A/N: Hey three chapters out in a row! I'm slowly getting back to almost daily posts so bear with me for a little while longer! Thank you so so so much for those who reviewed and for anyone who will! You have no idea how much they mean to me as a struggling first time writer.

Hermione wiped the sleep from her eyes as she woke the next morning. She carefully opened the curtains to her bed and noticed how dark it still was despite being her usual 5:30 am wake up time. There really was no natural light in the dungeons. She grabbed her shower items and walked quietly to the dorm showers. Once done in there she walked back to her dorm to get ready for the day. She wasn't a makeup type of witch so getting ready was simply drying her hair magically, keeping it more manageable, dressing in her uniform and getting her books ready for the day.

It was 6:15 by the time she was done. The other girls made no indication of getting up soon, so she took her bag into the common room to wait for Riddle. As it turns out she didn't have to wait. He sat, the only other one in the common room, with his back to her in the large leather armchair looking at the green flames of the fireplace. It was eerily relaxing. She walked quietly towards him. She saw the side of his face, his profile looking deep in thought.

She sat silently on the couch. He sat for several seconds perfectly quiet before turning to her, " Good morning Miss Granger. Did you have a good first night in the castle?" His voice was soft, still slightly raspy from sleep.

She nodded, " Yes, thank you. It was certainly very different than I am used to but it was comfortable enough. I can certainly see myself feeling at home here eventually."

He gave her a small smile and nodded in his agreement. She knew, from her reading, that he had considered Hogwarts his true home and place in the world. It was the first place he had felt accepted for who he was and in some small twisted way, she had that in common with him. Being a muggleborn, she had always felt out of step with her peers but here she was just as magical. Sure some looked down on her for her birth but she still was in the same classes, same castle, the same world as them. She belonged and Hogwarts was the first place she felt she belonged.

They sat in a comfortable silence for some time. Both gazing at the fireplace lost in their own thoughts. Hermione sighed, she had to do a bit of damage control from her competitive streak yesterday.

She turned slightly so she was facing Riddle, " Tom, is there something I did to upset you yesterday?"

He looked up startled. She didn't know if she had startled him out of a thought or the thought shook him. She waited silently, expectantly for his answer.

His voice was still tired, but it had a newly acquired curious edge to it, " Why do you ask that, Hermione?"

It was the first time he has said her name so casually. Even as his Voldemort form he had always referred to her as some derogatory slur. Here he was more formal, only using her last name. Strangely she liked the way her name sounded coming from him.

She shook the thought from her brain, " Well as the day went on you became increasingly short with me. I just wanted to make sure I hadn't inadvertently done something to upset you. Also, I wanted to see if you had reconsidered your offer for today seeing as we have new classes today."

He looked at her, his eyes held no malice yet, just pure boyhood curiosity. They disturbed Hermione more if possible. This boy could be any boy she spoke to. He was so normal and yet she couldn't forget all the evil this boy was responsible for.

He shook his head, " No Hermione you didn't do anything wrong, I am however ashamed to say I was put out by you yesterday."

She frowned and opened her mouth to defend herself. Turned out she didn't need to.

He continued, " Let me explain. I have spent the last 4 years at this school being undeniably the top of my class. No one came near my level. In one day you managed to take that easily won distinction from me and I did not respond well. I apologize for my behavior and would be honored to continue to be your guide if you should have me."

Hermione searched his eyes for lies. Any sliver of the diabolical tyrant from her time. While she didn't trust him, especially knowing what he became, she reasoned with herself, he was trying to keep her close. It was no secret he collected people. But right now, in the empty common room lit only by dull green flames, he looked so genuine. She nodded and he smiled in response.

By this time, students were starting to wake up and get ready for the day. The two of them, in an effort to get a head start on the day ( a trait they both naturally shared, much to Hermione's delight and horror) They walked to the Great Hall. It was almost instinct that she started walking to the Gryffindor table, but she stopped herself and followed Tom to the west most wall and sat down. This was going to take some getting used to.

They again sat in comfortable silence, buttering their toast and eating, as if this was common practice. More and students slowly filtered in and sat at their respective tables. When a Slytherin sat they looked at the pair of them in confusion. She supposed she wasn't the typical crony Riddle usually hung out with.

Speaking of cronies, they came in and sat a few seats down from her and Riddle. She recognized most of them. She immediately saw Druella and Walburga, and to her surprise, Philomena was with the group. In the middle with long blonde white hair was obviously Abraxus Malfoy, As arrogant as his descendants. Beside him was 7th year Quidditch captain Winky Crockett. Beside Druella was her future intended Cygnus Black and his cousin, Walburga's intended, Orion Black. On the other side of the table sat a tall blonde boy, Hermione knew to be Alton Avery. Beside him, tall lanky and a mop of curly black hair, sat Rudolph Lestrange. Hermione shivered, remembering all the evil their bloodlines were to do. Evan Rosier- Druella's older brother, Ewan Mulciber and Cantankerus Nott all ran in to meet the group as well. These were the original death eaters- the Knights of Walpurgis.

Hermione watched them out of the side her eye. They all looked at her and whispered to each other often. They seemed awfully curious about her. she understood why, being with their leader and all, but it didn't make her feel better.

Once they were both done their breakfast, they grabbed their bags and walked towards their first class- Defense against the Dark Arts. She internally groaned. This is going to be the worst class. Not only was she taking this again, although she supposed that with the subpar teachings of Umbridge, it would be good to review fifth-year DADA, but she'll be taking this class with Tom. It was common knowledge that he wanted the post after his time here. This could only spell trouble for her.