Hello everyone. I saw that almost 70 people read the story but only three reviewed, come on guys. I need your reviews to continue writing. And this story will be a cliché for atleast 10 chapters, so please keep reading.

CHAPTER – 6

The first week of classes went on fairly well for Hermione and Harry. Harry as always submitted his homework late. He had also made some friends in Slytherin. Hermione knew them to be Alphard Black and Sheryl McLellen both of whom she had met. It seemed like they were the only people in Slytherin who didn't believe in the pureblood supremacy over muggles although they were both purebloods. Hermione found classes a lot more interesting now that she had Riddle to compete with. They were both trying to outdo each other in all the subjects. However, Hermione always lost to Riddle in Defense Against The Dark Arts.

Hermione was in the library and for now Harry and Hermione decided that they would tell the others that they were just friends. They always feared Dumbledore might ask something but neither Dumbledore nor Riddle bothered to ask anything to them directly.

Hermione was writing her essay on moonstones which was due only on next Tuesday but Hermione Granger always liked to complete her work early.

"Hermione, It's the weekend, let's go do something else" said Sheryl McLellen who was sitting with her. Right now Hermione's only close friend whom she can confide information about Riddle was Sheryl because she was one of the few people who suspected Riddle to have a hand in the murder of moaning Myrtle last year.

"I'm not going anywhere so stop trying" Hermione said firmly. Ever since she came to 1944 she had been working extra hard because of the desire to best Riddle.

"You just want to beat Riddle, don't you?" Sheryl asked knowingly.

"That and other reasons" Hermione said evenly.

"You want him to notice you" Sheryl said smirking.

"WHAT?" Hermione shouted indignantly with a shocked expression on her face.

"You heard me, Hermione and don't look at me like that. You've been working harder than any one I've ever seen. You oppose Riddle in almost every debate in class, You must see you both in class. It looks like you're both wolves trying to tear each other apart and then the tension evaporates when Riddle smiles at you and…."

"But that's the point I…" Hermione began but Sheryl cut her off.

"And it's always Riddle that gives up and you just scowl and curse under your breath. Although it's good to watch it's really tiring so why don't you just ask him out?" Sheryl finished with an expectant look.

Hermione closed her book with a thud and said in a calm voice "You're right 'I OPPOSE HIM' and so pray tell what gives you the idea that I'd want to go out with him" Hermione continued looking straight at Sheryl wanting to say something but she changed her mind and shook her head and said "I've never had someone to compete with me and so I am just a little excited. I just like the challenge he poses to me is all"

"But you know what they say, opposites attract."

"Not in this case" Hermione said and she saw a group of girls coming into the library. They were all wearing Slytherin ties and Hermione asked "Who are they?" just to change the topic and she didn't know any one's name in the group but she had seen them in classes. She couldn't believe that she didn't know the names of her classmates. This competition with Riddle was getting out of hands and she was becoming obsessed about winning. She decided she would do the homework tomorrow.

"Oh" Sheryl twisted her face in disgust as she saw the group. "The one with the pug face is Alyssa Parkinson, blonde hair and prejudiced idiot, no intelligence whatsoever. The fat one is Gillian Bulstrode set to marry Llyod Goyle of our year. The other one is Lydia Prince and all of them are equally stupid and as you can see 'Birds of same feather flock together' but they can be dangerous at times. That girl with the auburn hair is Lois Greengrass. She is the only one who has got brains out of the lot"

"Oh" Hermione said content with the information. "Are all pureblood's set to marry another pureblood"

"Not all but most" said Sheryl and her mood changed rapidly and she looked like she was about to cry.

"Are you set to marry someone?" Hermione asked carefully.

"Ivan Lestrange but I've learned to accept my fate"

"You should fight" Hermione said with a look of determination. "You can't just allow your parents or whoever it is to decide your life for you"

"Fight whom Hermione" said Sheryl barely able to control her tears now. "Even the Ministry supports such practices and they would put me to death, my parents, daughter or not if I refuse"

"I'm sorry but if there's anything I could do to help…"

"It's a lost cause Hermione just don't talk about this, OK"

"Alright but I'll be here to help"

"Thank you"

After about spending an hour near the lake with Sheryl and Harry, Hermione and Harry were setting off to the Great Hall. Harry was just speaking about Qudditch tryouts and asking Hermione if he could join.

"Harry, would you stop talking about Quidditch. I don't think you should join. We came here on a mission"

"But Hermione…" and before he could continue a smooth voice interrupted them.

"Miss Broston, Mr Eastwood, Professor Dumbledore wishes to see you" and Harry and Hermione turned around to see Riddle right behind them. Harry and Hermione shared an uneasy look as they both feared if Riddle had heard something but if he did hear something he was not showing it outward.

"Why does he want to see us?" Hermione asked

"He didn't tell me" Riddle said in a casual tone.

As they reached Professor Dumbledore's office a portrait of a young man standing beside a strange statue of a horse with wings asked them for the password.

"Chocolate frog" said Riddle and the door to the room opened.

"Ah, I was wondering when you would be coming. Take a seat all of you" said Dumbledore from behind his desk. Hermione on thorough inspection came to a conclusion that this was a miniature of the future Head Master's room filled with art effects and strange objects and of course a lot of candy.

"Miss Broston, Mr Eastwood, I presume you know that Hogwarts cannot keep it's students here during summer vacation" and at their nods he continued "As your parents are deceased and there are no guardians claiming you I am expected to send you somewhere. I chose the orphanage where Mr Riddle here goes to during summer and I am again sorry for your loss" Dumbledore finished calmly.

Hermione and Harry were thinking along the same lines. If they were closer to Riddle they could catch him doing something wrong. If they were right Riddle was going to kill his father this summer. Hermione and Harry nodded at Professor Dumbledore and he said "After a week I shall take you to meet the Matron of the orphanage"

Riddle on the other hand felt absolutely furious at Dumbledore for doing such a thing. He wanted to kill his father this summer and having these both on his tail was certainly not something he wanted. He'd have to be careful and maybe he would have to postpone his plans to kill his father. Dumbledore was always interfering in everything he did. He would pay some day when Lord Voldemort was the most powerful wizard in the world. Oh, yes he would pay.

"Is that alright with you Mr Riddle, you would have some company" Dumbledore asked beaming at Riddle. This unnerved Tom because Dumbledore's eyes had that twinkle he directed only on students he cared for or when he was up to some mischief. Tom decided that he had to be very careful.

"I will be delighted, sir" Tom said flashing a smile that would have been thought as genuine by anyone but Dumbledore. Hermione thought that she and Harry too would have been fooled if they did not know about the future.

"Very well, Off you go" Dumbledore said waving his hands as they ushered them to leave.

As they got out and the door closed behind them Tom said "The orphanage probably won't be a place to your liking" good naturedly.

"We'll adjust" said Hermione and Harry nodded.

"Well Eastwood I presume you're going to the dormitories" Tom asked.

"Yes, Yes I am" Harry said offhand

"Goodnight Hermione" Harry said.

"Goodnight Ha…, Alan" Harry exchanged a troubled look with Hermione before he strode off with Riddle.

Hermione clapped her hand over her mouth thinking about her stupidity. She took a look at the portrait for a few minutes. There were two fangs projecting from the Horses upper jaw as it opened it's mouth but even then the winged horse looked majestic. She turned and left to the Gryffindor dormitories.

Tom was lying on his four poster bed unable to sleep. The new girl intrigued him beyond measure. She was always so sure of herself. She was as intelligent as him but he would never admit it to anyone. She didn't care about appearances what with that bushy hair of hers. She was so original. She was mysterious and Tom could tell that she was desperately trying to keep her secret. Her temper was what was going to let her down though. If he could only manipulate the girl, he would know her secrets and then he could be done with it. However, she was a hard nut to crack even for him. And he couldn't understand why she called the other boy as Harry.

Please, Please, Please R&R. I will continue only if I get some response.