Timeless Charm (Tomione fanfic)

Chapter 14: Determination, Unresolved and Obsession

The atmosphere in Professor Dumbledore's office was tense as Hermione discussed their plan to open the Chamber of Secrets and confront the Basilisk. The ancient sword of Godric Gryffindor hung prominently on the wall, a silent reminder of the bravery and valor it represented.

"But the problem remains, Professor," Hermione said, her brow furrowed in concentration. "Only Tom Riddle can open the Chamber of Secrets with his Parseltongue ability."

Dumbledore nodded solemnly, his expression grave. "Indeed, that is a significant obstacle," he agreed. "But we must find a way to overcome it if we are to destroy the Basilisk and rid Hogwarts of the threat it poses."

Hermione's mind raced as she considered their options. She remembered how Ron had been able to mimic Parseltongue in their previous timeline, allowing them access to the Chamber. Could she do the same?

"Professor, I believe I may have a solution," Hermione said, her voice tinged with determination. "In our past timeline, Ron was able to mimic Parseltongue and open the Chamber. Perhaps I can do the same."

Dumbledore's eyebrows rose in surprise, but he nodded thoughtfully. "It is a risky endeavor, Miss Granger," he cautioned. "But if you believe you can do it, then I trust your judgment. Take all the time you need to prepare yourself."

Hermione nodded, a sense of determination settling over her. "Thank you, Professor," she said gratefully. "Once I am ready, we can retrieve the sword of Gryffindor and confront the Basilisk together."

With a firm handshake, Dumbledore agreed to her plan. As Hermione left his office, she knew that the fate of Hogwarts and all who dwelled within its walls rested squarely on her shoulders. But with the support of her mentor and the determination burning within her, she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Alone in her room, Hermione sat at her desk, her brow furrowed in deep concentration as she pondered their plan to open the Chamber of Secrets. The memory of Ron's feat in their past timeline echoed in her mind, offering a glimmer of hope in their seemingly impossible task.

She remembered how Ron had repeated a fragment of Parseltongue that he had heard Harry Potter use to open Salazar Slytherin's Locket. It had taken him several tries to make it work, but eventually, he had succeeded in gaining access to the Horcrux.

Could she do the same? Could she mimic Parseltongue well enough to open the Chamber and confront the Basilisk? Hermione's mind raced with possibilities as she replayed the memory over and over again, committing every detail to memory.

With a determined nod, Hermione made up her mind. She would practice tirelessly until she could imitate the Parseltongue word flawlessly. It was their best chance at success, their only hope of destroying the Basilisk and preventing further harm to Hogwarts and its students.

As she closed her eyes and focused on the task ahead, Hermione felt a surge of determination coursing through her veins. She knew that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges and uncertainty, but she was ready to face whatever obstacles stood in her way.

With Ron's feat as her inspiration, Hermione began to repeat the Parseltongue fragment aloud, her voice steady and determined. She knew that if she could master this skill, they would be one step closer to achieving their goal of defeating the darkness that threatened to engulf them all.

*****

Tom sat alone in his room, the dim light of a flickering candle casting shadows across the walls as he immersed himself in the pages of his book. The words blurred before his eyes as his mind wandered, his thoughts consumed by the memory of Hermione's smile and laughter in the company of Archon in Hogsmeade.

He couldn't shake the nagging feeling of irritation that gnawed at him from within. Why did seeing Hermione with Archon bother him so? He had been the one to orchestrate their closeness, to manipulate Archon into getting closer to Hermione for his own purposes. He should have been satisfied that his plan was working, that Hermione was becoming more entangled in Archon's web.

And yet, as he recalled the sight of Hermione's animated conversation with Archon, a surge of jealousy and frustration welled up inside him, twisting his insides into knots. He slammed the book shut with a sharp thud, his grip tightening on its worn spine as he struggled to contain the tumult of emotions raging within him.

Tom knew he shouldn't let himself be affected by such trivial matters. Hermione was just a pawn in his grand scheme, a means to an end. But despite his efforts to suppress his emotions, he couldn't deny the undeniable pang of jealousy that twisted in his chest at the thought of Hermione being with someone else.

With a frustrated sigh, Tom pushed himself away from the table, running a hand through his dark hair in frustration. He needed to focus on his goals, on the path to greatness that lay ahead of him. Hermione Granger was nothing more than a distraction, a mere obstacle in his quest for power.

And yet, as he gazed out into the darkness beyond his window, Tom couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that Hermione Granger held a power over him that he couldn't quite comprehend. And as he brooded in the silence of his room, he couldn't help but wonder what it was about her that had managed to unravel the carefully constructed walls around his heart.

*****

Archon Malfoy sat in his dimly lit room, the soft glow of candlelight casting eerie shadows across the walls as he gazed intently at the vial of potion cradled in his hands. This was his masterpiece, his creation – a potion more potent and insidious than any Love Potion concocted before. It was his own version of Amortentia, but with a twist.

As Archon studied the swirling liquid within the vial, his mind raced with anticipation. He had spent countless hours perfecting the formula, carefully selecting each ingredient for its potency and efficacy. And now, as he held the finished product in his hands, he felt a surge of excitement coursing through his veins.

This potion was different from the others – it didn't simply induce infatuation or obsession. No, this potion was far more powerful. It would make the drinker dream of him first, planting seeds of desire and longing deep within their subconscious. And as the weeks passed by, the effects would only intensify, until the victim found themselves inexorably drawn to him, unable to resist the pull of their newfound feelings.

Hermione Granger would be his, he thought triumphantly. His alone.

With a sense of satisfaction, Archon carefully corked the vial and stowed it away in a hidden compartment within his desk. He knew he had to be cautious – using such a potent potion carried risks, and he couldn't afford to be discovered. But the thought of Hermione falling under his spell, of her longing for him with every fiber of her being, was too intoxicating to resist.

As he sat alone in the darkness of his room, a sinister smile played at the corners of Archon's lips. With his new potion in hand, he was one step closer to claiming Hermione Granger as his own, and nothing would stand in his way.