The old home creaked forebodingly; made of now brittle wood and worn roofing. Every surface sported a thick coating of dust, and it made her nose twitch at each intake of air. Hermione wasn't a neat freak by any means, but this poor old woman's home was in an atrocious state; books strewn about the room haphazardly- a shame, candles knocked over with wax pools cooled at their wicks, dust-caked mirrors showing only parts of one's reflection.
Harry stood beside her awkwardly, trying to cover up Slytherin's locket stealthily and watching Bathilda fumble with a set of matches next to a candle; finally stepping up to light the candle for her when she dropped her matchbox.
The old woman gestured for Harry to follow her and began a slow, painful looking trek up ancient stairs by candlelight.
Hermione turned, curious, casting a silent Lumos and examining her surroundings. A newer book lay before her – she could tell because it was much less dust-caked than everything else- and upon closer inspection, she saw that it was a copy of Rita Skeeter's newest book about Professor Dumbledore.
A wave of pain washed over her suddenly; the Headmaster was gone for good. He couldn't help them anymore. Hermione was on her own; even with determined Harry and sweet Ron, when all was said and done, they couldn't interpret or research to save their lives. No, this horcrux business was up to Hermione now.
A fly buzzed past her ear and she swatted at it in annoyance. Another followed and she glanced in it's direction, regretting it immediately as a nauseating stench pervaded her senses.
She covered her nose in disgust at the offending smell and crept closer to the door it seemed to be originating from; pushing it open with her boot so she wouldn't have to touch anything.
What she expected, she didn't know; but she did not expect to see a rotting corpse of an old woman. Blood covered the ceiling in scattered blotches and Hermione recoiled at the view.
If this is Bathilda, then who is with-
"Harry!" She shrieked and sprinted for the stairs.
Above her, she heard a loud thud and crash.
God, don't let me be too late!
She arrived just as a great snake was closing in on Harry as he backpedaled away.
Reducto! Hermione viciously cast at the hostile snake, running toward Harry and helping him up and half dragging him back as the snake was only annoyed by her powerful spell. It lazily turned toward them again and slithered closer.
Bombarda! She tried again, expecting it to be just as futile as the last spell. Her spell hit a nearby wardrobe, exploding it into furious little pieces that ricocheted back in all directions.
The snake lunged.
Harry howled in pain as the snake seemingly buried its fangs into his chest. Hermione watched in mortification, seeing blood spray from the snake's jaws; Harry's face was contorted in agony, and Hermione froze in the middle of casting a nonverbal and pulling at Harry's arm as a pulse of power washed over them.
Hermione frowned, seeing the snake clench its rippling muscles tightly as if in pain. A spark of light appeared where the snake's jaw was lodged into Harry's chest.
"The locket, Hermione…" He rasped.
Another pulse of power washed over them and they found themselves paralyzed by the intensity of it.
It shone brighter on the third pulse and Hermione felt herself losing consciousness as the room spun around them faster with each moment.
"H-Harry?" She called as dizziness began to overcome her. The light blinded her and yet she still felt dizzy, as if she were now spinning instead of the room.
She looked down and focused intently to make out Harry's features. They were slack. Hermione only had a moment left of consciousness to worry over her friend's fate before the welcome darkness took her.
-x-
There was a weird noise.
Slaps?
They were getting louder.
Not slaps, footsteps.
Hermione cracked an eye open and almost whimpered at the brightness. Her eyes adjusted slowly, and she looked up as a shadow crossed her face.
A masculine figure towered over her. How was he so tall? Had she shrunk? No, she was on the ground, with her cheek plastered to the dirty stone.
She closed her eyes and tried to focus.
Harry! Where is he?
She tried to muster the strength to lift her head and look, but she had no more willpower left. Blackness overcame her once again.
-x-
The next time she woke, she felt warmth all through her body. Her eyes obeyed her easily now and opened without a struggle, and she weakly turned her face into a soft pillow. She was in the hospital wing?
Oh my, does a bed feel wonderful. She sighed softly and looked out the window, basking in the sun's heat.
"You're awake, then? My, my, were we worried!" A feminine wail pounded her still sensitive ears and she winced slightly. "So good to see you awake, dear! Would you like to sit up?" A woman appeared in Hermione's face and helped her to sit up- though she could have done it herself with no trouble, of course.
"How are you feeling? Any soreness or headaches? Your friend was in quite the pickle; it's a good thing our Head Boy found you two when he did!" She rambled on, not paying any attention to Hermione's emotion-filled face for the moment.
"Friend? Harry?! Where is he? Is he alright?" Hermione panicked and looked around desperately. "A boy with dark hair and glasses-"
"Yes, yes, dear; he's fine. Resting, but fine." The middle aged woman tsked Hermione softly and pushed her back against her pillow. "The headmaster will be here to speak with you soon, dear, so rest up."
"H-Headmaster?" Hermione began with wide eyes. Snape? He's headmaster of Hogwarts now, isn't he? The nerve of that rotten man! To even replace poor Madam Pomfrey?!
"Of course, someone must question how youself and your friend got to such extreme conditions and landed themselves outside of Hogwarts' doors." She replied, as if Hermione were daft. "Now, save your energy and lay there, and you can speak to your friend when he wakes from his dreamless sleep. In the meantime, I will be leaving Tom, the boy who discovered you two, to watch over you both and make sure nothing goes wrong."
The medi-witch left the wing abruptly, patting someone in the shadow of the room on the shoulder genially and exiting.
The shadow stood suddenly, and began approaching Hermione with a confident strut.
"So, of all the men in the world, geniuses, even," He paused contemplatively. "You two are the greatest threat to me?" His lips curved in a thoughtful smirk. "I suppose I am lucky then, that I have this chance to change your mind."
Hermione was confused. Knowing that confusion was not a common feeling for her, she frowned at the strange boy and his ramblings. "Change my mind about what?" She asked, frown still in place.
Tom grinned, seemingly excited that she had asked. He leaned closer to her, inches from her face, and replied smoothly while locking eyes with her, "About which side you belong on, Miss Granger."
She shivered in disgust at the sensual way he hissed her name.
"How do you know my name?" She scowled at him.
"Just as you survived the reaction, Nagini did as well." He smiled chillingly. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Hermione. I am Tom Riddle." With that introduction, he confidently made his way over to Harry's unmoving body, glared at his scar, and ripped the locket from his neck with a cruel smile. He turned toward her once again, bowed mockingly at her and elegantly, his robes swaying, left the wing.
First Tomione FF n.n I've been reading so many lately that I've decided to try writing my own :3 Reviews are always welcome! 3