Can't run from time

*warning- has themes of sexual assault and murder pls don't read if you can't handle it*

*rlly long and deep chapter sorry!!*

A couple of days later, Hermione sat reading int he Slytherin common room when she overheard Nott, Mulciber, other Slytherin boys and  Avery make a snide comment about her "position" as Tom's dark lady. They all suspected her. 

They called her a slut and even began saying these names to her face. Some of them would even come and mock her with flirty comments. But as the days passed, the flirtations became bolder, and the taunting became a constant pain.

"You know," Avery said one evening, his voice dripping with mockery, "it's almost a waste, you being tied to Riddle. A woman like you deserves someone... less cold."

Hermione stiffened, her fingers curling around her goblet. "And you think that's you?" she shot back.

Avery grinned, his sharp features lit with something predatory. He put his hands up "I'm just saying, if you ever get tired of him..."

Before she could reply, Tom walked into the room. His presence loomed behind her. His hand rested lightly on her shoulder, but his grip was firm enough to make her flinch.

"Everything alright Avery?" Tom said, his voice calm but laced with venom. "Just making sure you're not getting to close to your superior ." Avery's grin faltered, but he inclined his head mockingly. "Of course, my lord."

He shot a look at Hermione. Superior my arse... ill show that whore her place...

---
The next evening, Hermione found herself cornered in the dungeons. She had been retrieving a book from the library when Avery appeared, his expression darker than usual.

"You think you're so special, don't you?" he sneered, stepping closer.

Hermione tried to move past him, but he blocked her path.

"Let me pass," she said, her voice steady but her heart racing.

Avery's hand shot out, grabbing her wrist. "Why should I? You join OUR school and flirt with Riddle to get in our ranks, pretend to be one of US and then end up getting treated like some queen?!"

She struggled, her wand clattering to the ground as he pushed her against the cold stone wall. 

Panic surged through her as she felt him press his bulge on her. He covered her mouth and ran his hand up her skirt. He rubbed her through her underwear. She struggled, trying to scream but felt suffocated. "you like that don't you slut?"

"LET HER GO!." Tom ran from the end of the corridor, his wand raised. His expression was a mask of fury, his dark eyes burning with an intensity that made Avery pale.

Avery gasped, releasing Hermione. She fell to the ground. 

"Leave," Tom ordered, his voice low and dangerous. "Now."

Avery, surprised tom let him go, fled as fast as he could, his steps echoing behind him. Tom lurched to the floor and turned to Hermione, his eyes burning"

"Are you hurt?" he asked, holding her close and stroking her forehead softly.

Hermione shook her head, while sobbing quietly. "I'm fine." she managed to whisper.He cast some healing spells on her, and a charm to calm her down. He then scooped her up and carried her back to their dorm. "don't worry. he will pay.."

---
The next morning, before breakfast, as the students flooded into the Great Hall,  shrieks began echoing all around them..chaos. Gasps and screams filled the air as students pointed toward the ceiling.

Avery hung there, blood dripping from his broken body. His face was swollen, his robes torn. He was almost naked except for the words "Man Whore" written in blood across his white shirt.

The teachers screamed, nurses ran around everywhere. Dippet untied him and helped him down. He was still alive but was brutally tortured. 

Dumbledore rose from his seat, his face pale but composed. "Enough!" he bellowed, silencing the hall. He turned to the staff. "Take him down and get him to the hospital wing. I will not tolerate this in my school." Dumbledore's piercing gaze swept across the hall, landing briefly on Hermione. Tears were flooding from her eyes and her stomach twisted. She turned and ran from the halls as fast a she could.

-----

That evening, Dumbledore summoned Hermione to his office. The room was filled with the soft ticking of various magical instruments, but the headmaster's expression was grim. "I trust you know who is responsible for this attack," he said, his blue eyes boring into hers. Hermione hesitated. "I- I.. he-"

She burst out into tears. She told him all about the trauma from the previous night. When she was done, she sniffled, blowing her nose with his handkerchief and avoiding his gaze. 

"I'm so sorry hermione. You've been through enough... I will urge Nicholas to put all his effort into fixing the time turner. We will send you home as soon as we can."

She left his office late in the evening. He'd sat with her, calming her down while sipping on a soothing brew. God how she would miss him in the future..

When she returned to the common room, Tom was waiting for her. He was pacing, his expression dark. "Hermione, I-'

 "Do you have any idea what you've done?" she snapped. 

Tom's eyes narrowed. "I protected you." "By beating him half to death?" she shot back. "You're turning into a monster!" Tom's face twisted with fury, but he took a deep breath, his tone cold and measured. "Everything I do, you criticise. I saved you! I did nothing wrong!"

 Hermione's heart clenched, but she refused to let him see her falter. "Maybe. But you need to understand that  I don't- that- that torture isn't always the way... but... thank you for protecting me. " she said quietly, turning on her heel and leaving him standing alone. 

-----

 Hours later, Tom stood in the Room of Requirement, the diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw resting in his hands and Avery kneeling in front of him. He had carefully managed to sneak Avery out the hospital wing.. and now he had everything he needed. He felt the power of the diadem pulsing beneath his fingertips. 

 The ritual was precise, every incantation spoken with care. The air grew heavy, the room vibrating with dark magic as he completed the spell. The diadem glowed briefly before settling into a dull, eerie light. Tom stared at it, a faint smile on his lips. "now for the final step," he whispered to himself.  He looked down at Avery who pleaded for his freedom.  

"Goodbye." 

And with that, toms eyes glared red as he shouted 

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

The diadem buzzed. It was done. He now had 4 of his 7 horcruxes.

There was no turning back..