I reverted back to my original method in ignoring him, except now it also included seating in a seat occupied by anyone other than Tom and his cronies.

Tom seemed to know exactly what I was doing. Why exactly he spent even the minute brain power thinking about me was inconsequential. I seemed to having really riled him up in Potions the other day.

I was coming from a Divination class I did not share with Tom or even most of the Slytherins for that matter. Before I saw him coming down the corridor in my direction. I looked down to what I was carrying, and immediately brought it up over my face and pretending to read it.

The tome with the length of my forearm and thicker than two of my fist together with a scarlet lettering emboldened on top, was at second thought not the most inconspicuous thing I could have picked to hide behind. For throat was roughly cleared right in front of me. I scrunched my face before leaning towards the walls away from the middle of the corridor. The book was them firmly pushed down, so that I could see Tom give a charming smile that did not reach his eyes.

"Reading a book in the middle of the corridors?"

I cleared my throat before replying, "Why yes, what matter is it to you?"

"It matters when you are blocking traffic with your ridiculously large book." He still hadn't let go of the book.

"Well, I apologize for that, It was just so interesting."

He glanced at the title before snidely remarking, "Yes The Wonders of Aged Minerals and their History in Muggle and Magic. That is quite fascinating, the history of rocks."

I act affronted; however it was truthfully a dull read, it mainly had to do with regular rocks and certain elements that were traced in it. Chrome polished cars had more interesting details with mineral chemistry than this book.

"I think it is interesting, and we can never have too much knowledge."

Tom cocked his head at that, before smirking. "That I do agree with."

He leaned in closer with one hand still firmly on the book while the other on the wall behind me. He was invading me space quite thoroughly the scent of sandalwood wafting through my nose. I could feel his breathe on cheek when he spoke.

"Don't try to hide form me little bird"

Before my sputtering ended and I could retort. With a rush he was gone, long strides doing well in having him soon disappear from my sight. My heart was still thundering in my chest.

I sighed. I was officially in his radar.

Now in the so called safety in my room beneath the castle in the Slytherin dungeons, I had time to ponder my predicament. The question now I had to investigate was his proficiency in legilimency now. From my knowledge, as a 6th year, he was already a master manipulator and had a substantial skill set in the dark arts under his arms. It could be by just having an acute sense of interpreting people's feelings and reading their faces that he is able to know my hidden feelings of him. But at this point he would have already started his legilimency training. I would have to keep my knowledge of the future hidden deep inside the recess of my mind especially when our eyes meet. I did learn some tips from Harry's training from Snape, but it never came naturally. Hiding my memories would be a trial. The best way to deal with this would be to not look at Tom Riddle's eyes. Although I would have to be natural, or if he was already a legillimency master, my constant evasion of his eyes would tick him off.

Ugh

I dearly wished for Harry and Ron. At least with them there was safety in numbers, three heads were theoretically better than one. I missed their companionship. Here stuck in an unfamiliar time, with a adolescent dark lord who will quickly become an adult soon, made my head hurt. Never mind the fact that he is taking an unusual interest in me.

Little bird.

I shuddered at the memory. The way his voice went husky and sent shivers down my back. It made my shoulders tighten. I gripped my green pillow and hugged it.

Hermione Gardener

"Hermione.." I drawled, sounding out every letter. She is a mystery.

Her wild brown hair sprawled all around her shoulders. Making a sizeable halo around her head. When the light hit it, it seemed to come alive with strands of red and gold that would become apparent.

It reminded me of a time when I watched a plump bird that had feathers sprawled in every direction. Chirping and trying to ruffle and dry its wet feathers after it got caught in the spring rain. It would shake and fidget in its nest, looking down to me from time to time. Bending its head before taking care of itself again. An insipid creature, however, in the sun, the raindrops only made the bird more noticeable. Encased in its brown, red, and gold plumage.

I could even liken its eyes to her. Making sure to keep its distance from any maybe predator.

It was as if she saw through my veneer. Which she should not be able too. She should be seeing what all the other Hogwarts students see. A charming head boy.

But Hermione purposely tried to evade me. I could make out her her wild hair from miles away, even hiding behind a laughable large tome.

I hated unsolved mysteries. I would have to understand her motive. Her mistrust could be due to her living homeschooled in a war torn area, however she seemed to not have a problem with any of the other students. She was reserved and seemed to purposely isolate herself. But her reaction to me is interesting. Almost as if she was trying to hide things from me.

I hated to delegate any of my time to anything that will not assist in my ambitions, but this, I could spare some time for.

so yeah i am like so behind in my schedule. but Tomione! i cant resist. is anybody enjoying this? let me know T_T