A/N: No, I'm still alive…but just barely! I know this took forever, and I am sorry….but I got attacked by flying monkeys and was taken to Mongolia where there sent me back into the past 100 years and I had to wait for the first time machine to be built so I could come back here and get this chapter written… (Hears crickets in the background)… Ok, so I lied…no monkeys, no Mongolia, no time machine. There is just one thing that has kept me from writing….school…(hears gasps) Yes, the horrid school had tried to do me again, but I somehow managed to fight off the pile of homework and now I am here…writing all of this…ya... I'm sorry and I hope this delay doesn't happen again. I hate school…hate it! But I love you all and I hope you like the chapter…it may be strange at first but give it time. Loves you all to pieces!

Hermione had been up for about twenty minutes now. She hadn't spoken or moved since she had first opened her eyes…she just stared at the boy next to her, waiting for him to wake up but hoping that he wouldn't so she could watch him sleep.

She had been startled when deep, throaty snoring had first awoken her. It was still dark but Hermione could see just enough to know that she was in the boys' room, and that horrid snoring could only belong to one person…Ron.

"Why the hell am I in the boys' room?" She whispered. She looked around in bewilderment and tried to remember the previous night, when she suddenly realized that she wasn't the only person in the bed.

Hermione's tired eyes lit up as she saw who was next to her.

"Tom…" She murmured to herself. She smiled as she gazed at the handsome boy curled up on the left side of the bed. His legs were tangled in a mess of white sheets and his hair was tousled beyond believe; Hermione thought he looked beautiful.

Settling down next to him, Hermione watched as her boyfriend slept. He had sleep lines along his face from his pillow and Hermione followed the lines with her eyes. His lips were open slightly, exposing a row of perfectly shaped teeth that would make her dentist parents proud.

Hermione's eyes traveled lower. His green shirt was pushed up a little and exposed a good portion of his stomach. The skin on his tummy was the same creamy color of his face, and it looked just as smooth. He was thin but not scrawny, and there was a faint etching of ebony hair just below his navel. The hair made a small trail down his lower abdomen and disappeared under his pajama bottoms. Hermione blushed as her eyes followed the path.

The memory came back to her then like it often did when she was with Tom. The fact that he had seen her naked was not something she would soon forget, even though Tom had never brought it up, for which she was thankful.

She liked thinking about it sometimes, though. The way Tom was looking at her, as though he never seen anything more beautiful in his life, made her feel loved. She didn't feel dirty or disgusted or scared…just loved.

She had Tom…they were saving him…and he loved her. He loved her enough to bring her to his room so he could be with her when she slept. He loved her enough to stand up for her when people like Malfoy and Snape made her feel worthless. He loved her enough to change his future…he loved her enough to be a better man.

And she loved him for it.

Tom began to stir in his sleep, as if he could hear all of Hermione's thoughts and they were waking him.

He shifted around for a minute, gave a sleepy groan, and started to open his eyes. Just before he did, however, Hermione scooted right up next to him and lowered her face right over his. She tried to stifle a giggle as he began to open his eyes; she knew she would scare the crap out of him.

A sleepy yawn escaped his mouth as ebony eyelashes fluttered.

"Aaaahhheeeee…" Tom screeched, as he opened his eyes to find a face hovering just above his.

Hermione gave an affronted snort. "Honestly love, I didn't think I looked that bad."

"Hermione…" Tom groaned. "You scared the shit out of me."

She laughed at him. "Language, Mr. Riddle. You certainly are a brute first thing in the morning aren't you?" She quickly glanced around the room and gave an amused snort. "Good lord, nobody even woke up after that primitive squeal you just let out. These boys could probably sleep through a hurricane." She giggled.

"It's not funny, Hermione. What the hell were you thinking anyway? I just woke up for Gods sake, and already I've almost had a heart attack." He replied angrily.

"Wow…you are definitely not a morning person."

"No, I'm not." He spat.

Hermione was surprised. Not angry or confused…just surprised.

"Maybe I should just go then."

"Maybe you should." He replied without looking at her.

Hermione knew he wasn't joking. She could see it in his face…in those dark eyes of his.

She didn't say a word as she hopped off of his bed and walked quickly towards the door. She let it shut quietly, so as not to disturb the others, and headed down towards the Common Room.

It was empty and dark and cold. It was how Hermione was feeling at the moment.

She was actually in a state of shock.

What the hell just happened? She thought as she headed down the stairs. Why would Tom freak out like that?

Why would the person who 'loved' her actually tell her to leave him, like she meant nothing to him? She was in shock…

She reached the bottom of the stairs and stopped as she heard a door slam above her. Hermione didn't even bother to turn around. She knew who it was, but she didn't know what he wanted.

Suddenly, a strong pair of hands grasped her shoulders firmly and spun her around. She barely even had the chance to blink before Tom's mouth was on hers.

He was kissing her…really kissing her. It wasn't sweet, and it sure as hell wasn't innocent. Tom didn't even wait for Hermione to respond to his lips before he plunged his tongue into her mouth.

Her body was pressed against his and her mouth was being ravaged and hands were roaming all over her…and she didn't respond to any of it. She was too overwhelmed to react. She couldn't even push him off of her and make him explain himself, which is what she really wanted to do. No, she just stood there, pressed up against Tom, completely unresponsive.

Tom stopped suddenly and pulled away so he could stare into her eyes. His breathing was labored and he was flushed, but he looked terrified.

"Hermione, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to say what I did, love. I didn't mean any of it. I'm always stressed about Voldemort, and I always think that he is going to come after me while I'm sleeping. When I woke up the first thing I saw was someone looking down at me, and I panicked. I didn't mean to take my anxiety and anger out on you. I'm so sorry…I didn't mean it. I didn't."

Hermione just stared. She looked and felt neither angry nor relieved. She had listened to Tom's pleading and she had already forgiven him, but she was still in a state of shock. Her body and mind were not prepared to handle this kind of stress and confusion so early in the morning, and it had left her momentarily paralyzed.

Tom almost started crying when she didn't respond.

"Hermione, please say something." He begged. "Hit me. Scream in my face. Tell me I'm an asshole. I deserve all of that. Just please don't leave me…God Hermione, please don't leave me."

She had never seen him so distressed…like he was ready to break. Why would I leave him, she thought.

"Hermione…I'm s…"

"I know Tom. I forgive you." It was all she could manage to say, and she hoped it was enough. Hermione felt really tired all of the sudden, as though she had been physically and mentally drained.

Tom pressed his forehead against hers. "I'm so sorry, love." He whispered.

"I know, Tom. It's ok." Hermione's voice even sounded exhausted.

"I'm sorry if I scared you when I kissed you…I had to kiss you. You walked out, and I panicked, and I had to find you…I had to kiss you. I need you."

"I know Tom." She replied weakly.

"Kiss me Hermione. Please." He begged. Hs forehead was still pressed against hers and he could have reached her mouth easily, but he wanted her to kiss him.

Hermione brought her lips up and caressed them tenderly against his. He moaned softly and kissed her back lovingly.

"I forgive you, Tom." She said when she pulled back. "I just feel a bit paralyzed at the moment. This all happened too fast and it was a shock to my system."

"I'm sorry. I love you, and I'm sorry." Tom still looked and sounded distressed, but he had calmed down since she had kissed him.

Hermione smiled. "I love you too."

"Are you ok?" He asked when he noticed how worn she looked.

"I'm ok, just tired." She replied, and then yawned.

"It's only morning and already I've stressed out my girlfriend to the max. I'm s…"

"Tom, if you say you're sorry one more time then I will be forced to Crucio you right here." She countered tiredly but firmly.

Tom smiled. "I deserve it."

Just as Hermione was about to answer him, a bright light crept up on her face and made her groan in irritation.

"No, I don't want it to be morning yet. I'm too tired for it to be morning." She complained.

Sure enough, the sky was beginning to brighten and the once dark Common Room was now bathed in the early morning light.

Tom chuckled. "Today is Saturday, so you can go back to bed if you want."

"No, I'm up now, and I'm never able to go back to bed once I'm up."

"You're sure?" He asked, while his fingers gently traced Hermione's profile. It was something he always did when he was worried about her, or when he just wanted to touch her.

Before Hermione could respond, however, the door to the girls' room was thrown open as Ginny rushed down the stairs and into the Common Room.

"Hermione, there you are! I was so worried when I woke up and you weren't in your bed." Ginny gushed as she raced over to the brunette and gave her a hug.

"I'm ok Ginny. I was just having a little chat with Tom." Hermione said while smiling. "I'm sorry I scared you."

"Did you even come in last night? I don't remember anyone coming in by the time I was asleep, and I sat up for a while and waited for you."

Hermione and Tom felt awful.

"No she didn't come in, and it was my fault." Tom said. "She fell asleep last night when we were out, and I didn't want to wake her to send her to her rooms, so I just took her up to the boys' room. I'm sorry Ginny."

"It's ok Tom. I'm glad she was with you and safe."

"You're too wonderful Ginny Weasley." Hermione said with an affectionate smile.

"I try." The red head replied with a shrug.

Tom and Hermione both laughed.

The boys' door opened then as a tired looking Harry, Ron, and Dean slouched down the stairs.

"Good morning boys." Ginny called cheerfully.

"Oh, keep it down Ginny, for Merlin's sake." Ron groaned as he plopped himself down on a couch.

"Aw, what's the matter Ronald? Did you forget to sleep without pink blanket again?" Ginny teased.

Everyone laughed while Ron scowled at his sister.

"It's not pink, its maroon…and I don't sleep with it anymore…that often." He protested. Everyone laughed harder.

"But seriously Ginny, we did have a rough morning." Dean said.

"We think there may have been some kind of animal in the room last night." Harry said.

"Harry, that's no way to talk about Ron." Ginny said in mock shock.

"Keep it up Ginny." Ron snapped.

Harry chuckled. "Whatever it was, it had one hell of a screech."

Tom paled and then reddened. Hermione had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.

"Did you hear it Tom?" Ron asked from the couch.

"Uh…um no, no I didn't hear anything." Tom mumbled.

"Man, are you lucky. It sounded like a monkey was dying or something. It was horrible." Ron replied. He didn't seem to notice how red Tom was at the moment.

Hermione was having a hard time stifling her laughter. She puffed out her cheeks and held her breath, hoping that the lack of oxygen would kill her urge to laugh.

"Hermione…you look like a chipmunk." Dean commented at the sight of her rounded cheeks.

Hermione couldn't take it anymore. Her cheeks deflated as the laughter exploded from her mouth.

Everyone was looking at her amused…Tom just scowled.

"Watch out mates, I think Hermione has lost it a bit. I mean, what's so funny about chipmunks?" Dean asked.

Hermione laughed harder…they didn't get it.

"Wow…you really are mental Hermione. I knew it…I knew it all along." Ron said in awe.

"Oh shut up Ron." Hermione managed to say between giggles.

"Alright, enough of this madness…I'm going to get ready for breakfast." Dean said as he headed for the stairs.

There was a murmur of agreement from everyone else and they headed back to their rooms to get ready for the day.

Before Tom and Hermione parted, however, the brunette stood on her tiptoes so she could reach her boyfriends ear.

"I'll see you at breakfast…my little monkey." She whispered.

Tom smiled and leaned close to her ear. "You'll pay for that." He whispered back.

Hermione arched an eyebrow at him and started heading for the stairs.

"Oh Tom, there's one more thing." She called as she turned towards him.

"What's that love?" He asked.

"Fix your hair." She giggled. She loved to tease him about how fond he was of his beautiful head of hair.

Tom laughed. "That one was below the belt Hermione, but I deserve it."

"Don't worry love, you still look gorgeous…only now you're a frumpy kind of gorgeous."

"I think were even now." Tom mumbled. He tried to flatten his hair but it decided to pull a Harry's head on him and refuse to lay flat.

Hermione giggled all the way up the stairs, with her bed-head boyfriend close behind her.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

"Hermione, are you ok? You look like you're ready to pass out in your cereal bowl." Harry said.

Hermione jumped a little as if she had just woken up from a daze. "Wha- oh, I'm ok Harry, just tired." She replied groggily.

"Good thing its Saturday love, cause you look completely dead." Ginny commented worriedly.

"Thanks Gin." Hermione said dryly. "I'm fine…really. So you two stop worrying."

Harry and Ginny shot each other a worried glance, but they didn't press the issue further.

"Hermione, you should have gone back to bed." Tom whispered. He was sitting next to her at the table and he reached his hand underneath the top so he could grasp hers.

Hermione smiled. "I'm f-i-n-e." She told him firmly. "Oh and by the way…your favorite teacher is approaching. He must want to give you extra credit or something." Hermione snorted.

Tom turned around and saw Snape striding towards them with Draco close behind.

"Favorite teacher my arse," Tom whispered to Hermione just before Snape reached where he was sitting. Harry and the others glared at Severus as he walked by, but the potions teacher didn't even bother to look at them.

"Good morning Riddle." Snape said in his deep, oily voice.

"Morning Professor. Is there something I can do for you?" Tom asked politely.

Tom noticed Snape glance quickly at Hermione, frown, and then look back at him.

"I wanted to inquire upon where you would be staying during the winter break…seeing as how it starts this Monday." Snape asked coolly.

"I was planning on just staying at Hogwarts. Hermione and the others are staying as well to keep me company." Tom couldn't help but smile a little. Two weeks alone with Hermione sounded like heaven.

Snape frowned yet again, but this time it stayed on his face.

"How generous of them," he remarked.

"Yes, I think it is rather generous of them." Tom replied curtly.

Tom then glanced over at Draco whom he had forgotten was there. He was standing stock still behind Snape and looked…apathetic. This surprised Tom somewhat; the blonde was usually full of emotion…it was mostly hatred and anger, but it was emotion nonetheless. Draco now had the look of someone who didn't give a damn about anything.

"Well, I think Mr. Malfoy and I will leave you to your breakfast now. Have a good day Tom." Tom nodded. "Follow me Draco." Snape said hastily as he began to walk towards the front doors.

Hermione noticed something very curious as Snape and Draco passed her. Was it just her, or did Snape just slip something in her drink? Her cup was very close to edge and because of his billowing robes Snape could have easily done it without anyone seeing. But Hermione had seen…or had she?

She rubbed her tired eyes and then looked into her cup. It smelled like proper pumpkin juice and it had no funny discoloration, so Hermione assumed she had been just imagining things. After all…why would Snape slip something in her drink? He disliked her, but she doubted he would ever physically harm her.

"Hermione…HERMIONE!"

"Huh?" She asked as she looked up from her cup.

"Bollocks Hermione, I have been trying to get your attention for two minutes now." Ron complained.

"Oh, I'm sorry." She said, blushing.

She looked at Tom and frowned at his concerned expression.

"I'm fine." She mouthed.

Tom smiled and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Hermione smiled back and picked her cup up. She downed the drink in one gulp.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

I know Tom was a butt early, but you have to understand that his stress levels are shot because of Voldemort. He really didn't mean to act as he had towards Hermione…he was just scared and he doesn't like being scared (who does?) Again…I am so sorry about this chapters delay. God, I wish I didn't have school. Oh don't I wish…..

LOVE YOU GUYS LOTS! I will try my darned hardest to keep my updating as regular as possible: )