A/N: Thanks to LaNi-GoLDfiSh, T.J Wardle, and nina-luvs-mnms for reviewing! Thanks guys, it means a lot. I'll make sure to update as much as I can, but I procrastinate a lot. Reviews really do inspire me though, thanks again!

Hermione miserably stabbed her fork into the pumpkin pie, in no mood to eat. She felt the piercing stare of the students as she sat at the farthest end of the Gryffindor table, ready to send out as many glares as she could. Her brain had not fully absorbed everything that was happening, but she pushed the confusion aside and began connecting the things that did make sense.

She knew that Dumbledore had sent her back to 1944- she stabbed her food again- for a reason. The most possible reason would be that he wanted her to change the past to prevent the future. He wanted her to destroy Tom Riddle.

Hermione watched as the insides of her pumpkin pie begin oozing out, reminding her of the meltdown her brain was having. She let out a groan of frustration, scaring the first year that was passing and dropped her head onto the table in defeat.

The younger version of Dumbledore had asked her a couple questions which she was hesitant to answer. She remembered his patient look and the painful reminder that he would be tortured to death in the future. In her future, Voldemort would've won. Hermione bit her lip, not knowing what to do. She didn't tell Dumbledore anything more than her name and logically decided that it was best not to tell him about the future overlord of the world just then.

"You talk to her! Come on, it can't be that bad-" urgent voices softly emerged from the back of her and she snapped her head up, annoyed at the fact that people could be so rude. Hermione turned around and saw two girls speaking in hushed tones, staring pointedly at her. Obviously they were deciding whether or not to talk to her.

I don't have time for this. Hermione stood up, ready to leave and abandon her mutilated pie.

"Wait!" the blonde, curly-haired girl suddenly shouted, catching her attention. Her light blue eyes and rosy cheeks contrasted with Hermione's dark brown eyes and hair. Hermione raised her eyebrows and turned around, furiously trying not to snap at the girl. She needed time to think, not to make friends.

"I- hi- er- are you new?" Gee, do you think?

"Uh, yeah. I'm-" Hermione paused, thinking of the consequences. She decided it didn't matter, she had already told Dumbledore. "-I'm Hermione."

"Oh," said the flushed teenager, accompanied by another girl with fiery red hair. Hermione resisted the urge to stare- she reminded her too much of Ron.

"I'm Ella Donald. This is Rose Turner," the blonde girl said, pointing to her friend. Well, isn't that nice.

Hermione squashed her sarcastic thoughts and forced a smile. She saw the relieved faces of the girls and said, "Yeah, nice to meet you guys. Er, I'm kind of in a rush though, gotta go catch up on a few things-"

"Great! Can we help?"

She stared at the two grinning faces incredulously, not believing that they could be so dense. When would they catch the hint that she wanted to be alone?

"I don't think so, it's kind of..." Hermione cleared her throat, trying to think of a good enough excuse. "It's kind of personal. You know, need to get some things cleared up and stuff,"

Leave me the hell alone.

Rose nodded and waved as Hermione ended the conversation and headed towards the big doors of the Great Hall. She had just made two new friends that were going to prove no help to her situation. She walked at a furious pace towards the library passing familiar portraits of people. She smiled bitterly, thinking of her old life.

Walking through the empty hallways, she instinctively made two right turns and came upon the comforting sight of the library. The smell of books and the crinkling of paper made her close her eyes and then scold herself for being such a dork. With a renewed smile, she walked slowly through the entrance, admiring the tall shelves and wooden furniture. She lingered a bit in the same spot before passing a few bookshelves and finding the right spot, a table secluded comfortably behind many obstacles of books. Here she would be able to think.

Collapsing into the wooden chair, she exhaled her tensions and rested her head in her arms. What was she going to do? The same question had been tormenting her for hours and she sat there, refusing to cry. Hermione rested in the same spot for the longest time, confused and lost in her swirling emotions.

Finally, she realized the soft murmur of people were fading. It was getting late and she had to do something other than sulk all day. Reluctantly, she stood up in her seat, and yawned, beginning to push in her chair. Suddenly she stepped on something- a book probably and turned around, preparing to pick it up. What she saw was nothing like a book, but a body.

Her eyes fearfully traveled upwards and finally reached the face staring down at her coldly. His handsome features astonished Hermione and she would've blushed if she wasn't in such a complicated situation. He had very dark brown eyes that covered any recognizable emotion, making his facial expression blank. His perfectly brushed hair was black, adding to his mysterious aura. He had a strong jaw line and pale skin, reflecting his dark eyes that pierced through Hermione. A Slytherin crest was pinned on neatly to his black robes and instantly Hermione narrowed her eyes.

Crap.

"Sorry," she muttered before stepping back and bumping into the chair. She was surrounded by books and the tall teenager in front of her was blocking her way. Slowly he stepped to the side and she shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. Wasn't he going to say anything? Real nice guy.

Hermione walked away, regaining her composure and heard the small scraping of a chair- most likely he had taken her seat. A nicer jack-ass would've said excuse me.

She silenced her harsh mind, knowing she shouldn't judge so quickly, but his gaze made her feel uncomfortable. Plus, he didn't even say anything. But maybe he just didn't like talking. Whatever it was, Hermione felt an odd chill race up her spine, knowing that she would encounter him more than once. But it was just a feeling.

A/N: Again, thanks for the reviews guys! I hope you liked this chapter, it was Hermione's first encounter with - gasp - yes, Tom Riddle. And her killer instinct would prove to be right, she would meet him later on,especially in the next chapter. I also had to show that Hermione wasn't just some average girl passing as a nerd, she's also very sarcastic in this story. If she seems a bit judgemental, forgive me, but often I go through phases like hers. Please review or message me, I'd love to hear your comments.