A/N: Back again fellow users! I must admit, I was a little disappointed at the low number of reviews I received for the previous chapter. I was very happy however, that my best reviewers have reviewed and put in their much appreciated feedback. I hope that more readers will review this time, and I hope you all enjoy the chapter! Below are the few, but awesome reviewers that reviewed my last chapter:

Gueneviere - Thank you for reviewing! I hope you'll enjoy this chapter like the last one.
Lauraart123 - Ah, my most faithful reviewer. I must say I was very pleased by your dedication to spend a good deal of time to review my story. Thank you again for another awesome review! I haven't read Twilight yet but I will get to it soon! I'm still waiting for a much anticipated story from you!
karine.snake - Thanks for another great review! It's great to know that you enjoy my story thus far so much. I hope you'll review this chapter as well!
Lady-Delphinea - Thank you for reviewing! I'm glad you think that I've captured Tom Riddle well enough! I look forward to reading your next review!
Didi - Thank you for reviewing! I hope you'll review this chapter as well.

Well there you have it people, the small amount of reviews - they were great - that I got for the last chapter. I really do hope that more will show up for this one. Now, on with the story!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything that's not mine.Well anyway, all characters invented by J.K. Rowling belongs to... J.K. Rowling. Sad I know.

Chapter 4:

Becoming Head Girl

"Oi! Harry! Hurry your famous arse down here or we'll get a bloody detention from McGonagall!" Ron cried from the bottom of the stairs leading to the boys' dormitories.

"Coming!" Harry called from the dormitory. He rushed down the stairs – nearly tripping over his robes on the way down – and he and Ron ran all the way to Transfiguration. They burst into the classroom just in time, and found their seats quickly.

"Say, where do you reckon Hermione's at?" Ron whispered to Harry after looking around for Hermione.

"I don't know, I don't see her in here. It's not like her to miss Transfiguration, or any other class for that matter," Harry said, also looking around the classroom for any sign of Hermione.

"Oh well, maybe something came up, we'll look for her after class," Ron said, getting back to scribbling down the notes on the chalkboard.

Where was she?

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"Wake up! Hermione wake up!" Claudia shook Hermione's shoulders vigorously in her attempt to wake her.

"Ugh, leave me alone. I don't want to get up!" Hermione moaned pulling the covers over her head.

"I don't care if you don't want to wake up, I'm telling you to wake up!" Claudia shouted ripping the covers off of her. Hermione groaned and sat up.

"Fine, I'm up already," Hermione said getting up woozily. She freshened up and changed into her robes before showing her face in the common room.

"Hey Hermione! We've got 10 minutes to get to breakfast, but meet the boys first," Vivian said when she spotted Hermione. "This is Arnold, Charles, Simon, and Gerald," Vivian pointed to four boys sitting in front of her, Claudia, Samantha, and Angela.

"Sorry I didn't catch that. Who's who?" Hermione asked waving at the four boys. They reminded her of Ron, Harry, and Neville, though the other boy, the one with dark brown hair, was unfamiliar to her. She fondly remembered her friends, and suddenly felt homesick, or... time sick, if that was even a word.

"I'm Arny," A boy with fiery auburn hair said, waving. No way! She was completely shocked at the incredible coincidence.

"Hi," Hermione greeted him.

"And I'm Charlie," the boy next to Arny said as he extended his hand. He had the familiar messy black hair of Harry's, but his eyes were hazel. He was almost an exact duplicate of Harry. Hermione smiled as she shook his outstretched hand.

"Nice to meet you Charlie."

"I'm Simon," The boy sitting next to Charlie said, giving a small wave.

"Hi Simon. What's your surname? I'm curious to know," Hermione asked.

"Shillington, Claudia and I are siblings."

"Oh, I see." No wonder she hadn't recognized him.

"And I'm Gerald," The last boy in the line said, also extending his hand.

"Hi Gerald," Hermione said shaking his hand. He looked just like Neville, with short brown hair, freckles on his nose and cheeks, and slightly oversized front teeth, just like him.

They are so the ancestors of the guys.

"Well, now that everyone's been introduced, let's go down to breakfast already! I'm starving!" Claudia said. They all agreed and headed down to the Great Hall for a rushed breakfast.

When they sat down at the Gryffindor table, Hermione saw a sea of unrecognizable faces. Even at the Staff Table there were faces that Hermione didn't know. The only people she recognized was Professor Dumbledore - who nodded and raised his glass at his 'new addition to the family' - and Professor Slughorn.

"Want me to tell you who they are?" Charlie asked her when he saw her gazing at the Head Table. Hermione nodded still looking there.

"Ok, well see that fat guy, the one in suspenders? Yeah that's Professor Slughorn. He teaches Potions. And that man over there, with the auburn beard and hair, that's Professor Dumbledore," Charlie said pointing to each one of them as he explained their positions.

"Yeah I know him; he's my legal guardian." Hermione said, taking a bite out of her treacle tart.

"Where are your parents?" Arny cut in after stuffing a piece of toast into his mouth.

"They were killed two weeks ago," Hermione said finishing off her tart and draining her pumpkin juice. Most of the students started getting up and making their way to their classes.

Immediately, the gang fell silent. Hermione fell silent as well, feeling a little awkward. After a while, they tried to comfort her, but she shrugged them off, feeling guilty that they were offering their condolences over nothing. I can't do this. I'll have to tell Professor Dumbledore that I can't handle all the lies that come with his story!

"We should get going; don't want to be late for double Potions with the Slytherins," Samantha said disdainfully.

"Oh great, double period with the Slytherins… in Potions!" Simon laughed. "I still remember what happened last year between the Gryffindors and the Slytherins. It was so funny!" Simon laughed loudly as they made their way to the dungeons.

"What happened?" Hermione turned around and asked.

"The Slytherin boys were insulting the Gryffindor boys, so Simon and Charles decided that it would be super funny if they dumped their potion on top of their heads. Of course, they both rallied the rest of the Gryffindor boys to join in, and at the end of class they snuck up on the Slytherins and dumped their potions on them," Angela said. "They all got detention for a month, but I have to admit, you guys got them pretty good."

"Personally, I think it was completely immature of you guys," Samantha added, "But those Slytherins damn well deserved it."

"Well said Sam," Claudia laughed as the gang entered the Potions classroom where most of the students were already seated.

"Ms. Shillington, Ms. Whiting, Ms. Everard, Ms. Dixon, and you boys, it hasn't even been a week and already you eight are late from my class. The next time this happens, there will be guaranteed detention for a week. Understood?" A stout, round man standing in the front of the classroom said disapprovingly. Hermione recognized him as Professor Slughorn, only much younger, and he had more hair on his head.

"Sorry Professor," They all mumbled quietly as they all found their seats.

"Ah, Ms. Granger I presume. Albus has informed me of your presence here. Find an empty seat, we're about to get started," The Professor said. "And I am Professor Slughorn."

"Nice to meet you sir," Hermione said and shook his hand. Then she scanned the room for an empty seat.

All of the gang was already seated in twos, leaving no one left for Hermione to sit beside. Claudia smiled apologetically at her and shrugged. "It's alright," Hermione mouthed. There was an empty seat in the front, to the far left of the classroom. Hermione walked towards the seat and almost didn't sit down when she saw who was sitting in the next seat.

Tom Riddle, the mass murder wonder.

How perfect. Now I get the delightful honour to sit beside Mr. I'm-going-to-kill-everyone-and-everything-that-moves. She frowned in disdain as she reluctantly sat down.

"Oh don't be frightened of Tom," Professor Slughorn said, seeing the dismay plastered on Hermione's face. "He won't bite, however menacing he looks." Hermione just faked a smile.

If only he knew.

She chanced a quick glance at Tom from the corner of her eye as Professor Slughorn began the lesson and saw the same blank expression on his face, except this time he was concentrated on the lesson. Who knew that Lord Voldemort was actually a good student? Hermione was surprised, but forced herself to focus on the lesson.

"Now who can tell me the exact ingredients one needs when brewing Polyjuice Potion?" Slughorn asked the class. No one raised their hand except for Hermione – whose hand shot up – and Tom.

"Ms. Granger," Slughorn chose her.

"The required ingredients are: 12 Lacewing flies, 1 oz. of crude Antimony, 4 unsucculated Leeches, 16 scruples of Fluxweed, 3 drachms of pulverized San Ammoniac, pulverized Knotgrass blades, 1 pinch of lunar extracted horn of Bicorn, filings and rasplings of Salpeter, Mercury and Mars, Boomslang skin, and the DNA of the person one wants to transform into," Hermione said, taking a deep breath afterwards.

"Well I think Ms. Granger deserves a round of applause class, that was very impressive," Slughorn said as the Gryffindors gave her a loud round of applause at which Hermione smiled embarrassedly. "25 points to Gryffindor for Ms. Granger's highly impressive intellect. Well done Ms. Granger." The Gryffindors cheered loudly. "Alright! Alright! Settle down before I take it back," The cheering slowly quieted down until the classroom was silent once again. Hermione looked at Tom and caught him looking at her as well. Their gaze met for a second before Tom broke it and went back to copying down notes.

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The gang made their way through the winding dungeons to the Great Hall. Hermione wasn't watching where she was going, and bumped into someone rather hard, spilling their books onto the floor.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, here let me help you with those," Hermione stammered as she quickly dropped to her knees and helped the person pick up their books. Hermione looked up and found herself looking into the deep grey pools of Tom Riddle.

His face showed a hint of annoyance, but other than that it was the same boring blank expression his face always held. "Sorry..." Hermione trailed off, her hands absently scraping the floor as she blindly searched for Tom's remaining books. It seemed like she couldn't tear her gaze from his, as much as she wanted to.

She felt her hand brush against something rough but warm and looked down to see that she was practically holding on to Tom's hand. She quickly withdrew it, and they both stood up.

An awkward silence fell over them as Tom continued to stare at Hermione, but she refused to look at his face, looking at the ceiling, the floor, other students, anything but his face, and yet he continued to stare at her. Hermione could feel him trying to break into her mind, but she wouldn't let him.

"Um, I… have to go now, so I'll see you later," Hermione said quickly and she pushed past him and rushed out the dungeons. That was too close. Hermione let out a breath that she had unconsciously held.

"Oi! Mione, where'd you go?" Charlie asked when he spotted her leaning against the wall opposite of the Great Hall.

"Huh? Oh no where really, just had a little run in with some Slytherin on the way out of the dungeons," Hermione said walking with Charlie into the Great Hall for lunch. The Potions class was an unbearable 2 hours long, since an accident had happened in the Defense Against the Dark Arts room, which the Gryffindors were supposed to have next with the Hufflepuffs. So they had to endure an extra hour in Potions with the Slytherins.

"What happened? Did they give you any trouble? We can take care of it if you'd like." Charlie suggested.

"No, it's fine, really. There was no big confrontation or anything," she assured him.

"Well come on! Lunch is great today. I heard the House elves are making roast beef. Lots of it!" Charlie exclaimed excitedly.

Hermione laughed ran into the Great Hall with him.

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They had gone through the rest of their classes uneventfully, with Hermione being as intellectual as ever. Her new found friends were impressed by her intelligence, and loved her for it as well, as she had gained them many points throughout the day. By the time dinner came, all of the seventh year Gryffindors adored Hermione's smarts, for she had earned them 90 points in total.

The gang was sitting in their usual spots, and the girls were watching the guys eat, disgusted at how they were wolfing down their roast beef.

"Can you guys get any grosser?" Angela asked looking at them as if they had a contagious disease.

"Hey, a – guoy – has – ta – eat – los o – foog y'knaw," Arny managed to say between monster-bites of roast beef. Simon choked, and quickly grabbed his goblet, but realized that it was empty. He attempted to signal the gang and pointed to his throat.

"Anapneo!" Hermione aimed the spell at Simon's throat which cleared instantly, allowing him to take a deep breath.

"Th-thanks Hermione," He said, draining his goblet, freshly filled with pumpkin juice.

"No problem. Hopefully you'll stop swallowing your food now," Hermione said, tucking her wand back into her robes.

"Yeah, I'll do that," Simon said, and he continued eating, this time slower and with smaller pieces of food on his fork.

"Wow Hermione, you know a lot of spells," Samantha said, impressed. "Could you teach me a few sometime?"

"Sure! How about this Sunday then?" Hermione suggested.

Samantha nodded then said, "We'll all go; some of us need to relearn the basics," She said signaling silently at Gerald and Arny. Hermione laughed and caught something interesting from the corner of her eye.

She redirected her gaze to the Staff table and saw her dear guardian's sparkling blue eyes looking back at her. He stood up and started making his way to her table.

"Hey look Mione, ol' uncle Al's heading this way!" Angela said pointing to him. Hermione smiled and made to stand when he got there, but was stopped by a white, wrinkled hand.

"No need to stand Hermione, I am simply here to ask if you would like to take up the position of Head Girl," Dumbledore said.

"Oh wow, are you sure sir? I've only been here a day; don't you think you should wait a while before giving me such a high position?" Hermione asked. She was happy that she was offered the position so quickly, but shocked at the same time. First I'm offered the position of Head Girl in 1997, and now in 1944 too? This was great!

But it would also mean that she would have to share a common room with Voldemort.

And who in their right mind would want to do that? She wanted the position, but the fact that being Head Girl meant having to share a common room with Tom Riddle was holding her back.

"Of course, you don't have to accept, though your acceptance would be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, the girl who Professor Dippet had first planned to make Head Girl has suddenly moved to Beauxbatons in France. And when you came along dear Hermione, demonstrating all the qualities of an exceptional Head Girl, Armando has decided immediately that you are the perfect student for the job," Dumbledore explained. "You don't have to decide now; you can sleep on it if you must."

"What should I do? Should I take it?" Hermione sought the advice of her friends. They all nodded and ushered her to take it.

"Take it Hermione! It would be so awesome!" Claudia squealed.

"I second that, and I'm sure everyone else here does to. Right?" Vivian asked the gang.

"Yeah, you should totally take it!" Charlie said excitedly.

"C'mon Hermione, no pressure or anything, but it's a great opportunity," Gerald told her quietly. Hermione considered it for a few more seconds, then eventually gave in.

"Alright, I'll take the position." Her friends cheered, giving her hugs and pats on the back. Dumbledore smiled and walked back to the Head table.

What did I just get into? Hermione cursed herself silently.

Being Head Girl would be… interesting, to say the least.

A/N: Well there you have it people! The fourth chapter of To Love and Lose. See that nice little review button down there on the left? Yeah it begging to be clicked! I'm kidding, I'm kidding. But I would love it you would review! Until next time,

With love,
Elle Cee