The Greatest Thing You'll Ever Learn by SheWalksWithRavens

A/N: Are you all going to have heart attacks because I update again and I haven't made you wait a month for a chapter? Hopefully not, because I like you all and I want you to stick around. Yeah, this chapter was just too much fun to write so I hope you all love it. Thanks for the reviews, opening my inbox to see a bunch waiting for me makes me very happy.

Shadowglove- Yeah, I thought Harry would act irrationally. I mean, after all that's his best friend with his worst enemy who is an insane psycho killer. And maybe Tom took the invitation the wrong way, then again maybe he didn't. You'll have to wait and see :-P

Blackheartz- You know, I wrote half this chapter at one point and the other half at the other. And for some reason I felt like being really humorous and torturing dear Hermione when I was writing the latter. So I am glad you laughed.

Mrs. Pierre Bouvier- That's funny. I actually named her Madam Bennett cause I had just gotten home from watching Pride & Prejudice. I recommend seeing it and reading the book as well if you haven't already, they are both marvelous.

LBDAVVWF4E- That's an interesting user name right there. Anyhoo, thanks, I'm glad you like my story. As for what they get up to in the Astronomy Tower... well like I said earlier you'll have to wait to find out.

Angelic Bladez- Should I fear for my life and invest in some bullet proof armor? Or at least computer monitor proof? And don't worry typos happen to the best of us.

luv sean faris- I'm glad you enjoyed it enough to read it in one sitting. And I don't understand the phrase happy as a clam either. But if you keep on giving me splendid reviews I'll be as happy as a clam!

HorseLoverTw- Glad you enjoy my story, I am fond of it as well. And I hope I didn't keep you waiting long for that elusive next chapter.

404- I am glad I balanced that well. Pheeww. Thanks for the review and enjoy this one.

To everyone else, please review, it honestly does make my day and it encourages me to update faster knowing that people are wanting to read it. And without any further adieu, enjoy the story folks. (I still don't own anything)

Chapter Seven: The Deafening Buzz

Even though Hermione did everything in her power to ignore the rumors that were already flying around about her and Tom Riddle, she couldn't. Every step she took in the hallway the tale of their encounter this morning only seemed to get worse.

"Did you hear, Tom Riddle is planning to elope with that new Gryffindor girl tonight?" Said an excited looking 1st year from Hufflepuff.

"That's not what I heard, I heard that Herminny Garanger is a very loose girl and that she just wants to seduce Riddle into her bed."

Hermione naturally felt the vomit rise in her throat at that and hurried quickly back to her dormitories. She would have remained there for the rest of the evening if Gwen and Alicia hadn't dragged her, literally all the way to the Great Hall for dinner. They situated Hermione between them, causing Bethen to pout.

Ever since Hermione had arrived, they had shoved her aside. And she had thought that after sharing the gossip with Alicia this morning about her and Tom Riddle that Alicia would stop being her friend at once. It was common knowledge that Alicia fancied Riddle, and Bethen was rather surprised at how well she was taking the situation.

"So, what are you planning on wearing?" Alicia said with wide-eyes.

"I guess...this?" Hermione said gesturing to her uniform.

"Oh no you really mustn't, the uniforms are so conservative and definitely not right for a date."

Hermione spit out her pumpkin juice in horror all over Connor who had been sitting across from her. He brushed away the speckles of liquid from his cheeks with his sleeve giving Hermione a look of pure confusion while she desperately tried to hide her face from view in her hands.

"Are they trying to give me a heart attack?" Her brain shouted.

"Oy, Hermione, you are supposed to swallow your drinks not spit them at innocent bystanders!" Connor teased.

"Sorry...I didn't mean to...it just kinda came out..." Hermione said giving him a sheepish grin.

"Its alright, if anyone is going to be spitting up on me, at least it is someone like you."

Connor flashed her a charming grin and waggled his eyebrows. Hermione couldn't help but laugh along with Alicia and Gwen. But the eruption of laughter at the Gryffindor table drew the attention of the other houses as well. And soon a certain Tom Riddle took notice as well. He made up his mind right then and there if he was going to take up Hermione on the offer.

After dinner the girls once more dragged Hermione back to the dorm room. She tried to escape, but Gwen was really strong and held her firmly in place while Alicia applied rouge and Bethen did her hair. If only Parvati and Lavender could see her now, or Ron and Harry. They'd be shocked to find underneath the book worm exterior was a girl. Not a drop-dead gorgeous girl that men fall over themselves for, but one worth taking a second glance at.

"You know that this is all pointless don't you? I don't like Tom Riddle." Hermione managed to say before her lips were attacked by the lipstick brush.

"Yeah, yeah and Tom Riddle is evil and the Easter Bunny is real." Gwen said while rolling her eyes.

"Actually that's tru-" Hermione started to say when she was cut off by Alicia and Bethen's collective squeal.

"Oh, I do love my work." Alicia said triumphantly.

"No! Oh Merlin, what have you done?" Hermione's face fell as she took in her appearance.

"If Riddle didn't think I liked him already, he most certainly is going to now."

"Now off with you, Tom Riddle likes punctual girls. Or so I heard in the girl's bathroom one day. Anyway, its almost 8, so you should hurry." Bethen said with a glazed look.

"I don't want Tom Riddle to like me." Hermione protested as they shoved her out the portrait hole.

"Yeah and Gwen isn't insanely mad for Connor." Alicia said loudly.

Unfortunately for both Gwen and Alicia, Connor was in the common room playing a game of exploding snap. Needless to say, he was rather distracted and was badly singed. After seeing the murderous glare that Gwen was giving her, Alicia ran at a full sprint up the stairs and locked herself in the bathroom.

"Hide all you want Alicia Prewett! But the minute you come out here I am going to tear you limb from limb!" Gwen shouted while banging on the door.

Hermione had been muttering her plan of action to herself which had become her mantra.

"Riddle...if you tell anyone what you saw I'll tell the world what you have done. Riddle...if you tell anyone what you saw I'll tell the world what you have done. Riddle...if you tell anyone what you saw I'll tell the world what you have done. Riddle...if you tell anyone what you saw I'll tell the world what you have done..." Hermione repeated.

She didn't notice the giggles that followed her, nor the whispers, or the pattering of leather soles in the hall behind her. But she most certainly did notice when a gaggle of girls stood around the corner of the Astronomy Tower.

Hermione climbed the ladder slowly, swallowing the large lump that had found its way into her throat as she reached the top. What met her eyes, was a great deal of... nothing. Tom was nowhere in sight, and Hermione felt like a fool.

"Of course he wasn't going to come you idiot. He hates you, and if he came the entire school would think you were an item." Hermione turned to walk back to the door, when the hairs on the back of her neck stood erect.

"You see Ms. Granger, curiosity has gotten the better of me I am afraid." Tom said slowly in a mere whisper.

She could feel the warmth of his breath on her ear, and it sent a chill down her spine. She turned around expecting to meet his eyes but she found in the seconds it required for her to turn around he had already moved back to the edge of the tower.

"Did you ever hear of the expression, 'curiosity killed the cat'?" Hermione said slowly.

"Planning on killing me Granger? Did you lure me up here so you could push me off the tower and watch my body break upon the ground below?" Tom had moved from his position and was drawing closer to her.

"No, but now that you mention it, it sounds rather appealing." Hermione took a step backward.

"Then go ahead..." He whispered a smirk playing at the corner of his lips as Hermione took another step backward.

"Don't tempt me Riddle. I don't think anyone could hold me responsible for my actions." Hermione replied, but when she went to move backward again she found that he had effectively backed her up against the wall.

"There's no where to run now Granger. Unless you would care to jump, but we all know...you don't have it in you. So do me a favor, and tell me why you just had to meet me tonight." Riddle's voice was eerily calm, his eyes boring deep holes into her own.

"I...I...last night you said..." Hermione stammered.

"I said a lot of things last night Ms. Granger, you may have to clarify."

"When you said that I wa-" Hermione started to say when she was cut off by Riddle's hand pressing over her mouth.

"Did you hear that?" He whispered to her.

Hermione shook her head. And he made a motion for her to be silent, while he drew his wand.

"Apparecium!" He shouted.

The shadows that had clung to the corner of the Astronomy tower, fell away to reveal three scared looking sixth year Slytherins; a tall pretty blonde girl who reminded her of Malfoy, a pale girl with a hook nose, and quite possibly the prettiest girl Hermione had seen at Hogwarts.

"What gives you the right to be out of bed this hour?" Tom demanded striding towards them.

"We...were just-" The tall blonde began.

"You were just eavesdropping on me and another student. 10 points from Slytherin, and head back to your common room or I shall be forced to assign you all detention." Tom cut her off.

"But, Tom you are taking points from your own house. That's ridiculous." Said the beautiful one, as she eyed him up and down.

"So, she has a crush on Riddle. That's rich." Hermione smirked outwardly as she watched the exchange.

"What's ridiculous, Bellatrix, is that you dare to question the judgement of your Head boy." He gave her a glare which caused her to shake before she gestured to the other girls and they all disappeared out the door.

"Well, I think I've had quite enough commotion for tonight...I should get back to my common room." Hermione started for the door but was spun around forcefully by Tom and forced to look into his eyes.

"Not until you tell me Granger, why you needed to meet me up here." Tom held her firmly but not so hard that she would bruise.

"I came to ask you to not tell anyone what you may have gathered from rudely invading my own thoughts the other day." Hermione whispered.

"And why ever should I do that? If I did in fact "invade" your thoughts." Tom smirked.

"Because...if you do not, Tom Riddle. I shall the world your secrets. I don't think you'd enjoy for them to be exposed." Hermione said gaining confidence.

Tom let go of her and let out a joyless laugh, he thought she was playing with him. Hermione bit down hard, clenching her jaw as she stared him down. When he stopped laughing he circled her drawing her body quickly back into his own as he whispered in her ear.

"You don't know anything...brave foolish little Gryffindor."

"I believe," Hermione said turning around, and standing on her toes, so that she could lean her body against his and whisper into his ear as he had done to her, "That it is for me to judge, Voldemort."

She felt him go ridged against her, and she didn't wait to find out what his reaction was going to be, quickly making her way out the door. Hermione had never run that fast until tonight, and she was surprised if she didn't make a world record dash from the Astronomy Tower back to her own dormitories. When she fell on to her bed, her heart was still pounding.

"Its just because I ran a mile in under five minutes." Hermione reasoned.

Ten minutes later her blood was still racing.

"I just am not used to such exertion." Hermione justified.

An hour later, her pulse hadn't slowed.

"What is wrong with me? How could I have just said that to Riddle? How could I have just done that to Riddle? UGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!"

Hermione pulled her pillow up to her face and screamed. Then taking a series of deep breaths, she fell into an uneasy sleep. Her dreams were hardly pleasant, but no where near as pleasant as the rumors that would await her tomorrow, or the retaliation of a certain Dark Lord.

A/N: So there you have it. Chapter seven. And I know a bunch of you wanted something to happen atop the Astronomy tower, but I am sorry it had to be this way and you'll see why. Also, I made Bellatrix a bit older than she actually is according to Rowling because it will suit my purposes better. So please read and review, because I adore getting them. Until next time... muahahaha