Yup, this chapter is a tiny bit longer than usual, so you guys better review! Just kidding, I'm grateful enough that you are reading my story, but it would still be much appreciated if you review. ;)

Guest: Thanks and I'm glad that you like it. :)

Diane Potter: Thank you, he... *covers mouth before spoiling the chapter* ...just scroll down please. :P

GardenOfSnow: I'm flattered! :D I was reading the reviews in some class I dislike with a passion, and I couldn't stop smiling at your hilarious review!

Samara Sweet: Thanks! It's my goal to keep the characters acting like themselves. :)

Something that might come in handy when you read this chapter: Grindelwald kept away from wherever Dumbledore was during his revolution because he feared the old fo... I mean Dumbledore's power. (ok, I really need to get out of Tom's mentality. I bear no resentment against Dumbledore, I actually find him quite endearing despite how I portray him in the story sometimes.)

Cornered

Tom was surprised by the two words uttered by the girl, despite the incantation, he could not sense a trace of Dark Magic in her.

Tom had wanted to question her identity since she was resorted in the Great Hall. A lot of things didn't add up. The girl was clearly wearing the Gryffindor uniform when he first met her, and she appeared to have a habit of going to the Gryffindor table. Though Tom couldn't care less about the idiots in the house of lions, he did not recall seeing Pauline's face ever since he attended Hogwarts. It was also peculiar that Dumbledore seemed to be concerned by the rate he was eyeing Pauline in class.

Tom knew the Gryffindor-loving fool had always distrusted him, the man had tried to use Legilimency on him, he narrowed his eyes, could it be Dumbledore's intention to send a spy into Slytherin? Tom found the idea approaching absurdity. Surely the old fool would only trust someone who was completely Light, not only in practise, but also in beliefs. Most people couldn't even bear to hear about the Killing Curse, let along speaking its incantation out loud. Yet this girl... she must either be an experienced practitioner of Dark Arts or a pathetic victim who had witnessed too many accounts of the particular curse.

But then, where could the girl have possibly possibly witnessed the Killing Curse, not to mention experiencing the situation enough times to get accustomed to seeing death? Tom wondered if she lived somewhere else during Grindelwald's revolution... He immediately banished the thought before he could finish it, he would not delude himself into believing the girl's lies. Part of Tom doubted the Sorting Hat would play along if it was in fact part of Dumbledore's plan. Although the Sorting Hat respected a student's choice, the personality of the student was vital in which house he/she was sorted into.

But if Pauline's Dumbledore's little spy, then Tom would confess that he's rather disappointed by the lack of wisdom shown by the old man in choosing such an... inept candidate. The girl failed to respond to her name and she could barely hide her resentment for him. Even an utmost idiot would have drawn the conclusion by now that the girl was under some sort of disguise.

"Mr. Riddle?" he turned around when he heard the soft crunch of fallen leaves behind him, signifying the girl's position. Uncertainty was clear on her soft face. He studied her without attempting to hide his interest, she quickly looked down, avoiding his eyes. Tom narrowed his eyes at the girl before him.

"Tell me about yourself, Miss Fossil." She head snapped up, like a startled deer, but not before Tom composed his expression into one of friendliness.

"What do you mean?" The girl tried her best to sound casual, but her posture was stiff and cautious.

"Let's start off with something simple, how did you get Dumbledore agree to a resort?" He purposely emphasized the word "resort", taking pleasure in watching the girl pale by each passing second.

"Wh-what are you talking about? I never had a house before Slytherin. It's like Headmaster Dippet has said, I was homeschooled previously, I just transferred-" She began stuttering, Tom wanted to sneer at the girl's clumsy attempt at lying. He tilted his head, the girl halted in the middle of her alibi, her mouth opened and closed pathetically like a fish out of water.

"I thought we are pass that, tell me who you really are." He stalked toward her smoothly like a predator, Tom allowed his intention to show in his smile.

The girl stared back at him, trying to look confused and innocent but the muscles in her jaw were strained. Tom chuckled softly as he continued to push the girl into a corner.

"As I recall, you did not correct me when I told you to not disclose your former house to fellow Slytherins." The girl's jaw dropped open and her chocolate eyes widened at the realization.

"Wa-was that what you said that night? Sorry I didn't hear..."

He stepped closer and she backed away a small step, he pressed on ruthlessly, "You seem to be under the impression that like the rest of the students, I was convinced by your lies that you are a transfer student, you played along when I offered to show you around Hogwarts yet you were unable to find Professor Dumbledore's office. So tell me, who are you, Pauline Fossil?" He stood towering over the small girl, internally smirking at the girl's reaction.

He had said it in his usual quiet voice, but the content hit Hermione like a screaming train, she felt like all the air had been sucked out of her lung. Her mind was going a million miles per hour. Merlin's pants! How could she have been so careless? After spending all of her time on analyzing his words and actions, she had fallen straight into his trap nonetheless.

Amusement was glinting in Tom Riddle's evil eyes, the corner of his mouth twitched, like he was about to smirk. Hermione didn't think Tom Riddle would question her, she had half expected him to trick her into telling him on her own accord, but then again, what had he got to lose? From Dumbledore's penesive, she figured that Tom Riddle was someone who only bothered to use charm for the sake of his devious plans. Not to mention...they were alone in a place that couldn't be found by students or professors alike for up to weeks at least.

"I..." She began but paused before she could get out the next word, her mind was still working furiously trying to come up with a convincing story.

"Of course, you don't have to tell me if it puts you in a difficult position." Tom Riddle spoke lightly, but his eyes said the opposite, they looked like two black holes on his face in the darkening sky, threatening to devour her. He reminded her of a hungry wolf and his next words confirmed her fear.

"I don't know how you managed to earn the professor's trust, but you are a menace to the safety of the students. As the Head Boy, I have the responsibility to protect the students from harm... you do understand right?" He voice was gentle now, his face could almost be the picture of genuine regret if cruel gleam in his eyes was neglected.

Hermione forced herself to be calm, she regarded him neutrally, "You are aware that some students saw you leaving with me, correct?

"A little mistake that could be easily rectified." Hermione balled her fists, it appeared that her little threat only served to amuse him.

"How?" She managed to mumble out despite the mixture of anger and fear that was choking her.

"I believe that is none of your concern, Miss Fossil."

Hermione backed away slowly while keeping her eyes on the Slytherin Heir. She was too afraid to blink, her breath was becoming shallow and frantic. Her current situation was strangely reminiscent of the way Harry was killed. And it was the same place too, Her mind added quietly, but she couldn't die yet.

Hermione tried to reach for her wand without being noticed by the Slytherin. Her hand fumbled fruitlessly in her robe pocket, it took a while for her sweaty fingers to grasp the smooth wood of the her wand. She whipped it out and pointed it at Tom Riddle with both of her hands on the wand, the wand shook before her eyes.

The other's eyes flickered to the wooden stick she was clutching like a life line sharply before he peered at her face again. Though Tom Riddle kept his face blank, Hermione could feel the thick air of mockery rolling off him.

"Oblivia-" she shouted with desperation.

"Expelliarmas." He sounded completely at ease and the next second he was twirling her wand in his slender fingers. Tom Riddle continued to advance on Hermione until her back was pressed against a tree.

"Now..." He said quietly, she could feel his hot breath on her face. There was an audible pop in her head and something just snapped.

"You'll murder me with the killing curse?" Hermione was proud that her voice had came out aggressive.

Tom Riddle's eyes widened, he stepped back a bit, allowing Hermione to breath while his eyes sized her up curiously.

"What made you think-" He began innocently.

"Stop pretending!" Hermione bit out, her words now a harsh hiss, "I know you don't have the trace on your wand by the ministry!" Tom Riddle froze, but the next second his icy fingers wrapped around her neck, his eyes cold and dripping with malice.

"How did you know?" Tom Riddle's grip on her neck tightened as he finished the sentence through gritted teeth. He looked truly murderous now, but Hermione doubted it would make a difference to her fate at his hand.

"Why do you care? It's not the first time you've murdered and got away with it." Hermione bit out each word with great difficulty. Less air was coming to her lungs now, her insides felt like they were on fire. But she still managed to grin triumphantly as an ugly expression of rage shadowed his face.

Tom had not really been aiming to kill the girl, at least not today. He didn't have anything suitable with him to use to make a horcrux, and that old fool Dumbledore had his eyes on the girl as well. Tom was just trying to get the girl to spit out her secrets, but things just got serious. Tom frowned the more he thought about it, maybe he would have to dispose of the girl here, nobody would find her body for a long time. But before that, he would have to figure out where did the secret leak out, or rather, how did the girl get it.

"I'm going to make you a deal." Tom was still holding the girl by her neck, he did so loosely now. She narrowed her eyes at him, but chose to stay silent.

Tom was impressed by the way the girl remained defiant in the face of her death. Not that she wasn't scared one bit, but Tom had to respect the girl for her courage even though it irritated him that she wasn't struggling.

Interesting, the girl does not seem to display normal reactions shared by others, she would make a wonderful toy to break. Pity, he would have to kill her as soon as he get her to reveal her secrets.

Author's Note: Bad university! I only got 3 hours of sleep and I'm feeling an overwhelming sense of giddiness at the moment. I should caution those who cross my path... Anyways, tell me what you think please. :)