Hi! Welcome back! Sorry, it's been a while. I've been busy on my endeavor to write an original work for a book series I thought up five years ago. I'm only on chapter seven T-T Enjoy!

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The four students looked at Tom in slight shock. Ginny stood behind Ron in fear of having to be put in such a terrible place like the year prior. She still couldn't remember half of the year. But all those people she almost killed had forgiven her so easily that it just made her feel worse.

"I'm going to take a wild guess and say you came here for the sword," Tom started, "You want to use it to destroy the Philosophers Stone. Well I'm sorry, but I can't let that happen."

"Come on!" Ron retorted, "I'm sure there are plenty of other ways to reach immortality. Destroying the stone just means you'll have to find another way."

"How dense are you?" Tom remarked, "I don't want to use the stone for immortality."

"Then, why do you want it?" Hermione asked.

"I want it to make sure no one can figure out how to destroy it," Tom explained, "If you destroy that stone then the supernatural world is doomed."

Ginny furrowed her brows and glanced at her brother.

"Look," Harry started, "If you give us the sword, then I promise I will not use it to destroy the stone."

Tom looked intrigued by the offer but stood his ground, "How do I know you aren't lying?"

"He's not," Ron glared, "Unfortunately he doesn't like breaking promises. He'll stay true to his word."

Tom seemed to think it over. But Ginny knew better. Tom wouldn't hand it over for free. He'd ask for something in return and they'd have to give it to him in order to get the sword. Although she didn't see the point now if they weren't going to use it.

Tom smiled, "I ask for something in return," Tom smiled, "A kiss."

"Ew!" Harry pulled a face, "Absolutely not!"

Tom rolled his eyes, "Not from you!"

"Then from who?" Ron pulled Ginny towards him.

"There's a rather interesting someone named Draco Malfoy that you may know," Tom said.

"Malfoy!?" Hermione exclaimed, "He'd never do anything for us! He hates us!"

"Well there's a conundrum," Tom smiled, "Meet me back here. If you don't show up with him within the next twenty-four hours then you don't get your precious sword."

-~-

Draco dropped a handful of dirt into the hole and stood back with his mother, tears building in his eyes as he watched dirt pile on top of the box containing his father. Once the hole was nearly full he began to cry silently, but he let his weeping mother do most of the crying. 

They left after the ceremony and went home. Draco asked the house-elf to make some tea for his mother. She was in such a state that she sat on the couch and continued to sob. The love of her life was dead. His father was dead. And all they could do was grieve. And so when the tray of tea and biscuits appeared, Draco poured his mother a cup and handed it to her, along with a small plate of biscuits. He knew it wouldn't heal her, only time would do that, but it would help her feel better.

He got up and went outside to get a little fresh air that wasn't polluted by rosemary. Instead he smelt the fragrant flowers of the Manor gardens. The beautiful, sweet smell of roses and chocolate cosmos. The smell reminded Draco of the many parties his father used to host. Even if they ended on a sour note, there had usually been a highlight of the night. Draco could remember sneaking off with Pansy into the gardens to dance alone. 

"Let's never stop this," Pansy had said, "It would be a shame."

Draco had smiled, "Stop sneaking out to dance?" Draco looked up at the stars, "Never dream of it. When they start talking politics it gets a little boring."

Pansy laughed, "And when we finally fall in love and find the people for us, they can join us on the dance floor," Pansy got up and started twirling around on the gazebo. 

Draco got up to join her and they didn't bother staying in time to the faint classical music. Pansy had been wearing a lovely black dress that night, and a flower crown of pansies. Draco and her had always chosen to match, just so that no perverted boys took Pansy and no boring girls dragged Draco away. The agreement had worked fine, and they enjoyed each others company very much.

Draco could recall Pansy jumping into his arms and pretending she could fly, causing both of them to laugh when they fell to the ground. Pansy and Draco hadn't realised their antics would be so good for their parents. As they discovered later that night, they were to be betrothed. Draco and Pansy had both fought with their parents about how barbaric and ridiculous that was, but nothing would sway them. 

Draco fiddled with a chocolate cosmo in his fingers and thought of how Pansy could cheer him up in less than a minute. She had always found light in every difficult situation their parents forced them into. Draco would miss being so casual once they were to have an heir. Pansy had never cared for such activities as having children, and Draco had never cared for such a relationship with a woman. But their families demanded an heir, and when they were finally wed, that was what they would do.

Purebloods hadn't really moved past Medieval or Victorian traditions. If they were soiled before marriage they essentially became unworthy of loving. Woman and men alike were not to have any romantic or sexual relations until marriage. Purebloods that broke those rules were usually exiled from their families. At least, that's what Draco had been told had happened with his aunt Andromeda.

Supposedly she got herself a boyfriend and they were caught kissing by many. The Black family would either face shame or have to exile her. They chose the latter and she was banished from the household. It had seemed quite trivial to Draco at first, abstaining from even kissing until marriage, but he supposed they were purebloods, and therefore had to stay pure. I simple peck on the cheek was seen as friendly however, so anyone could get away with that much at least.

Draco heard sticks snapping behind him and shot up to see what it was. He was met with the sight of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. He rolled his eyes.

"I see breaking and entering is now on the tables," Draco narrowed his eyes, "Or is that only allowed of you?"

"Malfoy," Granger sighed, "We need your help."

Draco lifted his eyebrows in astonishment, "Really?" Draco scoffed, "You expect me, to help you? That's interesting."

Weasley groaned, "Look Malfoy, we aren't particularly happy about this either," he glared, "But for us to do what we need to do, there's something we need you to do."

Draco nodded, "And, why exactly would I help you?"

"Because if you don't the whole supernatural world is doomed," Potter said blatantly, "Even you and your society."

Draco had to think about this. If the entire supernatural world was doomed than it had to be serious. Especially if it meant even purebloods were going to be affected.

"What do you need me to do?" Draco crossed his arms.

"That's where it gets complicated," Granger replied, "We need you, to kiss someone."

Draco let out a laugh, "Is this some sort of joke?" He asked, "Wow, I didn't think you would stoop so low. Sorry, not happening."

Potter pulled a confused expression, "One, it's not a joke and two, I don't see how this is stooping low."

"Did Weasley not teach you anything about pureblood society?" Draco laughed slightly, "He must have. This is clearly some sick twisted revenge."

Granger glanced at Weasley, "What didn't you tell us about purebloods."

"I didn't realise it was still going on," Weasley admitted, "You know enough about the Victorian era to know what they believed in marriage right? Seems as though purebloods still use that philosophy."

Draco rolled his eyes, "Whatever. You guys aren't tricking me into this."

"Malfoy, this is serious," Potter said.

"Oh yeah," Draco nodded, "Very serious. You just show up on the day of my fathers funeral and tell me I am to kiss someone in order to save the supernatural world. Just dance on his grave why don't you. At least I'm not being shamed then."

"Funeral!?" Granger exclaimed, "Malfoy - I'm so sorry..."

"Been hearing that a lot today," Draco smiled bitterly, "No one that means it though."

"Malfoy, please," Potter begged, "I know you and I aren't on the best of terms. And I know you won't believe us, but this person stole something from us, and said they'd only give it back if we convinced you to kiss him."

"Him?" Draco asked, "Him!? Merlin, you truly are trying to ruin me aren't you. If word got out -!"

"We'll make sure word doesn't get out," Weasley interrupted, "If you do this, no one will know you've been dirtied and no one will get hurt."

"Malfoy, please," Granger said, "We're begging you."

"Well I wouldn't say -"

"Admit it Ron," Potter sighed, "We basically are."

Draco hugged himself tightly. This wasn't how he'd imagined his first kiss going down. He'd known how it was supposed to go down for years. It was supposed to be with Pansy once they were wed. It wasn't supposed to be to some guy he didn't know before marriage to save the world, not even sure if it was a prank or not. But the sincere looks on the trio's face told him all he needed to know. As much as he hoped they were trying to mess with him, he knew you couldn't fake those faces.

Draco sighed, "Fine! But only, if you give me absolute certainty that that is as far as it goes."

"Deal!" Potter let out a breath, "Thank Merlin. Okay, we need to get you to him."

And then they were off.

-~-

When the trio and Draco arrived at the cave, they saw Ginny and Tom, sitting in the office. Ginny had been left behind to watch him, knowing she was probably the least likely to get tricked by him - even if Harry and Ron protested. The trio stepped through the hole in the cave wall first seeing Tom show an expression of genuine surprise. Next, Draco stepped through only to stare at Tom.

"You!?" Tom stood up and the four Gryffindors looked at Draco in shock, "Oh, you guys are cruel. Truly, I thought you were being sincere."

"I don't understand?" Ron questioned, "What's the problem?"

"Draco -"

"Don't!" Draco yelled at Tom, "Were you guys with him this whole time?"

"What?" Harry was taken aback, "No! What on Earth would make you think us of all people, would side with Tom Riddle!?"

Draco turned to the vampire, "Tom Riddle? You're Tom Riddle!? Merlin I - No, I'm sorry. This is not happening!"

Draco turned to leave and in less than a second, Tom was standing in the doorway, blocking his exit. The four Gryffindors gasped and Draco glared at Tom.

"Get out. Of my way!" Draco clicked his fingers and a chair broke, and with the flick of his wrist the nearly formed stake shot into Tom's shoulder.

"What the Hell!?" Hermione exclaimed, "Someone better explain what's going on here!"

Tom groaned as he pulled the wood from his arm, "Draco and I have met before. In his dorm room."

"Wanted me to steal the philosophers stone," Draco explained, "He thinks it's still in one piece and doesn't want it destroyed."

"It is still in one piece," Tom crossed his arms, "And I don't want it to be destroyed for a very good reason."

"Ah yes," Draco clasped his hands, "The destruction of the world. Is it possible that it's just the destruction of the world you want?"

"Merlin created that stone to stop the Hell on Earth that was going on!" Tom yelled.

"Merlin!?" The five teens yelled in unison.

"It was Nikolas Flamel that created the stone!" Hermione corrected.

Tom rolled his eyes, "It was and it wasn't. Nikolas Flamel is a fake name. His true name is Merlin Emryss." (If any of you understand where that last name comes from you are amazing.)

"How do you know so much anyway?" Ginny interrogated.

Tom sighed, "An ancestor of mine, Honoria Slytherin, married someone named Artemis Emryss. Eventually, their bloodline lead to someone named Amaranth Emryss marrying someone named Marvolo Gaunt. I'm Marvolo's grandson."

The five teens stood there in disbelief at the story Tom was telling. It couldn't be true, that his ancestor created this stone. That would make it a family heirloom, one Harry had in his pocket.

"Now that everything's out in the open, I believe we have a deal to close," Tom smiled at Draco.

Draco let out a sigh of annoyance before stretching up to kiss Tom on the cheek. No one had really been that specific.

"There," Draco let out a shaky sigh, "Now give them whatever they're asking for."

Tom looked at the blonde, "A peck on the cheek is hardly anything Draco."

"I'm not kissing anyone on the lips in front of anyone," Draco glared.

Tom shrugged and looked toward Harry, Ron and Hermione, "Oh well, looks like you won't get your -"

"We'll leave," Ginny got up and started dragging the others away, much to their protests.

"That's not what I meant," Draco glanced pleadingly at them as Ginny pushed everyone out of the door.

"No ones looking now," Tom smirked.

Draco rolled his eyes and, slowly went to peck Tom on the lips. Right after he pulled away he put a hand over his mouth. He was mentally begging that that would do fine. He'd been ruined. For the rest of his filthy life he would know that he was no longer truly pure. He had truly, let his father down now.

Draco sent a wary glance up to see an annoyed expression on Tom's face and knew he was done for. He'd been ruined already, wasn't that enough? Or did Tom not know of pureblood customs? Draco didn't want to dirty himself anymore than he already had, but if what the Gryffindors said was true and the entire world was at stake, then he might just have to.

Draco tried not to cry as he went in again, only this time, he didn't pull away immediately. Draco put his hands in between himself and the vampire to keep them separate, not needing anymore of them to make contact. He tried his hardest not to cry as it continued, taking a step back every time Tom came even a millimetre closer. As soon as Draco felt a tongue swipe his lower lip he pushed Tom off and the vampire stumbled back.

"No, I'm done," Draco tried to make the lump in his throat go away, "This is where it stops. You are to leave me out of your life for good!"

Tom nodded, taking a sword from the desk and handing it to Draco, "Fine then."

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And bam! Now you know the true origin of the Philosophers Stone. TBH, Nikolas Flamel was an actual person, and he really was believed to have made the Philosophers Stone. JKR based her book off of an actual myth. Again sorry this is late. Thank you!

      - Turtlefreakakw2 <3