It was the morning of New Year's Eve during their 6th year, and Hermione had offered to go with Neville to see his parents. They hadn't gone to see them yet this break, a tradition that Hermione shared with Neville since he first brought her to 'meet' his parents. The Longbottoms didn't recognize their son, or anyone actually, but it was a source of comfort for Neville to go see them, tell them about his life, and eventually, for Hermione to meet them and talk to them. Hermione thought that Neville's mother's eyes looked brighter when they left her, and his father's mumblings became more coherent.
Over the years, Hermione took to stopping by the bed of the sleeping boy, noticing his Hogwarts uniform and Slytherin tie. It must have been her 3rd visit to the ward to see Neville's parents, when she finally decided that the boy with no visitors should have someone to talk to as well. And since then, she'd make a point to go sit with him, and chat awhile. As she got older she secretly thought of the young man as the Slytherin Prince to her Slytherin Princess.
"Hello, my prince. Your Slytherin Princess is here. They call me that genuinely now. It's rather funny, don't you think? It was supposed to be an insult at first, and now they all try to curry favor with me." Hermione sat down on the side of the bed, next to the enchanted sleeper.
She'd noticed last year how heartbreakingly handsome he was, with his alabaster skin, features that belonged on a marble statue, and dark brown hair. She'd read the notes on his chart at the foot of his bed.
Name: Tom Marvolo Riddle.
Birthday: December 31, 1926
Affliction: Unknown potion ingested in 1944 by unknown means, enchanted sleep; in stasis.
"It's your birthday today, Slytherin Prince. I don't know if you'd count the years you've been in stasis or not, but I still wanted to say happy birthday. I never like to celebrate mine. Neville and I sneak to the kitchens for a special tea, but I keep my birthday private from Slytherin House. I'm sure you'd understand. Somehow, I feel you're like me." Hermione looked down at the young man she considered her prince, her Tom. She'd talked to him, shared her secrets, and when she was feeling brave, would hold his hand and squeeze it to say goodbye. He never had visitors, the nurses said so, even when he had first been brought in. An orphan they had told her.
Neville waved at her, signaling he was going to get tea.
"Someday, the real Slytherin Princess will come, and she'll kiss you awake from this enchanted sleep. It won't be a joke one, like me. The Mudblood Slytherin Princess." Hermione let out a short, depreciating laugh. She leant over and brushed her lips against his.
"Oh Tom, you deserve so much more than this." Hermione held Tom's hand and squeezed it, and nearly shrieked when she received a squeeze back. Hermione looked at him, seeing him open his eyes, a deep cobalt blue.
"You woke up! You're actually awake" Hermione mumbled in surprise.
"Hello." Tom's voice was deep and smooth, velvety and warm.
"Hello." Hermione answered. There was a pause before she introduced herself. "I'm Hermione."
"It's nice to meet you Hermione. My name is Tom. Where— where am I?" Tom tore his gaze from the petite witch staring at him in wonder. An alarm sounded down the hall.
"This is St Mungo's. I think a nurse is on her way. You're awake!" Hermione wished she could say something witty or smart, but her shock was getting in the way. A nurse bustled in.
"Hermione dear, is there— My goodness! Tom's awake!" The nurse let out a surprised squak and ran back out of the ward.
"Have I been asleep long? I— I don't know how I got here. Everyone seems so surprised I'm awake." Tom smirked.
"Oh! Yes, I— well, I just sometimes visit you while I'm here with my friend to see his parents. And, I think a Healer is on the way, they'll tell you." Hermione realized she was still holding his hand and tried to release it but he held on.
"Please, don't go. Just tell me. Please." Tom's cobalt blue eyes beseeched her.
"Years. Decades. You've been in an enchanted sleep. I snuck a peek at your records. It's just— you're a fellow Slytherin and I come here every few months with my friend. His parents are here. And I wanted you to have a visitor too." Hermione's voice got smaller as she explained.
"Oh. I see." Tom looked down and noticed his uniform. "Your voice seems familiar."
"I have been talking to you, whenever I'm here, for the past few years." Hermione felt decidedly uncomfortable sharing with him now that he was awake. A Healer burst in with another two in tow.
"Goodness! He's awake! Tom, Tom my boy, how are you feeling? I'm Healer Goodwin." The first Healer stuck out his hand to Tom, who let go of Hermione's and shook the proffered hand.
"I feel quite well, thank you. A bit confused, and a little overwhelmed if what Hermione," Tom looked over at her, "said is correct. What year is it?"
"Ah, yes, Hermione is very compassionate. She's been volunteering to sit with you whenever she's here. Hermione, dear, will you give us awhile? I should speak with Tom confidentially." Healer Goodwin smiled at her. "Though I'd like to talk to you next. Don't go far."
"Oh goodness, yes, I'll be outside. Neville was getting tea— I'll go join him." Hermione jumped up, smoothed her skirt and skittered out of the room as quick as she could, with a single backward glance at Tom. She nearly ran into Neville with the cups of tea in the hallway.
"Hermione, are you alright? You're as pale as a ghost!" Neville asked, handing her a cup and sitting her down in a chair in the hallway that was suddenly busy. "What happened?"
"Tom— the boy in the enchanted sleep— he woke up! While I was talking to him!" Hermione was still rather wide-eyed in shock, and tried to calm herself with the tea.
"Wow, really? No wonder everything is suddenly going crazy." Neville sipped his own cup of tea, handing the other to Hermione.
"The Healers are in with him now, probably trying to explain everything. And then they want to talk to me." Hermione mumbled in embarrassment.
"Why?"
"Well, because I was there when he woke up. I— I kissed him and he woke up. Like the stupid muggle fairytale. I'd been joking that a real Slytherin Princess would break his spell like in Sleeping Beauty." Hermione felt her cheeks burn.
"But you are the Slytherin Princess, and it's not a joke, not any more. Everyone who calls you that means it. You broke the spell, Hermione! You thought of the one thing that no one else thought of— you're brilliant." Neville grinned at her.
"It's not like one should go around kissing sleeping strangers, Neville. Ugh, it's his birthday and I just thought how he deserved so much better than being stuck in some enchanted sleep and I thought of that silly fairytale." Hermione huffed.
"Either way, it worked. You woke him." Neville elbowed his best friend gently.
"I snuck a look at his chart. He went to sleep in 1944 and never woke up! Not until now, and it'll be 1997 tomorrow. He's an orphan too. No family. Displaced entirely." Hermione sounded miserable.
"Well, if he's still in Hogwarts, maybe he can adjust there. And start over. And he's got you. Even if he doesn't know you quite yet, you have fancied him for years." Neville smirked.
"Neville! I do not fancy him! And certainly not for years!" Hermione sniffed turning her bright red face away.
"You've still been talking to him for years. Even if he doesn't remember you, it's something. And you said he's a Slytherin. So he's already got an ally in the great Slytherin Princess." Neville said gently.
"I don't even know him, but I just feel… I don't know. It's the whole reason I started sitting with him in the first place. It just seemed like the right thing to do. I can't explain it." Hermione sighed in frustration.
"It'll be okay, Hermione. You've got me. He's got you. Everything will work out just fine." Neville smiled.
"I hope so." Hermione chewed her bottom lip. Healer Goodwin came out of the ward and lead Hermione to his office to tell him what happened that lead up to Tom reawakening. Neville went back into the ward. He saw Tom sitting on the edge of his bed.
"Hey, I'm Neville Longbottom. I'm Hermione's friend." Neville walked over to Tom, and held out his hand. Tom shook it.
"Nice to meet you Neville. You must know who I am. Everyone does. And yes, I'm awake." Tom smiled shortly, before starting to grumble a little. He paused.
"Are you related to Augusta Longbottom? Augusta Prewett married a Longbottom… I guess a very long time ago now, but it seems like only months ago to me." Tom frowned slightly.
"That's my gran! She usually visits my mum and dad once a week." Neville replied.
"I didn't know her well, but she was head girl last year— or the year before I fell asleep, and I was a prefect that year. Slytherin." Tom motioned to his tie.
"Hermione's in Slytherin. I'm a Gryffindor. Like the rest of my family." Neville rolled his eyes.
"And you two are friends?" Tom asked, curious.
"Best friends. We met the year before we started Hogwarts, in Diagon Alley. It was nice to have a friend before I started school. We figured we'd be sorted into the same house, but it didn't really matter." Neville smiled.
"That must be nice. It wasn't so easy when I went to Hogwarts." Tom replied smoothly.
"I mean, it's not to say we didn't have issues with other people. Hermione used to get a hard time from the Slytherins for, well, everything, but now she's their princess. Got them all under her thumb." Neville laughed and Tom grinned.
"Sounds like my kind of gal."
"She's been talking to you for years. A little while after I first started taking her with me to see my parents. She won't admit it, but something about you always drew her to your side." Neville shrugged.
"Well, I'm glad for it. I think I might have heard her; when I woke up her voice sounded familiar. You said your parents are here?" Tom asked, looking around the room.
"There. Last two beds." Neville pointed to the far side of the room. His parents were dosing, together on one of their beds. "A rogue group was targeting Aurors when I was a baby, and they tortured my parents. Now, they live here. At least they're comfortable here, and get the best care."
"I'm sorry to hear that. It's wonderful they have such a caring son to visit them." Tom said to Neville, who was gazing at his parents.
"I can't really remember them how they were normally. But Hermione swears that they seem happier and more content after our visits." Neville shrugged again.
"You sure she's not a Hufflepuff?" Tom smirked and Neville laughed.
"Definitely. It might have been a joke at first for the Slytherins to call her their princess, but she really is the Slytherin Princess, even to other houses. Everyone wants something from her. And she doles it out if it suits her. But to be honest, Tom, it's taxing for her. Sometimes she just wants to be Hermione and not have to deal with selling potions or tutoring appointments or procuring whatever muggle thing some kid's parents don't want them to have. Or just the sheer fact she's smarter than everyone and they all know it, and need her to help them. She's got debts and favors to collect from just about everyone in Slytherin, and half of the school." Neville admitted. Tom looked impressed.
"Wow. Why would it have been a joke to call someone like her their princess? She sounds like their Queen." Tom said, almost wistfully.
"She's the only muggleborn sorted into that house. The Sorting Hat said Slytherin himself would have selected her." Neville replied.
"Interesting. Thanks for telling me, Neville. I was talking to the Healers, and they're running diagnostics but I'm free to go. They want me to finish at Hogwarts. I'll be repeating a few months, but I was in my 6th year. So much for Head Boy though." Tom frowned at the last bit.
"You'll be with me and Hermione then. And she already likes you, so everyone else in Slytherin and the school will like you." Neville grinned.
"She must certainly carry a lot of influence to manage that, though I didn't have much issues when I was in Slytherin by myself." Tom smirked.
"Then you'll be fine. Though it might be weird, I'd guess, going back to school with the grandchildren of the people you'd just been in school with." Neville said thoughtfully.
"Most likely. I'll ask the Slytherin Princess when she gets back who is in our house. Maybe I'll transfer debts to the grandchildren." Tom snickered.
"Must be a Slytherin thing, dealing in debts and favors." Neville rolled his eyes.
"It is. What do Gryffindors do?" Tom raised an eyebrow.
"Let things go?" Neville laughed, shrugging. Hermione came in, slightly flustered, muttering about stupid fairytales. She stopped short at the sight of Neville and Tom laughing together.
"Hermione! Come join us. Neville was just telling me more about the Slytherin Princess." Tom patted the bed beside him.
"Oh please don't call me that. It was just a joke they started, and somehow they actually believe it now." Hermione rolled her eyes as she sat down next to him.
"Well, Sleeping Beauty here needed a princess to wake him." Tom joked, grinning at her.
"That silly fairytale! I'm glad you woke up but for Salazar's sake, it's given me such a headache this morning. Wait, you know Sleeping Beauty?" Hermione's eyes snapped to Tom's face.
"Yes, I was raised in a muggle orphanage." Tom said. "There weren't many books, but there was one of fairytales that was often read aloud."
"Oh. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have—"
"No, don't apologize. I am very grateful that you knew of it. You broke the enchantment. No one else here apparently thought of it." Tom smiled winningly at Hermione who noticed something… off. He was clearly trying to win her favor, if her experience in Slytherin taught her anything.
"Sometimes mudbloods do it better." Hermione deadpanned. Neville looked uncomfortable, while Tom continued to smile, but with an interested glint in his eye.
"Such a coarse word to fall from your lips, my princess." He intoned. "From what your friend has said of you, blood is not might. You must have great power for someone so small."
"They say size doesn't matter." Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Power is power, and you wield it or you don't." Tom returned with a grin.
"Healer Goodwin suggested you may come back to Hogwarts. It will be nice to have an ally that thinks in similar ways." Hermione gave Tom an appraising look.
"An owl has been sent. Who is headmaster now? I'm sure Dippet must be long gone." Tom smiled.
"Dumbledore."
"Hmm. He never liked me."
"He's… well let's just say he hasn't found a cause to dislike me, and I've only had detention with Professor Snape once— he's our head of house— but I have the feeling Dumbledore's watching me." Hermione chose her words carefully.
"Professor Snape?"
"Severus Snape, Slytherin. Class of 1977. Son of Eileen Prince." Hermione supplied.
"Ah, Eileen had a son. I bet he's as good with potions as his mother." Tom grinned.
"Almost as good as I am. Let's just say my one detention was because I used his mother as inspiration."
"Which potions do you offer?"
"Sobering solution and a hangover cure of my own creation, patented by the Ministry." Hermione grinned. "Amongst others. Those are my best sellers."
"A hangover cure? Patented? While in school? No wonder they call you the Slytherin Princess." Tom smirked.
"That and the tutoring appointments I take. The Goyle and Crabbe family keep me on retainer, even in the summer."
"Well, if they're anything like they're grandfathers, they'll need it."
"I brought them up to acceptables and even some exceeds expectations." Hermione smiled in pride.
"Now I am truly impressed. And you say it's a joke? You know, it is a joke." Tom's smirk broadened while Hermione's face hardened.
"You're their queen, my lady. The Slytherin Queen." Tom changed his smirk to a smile and Hermione blushed furiously.
"Is this some Slytherin thing?" Neville asked, confused.
"Yes" Hermione and Tom answered at the same time, and laughed.
"Nev, you know how my house is. Always testing. Its why you're my best friend. My only real friend."
"Do I not count? Everyone tells me you've visited me for years." Tom pretended to pout.
Hermione gave him an appraising look. "Only if you seek an equal."
"And if I seek a princess who woke a prince?" Tom smirked.
"It will be placed under consideration." Hermione sniffed.
"You Slytherins are weird." Neville shook his head and stood up. "Looks like Mum's awake— see you soon, I guess. Hermione, when you're ready." He walked off towards his parents.
Hermione looked back at Tom.
"We should be getting back. Owl me when you're getting out. Neville and I are headed back to Hogwarts when we leave. Party tonight in the Slytherin Common room if you can make it." Hermione winked at Tom, and walked off.
"I didn't get your full name, Hermione. How am I to owl you?" Tom called.
"Granger. I'm Hermione Granger, though I'm sure if you address it to Slytherin Princess at Hogwarts it will still find me." Hermione stuck out her tongue and joined Neville. When they had said goodbye, they left the ward and apparated away.
"The Slytherin Princess is a mudblood. She's brilliant, and seeks an equal. I could find use for her." Tom murmured to himself, stretching out on his bed. Now, to wait until they released him, and then it was back to Hogwarts, and having to start all bloody over.
###
It was dinner time when Professor Dumbledore sought out Hermione.
"Ah, Miss Granger. So glad to have caught you. We have a student arriving, and I'm told you and Mr Longbottom have already been acquainted. And," Albus Dumbledore's bright blue eyes twinkled, "you broke the sleeping enchantment on Mr. Riddle yourself, Miss Granger. Very clever, a muggle fairytale. Sometime, you must read the original Tales of Beedle the Bard. One of my favorites. But yes, Mr Riddle is arriving and he'll be placed back in Slytherin House to finish his education. He'll probably have a little catching up to do with the curriculum difference over the years. But, I did have him as a student when I taught Transfiguration, and he's as good as you Miss Granger. I do believe you will be able to help him with his studies, if he needs any. Since the Head Students have gone home for the holidays, may I rely on you, as Slytherin Prefect to welcome him to your house and reacquaint him with Hogwarts?"
Hermione set down her cutlery and nodded.
"Yes, Professor. I am honored to have been trusted with this. Tom is very charming, and it was ever so surprising when he woke up this morning. I'll be sure that he feels right at home and can adjust as well as one can hope. I did read a book on muggle psychology that may be of interest." Hermione smiled serenely and Dumbledore nodded happily.
"Good! Good. Please arrive at my office at 7pm sharp. He'll be floo'd in and one of the elves will be bringing his trunk from St Mungo's. He'll be in with the 6th year boys. Are any around for this holiday?" Dumbledore asked.
"Just Blaise Zambini. I will notify him. He'll be glad for the company." Hermione continued smiling. "I will finish eating and notify my housemates. I'll see you at 7, professor."
"Yes! Good! Excellent! Thank you Miss Granger. I hope you like Fizzing Whizbees!" Dumbledore nodded again and walked off.
"Did he seem rather… strange to you?" Hermione asked Neville.
"You mean, more than usual?"
"Yeah."
"Definitely."
"Thought so. Tom did say Dumbledore didn't like him in school." Hermione said thoughtfully.
"Party tonight anyways. Good way to get to know everyone. It'll be like a welcome home party, with people he doesn't know." Neville laughed.
"C'mon Neville, finish up eating. Things to do!" Hermione picked at her food again. She felt a little… nervous was it? She wasn't sure. But, she was going to need to eat with the evening's plans. So Hermione tucked into her dinner.
###
After rushing through dinner, Hermione left Neville to go to the Slytherin Common room to ensure that the party for that evening would be ready and also find Blaise Zambini. Thankfully, the latter was easy enough. Stepping through the stone door in the dungeons, she spotted him.
"Zambini. I need a word. Now." Hermione called out, and the common room stilled for a moment, before revving up with whispers. Blaise jumped up, leaving the witch he'd been sweet talking to speak with Hermione.
"Yes, Princess?"
"For Salazar's sake, don't call me that. You know I don't like it. You're getting a new roommate tonight. Long story short— he went to Hogwarts in the 40's, fell into an enchanted sleep, and woke up this morning. He's coming back tonight to finish his 6th year. He's got no family, so don't ask. Be nice to him. Charming bloke, so watch your witches." Hermione's gaze traveled over to the blonde Blaise had been chatting up, trying to remember her name. Ravenclaw… Looney? Luna? Yes, Luna.
"Got it, Granger. He's coming tonight?"
"Yup, I'm meeting him at the Headmaster's office at 7… which means I need to leave soon. Is everything ready? The alcohol was delivered to your room, so make sure it's neat and go back to your witch's room or find a broom closet tonight if you must. Have the elves confirmed our food request?"
"Yes, Blinky confirmed with me this afternoon. She promised not to tell anyone, nor punish herself, per your orders. I had thought I'd be hosting Luna upstairs so the dorm this evening, but I will not be that rude as to lock out a new roommate on his first night. So, Slytherin 6th year from the 40's? Weird."
"Yeah, he knows a lot of the Pureblood grandparents. Let's hope gramps didn't have any debts or favors owed." Hermione grinned.
"Won't that be delightful?" Blaise laughed.
"Okay, go back to your witch. Expect a trunk and another bed in your room within the hour. And do ask Luna to join us this evening. She's always fun, particularly on New Year's. Though if she wants to bathe nude in the moonlight she's on her own. It's absolutely frigid out." Hermione grinned, before leaving Blaise and heading to her own room, to check her hair charms and freshen up, though she would never admit it to anyone. Hermione Granger, Slytherin Princess, never pursued a bloke in her life, but it certainly wouldn't hurt her to look decent before meeting Tom on her home turf.
At five minutes to 7pm, Hermione was at the stone gargoyle, giving the password "Fizzing Whizbee" and then going up the circular staircase. She knocked at the door, and it swung open.
"Ah, Miss Granger. Good to see you again." Dumbledore's twinkling blue eyes disconcerted her a bit. She noticed Professor Snape standing to the side.
"Professor Snape. I hope you have been enjoying your holiday. I was talking to Tom this morning, he mentioned he knew your mother." Hermione said, conversationally.
"Indeed. Well, he will be an exceptional addition to Slytherin house. His record his impeccable. I believe our resident know-it-all may need to work a little harder to stay first." Snape smirked at her. Hermione could understand how many students didn't like him, but mostly she thought they simply didn't understand his humor. Or Slytherins. No, most of the school did not understand Slytherins at all. Probably better that way.
"I will do my best, sir. But I do have a patent to my name. So at least I can dry my tears with that."
"Best to bottle them, for your next potion, Miss Granger."
"Ever resourceful, Professor."
"Tom should be arriving…. now." Professor Dumbledore cut into their conversation, as the fireplace roared green, and Tom Riddle tumbled through, straightening up gracefully. Hermione felt anyone who could travel via floo network and not fall over when they landed deserved a medal and slow clapping.
"Ah, welcome Tom! It's been quite awhile, thought I must say, it probably seems like yesterday to you. This is Professor Snape, the current Slytherin Head of House, and you know Miss Hermione Granger, Slytherin Prefect." Dumbledore held out his hand to Tom, who shook it warily. The two eyed each other, Tom unsure of what 50 years could do to misgivings and dislike, Dumbledore trying to remember no time had passed for the young man in front of him.
"Yes, Welcome back, Mister Riddle. Miss Granger will accompany you this evening and I am available should you need additional help during the holidays or rest of the year. The Slytherin Head of House rooms and offices have not changed, and I am Potions Master of the school. Took over from Horace Slughorn, so I daresay you can find me if needs must. I am sure Miss Granger will be able to situate you best at this point. Good evening." Snape nodded and swept out of the room. Tom remained impassive. He turned to Hermione and smiled.
"Well Miss Granger, it seems that you are to rescue me once again. I would be honored to have your guidance to the common room, just to be sure I haven't lost any memories in the enchanted sleep. Shall we?" He held out his arm to her, and she took it.
"Mr Riddle, I would be exceedingly pleased to do so. Do follow me. Thank you Headmaster!" Hermione waved as she and Tom set off to the common room. Dumbledore waved back merrily.
Dumbledore started to pace as soon as the students had left. Tom Riddle showing up was interesting, particularly noticing his interactions with Hermione Granger. Tom seemed fond enough of her, but Dumbledore did have to wonder if that would extend past his finding out she was muggleborn. But, she's also the only muggleborn to go to Slytherin House. When she was first sorted, he had to have a conversation with the hat and at the Board of Governor's request have Hermione try on the hat again just to be certain. He wasn't sure himself at first, but watching her flourish and extend her influence over the years, Dumbledore knew she belonged there. He just felt that she could have been so different had she been in a different house. Dumbledore couldn't help but worry that Tom Riddle would fall back on his dark tendencies and drag Hermione, a powerful and influential witch coming into her own, down with him.
###
"So, that was rather awkward" Hermione laughed once they reached the hallway.
"Definitely." Tom let out his own laugh. "Is Professor Snape always like that? He reminds me so much like Eileen. He looks quite a bit like her too,"
"Yeah, he's got a very wry sense of humor. You'll pick up on it."
"I think I already know it. It's the same as his mother's" Tom smirked.
"You do have the advantage of knowing family members, and of course, in Slytherin, family holds weight. What are your intentions in my house?" Hermione turned to face him. She felt she needed to confront him before they got to the common room.
"Your house?" Tom quirked an eyebrow.
"Yes, my house. Everyone says I'm the damn Slytherin Princess, and I know you fake it for the Healers and just now and you were slippery as hell this morning. I run a tight ship and I won't have you screwing with my success." Hermione folded her arms. "I looked you up, Riddle. You got an award for special services to the school but I had to do some real digging to find out that it was something to do with the Chamber of Secrets, and that Hagrid was expelled for having an acromantula. But according to my research, that's not the monster in the Chamber of Secrets now is it?" Hermione narrowed her eyes.
"No, it isn't." Tom's face was blank as he surveyed the witch in front of him. He was a head taller than her, but she stood her ground and he could feel the raw energy and sense of power that just rolled off of her.
"Are you going to threaten me?" Hermione asked.
"Why would I?" Tom asked, surprised.
"I'm a mudblood."
"I thought the socially appropriate word was Muggleborn." Tom couldn't help a small smile.
"I got used to it. I've been the Mudblood of Slytherin since the day I arrived here. Course, the insult is pretty meaningless to someone who isn't insulted by it and beats the pants off of the Sacred 28 and everyone else."
"I'm not interested in harming you, Hermione. If anything, I owe you a life debt." Tom smirked.
"I don't want a life debt." Hermione retorted.
"You said I could be your friend if I sought an equal." Tom reminded her.
"I did. From what I could dig up, the allies you had in school mostly disbanded after you left. They had no leader and no direction. Some of their children tried to form the group again, and they were the ones who attacked the Aurors. Tortured Neville's parents to insanity, and blew Harry Potter's house to bits, killing his parents. Miraculously, the curse didn't kill him, thought he's got a funny scar on his forehead. 6th year as well. So I ask again, what are your intentions?" Hermione maintained her composure. She didn't want to confront Tom in front of Neville, not over something that happened that Tom technically wasn't involved in, just related to in a ripple effect. Tom, on the other hand, was fascinated by this petite witch with so much power in her, just rolling off of her and crackling in her hair.
"My intentions? Knowledge, of all kinds with no limitations. Knowledge is power. I know I want you as an ally, and likely more than that. I never had an equal at Hogwarts in my time. Instead I find myself 50 years in the future being stared down by probably the one person who could possibly fill that role, a pretty little witch no less. I think it may have been fated, to fall into an enchanted sleep to be kissed awake by my only equal." Tom smiled slowly, and looked Hermione up and down. Hermione tried not to blush.
"And how do I know you will treat me as an equal? I submit to no one, Tom Riddle." Hermione sneered.
"Not yet, little witch." Tom ginned at her, took Hermione's elbow and continued down the hallway to their common room.
"One as powerful as you can both submit and still be equal." Tom whispered in her ear. Hermione gave him a look.
"Don't tell me you didn't know the stunt you pulled back there, rolling off raw energy like that. Nifty trick, I can do it too." Tom smirked.
"Well, if what you say is true, I expect you to submit to me before I consider you for an equal." Hermione returned.
"What do you think I've been doing, Princess? If you know about the Chamber of Secrets, you know that only the Heir of Slytherin can open it. And you know that Hagrid is not the Heir. Put it the pieces together, little witch." Tom sneered.
"I know who you are, Tom Marvolo Riddle. I am not afraid of you, Heir of Slytherin. The Sorting Hat picked me to be the Mudblood of Slytherin house. The only Mudblood. They made me wear the hat twice to be sure. Slytherin himself would have selected me." Hermione spat at him. Tom pushed her up against a stone wall. Hermione felt a thrill of excitement run through her.
"Yes, my pretty little witch. So you've said. Do you want me to call you a mudblood too? So I'm like the rest? I am not. I could see you for what you were this morning. I heard your voice through that damn enchantment. I know you are worthy, but do you? Who are you trying to convince princess? You could be queen, and yet you remain the Mudblood Princess." Tom's breath was hot on her neck while he hissed in her ear. Hermione's pulse quickened as she enjoyed the sensations and his words.
"I know who I am." Hermione bared her neck to him, and Tom trailed soft kisses down it.
"Then we understand each other. No need for silly games or power plays. We both seek knowledge. The question is, where are your limits?" Tom nuzzled her neck.
"I will tell you when I find them. Nothing has been beyond my ability yet." Hermione was trying control her breathing, maintain her concentration.
"It's not about ability, it's what you are willing to learn." Tom looked into Hermione's honey brown eyes, gently probing her with legillimency. She allowed him into her mind, pulling up memories of her research and constant skipping ahead and side reading. Her desire to learn and know.
"Everything." Hermione breathed, and kissed him, hard. Satisfied, Tom kissed her back with ferocity.
"You're mine, witch."
A/N: I think I'm just going to leave it there for now- I can't really think of much else to write. Plot bunny satisfied, I guess. I do have a few ideas on other things that may happen as one-shots within this AU which, if written, will be placed here.