All I can say is that I wasn't planning on updating but I got the Wednesday blues (yeah, I just invented that) and I decided to write. Thanks a bunch to all you guys who take time to read and review this story, you rock and you know it! Thanks to the anonymous reviewers Bre and Oola as well for leaving those awesome comments. And Bre, in answer to your question, Salazar isn't exactly old here, you'll see.
I proof-read the chapter, but maybe a mistake slipped because I'm kind of impatient sometimes which is bad but I hope the writing is okay. Do let me know though. Anyway, I'll leave you read the chapter now. This song from Dido is one of those songs that define Hermione and Tom's relationship.
*
I'm gonna have to run away
I'm sure that I belong some other place
And I've seen another side of all I've seen
It keeps me wondering where my family is
It's hard enough to see the world as it is and hold on anything
Without these quiet times coming round here
Now I miss you and I want you
But I can't have you even when you're here
Dido - Quiet Times
*
Chapter 8: Sore Feet
'God, you read so much into this!' I almost yelled in frustration. For the past ten minutes I had tried explaining to Victoria that I harboured no secret love for Black (or any other Slytherin for that matter), that I didn't want to have his babies, or see him naked, or go on a date with him.
'He had just offered to help! What was I supposed to do?'
'He is a very troubled person and you bother him with your little nonsense! Don't you know anything?'
'I didn't bother him with anything, I didn't even see him there!'
'Right. You're telling me you deliberately went downstairs to sit in front of the fire alone – '
'And read!' I interrupted.
'But you didn't know Black was there and you didn't want to sit with him?' she continued undeterred.
All these Slytherin girls were huge, spoilt babies that got up in your face for the smallest thing like say, a broken nail.
I knew Victoria cared about Black, more than she wanted to admit most likely, but I wasn't going to excuse her for that. This had been just a casual meeting and she was blowing it out of proportions. I had other things to worry about than her nagging, like the fact that I had some very nasty parchments in my possession.
'Everyone saves you all of a sudden,' she remarked rather stiffly. 'Have you noticed that?'
'Excuse me?'
'You know what I mean. First Riddle – and don't try denying it-, now Black. I'm pretty sure that jerk Malfoy will soon swoop down to remove a speck of dust from your robes.'
'I wouldn't let that tosser even touch my robes! This is ridiculous and you know it!'
'Do I?' she asked skeptically.
Clearly I wasn't going to get a good night sleep, not that I could sleep before either. Victoria followed me to my bed and did not let me close an eye until I told her off properly. She stormed out scandalized and promised not to talk to me. She didn't say she would never talk to me again, which sort of assuaged me.
But I was on the verge of bursting into tears either of laughter or of grief, or both. I was emotionally exhausted. I had no ounce left to protest or to defend myself. I had no ounce of strength left to really smile.
It wasn't because Hogwarts was giving me a hard time, because I could get used to that, but I couldn't live without my parents and my friends. I just couldn't live another day without hugging mum or seeing Ron smile. I wanted to talk to Harry and cry on Ginny's shoulder. I even wanted to see Parvati and Lavender, I swear I did. I wanted to gossip with them all night long. I wanted to wake up in my own bed at home and eat waffles with my family.
When would I see them? How could I survive without them? I desperately wanted some form of affection. I was used to that and now I was like a lost puppy that had been abandoned in the street.
Albeit it could've been worse, although I don't really see how. Maybe I was supposed to be grateful but I couldn't find the strength to do that.
I wondered if this was actual fate, if my destiny led to my coming here and having this mind-boggling, life-threatening experience. How could destiny be so screwed up? What did I have to do with Riddle and the forties? Why me for God's Sake? Why so far in the past? Why couldn't it have settled for two hours instead of fifty years?
I had already asked myself these questions numerous times, but every night I just asked them again, hoping I'd get an answer.
That night, I dreamt I was making a little crown of flowers. I was standing in a yellow field, at dusk. I had no idea what the dream meant but I woke up even more tired than before and I remembered Victoria kind of hated me right now.
Fantastic.
At breakfast she avoided me like I was the plague. Lucille whispered to me that I would have to fix things on my own because none of them could make Vicky talk to me, or even accept my excuses. It was very hard for me to find a moment to talk to her, though.
It was a busy day with lots of classes and homework. I tried catching her alone on the corridors but she was hiding well somewhere. When I saw her in class, she looked a bit sad. Maybe she regretted our fight, but if she did, she kept very silent about it.
That afternoon I had a bit of a nice encounter. I met with Mary Finnigan again. The pimples on her face had almost vanished entirely We hadn't seen each other since the incident in the girls' bathroom and she was happy to run into me. We talked for a bit and she expressed a wish to see me in Hogsmeade. The way things were going for me (Victoria and her lot were giving me the cold shoulder), I gladly accepted her company.
'I'll introduce you to some of my house mates. They won't believe you're in Slytherin! Well, they won't believe a Slytherin helped me. But I think they'll like you. They're not as prejudiced as Slytherins, I can assure you.'
'I'd be happy to meet them.'
I wondered if I would meet any of my friends' parents or grandparents. That would be downright freaky. Just speaking with Finnigan's grandma was weird enough, imagine a whole bunch of dead relatives in the Gryffindor common room.
We walked around the castle some more and I was finally feeling a little bit better with a friendly person at my side, when a student that looked like a Prefect popped out of nowhere and told me I was wanted in the Headmaster's office.
That always got me queasy. Seeing Dippet never meant good news in my book. I always dreaded that they'd find some evidence that I was lying about my identity. I was almost certain Dumbledore didn't believe half of my story. I was waiting for him to come out with some revealing fact and send me packing from the school with a note attached to my back "Do not trust her". It didn't happen, but the fact that he wasn't doing anything about it made me feel very insecure. I felt he was watching me, observing me. Maybe he wanted me to come tell him the truth. He'd have to wait then.
'We always get interrupted,' Mary said. 'But we'll catch up this weekend, won't we? And maybe you'll tell me more about yourself.'
I would probably have to feed her the same story. I was going to have to write it down so I wouldn't confuse any detail. Wouldn't want to make a stupid mistake that could cost me plenty just because I can't remember my own "life story".
I stepped into the Headmaster's office with some reluctance and I sat on the seat in front of his desk.
He was, by the looks of it, looking through some dusty files in a corner.
'Ah, Miss Greystone. I am glad you could come. I would like to discuss something with you.'
I waited patiently for him to sit down, but he just continued browsing through the documents.
After ten minutes, I coughed loudly.
He looked up, blinked several times and then shook his head.
'Oh, yes, of course.'
He came towards me, dusting off his hands. He picked up a little silver thermometer that was placed in a tall mug on his desk and inspected it for a while.
'Miss Greystone,' he began at length, 'since the beginning of the year, I have been following your scholastic progress with some care. I wanted to make sure that you would be able to manage with the heavy work load and the schedule. It seems I shouldn't have worried. You proved to be an excellent student and a very conscientious pupil. Now, as to your behaviour, I cannot quite condone that. Here, it is a different story. Playing hero with Mr. Riddle in the Forbidden Forest was sheer lunacy, if I may say so myself. No matter your noble intentions of helping the school, taking on Grindelwald means that you are either reckless or insane.
However, I must admit it was an act of courage and I was mildly impressed with your bravery. I was expecting Mr. Riddle to break the rules and pull such a scheme, but I wasn't expecting you to join in the "heroic movement". Hogwarts is of course a new experience to you so you probably took this affair lightly, but I must warn you, sneaking off into the Forbidden Forest is highly punishable. For every student. That is why you and Mr. Riddle were punished. Maybe you were expecting praise, but no one can possibly praise two impulsive youths who put their lives in danger. Still, the Ministry did hear of this feat of bravery and expressed a certain admiration for our school. That did please me.'
He stopped again and turned around to look at the father clock behind him.
I had no idea where this speech was going. I just felt ridiculous, sitting there, being praised and chided at the same time, when the real bastard was running around, doing whatever he pleased. He was considered a hero. I had joined him so that put me in a good light as well.
But I didn't want any glory! Being put in the same pot with him was like being called a culprit. He was the one who had wanted to join those people. I had tried to stop him.
In fact, even if it sounded pretentious, I was the only hero.
Dippet was about to speak again. When he talked, he had a way of gesticulating, like he wanted to grip the idea. He was an amusing fellow.
'After analyzing things thoroughly I came to a pleasing conclusion, Miss Greystone. You see, I would like to give you some merit for your help and I discovered the best way to do so. You are probably aware that the current Slytherin Prefect is Greta Goyle. I am afraid to say I am starting to regret the choice I made. I thought she was responsible and mature, but I see she is a very impressionable girl and runs away with her feelings. She is rather rash and does not perform her duties as I would like.'
Oh, no. I knew where he was going. Oh, no, no, no. As much as I liked being a Prefect in real life, in this world my partner would be the sunshine of my life, Tom Riddle. No.
'She's not very committed, you understand I am sure. And Mr. Riddle has complained about her several times and I wouldn't like my team of Prefects to have a hard time fulfilling their duties due to such misunderstandings. And I thought to myself, why Miss Greystone and Mr. Riddle made quite a team when they were faced with danger, didn't they? So you see, Miss Greystone, I realized the best way to deal with this was to make some changes.'
'You mean…'
'As of Monday, I am afraid Miss Goyle will no longer be Prefect,' he said winking at me.
'I am sure this is very good news for you,' he said beaming. He was very pleased with himself. I almost wanted to slap my head in frustration. Did this man know that his brilliant solution was actually a dreadful nightmare? Did he know anything about Riddle or was he just blindly in love with him? Someone had to snap some sense into him.
He thought I was really happy with his solution, because he didn't suspect that I could perhaps refuse this great delight. I don't think he would've taken refusal very well.
But I didn't have time to find out. I had just opened my mouth to counter his decision with some arguments when suddenly the chair under me disappeared and he told me he had urgent business to attend to and that he would keep me no longer.
'I just wanted to give you the good news,' he said shaking my hand. 'The badge will be given to you soon. I sometimes like to repay misbehaviour. Well, only misbehaviour that was put to good use! But let it not happen again, Miss Greystone or else I won't give you just detentions. Now off you go! Off you go!'
With that, he turned his back to me and went on with his previous task; searching through those documents.
'It was kind of you, Sir, really, but I think…' I began.
'You can discuss the details with the Head Boy, he'd be happy to help,' he said waving his hand. 'Now off you go.'
The door opened with a thud and I was welcomed out. Well, that was very ungracious.
I found myself walking to the dungeons with another big headache.
I think someone was plotting this; someone was making sure Riddle and I spent more time together. It's like someone knew I was Hermione Granger, best friend of Harry Potter, whose archenemy was Tom Riddle.
Was I part of a strange ironic circle?
I really didn't want to be Prefect. That meant patrolling with him up and down those corridors in the evening.
And all this trouble just because I bothered to be a Gryffindor? I should've been a cowardly Slytherin and stayed inside the castle that night, not run off after that sick bastard. He would have died had I not intervened like a moron.
Oh, will the guilt ever go away?
In a way, it was better he was not grateful or anything because that would make matters worse.
Saturday morning found me under the blankets, half asleep, half awake. I was thinking about Salazar Slytherin. He hadn't answered to me since that night. I had tried talking to him more, but he hadn't cooperated, especially on the subject of Rowena Ravenclaw.
Maybe she was related to a memory that was painful to him. Maybe the fact that her prized colleague and I shared something like bloodline was upsetting to him. It had been a shock to find out Rowena was Muggleborn. I had read a couple of books on the Founders and it always said there that Rowena was a Pureblood. And nothing was mentioned in relation to her and Slytherin. There was something about him admiring her intelligence, but nothing else. Maybe the books were leaving out some details, maybe they were the wrong books. Was there something more to this or was I reading in too much?
After days of him not answering I started wondering whether I was hallucinating and there was actually nothing wrong with those parchments.
I still wasn't sure this was Salazar Slytherin. I usually trusted books more and if books said Rowena was a Pureblood and he said she was Muggleborn I had the instinct to believe the written word more. Ironically, his word was written as well.
As I pondered on these pivotal subjects, I realized today was the day we'd go visit Hogsmeade.
I jumped out of bed and looked at the clock in our dorm. It was half past ten.
Goodness, it was late! I quickly took a shower, got dressed, grabbed some Sickles Headmaster Dippet had given me at the beginning of the year as a form of allowance and went down to wait in line.
I didn't manage to see Mary Finnigan but Victoria and her crowd were already outside, walking towards Hogsmeade. There were dispersed groups everywhere and I couldn't join a single one. I walked on alone, trying not to care that some people were staring at me.
It was a crisp, autumn day and the sun was shining softly, the leaves were rustling on the ground and the wind was playing in my hair, making my locks go wild all around me.
The dress I had put on and the thick stockings didn't really warm me up, but I pulled the coat around me as best as I could.
When I reached the village, my feet were feeling sore from so much walking in those shoes that weren't the least bit comfortable. Where were those bloody sneakers when you needed them?
Regardless, I trudged myself across the streets, with the hope that Mary would just run into me again. There weren't any visible changes in the village. It seemed that this place was timeless. Zonko looked a bit cleaner and the Three Broomsticks sign over the door of the pub was shinier. But beyond that…
I first decided to go hunt a Time-Turner. Yes, it was impossible to find one here, but I wasn't about to waste a chance, no matter how small. So I walked through all those quaint shops, trying to find something at least similar to it. The Potions shop was interesting as always, but quite useless unfortunately. I did buy some ingredients I thought I'd need later in the year for the potions in class and I made sure my school supplies weren't lacking. I bought a new quill, just in case, some paper and a couple of second-hand books from the pretty little Hogsmeade bookshop.
But I couldn't find a shop that gave me the hope that I could find anything like a Time-Turner. I had expected that, but I always try.
After doing some shopping, I decided to rest and maybe get a drink. I went into Three Broomsticks praying, no begging to find Mary there and the skies finally took pity on me and answered my calls.
I saw her in the middle of a big group.
I waved at her. Her entire face lit as she waved back. She called me to her table and beckoned the others to make room for me.
They all looked happy to oblige. My eyes almost filled up with tears as I thought I saw in them my old friends. The boys all looked like Harry, the girls all looked like Ginny…
I sat down next to a redhead that reminded me so much of Ron that I just had to ask whether he was a Weasley.
'Why, yes, honey, how did you spot it? Was it the eyes?' he said grinning. 'The name's Billius.'
So I was right! Now I understood why Ron was called Billius to begin with.
I felt so relieved to see a Weasley that I almost hugged him. I'm sure I seemed a little bit odd, but I didn't care.
The others were introduced to me and I shook their hands.
'This is Jane Greystone. She's the nicest Slytherin I've ever met, literally, so you'd better behave well to her,' Mary told them seriously.
'We didn't judge you when you went out with that scum, so we won't judge a nice Slytherin girl, no matter how odd the word nice next to Slytherin may sound,' a boy with perfectly well combed brown hair told her, winking at me.
I sort of guessed the scum was Riddle.
'My boyfriend, David Potter,' Mary told me, pointing at the brown-haired boy.
My mouth almost fell in shock. I took a better look at him and I recognized the defining features in Harry's face. But for the eyes, there were some clear similarities. How had I not noticed them? How?
I stared at him like he was a precious artifact.
'Hi, I'm Jane,' I told him.
'So, we hear you're a decent Slytherin. We hear you actually helped our Mary here. Does that have anything to do with you not being a pratty, stuck up Pureblood? Or a relation of Goyle?' he asked.
'Both, I guess,' I answered chuckling.
'Do hex that Goyle bint for me when you meet her. I fear the four Bat-Bogey hexes I threw her way might have not been enough. Stupid cow.'
I almost laughed. I would surely like to oblige him.
'See, this is what you get for having the least bit attraction for that Riddle prick,' he commented.
Mary looked down embarrassed. 'Stop calling him that. And can we not talk about that?'
'I'll never let you off the hook for that one. Not after it almost cost you your pretty face.'
'Is that story about the Forbidden Forest true?!' a blond boy asked. 'A lot of people talk about it, but no one knows what really happened.'
Oh, I wasn't exactly ready for this.
'Well... I was there when they attacked and I saw Grindelwald's men but nothing else happened, I got back safe,' I said, flushing.
'Nothing else happened?! Give us more details!' a voice urged.
'I don't believe that tosser wanted to go be a hero,' David said. 'Riddle was probably up to no good, like always. Was he really trying to save Hogwarts?'
'I don't really know, I didn't understand his motives…' I answered, biting my tongue. The pain in my throat prevented me from answering once again. My scar was tingling.
'Probably wanted to make sure Grindelwald could attack us better. Did he make you go with him, Jane?'
'No, no way! I just wanted to help. I saw there was trouble. I guess I got a bit too impulsive. I thought I could handle it, as stupid as that sounds.'
'Wow, you went off like that to fight those people!?'
'Um, don't give me that much credit, it was a very thoughtless decision. I wouldn't advice anyone to do it.'
'Dear Lord, I think you're braver than Weasley himself,' David said. 'Isn't that right Billius? Remember your epic battle with the toothbrush in the dark?'
'Oh, shut your mouth Potter! Unless you want me to spill some stories about you talking in your sleep!'
'I'd like to see you try! But really now, Jane, that's a remarkable feat. Why the heck aren't you in Gryffindor?'
'That remains a mystery to me as well.'
'So, you really fought those men Jane?' a girl asked me.
'Kind of, but it was mostly self-defense, I mean I kept running and throwing spells in a chaotic way.'
'That's still quite something. And what did Riddle do?'
'He did the same. He kept them at a distance. We got back to the castle together after Dumbledore found us.'
'Lucky Dumbledore was there for you. But it was a very risky thing to do, very risky,' Mary said, shaking her head.
'Too bad Riddle got out of the forest safe,' David said. Mary hit him over the head.
'David! Don't ever say that! You shouldn't wish his death just because he's how he is.'
'But, come on Mary!'
I sighed. If only he knew that I was the only reason that had prevented Riddle from coming out of that forest dead.
'Do the Slytherins give you a hard time?' a girl on my right asked me.
'Well, sometimes, but I kind of don't let it affect me,' I told her nonchalantly. 'I have my own life, separate from theirs.'
Just then the doors opened and I saw a group of Slytherins enter. And I noticed that among them was Riddle.
I turned my back and changed the subject.
They sat down in our vicinity, but I tried not to take count of that.
The noise at our table engulfed every other sound in the room and I was glad I couldn't hear Riddle and his mates. I had enough of them during the week time.
'Oh, look, it's the Mudblood with her Mudlovers!' a voice was heard from their table.
'Oh, piss off Nott!' Harr- I mean David shouted but I don't think he was heard.
'Don't let that sod affect you. He's just frustrated he's got it small,' another girl told me, rolling her eyes. 'Trust me, the whole school knows.'
'Nott and his fellows are like a bunch of mini-trolls, though to their credit, the trolls smell a lot better,' Billius told me, pointing at them with disgust.
I was feeling safe where I was and I think it showed because I was smiling more than usual. I was enjoying my time with people that accepted me and didn't judge me. It was almost exhilarating to feel this after weeks of torment.
But even if I had relaxed a bit, I still felt something strange about the whole thing. Maybe it was Riddle's vicinity, I didn't know, but I felt something was amiss.
Every now and then, I snuck a peek at the other table but they weren't minding me. I couldn't see Riddle though.
At one point, the girl on my left nudged me.
'Riddle keeps staring at you,' she told me. 'Didn't you notice?'
'No, I can't see him,' I told her shakily. 'And I don't care. He may stare as he pleases.'
'But what does he mean by it? He doesn't look away. Did you upset him?'
'Everyone probably upsets him. He disapproves of me greatly. He's a great big git, so don't mind him,' I told her.
'But he keeps staring. It's a little bit intimidating. You'd better watch out for him.'
'Oh, I already do.'
After a couple of moments, when no one seemed to be looking, I turned around and looked at Riddle.
Yep, he was staring at me.
But it wasn't very obvious. He seemed to be talking to his mates. He seemed pretty relaxed too, sipping from his drink, sprawled in his seat casually, but I could see he was watching me. I couldn't exactly describe it, but it was like his face and his eyes were in different directions.
When I met his eyes I had a vision of the yellow field I had seen in my dream but I shook my head and turned away quickly, before I encouraged him to stare some more.
I wanted to go to the bathroom, but I felt it wouldn't be a good move. However, when nature calls you can't help it.
So I politely excused myself and left for the bathroom. I looked back but Riddle was still at his table. I don't know why I held the silly notion that he'd follow me.
I washed my hands vigorously and stood in front of the mirror for ages. After a while I decided to leave. I opened the door slowly and looked up and down the hallway. There was no one there.
I sighed in relief and I shut the door behind me, but when I turned around I almost yelped.
Black was walking towards me.
'Oh, hi…' I muttered.
'Greystone, hello.'
'You're going to the bathroom?'
'Yeah, there aren't a lot of things you can do here,' he said awkwardly.
'Of course. I wanted to thank you for the hands. I feel much better now.'
'You're welcome.'
'You'll be a good doctor.'
'Thanks...'
I nodded and stood there, thinking about what else to say.
'So…is that all you wanted to say?' he asked.
'Actually,' I began unsure, 'there is a small thing I'd like to tell you.'
'Yes?'
I didn't know how to say this. I had to fix that thing between me and Victoria, I just had to.
'Please come on the Seventh floor tonight at 9. It's important, please.'
He was about to protest.
'I'm not fixing a date or anything. I don't want to snog you,' I said rolling my eyes. 'But it's really important, I promise.'
He stared at me amused. He hadn't expected me to be this direct.
'Oh, I never thought you'd want to snog me,' he joked. 'Well, I'll think about it…'
'Just come!' I told him and rushed out of there, my cheeks already on fire.
Now the hard part was convincing Victoria to come to the Seventh Floor with me.
Later that afternoon, I returned to Hogwarts with the hope that by tomorrow I would be friends with Victoria again. I also remembered that Monday was my first day as a Prefect.
Bollocks.
There wasn't much to look forward to that weekend or that following week.
I was beginning to hate my shoes. I walked so slow that even though Mary had offered to accompany me I told her to go on her own or else she might miss dinner. I'd be walking for the next ten hours.
I trudged on like a sad soldier. When I looked up at the sky, I saw the clouds were rolling in.
'No, not now, really…' I pleaded.
It started raining. I was immediately soaked to the bone. I felt very cold.
When I finally passed through the Hogwarts gates I felt relieved. I saw from afar that a much younger Filch and another man I didn't know were standing at the Front Doors, taking out some hospital beds and cabinets.
I groaned and turned another way. I saw the tall arcade at the back of the castle and I rushed towards it to find shelter.
But I should have tried getting past Filch.
Tom Riddle was standing there, watching the rain.
I must have looked a funny sight, all wet and disheveled.
He seemed to be looking through me. He was fascinated by the dark clouds hovering over the ground.
When he noticed me he straightened up.
He walked up to me casually and looked me up and down.
'You are quite wet,' he remarked as he pulled a lock of my wet hair between his fingers.
For a moment, I had nothing to say. I just stood there letting him drink me in. But I snapped out of it.
'Thanks Captain Obvious,' I muttered, pushing his hand away.
'I heard we were going to be partners.'
'What?'
'Prefects, remember?'
'Yes, the news filled me with joy,' I said rolling my eyes. 'I'd much rather get five hundred detentions.'
'I think that can be managed.'
'Just stay away from me, okay?'
'You could run away from me right now. Why are you still standing here?' he asked, raising a brow.
My cheeks flushed and I turned away angrily. But then I remembered something very important.
'Actually, I have something to say to you. This stupid little trick of yours won't last much longer. The scar will vanish, so don't think you can keep doing this. I will go to Saint Mungo if it's necessary.'
'No you won't,' he said amused.
'Oh, yes I will! You think you can stop me?'
'I don't have to.'
'Your powers have their limits. And I'll find them. You can't keep me quiet forever with this stupid scar!'
'I would have to disagree with you,' he said chuckling.
'No, Riddle, you know very well you can't. Just like you can't do anything about your little secret. I know it and I know more than you think.'
He looked at me intensely but I quickly sealed my mind as best as I could.
'You won't get anything from me. Because you can't have the scar make me say things you don't know yourself, can you?'
I don't know how, but we were standing close again.
He looked dead serious so I think I hit the right spot.
'The first time you used it, you made me say things you wanted to hear, things you suspected. You're a good reader that way. But your knowledge only gets you this far.'
I saw he was restraining himself from hexing me.
'My knowledge? You presume to know so much about me? I think you'll find yourself mistaken,' he said roughly. 'Very mistaken.'
'Am I?'
He didn't reply. I just stared into his blue eyes.
I could hear my ragged breath. His wasn't audible. But it was like I was breathing for him.
The sound of rain reminded me where I was.
My mind was quite empty. And I saw he was growing impatient.
I felt his hand was snaking up to grasp my arm so I stepped back and ran into the castle, just like that.
Even though my feet were killing me.
