “Did you happen to get the end of the translation from Ancient Runes? I wasn’t fast enough to catch the ending before Professor Vector moved on.”

Hermione blinks before rummaging in her bag. “Oh, yeah. Did you need a copy of all of my notes? I found the translation of the Mesopotamian wandlore particularly interesting especially considering that all of their runes are not known and are derived from guessing at words. I would love to have some of your insight on it, as you were one of the most accurate in solving translations.”

“Yes, I do have some thoughts on it and no, just the last bit of Vector’s translation. I was planning on doing more research on it this weekend with Arlene. Oh, have you met Arlene Weathers, Hermione? She’s a fourth year I am helping tutor.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Hermione.” The girl says from her spot next to Padma, a small hand up in the air in greeting.

“Nice to meet you, Arlene.” Hermione smiles.

“Did you need something from me, Hermione?” Parvati asks.

“Oh!” Hermione turns to her. “Yes. Um, is it alright if you, Lavender, and I have a, uh, roommate meeting tonight after dinner?”

Parvati squints, knowing Hermione might need to speak with her and Lavender alone and lets her suspicions lie for now. “Sure, Hermione. I’ll let Lav know.”

“Brilliant. Talk to you later, Parvati. Pleasure meeting you Arlene.” Hermione nods at Padma. “I’m looking forward to your thoughts on the runes. Bye!”

The twins watch Hermione almost sprint away from them, heading towards the Great Hall despite it only being around four in the afternoon.

“She’s certainly more eccentric than you’ve said, Padma,” Arlene says as she plays with her brown braid. “But you have to admit, she is quite brilliant at note taking.”

“I wonder what it could be about,” Parvati frowns. “Last time she got like this, she needed help finding a dress for the Yule Ball.”

“She might have been asked on a date, Parv.” Padma smirks. “I wonder if Tom Riddle finally worked up the nerve to ask her out.”

“Oh please,” Parvati smirks back at Padma. “Hermione probably doesn’t even realize she likes Tom, let alone Tom liking her. She’s best friends with Oblivious Potter and Naive Weasley; not to mention the fact that Neville Longbottom is even more oblivious.”

“That’s true.” Padma looks at Arlene. “But Ginny Weasley is her friend and is a lot more well rounded socially than all of them put together. It’s a wonder she hasn’t mentioned the Riddle-Granger tension.”

“She probably has,” Parvati sighs. “I’ll let you know what happens tomorrow.”

“Obviously,” Padma takes Hermione’s notes from Arlene. “So, do you need any help with anything or did you just want to sit around and meditate while we work on this?”

“I better go find Lav.” Parvati stands, grabbing her bag from the floor. “She wanted to go over some Divination before dinner, anyways. Bye, Pads. Bye, Arlene.”

They both wave as Parvati goes in search of her best friend. Knowing Lavender, she’s most likely watching the Gryffindor practice at the pitch so she makes her way out there, leaving Padma and Arlene to their own devices.

In his dorm, Tom lets out a frustrated growl. That stupid girl could be so infuriating. Why won’t she tell him what she’s doing with Pansy? Why did Pansy bring Daphne into it? Tom throws the curtains around his bed open and furiously sits on the rumpled sheets. Fuck her. Honestly. Can’t she see that Tom is being uncharacteristically gentle with his questioning? Hermione Granger has become both the bane and reason for his continued presence at Hogwarts. With a sigh, he takes off his robe and shoes before he closes and wards his curtains shut and silent. He runs a hand through his hair, debating.

Hermione went straight to the library after classes ended for the day, greeting Tom with a scene of Victorian debauchery. The whole castle was stuffy with the freshly placed heating charms everywhere in the castle, causing many to discard their outer layers to find a sense of comfort instead of using cooling charms. Hermione— being raised by Muggles— used the former technique to Tom’s delight and horror. Her robe was strewn across her chair with her tie and her sleeves were rolled up, exposing her delicate forearms and wrists. Her clavicle was showing through her unbuttoned shirt and vest which were still tucked into her skirt. He wanted to grab her wrists in his hand while he explored her skin. He wanted to bite down on her lips like she does while in deep concentration and hear her cries.

Tom punches the bed he’s sitting on. These hormones were going to kill him. He should have used an older student to magically devour so he could have a fully developed body instead of the thirteen year old. He never had this much of a problem the first time around, even though he technically doesn’t remember anything after the Wilson girl’s death. Gripping his pocket watch, he sees that it’s around four in the afternoon. Theo and Daphne would be starting their study sessions for Divination in a half hour. He has half an hour to himself. Half an hour to decide what course to use to solve his hormone induced issue.

He sighs as he looks at the half-hard tent in his pants. “Bollocks,” he whispers. He lays down on his bed, trying not to think of how humiliating it is to show this lack of physical control he used to have.

He unzips the slacks and pushes them just out of the way. He closes his eyes as he spells some water onto his hand. Breathe in. He lifts the bottom of his dress shirt and vest out of the way so he can slowly drag his wet hand over his abdomen and under his boxer-briefs. He almost jumps when he wraps his hand around his dick. Tom pushes his underwear out of the way to just release his half hard cock from underneath it. With a bit of embarrassment, Tom begins to fantasize as he strokes his cock to be fully erect.

As much as he didn’t want to, he pictures Hermione in the library. She’s sitting with her back to him and trying to corral her hair into a ponytail.

“Tom?” She’d ask him if this scenario was real. “Do you mind holding my hair up? I can’t conjure and hold it together at the same time.”

Tom could almost feel how soft her hair was. Her frizzy hair was actually well taken care of, something that he knows she’s sensitive about but her vanity was endearing to him. Especially since it started and ended with her hair. Hair that he wants to run his hands through like his imaginary self was doing while Hermione almost purred. She waved her delicate wand to conjure an emerald green rope that tightened around her hair under his hands.

“Tom,” she breathed, and Tom’s breath hitched at her tone. His hand moved a bit faster, grasped his cock a little tighter in response. “Can I ask you to do something else for me?”

Imaginary Tom’s hands wandered down her neck to her shoulders, feeling her warm body under his cold hands. “Anything,” Tom replied.

Hermione’s hand— stained with ink from taking notes and writing essays— takes a hold of his hand on her shoulder and drags it across her neck.

Tom’s hips start thrusting off his bed. “Fuck,” he says out loud before he covers his mouth with his hand. He starts losing himself in this feeling of ecstasy. Something so distinctly human yet degradingly animalistic. He’s panting against his hand as he starts to shudder. He’s close. He tilts his head back against his pillow while his hand drops to his neck when a terrifying thought crosses his mind. Hermione with her signature “I just won this argument” smirk while she straddles his hips. Her hands would run through his hair before tracing down to his tie, where she would grip it in her hand and pull it towards her face.

With little thought to anything besides pleasure, Tom lightly presses his hand into his neck. His head falls to his left as gasps in a breath of air. It doesn’t take much until he’s coming, his thighs quivering as his hands are otherwise occupied in helping him ride out his pleasure.

His hand turns to a fist that lightly rests against his collarbone. These “normal human desires'' are becoming tiring. He could handle the growth spurt and the voice changes but these animalistic urges are getting to be too much. Hermione Granger brings him to lows he never realized, that bitch. He sighs out a smile. She was almost as sadistic as he was. She has to know the effect she has on him and is using it to her benefit.

What benefit it is, Tom doesn’t know…yet.

He sits up and looks for his wand. It must have fallen off the bed during his— Tom cringes—thrashing. He throws open the curtain while twisting his body so his semen—another cringe— doesn't fall on to his sheets and slacks when he makes direct eye contact with Theo Nott. They both tense as the seconds pass, eyes locked in a battle of shameful pride as to who would look away first.

“Theodore.” Tom says as he tilts his head, his dick the one area of his that’s exposed.

“Thomas.” Theo replies. His arms stay folded against his chest as he leans back on the wall. “Are you busy?”

“No.”

“Would you like to rephrase your answer?” Theo raises an eyebrow. “Preferably without your sexual appendage as punctuation.”

Tom purses his lips as he reaches down to grab his wand and scourgifies himself clean. He then tucks himself back into his clothes while maintaining eye contact with Theo.

“I was,” Tom frowns. “Just made available. What is it you require from me?”

Theo smirks. “I thought we could talk about what’s bothering you but I’m having second thoughts since the object of your irritation seems to be fueling your, well, previous engagement.”

Tom scoffs. “Irritant is an alright title for Granger.”

“Lady Riddle would be the best one, I’m presuming?”

“Nott-“

Theo holds up a hand. “I came here to tell you to ask her out.” He pauses. “Start courting her. Whatever you want to call it, Riddle. We both know that she’s extraordinary before you even start to get to her intelligence. Plus, Daphne and I have a bet going and if you don’t ask her before Christmas, Malfoy will be the one to win the pot and I’m not going to lose to Malfoy.”

“And you think cheating is the best solution?”

“It was either approach you or Granger about the subject, and since I have self-preservation, you were the best option.”

“You should have gone to Granger.” Tom stands and starts to tuck his shirt back into his pants.

“And risk a physical assault by her followed by the entirety of Gryffindor? No.” Theo smiles as Tom slips into his penny loafers. “I’d much rather deal with you throwing a tantrum than that.”

Tom sits back up on his bed as his eye twitches. “I don’t throw tantrums.”

“Just last week you wouldn’t talk to Daphne except to huff and mumble about how much of a bitch she was.”

“She took the last roll!” Tom stands up, running a hand through his hair. “Without asking if anyone else would have liked some! That wench ate four of them-“

Theo reaches up to place his hands on Tom’s shoulders. “We’ve talked about this, Riddle. Daphne knows to ask now.”

“That’s not the point!” He hisses.

“Just,” Theo takes a deep breath. “Entertain the idea with Daphne later. For the sake of me beating Malfoy.”

Tom looks towards the bathroom, away from Theo. “Fine.”

Theo claps his hands together. “Great! Now, please go shower. I don’t care that you scourgified yourself, some things need more than magic.”

Theo turns and leaves the room, leaving Tom alone with his normal human urges and the thought of actually touching Hermione Granger rolling around his brain.

As she makes her way towards the Great Hall, Hermione is pulled into an abandoned classroom on the second floor by Pansy.

“Hey!” Hermione tries to right herself as Pansy closes and wards the door. “You do know that we planned to meet right now, right? You don’t have to do this cloak and dagger stuff every time.”

Pansy makes a noise of amusement. “If Draco finds out that I’m meeting with you, the whole game is over. I’m not taking any chances especially-“

“‘-with the obscene amount of gold in the Malfoy vaults.’ Yes,” Hermione rolls her eyes. “I know. You say it every time. Now, what did you need from me? Your note was vague and I haven’t even finished the research from yesterday. I also wanted to get started on the Magical Creatures research before the essay is properly introduced tomorrow-”

“It’s not about that.”

“Well, then if it’s about potions, I have already completed all the necessary steps for it-“

“Granger,” Pansy grabs her shoulders. “I’m offering a spot amongst the popular kids.”

Hermione stops with an owlish look on her face. “What?”

“I’m saying that I am offering you a spot with me and the other Slytherins in running the castle.”

Hermione scoffs. “You don’t run the castle.”

Pansy places a dainty hand on her chest. “I’m hurt, Granger.”

“Oh, please, Parkinson. No one thinks you’re popular.”

“I’ll let you off with the fact you obviously are Muggle and don’t know the ways of Pureblood witches, but I am what they call a trend setter. The next Lady Malfoy, some say.”

Hermione raises a brow. “Are you sure that’s not just you?”

“Obviously you don’t know what else that entails, do you?”

“No,” Hermione sits on a desk. “But I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”

“I’m sure you know that certain pureblood girls stick with a group of friends that allow them to find solutions to certain situations should they come up.”

“Are you going to keep being vague or will I still be able to make it to dinner after this?”

“Merlin, Granger,” Pansy leans against the desk. “I just thought you’d need some type of release. You’ve been more of a bitch lately and it’s getting annoying.”

Hermione raises her eyebrows. “I’ve been a bitch?”

“Yes,” Pansy smirks. “And I’m here to offer you something that everyone wants.”

Hermione scoffs.

“I’m serious.”

“Pansy,” Hermione walks over to her, stopping just before the desk. “I have no desire for whatever it is you are offering if it’s not academic.”

“How do you know?” Pansy bites her lower lip for a moment. “I’ve seen the way you stare at me, not unlike the majority of the school.”

“What?!” Hermione shrieks. “What- I-“

Pansy starts unbuttoning her dress shirt, tossing her still-tied green tie over her shoulder. “You know what I said about pureblood girls. Nothing to be ashamed of, as long as it’s not with a man, it’s fine.”

“But I’m not- I mean to say that personally, women have never fulfilled that, uh,” Hermione blinks. “Desire.”

“Granger,” Pansy raises a brow. “Get over here before you turn any redder.”

Hermione starts to babble reasons why it wouldn’t be a good idea, but the more she thinks about it…

“Granger!” Pansy lifts a foot to rest near her hip, the already hemmed skirt doing nothing to cover her purple panties. “Come here. On your knees.”

Is she really going to fuck Pansy Parkinson? Hermione’s eyes are wide as her mouth shuts with a snap. Personally— not that she has ever given any thought to sleeping with a Slytherin, or at least a female one— she always thought Daphne Greengrass would be the one she would experiment with. Even if Ginny or even Luna would be a safer options, she had always liked that bit of mystery that supposedly dark sided wizards have. Viktor being the best example, although a lot of what they did was a mystery to Hermione simply because she didn’t understand a lick of the Bulgarian he would use whenever they were intimate. Pansy was never really a thought but Hermione would be lying if she said she wasn’t interested.

As Hermione sinks to her knees she mutters, “For research purposes, obviously.”

Pansy smirks and runs her long nails up Hermione’s cheek to her hair. “Good girl.”

“You know-“

Hermione’s head is pulled back forcing her to look up at Pansy.

“Granger,” Pansy licks her teeth before continuing. “I can’t tell you how long I’ve pictured you on your knees for me.”

She smiles and Hermione thinks that Pansy had to have cast a spell on her. There’s no way that just her saying that could make Hermione fill with need.

“What do you know about eating pussy, know-it-all?”

Hermione’s mind seems to be determined to let her down and flashes back to her semi-frequent dreams involving a different dark haired Slytherin in various locations doing just that. “Nothing practical, I’m afraid.”

“First lesson will be a practical one,” Pansy reaches the unoccupied hand towards her crotch, moving her panties to the side so her shaved pussy is on full display for Hermione.

Blinking away her shock, Hermione licks her lips. “You’ll tell me what you like as I go, right?”

“Yes, Granger, now go on.”

If Hermione uses the same techniques that her dream Tom did, well, who can blame her? She starts by running her hands softly up Pansy’s legs until she reaches the top of her underwear. As she pulls it down, she meets Pansy’s eyes. She smirks and drags Hermione’s head towards her center by her hair.

“Don’t be a fucking tease.”

Hermione licks a stripe up before settling on Pansy’s clit.

“That’s it, you slut.” Pansy huffs a breath out. “C’mon, put that tongue to use.”

Hermione slurps her clit before she pulls back and replaces her mouth with her hand. “No need for degrading language, Parkinson.”

“It’s Not degrading if it’s true. Now hurry up, I have to meet Daphne in fifteen minutes for some divination study.”

“Hogwarts’ teaching of it is rubbish,” Hermione laps at Pansy’s clit as she pushes her middle finger into her. “Trelawny is a fraud who doesn’t know fact from fiction.”

“Hearing you degrade divination is not quite a turn on, Granger, but I’ll be lying if I said that passion behind it could get me going.”

Hermione adds another finger, making Pansy melt into the desk.

“You sure you’ve never had practical experience in eating pussy?” Pansy moans. “Because I’m about to come.”

“No practical experience.” Hermione flicks her tongue in a way that makes Pansy release a high pitched moan before her thighs start shaking.

“Fuck, Granger!” Pansy pants as she comes down. “I would love to reciprocate but I do need to go.”

Hermione sits back on her heels. “That hardly seems fair.”

Pansy flashes her a smile while she cleans up. “Next time, I’ll be sure to plan better. Welcome to popularity, Granger. Anything you want, just ask and I’ll make it happen.”

Hermione tries to catch her breath after Pansy leaves, only to realize that this situation she got herself in will probably end up terrible. She grabs at her hair and rests her head between her knees.

“Fuck.”

Stupid Tom Riddle and his stupid hair that she wants to run her hands through. If he was less desirable, Hermione was sure that she wouldn’t have let her hormones decide to go with Pansy’s frankly insane situation. At least she was meeting with her roommates tonight. She’ll ask them about this whole pureblood friendship circle Pansy described and see if she made the right decision.

Honestly, a lesbian sex ring for purebloods? It sounds too outlandish but if magic was real, why not this?

Hermione lets out a breath and stands up. She cleans herself up and leaves the classroom determined to figure out if she needs to be worried about any Slytherin motives for Pansy making promises to sleep with her in the future. Especially since she’s pretty sure she wants Tom between her legs more than Pansy.

Tom sits in his normal seat next to Theo and Daphne Greengrass for dinner that night in the Great Hall. Since regaining a corporal body, Theo and Daphne have been his greatest allies. Daphne helped him adjust to the societal culture shock that was the nineties while Theo managed the recognition he would surely have from not only his peers’ parents, but the teaching staff as well. A well placed Confundo within the wards of Hogwarts seemed to have solved the issue so far. However, due to their closeness to the truth, they’ve slowly become too familiar with him.

“So, Daphne,” Theo says around a bite of roasted potatoes. “Any updates on the Granger situation?”

Tom sighs loudly as he roughly cuts through the beef roast. “Can we not talk about Hermione Granger?”

Daphne raises a pale eyebrow. “That’s new.”

Tom shrugs while Theo’s smile grows across his face slowly. “I’ve grown up.”

“I caught him wanking in the dorms before this.”

“Theo!”

“I hope you at least washed your hands.” Daphne stabs her fork in the piece of meat Tom just cut. “You men have a tendency to not wash properly.”

“And you purebloods tend to take without asking.” Tom starts cutting another piece more violently.

Pansy laughs loudly from down the table. Theo rolls his eyes as he catches her leaning towards Draco who is doing his best to ignore everyone.

“It’s almost sad seeing her throw herself at him like that.”

“It’s humiliating.” Daphne takes a sip of her tea. “Especially when you know that she and Granger are sleeping with each other.”

Tom’s utensils clatter on the table. Theo takes a smaller bite of his potatoes.

“What?!”

Theo wipes his mouth with his napkin. “They’re sleeping together, mate. You know, like having sexual intercourse.”

“From what Pansy said, it’s just Granger giving her head. Although, it was just the once. Pansy seems to think she can get Granger to agree to continuing this without Pansy ever reciprocating but I told her she was crazy. I’m sure Granger is going to do some research and figure out that Pansy is lying but who knows. She’s busy enough with learning Pureblood customs from me and Pansy, not to mention doing Potter’s homework for him during his little…” Daphne waves a hand. “Gay life crisis or something. I forgot how Granger put it.”

“I didn’t know Granger was lesbian.” Theo tilts his head. “Good for her. She could do better.”

Tom pinches his nose. “Granger is not lesbian. She dated Krum.”

“Bisexual then.” Theo smiles. “I knew she was interesting for a reason. Fellow queers can spot each other.”

“That’s not the point.” Tom looks towards the Gryffindor table and spots Hermione talking with Harry. “The fact of the matter is that I can’t ask her out if she’s dating Pansy.”

“It’s not dating. You have free reign to save her from Pansy Parkinson and her delusional idea that she has any popularity like Lady Malfoy. Everyone knows my sister is a diva in the making.”

“Friends with benefits is what Daphne is saying. So you’re fine to ask her out.”

“I understood what Daphne was saying, Theodore.” Tom sighs. “So I ask her out and save her the humiliation of sleeping with Parkinson?”

“Pretty much.” Daphne finishes her tea. “I’ll fund your little date. Merlin knows that both of you need to get laid. It’s making Granger bitchy and you short-tempered.”

“I am not short-tempered because I haven’t had sex.” Tom snarls.

“You’re proving her point, mate.” Theo smirks. “We’ll plan the date for you and you just need to ask Granger out. Simple.”

Tom’s grumbles to himself but allows them to plan out a date in Hogsmede for him. One less distraction for him.

By the time Hermione made it to her dorm, she was dreading talking with Lavender and Parvati. She ate out Pansy while thinking of Tom. She figures out that Pansy’s pureblood circle is fake but she can’t iron out as to why Pansy would lie to her. What did she want from her?

Lavender is out getting them hot chocolate and Parvati is brushing her long hair while they wait. Hermione has been clutching her pillow to her chest as she sits on the floor with Crookshanks in her lap.

“You seem tense, Mione.” Parvati says as she starts braiding one side of her hair. “What’s wrong?”

“Erm.” Hermione swallows. “I needed help with pureblood customs at first. But, uh, some things have changed since I last asked to meet with you and Lavender.”

“Did you want to tell me before Lav gets here? Sometimes it’s easier to tell one person.”

Hermione watches as the first braid reaches to Parvati’s belly button. She ties it off before starting on her second braid. “I think I fucked up my dating life.”

Parvati’s eyes widen and to her credit, she doesn’t stop braiding. “Why would you say that?”

“I ate Pansy out while thinking of the times I dreamed of Tom doing the same to me.” Hermione’s eyes pop out of her head as she realizes what she said. “I didn’t mean to say that.”

Parvati seems to flounder for a few moments before Lavender comes into the room balancing three mugs of hot chocolate in the air while her arms hold some popcorn and candies.

“I’m back! The elves were very reluctant to let me bring these back by myself but I told them that Mione was adamant that they take their time off when they can!” Lavender looks between the two roommates as they both stare at each other. “What did I miss?”

“Lav, it’s a code pink and blue.” Parvati ties off her braid and springs off her bed towards her trunk.

“Pink and blue?” Hermione whispers to herself.

Lavender quickly sets the snacks and drinks on the nightstand and squeals. “Hermione Jean!! Who’s the lucky girl and guy? Oh my god, I never thought this would happen in our dorm! Romilda was gloating about how Ginny was already sharing sex stories with them all and we had none. I can’t wait to rub this in her face.”

“Lav, it’s Parkinson. And she thought of Riddle the whole time!”

“No!” Lavender squeals as she grabs her neon pink pajamas. “Oh this is amazing. Mione, I think you have to dish.”

Parvati giggles as she throws a pastel blue journal on her bed. “Hurry up, Lav! She’ll talk when you get back. I think we have to work up to it, though.”

Lavender giggles as she goes into their shared bathroom to change. Parvati opens her notebook and spells her ink pot to float next to her.

“So, what was the original thing you wanted to talk about? Maybe if we discuss it, you can get more comfortable. Just like when you asked us about Krum and what dress to wear. We let you go on a whole lesson about Ancient Runes before you were comfortable enough so we’ll do that again.”

Hermione strokes a hand down Crookshanks as she loosens her hold on the pillow. “Well. Originally, I was going to ask you about pureblood customs.”

Parvati frowns. “Why? What made you interested in it?”

“Well,” Lavender returns to the room quietly and sits next to Hermione on the floor. “I wanted to prepare. We’re going into a war and I need to know how to blend into pureblood society in case…”

“Well, most purebloods don’t practice the full customs anymore. At least those who aren’t Sacred 28.” Lavender says, reaching for a mug of hot chocolate. “So you would only need to know the full extent of it when dealing with them.”

“Yeah,” Parvati sets her quill down. “Lav’s family is pure blood but they don’t follow it all. Not to mention all of the foreign pureblood families like mine.”

“Yeah!” Lavender sips her mug. “So what did you need to know?”

“Well, uh, I’ve been taking etiquette lessons with Parkinson-“

“Pansy has been teaching you?!” Lavender laughs. “Godric, no wonder why you asked us! She’s the worst. Everyone in the sacred 28 knows she’s full of shit. Greengrass would be better. Astoria, Daphne’s younger sister, is much more the trendsetter than Pansy. I’m sure Daphne would be as well if she really wanted to.”

“Yes,well,” Hermione sighs. “It was a hasty decision that led me to the point of going along with Pansy’s outrageous idea of circles of pureblood women who have sex with each other. It’s why I agreed to, well, eat her out…?”

“Did she help you out after?” Lavender scoots closer to Hermione, her blonde hair dropping on top of Crookshanks. “Because if she didn’t, then she’s manipulating you like a lot of them used to do back in the day.”

“She didn’t.” Hermione twists her body to face Lavender. “What do you mean by back in the day?”

Lavender meets Parvati’s eye. “Well, when Bellatrix was at Hogwarts, she started this club for half bloods and Muggleborns. She had gotten them to believe that having sex with other women was natural for witches to do before they married and sometimes even during the marriages. She then gave her memories of these girls having sex to the Board of Governors and had the muggleborns involved kicked out of Hogwarts for starting it all.”

“It’s very taboo to talk about it,” Parvati said, moving to sit on the other side of Hermione. “But if Pansy tried to convince you of it, then I’m sure she’s planning the same thing. There’s nothing original about Parkinson.”

“Oh Christ.” Hermione hurries her head into Crookshanks.

“But now that you know, you can just protect yourself from her.” Parvati places a hand on Hermione’s back. “Just always stick with someone. She can’t corner you and pressure you again if you’re not alone.”
“Lab
“I wasn’t really pressured in the first place.” Hermione sits back up. “I’m sure if she also reciprocated, I wouldn’t have regretted it but now that I know it’s probably a manipulation tactic, Godric. I’m so stupid.”

“You’re not stupid, Mione.” Lavender smiles. “You Just had a need and you thought this situation with Pansy would satisfy it.”

“Yeah, Hermione. If it was Hannah Abbott from Hufflepuff asking you to have sex, would you agree?”

Hermione tilts her head. Hannah was pretty enough. A little too doll-like for Hermione’s taste but if she asked… “Yes. I think I would. But that doesn’t explain my attraction to Tom. If I’m lesbian, I wouldn’t be attracted to him.”

“Ah, that’s right. The naughty dreams.”

“Naughty dreams?” Lavender smiles wider. “Do tell.”

“Lav, not now.” Parvati reaches for her mug. “But you do know you can be attracted to men and women, right, Hermione?”

Hermione blinks as she takes the mug from Lavender. “I suppose.”

“You Know, Padma is asexual and aromantic, right?” Parvati sips her drink. “And my older sister, Kamala is lesbian. That leaves me as the only girl in the family attracted to men. Nathaniel, my eldest brother, is bisexual. He married a woman but he dated plenty of men and women before he found the love of his life. Just because he married a woman doesn’t make him less of a bisexual. Just like how liking Tom doesn’t make you instantly attracted to women.”

“Both can be true.” Lavender says softly. “You have to stop thinking black and white for situations like this, Hermione.”

Hermione’s mind is racing. She could like both men and women. Both can be true. “I…I guess that makes sense.”

“Sacred 28 customs are very black and white.” Lavender grabs a handful of jellies. “It’s very antiquated. Every other pureblood lives in that gray area of historical traditions and modern customs. It’s just that the small number of conservative families have the loudest voices. Most of us just want some tradition saved while leaving the more problematic aspects in the past.”

“So when you say blend in to pureblood customs, it just means you want to learn about the history of wizardry and why we act the way we do.” Parvati smiles. “But Pansy’s versions are very different from reality. I guess for your circumstances of potentially spying on be sacred 28, it makes sense. But Neville or Hannah would be better options than Pansy.”

Hermione sighs. “I realize that now. It just seemed embarrassing at the time to ask them about it. I finally worked up the courage to ask you both and then this shitstorm happened.”

“Eating out Pansy while thinking of Tom, you mean?”

“Lav,” Parvati giggles.

“Exactly,” Hermione laughs.

She spills the details throughout the night, with clarifying questions from Parvati and suggestions on places to go for Make-out sessions from Lavender. Honestly, it was one of the best nights Hermione has had without Harry and Ron. Realizing that made her miss them both, but she knows that Harry is acting paranoid and Ron is too busy with Lavender to even make time for her. She’s sad, but not mad about it. And that makes her worried.

It was a warm day for Scotland in late October. Since the whole “eating Pansy out” situation, she has been making sure to never be alone with Pansy, constantly walking around with either Parvati or Tom so as to not be caught in a situation like that again. Pansy didn’t seem to like having both Lavender and Parvati in on the pureblood custom classes, but since Lavender was constantly with Ron, Parvati was the only one to be constantly with Hermione during these lessons. Daphne also seemed to make less and less of an appearance, due to what Hermione didn’t know.

But today, Hermione decided to sit out in the courtyard with Tom, Neville, Parvati, Ginny, Padma, and Arlene to do a light study session for Care of Magical Creatures. Ron and Lavender were most likely practicing salacious activities Hermione was trying to avoid thinking about— especially with Tom reclining on the bench not even ten centimeters away. Hermione tucks a loose curl behind her ear before furiously turning the page of Newt Scamander’s third magical beasts book. She already completed her essay after everything that happened, trying to distract herself from having a freak out over Pansy and trying not to remember how much she divulged to Lavender and Pavarti—one of whom kept sneaking glances at her and Tom which definitely did not help.

“Arlene, do you have my notes from the thirtieth of September?” Padma says as she crosses her legs. “I think that’s when Hagrid mentioned the idea of having Thestrals crossbred with a Hippogriff.”

“No, I believe that was written on the twenty-sixth but you had part of your ideas on how it would work on the thirtieth.” Arlene grumbles from the ground below Padma. Parvati snorts on the bench next to her twin as Luna brings her attention towards her fellow Ravenclaw.

“I believe the cross-breeding would be disastrous to the sprites around the moors.” Luna folds another braided section of Ginny’s hair around the ponytail the redhead was sporting. “Hagrid has an eye for potentially advantageous species, but he often fails to disperse the Nargles that float around his house.”

“Bloody proud creature if it was to exist.” Ginny opens her eyes to look at Neville. “The pride of a hippogriff with the higher danger level of thestrals seems like a terrible idea.”

“Terrible, perhaps.” Padma scratches the corner of her eye. “But if it were possible, could you imagine the types of creatures that could be bred? The mental capacities of both creatures have the potential to create a being instead of a beast.”

Tom seems to be intrigued by where the conversation was heading. Hermione was also avidly listening, if only to try and better her arguments for changing the idea of the area of Beasts and Beings in the Department of Magical Creatures.

Arlene transfers one of the papers from her hand to the journal below her. “Impressive. But without proper research, there’s almost no basis in the assumption of the mental capacity of the offspring of two highly intelligent beasts.”

“No, this is all a thought experiment for now. Thestrals and Hippogriffs could never breed together, their anatomy wouldn’t allow it even with the aid of magic.”

“But what about the assumption of mental capacity of a magical child offspring of two extremely intelligent wizards?” Luna says.

All eyes turn towards her in disbelief.

“Expand your statement.” Padma flips to a new page in her notebook.

“Well,” Luna continues to brain Ginny’s hair. “Most wizards and witches fall into the same house that their parents were in. There are few instances of magical people being sorted into a different house, and if you exclude Muggleborns from this count due to their families being unaffiliated with any of the houses, there's a high probability that intelligence passes on from parent to child. You can take that probability to creatures-“

“Not necessarily. There have been instances of creatures with lower intelligence that were offspring of creatures with high intelligence.”

“Yes, but it’s the same probability that occurs with magical people.” Luna glances towards the lanterns that hang above the group. “Nargles are the offspring of sprites and fairies, both of which are classified as intelligent creatures. Nargles have the most intelligence that has been seen in any fairy or sprite offspring recorded. It goes to show that perhaps the same can be said of a witch and wizard of above average intelligence.”

“What does this have to do with the Magical Beasts assignment, again?” Neville interrupts. “I’m completely lost.”

“The Ravenclaws decided to host a thought experiment, Longbottom.” Tom drawls. He rests his arm on the back rest behind Hermione. “They do that from time to time. Hermione already finished her essay on Hippogriffs.”

Hermione can feel Tom’s warmth radiating from his arm which is lightly resting against her shoulders. “I have. The main purpose of the essay is to come up with what can be passed down from a magical creature. You’re able to choose your own creature, as long as it was talked about within the course.”

Parvati turns towards Neville to say something else, but Hermione can’t stop focusing on Tom’s arm and the way he’s leaning towards her slightly because of it. She can be cool about it, though. She’s Hermione Granger. She can do anything she sets her mind to and her mind says that she can lean in to his heat and take a deep inhale of his scent-

No. No, that's definitely not what she’s going to do. She just had sex— would she consider it sex if it was just Pansy getting off?— with Pansy so obviously she has fulfilled her lustful desires. But then why would she fantasize about Tom in the same way?

She turns to look at Tom. He has a furrow in his brow, likely annoyed at what was being said. It’s normally there when speaking with anyone outside of herself, Daphne Greengrass, or Theo Nott. Her eyes trace over his arched eyebrows down to his dark green irises. She could probably stare at them all day if he let her and she would still not be able to compare their color to anything as beautiful as him. Her eyes find his lips, with a high Cupid’s bow and pretty average lower lip. They were slightly chapped, having been exposed to the crisp air outside despite the warmth the sun brought their little group. Suddenly bombarded with the image of Tom’s lips dripping in her juices from her previous sexual fantasy, Hermione decided that it was time to tune back into the conversation and stop staring at Tom.

“But Arlene will organize these thoughts for us so if you find anything else on breeding, be sure to give it to her.” Padma closes her book with a thud. “I need to go to the Nest to see what the others are doing. I’m sure Chang will have the list of books that need to be returned by the end of the day as well. Arlene, let’s go. I want to get my hands on the new edition of the Cycles of Circe for divination.”

Parvati’s head shoots up. “If you get it, do you mind making some notes for me?”

“Sure,” Padma brushes her orange dress off. “Do you want them right away? If so, we better jet.”

Parvati waves her hand. “No rush! See you both later!”

Arlene waves and straightens her plaid vest before rushing after Padma. Hermione makes a mental note to ask where she got the vest. It was a nice purple color that Hermione would want in a long sleeve if they had it. Pansy’s fashion lessons must be wearing on her if that’s what she was thinking.

Neville pushes the heels of his palms into his eyes. “Asking Padma was a mistake on my part. I think I’m even more confused about this stupid essay.”

“You have another week until it’s due, Nev,” Ginny smiles. “You got this. At least it’s not a Snape DADA essay.”

Tom clears his throat and turns towards Hermione.

“Granger,” Tom pauses. “Hermione.”

“Tom,” she smiles. “Did you have a question about the DADA essay?”

“No, but I do need you to read through Theo’s when you have the chance. I couldn’t make it through the first paragraph.”

“You’re such a Diva. I’m sure it’s not that bad.”

“That’s not exactly what I wanted to ask you.” Tom’s eyes flick towards their audience of Ginny, Neville, Luna, and Parvati. All of whom are trying to look busy.

“Is it Ancient Runes?”

“More like if you wanted to accompany me to Hogsmede next weekend.”

Hermione opens her mouth.

“As a Date.” Tom says quickly. “As in, more than friends.”

Hermione shuts her mouth.

They stare at each other for a few moments too long. Parvati nudges Hermione, giving her an encouraging smile and nod.

“Oh. Yes, that’s.” Hermione giggles and looks away from Tom. Ginny is hitting Neville’s arm in excitement while he smiles. Luna starts clapping. “Wonderful. Um, yes Tom I would love to.”

“Kiss!” Ginny yells.

“Ginny!” Neville says. “Not the time.”

Hermione turns towards Tom. The tips of his ears are red and she laughs. “Come here.”

She tangles her hands in his hair as she pulls him down towards her mouth. Just before they kiss, his hand comes up to cup her cheek.

Hermione feels like she’s floating. Tom’s kiss feels right. It’s hard to describe. She melts into the kiss as Tom puts more passion behind it. She can hear Ginny whistle but chooses to ignore it. Tom’s lips are burning against hers in a way that makes her navel tingle-

And then it’s gone. She opens her eyes to find Tom in ropes and Ginny yelling at someone. She turns to see Harry with his wand pointed at Tom and Ron and Lavender behind him. Lavender looks shocked and happy while Ron looks disgusted.

“Keep your hands off of her, Riddle!”

“Harry!” She yells. She takes her wand to cast a counter curse when it flies from her hand into Ron’s. “Ron!”

“He’s brainwashed you, Mione.” Ron says.

“No he hasn’t! What is wrong with you two?”

Tom manages to grip his wand and disintegrates the ropes before he goes on the offensive. Two against one is an unfair duel, but Tom manages somehow. Both Harry and Ron are on the defense as Tom sends curses and jinxes their way.

“Leave Hermione alone!” Harry yells out before jumping on the offense. “I know you’re helping Malfoy which means you’re helping Voldemort.”

“I’m not helping Malfoy with anything!” Tom returns. “Especially if it has anything to do with You-Know-Who.”

Lavender squeezes Hermione’s shoulders as Pavarti jumps up next to her. “He asked her out?”

“He sure did.” Pavarti replies. “Right in front of Ginny, Luna, Neville, and I. It was very cute.”

Luna looks towards Hermione, who has been entranced by the way Tom handles his wand and the vast array of spells he has in his arsenal. “Seems like Hermione is focused on Thomas’ wand manipulation. I’m sure it will be very similar to his own in a fornication setting.”

“I’m sure he’ll also fulfill every dream you’ve had of him.” Lavender giggles.

Ron is hit with a rope tying jinx which just leaves Harry to fight. Tom flicks his wrists in a motion that leaves Hermione dizzy and Harry on the ground.

“I haven’t done anything to manipulate her.” Tom says to Harry, breathing a bit heavy. “I just asked her on a date and she said yes.”

Ron laughs. “Not bloody likely. You’re a snake. You lot wouldn’t go near a lion without some plan of mockery. We’re trying to protect her.”

“By ignoring her for the first half of the semester and coming in to try and destroy her choice? How is that protection?” Tom bends down and grabs her wand from Ron. “You both need to do better. Not just go to her when it’s convenient for you. She has emotions just like you and has been feeling left out because you two have been ditching her to make-out with Lavender and stalk Malfoy. Honestly, it’s a wonder she’s still friends with you but I won’t deny her that.”

“Who do you think you are, saying that?” Harry spits out.

“Her friend,” Tom looks towards Hermione while he stands. “And hopefully her boyfriend.”

Hermione may have to borrow the empty classroom Lavender recommended the other night. Honestly, she doesn’t think she can wait another second after that display of wand work to jump his bones but Professor McGonagol turns the corner and hands out detentions to the three boys before she has the chance to drag him away. Who knew a good duel could turn her on?