Soul Mates

Another short one, sorry. I write when I can, which isn't often. :)

Thank you for all the comments and suggestions. Kepp them coming, I do read them. Perhaps I should answer them within the chapters like some authors?

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When she took his hand, Tom quickly Apparated them away. He didn’t want her changing her mind. Hogwarts main focus was to block incoming Apparitions, with his power; he quite easily got them out.

They appeared in what looked to be a library. Hermione nearly salivated as she looked around. There was a roaring fire in an ornate fireplace to one side of the room. The walls were nothing but floor to ceiling shelves, filled to the brim with books. Some she had never even heard of.

Her fingers itched and she curled them slightly, longing to reach out and touch them.

A chuckle drew her attention. “Well,” Tom said. “If you look at me like that then we will have no problems in the bedroom.”

Hermione blushed. She couldn’t help it.

“You may read anything you like, be careful though. Many of these texts are Dark and very dangerous.” He warned, moving toward the desk in the corner. “Now, what do you need from your room?”

Hermione thought for a moment. “Well, I’ll need Crookshanks, my clothing, my books, my school supplies, my potions, my personal pictures and such…really everything.” She stated, choosing a book and a comfortable looking chair in front of the fire.

“Crookshanks?”

“My cat.” She answered, opening her book.

“Very well, yes to the cat and to the personal items. No to everything else. I’ll buy you new clothing and anything else. You’re my Queen now; you cannot go about looking like a child.” He said.

Hermione didn’t like this but kept quiet. She had learned to pick and choose her battles.

He smiled knowingly. “A few rules, Hermione. First, do not wonder about. There are many dangerous things in my home. Second, always call me Tom. It will let others know that we are close, and that they should treat you with respect. Third, do not question me in front of others. We must appear as a united front. If I say something that you do not agree with or that surprises you, tell me later, but appear bored, as if I had already told you and you agreed with me. Understood?”

Damn, Hermione thought. Really, he had given her plausible restrictions. He had even gone so far to give her reasons for the rules. As much as she wanted to contradict him, she could see the merit in what he was saying. And he wasn’t saying she could never question him, just not in front of others.

“Yes, those rules are acceptable.” She replied, turning back to her book. This was too weird. She was in Voldemorts home as his wife, and she felt completely comfortable. Why on earth was he being so nice?

“Good, I shall call Severus. He will be the first to know of our marriage.” He said as he fingered his wand.

A moment later, Snape appeared in the middle of the room, already bowing to his Master.

“My Lord, how may I be of service?” Severus asked dismally.

“I need for you to collect my wife’s personal belongings from Hogwarts.” Voldemort replied, watching his servant carefully.

Severus froze, clearly not expecting this. “Congratulations My Lord, whom, may I ask, is the lucky female?”

Voldemort looked to be, almost, enjoying himself. “I believe you are already acquainted with her, she’s sitting behind you.”

Severus, whipped around and gaped. “Miss. Granger!”

Hermione smiled. “I believe it’s Mrs. Riddle, now.” She looked to her husband for confirmation and he nodded.

By now, Severus was white as a ghost. “Forgive my impertinence, my lord, but how did this come about?” He looked ready to stroke.

“My wife will have to explain, after all, it is her fault we’ve been bonded.” He smirked at her as he rose from his desk. “I will return momentarily, I have a small meeting to attend. Hermione, please stay in here, I want to show you the rest of the house personally.”

He bent to give her a soft kiss. It left Hermione flustered and warm.

“Severus, Hermione will tell you what she needs, put it all in my rooms.” And with that, he swirled out of the room. My, he did like giving orders, Hermione thought grimly.

As soon as Tom was gone, Severus rushed o Hermione. “Come with me at once, I’ll get you to a safe house and you can explain what in the hell is going on.” He nearly growled, most unbecomingly.

Hermione wanted to laugh. It was rather sweet that he was willing to incur the wrath of the Dark Lord to protect her. “Professor, I’m not going anywhere, I chose this. He did not force me, I rather forced him” She told him wryly.

“Explain.”

“Well, I performed a spell and made a potion to go along with it. It was the Soul Mate spell. I didn’t really research it.” She admitted, biting her lip. She hated confessing this to a man she respected so much. “I completed it and Voldemort appeared. We’re Soul Mates. He says we’re married. Apparently, the potion and spell work together to accomplish that.”

Snapes face looked red and his lips were pressed firmly together. Uh Oh.

“You silly, stupid GIRL! Do you have any idea of the ramifications of your actions? Do you even care! Gods!” He bellowed as he began to pace.

He sighed and ran a long fingered hand through his hair. “Have you changed sides then?” He asked, almost tentatively.

“No.” Hermione stated firmly. “I am still the same person with the same goals. The only difference is I’m married to the enemy and I don’t want to hurt him.”

Hmm, this situation wasn’t confusing at all. Right.

“Very well, I shall tell Dumbledore of this…development. In the mean time, what do you need from Hogwarts.”

“Just my cat and my personal artifacts. I don’t need any clothes or such. Tom will be getting those for me.”

Snape sputtered. “Never call him that! He would kill you!”

“He asked me to call him Tom, and he would never hurt me.” Hermione replied distractedly as she went back to her book. It was utterly fascinating.

Snape groaned, it was worse than he could have imagined. This was going to cause him great headaches and sleep deprivation in the future, he knew it. He had to figure out a way to fix this.

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Voldemort returned some hours later to find his wife asleep in her chair. He called it her chair because it just seemed right, as if she were meant to be there. She looked perfect in it.

This mushy sentimentality was not like him. Why hadn’t he simply locked her in the dungeon and figured a way out of this?

The simple truth was, he wanted her to be happy and he wanted to be with her. He wasn’t sure why. When he saw her, he had to stop himself from constantly touching her. His hands and body seemed to gravitate toward her.

She was attractive, more than he deserved. He wanted her, and he wanted her now. But he didn’t want to wake her. Again, it was unlike him. But he couldn’t seem to help himself. Perhaps it had something to do with their bonding. He would have to research that later.

For now, he was going to take her to bed. They had 20 hours left in which to consummate their marriage, he could wait.

Hermione turned slightly and moaned in her sleep.

Voldemorts will almost broke, but he was the most powerful wizard in existence. A mere slip of a girl was not going to rule his life this way.

With is resolve tight around him, he bent to pick her up.

Halfway to his rooms, he remembered he could have used magic to get them there, but he rather like her cuddled in his arms.

Damn.


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Well? Good? Bad? Believable. He is being rather too nice, isn't he. That will change soon. *evil laugh*

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