Can't run from time

SORRY THIS SONG WAS THE FIRST THING THAT CAME TO MIND WHEN I CAME UP WITH THE TITLE FOR THIS CHAPTER! ANYWAYS THANKS FOR READING. ENJOY! LOVE YOU <3

PS:KIND OF LONG SORRY! PLS COMMENT SO I CAN GET BETTER

Hermione spent the next few days avoiding Tom as best as she could. She threw herself into her studies and spent long hours in the library, hoping to find the familiarity of books comforting. But her thoughts kept drifting back to Tom . 

She couldn't deny the strange pull she felt toward him, but she reminded herself that he was dangerous and unpredictable. After successfully ignoring him all week, Hermione was making her way to her first class in an ok mood when she saw Tom standing in the corridor. He walked over to her, but he didn't have  his usual confident demeanor. Instead he looked oddly embarrassed and quite pained, as if he was forcing himself to walk towards her.

"Hermione," he began, his voice uncharacteristically soft, "I wanted to.. um.. well-"

He took a deep breath. "um. a-a-apologize for what I said. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Hermione raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. "An apology, Tom? That's a first." she mutters under her breath. She didnt know whether to be amused or afraid.

"I mean it," he insisted. "You're.. well... important to me, Hermione. You're my Dark Lady." he whispered. She remained silent, not knowing how to respond. She couldn't show weakness. She couldn't afford to let him get too close could she?

Tom seemed to sense her hesitation. "Can we spend more some time together? I want to know more about you. My dark lady can't be mysterious to me" She sighed but nodded. "Fine. But I'm not making any promises. And I will remain a mystery until you unravel your secrets as my dark lord" He smirked at her in agreement.

They began spending time together in the library, working side by side. Hermione often tried to steer their conversations towards personal topics, hoping to get Tom to open up about his secrets, like the chamber and his plans. But he was as guarded as ever, deflecting her questions with ease.

Several days passed this way. One afternoon, after a particularly grueling lesson, Hermione was the last to leave the classroom. As she gathered her things, Tom appeared at the door."Hermione, wait," he said, his voice urgent.

She turned to see him walking towards her, his expression serious. Before she could react, he dropped to one knee."Marry me," he said, his eyes fixed on hers. "You are my Dark Lady, and you belong to me forever, we made a deal. We might as well be married. Besides, no one else could ever be my equal."

Hermione felt a rush of anger and disbelief. "WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?"

 "Tom, what are you talking about?" she shouted. "You can't just propose to me out of nowhere because you want to sleep with me! Marriage is not something you decide on a whim. It's a commitment, and you don't even understand what that means! You don't even know the definition of love Tom, all you know is lust and that's all you will ever know" she spat.

Tom's expression hardened. "I understand more than you think, Hermione. And..lo-lov- I know what it is and I personally think it's overrated. All I know is what I want, and I want you by my side."

"You're impossible!" she snapped. "You can't just expect me to agree to something like this. You need to understand that there are things you can't control. You can't control me."With that, she stormed out of the room. Tom growled. He muttered a dark spell and shot it at her, attempting to catch her off guard but she was too quick. "Expelliamus!" she shouted back. Instead, she caught him off guard, something that has never happened before. Without warning his wand shot out of his hand and flew straight to hers. "Aww nice try tom" she said smugly waving his wand at him. "Give it back", he said dangerously. "should I? I could keep it" she began before throwing it down the hallway. "Fetch" she spat before running away. FuCK he shouts angrily.

For the next week, Tom avoided Hermione. She noticed his absence and couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. She knew she had been harsh, but his proposal had caught her off guard. She needed time to think.

One evening, Tom approached her again, this time on the Astronomy Tower. He held a small box in his hand, and the night sky provided a stunning backdrop to his serious expression. "Tom im sorry" she began

"Hermione," he said, opening the box to reveal a simple, elegant ring, "I know I went about this the wrong way. My lady deserves the best. Here... Will you marry me?

Hermione stared at the ring, her mind racing. She wanted to scream again but she can't ruin her She took a deep breath. "One step at a time, Tom. We can date and see where it leads."A rare smile broke across Tom's face. "That's all I ask." She stared, he really was beautiful and innocent when he smiled. Almost made her forget who he was. This was all part of the mission she thought to herself to get rid of the guilt again.

His smile lasted a few seconds before it vanished and his eyes were emotionless again. Instead he smirked and leaned in and kissed her gently, a surprisingly tender moment under the stars. Hermione felt a mix of emotions—confusion, attraction, and a strange sense of hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe he was changing.

As the weeks went by, they grew closer. Tom began involving her more in his meetings with the Knights. Hermione, despite her inner conflict, found herself fitting into the role of a Dark Lady with ease. She was a natural leader, and the Knights mostly respected her. Although she always left before the torture began. Every meeting someone would get hurt, someone would be injured or sworn at on good days.

She told Tom but that always ended with minor arguments about how the Dark Lady shouldn't be weak. Despite the arguments during their private moments, Tom and Hermione's bond deepened. They discussed plans, shared ideas, and even argued passionately about their visions for the future. Hermione still had her mission, but she couldn't deny the connection she felt with Tom. And as much as he persisted in trying to "fuck" her, she always avoided. Kissing, sure all part of the act. But she couldnt, no matter the urges.

One night, after a particularly intense meeting, Tom pulled her aside. "You're remarkable, Hermione. The Knights respect you. I- I respect you"

She smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her at the thought of him being proud. "Thank you, Tom. But remember, Im not doing this for  power. I want your- our Knights to be true to their name. Im not saying we shouldn't explore dark magic its just.. I believe that magic shift be used for doing what's right."Tom nodded, though his eyes still held that familiar glint of ambition. "Yes yes whatever. And with you by my side, I believe we can achieve great things." 

Hermione knew he had ignored every word she had said but she had to play along. She was playing a dangerous game, but for now, she was willing to see where it would take her. For now, the closer she was to him the better.