A/N: Thanks to the following - AquaCherry66, All-American Vampire, Tokyo no Ecchi, shadowglove, Gaerwen, 404, SLytHeRiNcHiCk 101, Dagorwen of Beleriand, and Vera-Sabe. Your reviews are greatly appreciated!

Chapter 11 – The Start of Something Wicked

"Well, interesting story, Miss Granger," Slughorn said, cutting the silence that hung thick in the room. "So, a new topic."

"Are you all right, Alice?" Leo whispered as Hermione took her seat.

"Fine," she breathed as she turned to Slughorn who was talking again.

"Who will be trying out for Dumbledore's magnificent play?" he inquired.

There was silence around the room once again as everyone looked to one another. The Slytherins all seemed to be focusing on one person. Tom Riddle.

"Tom?" Slughorn said quizzically.

"We believe he should try out," Abraxas voiced arrogantly.

"And do you really think he will?" Hermione spoke up. Now was her chance to challenge him just as Dumbledore had said.

"I'm trying out," Brian spoke up. "I'm going for the lead role of Raoul. Possibly the Phantom even."

"You in a lead role," Abraxas spat as though the very thought of it was laughable. "You'll never make it because of that hideous face."

"Now, now, boys," Slughorn called as Abraxas and Brian jumped up out of their chairs. The two boys sat back down after glaring at each other for a moment and as they did, Tom spoke up.

"Alice. Are you trying out?"

"I don't think my place is on the stage," Hermione spoke simply.

"So in other words, you're not trying out because you know you won't make it," Tom commented snidely with a I-don't-care expression.

"Oh, I'll try out, Tom Riddle... but only so I can rub it in your face because I know you won't. And even if you did... you wouldn't make it either," Hermione remarked.

"I believe we have a bet here," Abraxas Malfoy stated.

"You bet you do," Hermione said in a low, dangerous tone. "You bet you do."

"Luna!" Firenze yelled as they entered the Ravenclaw Common Room.

"Miss Lovegood!" McGonagall called.

Luna came lazily onto the scene, walking up to them from a recliner in the corner where she had been reading the latest issue of her father's magazine. She tapped Minerva on the shoulder, the Headmistress jumping a little as she spun around to face the girl.

"Is this about my switching in Divinations?" Luna questioned happily, though with the tone of a completely detached person.

"No this isn't, Miss Lovegood. This is about the prophecy that you made upon Miss Granger. I need to know why you made it," McGonagall demanded in a hurried, slightly crazed tone.

"I made a prophecy?" Luna questioned, this time she sounded a bit more down-to-earth and a little stunned.

"Excuse Professor McGonagall and I for a moment, won't you, Luna?" Firenze asked politely as he ushered McGonagall to a corner across the room. "Did I not specifically explain that those who make prophecies will not remember them?"

"Yes, but-"

"Then what do you hope to get out of Luna by questioning her about it besides a bunch of confusion on her behalf?" Firenze pointed out in a hushed but strict tone.

McGonagall looked back over at Luna and frowned. She didn't know what she could do. Her only line to the prophecy was Firenze and he wasn't even the one who made it. Luna didn't remember making it, so there was no use even involving her. 'This is exactly why I hate this field of magic. So unpractical and unreliable!' McGonagall thought angrily.

"What do you suggest we do, then?" McGonagall whispered to Firenze.

"That I'm not real sure of right now. I suppose finding out what year Miss Granger was sent to would be a good idea," Firenze suggested.

"I already have part of the Order on that, but what about Miss Lovegood?"

"I don't believe there's any way that she can really help us now. She did give us the prophecy and that's all that we can really ask from her," Firenze sighed heavily.

"Right. Please go get Professor Flitwick for me and meet me at the entrance to my office. It's time I informed the Minister," McGonagall instructed.

With that, the two of them crossed the room to leave. They had just reached the exit when Luna called out to them.

"Headmistress McGonagall! What about this prophecy and my classes?" she asked.

"Um... the prophecy?" McGonagall repeated looking to Firenze.

"What prophecy?" he played.

"Oh, and you'll be having classes with the seventh years that are in Divinations," McGonagall spoke quickly so as to cover up their previous topic. "Firenze was just telling me how good you were and how much it only hurt you to leave you in Professor Trelawney's class... So that's your only change for now. Go back to studying."

That being said, Firenze and McGonagall slipped out of the common room. Firenze continuing down the corridor on the second floor to the stairs and McGonagall going to her office.

"I'll see you later, Alice," Sandie called. "I have hall duty tonight with Brian."

"And I'm so sure that's where you two will be," Leo joked.

"Leo Witte!" Sandie gasped as Brian winked behind her back.

"We'll see you later, then," Leo chuckled as he and Hermione continued out of the dungeons. "So, would you like me to accompany to your common room?"

"No, that'll be fine. I think I've got you into trouble enough for one day," Hermione sighed politely.

"I don't care really," Leo offered.

"No, honestly. Thanks to your tour from earlier, I know this castle like the wood grain of my wand," Hermione smiled.

"We didn't even really tour the castle though," he pointed out. "Just talked about each other."

"Which was just as enjoyable," Hermione spoke quickly as they reached the marble staircase.

"Until tomorrow, then," Leo bid.

"Good night," Hermione beamed as she started up the stairs.

From across the entrance hall, a pair of dark eyes followed Hermione up the stairs and out of sight before their owner set off after her.

Hermione was on the fourth floor when someone stepped out from the shadows ahead of of her. She stopped and stared for a moment and then became somewhat petrified as she realized that it was Riddle. She frowned and contemplated turning around and running in the other direction, but decided against it. 'He would just hex me to stop me' she reminded herself.

"Well, well, the little white liar, Alice," Tom said manically with a slight hint of laughter to his tone.

"What do you mean 'little white liar'?" Hermione hissed.

"That story you told back there about your parents and that cock and bull thing about Grindelwald. You've probably never even seen the man," Tom replied.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Hermione denied.

"Oh, you don't? Well, then let's take a trip back to the hospital wing when Dumbledore asked you who you were and why you were there," Tom reminded. "If he knew your parents so well, then why wouldn't he know you?"

Hermione was too stunned for words, but she wasn't able to speak anyways as Riddle continued.

"Oh, don't worry your pretty little head, Alice Granger – if that's even your name," Tom taunted. "I won't tell a soul about it." At this, Tom leaned forward so that his lips were almost grazing her ear. "It will be our little secret. Won't it?"

Hermione gulped silently and nodded as she closed her eyes tightly and wished that he would just walk away.

"You know, after that performance tonight, I think you might actually make it if you try-out," Tom joked sinisterly.

"I have to be getting to my common room now," Hermione said with determination. "Excuse me."

"Allow me to escort you, then," Tom mocked. "Just so I can make sure you aren't trying to slip off with Mr. Witte again."

"Your escorting me won't be necessary and I assure you that I won't be in contact with Leo," Hermione replied through gritted teeth.

Just as Tom was about to speak again, someone called out from behind them. Apparently, Tom had hidden Hermione from their sight in the fashion that he was standing because they called out something that angered him.

"Lord Voldemort!" came the voice in a slightly hushed but urgent manner.

Tom whipped around and stared at the the boy before him. He was a dark boy, his eyes were beetle black and his hair was dark brown. His skin was fairly dark as well and there was a general bad aura surrounding him.

"Antonin Dolohov," Tom growled as he stalked away from Hermione to talk to Dolohov so Hermione couldn't hear.

Hermione looked around frantically and realized that now was her chance to get away from Riddle. Being as quiet as possible, Hermione slunk back around the corner of the corridor and ran down the stairs to Dumbledore's office. She had to alert him that something was already in motion because there were people already calling Tom Lord Voldemort.

"Headmistress," Professor Sprout called. "The Minister is on his way up. He's being escorted by Mad-Eye Moody."

"Very well, then," McGonagall sighed as she stood up from her desk and looked over her office. How would she explain to the Minister of Magic that a student, their top student to be exact, had gone missing, and from her office no less.

"Minerva," Mad-Eye greeted as he came in. He was followed in by Rufus Scrimgeour and Percy Weasley who was carrying a notebook and quill. He looked quite ridiculous in his horn-rimmed glasses, but when hadn't he looked ridiculous? He had always acted too grown up for his own good, or had he? He was the Minister's private counsel now.

"McGonagall," Scrimgeour acknowledged as he looked about the office to the many heads' portraits hanging upon the wall of the circular office. "What seems to be the trouble here?"

"Well, Minister-," McGonagall broke off here. Moody looked to her with an encouraging magical eye. He knew she was personally affected here and felt fully to blame, so he took the liberty of helping her along in explaining.

"You remember Miss Hermione Granger, don't you?" Moody reminded.

"That I do," Scrimgeour replied. "How could I forget the winner of my Most Outstanding Magical Student Award? I had hoped that she would even take up an internship in my office."

"Well," Moody growled. "It would seem that she's gone missing."

"Missing?" Scrimgeour repeated as though he thought this some kind of joke. "Come now, you two. How could a bright young lady like Miss Granger just disappear from the best wizarding school in Europe?"

"You see," McGonagall began, finding her voice once more as she felt guilty for letting Mad-Eye explain everything. "She didn't exactly disappear as in being kidnapped or something."

"What do you mean 'exactly'?" Scrimgeour quizzed.

"You see, one of Dumbledore's many instruments that sit around this room was for time travel. Miss Granger stumbled upon the object while I wasn't in my office – I had sent for her to have a meeting about the upcoming Christmas ball – and she was- well...," McGonagall fumbled in explanation.

"Well, what?" Rufus grumbled.

It was apparent that he was fast becoming upset with this situation. Especially since it was Miss Granger who had disappeared, and at a time like this. He had become friendly with Hermione and knew that she was putting in nothing but a good word about him with Harry, who he still hoped to persuade to support the Ministry of Magic with the war against Voldemort as opposed to being a totally separate entity.

"She was sent back in time," Moody spoke up for McGonagall.

"Sent back in time?" Rufus repeated in outrage. He nearly hit Percy with his walking stick as he failed his arms upward. "How far back? Why haven't you sent someone after her yet?"

"We aren't certain of just what year she was sent to," McGonagall informed. What was wrong with her? She wasn't acting like her normal courageous self. She was shaming her house of Gryffindor in showing no bravery to the Minister as she took his verbal lashing.

"This- this object she used to get back. Would it not tell us what year?" Scrimgeour suggested.

"Not quite," Moody growled softly.

"And why not? Let me see it," Rufus demanded. "I will have it taken to the Ministry to be examined to determine what year."

"I'm afraid that's out of the question," Minerva spoke quickly. This surprised Moody some, but he wasn't about to show his surprise and risk getting Minerva in trouble with Scrimgeour over whatever plan she was concocting.

"Out of the question? Out of the question?" Rufus roared. "What do you mean it's OUT OF THE QUESTION!"

"The instrument was destroyed when Miss Granger used it. It wasn't meant for such long trips," McGonagall lied.

"Do you have any idea how bad this makes this school look? How bad this makes me look?" Rufus snarled.

"No one really knows yet," Moody tried to reason.

"NO ONE REALLY KNOWS YET! And just what's that supposed to mean?"

"The information is contained within the school and to Miss Granger's parents. That's all," Moody:) replied, losing some of his usual cool as the Minister bellowed at him.

"Contained within the school! And how long until one idiotic student writes home to their parents about this? Hmm? How long?" Rufus pointed out rudely. McGonagall and both went to speak, but Scrimgeour cut them to the quick. "Do you really think that I will be able to properly head the fight against this war if I have to worry about people withdrawing their children from school and complaining to me?"

"No, Minister-," McGonagall began, but once more she was cut off.

"Fix this," the Minister ordered. "Because if this causes further problems, I will have you removed from your duties here at the school," he threatened.

McGonagall and Moody both nodded once as Rufus spun on his heel and headed for the door, Percy turning and following while writing furiously. Scrimgeour stopped just as he got to the door, placing his hand on the handle before looking back at and Minerva.

"I will warrant you five Ministry officials to work on this case. I want her back by the end of this week... that's five days from now. Understood?" Rufus snapped.

"Yes, sir," Minerva nodded as Rufus turned once more and left.

"Professor!" Hermione gasped loudly as she burst into Dumbledore's classroom. Luckily for her, he was sitting behind his desk reading. He peered up over his half-moon spectacles at her and raised his brows.

"Miss Granger?"

"Professor! I-," here Hermione gulped and took a deep breath. She was completely winded because she had sprinted the whole way to Dumbledore's office. "I have some-something to tell you."

"What is it?" Dumbledore seemed nothing but concerned as he sat there before Hermione. She took only a second to catch her breath before rushing into an explanation.

"I believe that things are worse than we thought with Tom. His friends are already calling him Lord Voldemort – the name by which he plans to take over the wizarding world under later," Hermione said as she gasped for breath.

"Are you sure of this?" Dumbledore pressed.

"Yes! I was on my way up to Gryffindor tower when he stopped me and started telling me that I'm a good liar because he knows the story that I've told isn't true an-"

"He knows it isn't true?" Dumbledore repeated in some surprise.

"He said he knows from when we were in the hospital wing because you didn't recognize me and he said that if I was supposed to be under your protection, then you would most certainly recognize me," Hermione gushed.

"This does present a problem. A big one."

"He promised not to tell a soul, though. He leaned forward and whispered in my ear that it would be our little sec-"

"Whispered in your ear?" Dumbledore repeated in disbelief.

"Yes, yes, bu-"

"Miss Granger, am I correct in thinking that this was... well, a threat or-," this time it was Hermione who cut him off.

"A seduction was more like it," Hermione huffed. Dumbledore started at her for a moment before sighing and speaking up.

"I don't know if this is such a good idea any-"

"No, no," Hermione said with a firmness. "I'm going to do this. This is something important to me and everyone else for that matter. I'm not about to give up. I will win this!" Dumbledore chuckled slightly as he shook his head at her determination.

There was no way that Hermione was going to let Tom scare her. He wasn't who he was in the future just yet. He was nothing more than a bossy, seventeen year-old boy who needed to be shown that not everyone feared him. And Hermione was going to be the one to show him that.