Disclaimer: All recognisable characters, locations, objects, spells etc. from the Harry Potter universe belong to JK Rowling and as much as I wish I were her, I am not (I only follow her on twitter)

A/N Hi everyone! I hope you all enjoy this story, it has been eating me up inside for a while now and I am anxious to get it out there. This story is AU; there are same-sex couples. Hermione does not yet have a pairing but I am strongly leaning towards Draco/Hermione or even Blaise/Hermione, any suggestions are very welcome : ) I am also open to Beta's whom would like to help.

Chapter one:

As her eyes adjusted to the dark familiar surroundings of her room, Hermione wondered what it was that brought her to consciousness. She then noticed a flickering light shining under her closed door. The absence of sun light filtering into the bedroom concluded that it is far from dawn. Reaching into her bedside drawer to retrieve her wand, she strained her ears for any sound. She heard a scuffling noise and the scrape of mud caked soles on hardwood floors. Mother will be furious. The scuffling and scrapping stopped suddenly, too unnaturally for her to believe that magic was uninvolved; she clutched her wand tighter and readied a jinx on her tongue.

The house was quiet, not even a beam creaked as Hermione lay in her bed, breathing heavily she began planning various escape routes. I need to get mom and dad out of here. But she was nearly paralyzed with fear. If Death Eaters broke into her house, what would she be able to do? What could a fourteen year old do to protect her family from dark wizards at the command of a newly risen self-proclaimed Lord?

"Hermione, sweetheart, are you awake?" She heard the hesitant voice of her father break through the eerie silence that encompassed her home just moments before. Her eyes shifted to the shadows by her door, there was one too many.

Moving stealthily to her door, careful of the books and nick-knacks littering her floor, she was in position. Wand at the ready, stupefy already fighting to get escape her throat.

Unable to answer her father without giving away her new position, she slowly turned the door knob to allow entrance to the persons waiting outside.

A pale hand was grasping the doorknob from the outside, not dad, "Stupefy!" the hand retracted and she sprung from her hiding spot and trained her wand on the intruder. A horrified gasp unwittingly tore through her parted lips as she recognised the pale creature standing in front of her bedroom door, swollen hand pressed to its chest, her parents standing on either side of it.

"Hermione!" Her mother scolded her, "What have I told you about using your wand willy nilly!"

Disapproving eyes trained on her from both her mother and father but she barely registered their stares or their words as they started apologizing to it for her "uncharacteristic behaviour". He waved away their apologies and stepped towards her, instinctively she took a few steps back. Noticing her response, he ceased his forward advance. Raising his hands in submissive manner, he stepped back to his previous position between her parents.

"Do you know who I am?" He spoke softly, as one does to a small frightened child. She was not ashamed to admit that she was terrified at the moment. Different answers flew into her head, murderer, psychopath, deranged lunatic, coward, evil devil spawn. "Voldemort"

The absurdity of the situation coupled with bubbling hysteria proved too much for the young witch, Hermione hiccupped and started tearing up as giggles and loud laughter spilled out of her. Her mother rushed to her side as she was falling to her knees, still pointing her wand at the Dark Lord.

"Sweetheart, you have to breathe, do what I'm doing honey, just look at momma." Hermione grasped at her mother as she tries to calm herself, she needed to be in control. I can freak out later, breathe Hermione, just breathe and figure out what the hell that maniac is doing here. She glanced at him over her mother's shoulder and could see a pained look fill his eyes. Catching her breath, she whispered to her mother, imploring her to get her father and to get the hell out of the house. But her mother just shook her head sadly and continued to instruct her in breathing deeply.

Realising that Voldemort must have her parents under some spell, she calmed down instantly. A cold rage rushed through her veins as she stared at the thing that messed with her life, the thing that murdered her best friend's parents, and the thing that made life in the wizarding world hell for all muggle-borns… As if sensing his daughter's emotional instability, Richard stepped in front of their odd guest, effectively shielding him.

"Princess, please calm down, we are not under a spell or any duress and Mr Riddle poses no threat to either your mother or me. I know this must be confusing for you, but Mr Riddle here could not be patient when he found us. I am certain that if you require better assurance, Mr Riddle will gladly perform a wand oath." Richard approached his daughter, still blocking her wand's aim and knelt down beside his wife and daughter.

"What does he want, daddy?"

Richard saw the confusion winning over the rage and he felt immense relief washing over him, his sweet girl has always listened to him, her voice of reason she was once said. It broke his heart to see her so frightened and determined; children should not feel the need to protect their parents.

"He just wants to talk to you, love. Just talk. That's all, I promise." Standing up, he moved over to Riddle and gestured for him to transfer to the dining room. Knowing Hermione and Jane will soon follow.

HRSHRSHRSHRSHRSHRSHRSHRSHRSHRSHRSHRSHRSHRSHRSHRSHRSHRSHRSHRSHRSHRSHRSHRS

Running his hands over his face and into his dark curls Tom sighed; "I know this must be difficult for you and your wife, Mr Granger, but I confess to being relieved that you both understand our circumstances. These are not the easiest of times for our world and I thank you for giving me this opportunity."

"It is quite alright, Mr Riddle, if our roles were reversed I dare say I would've done the same." He clapped the younger looking man on his back and offered him some brandy whilst they wait for the ladies to show face.

Tom accepted the offered tumbler appreciatively just as the fireplace activated and a devilishly fetching youth impatiently jumped out, his eyes landing on Tom, "Dad!"

I hope this is received well. Cookies and potatoes for all!

~ Moony