Author's Note:

Hey there readers. As you've probably noticed, this is a time-travel story. I know right?! Anyway, this will be a rather long story, with an original plot in which both Hermione and Tom are the main characters. So I hope you will stick around!

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Harry Potter and all its contents belong to the one and only J.K. Rowling.

Lioness Arising.

Chapter I

Hisses in the Dark.

The cold wind was shrieking through the narrow passage, piercing right through her dark cloak. Hermione Granger pulled the long cloak closer around her shivering body and glanced anxiously at the dark streets. There was a shadow lurking within her, a strong impression of danger. She had tried to ignore the nagging feeling but with no success.

A noise captured her attention and, frowning, she swung her head around. She held her wand firmly and glared at the silent unperturbed streets. A small part of her wanted to quickly apparate away but she held her ground.

"I need to do this," she declared confidently, a challenge of her own.

Her brows creased as she walked down the dimly lit pavement. The anonymous letter in her right pocket seemed to weight heavier as time went by. Sicknesses took over her when she realised that they might not be able to forgive her for what she was about to do. However, desperate times called for desperate measures. With Albus Dumbledore's death, they had lost the Ministry of Magic to Lord Voldemort and his followers. Muggle-borns and supporters had been forced to go into hiding since fighting a long lost battle was no longer an option.

They had lost so many to the cause and at what cost? Hermione's heart throbbed painfully as Ron's pale features flashed before her. After their best-friend's death, Harry began changing. He started preaching about how the dark arts were the only way to beat Lord Voldemort at his own game.

She realised that the mourning period was over. She didn't have time to cry her friends and family. Harry needed her and she would do whatever it took to bring her friend back from the darkness.

Hermione halted in front of what used to be a grandiose house. What used to be a beautiful garden had now transformed into a wild maze of tall bushes and weeds. Some walls were still holding up as though they were refusing to crumble down along with the rest of the house. She could see what might have been the living room. Slowly, the Gryffindor glanced around and then when she was satisfied that no one was watching; she made her way inside. She flicked her wand, forcing the bushes and wildflowers out of her way.

Shivering, she made her way inside. The tattered woodened floor screeched at the sudden contact, forcing her to be extra careful. Tears welled up in her eyes. Their entire future could have been entirely different if Lord Voldemort didn't exist. The house would still be standing; Harry would have a home and a family. Ron would live.

Hermione hurried forward, ignoring the dark hisses clouding her head that tried to make her vacillate. She had been warned repeatedly of the danger, but she had no choice. Somewhere up ahead of her was the only thing that might save them all. She had sacrificed everything to get here, and she would not turn back now.

Then it appeared out of nowhere -the familiar silver-white colour of the patronus charm. She held her breath as the corporeal form stabilized into a solid form of a doe. She could feel her heart in her throat.

"Miss Granger."

The familiar voice startled her even though she had prepared herself. She tried to keep her face clear from any conflicting emotions but then remembered that Professor Snape could not see her.

"It's time."

The doe gracefully moved across the room, its light illuminated the way for her. Clenching tightly to her wand, she did as she was asked to. She followed Professor's Snape Patronus across the room and then gasped as she watched the doe jump into the ruined wall and disappeared completely from her sight. At first, she panicked. Thoughts of a trap rang in her mind but she quickly dismissed them. Had death eaters been there, they would have been able to kill her on the spot.

Hermione swallowed hard as she made her way to the wall, at least what was left of it. She tapped her wand against it and then glared at it with a fierce determination.

"Reducto."

The wall exploded before her eyes. She felt a speck of wood brush against her cheek, enough to graze it. Breathing heavily, Hermione looked ahead to find the most elegant golden box lying on the floor, completely unscattered. Shuddering, the bushy-haired witch knelt down. Slowly, she opened the box and stared in a mix of awe and fear at the familiar time-turner. She picked the object carefully as memories of her third-year haunted her. If this worked, she'd be able to save Sirius Black too. An old piece of parchment caught her attention. She unfolded it and read the two only words, "Good Luck."

A dread feeling took over her. There was no turning back now.

Tears fell down her tired features as her full attention went back to the time-turner. She could feel that the object was charged with a strange magic. She stared down at it for a while as she silently cried into the night. This was it. There would be no good-byes.

She told herself that she was doing what she had to. There was no other way.

As she twisted the hourglass, she began to feel slightly disoriented, as if the earth shimmered and twisted, as if something better left alone awakened. With renewed fury the wind slashed and tore at her forcing her to shut her eyes. Her heart began to pound so loud it was thunder in her ears.

As the wind ceased, she reopened her eyes. She had made it. She should have been relieved, but there was a terror welling up in her she couldn't suppress. She had done what had been said impossible.

Still slightly disorientated, Hermione pushed herself to her feet. She then noticed that she was standing on a small park. She noticed how the streets looked different. There were less houses and more green spaces. The witch concluded that the Potter's house were yet to be built.

Panic rushed through her as she looked down at the hourglass, it was falling apart. She shook her head as that didn't matter anymore. She knew she was not supposed to return. She knew that she was about to change the entire future time-line. Determination ran through her veins as she apparated away.

The three broomsticks looked like it always did. Only there was no Madam Rosmerta running it. In her place stood a bald old looking man, "Here's the keys, lass. Remember, I expect to find the room spotless, got it?"

"Yes, I understand." She hissed in annoyance as she took the keys from him. She turned around and walked towards the stairs when she stopped dead on her tracks. She reached for the abandoned daily prophet on the table and took it upstairs.

Once inside the room, she allowed herself to sit down on the worn cushioned dark chair. She fumbled through the newspaper and then her eyes scanned the sought contents.

November, 12th 1944.

She took a deep calming breath. She had hoped for an earlier date – she had hoped to stop Lord Voldemort's mother to ever give birth. That had been her plan. Now she had to adjust it.

She reached for her bag and summoned a piece of parchment.

"To Albus Dumbledore." She read aloud as she carried on scribbling, "My name is Hermione Granger…"

Tom Riddle's eyes were lit with excitement as the entrance finally revealed itself to him. He didn't remember to be this excited since he discovered the Chambers of Secrets. The Chamber was rightful his, it was a part of his legacy. But this… this was an invasion.

Huge lion heads were carved on the great double doors. The eyes were staring fiercely, daring any trespasser to come any closer.

His lips curved into a smirk.

Now it was only a matter of time. He would eventually find a way to break through Godric's Gryffindor's doors.

A/N: Oh so you've reached this far? Thank you so much for reading! It really means a lot to me. Please do review. I'd love to have some feedback.