(this is my first tom riddle story! I am slightly obsessed with him. :D anyway I own nothing these are J.K Rowling characters. This story was based on somewhere in the middle of Harry potter and the half blood . I've changed a few things and I hope you enjoy it)

It started then.

Her need to find out more had became an obsession. When Harry had told her about the way Tom Riddle had befriended Professor Slughorn to find out about tearing the soul, her curiosity had grown out of control. This had been going on for weeks. Hermione knew his story, his past. She knew that he had a very unsettling childhood. No one to turn to , no one to understand him. Her hands pushed brown curls from her face, staring down at her two lines of notes on Tom Riddle. He'd been very carefully not to leave that much detail on himself. Dumbledore himself was limited on his Knowledge of the young Voldemort, but Hermione was not the sort of girl to just give up. Determination and persistence were what made her, her. She smiled softly at her thoughts. Though that smile slowly disappeared ,she couldn't understand it, there was nothing about him. You'd think the Strongest Dark Wizard would a least have a few mentions, but no. This was annoying her, there wasn't much Hermione couldn't learn from a book. Every question that ever crossed her intelligent mind, she had simply answered by reading. Groaning her fingers tapped her book.

The library had became chilly in her time of being there, glancing at the window and noticed the sun had set already and the moonlight was shining. A little surprised at herself she closed her book of notes and stuffed them into her brown shoulder bag. Looking around she seen nor heard no one in the library, how late was it her thoughts asks . She frowned at herself for forgetting her watch in her dorm. Yawning as she got up swing her bag over her shoulder. Brown curls bounced as she walked, leaving the cold library .

There must be something else, Something we've missed. That can't have been what made him the way he is? Harry had a horrible childhood and his wasn't…her thoughts cutting off. Harry had something Tom Riddle didn't, Harry had us. Sighing again she quickened her pace, although she wasn't really heading anywhere. Going back to the common room would mean dealing with Ron and Lavender, she just wasn't in the mood. Hermione had once took a peek in Lavenders Diary, and what ridiculous nonsense it contained. Fully of love heart and childish kisses and what not. Making a very unladylike noise under her breath, he pulled her robes more tightly around her. Suddenly she had it. The answer had clicked into place, it was so simple, why hadn't she thought of it before. Spinning around she raced back down the corridor she just came from. Her robes waving behind as she ran, she couldn't keep the smile from her face. The answers were just a few corridors away. As she ran around the last corner, her breath heavy and her cheeks red. She stopped when she saw him.

"Professor Dumbledore!" She half screamed.

The Headmaster turned his head and watched as she ran towards him, stooping in front of him to catch her breath. Curiosity was visible in his eyes.

"Miss Granger."

He said with a smile. His hands holding together behind his back.

"What would be your rush?"

Hermione took in a few more breaths before starting.

"Professor I was wondering if I could borrow..?"

She was beginning to have second thoughts, she wasn't sure if the headmaster would hand something over to her simply because she asked.

"If you would allow me to study.. Tom Riddles Diary?"

She watched his features carefully. Although his face never changed its expression, she could tell by his eyes that he was slightly surprised. Even though he was looking at her, she could tell he was deep in thought. One hand had came from his back and was now fiddling with the end of his beard. Hermione had thought about speaking but decided against it. After what seemed to be half an hour his eyes refocus. He motioned her to follow him as he turned slightly and began to walk up the corridor at a slow pace. She was by his side still looking at her wise Headmaster. His wrinkles had became more noticeable over the past few weeks.

"You do realise Miss Granger that the Diary is damaged? "

He glanced down at her. She meet his gaze.

"I know Professor but I know a spell that could fix the damage. Make it possible for me to read."

Dumbledore stopped and looked at her. A smile twinkle in his eyes. She knew that the book had been dangerous, after what it had done to Ginny, but it couldn't be now. His gaze was still on hers for a moment longer.

"Hermione.. By Reading this, what do you hope to achieve?"

This wasn't a cocky You have no idea what your doing question, this was general question that he needed to have the answer to. This book like any other, and he was not about to hand it over because she just felt like reading it. She felt she needed to tell him her thoughts. Why she was so keen to know why Tom Riddle became such a monster.

"I…I.. am hoping to understand him better Professor. I feel we are losing because we don't understand his hatred. I guess Am wanting to know why.. Professor."

The wise Wizard took in the words. He began to walk again and Hermione followed. The young witch could tell he was think on if he should tell her something or not.

"I tried once, to read his diary." he said softly.

He glanced down at her and got the reaction he expected.

He continues "To try and understand his madness, but I could not bring myself to read it."

Hermione was staring at him open mouthed. He had tried, why couldn't he read it. Was this diary full of hate and evil that reading it was just unbearable. He spoke again.

"Evil or not his was still my student and reading something so personal and private would be a betrayal on my part."

Hermione had to admire him, he truly deserved a teacher of the decades award. She was smiling sweetly to herself when he looked down at her. He waved his hand slightly and a black book appeared in his hand. The young witches heart went into overdrive. The wizard held the book, his eyes studying it and his fingers running over it The large hole in the front was shrinking slowly and the black ink disappeared. Soon the book looked new.

"I trust you Miss Granger. Yet I do not trust this." he eyes had never looked away from the diary.

"Just be careful not to changed by his words." His eyes meet hers and the was a slight worrying expression on his face. He did trust her, he knew she would understand this book far better then any other, with that thought he handed her Tom Marvolo Riddle Diary.

Review please. :D