Sorry this took so long. I hope you like the chapter!

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Hermione was sitting on the bed, a book open in her lap when she heard a soft knock on the door. She glanced over at Blake, who only looked up from his own book for a second.

She slid off the bed and hurried over to the door. She opened it and was surprised to find someone other that Tom standing there. Hermione gaped like a fish out of water at Pansy Parkinson, who was looking at her almost nervously.

"Granger." She said, sticking out her hand. Hermione eyed her hand warily before taking it, shaking it gently. "Parkinson, or is it Malfoy now?" She greeted the other girl with a nod. "Can I ask what you're doing… here?" Hermione asked.

"I could ask you the same thing. This is my house after all." Pansy said with a sneer. He sneer slowly left her lips. "The Dark Lord wanted me to inform you that is meeting will be longer than he expected. He thought you and your son might like a tour of the library."

Hermione nodded. "Yes, that would be nice." She said, looking back at her son. "Blake, would you like to see the Malfoy's library?" she called over her shoulder.

Blake looked a little annoyed that he had been interrupted, but he nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, Mum. Just a minute." He marked his place in his book and joined her at the door where Pansy was waiting.

She eyed Blake for a moment before gesturing for mother and son to follow her. She led the way to a set of double doors leading into the library conveniently placed just down the hallway.

Once inside both Hermione and Blake let out tiny gasps. The library was about the size of Hogwart's with floor to ceiling shelves packed with books. The room seemed to hum with magic, making Hermione shiver even in the warm room.

"Feel free to look around." Pansy said, stepping out of the way so Hermione and Blake could look. "Stay close Blake." Hermione said, as if scared he would get lost. And, by the looks of it he very well could.

Hermione walked straight ahead, her shoes clicking on the hardwood as she walked. It took her a few moments to realize that another pair of shoes were clicking after her. "Were you sent to watch me, Parkinson?" Hermione asked, startling the other witch slightly. She didn't bother calling the woman 'Malfoy'. She didn't look anything like the aristocratic snobs she knew the Malfoys to be.

"No I, well, yes I suppose I was." She said. "How old is your son, Granger?" she asked, attempting small talk, although it was very obvious she didn't care for a conversation.

"Eleven, this is his first year at Hogwarts." Hermione answered, pulling an untitled book from the shelf and opening it.

"Then why is he here?" Pansy asked. Hermione glared at her. "That's none of your business, Parkinson." She snapped.

Pansy scowled, but she didn't push it. "My son is going to Hogwarts next year. He's already playing Quidditch, he's a remarkable flyer." She bragged. "Has your son started yet."

Hermione shook her head. "He doesn't like heights." She answered, going back to the book in her hands.

The other witch nodded and turned, walking back down the aisle toward the double doors.

Hermione and Blake browsed through the library for little over an hour, Pansy sipping tea and reading a copy of Witch Weekly as she waited. Hermione was looking through a particularly interesting Dark Arts book when the double doors flew open, hitting the wall behind them. She looked up, but she couldn't see who had come in from where she stood.

"Hermione, Blake, let's go." Tom called from the front of the library. Hermione scowled and walked towards the sound of his voice, her book still in her arms. Blake sat in a chair near Pansy, waiting for his mother to tell him whether or not to listen to him.

"Actually Tom, I was quite enjoying this book." She said, challenging him with her eyes.

Pansy gasped at the sheer disrespect Hermione showed towards her Lord. His eyes flashed crimson, but he kept his composure.

"Bring the book with you then, Hermione. Let's go." He said, and Hermione reluctantly nodded. "Fine." She said, pressing her lips together in a thin line.

"Come on, Blake." She said. Blake jumped up from his chair and followed his mother and father out of the library and back to the guestroom.

Blake went inside to continue reading, but Tom caught Hermione's arm before she could follow. He turned her around, caressing her cheek with his cold fingers.

She didn't move away, but she didn't look very pleased with him either. "Tom," she started, but he pressed his lips to hers before she could continue.

Hermione pushed his lips away. "Tom don't." she said, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Why am I here?" she asked, looking up at him imploringly.

"Why do you think?" he snapped, not happy about being pushed away. "I made a promise to you Hermione, did I not?"

Hermione scowled. "Yes, you did. And then you killed my best friend." She said, tears springing to her eyes.

"You didn't seem to care this morning. Why the sudden change of heart?" he sneered.

"I was upset this morning." She replied.

Tom folded his arms over his chest. "I saved the blood traitor. You knew I had to kill Potter if I was to come back to you, and you didn't complain once. When I left you with the Order that night you knew that if I was to fulfill my promise I would have to kill Potter. That was the only way to win the war. You chose me over him a long time ago."

Hermione glared at him. "Maybe now I regret it." She said, turning and opening the door to the guestroom. She slammed the door shut in his face, feeling confused and angry with herself as she furiously brushed away tears.

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