Chapter 4

I had to meet Dumbledore. He would be able to give me guidance. I went to the statue that guarded Dumbledore's office before I remembered that he was currently the deputy. The headmaster was Amando Dippet. I mentally berated myself. I have to be careful with my assumptions. I could let slip of future events that have not already happened yet.

"Miss Gardner? Headmaster Dippet is currently away, is there something I could assist you with?"

I turned to see Dumbledore. "Yes sir, actually there is. It is a prudent issue. Would there be a place we could talk?"

He nodded before motioning to follow him. We ended up in his teaching room. He gestured for me to take a seat by his desk.

"Lemon drops?" I glanced at his candy dish, the same candy dish I would see years from now. I almost cried. It was overfilled with the yellow wrapped treats. I hesitantly grabbed one before just smoothing my thumbs over the crinkly wrapper.

I glanced up at his curious expression. "Professor, I think you can guess at the reason I may be here. You were the one that assisted my to the Hospital wing after my fall."

"I have my theories… but I think it may be better if you would enlighten me"

"I come from the future. I wont say how far, but it is a time much different than now. And you would have lost the red tint from your hair as well.." Dumbledore raised his eyebrows at that, and then I saw his twinkling eyes once more. Face crinkled in mirth.

"I become old and grey? Hmm that does seem to happen with the passage of time"

My own lips curl as his statement. "Well sir, I will not try to reveal too much. I was taught that only fools will intentionally impose their will on time… But I come from a future where there will be war", I pause, "that involves a Dark Lord, who is currently a student in this school."

His eyes became grave and serious at the mention of a war.

"I came here due to a time turner that malfunctioned when I was in your office. Your phoenix Fawkes, if you already have a phoenix, was starting a new life cycle and it got too close and caught the necklace. I hypothesize that was the reason I was transported here.

I showed him the broken glass turner that was kept hidden in my pocket. The glass had been melted on one side, creating a small hole.

"The flames melted the some of the sand and-" I stopped before taking a deep breathe "And now I am here" I finish weakly.

After a thought, he replied, "That is strong magic. Life magic. Not controlled by us witches and wizards but the essence of a phoenix performing its ritual. And to answer, I do not have a phoenix currently. Although I do have an associate in Europe who is hatching magical eggs… I will have to look into that, it seems that a phoenix may be required to bring you back to your original time."

I nodded my head. Although if phoenix was needed we were dealing with very potent experimental magic.

"To my knowledge, there are no time turner available to the public or private. There are however, some research in the Department of Mystery on time traveling that I would also have to investigate. They have not yet bared any fruit, but that can only be expected as it is a new field. I cannot promise that you will be able to go back to your time, but I will endeavor to help in any capacity I am able." He paused, as a hard glint appeared in his eyes.

"The dark lord you speak of… is it Tom Riddle?" It means something that the first name that Dumbledore mentions is Tom Riddle. I did not even state if it was a boy or a girl.

I pause, before confirming my decision to tell him, "Yes, it is."

Dumbledore again nods. Before reclining in his seat, hands folded in front of him and glances at the window of his room. "I have had suspicions of that boy since the day I have met him. It was foreboding. A young and talented wizard like him… Raw power I could feel, even though he did not know who he was. What he was." He sighed, it felt draining.

I spoke during the pause, "He becomes one of the most powerful wizards to live during my time, professor. He strives for blood purity and a totalitarian regime. He kills many people, including my friend's parents."

Dumbledore is solemn and takes a minute of contemplation before replying, " The problem with knowing the future, is that it can be an wispy and the wind. Even the smallest things can be the catalyst for triumph or destruction. Have you had any interactions with Riddle, Miss Gardner."

I respond lowly, " Its Granger. My name is Hermione Granger."

I meet his eyes and it understanding. "Of course, Ms. Granger that will be our secret."

I give him a small smile. "Yes, I have had interactions with him."

"Were they memorable, out of the ordinary?"

I look back to our interactions. It does not even need thought to know that, yes they were out of the ordinary. Although I may have not truly known him, I knew enough that him letting down his polite mask did not bode well for me.

But I still struggle with answering, "Erm, yes, sort of.. it is just that. Just that he has shown interest in me even with me avoiding him." I finish hesitantly.

Dumbledore nods through this.

"This is tricky, Ms. Granger, at the moment I do not have the proof to take any actions, except to monitor him more closely. He has not yet broken any laws. He is still protected here as a student. He has not become the person you know in the future. The best course of action I can suggest is to observe and use preventative measures."

"You may act just as an observer, see what his plans are of yet. I will be the one to take action. I will not leave such a dilemma up to you."

Now this is surprising. The older Dumbledore would have probably left it up to us. As he always did, with Harry, Ron and I.

"Yes, Professor I will." I said firmly.

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He sits next to me in Slughorn's class again. I smell the hint of sandalwood before hearing the scrape of the chair to my left.

"Hermione"

I nod without facing him, "Hello Tom"

Then a firm hand grips my left arm. In shock I turn and open my mouth to give a much needed speech on personal space before he cuts me off.

"Look at me, when someone is speaking to you. Did they not teach you how to behave yourself in France?"

Outraged, I forgot all about my not looking at his eyes rule. This slimy snake. How he even could say.

"Actually Tom, I was taught. I was also taught to use words and not to touch things that are not my own."

At this he grinned. It spread even larger when I vainly tried to tug my arm from his grasp.

"Oh Hermione. How little you know.." He sounded foreboding.

"Know what Riddle? You can let go of me now" I hiss sternly.

"Call me Tom", he let go of me and then faced straight.

My mind was running at a speed of an angry hippogriff. Who did he think he was. He never acted this way in front of his fawning fans.

Throughout the class, I kept myself silent. Only answering two or three questions. Each one finished with a raised eyebrow from Riddle before he expounded my own answer. I patted myself on the back for not rising to his taunts. However in keeping myself cool, I noticed again the narrowed glances coming from different places in the room. Coming from the girls in the room. Fantastic. He must be doing this on purpose. I would have to practice my hex deflecting shields. These girls weren't Bellatrix, I would not have to high level shield, but some hex rebounders would do. I had a nagging feeling, the girls would not take to kindly to me.

As class ended, I saw the interesting mix of curious glances and outright glares Tom's crew was giving me from the back of the room where they usually sat. All crowded together, watching Tom expectantly. I saw a flash of platinum blonde hair on a tall sizeable fellow. I will bet a whole year's worth of butterbeer's that was a Malfoy.

Tom rose and followed my gaze back before smirking.

"Have a nice day Hermione, 10 to 20 points today I see"

With a quick turn he was gone, robes lightly billowing behind him. He left the room without stopping, his cronies quickly following after him.

10 to 20 points! My hands fisted in indignation.

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In my bed that night I thought to get to know my fellow Slytherins. That would be the first phase in my plan to unravel Riddle and his schemes. I would need friends, people who know what's been happening. The biggest gossips would be the Slytherins. Although every they say would have to be taken with a grain of salt I imagine. I twiddled with the frayed hairs in my green comforter. I was in a single room, due to my sudden appearance in Hogwarts. They had to get a new room ready for me. It could be a blessing or a minor setback. It would have been awful to have to wake up to one of Tom's fans every morning. I would have to check my items with jinxes constantly. They have been giving me some not too friendly glances. It was only a matter of time before one feels brave enough to take action.

I quickly got ready for bed. Wanting to wake up tomorrow ready and fresh.

For breakfast I started my plan. I turned to the nicest face around me. A tall messy brown hair and brown eyed boy. I wasn't sure if it was the freckles splattered along his face that made his look disarming or that he was the few not frowning, but I introduced myself to him.

Apple in one hand, he smiled "Hello, I am Ben Whickets. You are the new girl aren't you? Good job racking up those points! We passed Ravenclaw for the lead."

I shyly reply, "Oh.. it wasn't anything. I would like to be helpful to my house; it would be something to win the house cup. I heard it's a big deal here."

He nodded vigorously. Brown hair strands jostling. "It sure is, we are on a winning streak. If we win this year, it would be three in a row."

I feign enthusiasm. "Yes, that incredible. Fingers crossed", I finish with a much to bright smile on my face.

He wore an approving expression. "I am almost positive we will win. We have Tom Riddle"

I tried to look confused, "Tom Riddle, the head boy?"

"Yeah, you heard of him right. Even if you're a new student you should have seen him around. Bloody fantastic that guy. He has been racking up points since he got here. He started to really outdo himself, when he became prefect though."

I nod and motioned for him to keep going.

"He is our so called Slytherin prince. Word of caution, I wouldn't go after him, romantically if you know what I mean." He said warningly.

"Even the girls from other houses have an eye on him and they can get pretty nasty." Ben raised a finger. "Especially the Slytherin Girls."

I grimaced. "No need to worry, he is not my type."

I glance around the table wondering if he was here. And behold. Tom was looking straight at me, with sharp eyes and eyebrows put together. My first instinct was the challenge him, breaking eye contact is the first sign of surrender. However, my pride was not the only thing on the line. I nonchalantly looked past him and slowly around the whole table, then to Ben."

He looked quizzically at me, "Do you know Tom well. I think he is looking right at us."

I do not dare glance back up the table. "Oh I am sure its nothing. Maybe just checking that the new student is doing well."

Ben accepted this. Then he looked back up and waved at Tom.

I could have stabbed Ben. Boyish charm aside. He just waved Tom over. Damn.

I did not even to know what would happen next.

"Ben have you met our new student Hermione?", then a hand was firmly clasped to shoulder. Did I not just tell this boy yesterday about touching?

To my credit, I only twitched a little. And with his hand gripping me tighter, he felt it too.

"Hello Tom! Yes I just met her today. We were just talking about you." Ben happily replied.

"Only good things I hope", Tom smoothly replied. I bet he gets a kick out of playing the saintly head boy.

He continued his conversation with Ben, but I was distracted by his thumb that started to make circular motions on my shoulder.

I hazarded a look towards the rest of the table. Every girl was staring at us.

Or rather me.

Precisely, glaring at his hand that was right now on my person.

I looked at Tom in disbelief.

"-So be sure to guide the her through the castle and courses. We at the Slytherin House look after our own."

"Of course Tom. Glad to be of service. Your taking divination next aren't you Hermione? Let's get going." I discreetly dislodge his hand before taking off for the heavy doors, quickly trying to gain space between me and Tom. Ben torn between saying farewell to Tom and guiding, or more accurately following me, gave him a hasty wave. He quickly matches my pace and we are soon past the doors, into the corridor towards the East wing.

"So, erm..Hermione if you don't fancy Tom. I would be careful." Ben said quietly.

I looked at him in surprise. Did not think he would be preceptive while basking in Tom's attention.

"Yes, thanks for the information. Do you think the girls are going to hex me now?" I said half jokingly.

Ben replied, "..I would look into some anti jinx shields… Tom is always polite but does not approach girls first."

"He does his head boy duties when it comes to new transfers but I am sure it wont stop the girls from interpreting" he vaguely motioned behind us "-at breakfast."

"Well it a good thing I have some practice with shields and jinxes" I said grimly.

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Well howdy, dont forget to give me feedback please :)

it gives me energy, energy i spend fanning over Tomione instead of actually doing work