Title: Foreign Worlds
Summary of the summary (made for Fanfiction Dot Net): In a universe parallel to our own, Tom Riddle goes to school at the same time the Trio does. But what happens if the line between that universe and our own, as well as other universes, is crossed? TRHG
Full summary: There are many universes parallel to our own. Different things happen in these universes. In one of them, Voldemort won the war. In another one, he lost. There is one universe where Tom Riddle goes to school at the same time the Trio does. Things are, of course, drastically different. There is a line that ensures the different universes will never cross each other. That line is about to be crossed. My humble contribution to the TRHG pairing. (First time writing it! Yeah!)
Disclaimer: I will never own Harry Potter and it's time I accept it. (It's more of the reverse, really.)
A/N: I apologize for any writing mistakes I might have made, but I simply could not resist the temptation of posting this before editing (which could be a grave mistake, I know, but I couldn't resist!). I want to make sure this is worth continuing to write, seeing as how it would be my first chapter-length fanfic. Any constructive criticism you might have for me is extremely welcome. Thanks in advance for even bothering to read this!
A dark shadow had swept over Hogwarts. Its darkness could have claimed everything it touched; but it instead focused on possessing the heart of a single brown-haired witch; claiming her happiness; leaving nothing but hatred and envy in its stead.
Hermione Granger had just seen Tom Riddle handing in his perfect baby blue potion, just as she was about to get up to turn in her equally perfect potion as well. How did the guy do it? How could he beat her to everything?
The witch growled as she got up and headed towards Professor Calden's desk; Tom Riddle "accidentally" brushing against her with a smirk as she passed him. The Professor, however, did not notice, and after congratulating Hermione for her work, sent her back to her desk.
Hermione was determined not to look at him as she joined the rest of the class. They sat beside each other; each claiming a seat in the first row, right in the middle of the classroom: the best seats of the classroom for students like them.
Tom was the first to break into the silence. He whispered, "Came close to finishing as soon as I did this time, did you?"
The evident laughter on his voice had not gone unnoticed. Hermione snapped at him. "I hadn't meant to finish quickly, Riddle" – she lied – "I took my time to ensure that my potion was not rushed. You can't do potions quickly, you know."
"Of course," Tom said, still amused. "But you are ignoring the fact that I had the potion finished quickly, and it was perfect nonetheless."
"You self obsessed prick," Hermione muttered under her breath, loudly enough to be overheard by her neighbor.
"Believe what you want," Tom muttered back. "It is of no consequence to me; I'm still a better wizard than you are a witch, Miss Granger."
"The nerve – "
"It is nothing short from the truth," he cut her. "One would think you had grown accustomed to second place. I for one believe you should."
It took all in Hermione's power not to stand up and shout to him. Instead, she remained quiet for the rest of the class, reading a book on Arithmancy and not even bothering to look up even when Ron, one of her best friends, pleaded with her from his place right behind hers and begged her to help him with his potion.
When the school bell rung, Hermione was the first one to get up, the first one to leave – the first one at something, finally. It had been so long since she had been first that she almost forgot what it felt like; ever since she came to Hogwarts, she had to fight against Tom for her position as one of the best students in the school, something she wasn't really happy about.
Ron Weasley and Harry Potter followed her closely behind, clearly aware that Hermione had been angered again.
"Hermione, wait up!" Ron called desperately, Harry following closely behind. Ron already was a tall enough for his age; next to Harry, however, he couldn't help but seem even taller.
"You shouldn't take it so personally," Harry said for the second time that day. Ron nudged him with his shoulder, but it was too late: Harry had already asked for the impossible. Hermione didn't even bother to answer him. Neither of her friends could ever truly understand what it felt like – to be constantly reminded of not being the best in a world where she was used to being nothing short of excellent.
"I'll be at the library," she informed them. Sometimes, she had to remind herself that her friends weren't the cause of her troubles; that they only wanted to help. And then she would feel terrible for not listening when they tried to make her feel better, and she would hate herself for letting Riddle anger her so. It was during those times that she hoped she was smarter; could finally beat Tom at something; if not for her own pride, then for her friends.
When those times came, she would always find herself at the library.
Ron and Harry knew better than to keep following their friend after she had clearly let them know she wanted to be alone. They parted their ways with her, and Hermione was free to enter the one single place in Hogwarts place that could provide her with the most knowledge.
Hermione loved that place. She loved the smell of old and new books. She liked the large variety of subjects she could explore without having to walk half the castle to take lessons on them. She liked the comfortable chairs and the silence that the librarian enforced. As a matter of fact, the only thing that Hermione didn't like about the library was that Tom Riddle was usually found there as well.
"Good morning, Mrs. Eyre," Hermione greeted her favorite librarian. Mrs. Eyre, who had been telling off two students for trying to do their Transmutation practice on a couple of library books, gave Hermione a quick welcoming smile before going back to her reprimand.
A Defense Against the Dark Arts book was picked; it was ensured that Tom Riddle was nowhere nearby; and then Hermione sat down on one of the chairs of her favorite table in one of the two back corners of the library, where it could be said peace was certain.
It was only moments later than she felt an unwelcome being sitting down on the chair opposite to hers.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts," she heard Tom Riddle's voice say. "I must say, that's a good choice: Defense must be your worst subject yet."
Hermione let down her book to give Riddle a fiery stare. "Excuse me," she said with feigned civility. "But I don't believe anyone asked you."
"I was merely mentioning it," Tom shrugged, and with a flick of his wand and a nonverbal spell, Hermione's book was in his hands. "Studying for the N.E.W.T.s, I take it? And we've barely started the new school year."
Hermione felt her cheeks burn. "They might be the most important tests in our lives."
"But of course," Tom said, flipping the pages of the book lazily as though he had no particular interest in its contents. "That's why I borrowed this very book as soon as I finished taking my O.W.L.s."
"Give me that!" Hermione hissed, and she moved over the table to rescue her book. Tom evaded her with a quick move of his arm.
"Calm down, Miss Granger," said Tom with feigned worry, though there was clearly amusement in his eyes. "If Mrs. Eyre came, what would she ever think of you?"
Hermione's face grew even redder. "Mrs. Eyre rarely comes to this part of the library while I'm here; she knows full well she can trust me to both behave and find the books I need myself!"
"You don't want that trust to be broken then, do you?" Tom asked her.
"Of course not!" she retorted. "And neither do you, so give me back my book so I can read it!"
"No," he said simply, and there was a mischievous smirk there even though he might have tried to have it repressed. "I rather like this book, you see. Might even have it borrowed today, now that I think about it…"
"Y – you…"
"But of course! You want it too, don't you? A pity not both of us can have it."
"I had it first!" she hissed.
"And I have it now."
And with that, Tom Riddle got up and left her to her anger, the book she had been so eager to read tucked safely under his arm.
(TRHG)
Harry and Ron would have never expected Hermione to greet them with a curse word, but that was exactly what she did when she came back to the Gryffindor common room; Tom Riddle's name attached to the phrase.
"He bloody took my book!" she exclaimed, incredulous, as she sat down on a chair next to them. "He bloody took my book and left with it!"
"C-calm down, Hermione!" said Ron, fearful as he always was whenever his friend was really mad. "Maybe he didn't do it on purpose…?"
Hermione almost chucked her wand at him.
"Of course he did it on purpose, Ron!" said Harry. He had evidently sensed the danger and decided that the best idea was probably to be on Hermione's side.
"He's just such a – a jerk!" Hermione went on.
"Of course he is," Harry agreed.
Ron followed Harry's lead and compared the subject in discussion to a hideous, evil troll.
After Ron had Hermione calmed down a little, Harry decided to risk it and give Hermione a little advice. "We all know Riddle's a prat, Hermione, but maybe if you don't let him get to you, he'll leave you alone." Meanwhile, Ron entertained himself by comparing Tom Riddle to every annoying magical pest in existence. "That's what he wants, isn't it? He just wants to get under your skin."
"I know, Harry, but he's just so annoying! And so…" – and she hated herself for admitting it – "so smart! It's like no matter what I do, I never get to beat him in class, even though I study really hard, and it annoys me to no end, because he does rub it in…"
"It doesn't matter what Riddle does, you're definitely a smart witch, Hermione. He can't change that, no matter how hard he tries."
"I know, Harry," Hermione sighed. "You know what, I think I'm just going to go up, pick up Hogwarts, A History and then come back with you guys and give it a nice reread. I can't let Tom Riddle put me down like this."
"That's the spirit," Harry said.
(HGTR)
Defense Against the Dark Arts was the very first class the next day.
"Good morning, Miss Granger," Tom Riddle greeted her with a smirk, looking up from the library book – her library book – he had borrowed yesterday.
Hermione gave him a glare as she sat down in her usual seat next to him. He had gotten here before her, as always; but this wasn't her fault: out of all the Hogwarts classes, Defense Against the Dark Arts was the one both Harry and Ron hated the most. The Defense teacher, Professor Snape, also seemed to hate her friends just as much as they hated him. So it was not unusual for them to slow down their pace whenever they had to go to the D.A.D.A. classroom, nor was it odd that they always sat in the back row, leaving her completely alone with Riddle.
"Did you have a nice day yesterday?" Tom continued. The teacher had not yet arrived. "Because I did wonder what you would do without your precious book to entertain yourself."
"I'll have you know I reread Hogwarts, A History," Hermione hissed as she got out her books.
"Ah. But I believe that particular book doesn't contain any useful knowledge to prepare us for the N.E.W.T.s," Tom stated, leisurely opening up her library book to a random page and beginning to read. "A pity."
She had opened her mouth to answer him when Professor Snape entered the room, draining out all the happiness any Gryffindor student in the classroom might have left. The Slytherins, however, seemed to be immune to Snape's depressing effects.
"You will all put your books away today," Professor Snape said. "As they will not be needed. You will be working in pairs today. I give you a minute to pair off. Any students left without a teammate will be personally paired by me."
There was a loud noise as students moved up from their chairs and began to frantically search for a partner. Hermione didn't even bother to look at Harry and Ron – they were more than likely going to work together. As always, this meant that she would have to work with Neville. And true to tradition, Neville was found to be seating next to Hermione before the minute was over.
"Time is up!" shouted the professor, and everyone went quiet and moved back to their seats. "Any student that is left out must remain standing."
Hermione stole a quick look around the room to look for Riddle; he was sitting next to Blaise Zabini, another Slytherin. She couldn't help but feel irritated with this. Not only had he found a work mate – something she had toyed with the idea of having it not happen – but Blaise Zabini was a fairly good student as well. He was no Tom Riddle, but next to Neville (who was deeply scared of the Dark Arts), the boy was a genius. The only good thing about Zabini was that, if Riddle did well, he could not take all the credit. Meanwhile, with Neville, it would be obvious who did most of the work…
Hermione continued to observe the other pairings as Snape forced a whimpering Patil twin to work with a scary looking Slytherin boy. Harry had, of course, paired himself with Ron; Dean Thomas with Seamus Finnigan; Draco Malfoy's one friend with the same blonde boy's other friend; and Draco Malfoy himself had, surprisingly enough, paired himself with Lavender Brown. Pansy Parkinson could be seen sulking next to Theodore Nott.
Professor Snape gave a flick of the wand, and various objects were scattered throughout the classroom. Hermione was surprised to find herself staring at a hat. She looked back – other equally unusual objects were sitting in the other tables. Harry and Ron were being disgusted by what appeared to be a used sock. Riddle's object was an empty bottle.
"These are your working objects. We will be working on this project for the rest of the week," Snape informed them, writing the word "Curses" on the blackboard. I want one of you to use a curse on your group's object, and the other one to break the curse. Don't finish by the end of the week, and you both fail." A loud groan could be heard in the classroom as the students complained. Professor Snape did not raise his voice. "The curses must be said nonverbally. You are not allowed to tell your classmate what curse you performed. Neither are you allowed to help your partner do their job. You can start working now."
Hermione turned to Neville to discuss their project – because of the noise, she could tell she was not the only one. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Riddle handing out instructions already. But she wasn't like that, she told herself. She would let Neville have a say in their project too.
"Well, Neville," Hermione said with a sympathetic smile. Her partner was currently a little whiter than usual: he had clearly not mastered breaking curses yet. "Nonverbal spells were last year; do you want to do that part? I'm afraid that if I give you a curse that was too simple Professor Snape might have that against us. You know how he is…"
"Y-yeah, I think that is the best," Neville agreed. "I'm just so nervous, Hermione – I don't want us to fail because of me…"
"And we won't," she reassured him. "You're fantastic, Neville, we haven't failed anything yet, why would this be different?"
"We've never failed because you made sure of it…"
"And I'll make sure of it again today," Hermione smiled. "We just have to believe in ourselves. So are you ready for this?"
"Yeah…" the boy said hesitantly. "We're gonna beat this thing."
"I'll leave you to deciding what curse to put, then. I don't think we're allowed to be sitting near each other – Snape might suspect I'm trying to help," Hermione said, and with a pat in the shoulder and a wish of good luck, left Neville alone to his thoughts. Many students were doing the same; after Crabbe had foolishly gotten up to stretch his legs without getting a reprimand from Snape, they all assumed other students could do the same. The only students who were currently sitting down where the ones that had to do the cursing. Hermione passed a confused looking Lavender and a glowering Pansy Parkinson to go talk to Harry. Ron was sitting a few feet away, his expression stating that he was clearly using his brain power, and that he didn't like it.
"Neville's doing the curse? You got guts, Hermione," Harry smiled.
"It was better than having him lift off the curse. That part can be dangerous."
"Knowing you, you would do something harmless, just for him. But then again, knowing Neville – "
" – He would have gotten himself hurt anyway," Hermione concluded with a sigh.
Hermione did her best not to steal a glance of Tom Riddle's table. She did not, after all, want to know who was going to do the cursing. Neither did she want to give that impression. But she had to look at Neville's progress eventually, and it was inevitable that she should accidentally look towards Riddle's seat as well, since it was immediately next to hers. So when Hermione did look at Neville, she was surprised to find Tom Riddle doing the easier part of the job: he was currently sitting down, his bottle in one hand and wand in the other, apparently thinking of what curse he wanted to cast on the object. Neville was doing something similar. Hermione only wished she could see his face – he must be worried so…
The voice of Lavender Brown interrupted her thoughts.
"That Parkinson girl keeps glowering at me," she stated nervously, and Hermione turned her attention back to her immediate surroundings to find the Gryffindor girl talking to Harry. "It's not like I stole her boyfriend, she was never Draco's girl. And he asked me, so it's not like it was my fault…"
"Sure, Lavender," Harry said quickly, but there was light disapproval in his voice. "Now would you mind explaining to us why you accepted? This is Malfoy we're talking about."
Lavender blushed. "Well, he's different now!" she defended herself. "Ugh – you'd never understand, Harry…"
And with that, she left, leaving Hermione to explain to Harry that he was a boy, and that girls simply saw things differently. Harry just shook his head.
The bell rung after some time of atypical socializing, and Hermione went back to collect her things. They had spent their time talking with friends and looking at the progress of other students. Hermione had purposefully neglected Riddle's table but could not help but notice him walking around the classroom after the first ten minutes; she was forced to conclude that he was done. Other students weren't as quick as him, however. Draco Malfoy had managed to decide on and cast an efficient curse just before the bell rang, but other students would have to continue their work tomorrow.
Hermione gave Neville some encouraging words before going back to the rear of the classroom to join Harry and Ron. She passed an incredibly jealous Pansy Parkinson and an annoyed Draco Malfoy as she went, but she didn't mind them. Ron had just finished fixing up his and Harry's smelly sock when she joined them.
" – I mean the thing smells and he can't just expect us to carry it around – "
"Hey, Hermione; Ron just tried to rip our precious sock in two," Harry informed her.
Hermione repressed a laugh. "Oh, I'm sorry, you two; having that thing assigned as your object must be awful!"
"It really is," Ron said, and Hermione believed him – she could smell the sock from where she stood. "The thing smells and not exactly of strawberries. I'm not putting it on my bag."
"Why don't you put it in a plastic bag?" Hermione offered. Harry and Ron looked at her, puzzled.
"What's a plastic bag?" Ron asked.
"Hold on," Harry said. "I think that's something my mum used when she got the stomach flu last summer…"
Hermione rolled her eyes. Purebloods. "It's a muggle item," she said, and she conjured one out of thin air. "Trust me: if you use it, you can trap the smell of the sock inside of it."
"My dad was right: bless the muggles," Ron said, looking at Hermione gratefully. "Especially for making you, Hermione…"
"Alright, stop with the flattering, it's just a bag," Hermione said with a smirk.
"No, really, thank you…"
"Shall we go then? It has just occurred to me that we're in Defense," Harry whispered.
"Oh! You're right!" Ron muttered, and they scurried away before Snape could take any points from their house for being late for leaving.
Read and Review, please! You have no idea how much it means to me! xD