Disclaimer: Harry Potter does not belong to me

Many apologies for the dreadfully slow update! I've finally finished my other multi-chapter fic so am going to plunk myself down and work hard on this one. Ill try to get as much of the next chapter done tonight so all that's left is editing. It's just that school is going to be crazy busy starting tomorrow so I'm not sure how much time I'll have to spend writing fan fics.

Anyways, please ENJOY!

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Chapter 4

"Hurry up, Hermione! I promised everyone you'd visit tonight."

The red-head tugged at her arm, eagerly pulling a laughing Hermione up the stairs towards the Gryffindor common room. The girl did everything with an irresistibly alive air.

Pausing briefly as Allegra stopped to chat with a couple of Ravenclaws she didn't recognize, Hermione flicked a non-existent speck of dust from her arm. It had already been a month and things were going smoothly.

Well, when she really thought about it, she was not entirely sure she was doing all the right things. She barely saw Riddle other than in class, during which they basically ignored each other unless forced by circumstances to be paired together for an assignment. Even then, they only spoke when necessary and in short, direct phrases usually consisting of 'I'll powder the asphodel' or 'I think we're finished.'

Outside of class, she practically had no contact with him at all except during meals. He would eat silently and leave to who knows where. He was never in the common room when she was and they did their rounds separately as agreed upon.

Well, I suppose that means everything's going successfully. I mean, if we're never around each other, that means there's no chance of him ever falling in love with me. Maybe this will turn out to be easier than I expected.

"Sorry about that, 'Mione. Nina was just telling me about the latest news…oh wait, I'll tell you when we get inside. That way I won't have to repeat myself to the rest of the girls."

Winking conspiratorially, Allegra bounded up the last flight of stairs before stopping in front of a portrait of a fat woman in faded pink dress robes.

"Oh, it's still the Fat Lady."

"Yeah, how'd you know that?"

Nearly wanting to throttle herself for her surprised comment, Hermione shrugged in an attempt to appear nonchalant.

"It's my job, of course. All Heads are supposed to know where the common rooms are."

Thankfully, that was true, although they didn't know the passwords.

"Anyways, the password's Jiggly thighs. And please don't ask me who made that one up. Every time one of the boys say it, they end up laughing like the bunch of immature thickheads they really are."

Laughing at the mock-indignant way her friend rolled her eyes, Hermione stepped through the portrait hole to the sound of loud chattering and the smell of freshly baked pastries.

"Wills probably smuggled some food up, the glutton. It's wild the way that boy eats like there's no tomorrow but he never gains a pound! That is just so unfair, isn't it?"

"Ugh, isn't that the truth?"

Both of them burst into laughter as they made their way through the darkened mini-foyer. A few of the students Hermione recognized gave her a shout and waved her over. Gesturing to Allegra that she'd be along in a few minutes, Hermione headed over to the cheery black girl munching at a muffin. Megs was one of the Gryffindor prefects and often acted as a mediator whenever the latent animosity between Riddle and herself got too tense.

"Glad to see you up here, Hermione. All set for the meeting tonight?"

"Sure. We're discussing the annual ball, right? Any early suggestions I should know about?"

Megs frowned, chewing thoughtfully.

"Well, we've always had a Valentine's Day ball but it's always seemed a bit sad for those who didn't have a special someone or other. Most of us just used it as an excuse to snog in public, really."

A wide grin was directed at her.

"So, I'm guessing the idea's getting a bit old by now?"

"Yeah. Dunno what other festivals we can celebrate cuz most people are gone for the Christmas holidays, though. Anyways, we'll talk tonight, right?"

"Sure. I'll see you then."

Leaving the girl to the comforts of pastries, Hermione took the opportunity to take a good look at the dormitory she had lived in for seven years of her life.

Not much had changed. Hermione slowly walked around the circular room, wistfully running her fingers over the various pieces of furniture in the way.

The same patterned crimson walls, the same huge stone fireplace and oriental rug. Even the ancient wrought-iron chandelier creaked as precariously as it always had. Smiling up at one particularly familiar portrait of a rosy-cheeked little boy snoozing in his mother's arms, Hermione leaned heavily against the back of the back of a stuffed wing-chair, sighing as she felt the tension of the past few weeks seeping out of her body like melted butter. Despite the opulence of the Head room, she infinitely preferred this comfortable messiness with all the memories it invoked.

Not to mention the fact that there's no chance of running into Voldemort's sneering face here.

A cheerful face popped up from her right.

"Over here, Hermione! I want to introduce you to some of the other seventh years."

Grinning, she made her way over to a group of armchairs huddled in a circle next to the window. All the seats were occupied, Hermione smiling back at the friendly faces directed at her with interest.

"Hermione, this is Monessa, Matilda and Mae."

"That's Mae with an 'e'."

The chirpy Irish drawl came from the tiny girl squeezed next to the brunette known as Matilda. She was adorable, with a pixie face and stick-straight flaxen hair that would have made Hermione green with envy not so long ago. The other girls smiled and waved in return.

"Nice to meet you, Hermione. We were wondering when we'd finally get to meet our new Gryffindor Head Girl."

A bit of wryness crept into her smile.

"Yeah, sorry about that. Things have just been so hectic lately. I've barely had enough time to sleep, let alone keep up with my schoolwork. You're Monessa, right?"

The blonde nodded, unselfconsciously perched on the knee of a buff similarly golden-haired boy Hermione recognized as being in her Arithmancy class.

"Everyone calls us the Three M's. Allegra was as pleased as punch when she found out your name started with an H."

A hearty round of laughter followed, the red-head in question chiming in good-naturedly. Accepting Matilda's waving gestures, Hermione sat herself down on the rounded arm of the nearest chair. Trying to adjust her robes as it got caught under her bum, the girl felt her foot slip on the stone flagstones, barely able to let out a surprised yelp before she found herself tilting sideways.

A lean arm shot out to wrap itself around her waist, pulling her body completely into the chair. Hermione blinked at the sudden change in surroundings, her mind dimly registering the warmth of someone's lap as her eyes travelled up a broad chest to rest on a grinning face hovering above hers.

"Hi there."

His voice was as pleasingly smooth as he was handsome. His dark hair was artfully messed up, a few strands falling mischievously over slate-grey eyes. They were crinkling down at her in amusement at the present moment, as the owner continued to hold her solidly against his chest.

Hermione was pressed close enough to literally feel his heart beating against the curve of her shoulder.

He looks a bit like Harry, only a bit more carefree and open though. Well, actually, he looks more like Riddle, but a hundred times friendlier.

The other girls giggled and nudged each other as Hermione sat up straighter, trying to politely extricate herself from his arms before her face spontaneously exploded from all the blood rushing to her cheeks. The last few years at Hogwarts had been so hectic what with the war and all that she had never had the chance to be this close to any male other than Harry and Ron. Even her short fling with Krum had been very innocent, given that they were only 15 at the time.

"He-Hello. I'm Hermione. Sorry, I'm a bit clumsy but I don't usually fall on people like that."

Her attempts to stand up proved rather fruitless considering all that happened was that the arm around her waist tightened gently before giving her a reassuring pat.

"Not at all. I wasn't complaining."

Hermione was sure it was impossible for her face to get any redder. Ducking her head out of sight, she tried very hard not to concentrate on the way he casually draped his free arm over her knees. Her flustered response seemed to amuse the boy even more, eliciting a low chuckle that brushed over the top of her head.

"Aww…stop teasing her, you git. She's never going back here, you know. Or worst, you're gonna give her a heart attack and then what'll we do?"

Allegra threw one of the scones sitting on the table at the boy in question, who easily caught it in his mouth amidst much cheering from the other guys.

"Alright, alright. No need to get violent here, Red. Besides, we all know you want to eat that rather than chuck it at me."

That earned him another biscuit in the face. Laughing, he proffered it to a bemused Hermione resignedly sitting in his lap.

"But I forgot to introduce myself first. Gideon Black at your service."

Black? That's right, Sirius' family was also pureblood, like the Weasley's. Oh my gosh, he's related to Sirius! He could be Sirius' great grandfather or something. Wait till I tell Harry!

"Hermione Granger. Pleased to meet you."

Firmly shaking the large hand extended to her, Hermione smiled widely, her entire body unconsciously relaxing in the sense of extended familiarity. Apparently, the boy felt the change in her posture too. His eyebrows arched in surprise as he shot her a questioning look.

"Do we know each other, Granger? I'm sure I would have remembered…"

"No. But I'm glad we met."

It wasn't until a slight flush spread across his lightly tanned cheeks as the rest of the group erupted in loud cat calls and whistles that Hermione realized just how her excited comment actually sounded. Unable to look him in the eye again after that, Hermione scrambled to her feet, smoothing down her skirt and robes.

Urgh, this was so embarrassing.

One of the guys gave Gideon a hearty pat on the shoulder, winking up at Hermione as she tried not to fidget.

"Looks like you've got yourself a fit one, Black. He's our Quidditch captain, love. You're going to have to fight hard to keep the other girls away. Oh, and William's the name. I'm the Seeker."

Chuckling nervously, Hermione could see Gideon swat the slimmer boy's hand away, muttering something about minding his own business. He slanted her a self-deprecating smile that was meant to put her at ease.

And it worked.

Situating herself back on the armrest, carefully this time, Hermione focused on the chestnut-haired boy called Wills.

"So you're the famous William who managed to smuggle all this food up here?"

"Just Wills, love. Wills. And you give me too much credit."

She grinned.

"Fine, Wills then. Well, as Head Girl, you do know that I'm supposed to dock you house points for breaking the rules?"

The rascal was utterly unfazed, sending her another one of his cheeky winks.

"Ah, love. I do know that. But I also know that you wouldn't do it."

"Really, now? And how would you know that?"

He stuffed another crumpet in his mouth, taking the time to elbow Callum, the Arithmancy boy, in the stomach in retaliation for messing up his already messy hair.

"Cuz you're a Gryffindor, that's what. You wouldn't rat on us like that."

"You give me too much credit."

Grinning at his admiring guffaw, Hermione accepted a fresh scone from Gideon. He smiled up at her as the rest of the group started talking amongst themselves again.

"So, Granger. I never got to ask you why you're so glad that we met."

"And I never got to ask you what position you play on your Quidditch team."

His smile widened at her attempt to buy herself some time to compose an answer but obligingly went along with her.

"Beater. Got picked in my second year here and became captain in my fifth. Do you fly at all?"

"Not the slightest. My two best friends were complete Quidditch fanatics but I'm not exactly fond of heights. I'm Muggleborn so the idea of riding a stick in the air is still a bit daunting."

He shrugged, tugging the requisite gold and crimson tie loose.

"No more than waving a stick and making something fly. You just need some practice, Granger."

Hermione didn't bother arguing with him. Ron had tried every trick in the book to get her to climb on a broomstick again, but to no avail.

"So, have you managed to come up with an answer yet? Or do you want to change the subject again?"

She smirked down at his amused expression.

"Not at all. Although my answer probably isn't the ego-stroking one you were looking for. You just remind me of one of my friends so I was just excited to see a somewhat familiar face is all."

He pouted.

"And I thought you were going to fawn all over me like the rest of the girls. I am considered rather good-looking, you know."

"And modest apparently. I wouldn't have thought you would even want another fan girl piling at your door. It must be rather difficult to walk through the corridors every day."

Supplying her with another biscuit, Gideon twinkled up at her, his face comically innocent.

"I wouldn't have minded. I might even let you jump the line, Granger."

Laughing openly at his blatant flirtation, Hermione was struck by a sudden thought.

"Wait, you're part of the Black family, aren't you? I thought all the Blacks were in Slytherin."

A dull hush fell over the group. Hermione cursed inwardly, resisting the urge to slap herself upside the head. Once again she had let that blasted curiosity of hers run away with her mouth.

"I'm sorry, Gideon. I was being nosy."

He patted her on the knee, a soft smile on his face.

"Nah, it's alright. I know it is a bit odd. The thing is, I'm the first Black not to have sorted into Slytherin. My father literally threw a fit when he found out and now I'm considered sort of the black sheep of the family. It's not a big secret or anything."

Offering another apologetic gaze to him, Hermione affectionately patted the hand that was still resting lightly on her knee. He really was like Sirius.

"So, 'Mione. How's it like living with Hogwart's resident ice-prince?"

She blinked over at Mae, who was giggling like a schoolgirl. Allegra bounced eagerly on the armrest she was sitting on.

"Oh right! I completely forgot! 'Mione, you remember that piece of gossip Nina told me just before? Well, there's a rumour going around that the reason anyone hardly ever sees you in the evenings is because you're spending all your free time locked up in the Head room with the ice-prince!"

If she had expected a blushing gasp, the red-head was sorely disappointed. Hermione merely looked confused, although a horrified sinking feeling was currently making itself known in her stomach.

"Ice-prince?"

"Yeah, you know…Tom Riddle. Tall, dark and handsome but completely untouchable. He's just dreamy, isn't he?"

Hermione gagged, uncaring of the scandalized looks on the girls' faces.

"I can't believe you said that! Ugh, just the thought is disgusting."

The rest of the guys loudly agreed with her that they didn't see what was so amazing about the Head Slytherin, but a few sharp kicks from the girls quickly had them backing down and whimpering.

"What do you mean disgusting?"

This time, it was Matilda who leaned forward, her voice rising in utter bewilderment.

"He's gorgeous! And he's obviously brilliant too. Even though he can be a prick at times, that just seems to add to that whole 'mystery' thing. Nearly all the girls here at Hogwarts are wild over him! Everyone was so jealous when they found out that you would be the one sharing the Head dorm with him. Ooooh, you're so lucky, Hermione! I'd just die to be in your spot."

"It's not all that, believe me. Besides, it doesn't matter how good-looking he is; I can't stand the sight of him."

"Why? Did he do something to you?"

The hand squeezed her, prompting her to meet the mild concern in those stormy grey eyes.

You mean, besides killing everyone I love?

Hermione sighed, gently moving her leg away.

"No. I just…I just feel uncomfortable around him. I can't explain it. Luckily, I hardly ever see him so it's not a big deal. Let's just drop it, okay?"

The worried looks on all of their faces clearly said that they would much rather not, but they acquiesced. Lifting her head to gaze out the window, another sigh left her lips.

I wonder if I said too much again.

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A/N: Yes, I know there isn't any Tom in this chapter. I originally hadn't intended this scene to be so long and was going to include the bit where Hermione gets into a row with Tom over the annual ball issue. But this just sort of kept going and I felt like the ideas here needed to be included.

fit good-looking girl

Update coming in a week or two. More Tom x Hermione interaction in the next chapter, I promise. Please review and thanks for reading!