Hermione had sneaked out of the dungeon early that Saturday morning to leave the castle unnoticed. She needed distance, peace and quiet to think, and above all she did not need well-meaning - or ill-intentioned - housemates asking about her motives. She simply needed to be alone to process the events of the night.

November had begun and the weather was perfectly unfriendly, but Hermione welcomed the sharp, cold wind. It kept her busy and through that her thoughts did not run in circles. With her coat tightly wrapped around her, she marched at a brisk pace around the lake. She had already covered half of the distance, but she still did not understand what exactly happened there last night. It was clear to her what Tom wanted to achieve: He wanted her to submit, not willingly, but against her will. He wanted to humiliate her and make it clear to her that even if she hated him, she had no choice but to submit to him. The point was clear.

But why had her body reacted with arousal? She was not blinded by Tom's attractiveness; she knew who and what he was - or would be! And yet. For a moment, when Tom whispered to her that she belonged to him, she became weak. The effort it took her to resist him, to always be on guard against him and to question his every action exhausted her. It had seemed all the more inviting at the moment when the chance presented itself to her to give up everything, to give him what he wanted, in one word to give up control, to put her well-being into the hands of another person.

Frowning, Hermione stopped. All her life, she hated nothing more, feared nothing more than losing control. The reason she learned so intensively was because that way. she knew at all times how good she was. She did not have to wait in suspense after a test like Harry or Ron, she knew exactly how well she had done. Her study plans divided her school day into units that gave her control; she always knew when she had to do what. The idea of going into an exam unprepared or even having others make plans for her always made her very uncomfortable. So why was she now excited by the suggestion of losing control over herself and her body?

She did not understand at all. She did not understand herself and that frightened her. She always knew where her feelings came from and how she felt about other people. That now the enemy whom she was sent here to destroy aroused her and she did not even understand why and how he did it, was not good. What was it about Tom Riddle that made her want to let him in despite her hatred?

Shaking her head, she continued on her way. She could not find a solution, her thoughts just kept returning to this very question. How did Tom manage to trigger these feelings in her? From now on, she would have to pay more attention to what he did, how he looked at her, how he moved. After all, body language and eye contact were not the central points in the common relationship guides for nothing. Everybody knew how important open body language was in flirting when you want to win over a stranger.

Maybe Tom was doing something similar, maybe she had fallen for some psychological tricks of his. Even though in 1944 no science existed of body language, someone like Tom surely thought carefully about every single gesture. After all, he always wore a well-considered poker face to win over the other students. She needed to be on her guard more than ever!

oOoOoOo

"Miss Dumbledore!"

Hermione looked up in surprise. She never expected anyone to find her in this remote part of the library, or even a student to visit the library on a Saturday afternoon. That now Ignatius Prewett of all people stood before her, who seemed more like Ron when it came to diligence and school, was more than strange. And it was certainly no coincidence.

Slowly she closed her current book. "Mr. Prewett. What a surprise to see you here."

The grin that fluttered across his face showed Hermione that he too was aware of how uncharacteristically unlike him it was to come here.

With a slight bow, he pointed to the young lady at his side. "Indeed, I am not here by chance, but rather looking for you. And where would one find a studious young lady like you, if not in the library. I wanted to ask you if you'd allow me to introduce a dear, long-time friend who's dying to make your acquaintance."

With raised eyebrows, Hermione looked at the girl standing beside Ignatius. Distantly she remembered having seen them together in a corridor, but where the desire for acquaintance came from, she did not understand. As politely as possible, she replied, "I would be honoured."

"Miss Dumbledore," Ignatius immediately began, "this is Augusta Bargeworthy. Augusta, this delightful lady is Hermione Dumbledore."

Uncertain, Hermione rose from her chair and took the outstretched hand of Augusta. Why this performance? Why did Ignatius want them to meet? She politely replied, "I'm delighted to make your acquaintance. You are like Mr Prewett a Gryffindor student, if I interpret your school uniform correctly?"

"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Dumbledore," Augusta replied, and something in the young girl's smile made her instantly likeable to Hermione. Smiling, Augusta added, "And yes, I am indeed a Gryffindor, though I sometimes wonder if I have not fallen into bad company.

"If by bad company you mean me," Ignatius interfered, "then you are absolutely right! But you had to endure my company even before Hogwarts, so don't pretend the choice of house is to blame for everything!"

Smiling, Hermione looked at them. She suddenly wondered whether she had not only an ancestor of Ron's, but also his grandmother or a great-aunt in front of her. She was surprised to discover that she had no idea what Ron's grandparents were called or what they looked like. Had they perhaps fought and died against Voldemort in the First Wizarding War?

Shuddering, Hermione pushed the thought aside. It was not right to think about the death of people who had actually lived long before her, but who were standing before her now, young and alive.

"And how can I help you both?" she interrupted the loving quarrel that had broken out between the two of them. She immediately had their attention back.

"Oh, not at all", Ignatius replied, "I came here only to make the acquaintance. The rest, you two girls may discuss among yourselves."

With a gallant bow Ignatius said goodbye, while Augusta sat down on the armchair beside Hermione. That was more than suspicious, but Hermione could not think that these two wanted to do her any harm. Expectantly, she turned to her new acquaintance.

It took a moment before Augusta found the courage to put her plan into action. After long back and forth, she, Ignatius, and Mark had finally come to the conclusion that it was difficult for a man to ask a woman about her relationship status. It would be much more natural if a friendship would develop between Augusta and Hermione, because among themselves, girls loved talking about nothing better than love and boys. Certainly, Hermione Dumbledore would open up to another girl after a short time.

But now, as Augusta sat next to Hermione, she suddenly doubted the plan. Had the performance perhaps seemed too forced? And anyway, this Slytherin student with her wild brown curls did not seem to be up for gossip at all. Augusta swallowed. At the end of the day, they did it all for Miss Dumbledore! Perhaps she did need help and was happy for someone to volunteer to help her.

"I hope you don't think I'm hopelessly romantic," she finally started, "but after I realised that you actually managed to wrap our head boy around your finger, I just had to meet you! Ever since I went to Hogwarts, there has been no other topic of conversation among the girls than the question of who would be the lucky one in the end. The fact he's never shown interest before has only made him more desirable. You can't imagine what was going on in my dorm room after your relationship came out! I'm dying to know more about you.

The incredulous stare of Hermione made Augusta blush. Perhaps she had laid it on too thick after all, though her account of things was hardly a lie.

To her relief, however, Hermione replied, "I see, aloof politeness is a characteristic of the House of Slytherin and has little to do with this... England."

Augusta wondered for a moment what Hermione actually wanted to say before she hastily corrected herself, but she decided to think about it later. More interestingly, the other girl evaded the question very obviously.

"Was I too forward?"

"Perhaps a little."

Now it was up to Augusta to stare in disbelief. This answer was so direct that it was hard to imagine that Hermione Dumbledore belonged to Slytherin. Even from a Gryffindor or Hufflepuff one seldom heard similarly open statements. Of course, she clearly understood that Hermione did not want to talk about their relationship, but Augusta was not yet ready to drop the subject.

"Are you uncomfortable talking about Tom Riddle?"

Silence spread, which Augusta already wanted to interpret as confirmation of her question, but then, at last, Hermione closed the book she had been reading with a sigh.

"Fine, I obviously can't get rid of you anyway. I'm not a fan of gossip, so I hope you'll understand that I'm putting a Muffliato on us so that the content of the conversation doesn't get to unwanted ears."

"A what?"

Hermione almost looked caught, but she quickly recovered. "A useful little spell I picked up at home... in America. It creates a little barrier around us so others can hear that we're talking, but not about what."

With wide eyes, Augusta looked at her while Hermione, with deft movements of her wand, wove the spell around them. Augusta was sure she had never heard of that spell, and Ignatius and Mark actually knew all spells that could be used to do nonsense. She would absolutely have to ask them about it later.

"Well," Hermione then said, arms folded on the table in front of her, "what do you want to know?"

"Uh," Augusta stammered, completely taken aback by the behaviour of this Slytherin student. Nervously, she licked her lips. "Everything, really. But most of all, what he is like. I mean, Mr Riddle. He's out of reach for us at Gryffindor, so..."

An unhappy grin flitted across Hermione's face. "Yes, unreachable, indeed. Tom is a very polite man, he always knows how to solve any dispute with a few diplomatic words, that's impressive. And the students in my house idolise him for it, they follow him unconditionally."

"That is well known," Augusta looked hard at the other girl. "But what about his, well, his private side? The side that only you can see as his girlfriend?"

This time she was sure there was an inappropriate expression on Hermione's face before she turned away and looked into the distance. Was she thinking up a lie? But why? Irritated, Augusta listened to the following words.

"Tom is a very special man. He has a charisma that can win over anyone. Such charisma could easily be exploited by a man who is not righteous. And I believe that once Tom considers something his possession, he never gives it back. He's quite... proud. I almost fear I have chosen a very jealous boyfriend, but fortunately I have not yet given him any reason to be jealous. Or at least... not since we've been together."

Augusta pulled her brows together. Those were definitely not the words of a woman in love. It did not sound like love at all. Now she was actually interested. "If I'm honest, I wouldn't mind if my boyfriend was as jealous as I am. If you ever get tired of Tom, I'd love to have him."

"No," Hermione shook her head forcefully, only to immediately go on more gently. "All I'm saying is, you shouldn't get involved with a man until you know him well. You said it yourself, Tom is out of reach for you. You don't know if you... if you would actually like talking to him. Even the most distant impression can be deceiving."

On a moment's notice, Augusta took hold of the clenched hands of her new friend. The plan was pointless and unfair to Hermione. It was time she played her cards right. Everything this older student had ever said cried out that she was not a fan of Tom Riddle or in love. If one took Ignatius' hints into account, one could easily conclude that Hermione was afraid of him.

"I'll be frank with you, Miss Dumbledore. I've not the smallest amount of interest in Riddle. But my best friend Ignatius likes you, and he doesn't think Riddle is good for you. So, I've come here to make sure you're just a girl in love. But you're not, are you?"

"Oh, God..."

Hermione's horrified reaction confirmed everything Augusta had said. Ignatius was right. Not only Orion Black reacted strangely when she expressed interest in Riddle. Now the behaviour of Hermione, Riddle's alleged girlfriend, changed, too, as soon as she revealed her true intentions.

"Miss Bargeworthy, listen to me," Hermione interrupted her thoughts, "I understand absolutely where your thoughts come from. And believe me when I assure you that I know exactly what you are doing. You are curious, you cannot help yourself, you are a Gryffindor. And you want to do good. Really, I understand that. But that's exactly why I have to ask you to trust me too. Don't think any more about Tom. This conversation alone, your frank words... I don't even want to think about what could have happened if I hadn't put a Muffliato around us, and even that is hardly enough protection.

Augusta stared at her as if she had struck her. That was not the reaction she expected. She thought Hermione would open up, happy that someone saw through the mask of Riddle. But this? Now she was even more curious than before.

"With all due respect, Miss Dumbledore, but if you really understand Gryffindors as well as you claim to, you know your words will have the opposite effect."

Desperation was written all over Hermione's face. "Yes! Yes, by Merlin, I know. Oh, God... please, Miss Bargeworthy, please promise me that you... that you will at least not speak to anyone else about how negatively you feel about Tom. At least that.

Without humour, Augusta laughed. "I can promise you that. Ignatius and I are not entirely stupid. On the one hand, we would only make ourselves unpopular if we did anyway, and secondly, if Riddle really is as sinister as we fear, it would be unwise to have him as an enemy."

Fervently, Hermione nodded. "Yes. Exactly."

Following a sudden inspiration, Augusta leaned forward and whispered, "Tell me... is he your enemy?"

For a moment, Hermione stared blankly out of the library window, then she replied with a wry grin, "I'm his girlfriend. How could he be my enemy?"

But Augusta understood. Hermione did not really answer the question, she also did not deny that Tom Riddle was her enemy, and having been so open and direct before, that was all the confirmation Augusta needed.

"Should you ever need another woman, Miss Dumbledore, even if it doesn't concern Riddle, I would like to be a friend to you," Augusta said, full of warmth, squeezing Hermione's hands again.

She returned the pressure and replied just as warmly, "Thank you. The offer alone means more to me than you can imagine. Thank you."