Author: Cursed-PirateChick

Author: Cursed-PirateChick
Disclaimer: I own nothing that belongs to J. K. Rowling. Just the plot is mine, and maybe some made-up characters.
Author's Note: I really hope you enjoy this chapter. I know it's going slow but I need to get over all the cover stuff before the real fun begins. The next chapter is going to be the sorting and the characters' schedules. I bet you'll be surprised about Hermione's sarcasm. New characters join in, too. Please review! I love hearing how you all liked it and what preferences you have.

Special Thanks To: The Almighty Cheez It for Betaing the story for me!! You're Awesome! Thanks so much! Now people won't have to deal with the irritating grammar mistakes. LOL!

The walk down the hallway was quiet except for the conversation between Lavender, Ginny, and Synthia. Hermione and Tom walked side by side, neither wishing to be in the conversation. Hermione was too tense to pay any attention anyway. Not only did the recent war give her paranoia and prepared her for anyone who might jump out and attack her, but being in these halls brought back so many memories of when she was with Harry and Ron. They had always gotten into so much trouble. The pain struck her heart like a marksman with impeccable aim and she had to close her eyes to keep it from showing. Her posture tightened even more. Tom, who had been glancing periodically at the brown-haired witch next to him, became extremely curious when she tensed, but what caught all of his attention was the reaction of her two friends. As if they were a part of her, Ginny and Lavender quickly turned.

"'Mione?" It was the sound of Ginny's soft, alto voice that caught Hermione's attention.

She snapped back to reality, clearing the glaze from her eyes to keep her friend from seeing the pain. To her dismay, the flicker still passed. "Gin?"

"Are you alright?" The three girls were watching her closely and not paying attention to what obstacle was approaching.

To Hermione's horror, it was the Grand Staircase. Ginny, Lavender, and Synthia were too occupied with her to notice that the next step they were taking was actually a couple of feet lower than the floor they were walking on. Hermione quickly locked her body before reaching out and clamping her hands around one of each of their wrists; Synthia and Lavender's wrists were held in her right hand, which pulled on the wound on her back and halted their progress. Only slightly startled, the girls looked down and noticed that they had been so occupied with Hermione that they hadn't noticed that they had placed themselves in danger. Mentally scolding themselves they turned back to Hermione to find that her color was gone and beads of sweat had broken out across her forehead and upper lip.

"Sorry, Hermione. We should have been paying better attention."

Slowly Hermione released the three from her vice grip and shook her head, saying, "I should have controlled myself better. It was I who distracted you two. I'm sorry; now let's go, we have a feast to get to." Before they could object, she had brushed off their replies with a smile and nodded toward the giant double doors.
Smiling back with relief, both girls descended the steps with Synthia, but she was staring wide-eyed at Hermione. Tom was about to follow, but he noticed that Hermione hadn't moved, so he turned to make a superior reply but stopped when he noticed that her eyes were shut and her breathing was quick. She seemed to sway on the spot. The flickering candle light sparkled in the heavy beads that dotted her cheeks, forehead, and upper lip. Hermione's mind was swimming so intensely with the extreme pain from her back and the light headedness that it clouded her mind completely. Slowly she opened her eyes after her balance was regained and found midnight orbs glaring at her from the first step. He saw glittering gold, soft and pliant, filled with so much emotion when her lashes swept up and caught his stare. Tom didn't follow as she was hoping he would do; however, just as she brushed off Ginny's and Lavender's replies she brushed him off with hardened eyes as if he wasn't even standing there. Taking a deep breath she slowly began down the stairs, feeling the pull of her muscles and their desire to give out with every oncoming step. Once at the bottom, she was bordering chalk-white and her body shook with fatigue. Taking a few moments to regain her posture, she walked through the double doors, still ignoring the raven-haired boy behind her.

Tom watched furiously as Hermione brushed off his scrutiny of her and began traipsing down the steps slowly and painfully. He couldn't help but admire her determination, even if it was irritating and getting in the way of his plans. She always seemed on edge and he noticed that not too many things got to her; however, something had bothered her in the hallway earlier. Both of her friends had noticed. He had also noticed her extreme protectiveness of the two girls she was with. Her desire to protect and watch over them overrode her instincts to protect herself. Tom knew that if he was going to make Hermione bend to his will, he was going to have to use the two against her somehow. Girls seemed to be easily manipulated and swayed, so whatever he would come up with would surely be easy. Tom watched the brown-haired mudblood compose herself at the bottom of the steps before walking into the Great Hall. Gryffindor; he knew for a fact that the girl would be a Gryffindor.

Inside the hall it felt like their first year at Hogwarts, but neither girl allowed the illusion to wash over them. Too much had happened to them for such a feeling to surface. The sorting of the first years had just finished and now all attention was centered on the three females near the sorting hat. Once again, each girl was unfazed and stood stoic, completely ready for the ceremony to commence. Dumbledore stood next to the hat, smiling broadly at the three as Synthia and Tom took their places at their own tables.

"We shall start the sorting for our transfer students. Brown, Lavender Elizabeth, please take a seat on this stool and the hat will sort you." Without a thought, Lavender stepped up and sat on the stool so Dumbledore could place the raggedy old hat on her head. Immediately it sprang to life and began speaking to her through telepathy.

Miss Brown, hmm. A name I'm sure I shall hear again. It seems you and your friends are on a very dangerous mission, not only from the objective but also from time itself. Beware time does not like being toyed with, Miss Brown.

Hermione said the same thing. Why? What would time do if we did not take this with caution?

That is not for me to say, Miss Brown. I am only here to place you on your path and ensure you have a good vantage point for this mission. Now let's get back to business, shall we? "GRYFFINDOR!"

Before Lavender could question the hat further, it was pulled from her head and placed back on the stool. Dumbledore pointed to his house's table and patted her on the shoulder before moving on to the next student.

"Weasley, Ginevra Molly, please take a seat." Ginny glanced over to Hermione, who hadn't moved a muscle the whole time. Hermione looked over and immediately allowed warmth and reassurance to swamp her eyes, in order to encourage the younger girl. Taking a deep breath, Ginny took her seat on the stool and soon her eyes were covered.

Ah, a Weasley! You have three relatives currently at this school, my dear. Construct your story wisely or curiosity and suspicion will become close companions to your presence. The same pain that I saw in your friend's heart before resides in your own. Love lost is most painful, but love shall find your heart again.

My story is well constructed and suitable; however, I doubt that my heart will love another.

Do not doubt, Miss Weasley, because it is not your right to doubt what your heart can and cannot do. We do not choose who we fall for, my dear. I shall give you the same warning I gave your friend before. Do not toy with time openly for the consequence will be dire. Now Miss Weasley, I set your feet upon your new path. "GRYFFINDOR!"

The hat was pulled away and Ginny was sent to her seat at the table before she could question the hat on anything else it had said to her.
"Granger, Hermione Jean, please take a seat on the stool." Hermione slowly made her way to the stool and took her place. Immediately her eyes were covered by the hat.

So this is the fearless leader I had the honor of seeing in your companions' minds. Hermione Jean Granger, a muggle-born. They are important to you, no doubt; I shall lay your mind at ease. A fairy-tale ending shall be an understatement to the happiness they shall find in this time.
Thank you.

You are most welcome, Miss Granger. It seems I have no need of warning you of the caution you should take with time, it already resides in you mind. Good, then none of you are blind.

I am aware.

Miss Granger, I must tell you now that I know of your objectives and what you wish to accomplish while you are here. That reason is what influences the choice I make. It is my job to set you on the right path to accomplish your goals and to be challenged to your full capacity. You like challenges don't you Miss Granger?
Yes.

I have a challenge that shall turn your whole world upside down and once again show you what you have been missing, but not only will you be shown, so will someone else who is in far more need of need than you will ever know. So, Miss Granger, I send you on your way. A lioness among serpents. "SLYTHERIN!"

No!

Hermione's heart sank to the bottom of her stomach at the revelation of what had just occurred. She was placed in Slytherin! Tom Riddle's house, the house of Muggle haters and bigoted purebloods! The hat was lifted from her head and she met silence. Albus was looking at her in shock and both of her friends were gaping at her. No cheers or shouts were heard for the placement of Hermione Granger, just pure silence. Weakly, Hermione rose from her seat and looked to the table decorated in greens and silvers under the large Slytherin tapestries. The only triumph was seeing shocked midnight eyes staring at her. Taking a deep breath, Hermione squared her shoulders and held her head up as she walked over to the table and took a seat at a desolate end. She was trying to keep herself as far away from the snakes as humanly possible. The students followed her progress, never saying a word to her, and a pair of midnight eyes watched, dumbfounded. He had been wrong.

Dippet's kind voice echoed through the room, attracting the attention of the other houses, but leaving Hermione to the mercy of her fellow Slytherins.
"Before the feast begins, I ask that everyone makes our new students feel welcome! Miss Granger, Miss Weasley, and Miss Brown have had a very hard life and will be taking their placement tests when the nurse releases them fully. Now eat up!" With a snap of his fingers, food of different sizes, shapes, and colors covered the wooden planks. Hermione looked at the meal laid before her and felt her stomach cry out for nourishment, but she pushed the feeling away and rose to leave, immediately catching the attention of the student and teacher body. She walked over to Ginny and Lavender. The group around them were glaring and whispering about her but she ignored them.

"If you two need anything, I'll be in the infirmary. You need to eat and enjoy yourselves. It's been a long time. I need rest." She bent down and hugged them both before planting a kiss on each of their foreheads.

"Hermione, we can go with you. It's no problem for us," Ginny said compassionately. They both went to rise but Hermione forced them down by the shoulders, shaking her head and ignoring the rising pain in her back.

"This is all I ask of you two. Please do as I say." Hermione was well aware of the card she just played and how much it got to the girls. She hated using it but at this moment she had no other choice. Ginny and Lavender deserved the happy ending that the hat had told her about. Taking a deep breath, she turned to the double doors and, for the millionth time, met those midnight blue eyes that belonged to no other than Tom Marvolo Riddle. His arms were crossed and he was watching her angrily, almost as if she had intentionally done something to offend him; unfortunately, it wasn't Hermione who had chosen her position at the snake's table. Sighing, she glided over to him and followed him out the doors. Once the doors were closed she turned to him.

"I do not need a babysitter, Mr. Riddle. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself and I know my way back to the infirmary."

His dominate male ego was clawing at Hermione's nerves as he spoke. "Can you? Then how did you end up in this predicament in the first place, mudblood?"

Hermione's whole posture tightened and straightened as the word mudblood echoed in her mind, but instead of Riddle's voice it was that of a sniveling Malfoy, a deranged Bellatrix Lestrange, a cowardly Petter Pettigrew, any malicious Death Eater, and the cause of all this misery, Lord Voldemort, himself. War had trained Hermione to be hard in combat and Tom had triggered that instinct with a simple insult that cut Hermione to the bone, so she rounded on him.

"War is no fantasy, Riddle! People get hurt and killed every day in it! I have watched so many fall! If you have so much doubt in my ability to take care of myself then answer this question: Why am I still breathing?!" Beads of sweat dotted her forehead and upper lips, and the color had left her skin but her eyes were molten gold. Hermione spun on her feet and walked away leaving a very shocked Tom Riddle behind her. The stairs took more effort but she refused to show any kind of weakness to the monster that stood behind her.

"Granger, it would not be wise to defy me." His tone had dropped a couple of octaves and held a dangerous edge. "No one defies me for long."

Hermione stopped, and then turned to stare straight into the midnight eyes that held a glint of red."You will never control or frighten me like you do the rest of the student body, Riddle, and no matter how much power you wield in your body, I will never back down nor bend to your will." Hermione felt her body's need for a bed, but she persisted. "I'm tired and I don't have time to play petty games with you. Good night, Tom Riddle." Hermione began to climb the stairs again, fighting her body's need to just lie down and give up. Something Hermione could never do.

Tom's blood was boiling over from her little declaration of fighting him. His gaze was like black fire and tonight he decided to punish Malfoy for yesterday's screw up with the Hufflepuff. Taking a deep breath, Tom Riddle allowed his mind to jump into action on how to make the mudblood break and bend. The two girls with her were an obvious way and her being in his house allowed him more control over the situation. In fact, a talk with all of the Slythrins wouldn't hurt either. Spinning into the opposite direction, he stalked off to the common room, knowing that a prefect would tend to the first years.

Hermione stumbled into the infirmary and collapsed onto the white sheets of her designated bed. Immediately her body relaxed and sighed with contentment. The thick comforter sunk and molded around her exhausted form. For the first time in a long time, Hermione allowed sleep to take her in a natural way, not even caring about the consequences. Every cell in her body craved it like a vampire craved blood. There was no fighting; just fact and inevitability. Slowly the sandman crept upon her and began to weigh down her eyelids with sand, forcing them closed before dusting her face so that the magical drug sent her body to sleep and slowed her breathing to a gentle rhythm.


The next three days Hermione slept. Ginny and Lavender refused to leave her side or eat. Dippet and Albus constantly failed at the attempt and had to result to sending in Synthia and when that wouldn't do they sent in Tom. Albus knew there was something dangerous about him but he had his ways of getting people to do what he wanted and Albus wanted to see if the new girls could resist his impeccable charm. The night after the feast Tom had had a very in depth conversation and lecture with the whole of Slytherin about their new member before allowing them the pleasure of watching Abraxas' punishment. He was in a fairly good mood until he discovered that the mudblood hadn't woken up and that the two girls wouldn't leave her side. On the third day Dippet sent him in to get the two girls to come out and eat. He, of course, thought that the task would have been simple; unfortunately, he never accomplished it. Lavender and Ginny sat on each side of Hermione, remaining stoic and poised. Ever watchful and ever wary. In all of his life he had never seen someone being watched with the intensity of what Hermione was receiving, and the atmosphere in the room made him sick to his stomach. Compassion and need radiated off of the two female guardians, most likely anchoring their friend to them as she slept. Her face was deathly pale but her breathing was strong. Her torso was bare except for a white bra and thick bandages down her back. Tom had to mentally slap himself for tracing the curve of her rib cages down to her slender waist with his smoldering gaze. Getting back on task, he tried to talk sense into the girls and charm them out of the room but it was ineffective and altogether pointless, so he left the infirmary in a fit of rage.
Day four swept up on them quickly. Ginny and Lavender were weak and pale but both knew they couldn't leave her side to sleep or eat. The rays of sun were spreading across the floor, creeping up the side of the bed to brush over Hermione's face. Her eyes stirred. The action sent a wave of awareness through the chamber and instantly both girls were on their feet, watching. Hermione's eyes fluttered again and this time the action was followed by a soft grunt. Lavender looked up.

"She'll wake hungry and thirsty. Quickly Ginny, go get Albus or Dippet!" she said desperately.
The redhead vanished from the room in a blur to find someone for help. Lavender was stroking Hermione's cheek and whispering soft words as she began to come back to them. The clearing of a throat in the distance made her pause her actions, however. It was undeniably male and made a chill run up her spine. Lavender knew that Tom Riddle stood behind her. Her body stiffened.

"Can I help you?" she asked calmly, turning to meet his stare.

"I noticed that your friend left and you hadn't. I would be more than glad to watch her while you take a break," he said charmingly, adding in a smile for effect.
Unfortunately for Tom, he had said the wrong thing. No lioness would leave one of her own to a snake such as Tom Riddle. Lavender's eyes flashed with sudden defiance and protection but her voice was neutral as she said, "Ginny went to get food for Hermione. She's waking. I do not require a break but thank you for your concern."

Lavender deliberately placed her body between the bed and Tom, not caring that he stepped toward her.
"I'm very happy that she is finally coming back to her senses. She has had us all worried in these past three days. It is very good of you to think of her body's needs before your own, Lavender - if I may call you that?" He began to coat the words with more charm.

To Lavender, it was like too much icing on an already over-sweetened cake; the kind that made you sick to your stomach. "Do not even pretend you care for her, Riddle! To you she is just another mudblood!" Lavender couldn't control the fury that had built up in her heart as she continued. "She does not need your false care nor your pathetic charm. We have seen so many like you. People who think they can control everyone because they're blind to the person beneath. She is our friend and family!" Tears were threatening to spill out by now. "The only one Ginny and I have left…"

"Lavender!" Hermione was sitting up watching and listening to Lavender until the girl was close to hexing the confused and furious boy in front of her. "Breathe, Lavender, deep breaths." She noticed that Lavender was shaking.

"We thought you left us!" Lavender turned on Hermione with pure conviction in her voice. The pain and fear wasn't of Tom, but of losing the only thing they had left.

Hermione felt her heart break at such a revelation. "Never!" Swiftly, Hermione was up and holding Lavender close to her whispering soft words of condolence. "I will always be here as long as you both need me, Lavender!" Lavender buried her head in Hermione's neck, tightening her hold on her. Hermione turned to Tom next. "I apologize, Mr. Riddle."

So far he had seen fury, pain, and compassion in those incredible eyes, but now he saw what would pose his greatest problem: passion. Hermione's hazel eyes danced with a wildfire of golden flames.

"She and the other have not left your side, not even to eat or sleep, for the past three days. Emotionally spent, I suppose." His fury was pouring out of him in small bouts of power. In the infirmary, a battle raged between Hermione and Tom. Pure power clashed with corrupted power as the two faced off in a battle of wills.

"Yes, we all are. Thank you for checking in on them." Lies. Every word they spoke where pure lies. He could care less about their health and she could care less if he had checked on them or not. All that mattered was their battle. Two predators facing off. One formed from war, the other from torment.

Only when Ginny, Albus, and Dippet rushed into the room did their eye contact break and their control return.

"Miss Granger, you're awake! Finally! We brought food and drink for all of you. Sit down, sit down. Please eat," Dippet said, seeming pleased at her newfound health.

Hermione took time to slowly wipe the tears from Lavender's cheeks, before giving her the most reassuring look she had to offer. "Come on, Lavender. Let's eat."

As the girls ate, Dippet slowly addressed Tom. "Tom, could you come with me for a moment, please?"

Tom nodded, and then followed Dippet into the infirmary office, where Madame Weathercut sat doing some paperwork. She turned to them when they entered. "Headmaster, Mr. Riddle."

"Good morning, Aliza," he said, smiling warmly at the younger woman, "I wanted to know if the girls would be able to take their placement tests today? We desperately need to get them started so they won't fall too far behind."

"The girls are more than capable," she said with a shrug. "This whole time they have tended to each other. Miss Granger seems to take the burden on her own shoulders to watch and protect the other two and when the two get the chance they return the favor." She sighed. "Miss Granger's little nap has more than likely done more than what anyone could have done. They are free to go," she announced, before turning back to her work.

Dippet shook his head then looked over to Tom and motioned for him to follow again. "Miss Granger, how old did you say you were?"

Hermione took a moment to swallow before answering. "Seventeen, sir." At her words, Hermione suddenly noticed that his eyes were filled with sadness. "Sir, are you alright? If you need to ask a favor I would be more than willing to help; don't let my age deter you from asking." She moved to rise but was stopped.

"No, no, keep eating, please. I was just thinking of the cumbersome burden you all bear at such a young age. That should be no one's luggage, dear. But now I see that you carry the same amount of compassion with you. Today, if you three are feeling up to it, I would like you to take your placement tests." He was watching them closely.

Hermione's instant reaction was to observe her companions and ask, "How do you two feel?"

"Capable," they both replied as they continued to eat.

She watched them a little longer, then nodded her head and allowed a smile to light up only her eyes. "Of course, Headmaster. We are feeling up to it."

He nodded his head. "Very well, Miss Granger. You will be taking it in my office. Tom shall be your personal escort. Miss Brown, you can take it in Professor Dumbledore's office, and Miss Weasley, you can take it in Professor's Derthrign's office. Albus can take you two to your testing areas when you are ready." He smiled and turned to the door. "I'll go and set them up."

Hermione inwardly groaned. Why was she always stuck with Tom? It was like she couldn't get rid of him!

Tom inwardly groaned. Why was he always stuck with that mudblood! It was like he couldn't get rid of her!