A/N: Chapter 15! As always a huge thank you to anyone who reviewed/ followed/ favourited! Without you id have no reason to write! If you'd like please continue to leave reviews and thoughts on where the store is headed!

Hermione was shocked at how well she had begun to fit in. This time, this house, the mindset of its inhabitants. She not only got used to them but her mannerisms became almost a second nature to her. She no longer feared being found out because she felt she actually had gained most of the houses respect. Truth be told most of it probably had to do with the fact that she had gained them so many points that they were the clear favourite to win the cup this year, as well as her being just as smart as Tom Riddle but more willing to help with homework than he was.

She was so used to her new schedule that when Walburga turned to her and asked about going to Hogsmeade with the girls to get Christmas gifts, it startled her. She looked at the calendar that hung on their bedchamber wall and sure enough, it was December 1st. It was a Friday and tomorrow would be the first Hogsmeade trip of the year and the only before Christmas. She started to panic but hid it well. One thing Slytherin had taught her all these months was to keep all feelings inside, always look the part of calm cool and collected.

She smiled at Walburga, and nodded, "sure I'd like to go with you guys. You can give me some ideas for the boys, I don't know them too well just yet." This earned her a large grin and Walburga launching into ideas for everyone.

As they got dressed Hermione noticed Walburga had listed everyone but Tom. She looked to the girl as she pulled in her cloak, "What about Tom? He seems to be the most closed off about his interests."

Walburga paused. Hermione knew what this could mean if said by someone in the know of his little secret activities. From what she had gathered so far, at this point in time the gatherings were just him and a few of the boys from the house getting together and discussing topics that' were much to crass for the likes of females'- Hermione had rolled her eyes at that one- But to them all, this alluded to his true interests. Neither wanted to be the one to broach the subject first, Hermione could tell Walburga had skipped past him for that very reason.

She looked to be in thought, "Well I thought he would be the easiest to buy for if I was you." Hermione's eyes rose in mild surprise as Walburga went on, "You guys are so alike that I would be sure that anything you put thought into he'd enjoy." And with that, she sent Hermione a wave and a smile as walked away into the common room to join her intended and their group of friends.

Hermione stood by her bed, awestruck. Did someone really compare her to the future Lord Voldemort? Sure they were both academically driven, a trait their other friends found annoying until they needed help. And sure, over the past few months, many a homework sessions and fireside talks had found them bonding over feeling like they found their home in Hogwarts and shared stories of being thought of as less than in the muggle world. But other than that, surely they couldn't be too similar.

Hermione slowly walked to the common room, thinking over what Walburga had said. When she got there she noticed only one person remained, Tom. She didn't even fake a smile this time, she was much too deep in thought. Tom noticed this as she didn't stop to wait for him to get up, instead, she just walked towards the porthole door and into the corridor. Tom sped walked to catch up.

Once he managed to get her attention he asked, "What are you in such deep thought about?"

She looked up at him and studied his face. Sure, he was conventionally attractive. His skin pale but not sickly, hair black with the tiniest bit of a curl to it. His eyes were brown but held a warmth that she was startled to find, no matter the age, warmth, and Voldemort didn't go together.

Hermione's plan of getting to know and gaining the trust of Tom Riddle has been working. For the first few weeks of her being here, she was worried she was going to slow on her mission. One night she had been unable to shake the feeling of failure so she ran to the one person she could talk to, Professor Dumbledore. He, of course, talked her through her feelings and made her realize that she was probably stuck here in this time, why does that mean she had to rush everything? Everything in her journal had taken place over 70 years and she is only in her 5th year of school. She had the time to take it slow and make him less suspicious of her long-term intentions. She had left the impromptu meeting feeling much better about her long-term goals.

Lately, you couldn't find one without the other. Tom and Hermione had taken to doing homework together each night, feeding off each other's thoughts, often ending in arguments about theories and facts. Hermione actually found herself looking forward to the sessions, she wasn't used to having someone that actually challenged her and found it enjoyable.

She then remembered that he had asked her something. She shook her head of her thoughts, "I'm sorry what did you ask? I'm in my own head this morning."

He smirked a little, "That must be a scary place."

She narrowed her eyes in playful offense.

He dropped his playful smirk, "What has you so wrapped up that you are oblivious to your surroundings?"

Hermione could feel her face blush. She felt the majority of the truth was the best option, she'd just leave out the fact that it startled her that she was compared to him, " well to be honest I didn't realize the date and Walburga reminded me that I still need to get gifts for everyone and I was thinking about what to get everyone."

Tom chuckled, "That's what's got your head in a tizzy? Christmas gifts?"

She squinted her eyes, "Hey! It shocked me alright. I wasn't paying attention to the date and now I have one day to think of something for 12 people! Plus a couple of the teachers and my par…" She drifted off. She realized that she had almost said her parents. That's when she remembered that this would be her first Christmas without them.

Tom had noticed as well, "I'm sorry Hermione this must be a hard time of year for you, first Christmas without them."

Hermione nodded and composed herself, "It will be, I hadn't really thought about it being the first holiday without them but it will be okay, should we go to class? Slughorn won't wait forever."

Hermione knew Tom had recognized the dismissal but he didn't say anything about it. He nodded and walked with her to the potions classroom.

Slughorn was much happier than Hermione could take in her current state after her morning. She stuck to her work and quietly made her potion beside Tom.

As she worked she thought about her life. She did console herself with the fact that, unlike her persona here, her actual parents were not deceased. They just weren't born yet and that was a comfort to her. She knew since time was cyclical that they would be okay because she was alive to come back. While she did spare a few thoughts to her life back home she had long ago resolved that she was making things better for everyone by being here. If she succeeded, Harry would have his parents, Cedric would still be alive as would the countless of people Voldemort affected in his lifetime.

By the time potions was done, including the gushing Slughorn did over her and toms potions every lesson, it was lunch time and Hermione was in a much better mood.

Tom noticed this as well, "you seem to be in a better mood."

She nodded, "Yes I had time to think during potions and I've come to the conclusion that while it is sad and hard that they aren't here I should also remember that they aren't in pain or locked away somewhere. Knowing they were alive and unattainable would be worse. I am in a good place, much worse could have happened let's face it and on top of all that I have friends who are like a family here so I'm not too alone on my first Christmas alone." She shot him a smile and looked down at her plate to begin to fill it up.

Hermione didn't notice the genuine smile that crept on Toms' face.