Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot! All of it belongs to J.K Rowling.

Chapter 2: In Love with the Enemy.

'Oh, well. Here we are.' He said as they reached the Great Hall. As Tom said before, the staff had arranged a sorting ceremony for Hermione. And to Hermione's surprised, she was placed in Ravenclaw. Hermione went and sat herself at the Ravenclaw table. As she sat, she took a quick glance at the Slytherin's table and saw a disappointed face of Tom Riddle. I wonder why he looked sullen and she's too late when Tom looked up and smiled at her.

'Hey, Hermione Granger, right?' a perky, pretty blond girl who sat next to her asked. 'Right' Hermione replied. 'And you are?' she asked the girl. 'Oh. I'm Samantha Haskin, seventh year too. Let me introduce you to the rest of my friends.' She said cheerfully as she stood up and pointed to several peoples.

'That's Dawson Craft' she pointed at the blond haired guy with broad shoulder. 'Fendi Rodriguez' the tall guy with messy brown hair who sat next to Dawson . 'Myra Darling' she pointed at the red-haired girl next to her. 'And last but not least, Cynthia Hannigan' the girl with doll-like raven hair who sat opposite to Hermione. 'Hullo Hermione' all of them said in unison. 'Welcome to Ravenclaw!' Dawson said as he drew a hand for Hermione to shook. 'Thank you' Hermione said. She never thought that Ravenclaw can be so friendly.

The rest of the feast went perfect. She met many new friends. They're all so friendly. After the feast, she was brought to the Ravenclaw Tower. The password was 'Eagle Talons'. As she went inside for the first time in her life, she saw the Ravenclaw common room was beautifully decorated in blue and white. There was an overstuffed sofa in front of the huge fire place. Looks like Gryffindor Common Room, except its all blue and white, she thought as sad memories suddenly came to her mind. Samantha showed Hermione her dorm. In her new dorm, there were four four-poster beds with blue curtains. She was placed next to Cynthia and opposite of Myra.

Hermione sat on her bed and tried to remember what had happen and how did she get here and when did she last used the time-turner. But she doesn't seem to remember all the answers. Hermione closed her eyes and think of her friends. Her DEAD friends. Her mind shifted. Harry, Ron, Ginny, Draco and Professor Dumbledore were killed by the Unforgiving Curse. While others were killed by Death Eaters. Hermione was the only one who survived because... because of what? she asked herself silently. But why? Why doesn't the Dark Lord killed me? she thought. Without knowing, she had already fell into deep slumber with all the questions remain unanswered.

***********

The next day, she woke up very early. In fact it's too early that it's still dark. She looked at her watch. 5:38. She groaned and stood up to take a shower. After freshly showered, she got dressed and decided on morning stroll by the lake. She went downstairs and saw Samantha and Dawson were sleeping comfortably arms-in-arms on the overstuffed sofa. They must be dating each other. Hermione sighed. That reminds me of myself and Harry. She sighed again. She used to date Harry. In fact she was engaged to Harry. The day before the war began, Harry had asked her to marry him. Of course, being in love with Harry had made her say yes. Hermione glanced at the silver ring with a heart engraved a small initial H.P,H.G that was still in her ring finger. [A/N: was it called the ring finger?]

Hermione swung the portrait and walked down the stairs. Then she heard someone clearing throat. She turned around and saw Tom Riddle. Like her, Tom woke up early and was alone. 'Good morning, Hermione. What are you doing here so early in the morning' Tom asked her. 'Nothing. What are YOU doing here?' Hermione asked him curiously. He must have think of some evil plot to destroy the whole school. 'Nothing' he shrugged. 'Just woke up early and just felt like walking by the lake' he said casually. Is he capable of reading minds? Hermione thought. 'Care to join me?' Tom asked and smile his heart-melting smile at Hermione. 'Sure' Hermione said as her heart did a somersault. I am NOT falling in love with young Voldemort. She remind herself.

When they reached the Entrance Hall, the sun was already starting to rise. The sky was beautiful. It was violet with the hint of red and pink. 'So picturesque.' Hermione said silently. 'So Hermione, where did you come from?' Tom asked as he looked at Hermione while walking. Hermione, who never took her eyes off the beautiful sky replied 'somewhere you'll know in fifty years.' Hermione face turned grim for a moment, then she changed the subject 'I believe you are a Head Boy, Tom?' she asked hoping Tom would forget what she'd said before. 'Yes. I am. I've been dreaming about it since I came to Hogwarts' he replied.

'That's nice' Hermione said as she looked at the lake and saw the Giant Squid swam gracefully. 'You must be clever, then' Hermione said while looking at him sideway. Must he looked so handsome when he was young? she asked herself. She turned to face Tom, when she saw that he'd blushed. Hermione, you are definitely NOT in love with him. She remind herself again.

'Um, Hermione?' he asked. 'Yes, Tom' she replied. 'Do you have a boyfriend in the place where you came from' he asked as he saw the ring Hermione wore on her finger. 'No, why?' she said. 'Oh, nothing. I thought you might have one because you're wearing sort of an engagement ring there,' he said. 'Oh, this.' Hermione said as she looked at the ring. 'It's just a friendship ring. My friend gave it to me when I told HER that I'll be studying at Hogwarts. We were best of friend since we're young' she lied casually.

'Oh.' Tom said although he doesn't look convinced. Hermione noticed it and open a new topic 'so, where do you come from?' she asked him. 'Muggle Orphanage Land' he said in disgust. 'Actually, my father left my mother before I was born. Shocked when my mother told him she's a witch. Then she died right after I was born. You see, my mother just managed to name me Tom, after my father and Marvolo, after my grandfather' he explain. 'Oh, I'm sorry about your mother' Hermione said sympathetically. 'But what happened to your father?' she asked. Tom just stared at the now brighten sky. 'I'll have my revenge soon.' he said, barely whisper in a dead tone.

Hermione was stunned. Uh-oh, is this the reason he's so mean to Muggleborn. Life must be tough for him. Hermione shrugged. 'Say, Hermione,' Tom stopped on his track. 'You're not a Mudblood, are you?' Tom asked her as he stared deep into Hermione's hazel eyes. Shit. Must he bring out THAT topic! she swore silently. 'Um, no. I'm a pureblood' she lied. Tom looked at her intently, and finally seem satisfied at knowing she's a pureblood.

'You know, breakfast will probably start in a few minutes' Tom said as he looked at his watch. 'Come on. Let have something to eat. I'm starving' he said then he suddenly grabbed Hermione's hand and walked together hands in hands until they reached the Great Hall.

to be continue...
R/R please!
[A/N: How was that? Sorry if it's a little bit short. I'm working on the next chapter. Review, okay?]

Thanks to:

i-SeLL-YeLLoW-sNoW - thank you so much and i'm expecting more '!!!' soon! hehe

Astraea - I, too found myself interested in Herm/Tom fiction.

Akuryu_Skadi - Of course it is a Tom/Herm fic and it was You-Know-Who she met in the cemetery.

Lana Lang - Thank you.