Disclaimer: All characters and situations other than my own are sole property of J.K Rowling and publishers alike.

Chapter 12: Swallowing Darkness

"Malfoy?" She barked as she attempted to shake the curse off of him. "Malfoy!" She grabbed his shoulders and shook the Imperiused Pureblood like a rag doll.

"Avada Kedavra," He muttered tonelessly. Hermione's heart coiled as she heard those cold words. She nearly expected the sight of a green jet stream to appear and strike her, but she recalled that he had been disarmed.

She whipped her palm against his face repeatedly in hopes to awaken him.

"Avada Kedavra," He called out monotonously. His cold, empty eyes gazing up to the rainy sky. Even though she was well aware that he was wandless and his muttering caused nothing, it didn't stop the rush of terror climbing up her spine.

"Malfoy?" She called out again. His eyes remained fogged and dazed.

Hermione scrambled up and pulled out her wand in haste and panicked movements. She pointed her wand towards the face of the cursed boy who was still locked in his own world.

"Aguamenti" She panted and immediately a stream of water was produced from the wand and was sprayed in the Slytherin's face. Like a stubborn child, refusing to wake up, Malfoy grumbled and shifted. Hermione drew in a breath of relief when she found that the curse had been broken. She was thankful that the curse must've been weak for she shouldn't have been able to wake him that easily.

"Huh?" He croaked the sound barley slipping out of his throat. Hermione nearly gasped in liberation when she noted how his foggy eyes seemed to be clearing to his usual grey orbs.

She allowed Malfoy to recover while she to, attempted to recompose herself.

She watched as the blonde attempted to return to his normal state. He shifted his weight, as if he were an old man awakening from a long, peaceful slumber.

Hermione languidly watched the Pureblood examine his surroundings, a weak sound of terror escaped his vocal cords. She did not bother with comforting words or even pats of reassurance. She knew all too well, that her efforts would be a waste.

"Merlin!" He cried out for every creature in the Forest to hear. Hermione was about to scold him for being so loud but he was already proceeding to grip at his hair and ravish in his own misery. His blond hair buried his hands as he made the sounds of a wailing child. "What the fuck!" He roared, his voice slicing through the silence.

"Malfoy," She stated in a soft and reluctant tone. "Calm down-"

"Calm down? Calm the fuck down?" He hollered and was quick to get up on his feet. Hermione backed away with her wand at the ready. She didn't know what was going through his mind, but she surely didn't want to be attacked if she wasn't prepared.

Hermione had to pity Draco Malfoy. After all, she's been under the Imperius Curse before. She knew what it felt like. You weren't even necessarily self-aware. It was no wonder why he awoke and knew immediately what he had just endured. She wondered what it was like to watch as the horror unfolded as you were dangled and tossed like a puppet, awaiting that fatal moment you killed yourself.

Hermione breathed and blinked slowly. Her clothes stuck to her from the rain and mud clung on, weighing her down. She could still feel the pounding in her ears as she waited for it to dim down. Her hands remained numbed and every inhale and exhale seemed to slice through the soft silence.

She blinked upwards, as the small raindrops that fell through the tree barrier fell down onto her face. Hermione made no movement to wipe it away. She just remained in place. Asking the only inquiry there was to be asked.

Why?

She contemplated that question. Why would someone want to kill Malfoy in such a matter? Yes, to an extent, he was an unconcealed prick, but not to a magnitude where someone would attempt to murder him.

There was, however one student here that seemed ready to kill no matter what the consequences.

She was ready to bet every Galleon she had that Tom Marvolo Riddle was the cause of this disaster. After all who would be ready to use one of the three Unforgivable Curses on a clueless boy?

"Sweet, Merlin!" Malfoy gasped as if he had just burst through the waters after a long swim. "How? How did this happen. I almost did it! I almost did it!" He cried out to no one in particular.

"Malfoy, you're going to wake up everything in the Forest," She warned with a shrewd tone. If Malfoy heard her, he showed no signs. He continued to panic and try to find of sense of…anything, really.

Hermione was ready to silence him with a quick spell. But watching him suffer and panic from the actions of a certain selfish bastard seemed to have held her back.

She slowly inched towards him, her hand reaching for him. She was careful. Even if Malfoy was disarmed, she couldn't predict what kind of trickery he would pull out his sleeve. Like a scared animal he could lash out at her.

She was baffled when he allowed her hand to rest on his still shaking shoulders. He didn't even spare her a glance. She spoke to him in a soft tone. Like a mother trying to calm down their child.

"It's okay," She cooed. It was silly really. Why would she tell him it was okay when everything was far from okay? "You're fine now," The lie slipped so easily from her lips. She blinked away the raindrop from her eyelids as she watched him continue to shake.

Hermione had no idea how she did it, but Malfoy's breathing seemed to have returned to normal. His shaking had stopped completely and his sobs were now silenced. The Gryffindor had to hate herself for comforting him with lies.

"It's okay," She repeated in a low inaudible whisper. "You're fine now,"

"I'm sorry," His cold voice echoed through the empty classroom. "I believed I misheard you," He hissed his eyes burning a dark fuel that caused the members of his Knights to tremble and shift their weight in the greatest discomfort.

Each of them exchanged nervous glances to each other. Too afraid to speak up. Tom Riddle's temper began to flare to his notoriously dangerous level as silence continued to fill the room.

"My patience is thinning," He warned in a bone chilling tone.

His followers exchanged glances amongst each other. Urging the other to speak instead of themselves.

It was Abraxas who nudged Rosier in the shoulder to speak and Rosier looked up to his leader. His Adam's apple moving up and down from a chilling swallow. His dark hair matted with sweat from his nervousness. His long pale fingers fisted together, a pathetic motion to bring himself to ease. Tom Riddle appreciated the terror he upheld on his Knights, however if they did not speak soon there would be much more than terror that would be unleashed upon them.

"My Lord," Rosier began, "We were under the impression that the Caius boy was a threat and that he was-"

"The point, Rosier, the point," Tom Riddle jeered. His urge to Crucio reaching its peak.

"We assumed that he was causing problems and-"

A loud booming sound filled their ears as a hole was blasted in the wall shaking the entire room. Rubble and debris washed on the boys in the room. All except Riddle who stood there with fire set aflame in his eyes. His wand gripped with a weak hold. As if he did not just blow a crater into the side of the room. A dark aura filled the atmosphere, suffocating the Knights of Walpurgis.

Tom Riddle stepped to the side and began circling his men like a vulture prowling for its next meal. His men now knew the potential peril they'd be set upon if they did not explain to their leader with the right words. And Rosier was giving Tom Riddle all the more reason to torture them.

"I suggest you get to the point," Riddle spoke in a very civil voice. His eyes meeting Rosier's. Daring the follower to make the wrong move.

"We Imperiused him into…-"He trailed off. One of the most stupid mistakes he could've ever done. That was all the encouragement Riddle needed to wave his wand.

"Crucio," He muttered calmly and Rosier fell to his knees, a scream bounding into the walls of the darkly lit chamber. The other men just winced slightly at their comrade's' pain and looked down. Waiting for it to end.

Cries and sobs begged Tom Riddle to end the curse but it only urged him to continue. Sick twisted mirth surrounded him as Rosier contorted himself to attempt to rid the curse. Clawing into his skin to rid the pain. Trying anything for the torture to end.

His arms wrapped around him, trying to hold himself down.

It seemed like years before the young Dark Lord lifted the curse leaving a whimpering and measly Rosier sprawled on the ground. His breath erratic as his chest lifted and fell at a rapid and unsteady pace.

"What did you Imperius him to do?" The Dark Lord spoke, his lips parting to form a sneer. However his voice remained civil. As if he were discussing the weather and not reassuring a very horrendous torture session.

"To Avada himself, my Lord," Abraxas Malfoy elaborated on behalf of Rosier. His eyes remained trained, refusing to fall down to his fallen classmate. Abraxas Malfoy, was one of the lone members of his Knights that the Dark Lord could actually appreciate.

Riddle was taken off guard by this response. He had not expected his followers to think of something so…unique. He narrowed his eyes in thought and for once his fury had dimmed down.

He had never thought his Knights were capable of such coldness, yet it was somewhat brilliant. He questioned why they chose Draco Caius but it was clever. To Imperius him to kill himself. If his body was found they would believe it was a suicide due to the fact the Mind Controlling curse was untraceable. No one would ever suspect that it was a murder.

"Did we now?" He sneered, his followers cowering under his tone. Their heads remained bowed both for fear and respect. "And he was executed?" He asked, something causing interest to swell in him.

"We sent him to the Forbidden Forest and then we had him proceed from there," Malfoy explained; his composure much more at ease compared to his other classmates.

The Dark Lord did not answer. He pondered this knowledge he now became aware of.

Caius was never a threat to him but rather an obstacle. He knew that he and Grainford were close on certain levels, but it was Grainford he had the interest with. But she always seemed so preoccupied with Draco Caius. He was like some kind of barrier that he could not cross. But with him gone, Grainford would be more vulnerable. He could target her from all angles with ease. And she would soon meet the same fate as her companion. After, of course he pried all the information out of her.

The followers waited for a curse, a torture spell, a binding spell, anything.But there was a silence. A silence that swelled the room. No one spoke. They were waiting for their Lord to speak up. But he just walked from one side to the other. A caged tiger lurking around for its next prey. This new demeanor caused each of the boys to shift their weight in discomfort.

It was laughter that filled the room that triggered the Knights of Walpurgis to become utterly confused. They never truly understood their leader's motives and this just disordered them even further.

"Perfect," They heard Tom Riddle mutter rather to himself than anyone else. They could practically see the gears spinning in his twisted mind. They didn't know what he was thinking. But one thing was for sure. The task they had done for their lord was appreciated. Perhaps they would even overlook the fact that they hadn't requested permission to act. But however way Tom Riddle was pleased, it meant that they could be spared from his wrath.

"Perfect," He muttered again. His pleasure eased the tension in the room.

Yes, perfect indeed.

Dueling

Today they would be dueling.

A lovely way to start the morning after a horrible night. She thought to herself dryly. But Hermione refused to complain this morning. She had done too much of that already. She would face this day to get over it. After all it was just a lesson. It couldn't be awful.

With dreadful lack of enthusiasm she entered the classroom. Students filed in around her, all swallowed in their chatter while Hermione felt like an audience. Merely watching the world spin around her but never truly being a part of it.

She took a seat in an empty desk. Her thoughts never ending their cloud around her. Her panic and worry never leaving her.

Her brown orbs scanned the room. Something was missing.

Where was he?

Where was Draco Malfoy?

Last night she sent him to the Room of Requirement. But she hadn't seen him since. Was he alright? Did the young Death Eaters snatch him this morning? Was that the explanation for his absence?

Hermione cringed at these thoughts. She had no idea that at this age, they were already capable of such murderous actions.

Her head turned from side to side. Waiting for a certain Slytherin to walk into the room. She needed to know if he was alright. She wasn't too eager leaving him to his own actions. Not with him being so vulnerable.

She could almost hear the sounds of disagreement from Harry and Ron.

'Why do you care so much about the ferret?' Ron would chastise her.

'Stop worrying, 'Mione, It's just Malfoy.' Harry would demand.

The young Gryffindor did not care if she was practically destroying everything the Golden Trio once stood for. She had unwillingly dragged Draco Malfoy here and she had at least had to watch out for him, rather than allowing him to lose himself in this strange generation. She owed him that much.

A small thud signified the door closing, which meant class had begun. Hermione scanned the rooms and was disappointed to find Malfoy absent.

Hermione scanned the room looking for any signs of the Slytherin. Her eyes skimming through the different students around her.

Without intention she met the dark and murky eyes of the ever so infamous Tom Riddle. Students all clawing for his attention – as usual, but his intentions set on her. He was on the other side of the classroom but he seemed merely inches away. And knowingly, she stared back, allowing every ounce of hatred and revulsion she had towards him pour into that one single glare.

However, he seemed unfazed by this. In fact she could see amusement dancing in his eyes. Like her deteriorating self was somewhat comedic to him. Like it was all a humorous joke.

Hermione watched as his lips curved into his famous smirk. As if to mock her. His eyes drifted towards an empty seat. She followed his trained gaze.

Malfoy's seat

They wandered back to her. His expression continuing to mock her. His lips formed into a grin. Insulting her for the nonattendance of her companion.

The Gryffindor did not need any further investigation. It only confirmed her suspicions that Tom Riddle was the reason for last night's performance.

It wasn't like she needed any confirmation whatsoever. But the way he nearly rubbed it in her face was some kind of different violation. It unsettled her just as much. If not, more.

Hermione would not allow him to pull her chords in such a matter. She turned away and drew all her attention to the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who was beginning her lecture on dueling.

Elaborating the Do's and Don'ts in the magical combating room. Hermione forced every cell in her body to focus but half of her was yearning to turn around. To face those pair of eyes that were drilling holes into her skull.

Professor Merrythought continued to talk. Her loud and vivid voice lecturing the whole class with her scrutinizing gaze to top it off.

"Absolutely, under any circumstances are you permitted to use any form of curse. You shouldn't even be capable of using them. But if I catch any one of you using a curse-" A foul expression melted onto her face. As if she was recalling an incident on her many years of teaching. "-the consequences will be severe."

The class nodded. As if they all understood the severity of the situation.

"Now everyone into the back room!" She clapped her hands together and opened the door with a wandless spell. Allowing each of the students to file through.

Hermione allowed herself to stay behind. Incase Malfoy were to make his appearance. But Professor Merrythought was calling her to enter and Hermione walked into the back room.

The students had already begun dueling. Partnered up with each other to fire jinxes at one another.

Hermione searched the vast room. Everyone seemed occupied with their own partners while Hermione was left astray on her own.

Perhaps she wouldn't duel today. She was a little disappointed. After all, it had been what seemed like centuries since she'd had a friendly duel.

"Ms. Grainford?" A silky voice called from behind her. Hermione cringed as her shoulders hunched.

Let it not be him. Let it not be him. She prayed. But her cheeks flushed in frustration when the lone dark haired boy stood before her.

His head tilted as his expression hauntingly innocent. Hermione noted how loosely he wore his uniform, as if he didn't care how people saw him.

"Yes?" She asked attempted to muster any form of civility as the Professor was standing merely two students away.

"Would you give me the honor of being your dueling partner?" He asked in a convincing polite tone. But she could see his lips fighting off laughter. Hermione coiled in revulsion. It was only typical that he would single her out as a partner. Nothing like an 'accidental' curse fired on her. But with all the students already paired up, Hermione saw no way out.

"Absolutely not-"

"Oh! I'm glad you two found each other!" Professor Merrythought's voice cut through the tension. "Now come along you two." She said and she guided the two of them into their own area of the room. "

Hermione is this your first dueling class?"

Hermione hesitated before she answered. Perhaps she would play 'Little Frail, No Dueling Experience Damsel' and Tom Riddle would leave her alone and lose interest. Then eventually, perhaps years from now, when she was a distant thought in his mind; she would make her move. That was probably the most effective plan of action she had developed yet.

"I never had one before." The Gryffindor admitted.

The plump professor seemed to rejoice at this. Tom Riddle however scowled at the answer that remained unseen by Merrythought. He couldn't know if she could duel or not she had never had a proper duel with the Dark Lord except exploding a roof on him. That didn't count did it?

"Oh well don't worry, dear. Tom here will show you all the basics of dueling."

With that last word, Professor Merrythought bustled over to a poor lad who had been struck with a Pimple Jinx.

Leaving Hermione to the wolves.

She stood back to her opponent. He stood there, wand in grasp as he watched Hermione. Waiting for her to make a move. The stood a fair distance apart. They haven't even prepared their dueling stances. They were waiting for the other to strike.

"So the first step of a Wizards duel is to bow," He said, his white teeth flashed as he grinned.

"Yes I know," She sighed rather to herself than anyone. And she bowed before the murderer as he bowed back.

"Don't look so glum, Grainford. I'll go easy on you." He mocked and Hermione's cheeks flushed in anger once more. The Gryffindor couldn't help but to roll her eyes. She doubted that he would.

"Now there will be no physical contact whatsoever. Magic only." He stated rather to calmly for Hermione's comfort.

The Gryffindor nodded faintly, attempting to cool down her temper at the sound of his authority. Tom Riddle surely enjoyed being the boss, didn't he? She mused to herself.

"Are you ready?" He said, his tone dropping into a cold manner. Hermione's insides curled. Her discomfort arising. She was sure that none would assume that perfect Riddle would curse the new hated transfer and get away with it. But this was Lord Voldemort she was dealing with. He could Crucio her in the middle of a class in broad daylight and get away with it for all she knew.

But nonetheless, she breathed out that she was ready and waited for him to strike. Today she would let him beat her. No matter how badly it would bruise her ego.

Both of them pulled out their wands. Yew wand in contrast to vine wood. Hermione gripped hers with a choking grasp. While Riddle simply held it with laziness. Much like he had when he had assaulted her in the Astronomy Tower.

'Ms. Grainford, if it's your intention to duel me, I warn you it would be an unwise idea.'

She remembered when he had said those words to her, echoing through her like a intonation.

She pursed her lips and brandished her wand. She allowed herself to appear clumsy. Though she doubted that her attempts to appear pathetic would fool him.

When no one made a move Hermione assumed he too was waiting for someone to set the tone of the duel.

With a soft breath Hermione brandished her wand. She conjured a Babbling Hex. Forcing herself to say the spell rather than resort to nonverbal.

As expected, he blocked it with hardly a flick of his wrist. His expression remaining thus of a curious glance. Wondering what she would do next.

She did not move. She was attempting to delay the duel as much as she could. Perhaps if she held her ground enough, she could suspend this battle and escape with all her limbs intact.

However Riddle had other plans when he whipped his wand and a jet stream flew in her direction.

"Protego!" She squeaked loud enough for everyone to hear. She could hear some of the students laughing at her. Probably assuming how pathetic the Gryffindor was to shout the spell. They all assumed the worse of her and that was good.

The shield appeared before her and the spell was deflected.

But not long after that Riddle began to fire more curses at her. At a speed that was beyond the level of a Seventh Year.

Hermione yearned to fire back. She wanted to jinx him, hex him. Anything. But her self-control overcame her and she only defended herself with a Shielding Charm. She didn't want to allow him to believe that she would be a threat to him. Perhaps merely an annoyance.

She even let some of the weaker spells hit her. Now one of her legs refused to stop moving and her hair had changed from brown to blue. And Tom Riddle was scat free.

Humiliating yes, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

"Twenty minutes left, students!" Professor Merrythought called out. "Then it's time to clean up." She sang and the class took the opportunity to blast their opponent before it was too late.

Hermione sighed in relief it would all be over soon.

"Why won't you fight back, Grainford?" The young Dark Lord asked as he shot a Stunning Spell her direction. Hermione didn't answer and blocked it as lamely as she could. She drew in a breath of surprise when she noted that Tom Riddle was confused.

She didn't expect all her faults to be erased at the moment. He would wonder why she hadn't shot a spell back. Or at the very least not blow up something around him. Maybe he would assume those previous events were acts of anxiety and not knowledge of self-defense.

She could be hopeful at the very least, could she?

The class was ending soon. Fifteen sweet minutes left. She was going to get through this.

But she spoke to soon.

Tom Riddle was trying to get a reaction out of her. He began blasting jinx after jinx. Allowing no pause in between streams.

Hermione stuck with her Protego. Unwilling to fight back.

Tom Riddle scowled. He wanted Hermione to fight back. He wanted to see how far she would go with this. And when she finally started firing back, he'd have an excuse to use his more…advanced magic.

Hermione watched helplessly as jinxes and hexes were thrown at her with no mercy. The few spells cast upon her were anything but friendly Tickling Charms.

She began to recognize the charms and spells that were shot at her. He was no longer playing. He was now casting to harm.

Severing Charms, Knockback Jinxes' with excessive power added, A Ventus Jinx that caused more than just a small wind. A violent Stinging Jinx was shot towards her and Hermione had to throw herself to the side to dodge. Blasting Spells were casted that meant to take her head off. Hermione dodged a fierce Jelly-Brain jinx that soared over her head and blasted the wall behind her.

But still, there was no sign of Hermione firing back.

This continued for some time. Riddle firing spells that were getting stronger and stronger with every cast. Hermione had to strengthen her shield. She even had to resort to physical dodges now.

The young Dark Lord's agitation was printed all over his face.

Tired of Hermione's foolishness, Tom Riddle circled his wand in a grand motion and set a powerful golden jet stream her direction. She could feel the boiling energy it produced. This was the strongest spell he had hurled at her yet. Fear slithered into the pit of her stomach as she fought to avoid learning the resulting effect.

The Gryffindor reacted compulsively this time. She summoned more strength into the Shielding Charm this time to fight off the unknown spell. She didn't know what the spell would do but based on his previous violent jinx it would probably cause her harm one way or another.

The spell began to push through her shields. The jet stream continuing to shove Hermione backwards. Her feet battled to drive against the force. The blood pulsing through her as alarm ran through her. But it was another jet stream that followed that startled her. The lone jet stream itself was already bashing through her barrier. How could she use the measly Protego Charm against two? Her act dropped immediately. She couldn't create a larger shield with both streams coming at her from different directions. And like an unwanted visitor, her need for protection rose against all other senses.

From the corner of her eye she could see the satisfied smirk from her opponent. The sight causing a glower to force itself onto her face.

It was a split second action, really. As the spell continued to hurl its way for her.

Still holding her Protego, Hermione's need to defend herself clicked into place and she quickly swung her empty arm into the air. Her arm clenched as she seemed to reach for something into to the sky. Concentrating on a spell she hadn't done since the battle in the Astronomy Tower.

She could feel the energy pulsing into her as it descended onto her risen arm. And as the second golden jet streamed shot towards Hermione she brought her hand down in a vigorous motion and a huge gust of magic powered towards the oncoming assaults.

The golden streams disintegrated as the magic continued its path towards Riddle. Before Riddle could conjure any form of protection, the wave of magic launched towards him knocking him backwards. She heard a gasp of surprise coming from him as he landed painfully on his back.

Hermione watched with a heaving chest as her powerful spell blew everything in the room. Erupting disorder and chaos but no one took the wave like Riddle did.

Her ears rang and her vision blurred as she settled back into reality. There were some girls screeching and sounds of disturbance in the room. She could vaguely note the figures of students all gathered around her. Exchanging whispers and glances of concern.

Even Professor Merrythought seemed bewildered. Standing with the rest of the students who had stopped their duel to witness theirs.

What in Merlin's name had she just done?

Not only had she done a spell that wasn't invented until 1988 she had done it both nonverbally and wandlessly while still casting another spell with her wand!

No one in the Seventh Year should've even heard of these kinds of magics. It was not common to do magic like this when so young. But she had just done it. She had just performed a type of spell that was meant for the battle field. She had just tarnished her entire plan. All she had wanted to do was appear pathetic. Now just like any kind of plan she had created, it had been destroyed. This wasn't supposed to happen at all.

Why did her battle instincts always arrive when unwelcome?

And now as Tom Riddle pulled himself up, she noted that he did not have that fiery glare she expected. He was bemused, as if he had not yet registered what had happened. Just like everyone else in the Dueling Room.

And she just stood there, perplexed at what she had just committed. Her hair and robes disoriented from the after effects of the blast.

The bell sounded and Hermione quickly slipped out of the Dueling Room and stepped into the classroom. She passed her desk and summoned her books and parchments with a flick of her wand without a glance.

Her heart still pounding from the chaos she had created once more. She just wished that the ground would open up and swallow her whole. So that she would never have to appear again.

She had messed up. And this time she wasn't sure if she could undo it. She knew what Voldemort was like. He thirsted for power. He annihilated anything that would deem a threat to him; just like he had annihilated her dearest Harry. The Gryffindor's jaw clenched as she fought of the memory. If Hermione could perform such magic that he hadn't yet heard of, she was a threat. She was next. He would be after her now. And she wasn't too sure if she would make it out this time.

"Bloody hell, Grainford," A voice called after her. Hermione cringed. Perhaps her judgment day had neared too soon.

"Haven't seen Riddle squirm like that in ages," Another jeered.

"We've never seen Riddle squirm like that," They responded with laughter.

Hermione turned around and nearly tripped over her own shoes.

Anthony Potter

Frederick Weasley

Norman Longbottom

Hermione recalled how Potter and Longbottom indirectly rescued her from Tom's clutches. For that she was ever so grateful.

Never in her wildest dreams had she ever thought they'd approach her. But they had. Hermione's heart seemed to lift at the thought. It was remarkable how much they looked like their descendants. For that she was thankful. Something that would help tie herself to her senses.

"Sweet Merlin, Grainford. We never knew you could do stuff like that,"

"That was absolutely brilliant how you played Riddle like that. Pretending to be little flimsy girl then BAM! You get him when he doesn't expect it." Anthony Potter shouted as they walked together out of the class. Hermione's head tilted at this oddness she was facing.

They were approaching her because she knocked over Tom Riddle. Wasn't he loved and worshiped by all? Obviously not if these three were so pleased with her.

"Did you see it coming, Norman? I didn't, I thought you were going to go down for sure." Fredrick Weasley threw his arm around Hermione as if they were old friends. An act she were tolerated due to the fact that her descendants were why she was here.

"How did you do that anyways? You had Protego conjured and-"

"You have got to teach us that,"

Hermione tuned out their voices though she remained politely involved. She already knew what had happened. She did not need a full recap. However she would often nod and smile at the commentaries they made. Perhaps making a few of her own.

"I didn't actually, I just read a book and I just gave it a try." She lied, her untruthfulness remained unidentified.

The four of them walked down together into the Herbology Gardens. Another class they shared together. The three boys swarmed around her. Absolutely fascinated that she had taken down the Tom Riddle.

Even some of the other students who had taken Defense Against the Dark Arts with her in the previous class were wondrous on how she had done it.

It was clear that by the end of the day, the entire school would know about this incident. Her mixed emotions clouded her.

She was somewhat relieved that hatred was no longer completely directed towards her. She was still confounded, however. How in Merlin's name did beating their prized student give her social gain? And this absolutely terrified her to no ends. She didn't mean to. It was all out of that nagging instinct of hers.

And now she paid the price.

The drew on and she received both approving and disapproving looks from both teachers and students. Apparently Tom Riddle had never been beaten in a duel. No one could have ever matched him. These facts both flattered and disturbed Hermione. This wasn't going to end in a pretty way. She assured it.

Rumors sprinkled around her. Even twisted versions of what really happened sprouted up without invitation.

"He's too perfect," Longbottom stated as they clipped of the leaves of a Flitterbloom. They had begun a rather prude discussion about the popular Slytherin and it was stimulating quite well with the boys. Hermione wasn't quite keen on speaking about him."No one can be that perfect can they?"

"You're just upset he can get any girl he pleases and you're still struggling with Augusta," Weasley snapped back and both Potter and Weasley broke into stifles of laughter as the Professor stalked behind them with suspicion.

Lunch Period arrived surprisingly quickly when. She had decided that she would sit alone. She did not want to involve herself to much with the other students in the past. She had already involved herself to negatively. She could not mess up Longbottom's, Weasley's or Potter's timeline. Theirs would remained untouched.

She was surprised when they still insisted to try to sit with her, but she had insisted otherwise. An act that brought a surprising pain to her. But they were persuasive. Not wanting to abandon her so easily. Hermione was grateful when they still walked with her to classes and sat with her in whatever classes they had together. She didn't know why they wanted to stick to her so badly.

Perhaps she would let herself have a few friends. Merlin knew she needed them.

The classes continued to fly by, but Hermione never caught sight of Draco Malfoy. Hermione pursed her lips at this. Maybe he was still resting. Merlin knew that one wouldn't want to jump into a new day after being Imperiused. That might've been the lone explanation. Hermione honestly hoped so.

She gripped the edges of her textbook as she hoped that Malfoy was alright. Perhaps she would search for him later.

With that thought she scribbled down the notes written on the blackboard. Fighting the urge to drift her mind to her other dilemmas she would most likely face.

The day continued to wear on, and Hermione found herself sitting in the library when classes came to a close. She scanned the Marauder's Map and nearly breathed out in relief when she found Draco Malfoy's dot in the kitchens. Most likely snacking from missing all those break periods.

With a quick scan of the room she whispered:

"Mischief managed," And the map disappeared without a trace. Hermione stowed it away in her book bag and allowed herself to unwind and settle down.

He was fine. He could still walk so he was fine.

With that thought she felt the weight lift off her and she could now search for a book to read.

Hermione sunk deep into a manuscript. Today she was just reading about Ancient Runes. After all that drama she had gone through these past few…-years, didn't she at least deserved to read in tranquility? Something that didn't revolve around defeating a young Dark Lord and his Horcruxs.

Perhaps tomorrow she would take up Sylvia's invitation and go down to Hogsmead with her. She had recently learned that Janette had gone into shock. Nothing too severe, but the night Hermione had rescued Draco, Janette awoke with some kind of terror. Hermione did not know what. But honestly it wasn't all that of her concern. It was another reason for the girls to despise her. That and some other ridiculous rumor that swarmed around her.

But that would wait. For now she would allow herself to sink into tranquility. A feeling seemingly so distant to her.

The sound of soft chatter and pages flipping brought the bookworm into a peaceful state. Soon the books in front of her piled up. She went through many books in that small amount of time.

By the time the clock struck nine o'clock, the library was beginning to empty. The books in front of her never ceased to stop piling. Once she had finished a book, she would take another. And she would continue this cycle until there was nothing in the pile was left. She would then get up, scan the endless supply of bookshelves and grab more. She had just about any subject she wanted in that pile.

Alchemy, music, ancient magic, potions, dragons, underwater creatures- anything but the Time- Travel and Dark Arts were permitted in her reading time.

Hermione just wanted to hide here, shut out the world for just a few more precious hours.

Time wore down and soon the library was closing. Perhaps she would sneak into the Restricted Section. No one was here. The library had wrung empty so it would do no harm to anyone. She just wanted some books that would perhaps peak her interest.

With confirmation in her mind, the Gryffindor gathered her things and double checked around her. She craned her neck around to ensure that the librarian wasn't paying attention.

The old librarian was stifling through files and parchments often pushing her square glasses back up to her face to get a better sighting. Completely distracted.

With that Hermione opened the large gates and slipped in the Restricted Section.

A dark room. It remained dusky and shadowed. And the night sky that filtered into the room added to the dense lighting.

She casted a soft Lumos which lit the room enough for her to see, but not enough for someone to suspicious.

She would only borrow a few. Perhaps an advanced spell book, or a guide to complicated potions. Nothing huge. She just needed something to read.

She ventured through the narrowed bookshelves. She casted her light to read the bookbinding's and titles. She pulled out far more books than two or three. Perhaps more than just light for reading.

A small creak caused Hermione to jump in surprise. Her grip released all her books and allowing them to crash to the floor. Each sound bounded off into the empty room.

Her hand immediately went to her wand as she heard the sound of the gate closing. She determined it as the sound of a latch closing.

The library was closing already? Hermione quickly ran over to the gate. It was completely sealed shut. Hermione's panic arose as she shook the gate. She lifted the latch but it would not budge.

With a hasted paste she whipped out her wand and casted an Alohomora.

Nothing.

Hermione tried a various other unlocking charms and spells but the latch did not move.

She could sense it. She could feel the energy pulsing around the Restricted Section.

It was warded.

Out of all the books she read, out of all her years at Hogwarts, Hermione was sure of one thing. The Restricted Section was never warded. It was locked to keep out troublemakers but never warded.

Harry Potter had managed to sneak in during his First Year. Hermione shouldn't have a problem leaving.

No, something was wrong. She wasn't supposed to be locked in like this.

A cold hand clasped around her neck from behind and she felt her wand be pulled from her grip. She could hear the sound of a clanking wood. She only knew that it was her wand being tossed to the other side of the room.

Hermione immediately fought against her assaulter. Wrenching and fighting, biting, kicking. But the grip tightened and Hermione began to fight for air.

She could feel the assailant hold her down. Their strength overpowering Hermione's.

Tears pricked at her eyes as her lungs cried out for air. This only to encourage her to fight more. One hand held down Hermione's thrashing arms the other held onto her throat with a death grip.

She twisted, she turned and she gave out silent cries. They all seemed futile as her vision blurred and the color of her face drained.

"Do you know how hard it is to get you alone now that you're surrounded by morons?" Those were the last words she registered before she saw stars and black spots cloud her eyes and she lost consciousness.

Sinking into a terrifying world of black.

A/N: Well there you go, folks. A somewhat... wordy chapter. I apologize for the- extremely - late update. Truth be told, I have been suffering from EXTREME writer's block. I honestly couldn't think of anything for this to continue forward. Lol?

So Chapter 12 have been completed I have been writing non-stop (until bedtime of course) to try and complete it. Because recently I have been hit by inspiration. I have a pretty good idea how this is going to flow now. However I will never guarantee that I will be able to make regular updates. I honestly will try but that never seems to work does it -hahahah...

Any how, here you go. A chapter 12. Enjoy?

-We're All Just A Little Mad