Disclaimer: This story is based on most of the characters from Harry Potter. I'm a struggling university student surviving on potatoes(k perhaps not potatoes…) and will make no money off of this fanfic.

Note: re-edited version

Can't Live Without You

Chapter 1

After a long sultry summer, the Golden trio was regrettably forced to split for the first time since their arrival at Hogwarts. Harry's visit to the Burrow had been cut far too short due to his desolate search into Voldemort's past. Reminding themselves of the gravity of the situation, more tears were shed at this goodbye than any other. Letters could not be sent between them since it would only serve to endanger Harry and his mission. Despite the abundance of cherished moments that would be lost as a result of their friend not being present, they understood his mission was far more significant than education.

When Hermione and Ron returned to Hogwarts, many students failed to notice the slight inconsistency in the Golden Trio. The number of students had greatly deteriorated after Dumbledore's death. The majority of students left refused to speak and merely remembered the jovial times in the same room. Hermione's eyes sparkled with tears in the gloomy light as she focused on the vacant head chair at the staff's table, which McGonagall had strongly refused in spite of her new position as Headmistress.

"How are we ever going to get through this war, Ron?" Hermione said dejectedly, tears rolling down her pale cheeks.

A warm hand slipped into hers and stroked it comfortingly. "We will. We have Harry," Ron said, placing his arm around her.

"So many deaths," she said softly, studying the empty spaces among the students like an ocean threatening to drown them. Countless parents had not sought their children's return. Nor did it help students, such as Dean, if their mothers had already aspired to remove them in previous years before Voldemort returned.

Times would only get worse.

What was Hogwarts without Dumbledore's light to guide them through the

darkness?

"We have each other," Ron said timidly, knowing that she missed everyone including the students who had been killed recently. There could be no funeral in most cases. It was perilous to wander around alone for lengthy periods of time. She smiled back at Ron encouragingly as they both approached the Gryffindor table.

"HEY!" Neville hollered, in high spirits to see them, "Glad to be back in school, aren't you?"

They both nodded uncertainly while Ginny joined the group. McGonagall appeared next to them. "It's good to see you all back," she said with a genuine smile. "Miss. Granger, I need to see you in my office immediately. In fact, perhaps it would be best if Mr. Weasley joined."

As they walked towards McGonagall's new office, Ron joked weakly, "Blimey Hermione! Already broken some rules before me?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, saying "She'll probably tell me about the Head Girl's room." Glancing down at the badge shining proudly on her robes, it was the only thing that had made her smile in the days leading up to their return to Hogwarts besides seeing her friends.

When they reached, McGonagall was already waiting at the bottom of the stairs to invite them in. They walked swiftly into her office, expecting a tremendous change from Dumbledore's room but found it quite identical except for the desk.

"Yes," McGonagall said, "As you've probably noticed, it was my sincere wishes to maintain the room's décor." Ron and Hermione both seated themselves in front of McGonagall's desk.

"Now I understand that it was difficult for you two to be separated from Mr. Potter-," McGonagall started.

"Harry??!? Did something happen?" Hermione asked in a trembling voice. It had been nearly a week since they had last seen him.

"No, Miss. Granger, I assure you that it is most certainly not about Mr. Potter," McGonagall reassured Hermione, flipping through the papers on her desk for an envelope which she kept firmly in her hands. "Miss. Granger when I was sorting Dumbledore's papers, I found an item of great importance to you."

"Me?" Hermione said, utterly confused.

McGonagall nodded her head, "It seems that Dumbledore had planned your seventh year project to be a significant piece in the puzzle to destroying the Dark Lord."

"WHAT?" Ron erupted beside her, standing up. "That's impossible!" He knew that Harry was the only possible person who could kill the Dark Lord, according to the prophecy.

"It seems that Dumbledore thought that Hermione would be essential in solving the problem at its roots. Miss. Granger, did he speak to you about any of this?" McGonagall asked Hermione directly.

Solving the problem at its roots? She looked at McGonagall, perplexed. Her arm gently supported her head as she reflected on the headmistress' words. Finally, she shook her head.

"He intended for you to return to the past," McGonagall simply said, getting the reaction she expected from both Ron and Hermione. Ron's jaw dropped and he looked at McGonagall as if she was a mad patient in line for St. Mungo.

"Are you bloody out of your mind?!" Ron said, his mouth still open.

Hermione had accepted the news with much more grace but the same thoughts were passing through her mind as she acknowledged the seriousness on McGonagall's face.

"He left the letter on his desk, instructing me to send you and another student to the past to put an end to Lord Voldemort, or shall I say Tom Riddle. He explained that there are some missing pieces to the puzzle which you might be able to fill," McGonagall said quietly.

'Pieces?' Hermione wondered at this cryptic message.

"Last wish? How was he able to write the letter if-," Ron questioned McGonagall.

"He probably wrote it before leaving with Mr. Potter in case anything happened," McGonagall informed them both, sliding down into her chair as though the idea of Dumbledore's last moments before his abrupt death were more frightening than his actual death.

"How can I go back in time? Weren't all the time turners destroyed?" Hermione said, finding the courage to speaking up.

"It seems that Dumbledore had kept a time turner for his own personal purposes," McGonagall said, removing a package wrapped in dark purple velvet from a drawer. "It works perfectly, but it is not registered under the Ministry. Obviously, the Ministry, as Mr. Potter has learned and as have I, is not the most reliant source at the time. As a result, I expect that no words from this conversation will be spread after this meeting has ended." McGonagall looked directly at Ron to demonstrate the seriousness of her final words. Both students nodded quickly, looking at the time turner that McGonagall had unwrapped in her office.

"Miss Granger, as a member of the Order of the Phoenix, do you wish to undertake this mission and complete the rest of your final year in another time period," McGonagall said, neatly placing her hands on the desk and staring at Hermione sharply.

'This means I'd have to desert all my friends,' Hermione thought miserably. She would be completely alone and the idea off destroying Voldemort on her own was horrendous enough. Except nothing was said about her killing Voldemort…

She nodded slowly, irresolute of how she would be able to accomplish this mission. Why did Dumbledore pick her? Why not Harry? She paused and looked up at her former professor. Harry would remain in the future while she was carrying out the task… but what was she supposed to do? She would be blind and stumbling through the abyss of Tom Riddle's realm without any leadership.

There was hope…

She had also said that Hermione was not the only student chosen. But why? It didn't make any sense to her. "Professor-I mean Headmistress, who is the other student that will be coming?"

At that moment, a door on the right side of the room creaked open to expose a dark figure. There was some muttering and a black hooded figure swaggered into the room with Professor Binns and Professor Slughorn.

'Oh great,' Hermione thought sarcastically to herself, studying the hooded figure with a dismayed look, 'Hermione's adventure to the past with a Death Eater. Such pleasant company.'

"Trust me Granger you're not that agreeable company either," the person under the black hooded cloak retorted, as if reading her mind.

She had heard that voice before… but where? Obviously, Ron was thinking the same because he appeared deep in concentration. Before both of them could uncover a logical answer, the figure removed his hood and revealed none other than…..Draco Malfoy.

"YOU! YOU FILTHY BASTARD! YOU KILLED HIM!" Ron yelled, leaping off his seat and nearly strangling Malfoy. The professors yanked Ron off Malfoy and Draco benefited from the time to walk around the other people and approached Hermione.

"STAY AWAY FROM HER! I'LL KILL YOU IF YOU LAY A FINGER ON HER. I SWEAR I WILL," Ron kept screaming as he was retained by the professors with magic.

Malfoy barely looked back at Ron and ignored his words. Hermione had barely recognized Malfoy from the last time she had seen him a couple months ago. He was a few inches taller, probably around 6'4 and his sleek blonde hair was messy like several days in their sixth year. He had developed a tan recently, which greatly enhanced his overall image. There was a mysterious glimmer in his eyes as though locked to anyone attempting to peer into his soul. His bluish grey eyes reminded her of stormy skies with sharp silver flecks. Malfoy's appearance seemed more like a model ripped out from a magazine or a celebrity from a movie. The only flaw was the constant pompous expression on his face that only diminished his look by very little.

She slapped her head mentally over and over again. He's a Death Eater and he is responsible for Dumbledore's death. Didn't Harry say that Snape was forced to kill Dumbledore since Draco couldn't do it? Didn't Harry tell her how he actually felt sorry for Draco? How he thought that Draco was under a lot of pressure from the Dark Lord since his father was in Azkaban?

Malfoy gave Hermione one of his trademark smirks, and pulled up a seat near her. He casually made himself comfortable in the chair, crossing his legs and staring with an amused expression at Ron. After they managed to calm Ron down, he sat smugly near Hermione and scrutinized Draco, who enjoyed himself by defiantly staring back at Ron.

"Mr. Malfoy is a member of the Order of the Phoenix. That is all you need to know unless he wishes to inform you of his story. There are many from the Dark side who seek him, which only makes Dumbledore's plan more reasonable. When you arrive in 1944, you are not to inform anyone of your real names. Instead, please call yourselves Hermione De Lioncourt and Draco Devereux. I assure that you both understand the significance of the mission and that you will work together to make it a success. Any questions?" McGonagall asked.

"Do you want us to kill him?" Hermione asked, her eyes widening in shock.

"No obviously not, Miss. Granger. If it comes to the point that you must defend yourself, do what you must. However, we don't want you stuck in Azkaban. Dumbledore suggested in his letter that you use whatever knowledge you can gather about Tom," McGonagall explained. She continued to tell them about what they should say for their identities. "Shall we prepare to leave?"

That's it. Now she was convinced that everyone was out of their mind! What were they supposed to find about Voldemort that they already did not know? She could not tell Malfoy about the Horcruxes since it was special information given by Dumbledore. Of course, she knew more about Tom Riddle's past than Malfoy from everything that Harry had told Hermione and Ron. But how would that help her? Why were they in such a rush to leave?

Hermione joined McGonagall who was already leaving her office. She noticed that Malfoy's face had paled slightly after the headmaster's conversation. For a moment, it seemed that there was more to him than a hardcore mantle fostered by the Malfoy pride. As if reading her thoughts, Malfoy glanced at her darkly to challenge the notion. The fear had subsided from his face and she was left speculating if it was only her eyes fooling her.

Ron followed Hermione in silence and examined Malfoy sternly from the corner of his eyes to ensure he was not up to his usual tricks. When they at last reached the Room of Requirements, McGonagall explained, "Miss Granger, I am sure you know how to handle one of these." Hermione nodded as she accepted the time turner. "Five complete cycles for the decade turner should be just right. Use the room to acquire all the necessary items for class. As soon as you get there, go to Professor Dumbledore and present him this letter." She handed Hermione the envelope that she was holding during the meeting. "Remember not to reveal your identities. Miss. Granger, I have given you a pureblood last name because it may be safer around certain students. "

Hermione nodded, holding the letter in her hands. Malfoy entered the room without glancing back, leaving Hermione to say bye to Ron. She hugged him tightly, cherishing their last few seconds. "Tell Harry that I'll miss him!"

"I will, as long as you promise me to be careful," Ron looked at her seriously. "For Riddle and Malfoy, understand? I know you'll be fine. Being smart and all…" She nodded and kissed him on the cheek.

"I'll be fine," she mouthed to him, nodding at her professors and entering the room. Closing the door behind her, she found herself alone with Malfoy.

She approached Malfoy saying "Shall we, then?" He stood as a statue, not bothering to look at her. She wrapped the time turner around them both, ignoring the fact that they had never stood so close to each other. Carefully, she rotated the time turner accordingly only to find herself surrounded by a flash of light that instantly disappeared.

"This is not good," Hermione said apprehensively, staring at the time turner which had shattered into pieces, "We can't get back."

"We have plenty of time to figure that out. Pointless if it did not work, right?" he said miserably, looking around the room to see if anything had changed.

"Only one way to find out," Hermione said determinedly, "Think it's time to pay Professor Dumbledore a visit." She smirked at Draco, surprising herself with the friendly tone she was using towards him. Draco finally looked in front at Hermione. His eyes widened in shock.

"What?" Hermione asked Draco incredulously, wondering if he was already up to his nasty tricks.

""You've changed," he stuttered, placing his head closer to Hermione's face, to get a better look.

"That's impossible, you look the same! Why in bloody Merlin's name would I-," she said, glancing over at the mirror on the wall behind Draco. "Holy Merlin!" She removed the time turner and placed it in Draco's hands as she crept over to the mirror and checked herself out. Her body had remained the same with the exception of her hair which had been replaced by a mass of rich black shoulder length curly hair. Her skin was slightly more tanned to give a faint olive tone. Any person who had seen her previously would be able to recognize her but the change in hair color certainly blew her off.

"Aye, Hermione, should have sent you to the past sooner. It's the perfect anti-bushy treatment for your hair," Draco said, checking her out in the mirror's reflection.

"Focus, will you?" she said crossly, but throwing a few glances at the mirror, "We need to visit Dumbledore."

Draco nodded as they quickly went over their identities, in a civil manner. Luckily, they never stumbled upon any students as they made their way to Dumbledore's office. From the Great Hall, they could hear the students piling into the room for the opening ceremonies. Just as they were about to knock on Dumbledore's door, he opened the door to leave for the ceremonies.

"Well what do we have here?" he said in an amused tone, looking from Hermione to Draco.

"Sir, we have been told to give you this letter," Hermione said, handing over the only object they had carried over from their time. He invited them into his office, instantly offered them two butterbeers and a couple of sweet snacks. Laying back in his own chair, he began to read the contents of the letter before hastily standing up, "Please remain here while I speak to Headmaster Dippet."

Both of them sat in the room alone without knowing what to say to break the silence. Finally Draco spoke up, "We'll have to go shopping for clothes and our books."

Hermione nodded in agreement, watching as the door opened and Dumbledore entered alone. "Well Mr. Devereux and Miss. de Lioncourt , welcome to Hogwarts. I assume that you require a few essential items for the school year. You will be assisted during your visit tomorrow to Hogesmeade to purchase whatever is needed. If there is anything that you require, please do not hesitate to seek me for help. Now, it is necessary for you to attend the Sorting ceremonies." Draco and Hermione accompanied him to the doors outside the Great Hall, where they were told to wait until their names were announced.

"This is going to be one interesting year, wouldn't you say?" Draco said, nonchalantly leaning against the doors and listening to the names being called.

"Most interesting indeed," Hermione said, nodding her head in agreement.

Finally Draco heard his name being called and he slipped through the doors after wishing her luck.

What's going on?? She had Draco wishing her luck on the sorting. This is one nasty dream, Hermione thought to herself, hitting her head against the door. Never mind the fact that they had no possible way of getting back since time turners had not been invented. She heard the loud call of Slytherin and her name being announced. Opening the door slowly, she entered the room, revealing herself to all the students who studied her carefully as she strolled to the front of the room. If anything, she knew how Harry felt when everyone was staring at him at these events. Her eyes flew across to the Slytherin table where Draco was calmly sitting back and not talking to the students around him. She wondered curiously which one of those students was Tom Riddle. She was rather convinced that it was a short pale student who was rather plain and sitting with a bunch of his cronies like Malfoy did in her time. Finally, the hat was placed on her head. Ahhhh Miss. Granger. Now, let's see what we can do here. Intelligent yes. Oh dear. You would be perfect in Slytherin, you would meet your match in Slytherin…

'Please don't put me in Slytherin,' Hermione desperately thought.

Not in Slytherin eh? Well considering your mission, perhaps it would be best if you were in…

"RAVENCLAW!" the hat screamed, nearly knocking her off the chair. She gracefully removed the hat and seated herself at the Ravenclaw table. After the sorting ceremony was completed, Dippet finished his speech which was incredibly boring compared to Dumbledore's speeches from her time. The food appeared on the table to Hermione's delight. She began eating hurriedly, perfectly imitating Ron's table manners until she felt a pair of eyes on her.

She lifted her head from her food and noticed a blonde haired girl staring at her intentionally to get her attention. "Hi, Hermione is it? I'm Cornelia," she said, shaking Hermione's hand. "This is Patrick," she said, hitting the guy on her left who had been talking to a few other students.

"Enchanted to meet you, my dear Hermione," he said, kissing her hand instead of shaking it.

Hermione simply smiled, but the smile quickly changed into a frown while peeking at the Slytherin table. Draco was apparently having no trouble making new acquaintances but he was not the one who had caught her attention. A few seats away sat a handsome dark haired boy around her age whose eyes were steadily focused on Hermione. As much as Hermione found it ridiculous, she was having a staring contest with this unknown student who was doing an incredible job at not blinking. Alright perhaps it was caused by her new looks… it was not something she had experienced in her own time. It was usually Lavender or Parvati who had boys staring at them constantly.

'What makes you think he's staring at you for those reasons?' she thought to herself angrily. 'You're not here for blasted guys. Sure, he looks great, but he's probably like every other guy. They're all in it for their own interests and don't think it's different in this time.'

Finally, Hermione was distracted when Cornelia began speaking to her again, "Hermione, do you have your schedule with you? Maybe we have the same classes and I can show you around!"

Hermione finally blinked at the voice of her new friend, finding the mysterious boy smirking at her as if knowing that he had won some sort of competition between them. She glanced away and pulled out a sheet from her robes, showing her new schedule to some of the Ravenclaw students. When she glanced back at the Slytherin table, the student was talking to another student near him.

Meanwhile, on the Slytherin table, a heated discussion was going on between the upper years concerning the Hogwarts staff.

"Aye, my father doesn't think that Dippet is up to the job. Besides, keeping Muggle lovers like Dumbledore on the staff-,"Charles Black commented to his friend Malfoy, who nodded in agreement.

"Black," a person seated near him barked, not caring about interrupting. Black immediately stopped the conversation, annoyed. However the disappointment on his face was rapidly masked as he leaned towards the person to hear what he needed to say.

"Where is that new student in our house from?" he asked Black, wiping his mouth and folding the napkin neatly on his plate.

"Draco? I'm not quite sure, but supposedly from the same place as that new girl in Ravenclaw," Black said, gazing at the new Ravenclaw girl, "Must say, I don't mind a fine addition to Hogwarts like her."

"Yes, and please don't mind me saying that you will stay away from her," he ordered Black, finishing the rest of his drink.

"I don't take orders Riddle," Black scoffed, "Especially not from a half blood."

"If you know what's good for you, you'll listen," the student answered back in a deadly voice, looking at Black furiously. "Find out what you can about Devereux," the student said, focusing on the Ravenclaw table.

"And the girl, Tom?" Black said, following the direction of Tom's stare.

"I'll take care of that," Tom said, smirking.

Black shuddered at the thought of Tom's interest in the girl. This was surely a first. Tom Riddle interested in a girl instead of having his nose in the books. Fascinating, simply fascinating.

Hermione searched the Slytherin table for the student who had caught her attention earlier, but to no avail. "Cornelia, I was wondering… do you know the student who was sitting near the boy with the black hair. The bloody baron has taken his seat now."

"Why Hermione, silly… I don't know who you're talking about… and how did you know about the bloody baron?" Cornelia responded.

Hermione realized her mistake, and tried to correct herself quickly, "I believe that Professor Dumbledore mentioned him."

Cornelia nodded and returned to eating her desert. Twenty minutes later, Hermione was about to leave with her new Ravenclaw friends when she felt a heavy hand on her shoulder, prompting her to turn around. She found herself face to face with the mysterious student from Slytherin.

"Hello, you must be Hermione," he said in a deep voice with an Irish lilt and flashed a charming smile, "I'm Tom Riddle and the Head Boy at Hogwarts."

Now, if first impressions did not mean a thing, especially for the dark lord, she would have completely made a fool of herself in front of him. Just when he was beginning to think she was slow in thinking, she responded.

"Pleasure to meet you," she said in a suave voice, smiling and flipping her hair. 'Please tell me he's on Hogwarts business,' she thought to herself.

"Dippet wanted me to show you around the school," he said, his face completely emotionless.

'Saved!!!' Hermione thought in delight, 'Yet a tour of Hogwarts with the Dark Lord. Definitely not at the top of her list of things to do while in the 40's. Unless she was planning to kill him, which would be highly unlikely.' Nervously, she searched the room for Draco who was absolutely no where in sight when required. Stupid ferret.

"Sure! That would be great or I'll have a wonderful time getting to my classes tomorrow," Hermione said sarcastically. Without another word, he headed towards the far end of the Great Hall. She was having so much trouble keeping up with Tom's long strides, considering that he was significantly taller than her.

'Alright, he isn't short. Or bad looking… pretty much the opposite,' she thought.

He turned his head and was about to comment when someone patted Hermione's back.

"Where are you going?" Draco said, eyeing Hermione carefully. She could see him suspiciously eyeing Tom through the hair that had fallen over his eyes.

"Tom is showing me around the school, want to come?" Hermione asked, relieved that Draco had decided to get his ferret arse to her on time before being taken on the tour of hell with Mr. Voldie. She turned around and asked Tom sweetly, "Mind if Draco joins?"

Tom shrugged and began to walk away, which Hermione concluded was his way of saying that he personally did not care if he joined since he didn't bloody care who Draco was.

"Someone has all the bloody manners in the world," Draco sneered, under his breath.

"If I remember correctly," Hermione said, pausing in a reflective manner and stroking her chin. She smirked as though suddenly having an epiphany, "Never knew you had any as well." Hermione quickened her pace to catch up to Tom.

Their tour consisted of Tom not really talking unless it was a small introduction to the rooms. 'Funny, never thought he would be the quiet type,' Hermione thought, as they reached the library… the most interesting part of Hogwarts in Hermione's opinion.

"And of course, this is the library," Tom said, introducing the library in a higher tone than the rest of the places they had visited.

"Bugger, you shouldn't have showed us here. Now, Hermione will be constantly hibernating here if not in class," Draco said, rolling his eyes at Hermione.

"Ohhhh," Tom said, not frowning at her for the first time since Draco joined, "A fan of the library as well?"

She smiled in response, "Aye, don't listen to Draco. Looooooovvvves to exaggerate. I do get out."

"Guess I'll have to add that to my list of horrid duties. Making sure you get out," Tom said, raising his eyebrow and watching Hermione slide her fingers across the books on the shelves.

'Oh dear. A compliment from Voldie, oh dear.' Her fingertips stopped at one of the books and she picked it out. Turning around, she opened it and skimmed through its contents, "Really, my my, didn't know I was considered a 'horrid duty'." She grinned, glancing up at him from the book.

"Well excuse me, my dear Ms. Ravenclaw. You most certainly are not," Tom said in a monotone, yet amused voice. "How unfortunate that you're not sharing the same duties as me. From what I've heard, you would be a good competitor in all subjects."

She was surprised that at his suggestion but figured that she'd regret this conversation later.' "Good competitor for you?"

"You could say that," Tom said, rather arrogantly, "Question is, do you think you'll be able to hold your head above the water."

"Always up to a challenge," she said, snapping the book shut. "Will you be able to handle it?"

She slowly approached Tom, not knowing what had gotten into her. Draco was staring at her in disbelief.

"I should be asking you that question. Not sure if a weak Ravenclaw like you can stand up to the fierce competition from Slytherin." Tom said, cocking his head to the left and studying Hermione.

Hermione tied up her hair in a pony tail, deciding to give Tom a bit of attitude. Besides, if she was right, Tom would only respect people who were not afraid of him. Wasn't that how he respected Dumbledore, the only person who did not fear him? "Oh really? Fierce competition like you," she said slyly, "Been there, done that." She walked closer to him, and whispered, "Bring it on, Mr. Head Boy." She began to leave the library, but twisted around on her heels and glared at Draco and Tom, "Are you coming?"

They followed her, leaving the library. Her face reddened in shock at how she had acted towards Tom. Entering the Great Hall, Tom spoke once again, "Dippet mentioned you'd need to purchase some items in Hogesmeade. I've been told to show you the way. We'll meet after classes and go there directly." They both nodded in agreement. "Excellent. Hermione, those students are in Ravenclaw, you can follow them up to your room."

"Thanks," she said, "See you tomorrow."

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