Here's a little update! It's quite important for the next chapter. I do hope you guys enjoy!

~Force of Nature~ Turn Left

Xxxxxxx

Hermione walked into the common room. Not recalling falling asleep in the library. Yet her feet moved. Sleep still lingering in her eyes. The imprint of ink smudging her cheek. Harry sat by the fireplace, scowling at a letter in his hands. She pursed her lips, curiosity getting the best of her.

"What you got there, Harry? "

She took a seat next to him. The flames warming her face. He shifted uneasily.

"Uh nothing Mione. You should get some rest. Those bags are not doing you good. " He gave her a teasing smile.

Hermione frowned but it didn't stop her from yawning. Her body sinking into the soft cushion of the sofa.

"Oh gee thanks." She snarks before running her fingers through his messy hair. "There now you are no better than me."

"Hey! "

All of sudden the portrait opens and Ginny walks in pausing at the scene of them. An eyebrow raised.

"Dare I ask? "

Harry soften his gaze at her.

"Oh no. Where ya been? "

Ginny falters for a moment before shifting on her left foot.

"I was helping out a friend." She replies hastily.

Hermione notices the slight flush. A friend?

Harry gives her a smile.

"Ah good for you. Well I'm going to head to bed." He suddenly announces while standing.

Hermione yawns once more.

"Same here. "

Both girls went up to the dormitory after bidding Harry a goodnight.

Sleep claiming her within moments once her back touched the bed.

XxxxxxxxxxxX

A dreaded sigh left Hermione as she took her seat in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Abraxas taking the seat next to her. She ignored him.

These past months of being his partner did nothing to quell the uneasiness. He wasn't by any mean a bad partner. Surprisingly he was intelligent. No, the problem was that Abraxas was too keen on asking questions. Questions that he had no right to ask.

"So have you received the news on your betrothal yet? What half blood has been chosen for you?"

She gritted her teeth.

"I told you already. None of your concern, Malfoy. "

Honestly. It was not his business. However it didn't stop the familiar ache to form. Tom invaded her thoughts. Constantly.

This classroom did nothing to help. With Professor Camus substituting. There was nothing wrong with her teaching method. It just felt wrong that she was there and not Tom.

Hermione rubbed her temple. Annoyed.

The classmates continued to talk amongst themselves. Chatter becoming too loud.

Until there was nothing but eerie silence. Abraxas becoming incredibly still besides her. Footsteps echoing against the wooden floor. A wave a magic brushing across.

Hermione felt her eyes grow wide as Tom moved to the front of the classroom. Her body reacting in shock.

It was unusual.

Tom was the same yet different. She couldn't exactly pinpoint it. Yet she knew.

Those dark blue hues surveyed the class.

"I imagine my absence was a bit of shock. Rest assured that everything is fine. Now, Professor Camus brought me up to speed on where you left off. I expect everyone should be ready for the test tomorrow. During this time review with your partner. Begin."

Hermione blinked.

It was surreal. Almost as if he was purposely avoiding her.

She couldn't help but stare. From the dark curl to the chiseled features. His dark robes swirled with movement.

Her cheeks felt too warm. Her thoughts straying to a memory.

Memories of sinful lips across her skin.

Instinctively, Hermione clenched her thighs together. The heat was spreading.

All of sudden he caught her gaze. The expression unreadable.

Then she was hissing in pain. The throbbing of her head making her shut her eyes. Her walls brought down within seconds.

It felt as if a haze went over her. Rendering her immobile. Her hands began moving to the book and flipping it open. She was without her free will.

Abraxas turned to her. The same glazed expression.

They worked.

Time going by too slow.

Until they were all released.

Tom's voice filling the classroom.

"You are all dismissed. Be sure to study."

Everyone left. Save for her. She stayed. A whirlwind of emotions filling her. Still one standing out from the rest. Anger.

It burned right through as she made sure to slam the door shut. Wards coming in place. Tom folded his arms at her display.

"Was there something you need, Miss Granger?"

Hermione bristled at his flippant tone.

"Who do you think you are? " she all but snarled.

Tom scoffed at her.

"I don't need to explain myself."

Hermione narrowed her eyes.

"No? "

Then she shoved him hard. Tom catching her arms in a tight grip. The touch searing as her pulse began to race.

"I waited for some type of indication. As your betroth I should at least know. It's been months Tom. " her voice continued.

"Don't tell me you were actually worried. " Tom mocked with a slight curve to his lips.

He couldn't be that daft.

It hurt. The way he would brush her away without a second thought. All this time she genuinely felt herself losing. Losing herself to Tom.

"Well my mistake. " Brittle sounding.

Hermione pulled away, trying to hold her composure. Only for Tom to stop her with a single spell.

"Oh no, Miss Granger. You don't get to turn your back on me. You want the truth? "

He circled her.

Almost predatory.

Tom stopped with a thoughtful hum. Hermione couldn't do nothing but stare up at him. Body frigid. She should've known better.

"Long ago I was once a student here. One night, I overheard a conversation. Imagine my surprise when I learned that there was more to dark magic when infused with other magical properties that are uncommon. "

He started conversationally. Hermione flinched when his hand gripped her chin. Gentle at first before digging his nails into her skin. She hissed at the sensation.

"My then Professor Humpfrey knew so much more than your typical Ancient Runes. The old man was full of secrets. So of course I proceeded to get what I wanted. Do you know what that is, Hermione? "

She tried not to tremble at the contact, tried to keep a steady mind. The pounding in her head returning tenfold. A breath coming out before her answer.

"Knowledge. "

Tom released her face, leaning forward. Their foreheads touching.

"Mmm close. "

His fingers playing with the ends of her curls. Hermione licked her lips. She could suddenly feel it. The difference of Tom Riddle. The magic.

"Power. "

That cold smile was all that greeted her.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Callum pushed through a group of Gryffindors. Animosity burning hot in his veins. Tom was back.

He wanted to put an end to him and to avenge his uncle. Yet, he would still have to wait on it.

Hermione was still an issue.

They been going back and forth these past months. Each time he wanted to drag her further into the abyss. Wanted to crush that little light belonging to Riddle.

He nearly growled at the memory of their last encounter. The rune etched into her skin by his own workings. He made sure that it wouldn't ever come off.

Those brown eyes staring hatefully at him.

He continued to move past all the students briskly. Until a 2nd year Ravenclaw boy walked into him. Making him narrow his eyes.

"10 points from Ravenclaw. Be aware of your surroundings, Mr. Chang. " He sneered.

The young boy apologize before stepping aside.

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

Tom carefully removed his robe. As if it were a delicate part of him. Hermione watching his every move cautiously.

The pale fingers digging into his pockets for his wand.

"So some time ago my magic ceased temporarily. You may recall the first time I took ill. "

Hermione nodded and waited for him to continue.

"It was strange. You see magic has always been with me for as long as I could remember. Though during my little personal project, I didn't foresee the outcome of what it did to change one's own signature of magic. "

A horrified expression crossed her features.

"Tom! Are you insane?! That could've killed you!"

The older man scoffed at her display.

"Well this just proves to show you that I can achieve greater things. I won't be limited to anything. "

Hermione rubbed her temple. A headache was already forming. Then she hissed in pain. Her hand coming to clutch the back of her neck. A whimper escaping her lips.

Tom was upon her in seconds.

"Hermione! "

Dots danced in her vision. Tremors rocking her frame. She could hear Tom calling out. Until her vision went black.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Tom caught Hermione before her body could touch the ground. The twitching severe. He did a diagnosis with a flick of his wand. Every fibre of him going to bewilderment and rage at what he found.

Carefully, Tom lifted her curls from the base of her neck. A inky dark circular image stared back at him. The inner sign making Tom seethe.

He already knew who was behind this.

Callum is dead man.

His classroom door suddenly swung open with such a force that Tom nearly dropped Hermione.

A mad rush filled Tom as he carefully set Hermione down. Callum strode forward taking in the scene. A sneer at his lips.

"You should've stayed away, Tom. "

Without a word Tom slammed the door shut, warding his room.

"Exactly what did you do with Miss Granger? "

Callum moved slowly towards them, eyes never leaving the young woman.

"Plenty of things. You were away so I vented out on your little bride to be. That mark was just a special message to you. "

Tom glared, as his magic branched out in his anger. Hermione continued twitching.

"Fix it, Callum or I'll make your death appear as an accident. "

The wizard quirked an eyebrow. A malicious smile forming.

"No. "

xxxxx

Woa there Callum. Ehhhhhhhhhhhh XD He just can't contain himself. Soooooooo next chapter we will get an insight on Tom's past months. Stay tune my dears :)