Disclaimer: don't own.
That's what happened in chapter 3:
Secret Slytherin room, the followers were waiting for Tom Riddle
"The new girl – she is really hot!" Abraxas smirked to the hooded person next to him. Although, he didn't know, who it was as all their faces were hidden by black hoods. "Loads better than the other Slytherin girls if you ask me."
"I agree with you." a dark male voice answered and to Abraxas it sounded like Marcus Goyle. "She is a right sight to look at."
"I will try to get her." Abraxas answered, determinedly.
The figure on Abraxas' left shifted uncomfortably, but Abraxas took no notice. "And you know, whatever a Malfoy wants, a Malfoy gets."
"Good evening, Master." The figures all bowed down and Malfoy remembered just in time, that he also had to bow.
"Good evening, my friends." Tom Riddle, who stood in the middle of the circle, wearing emerald green robes, looking stunning,. His voice rather resembled the high cold voice of Voldemort; not his usual deep baritone. "I have a task for you."
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On with the story:
Hermione was close to tears now. It was past curfew – way past curfew – and she had completely forgotten the time as she had been so interested in the 1940s Hogwarts library. Madam Brack hat obviously not seen her and so Hermione used her chance to stay hidden behind the bookshelves, completely engrossed in the 40s edition of Hogwarts, a history. It differed a lot from the future version.
It was half past eleven, when she finally looked up and noticed that she was still in the library; she quickly gathered her books and hurriedly walked out.
But where to go?
Where was the stupid Slytherin common room?
Hermione had absolutely no idea. True, Abraxas and Tom had shown her the way today, but she had inexplicably forgotten – not very Hermione-like though.
'Okay, deep breaths.' Hermione told herself. She was in the cold, dark dungeons now and it was nearing midnight. 'Where to go? What to do?' she repeated over and over in her head.
Suddenly, she heard a voice from her right. A high-pitched, cruel voice. She remembered the voice from her nightmares, but couldn't place it. But when she turned her head – there was nothing. A solid stone wall. Hermione gazed at it and scratched her head. 'Must be getting delusional.' she thought scathingly.
But then she stopped. "My Lord, Harry Delacour is staying with me and Rosier." a voice that unmistakably belonged to a Malfoy sneered in the typical Slytherin manner.
Hermione's eyebrows rose past her hairline. Indeed? Poor Harry, that would make his day, being together with Dracos grandfather.
But where were these people?
"And I'm with Draco Lumiere and Flint." another voice, Hermione didn't recognize drawled. "My Lord." he added belatedly.
Okay. One thing was for sure. They were holding a death eater meeting. Full stop.
But where were they? Obviously, concealed behind the stone wall – there wasn't any other explanation. Hermione grinned. This was too much of a chance not to use it. A non-verbal disillusionment charm (thank you, Snape) and she was leaning casually against the wall, listening in on their meeting. It was strangely exhilarating, but scary at the same time, Hermione thought and shuddered delicately.
"I have a task for you all." the cold voice continued. Obviously Tom's voice, or rather Voldemort's. Why did he change his voice? Hermione was clueless – she liked Tom's real voice, not Voldemort's high-pitched, cruel tone. Probably because it was scarier.
"I need you to find out as much as you can about the three transfers." Voldemort said so lowly, that Hermione had to strain her ears to understand him.
"Why?" a very dark male voice asked.
"Do not question me, Avery." Tom stopped short, but then continued. "It is strange – they turn up one week after term has started, they are all from Beauxbatons and they are all in Slytherin. And apart from that, the two twins don't really look alike."
Oh no. Had he noticed? Tom was sharper than she thought and Hermione started sweating – or rather perspiring.
"And there is another thing." Hermione almost heard him smirk. "Hogwarts has never allowed transfers before."
Hermione knew instantly that something had to be done. They shouldn't come across as suspicious any longer, that much was obvious. They needed to find a good cover-story. A really good one – and they would have to memorize it so that no one made any mistakes. She sighed inaudibly. This was going to be hard task, especially with Harry and Draco in tow.
"At the next meeting, you will tell me about the information you gathere. Meeting is dismissed. Next week, same time, same place. Abraxas, a word in private, please."
Hermione barely had a chance to jump to the side, when the stone wall burst open almost magically and figures in black cloaks with their hoods up, filed out hurriedly. She looked at them, but couldn't see their faces. 'Probably every male from the 6th and 7th year and everyone Slytherin.' she thought scathingly.
When everyone was out, Tom addressed his most loyal follower without any preamble. "Stay away from Hermione Delacour, Malfoy."
"Why?" Abraxas sounded furious.
"I do not need to discuss every plan with you, Malfoy. Just stay away from her or you'll have to pay the consequences. You surely don't want to experience, another round of crucio, do you? Dismissed, Abraxas."
Abraxas stalked out, his hood down, his blond hair disheveled and wearing a deeply troubled expression. Oh no. Poor Abraxas – Hermione almost felt sorry for him. Almost, but not quite. It was his fault though, that he was part of the stupid group, wasn't it?
Hermione was about to leave when after a long wait, another figure stalked out. Tom Riddle, clad in magnificent emerald robes, not wearing a hood, his hair perfectly coiffed to the side, not a single strand out of place and his jaw set. Hermione almost drooled, but reminded herself, that she had just witnessed a meeting. A death-eater meeting. And Tom had already used the crucio. Hermione felt disgusted.
At exactly this moment, Tom turned his head and looked directly at her.
WTF? Her heart started beating frantically in her ribcage and she felt faint. He must surely hear her heart; it was beating so loudly. Could he see her? But she was disillusioned. Wasn't she? Hardly daring to breathe, she looked at her hand. It was invisible. So, what did he see? Tom looked directly into her eyes – for a few seconds – and then turned and departed abruptly.
Hermione felt worried. Had he seen her? And if yes, how? What would he do?
Following the Future Dark Lord to the Slytherin common room as quietly as she could, she decided to wait for two minutes in front of the entrance so she wouldn't come across as suspicious.
She removed the disillusionment charm from herself and the muffliato from her shoes and looked at the damp stone wall. Was Tom already in bed? Were the death eaters already in their dorms?
It was worth a risk.
"Snake venom." Hermione whispered and walked inside.
Or it wasn't worth a risk.
Most of the death eaters – Tom among them – were grouped together in front of the fire, sitting on the sofa or the chairs, talking and laughing. She was astounded; it was as if this meeting had never happened.
"Miss Delacour." Tom called out from the middle of the sofa. "What are you still doing out of bed? It's already past curfew. In fact it is exactly midnight. I am in a good mood today, so I'm not going to deduct points."
His death eaters laughed and Hermione felt chills creeping down her spine.
"But you never deduct points from Slytherin, anyway." a follower grinned and the death eaters laughed again, Tom included.
"I was in the library until half past eleven and then I couldn't find my way back to the Slytherin common room." Hermione explained and was surprised how strong and unafraid her voice sounded. She congratulated herself, mentally.
"You were in the library?" McNair asked, his eyebrows raised. "Didn't… what's her name – Madam something usher you out?"
"Madam Brack never does that." Tom came to her aid. "She lives in her own world which is probably full of books and fairy tales."
His followers snickered again.
"You've found a study-buddy." one of the future death eaters said with a lazy grin. "Tom, there is another one who is in lurrrrrve with the library."
Some death eaters sniggered and others looked worriedly at Tom; but he just smiled, unfazed. "Yes, indeed, I also like to hang out in the library, Miss Delacour. Seems like we have at least something in common."
Oh joy. Hermione felt like vomiting, but thought better and smiled bleakly. "Definitely. Nothing can beat the peace and quiet of the library."
Tom raised his eyebrows in polite wonder. Exactly that was his opinion as well. He would have used the exact same words if he had described the library.
He turned back to Hermione and rearranged his features into his usual, polite mask. "I hope, you have memorized the way to our common room now. If not, I will gladly show you again tomorrow Miss Delacour."
"Oh no… I think, I know the way now. But thanks for the offer, Mister Riddle." Hermione stammered, embarrassed. She hadn't expected any help from him. Not after what he had witnessed at the meeting.
"Now Miss Delacour… time for bed." Tom said commandingly, but gave her a half smile. "Before I deduct any points."
Hermione didn't dare believe her luck. He just let her go like that?
"Very well. Goodnight, Mister Riddle. Good night everyone." Hermione tried to give them all a smile and hurriedly went up the staircase to the girls' dorms. She was aware of every single pair of eyes watching her movements.
Why didn't they leave? They surely can't still be plotting…
With her heart as heavy as a stone, she fell asleep.
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Tom POV:
"She is so hot! I'm gonna get her." Abraxas boasted.
Tom shook his head in disgust. Had he forgotten what Tom had ordered him to do? "Abraxas…" Tom said menacingly. "What did I tell you before?"
Abraxas looked at Tom, scowling. "I won't let you interfere with my love life. You told me to stay away from Delacour and I will – after I had her though. But I won't let you ruin this now. Why do you even care?"
The cheek of him. What had happened to his most loyal follower in the summer holidays? Abraxas ALWAYS did what he was told.
"Don't question me." Tom hissed. "I'm sick of your little games, of your endless flirts, your little sex dolls and every girl fawning over you. They only hinder our plans. And you are nothing special, by the way."
Abraxas' face purpled. "I think you are just jealous."
"Jealous?" Tom laughed cruelly, but a gnawing feeling in the pit of his stomach told him that Abraxas wasn't so far off the mark. "I think not. Apart from that, I have other goals, more important goals and I thought you had them too."
"I still do." Abraxas said quickly – too quickly. "But I can still have some fun, can't I? Just because I am part of your death eater group, doesn't mean that I have to live like a monk."
Tom noticed that some of his death eaters sniggered quietly, but he decided to pay them no attention. Not tonight, when he had far more important issues. "So you think that you can either live like a monk or like a male whore?" Tom asked so quietly, that it sounded even more dangerous than usual. "Has it ever crossed your pea-sized brain that there might be another possibility?"
"Well… " Abraxas scrambled for words.
"There is another possibility." Tom scowled, interrupting Abraxas' stutter. "But if you are too pig-headed to get yourself a girlfriend – well I don't blame them – then you can surely only live as a monk."
"Then I would rather not take part in your stupid group." Abraxas yelled.
It was deadly quiet for two seconds and then Tom stood up, his wand drawn.
"Excuse me? Dare to repeat that, Malfoy?" he asked coldly.
"I – I'm sorry." Abraxas said, deflating. "I didn't mean to insult you, my lord. I also care for your – our goals and I don't know what happened. Please forgive me."
Tom looked at the cowardly creature with loathing. Sure, Abraxas had been a great and loyal follower so far, but he detested him. Up for a game? Lord Voldemort smirked to himself.
"I have a proposition for you." Tom said quietly, not removing his wand from Abraxas' face, who slowly opened his eyes again.
"Yes, my lord?" Abraxas asked, obviously hardly daring to believe his luck.
"We will both try to get the girl – you and I." Tom smirked and Abraxas eyes went wide. "And if you win, you will get the girl AND be the new dark lord. Then I would have to cower before you."
Abraxas cheered and the other death eaters looked disbelieving at Tom.
"However…" Tom said and his smile became sinister. "If you fail; if I get the girl, then you will be my new target to practice the Avada kedavra on."
It was deadly quiet. Abraxas just stared at him and finally McNair's voice filtered through the air. "Sorry… my lord, you want to kill him, if he fails to get the girl?"
"Practice, McNair, practice. And I will practice it until I've perfected it." Tom let out a high cruel laugh that belonged to Voldemort. "But he can still say no to my deal and stay away from the girl."
Tom turned to Abraxas. "Now, what do you say, Malfoy?"
He knew, Abraxas was too much of a coward to accept anyway; he had only said that proposition to shut him up; to make him stay away from the girl. Besides, it was a laugh to see Abraxas shocked face. He didn't, however, expect Abraxas' reaction.
"I'll accept the challenge."Abraxas announced proudly.
Tom lifted a solitary eyebrow and his death eaters gasped. "What? Are you crazy?" Goyle cried out from the furthest corner of the room.
"You can't do that. He'll kill you." Zabini said, shocked.
Abraxas rolled his eyes. "He won't. And apart from that – no one resists the Malfoy-charm."
Some of Tom's death eaters laughed and Tom pressed his teeth together. "There is one condition though: Three weeks. If she doesn't react, everything will stay the same and you will stay away from the girl. Three weeks – starting – NOW."
"Okay." Abraxas yawned, totally at ease. He shouldn't be though. "I'm off to bed."
He swaggered to the stairs, but turned around one more time. "Oh and Tom? I will add my condition as well: No illegal love potions or spells, just use your looks and charm. Good night."
Abraxas left, laughing hard, leaving Tom stricken. Oh no, he should have prevented that clause. What was he going to do now? Looked as if he just had to rely on himself.
Bugger.
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Normal POV:
The hall was already full, when Hermione finally arrived for breakfast. Almost everyone from Slytherin was already at the table, even Tom and his death eaters, although they were bleary-eyed and tired.
"Where do you reckon, Hermione is?" Draco asked at exactly that moment when Hermione sat down next to him.
"I've overslept." Hermione yawned taking a slice of toast.
Draco looked at her with unconcealed surprise. "You've overslept? But you've never done that. It must be the first time ever."
Hermione gave him a smirk. "Yes, it is actually. I went to bed pretty late yesterday as I couldn't find the way from the library to the Slytherin common room."
Harry and Draco laughed loudly at that. "And I saw something really really scary." Hermione went on quietly.
"What?" Harry and Draco moved closer curiously.
Briefly, Hermione told them about the death eater meeting and their faces got more and more appalled by the second. "Almost like the real ones." Draco groaned.
"And he just let you go like that?" Harry asked, his eyes as big as galleons. "He just let you go without deducting points? Without cursing you?"
"Obviously." Hermione shrugged, completely nonplussed, herself. "Now, on a cheerier note – what to we have in the first lesson?"
"You call that cheerier?" Draco huffed and Harry smirked. "We are talking to Hermione, have you forgotten, Draco?"
Hermione crossed her arms and glared at her friends.
"Potions." Draco answered, rolling his eyes.
"Miss Delacour." a genial voice said. "May I talk to you for a minute?"
A/N: Who is that? Tom? Abraxas? Dumbledore? Another teacher? Another student? Stay tuned :)