Almost a week after christmas..
The Forbidden Forest was eerily silent, its ancient trees shrouded in mist as Tom's death eaters gathered in a tense semicircle. They were quiet, shifting uneasily under the eyes of their master's fury.
Hermione stood next to tom, her mind racing. She had spent the last week trying to perfect her Occlumency, desperate to hide the truth from Tom. Now, as she looked up at him, she could clearly see the anger waiting to explode.
Tom began pacing, his piercing gaze sweeping over the assembled group. "Two of my horcruxes," he began, his voice chillingly calm, "have been destroyed."
A ripple of shock and fear coursed through the group. Abraxas Malfoy's eyes widened, his usual composure slipping as he glanced nervously at Hermione.
Tom's wand twirled in his hand, a predator toying with its prey. "These were not accidents," he continued. "This is calculated. Someone—perhaps one of you—has dared to undermine me."
A murmur of denials broke out, but Tom silenced them with a sharp flick of his wand. "Silence!" His voice rang out, commanding and unyielding.
Hermione's throat tightened as she felt his gaze land on her. She forced herself to look calm, though her heart pounded violently in her chest.
"Let this serve as a demonstration," Tom said smoothly, turning his attention to Abraxas. "Perhaps pain will loosen tongues."
Before Abraxas could react, Tom's wand shot forward. "Crucio!"
Abraxas crumpled to the ground, his screams echoing through the forest. Hermione clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms to keep herself from reacting. Her stomach churned as she watched her friend writhe in agony, knowing she was the reason for his suffering.
"I trusted you with one Abraxas... I TRUSTED YOU!" Tom screamed
"my-my my- lord" Abraxas tried to explain in between his shrieks. When Tom finally lifted the curse, he looked at each of them in turn. "You will find the culprit," he ordered. "And when you do, they will beg for death."
As the group dispersed, Hermione fled back to the castle before Tom could talk to her, her chest heaving with small sobs. Abraxas caught up to her, pale and trembling but managing a small, reassuring smile.
"Im sorry" she said softly, stroking a lock of platinum blond hair off his face.
"Hey. Don't worry." he said, taking her hand into hers. They stopped walking and she looked up at him. "You can't keep doing this alone," he whispered. "As long as he doesn't find out its you, you're safe.. and id gladly get tortured a million times if it meant your safe"
"Oh abrax" she smiled, hugging him tight. "I can't believe your grandson becomes such a dick" she smirks.
"He does?" Abraxas smirked back. "Well, he probably takes after his future grandmother" he winked. Hermione nodded. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Tom walking out the forest towards them.
"We should go" Abraxas muttered. She nodded mutely, putting her arm around him for support as they walked back to the castle.