"Oh, what a tangled web we weave…When we first practice to deceive."

-Walter Scott-


Disclaimer: I own nothing! Everything recognizable belongs to J.K Rowling. I am simply borrowing some of her genius to act out my ideas. I truly hope she doesn't mind.


Chapter 2: Victim

I'm sure you're very lovely. Beauty and brains; is there a better combination?

Hermione smiled as she looked at Tom's words. She had become close to the little diary over the past few days. She had even confessed her attraction to Harry to him…It felt good to be able to finally tell someone. But she knew that Harry only saw her as a friend, but it felt nice to talk to someone who understood.

I believe I'm rather plain. I don't wear makeup and I'm not girly at all…I only ever cared about my studies.

She bit her lip and waited for his reply. She felt that they had instantly connected. They talked to well and so easily…Even easier than her and Harry; who was her best friend. She had no doubts that if Tom were here, she would probably have a crush on him. How could she not? He always knew the right things to say and at the right time. If he wasn't trapped inside a book, he'd be perfect.

I never liked girls that were obsessed with their looks. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the fact that you're intelligent and witty, makes you far more attractive than girls that take too much time in their appearance…If I may be so bold, I believe that you and I would be a perfect match, but alas, I am stuck in here.

You're friend is a fool if he doesn't see the gem that is in front of him. A fool, if he doesn't see you as I do…

Hermione felt her cheeks tinge pink as she read his words.

You're beautiful, Hermione. Do not let anyone make you feel other wise.

She sighed dreamily, wishing with all her might that he was real.

Oh Tom, you're flattering me. You truly are an amazing man, and it is my hope that one day, we'll be able to meet.

Her eyes lit up as she walked towards her next class, reading his comforting words.

As it is mine, Hermione.

((O))

Hermione resolved to ask Professor Dumbledore today if he remembered Tom, the seventh year student that disappeared 50 years ago.

She had been talking to Tom for about a week now. They had discussed everything under the sun; and she had tirelessly searched for an answer to his problem. But she couldn't find anything. Not one single thing that indicated anything about what was happening to him. It was frustrating her; and she needed some answers. Hermione did not like not knowing things.

She made her way down the hallway, saying "Lemon Drop." to the gargoyle statue; before making her way up the stairs to Dumbledore's office. She hesitantly pecked on the door.

"Professor Dumbledore?" Hermione asked timidly, stepping into his office, "Maybe I have a word with you, sir?"

Professor Dumbledore looked at her over his half moon spectacles. He was sitting behind his desk, shuffling through papers.

"Of course." He replied kindly, "Please have a seat."

"Thank you, sir." Hermione replied taking the seat in which he gestured.

"How can I help you today?" He asked, smiling at her.

"Well, I have a rather odd question." Hermione said nervously.

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"What is it, my dear?" he asked, worry laced in his voice.

"Well…Did a student ever go missing around fifty years ago?" Hermione asked, the question sounding utterly absurd, even to her ears.

"Not to my knowledge, Miss Granger." Dumbledore replied quietly, his face pulling confusion, "May I ask why you want to know this?"

"Well…" Hermione started, not sure whether to tell him about the diary or not, "I found a book, and it writes to you…They said they are a memory; and that they were trapped there their seventh year."

Dumbledore raised his eyes in surprise.

"That is highly unusual…But no, Miss Granger, no students ever simply vanished." He replied, looking at her calculatingly, "Did they tell you their name? Perhaps I will be able to remember them."

"Tom Riddle." Hermione said, watching horror slowly creep on Dumbledore's face and jumping when he bolted up from his chair.

"S-Sir?" Hermione squeaked, looking shocked as the professor walked around the desk sharply.

"Where did you find the book, Hermione?" He asked, placing his hands on her shoulders, and slightly shaking her.

"Erm…In the room of requirement." Hermione said hesitantly, confused by his sudden outburst.

"Bring it to me." Professor Dumbledore said sharply, "You must bring it to me now!"

He pulled her up and pointed at the door, "Do not write in it anymore. Bring it immediately!"

"Y-Yes sir, I'll be right back!"

She flew out his door and down the hallway towards the common room. Why was Dumbledore acting this way? She was sure something was important if he was acting this way. She couldn't quite shake the look of horror she saw on his face…Perhaps he remembered Tom? And he was horrified that he had been in that diary for fifty years? That had to be it. Hermione had found him!

She ran up the stairs to her dorms, pulling the diary out of the drawer.

'Maybe I should tell him that Dumbledore is going to help me!' She thought delightedly. She stopped when she realized Dumbledore told her not to write anymore, but this was Tom, and she had been talking to him for a week! She should at least let him know what she was doing.

Tom? I have great news! I spoke with Professor Dumbledore, and he asked me to bring your diary to him right away after I told him your name. I think he remembers you! Maybe there's hope that you'll be free!

Hermione was giddy as she waited for his reply. A minute passed, and still, Tom had said nothing.

Tom? Are you okay? Hermione wrote hesitantly, wondering where he had went.

She smiled as she watched words slowly appear.

Tom Marvolo Riddle.

She frowned as she looked at his name. Why was he writing that?

I am Lord Voldemort.

Hermione froze. Her eyes darted to all of the letters; rearranging them in her head. She immediately threw the book in the floor, completely horror-struck as she realized that his name did indeed rearrange to 'I am Lord Voldemort.'

Tears poured down her face as she realized how incredibly stupid she had been. Was she that desperate for attention? So much for being the smartest witch of the age.

Fury engulfed her. How dare he trick her that way! She growled and picked up the book, slamming her quill down on the page.

How DARE you! Hermione furiously wrote, You son of a BITCH! I trusted you and I actually believed you! My God, I almost helped you! You're nothing but a vile, evil, and ugly bastard! I'm taking this book to Dumbledore; and together, we're going to BURN IT! Do you hear me? BURN IT!

Hermione huffed in rage, closing the book and darting down the stairs, running at full speed towards Professor Dumbledore's office.

Her hand suddenly felt like it was on fire. She shrieked and dropped he book, watching as it flew open on its own accord.

September 25th, 1946

Hermione looked at the page with the date, and reached down to pick up the book. She felt it was no longer hot.

"Miss Granger!"

She looked up to see Dumbledore rushing towards her, with a terrified look on his face.

"Do not touch it!" He screeched, pulling out his wand.

Hermione tried to drop the book, horrified when she found she couldn't. It was if her fingers were super glued to the pages.

"I can't let go!" She shrieked.

She watched, horrified, as words began to appear on the pages.

Your wish will come true. We shall meet; in person. I'll make sure of that, my dearest Hermione."

Panic soared inside Hermione as she felt her insides twist. It hurt. Like hell.

She looked up to see Dumbledore, hastily trying to remove the diary from her frozen hands.

Her vision blurred, and she heard Dumbledore yelling; but it sounded as if his voice was traveling farther and farther away. Her head spun, and she felt the desperate need to clutch it; but found that she couldn't tear her hands away from the diary.

It felt as though she was apparating; only much more painful. She gasped, feeling a constriction in her chest.

She let out a cry of pain when she felt her body slam into something hard. It felt like stone, and her head hit with a sickening crack.

Her vision blurred as she whimpered in pain. Her vision blacked out, and she fell into peaceful unconsciousness.

((O))

"My dear? Can you hear me?" Said a over-bearing, high pitched voice.

Hermione groaned in response, her head swirling.

"She's awake, Albus!" She heard the woman scream, making her grit her teeth.

Hermione relaxed. Professor Dumbledore was here. She was sure she was safe; he'd obviously managed to save her from whatever Tom was trying to do…

Her stomach bottomed out. No, not Tom….Voldemort. She was disgusted with herself, and she only hoped that Dumbledore could forgive her blatant stupidity.

"P-Professor…" She called out weakly, opening her eyes, "I'm s-so sorry." She whimpered.

"Now, now, girl." She heard his voice say, "There's no need to apologize. Here; drink this."

Hermione felt a bottle being put up to her lips, and she drank instantly. She fully trusted Professor Dumbledore, even though she could only see the outline of him because of her vision being so blurry.

She felt her head instantly clear, and her vision focused on the wizard in front of her.

Her jaw nearly hit the floor.

"P-Professor Dumbledore?" Hermione stuttered, eying the years younger Dumbledore in front of her. His hair and beard was auburn, and his blue eyes were twinkling over his glasses. Years had been wiped off his appearance…What was going on?

"Why are you young, sir?" Hermione asked, her eyes bugging out of her head.

"I wasn't aware that I was young." He replied chuckling, "Actually, I feel rather old most days."

Hermione was flabbergasted.

"What?" Hermione said, too astonished to come up with anything more complex to say.

"I'm afraid I don't know you, Miss." Dumbledore said calmly, "Although, it is quite obvious that you seem to know me."

"What? Its me!" Hermione shrieked, panicked, "I'm Hermione!"

Hermione watched, slightly hyperventilating as he observed her with confusion in his eyes, along with pity.

"How did you come to be at Hogwarts, Miss Hermione?" Dumbledore asked.

"I go to s-school here…" Hermione whimpered. This could not be happening. How could he not know her?

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows at this.

"Those are interesting clothes, Hermione." He said, pointing to her pink shirt and jeans, "You must tell me where you got them…I do love pink." He finished quietly, smiling at her.

He doesn't know who I am, and he wants to talk about my outfit? How about we talk about what the hell is going on here?!

"Sir, don't you remember?" She said sheepishly, "I had Riddle's diary…I was bringing it to you, and you told me not to touch it and I couldn't let go!"

Confusion washed over his face at this.

"Riddle? As in Tom Riddle?" Dumbledore asked quietly.

"Of course as in Tom Riddle! You know, Voldemort!" Hermione shrieked.

Dumbledore stood, and he appeared to be thinking pretty hard. Hermione fell silent, leaving him to his thoughts.

"Why did you have Mr. Riddle's diary?" Dumbledore asked, all twinkling gone from his eyes.

"I found it in the room of requirement." She said, hoping he'd remember, "He told me he'd been trapped inside it for fifty years, and I went to you so we could help him! But he had lied to me; I swear I didn't know who he really was Professor! I'm so sorry…"

At this point, Dumbledore looked flabbergasted.

"Tom Riddle is not inside a diary, Hermione…" Dumbledore said slowly, "He is a seventh year at this school, and currently head boy."

Hermione's mouth fell open, and she gaped at Dumbledore like a fish before a terrifying thought hit her.

"What is the date?" Hermione asked quietly, fearing lacing every word.

"September 25th, 1946." Dumbledore replied quietly, watching her reaction.

Hermione promptly fainted.

A/N: Whew, let me know what you think!