"I see," said Dippet with a frown, though it was mostly hidden behind his long, white beard.
"If you need anyone to talk to, I'll be here to lend an ear," said Dippet as he shot Tom and Hermione a sympathetic look.
Tom found the headmaster to be rather irksome but he was glad that he was on their side. He had the feeling that things were only going to get rougher from here on out. He needed to find a way to make things right. Or at least easier for Hermione. She had already lost so much and Tom really didn't want to add another painful story to her future.
There was one thing he could do to hopefully help the situation, though he wasn't thrilled to do it.
Tom put a hand on Hermione's shoulder. "I have something I need to take care of. I'll be leaving first." He leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss to her forehead.
Dippet didn't even bother masking his gleeful expression. The old man made it quite obvious what the future of his granddaughter should look like and Tom was the main character.
"'Kay." Hermione placed her hand over his briefly before turning her attention back to Dippet. Tom backed away from where Hermione was sitting before leaving the headmaster's room.
Once the door was closed behind him, he pulled his wand out and activated the snake on his upper arm. He knew that Abraxas wouldn't show up but as long as the others did then everything would be fine, until his followers heard what he had to say.
Tom placed his hands into the pockets of his slacks then began the trek to the Room of Requirement.
"That's one look of determination."
Tom reined in his thoughts and his surroundings came into focus. Standing a few yards in front of him was Fleamont.
"Good, I need all the determination I can muster," admitted Tom.
"What for?" asked Fleamont.
Tom released a silent sigh of relief. It seemed as if Fleamont had decided to keep things between them the same. "Would you like to accompany me to find out for yourself?"
Fleamont raised a questioning eyebrow. "Does it involve torture?" Tom shook his head. "Sure," said Fleamont with a grin. Tom chuckled, already imagining how his followers will react to the Gryffindor. "I'm not foolishly following the lion to its den, am I?"
"Snake," corrected Tom.
"Doesn't make me feel any better," admitted Fleamont.
Before long, the two of them reached the wall for the Room of Requirement. Tom paced back-and-forth three times before the ornate door appeared.
The gathered Slytherins fell silent when their lord entered. He heard Fleamont snort from behind him at the looks of shock on everyone's faces. Tom barely managed to silence his own chuckle.
"Did you recruit a Gryffindor?" asked one of the third years. Fleamont pulled a face causing a chuckle to escape from Tom's lips. The shocked looks his followers wore grew.
"No, Fleamont is my witness to tonight's events."
Fleamont cleared his throat. "What exactly am I witnessing?" Tom understood his concern. Things did look rather ominous from an outsider's point-of-view.
"You will be witnessing the end of the reign of Lord Voldemort." Startled sighs and complaints rose from those gathered. Fleamont turned toward him with his own startled expression. Tom raised a hand, silencing the Slytherins. "I have decided that in the best interest for my-our future, Lord Voldemort and these meetings will cease to exist."
"What about our plans!"
"What of the future!"
"What will happen with all of our hard work!"
"It's the Gryffindor's fault!"
"Hey!" Grumbled Fleamont, "I didn't do anything."
"They're not talking about you. They are referring to Hermione," Tom told him. He turned a steely gaze onto the rest of the group. In a loud, commanding tone, he continued to address the group. "No one is to blame other than myself. No one's hard work is being wasted. We will continue on with our goals, not as a lord and his followers but as individuals with a common interest. If we continue with what we are doing now, it will only cause destruction and harm to those who get caught in the crossfire. After tonight, if we wish to continue on with our goals-our dreams, we will do so on our own and without threat to those around us. This marks the end of the Knights of Walpurgis." His knights of Walpurgis anyways. If Hermione was right, he will be living in the far future while a copy lives the life of Tom Riddle during this time. But for now, he will make things as worry free as he can for Hermione, Abraxas, and Fleamont.
"That is all I wanted to say. If you have something to say, complain amongst yourselves." He grabbed Fleamont by the arm and hauled him to the door. Chaos erupted from behind them. Quiet enveloped them once they left the Room of Requirement.
"That was definitely something to bear witness to," said Fleamont in a breathy sigh.
"Don't go falling for me," joked Tom. He was pleased that things turned out as well as they had. He was also pleased that he had run into Fleamont.
Fleamont placed his hands over his heart, "too late."
"Knock it off." Tom turned serious with his next request. "Could you relay tonight's meeting to Abraxas. I hope this eases his worry to some extent."
"Sure thing."
That was one problem out of the way. Now, hopefully, nothing else will rise up.
. . . . .
"Oh, look at the time," sighed Dippet.
Hermione did as he said. Her mouth fell agape when she realized she had spent the evening and a good part of the night with her grandfather. Tom never returned which meant that he spent nearly six hours to himself doing Merlin knows what. She needed to leave to make sure he wasn't beating himself up. And they still had their nightly patrol to do.
She jumped up from her seat and gave her grandfather a quick hug. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Goodnight, my dear," chuckled Dippet as he returned her hug. "And remember, only time will tell."
"Yes, grandfather." She knew he meant that she should give Abraxas and Fleamont time. And time is what she will give them. Those two had become almost as dear to her as Ron and Harry.
She left Dippet's room and set forth to hers'. She didn't make it very far before she was stopped by none other than professor Dumbledore.
"Hello, professor," greeted Hermione. She felt like she had betrayed him and didn't want to deal with him. It hurt her to even think about how disappointed he would be in her.
"Greetings, miss Norris. Do you have a moment to spare?"
Ugh! "Yes, professor, but only a moment. You see, I have to start the nightly patrol soon," Hermione rambled.
"Yes, of course. This won't take very long." He ushered her into his office. "Muffliato."
That was the second time she had heard him use the spell. She knew why she knew it since she was from the future but there was no way that Dumbledore should know of it. "How do you know that spell? I was pretty sure that professor Snape invented it?" Shoot, she spoke without thinking!
Dumbledore chuckled, drawing her attention to him. "The spell is my own invention but not known. There are many spells, potions, and inventions that I and even headmaster Dippet have not made public."
"Oh." What interesting spells did Dippet know that were unknown to the public in the future?
"It seems that this particular spell will remain as non-existing until this Snape comes along."
Hermione cringed with his words. She had not meant to reveal the future so readily. She only did that with Tom and Dippet.
"Why did you wish to speak with me sir?" she asked as a way to change the topic.
"Ah, yes. We faculty have a small bet going on. Will you be willing to give a hint to your professor as to whether you and Mr. Riddle will develop your relationship further. What I'm asking is if the two of you may marry sometime after graduation."
"Wh-what!" Did she hear right? Did professor Dumbledore really ask if she was going to marry Tom? And why did he look happy? "Excuse me, I thought you hated Tom Riddle?"
"I do not hate him. I knew what he was up to and so that was why I was hard on him. You see, Dippet and I both tried to help the lad but took different approaches. It seemed you were the missing link that we needed to help heal him. The letter I wrote to myself also mentioned this and wanted me to inform you during this time that you are following the right path."
"What?"
Professor Dumbledore took out his pocket watch. "Dear me, look at the time. I believe it is best for you to be on your way."
He wasn't going to answer her? How could someone say something like that and not give an explanation!
Instead of arguing like she wanted too, she obeyed her professor. One of these days she will get the answers that she wanted. But she knew that today wouldn't be that day. Dumbledore had effectively shut down her questions. She left the room bewildered and quickly made her way to her dorm all the while mauling over their conversation.
She stepped through the portrait to find Tom waiting for her. "Why does it look like you have a million questions?"
"I do. Sorry I took so long." She looked him over but instead of looking dejected, he looked to be in a good mood. "Did something happen?"
Tom wrapped her in his arms and smiled. "The Knights of Walpurgis are officially disbanded and Fleamont has decided not to cut ties with us."
"What! Really?" Tom nodded. "That's great news!" She leaned up on her tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss to his nose.
"That's all I get?"
Hermione chuckled at the childish complaint. "Yep." Then she kissed him on the lips.