Chapter 3

Hogwarts December 21, 1944

The evening was unusually chilly even considering it was the winter solstice. However, that didn't stop the Hogwarts students from celebrating Yule anyway. With the permission of the school's principal, Armand Dippet, a feast was organized on the grounds. Bonfires were lit, tables were laid, and a place for dancing was prepared. Hermione couldn't help but compare the celebration to what headmaster Albus Dumbledore was organizing.

"What are you thinking about?" - she heard Tom Riddle's voice. - "I hope you don't compare Yule to what happened in Samhain." - his voice cracked. Hermione felt he still felt guilty for leaving her alone in the past.

She turned to him, approached him and hugged him looking for a source of additional warmth. - "Relax. You made me feel safe now. I wonder when the celebration changed its date. In my time, we celebrate Christmas. I think it's a nod to Muggle-borns, but I don't see the point."

"You can't see because it's not there. Going to Japan, would you expect the Japanese to adapt to your culture? Or could they expect you to conform to them?" - He sighed seeing Abraxas Malfoy approaching. - "I think I should let you out of my embrace now, because Brax will accuse me of wanting you, bypassing the habit of courtship."

Hermione pouted in a way she had seen on Pansy Parkinson's face more than once. - "Wouldn't you like to courting me?" - she joked.

"Come on. You are a beautiful woman but… I consider Brax a brother and it would be a little distasteful for me to plead to his sister. Besides, he thought you would marry his grandson."

The girl laughed. - "Brax and his ideas. Although I like him more than I should, he will never pay attention to me. Remember to him, I'm just dirty mudblood."

Tom didn't have time to answer the girl, because Abraxas interrupted the conversation. - "Mudblood? Have they not taught you that there is no such thing as mudblood? Magic is an inherited trait. It doesn't come from the air." - Seeing the look of his friend, he said - "Well, there were such cases, but... We examined a dozen Muggle-borns from school and in each case we found a squib in the family or a person who, wanting to escape from an arranged marriage, escaped with a chosen partner to the Muggle world."

"I used to look for the source of my magic in my family tree, but I couldn't find any clues." - The girl said casually.

Recalling her failures in this matter, she stared at the flame of the fire. Pensive, she didn't hear that another person was approaching them. So she got scared when strong hands wrapped around her waist and felt head resting on her shoulder. Only when she heard a familiar voice behind her did she relax.

"I know how to check it." - Thorus Nott was amused. - "In my family library there is a book with spells that investigate family affinities. My uncle described all the Sacred Families. From somewhere he must have known whether the described person belongs to a specific family or is just a usurper."

"Thorus, never scare me like that again." - She smiled at him. - "The idea is amazing. I still can't believe how different you are from each other in my time."

"You shouldn't tell us too much. We could change the future, and you might have nowhere to go back." - said Tom. - "However, I will always encourage you to talk about our beliefs."

"Thank you." - She came to the pouting blonde and touched her forehead to his forehead. - "What's happening?"

"You shouldn't let them hug you like that. It's inappropriate." - Brax looked annoyed.

"Maybe inappropriate, but so enjoyable. Apart from that, I like to be in your arms because you warm like a radiator."

At that moment, Hermione heard a chuckle. - "Heir Malfoy, did you know that your sister just compared you to a Muggle device that works like a fireplace?"

xxx

Hogwarts December 31, 1944

If someone didn't look at the calendar today, he could say that it is spring. Or at least early spring. However, just like ten days ago, the weather didn't prevent them from celebrating. This time they celebrated Tom Riddle's birthday.

"You have to behave like this?" - she asked irritated.

"How?" - Tom was annoyed. He hasn't celebrated his birthday since he was a child. For him, December 31st is simply New Year's Eve. Nothing more.

"Like an ungrateful jerl. We love you and we want to spend this day with you." - she snapped.

The boy felt the weight fall on his back. Rad Lestrange seemed to be a small man, but despite his posture, he really weighed a lot - "She is right. We tried to do it every year, but you put us off. We thought you wouldn't refuse that sweet face."

"Then you have some fire whiskey?" - he asked Avery standing nearby.

"My Lord, of course I would. For Hermione, too." - The boy smiled under his breath knowing what reaction he would trigger.

"She will drink Cream Beer!" - Tom and Abraxas shouted almost simultaneously, making the rest of the group laugh.

"Maybe someone could ask me for my opinion?" - she snorted. - "I'm old enough to decide for myself what to drink."

"Honey, of course, but after what happened recently, we think you have a fairly low alcohol tolerance." - Orion Black said.

Hermione replied defeated. She could feel the flush growing on her cheeks. - "Okay. I see. Could you please explain to me how you would like to get rid of Muggle-borns like me from the world?"

Tom sighed. It irritated him how much she distrusted their good intentions. Perhaps he was maddened or struck by some curse that he deviated so far from his ideals.

"It's easy. We have to keep squibs in families. Removal from family trees is now a socially accepted practice. Such people usually end up in the Muggle world. After time magic appears in their families which causes them to come back as Muggle-born. Such situations could have been avoided. After all, not every position needs a person who has active magic." - he said confidently in his voice.

"It is a long process." - she replied.

"I know. And it is a difficult process. Lots of people are against it. A Muggle-born is easier to control than the person who has the magical family behind a back. Look. In your case, the guardian of your House becomes your magical guardian. Do you think he would report any misconduct risking the school's reputation?"

xxx

Hogwarts January 10, 1945

He hadn't expected someone to wake him up at five in the morning. However, when he felt the tug on the sleeve of his pajamas once again, he knew that he wasn't dreaming about it.

"Holy shit Hermione! Do you even know what time it is?" - he growled at the sight of the disheveled girl wearing only his old Quidditch T-shirt. - "And what are you wearing?"

"Don't you see what I wearing?" - she smiled at him. - "I have a thought that keeps me awake."

"Ask. The sooner I answer, the sooner we'll go back to bed." - Seeing the blush on her face, he added - "Each to your own. You have to think seriously about what you wear to sleep."

"You explained the horcrux to me. However, one thing I don't understand. You said the soul must be intact for the owner to die. After destroying the vessel of the soul piece, is that piece, the vessel or both, destroyed?" - for his taste, she talk too quickly.

"I have two horcruxes. I did one when I killed my parents in anger. I took the opportunity to create one. The second was an accident. I was friends with Myrtle. I thought the basilisk would do nothing to her under my command. Out of despair after her death, my soul broke and fell into the nearest object. That's why I think that when a vessel is destroyed, a piece of the soul may jump over to another vessel. I'm not sure. I am looking for information on this. I would like to get these two pieces of myself back, but I will not risk that after destroying the ring or the diary, these pieces will go further. I will not risk them going over to items that I cannot locate." - he said, still sleepy.

"Do you want them back?" - Hermione was confused. The more she got to know Tom, the more he turned out to be someone else than Dumbledore had told them.

"Yes, of course. Long life is tempting, but think about it. If I ever lose any of my horxuxes, someone could recreate me from that soul piece. I would never prove that I wasn't guilty of any crimes of this creature."

"Crimes?" - she asked.

"Every time the worst piece of the soul is torn off."

xxx

The next chapter is behind us. Are you interested in continuing the story? Regards, Katie Krum