Tom Riddle was effortlessly the center of attention. Everywhere he went, eyes fell on him. His beautiful curls were always shining, and his pale skin was always unblemished. There wasn't a single second when someone wasn't staring. He was fancied by many of his peers.

During Third Year and every year after, he was always being asked to go to Hogsmeade. His answer was always a polite no. There was only one witch he wanted to go with, unfortunately, she never once thought of asking him.

After Fifth Year, during summer, he coincidentally bumped into her. Hermione Granger, a witch he went to Hogwarts with, was on holiday at Bournemouth beach. She was stretched out in her black bikini absorbing some sun when his shadow hovered over her.

"Granger."

She knew the voice and never expected to meet anyone from Hogwarts. "Riddle?" she asked, as she placed a hand above her head to block out the bright sunlight to confirm who it was.

When she opened her eyes, a halo surrounded his curls. He was only wearing swim trunks, revealing more than she ever saw of the opposite sex. He was a bit muscular and defined from playing Quidditch since their First Year. She always watched when Gryffindor or Slytherin played. Her eyes had a tendency of following him on his broom.

"Fancy seeing you here," he smirked as he skimmed over her from head to toe. He didn't hide that he was staring at her, or that he licked his lips as he did so. "I'll see you around."

xxxx

After dinner with her parents, she strolled the beach before heading back to their hotel. It was their last night of their holiday, and she wanted to enjoy it one final time. She was strolling by the shore as she held her flip-flops in her hand. To her surprise, she saw him near the shore. He was sat, staring at the ebb and flow of waves. She tried to ignore him, but he quickly stood and joined her when their eyes met.

The skirt of her golden sundress fluttered with the breeze when he came near and stared at her legs. He held his shoes in one hand. He was wearing a sky blue buttoned up shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and khaki pants that were rolled up halfway to his calves.

"We meet again," he smiled.

"It's our last night here. Wanted to see it before we leave early in the morning."

His smile faded. She noticed the change. She always noticed the little things about him, especially whilst in the library or in class. He ruined most of his quill when he was stressed. He liked to tap his fingers on the table when a lesson was boring. Sometimes, he doodled on a sheet of paper, if he didn't care to listen to the Professor giving a lecture.

There were times they were both the last ones when working in group projects together. He always made sure that she never walked alone to her House tower, even if it was nearly curfew. He heled her tidy up and return books back in shelves instead of just stacking them on the table. When a shelf was up high, he helped her. His chest would press against her back and her hair would tickle his chin.

There was a look of disappointment on his face. "Was hoping, I'd see you tomorrow."

"We're going back to London for the rest of summer."

He nodded. "Hopefully I'll see you there."

"It's a big city," she replied. Never in their life had they bumped into each other or ever met before Hogwarts. The chances of it, as she thought in her head, were slim to none.

He stepped closer. The sand beneath his feet sunk. There was a slight hitch in her breath when their eyes met underneath the moonlight, with the sounds of the wave crashing beside them.

"Perhaps, you can give me your number, and we can meet when I get back. I'm here for a week with family."

"Like a date?" her heart started to beat nervously. She couldn't have fathom that he, off all the wizards in Hogwarts, would be asking her on a date. Their group of friends is of the opposite end. Beside class related things, they didn't really interact much.

He was standing too close. She could feel the warmth of his body as they stood centimeters apart. He gave off the same feeling every time they had to work on the same group projects. She never understood why she was always nervous around him until now. Like many witches, she was quite smitten with him, but she never wanted to admit it. He was always charming and exuded confidence. She knew better than to be one of the many that constantly asked him to Hogsmeade or elsewhere.

"No. Not like a date but a date. I always thought you were smart and clever. You're pretty and well, in your bikini," he paused. There were a few seconds of silence before he could continue. "I hate to sound absurd, but I hate that so many others saw you."

She took a deep breath to calm her racing heart. "It's a beach, and you weren't exactly fully clothed yourself."

"Fair enough," he chuckled. "I always waited and hoped that you would ask to go to Hogsmeade together."

"Why didn't you ask me?" she looked up to meet his eyes.

"You're always hanging around Potter and Weasley or some other Gryffindor. It's difficult to find you by yourself until now," he leaned closer. Their bodies touched slightly. She could feel the softness of his trousers on her legs.

"You're always surrounded by other witches from every House," she retorted. It was difficult not to see or pay attention to. She was never jealous until now. She never had the courage like others to just go up to him and ask if he'd like to go to Hogsmeade, since he turned every invitation down. The rejection would be disheartening.

"None of them were you," he replied.

There was a gleam in his eyes. It was something she'd never seen before. Tom Riddle was never smitten on anyone as far as she knew. He was either deep in his studies or out with so many others, but never the same witch for far too long.

"You're lying," she never fathomed that one of the most sought wizard in school could possibly be into her when they never spoke outside of school work and projects. He barely looked or uttered a hello to her when they passed in halls. His focus was always on other witches unless they were in the same group project.

"You're always studying with Potter or Weasley in the library or out by the Black Lake when it's sunny. You're always with them at Hogsmeade drinking Butterbeer or in the joke shop."

"I'm not always with them," she interrupted. She had other friends, but the three of them were practically attached to the hips, from what she was told by others.

He continued on without missing a beat. "You got Outstanding in every subject, which is unbelievable. You love to rub your quill on your cheek whilst reading or deep in thought. You sigh out loud when you're stuck on a problem, though there hasn't been many that has you stumped. If you could, you'd probably stay in the library all night and sleep there," he wrapped his free arm on her waist and splayed his hand on the small of her back. "You bite your bottom lip when you're nervous, like you are right now. You're a difficult person to get all by yourself, and even more difficult to get out of my head."

She took a step back to catch her breath and to gather her thoughts, causing his arm to fall to his side. Her racing heart was making it difficult to speak or put words together that would make sense. What was happening to her wasn't something she thought possible. He was Tom Riddle. He could have any witch he wanted. She didn't understand why her.

"Am I being too blunt?" he asked as he closed the distance between them again.

She shook her head. "We were in classes together and worked in group projects. You never said anything."

"Was I supposed to announce to everyone in the Great Hall or the library that I have a crush on one of Hogwarts smartest witch? Aren't I always helpful and attentive to you when we're working together?"

Now that she thought about it, they were always the last ones in the library or Great Hall, adding last minute touches. He always made sure that he walked her back to her House tower before walking away to his. Sometimes he reminded her that it was dinner time when they were too busy in the library. He was always there when she needed him to be, now that she thought about it.

"Do I just interrupt you and your friends to tell you, that I would like to go to Hogsmeade with you? Last year, I tried asking for a dance at the Yule Ball, but you side stepped me and thought I was joking. What exactly is it you want me to say or do? I have tried to tell you."

"It's just," she sighed. "At that time, you had a date to the ball."

"You were clearly too distracted if you thought Bellatrix was my date. She's a bit of a bugger and likes to stick with her cousin. No matter. I'm letting you know now, that you aren't surrounded by Potter or Weasley. I like you, Hermione. I want to take you out on a date and go to Hogsmeade once we get back to Hogwarts."

The skirt of her dress fluttered with the breeze, and the waves were silenced by her racing heart. "Oh, I," she stuttered. Her words were stuck between her mind and mouth. She couldn't find the right things to say to him.

"I just feel completely stupid, if you don't feel the same way."

She shook her head. "No. I mean yes. Wait. Sorry," she giggled in nervousness.

"Do you want to go to the Pier? Have you gone there before?"

"I'd like to go. I never had time. We've only been here for a couple of days."

"There's usually a live performance at night," he daringly took her hand in his and held it. "You don't have curfew, do you?"

"Mum and dad knows I went out," she tried to keep her eyes on his as he slipped his fingers between hers.

"Let's go," he led the way out of the sandy beach and into a pathway.

She waited for him to put on his socks and shoes before they walked to the Pier that wasn't too far. They could see the lights and hear the echoes of the music from where they stood. It was a couple of minutes walk that was filled with small talks about the sunny weather and how much he enjoyed swimming.

There was a live band playing on the Pier as many tourists surrounded them from all sides. They played uptempo summer songs that were decades old. Plenty of children and older audiences were dancing and swaying to the music. They stayed by the railing where it was less crowded.

It was just as chilly on the Pier, causing her dress to flap up and flutter. He stood behind her to keep it rising any further and removed his buttoned top, revealing a thin white shirt underneath. He placed it over her shoulders to keep her warm and wrapped his arms around her waist.

A shiver ran down her spine when she felt his warm breath on her neck. He held her closer, not realizing he caused it. The music started to fade out, or it could be their hearts racing that was too loud.

"Cold still?"

She turned her head slightly to look at him. "Uhm," she bit her bottom lip.

"Do I make you nervous?"

She could feel his heart pounding against her back. She knew she wasn't the only one nervous but him too. His warm breath kissed her cheek. She placed her hand over his as he leaned closer and she closed her eyes when their lips touched.

"I want to," he whispered.

She nodded, brushing her lips with his. The fading sound of music continued as the waves battered the column of the Pier below. He crushed their lips together. Her lip balm tasted of cherries when he licked her lips. It clearly wasn't his first kiss but it was hers. She let his tongue slip through between her lips, and dug her fingers on the back of his hand when she felt his tongue lick and taste hers. He tasted of peppermint schnapps and sweets.

The crowd broke to an applause when the band stopped. They pulled away, and she turned to bury her face on his chest. She forgot they were out in public. Luckily, most of the attention was on the band and the audience dancing.

"Are you okay?" he whispered close to her ear.

She looked up at him. Her cheeks were red as she blushed. A part of her couldn't believe what she had done, and it was with him.

"Was that your first kiss?"

She felt her face get warmer. She nodded only.

"Had I known," he began but was interrupted.

"I wanted to. I've always liked you since I can remember. Never imagined that you even thought of me that way."

"Why wouldn't I? You're smart, hardworking, and pretty. You make it easy to like you."

"Thanks," she felt her face get hot. "I hate to do this but I have to get back soon. We're leaving quite early."

"Are you staying near here? I can walk you back."

"It's not far. It's close to where we met."

They walked back slowly with hands clasped together. "Never been to a cinema, would you like to go together?"

"How is that possible?"

"Spent most of my life learning and crafting magic and everything related. Mother was strict. Father even more. I'm spending summer with my Muggle grandparents, and they're more lenient."

Hermione paused. They both stopped walking. She turned to face him. There was confusion on her face.

"Muggle? I thought you're a pure blood."

"Not many knows, but Riddle is my stepfather. I just recently found out myself. My real father passed away when I was a baby, and my grandparents never stopped looking for me."

"Oh, sorry. Your secret is safe with me," she gently squeezed his hand. "We can go to a cinema anytime and whatever Muggle things you'd like to try."

They continued to walk towards her hotel that was now within view. Neither wanted the night to end, but she had an early morning departure back to London.

"Are you upset that I'm not a pure blood?"

They stopped again. It was one of his fears, that he wouldn't be accepted by some of his peers if the truth about his father came out. His mother spent all his life lying about it, and never wanted him to know. Being a pure blood came with a lot of privileges.

"Tom, I'm a Muggle born witch. The last thing I care about is pure blood and lineage. I'll keep your secret, I swear it."

His lips curled up to a smile. They continued their walk and the inevitable end of their night together. Their steps shortened, then stopped when they reached the front of her hotel.

"I'd like to call you when I get back to London with my grandparents."

"I don't have anything to write with."

Tom pulled out his wand from his pocket. "I placed an Untraceable Extension Charm," he answered when he saw the confused look on her face.

"Won't it hurt?"

"You can use it like a quill. Write it here," he extended his arm to her, and she wrote down her number on his palm. "I'll call you soon as I get back," he took his wand back and placed it inside his pocket. Unlike earlier he was more bold. He encircled his arm around her waist and kissed her lips. "I'll get this back in a week," he tugged his buttoned shirt close on her smaller body.

Her cheeks turned a bright red. "Looking forward to it. Goodnight, Tom."

"Goodnight, Hermione."

end.