Disclaimer in chapter one

A/N: I hope you enjoy the new chapter, lots of Tomione interaction ;) Leave me a review if you feel like it. I love reading your input.

Thanks to all the wonderful people who reviewed for last chapter!

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Chapter Fourteen: Where's my damn Glass Slipper?

"How you've pulled Augusta on your side," McLaggen said as held Hermione gently while leading her over the dance floor. "was brilliant."

"Augusta's a bit… gruff," Hermione conceded. "But nice, really."

McLaggen ginned down at her before he spun her around. "She doesn't like Slytherins much." He pursed his lips in contemplation before he added, "…or people in general. But yeah, she's got a soft heart deep, deep down. A bit like you, really."

He winked at her and Hermione smiled at him brightly. It was almost ridiculous how easy it was to talk with Gryffindors. Even dancing with McLaggen was fun, although Hermione wasn't really that much of a dancer. It was as the song ended and the tunes of the next one started to play as their moment was rudely interrupted,

"If I may cut in."

McLaggen and Hermione both turned their heads, just to find Tom Riddle standing beside them. Hermione wrinkled her nose in disgust while McLaggen scanned the Slytherin in mild curiosity. Riddle just looked at the other boy expectantly. After a moment of awkward silence, McLaggen cleared his throat and said,

"Fine."

He reluctantly let go of Hermione and stepped away. Evil smirk in place, Riddle took his place. He grabbed her right hand with his left, put his other hand on her waist and sharply pulled her against him. Hermione felt quite uncomfortable as she had to lean into his chest. Then Riddle started to slowly move her over the dance floor. Although she was really suspicious of his intentions, Hermione couldn't help but be surprised. The evil Dark Lord knew how to dance? Disgruntled by that fact, Hermione narrowed her eyes at him.

"I thought I was a harlot, Riddle," she chirped up at him, fake smile in place. "You need to watch out, lest I'll charge you for the service."

Riddle smirked at her and replied mockingly, "You know, I have a spare three sickles. I'm sure that's enough for your full attention."

The fake smile dropped from her face and Hermione openly glared at him. It only made him laugh annoyingly. Riddle spun her around. Hermione gasped and had to tighten her grip on his shoulder to not lose her balance.

"Stop that," she hissed at him.

He still smirked down at her but by now there was a dangerous streak in that smile of his. "Rosalie, it is very unwise trying to order me around."

Hermione gulped nervously. Time to go, she decided and wanted to pull away from Riddle. He refused to let her go.

"Not so fast," Riddle said, sounding like chiding a small child.

Hermione gritted her teeth in anger. "Why do you keep bothering me?"

She winced as he tightened his grip on her. He nearly crushed her right hand in his while his other achingly grabbed her waist. She was pretty sure she would find bruises later. Despite his borderline violent actions, Riddle's face was void of all emotion as he calmly gazed down at her. Hermione shuddered under his scrutiny but still jutted her chin out in defiance. After a moment of pondering her, Riddle admitted, his voice civil but for a cold edge,

"I don't quite understand you, Rosalie. And I'm not sure yet if you're worth the trouble of figuring you out."

"Then maybe you shouldn't try," Hermione replied snippily, irritation lacing her tone. "Don't you have a new girlfriend? How about you go and be a pain in her neck?"

Riddle spun her around, gracefully following the music. A devious smirk curved his lips and he mused, "Sarah is not that much of a puzzle. Though quite pleasing in her own ways."

Hermione crinkled her nose in disgust at the innuendo. "Ew, I didn't need to hear that."

Riddle's ice blue eyes narrowed and he inquired suspiciously, "Why so coy suddenly? Because now you have McLaggen satisfying your needs?"

Hermione didn't immediately reply, confused by his line of questioning. Where was he trying to go? At her continued silence a sinister red sheen appeared in Riddle's cold eyes. Hermione swallowed nervously as she felt traces of his dark magic in the air. Derision was masking her upcoming fear as she sneered,

"I'm not like you. You're using Sarah because you can't stand people thinking that the great Tom Riddle got dumped. It's pathetic. Do you really need a trophy girlfriend to boost your ego?"

Riddle's violent magic tensed slightly as if poising to attack. For a few steps he led Hermione over the dance floor in icy silence. Then the dark wizard opened his mouth and warned, tone hard as steel,

"I might like solving puzzles, but you should know that I like breaking them even more."

Hermione felt her heart racing in her chest, but she was not going to give in to the fear building up in Riddle's presence. If that son of a bitch thought he could intimidate her, then he needed to think again. Hermione schooled her features and leaned a bit closer, making Riddle raise an eyebrow in surprise.

"I'm no puzzle. I'm not hiding anything." Thick scorn dripped from her words as she added, "You know, paranoia can be a sign of something much more severe. Maybe you should go and get yourself checked for crazy."

Hermione felt Riddle tense and a mocking grin took form on her face. Her triumph was short-lived, though. She nearly hissed in pain as Riddle yet again tightened his grip on her hand and waist.

"How dare you?" he whispered tightly.

Fury was blazing in Riddle's eyes but he still managed to maintain the composed façade he had so carefully erected. Looking as if nothing was wrong, he led Hermione smoothly over the dance floor, never missing a beat. A mix of anger and frustration gnawed at Hermione. Determined to put a dent in that poker face of his, she deliberately missed a dance-step. Then Hermione forcefully stepped on Riddle's toes. He yelped in pain as her heel made hard contact with him.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Hermione breathed sanctimoniously.

She grinned contently as finally cracks appeared in Riddle's calm façade. His teeth were bared in an angry snarl. Gruffly, he pulled her against him and snarled in her ear,

"I'll make you regret your insolence."

Hermione rolled her eyes, ignored his painfully tight grip on her, and again stepped on his foot.

"Damn," Riddle hissed in pain.

"Ha, serves you right," Hermione scorned.

He glared at her irately, his expression screaming murder. Still, Hermione could see his eyes watering in pain and she laughed at him. Riddle let go of her waist and his hand wandered to his pocket, obviously wanting to pull his wand.

"What now, Tom?" Hermione asked, mock concern in her voice. "Are you planning to curse me? Right here in this room full of people. Oh no. I'm scared. I hope you already packed your stuff, because after this you'll get expelled."

He stopped to pull his wand and put his hand back on her waist. There was a furious expression distorting his handsome face. Hermione supposed she should be scared of him, but she was too enraged herself. They spent the rest of the song in completely silence, glaring at each other through narrowed eyes.

~.~.~

Luckily, after that dancing disaster, Hermione managed to keep away from Riddle for the rest of the ball. At least McLaggen was a joy. Time flew by and Hermione was surprised that it was already almost midnight as she checked her watch. She did feel rather tired. McLaggen noticed her dropping eyes and offered,

"Let me bring you back to your common room."

Hermione smiled up at him and shook her head. "You don't have to. Besides the others would kill me if they found out I told a Gryffindor where the Slytherin common room is."

He chuckled amusedly as he heard it. "I see. Then let me at least accompany you to the Grand Staircase."

Hermione took his arm, still smiling serenely. They left the Great Hall and walked in direction of the staircase. The corridors were well-lit tonight, so that party-goes might use them until the ball ended officially. That meant Riddle wouldn't be able to attempt another sneak attack and Hermione felt safe for now.

"I hope you had a nice evening, Rosalie," McLaggen said. "Even though you had to spend it with a noisy Gryffindor."

Hermione giggled, squeezing his arm affectionately. "Yes. Surprising though it may be, I really enjoyed myself."

They had nearly reached the staircase as McLaggen asked, "What did Riddle want from you by the way?"

Hermione wrinkled her nose at him. "I have no idea. He's a crazy person."

He ran a hand through his hair as he scanned her. She raised her eyebrows in question.

"You two get along quite well," he finally commented.

As she heard no sarcasm in his voice, Hermione furrowed her brow. "Certainly not. Didn't you see how we argued?"

"I did. I did," McLaggen mused, still looking at her pensively. "It's just, you two seem to be so familiar with each other." He paused before he asked cautiously, "Are you sure there is nothing between you two anymore."

"Yes," Hermione said indignantly. "Why would I want that git anywhere near me?"

McLaggen shrugged his shoulders and remarked, "He sure seems to like being close to you."

She didn't answer anything but just stared at McLaggen with wide eyes.

"Actually, I've never seen Riddle showing that many emotions," he continued. "He only does that when he's around you."

Hermione shook her head. "Did you also notice that his predominant emotion around me is murderous rage?"

McLaggen chuckled as he heard it. "I would say he's at ease when he's near you."

"At ease?" she asked incredulously. "Sure, if wanting to curse me is 'at ease'. Then yes."

"Riddle's Head Boy." McLaggen shook his head at her as if he thought she was being melodramatic. "He's not just going to curse you, Rosalie."

The day Lord Voldemort doesn't want to curse an innocent Muggleborn, hell freezes over. Wisely, Hermione kept her thoughts to herself. McLaggen considered her for a moment before he said,

"He did run after you like a puppy tonight, though, didn't he? Maybe he wants you back, but is too shy to tell you."

Hermione furrowed her brow at the misguided Gryffindor. "You know, somehow I really doubt your theory there. Tom's a lot of things, but certainly not shy."

The Gryffindor grinned at her dry response and said amusedly, "If you say so."

By now they had reached the staircase. McLaggen grabbed her hand and bent down to place a light kiss on it. "It has been a pleasure, my lady."

"The pleasure was all mine," Hermione replied, smiling at him.

"I wish you a good night." Throwing her a charming smile, McLaggen added, "As soon as you're sure that Riddle's not an option for you anymore… we should do this again."

"I'll think about it." Hermione grinned, not bothering to correct McLaggen about the Riddle part.

As she trekked towards the dungeons McLaggen's words circled around her head. Riddle wanting her back? Ridiculous. Hermione shook her head as she remembered how that creep had treated her as they had been together. McLaggen was a nice guy, but he was horribly wrong with his assumption. If he knew that Riddle had thrown the Cruciatus Curse at her, he wouldn't suggest such things.

Hermione left the staircase and stepped into a dungeon corridor. Displeased, she noticed how it was again so cold down here. Why did she have to end up in Slytherin? Hermione lamented. Why couldn't she have switched bodies with a nice Gryffindor girl. Or Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff. Everything would have been better than this. Even a Gryffindor boy would have been better. Hermione's mental rant was interrupted by someone calling her,

"Rosalie."

She stopped and turned around. An annoyed groan left her as she saw none other than Riddle walking towards her. Promptly, Hermione resumed her way towards the common room. Maybe if she ignored him he would just go away. To her immense displeasure, Riddle fell in step beside her. He scanned her from the side before he commented dryly,

"You look rather put out."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I wonder why."

"Had a fight with your new boyfriend?" Riddle asked innocently.

She glared at Riddle. "What do you want?"

"Why do you always assume I want something?"

Hermione didn't dignify that with an answer and instead said curtly, "Look, I'm rather tired. So, what are you up to? Another intimidation attempt? Do I have to pull my wand?"

Riddle laughed annoyingly. "Nah, I'm too tired myself to hex you."

She raised her eyebrows at him. "Wow. That's a first. The evil Tom Riddle too tired to hurl a little Cruciatus at my head."

He smirked viciously. "If you insist, I could humour you."

She shrugged her shoulders, not impressed by his threat. "No, thank you. I think I'll pass this time."

Riddle chuckled and Hermione was surprised to see genuine amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Where's your date?" she asked him absent-mindedly.

"Dumped her," came his swift reply.

Hermione scowled up at him. "That's horrible. You really dumped her in the middle of a ball?"

"Why do you care?" Riddle asked loftily. "I know you don't really like Sarah."

Her scowl darkened, mainly because he was right. "That doesn't matter. You just… you can't do stuff like that. It's not… well, it's bad manners."

He just smirked down at her, obviously amused by her indignation. "I'm not one for manners."

"I know," Hermione sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Believe me, I know."

"Do I hear a hint of accusation in your voice?" he inquired lightly.

"Not just a hint," she deadpanned.

Riddle smiled as he heard it. He reached for his robe pocket and pulled a cigarette pack. Hermione narrowed her eyes as he took a cigarette and put it in his mouth. He snapped his fingers and a light flickered up from his thumb. Hermione drowned him in a reproachful look as he lit his cigarette.

"You shouldn't smoke."

Riddle arched an elegant eyebrow at her but didn't comment. Hermione wondered if the people in the forties even knew how harmful those things were. Just to be on the safe side, she chided Riddle,

"It's bad for you."

"I'm surprised." He smirked at her. "Since when do you worry about my health?"

"I don't," said Hermione flippantly.

Riddle didn't reply and continued smoking his cigarette. For a moment they walked in silence.

"Why did you go with McLaggen?" Riddle asked abruptly.

Hermione raised her eyebrows at him in surprise. Why did he ask such a thing? She hadn't expected him to even notice her date, much less care.

"Because he asked me," she finally answered.

"So you would have gone with anyone who asked you?"

Hermione stared at him for a few seconds. Then she said slowly, "No. Not anyone."

"What if I had asked you?"

She furrowed her brow as she looked up at Riddle. His tone had been colourless and indifferent but for a hint of curiosity.

"We both know that would have never happened," Hermione said warily, truthfully.

Riddle took a drag from his cigarette, seemingly mulling over her answer. Hermione eyed him, bewildered by his behaviour, but couldn't stop a snide comment,

"Apparently, I would have been an embarrassment to you with my revealing dress worthy of a harlot."

His cool eyes wandered over her form, face completely expressionless. Then he gave her a shrug, casually brushing away her resentment, and replied in an offhand manner,

"I like it."

Hermione furrowed her brow at him, but Riddle's gaze had shifted from her so he couldn't see it. He was quite strange tonight.

"Even if I had accepted your hypothetical invitation," she said, opting for dry humour to lighten up the odd situation. "It seems, you would have dumped me halfway through anyway."

The cigarette hung from the corner of his mouth as Riddle smirked down at her.

"Seems like now you'll never find out," he commented airily.

Hermione poked him in the side and teased, "Imagine the heartache I've saved myself today."

Riddle turned his head and let his icy blue eyes wander over her. Hermione stopped laughing as she was hit by his penetrating gaze. She had to stop herself from shuddering under his scrutiny.

"You are the strangest creature, Rosalie," Riddle said softly as his eyes bored into her. "I never noticed that before."

With wide eyes Hermione gazed back at him. "How so?"

His piercing eyes continued to hold her imprisoned as he replied, "Just a few days ago, I hurled one of the darkest curses in existence at you. I honestly would have expected a bit more of a reaction from you."

Hermione was surprised as a small smile started to tug at her mouth. She still stared into his eyes as she said, "What did you expect? Fear?"

Never breaking their eye contact, Riddle slightly inclined his head in affirmation.

Hermione's hesitant smile turned into a grin. "Ah well, I would say 'try again later', but I'd rather you didn't."

Riddle stared at her, his eyes boring into her. But then he chuckled softly. He took a last drag from his cigarette. Then he stubbed it out on the stone wall before he flicked the butt away. Hermione narrowed her eyes as she watched it.

"Really? You're Head Boy?"

Riddle smirked at her. "Indeed. And the best this castle has ever seen."

Hermione groaned as she saw the smug look on his face. Then she inquired suspiciously, "What are you doing down here anyway? The ball isn't over yet."

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Didn't want to let you wander back all on your own. Imagine what could have happened if some evil wizard caught you and pulled you into an abandoned classroom."

Hermione rolled her eyes at him, feeling strangely amused.

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