A/N: I know, I know, I'm terrible and you all hate me. But look at it this way, now that school is over for me, I will have ample time to update! And since I am now done with high school forever woot woot I may even be able to write other stories! Oh the possibilities are endless -
I want to give a big thanks to Forever Tom's Mannequin! She's my beta now everyone!


Previously: Poppy turned her head slowly and looked at the two boys standing by the door. Harry felt his stomach drop when he saw the tear sliding down her cheek.

"Her heart stopped beating just a moment ago," she said in a strained voice. "I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do. She's dead."

Tom wanted to scream, but he couldn't. He wanted to hunt down everyone involved with Hermione's death, but he didn't even have the strength to move. He wanted to reach out and touch Hermione, but he was afraid to feel her cold, dead skin underneath his fingers.

"What do you mean she's dead?" someone screamed. Tom slowly looked up and saw Harry and Ron standing at the entrance. When had they gotten there?

Harry looked too numb to say anything, so Tom assumed it was Ron who had screamed, not that it really mattered. Nothing really mattered anymore.

"I'm sorry," Madame Pomfrey said weakly. "I wish there was-"

"Wait!" someone interrupted.

Everyone in the room focused on Ginny who still had tears streaming down her cheeks but was no longer sobbing.

"L-look, I think she's breathing!" she exclaimed.

Everyone's eyes shifted down to Hermione.

Tom looked at his girl friend's chest and almost cried out in relief. She was breathing!

For the second time that day, Tom was too stunned to do anything.

Madame Pomfrey rushed over to Hermione's side and stared disbelievingly at the young girl who was dead mere moments ago.

"This is impossible! Amorea just doesn't stop suddenly. She should be dead," Poppy said as she performed some kind of spell over Hermione.

"No, she shouldn't be," Dumbledore said as he and Snape entered the room, followed by someone completely unexpected.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Harry growled, looking at Peter in disgust.

"Please remain clam Harry, and I will explain everything," Dumbledore said evenly.

"How is she Poppy?" Snape asked the startled looking woman.

"I can find no trace of Amorea left in her. She's going to be fine. How has this happened?"

Dumbledore was about to explain when he saw Tom drop to his knees next to Hermione's bed.

With shaky fingers, Tom grasped Hermione's small hand in his and leaned his head close to her ear. There was warmth coming from her, and her cheeks and lips were already returning to their normal, healthy color.

"Hermione, can you hear me love?" he whispered.

She stirred a little, and Tom felt her hand tighten around his.

"Look at me Hermione," he said softly. "Open your eyes."

Tom sighed in relief when he saw her eyes opening, revealing those pretty, light brown orbs that he'd never thought he'd see sparkling with life ever again.

"Hullo stranger," Hermione said quietly. Her voice was no longer groggy but firm.

"How are you feeling?" he asked as he ran a finger down the side of her face.

"Awake." She smiled as he chuckled happily.

He leaned forward and kissed her forehead gently. "I've never been so scared in my life," he whispered.

"Neither have I," she said. "But I'm okay now."

Tom leaned in close again until his lips found hers. He wanted to curl up next to her and keep kissing her, but he remembered that they were in a room with six other people. They broke apart slowly and looked up at the others.

Ginny and Poppy were both making puppy dog eyes at the couple, as if they had never seen a moment of affection between two people before. Dumbledore and Harry looked both proud and relieved, Ron was blushing but still looked happy, Peter looked like he wanted to run away, and Snape looked like he had swallowed something repulsive.

Basically, all was right and normal in the world.

Harry, Ron, and Ginny moved closer to Hermione and each gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"I knew you weren't dead Hermione. I knew it all along," Ron whispered in her ear.

Hermione laughed and kissed his cheek. "Of course you did Ron."

"Oh Ginny, I'm sorry I upset you so much," Hermione said when she noticed Ginny's tear-stained cheeks and puffy red eyes.

Ginny just shook her head and hugged Hermione close when it was her turn. "I thought we had really lost you," she said.

"But you didn't," Hermione said gently.

Harry leaned close to Hermione while Ginny was still hugging her and planted a kiss on her forehead.

Hermione smiled and pulled him into a hug with the arm that wasn't hugging Ginny.

"These life and death things seem to make up your life Harry," Hermione said fondly.

"Eh, it makes everything more exciting I suppose. The only draw back is getting worry wrinkles and the whole losing your loved ones thing, of course."

Hermione giggled and felt her eyes water a little. Her friends really were amazing.

Someone cleared their throat loudly, which caused everyone to turn in the direction it came from. No one was surprised to see Snape standing there wearing a rather sour expression.

"I think there are more pressing matters to be discussed," he said dryly. "That is if everyone has successfully quenched their need of showering affection upon Miss Granger who, might I add, was never going to die in the first place."

"Not that I'm not extremely grateful or anything," Tom said, "But how is she alive? I mean, her heart stopped and she wasn't breathing."

"That was just a reflex action, for lack of a better word," Albus said. "The poison was, in a sense, dying, and it was taking a lot of energy out of her. Once it died out completely, the sudden energy boost must have sent her body into shock which momentarily stalled her heart."

"But Headmaster, Amorea just doesn't die out," Tom said.

"It does if it's been diluted," Snape said.

"But who-" Harry cut himself off when he looked at Peter, who was standing still and quiet beside Dumbledore.

"Peter was able to dilute it before Hermione was poisoned," Dumbledore said.

Everyone was staring at Peter, unsure of what to say.

"Why?" Harry asked quietly.

"Because I owed you a debt Harry," Peter said timidly.

"You owed me a debt for what Peter? For betraying my parents and feeling sorry for it?" Harry sneered.

"Because you saved my life," Peter said. "You could have let Sirius and Remus kill me that night in the Shrieking Shack, but you didn't. I always felt that I owed you a life debt after that."

Harry wanted to laugh. 'A life debt? Honestly, this guy has lost it,' he thought to himself.

"Um, not to be rude or anything, but what does all of that have to do with me?" Hermione asked.

Peter looked at her and shrugged. "I heard of the plan to kill you, and I knew what you meant to Harry, so I figured that saving your life would repay that debt."

"Well, um, thank you," Hermione said, unsure of what else to say.

Peter looked like he was about to smile until he noticed Tom. The fact that he was in a room with the young Voldemort hadn't really struck him until then.

Tom smirked when he saw the panic on Peter's face.

"There's no need to fear me, Mr. Pettigrew. I think I now owe you a debt for what you have done for Hermione," Tom said.

Peter wasn't sure if he should trust him, until he noticed Tom's thumb rubbing small circles on Hermione's hand.

"Is it really true?" Peter asked hesitantly. "Do you really love her?"

"I really love her," Tom said. He looked at Hermione, who was smiling at him.

"You know the Dark Lord will never stop until Hermione is dead. He is determined to separate you two," Peter said.

Tom nodded gravely. "That's why I'm going back," he said quietly. Hermione squeezed his hand for comfort.

"Going back to your time? How?" Peter asked. The fact that he was talking to his master's younger counterpart amazed him, especially since Tom Riddle was nothing like the Dark Lord he knew and feared.

"Ask Harry. He's the only one who can find the way," Tom said.

"That reminds me, Harry. How has your search been coming along?" Dumbledore asked.

Harry looked at Dumbledore and then at everyone else before smiling nervously.

"Oh, uh it's really coming along, Headmaster. I've found loads of stuff."

Dumbledore smiled. "So basically, you haven't started looking yet."

"Basically," Harry admitted shamefully.

"Headmaster, when has Mr. Potter spent time enough in the library to do anything useful?" Snape asked casually.

Harry was about to smart off when he remembered something.

'What was that name of the book I found earlier?' he thought. 'Something in Latin. Tergi something or other.'

"Harry?"

Harry was startled out of his thoughts.

"Harry, are you ok?" Albus asked him.

"Yes sir, I was just thinking," he replied.

"Well, this appears to be a day of many firsts," Snape said quietly.

Harry rolled his eyes.

"S-so it's over right?" Ginny asked suddenly. "Hermione isn't going to die?"

"Not today, Miss Weasley," Dumbledore said. He looked over at Hermione and winked, earning him a smile from the brunette.

"Not that I'm not excited and everything, but isn't there something we are all forgetting?" Ron asked.

"What are you talking about Ron?" Harry asked.

"We don't know who it is that poisoned her in the first place," he said.

"Yes we do, Mr. Weasley," Albus said.

"Who was it?" Tom asked. The hint of anger in his voice didn't go unnoticed by the others.

"It was Draco Malfoy, but I forbid any of you from taking this matter into your own hands," Dumbledore said firmly. "I will deal with Mr. Malfoy."

"But why did he do it?" Ginny asked.

"Because he's an evil git," Ron said, quietly, so Dumbledore couldn't hear.

"Because the assignment was given to me to poison Hermione. The Dark Lord, however, didn't think I would do it, which I wouldn't have, so he gave the task to Draco," Snape said.

"Thank you, professor," Hermione said before she could stop herself. She immediately felt dumb for saying it.

"You're thanking me for not poisoning you? Do you think I would have?" Snape said coolly.

"No, sir. It's just-"

Snape held up a hand to silence her. "I know what you meant Miss Granger. You're welcome."

Hermione smiled and Snape gave a curt nod before turning towards Dumbledore.

"I think we should send word to Miss Granger's parents letting them know that she's okay," Snape said.

Albus nodded and looked at Madame Pomfrey, who had been stunned into silence for a while now.

"Poppy, would it be alright if Hermione's friends stayed with her? I think she is healthy enough to have some company, and after all, it is Christmas and one shouldn't be alone on such a day."

"Yes, I think that would be fine," she said. "As long they behave themselves," she added, while staring at Harry and Ron.

They gave her their most innocent looking smiles, which made her roll her eyes.

Dumbledore smiled and turned his attention to Snape and Peter.

"Gentlemen, we have some work to do concerning young Mr. Malfoy."

The two men nodded and began to follow Dumbledore out of the room.

"Peter," Harry said suddenly, causing the three men to stop and stare at him.

"I don't know if I'll ever really forgive you for what you did to my parents, and I don't think I should be expected to, but for what its worth, thank you. You saved Hermione's life, which means there's hope for you yet."

Peter looked unsure of what to do. He gave Harry a brief smile and nodded his head before he quickly fled from the room followed closely by Snape. Dumbledore stayed behind long enough to smile at Harry before he too left.

Once the three older wizards were gone, the attention went straight to Hermione, who was looking her old self again. It was quite a difference from the tired looking Hermione they had seen for over a week now.

"Alright Harry, Ron, it's time for us to go," Ginny said as she moved towards Hermione.

"What are you talking about?" Ron asked. "Why do we have to go."

"To give Hermione and Tom some privacy of course," Ginny said as she gave Hermione another hug.

"No, you guys should stay," Tom said.

"Yes, really you don't have to leave," Hermione added as she received another hug from Harry.

"No, you two should spend some time alone together," Harry told her.

Ron grunted and moved towards Hermione for a hug as well.

"These two probably want to go off somewhere and snog each other to death," he said.

"Mr. Weasley, honestly," Madame Pomfrey said.

Harry and Ginny turned bright red as they glared at Ron.

"What? You two kissed!" Hermione asked excitedly.

"Oh God," Harry groaned. He didn't really mind his friends hearing this, but talking about kissing anyone in front of Madame Pomfrey made him want to hurl.

Hermione just giggled. "You can tell me about it later Ginny."

Ginny was looking everywhere expect at Madame Pomfrey.

"Ok, time to go," she said hastily.

Both she and Harry rushed out of the room without a backwards glance. Ron winked at Hermione and Tom before he strutted confidently out of the room. He had finally gotten one up on Ginny.

Poppy was shaking her head fondly as she turned to look at the young couple.

"You may stay as long as you like, Mr. Riddle. I want to keep Hermione here a little longer before I release her. I'll be in my office if you need anything."

Hermione and Tom both nodded and watched as Poppy retreated into her office.

Once she was gone, the couple looked at each other for a while without saying anything.

Tom felt so content just being with her that he didn't even realize he had yawned.

"Hermione frowned. You haven't been getting much sleep have you?" she asked.

Tom just shrugged and continued to stare at her. Hermione couldn't stop the blush from creeping up into her cheeks; it always happened when he would stare at her that way.

Tom smiled.

"You really should sleep, Tom," she said.

"Don't want to," he murmured.

"Well I want you to," she said firmly. She shifted over some on the bed and pulled the sheets back.

"You. Up here. Now."

Tom chuckled. "How could I refuse an order like that?" he said as he climbed onto the bed next to her.

Once he was tucked in, Hermione cuddled up against him and hugged him close.

"I saw your present for me, love," Tom whispered. His voice sounded heavy and his eyes were beginning to droop a little. He really hadn't had much sleep lately.

"Did you?" Hermione asked as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"Ginny and I found it. It's the most beautiful thing anyone has ever done for me, and I want you to come with me when I visit her grave."

"I'm glad you want me to come. I wanted to be there with you."

"I want you with me every second from now on," Tom told her.

"We can work something out," Hermione giggled.

"Wait 'til you see your gift, love," Tom said sleepily. "You'll love it."

"I'd love it more if you just slept," she said.

Tom smiled at her as his eyes closed against his will.

"Happy now?" he murmured drowsily.

"Very," Hermione whispered.

Tom was asleep sooner than she thought, and Hermione shifted on her side a little so she could watch him better while he slept. She herself had no intention of falling asleep any time soon. She figured she had gotten more than enough rest lately.

.

A/N: So what did you guys think? I just want everyone to know that Tom is not tired because he's been poisoned like Hermione had. He's just been so worried about Hermione that sleep has been rare thing for him lately.

Oh, and I have a little treat for everyone! It's nothing amazing or anything, but I thought it would be cool to do.

I found this great picture of Christian Coulson (that actor who plays Tom Riddle in the movie) and I just really like his facial expression. It just reminded me of the part in this chapter where Tom and Hermione are alone and staring at each other for a bit. Hmm, let's just say that Hermione is one lucky girl to have someone like him, lol. I know I'm crazy! I hope you guys like it. It's just him in the picture, so you have to pretend that those pretty eyes of his are looking at our little Hermione.

Due to annoying technical difficulties, I can't post the link to the picture on here. If anyone wants to see it then email me at and I will send it to you. Again, it's nothing extraordinary but I thought it would be fun to have some kind image I could give you of Tom.