Hermione awoke slowly, unable to recognize where she was at first glance. The warmth of the blankets comforted her so much that she hadn't the desire to move a single muscle. Her mind was a complete blank; she couldn't summon a single thought to come through her imagination as she stared out into the nothingness of the sky through her window. The stars were shining so brilliantly. Perhaps that was why she couldn't force herself to think of a single reason to have thought. The way the curtains were flowing out from the windowed door to greet her made her want to reach out for them in search of recognition. She could feel the sky taunting her. Morning had not yet come, and felt as though it wouldn't. She felt herself trapped in such a moment she couldn't place. Whether it was shock, or simply laziness that forced her to stay so still, she couldn't tell.

The stars glowed white with deep purple and blue shadows surrounding them, making her eyes wonder. She had never seen the sky like this before, so mystical, so inviting.

But a small light coming from below the night's stunningly deep purplish-blue glow disrupted her moment of serenity. She sighed in disappointment, knowing she would have to get up in a matter of moments. To go where, she wasn't sure, but knowing she would have to force herself up within a few moments made her angry.

Unable to stand the sun destroying the night's great gift to her, she turned to her other side and realized where she was and remembered what had happened. But what only seemed to have mattered most was she had met him again. It felt the way it did when she had only first met him. The excitement, the enthusiasm, and above all, the security she needed so desperately; all the emotions she had felt when he had first appeared to her.

Hermione suddenly felt herself at a lose of breath as she lay hidden beneath the covers, trying to block away the sun's cruelty. The question came to her mind so swiftly and curiously, and yet made no sense.

When was the time when they had first met? How had they first met?

Perhaps he has yet to help me remember that far back… she told herself quietly in her mind. But it still haunted her. She quickly reasoned with herself to throw the question aside. It needed not to be answered just yet.

Hermione began to feel her eyes become heavy once more. Feeling the need to take advantage of the moment, she closed her eyes. Darkness took control of her mind again as she felt herself slowly drift into a soft sleep. Still mindful of the sun's challenge outside her window, she could only hope that her room would not be filled with light too soon.

Moments past before she had the strength to open her eyes. And when she did she was met with surprise. Her room was still dark and serene, and her window tightly closed where the curtains no longer flowed, but covered the sun's harsh light. She gently closed her eyes to envision to night sky once again, making sure it would be a memory she would keep. Although, with the window closed, she somehow could still make out the light of the stars shining through. She could even make out the colors of the room that she could before. But the colors were not the only ones comforting her…she could feel it.

She studied the room with interest, knowing whose eyes had fallen upon her. She glanced toward the corner to see a tall, dark silhouette standing in the shadows watching her. He stepped out from the darkness for her to see him. She began to sit up to meet him as he walked toward her. He had sat down in front of her before she could think of standing to greet him. Tom reached out and softly caressed her face, looking at her straight in the eyes. His mouth began to curve in a slight grin.

"Did you stay with me all night?" asked Hermione.

"I had no other choice but to leave you here alone for the night. I came back at the earliest opportunity."

"Then you only just arrived?"

"No, I've been here for a while. I've been watching you sleep," he said as he rested his hand on her cheek. "Sorry if I startled you, but I couldn't allow your restful night to slip away."

Hermione was at a loss for words. She couldn't remember the last time someone had shown her such kindness. She couldn't help but wonder what she had done to deserve such sincerity.

"I spoke with the headmaster again last night. That hat will resort you in two days. We have time to rest until then." Said Tom.

"But how can we be sure it…" Hermione started before Tom cut her off.

"No need to worry about that just yet. We have time to work through before then," he said. Hermione merely nodded in agreement.

"Come down to your quarters. We'll order some breakfast. It will help you gain back the strength you still need," Said Tom. He took her hand and led her towards the door as she followed him silently out the door and down the spiral staircase. She looked ahead to see a long and dark corridor dimly lined with lit torches.

They had barely made it down the stone cold steps and down the dark hall to her living quarters when Hermione suddenly felt a wrench of pain shoot through her head and force itself into her mind. Her knees caved in from under her as she quickly loosened her hand from Tom's to catch her fall to the hard stone floor. Tom was only half a second too late from catching her himself. He knelt down trying to hold her head, which she had clutched in her hands as well as her screams from pain. He called her name relentlessly trying to gain her attention to keep her calm, completely unaware how far away she was.

Memories, reminders, and warnings rushed through her mind more quickly than she could keep up. Hermione began to grab at the stone floor in horror as she moaned from utter terror. Images were racing through her mind as she began to hear a flood of screams that deafened her ears from anything else. Bodies lay all around her, a young red-head ran in fright with her child clinched at her chest, figures in dark cloaks wondered through the night with their wands lit as they rampaged and set houses to flames through there their wands, Ginny lay nearly lifeless in the depths of an eerie chamber, Harry sat roped to a tombstone as a pale man in a long cloak rose slowly from a cauldron…

But somehow, the figure appeared familiar. A painful slash took to her head as she saw Tom, standing before Harry in the very place she saw Ginny lying on the floor. Another and even more powerful blow was taken through Hermione's mind as she saw herself wondering the empty library with a mirror alongside. She saw herself and cautiously check the corner with the mirror, expecting to see a dreadful creature. But all she saw was someone else she knew. It was Tom, staring deep into her eyes and invading her mind. She heard him cry out an incantation as he pointed his wand straight for her, his eyes full of remorse. Hermione knew immediately he had vanquished any memory she had of seeing him. The question arose again to her memory…

When had they first met? Had she known him throughout these lonesome years? How long had he been coming to her, visited her, loved her? How long had she loved him, Tom Riddle, the dark lord, the enemy…

Hermione felt everything escape her mind as quickly as it had pierced through. All she could feel was Tom holding her tightly. She opened her eyes so suddenly that she could hardly see anything. Everything was moving so fast. She could barely make out his form at first sight. She heard herself gasping for breath as if she had been suffocating, while her chest bared a horrible burning sensation.

Tom had her upright and in his arms. His eyes were closed in deep concentration and focus as his other hand was held tightly against her forehead. Hermione didn't need to question the meaning of all this. It was obvious he had set her free from whatever had taken complete control of her.

His eyes opened suddenly as he released her from his tight grasp. His eyes no longer held the comfort she had always loved and found comfort in them, but pure hatred and evil. Hermione saw everything she first had the night before as Tom sensed her terror, fright, and mistrust. He instantly began to realize what was right in front of him. He knew she had somehow seen what he had been trying so hard to hide from her.

Hermione had begun to see him for what he was and had always been, the greatest dark lord to ever live, Lord Voldemort. The only thing that begun to terrify Hermione even more so, was the way he had taken her wrists within his hold, enabling her to move. 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Dun Dun Dun!!!

A/N: Sorry about the cliffhanger, but I wanted to keep everyone still interested. I will post as soon as I can! Sorry again for the long wait. I know I'm bad about that.

Thanks for those of you who are leaving me reviews. I really enjoy reading them and seeing what you think and reading your comments.

Deadly Fate- I thought that might add a little twist to the plot. It just kind of popped into my head like a light bulb. I knew that had to be it!

Hannah-Freya- :::grins::: Neither do I. Lol. I'm working on it hard though. I think its really started to come along nicely! I hope to hear more from you!

Someone28, Joy4eva, dolphingirl79, dreamcatcher639, gaia-moore, eth, Serena- Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Please review and let me know what you think!