Chapter 20: Time Heals all Wounds

Hermione made her way to the breakfast table, surprised to only see Albus. She sat beside him as he greeted her with a warm smile. She began filling her plate as Albus spoke.

"I trust you slept well?"

"Yes of course. And you?"

"Wonderfully comfortable, thank you for asking, are you still upset with me for my decision?"

"Yes and no." She watched Albus cast a silencing charm on the room before he spoke again.

"Hermione you understand that I cannot allow him to turn into a basilisk?"

"No but I accept your decision all the same."

"Do you know what a basilisk is Hermione?"

"I have heard of them but I do not fully understand what they are no, I will have to research it with Tom."

"Tom is fully aware of the capabilities of a basilisk Hermione."

"How do you know that?"

"I will tell you but you must not speak of it."

"Ok. I promise."

"If Tom is the Heir to Slytherin then he has most likely discovered the Chamber of Secrets. There lies a monster, in the Chamber, a monster that only the Heir can control. His true form tells me that it is a basilisk, and his recognition of the name tells me he has already entered the Chamber."

"And the problem with this is what?"

"Salazar Slytherin trained the basilisk to kill muggleborns Hermione."

"Oh. We have so much research to do."

"You do realize that no matter how much research Tom completes, I will not allow him to transform into a basilisk."

"You can't do that to him!"

"Calm yourself, he is coming we will finish this discussion at a later time." Albus raised his hand as if he was swatting a fly and the silencing spell was released from around them immediately.

"Good Morning Tom."

"Sir, Hermione."

She just stared at him, unable to speak at the moment. She thought about what Albus had said and how oddly Tom was looking at her now. He must have sensed the silencing spell.

"What do we have planned for today father?" She couldn't help the falter in her voice.

"We are going to work on the most wonderful fire spells today Hermione."

Tom's eyes lit up, and Hermione stared at him in shock.

"Professor, are you going to teaching how to control fire?"

"Yes Tom, I know how disappointed you must be, so in its place I will teach you some spells about fire and water. These are no basic Transfiguration Spells I can assure of that, they will be difficult, so eat up you will need your energy. I will see you both shortly in the foyer at noon."

Albus dismissed himself and left the two of them at the table to eat. Tom immediately started on Hermione with suspicion.

"What were you two discussing? What's he up to? Why does he care if we are disappointed?"

"Well, why are you suspicious Tom? He simply feels guilty for making us wait and for making us do all that research. And he cares if we are disappointed because he looks at us as if we are something to care about."

"Right, I'm sure. Better eat; dealing with fire is tough magic."

"And how would you know?"

"I taught myself fire magic last summer at the orphanage."

The conversation grew silent after that. Hermione stared at Tom as she ate and drank her morning juice. There was much to this Tom that she was so uncertain of, yet she felt very connected to him and could not understand why. Little did she know understanding would come sooner for her than for Tom and much sooner than she could ever possibly imagine. After breakfast Tom and Hermione learned about fire and water. They spent the next four days doing nothing but endless spells and research.

Hermione was always in constant awe at Tom's sheer power and will. She could see the power consume him as he basked in his accomplishment with each task that Albus would assign them. By the end of the week, Hermione was not only overwhelmed with admiration, she was also overwhelmed with dismay. She finally understood as she stared at Tom, with fire bellowing all around him and his eyes aglow. Finally after a year of inner anguish for making a hasty decision to leave everyone she loved so dearly behind. She stared at him as he man-handled the flames when grace and doubt creeped into her mind. This was a Dark Lord she was dealing with, not some hormonal teenage boy. She felt foolish for being angry with Albus now over the basilisk. He would kill anyone and everyone if he were to allow the dark side to overtake him completely. That man, Severus, he was right to show her what could be, what Tom could become if she failed. She had a mission, sadly she did not realize it before today, but all the same, she still had time. Today her epiphany has been had, seeing his glee in such a dark spell is troubling, she will continue to show Tom the light from this day forth. No one may ever know her sacrifice but Albus. But when Hermione Grainger nee Dumbledore made a promise it was forever.

AN: DISCLAIMER:

I DO NOT OWN THE WORLD OF HARRY POTTER/JK ROWLING. I DO NOT MAKE ANY MONEY OFF OF THIS OR ANY OTHER STORY I HAVE WRITTEN. I SIMPLY PLAY WITH THE CHARACTERS.

Thank you to all the reviews, I hope you enjoy this update!

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