Phoenix: I do not own the Harry Potter Books/Movies, or anything within them.


Tap tap tap tap tap

Hermione shoved a pillow over her head and tried to go back to bed.

Tap tap tap tap tap

Pulling the covers over herself and the pillow, she attempted to push the sound away.

Tap tap tap tap tap tap

"Harry...shtop tappi' on my windo..."

TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP

"HARRY! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DO-"

Hermione Granger blushed deeply as she looked out her window. There stood an owl, looking urgent and about to smash down the window.

TAP TAP TAP CRACK

The little owl broke a hole in the window and flew in. Dropping a letter on Hermione's bed, it took off again, obviously not needing a reply. Hermione sighed and repaired the window, with a flick of her wrist. She opened the letter and began reading.

Dear Hermione Jane Granger,

Though your map of the school would prove quite useful, I have asked Tom Riddle if he would accompany you through the day. He will help you through the classes, and, if there are any complaints, please contact me. You may sit at your own table at lunch (as we don't want Gryffindor and Slytherin to begin fighting), but please stay with him for the whole day. We don't want you getting lost!

Sincerely yours,

Dippet

Groaning, Hermione threw the letter in the trash bin. Everything was just getting worse. Last night, she had discovered that, in the 1940's, there were no portraits on the Head Girl or Boy's rooms, only on the common room itself. Now, she would have to walk with Riddle in between classes, too?

Note to self: Make friends at lunch.

Sighing, Hermione picked up her stuff and went to have a shower. This was going to be a looong day.


Stepping out of the washroom, Hermione spotted Riddle. She quickly gathered up her books, and followed after him. He was awfully calm for the fact that they only had five minutes to get to class. Maybe...he just didn't care? Forcing all thoughts out of her mind, she concentrated on her path ahead.

Riddle was still there, right beside her, almost as if he knew that she knew her way around. Honestly, Hermione really wanted to say something, but she couldn't think of anything to say. If she asked about a class, he might sense her lieing, and, if she asked about him, he might think she was insane. To walk on in this awkward silence, or take a risk? Then, she remembered what she had said to Malfoy on the train...

I'm not afraid to take risks...

"So...you're in Slytherin?"

"Yes." he replied in monotone, without emotion, without feeling.

"Did you want to get in Slytherin?"

Oops! Maybe she had pushed a little too far. He was looking at her wierdly, almost as if no one had ever asked about him before. Oh, what would she do if he whipped out his wand and cast Crucio on her? That might be overreacting, but, he'd do that, right? Or maybe he'd kill her! Right then, right there. Well, that wouldn't be so bad. Then she'd get to see Dumbledore again...

OH! But she'd get to see him anyway! Oh, MERLIN! And the first class was Transfiguration, too!

Squeeling in delight, Hermione looked back at Riddle, "Professer Dumbledore teaches Transfiguration, right!"

"Yes."

"Oh! I heard he's a really great teacher! Is that true?"

"It depends. By a Gryffindor's point of view, yes. But by most Slytherins' standards...no."

Hermione gave him a wierd look. Why hadn't he said what he thought? That was very...robotic? No...more like...he didn't think anyone would care what he thought. Hermione was utterly confused. She thought Riddle would be a heartless, sneering, beast of a man with thoughts only for himself. This was almost the complete opposite.

Not wanting to push any furthur, Hermione dropped the conversation. It was obvious something was wrong with Riddle. Other than the dark arts, that is. Almost as if he was...alone. But he wasn't! He had his death eaters and...yeah! He had his hordes and hordes of death eaters! What more did he need?

To him, the death eaters weren't his friends...merely his co-workers...

Dumbledore's words echoed back to her from a night long ago, right after she had gone into the pensieve. Hermione looked up finally, just as Riddle opened the door to the Transfiguration classroom. Surprisingly, he waited for her to go in first, then followed with his head held high. This confused Hermione. She thought he was insecure, but maybe he was just used to everyone knowing he was hidden.

Note to self: Pretend to not know of Riddle's anti-social status.

"You're late." she heard Professer Dumbledore say, "But I suppose I'll let it pass. Welcome, Hermione Ellisheer, to your very first Transfiguration class at Hogwarts."

With a bright smile, Hermione sat down, almost in tears. She had missed Dumbledore so much! And here he was, as innocent and happy as ever! He was so much younger, too! Less wrinkles, a shorter beard, black hair! But he was still Dumbledore, and Hermione was absolutely delighted that she could see him once again!

"As I was saying yesterday, today we are going to attempt to turn people into animals. Random animals, that is. Whatever you wish to see. For this, no words are required. All that is needed is concentration, a wand, and a partner. Any partner! Begin!"

Hermione panicked, and turned to Riddle. She gave him a pleading look, and he nodded, just as a swarm of girls ran over, begging to be his partner. Surprisingly, Riddle completely ignored them, except for one girl, who hugged him and plopped down in his lap. Even he was surprised by this.

"Millers! Uh, please. Get off. Ellisheer is my partner. Headmaster's orders."

Reluctantly, the girl got up, winking at him in the process. Sighing, he turned to Hermione, "What were your grades again?"

"O's in all classes except DADA, in which I got an E."

Riddle looked her over, then sent her a blank look. Even though Hermione couldn't read his expression, she went by what any other boy would be thinking if they were him. She knew she needed to ask, as Riddle had too much pride.

"Could you be my partner for today?"

Hermione was very surprised at his expression. He obviously didn't expect her to know what he was thinking. He nodded, then looked away, possibly wondering if his emotionless mask had failed him. Quickly regaining his composure, he gestured for her to go first.

Hmmm...What to turn Riddle into? Most importantly, what suited him? A phoenix, no doubt, but that would cause for lots of chaos. The building might catch on fire. Oh, but a bird might cause him to get angry and peck at her. Of course! Hermione laughed at the animal she had decided on, and, with a flick of her wrist, a cute little black kitten stood in Riddle's wake.

Riddle's wand clattered to the floor, and you could tell he was panicking. He at first, tried standing on two legs, then finally gave in and settled with four. His grey cat-like eyes darted back and forth, reluctant to jump off the chair. Hermione nearly peed herself laughing when Sandy Millers came and picked him up. She cuddled him and cooed, as he hissed and attempted to jump from her arms.

After watching for several moments, Hermione decided to step in, "Uh, Sandy? May I please have my Transfiguration partner back? It's his turn to try."

As annoying as Sandy was to Riddle, she still seemed pretty nice. She didn't scream and say no, or get angry and run away, but instead apologized and handed him over. Then again, she was a Gryffindor.

Sandy walked away, and Hermione put Riddle on the ground. He struggled to pick up his wand with no thumbs, then settled on having it in his mouth. Hermione watched him flick his wand, then felt herself getting shorter, and shorter. She was changing, and so was he. Turning around frantically, she saw just the end of her tail. Bloody hell! She was a snake! Typical...

Tom Riddle was turned back to normal by now, and he reached a hand down. Slithering up his wrist, Hermione went to bite him, but was stopped when Riddle clamped her mouth shut. Man, she was completely helpless. Surprisingly, though, Riddle didn't wait to see her suffer. Instead, he turned her back to normal, and gathered up his books.

"Class is over?" she gasped. Wow, that had seemed like only five minutes!

"Yes, and it's time for The History of Magic..." he smirked.


Hermione would be completely surprised if she didn't fail The History of Magic class this year. She sat there in class, scribbling down notes, head spinning, trying to take this all in. She recognized only a few wars, as the future History of Magic class had concentrated almost completely on the rise of Lord Voldemort. Frantically, Hermione looked up at Riddle. There he sat, arms crossed, nearly dosing off. His eyelids drooped, and his head nodded, then he snapped awake and sat up straight again. Then he started to dose off again.

"I'll let you get a head start on your essays! A summary on the War of 1899! Go!"

Hermione sighed hopelessly, and looked over at Riddle. She was bewildered at what she saw. Tom Marvolo Riddle, straight O student and future dark lord, had fallen asleep in class! His hair was all disheveled, and he wore a small smile on his face. How dare he? Hermione sat there struggling, as he took a nap? There was something wrong there!

Poking his face carefully with the end of her quill, Hermione whispered, "Riddle! Riddle! RIDDLE! Wake up! I need help!"

Riddle's eyes snapped open and he looked around frantically, rubbing his cheek with his hand. His eyes landed on Hermione and he looked at her questionably, "What were you saying?"

"I was trying to wake you up! You fell asleep."

"No, I didn't," he said nervously, "I was just listening with my eyes shut. Anyways, what did you want?"

"Your help!"

"What? I thought you had an O when you were tutored!"

"I did, but this is much harder! Will you help?"

Riddle sighed and looked at Hermione's blank sheet of paper.

"I'll help you later tonight, but you owe me."

Hermione smiled gratefully and began to gather her things. Class was almost over, and she wanted out quickly.

"You are dismissed!" the professer said, and Hermione walked out of the room with Tom.

As soon as they were in the hall, the dark wizard stopped and yawned, "What class do we have again? Charms? Okay. Come on."

He made his way through the crowds that seemed to open up for him, and soon enough, they were sitting down in the charms classroom, waiting for Professer Dutyg to begin.

"Today," he began, "You will each recieve a piece of jewellery that your partner will charm to change one of your attributes. Your hair, your eyes, your teeth, your skin. I don't care! The spell will be silent, and you only need to concentrate. Here is your jewellery...Begin!"

A necklace appeared in front of Hermione, and a ring in front of Tom. They immediately switched, and began concentrating. It took them each about ten minutes to finish the spell, Hermione taking a bit longer than Tom. Finally, they switched back, and stared down at their jewellery.

"You first." Tom said quickly.

"No you."

"At the same time?"

"Fine."

Carefully, the two of them counted to three, and put the jewellery on. Looking up at Tom, Hermione burst out laughing. His hair, and eyes were both hot pink. He looked like a bubbly little princess. The wizard cocked his head at her and looked into the nearest mirror. This just made Hermione laugh even harder. Turning back, Tom glared at her and turned the mirror her way.

Hermione took one look at the mirror, and fell of her chair, barely able to breathe. She looked hilarious! Like a rabid wood elf! Man, she must have been hyper! Normally, she would have pummeled the man who did this. Tom stood up and helped her back into her chair, as she continuously laughed on and on. Tears were running down here face, and she was holding her stomach.

"Merlin!" she said in between breaths, "I couldn't breathe! You looked like a bloody princess! I didn't think you'd look that funny! And I looked like a rabid wood elf!"

By that time, the two of them had taken off their jewellery, and Hermione had calmed down. She looked around the class and saw that no one else had yet succeeded in charming their jewellery. Sighing, she turned back to Tom. His expression was, as usual, unreadable. How could he have not found that funny? Or, maybe he had, and he was just REALLY good at hiding it.

Picking up her quill, Hermione began doodling something random. She didn't really know what it was, until she was finished. What the hell? she thought frantically. Looking beside her, she checked to see if Tom was looking. Luckily, he was writing something down on his paper, and didn't notice that Hermione had just drawn...well...him.

She laughed and decided that the silence was becoming uncomfortable. "So...what are we doing about Halloween?"

"Halloween? I don't know...a dance?"

Hermione looked at Tom wierdly. The most evil, murderous, dark lord in the world was recommending a dance? What was going on?

"Class is over, everyone. You are dismissed."

Hermione quickly gathered her things, and waited for Tom before leaving. Was it just her, or did he seem really tired? All the way to Ancient Runes, he kept yawning, and when the teacher started talking, he almost immediately fell asleep, head rested on his arms, leaning forward into his desk.

The whole class, Hermione doodled, and watched Tom. What was wrong with him? Why was he so tired? Well, maybe that was obvious: he didn't get enough sleep. But why?

"Class dismissed."

Hermione gently shook Tom's shoulder. He woke up slowly, and looked at Hermione through blurred eyes. He looked so tired...His emotionless mask was down, and he quickly looked away, barely concious. The room was completely empty now...it was just the two of them.

"Why are you so tired?" Hermione asked.

Yes, maybe one day this boy would be Lord Voldemort, but, for now, he was Tom Riddle, and Hermione had found no reason to hate this man. In fact, though it had only been a few hours, the young witch felt like the two of them were friends. Even though he wasn't exactly opening up, he hadn't done anything to hurt her yet.

"I just, didn't get much sleep."

"Well, then. Come on. You're going to get some sleep during lunch..."

"No." he said groggily, trying to remain emotionless, "I'm fine..."

Slowly, Tom began to collect his things. He attempted to stand up, but needed the wall for support. Hermione had never seen someone this tired before. She laughed as her friend swore, and sank to the floor slowly. Hermione couldn't help it. He was just so helpless.

"Man, I have such a hango-er...headache!" he grumbled.

Hermione fell to the ground beside him, laughing like hell. She had caught that word! Tom Riddle had a hangover! She couldn't believe it! A pierced ear, falling asleep in class, a hangover. It was obvious. This boy loved two things: dark magic, and beer.

Shaking her head, she helped him up, and guided him to his room. The rest of the classes could wait for today...


"So...let me get this straight. YOU, Tom Marvolo Riddle, snuck out in the middle of the night, and went to Hogsmeade to DRINK? That is against SO MANY RULES! Do you know how much trouble you could get into!"

"No..." Tom rambled, not really sure what he was saying, "I mean yes...erahhhhhhhhhhh! My head! Your questions are too confusing!"

The dark wizard ruffled his hair even more, and undid his tie. "I'm tired! Let me go to bed and Ijgn ifghllmmmmm..."

Hermione sighed and left the room. She still couldn't believe that this boy was Tom Riddle. Sure, everyone needed something for them to relax, but she could never picture the future Lord Voldemort drinking! Sure, she liked to also, but she was Hermione Granger...er...Ellisheer! And, that made sense! Sighing again, she settled herself on the couch, and fell asleep herself.


Phoenix: Thanks to Lady Moonglow (I LOVE YOUR HAVE YOU EVER STORY) and Gwynn-Potter for updating! You guys are great!