She walked beside Draco. He was as quiet as her. Her head was clearer now and something seemed to happen as she walked through the slightly damp grass to enter Hogwarts castle. Her feelings ebbed away until one resolution stood clear. How dare Tom Riddle! How dare he make her feel like that? How dare he stand in her way and not allow her to leave, whenever she pleased. He may be a lord in her real time, but here he was just a teenage boy, and he had as much right to kiss her as Malfoy did!

Kissing Malfoy…

She shook her head and entered the Common Room. Tom was sitting there, with Ash. They both looked up as Draco and Hermione entered. She looked defiantly back into Tom's staring face.

"Where were you?" Ash asked, and there was a sound of annoyance in her voice. "We were waiting."

"Why? I can tell you now we're able to handle ourselves." Hermione shocked them all with her strong tone, and shocked herself with her emphasis on we're, as if Malfoy and her were anyway connected.

"Don't forget you're new though." Tom's voice was harmless but Hermione wondered whether she should consider that a light threat.

"We won't," she said shortly. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Malfoy was slightly staring at her.

"Did you get around okay? Where did you go?" Ash insisted.

"Are you taking a questionnaire? Should I go get my quill?" She gave a slight laugh, as if to show they shouldn't take her too seriously. "We went around by the lake, if you must know."

"How romantic." She wondered why Tom would say this. How on earth could it affect him?

"Yes, very," Malfoy said in an off hand manner.

"I'm going to bed. Ash?"

"In a minute. Hermione."

Hermione left them, and Draco followed after a minute to his room.

"What d'you think?" Ash said to Tom, once the two students were sure the other two were gone.

Tom didn't reply, deep in thought.

"She has attitude," Ash continued.

"I like it," he replied shortly. "I like her."

Ash's face was so openly displeased that he laughed out loud at her and asked, "You don't?"

"She's plain, Tom. She's not pretty, she's defensive about everything, and I'm pretty sure I heard her sniffling and crying last night. Also, she's too clever for her own good. She's only been here a day and she's already been studying in the library more hours than I've been in there all year."

He wasn't listening to her and was smiling faintly.

Ash watched him for a moment, threw up her hands in frustration, and went to bed, leaving him to his absorbing thoughts. He would sit like that for a very long time, still smiling gently, before going to bed.

Hermione woke with a new sense of determination. She couldn't let Tom push her around. She'd show him… She got out of bed extra early and made an effort on her appearance. The cold water against her face felt more refreshing than usual and, once she'd fixed her hair, without Malfoy's aid, she looked at herself for a very long time, and seemed to find solace there. She was still Hermione Granger…She hadn't changed…Tom's mouth hadn't changed a thing…

But it had. There was no doubt about it. She was more prepared, and just a little bit more excited.

She went to the breakfast table on her own. Ash was still in bed, and Sally, vain but plain Sally, would spend another hour or so in the shower. She didn't need them. She could deal with this on her own.

Law was there, a book propped against his lap. His hand was supporting his head, and he looked as bored with the book as Ron would have done. They were the only two at the table except for three first years who were "unworthy" of attention from her. She considered briefly returning to her bedroom but, at that second, Law looked up at her and, moving liquidly, she sat down opposite to him, maintaining eye contact.

"Hello Law."

"Hermione," he returned, one eyebrow arching slightly. "How're you this morning? Tired?"

"Why would I be tired?" she replied.

"Well, after kissing Tom, and all that running, and then staying out so late with Draco last night, I imagine you're quite in need of some rest and relaxation."

"I am perfectly fine, Law." She leaned forward, towards him. "But how're you? All that sucking up to Tom must really exhaust one after a while."

Law's eyebrow arched with more vigour and he breathed, "Touché."

They exchanged an identical smile.

Hermione was hit with an idea. "Law, would you like a game of chess?"

He smirked and, with a swish of his wand and a whispered "Accio Chess set", the two first years' game was cleared and the chess set flew to the space between Hermione and Law and began to set itself up. The first years' knew better than to protest and if they mourned their loss, they did so silently.

"I hope you know I'm an extremely able chess player. My family have always had a natural talent at it," he told her.

I know, she thought with a pang, but her face was impassive and unimpressed.

"Are you ready?" he prompted.

After years of being trashed by Ron and learning from him and researching all those moves and the history of chess and, finally, in sixth year, beating Ron, Hermione was, without a doubt, ready for Law.

After an hour, she realised that she was no nearer to winning than he was. They seemed to be caught in a sort of trap. The game was stuck; she had no way of defeating him and he couldn't get through her defences. Blue eyes met brown, but both were as stubborn as each other.

"What are you guys doing?" It was nobody but Sally. Hermione didn't acknowledge her and Law barely glanced at her when he told her that they were in the middle of a game of chess.

"Can I play?" Hermione looked up at Sally to see if Sally was joking. She wasn't; instead she was looking eagerly at Law, desperate to be included, to be seen. Law didn't see Sally, but threw an amused, sardonic expression Hermione's way, one that even Sally could not miss.

"Who's winning?" Ash had obviously followed Sally and was just a little quicker on the uptake.

"Me," Hermione lied. Law didn't protest but his eyes narrowed slightly in concentration as he moved his pawn forward; a useless move and one that did nothing to tip the balance.

"They're too absorbed in the game to see anyone else," Sally sniffed. "I'm bored, Ash."

"What're you betting on?" Ash continued, ignoring Sally completely.

"Betting?" Hermione looked up from the board to Ash's golden-looking eyes.

"Betting," she repeated. "You know. Surely you know. No Pureblood plays a game that requires so much effort like chess, without making it worthwhile. Law?"

"We're not betting anything," Law answered, just as Tom arrived. Law glanced in Tom's direction. "Not yet."

Hermione was too busy concentrating on her next move to see Tom's replying grin. Draco was late from bed and didn't see it either. Sally was too busy fixing her hair, gazing into her reflection on the spoon and wondering did she always look so uneven and strange. Ash caught it though; her multi-coloured eyes caught most things.

The game was put on hold, and Hermione started her classes with the same determination as yesterday. She was as smart as Tom, and she would prove it. She would never dumb herself down, even to save her mission. If it bothered Tom…well, she'd deal with that matter if it ever came up.

The strange thing was, was that he didn't see bothered. If anything, he seemed impressed. His eyes looked at her keenly and he sat near her often, peering over her page, leaning close to her so that they brushed off each other, and agreeing quietly with her ideas. She watched him carefully, wondering what he meant of it. Was she trying to…to charm her? Was that it?

Was it working?

She shook her head, and continued with her work. Dumbledore was full of praise for her. He praised Tom nearly as much, and Hermione saw that whatever worries he possessed for Tom did not effect his treatment to him in the class. She loved Transfiguration.

They shared the class with the Gryffindors and Hermione found it difficult that they could seem so unpleasant. She'd always thought it alright when, for example, the Weasley twins had hissed and booed the Slytherins as they past. Now, though, she realised she'd been terribly ignorant. It was quite unnerving, especially when one couldn't show one sign of weakness.

She could tell it bothered some of the other Slytherins now, particularly the younger ones.

It was only when Dumbledore called for Minerva, that Hermione realised McGonagall was in the class. Hermione looked at her with interest; McGonagall was thin and bony, lanky and ugly. Her face was covered with lank black hair; completely different to the bun she wore in present times. When she saw Hermione's examination, she spat bitterly, "What do you want, Slytherin?"

It shocked Hermione! Had McGonagall always been prejudiced against Slytherins? She had never shown any benefits towards her own house…had she? Now that Hermione thought of it, McGonagall had showed some, granting extra points when punishments would have been a more suitable award for some of the trio's more dangerous adventures and being just a little more severe on the Slytherins.

The thought bothered Hermione. It was strange being in a Zabini's shoes. She could see things just a little more clearly now. It was not a pleasurable realisation and, when she wasn't worrying about Tom or Draco, she frowned about this.

The day passed slowly and Hermione spent the rest of her free time in the library. She was researching time now, trying to understand it a little better. She was trying to focus more on this time, than getting back to the future but she knew knowing a little more about time would come in handy.

She returned to the Common Room to find all Law Weasley waiting for her, the chessboard laid out carefully in the same positions as they'd been in before. Tom was standing against the wall, looking like he'd been there for years and had become part of the décor. Sally was sitting next to Law. Hermione imagined she'd tried to get as close to him as possible. Ash was sitting on Law's other side, with an excited expression on her face. Draco gave every appearance of calmness but she was beginning to understand him a little better, and she could see slight tension in his shoulders.

"What's going on?" she questioned calmly.

"I thought you'd like to continue our game from this morning," Law said, as if presenting her with a great pleasant surprise.

"With bets added," Ash piped in violently.

Hermione sought out Draco's eyes with hers. Tingles of alarm tickled down her.

"What bets?" she asked, swallowing.

She waited for Law to explain but he didn't; Tom did instead. She could hardly take in his words, buts he saw his expression – one a cat might wear, satisfied, after catching his mouse.

Sure, it's a bit of a cliché, but I needed to move the relationship along and this was one way to do it.

I was wondering if anybody would help me. When Did Tom open the Chamber of secrets? What age was he? In what year? I find difficulty in this! When did Tom kill his father? How does the time frame go, damn it!

Would it be a big deal if I messed up the times a little to fix them all into this story?

This is an AU now, since HBP, but I'll be adding bits in from it so I suppose Spoilers are still a little necessary.

Thanks to: (the thanks are really short and not too perky because I'm sick and tired and in a little bit of a rush so, don't take offence if they're not all "YAY!")

K – yes, I think there will. It will be in a while though…. Tom/Hermione will be taking up the next couple of chapters. I feel I've done enough concerning D/Hr at the moment.

Lisi – The next chapter will contain T/Hr. This chapter was more a filler.

Kippie – this didn't really have a lot of anyone in it. Sorry for that. I'm just trying to make it a bit realistic. Thanks for your…three…reviews?

CareBearErin – You're on to something, aren't you?

SongofRain – You'll see. :-

Ptrst – What's the name of your friend? Thanks for the detailed review – detailed reviews are the best!

Illyria-light – I'm glad you've coped on to this. You will see. I have all the future- part worked out – all the details – that this is only what DRACO thinks. Draco doesn't know anything really, just what he's been told. It's the present bit – Tom/Hermione/Draco and all that that's a little less formed in my head.

InfectiouslyDepressing – I really like your pen name.

Unspeakable Mae – You've been around a long time, haven't you? I definitely know the name a lot.

Katie – Thanks. For my first attempt at tom, I am quite pleased with him too.

Poke-the-Sleeping-Dragon – I did actually mean it to be "leave me go!" but that might be wrong. I say it, anyway, but then I say loads of wrong things! But I like your honest opinions so feel free to leave more.

Luthien – Me likey your reviews too.

Anichan – Thanks a lot.

ArdentEntity – You have no idea how much your opinion means to me. I guess it's because I've been reading your stuff before you've read mine, or maybe it's because we've been reviewing/responding for so long now, but I always crave your approval and recognise your critics as correct and helpful. Thank you.

Gigglymesh – I know. Sorry. But…she wouldn't be all attitude to Tom immediately. I mean, she knows what he turns out to be. I dunno…If I was in her position I wouldn't be terrified of him, but I would be intimidated.

Seghen – I reviewed so much of your stuff lately and read so many of your reviews, I honestly don't think I have anything left to say except: Thanks, and keep being you.

Alenor – I did have fun while I was always. Thanks. I'm glad you did to.

.Aurorablu – Where did you get your name from? It's so unusual but pretty.

SugarnSpice522 – thanks. I'm glad you approve.

I'm sorry if there are loads of typos. I'm sick and my head's banging and somehow unable to type properly. The words seem a little foggy. Make me feel better with some reviews, would you? Please?

So…. what did you all think of the Half Blood Prince? I'll tell you what I thought when I'm feeling a bit better in detail!

Any ideas for the Bets? I have one, but I'd prefer something a bit more dramatic. All reviews are taken into account with me and will ensure a faster update!

Long reviews rock! Tell me what's going on with y'all!