No matter how hard she tried, Hermione couldn't stop thinking about the memory that she saw in Tom's head. It would wiggle into her subconscious at night, or rear its head in class when she started drifting off from the lecture. Hermione was torn. A part of her was flattered that she was seen as a woman, but the horrified that Tom had such an extensive look at her body. It was mostly just odd for her because she had never thought of Tom Riddle or, more realistically, Lord Voldemort as being a sexual person. This threw into sharp consideration that Tom Riddle was in fact just a man.
Hermione groaned. She couldn't even eat her dinner, even though it was her favorite meal at Hogwarts - roasted chicken and mashed potatoes with a thick slice of melted butter. All she could think about was Tom. Why did they work so well together? Why were they so alike? Why did thinking about him desiring her make her feel so warm inside? It was different then the warm joy that she felt when Viktor had wanted to spend time with her. It made her feel hot, and she didn't know how to cool down.
Her internal musings were broken when she noticed a commotion right at the entrance to the great hall. One of the older Slytherin girls was picking on Myrtle. She seemed upset, and the posse of Slytherin girls was cackling cruelly. Myrtle quickly turned tail and left the Great Hall. Hermione felt her heart clench for the younger girl, thinking about how awful girls could be to one another. She'd been on the receiving end of more than a few taunts when she was in her own time. She made a mental note to check in with the girl when she returned to the Common Room for the evening.
She instead was headed for the library. If Tom Riddle was becoming interested in her, she knew now that she needed to get back to her own time more than ever. She had been feeling hopeless for a while now, making absolutely no progress on her Charms work. However, she'd just remembered about a witch who accidentally was sent back in time over 500 years called Eloise Mimbletumble. Hermione had read all about her account when she first got her time turner. They had worked to bring Eloise back, Hermione just didn't remember all of the particulars.
Hoping that Eloise's story would give her some inspiration, Hermione knew that she needed to make a stop at the library. Standing up, she made some excuse to Damocles - who she was not entirely friends with again, despite his apologies - and told him that she was headed to the library, knowing that she wasn't going to be able to eat anything else while she had research to do.
Tom hadn't been able to face Hermione since their disastrous Occlumency lesson when he'd horribly embarrassed himself in front of her. He couldn't believe that she'd seen him doing something so utterly mortifying, but it was enough to snap him back to reality. Hermione Rosier was pretty and smart, yes, but she was nothing worth giving up all his plans for, especially not when she would never be his.
Trying to put the embarrassing moment behind him, Tom had thrown himself even more fully into what he'd set out to do. Ever since he'd learned he was related to Salazar Slytherin, he'd become obsessed with the mans plans and beliefs. It had taken him several years to locate the Chamber of Secrets, but he'd done it out of sheer determination.
He knew that Salazar didn't want muggleborns at school and had come up with a plan to remove them even after the rest of the Founders kicked him out. Having grown up with muggles, Tom more than understood where the mercurial man was coming from. After all, Tom's own father was a muggle and he had thrown out Tom's mother and left him for dead as a newborn. It was a noble work to rid the school of these muggles masquerading as witches and wizards. Things had gotten far too lenient.
Skipping out on dinner, Tom had headed directly to the second floor girls' lavatory after classes that day, eager to unleash the Basilisk hidden inside the Chamber onto the school. He rushed over to the sink, remembering the first time he had heard the basilisk whisper to him from inside the walls. He requested that the chamber open for him in parseltongue. The then entered the chamber, but not realizing that the lavatory would soon have occupants.
On the way back from the library, Hermione stopped into the girls' lavatory. Looking around, she noticed that one stall was already shut and over the echoing sound of her kitten heels clacking against the tile, she could hear the soft sniffling from behind the wooden door. Hermione's heart clenched, realizing that it must be Myrtle, and that the girl must have been there since dinner.
Hermione had a growing soft spot for the girl, and knew that she couldn't just leave her alone. How many nights had Hermione spent crying by herself with no one to comfort her? She wouldn't leave Myrtle to the same fate. She lightly knocked on the door. "Myrtle? It's Hermione. Can't I please talk to you?" Hermione pleaded with the crying girl.
"No!" Myrtle shouted in between sobs. "Please just leave me alone!"
"Myrtle, it's okay, when I was your age at Beauxbatons, girls would tease me all of the time because my teeth were too big and because I liked books more than boys. Please let me talk to you," Hermione explained quietly, hoping that Myrtle would understand she only wanted to help.
Hermione only heard some sniffles before the door clicked open. Hermione pushed the door in and saw tears streaming down the younger girls face behind those huge, round glasses. "Is that really true?" Myrtle asked the older and more confident girl.
"Yes, it is, and someday you will learn to just brush off whatever anyone says about you, and become so confident and beautiful, inside and out," Hermione said, smiling at the girl who seemed a little reassured. "So, whatever Olive said, you can just forget. I promise it doesn't mean anything to anyone who can pass more than five OWLs," she added nonchalantly.
"I hope so," Myrtle said wistfully. "But I am not crying because Olive said my glasses were too big. I am crying because I am bleeding...you know...down there?" she asked hesitantly, her lower lip wobbling once again. Myrtle was set off into a fresh round of tears.
Hermione was a little shocked. Myrtle would have been around thirteen at this time. Surely someone had told her about a period...surely other girls in her dorm were already giggling about getting theirs. That's when Hermione remembered - there were no other girls Myrtle's age in Ravenclaw.
To make the little girl feel better, Hermione let out a laugh. "Don't worry Myrtle. That's just called your period. Every girl gets it about once a month. It's what makes them a woman. It's what makes them able to have children," she explained using her Professor's voice. Hermione took out a piece of toilet paper and transfigured it into a pad for the girl. After explaining it, she told Myrtle to go to the nurse after they were done so she could tell her about her other options and give her more. Hermione wasn't sure if tampons were being marketed yet in the wizarding world, so she didn't want to confuse the poor girl.
Just as Hermione was about to leave the stall to let Myrtle put the pad in herself, they heard a great rumbling from behind them. "What was that?" Hermione asked perplexed.
Tom ordered the Basilisk to come out of the chamber, after leaving it first. He was pleased that the Basilisk had recognized who he was, the heir of Slytherin. The beast was fearsome and great, but Tom ordered it not to look at him. Tom was drunk with the power that the beast gave him, and was almost gleeful in the thought of what he was going to do - what he was going to create. The wizarding world would some day all know his name.
He had been a little nervous when he heard the word horcrux in Hermione's head. He was certain that she didn't understand what it was though. The memory that she had had no recognition or understanding of the word. He wasn't sure if he believed her words about having visions, but perhaps it was just a sign that he was on the right track.
When he had reentered the girl's bathroom with the Basilisk, he could hear whispers. With any luck it would be that horrid little mudblood Myrtle who was always locking herself away in the lavatory for a cry. He wondered just who the other whisper could belong to as Myrtle didn't exactly have friends. It was really no matter to him as long as the other girl wasn't a pureblood girl. Then, things might become difficult.
He whispered to the basilisk to move forward, but not to attack until he was certain. He crept quietly towards the door and heard one of the girls in the bathroom stall say, "What was that?" Tom felt fear creep up into his chest. He knew that voice. It was most certainly Hermione. He couldn't decide what to do - he wanted to make this horcrux so badly, his insides burned. But what if Hermione wasn't the first to leave the stall? He couldn't risk losing her.
As the door of the stall opened slowly, Tom jumped in front of Hermione, who let out a shrill scream at seeing the large snake in the girls' lavatory. Tom immediately commanded that that beast look away, but it only moved closer. The Basilisk was hungry for blood after being down in the chamber for so many years. Tom pushed Hermione back into the stall with Myrtle who was crying frantically, not really able to see what was going on.
Tom frantically spoke to the Basilisk and reminded it that he was its master. He told the snake that the girl in the bathroom was not a mudblood, but a pureblood, and if the beast killed her, it would not further Slytherin's noble work. Finally, after much discussion and commanding on Tom's part, the beast slithered back into the hole that it came from. Waving his wand, the portal into the Chamber slammed shut.
He turned around and saw Hermione and Myrtle lying on the floor, not moving. Soon, Headmaster Dippet and a few other teachers, including Professor Dumbledore came into the girls bathroom. They levitated the two girls to the hospital wing, with Tom following behind. He couldn't begin to describe what he was feeling at seeing Hermione looking so lifeless and pale. He had never felt genuine worry at another human being's well being, and it was making him sick to his stomach.
When the Headmaster questioned him, Tom only said that a great eight legged beast was attacking the two girls in the bathroom. He had heard the first scream of Hermione, whilst walking by and entered the lavatory to find the beast. He told them he had fought the beast off using magic, but he didn't remember which spells he had used.
He sat by Hermione's bedside while the Headmaster called for Evan to be brought to the hospital wing. Apparently Myrtle had only fainted, but would be required to stay overnight for observation. She told Headmaster Dippet that she had been unable to see anything, as Hermione had blocked her from whatever was attacking her. When Evan arrived, the nurse gave the two boys Hermione's condition. Apparently, she had hit her head when Tom had pushed her back, protecting her. The nurse thought it was best to let the girl wake up on her own time. The old matron then left the wing, leaving the two boys standing on either side of the elder Ravenclaw.
Evan looked over at the young man that he considered a friend. "Headmaster Dippet told me that you saved Hermione, throwing yourself in front of the beast," Evan said, sounding utterly tired. Tom could only nod. "You will receive an award for services to the school. They think they will be able to find the Acromantula within the school, and kill it." Tom had never seen the boy speak with such vehemence in his life, but he understood that the older boy was very protective of his younger sister. "That is not a gift enough that you have let me keep my Hermione alive, my sweet little sister. This is the second time that you have helped be and I will not forget it.
"I, it was nothing," Tom said, embarrassed by the heaps of praise Evan was giving him. What would Evan think if he knew the truth about the Basilisk or what he had done with the photographs of Hermione?
"I promise you this, should you ever ask the Rosiers of anything, and myself in particular, I will endeavor to ensure that you have it," Evan promised, offering his hand to shake, solidifying his oath.
"Thank you Evan, I will remember your generosity," Tom answered, shaking the boy's hand.
Evan mentioned that he was headed back to the Common Room, and offered to walk with him. However, Tom had too much on his mind right now to leave. Tom told his friend that he was still a little shaken up, and would stay in the hospital wing just a little longer. He was surprised at the boy's vow, and he had an idea of how he was going to use it. His mind was already spinning with plans.
Looking back down at the brunette, safely tucked in bed, Tom felt a knot form in his throat. He could see the red bump on Hermione's head that was forming, and was angry at himself. He had caused that atrocious mark on her body. He felt so sick that this magnificent creature had almost died at his hands. He knew that he could never hope to open the chamber again while Hermione was a student here at Hogwarts. The thought of losing her was too much for him to bear.
He knew what he would ask Evan for. He would just have to wait for the time to be right, and Hermione would be his.
Hermione was a bit confused when she woke up. She was in the hospital wing, but had no recollection of getting there. She looked around. Her bedside was covered with chocolates and flowers. She had received white roses from Abraxas and huge pink lilies from her three friends in Ravenclaw. Teddy had gotten her some caramels that were covered in chocolate and Albert had left an assortment of chocolates. Evan had left for her a lovely pink orchid that she knew would last for a very long time.
She thought about what had happened after the nurse came by and told her how she had ended up in the hospital wing and given her a few healing potions. Memories swirled in her head about what had happened in the girls' lavatory. She knew that what she had seen was no Acromantula. She knew that Tom had opened the Chamber of Secrets. Had he been trying to make his first horcrux?
However, it would seem that she had prevented him creating it, and she had prevented Myrtle's death as well.
It was curious to her that Tom had saved her from the beast. She thought that the future Dark Lord was supposed to be ruthless, killing anyone who got in his way. Dumbledore had frequently said he didn't care about anyone but himself. But it appeared as though what Dumbledore had told them was not entirely true. Tom Riddle had been worried about her dying, which suggested that he must care for her.
Her mind felt like it was moving at one hundred miles per hour. She thought to everything she could remember about Tom Riddle's life and his horcruxes. She wished that she knew more about his time at Hogwarts, but Dumbledore had never been forthright with them, and she was certain Harry never shared all the details he had. But still, she knew he wanted to make them, and it seemed as though she was able to stop it still. Hermione resolved to invite him to the Rosier New Year's party. If she kept an eye on him, she was certain she could prevent him from making any horcruxes.
Just as she was forming this plan, Tom himself was entering the hospital wing. "Hermione! You are awake!" Tom seemed genuinely happy to see her for an instant before schooling his face. "I was just coming by to drop off a present." He handed her a stuffed animal. It was an orange kneazle that looked like Crookshanks.
Hermione was dumbfounded. It was the most thoughtful gift that she had received out of all the presents at her
bedside table. He sat down next to her at her request. She quickly cast a muffliato. Tom was surprised - this was the second time he had seen Hermione use a spell that he had never heard of before. And he prided himself on knowing lots of spells. Perhaps she had a knack for spell creation?
"Tom, you and I both know that what I saw in the girls' lavatory wasn't an Acromantula. It was a Basilisk." Hermione looked at him with some ire in her eyes. "And now, and innocent third year Gryffindor has been expelled from the school and you have been given an award, when you and I both know that it was you who released the beast."
Tom looked at the girl with shock, anger and a little bit of appraisal. "Since you found the Basilisk and were able to open the Chamber of Secrets, one can only conclude that you are the Heir of Slytherin."
Tom gave a smirk. "Hermione, I am very impressed and grateful that you have recognized me for who I truly am."
Hermione's ire did not dissipate. This cocky boy was how she imagined Tom Riddle would act. "I can not condone you trying to complete Salazar Slytherin's 'noble work'," the girl continued sarcastically. "There is nothing noble about killing innocent thirteen year old girls just because their parents aren't like ours. It's barbaric. Further more, if the Chamber were to be opened again, and someone were killed, the Board of Governors would have no choice but to close down the school and you would have to return to the orphanage where you grew up. I know you don't want that."
"I must say I am surprised," he said with a frown. Tom was indeed shocked and a bit annoyed that she didn't support Slytherin's work. "You seem to know just how to twist the knife to make it hurt the most," he continued, surprised that she would use the knowledge of his upbringing against him. He hadn't thought she had it in her. But, he had already resolved that he wouldn't open the Chamber again while Hermione was at Hogwarts. He would just need to think of a new plan.
