Dedicated to all my reviews. No spoilers for HBP, I think, although I might be taking influences from it. Thanks and AN at the end, despite that fact that it's half one in the morning (Finished at twenty to three, and just about to be updated! Yay!).

"Are you insane?" Draco roared at her.

She considered him silently from her couch. He towered over her, red faced and breathing heavily, but she wasn't frightened or even tense.

"Well? Hermione, are you completely mad?"

She didn't answer, turning her face away from him.

"Hermione!"

"Will you stop growling?" she asked him silently. "You'll wake everyone up." They were in the Common Room and it was past midnight. Tom and the others had gone to bed nearly a half hour ago.

"You're just after making a deal with them! Don't you understand Slytherin yet? You have just made a deal…to be under Law's control for a day. Don't you know how serious we Slytherins take these things? Don't you understand that?"

"The thing is, Malfoy, I do understand. I understand perfectly."

He stopped in mid-rant, and stared at her, something coming over his face. "Oh Merlin!" he exclaimed suddenly. "Who you think you are?" He lowered his voice. "You're not Hermione Zabini. Remember that."

"Look, think of it logically, Malfoy. Think of all the things I could do if I won, if I had Law under my control. Think of the power I'd have."

"You're changing, Granger," he said. "It's not a good change. I don't know what's going on with you, but Tom obviously has something up his sleeve and you have to be careful."

"Be quiet, Draco," she said in perfect composure. "Tom may have something under his sleeve, but maybe so do I."

He examined her carefully. Her hair was immaculate, dark and tidy. Her eyes were slightly narrowed and watching him as much as he was her. She was wearing a very un-Grangerish expression on her face, one of plotting and logical thinking.

"Jesus, Granger…" he breathed.

"What, Draco, what's the matter with you now?"

"You're changing, do you know that? You're changing, becoming something…something darker. Don't forget who you are, Granger."

He walked away from her then and, after a silent moment on the couch, she went into her bedroom. She could hear Ash's quiet breathing and Sally's little snores. She went to sit at the bedroom dresser, taking out one of Sally's many brushes. Moonlight flooded in from the little window above her and she could see herself clearly. She stared at herself, hearing his words in her head. You're changing, do you know that? She did see it, and she could feel it. Something inside her was transforming. Maybe she was just growing up, or maybe she was just getting stronger. Or maybe, now that she was in a different time and a different house and she didn't have to keep up the front of always being the good girl, more of her real self was coming out.

Either way, she was confused.

Confused, but not frightened.

Her classes passed in a blur. She found the competition between herself and Tom increasing and, although she refused to be unnerved, she found the rest of the evening after classes passing too quickly with an almost insane urge to better him and learn more in the library. She knew why she cared about impressing Tom, it was a vital part of her mission, but she was just a little worried about how much she was willing to do and how much it would take from her.

The day seemed to have passed in the space of a blink, and she found herself sitting opposite Law Weasley once again, the chessboard spread out in front of them both, glinting dimly in the low lights. The fire offered no heat as always but Hermione found herself adjusting to the chill.

She examined Law as he sat, watching the board carefully, obviously debating his next move. He wasn't as like Ron as she had first thought, after all. His eyes were a little darker and not as magnificent. His skin was more like Ginny's, pale not red and as prune to blazing blushes. His nose was a little more claw like, not unlike Percy's. But for everything else – his frame, his hair, the majority of his features, and even some of his expressions – he could have been Ronald Weasley's twin. It still bothered her, this similarity. It felt like some God out there was laughing at her, waving a treat in her face that she knew she couldn't possibly have.

Sally sat next to Law, as always. Too close. He was too focused to notice the increasing weight on his right side. Her expression was melodramatically breathless as she watched him think.

Ash saw Hermione's direction of thought and threw her an amused glance. Hermione knew that Ash felt the same distain towards Sally's silly behaviour. Hermione smirked to the girl – smirking, something that had become a new past time of Hermione's. A vital one.

Tom was on Law's other side, focusing all his attention intently on the game. He seemed extremely interested. Hermione wasn't stupid; she knew Tom was the one pulling all the strings in this game. But why? Why was Tom taking such an interest? And what would Tom have Law make her do under his control for twenty-four hours if he won?

Draco sat beside her, offering her his once again reluctant support. He hadn't talked to her much today but had still kept up impressions, not showing any of his hostility in front of any of the others, except in a carefully timed scowl or a stealthy narrowing of eyes. For some absurd reason, Hermione was almost sad about his lack of understanding. But he was on her side, and that was all she needed him for at that moment.

The problem was, Draco was absolutely dreadful at chess. It become apparent to Hermione the minute she'd began playing and he'd began whispering his "hints" into her ear. His moves were sloppy, unplanned and seemed completely random. Maybe he understood where he was going with his confusing schemes but Hermione was not willing to sacrifice one single pawn for him. He became increasingly frustrated but the hints did not decrease. Ash and Tom seemed to find this amusing.

Tom offered hints to Law too, although Hermione was under no illusions that they weren't more like orders and that they were much more helpful than Malfoy's. Never the less, Hermione was not frightened. She felt an inner strength inside her and decided to just go with the flow and not lose confidence in her abilities. She had defeated Ron…

When she finally, finally, finally uttered "Checkmate," it was almost two in the morning, Sally had fallen asleep against Law, mouth open and snoring softly, Ash was quiet and tired, and Law seemed to have almost lost interest. Draco was not longer paying attention, only offering an even weaker hint than normal every now and then after demanding a long and detailed explanation as to "What's happening now?" It was only Tom was still seemingly riveted in the game still. Hermione admitted to herself that her eyes were definitely heavy and that bed was the only proper celebration she could go through with.

Tom stood up silently and left, muttering a single "Congratulations, Zabini. Come on, Law. You lost." Before Law left to enter the room with Tom on his own, he looked in Ash's direction, and there was something in his face Hermione had never seen on his face but had seen on Ron's many times – fear. Ash returned his look with a blank, cool face, her expression telling Hermione nothing.

"Are you happy then?" Ash said to Hermione, and her voice held a subtle bitter tone.

"Not happy," Hermione responded and faked a loud yawn. "Just sleepy."

"C'mon so, we'll go to bed. Grab this one, we'll lift her up," Ash gestured at Sally. "If we wake her, we'll never hear the end of it."

Hermione put one arm around Sally and hitched her up and Ash did the same on the other side.

"Good night, Draco," Hermione said pointedly. He didn't reply. She looked. He was fast asleep on the couch, looking quite comfortable despite the odd angle. Something in this image – Malfoy sleeping – made her stomach flop. She looked away sharply, and then looked back. A moment's reflection, and she decided to leave him there to sleep like that.

Hermione's first thought in the morning was this: I won. I won, and today's Law is under my control.

The thought brought a slow relish through her body, and her fingers and toes tingled. It was almost like a sexual experience – a wicked, forbidden idea full of possibilities and plots. Law…would get his comeuppance, at last.

She realised she was up early again. Stretching lazily, she smiled. Today was going to be a good day, she just knew it. Despite the grey skies of yesterday, the world was bright and blue again and it threatened to be a beautiful day. She sat down at the dresser and reached for Sally's brush and Malfoy's serum. She wanted to make an effort today. She realised that she was becoming better at caring for her hair. It was something she'd never wished to do but even she could admit the result was alarming. Her face seemed narrower somehow, and her features less harsh. The new darkness made her face paler, which she disliked, but her lashes seemed darker too and her eyes were more noticeable without the cloud of distracting frizz. She wasn't beautiful, but, looking at herself, she realised it was probably the first time she'd ever looked at her reflection and appreciated what she did have with proper sincerity.

On walking through the Common Room, she noticed the lack of a sleeping Malfoy immediately. He must have found his way to his bed earlier that morning. She was relieved. She didn't think she liked seeing him in such a way, as if he was a normal boy and she was just a normal girl. She refused to let herself forget who he was, even if he thought she was forgetting her own identity.

When she approached the Slytherin table, she realised nobody was up yet from her new house. Only one Gryffindor decorated the hall. Hermione looked at McGonagall and thought. An idea was forming.

Ash, Tom and Law entered the Grand Hall together some time later. They were close together, moving almost protectively around each other. Tom was in the middle.

"Good morning, Law," she greeted in a chirpy cheerful voice.

He sat down as far from her as he could, while still being close to his two housemates who was sitting on either side of Hermione. She felt they might have been trying to intimidate her.

She decided to ignore them. "Say 'Good morning, Hermione,' Law, and sit here opposite me." Her tone was brisk and held no room for argument. She felt Tom tense beside her, but she could swear Ash was trying to hide a smile.

Law looked at her begrudgingly but moved to his pre-destined seat and muttered, "Good morning, Hermione."

"Once more with feeling," she said, her tone back to being chirpy and pleasant, almost musical.

He made a weak attempt.

"No," she said and frowned deeply at him. "Aren't you going to make good with your promise, Law? I don't know how you do things in Hogwarts, but Betting was a pure-blood tradition and I had thought you would honour this tradition and do what you are told."

He looked at Tom and Ash but apparently was offered no solace in either of their expressions. With a deeply inhaled breath, he greeted with a bright smile, "Good morning, Hermione!"

Her fork, which had been in the process of being raised to her mouth, dropped to her plate with a loud clang. With that sunny smile and happy greeting, Law had somehow morphed into Ron. For one desperate moment, she felt an incredible urge to lunge over the table and hug him. A second later, she pushed such a silly urge down with a strong shout at herself to get a grip and a laughable moment when she imagined Law's reaction to such a gesture.

She retrieved the fork with every appearance of calm but inside she was still shaking. All thoughts of this being a good day were banished. Now she was only worried of how bad a day it would be, and would she make it through alive.

"Very good," she said then. "Next time, let's try get it on the first try, shall we?"

Law stared at her and then hissed at her, "What exactly are you planning on making me do, Zabini?"

She let a slow smile grace her face, a terrible, gleeful smile. She saw Law recoil; looking as if she'd slapped him in the face.

She let him stare horrified at her for another few beats before saying, "Oh, you know, a little bit of this, a little bit of thought and, you know, professing your love to McGonagall."

Ash let her composure drop at last. Giggles erupted from her like lava and gases from a bulging volcano. Then Hermione heard a new sound added to the surprisingly loud and girly giggles (not unlike those of Lavender Brown's). A high-pitched laugh, full of coldness and evilness…Tom was laughing…

Laughing the laugh that dozens had heard for their last moments…the laugh that people have nightmares about….the laugh of Death…

Except Tom hadn't done that yet. He wasn't laughing at another one of his murders, he was laughing about a bet that had gone wrong and caused one of his mates to go through an embarrassing ordeal…When Tom looked at her whilst laughing, there was a sort of warmth and approval in his face.

"Oh," she said, covering her tracks because she'd been sitting there for a minute with a stricken look on her face, "and, Law, you must kiss her."

Law looked almost as horrified as one of Lord Voldemort's victims would have.

This comparison made Hermione feel sick and she didn't eat any more and acted rather nice to Law for the rest of the morning.

Sally was late getting up and maintained a ruffled, not-quite-awake look about her throughout the day. Draco was last to rise and was only a few seconds from being late for class and losing Slytherin points. Tom didn't look pleased when Draco ran in. Tom was a prefect and took his duty and his Slytherin-honour quite seriously. Although he didn't say anything to him, both her and Draco knew that he could not be late again.

"The next class is Potions. We have that class with the Gryffindors. After that we have lunch. You can catch McGonagall going from the dungeons to the Grand Hall. Make sure we're all there; otherwise you'll have to wait. I don't want anyone to miss a minute of it." Hermione patted him mockingly on the back. "Don't worry, sport, you'll do great."

Despite himself, Law grinned at her. "You've really surprised us all, you know. Even Tom."

She couldn't meet his eyes, turning her face away and answered, "I know. There's a lot to me than meets the eye."

"That's what Tom said," Law said and continued, in an almost apologetic tone, "when you first arrived. I didn't believe him, but I believe him now."

She nodded, her face still averted from him.

"But Hermione Zabini, you know…if you'd been under my control…" He grinned again.

"Luckily, Law Weasley, I'm the better chess player, so!" she replied, grinning back at him almost teasingly. It was all in good fun, she knew, and was a welcome relief from all the coldness pent up and the walls that had been cemented around them all.

"Remember," she said now before he could get out his reply, "after this class. Tell McGonagall how much you fancy her, and kiss her. Have you got that?"

"How could he forget?" Ash piped in, sitting down at their Potions table. "I imagine he's been dreading it ever since you told him of your little idea. Kissing McGonagall…I can't say the idea has much of an appeal to any boy."

Sally was scowling. "Do you really have to do it, Law? Why don't you just ignore Hermione? Who cares? Kissing McGonagall is disgusting!"

"Of course Law has to do it, Sally," Tom said with contempt. This was the first time Hermione had ever heard Tom addressing Sally. "No matter what, he has to do it. We would have made Hermione if she had lost, wouldn't we have?"

"But that's different!" Sally whined. "She's only new and…"

Nobody listened to the rest of her argument. Everybody present knew that Law would have to go through with the bet.

The Potions class, predictably, dragged on so that every minute seemed an ordeal and every hour an eternity. Hermione waited and felt excitement bubble up inside her. She almost had difficulty with an answer the Professor asked her, only getting it right a heartbeat before Tom had managed to cut in.

The class eventually ended and she forced herself not to leap from her seat. Making herself instead pack her bag and slowly stand up, she prepared herself from a certain high degree of laughing that would be deemed appropriate.

She strolled after Law at her own leisure, making sure to keep him in sight. Tom stayed by her side, his pace matching hers. Ash was a little bit ahead, a little quicker, and Sally was skulking behind them, lower lip jutted out noticeably.

With Law's reluctant gasp of "Can I talk to your for a few moments, Minerva?", Hermione found herself pressing forward eagerly and placed herself next to a doubled up Malfoy. Law was charging along with his confession.

"I'm mad about you, Minerva, I can't get you out of my head…I-I think I'm in love and-" As if words had suddenly failed to express his sudden burst of emotion, Law leapt on to McGonagall and snogged her full force.

"Brilliant, Hermione," Malfoy gasped through his laugher, streams of tears down his face, "Absolutely brilliant."

Her heart began beating quickly, warm happy feelings spread through her, and she was inexplicitly glad Draco wasn't angry with her anymore.

"Come to the library," she muttered to Law, "and don't tell anyone where you're going." Draco had already discussed this with her earlier that day, just after classes. They couldn't forget their mission, could they? Despite all the fun they'd had today, Hermione felt she should put this newfound power to good use.

She brought Law to the darkest, quietest desk in the library, where they were completely and utterly alone. He looked at her warily as he sat down. She remained standing. Draco appeared a little time later. She revealed the small vial to him first, and then showed it to Law. From his blank face, she knew he didn't know what it was.

"Veritaserum," she explained. "A truth potion. We're going to talk to you for a few moments." It had been one of the cleverer things Hermione had brought with her. She had thought, perhaps, that she would use it to question Tom. But she realised the opportunity of this happening was very, very unlikely. The potion was just another of her pawns that she would have to sacrifice. She didn't have anymore.

Law looked more alarmed at this prospect than of kissing McGonagall but Hermione was determined now.

"Drink it," she said, pushing it towards him.

"No."

"Drink it," she barked.

"I don't want to."

"Drink it," she ordered and her voice was suddenlyharsh and quite unlike her own. Her wand was raised and pointing at his throat, her hand shaking with adrenaline. "Drink or so help me God-"

Draco pulled her away from Law. "Calm down," he hissed at her.

She swallowed down a lump that was forming in her throat but couldn't quite stop shaking. Adrenaline was pumping through her, making her whole body feel like it was a pulsing heart. Blood rushed in her ears. She realised that perhaps all the stress was getting to her more than she had known.

Silence. Draco was looking at her with wonder. Law looked like he'd just tasted something dirty.

"Well," Draco said in a calm voice, talking to Law again, "you heard the woman. Drink the potion or you're in for it, mate."

Law glared at Draco and then, angrily, took the potion in one fast gulp.

The change was instant. Law's expression became loose and vacant. His jaw was slack, and his eyes looking at nothing.

"Law?" Draco said in an uncertain voice, "can you hear me?"

"Yes."

"Are you alright, Hermione?" Malfoy whispered to her, making sure Law couldn't hear.

"Yeah, I'm okay now. It was just a brief lapse of control."

"Yes, well, don't let it happen again," he told her sternly, but she wouldn't dream of it. She didn't know what had come over her, and felt much more peaceful now. She was ready to question Law.

"Do you fancy Sally?" she asked first, and Malfoy smirked.

"Ugh. No." Law's nose winkled up.

"Why not?"

"She smells too much like flowers."

Malfoy snickered, and Hermione bit her lip on a developing smile.

"Any other reason?"

"She doesn't excite me," Law said, sounding as though he was reading from a boring textbook. "I always thought, when I found the girl for me, she'd be a challenge. A real proper girl. Fiery. A girl I'd never get bored with." So Law was deeper than he let on. How interesting.

Hermione observed him and then asked, "Why do you suck up to Tom so much?"

Law frowned absently as if struggling to find the right words. "Afraid." One word, two syllables, breathed out slowly.

"Afraid?" Draco looked over at Hermione, looking startled. Her eyes were trained on Law and nothing else.

"Because…I am afraid of Tom. I suck up to Tom because I am afraid of him."

Hermione swooped down closer to him, leaning on the table so they were at a more even level. "Why are you afraid of Tom, Law?" she whispered to him gently, her breath coming quickly.

"Because he's dangerous. You-" His eyes met Hermione's, focused on her but still vacant; cornflower blue, just like Ron's now. "You haven't a clue what he's capable of."

Draco swooped down on Law too, his shoulder against Hermione's, so close, eyes on Law, demanding answers. "And what is he capable of, Weasley? What's he planning to do?"

Silence and then:

"He's planning on re-opening the Chamber of Secrets. Again. But this time he's going to do it. He's going to do it, and all the Muggleborns will perish. Of course I suck up to him. Of course I'm afraid of him." Law shuddered visibly, finally talking and telling the truth.

"He calls himself Voldemort."

Hermione jumped back, as if electricity had just surged through her. Draco remained where he was, not moving at all. "He calls himself Lord Voldemort," Law continued slowly, "and I can honestly hardly even speak the name."

AN: Wow, thirty-one reviews for that one chapter and they haven't even stopped coming! Thank you SO much! Just because of such a nice response, I have made this chapter really long (for me!) It's about twice the length of my normal chapters. Thank you for all your help with the time frame – as you may have realised I'm not going to change it. Tom tried opening the Chamber in his fifth year. He's now in his seventh and he's going to try again. He hasn't killed his dad so far, I haven't even thought of that issue yet.

Law may seem weaker here but this is just the truth. He will be back to himself after – it's the Potion's fault. Also, Hermione will learn a little more about the consequences of her actions and a rude awakening as to what she's turning into. Tom/Hermione in the next chapter. A lot of it. It's been delayed but for a reason. You'll see.

SPOILERS – DO NOT READ - HBP: About the HBP….I have mixed feelings. It was good, but I rather felt that it was like reading a fan fiction of it, in which I'd say "Good, but not JK Rowling good." I had to remember this was actually the sixth book. Harry wasn't moody, which was good, but I thought Ron came across as a prat (such a young fella!), Hermione a crazy woman, and Ginny a bitch! I am presuming Snape is not what we think now, and I'm upset about that person dieing. Draco's character was a surprise though – I'm glad he didn't become his father. The twins have some apologising to do though, don't they? Not too many other thoughts though…I liked the minor character developments and, yes, it was covered in clichés but they didn't bother me too much. It was just…meh….okay, it was brilliant…but….I dunno. I'd feel better if I knew the seventh book would be out before two years, you know?

Thanks to:

Demeter, Goddess of Protection – Soon enough for ya? Cheers.

Twinkling Blue Eyes – The Confrontation won't be 'till a while. It's bubbling. Draco's not going to sacrifice the mission just to have a mindless fight with Tom, is he? Yeah, there's only one more book. I can't wait for it though. I'll only be sad when I turn the last page.

Ridea – Thank you.

HermioneCharlotteGranger – That was a pretty quick update, right?

ArdentEntity – That goes without saying. Of course I'll read yours. Yeah, it took me ages to get to read HBP too. Thanks, love!

Kjerstimalfoy – I read your review when I was feeling better but thanks, that sounded lovely. I love rambling reviews, don't ever apologise! Thank you!

Illyria-light – Things like Time-Frames and stuff seem to sorta go over my head. I don't know why. Even in like all my stories, I have to keep looking back and see what year I'm in or did that really happen? That's why I try avoiding the minor details so much, because I forget about them and end up contradicting them.

Natyslacks – Thanks a lot!

Syaoronsangel – I didn't cry but there was shock then slight tears. Thank you!

Ebony 'n' ivory – Cool new name! Thanks for your reviews, honest or otherwise I don't mind just keep 'em coming!

PrincessBitterHeart – Ah no! Don't forget! That's Hermione's problem too, see? Thank you!

CareBearErin – I agree with you about the women being bitches but I don't think it really shows Tom being evil from birth. A bully, yes definitely, a bit more like Dudley than Harry. But, yes, there's a nasty streak that Harry just doesn't have, and I liked the whole choices thing. I wonder if JK has realised that.

ElementalDragon1 – Thanks as always! You rock!

Linwe Falassion – Thank you very much! Hope you're still reading!

Unspeakable Mae – Is it hard to read a fic in English if it isn't your first language? I imagine it must be quite frustrating. But then, you must be pretty good at it to be doing so.

Sarklover826 – Your review was probably the clearest with the answer. Thank you very much.

Hatami – This chapter is much longer than my normal. Can it just be a relationship full of lurve now? Hehe

Sugar-n-spice522 – Do you know? I can't remember, I'll have to look! Thankies!

Alenor – Thanks for your ever present help and support!

Kuri the Harbinger of Night – Thank you very much, I always want people's opinions on these things.

Fujutsu – Cheers for all the help!

Wanderingwind – thanks, love, that was a nice review!

Dracodolenz – Heh, twisted is good. I have written a lot of twisted things in my life. I think the Slytherins are twisted. But I always knew I wanted Hermione to win.

LovesBitch2 – Cool name, and thanks.

Magicalflame – Thanks!

Madamtae – Thank you. Yeah, I wanted to make that realisation a point. Some of the stuff people do…the Weasley twins booing the first years and stuff…I thought it'd be interesting to see how Hermione would feel.

The Cardboard Moon – Your idea was used, and twisted and inspired. I got a little confused, but thanks very much. Plus, I did NOT know how to spell that potion!

Vedgirl1201 – I was better this time, wasn't I? With the updates?

Firesorcess1 – True about the sappy romances. Spoilers HBP: The Horcruxes was good (so easy to fit into fan fiction) but I thought a lot of Tom's past was a bit unnecessary!

Lisi – Thank you! I hope this one was dramatic enough for you! I did try! Thank you! I always feel bad after a filler chapter!

Seghen – Thank you for you approval, and your help (I forgot about the ring in that memory!) and I really do like you very much.

I love you all and must greedily ask for more support. I can't tell you how encouraging it is. I would never threaten a update because I will update regardless if I have people reviewing or not, but it does give one a marvelous lift and the ability to write quicker. please give ma any ideas or qualms you might have! Oh, and check out my two new stories: Thirst and Be Strong.

Thirst is Hermione/Draco, all the way, with a few backgroud pairings.

Be Strong is Harry/Ginny/Blaise and Hermione/Draco.

I'll be going on about them for a while. I've gotten out of my one-shot mood now, and want to start writing good stories again. I'm sorry to any peeps waiting for a Deal With the Devil update too, It's just not coming very easily. Blah...I can't wait 'till that story is finished.

Vulgarities of Life will be finished but I know not many read it so I'm not feeling too presured about that one.