Wow guys!!!!

I liked the response and as you have all made me very very happy I have decided to post the next chapter 'Like now' as you all put it.

Enjoy…….BEWARE DARK TOM…………..

Chapter – 15

Harry was thoroughly irritated. No he was positively in panic. For some reason unknown to him he was not able to leave the common room and so were his peers. He tried every spell along with Alphard and all the other Slytherins who also wanted to go out for some reason but the bloody door just wouldn't budge.

Harry walked around to his bed and dropped down with a sigh. He had been planning on keeping a watch on Hermione today and he had a sneaking suspicion that he knew who it was that had locked him and the other Slytherins inside the dormitory. He supposed he could send a letter but the owls were in the greenhouse at this time of the night. He would not sleep for the entire night for sure. He could only hope that Hermione would not get herself killed.

Hermione on the other hand was in no worry as she prepared to patrol the corridors with Riddle. Although she thought that it was unwise for Harry to follow her and Riddle she had to admit that she felt much secure if Harry was keeping a watch on her.

As she opened the door to the common room she saw Riddle standing outside. He smiled when he saw her and Hermione would have thought it to be genuine if she had not known who he would become. Hermione couldn't help the scowl that reached her face as she headed out with him.

"I heard you have been made prefect, congratulations" Riddle said with that smile still etched on his face.

"Thankyou" Hermione grounded out. She didn't know why but Riddle annoyed her by his mere presence. He was speaking as though he had not planned the whole thing.

After their initial conversation neither Hermione nor Riddle talked much. They first checked the Ravenclaw block before they left for Slyhterin and Riddle then felt the need to confront Hermione. They were still walking with Riddle leading the way as he casually asked "How was Germany, Miss Broston?" Riddle asked as he turned around and looked at her "I can't help being curious but I'm terribly sorry if it brings back bad memories"

Hermione really had to wonder at how good an actor he was. He could give the Hollywood actors a run for their money anyday. Hermione couldn't understand how he managed to look perfectly caring and kind when he didn't even know the meaning of the words in their true form.

"It was fine I suppose atleast before the war started"

"I'm surprised you haven't got an accent after being there for so long. I have a friend at Drumstrang and I could hardly understand him if he talks" Riddle said laughing good naturedly.

Hermione too played along by laughing nervously. She did not like where this conversation was spiraling. She hoped to merlin that Harry was behind her but Riddle seemed to not notice. Hermione thought that maybe Riddle was just pretending to not have noticed. She was sure that he would have noticed.

"Well my mother was from Britain and so I never really got an accent" Hermione paused and added "actually I went to Germany only after I was eleven"

"I see" Riddle said and it was clear that he did not believe her. They were now heading for the classrooms after finishing the Slytherin territory and although Hermione felt a little relieved she did feel incredibly uncomfortable walking in the now dark hallways with the young dark lord.

"You are a very bad liar Miss Broston" Riddle said as he stopped in front of one of the classrooms.

"Really. I don't know why you feel the need to say that as I've never lied to you yet" Hermione managed to say in a firm tone.

"Lie again" said Riddle with a smirk plastered on his face.

"Shall we go?" Hermione asked trying her best to control her temper. The scheming hypocrite who actually lied every minute of his life had the nerve to call her "Hermione Granger" a liar.

"Sure" said Riddle as he walked along leading the way again. Hermione turned around to see if Harry would show her an indication that he was there but she had to go on for avoiding the suspicion of the dark lord.

"You remember that you owe me twice Miss Broston, don't you?" Riddle asked in a sickeningly sweet voice.

"Wouldn't forget" Hermione gritted out in a clipped tone.

"I believe I see it fit to ask for the favour now" Riddle said as he stopped again. He turned around and came near Hermione before saying "I sincerely hope you would do it without any reluctance"

"It depends on what you ask Mr Riddle" Hermione said evenly although she was trembling on the inside. She felt very weak underneath that steady gaze of his and now she knew why everyone was afraid to be scrutinized by the dark lord. His eyes seemed to pierce through her soul sending her shivering but she wasn't about to express her fear in front of him. She had faced far more in life to be put down by this.

"Like I said before it's not something you can't do." Riddle said in a calm tone and he was moving closer as he spoke and Hermione moved back involuntarily.

"Go on ask away" Hermione said sounding tense as her muscles clenched and sweat threatened to fall.

"Tell me the truth Miss Broston, tell me who you really are" and Riddles face was completely devoid of any expression.

Hermione was now utterly frightened. She didn't know whether to run or fight. Although she would have chosen the former anyday her Gryffindor pride didn't allow her to fall so easily.

"I've already told you, I am Hermione Broston from Drumstrang School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from Germany……."and Hermione would have continued her speech but Riddle interrupted her promptly.

"You are horrible at lying Miss Broston" Riddle said as he looked at Hermione with an amusing expression that Hermione was able to see in the luminous glow of his wandtip and then he started to chuckle quietly.

Hermione was infuriated as he saw the young dark lord chuckling again. For a split second she considered that it was very cute but then she bombarded her inner mind with a hammer and said "Maybe I should take some training from you Riddle"

Riddle stopped chuckling and looked up at her as he said "What makes you think I am good at lying Miss Broston?" and his voice still had a hint of amusement laced in it.

"Huh, I don't know Riddle maybe because you lie every walking second of your life, to the teachers, to your peers, to the girls and possibly everyone you ever met and ever will meet. Do you think I'm dumb to not see who you really are Mr Riddle, no I'm not one of those in your fan club unfortunately and I can practically see that everything you do is a lie, your life is a lie and..." Hermione paused as she tilted her head a little and added "you know what, I think you don't just have the courage in you to be truthful for once in your life about anything"

"You make too many presumptions about me Miss Broston" Riddle said with his face not betraying even a slight trace of emotion.

Hermione knew she was pushing her luck but she couldn't control her mouth from saying "However, I am right, aren't I Mr. Riddle" and she was frightened to see the expression in Riddle's face change to one of pure indifference and she realized she was too late as he already had his wand which he was now twirling idly in his fingers.

"You seem to know too much about me Miss Broston and yet you're temper has made you hit the wrong person. Now, I will give you five seconds to tell atleast a part of the truth. If you don't you'll have to be…" Riddle smirked and added "facing consequences" tapping his wand with his fingers to show her what he meant.

Hermione was scared beyond all reason. She realized just whom she was messing with at that instant. She was not facing Tom Riddle now but Lord Voldemort and it scared her to no end. Even then she wouldn't go down without dignity. She was way too stubborn.

"One" Riddle said in a calm tone still the smirk was present in his face.

Hermione looked towards her left and right trying to find where the hell Harry was.

"Oh don't look for Eastwood, he is safely locked up in his dormitory with the Slytherins while you…" he left the answer hanging in the air "two"

Hermione was gulping and she tried to move away but Tom Riddle had her against the wall with his arms blocking her and Hermione was sweating profusely as he murmured "three"

"Four" Riddle said as he came closer to her and he grinned like a chestire cat when he saw her whole body tense in fear but what made Riddle annoyed and surprised was that she still refused to plead or run or show fear in her eyes as she stood there with defiance. This girl truly was intriguing and he caught himself from being distracted.

"You cannot hurt me in school Riddle, it wouldn't do well with your reputation…."

Tom was annoyed even more as she managed to say that without trembling. She was so different from the others he met, she was a challenge and he was going to break her now if she didn't obey. He now wished she wouldn't for he could then show her what he really was.

"Five" he heard himself say before another voice which was not Hermione's said "Who is it there?" and he dropped his hands and looked at the intruder to find that it was the DADA Professor Merrythought.

"Professor Merrythought" Riddle exclaimed pretending to look surprised. Hermione was filled with a sense of nausea from seeing him acting so well.

"Patrolling not over yet, I hope there is no trouble" the Professor said looking between Hermione and Riddle.

"Of course not sir" Riddle said in a highly polite tone.

"In that case, you wouldn't mind me borrowing Miss Broston for a while now, would you Mr. Riddle"

"No sir" Riddle said in a clipped tone that betrayed a hint of the anger he felt on the inside.

"Come along now Miss Broston"

Hermione mentally thanked all the Gods she knew and she almost wanted to hug the DADA Professor right there and then for helping her. She was sure she would have undergone some major damage if it weren't for him. She moved like a keyed robot as the DADA Professor lead her and before she could think clearly and she acted on instinct as she turned around and saw Riddles furious expression. The next thing she did was probably very stupid on her part but she didn't think as she stuck out her tongue and she was satisfied to see the expression of shock on Riddle's face as he quickly masked it.

Riddle was infuriated and he was sure of it but he was intrigued by the girl beyond measure as well. This was getting out of control. He had clearly thought that the girl would offer some resistance but she didn't even look close to breaking. It was grating on his nerves. He was baffled and he had to admit it. Just as he was standing there he saw the girl turn back and look at him. He hardened his gaze on her and the next thing she did almost made him jump but he didn't although his face showed the expression of surprise at the moment when the girl had the audacity to stick out her tongue at him. He quickly masked his expression but he was still more intrigued and surprised on the inside. Wasn't she supposed to be terrified after that escape and not get in his way again but no she still wanted a fight. Riddle sighed and her last action made him a little unsettled. How she could be so stupid yet so intelligent was beyond him.

OK,,, SO HOW WAS THAT???????

Review lots and I'll update soon enough. And please let me know "IF YOU LIKED THE CHARECTERIZATION OF TOM" and R&R. Toodles…………………..