Chapter Two: Your conscience will be your guide…

PLEASE DO NOT SKIP ANY PART OF THIS STORY! I understand you may read this and think it has been just repeated but there are new bits, I swear! Please read and enjoy!

Hermione laid in her bed, wide awake; her mind whirring and clicking as she thought about her best friend, Harry Potter.

These past few weeks had been hard on her friend, she knew, and she wished she could do more to help him. Not only had his impulsive actions lead the 'ministry six' as they had become known, to the department of mysteries on a fruitless rescue mission, resulting in his friends being injured, the man he went there to save, Sirius Black was killed also.

She knew he blamed himself entirely, when the blame was not his alone to bear. However, he had not been contacting anyone, other than brief notes to the Order assuring them that he was ok. Since she didn't have an owl of her own, she could not send a message to Harry encouraging him to open up.

With a sigh, she rolled onto her side and stared out of the window. She had left it open indefinitely with the hopes that a familiar white owl would fly through bringing a letter from him. The fact he was probably hurting was not the only reason she wanted to speak to him; she was having her own issues which she wanted resolved.

Since third year, Hermione Granger knew for a fact that she loved her friend Harry Potter. Not just in a platonic sense, but romantically as well. She had realised this while they had used the time turner to save Sirius Black. It was when they were riding on the back of Buckbeak, she realised how close the two were, when compared to Ron.

They had a connection which transcended the boundaries of a normal friendship. However, she didn't know whether Harry saw their relationship in the same way she did. Her insecurities and nervousness prevented her making a move on her feelings, which in turn was keeping her awake presently.

There were so many unknowns; would it change anything, would they work as a couple, would Harry feel the same way…all questions she didn't have an answer to. Every year she had promised herself that she would speak to Harry, only to be distracted by something or another, generally involving one of Harry's adventures.

'Not this time,' she thought firmly, 'the next time I see Harry I am going tell him how I feel and hope he feels the same way.'

As the thought crossed her mind, she heard a familiar fluttering outside the room. Her head turned to face the open window, a smile burst across her face when she saw a familiar snowy white owl.

"Hedwig!" She squealed happily.

The owl fluttered down onto a perch on Hermione's desk and hooted softly. She ran over and had to stop herself from squeezing the bird in a tight hug. Instead, she stroked the feathers on her wing and offered her an owl treat, which was taken gratefully.

Removing the letter from her foot, she tore open the parchment and read Harry's letter swiftly. What started as a smile, turned into a frown, which turned into another smile as she finished.

'I'm his best friend.' She thought with a contented smile.

It soon faded and she re-read the letter again, making sure to pick up everything he had written. She soon sat on her bed, deep in thought, trying to figure out how best to help her friend with his 'problem'.

Before she could make any real headway she shivered, feeling someone entering the wards around the property. While she couldn't use her wand outside of school, she was able to carve rune stones and place them around the property, giving her rudimentary wards.

Someone had passed the perimeter ward, but the malicious intent ward had not been triggered. There was a knock at the door and she ran downstairs to meet the guest. Opening it slightly, Hermione smiled when she saw Professor McGonagall standing there. She frowned slightly, noticing she looked quite tired and distressed.

"Hello Professor, are you alright? You don't look very well." She said warmly.

The professor smiled back, but it didn't reach her eyes. Before she could answer, her parents walked in the door, noticing their guest.

"Ah, Professor McGonagall," Mrs Granger greeted, holding out her hand, "it's good to see you again. Hermione's not in trouble is she?" The professor laughed and shook her head.

"No, I'm afraid the news isn't that simple." Hermione looked worried and the professor turned to favourite student. "Hermione, you may want to sit down." She nodded and moved over to a seat, gesturing for the professor to take one too.

"What is it, Professor? Has something happened?" The professor nodded.

"Ms Granger, yesterday evening Harry was…attacked at his relatives house." Hermione gasped and tears formed in her eyes.

"Is…is he ok?" She asked almost silently. McGonagall looked grim for a moment.

"Well, he is fine physically, the healers fixed him up quickly, but he had lost a lot of blood when we got there and was magically exhausted." Hermione swallowed but nodded. "He is currently in St. Mungos receiving treatment."

"Can I go see him?" She almost pleaded.

"Ms Granger, he isn't awake yet. They have put him in a magical sleep until they are sure he has recovered enough." Hermione looked defiant.

"Harry came and sat by my side, talking to me and keeping me company while I was petrified, even though he had been told I wouldn't be able to hear him or know he was there." She began to cry slightly.

"I want to do the same for him." McGonagall smiled at her devotion, looking to her parents, for some sort of confirmation, who nodded in agreement.

"Very well Ms Granger; I will take you to see him." She turned back to her parents. "Might I suggest that you move into the Order headquarters until further notice? With the attack on Harry, we are improving the protections around all properties related to us." Her face turned grim. "We don't know who Voldemort will attack next." Hermione's parents shared a look, communicating silently before nodding in agreement.

"Give us a few hours to pack and we'll join you."

Harry sat up, looked at his current surroundings, trying to remember where he was. Back tracking mentally, he remembered the letter, the pensieve, the memories…and butchering his relatives. He stifled a shiver as the air around him became suddenly cold. He noticed that he could see his breath as it hit the cold air.

'Why is it so cold?' He thought curiously. He moved on the spot to warm up. 'God I wish it was warmer.' As soon as the thought crossed his mind the air warmed up, turning into a warm summer's evening, rather than an autumn night.

Ignoring the fact that the weather had changed when he wanted it to, marking it off as a coincidence, he looked around once more, trying to figure out where he was.

His surroundings were dark and the moon cast a dim light over the branches of what appeared to be a thick forest. It wasn't quite as eerie or foreboding as the forbidden forest, but it was still unnerving.

Remembering a survival programme he had caught when his relatives had been out shopping, he pulled out his wand and sent some red sparks into the sky, acting like a flare. Realising help would not come instantly; he sat down leaning against a tree, before casting a few rudimentary wards around him to warn against an unknown presence.

He sat in silence for about half an hour, letting his mind wander, before a shiver alerted him to a presence. Just as he was about to look up, he heard a gentle cough from somewhere in front of him. Looking up, he was surprised to see another person in this forest.

The man was slightly taller than Harry with dark brown hair. His face was expressionless, but he seemed to have a relatively kind and positive aura, albeit with a hint of darkness. His eyes were a dark shade of red and he was dressed in a set of black robes, oddly reminiscent of Hogwarts school robes.

Looking at the individual warily, Harry subtly moved his wand flush against his leg, pointing at the newcomer, should he try to attack him. Apparently, he noticed this subtle shift and chuckled before holding out his hand.

"Hello Harry James Potter, it's a pleasure to meet you again in person."

Harry eyed his hand warily, before taking it. The man pulled him to his feet, before taking a few steps back. Dusting himself off, he looked at the man carefully.

"Likewise, but I don't think we've met." Harry replied. The man nodded and took another step back.

"Understandable. The last time we met you were only a baby, and I hardly came under the best pretences." Harry raised an eyebrow and the man sighed.

"Listen; I know for a fact that if I tell you who I am that you will try to curse me and run away. If I tell you who I am, you must promise not to run away and hear me out – alright?" Harry stared at him suspiciously for a moment before nodding and putting his wand away.

"Alright then, I'll put my wand away. Now tell me who you are and how you know who I am." The man nodded and took yet another step back. They were now standing a far distance apart.

"Very well, my name is…" He paused, swallowing slightly "…Tom Marvolo Riddle." He finished tentatively. Harry immediately tensed and his hand shifted to his pocket where his wand was stored. He glared at the man before him.

"Voldemort…" He spat. "…what the hell do you want?" Riddle went red in the face and growled at Harry.

"My name IS NOT…VOLDEMORT!" He said, spitting the last word in disgust.

Harry blinked in surprise and was taken aback by the younger version of Riddle. Voldemort had never denied his self-given name before; much less speak it with such venom. Still not sure, his hand fell from his pocket but stayed near.

"I'm sorry, but please enlighten me; the last time we met you were furious when Dumbledore called you by your muggle name; why the change?" He asked. Riddle sighed and raked his hand through his hair, oddly reminiscent of Harry's own gesture of frustration

"Simply put, I am not the Riddle you know from your world. I am the Riddle from before I created those abominations called horcruxes." Harry's eyebrows disappeared into his hair line, before his eyes narrowed into a scathing glare.

"What do you mean my world? As far as I'm aware we both share the same world." Riddle rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"Potter; do you know where we are?" Harry looked around before shaking his head. "No, I didn't think so. We are, at present, inside your mind." Harry gasped and growled at him.

"Get out of my head Riddle!" He shouted. Grabbing his wand out of his pocket, he was surprised when it flew from his hand into Riddle's.

"You gave me your word that you would wait until I had explained." Harry seethed quietly, before regaining composure and glaring at Riddle.

Seeing him calm down, he tossed his wand back, which he slid into his jeans pocket. Still annoyed, he waved his hand in a 'get on with it' gesture.

"Fine, explain what you are doing in my mind and why I shouldn't try to expel you." Riddle held his head in his hands and sighed.

"Well, you shouldn't try to expel me because you can't. You would only succeed in putting us both in a large amount of pain and damaging your body further." Harry was still not convinced, making Riddle rub his eyes.

"You know, I honestly didn't think it would be this hard to get you to understand. I've been planning this conversation for years, but I didn't think you would be so stubborn." Harry only increased his glare at Riddle, who paused and changed tactic.

"Right; I know how I can get you to trust me." He grinned slightly. "'For pities sake, just put your goddamn head in the bowl, you bloody wimp!'" Harry gaped.

"Wait…you…you're my inner voice?!" He asked incredulously. Riddle sighed.

"Yes. I've been helping you for over ten years now, giving you advice and serving as your conscience. Not really the act of an evil dark lord, is it?" He asked smiling slightly.

Harry thought back for a moment, remembering all the times his voice had given him advice over the years. It had all been useful and insightful. If what Riddle was telling him was true, then he at least deserved a change to explain himself properly.

"Alright, you've got me; it isn't really 'dark lord-ish' behaviour." He said with a grin making Riddle chuckle. "Do you want to explain?" He smiled and nodded.

"All righty then, I suppose a good place to start would be the beginning; this all began on the Halloween night your parent's died." Harry's eyes narrowed and he nodded. "When I…when Voldemort tried to kill you that night, the killing curse rebounded, severing his soul from his body. Not only that, the curse split his soul in two, making you a horcrux." Harry looked confused.

"Sorry, but what's a horcrux?" He asked. Riddle scowled.

"A piece of disgusting and evil magic; a horcrux is basically a soul container. When a magical being kills an innocent in cold blood, the soul becomes fractured. Horcrux magic basically tears a portion of the soul off the main body and traps it into an object." Harry paled.

"A-and I'm one of these…horcruxes?" He asked quietly. Riddle nodded.

"What Voldemort didn't realise when he created those abominations, is that only the truly evil part of the individual remains in the body. Every time one is created, the good portion of the soul is split and confined into an object. When the curse rebounded it split me from the original soul and I became trapped in the only form available to me at that time – you." Harry nodded in understanding.

"As the years went by, I saw the abuse and torture you were put under by the Dursleys and Dumbledore, and wanted to help. After much effort I finally managed to make a link between our souls, enough for me to speak to you and give simple advice." Harry's eyes turned distrustful again and Riddle spoke quickly.

"I didn't try to turn you 'evil' Harry – if I had tried to, the outcomes would have been obvious; for a start, you would have been a Slytherin not a Gryffindor." Harry nodded. "I only tried to give good advice; the benefit of a few years of wisdom." Harry sighed slightly.

"So what I did to the Dursleys…that had nothing to do with you?" He asked quietly. Riddle shook his head.

"No it didn't, but to be honest, I have wanted to brutalise that family for over ten years. I simply don't have the ability to influence your actions directly. I can advise you, but the choice is still yours. The actions you took were the result of over fifteen years of pent up rage from the abuse and neglect from that family plus the anger from losing your memories to Dumbledore." Harry nodded and looked back up at Riddle.

"I guess I just wanted someone to blame. I have never done what I did to them before. I was just so angry…" He trailed off and his shoulder's slumped. Riddle put a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't feel sorry for those…those…" he paused while trying to find an insult "…bastards, Harry. They deserved every ounce of what you gave them. If anything, I think you were a little lenient; fifteen years of torture compared to a few minutes of same doesn't really match up." Harry nodded absently as he thought, before shaking his head and returning to the conversation.

"So…if we are in my mind, then how did we get here? Why are we here? Am I asleep?" He asked quietly. Riddle shrugged slightly.

"Well, don't forget that you took a knife to the chest. You were lying in your room for quite a while. At this moment, we are laying in a bed in St. Mungos in a sort of…magically induced coma." Harry nodded. "But you are here in your mind because I brought you here." Harry frowned slightly.

"Then why did you bring me here?"

"I decided it was about time I revealed myself to you and…show my cards, as it were." He finished with a flourish of his hand. Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Right, you have two options available to you; one, I can continue to just be your inner voice and give you advice when it is needed. Or two, I can teach you and offer my knowledge to help you defeat Voldemort." Harry looked unsure so Riddle decided to elaborate.

"Harry, you must remember that I am the good portion of Tom Riddle. While I am still…a bit dark and have a little nasty side, it is nowhere near the level of Voldemort." Harry nodded.

"I know Tom, I'm just…I'm not sure I could…I just hate the idea of killing someone." Riddle nodded, putting his hand on his shoulder.

"I do get what you mean, but in my opinion, you are simply too tied up by your morality. Yes, having morals is good, but there are people in the world who do not deserve your compassion or mercy…death eaters for example." He stepped away and began to pace while he explained.

"For instance, in a battle as part of the Order, Dumbledore would have you stun them all, before handing them over to the ministry to give them a 'fair trial'." The last two words were laced in sarcasm. "That worked well in the first war, didn't it? People like Malfoy got away scot free and were able to further pollute the magical world." Harry's gaze darkened and he nodded.

"You see what I mean? How about another example? What about the Dursleys?" Harry's face drooped as he remembered his actions. "Harry, they were monsters, don't feel sorry for them!" He paused while trying to explain. "When Petunia asked you to stop, you began to consider their plea. Did she mean it? No, she saw her husband coming up behind you with a knife. She was trying to slow you down so they could hurt you!" Harry still looked undecided.

"I think I see what is making you conflicted; you are afraid that if you use my knowledge of the dark arts and adopt my views, you will end up like Voldemort." Harry nodded sadly.

"Well, I can tell you for fact that you are wrong. What separates you and Voldemort is this sense of morality, the guilt you feel after killing someone. Morality is both a gift and a curse. Voldemort didn't have it and he never will. He can kill without batting an eyelash and will never feel guilty." Harry nodded and looked at him with tears in his eyes.

"But you don't have that issue. The Dursleys were an abomination on humanity, treating you cruelly for most of your life. Yet, now after you've killed them, even after all they've done, you still feel guilt. That compassion for human life, no matter how evil, that's what separates you. 'It is not how you are the same, but how you are different.'" Harry laughed slightly at his Dumbledore impersonation and nodded.

"Thanks for that Tom." Riddle patted his shoulder and nodded. "If you truly want to help me, then I accept. You've supported me for this long; I think I can accept more help." Riddle smiled. "So, what happens now?" Harry asked, wiping the tears away.

"Well, any moment now, you will wake up in bed at St. Mungos." Riddle grinned evilly before continuing. "Oh, and a certain 'bushy haired' girl is there too, you know, the one you made a promise about?" Harry blushed. "Remember, I will be watching that you keep your promise." Harry nodded.

"Oh, that reminds me, don't forget about the pensieve; remember what the letter told us, Hermione needs to gather her memories as well." Harry nodded grimly before pulling Riddle into a loose hug, much to his shock and surprise.

"That's a thank you for the years you have helped me maintain my sanity." Riddle smiled. "Who would have thought I would be thanking Tom Marvolo Riddle for helping me." They both chuckled and Harry felt something pulling him away.

"Good luck Harry, I'll be there all the way. Just think to me and I'll listen." Harry nodded and closed his eyes.

As Harry opened his eyes, he saw that Riddle was dead right.

He lay in a hospital bed, surrounded by the sleeping forms of Lupin, McGonagall and Hermione. As his eyes reached Hermione, who lay with her head on his chest, he smiled. Lifting his hand, he stroked her hair gently, eliciting a moan from the sleeping girl.

Chuckling softly, the movement woke her up and she blinked owlishly at the person stroking her hair. She squealed when she saw a pair of emerald eyes staring back, before pulling him in a hug causing Harry to wince in pain. As he pulled away, he could see the tears of happiness running down her face and he smiled.

"Hey there Hermione, what's going on?" She giggled at him and leant back on his chest.

"Oh, nothing much, you know; the usual." She said smiling. Harry laughed quietly and the pair looked at each other, unmoving.

'God she's stunning,' Harry thought with a sigh, 'especially when she gives me that beautiful smile.' Any further comment on her beauty was cut off by a shot from Riddle.

Would you just kiss her already or something? You promised me and you owe her – just go for it… wimp! Harry laughed inwardly.

Meanwhile, Hermione was warring with herself too. Part of her remembered the promise to talk to Harry about her feelings, but the other was trying to make excuses not to go ahead with it.

'Should I just kiss him?' She thought nervously. 'I guess that could be considered telling him my feelings.' She added with a mental snort.

Surprisingly to both Harry and Hermione, they moved forward to kiss the other at the same time, meeting in the middle. The surprise was momentary, however, and before long they were returning the kiss.

Harry brought his arms around her waist and she around his neck. After a few minutes, they broke apart and panted happily, recovering from the lack of breathing.

"Well," Harry said with a grin, "that ruins everything I had planned doesn't it?" She quirked an eyebrow "You see, I had a whole bit planned, where I would tell you my feelings and wait until you slapped me or kissed me."

"Do you mean that?" She asked breathily. Harry nodded and she squealed happily, capturing him in another kiss.

They both suddenly remembered that they were not alone in the room and turned around. Thankfully, Lupin and McGonagall were still asleep. The pair sighed in relief, thanking the gods they were heavy sleepers. Harry lifted his hand and cupped her cheek, stroking it with his thumb, while Hermione closed her eyes and leant into his touch.

"Hermione, before the attack, I was thinking about things…life, the universe and everything…" The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy reference got a laugh out of Hermione "…And I realised just how important you are to me, and how distraught I was when I saw you getting hit by that curse." He paused with a sigh.

"When I saw you fall, my heart just stopped. It wasn't until Neville was able to check that you were ok that I could calm down." She smiled sadly.

"I-I think I love you Hermione. I say think because I'm not sure what love is; but if it's the feeling of contentment and happiness you get when the person is near, or the burst of warmth when that person smiles at you, or the sadness and emptiness when that person isn't around, I am most definitely, one hundred per cent in love with you Hermione Granger." Tears began to fall down her face and she captured his lips in a soul-searing kiss.

"I never thought I would hear you say those words." She said tearfully. "What you described was a perfect definition of love. I love you too Harry." He smiled and pulled her into a tight hug, kissing her neck gently.

"I guess there is only one other question then." He said quietly. "Hermione Granger, will you be my girlfriend?" As the question passed his lips, her mind exploded in happiness. From Harry's point of view, she gasped, squealed and finally smashed her lips against his. After a few heated minutes, they broke apart and Harry laughed.

"Is that a yes?" She nodded, giggling and slapped his arm playfully.

A huge smile burst across his face and he pulled her into another hug. After a few minutes, she settled back down, lying on his chest, holding him tightly as he held her. Kissing her head gently, he leant back and fell asleep, smiling in happiness. Before he fell asleep, he thought to his new friend.

'Thank you Tom…for everything.' His conscience chuckled.

You're welcome Harry. Now you better get some rest. Harry yawned and closed his eyes.

Ta Da! I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoy writing! More is coming! At the moment, I am struggling to find out how to end chapter four but three is finished! Please read on!

This is the Quill, signing off!