Authors Note: I am going to address the issue of Tom's OOC again because I feel I need to explain him a little better. From what I got from the books, Tom allowed himself to be corrupted by evil because of his hate for his father. Everything Tom does seems to revolve around his father….he wanted all of that power so he could prove to his father who was the better man. Dumbledore and even Harry and Hermione know that Tom's father is his weak point so to speak; Tom will do anything to prove he is better then his father. Also, Tom has never really had people who have cared for him before. He has always felt neglected and unwanted, so now that he is surrounded by people who do care for him, it makes it easier for him to want to change. Does that make sense? I hope so…I just want Tom's personality to be understood. He is a person after all and that means that he has some good in him; now Hermione and everyone are going to bring that good side out! Ok enough of my babbling…here's chapter four! Mandy

Tom woke up feeling as though he had just gone to sleep five minutes ago. He didn't know how he was going to last through the day feeling exhausted and still have to learn about life fifty-four years into the future.

Wow, I am about 74 years old in this time...I wonder what I look like? He would have to remember to ask Harry later about his appearance.

To his surprise, Tom woke up and found that his room was already empty. Damn Gryffindors must wake up at the crack of dawn, he thought. He looked to his left and saw that on top of his night stand was a tie in Gryffindor colors, as well as socks that were adorned with big, thick stripes of gold and red. He would have to burn those awful things. He got out of his bed and looked in the trunk that held his school belongings and he found several new robes and school uniforms with the accents all decked out in red and gold. He also found pajamas and new socks and underwear, all his size. He was happy to see that he didn't have to worry about any of those things.

After he was dressed and clean, Tom walked down the stairs and heard several voices, two he recognized as Harry's and Hermione's. The other two were ones he did not recognize, one belonging to a boy and the other was a girl. They seemed to be arguing about something and Tom could have sworn he heard his name; this made him stop on the stairs and listen to what they were saying.

"I know it's hard to understand Ginny, but Tom does want to change. You didn't see him last night; there was sincerity in his eyes and it has even me convinced," Harry was almost pleading.

"Listen Harry," Ron began. "It's not that we don't trust you or Hermione's judgment, it's just...well this is Voldemort mate. And I would have to be lying if I said I wasn't a bit scared with his sixteen year old self being here."

"I know Ron," said Hermione. "I was scared a bit last night too when we brought him back. But there is something about him and I don't know why but I trust him. He really is a good person; I can see that in him."

Tom smiled as Hermione said this. He didn't know why her trust meant so much to him, but it did. Funny…he never really cared about anyone's opinion of him before. Maybe that was because they were all so negative.

Sighing, Ginny stood up and walked over to Harry and Hermione. "Ok you two, if you guys see so much good in him, then I guess I can try and find some as well. You both are so lucky though that you didn't get expelled for bringing him here. Dumbledore must really think this plan of yours is going to work Hermione. I just hope you all are right."

"We are," Hermione said, happy that Ron and Ginny were taking this really well. Hermione stood up and gave her other two best friends a hug while Harry stood and did the same. They were a really trusting group of friends.

Tom wondered how Ron and Ginny both knew who he was too, but he would have to ask Harry later about that as well. He had so much he needed to catch up on.

It seemed as though everyone was in a much better mood now so Tom decided it was time to make his grand entrance. He walked down the stairs a little louder than normal so he could alert the others of his presence. As he entered the common room, he saw that Ron and Ginny had to be brother and sister, for their hair was same color of bright red. He noticed that Ginny was a cute girl who looked like she was a bit younger then the other three teenagers and Ron was about the age of Harry and Hermione, only he was rather tall.

All eyes turned on him as he entered and he suddenly felt a little embarrassed. Ginny paled so fast it was as though someone had sucked the color out of her cheeks with a vacuum. Ron on the other hand had turned beet red and looked a bit apprehensive. He felt a bit better though when he looked over at Harry who was smiling warmly at him.

And then his breath caught. He knew Hermione was pretty, he could see that last night, but now that they were in the light he saw that she was not just pretty but beautiful. Her chestnut colored hair lightly curled and Tom longed to run his fingers through it. Her eyes sparkled and had hints of gold flecks that mixed in with the brown. Her skin was the color of caramel cream and she had a sprinkling of freckles across her nose that Tom found adorable. He blushed at the smile she was giving him and he cursed his fair skin that would give the red away in a heartbeat. He was taken out of his musings however when Ginny approached him with a smile on her face.

"Hello Tom Riddle, my name is Ginny Weasley." She outstretched her hand for Tom to shake. Instead of shaking it, he brought it to his mouth and kissed the backside lightly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Weasley," Tom replied with a warm smile that made Ginny blush up to her ears.

"Hello mate," Ron said as he approached Tom with what appeared to be a bit of caution. "I'm Ron Weasley." Ron held out his hand for Tom to shake, hoping that he would not repeat what he had done to Ginny's and kiss it. Tom shook his hand and told him it was nice to meet him as well.

"So Tom," Ginny began. "How do you like it here so far?"

As Tom, Ginny, and Ron got into a minor discussion about school life in 1997, Harry and Hermione watched completely flabbergasted. They could not believe how wonderful Ron and Ginny were being; especially Ginny who had met Tom Riddle before and was almost killed by him. Harry and Hermione were very proud of their best friends.

"How come no one was in the rooms when I woke up?" Tom asked.

"Oh sorry about that Tom," Harry began apologetically. "You overslept a bit and when we all woke up I didn't think it right to disturb you so I figured I would come get you before we all went down to breakfast."

"That's ok Harry," Tom said smiling. "I actually appreciate not being woken up right away, especially since I am still so tired." Tom yawned then and Hermione caught a glimpse of the most perfect teeth she had ever seen. She wondered what it would be like to kiss him. She blushed at the thought and looked away from him so he wouldn't notice she was staring.

"All of the guys were really curious about you when they woke up and saw that you were in the room with us," Ron said. "They can't wait to meet you and find out more about you."

Tom's eyebrows furrowed a bit at this and he realized that he would have to come up with a bunch of lies as to who he was and where he came from. Great, he thought, more exhausting work.

"Don't worry," Harry added when he noticed that Tom looked a bit troubled at this. "Dumbledore will have a cover story for you. Kids are being transferred here all of the time. Hogwarts is, after all, one of the best and safest schools there is. Everyone will just think you are here for protection against the threat of Voldemort."

At the mention of the name Voldemort, Tom noticed that both Ginny and Ron paled a considerable amount and were looking everywhere except at him. He felt awful that they were a bit scared of him. He would just have to give them some time. He rather liked both Ginny and Ron for they seemed just as friendly as Harry and Hermione were.

An uncomfortable silence had grown between all of them and Harry wished he had not mentioned the "V" word.

"Well," said Hermione brightly. "I think we should all go downstairs and get some breakfast. Dumbledore is going announce Tom's arrival so we don't want to be late."

At the mention of food, Ron perked up immediately and challenged Harry to race to the Great Hall. Hermione, Tom, and Ginny all laughed after the two boys who tore off down the hall, each trying to outrun the other. As the trio walked on after the two, they got into a discussion of what classes they were taking. And as Tom had guessed, Hermione was a very intelligent girl. Even though she was only a fifth year, she was taking some classes that were for sixth and seventh years. Beauty and brains, Tom thought to himself.

As they entered the Great Hall they noticed that Harry and Ron were already seated and eating as though it was their last meal. "Boys," both Ginny and Hermione said out loud, causing Tom to laugh.

As they walked on over to the two ravenous eaters, Hermione noticed that just about every girl had stopped what they were doing and were gazing at Tom as if they had not seen a boy before. Tom must have noticed them too for his cheeks were colored bright crimson and he kept his eyes averted from their stares. Hermione felt like telling them to mind their own damn business and to go back to what they were doing.

Tom, Hermione, and Ginny sat down and began to put food on their plates when Dumbledore stood up and called for the students to give him his attention.

"I would like to introduce to you all to a new student who joins us from Ireland where he attended the Felicis School of Magical Learning. Tom Riddle is in his sixth year and was sorted yesterday into the Gryffindor house. I expect all of you to give Mr. Riddle a warm welcome into our happy home here at Hogwarts and I expect all of you to be on your best behavior so as not to give him a bad impression of us." With that Dumbledore looked to the two Weasley twins and gave them a knowing smile. Both boys gave him a wink and a thumbs up.

As soon as Dumbledore sat back down, the questions started to pour in. Even kids from other houses came over to greet Tom and to welcome him to Hogwarts. Tom found it rather embarrassing when a group of giggling girls approached him and seemed to forget how to speak as they marveled at how close they were to the new hunk of Hogwarts. Tom should have been used to all of the attention from girls. Back in his time, he always had girls who would try to get his attention, but he found them all rather annoying and doubted any of them could even hold an intelligent conversation with him.

He remembered one girl who would bug him to no end and then run off wailing when Tom would just ignore her. He could not stand her...so he had her killed. He sent the basilisk on her and secretly rejoiced when he found out that his ancestor's snake had killed Myrtle Morgan. He remembered watching the men carry her lifeless body down the stairs on the stretcher, and seeing one of her hands dangle from the side. One annoying Mudblood down…God knows how many more to go.

As he thought about all of this he wondered if his new friends knew about the incident with the Chamber of Secrets and the basilisk. If they did or not he decided he would not mention it so that way unwanted questioning would be avoided. Besides, he was here to change and he couldn't be thinking about killing and power if he wanted to avoid becoming the Dark Lord. He had to be strong; stronger then his father at least.

Tom was happy to find that the Gryffindors were actually people that he liked. They were all very welcoming and didn't ask too many questions as to pry into his personal life. Tom looked over to the Slytherin table and was reminded of his fellow Slytherins back in his own time. They all had a coldness about them that could chill even the most heated room. Tom thought he fitted in with them so well, but now that he was here he was beginning to see that he could identify with other people too. He felt at ease with all of them.

Tom looked over to the staff table and noticed that all of the teachers kept giving him worried glances. He realized that most of them would know who he was and Dumbledore must have talked to them about his arrival. There was one teacher however that kept giving Tom a knowing look.

"Hey Harry," Tom nudged the boy next to him. "Who is that teacher right there, the one with the black hair."

"That's professor Snape," Harry said, giving the older man a look of contempt. "He teaches potions, and if you are wondering why he keeps looking at you like he knows you, it is because he does." Harry dropped his voice down to a whisper so only Tom could hear.

"As Voldemort you have accumulated a great number of followers who call themselves the Death Eaters. They worship you and do whatever it is you ask of them, and Snape used to be one of them. You see, when you tried to kill me when I was a baby and failed, everyone thought that you were defeated, even your followers. Most turned to the good side again after that, claiming that they were under the imperious curse or what not, when in truth they were still just as evil. Snape, however, turned to the good side before you disappeared, and Dumbledore now trusts him completely. He may be a gigantic prick, but it is fair to say that he does tend to look out for us, so I expect he will do the same for you."

Tom looked at Snape again and caught his stare. He wondered what he had asked this man to do for him. He hoped that when his potions professor looked at him, that he would not see the future Voldemort looking back, but notice him for who he was, a person who was trying to change.

Breakfast was over in a heartbeat it seemed and soon Tom was approached by a stern looking witch. He could tell just by looking at her that she was not one to cross.

"Hello Mr. Riddle. I am Professor McGonagall and I am the transfigurations teacher. I have your list of classes, all of which correspond to the ones you were taking before you came here to Hogwarts. I trust that your fellow classmates will show you around." McGonagall handed him his papers and gave him a surveying look.

Tom thanked his professor and immediately looked over his schedule after the older witch turned and walked back to the staff table. He saw that he had the exact same classes that he had back in his time and thought that Dumbledore must have looked at some of his old records in order to match his curriculum to the one he had in the past. He was thankful it was the same so that he could just continue where he left off.

Harry, Ron, and Ginny all had to get to class in the next five minutes so they gave some quick goodbyes, wished Tom luck, and then sped off so they would not be late. Tom was suddenly aware that he was left alone with Hermione. Not that he minded of course...

"So," she began rather nervously. She too realized that they were now alone together for the first time; with the exception of everyone in the hall of course. "You have a pretty extensive load with all of those classes. I'm surprised you are not Prefect."

"Actually, I am in my time. But I know Dumbledore can't boot out the Prefect boy in this time and replace him with me, so I don't really mind losing the title. It takes some of the work load off anyways." Tom hoped he didn't sound as if he were bragging.

"I hope I make Prefect next year. My parents would be so proud, although I would have to explain what it means of course."

"Why," Tom asked. "Shouldn't they know what Prefect means if they went here?"
Hermione blushed so red that she was sure her face was on fire. She had forgotten that Tom didn't know she was a muggleborn. Well there goes any chance of dating him, she thought sadly. No not date…oh Hermione pull yourself together!

"Actually Tom," she said in a trembling voice. "Both of my parents are muggles." Her face took on an even darker shade of red.

Tom looked at her for a moment and couldn't help but think of how cute she looked when she blushed. He heard what she had just said, but for some reason he found that he could care less what she was.

"I am a half-blood," he told her with a steady voice. "My mother was a witch but my father was a muggle. He abandoned her even before I was born when he found what she was and she died giving birth to me. I hate them both for leaving me, but my father...I can't even stand the thought of him. That is why I made the name of Voldemort for myself. The fact that I was named after that man turns my stomach. But I never thought my hate for him and those like him would turn me into an obsessed lunatic." He stopped for a moment and then added softly, "I really do want to change Hermione."

He couldn't believe he had just said all of that to her. He had never been so revealing of his past and his feelings to anyone and it scared him a little bit. But when he looked at Hermione, he didn't see pity or sadness in her eyes...he saw understanding.

"I know what it's like to want to change who you are Tom," she began softly. "And the fact that you are willing to change for the better shows me that you are stronger than even I thought. You are not your father Tom."

Hermione reached over and took his hand in hers and held it firmly. The physical touch made him shiver. A girl had never had this kind of effect on him before and it was giving him mixed feelings. He didn't want to be weak and fall for the affections of some girl…but then the other half of him was saying that Hermione wasn't just some girl. She was different…

"Oh crap," she exclaimed suddenly, drawing her hand out of Tom's grasp...much to his disappointment. "I am going to be late for my Defense Against the Dark Arts class. I had better get going."

"I should go too," Tom added. "I have to get to my Advanced Transfigurations class and I don't fancy being late and pissing off Professor McGonagall. She looks a bit stern."

Hermione smiled. "She can be a bit tough, but she is a really good teacher and has one hell of a sense of humor. She just has to get to know you."

"Will I be seeing you later in the common room?" Tom asked trying to sound nonchalant.

"Of course Tom," Hermione said happily. "I want to hear about how all your classes went."

"Sure, I just hope I don't fall asleep in any of them," he added with a slight yawn.

"Don't worry, if you begin to doze off just think about getting detention in the Forbidden Forest at night and you will stay wide awake."

With that, Hermione leaned over and gave Tom a reassuring hug.

"Thanks Hermione for...well everything," Tom whispered in her ear.

"It's my pleasure Mr. Riddle," Hermione whispered back.

As they both moved away, their lips slightly brushed against each other, causing both teenagers to redden furiously. Even though they were embarrassed with what just happened, neither could look away from the other. Hermione stared into his dark eyes and felt her legs go a bit wobbly. He had such a beautiful face. His cheek bones were high and made his face look thin and even more handsome. Every feature looked as though it was created by a sculptor who had everything chiseled to perfection. His thick, ebony hair against his fair skin gave him wonderful contrast of light and dark that Hermione found breathtaking. She had never seen anything more perfect in her life.

Tom realized that he was still holding onto Hermione's waist which caused his heart to beat faster. Tom moved his eyes from hers and brought them down to look at her lips. They were just the perfect size for her pretty face; not too big, but not too small. He was about to lean in and kiss her when she suddenly pulled out of his grasp and avoided his stare by looking at the ground.

"I...um... ha-have to get to class," she stammered. "I'll see you later Tom," she said to him, still not meeting his gaze.

She quickly grabbed her books and headed towards the door. On her way there, she noticed that every girl was looking at her with jealousy etched in their eyes. Oh God, she thought, half of the school must have just seen what happened. She wanted to crawl in a hole and disappear. But before she left however, she glanced over her shoulder and saw that Tom was still looking at her. He flashed her huge smile that was all teeth, and again for the one-hundredth time in two days, Hermione blushed.

Tom's smile stayed in place even after Hermione disappeared beyond the giant doors. He did love it when she blushed.

"I see you are making friends fast Tom."

Tom turned to find Dumbledore standing behind him. The headmaster's bright blue eyes were twinkling more then usual.

"Well everyone here seems very nice and welcoming, so it's hard not to make friends I suppose," Tom replied.

"If you don't mind me saying so Tom, I see that you and Ms. Granger seem to be getting along very well indeed."

Tom felt the heat rising up from his neck and into his cheeks. "What do you mean Headmaster?" Tom asked trying and failing to sound causal.

"Well Tom, after all those years of teaching and watching you, I had never once seen you smile, and since you have come here, you have done it a number of times, especially when you are around Ms. Granger. I think it is safe to say that you are allowing yourself to change. You stand a chance against him Tom. Don't ever forget that you are a better person than him...you don't have to let him destroy you."

"I will try my hardest to stay clear from the path that leads to Voldemort sir."

"I wasn't talking about Voldemort; I was talking about your father."
With that, Dumbledore wished him good luck in his classes and strode off, leaving Tom looking after him in bewilderment. He knows more about me than I thought he did, he thought.

Tom realized how late it was and started to head out to his Transfiguration class. He didn't like the idea of Dumbledore knowing so much about him, but he couldn't do much about it now he supposed. He would just have to make sure and keep that old man out of his head; lest he found out more then he needed to…..

Oh please review! I jump up and down whenever I get one, and so far I have been getting a lot! Thanks you guys! Loves ya!

And remember:

Come to the dark side…..we have cookies!