Can't run from time

Hermione spun around, her wand raised, heart pounding. Emerging from the shadows were cloaked figures— his knights. They stepped into the clearing, their eyes gleaming with malice, their hoods pulled low."Lord Voldemort," one of them said, bowing slightly. 

His eyes slid to Hermione, and a sneer crossed his face. "And your Dark Lady."Hermione's heart skipped a beat.

Lord Voldemort....no...no..NO!

She stared at Tom, disbelief flooding her veins.  He'd done it. He'd finally taken that name. The one that would become significant for terror, death, and the darkest magic known to wizardkind.

Tom smiled, clearly relishing the shock on her face. His expression was smug, predatory, as if waiting for her to say something—acknowledge his transformation into the figure he had always dreamed of becoming.

"Well?" Tom asked, his voice smooth but edged with danger. "What do you think of the name? It has... power, don't you think?"

Hermione's throat was dry. She nodded slowly, forcing herself to speak despite the fear curling in her chest. "It's... fitting."Tom's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. 

"I thought so. The old name—my father's name—was weak and filthy. This," he gestured grandly, "this is what I was meant to be."

Hermione could only nod, her mind spinning. He had fully embraced his path. It was too late.

 But she couldn't show it.Instead, she held herself together. She had to play along until she could tell Dumbledore.

Tom's hand settled on her shoulder, his grip firm. "Hermione," he said softly, though there was an unmistakable edge to his voice. "I think it's time for you to show your loyalty." Her stomach churned. "What do you mean?"Tom's eyes glittered with cold amusement.

"well some of our knights are worried you aren't truly committed to our cause. Why dont you show them your loyalty to me?" 

 "Kill him," he said, nodding toward the nearest Knight. "Show them all who you really are." Hermione's breath caught in her throat.

 Kill him? She looked at the Knight in question—a young man, no older than 16, staring at her with wide, panicked eyes. Her hands trembled, her wand clutched tightly in her grip."Do it, Hermione," Tom whispered in her ear, his breath warm against her skin. "Or I'll know where your true loyalties lie."Panic surged through her. She couldn't do this. She wasn't a killer. 

"Tom," she said, her voice wavering, "I don't need to prove myself like this. You know I'm with you.""Words are cheap," Tom replied, his voice cold. "Actions speak louder."

Hermione's heart pounded in her chest. She raised her wand, pointing it at the trembling Death Eater. Tension built as they all waited. A silencing spell was placed on the area..

Hermione took a sharp breath. Everyone flinched as they waited for her to shout.... AV-

"EXPELLIAMUS!!!" she screamed before sprinting as fast as she could back to the safety of the castle.

"No!" Tom hissed. "stay here" he muttered to the others, before apparating after hermione.