A/N: I know…I know…I took forever! I am so sorry about that! I have been so extremely busy these past few days and I have not had the time to write or even to read any stories! I am so tired and I still have to deal with school that starts again in about one day! I don't want to go back! I graduate this year and I don't know what the hell to do with my life….I hope I find out soon! Anyways, I just wanted to make something clear: in this fiction, even though it is in the beginning of Harry's fifth year, I am going to need you guys to pretend that Harry knows of the prophecy already! I know I am terrible to change it and all, but I had to in order for this story to work. But hey look at the bright side…Sirius is not dead and maybe he will even make a guest appearance in the story if you guys want! I love you all lots and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

"Hermione wake up."

"Oh...go away." Hermione groaned, pulling the covers over her face.

"We are supposed to meet the group at 10:00, and it is a quarter till! You have to hurry up and get ready." Ginny had been trying to get her up for about twenty minutes now. She was seriously considering just leaving her friend and going downstairs without her.

"And why, pray tell, would I want to go hang out with everyone when Tom and Bailey are going to be there as well?" Hermione sounded really putout...or maybe that was just because the blankets were still wrapped around her face.

"Because Tom and Bailey have been dating for about a week now and you need to get over it. I am not happy with it either Hermione, but you can't shun all of us just because Tom is with someone else." Ginny told her with an edge of frustration in her voice.

Hermione's eyes peeked out from under the blankets. Her hair was tousled and she looked like a little gnome peeking out from under a mushroom; Ginny couldn't help but giggle.

"I guess you are right." Hermione sighed.

"Good!" Shouted Ginny, and she ripped the covers off of her friend. Hermione squealed at the sudden lack of warmth and she threw a pillow at Ginny, who ducked it just in time.

"Now get your lazy arse up and get dressed. And by God do something with that hair! I haven't seen it that frizzy since the end of your third year!" Ginny laughed.

"Alright, alright," Hermione told her grudgingly. "I'll be down in about fifteen minutes."

"Alright, I'll be downstairs with the others." Ginny jumped off the bed and walked over the door. "And remember," she added as she reached the door, "Fix that horrid rats nest on your head."

Ginny got out of the room just in time, narrowly missing another pillow that had been thrown at her head.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

"Where is she, Ginny?" Harry asked exasperated. It was almost 10:00 and Hermione still hadn't come down.

Ron was waiting with his arms crossed over his chest, while Bailey and Tom sat on a nearby sofa, both patiently waiting but also wondering if Hermione would ever emerge from her room; they all were wondering that.

Ginny sighed. "I'll go up and get her."

Just as she turned to go up the stairs, the door to the girls' rooms opened and Hermione walked out.

Ginny inwardly groaned at Hermione's appearance...

Hermione's hair was now de-frizzed and had just enough wave in it to make it look perfect. Even though it was cold outside, the castle had been made very warm, so the students had turned to wearing more summery clothes when in the school; Hermione's outfit was the perfect example of this.

She wore a pair of deep blue, form fitting pants that were not too tight but just perfect for her slim figure. Her plain white shirt was form fitting as well and it showed off all of her wonderful curves and features. To complete her outfit, she wore a beaded necklace that was colored with different shades of green. One word described how she looked...beautiful, which was what Ginny's problem was.

Ginny knew that Hermione rarely wore things that fitted her form and she knew she was only doing it now because Bailey was with them. Ginny may have not liked the fact that Tom was with Bailey and not Hermione, but she also didn't want to see Bailey get her feelings hurt when she didn't do anything wrong.

Hermione walked down the steps with air of casualness that was very out of character for her usual simple demeanor. She winked at Ginny as she reached the last step and she entered the room with a warm smile on her face.

"Hey everyone," she greeted them happily. "Sorry I am late, but my hair was being really stubborn this morning."

Tom, who had been chatting with Bailey, looked over at Hermione and he inhaled a sharp breath. She looked absolutely beautiful. There was not one hair out of place on her head and her attire screamed with a kind of casual sexiness...Tom wanted to pounce on her.

Even Harry and Ron took notice of Hermione's "new look"; both boys were looking at her as if they had never really seen her before.

"Wow Hermione, you look fabulous!" Ron said, astounded.

"Don't sound so shocked, Ron." Hermione told him halfheartedly.

"No, I mean...you always look nice but...wow..." Ron was at a loss for words.

"I think what Ron is trying to say is, "Gee Hermione, I never noticed you were a girl before." Harry said in a mocking voice.

"Shut up Harry." Ron smiled.

"You do look really nice, Hermione." Bailey commented.

"Thank you Bailey." Hermione gave her a friendly smile.

Tom had remained silent the whole time, his gaze steadily fixed on Hermione. Hermione looked over at him and their eyes instantly locked.

Bailey looked over at Tom and saw his dreamy expression. She followed his gaze and saw what he was looking at...Hermione. Bailey looked back at Tom and then looked away, her focus resting on her pretty little fingers.

Ginny and Harry both noticed the crestfallen look on Bailey's face and they both decided that this had gone far enough.

"Alright well, who's ready to go?" Harry asked as he stood up. Hermione and Tom both snapped out of their reveries at the sound of Harry's voice.

"I definitely am." Ron added. He had not noticed the uncomfortable moment that had just taken place; he was too busy checking out Hermione's body that had always been hidden underneath her school robes.

"You ready Bailey?" Tom asked kindly. She merely nodded her head and Tom immediately noticed how upset she looked. Oh no, she must have seen me looking at Hermione, Tom thought dreadfully.

He didn't like Bailey like he did Hermione, but he did have feelings for the lovely blonde; he didn't want to see her hurt.

Tom lifted up her chin and placed a small kiss on her cheek. "Come on Bailey, we are going to have a blast." Tom stood up and extended his hand to hers. Bailey smiled and took it and when she was on her feet, Tom wrapped an arm around her waist and they walked over to the group.

Bailey was visibly happier now; Hermione was now the one who looked a bit miserable.

Tom wanted to jump off of a cliff and die.

Harry and Ginny both gave each other a look that said, "This is going to be uncomfortable." All Harry had wanted when he asked everyone to get together was for his friends to spend one nice afternoon together. So far his 'nice afternoon' looked like it was going to be a disaster.

"Come on then everyone." Ron called out happily. "You too Hermione," he said.

Hermione just looked up at him; she didn't move from where she stood.

"Alright then, I guess I will just have to make you come." Ron said with a mischievous grin.

"Wingardium Leviosa." Ron called out as he pointed his wand at her.

Hermione shrieked as she felt herself being lifted from the ground. Ron's spell had brought her over to him and her let her down carefully when she was beside him.

"Ron! That was great! I have never seen you perform that spell so well." Hermione said happily. Even Harry and Ginny were surprised by his unexpected skill and they gave him a round of applause; Tom and Bailey joined in as well with smiles on their faces.

"Well, all your nagging about practicing just started to sink in I guess." Ron told Hermione while smiling brightly at her.

"Oh Ron, I am so happy to hear that you actually listen." Hermione giggled. She flung her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a big hug. Ron's ears turned red and he hugged her back. Then suddenly, much to Hermione's surprise, he picked her up and twirled her around before setting her back down.

"Feel better now?" Ron asked.

"Much." Hermione gave him warm smile.

Tom had watched this whole scene with great distress. Ron was obviously flirting with her and she seemed to enjoy it; now Tom really wanted to jump off of a cliff. No...he would have much more fancied pushing Ron off of one instead.

"Ok, can we go already?" Ginny asked with a smile. Maybe things would be ok after all? But then why is Tom looking so upset all of the sudden, she thought wearily. Would this love triangle ever end?

Harry and Ginny were finally able to get the group together, and they finally left the Common Room. They were making their way down to the Great Hall for the afternoon.

Most of the students had gone to Hogsmeade, but some didn't like the idea of venturing out into the cold again, so the rest of them decided that the Great Hall would be a good place to hang out and stay warm.

When they entered through the large doors, all of them were pleasantly shocked by what they saw. Snow was falling from above where a crystal clear sky shown on the enchanted arches of the ceiling. The house tables had all been removed and in their place were some smaller table settings were groups of students were sitting. There were large pillows on the floor as well that made up other seating areas and their was a table in the back that was lined with snacks of all kinds. Why anyone would want to go out in the cold and miss this, no one could guess.

"Blimey, Dumbledore really went all out huh?" said Ron, his gaze fixed upon the food table.

"No kidding, this is really great." Ginny said happily.

The group made their way over to some of the giant pillows on the floor and sat down upon them. Ron left for the food table and he returned with enough snacks for everyone to share.

Once they were all settled, Harry started up a conversation with others about Quidditch. Ginny, Hermione, and Bailey all stared at each other and rolled their eyes at the boys who had seemed to forget that not everyone was obsessed with the sport.

"I swear…all boys ever seem to do is talk about Quidditch." Ginny said with another roll of her eyes.

"I know what you mean", Bailey laughed, "I have an older brother who can't shut up about it sometimes."

"Try having five older brothers who can't shut up about it." Ginny told her with a sigh.

"Wait, I thought you had six older brothers." Bailey asked.

"I do, but Percy is the 'golden child' of the family. Besides, I think five horrible brothers is enough." Ginny said a bit miffed. Why did her mother have to have so many kids? And all of them, save for her of course, were boys.

"How do you handle it all? Christian is enough for me and he is the only one I have to put up with." Bailey told her.

"Well, I am really skilled at the bat boogey hex, so that comes in handy." Ginny grinned and Bailey nodded her head in understanding. She had heard from Tom that Ginny could put a mean hex on someone who bugged her enough.

"That's nothing though compared to what Hermione can do." Ginny told her with a proud smile. "She is, after all, the smartest student in the whole school."

Bailey looked at Hermione and smiled to see the brunette beginning to blush.

"Oh Ginny, I really am not that wonderful. It's just book smarts after all." Hermione said modestly.

"You know, Tom talks an awful lot 'bout you Hermione." Bailey commented suddenly, as if she had been waiting a long time to say that. She was staring at Hermione very intently.

"I am sure he is just trying to make conversation with you." Hermione told her while trying, and failing, to sound casual about it.

Bailey scrutinized her a bit more closely. "I could understand that if he did it every once in a while, but he talks about you all the time." Bailey put a great amount of stress on those last three words.

Hermione shifted in her seat uncomfortably.

Ginny was staring at Bailey with annoyance burning in her eyes. She couldn't stand jealous girls, and that was exactly how Bailey was coming off at the moment.

"I…um…w-we are just friends." Hermione stumbled out. She wished for some kind of distraction that would make Bailey stop looking at her so cynically.

As if the gods at heard Hermione's silent plea, something indeed took Bailey's interest off of Hermione.

All three girls looked over at the other three boys. Ron and Tom were practically shouting in Harry's face, trying to get his attention; Harry just sat there staring blankly, as if he could not hear or see any of them at all.

"What's wrong with him?" Hermione asked fearfully, as the girls moved closer to the boys to see what was wrong.

"We don't know." Tom told them. "We were all just talking and joking when suddenly Harry just stopped and starting staring off into space."

"HARRY! HARRY SNAP OUT OF IT MATE!" Ron shouted in his face. He even began to shake him, but Harry just sat there completely unresponsive.

"Maybe we should go get some help?" Ginny asked worriedly.

Just then, Harry started to blink and he seemed to be able to see them all again.

"Harry are you ok? Harry, can you hear me?" Ron asked again. Harry looked at him but he didn't say anything; it seemed as though he couldn't hear him.

Then, Harry's gaze slowly traveled over to Hermione and he just sat there and stared at her.

"Harry, can you hear us?" Hermione asked him, her brow furrowed with concern. Harry didn't respond as his eyes roamed over her face.

"I'm going for help." Tom told them, the worry etched in his voice. He stood up and was about to go find Dumbledore when a voice suddenly halted him.

"Sit down Tom." Harry spat, quietly. The voice that came out of his mouth didn't belong to Harry Potter though. It was high pitched and cold…the most heartless and vile voice any of them had ever heard.

Tom had heard that voice only three times before; once in a memory, once in a dream, and once in a hallucination; it was Voldemort's voice.

Hermione, Ron, and Ginny all drew away from him while Harry still had his eyes riveted on Hermione's face. Bailey, who didn't understand what was going on, stayed where she was and even attempted to get closer to Harry and help him.

Tom grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to him for safety…or whatever little safety he had to offer.

"So, is she another one of your little Mudblood whores, Tom?" Harry asked with a look of pure disgust plastered to his face.

"What have you done to Harry?" Tom asked boldly, ignoring the question he had just been asked.

"Oh, Potter's safe and sound." Harry's face lit up with an awful grin.

"Your lying," Ron spoke up bravely, "Your k-killing him."

Harry merely let out a sinister chuckle; his eyes had not yet wavered from Hermione's face. She was staring back at him just as hard, almost afraid to look away.

Tom just stood there and tried to think. No one in the room seemed to notice what was going on, and Tom had not seen Dumbledore at all that morning. He stole a glance at Bailey who was looking at all of them as if they were crazy.

"I can see why you desire her, Tom." Harry spoke again in that horrible voice that wasn't his own. "She is quite lovely for a Mudblood."

"Don't you dare call her that." Tom seethed.

Harry finally moved his gaze away from Hermione as his eyes rested on Tom's.

"You must not care for her as much as I had thought, seeing as how you have another with you." Harry nodded towards Bailey, who was looking more confused by the minute.

"What do you want?" Tom asked quietly.

"You…" Harry replied.

Suddenly, Tom let go of Bailey's arm and he howled out in agony. His head felt like it was being torn open, and he clutched at it helplessly as he fell over from the pain.

Even as his head was throbbing uncontrollably, he could hear a faint voice that was pleading for help. He could tell that it was Harry and from the sound of his voice, he was obviously in as much pain as Tom was; maybe even more.

The pain seemed to ease suddenly, but his head still felt like it had been thrashed severely.

"He knows!" He heard someone cry out suddenly. "Headmaster, he knows!"

Tom turned his head over and opened his eyes as far as they would allow him to. Harry was on the ground and was writhing and moaning on the floor. Dumbledore stood over him and tried to quiet him as he called out instructions to nearby teachers. It was very hectic in the Great Hall as the other students were being ushered out without an explanation to what had happened to Harry and Tom.

Tom felt the world go hazy and he closed his eyes once more. Before he blacked out, he could have sworn he heard Hermione's voice saying comforting things into his ear.

He smiled at the thought of her watching over him just as the world went black and he fell into unconsciousness.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Dumbledore's office 30 minutes later

"Are you sure you don't want to rest a bit Harry? You have been through at lot this evening." Dumbledore asked kindly.

"No headmaster, I want to get this out." Harry told him vehemently.

His head was still throbbing a bit, but Madame Pomfrey had given him several potions to ease the pain, so he felt up to talking. Poor Tom however was still out and in the hospital wing; the joint pain he had felt with Harry must have come as a shock to his system and it took a lot out of him.

Hermione, Ron, and Ginny were there with him now, but Bailey had been taken back to her room to rest. She had gone hysterical when Tom started to scream from the pain and Dumbledore had ordered someone to take her to Madame Pomfrey where she was given some dreamless sleep potion and sent off to bed.

Thank God Dumbledore had arrived when he did or else Harry could have easily died from the joining spell Voldemort had cast on him. And what a very painful spell it was…..

"Alright my boy, tell me what it is you saw." Albus said in his trademark calm voice.

"He knows." Harry jumped right to the point. "Voldemort knows that Tom is here, and what's more, he knows that Tom has feelings for Hermione." Harry finished. He expected Dumbledore to jump into action at this news. Instead, Albus merely sat there tranquilly, as if Harry had merely just informed him of the weather.

"I know, Harry." Dumbledore told him softly.

Harry just stared at him for a moment. "Excuse me, sir?" He asked, bewildered.

"I have known for several weeks now that Voldemort knows our little secret. I even knew of his awareness of Tom and Hermione's relationship, as do I know who informed Voldemort of all of this. I intended for that person to tell Voldemort the very instant I warned him from doing so. It was the plan that I have had since the day Tom first came to us."

Dumbledore stopped talking for a moment and stared at the boy in front of him.

Harry felt like fainting and screaming at the same time. What in the bloody hell was going on? Dumbledore couldn't have known all of that! He couldn't be evil….

"Are you alright Harry? You look a bit pale all of the sudden." Dumbledore asked him gently.

"N-no I am n-not alright!" Harry stuttered. "What in the bloody hell do you mean you knew! I refuse to believe that the man I have trusted and admired for five years now, is evil!" Harry was shaking with rage as he looked into the face that had once brought him comfort and security; now all it brought was fear and betrayal.

"Please calm down Harry, for I am far from evil." Dumbledore told him softly. "I know that right now you are angry with me and even a bit afraid, but I assure you that what I have done is in the best interest for all of you; especially Tom."

Harry stared at him unbelievingly for a moment before he nodded his head for Albus to continue.

"You see, the second I saw Tom after you and Miss Granger brought him here, I knew he was in immediate danger. If Tom was going to change then he would have to stay clear of Lord Voldemort and anything else that is associated with the dark arts. This was an obvious plan to take, and it is one I did not choose. You see Harry, everything that has happened, Tom's coming here, and the relationship between him and Miss Granger…I believe it all has to do with your prophecy."

Harry, who had been slouching in his chair the whole time, sat up straighter and searched Dumbledore's face with curiosity.

"You mean the things that have been happening are the events that the prophecy speaks of?" Harry asked him.

"I believe so Harry." Dumbledore told him with a soft smile.

"I am afraid I don't understand a few things, sir." Harry said, the confusion clearly written on his face.

"It is a bit puzzling I admit," Dumbledore continued, "But it is nothing that cannot be explained. Ask anything you feel you need to understand." Dumbledore's fingers clasped together as he waited for Harry to begin.

"I am not really sure how all of this has to do with the prophecy, sir." Harry asked. He wasn't still too trusting of Dumbledore at the moment, but he figured he would give the headmaster a chance to explain.

"Well Harry, it is my belief that you are not the one who will directly destroy Voldemort, but I feel your involvement is vital and in turn your actions will cause the destruction of the Dark Lord." Dumbledore peered at Harry over his spectacles, waiting for the most obvious question there was.

"Then who is the one who will kill Voldemort?" Harry asked.

"I believe it will be Tom Riddle who will bring about Voldemort's destruction." Dumbledore told him calmly.

"You mean by changing who he is, right sir?"

"I believe that is what will happen, assuming of course Mr. Riddle does indeed change."

"Then I still don't understand what this has to do with me?" Harry asked. He seemed to have forgotten all suspicions against the older Wizard as he leaned a bit forward is his chair, eager to hear more.

"Like I said Harry, I believe that your involvement in a great many things will pave the way for the Dark Lord's demise. You remember how the prophecy speaks of a power you possess that Lord Voldemort knows not?"

"Love," Harry said with a small snort. He never understood how love would defeat the Dark Lord.

"Yes Harry, love." Dumbledore told him a bit strongly. "Don't you see that if you hadn't gone along with Miss Granger that night, then the spell would not have worked?"

"What? Hermione told me that she would have done it alone if I had not gone."

"A clever lie, I am sure. Miss Granger knew she needed another to perform the spell, and I am certain she told you what she did in order to gain more sympathy from you." Dumbledore smiled pleasantly.

Harry inwardly growled. He would have to talk to Hermione about some things when he saw her again.

"But what does any of this have to do with love?" Harry asked, still confused about the whole thing.

"Harry, why did you go along with Hermione that night?" Dumbledore asked while observing him closely.

"I did it because I trust Hermione and I believe that Tom can change." Harry told him.

"Don't you see Harry? Can you not see how strong love is? Without love, you would have not gone along with Hermione. You would have told her she was crazy for forming such an idea and Tom Riddle would not be here today.

"Without love, you and all of your friends would not have befriended Tom on the very first day. Without love, Hermione and Tom would have not found the strength to form a bond that many would be envious of. Without love, then Tom Riddle would not be on the path to recovery, for I do believe that he loves Hermione and that love is giving him the strength he needs to fight the evil within."

Harry sat there in awe for a moment. He was finally putting the pieces together.

"Harry, because of what you and your friends have given Tom, he will be able to go back to his time and start over a new life that does not include Voldemort. He will be able to resist the pull of the dark arts and will, as I hope, grow into the great wizard he could have been if he had not turned evil."

"I am sorry to interrupt sir," Harry began quickly, "But I still don't see how I am one who paves the way for Tom Riddle."

"Well Harry, it is my belief that you are the one who will discover the spell to send Tom back. That is how you will play your part in destroying Lord Voldemort, for Tom must go back in order for his change to be complete." Dumbledore said this a bit sadly, and Harry knew why. Tom would have to leave Hermione eventually.

"So….I will be the one that discovers how to send him back." Harry said more to himself then to Dumbledore.

"I believe so. The prophecy still holds true. You are the one Voldemort marked as his equal….you are the one who will be responsible for his downfall, only now we know how. Voldemort does not know how strong love is, so he thinks that Tom can be easily brought back down his dark path; he doesn't even realize that you all are already saving his soul."

Harry just sat there and let all of the information wash over him. He knew this day would turn out to be a disaster, but at least he finally understood what the prophecy had meant.

"I have told you a lot of information all at once Harry and I am sure you are extremely tired from the attack earlier today." Dumbledore said softly.

"A bit," Harry admitted as he rubbed his scar; the pain was very dull now.

"Then you should head back down to the infirmary. I am sure all of your friends will still be there, considering the fact that Tom was still out when we last left."

"I feel really bad about that." Harry told him sadly. "Tom was not ready to feel that kind of pain, especially since it happened all too sudden."

"Harry, very few people could endure the type of pain that Lord Voldemort inflicts upon you. You are a far stronger wizard then you realize."

Harry smiled and stood up from his chair.

"Thank you, sir. I had better be getting down there to see them."

"Of course Harry." Albus told him while standing as well.

"Sir, would it be alright if I…."

"Told your friends about what I have told you?" Dumbledore finished for him. Harry nodded.

"I wouldn't recommend Tom knowing at the moment. Not until he has had more time to adjust. The others may know if you wish them to."

"Okay. Thank you for explaining everything to me sir." Harry told him.

"It was my pleasure Harry." Dumbledore said lightly, his eyes twinkling once again.

Harry headed for the door but stopped just as he was about to walk out. He turned around to face the Headmaster once more.

"Yes Harry? You have another question?" Dumbledore asked politely.

"Who was it that told Voldemort about Tom?" Harry asked suspiciously.

"It was…..Draco Malfoy." Dumbledore told him calmly.

Harry felt the anger flare up inside of him, but the feeling soon quelled when he saw the stern look on Dumbledore's face.

"Harry, I trust you will leave Mr. Malfoy out of this." Albus warned. "You must understand that Draco, in his mind, really has no choice but to tell, considering who is father is and all."

"I won't do anything to him." Harry said evenly. "And I won't tell the others about him either; Ron would probably hex him from here to America."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Thank you for understanding Harry. You may go."

Harry nodded and left the office, letting the door shut softly behind him.

He stayed there for a moment and recalled everything he had just been told.

Well, he thought a bit miserably, it looks like the library will be seeing a lot of me from now on.

He sighed, thinking about all of the tasks that were ahead.

He knew that Tom would have to deal with a lot in the coming days, but at least he would not be facing them alone.

He smiled to himself before he set off down the hall. He wanted to be with his friends……

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

So how was my little rendition of the prophecy? I hope I didn't confuse anyone, but if I did feel free to ask any questions!

Remember, next chapter will have some serious….and I mean SERIOUS, Tom and Hermione action. It will be a bit PG-13, so I am warning you all now. It is nothing too explicit, but I just wanted to put the warning out there. Ok how about this….no one is having sex, so don't be expecting that…yet….(giggles).

Sorry again about the wait….when your life calls you kind of have to deal with it! Loves ya!