That evening, Draco went back to the Common Room, as he slammed down on his bed, laughing. Draco slowly slithered his hand under his plump pillow, which met with an odd black book. Good, it's still there. He was just about to take it out, when the door slammed, revealing Blaise. As fast as lightning, Draco removed his hand. "What are you doing Draco?" asked Blaise suspiciously. "N-Nothing, I just came in," he replied. Blaise straightened up and continued. "A little birdie told me you asked Granger to the ball, and she said yes," said Blaise. Draco chuckled, wearing an evil expression. "But she's a mudblood, and you hate them!" exclaimed Blaise. Draco launched himself off his bed. "Of course I do Blaise and you know that," said Draco. "What are you playing at Draco?" asked Blaise nervously. Draco walked towards his nervous friend, holding a black leather book in his hand. "I need a favour from you", he said. Blaise nodded helplessly. "Listen to me very carefully."

Hermione walked back to the common room, thinking about what she was going to wear for the ball. Of course, it was Draco Malfoy who was taking her. The thought of Ron just vanished from her head, as thoughts of Draco invaded her. She reached the common room, and went to the Dormitory. She dropped her bag next to her bed, and lay down, in the comforting silence all around her. Soon, it was going to be Dinner, so she decided to freshen up. She went to get a new pair of robes from the cupboard. Instead she found a black leather book, resting on top of her grey nighty. Odd, I don't remember having a book like this in my cupboard. Hermione gazed round to see if no one was there. Her eyes scanned the book, as she flipped the yellow pages. There was nothing written.

Hermione decided to write something inside.

Hermione Granger.

She was about to close the book, when she found graceful italic writing, brushing over the page, underneath her name. She halted and sat on her bed, gazing at what was a response.

Hermione Granger, what a beautiful name. 'Hermione ' is derived from the Greek, as she was the daughter King Menelaus and Helen of Troy. Let me introduce myself. My name is Tom Riddle.

What? Who's Tom Riddle? And how was he replying to her via this dairy? Questions exploded like bombs in her head. Hermione decided to keep this to herself for now.

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The Great Hall was buzzing with excitement at dinner time. The Christmas decorations were finally up. Professor Flitwick stood proudly at the teachers table, examining his brilliant work. Hermione walked in, her hair tied up in an elegant bun, with curls loose at each side. Tom Riddle seemed to have made a place in her mind, as every now and then Hermione kept racking her brains about it. She found a seat in front of Harry and Ron, Ron leaning in closer to her. "Hermione!" he whispered "I've got something urgent to tell you." Hermione felt a little sigh of relief, as she thought Ron's anger had cooled down. "I saw Blaise handing Lavender Brown a black book. I followed Lavender to the Common Room and I saw her place it in you cupboard. Well then I asked her what that was and she said she didn't know and Blaise told her to keep it where Granger could find it, and I expect Draco was behind it!" said Ron, as Harry and Hermione exchanged glances. When Ron said 'Draco', Hermione stopped listening. "Oh Ronald, stop cooking up your silly little lies! I'm not going to leave my date to go with you," she said. But how does he know that it was black book, probably Blaise was behind it, she thought, I'll just keep quiet and keep the book. "Hermione, maybe Ron's right, I mean, Draco can't be trusted", said Harry. Hermione couldn't take it. Throughout dinner, Hermione had no conversation with Harry and Ron. They're her best friends! Can't they be compassionate for once?

Hermione trotted back to her room and lay there with the book clutched against her chest. She opened it, and wrote:

Hello Tom Riddle. And thank you, you seem quite knowledgeable and I like someone who's like me. How did you get into this diary? How are you replying to me? Who are you?

Hermione waited for a response, as she started thinking about an outfit yet again. She looked back at the book.

I'm the Heir of Slytherin.