Unmasking the heir of Slytherin

by enchantingelana

Tom Riddle had a dark secret that not even Dumbledore knew about. Hermione is accidentally sent to the past and discovers his horrifying truth. Can she help him heal or will he still become the monster Lord Voldemort. This will not be your usual HG/TR.

32. Blood and cuts

It was a Tuesday morning and Hermione sat in class with her mind preoccupied, but her thoughts had nothing to do with Dumbledore's lecture. When the professor asked a question she remained as she was, and Tom glanced at her as he raised his hand. Soon his voiced answer bounced of her eardrums but she had no idea what he was saying. The only thing Hermione cared about was, how to curse the dark lord's broomstick before Friday without getting caught or killed, which meant getting in and out of his room undetected as the broom was there, and she had only three days because the quidditch match was on the fourth day. When students drew their wands for the practical part of the lesson she was vaguely aware as she brought out her own, but she didn't proceed as the others. The Ravenclaw head girl expressionlessly stared ahead, her finger and thumb rolled her magical stick back and forth while her mind still tried to find an answer.

"Miss Granger" Dumbledore's voice called and she appeared not to have heard. "Miss Granger" he repeated loudly, and Hermione snapped out of her mind to find the professor in front of her.

"Sorry, professor, I-" she said feeling panicked. "I-erm-" Dumbledore couldn't know what she was planning, did he-of course he didn't know.

"Is something bothering you?" he asked with a concerned expression.

"No, professor" She said lowering her gaze to prevent eye contact, and therefore safeguarding herself from his wandless legilimency. Dumbledore didn't say anything back and nor did he leave, causing Hermione's pulse to quicken. After a few seconds she held her breath and hazarded a glance to find him looking in Tom's direction, Hermione breathed out in relief realising the conclusion the professor must've come to. He thought her detached state was due to the dark lord threatening her, or that he'd hurt her in some way. Well, better that than him learning the real reason. On the contrary, Tom wasn't happy with Dumbledore's silent and false accusation as one of his hands was clenched into a fist.

"Is that the truth, Miss Granger?" Dumbledore suddenly asked, snapping her attention back to him.

"Not exactly" Hermione said softly and Tom's other hand curled into a fist. "I'm trying to find an answer to a problem, and it's been occupying my mind lately" she continued, looking up and into his eyes. She'd spoken the truth and Dumbledore knew it, but it'd given away nothing about her murder plan.

"Ah" the professor said with a suspicious look. "I myself used to spend days trying to solve difficult puzzles." he added with a curious expression, and no longer feeling safe Hermione avoided his eyes once more. "It can be addictive if proper control is not exercised." he said emphasising the word not. There was definitely a hidden message in that sentence about Tom's knowledge or him being addictive, maybe even both. "Try to focus on today's lesson." He added, in a tone of voice that one used when telling off a small child.

"Yes, professor" she said, making herself look guilty and the second he turned his back on her she stopped. Dumbledore suddenly faced her again and Hermione forced the guilty look back her visage. His twinkling eyes and warm smile made her pulse speed up. Oh, fuck. He knew she was faking it, she hadn't been fast enough.

"If you ever need an extra mind to help find your answer-" he started with a kind voice and relief washed through Hermione. Thank God, he hadn't noticed. All of a sudden Tom caught her attention, he was staring at her with a raised eyebrow and amusement was dancing in his eyes. Yep, the dark lord had certainly noticed. "-you may come to me" Dumbledore finished sourly, realising where her mind was focused, and his sudden change of tone caused her eyes to snap back to him.

"Thank you, professor. I will keep that in mind" Hermione said, intending her tone to be grateful but it sounded more apologetic. Dumbledore gave her a sad smile, then he turned around to leave once again, and a genuine expression of guilt showed on her face. He was trying so hard to warn her against Voldemort and each time she had to play dumb. Yes, it felt bad to make him think he was failing to protect her, but revealing the truth and her intention could prove disastrous. After all, this was for the greater good, and didn't the Dumbledore of her time prioritise the greater good above everything else?

"That was entertaining" Tom's voice said and startled, Hermione looked to her right. He was an arm's reach from her, how had he gotten there without her noticing? "It's wise to keep performing until the audience has completely left your presence" he said slightly tilting his head to the left. "Otherwise, it ruins the realism" he added, emphasising the word realism.

"You would know, wouldn't you?" Hermione said giving him a false sweet smile, and he smirked in response before un-tilting his head.

"What problem, Granger?" Tom questioned, suddenly sounding serious and all trace of playfulness was gone from his face.

"I'll figure it out" she said dismissively.

"Tell me" he said emphasising each word with a commanding expression, and Hermione took in a sharp intake of breath. The dark lord was no longer asking, he was demanding. What should she say? From the corner of her eyes she saw the fingers on his right hand slightly twitching, and obviously itching to form a fist. Crap, he was getting angry. Okay, something believable, something convin-of course, Wolfsbane.

"It's our potion's project" Hermione said in a low voice, not wanting others to be advantaged from what they overheard, and all indication of hostility vanished from Tom's face.

"Go on" he whispered, trying and failing to keep the curiosity out of his voice.

"I think-" she whispered back, faking hesitation. "I'm not sure if it will work but-"

"Granger" Tom hissed angrily, obviously wanting her to get to the point.

"Seeze seeds might interact with the Silver-monkshood compound" she murmured and half a smile appeared on his face.

"Two of its properties repel silver" he said, playing dumb but his tone was challenging. Of course he knew that alone wasn't the actual problem, the real obstacle was getting those properties to stop resisting silver. He wanted to see if she'd realised that and was lost in trying to solve the complications, or if she'd just identified Seeze seeds as a potential reactor. It suddenly dawned on her that her reply would also answer a test, in his eyes if she was dumb she'd abandon Seeze seeds upon learning of its incompatible aspects, but if she was brainy she'd try to find a solution to get those defiant features to comply. Hermione laughed in her mind, she'd show the dark lord she wasn't as unintelligent as he thought.

"There might be a way to make them submissive to silver" she said, mimicking his challenging tone and a surprised expression flashed on his face.

"To the not so mundane, the possibility does exist" Tom voiced, staring at her attentively and she stared back with a pleased expression. Was that a compliment wrapped under the guise of a statement? "If I find anything I'll owl you" he said sounding excited, and after a second he gave her half a smile, causing a warm feeling bubble in her stomach.

"Okay" Hermione said feeling delighted that Tom thought her clever, and without thinking she half smiled back at him.

Suddenly, there was a loud thudding sound and startled, she looked away. Her eyes went to an abnormally large textbook sprawled on the floor, and a boy in Gryffindor was pointing his wand at it. He was the centre of attention, everyone was staring at him, everyone except-. Oh, God. Dumbledore's eyes were fixed on her and his expression was unreadable. Shit, he'd seen her and Tom talking to each other. It'd obviously appeared like a friendly and secretive conversation, and thus fuelled his suspicion further. Speaking of the dark lord, he'd somehow managed to get back to his old place without her noticing, and like the majority he was watching the Gryffindor boy's enlarged book.

"Can't thick headed Gryffindors understand a book that's not unusually thick?" Abraxas Malfoy suddenly said out loud, and nearly all the Slytherins laughed, while some of the Gryffindors made offensive comments.

"It was an accident" yelled the boy who was responsible for the disorder, and the noise in the room rose as the houses of snake and lion continued to taunt each other.

"Quiet" Dumbledore commanded with a magically magnified voice, and the effect was immediate.

In a bid to save face the Gryffindor cast a spell on his book, as it grew even larger most of the class couldn't help but break out in whispers, and Malfoy looked like he was dying to make a comment, while Tom rolled his eyes with a bored expression.

"You're a disgrace to the name of-" the blonde Slytherin suddenly started.

"Not another word, Mr Malfoy" Dumbledore interrupted, giving him a piercing look and the aristocrat put a finger on his lips with an apologetic expression, which was blatantly false.

"I'm sorry, professor" the enormous book's owner said, appearing embarrassed. "I don't know why-" he began with a distressed tone.

"It's alright, Mr Carrow" Dumbledore said, and Hermione's expression darkened as she was reminded of the sibling death eaters, Amycus and Alecto Carrow. "Magic is affected by one's concentration and emotion, being the subject of negative attention is never a great help." the professor continued with a sympathetic look, meanwhile the Ravenclaw head girl zoomed into the embroidered lion on Carrow's uniform. A Gryffindor ancestor of Amycus and Alecto, then again Sirius had been Bellatrix's cousin so it wasn't that strange. "Everyone back to reverse transfiguration" Dumbledore ordered whilst returning Carrow's book to its original size. In seconds the classroom burst to life as students resumed performing magic, and after a quick look at the blackboard Hermione reluctantly joined. When class ended she grabbed her bag and almost ran out the room to avoid Dumbledore.

"Maya" Susan's voice called and Hermione started to actually run down the corridor. Now was not the time for that girl's romantic bullshit, if only it were true than getting in Tom's bedroom would have been-eww. Besides, the dark lord was asexual-not that she'd ever do anything sexual if he hadn't been- -he's asexual. Merlin, she was thinking like that crazy bitch, in her desperation she must be losing her mind.

The rest of Hermione's morning classes passed without much drama. In each of them she'd forced herself to be attentive for the first 20 to 30 minutes, she didn't want every professor asking her what was wrong, or Tom to start questioning the excuse she'd given earlier, because there was only so much one could think about Seeze seeds without having any external source of information. The remaining time she'd had to herself hadn't been enough to come up with something flawless, the best idea she had was to do it during class time as Tom seemed to never miss one. Hermione had two options when it came to executing this plan, she could either be absent from a class or late.

Skipping class would mean making herself sick enough to get approval from Madam Whittaker, and then she'd have to escape the healer's watchful eyes without raising suspicion. No, with this option there were too many factors out of her control. There was no guarantee when she'd be able to escape the hospital wing, it could be after the class or after all the classes for the day, and that would defeat the purpose of her grand scheme.

In addition, Dumbledore would no doubt take a particular interest as he'd believe Tom to be the direct cause of her illness. Including him on the list of eyes she had to escape in order to get into the dark lord's room was as good as setting herself up for failure. She didn't know his schedule, the transfiguration professor could come calling on her anytime. If that didn't prevent her from leaving the infirmary during class times, then there was a possibility it could lead him to track her down to Tom's room. Sure, she could use the disillusionment charm to prevent portraits, entities and persons from being witnesses to where she'd gone, but Dumbledore was Dumbledore, and she didn't want to try her luck against such a powerful wizard when she was so close to murdering Voldemort.

Therefore, the least dangerous and most sensible option was late arrival. She knew from past observations of delayed students, that she'd roughly have 15 minutes before the professor sent a message to the caretaker to find her. She should be able to get the job done in 5 minutes, how hard could it be to get inside a room whose quarters she already had access to? Finding and cursing the broom shouldn't take more than a minute, and 5 minutes would be enough to run to her scheduled class. That was approximately 11 minutes in total, since the professor always started the count after all the students were settled it was as good as 10 or 9 minutes. So there would be no need to send the caretaker, and thanks to her gender Hermione had the best excuse in mind, she'd say it was her time of the month and she was late as she couldn't help taking her time in the toilet. This method was almost perfect. She wouldn't have to escape from anyone to get to Tom's room and Dumbledore would think she was in class. The only risk was the dark lord turning up to get something he'd left behind, but his memory was so sharp that the chance was almost nonexistent. Still, no matter how tiny she didn't like the flaw and she wished there was a more secure way.

When the clock said it was lunchtime she hadn't come up with anything better. For a second she thought about skipping food to further pick her brain, but her rumbling stomach changed her mind. She had a headache and she was starving. Besides, the food would boost her energy levels which should help her thinking process, and she was in need of a mental break. After a second the head girl came to a decision, if she didn't find something more risk free after being well rested, she was going to use the late to class method. She'd give herself lunchtime or the first afternoon class and then she'd do it. A calm expression took over Hermione's face before she started to walk towards the great hall, the dilemma she'd had at the start of her day was solved.

Hermione purposely chose a spot on the Ravenclaw table that was far from Susan before loading her plate with food, but the gossip girl appeared by her side before she could start eating.

"You're avoiding me" Susan said, stating the obvious. "You've been doing it all day."

"Look, Susan, I've been very busy" Hermione started with a forced calm voice. "Therefore, it shouldn't be a surprise that I missed your need for attention"

"Very clever" the girl said making a face. "Then why sit away from me?"

"I wanted a change of scenery" she said from the top of her head.

"There is no change" Susan said looking back and forth. "Tables, food and students, it's all the same"

"A view from a different angle" She said raising her voice, before biting into a chunk of roast potato.

"That is such a lame-oh-" Savouring the buttery taste Hermione gave her classmate a quizzical look. "Another sign" Susan suddenly said in a high pitched voice, making the Ravenclaw head girl blink. "Why else would you want him in front of you?" She added breathlessly, and Hermione almost chocked on her food as she looked towards the Slytherin table. The seat in direct line of her vision was occupied by Tom, for some reason he'd decided to sit on the far right side instead of the left. Fuck, none of this was intentional but loony Susan would never believe.

"Coincidence" Hermione said hotly after swallowing some water.

"Unbelievable" the girl said giving her a stern look.

"Exactly, amazing the way you see things that aren't' there" she said rolling her eyes.

"Oh, believe me, they are there" Susan said, dramatically waving her hands. "Like you smiling back at Tom in Transfiguration" she whispered theatrically, and Hermione's heart became heavy with guilt. It was true, she remembered smiling. The dark lord had half smiled because he was pleased with the new development in their potions project. She'd smiled as she'd been happy to have her intelligence appreciated by a genius, even though he was Voldemort. That's it, she thought suddenly feeling relieved. They'd both smiled because of independent reasons but by chance it'd been at the same time.

"I wasn't smiling at him" Hermione finally said, using a tone that she took when stating facts.

"You're such a-"

"I don't deny I smiled" she interrupted. "It involved the progression of our potions project, we each had our own reasons to smile about it, and coincidentally-" she said emphasising the word coincidentally. "-we visibly smiled at the same time"

"Wow" Susan said, with a look of awe. "Just when I thought you couldn't talk yourself out of it this one- you really do have hidden qualities that attract Tom" she finished with a teasing tone.

"He is not attracted to me" Hermione said through her teeth. "We're civil with each other because we're forced to work together" she said raising her voice.

"I know, I know" Susan repeated impatiently. "You expect me to believe every significant interaction not forced is due to coincidence" she said crossing her arms.

"It is"

"There are just too many coincidences for it to be a coincidence" Susan said shaking her head.

"You twist everything to suit your requirement"

"So do you" she said accusingly.

"I state facts" Hermione said emphasising each word. "Sorry, if it doesn't match your imagined scenarios" she said dismissively, and then she started to eat again. Susan gave her look that said this wasn't over before walking over to the Gryffindor table.

After a few minutes the seat in front of Hermione and the seat in front of Tom stayed vacant, and her view of him remained unobstructed. She tried not to stare but her eyes unwillingly caught glimpses of him, because of them she knew what he was eating and that he was reading a book. From their time together in the library she knew Tom tapped his fingers when he was deeply engrossed in something written. Now his fingers weren't moving, so it must mean he wasn't focused, or the material was too easy to require intense concentration.

Suddenly something tapped Hermione on the shoulder, and she looked behind with a startled expression to find it was Xavian.

"Hi, long time no see." he said cheerfully. "Did you like the flowers?"

"Flowers" Hermione said with a lost look. "Oh, the flowers." she said quickly, remembering and the crestfallen look that'd settled on his face disappeared. "They were nice carnations" Rubbish work that'd been replaced by Tom's glorious chrysanthemums. "Thank you." Not that she'd ever tell him the truth.

"As long as you're happy the pleasure's all mine" he said smiling at her and she forced herself to smile back.

"So, are you-err-still taking potions?" she said, remembering that he'd been taking them after Tom had beaten him up.

"Just one" Xavian said, taking a small bottle out of his pocket. "It'll be none on Friday" he added, putting it back. "Perfect timing, I'll be new and shiny on quidditch day" he said, pointing a finger at himself. "Speaking of quidditch" Xavian tapped the lion on his uniform with a hopeful look. "Any chance you'll be supporting Gryffindor?"

"I'm not picking sides, but I'll wish you luck" Hermione said genuinely, they both wanted Tom's downfall so it couldn't hurt.

"A political answer" he said, smirking. "Clever"

"Potter" A male voice suddenly called. Xavian looked towards the source and her eyes widened. Harry, he was here, alive? But where, she thought as she looked ahead with a desperate expression.

"Give me a minute" Someone said loudly beside her. The voice was familiar but she didn't have time to ponder why. She had to find Harry, where was he? "Maya, are you alright?" the same voice said. Who was Maya and why couldn't she see Harry? "Maya" the voice spoke the name again, and she wished the person go away as it was distracting her from finding Harry. Someone had just called his name, Harry had to be here. Something suddenly gripped her shoulder and she dropped her fork. As it landed on the table the sound of metal clashing against wood assaulted her ears, and she blinked, and with it reality crashed back into her mind.

Hermione looked at the hand on her shoulder, and then slowly up at its owner. It was Xavian Potter, Harry's ancestral relative, not Harry Potter. The boy had meant him when calling out the name Potter, Harry was dead. A single tear trickled down her cheek and she drew back startled as Xavian's fingers wiped it away. "Sorry" he said holding up his hand. "I didn't mean-"

"It's okay" Hermione said in a voice barely above a whisper.

"What's the matter" he said looking worried as he sat down next to her.

"Nothing, I'm fine"

"You're upset" he said fetching her fork, and then he went quiet. "Is it Riddle?" he suddenly said, with anger evident in his voice.

"What?" Hermione said with an expression of disbelief. Why would he think Tom was-oh-Xavian was staring towards the Slytherin table, he'd discovered the dark lord was almost sitting right in front of her. Tom was paying no attention to Xavian, his eyes were on her and he seemed to have an expression of mild concern. Which had to be fake cause the dark lord didn't care about others, he was doing this as everyone could see she was in his visual field, and it would be inhuman if he didn't react appropriately when she was in visible distress. Because everyone who'd watched her drop her fork and cry were responding, some had expressions of sympathy, and others whispered with looks of concern mixed with curiosity. "No, it's not Riddle" she whispered.

"Then why are you whispering?" he voiced, looking at her with a protective expression.

"To avoid gossip" She said in a low voice. "They hear his name and think all sorts of things"

"I've never seen you sit here before" Xavian said in a tone that sounded slightly accusing.

"It's because of Susan" Hermione said appearing angry, kind of true since she'd sat here to avoid Susan.

"Typical Susie" he said, looking apologetic. "If an evil git's easy on the eyes she thinks they're misunderstood victims." He added after a laugh that'd seemed fake. She forced a small smile in response and then silence descended upon them, which soon became uncomfortable. "If you don't mind me asking" Xavian suddenly said. "What were you upset about? You don't have to tell me" he finished in a rushed voice.

"I saw something that reminded me of someone dead" Hermione said with a sad expression.

"I'm sorry" he said, placing a hand on top of hers and she was too lost in her sorrow to notice. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No"

"I'm here for you" he said, gently stroking her fingers and Hermione suddenly realised he was touching her. She had the urge to pull her hand away but she didn't. It seemed rude to do so when he was trying to comfort her in grief, nevertheless she couldn't help think if consoling was all he had on mind. Xavian abruptly released her and she realised she'd been was staring at their joined hands, which must've given away her dislike. "Yours" he said, lifting up his other hand and it was holding her fork.

"Thanks-erm-thank you" she said taking it from him.

"You're welcome"

"Oi, Xavian" A boy approaching the table called out, and Hermione recognised him as one of Xavian's friends. The one that wasn't a Weasley, was it Aaron Smith? She wasn't sure but it was definitely something Smith. "Steve's got this new move" Smith added, beckoning his thumb towards the Gryffindor table.

"Figured, he asked me to come earlier" Xavian said getting on his feet. "More Quidditch secrets" he said in a conspiratorial tone after turning his head towards Hermione. "Do you want me to stay?" he added in a low voice, and his eyes seemed to be pleading her to say yes.

"I'll be okay" Hermione whispered. "Thanks-thank you for the offer though"

"You alright, Granger?" Smith asked.

"Fine, thank you" she said looking at him.

"Mind if I steal Potter?" he said whilst giving Xavian a questioning glance.

"Go ahead, he was leaving anyway" Hermione answered.

"Owl me if you want to talk" Xavian said locking eyes with her, and they seemed to be glistening with hope. "Take care" he added before leaving with Smith.

Feeling glad he was gone she started to eat again, 1940s Potter wasn't the one to give up easily. A few more rejections and he'd probably realise she wasn't playing hard to get. If only Harry and Ron were here with her she thought with a sad smile, they would have drank butterbeer and laughed about the weirdness of a Potter ancestor falling for her. Then like old times the three of them would've teamed up and eliminated Voldemort. She wouldn't have had to do it alone, she wouldn't be lost back in time all on her own. Grief tugged at her heart and she wanted to melt into a puddle of tears, but she wouldn't allow herself to. It was too emotionally draining and she didn't have the energy right now. Hermione took a deep breath before briefly closing her eyes, she'd zoned out in sorrow minutes earlier. Harry's surname had triggered her to be mentally transported to the memories of her past, her soul and mind were scarred. Like the many people she'd read about she was suffering from mental war wounds, but she had to hold herself together. Otherwise, people might think she was going loony, and more important than that she had to stay strong to kill Voldemort, the dark lord who was now a school boy. Hermione's eyes focused ahead and found Tom was no longer at the Slytherin table.

Great, when Susan returned she wouldn't be able to say, he was staying longer than necessary just to watch her. Actually, there'd been times he'd kind of done that. But there was no way in hell that love or romance had been on his mind, if only that crazy girl knew what the real Tom was like. Speaking of Susan, Hermione thought as she drank water from a goblet. The girl could come back any second now, and since her meal was almost finished it was a good idea to escape. She was about to leave when an owl landed in front of her with a envelope, it appeared impatient from the way it was jumping up and down, and the second she took her mail it flew off. She tore open the rectangular wrapper and read the letter inside. It was from Slughorn, tomorrow at 8pm he'd invited her to a Slugclub gathering. As if she didn't have anything better to do than listen to Slughorn boast about meeting famous people. Hermione suddenly tightened her grip on the letter and her eyes widened.

Merlin, this is it. The answer to a more secure way into Tom's room was Slugclub, from what she knew he always attended, and that they lasted for at least an hour. Compared to the late to class method this idea was 99% flawless, there'd be no pressure on her to arrive late within a certain time limit, or the risk of anyone discovering her delay had been intentional. Also, the tiniest chance of Tom coming to his room to get something forgotten was as good as nonexistent, because this time it wasn't just based on his sharp memory, but with addition of the fact, that you didn't need to take anything to Slugclub other than yourself.

An idea for a backup suddenly came to her, she'd secretly watch the entrance to Slughorn's room, and after the dark lord entered she'd wait for 15 minutes. If he was missing anything she was confident that was more than enough time for him to remember, but try as she might, she couldn't think of anything he'd urgently need during Slugclub that he'd have to fetch from his room. Still, it was better to be safe than sorry. Now that she thought of it, it wouldn't be safe to enter his room with just the belief he was at Slugclub, so to confirm Tom's attendance she'd have to watch outside Slughorn's room anyway. Therefore the quarter of an hour's wait wouldn't be a total waste of time, not that she needed a lot of it when she had an unaccountable hour for something that could be done in 10 to 15 minutes. The late to class method hadn't had the luxury of such time or allowed any for the verification of his presence, two more reasons why the Slugclub idea was so secure.

So were there any risks, Hermione thought as she fidgeted with the corners of the envelope. After awhile only one came to mind and it wasn't with the idea itself, the most likely way this whole thing could fall apart was if fate caused Tom to be absent from Slugclub. Merlin, she didn't feel good about this, she'd been plagued with bad luck on her last two attempts. Maybe there was an ounce of truth to the saying, third time's a charm, and everything would be fine. Well, if the worst did happen tomorrow it wouldn't be the end of everything as she'd still have one more day. Like she'd decided in the beginning she'd use the late to class method to accomplish her goal, her second best option wasn't excellent but it was good, and so for desperate times it was good enough. Hermione put the letter back inside its covering with a pleased look, she didn't just have a plan to get inside the dark lord's room, she also had a backup plan, and considering she'd been clueless at the start of the day she'd done well. Her lips stretched into a smile as she looked down at the envelope, and she was about to put it away when Susan appeared.

"What's got you so happy?" the girl asked, trying to get a better look at Slughorn's invitation.

"None of your business" Hermione said, stuffing it in her pocket.

"Is it a love letter?" Susan said, excitedly.

"No" she snapped, grabbing her bag.

"Even from afar I noticed the way Xav was holding your hand" the girl started carefully. "Is it from him?" she blurted out in a high pitched voice.

"No, and he wasn't holding my hand" Hermione almost shouted. "He placed his hand on top of mine as a gesture of comfort, because I was grieved by the memory of someone deceased" she finished in a forced emotionless voice.

"Oh, I'm sorry" Susan said softly. "I thought-"

"Save it" Hermione said bitterly, as she tried not to think of the loved ones she'd lost. She had to think of Slugclub, and be happy like she was before the girl had ruined everything by mentioning-Slugclub-flawless idea"

"Really, I am sorry"

"-broomstick-dead Voldemort-mission complete" Yes, it was working, she was feeling cheerful again.

"Maya, please. Say something" Susan said looking sorrier than before. Her attention snapped back to the girl, and to her surprise she found herself feeling sorry for Susan. Her intention hadn't been to hurt. She had an unrealistic imagination which had been activated by a misinterpreted visual, and perhaps the girl was wired differently in the head that caused her to express them.

"It's okay" Hermione said calmly, and the girl's apologetic expression changed to reflect relief. "Susan, you shouldn't assume something without-"

"I know" the girl cut in. "Once in a while I read into things too much" Understatement, more like all the time. Merlin's beard, lectures were wasted on Susan, she'd lost count how many times she'd told the girl to stop misinterpreting things. Well, the girl was what she was, suddenly feeling humorous Hermione decided to take a different approach.

"Can you keep a secret?" she said putting on a serious voice and Susan eagerly nodded to say yes. She couldn't believe she was doing this, but it was all harmless fun, and something the girl deserved after all the bullshit she'd put up with. "You weren't entirely wrong, it is a love letter"

"Oh, my God" Susan whispered, excitedly. "Who? Is it-" she left Tom's name unsaid and looked at his usual place on the Slytherin table.

"Promise you won't tell anyone"

"I Promise" Now comes the fun part.

"He's a Slytherin" she said lowering her voice.

"I knew it" Susan almost squealed.

"It's Malfoy" Hermione said slowly, and it took all her willpower not to burst out laughing.

"What" the girl said looking shocked. "But-that can't be-that can't be right" she said appearing confused. "He hates you-he attacked you and you're not pureblood" God, this was so entertaining to have Susan be the distressed one this time.

"He aggressively bullied me to mask his attraction, he confessed that when we were alone" Hermione said, faking a shy expression.

"There's something not right about this"

"Even though he doesn't like my blood status, he said he can't help loving me" She said putting on a dreamy appearance.

"He's engaged" the girl said with a look of disbelief.

"That was an arrangement forced on him, he has no intention of going through with it" Hermione said in a mock defensive voice before breaking down in laughter, and Susan stared at her like she'd grown two heads. "It's all a lie" she said clutching her side. "Oh, my God, you're face"

"Not funny, Granger" the girl snapped, realising.

"Oh but it was" she said breathlessly. "You really thought I was in love with Malfoy. Merlin, you were so serious"

"Grow up"

"Funny coming from you, taste of your own medicine, eh, Susan"

"Hardly, I interpret what I observe and you just made up lies" she said giving her a dirty look.

"Interpretations, those aren't always true, are they?" Hermione said rolling her eyes.

"No smoke without fire" Susan said moodily, before filling a goblet with water.

"Lighten up, Miss Brewer." She said getting on her feet. "You're always winding me up, so it's only fair that I get to pull your leg once in a while"

"Fine" the girl said, turning to face her. "We wouldn't be friends if we couldn't joke with each other" she continued, with a smile. "Malfoy" she added after a laugh. "So bad boys are your thing"

"Yeah, only when I'm making things up" Hermione said, hanging her bag on her shoulder.

"Jokes aside, you're unusually chipper" Susan said, with a suspicious look. "Why?"

"If I told you I'd have to kill you" she said, dramatically drawing her wand. "Or at least obliviate you"

"The real reason, Maya" the girl said, rolling her eyes. Minus the murder little did Susan know she'd been telling the truth. "And I want to know about that mysterious letter"

"It's from Slughorn" Hermione said putting her magical stick away. "Written confirmation that I don't have detention on quidditch Friday" she lied. She probably didn't but she wasn't sure. Not that she cared since detention was supposed to take place hours after the quidditch match. "That's what's made me so joyful" she added, plastering a smile on her face.

"Or you're counting on Tom to win" Susan said, narrowing her eyes.

"Why would I-" Hermione started, crossly.

"And more time to privately celebrate with him, is what's really got you happy" She interrupted, concluding.

"Merlin, not again" the Ravenclaw head girl said raising her voice.

"Knowing I'd see the signs you tried to distract me with the Malfoy drama" Susan said pointing her finger.

"The world is what you make it, why see when you can imagine" Hermione said mockingly, before stating to walk away.

"It's not my imagination" the girl called out, and ignoring her Hermione left the great hall.

According to her schedule her first afternoon class for today was Herbology. But this time it wasn't in the greenhouse with Professor Reed, it was in a class room with Professor Hammer, which meant it would kind of be a non-practical lesson. As boring as that could be she was somewhat glad because she'd never liked gardening, even magical plants had failed to bring out her so called 'inner green witch' that Professor Sprout had talked about when she'd started Hogwarts. Then again, being almost killed by a Devil's Snare in that year had probably deepened her dislike and put her off for life. Hermione suddenly wished she hadn't thought about that particular event. Because connecting memories of Harry and Ron were fighting to surface, and trying to distract herself with pain she bit her lips as she walked inside Hammer's classroom.

The grandmotherly Professor was already present and using magic she was laying parchments on the tables. When Hermione arrived at her place a visual made her bite down hard on her inner mouth, how could she forget about Devil's Snare when its animated picture was assaulting her eyes? In seconds her feeble restraint vanished and it all came flooding back. On the verge of tears she gripped the table with both hands, then she used one of her Occulumency techniques to empty her mind, and at that moment she became aware of the stinging sensation on the inside of her lips. She tentatively touched them before discovering blood on her fingertips, thinking no one had noticed she licked it away before a sight made her heart jump. The dark lord was standing on the threshold of the storeroom with his wand levitating two boxes, but his eyes were on her, and despite the distance she was sure he'd seen everything, because his tallness erased all chance of maybe not. Without breaking eye contact he waved his wand and perfectly manipulated the boxes to land near Hammer's desk.

"Thank you, Riddle" the Professor said loudly.

"You're welcome, Madam" Tom replied without turning to look at her, but the professor didn't notice as she was busy writing on the blackboard. Hermione repaired her lips with a simple healing spell, but the dark lord's gaze made it feel complex to her. Suddenly, he started to advance towards her and she swallowed nervously. What he saw, he couldn't figure anything out, could he? Not really, accidentally biting yourself and being afraid of a killer plant's picture wasn't exactly a crime.

Maintaining his usual proximity, Tom came to a stop at her side and took a look at the image in front of her. "Show it one word and it will give you a whole paragraph" he said softly. "If you're not careful it'll give you the whole book" he added with a lost look, before tracing an edge of the picture with his wand.

"What do you mean?" Hermione questioned, with her brows creased. The dark lord was losing his marbles if he thought the Devil's Snare spoke. "It can't speak" she added before wishing she hadn't.

"Not the Devil's Snare, Granger" Tom said angrily as he jabbed his magical stick into the table, and she took a step back. Soon there was silence between them, and finding his staring unnerving she wished for Hammer to start the lesson. "Still having nightmares?" he suddenly asked, sounding relaxed again.

"Yes" she said hesitantly, knowing ignoring him wasn't an option.

"Dreamless sleep potion or not, you can't cheat by avoiding sleep" the dark lord said, looking down at his wand and her eyes widened in puzzlement. "Unless you don't mind being dragged to the land of nightmares when you're simply tired, or when you mistakenly close your eyes" he continued, stroking his magical stick and Hermione suddenly understood. This was about her grief attack at lunchtime, only he thought it was nightmares from momentarily falling into slumber, due to intentional sleep deprivation in an attempt to avoid bad dreams. He probably thought that's what happened earlier, but she still couldn't make sense of his paragraph and book statement. "Why ruin both night and day?" Tom added, making his fingers go still. "When you can trade night for day" he said looking up and into her eyes.

"I just didn't want to dream anymore, thought I could have both day and night" Hermione said, injecting sadness into her voice when she was really pleased he'd provided her with the best excuse. "I wasn't thinking" she added lowering her gaze.

"Sometimes it's worth scarifying sleep if you're doing something worthy" Tom stated, with a nostalgic expression, and she couldn't help imagining the horrific things he might have done at the dead of night. "But if the nightmare demon has claimed you" he said, tilting his head a little to the left. "Have no doubt that he will come back to collect his due" he continued, emphasising the last word, and a shiver went down her spine. It was kind of true, when the dreamless sleep potion worked she was at peace, but when it didn't the nightmares were multiple and seemed worse than ever. He, lord Voldemort was the demon in her dreams, and hearing Tom say he would come to collect his due was very creepy. "Unless you can conquer all of your fears it will never release you from its clutches" the dark lord added, un-tilting his head. Here he had to be talking about defeating death, his greatest fear. The quest for immortality that made him a monster, in her eyes it wasn't worth sacrificing your soul and humanity for, even if it was for defeating another so called monster. She suddenly felt a twinge of hypocrisy before reassuring herself that it was the right thing to do, and it's not like she was doing it to become a powerful dark lady in his place.

"Depends on the price you have to pay to conquer it, and if you're willing to pay it" she said, adding to his earlier statement.

"Precisely" he said, with a half a smile. "Since you haven't conquered it, just surrender and sleep." he continued, putting his wand away. "In my experience the mind works better when awake" he added before settling into his usual seat, two seats away from her. "Granger" Tom called, a second later, and she raised an eyebrow questioningly. "Did you discover the possibility of Seeze seeds during the day or night?" he asked in a low voice, leaning towards her. Son of a bitch, not that she should be surprised. Of course the dark lord didn't give a fuck if she slept well or not, he just wanted her mind healthy to advance their potions project and his own knowledge.

"This morning" she replied, deciding to indulge his belief that daytime was always best for these things, when she'd found night time equally useful.

"Did you discover anything further?" he said, looking pleased.

"Not yet, have you-"

"No" Tom said, interrupting. "I have an idea but I'm not sure if it's feasible" Hermione wanted to ask him to elaborate when Professor Hammer called the class to attention with a magically magnified voice, and with a disappointed expression she faced forward.

The rest of the classes for the afternoon went smoothly but she never got a chance to enquire about his idea, as the professors kept them busy with practical lessons. In the evening Tom was nowhere to be found in the library or the common room, so in the end she gave up and retired to her room. Hermione relaxed by reading a chapter from the Horcrux book, then she did homework until it was dinner time. After returning from the great hall with her bellyful she got ready for bed, and feeling exhausted but glad that everything was under her control, she slipped under the quilt. After darkening the room she fell fast asleep, and luckily this night the dreamless sleep potion did what it was designed to do.

Hermione walked inside the Divination classroom with a frown on her face. She wished time would move fast this Wednesday morning, so she could go to Tom's room and get it over and done with. But it wasn't being granted, instead the clocks were about to appear slower because the subject was as boring as it was fictitious. She made herself expressionless before arriving at her usual low table, and found the dark lord already seated. He didn't seem to notice her presence, she settled into her chair which faced him, and still there was no change. He was perfectly still with his unblinking eyes cast down and his face displayed no emotion. Despite all that, she could tell he was tired and she wouldn't have known if she hadn't had Divination. Because this was the only class where the professor's seating plan dictated they sit in front of each other with minimal distance between them, and even in the candlelight this allowed her to detect the faint dark circles under his eyes, the skin on his high cheekbones seemed waxy and paler than usual, and his lips appeared thinner. The emotionless visage wasn't fooling her, or maybe he genuinely couldn't feel. Nevertheless, his worn-out exterior told her the dark lord was troubled about something.

What could it be? The quidditch match, maybe he really was as bad as Xavian had said, and fear of failing was giving him sleepless nights. Yesterday he did seem to be speaking about nightmares from experience, or maybe that was an act to appear normal. He probably didn't dream, just stayed up wondering and planning on how to be even more perfect. He really didn't have to worry, Hermione thought smiling in her mind, because he would be dead soon, and the dead didn't have to worry about the matters of the living.

Oh, perhaps it was that mysterious chest bleeding illness of his. He could've been up all night trying to invent a cure, or the cause of his state was the disease itself. Either way it was all pointless, because in the future Voldemort had been almost immortal, but mostly cause she was going to kill him on Friday.

"Quiet everyone" the professor said with a magically loud voice and silence spread through the room. Tom's face suddenly took on an alert expression, but nothing indicated he was surprised to see her. "It was disappointing to find that none of you possess the power to look with crystals." The professor continued in her normal voice. "Today we will be moving on to scrying with a black mirror" she added and excited whispers broke out through the room. Merlin's balls, more staring into nowhere, crystal or black mirror what bloody difference did it make? "Most people have better results opening the inner eye when looking at a dark surface" The professor said, unknowingly answering her question. "The black mirrors have been soaked in moon water to charge them with lunar energies." She voiced while waving her wand, and soon a rectangular sheet of black glass was in front of everyone. "I want all of you to let go of conscious thoughts, lose yourselves in its darkness." She added, raising her hands into the air. Ah, the theatrics, which shouldn't have been needed if Divination was real, Hermione thought rolling her eyes. "Become one with the cosmos, open your mind's eye" The professor continued in a dramatic high pitched voice, Hermione held her breath to stop herself from laughing out loud, and she knew Tom could tell from the look of disapproval on his face. "Start now" the professor ordered and students started to look at their mirrors. The dark lord had joined them and his face no longer displayed any emotion. Hermione rolled her eyes once more before staring at her black glass, with passing time seconds turned to minutes and all she'd seen was pitch black.

Fuck this, she thought looking up. Her mind was turning into jelly from boredom, she felt like standing up and declaring this was a load of crap before walking out. She'd done something similar with Professor Trelawney in her third year, but a repeat performance wouldn't be wise. She had to stay out of trouble and not draw attention to herself when she was days away from killing Voldemort. Trying to waste time she looked around the shadow filled room without being obvious, but it didn't help. Watching other students stare into nowhere was equally mind numbing as staring into her so called mirror. Hermione angled her head to get a glance at her wristwatch, then her eyes found their way to the dark lord's black glass, and it wasn't long before she was looking at him. Tom's raven dark hair was flawlessly neat, and even though his face appeared in need of a good night's sleep, he was still breathtakingly handsome. She suddenly became aware of his spicy scent mixed in with the aromas of the incense, and she unconsciously leaned a little forward to make the fragrance potent. All of a sudden Tom looked up and into her eyes. Hermione stopped blinking and moved her head back an inch. What the hell, she'd thought Voldemort was handsome? Why would she-.

"Am I your future, Granger?" he whispered.

"What?" she said in a barely audible voice as her pulse quickened.

Did he really say that or was she hearing things? That's it. The smoke filled atmosphere must've addled her brain, causing her to forget Tom's true identity and she'd thought he was handsome.

"When you look at me do you see your future?" he elaborated in a low voice, tilting his head a little to the left and her heart jumped. Merlin, it wasn't in her head, he'd actually said that. What the fuck did he mean? Holy Mother Mary, had he seen something in his mirror? "To the best of my knowledge, I'm neither an oracle nor a reflective surface" he added with an angry expression and Hermione blinked feeling relieved. Of course he hadn't glimpsed the future, divination wasn't real. She'd pissed him off by breaking his concentration with her staring.

"Didn't mean to" Hermione whispered, lowering her gaze. "I was-"

"Bored" he cut in, finishing the sentence for her. "An intelligent mind that wants to remain shut within the safety of a box" he continued, un-tilting his head. So, in his eyes she was bright but close minded. "Out of all the students I've encountered, you're the cleverest and the dumbest" Tom whispered loudly with an irritated expression.

"That's contradictory" she murmured, giving him a hateful look.

"You're a miracle" he said softly, leaning a little forward. Hermione's expression went blank and unknown to her, the cheeks of her face had coloured a deeper shade of pink. A side of his lips curled up to give her half a smile and her hear skipped a beat. "Or tragically faulty" Tom suddenly added, and his smile became replaced with a sneer. Her nostrils flared as she gave him a death glare, it was just hurtful words but for some reason it felt like she'd been slapped. "Find something else to stare at" he commanded in a low dangerous voice before placing a hand on her mirror. He suddenly pushed the black glass toward her fingers, she pulled her hand back but it wasn't in time to prevent one of her nails from being hit. A gasp of pain escaped her lips, and she gave him a murderous look as she slid her mirror back to the centre. The dark lord had already leaned back a safe distance, his hands were nowhere near her side of the table, and he was faking an expression of mild concern.

"Did you see something, Granger?" the professor questioned, walking up to their table with an excited expression. "An unsavoury vision of you and Riddle" she said, misinterpreting the head girl's hateful look towards Tom. Suddenly all eyes were on them as the professor had been loud, and everyone seemed to be waiting for her answer. Hermione's face went expressionless and she started to feel panicked. When Tom ended up dead would they know it was her because it'd been predicted in divination? Of course not, it was all fake. Besides, the professor was waiting for her to confirm so she would deny.

"No" Hermione finally said in a high pitched voice.

"So, it was an enjoyable vision of you and Riddle that you found distasteful" the professor said with a look of understanding. The whole class burst out laughing and a mortified expression plastered on Hermione's face. "Quiet" the professor ordered. "Fate can work in mysterious ways, it is not something to jest about" Instead of silence a fresh burst of laughter erupted, and Malfoy whistled. Her whole face turned red from embarrassment, and she wished the earth would swallow her up.

"Professor, if I may add something" Tom said raising his hand with an unreadable expression, and the room became quiet.

"Of course, Riddle" the professor said as Hermione glanced at him with a venomous look. He was going to make this much worse, wasn't he?

"I told Granger I saw us making progress on our potions project" he said, lowering his hand, and the Ravenclaw head girl's face went blank.

"You had the vision" the professor said creasing her forehead, and having lost interest most of the students in the room started to whisper. "Then what did you mean by no, Granger?" she said with her eyes on Hermione.

"I-" the Ravenclaw head girl started with a lost look.

"She meant the foresight wasn't bad news since it's our project," Tom cut in, diverting the professor's attention. "She just wasn't pleased that I alone would make the headway" he continued, whilst glancing at Hermione.

"We can't all be gifted, fate can be cruel" the professor said giving the head girl a sympathetic look. "But the Moirae sisters appear to be fond of you" she said referring to the Greek goddesses of fate, as she turned her head towards the dark lord.

"Appearances aren't always truthful" Tom said with a glazed look. Indeed they aren't, Hermione thought narrowing her eyes. It'd seemed he wanted to rescue her from being an object of ridicule, and considering his name was attached it hadn't been that unlikely. Now it was obvious his true intention had been to appear gifted in divination, because it just wouldn't do for the dark lord to lack a talent another student possessed. But that hadn't been enough for the selfish snake, he had to also make her look inferior in potions with his fake vision. Tom was evil, no surprise there.

She wanted to shout out he was a fraud as the professor spoke of how modest he was before awarding him 30 house points, but knowing it would do more damage than good she clenched her jaws. When the professor left she expected him to give her a triumphant look or one of his half smiles. Instead, he paid no attention to her and went back to staring at his black mirror. For some reason this infuriated her even more, and she spent the entire lesson imagining his death again and again. In all the following morning classes he remained quiet and seemed lost in a world of his own. If she hadn't hated him so much she'd be worried, but she did so she was just curious.

At lunchtime everyone seemed to be talking about quidditch, and as Hermione continued to eat she focused her eyes on the table of snakes. The Slytherin quidditch players appeared to be having a heated discussion, which ended with Tom grabbing Malfoy by the collar before releasing him with a violent shove.

"Merlin, he's so mean to my handsome" Susan said making a baby face.

"Since when do you fancy Malfoy?" Hermione asked raising an eyebrow.

"Eww, not the arrogant king of bullies" the girl said shaking her head. "I meant Tom"

"What?" she said creasing her forehead. Seriously, the girl thought Malfoy was the mean one. "Your saint Tom was the one holding Malfoy by the neck" Hermione added, turning her head to face Susan. "You need to get your eyes checked"

"Oh, I saw" the girl said pointing at her eyes. "But you're so judgemental you can't see what really happened" she continued, crossing her arms. "He acted out in self defence because Malfoy was being horrible, so yes, I am going to feel sorry for Tom"

"So you were sitting amongst them to hear what was being said" Hermione said mockingly.

"Don't take this the wrong way" Susan started with a stern expression. "But I've been at Hogwarts longer than you have" What on earth did that have to do with-. "I've watched Tom for many years, and I've never seen him attack anyone without being seriously provoked or wronged" The girl was so naive, she thought she knew him because of the observations she'd made in public. Heck, even Malfoy knew the real Tom better. "Tom is a real gentleman" Susan continued with a passionate tone. Hermione felt like punching Susan before drowning her in a pensive filled with memories of the real Tom Riddle, the reality check would probably give the girl a heart attack. "He faces his enemies with bravery and courage, that is admirable, not despicable" Susan added with a dreamy look. The dark lord didn't give a crap about any of that, he'd tortured her when she was petrified, and when she'd confronted him about it being cowardly, he'd said being brave or a coward didn't matter as long as you won. "Malfoy's so mean to my handsome" the girl said once again and she couldn't help but give Susan a dirty look. "How can anyone be cruel to such a good looking-"

"Okay, I get it" Hermione interrupted angrily. "Tom's your hero who can do no wrong, now shut up"

"Isn't he your hero too" Susan said making puppy eyes.

"Hell no" she replied in a high pitched voice. He's a psychopathic villain, why couldn't everyone see that.

"He saved you in divination from further embarrassment" Susan said with a challenging tone.

"Not true" Hermione hissed.

"Unlike everyone, I noticed he deliberately diverted the attention to himself, before stating he had the vision" she said matter-of-factly.

"He lied"

"I know"

"Then you can see it was all a selfish act to appear-" Hermione started hotly.

"It was selfless" Susan interrupted. "He's the most intelligent student in class, he could've faked a vision in half an hour or the next lesson, and the professor would've believed him"

"Instant gratification, hadn't that bloody-"

"He didn't have to recue you" the girl cut in. "And if he really wanted instant gratification he could have done that many lessons ago, he didn't because he's an honest gentleman" He didn't because he wanted to do it in a fashion that appears most truthful, why are people so blind to Voldemort's manipulations?

"He's a selfish liar that waited for the most believable setting" Hermione said emphasising the last two words.

"He waited cause he hadn't actually had a vision" Susan said with a disbelieving tone.

"Of all the visions he could've had, it had to be him besting me in potions" She said challengingly.

"He said that because it would sound the most believable, he is the best in class" the girl said factually. "He only lied to aid you, and for someone that feels so strongly, you weren't exactly protesting because you welcomed the help"

"I didn't say anything because I knew the professor wouldn't believe me over her star pupil" she said raising her voice. "And you forget, his name was being ridiculed along with mine, so in the end he was completely helping himself" Might've been a deciding factor for the dark lord in addition to appearing gifted.

"It was just the professor's hypothesis" the girl said with a disbelieving expression. "The joke was on you because you're meant to have had the vision, it didn't affect Tom cause it was just a prediction and he didn't have the vision" Susan continued emphasising the last three words.

"Still, that doesn't mean he liked his name-" Hermione started angrily.

"He went against his principles and lied for you" the girl interrupted, ignoring her. The dark lord didn't have any bloody principles, what would this bitch know? "Though he meant to be selfless," she added narrowing her eyes. "I'm sure he also felt guilty, because him flirting with you put you in that position" Susan finished with a big smile, and Hermione's expression went blank.

"Flirting." the Ravenclaw head girl said mechanically with a lost expression.

"Don't give me that confused look" the girl said rolling her eyes. "I saw you two talking-"

"That doesn't mean-" Hermione started venomously.

"-and you were blushing" Susan continued, raising her voice and once again Hermione looked puzzled. "One can imagine what was being said" she finished, batting her eyelids.

"I was not blushing" Hermione said feeling certain, before being alarmed by the way her voice hadn't sounded so sure.

"You don't even believe what you're saying" Susan said pointing her finger, and the Ravenclaw head girl couldn't help but feel trapped. What the fuck? Had she-no way-Susan was demented. "Or you're embarrassed I saw" the girl added with a grin.

"You didn't see, you imagined" Hermione said sternly, before something occurred to her that made her feel relieved. "There's no way you could've seen anyone blushing in candlelight" she added with a confident tone.

"Well, if I happened to glance at you while you were blushing, then no, I wouldn't be able to tell" Susan said matter-of-factly. "But" she added, elongating the word. "I watched you from when you were just staring at Tom" she continued crossing her arms. "When he started talking to you your face wasn't pale as before, so it's obvious you were blushing" the girl finished, raising an eyebrow.

"That's rubbish" Hermione said angrily. "You can't accurately determine the shade of a person's face in a shadow filled room" she continued, emphasising the word shadow. "You saw what you wanted to see"

"I saw what was there" Susan said sounding determined. "Fine, you can say the blush was all smoke and mirrors" she voiced in a sudden dismissive tone. "But how do you explain away him trying to touch your hand?" the girl added with a smile and Hermione's expression turned murderous.

"He didn't try anything like that" the Ravenclaw head girl said venomously. The dark lord willingly touch someone without it being absolutely necessary, the idea was so alien to her that she wanted to laugh out loud. "Not another word, Susan Brewer" She said glaring at the girl. "Or I will silence you" she added, gripping her wand. The crazy cow was crossing the limit with her wild theories, and there was only so much she could take.

"That's a mature way to deal with the truth" the girl said sarcastically.

"I'm warning you not to-" Hermione started furiously.

"Do you deny Tom hit your finger?" She questioned, interrupting. The Ravenclaw head girl's face reflected a flash of surprise, Susan had seen that, and the insane bitch still thought the dark lord was dream boy number one.

"Yes, he hurt me" Hermione forced out, her voice had been low but she hadn't wanted it to be. She'd never told anyone how much Tom had hurt her verbally and physically, saying it out loud seemed to have an effect on her because her pulse was racing. All of a sudden she felt angry at the girl, she would ask her how she still admired Tom knowing he was abusive.

"I saw, he accidentally banged the mirror into your finger" Susan said and Hermione's question froze in her throat. "When all Tom wanted to do was touch your hand" she finished in a cheerful tone. Bloody Voldemort had everyone so hypnotised that even when he did wrong people interpreted it innocently. He must've known the dark, smoke filled atmosphere would cloud the judgement of anyone watching, after all, at Hogwarts he was all about keeping up appearances. "Well" Susan said questioningly, with a smile. "Why so quiet?"

"I was stunned into silence by your wild fabrication" Hermione finally said with an expression of disbelief. No point telling the truth as no one would believe Saint Tom could do any wrong, besides, he would be dead soon.

"After what you admitted how can you-" Susan started.

"He wanted to look at my black mirror, not touch my hand" The Ravenclaw head girl cut in with a lie.

"Why would he want to look at your mirror?" the girl said disbelievingly.

"Something about my mirror seeming shades darker than his" she said, inventing from the top of her head. "After I told him to get lost he unknowingly crushed my finger" she continued, attempting to sound sarcastic but her voice came out bitter.

"Merlin, Maya, you have such a suspicious mind" Susan said putting her hand on her forehead. "Tom's not like that, he hit you accidentally" she said lowering her hand.

"Of course" Hermione said managing to sound sarcastic this time.

"I'll go ask him, you'll see when he apologises" Susan said getting on her feet.

"No" She almost shouted as she jumped into a standing position, and the girl looked alarmed by her behaviour. Some of the students nearby stared, but thanks to the sale of quidditch merchandise and associated bets, majority of the attention was focused there. "Please don't" Hermione said trying to appear calm. A public apology and humiliation in front of his house, Tom would kill her before she could kill him. "I mean it would be so embarrassing" the Ravenclaw head girl said faking a shy expression. "I think you're kind of right, he may have helped me cause he felt bad about hurting my finger, which caused the whole vision thing to happen in the first place" Hermione said hurriedly and a surprised expression came over Susan's face. "I was just so annoyed he'd made the class laugh at me, that I didn't give a crap about him trying to make it right" Merlin, the kind of garbage she had to utter to keep it cool between her and the dark lord.

"Thank heavens anger isn't clouding your judgement anymore" Susan said sounding pleased, and the Ravenclaw head girl forced a smile. "Don't worry, I won't embarrass you" the girl voiced as she sat back down, and feeling relieved Hermione joined her. "Since you care so much, you must like him" Susan's annoying voice suddenly said, and the Ravenclaw head girl had to force herself from drawing her wand.

"I don't" Hermione snapped. "For the hundredth time, we're civil with each other because we're forced to work together" she continued raising her voice. "Since Tom was gentlemanly in rescuing me" she said forcing out the last two words. "I was being lady like by not questioning his conduct in public" she continued angrily. "Like you said earlier, it was all a matter of principle, not because I like him" the Ravenclaw head girl finished, feeling pleased to have used the girl's own belief against her.

"I'll have to take your word for it" Susan said sounding unconvinced, and after restraining herself from saying something nasty Hermione drained a goblet of water. Then she picked up her knife and fork and continued to eat until her plate was empty. "Maya, I'm sorry for annoying you" the girl suddenly said.

"It's okay" the Ravenclaw head girl said feeling much calmer. If she didn't think Susan had some kind of a mental condition that made her act this way she would've cursed her by now. What Xavian had said while making fun of Susan is right, she thought smiling in her mind. The fact that she was academically intelligent, despite being insane in all the other areas of her life, was the sole reason the sorting hat put her in Ravenclaw.

"Hey, do you want to get a badge?" Susan said pointing towards the Gryffindor table.

"I'm not supporting anyone" Hermione said shaking her head. "You go ahead"

"Already got mine" the girl said pointing at a badge on her bag saying, Gryffindors are champions. "Look at that" Susan suddenly said with her eyes towards the great hall doors, and Hermione followed her gaze. Xavian was standing near the exit, a couple of steps away Tom stood opposite him, and they were staring at each other with expressions of pure loathing. "They seriously hate each other, directly competing as seekers has added fuel to the fire" the girl continued, stating the obvious. "If Gryffindor doesn't win I'll have to deal with a moody Xav for months" Susan said creasing her forehead. "But Tom's so hot it's hard to wish him defeat" she added with a torn expression. "Care to voice your thoughts?"

"I'm neutral" Hermione said watching Xavian back away towards the Gryffindors with a fearless expression, which must be fake as his hands were slightly shaking. Looks like he didn't want to leave at the same time as the dark lord and find himself alone with him, so he was pretending he had more business at the Gryffindor table.

"He's so handsome, how can you not be swayed in the slightest?" Susan questioned as they both watched Tom leave the great hall.

"Appearances aren't always what they seem" the Ravenclaw head girl said getting on her feet.

"If you're not crazy something's wrong with your vision" the girl said with an expression of disbelief.

"I'm not insane, my vision's crystal clear" Hermione voiced before starting to walk towards the great hall doors.

"That's what the crazies always say" Susan said loudly and the Ravenclaw head girl continued forward with a smile. They were the mental and blind ones, allowing themselves to be manipulated by Voldemort and failing to see through his illusions. Then again, she had knowledge of the heir of Slytherin that they did not, they didn't even know he was the heir. On Friday he'd become the deceased heir, Hermione thought feeling pleased as she stepped into the corridor.

When the last class of the day was over the Ravenclaw head girl walked out the door feeling relieved. Tom had continued to act like she didn't exist, but his actions and every expression made it clear he wasn't in a good mood. Counting down the hours and interacting with an on edge dark lord had been restless and mind numbing. After a couple of minutes she was in front of Hades and Persephone's painting, and only the husband was present.

"Medusa" Hermione said before Hades could ask and the door clicked open. Once inside the heads common room she took in a deep breath, it was so refreshing to be in a different atmosphere. Seconds later she heard the entrance door open, and thinking it might be Tom she started to hurry towards her room.

"Granger" Cynthia Bones's voice called, and she turned around to find her and William Longbottom.

"Bones, Longbottom" she said questioningly.

"Quidditch's soon and we thought of you" Bones said with an uncertain expression.

"Me" Hermione said with a high pitched voice as her pulse quickened, did they suspect something?

"We were wondering if you'd like some free badges to support Gryffindor" the Gryffindor head girl said nervously. She blinked on purpose as the tension on her mind lifted, of course they didn't know. To them Tom was Mr perfect, and she was an occasional dabbler of the dark arts. Nothing out of the ordinary, just normal rebellious teenage behaviour.

"We apologise, we can get you ones for Slytherin" Longbottom said carefully, taking her silence to mean she was offended that they thought she supported Gryffindor.

"So sorry, Slytherin it is" Bones added, looking panicked. Why were they being so-? Ah, the bedroom thing, they were trying to be nice because they still thought she might tell.

"There's no need for badges or apologies" Hermione said with a smile that she hoped was reassuring. "I'm supporting neither house, the match is just entertainment to me"

"Oh" Bones said looking relieved.

"Sorry to have bothered you, if you need anything ask us" Longbottom said with a friendly tone.

"Thank you for the offer" the Ravenclaw head girl voiced before turning back around. They'd never be able to give her what she really wanted, she thought as she approached the door to her room.

After almost a minute Hermione fell onto her bed and closed her eyes. God, all of this was so stressful, she rubbed her temples in a circular motion and took a couple of deep breaths. Soon she started to feel calm, she wanted to remain like this forever, but a small voice at the back of her head kept saying it wasn't possible. Hermione reluctantly opened her eyes, one glance at the clock in her room and the relaxing effect was gone. She sat up feeling like the weight of the world was back on her shoulders, just two and half hours to go until she could get into Tom's room.

After she'd sent a letter to Slughorn stating she wouldn't be attending Slugclub because she was feeling unwell, she went for a shower. It wasn't long before she was in fresh clothes and her hair was dry and neat. She eagerly looked at the clock to find it was only 6.10 pm, did time usually move that slow or was it just today? She needed to make herself busy, dealing with homework was a good idea since she was behind schedule. When she'd almost finished all of it she glanced at her wristwatch for what felt like the hundredth time, and was glad to find it was 7.45 pm. Merlin, it was nearly time. Even though she'd memorised the incantations and instructions for cursing Tom's broomstick, she read up on it again. Then she took out a small bottle from her trunk and put in her pocket. Did she have everything? The activation object was her wristwatch which was wearing, and she'd just hidden the broom cursing potion on her person. Yes, she was ready. Hermione wished for success before placing the disillusionment charm on herself, and after making sure no one was in the common room she crept out of the heads quarters.

After reaching Slughorn's room she hid herself under a nearby staircase, then she poked out her camouflaged head and watched the entrance to Slugclub. It wasn't long before a few members arrived but the dark lord wasn't amongst them. Where was he, why wasn't he here yet? Few minutes went by and more people came but not him. Hermione took in a deep breath and glanced at her wristwatch. It was 3 minutes till 8, it wasn't like the heir of Slytherin to be late. Merlin, he wasn't coming. He'd been in a rotten mood, he could've decided he didn't have enough patience to put up with Sluggy and cancelled. Oh, God. She'd have to wait till tomorrow and use the riskier late to class method. But it wasn't 8 yet, he could still come. She was about to lose hope when the Slytherin head boy appeared, and her lips stretched into a huge smile. Yes, it really was Tom approaching the door.

Once he was inside she felt like running back to the heads quarters, but that wasn't the plan. Yesterday she'd decided 15 minutes wait would be enough to eliminate the risk of the dark lord going to his room to fetch something forgotten. However unlikely, it was better to be safe than sorry. With her fingers crossed she watched the door and started the countdown. The quarter of an hour passed and no one exited from Slughorn's room. She gave it another 30 seconds, and then she hurried down the corridor with the disillusionment charm still on her.

Once inside the heads common room the Ravenclaw head girl was glad to find herself alone. She headed towards the platform on the left side of the room, and in less than a minute she was in front of two doors. She double checked to make sure she was alone before drawing her wand, and as she walked up to the room next to hers her pulse quickened. She took a deep breath before using a scanning spell on Tom's door, and there wasn't a trace of magic on it. Did that mean it wasn't locked? With her heart beating faster Hermione pushed down the handle, and to her surprise the door opened without resistance. An extremely neat and tidy room met her eyes as the candles were lit, and thinking herself lucky she crossed the threshold, the second she was inside she had a bad feeling this was too easy. Hermione gasped as a wall with another door suddenly materialised, blocking the room from her.

Bloody Merlin, in her haste she'd stupidly thought this wouldn't be hard? Tom was secretive and a future dark lord, of course his personal chamber wouldn't be so unguarded. She tried the new door and it was locked. Yeah, just like she'd thought it would be. Voldemort or not, it was a good trick to make someone think the door was open and only let them know they'd failed once they were inside. Hang on, why the need to lure them in when he could've kept them out in the first place? A scary thought suddenly entered her mind and she turned towards the first door. With a feeling of dread she gripped its handle and her fears were confirmed when it wouldn't open. Shit, it was a clever trap to capture the intruder. It wasn't enough for Tom to keep people out, he wanted to face and punish those who would dare to break inside. Hermione inhaled air deeply again and took a step back. Calm down, she said to herself as she raised her wand towards the ceiling. She wasn't an average mundane witch, she would find a way to get through the doors. Like before, a magical scan on the first door revealed nothing, which meant the second door was the key to everything. Logical since it was the safeguard, but it would've been unwise to just presume. Feeling confident she pointed her wand at the second door and this time magic was detected in Ravenclaw head girl creased her brows in concentration and dug deeper into the architecture of the spell work. Soon the scan disclosed that the doors were linked, only if the second could be opened it would disappear along with the dividing wall, and the first would no longer be closed.

It was clear there were no loopholes, the only way into and out of the room once caught between the entrances was by unlocking the newly materialised one, which appeared to be spelled shut with a tried her usual method to expose the secret word and to her horror, she saw formless grey mist hanging in the air instead of smoke saturated letters. Oh God, why wasn't it working? Clenching her jaws she attempted again and again, in the end it'd yielded no result and she couldn't help but feel panicked. Fuck, he'd used something advanced that she'd never encountered before. Hermione tried again in vain before swearing out loud and stamping feet. Who was she kidding? She wouldn't be able to break this spell or curse anytime soon. Tom's genius mind had designed this and she was no Bill Weasley, who'd been brilliant at breaking complicated curses.

Merlin's balls, time was of the essence and she had about 35 minutes. Minutes in which she'd either get the job done and escape, or be caught and-. No, she had to win. With her palms sweating she pointed her wand at the door one more time, then she tried all known spells for opening locks, clearing the pathway and destroying the obstruction in ones path, but the incantations just produced harmless sparks. Oh crap, what the hell? She felt like screaming, and in her rage she set fire to the door. Hermione watched in disbelief as the flames disappeared in a cloud of smoke but the door remained as good as new. She conjured an axe and tried to break it down with all her strength, but she couldn't even inflict a scratch upon the wood or the paint.

Back to just holding her wand she stared at the un-destructible door with wide eyes, what the fuck, maybe the wall-. Feeling desperate she repeated the spells and the physical methods of damage on the bricks but they were just as invincible. Hermione ran a hand through her hair before kicking the wall, Holy Mother Mary, why was fate being such a bitch? This couldn't be the end, she was so close. What should she do, what could she do? She paced in front of the doors with a maddening expression, she'd tried everything, what was there left to-. She'd tried everything against the spell, Hermione suddenly thought coming to a standstill. She needed to work with the spell, hope of success was very slim, but a chance was still a chance. Once again she faced the second door, and after glancing at her wristwatch she pointed her wand at it. If she could guess Voldemort's password and get out of here in 27 minutes, then all would be well. The chances of that didn't look good, a small voice in her mind kept repeating it and her racing heart didn't slow. She prayed for success and then took a deep breath.

"Voldemort" Hermione said loudly and nothing happened. "Slytherin" Nothing happened again. "Salazar-Salazar Slytherin" Still, there was no result. "Nagini" Of course it couldn't be Nagini, he didn't even know the snake yet. "Slytherin's heir-the heir of Slytherin-chamber of secrets-death eaters-Horcrux-immortality" The door still remained shut. "Deathly hallows-elder wand-death stick" she continued, with a raised voice before realising Voldemort didn't know of them while at Hogwarts. "I am the heir of Slytherin" Hermione said confidently but the lock stayed as it was. "Pureblood-Slytherin's locket" He didn't know about Slytherin's locket? He might, or he might not. "Power-elixir of life-philosophers stone-dark arts-I love dark arts-no such thing as good or evil-evil-unforgivable curses-I love unforgivables-parseltongue" Still there was no success, Hermione took a deep breath with an angry expression before trying again. She voiced various words on the topics of muggleborns, love being weakness, Dumbledore, Malfoy, death eaters, Grindelwald, all the subjects he studied at school, Divination, prophecies and the 12 uses of dragon's blood. To her irritation and increasing fear, none of those words had brought to fruition what she wished.

Oh fuck, she only had 20 minutes left. Hermione wiped the sweat of her forehead before punching the door in frustration, if Harry and Ron could see her now, Hermione Granger, the know it all, defeated by a-. No way, a bloody door was not going to be the end of her revenge. Harry, Ron, her parents, tears came to her eyes as their memories flooded her mind and her wand held hand shook. An expression of rage overtook her face and then Hermione smiled. She would avenge their deaths, even if the dark lord came back and found her here. No doubt he'd be angry enough to kill her, especially when he found the bottle of potion as it would give away her intention. Hermione felt a shiver of fear before her desire for his destruction made her feel invincible, if Tom had the misfortune of meeting her in his room she'd fight him with all her strength, then force the password out of him before obliviating him. The temptation to Avada Kedavra him there and then was great, but it was wise to try and ensure survival and avoidance of Azkaban, so she could make sure Tom never lived to become Voldemort. However, if he proved too strong, or things took a turn for the worse she'd murder him today. Even if there was a chance she could die by his hand she'd go out trying to end him, and as long as she was successful she didn't care about the wizarding world branding her a murderer or a lunatic. No price was too great when it came to Voldemort's death, and she was willing to pay it. With a fearless expression Hermione pointed her wand again, this door was an obstacle that made things hard for her, it was by no means an end to her revenge.

There was about 17 minutes left to guess the password and take the easy route. Now, what had she missed about Tom Riddle? She'd almost covered everything in his life-the people who'd given him life-his parents. Merlin, how could she have skipped his family? Actually, she did include Slytherin, but a close relation might be it, since he must be proud of the pureblood side of his lineage. "Marvolo Gaunt" Hermione said expectantly but the door did not unlock. "Marvolo-Gaunt-Morfin-Morfin Gaunt" she added and still there was no result. If it wasn't his pureblood close relatives then it could be his pureblood mother, wasn't he meant to hate her? Still a better chance than his muggle family that he killed, "Merope" Hermione said expecting nothing. Her eyes widened in surprise as the door sprang open, and as it disappeared with the dividing wall a huge smile lit up her face.

Unbelievable, all this time it'd been his mother's name. Then again, he must've thought it was a good password since not many people knew who his mother was. The happiness on her face suddenly disappeared, was she really in? Hermione tightened the grip on her wand before cautiously taking a step forward, no more spells sprang into action and the room remained as it was. Oh my God, she was back in his actual room. With her joyful expression returned she checked the time to find there was about 15 minutes, enough to do the curse and get out of here. Thank heavens, luck was with her. Eager to start she swept her eyes over his chamber and her face took on a serious look. Tom's broomstick, what was the best place to begin looking-. Looking? She was a witch, she should try summoning it first. Unlikely there'd be an anti theft spell since it was so old. Plus, no one in their right mind would steal from him.

"Accio Tom's broomstick" Hermione said raising her wand higher. A sudden whooshing sound filled the air as the broom flew down from the top of the wardrobe, then it speed towards her and she caught it with a smile. Merlin, the woodwork seemed even more fragile now that she was holding it. Hermione gently placed it on the floor and then sat next to it. Being so aged how the hell did it still work? Who cares, she thought taking the bottle of potion out of her pocket before removing the lid. She smeared the liquid all over the broomstick with a conjured cotton wool, and then she took of her wristwatch and did the same to it. After putting both objects on the ground she used a drying spell on them, and as stated in the book there was no mark or odour. "Remena aflimino" Hermione said circling her wand clockwise over them and they glowed white. "Afremena inflictox" she voiced circling her magical stick in an anti-clockwise direction, and as the objects glowed blue she felt like laughing out loud. She'd succeeded, the dark lord's broomstick was cursed.

The Ravenclaw head girl smiled toothily, as she got back on her feet and wore her wristwatch again. After un-conjuring the cotton wool she pocketed the bottle once more, then she lifted the broom with magic, and as she levitated it towards the wardrobe, she noticed things about the room she hadn't when she'd been occupied with the curse. It so unbelievably dust free that it felt like a chamber at St. Mungo's. Allergy? No way, the whole place screamed perfectionist and controlling. Not a single thing looked out of order, the green covers and silver curtains of his four poster bed appeared completely crease free, including the pillows which seemed plumped with precision. Hermione moved her wand in an arc, manipulating the broomstick to hover over the wardrobe before settling on top of it, and as she lowered her magical stick she noticed the clothes cupboard had a glossy look. The wood was so clean and polished that the furniture appeared brand new, to be honest it wasn't just the wardrobe, the whole room was like that. Tom was meant to live here but it hardly looked lived in, if he was trying to appear normal he'd just proven the opposite because it was too picture perfect. Thank God her job was done, she couldn't wait to leave this freaky, flawless, dollhouse type bedroom.

As Hermione turned towards the exit something caught her eye and she turned back around. So much for picture perfect, how had she missed it? Well, candle light wasn't exactly that illuminating on dark things covered by shadows. Tom's dressing table fit the description perfectly, it was in a shadowy corner and its mirror was covered with black cloth. Why was it-? It wasn't important, Slugclub would finish in 10 minutes and she should leave. Hermione turned around and took a few steps, before burning curiosity made her face the dressing table again. It'd only take a few seconds, she thought walking up to it. Using her wand she cautiously slid of the black velvet, and found a pristine mirror reflecting her hazy camouflaged appearance. She expected it to do something extraordinary but it remained as it was. She cast a scanning spell on the looking glass, and as it revealed no trace of magic she creased her brows. There was nothing special, it was just an ordinary mirror. So why had he covered it up? The dark lord was mental, there couldn't possibly be a sane explanation. It was the only thing that gave away he was nuts, because normal people didn't cover ordinary mirrors while residing with it. Damn it, her curiosity had wasted time and she needed to leave this asylum of a room. After covering the glass again she turned towards the exit and started to walk forward.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded and Hermione froze. Oh fuck, Slughorn must've ended Slugclub a little early. She had to hide, where? The bathroom, with her pulse racing she searched for the door, in seconds she found it not so far away and it was the same colour as the room's wall. No wonder she hadn't noticed it before, she speedily disappeared behind the bathroom door as the bedroom's door handle moved down. Trying to see in the dark Hermione squinted her eyes, the candles weren't lit in here and she didn't dare illuminate her wand for the fear of getting caught. She leaned against what was most likely the sink, and took a deep breath before refreshing her disillusionment charm. While standing straight she held up a hand and her fingertips touched something that felt like velvet. What the-a mirror was meant to be above the washbasin, that meant he'd covered the bathroom one as well.

What did Tom have against looking glasses? If memory served her correctly, unintentionally looking in a mirror had made him so angry and fearful, that he'd broken it with his hand instead of using magic. As she'd concluded last time, it might be being able to see the blackness of his soul, or his mysterious condition pained him whenever he saw his reflection, and the fear on his face came from the thought that he could die one day because of it. If those reasons weren't it then the dark lord was even crazier than she'd thought, because it didn't seem there could be another sane explanation. Hermione strained her eyes, and with her hand still held up she turned around before taking a few steps forward. Her sight had become accustomed to the dark and from whatever she could make out it seemed clutter free. No doubt this place was clean and tidy as the bedroom, if not more. All of a sudden she realised the fragrance of sandalwood and cloves was potent in the air. Had to be from the products he used here, and that's what gave him that scent.

Seconds later footsteps sounded near the bathroom, and with her heart racing she frantically searched for a place to hide, she was about to get inside what seemed like a built-in cupboard when she heard him walk past the door. She took a deep breath before wiping sweat of her forehead. Damn it, if she hadn't given in to her curiosity she would've been in her room. Instead she'd stupidly trapped herself, she was safe now but for how long? True freedom was through Tom's front door, and it was only a matter of time until he came in here, then she should bloody make sure she knew when that was. Since relying on sound wasn't enough only one accurate way came to mind, she had to watch him.

Hermione tiptoed towards the bathroom door before placing her fingers on the handle, after building up the courage she gently pushed it down and opened the door a small crack. There was light but she couldn't see anything clearly, she pushed her eye right up to the opening and the visual instantly became better. She could finally see him, Tom was standing with his eyes closed and his hands were on his head. He suddenly lowered them before opening his eyes with hissing sounds escaping his lips, and finding the parseltongue creepy she blinked. The dark lord stood still for a few seconds, and then he drew his wand and pointed it at his wardrobe. Using non-verbal magic he took out what seemed like green pyjamas and placed them on his bed. Soon they were joined by his wand, and with his once again free hands he slipped off his robes.

Merlin, he was undressing. She should look away or close her eyes, but not yet since he was still clothed. After neatly folding the robes he gripped the knot of his tie with his long fingers, and as he tugged at it Hermione's breath caught in her throat. He slid the freshly untangled strip of material of his collar before giving it a shake, and then he laid it on the bed. Once he'd formed one of his hands into a fist he raised it up, seconds later he opened the fastenings on the cuff of the garment covering his arm, and she exhaled air she hadn't known she was holding. After he'd undone the other cuff he reached for the remaining closed buttons of his shirt, he unbuttoned the first two at the top and Hermione unconsciously stopped blinking. Okay, it was time now to stop watching. He was still kind of covered, a couple of more seconds couldn't be immoral. He turned sideways as his fingers continued to work their way down his upper body, and her cheeks flushed dark pink but she wasn't aware. She should stop staring, any second now it would be indecent. Would it? Wasn't it acceptable for males to expose their top half in an informal setting? Not that she had any desire to see him half naked, she thought blinking several times and she tried to ignore the tinge of shame she couldn't help feel. It was just a fact that'd come to her mind at the wrong place and time, there was nothing more to it. Hermione was about to look away when Tom stripped of his shirt and the sight made her freeze.

A second later her eyes widened and a horrified expression plastered on her face. Oh, God. Merlin, what the-? Surely, her visual sense was not deceiving her. She stared and stared but nothing changed. Christ, this was real. His appearance had always been so perfect that it was absolutely shocking to see him like this, his chest and arms were covered with scars. Ones that were white and burgundy, and amongst them were cuts with scabs that crisscrossed all over the alabaster skin of his upper body. Tom turned around, revealing his back was in the same condition, the only difference was the marks near his shoulder blades which indicated past burn injuries. Bloody Merlin, what the hell had happened to him? How the fuck-? Hermione stared unblinking with her mind blank, after almost a minute she closed her eyes before rapidly opening them. Everything was the same and still no answers. She needed some kind of an answer, something to explain this-.

Oh, my God, this was it. The real reason why he avoided changing in the quidditch changing room, she'd guessed something similar having observed his chest bleeding after a mere punch, but having it confirmed like this with her own eyes was still a shock. Was all this due to his mysterious condition? What kind of an illness caused physical damage like this? Or was it the result of something else? A curse? Whatever it was it had to be almost permanent as he had old and new scars, and cuts that looked a few days old, which meant the ill effects of his condition were frequent. Of course it was, why else would he always carry handkerchiefs that could specifically absorb his blood? Meaning, she'd been right in predicting he regularly volunteered at the hospital wing to steal cotton reels, so he could make and maintain a constant supply of them.

Hermione suddenly refocused her attention on Tom, his white shirt was folded now and among the other clothes he'd shed. His wand was back in his hand and he was pacing in front of the bed with a troubled expression. The dark lord suddenly froze and then he ran towards the dressing table, and pulled its drawer open with more force than necessary. He grabbed something small enough to conceal within his hand, and then he sank to his knees with a snake like hiss. He placed his fist on the floor before opening his fingers to reveal a dice, why on earth would he show such urgency for-? It was an illusion-he'd transfigured the real thing. As if on cue Tom exposed the item to be a medium sized box with a handle, he removed the lid before taking out something wrapped in black cloth, and curiosity made her go absolutely still. Once its shroud of secrecy fell away disappointment showed on her face, it was only a liquid filled bottle. Obviously a forbidden potion, considering he was Voldemort she'd just been expecting something more.

Tom reached inside the box again and brought out a bowl that appeared to be made of copper. He emptied the bottle into it, after he'd cast a spell on the fluid filled bowl it levitated up to his mouth, before tilting towards his lips. The dark lord placed his wand on the floor, and as he pulled his hands behind him her visage took on an appearance of interest. Without warning Tom drank from the circular copper, seconds later he bent towards the floor with a pained look, and a disturbed expression overtook Hermione's face. What the hell was this? She couldn't remember any potion that had to be taken this way. The bowl was hovering near his lips once more, Tom momentarily closed his eyes before drinking again, then he drew away with an expression of anguish while rocking back and forth, and the floating object mimicked his movements. He suddenly skidded on his knees, turning sideways, and his kneeling position and the height Hermione was at, allowed her to see he'd interlocked his hands by holding onto the wrists. Merlin, he was restraining himself. What on earth was he drinking? What kind of dark potion caused so much pain that you had to be almost tied down to drink it?

The reddish brown bowl was beside his mouth again, like it was demanding to be drunk from and soon he did just that. This time his upper arms violently shook, indicating the torturous liquid was causing him more pain than before, and continuing to watch Hermione couldn't help grimacing in unease. She'd seen plenty of people in pain but they'd never brought it upon themselves with their own hands, and having to suddenly witness something like this, especially when it involved the dark lord, was creepy. Tom's hands broke free without warning, and as he punched the bowl the thudding sound made her flinch. The force made it whiz to the other side of the room, while he dug his nails into the floor with a tormented look, and trembled all over before closing his eyes. Soon the potion holder was back near his mouth, and despite having been shaken with strength none of the fluid had spilled. This was obviously due to magic, and that bowl was pursuing him once more like something cursed. Could the painful potion not be drunk without a holder that was spelled to chase the drinker?

Tom suddenly linked his hands behind him again, and after an audible deep breath he put his lips to the hovering copper container. He drank, causing his limbs to quake and seconds later there was sound of teeth clashing against metal, and Hermione winced. All of a sudden the bowl crashed to the floor, making her blink, and Tom moaned with an expression of pure agony before joining it. Appearing empty the circular vessel remained immobile, but the dark lord was shivering like he'd fallen on ground covered with ice.

Why was he forcing himself to suffer like this, was that torturous potion his invented cure? If so it seemed more like a poison than medicine, not that it ever could be since Voldemort was obsessed with immortality. Tom suddenly went still, after awhile he unsteadily got on all fours, and crawled towards the box that used to be a dice. He placed his hand inside before pulling out a pouch that appeared to be made of leather, then he straightened his spine with effort and knelt on the floor. After picking up his wand he took out something from the small bag, and realising what it was Hermione froze wide eyed once again. It was a knife, a knife that looked awfully sharp. Tom flicked his wand at it and for a moment it glowed purple. He raised the knife high up with his dominant hand, and as he positioned it above his chest her heart lurched. Was he going to do what she thought he was going to do? A second later Tom did just that by slicing into his own flesh, and Hermione clamped a hand over her mouth in shock. Oh God, there was no real illness, he was the cause of his condition.

Without hesitation he dug the blade into a new area, his expression gave away he was in pain and still the dark lord's hand mercilessly continued to cut, slash and hack away at his arms and chest. Soon the skin covering them became saturated with red as the injuries leaked blood in abundance, and Hermione bit the inside of her cheeks while her eyes carried on witnessing. She suddenly felt queasy and her heart was beating fast. No, she wasn't afraid of blood. She'd seen and touched plenty of it during the war, but she'd never seen someone cut into their own body. Especially so viciously, the sight and action was so alien to her that she couldn't help but feel a little frightened.

The floor around the young dark lord now had splatters and drops of crimson fluid, but he hadn't stopped cutting himself. However, his dominant hand seemed to have lost its eagerness as it was trembling, and the new attempts to self harm were weak. Tom suddenly dropped the knife, the sound made her almost jump, and trying to steady her pulse she took a deep breath while crossing and uncrossing her arms. The fingers of his right hand took hold of his wand before he shakily pointed it at his throat, what in the name of seven heavens was he going to do to himself now? Without warning he made a complicated wand move towards his upper body, a second passed before all his fresh wounds shone with silver light, and he appeared to be screaming under a silencing charm. Hermione blinked on purpose several times and felt like looking away. No, she did not care he was in pain but she found the method causing it unsettling. Surely, it was a dark magic ritual? If not she didn't know what the hell this was. An orange light suddenly enveloped Tom and he crashed to the ground. His body shook all over like he was being crucioed and sparks came out of his wand, causing a couple of objects in the room to shake or fall. She instinctively moved back a little and crossed her arms, before resuming her position. As the luminescence around him disappeared the heir of Slytherin immediately stilled, and his magical stick ceased activity. He closed his eyes and a peaceful look took over Tom's face. For what seemed like a couple of minutes he remained like that, and then he opened his eyelids before slowly sitting up.

He aimed his wand at his throat, followed by a wave and a flick towards himself, and she braced herself for the possibility of something terrible. But all that happened was the blood that'd escaped disappeared from him, and no more leaked onto his skin. However, the wet looking red marks clearly indicated his injuries hadn't healed. This meant they were un-healable by magic as she knew he was skilled enough to do so, and that was a definitive sign of potent black magic.

The dark lord summoned the dice turned box before reaching inside once more, he took out a roll of white bandage and unravelled a few centimetres. That was it, the other reason he volunteered at the hospital wing. She'd been right in thinking he must also need a constant supply of bandages, if he didn't take them readymade he must make them from the cotton reels he stole. Tom brought a strip of bandage near his chest, before he could wrap it around a loud knock sounded and it dropped out of his hand. He got on his feet with a startled expression, and Hermione looked back and forth before realising someone was at the front door. They banged louder and louder, it sounded urgent. He hissed with an expression that looked annoyed and tired as he lifted his wand high up and moved it in a large circle. Everything in the room instantly became neat and tidy while the blood on the floor vanished, and only the secret box and its contents remained where it was. As the dark lord hurriedly chucked everything back inside there were more knocks that sounded powerful enough to break the door down, and he looked towards the doorway with an angry expression while pointing his wand at the box.

"Riddle" Longbottom's magically magnified voice suddenly called. "Hammer's dying, it'll be too late if I try to get someone else" he said, sounding hysterical and a worried expression plastered on Hermione's face. Abandoning to transfigure the container back into a dice, Tom kicked it under the bed and threw on his shirt. He hastily did the buttons, after muttering an unlocking charm he ran out the door. It was followed by speech in high pitch tones that she couldn't decipher, then there was the sound of more than one footsteps speeding down the stairs.

Suddenly there was silence and after a minute Hermione came out of the bathroom. She rushed towards the front door knowing it was her best chance to leave unnoticed, she felt awful that Hammer could die but it'd created the perfect distraction. The Ravenclaw head girl opened the door a little, then she swept her eyes over the common room to confirm it was empty before stepping outside. She hurried into her room and removed the bottle of broom cursing potion from her pocket. Once she'd hidden it in her trunk she undid the disillusionment charm on her, then she ran out of her room before rushing out of the heads quarters. Hermione couldn't help feeling worried about the grandmotherly professor, it sounded crazy but she couldn't shake of the thought that fate may have killed Hammer to aid her, and wishing Helen Hammer wasn't dead she speed down the corridor.

With help from the portraits she finally found her destination, and the sight made her heart jump. Hammer was on the floor, unconscious and stiff. There was a pool of blood around her upper body, and her skull had definitely cracked open as she could see something that looked like the brain. Bones was near her feet with a tear stained face, and she kept casting the warming spell on Hammer. Longbottom was waving his wand towards her chest looking absolutely panicked, and Tom Riddle was working hard to repair the root cause. He didn't show any signs of distress or hysteria, except the expression of mild concern on his face, and Hermione couldn't help wonder if that was real or if he was just putting it on to appear normal. Either way she was relieved he was there, because dark lord or not he was a skilled wizard, and right now he was the only one that could save Hammer.

The three people trying to help Hammer were so busy that they didn't notice her presence, and not wanting to disturb them Hermione wondered what spell she should use to further aid.

"She's going to die" Bones said tearfully.

"No, Riddle's good" Longbottom said, shaking his head. "He'll be able to-"

"Healing magic's different, he's not a healer" Bones voiced, clutching at her hair and Hermione suddenly noticed the sparks from Tom's wand decrease in their number.

"I'm sure he can keep her alive" Longbottom said raising his voice.

"Why isn't Dumbledore here yet?" Bones wailed, looking back and forth. "What's taking Dumbledore so long?" The heir of Slytherin's nostrils flared and he had an expression of determination on his face, but his wand hand was shaking and the sparks were poor compared to what she'd seen when she'd first arrived. Was he getting feeble because of the cuts on his arms? Or was he finding healing magic too-no, he was capable of using it as there was magic coming out of his wand. It may be a different brand of magic but all complex and powerful spells had one thing in common, they were driven by emotion. You had to feel it, believe it and want it with every fibre of your being. Crucio, Avada Kedavra and Expecto Patronum, they were only effective if the right emotion was there, and no doubt that was the issue right now. Longbottom and Bones mentioning Dumbledore who was most hated by Tom and more powerful than him, together with Bones's declaration of he wasn't a healer, had messed with the emotion that he needed to harness to successfully heal.

"Shouldn't take Dumbledore long, he knows all the secret passages" Longbottom said unsteadily as he waved his wand towards Hammer's chest again. All of a sudden anger showed on Tom's face and he opened and closed his mouth like he wanted to say something, but he seemed to decide against it to avoid losing his focus on the spell.

"What if Dumbledore's not at Hogwarts?" Bones said before leaking fresh tears. "What if-"

"Shut up" Hermione shouted and Longbottom and Bones looked taken aback to see her there. There was a flicker of surprise on Tom's face, followed by relief but his eyes and wand remained on Hammer. "Just be quiet" Hermione added with a less hostile tone. "He needs silence to concentrate" Bones nodded with an apologetic look and started recasting the warming spell.

"Sorry, Riddle" Longbottom mumbled before also resuming his spell casting. In a few seconds Hermione could see the difference the quiet environment had made, his wand hand was steady and the sparks were gradually increasing in number. From what she'd observed the dark lord wasn't someone whose spell casting was easily affected by emotion, unless it was just like that with healing magic, his self harming must've affected his mental defences. Hermione was about to use a spell to create a more oxygen saturated atmosphere when Merrythought and Madam Whittaker ran into the corridor.

Tom remained as he was while Bones looked relived, and Longbottom started to explain how he'd witnessed Hammer trip and fall from the top of the stairs. Merrythought and Madam Whittaker ordered Bones and Longbottom to move back as they took charge, but Tom was told to carry on what he was doing. Only when Hammer was stable enough to be moved did they ask the heir of Slytherin to stop, and he put his wand down with an exhausted expression. With her mind now at peace from the grandmotherly professor's survival, Hermione couldn't help but pay more attention to Tom's appearance. Some of his hair was sticking up, his white shirt was untucked and Hammer's blood all over it. He looked so tired he appeared ill, and she'd never seen him so worn out before. Even without the secret knowledge of his self cutting Merrythought noticed and enquired about his health. As usual his excuse was too much studying and needing sleep.

"If it wasn't for you Tom she'd be gone" Madam Whittaker said as she directed the stretcher down the corridor with everyone following.

"I did my best" the dark lord said with his gaze lowered, while his fingers touched the buttons of his shirt.

"I hardly praise, but what you did is indeed praise worthy" Merrythought said as she kept her wand pointed at Hammer. "50 points to Slytherin"

"Thank you, professor" Tom voiced with his fingers still fidgeting with the buttons of his clothing.

Merrythought awarded Longbottom house points for fetching Riddle and informing the hospital wing, and appropriate staff. She also gave Bones and Hermione points for assisting, but the dark lord's attention from his shirt buttons didn't waver. Was he uncomfortable without the extra protection of his robes, or was he worried that the buttons would break and reveal his marred body? Tom hadn't been able to put the bandages on, was that causing him further pain? Was the blood on his shirt not Hammer's alone but also his?

At the end of the corridor Madam Whittaker and Merrythought turned left towards the hospital wing, and Longbottom and Bones turned right into another corridor with Tom and Hermione not so far behind. When they arrived at the heads quarters the painting guarding the entrance was occupied, and Persephone and Hades were pointedly staring at Tom and whispering. Longbottom said the password before walking inside, and then they all followed into the common room.

"Sorry for making things more difficult" Longbottom said turning towards Tom with an apologetic expression. "I just panicked"

"It's alright" The dark lord said after looking up from the fastenings of his shirt. "Such reactions are natural during life and death situations" he added with a reassuring smile as he crossed his arms.

"I didn't mean you weren't good at healing" Bones said looking regretful.

"It's okay, no offense taken" Tom said with a slight nod of his head.

"I wasn't thinking when I said out loud you weren't a qualified healer" Bones continued in a high pitched voice. "You were just trying to help and I was making it-"

"Bones, I assure you I was not offended" The dark lord interrupted with a smile, but his voice had an impatient edge.

"Thank Merlin Granger shouted sense into us" Longbottom said giving Hermione a thankful look.

"Yes, thank Merlin" Bones said, shifting her gaze to the Ravenclaw head girl.

"Sorry about that, at the time shouting seemed the only option" Hermione said trying to make her expression match her words, when she really felt like accusing them of almost causing Hammer's death.

"No need to apologise, we were at fault" Longbottom said with a slight nod of his head.

"Indeed" Bones added, crossing her arms. "Now that that's settled, I think we should all get some rest" she said, glancing towards the stairs to her room.

"Yes, goodnight Granger" Longbottom said looking at Hermione once more.

"Goodnight" the Ravenclaw head girl said in return.

"Goodnight, Riddle" Longbottom added, shifting his gaze to the dark lord before slightly dipping his head.

"Goodnight" Tom said bowing his head in return.

"Pleasant dreams everyone" Bones said loudly as she moved closer to the stairs.

"Same to you" the dark lord said, and she gave him a stiff nod before stepping onto the staircase. Longbottom followed not so far behind, and once they were in front of their rooms they appeared to be having a whispered conversation.

Hermione turned towards the staircase on the other side of the room, and out of the corner of her eye she saw Tom do the same. As she moved forward she resisted the urge to look at him directly, a sudden thumping sound made her freeze and she looked at the dark lord. His hand was gripping the top of an armchair, and he'd turned his face and body away from her. Feeling weak he must've grabbed it for support, and he must be in a lot of pain if he didn't trust his expression not to give it away. She suddenly noticed something he'd failed to conceal, his right hand on the armchair had blood on top of it when it'd been clean minutes ago. The complex wand movements during the healing spell must've opened up the wounds on his arm, and the increasing red leaking from it had finally trickled down. Then the blood on his shirt certainly wasn't just professor Hammer's, but no one would be the wiser if they didn't know about his self caused condition. That's why he hadn't cared to hide the crimson stain on his hand, but she did know, and so she knew the difference.

Without warning Tom looked at her and Hermione stopped blinking. There were a lot of questions in her mind about him, and fearing he would somehow know she tried to suppress them all. He appeared tired but not in pain, either he'd stopped hurting or he was masking it well. After a couple of seconds of boring his eyes into her the dark lord released the armchair, he wrapped his arms around himself before taking a couple of slow steps forward, and then he came to a pause and fixed his eyes on the ground.

"If it wasn't for you she'd be gone" Tom suddenly said, and not believing her ears Hermione blinked on purpose a few times. Was that a thank you from the dark lord? Yes, it certainly was. Maybe his injuries had made him go a little soft in the head, or he was too exhausted to think straight. After Tom had disappeared into his room she became aware of whispering voices, she turned around to see Longbottom and Bones still talking to each other. Oh, it all made sense now. The dark lord had been acting, he'd vocalised his so called thank you so that Longbottom and Bones could witness it. No surprise since every kind and helpful act of Voldemort always had an ulterior motive, including saving Hammer with his brilliant skills. She could now understand what Ollivander meant when Harry had told her what he'd said about Voldemort, the heir of Slytherin was indeed a great but terrible wizard.

Once Hermione entered her room there was nothing left to distract her from what she's seen in Tom's room, and all the shock and horror came crashing to the front of her mind. The memory of him digging the knife into his flesh sent shivers down her spine, and she instinctively rubbed her elbows. Hermione suddenly remembered the time she'd punched him in the chest, it all made sense now. Her weak blow had reopened one of his un-healable cuts and blood had leaked through his shirt, and the same thing had obviously happened with the boy on the corridor that'd accidentally hit him.

His self harming must also be the reason why he didn't like being touched, even when the wounds weren't bleeding they must be painful when pressure was applied to them. No wonder he'd run out the room when she'd angrily grabbed his shoulder during their dancing lesson, she must've hurt him bad. Still, when there was no physical contact he detested anyone being too close to him. Maybe he feared it would lead to being touched, or a side effect of his condition caused discomfort when anyone came into close proximity with him. So Tom definitely hadn't lied about her blood status not being the issue, when she'd accused him of hating touching her because of it, then again he did think she was half blood. But blood prejudice certainly wasn't the reason why he kept everyone away from him, his secret black magic self injuries was the reason.

Suddenly another piece of the puzzle fell into place, this was why he didn't play quidditch for his house. He was good at everything and he seemed to like awards, so it'd never made sense. But with her new found knowledge it made perfect sense, quidditch would mean risking being bumped into by other players, and being hit at by bludgers. Along with the pressure to change in the changing room, and questions and rumours when he did not. Therefore it was wise to avoid quidditch completely, and he'd done just that until she'd forced him to play. The intensity of his anger towards Malfoy and Turner made much more sense now, and she couldn't help wonder if he'd faked his bad flying ability to avoid being pressured into quidditch by the professors. Most likely, if so he must've kept it up during the recent practising sessions as it would be too suspicious if he suddenly turned good.

A tapping sound made Hermione look towards the window, and she realised heavy rain had made the sound. In seconds a memory sparked in her mind, a piece of glass from the broken window of the common room had pierced and stuck into Tom's forehead. She'd been apologetic for unintentionally hurting him, after asking her if she thought it hurt, he'd pulled the glass out before clawing at the wound to make it worse. Then he'd laughed and laughed like a madman. But now his insanity kind of made sense, it'd been like a private joke to him. Because compared to what the glass had done to him, he did much worse to himself on a regular basis, and he'd found it amusing that she'd thought a little cut like that had hurt him.

Despite the clarity of that particular happening he was still on her list of people that were highly insane, and the covering up of his mirrors though did seem like a sign of madness. Unless the self injuries hurt him somehow when he saw his own reflection, did seem that way when he'd broken that boy's floating mirror with his fist. But could a dark magic ritual have that kind of strength to cause multiple side effects of equal effectiveness? Just what in God's name was the dark lord doing to himself?

What unholy black magic was he working? Could it be-? She suddenly found she couldn't complete the thought without feeling ill, Hermione sat on her bed and took a deep breath. That had to be it, why else would he make himself endure such pain? He must've found how to make a Horcrux, and that self mutilation ritual must be a part of the process. But it was very different from the remnants she remembered when she'd once read how to make one in secrets of the darkest arts, if he wasn't making a Horcrux what the fuck was he-wait, no one had ever said there was only one method to make one. Then it was possible for more than one method to exist and different books may have different ones. Herpo the foul had invented it during ancient times, so it wasn't unreasonable to think other skilled dark wizards may have modified the method over time, or Herpo could've come up with multiple ways during the experimental stage. So Tom must be using a different method, he had to have begun working on it at the start of the year, but he was 17. Hadn't the diary Horcrux been 16? Yes, so that didn't make-wait, he'd had more than one Horcrux, and to make multiple the method maybe different and more gruesome, unless he was repeating the original process.

Holy mother Mary, who had he killed to cut off a part of his soul? Or was that yet to happen, who was it going to be or did he not know yet? For a while she tried to find an answer, until she realised it didn't matter, because she'd be putting a stop to all his dark doings by removing his existence from the world. All of a sudden she started to laugh out loud, she'd been so caught up with all that'd happened her success had become small in her mind, but no more. Yes, she'd managed it after so much difficulty. The dark lord's broomstick was cursed, and her mission and revenge would soon be complete.

After Hermione had gotten ready for bed she blew out the candles, once her head was resting on the pillow something occurred to her, the Horcrux book could have something on Tom's self cutting ritual. She sat up before lying down again, as fascinating as that possibility was it didn't matter to her murder plan, and she was just too tired to care. She'd check it out tomorrow at her leisure, she thought yawning, and soon she fell fast asleep feeling exhausted but happy.

Hello readers, if I have any left, sorry for taking so long to update.

With all the things happening in my life I really do try to work as fast as I can, hope this chapter is satisfactory and please forgive the grammatical errors.

I have proof read it to the best of my ability.

Please, please do review, even if it's a one word review. They really motivate me to update faster, and lets me know the readers are really interested.