Kitten

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For reviewing, thanks to: Brandi Moore, cosmoGirl666, darkxangelxreaderx, , Gabby0515, ak269, norsetroytomionepotter, princessNyxxx,

Also, there's numerous other people who should be added to the lists above but as the email on my phone has gone strange, I've not been able to get them so Thanks to everyone not mentioned that should be!

Oh, and Anonymous, you could have put it in a nicer way! You've probably managed to offend anyone who actually reads and likes Twilight fan fiction! And for your information, my writing style is very descriptive but because someone asked me to tame the outfit descriptions down I did. Had you asked nicely I would have done it but as you didn't, I'm not going to! If you want to say something like that, create an account and sign in so I can respond in private! Also, plenty of people like this story and aren't bothered by the description!

For norsetroytomionepotter, I'm glad you like the Neko idea, I thought it was kind of unusual. As for the descriptions, I didn't take what you said as too bad, I felt it was simply you telling me what you'd prefer in a story. And I'll try and tone it down a bit more for you J

Sorry it's taken so long, I've had no inspiration for this story as you might guess from how short it is. I've managed to finish this chapter but it might be a while before the next one's up.

Special thanks go out to everyone who commented on how I dealt with the nasty review on 'The Darkness Inside' (it's in a chapter after the epilogue if you want to read my reply). I'd like to apologise to everyone who likes to review anonymously, to try and force that person to actually use an account, I've disabled the anonymous review function, don't worry, I will put it back up soon!

TRHG

Chapter 5

Tom was furious at Crabbe and Goyle Sr. for trying to take Hermione to Dumbledore (even though Hermione hadn't heard who they were working for, it was obvious to Tom that Dumbledore was behind it). He stated that he didn't want Hermione, her friends or any of his friends present when he dealt with them but Rastaban, Rudolphous, Lucius and Severus insisted.

"Think of it this way, we can help you keep hold of your temper so you can think of a proper way to punish them." Severus reasoned and Tom saw the sense in what his friend said.

"Fine, but you are only to intervene when it seems like I'm taking things too far." He growled angrily.

"Of course, shall we go Tom?" Lucius nodded. While the five men went to the meeting, Narcissa and Bellatrix distracted the teens. They found that, when not acting crazy and attempting to kill them, Bellatrix was actually lovely. Now that they were on the same side, as far as getting rid of Dumbledore was concerned, she had decided that some of the teens needed a mother. She seemed to have taken Harry and Neville under her wing, showering the two boys with affection, especially Harry when she found out what his life with his Muggle relatives was like. Because the teens weren't at Hogwarts anymore, the two women had started tutoring them so they actually could sit their NEWTs.

Hermione was more distracted than normal, she was almost aching to find out what Tom was planning for the people who'd attempted to kidnap her. Not even potions, one of her favourite subjects, could distract her. In the end, Narcissa contacted Draco, Blaise and Pansy to floo over to distract her. The Malfoys, the Parkinson's and Mrs Zabini had all pulled their children from Hogwarts, knowing that they would be able to give them a better education than the one that Dumbledore was enforcing. But even the appearance of the Slytherin Trio was insufficient to distract her although it did distract the others due to the information that they brought.

"Ron's saying what?" Ginny screeched in a passable impression of what would be a cross between her mother and an angry owl.

"He's saying that Hermione is his fiancée, he's getting loads of sympathy for it actually." Pansy replied from where she was busy braiding Luna's hair into a French plait.

"But Hermione can't stand him!" Harry argued, looking confused.

"Well we know that but no one else does. Think about it, you three were so close, would it be so hard for someone outside the group to believe that she would agree to marry him?" Blaise pointed out, staring thoughtfully at one of his former enemies. Harry blushed lightly at the attention of the Italian male whom he'd had a crush on for years.

In the end, they managed to get Hermione to listen when they told her about Ron's claims and she got so angry that the immediately sent off a Howler that included a rather nasty impotence curse.

"I knew you had it in you Granger!" Draco grinned at her.

"But what will the Professors say?" She worried, looking nervous.

"That you had every right to get angry, and to threaten to sue him for slander was a piece of genius!" Narcissa smiled, handing the Neko a cup of tea to calm her down.

TRHG

Tom sat facing the bound men his face calm and impassive but inwardly he was seething with rage. He wasn't sure what it was about Hermione that could cause him to lose control like this but something about her drew him to her.

"How dare you break into my home and attempt to abduct someone who is a guest here!" He snarled, hitting them both with a strong Crucio, causing them to crash to the floor. Crabbe Sr. managed to get himself up off the floor and sneered at Tom.

"If the little whore had been in her bed when we went to get her, we would not be in this position. Instead it would be you and your most faithful at our feet, begging us for mercy!" He spat angrily. Tom was never truly sure what happened next but Severus, Lucius, Rudolphus and Rastaban all said that it was one of the most brutal and vicious things they had ever seen.

By the time Tom had come to his senses, Crabbe Sr, was a barely recognisable mass of mangled flesh and bone in a pool of his own blood. Goyle Sr. was cowering nearby when Tom turned his attention towards him.

"Please My Lord, he said that if I didn't, he'd tell you about the plan and that it was my fault. I never wanted to hurt her! I'd heard that Nekos can turn into cats so I hoped that she'd wake up and do so to escape. She must have done just that!" He stuttered nervously, his face fearful. Tom paused and looked at the cowering man thoughtfully.

"Severus, have you any Veritaserum?" He asked finally, looking at his friend.

"Of course I have, my Lord." Severus replied, stepping forward to hand the small vial to Tom. After dosing Goyle Sr. (who gladly took the potion to prove his innocence) with the potion and asking the standard questions to check that it was working, he began his questioning in earnest.

Later, after the potion had worn off, Tom finally decided what to do with Goyle Sr.

"It is obvious to me that you did not play a wiling part in the plot however you were involved so you must have some punishment. From now on, you will no longer be allowed on this premises unescorted, and you will be closely watched in your associations from now on as well. This will be your only second chance, any more transgressions and I will not be as merciful as I am being now in the future, is that clear?" He said, gauging Goyle's reaction to his words. The man simply looked relieved and nodded before leaving, muttering a quick but sincere "Thank you My Lord." on his way out. He actually seemed a little ashamed of what he had been forced to attempt, showing Tom that there was some hope for him yet.

Tom had wanted to see Hermione almost immediately after dealing with the would-be-kidnappers but his friends persuaded him to wait until he'd showered and changed his blood.

"The sight of you covered in someone's blood might scare her." Severus had stated with a wry shake of his head. He didn't really understand just how strong the draw that Hermione held for Tom, so since the teens had begun to reside at Slytherin Manor, he was almost constantly amazed at his friend's fondness for the Neko.

Tom nodded and went back to his room to shower and change, before calling a couple of house elves. He told the first to dispose of his clothes as they were completely stained with Crabbe's blood, while he instructed the second to get rid of the remains and try to get as much blood off the floor as possible. Contrary to popular belief, Tom did care about how his house elves were treated and he never overworked them. Once he was presentable once more, he went to see Hermione, just to reaffirm in his mind that she was alright.

He could tell that she was curious about what he'd done to Crabbe and Goyle Sr. but he also knew that it might scare her, the lengths he went to protect her, so he kept quiet.

TRHG

Dumbledore gnashed his teeth, Crabbe Sr. had failed to kidnap Hermione back and worse still, had gotten killed but Tom. With an angry snarl, Dumbledore threw his teacup at the wall, feeling very satisfied at its smash. He needed her back for his plans, otherwise all would be lost! He couldn't give up, he wouldn't. He was the one who'd discovered that she was a Neko! He should be the one to benefit from her, not Tom! And he would, he'd just have to find another way to get her. It would be harder now as Tom was aware that he wanted Hermione for his plans, but it would be possible; with just the right plan, he would have the Neko back again and could carry on with his plans.

When he'd discovered that she was a Neko, it was not a moment too soon, he'd been worrying about the lack of them in the UK and was worried that he might have to go farther afield for his plans. All he'd had to do was wait until she reached maturity and then everything would be ready. Ronald Weasley had been made aware of his plans in 4th year, and recruited to keep her and Harry on the right track. He'd failed in a way, as they had stopped hanging out with him but before they'd been taken, they had been friends with the right sort of people. Now though, Dumbledore knew that the entire group of friends were associating with Slytherins of all people! That would change soon! Once he completed his plans, he would have the entire group sent to Azkaban, no one would question him about it, after all, he was Albus Dumbledore!