Chapter 9
"Have fun," Snape whispered in her ear and let go of her arm. She watched him bow away as she felt another arm link itself with hers. She looked to her other side and was startled to see Lord Voldemort standing there, or rather Tom Riddle.
----------------------------------------------------
She looked up at the young, handsome man who had linked his arm with hers. He had neat, silky black hair, an incredibly handsome face and instead of his evil blood red eyes, he had dark blue ones. The boy looked down at her and smiled, he held her arm tighter. He was in black dress robes, held on with a silver serpent clasp, which looked similar to the one on her choker.
"Surprised?" He whispered.
"But...but how?" She asked.
"I will explain, just not right now," he said quietly and then looked Hermione up and down, grinning. "You look beautiful,"
"Thank you," in spite of her better sense she found herself blushing. He led them both gracefully down the stairs, under the watching eyes of the Death Eaters. They all bowed as Riddle and Hermione reached the last step. He walked them over to a pair of thrones, like the ones in the meeting room Hermione had been in earlier. Voldemort held Hermione's hand motioned for her to sit, she obliged and he softly kissed the back of her hand. She quickly pulled it away from him. He smirked and sat down next to her. Hermione tried to ignore the feeling of Voldemort's eyes or Tom Riddle's eyes on her and watched as the Death Eaters danced. A few minutes of silence passed when she saw Tom stand up out of the corner of her eye. He stood in front of her and held out his hand.
"Shall we dance?" he asked. If it wasn't Voldemort, Hermione would have been flattered to ask to dance by a boy as handsome as he was.
"I don't know how," Hermione lied. Voldemort looked into her eyes, she remembered he was the most talented legimens there was.
"It isn't smart to lie to me Miss Granger," He said with a smug smile. Hermione reluctantly took his hand. She shivered as his now warm hand closed around hers. Hermione's hand looked tiny compared to his and he was at least a head and a half taller than she was. The Death Eater crowd moved off the dance floor as Voldemort and Hermione walked down. Tom smiled and put Hermione's hand on his shoulder, held her other hand tightly in his and put his spare hand on the small of her back. He forced her close to his body. He kept her body with his and smiled down at her as she tried to subtly move away.
"So, what do you think of my new...well actually my old look?" He asked trying to capture Hermione's gaze.
"I still don't understand how you can look like this," Hermione said, looking down or to the sides, but not up.
"It's not that difficult to obtain youth when your allies include vampires," He said smirking.
"I'll bet," Hermione said sarcastically. She wanted to ask more questions, but thought better of it. She head him laugh. Hermione felt him spin her out; he pulled her in so that her back was against his chest, she gasped and he put a strong, long-fingered hand on her stomach and pulled her close. She put her hand on his and gracefully pulled it off and spun out again. She looked at her dancing partners face; he was smiling as though he was amused and slightly impressed. He pulled her back and put his hand on her lower back once again. She felt him pull her in so that the front of her dress was touching the front of his cloak, once again she could feel the heat from his body.
"Why am I here?" She asked, still avoiding his gaze.
"I told you, to tell me about my future," he said raising an eyebrow.
"I know that. I meant why am I here, in this room, in this dress, dancing with you?" Hermione asked nervously, not sure if she wanted the answer.
"You're in this room because I ordered it, you're in that dress because I ordered it and you look stunningly beautiful in it and you are dancing with me because I ordered it," Tom said with an air of arrogance.
"I see a pattern," Hermione muttered. Voldemort laughed and the song ended. He bowed to Hermione and kissed the back of her hand; before she could pull it away again he squeezed it tightly and pulled her to him.
"Let's go for a walk," he whispered.
"I'd rather not,"
"It wasn't a request," Hermione shivered and she allowed herself to be led out of a door into the moonlit garden. Once they had taken a few steps Hermione pulled her hand from his and took a few steps away.
"Why must you insist on resisting?" Tom said lazily.
"Why do you think?" Hermione spat, she immediately regretted it as she saw his eyes flash red. She stepped back but he simply snapped his fingers and she felt her feet rise from the ground and she floated towards Tom. He put both arms firmly around her waist and pulled her in so that their stomachs were touching. She tried to pry his arms from her body, but he was far stronger than her.
"Let go of me," she said, her voice shaking.
"Are you frightened?" Tom asked, sounding amused.
"You should let me go or kill me, because I'm not telling you anything," Hermione said, finally steadying her voice. She really expected Tom's eyes to flash again, but instead he smiled devilishly.
"Now where is the sport in that?" He asked softly. Hermione had not been expecting this response.
"If you want information I don't understand why I have to be at a ball and I really don't see why I have to be out here with you," she argued, struggling to get away.
"The ball was just to be polite, out here with me on the other hand I would consider more of a privilege," Tom said moving one hand from around her waist and brushing Hermione's hair from her neck again and leant in. Hermione immediately recoiled.
"You are frightened," he mused.
"Please...just let me go back to the room," Hermione begged, wanting to just go to her room and shower to get the feeling of him off of her body.
"Alright, I'll take you back," Tom agreed. He turned, not moving is hand from her waist and lead her through the party and back up the stairs. They walked silently down the hallway and reached the mahogany doors. Tom pushed the doors open with one hand. Hermione finally freed herself from Voldemort's grip. She walked straight towards the bed and sat down with her head in her hands, without looking once at Tom. She heard the door close and lock. She sighed and pulled the tiara off and threw it to the side, running a hand through her luxurious curls. She finally looked up and yelped in surprise. Tom Riddle was standing just inches away from her. He suddenly leant over Hermione; she automatically backed down from him. He continued to lean forward until he had forced Hermione on her back. His hands were either side of her, stopping her form slipping to the side. Hermione looked up at him with wide eyes. She quickly got her senses back and tried to push him off, but her grabbed her wrists and pinned them down beside her head.
"Let go!" she cried. Riddle leant in closer to her exposed neck and brushed his lips against it lightly. She shivered and she got goose bumps. He started kissing her neck softly moving down and then back. He nibbled her neck and then leant in close to her ear.
"Do you want me to stop?" he asked in a deep voice.
"Yes," Hermione begged in a small voice.
"Then tell me what I want to know," he said in the same voice.
"No,"
"It's your choice my dear," he continued to kiss her neck lightly, and then kissed up to her mouth. Hermione moved her head quickly away, a silent tear rolling down her face.
"Now, now," he said in mocking disappointment.
"Please stop," Hermione begged.
"You know you really are beautiful," Tom said turning her head towards him. "Just say the word and it stops...I promise,"
"I won't tell you anything," Hermione said stubbornly.
"Glad to here it," Riddle said seductively.
James, Sirius and Remus made their way to the headmaster's office with Professor McGonagall. They were silent as the eagle staircase spiraled up and lead them into Dumbledore's office. He was pacing in front of his desk, which was holding a silver pensive. He stopped when his visitors arrived.
"I brought the boys, Albus," Professor McGonagall said, moving from in front of the boys.
"Remus, as I understand it you feel that Miss Granger is in trouble," Dumbledore said suddenly, turning to the Head boy. Remus jumped a little at being addressed so abruptly.
"Yes sir," he answered quietly.
"What kind of trouble?" Dumbledore asked. Remus wasn't looking at the old man, but could tell his eyes were on him.
"I'm honestly not sure sir, I just...I just know," He said nervously. "Can I ask something sir?"
"Of course you may," Dumbledore said kindly, sitting behind his desk. All of the urgency had now disappeared from his voice.
"Hermione isn't who she says...is she?" he asked. Professor McGonagall was silent, but James and Sirius made shocked noises behind Lupin. Dumbledore on the other hand beamed up at the tall, lean, kind faced boy.
"You have always been a perceptive young man, Remus," he said warmly. "Might I ask how you came to figure this out?"
"Figure what out?" James asked.
"With all due respect headmaster, it didn't take a genius. I know that witches and wizards cannot transfer from muggle schools at such a late age and Hermione seemed to know all of the spells we had learn plus a few more and she was very comfortable with her wand," Remus explained.
"Nerd," Remus heard Sirius mutter under his breath.
"Cretin," Remus whispered back. Lupin saw Dumbledore's eyes twinkle and knew he had heard them.
"That's fantastic Remus, but what does all this mean about Hermione?" James asked, sounding impatient and sarcastic.
"Yes of course I'm sorry James and Sirius, Hermione didn't come from another school, she came from this school," Dumbledore explained. But his explanation was just met with confused looked form Sirius and James.
"I'm sorry Professor I don't understand," James said shaking his head.
"An unfortunate incident with a time turner meant Miss Granger was sent back into our time from the future, she decided to continue her schooling while she was here and now it appears she has come into trouble," Dumbledore said gravely.
"Sir, I have a theory of what has happened," Remus said looking at Dumbledore, as if begging him not to laugh.
"Do tell Mr. Lupin," Dumbledore said, eyes sparkling.
"I think that perhaps the incident with the Dark Mark and Hannah's unfortunate death could be connected to Hermione's disappearance," Remus said. Dumbledore just nodded, urging him to go on.
"If Lord Voldemort found out about Hermione he may be interested in her, to know what happens in his future," Lupin said. "I know it sounds ridiculous...,"
"Not at all Mr. Lupin," Dumbledore cut him off softly. "I thought the same thing,"
"So what do we do about it?" Sirius asked impatiently.
