Sorry to PinkTribeChick, who, after having the chapter only two days, I've got so impatient on and have therefore posted it! I'm so sorry for this inconvience! It's just I have the next chapter written, and I won't be allowed on the computer for the next week! Sorry! Smiles sheeplishly
"Nobody knows about it. You can't tell anyone, Draco. I can do worse than tell Hermione you fancy her. You know that." Ash spoke casually, her wand in her hand but not pointed. She didn't seem in the least bit anxious or worried, but there was excitement in her pose and ill-disguised glee in her eyes. "I've been watching you, Draco. Ever since you came here. Alright, you're a bit whiny for my liking but…I do like you, and I think you think the same way I do."
"What are you talking about?"
"There's a chamber in this school, the chamber of Salazar Slytherin and, inside-"
"The Chamber of Secrets," he said. "I've heard of it."
She looked a little taken aback, but not discouraged. "Do you know, Draco, that Tom is going to open it? He was going to, back in fifth year. But he wasn't ready then. But he's ready now. Did you know, Draco, that people in the Wizarding World, all Grindlewald's old supporters, have been whispering about Tom for a long time now? They say – they say that he will be the new Dark Lord!"
"You-"
"My parents did not wish for me to be educated. Not at all. I was to marry, but once they heard….well, I was planted here to keep an eye on him, wasn't I? I've watched him grow and become more and more powerful. It's been exciting, knowing what he is probably going to be."
"So you pretended to be in a wheelchair?" He couldn't keep the shock from his voice.
Ash smiled only to patronise at him. "I was in a wheelchair when I was a child, before the Medi-Wizards finally cured me. But it was my mother's idea to pretend I still needed it! It's no secret that people with great power are often the most paranoid. I was thinking ahead, some day Tom will be a lord, and he will think me weak. Nobody could guess-" She sighed. "This is what I've been born to do. There's word of a prophecy, but that's only speculation. It mentions a girl who will change everything, and I think it to be me."
"Or Hermione." He was smug.
She scowled, and looked again at Draco. "She has been interfering, definitely. He hasn't been thinking about anything lately, but the plain, little witch! Why does he even like her? I always thought, after a little while, Tom and I…"
Draco stood up from his bed at last, and she raised her wand a little higher, but not at him completely. "I'm bored of this. Tom has never shown the slightest bit of interest in you. Either have I. Leave me."
"I want your help. I want you to make Hermione fall in love with you."
"If you thought I could do that, don't you think I would have already tried?"
"Have you?" she demanded. "Have you ever told her? Only I think she has some feelings for you, if she ever was clever enough to realise them!"
"This is just ridiculous!" He felt himself getting angry. He wanted her to go.
"I need you to make Hermione fall in love with you, or otherwise I will have to kill her myself."
Draco stared at her, and stopped moving.
"Don't think I couldn't do it." Two ugly red blotches appeared on Ash's cheeks. "I am not letting my parents down, just because of her! There is nothing special about her! Tom is too good for her! You are too good for her! And I will kill her, if she remains in my way!"
"…Guys?" Law had obviously waken up.
Ash stormed over to his bed and, without hesitation, knocked him unconscious with an easy spell. She returned to Draco, breathing heavily, and glared at him. Draco didn't know why she was so angry.
Draco glared right back at her. As if she were an eagle over a mouse, she swooped down on him and kissed him hardly. Draco, still somewhat confused and angry and annoyed, found himself kissing her back. He tried not to think about Hermione. But he did. It made him kiss Ash harder.
She had turned somewhat different. She knew that. But she knew she was a somewhat good person. Not as perfect as she might have believed, but she wanted no deaths. She wanted no innocent people to die. She needed to stop Tom. It wasn't just a matter of right and wrong in the world anymore, it was the balance of right and wrong inside of her. If she managed to stop Tom, she could forget about all those little sins, couldn't she? Was that how these things worked?
She sat outside the tap where she knew the entrance to the Chamber resided. She didn't know if Tom was in there, or whether he would come. All she could was wait. She wasn't quite sure what she was going to do. She just knew she had to stop him.
"Hermione, what a pleasant surprise." His voice was smooth and fluid. She rose from her sitting place to meet him on an equal level. She couldn't help looking at him, and noticing again just how good-looking he was. So much darkness, in such a pretty parcel. It seemed almost ironic. Hair as dark as his eyes, smooth almost wax like. Skin paler than Draco's, and as perfect. Not a tint of colour there, just creamy white. He stood tall, a pleasant build. His voice was smooth, and as soft as dead leaves falling. Not a trace of a threat. His lips were curved into a smile, a smile that crinkled his opaque eyes.
"I've been waiting for you." It was a stupid thing for her to say, really. Why else would she have been sitting in this wet, abandoned bathroom? Still, she didn't want him to have any doubts.
"How do you know?" He didn't sound angry or worried, just keenly interested and quite pleased.
"Law. When I had him under my control for the day. I made him take a truth potion. He let all spill."
"Ah," he stepped forward. "Salazar himself would be proud. Good girl, Hermione." Was he mocking her? It didn't seem so. He seemed impressed, and happy for her. He raised a hand and touched her cheek – a surprisingly tender move – just once. "Were you always so suspicious of me?"
"Not suspicious," she said. She found that she was looking at him lips but knew looking at his eyes was perhaps more dangerous. "Just interested."
He laughed. A real laugh. So high pitched. It didn't suit him. It sent shivers up her spine. She took a step back, away from him.
"How much do you know, so? The Chamber of Secrets?"
In confirmation of his question, she asked, "Have you let the Basilisk out yet?"
He took a step forward and, without even meaning to, she took a step backwards.
"I was just about to. It's getting restless." He observed her closely.
"So it hasn't killed anyone yet?"
"No." A pause. "Such a clever girl, and so pretty too."
"I'm not!" Hermione could never accept a compliment. She felt that the situation was going out of her control.
He smiled, and ignored her protest. "I'm so glad you know, Hermione. I've been only dieing to tell you. In due time, I told myself. I wanted you to be proud of me. Are you proud of me?"
"No," she snarled, unable to keep the anger from her voice.
"Ah." He didn't seem too disturbed. "I thought that might be the case." He smiled again at her fondly. "Despite everything, you're only a little girl, aren't you? I saw it when I kissed you and you began crying. You're good, and bad, at the same time, aren't you? Just enough to keep me intrigued."
She took a step away from him again and hit against the wall. Cornered. How could she have been so silly? She should have remembered that wall was there. A hint of desperation burst inside her, and she raised her wand before he could take that final step. "Don't come too close, Tom. I mean it."
"I know you do." He didn't stop smiling, and he took that final step, walking into her wand and pushing it back against her. His eyes still on hers, he took her hand holding the wand and pulled her clenched fingers from it smoothly, until the wand fell to the floor, falling with a splash into a small shallow of water. She only attempted to stun him when she must have known it was too late.
He watched her eyes widen and shushed her. "It's okay. Look." He took his wand out and she looked from him to it. Then he dropped it too and it landed beside hers, but not in the puddle. She didn't really know what he was playing at, so remained quiet.
"Why did you come here, Hermione?" he said, still so close.
"I'm here to stop you opening the Chamber of Secrets." There was no point in lying to him.
"Oh, yes?"
"Tom, you have to." She looked beseechingly into his eyes and tried to reach the piece of humanity she knew was in there, somewhere, but as usual, all she could see in his eyes was darkness. "Just put off releasing the Basilisk until-"
"Until you change my mind?" He was breathing quickly, a little more so than normal, and his eyes were glinting at her almost savagely. He was excited.
"Yes," she replied, but she was scared. Because she knew what he wanted.
"What do you have in mind?" He used his wand hand to brush a lose strand of her hair from her face, behind her ear.
Hermione didn't know. No, she was lying to herself. She did know. She just didn't have a response.
So she kissed him.
Because that was what he wanted. And she had to give it to him. And she knew part of her was rejoicing. But most of her was just crying. Crying for so much of her that she'd lost. Crying because she hated what she had become, hated what she was prepared to do, not just to save innocent people anymore, but to save Tom Riddle.
"Will you help me?" Ash breathed. Darkness surrounded them. Draco realised he was somewhat weak when it came to women.
"Yes."
Ash smiled and kissed him again.
"And the ball?" she questioned.
"Yes."
So Draco was going to the ball with Ash. Who would have thought? Certainly not him. He was hoping to go with Hermione, but that didn't seem possible anymore. The ball poster had only been put up barely a week ago and already most of the school were speculating on it. Draco hadn't really been thinking about it, since so much had been happening.
He supposed Hermione would be going with Tom, anyway. She really didn't know what she was getting herself into, did she? Something flickered through him, and made him kiss Ash again. Not a nice kiss, harsh and ungentle. Ash seemed to like it though. He didn't really care much for Ash though, and he knew what he was feeling now was jealousy.
Tom had her wand, and he was taking her to the ball.
She had somehow managed to get away from him. She had somehow gotten herself dressed and into bed. She somehow had gotten a bit of sleep. And she had somehow got herself up in the morning and gotten ready for classes.
She found her hair so easy to manage now. It was strange. And she'd taken to stealing little bits of Sally's makeup and applying light layers. It made her feel a little better in the morning, that and a cup of black coffee (instead of her usual milky tea!) She always returned Sally's makeup at the end of the day, so no harm done.
The ball was tonight, and Tom was taking her! She hadn't even thought of it, actually. A ball, she hadn't really thought of going. So much had happened last night! It seemed like it had gone on for days. It was a Hogsmeade day today, and she knew that she would have to buy a new dress robe for it. But how would she know what robe to buy?
So, she needed his help again.
Draco,
I think we should meet up. It feels like I haven't talked to you in some time. Do you need to buy new robes for tonight? I need to! I need your help, I suppose! Owl me back!
Hermione
He had actually been thinking of catching up on his studies, and having a well-deserved lie in. But she did need his help, or who knows what she'd turn up in. He could just see her in a startling, over-the-top robe of red and gold, her old House colours, and not even realising it.
He would like to see her again and, after a short reply (Okay, see you at the gate at twelve), he began to work on his hair.
She met up with him, wearing some pretty dark robes he'd picked out for her. Her hair was perfect, and he couldn't help but smirk at the difference from before. How had she not been ashamed of it? How had she not thought of caring for it before? She was wearing makeup as well, which was a strange but not unwelcome change. He'd seen it on her yesterday as well, but today, she seemed to have made a little effort. Dark grey eye shadow, her eyelashes seemed longer, and her lips fuller and with more colour. She looked well.
He tried not to look too hard at her.
She chatted about classes and homework as if she was completely at ease and normal. But there was something in her tone, which told him all was not well but he could ask nothing while so many students were around. Being in her presence felt strange. He wasn't comfortable, but not unhappy.
He followed her to the robe shops, and leafed through the robes, trying to find a perfect robe for her. He couldn't find anything. He wanted to see her looking magnificent. She watched him, knowing she would be more of a hindrance than a help. He gave her some to try on, but shook his head at them all, saying they weren't quite right.
They met Ash and Sally robe shopping too. After a little idle chat, they departed. Ash winked at him, as if this was all about a conspiracy between them.
Finally, when they'd both been ready to pack it in, Draco found it. Perfect. He gave it to her to try on, but he knew it was what he'd been looking for. She stepped out of the fitting room, and he caught his breath. Magnificent would be an understatement to describe the robe. It was blood red, an expensive fabric, and the whole thing had a rather regal look about it. It was very flowy for a robe, almost more like a dress than anything else. It slipped down her shoulders naturally, showing pale, skinny shoulders. Perfect. He paid, both knowing she did not have the money.
They went inside the Leaky cauldron next, exhausted from their shopping, where they knew not many students would be around, and he ordered two butterbeers while she sat and minded the table. He paid. She thanked him and sipped it. He took two great gulps, then sat it down and asked her what was wrong.
"Always to the point, aren't you, Draco?"
"And you are using the Slytherin tactic of answering a question with a question. What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Is there something wrong with you?"
"Nothing," he replied, and the two sat in silence.
They kept keeping secrets from each other. He had kept some from her. He couldn't tell her about Ash. But he didn't want to lie to her anymore.
"Hermione," he asked lowly, aware of the some customers who were around them, "were you having weird dreams before you came here?"
She looked at him sharply. "Yes," she answered, almost immediately.
All thoughts of balls left both their heads. "The Dark Lord," he told her, almost whispering. "was ordering Blaise Zabini to slip you a potion. This potion let him control your dreams. It can do you no harm except, with excessive amounts, it could drive you mad. But he wasn't giving you enough to do that. It was just one dosage, at breakfast. Which meant you'd have one of his controlled dreams a night."
It took her a minute to absorb this. "Why would he want to do that?"
"I don't know. I think – I think he was trying to draw you here. Were the dreams about – about Tom?"
She swallowed, and nodded.
"He let me run. I've been thinking about this a lot, Hermione. When I ran from him and my father just before we came here, he let me run. He didn't tell the Death Eaters to catch me, he used no magic, he just let me run. It's as if he knew where I was going."
"This doesn't make sense! You think – you think Voldemort knew what we were at? And he wanted us to do it?"
"I'm saying that he remembers you and me! From when he was in seventh year!"
"But….how? We hadn't gone back yet!"
"Yes, we had!" he said. "This is the past, remember! And that's the future!"
She took more time thinking about this, taking delicate sips from her drink while Draco watched her. "I suppose that makes sense," she said finally. "But, then, that means…?"
"That Voldemort wanted us to come back here. Which means, we must do something that – that he wants us to do."
"Bad, rather than good," she said, staring at him with horrified eyes.
He nodded and watched her, as she put in her head into her hands, face full of lines and exhaustion.
"We're stuck here now," she said. "We don't know how to get back! How could we – I- have been so foolish? What are we going to do?"
Draco shrugged helplessly. How could they change something that they'd already done? Perhaps they would come to this conclusion and it would make them do worse! It had all been done sixty years back from their normal time. It made Draco's head spin.
They left the pub in silence, Hermione clutching the bag, which held her new robe. They walked side by side, both lost in thought. It was only as they could see Hogwarts in the distance that he turned to look at her and saw she was crying.
"Hermione-"
"I've screwed everything up," she cried, turning to him fully.
"No-"
She wouldn't let him finish.
"I have!" she said. "I really have! What have I done! I should have known better than to mess with time! It saved Sirius, but he was innocent! I should have known better – Tom isn't innocent! How can I feel this way about him? I don't understand, and I'm so scared!"
He hadn't a clue what she was talking about. "Look-"
"I'm so angry too!" she ranted. "I can't believe I've done all the things that I've done! I can't believe I've been so stupid! I brought back one enemy to help me fight another, and it hasn't achieved anything! It's all just such a-"
He kissed her. Just to shut her up. No other reason. One quick, untender kiss. Just to startle her into silence.
It was over in a few seconds. He still kept her grasped by her shoulders, but held her away from him. "Will you just shut up for a minute and let me speak-"
She didn't. Instead she looked at him with oddly helpless eyes, and, before he even realised what was happening, she had kissed him. And it was the complete opposite of the other one. Where that one had been harsh, this was gentle. Where that one hadn't been full of any real feeling apart from anger, this one was. Where that one had lacked in closeness, this one was full of it, the two grasping on to each other as if their lives depended on it.
Where that one had only lasted a brief few seconds, this one seemed to go on for ages and ages, and Draco couldn't remember when he'd felt more free.
Some moments change everything, from the whole situation to the very core of who you are. There are some big moments that change who you are and who you will. Some moments can change your whole life. This was one of those moments forboth Draco and Hermione.
Two people watched the kiss. One was laughing gleefully, thinking her plan had worked. Draco had made her plan work, and was working on Hermione. Good for him too! It was lucky that the other had been in time to see it! So perfectly timed, like Draco had had it all planned. She wouldn't be surprised if he had, an impressive boy like that. She would have to ask him later at the ball.
The other watched and felt an inhumane rage soar through him. Eyes narrowed, and flashed a blood red. Power crackled from his bare hands, and he'd never felt so raw and primal in his life.
Some moments change everything, from the whole situation to the very core of who you are. There are some big moments that change who you are and who you will. Some moments can change your whole life. This was one of those moments for Tom Marvolo Riddle.
Another AN rant, but I'll try keep it short. I liked this chapter. Sorry that the last two chapters were sort of all over the place and short. School sucks. Anyone that read "Because of You" will know why I haven't updated sooner, but I'm okay. The thing about a tragedy like that is that it tends to bring people closer together, and make you realise how much you do care for people. You got to take care of people – don't ever take anyone for granted!
The next chapter is quite good, the best one yet! I'll have it up soon, in a week say. I'll try for next Monday!
Thanks for the last chapter:
The Dragon Sorceress: Thanks a lot!
Serinaty – I don't really know what this is, to be honest. But, yes, it has Tom/Hermione and Draco/Hermione.
Fantasicarla - Thanks for the cool review! I like to keep things twist-y. So that's probably one of the biggest compliments you could give me. I'd hate – out of everything – for one of my stories to be boring.
Poke-the-sleeping-dragon – Thanks for the continued support:o)
BabyGooGoo2 – Well, I figure supposedly Hermione and Draco are always running off having secret affairs. Why wouldn't that happen with other Slytherins and Gryffindors? Wouldn't it be more exciting back at this time, where it would probably be frowned upon even more? Anyway thanks, glad you didn't mind that twist.
Natyslacks – What a lovely review! Thank you!
Unspeakable Mae – Thanks again!
CareBearErin – Were you? That was sort of an impulsive move for me. But then I said, why not? Glad you were glad.
Frangipani Chic – Thank you for your nice words!
PrincessBitterHeart – I recognise your penname all right, so maybe you have! I've never seen that movie. I wouldn't know how other authors write Hermione/Tom. I've only taken to reading the odd one after being half way through this story. Authors tend not to finish the story either, I've NEVER found a complete Hermione/Tom story.
Sailor Moon Rose – Now, thank you for not minding my ranting. Yeah, I like to rant. But it's really good therapy. So yeah. If anything ever dramatic happens in my life, readers will here about it, through either an AN or a one-shot.
Froggifrog – Thanks for the review!
HollyH – I just went, to be fair, with the first person who asked, so I think that's all settled. I'm so not a beat person though – it's driving me mad! The poor girls only had the chapter for an hour and I'm only itching to post it anyway! What am I like? Hehe
ElementalDragon1 – Thanking you most kindly.
Lisi – Glad to know you're still around, girl!
Alenor – Thank you! I always look forward to your reviews!
Illyria-light – Always be honest. It helps. Yeah, that chapter was bad. I knew it myself. But I'm quite happy with this chapter. Things have sort of been all over the place for me, but I put some proper time and effort (and length!) into this chapter! And I got it Beta read!
Ptrst – Yeah, that's the thing with Law, right in one. But you'll have to see. Glad you're so enthusiastic about the story. I thought it'd be just fairer to just sue the first person that asked! Sorry! I would have just asked you, had I been clever. But I'm not. Anyway, hope you liked this chappie!
Renyun – There's some Draco/Hermione for you. I admit, I'm finding Tom/Hermione more interesting. But they haven't really grown apart. It's my fault, because I updated such short chapters, but if you look back, you'll see the last couple of chapters only spaced over a short period of time, like a day. So Draco and Hermione had seen each other only shortly before. But thanks for your opinion, it made me add the Hermione/Draco kiss a little quicker than I had planned to.
PinkTribeChick – Sorry, again!
Hermione Charlotte Granger – But this chapter wasn't too short! To make up for it?
Seghen – I thought this chapter was really dramatic, actually. It's weird, because the thing is I'm NOT really emotional. Like, I never cry. I get quick flares of anger but I'm never really, really depressed or like deliriously happy. I get over things easily. But when I'm writing, it's like I let it all out. It's cool, it helps. And I've just realised I've been ranting and I'm such a weirdo, but never mind, eh?
ShimmeringWater – I hope you're still around. Sorry I couldn't update sooner.
And don't forget to tell me what you think of this chapter! In a review, of course. A nice, long one! Yeah!