Chapter I: 'I'm not Him…'

'Tom Riddle.'

I gasped. There he was, standing at the platform…

My eyes were rolled out open staring at him. It isn't possible! I tell myself. This cannot be Tom Riddle! Voldemort's still on the run so this boy cannot be him! I stood there, staring at him. There was something different to this person. He had a different aura around him.

While I stood there, waiting for the image to sink in, I ran my eyes over him again, a slightly brown curly hair, an upright posture and… modern clothes. I shook my head to the thought: Tom Riddle in modern day clothing? I felt a crease form in my forehead. I don't think I can understand this!

"Hey Tom!"

A stranger called to him, so he IS Tom Riddle. I hid slightly to the side, working out to eavesdrop on their conversation. I cannot think of anything else but that this is a Horcrux—but it's not possible. Voldemort's soul is too much damaged to create another.

The boy chattered happily with the stranger, but then it was already time to board. I took a deep breath to the thought that it could get messy if I approached them to enter Platform 9 ¾ at the same time—but if I don't, I won't be able to board the Express!

Deep breaths, I calmed myself and stopped my pounding heart. I prepared my wand by my nearest luggage, if anything were to happen during our encounter, I can easily defend myself.

"Alright… Let's go."

I murmured to myself as I pushed my cart next to his.

As my cart came to a stop, his friend went on ahead to the platform and I waited for him to take his turn.

He stood still. I watched him at the corner of my eye… And then I realized, he was already looking at me.

"What?"

I started; his eyes were staring at me still. I stare back at him.

"Go on."

He urged gently. He looked at me with happy eyes, offering me greater space. As I pushed my cart quickly, I heard him follow through.

"That was easy, now wasn't it?"

He teased. I found myself dumbstruck at the idea that this Tom Riddle might not be the Tom Riddle I've been watching out for a few minutes ago.

Ron and Harry didn't make it… I guess this means I'll be spending some alone time in the compartment. I let out a long sigh of relief and carried on to opening my luggage. I took out one of my favorite books, took my seat comfortably and flipped the book open.

"Excuse me?"

I jumped, startled.

"Yes?"

I called out from my seat. Suddenly, the door slides open to reveal the same face I encountered earlier, Tom Riddle.

"Do you mind? I seem to be… Unwelcomed around here."

He murmured under his breath. I swallowed and nodded.

"Please."

Slowly, he slid the compartment's door to a close and took his seat. He was still on his modern clothes.

I steal another look at him through my book, waiting for any unusual action.

"What are you reading?"

He asked me, yet his voice a little worn out from looking for a free compartment… So much for your name, boy.

"This?"

He nodded in reply,

"It's just muggle material."

I spit out quickly off my mouth. I remember from one of the books I've read, Tom Riddle has a gutless hate to muggles.

"It seems… interesting."

He smiled.

My eyes winced at him. Really, this boy cannot be Tom Riddle. I shook my head at the thought. He cleared his throat for a few seconds and held out his hand,

"I'm Tom Riddle by the way. I'm a second year."

I looked up to him, my book still in my hands; I gave him a puzzled stare.

"I'm sorted at the House of Slytherin."

Putting away my book, I hesitated to shake his hand. His gaze followed mine when I was a few inches apart to taking his handshake, he took mine instead,

"Nice to meet you."

He smiled again.

"Hermione Granger."

I worked out an awful smile, still in complete loss over who this Tom Riddle is.

"I'm also a second year. I'm from Gryffindor."

"With Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, right?"

He added, making me stare at him in shock, all my negative emotions open to him, unguarded.

His eyes came from happy to that of resigned and hurt.

"You don't have to look at me like that… I know my name's reputation, but I'm not… Him."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm… I'm just myself. Do I look like The Dark Lord right now?"

My body slowly resigns from him, I felt my hand flinch, preparing to reach for my wand,

"Miss Granger, would you please listen to me?"

He whispered,

"Please… "

Again, his expression grew worse. It seemed like he was aching…

I found him staring in my eyes, right through to me. He was begging for me to listen… That there was something else.

All the moment of connection disappeared when someone announced for us to change into our Uniforms. We're nearing our way to Hogwarts.

I cleared my throat, pulled my hand away from him and opened my luggage, brought my uniform out to change into them.

As I turned around, I noticed he'd just sat there, still staring at me.

"Really, what is it now?"

I asked, a little annoyed. I felt a crease form on my forehead.

His eyes turned away from me and as I did a while ago, he began to open his luggage to grab his uniform.

"It's nothing, Miss Granger. I will step out of the compartment to change into my uniform as well. I will see you… later?"

As he slid the door to a close, I returned to locking my luggage and headed out as well.