Other Chores
It didn't take long for Hermione to become accustomed to her new environment. Technically she slept with Riddle each night, but she might as well have been sleeping on the moon for all the attention he gave her. Though she noticed he took care to mention the sleeping arrangement often around Harry. It was as if he was looking to see the other man's head explode.
She was mainly left to her own devices during the day, but she used the time to read the book she had gotten from Rookwood. The day after she had finished it, Hermione found a text on poisonous plants of England sitting in her usual reading spot. She hadn't told Riddle she needed a new book, but she couldn't imagine the selection was placed there by anyone but him.
"We can't snub these people, Tom." Harry's exasperated voice carried from the hall.
Hermione got up from where she was reading to peek her head out and see what was going on.
"Then you go. You often tell me you are better with people. Prove it." Riddle had his back to his partner as he tinkered with an unrecognizable device.
"The invitation is for you. They want to meet the brilliant Tom Riddle. You have to go."
"No."
"It could affect our relationship with Scotland Yard. You enjoy the cases we get from them."
Riddle glanced back to glare at Harry when he noticed her in the doorway. His expression changed to something more pensive for a moment before he turned back to his work.
"Fine."
"Really?" Harry seemed surprised he had won the fight so easily.
"Do you wish for me to change my mind?"
It wasn't long after that Riddle had to go out on an important errand, and Hermione returned to her reading. She often thought living in the house was like a holiday but reminded herself not to get too used to the men or their home.
No one mentioned the mysterious invitation again until a few days later when Dobby carried a large box into the den where all three of them were reading separately.
"Delivery Master." She hadn't gotten a straight answer from the boy about why he called Riddle that and Harry by his full name. It just was the way it was.
"Take it up to my bedroom." Riddle didn't look up from his book. "Hermione will go with you to make sure it fits."
"What did you buy her?" The suspicion was clear in Harry's tone. He probably imagined a sexy costume. She was curious herself.
"She didn't have anything fit for tonight."
"What would she…" Harry trailed off as understanding dawned in his eyes. "She isn't going with you, Tom."
"Of course she is. You didn't think I would agree to go without bringing my own entertainment?"
"I didn't tell them you were bringing a guest; it's rude just to show up with someone."
"I sent a correction yesterday." He waved Harry's concern away.
"You can't bring Hermione to a dinner party with these people. I-it isn't safe."
"If there are any issues with the gown, I can send for a seamstress to correct them before tonight." Riddle acted as if he couldn't hear Harry's protests as he sent Hermione from the room.
"Tom!"
She was curious about what kind of dress Riddle would choose for her. She didn't mind going to a party; it had been over a week since she had left the house, and it would be nice to get out.
She was pulling the dress from the box when the door opened behind her. She knew it was him without looking. Hermione stood with her back to him in her underthings as she looked at the creation of emerald satin and black lace.
"This is too nice for a whore."
"Tonight, you will be an extension of me." He pulled the laces from her corset and started to remove it.
"How did you get Potter to agree?"
"I don't need his permission to take what is mine to a dinner party." He tossed the garment aside, then turned her slowly to face him. Hermione's eyes caught on the corset discarded without care on the otherwise spotless surroundings. She was reminded of Rookwood's mangled body left in his office.
"What do you get out of the constant reminders of your perceived ownership?" She didn't look at him as she asked.
"You are the one that sold yourself to me."
"I've sold myself to other men; none of them like to be reminded of the exchange."
"In how many ways must I remind you I am not other men?" He brushed his fingers over the once bruised skin as if he were feeling for any imperfection.
When she finally looked up into his eyes, she found a hungry carnivore looking back, her breath caught, and she felt the urge to stay very still.
"Pleased that I've healed?" She pushed herself to speak. Hermione wouldn't let herself be intimidated.
"Very. You'll sleep in the nude from now on." It wasn't exactly an order, just a statement of fact.
"I need to put my corset back on if I'm going to try on the dress." She wasn't going to argue over something about which she did not care. She wondered if it meant he planned to start touching her even though she had not begged for him. They were his rules, after all; he could change them any time he liked.
"Tonight, I don't want you to hide who you are or what you are doing in my house." He stroked her sides absently as he spoke as if he were mindlessly petting her as one does a cat.
"You want these fancy people to know you've adopted a whore?" She looked at him doubtfully.
"These fancy people aren't the type to keep things to themselves. It would be an advantage for our enemy to make a move."
"I'm going as bait." She suddenly understood.
He leaned down as if he planned to kiss her neck and whispered. "Very enjoyable bait."
"Tom, we are no-" Hermione looked over Riddle's shoulder and found he had left the door wide open. Harry stood, turning bright red, and quickly looked away as their eyes met.
Riddle stood straight and smirked down at her, telling her how much he enjoyed it when things turned out exactly the way he wanted.
"Would you care to join us, Potter?" He asked without looking away from her.
Hermione rolled her eyes and turned to pick up her corset and redress. She would not engage in his immature teasing of the young doctor.
She heard Harry growl before he stormed off in a huff. She had the feeling the only thing keeping him from challenging Riddle to a duel in her honor is that Hermione didn't protest any of his actions.
"Why do you do that?" She shook her head as she fixed her clothes.
"His morality will be the death of him," Riddle stated, making Hermione go still as she processed his words.
"You're doing it to protect him?" She looked back at the man, seeing him in a slightly new light.
"I have an investment in the boy I do not wish to waste."
"Ah." She wasn't about to call him on the bullshit answer, but she smirked back at him to let him know she knew the truth.
"I have hired a maid to help you get ready later. I do not want anyone to think you any less polished than the hostess."
"I am to be your polished courtesan." She was still smiling as she pulled the dress over her head.
The material slid over her like liquid, molding to her form perfectly. Riddle had quite an eye since he had ordered it without getting her measurements. The neckline was almost obscenely low, but it would do with the part he wanted her to play. She only noticed with the dress on that the lace appeared to be a long serpent, wrapping around her and hugging her curves.
As she looked at herself in the mirror, she couldn't help but imagine she was a demoness tempting men into grave misdeeds.
"It suits you well," Riddle said with an approving tone.
"It is positively sinful." She shook her head slightly, but she thought she might enjoy wearing it in front of the posh crowd. She wasn't above enjoying a minor scandal.
"That would depend highly on one's religion." He settled his hands on her waist as he stood behind her. "There are places in this world that would worship a woman like you."
"Oh?" She laughed as he brushed her hair away from her neck. "Nowhere I've ever heard of."
"Maybe we will have to change that." He laid a single kiss on her neck that sent a shiver down her spine. "It seems the dress fits, be ready to leave by five." He pulled away from her and turned towards the door.
"Would you mind not saying things like that?" She asked as she turned to pull the dress off carefully. She didn't want to hurt it before their night out.
"Something I said offended you?" She could feel his eyes on her once more. He seemed curious, as if he had no idea how he could have upset her.
"Not offended. But I like to keep things clear. Once you find your murderer, our deal will be over. I'm not your betrothed, and we are not courting. There will be no going to far off places for us."
"Our deal is only over when I am done with you. Which may be before or after this case is solved and is only dictated by my whim."
She turned to argue, but he was already closing the door behind him as he left her alone in the room. Hermione sat on the bed and thought back to their arrangement. At the time, she had thought it meant the duration of his mystery, but those had not been the words he had used.