A/N: Okay, I know that this story isn't very popular yet, but keep reading, and review! Okay, I know this story is fairly random and ironic in parts, but please bear with me!

Disclaimer: Me: Can I have Tom? JK: No. Me: Please? JK: No. Me: Why? Please? JK: NO! Me: You suck. JK: But I'm rich. Me: Please? JK: Security!

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Chapter 3: A New Emotion

Walking through the near empty halls of Hogwarts with Tom Riddle was certainly an experience. He was unlike anyone she had ever met, confident and yet not arrogant, quiet and yet not shy. And he was smart too. She had yet to see his dark side but she didn't really care. It wasn't as if she wanted to. Most of the school had gone home for the holidays, but a few younger looking teachers greeted Tom with respect, before continuing on their way. It seemed that being head boy came with a lot of liberties. She would have had them if- no, don't think about that.

She walked slightly behind him, sot that it didn't look like she knew where she was going. From there she could also observe him without being noticed. He was wearing black muggle jeans and a crisp black sweater that had treads of green sewn into the trim. The clothes were worn, but clean, and well taken care of. His hair was neat, combed, and slightly gelled, she noticed, and his slender wand poked out of his side pocket. They didn't talk much, though he pointed out a few doors leading to classrooms or bathrooms she might need to know about, but there was no conversation. They didn't need one, the silence was surprisingly comfortable. When they reached the stone gargoyle Tom muttered, "Peace on earth," sarcastically, and stepped back to let her pass him.

When they reached the door at the top of the stairs he knocked twice and Dippet called them in. Tom held the door open for her and she stepped through, seeing also a younger Professor Dumbledore. She wasn't alone he was here. He winked at her. She had a feeling he knew how and why she was here.

"Ah yes, I was wondering when I would see you again," said Dippet from behind his desk.

"Professor Dippet, this is Hermione Granger," Tom said, as she leaned across his desk to shake his hand. "And this is Professor Dumbledore, who teaches Transfiguration." She shook his hands as well, and he smiled at her, his eyes once again twinkling like they had before the war.

"Nice to meet you both," she said politely before the headmaster waved her into an armchair. Tom sat down next to her.

"Well Ms. Granger, how is it that you appeared suddenly in my office yesterday?" he asked gently, and Hermione got the assumption that he was a total pushover.

"I don't know sir, I can't remember anything about myself. I remember everything that doesn't really relate to me, such as spells, and things I've learned, but not how or where I learned them." She knew her explanation was weak and hoped they didn't ask questions. They didn't, but she could tell that only Professor Dippet believed her.

"Well it seems to me that you must stay here at Hogwarts then! Until we learn more about you I'm afraid that you must be educated here. Do you know how old you are?"

"I think I'm 17, though I'm not sure how I know."

"Then you'll be in class with Tom here. Since this is the holiday break, however, you won't have to worry about that till the time comes around. Why don't you stay with Tom in the head's dorm until we can get you a place to stay, if that's ok with you two of course?" They nodded, though Tom looked hesitant. "Perhaps you two can go have an early breakfast down in the kitchens and get to know each other better." Tom helped her up as Dumbledore watched the two teens. He knew exactly what was going on from the golden glint of a chain around her neck. His time turner, the latest invention from the ministry. Only a few people knew about them, not even Dippet, but he wasn't going to tell. Whatever Ms. Granger's task was, he was going to help her complete it. Dippet had already returned to paperwork and Tom and Hermione left the room. He would be watching them, that was certain.

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"Are you hungry?" Tom asked her as they walked down a corridor. She shrugged.

"Not really," she answered, watching the familiar portraits that they passed. Not much would change in the sixty-year gap between her present and the past.

"Same." Silence…

"Can we go back to your dorm? I feel fatigued." He nodded and turned around. She followed him up a flight of stairs and around several corners until he came to a stop in front of a portrait of a vampire who they had caught cleaning his gums.

"Lethifold," he told him, and the painting swung forward to reveal a small room, lit by a fireplace and a few windows. The room was painted a rich dark blue and had silver moldings, with a black smooth carpet that had stars designed onto it, displaying parts of the Milky Way. Two gray sofas, one with red and gold piping, the other with silver and green, sat before the fireplace and two doors with the same color scheme were across the room. A small kitchen area was next to the portrait hole they had come through. The room looked completely different than it had in her time.

"Wow," she murmured, turning around to see a giant bookshelf. Tom lent against the wall, watching as she slid a finger over the leather spines. "This is so cool!" she added, unable to say anything more sophisticated. She turned back to face him, but stepped back, knocking into the bookcase as she saw him twirling his wand between his long fingers. He raised an eyebrow at her fear.

"What?" he asked before pointing his and at the kitchen. She turned to see several sandwiches making themselves on the counter. Relief swelled through her as he sat down on one of the sofas, peering up at her curiously. Relax Mione, he won't hurt you. He has no reason to. Hermione sunk into the cushions of the other sofa as he summoned two butter-beers from the magical fridge, then handed one to her. She took it gratefully, and downed a long sip.

"Tell me about yourself, Tom," she stated, kicking off her battered sneakers as he slid his wand back into his pocket.

"What do you want to know?" He flexed his fingers absentmindedly and Hermione noticed a glint of gold she hadn't before.

"Where'd you get that ring?" she asked, doing her best to sound causal.

"Family heirloom." The words had some sting to them, and she decided not to press further. The Gaunt ring rested smugly on his thin finger as he lay back on the couch. "Next question." Numerous thoughts of what she could inquire sped through her mind, but if she wanted to befriend him, they would all have to wait.

"Any special talents? Quidditch perhaps?" He snorted and took a gulp of his drink.

"Quidditch is for mindless drones." Though she secretly agreed, she bristled at the thought of Harry and Ron being called mindless drones. "No, I focus on academics mostly… and some other less common interests." She knew what he was referring to and gave an involuntary shudder. "How about you?" She gulped down another mouthful.

"Not really," she said nervously as the time turner pressed against her chest under her blouse. "I'm just the average bookworm." He raised his eyebrow again.

"If you're nothing special, why are you so nervous?" Damn. She knocked back the rest of her drink and he released a smirk. "You're hiding something, aren't you?" She ignored his question and summoned another butter-beer, catching it quickly in her hand his snickered, part menacingly part flirtatiously. "You should tell me before I find out myself." She didn't need to wonder what he would do, Legimancy. "Come on, Hermione, confide in me!" He gave her a sad looking puppy dog pout. It bothered her how handsome he was? "Alright then, I'll just find out myself."

She put all of her defenses like Harry had taught her, emptying her mind and ignoring the memories of the corpses around her that tugged to get out. Closing her eyes, she pushed all thoughts aside, but she could feel him trying to get in. She wouldn't let him in. The sound of glass breaking cracked his focus, and she felt very shaky.

"Oh, Merlin I'm sorry, Hermione, are you okay? Did any glass hit you?" She opened her eyes slowly and saw that she had shattered her bottle, and he was crouched on the floor in front of her, picking up shards of glass off the ground. Her breathing was unsteady as she did her best to calm her racked brain. "That's never happened before!" But she didn't hear him. She fainted, falling sideways on the sofa, as he felt a new emotion, one he had never felt before: guilt. Abandoning the glass, he stood up and scooped her up in his arms, newlywed style with her head leaning against his chest, and carried her through the silver framed door. Laying her gently down on his neat green duvet, he hated this new emotion. A Dark Lord couldn't have this emotion. This pale girl surrounded in green was ruining all his plans for money and power. But what scared him most was that he didn't mind. Slowly he backed out of the room and closed the door quietly behind him, realizing that he would let her keep her secrets.

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A/N: So review! Now! Go! And read my other fan fics, A Well Kept Secret and Stop Calling Me Malfoy. Thanks to all my reviewers, by the way: Shout, san01, Kichou, WoodCrazy, lutra33, wannabe-hermione, PeskyPixiePicsaPotter, Periwinkle4444 (hey Perry!), rinkurocks, thank you guys! Keep reviewing!

Next time:

She had thought he was Harry. For a split second when he entered the room, she had thought Harry had come to save her.

Toodles!