Time Changes All Things: Now Complete

The beginning of this chapter was written with many tears from me. It stirred up many feelings and memories.
Thank you Nicole for your help and support...you are a wonderful beta and friend!

Chapter 17: Recovery
Something radiating great warmth was lying up against Hermione’s body. Reaching her hand down she felt around until she touched a hard lean stomach and then moved up to feel the strong chest muscles firm under her hand. Flicking her eyes open she looked over to see the most important person in her life smiling down at her.

“Tom,” she said so softly and he kissed the top of Hermione’s head while she melted into his loving touch.

“I’m here, love,” Tom intertwined his fingers with hers, “I am never letting you go.”

“I could always feel you there.” Hermione looked into Tom’s eyes, “Even though it was dark and quiet where I was, I always knew you were there waiting for me to come back to you.” He remained silent as he held Hermione close to him. Tom knew what he needed to do and it needed to happen soon. How was he going to tell his love that their child had been killed by an act of violence?

Hermione, as she sat there questioning the silence, knew that Tom was holding something back. Pulling away from him she turned to face him. What she saw in Tom’s face scared her.

“Tom, what is wrong?” she asked feeling the dread as it lumped in her stomach, “I know you are keeping something from me. “ Hermione could see the tenseness in Tom’s jaw. Starting to shudder and choke on her tears, Hermione put her hand on her lover’s chest, “Please…what is it? I deserve to know what happened, please, Tom.”

By the look on Hermione’s tormented face and the pleading tone of her voice, Tom knew that he could not keep the truth from her any longer. The moment he had been dreading the past twenty days had finally arrived.

Looking deep into Hermione’s questioning eyes he asked, “Do you remember what happened to you on Halloween night?”

“Yes…mostly; bits and pieces,” Hermione’s face showed the revulsion as she pondered on the abuse that she had endured that night. “It’s something I wish you could Obliviate from my memory.” Tom wished silently that he had done exactly that on the night she had been attacked, but he also wanted her to not forget the good time they had at the ball earlier that evening.

Taking a cleansing breath, he swallowed, realizing what a dry throat he had making it hard for the words to come out. “That night...” Tom looked away, staring at the wall so he wouldn’t have to meet his love’s pain filled eyes, “That night…your attackers injured you greatly. “

Tom looked back down at Hermione. “When we finally found you…Oh Gods…you were drenched in blood and…”

Hermione cut him off, “What did they do to me?”

Tom jumped off of the bed, his body shaking with anger, grief and frustration. Turning to her, he spoke softly, “They brutally raped you, more than once…” Tom sensed the anguish bubbling up inside of him, “I didn’t get there in time to save you.”

Falling to his knees, by the side of the bed, he grabbed her hand and brought it up to his chest, “I am so sorry,” he said with a regretful tone. Shocked at the words she had just heard, nothing was more surprising than hearing the words, “Sorry” escape Tom Riddle’s lips.

“You were bleeding internally…there was so much blood.” Hermione’s tears fell when she saw Tom’s eyes watering.
“I don’t know how to tell you…but…” Tom looked down at their intertwined hands, “Our baby didn’t survive.” An agonizing sob and a grief-stricken moan floated out of Hermione’s mouth

“How did you know about the baby?” her breathing became more rapid and she started to become light headed. “Lucretia and I only found out I was pregnant the night of the ball?”

Reaching out to caress Hermione’s cheek he gave a weak smile, “I know…I am not angry with you.”

Tom heard a weak voice ask, “How…did it happen…how did our baby die?” Inside she knew what had killed her baby, but she needed to hear it straight from Tom to make it real for her.

“The attack, the rape was too hard on your body,” Tom struggled to find the right words to explain about the gruesome sight they had witnessed when finding Hermione in the cave.

“Oh, damn…Hermione, do you really want all of the details?” Tom almost begged her with his eyes to not have to expand on what happened to her.

Wiping the tears off of her cheeks and using the bed sheet to wipe her nose, she coughed out between sobs, “I need to know the truth…all of it.” Tom wiped off more tears that were sliding down her face.

“When we found you, love, you were bleeding heavily between you legs. In fact, you were hemorrhaging inside…” The look of total shock mingled with grief washed over Hermione’s face. “The nurse was able to stop the bleeding…but she wasn’t able to save our baby.” Tom sniffed as he finished talking.

“No…no…oh Gods…” Hermione started screaming the same words over and over, “No…no…no!”

Tom stood up and slid onto the bed and encased her in the safety of his arms. “It’s okay, love…Shhh…It’s okay to cry.” Hermione continued to cry and whimper in his arms. They both held each other tight; the parents of a child…lost, whom they would never hold in their arms; a child they would never get to feed, sing to, play with and love. This was a changing moment for Tom and Hermione and one they would never forget …the moment that only parents who have lost a child would experience and understand…when a piece of their hearts was dug out, never to be replaced again.


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“So Albus, you are one of my most trusted advisors, “spoke Headmaster Dippet. “With all of your wisdom, my old friend, what do you think really happened on Halloween night?”

Albus Dumbledore noticed the slumped shoulders of his long time friend. In the past month since the Halloween Ball and the kidnapping and rape of Hermione MacMillan, it seemed as if the current Headmaster had aged considerably. Then with the disappearance of eight young men from Gryffindor and with no answers for the angry parents, Headmaster Dippet was ready to give up his job as Headmaster of Hogwarts.

With his hands pressed together, Dumbledore brought his pointer fingers to tap at his chin thoughtfully as he pondered the question posed to him.
“Armando,” Dumbledore started out, “I think we both have a good idea about the happenings that occurred on the 31st of October.” Headmaster Dippet sat quietly as his friend explained himself, “I feel that our Head Boy, Tom Riddle, was caught in the thick of the situation.”

Headmaster Dippet, with a stunned look on his face exclaimed, “No…Tom is above reproach!” and he leaned forward in his chair to defend his chosen Head Boy, “All he did that night was to rescue his girlfriend from her attackers.”

Dumbledore threw his head back in laughter, “He truly has you fooled, Armando.” And he sent the Headmaster a challenging stare. “Who do you think exactly attacked Hermione and why were they never apprehended by the proper authorities?” Dumbledore continued his accusations against Tom Riddle, “Isn’t it funny that eight young men from Gryffindor went missing the day after Riddle “took care” of Hermione’s attackers?”

Rattled to the core, Headmaster Dippet spoke back, “Albus, old mate; I think it is you who is baffled about the integrity of Mr. Riddle.”

Shaking his head disgustedly at the Headmaster, Dumbledore said, “We will see who is correct when it comes to the Head Boy and I sincerely hope that it is you who is right, my dear Armando, and not I.”

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Down in the Chamber of Secrets cries of “Imperio” and “Crucio” could be heard shouted out. The yells of “Stupefy’ and “Petrificus Totalus” were bellowed, alongside the Unforgivable curses being practiced.

The Death Eaters met several times a week to practice dueling and performing a plethora of curses on one another. As Lord Voldemort swept through his ranks teaching and berating, in the same breath, he focused all of his heated energy into the training of his Death Eaters. He had seven months to instruct them and for them to perfect their skills before graduation. Once graduated, they would start the campaign to slowly infiltrate the wizarding world.

All of this would be brilliant if it wasn’t for the picture in his mind, of Hermione still in her sickbed, crying in her sleep every night. After the night of truth when Hermione had found out the fate of her baby, things had been tense. Tom was so frustrated that emotionally Hermione was still in a catatonic state. He had tried everything to bring her back to who she was before the attack on her. The only answer he had been able to get from her was, “I will never be the same, Tom. That person died on Halloween Night.” And then she would clam up.

“Alphard, “Lord Voldemort shouted to his Death Eater, “You must learn to move faster or the simplest curse will take you down!” All of the Death Eaters knew their Lord had been an annoyed Lord, even after Hermione had regained consciousness; but his disposition had not improved.

“Touchy fellow, isn’t he?” Alphard whispered to the Death Eater next to him.

Abraxas standing nearby swiftly came over to Alphard’s side, “Are you daft, man?” Abraxas shoved Alphard against the wall, “if Lord Voldemort hears you spouting off like that he will be practicing the “Avada Kedavra” on you!”

Alphard paled as he looked over at The Dark Lord as he Crucio’d another Death Eater failing to meet his high expectations.

“OK mate, I understand” Alphard shrugged off Abraxas’s tight grip on his arm.

“Stop…stop,” screamed Lord Voldemort, his voice echoing off the walls of the chamber. “Do you think this is all fun and games?” he screamed throwing his arms into the air. With a flick of his wrists all of the Death Eaters collapsed on the floor.

The Dark Lord marched among his followers,” If you are to be one of my Death Eaters, then your training needs to be taken seriously.”

Getting redder in the face he went on to say, “There will be no room for imperfection or you will be dead.”

As he walked among his faction, they scooted out of his way when Tom rushed by and he continued on his rampage, “Look at me!” he shouted, “I am Lord Voldemort. I will not have my name and my Death Eaters associated with the word failure!” All eyes were glued to the raging man rebuking them and not a soul moved.

“We will meet again tomorrow where you will show me how serious you are about being one of my Death Eaters.”
Lord Voldemort started to walk away and turned around, stone faced and waved his hands around, “What are all of you lot doing sitting there? You are dismissed!”

Scrambling, they raced out of the chambers and soon the only person left in the cool, moist structure was a very miserable Lord Voldemort.


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Late that night, after training, Tom slipped quietly into the hospital wing. Walking past some sleeping second years that had been fooling around that day during Transfiguration class, Tom made his way over to Hermione’s bed. She sat there staring at the wall, not fully recognizing him as he stood there.

“Hermione how was your day?” Tom asked trying to be cheerful. Looking him in the eye she pointedly glared at him and rolled her eyes.

With no threads of patience left, Tom exploded, “Bloody hell, Hermione!” Tom quickly put a silencing charm around Hermione’s bed. “It’s time to leave this bed and start living your life again.”

Hermione stubbornly looked at Tom, “That’s easy for you to say,” she said quickly, “you weren’t the one that was attacked!”

Dropping onto the bed, Tom drew Hermione into his arms, “I know it wasn’t me that was abducted and abused, “he tenderly kissed the top of her head, “But I felt what you were going through. I was the one left behind, not knowing if you would ever wake.”

Hermione went limp in his arms. As her tears began to flow, she shifted on the bed so she could look at Tom. Lifting her hand to cup Tom’s cheek she whispered, “I am so sorry, Tom,” he began to protest but she hushed him, “I know you don’t believe in saying you are sorry, but I must ask for your forgiveness.”

Hermione stroked his cheek softly, “I have been selfish,” the tears slid slowly off her face, soaking her night dress. “I am ready,” she tried brushing the wetness off of her face, “I am ready to take my place next to you as your mate and as one of your devoted followers,” and she ended by lowering her head down to honor the Dark Lord.

Lifting her head up, with a fire igniting inside of him, he fiercely kissed the woman sitting on his lap. As he was kissing her hard and deep, he realized how much he had missed this physical closeness with her. She snaked her arms around Tom’s neck and straddled him pushing up against him, rubbing their chests together. Giving a loud groan, Tom pulled Hermione down on top of him.

As the kiss deepened, Hermione sat up and looked down at her lover, giving him a big smile. Tom looked up to see Hermione slowly starting to unbutton the top button of her night dress. Then she unhurriedly unbuttoned the second button, as she watched Tom mesmerized by her actions. As the third button was deliberately unbuttoned gradually, Hermione had a sly grin on her face, and Tom sat up, “Merlin, women…take the ruddy thing off already.” He reached up and ripped open her gown spilling buttons left and right.

With a feral look crossing his face, Hermione knew her teasing had crossed Tom’s line of tolerance and he was not in the mood for playing games. Reaching up to grasp Hermione’s full breasts he felt like he was living a dream; but now his dream was moaning and writhing under his touch.

Knocking Tom backwards, she shrugged off the ripped night dress. Looking up and down Hermione’s lush curves he gave a little sneer, “So, do you ever wear knickers at all these days, love?” Giving a light giggle, Hermione grabbed Tom’s hand to place it at the apex of her center running it through her moist curls while she started moving against his hand. “I only go without knickers when I know you will be close by.” Tom swirled around and around Hermione’s clit as she continued to ride Tom’s hand looking for fulfillment.

“Oh Gods, Tom!” Hermione breathlessly murmured, “Why didn’t you come sooner to turn this fire on inside of me,” and her juices flowed freely on Tom’s hand. “I feel so much better now.”

Tom loved seeing his aroused woman, ready to climax, “If I had realized this would bring back the old Hermione I would have done… this… much sooner.” Watching her, as she rocked back and forth, Hermione opened her mouth and threw back her head, while making her series of tiny squeaks and moans that she always uttered when she came. As Hermione’s body shuddered in delightful waves, she fell forward on Tom. He held her as he listened to her breathing slow down to a reduced rate.

“Thank you…for that,” she looked up at Tom and he melted as he saw her flushed, rosy cheeks and her glistening amber eyes. Staring to roll off of him she began to unzip Tom’s trousers, “It’s your turn now.”

Hermione felt hands pulling her back on top of him, “it’s fine for now,” he held her tightly and brushed the damp hair off of her face.

Hermione grinned at him, “Your body is telling me another story,” and she ran her hand down the front of Tom and grasped his length in her hand.

“Oh…you are a vixen aren’t you, my lady?” Tom felt the zipper once again pull down and a warm hand pull out his large cock, fully erect, proving that he had been lying. Hermione wriggled her way down and she stuck out her tongue to lightly lick at Tom’s penis. As Tom felt her tongue brushing against his slit, licking up the pre-cum, his hips pushed forward shooting his full length into Hermione’s mouth. His sizeable manhood hit the back of her throat as she moaned around him, sending shivers every inch across Tom’s body. Sliding backwards, she made her way to the tip again and licked her way down to his balls sucking them, one at a time, into her hot mouth. Tom was slowly coming undone and she skimmed her tongue up along his length again and taking him into her mouth. Holding onto her full head of hair, he guided her into a rhythm heading him towards complete and total ecstasy. Oh how he had missed this! Tom came swiftly in her mouth and Hermione swallowed all of his cum. As he now regained his normal breathing patterns, Hermione sat up licking her lips wearing a lopsided grin and Tom grasped her to him to kiss those wonderful lips that had just given him such bliss.

“You need to rest now…I don’t think the nurse would approve of our extracurricular activities.” Tom pulled Hermione down to him, kicked off his shoes and cast wards around the screened bed. He pulled the sheets and blankets over the two of them. “I’m not going anywhere tonight,” Tom reassured Hermione as she snuggled into his arms.

Life was back on track; his mate was alive, healing, both physically and emotionally and ready to support him. The Death Eaters were shaping up and all of his plans were going as he wanted. Lord Voldemort would reign supreme and now once again the prophecy could be fulfilled.

He fell asleep, holding Hermione tightly in his arms, repeating the words of the prophecy to himself, “He who was born from the Slytherin blood, holds the most power and skill. The Slytherin heir shall be gifted with a mate of equal power and skill. As they are bonded, they shall rule and be graced by the God’s blessing. The two shall create a world where the superior shall reign and where their child will someday rule supreme.”

Tom Riddle, the Dark Lord, forever to be known as Lord Voldemort, fell asleep at last with a satisfied smile on his face.

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Coming in Chapter 18: Guess who's heading back to the chamber?