A/N: Hey there! Back with another one guys! I'm so hyped for the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! So freaking hyped!!!!!! It's awesome!!!! Anyway, just to let you know, as soon as the seventh book is out, this story will (probably) change to AU. Just because some events in the seventh book may clash with events in my story. Just letting you know before someone says 'How can this happen if so and so and blah blah blah...' so yeah just saying now. MY STORY WILL PROBABLY BECOME AU AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE SEVENTH BOOK! Anyway, here are the people who reviewed the last chapter:

Gueneviere - Thank you for reviewing! You are another one of my favourite reviewers, since you review for every chapter! I would be so glad if you would review this chapter as well!
Right or Ryn - Thanks for your review! I'm glad you know what the game Choose is! I really love this game next to Truth or Dare because of the hilarity that it can create! So I was very glad when you told me you play this game too! Hope to see a review from you soon!
hpfanf - Thank you for your help. I was sure to try and fix what you saw and make this chapter a little better than the last one. I hope you enjoy this one better!
maximum-calories - Thank you for your review! I would have thought he would choose the snakes too, but then what sense would it be for Voldemort to kill snakes when he is a snake lover? But then again, why would he care if they died? Isn't he supposed to be cold-hearted? Ooh big potential argument right there. : ) Thank you for initiating that. Hope you review again!

There were a few more anonymous reviewers that reviewed the last chapter, but I won't list you unless you log in. (See previous chapter's A/N for more info on the biz.)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything that you recognize even the teensiest, tiniest, little, itty-bitty bit. And now...

Chapter 7:

Duel Gone Wrong in D.A.D.A.

Hermione didn't see her friends until their first class on Tuesday, which was Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Slytherins.

The professor – whom Hermione didn't recognize – was a beautiful young woman, tall and strong standing. She had raven hair and fair skin, and sharp brown eyes that looked like they could kill you with a mere glance. She instructed the students to stand at the back end of the classroom as she moved the desks and chairs to the other end.

Hermione stood with her friends and saw Tom standing apart from the other Slytherins, leaning his weight on a lone desk. He looked at her blankly, and Hermione quickly diverted her gaze somewhere else.

Soon, they were left with a big, empty space in the middle of the classroom.

"Come around students. I am your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. My name is Professor Sylvariasta, but for short, simply Sylva. Today we will be learning how to duel casting non-verbal spells," Professor Sylva said with a thick Russian accent. "You are all aware of both your defensive and offensive spells yes?" The class murmured in reply. "Good, so we shall start right away with dueling. I need two students to volunteer for a demonstration," The young professor asked, all hands in the room shooting up lightning fast.

The room quickly filled with noise as each student begged her to choose them. "Why don't we have the two Heads come up and show us how it is done. I'm sure that you are both quite aware of the fundamentals of non-verbal casting yes?"

Hermione's face lost some of its colour as she was ushered to the middle of the classroom, Tom simply making his way leisurely to the same spot. The students quickly scrambled to give him a clear path, and as he walked past them, they murmured things that Hermione couldn't hear, not that she cared to. She was about to duel with Tom Riddle. Lord Voldemort.

This can't be good.

Hermione chanced a glance at him, and saw that his face was blank, calm and his eyes held a look of arrogance as he gazed back at her, challenging her to step up to the plate.

"Now, I don't think I must remind you two to the formalities," Professor Sylva said, giving them the signal to start. Hermione reluctantly pulled her wand out from her bun and let her golden brown hair fall lightly down her back and shoulders. She quickly tied it up into another loose bun before she and Tom both walked towards each other.

They stood there awkwardly, both refusing to show even the slightest bit of respect to the other. "Oh come now Ms. Granger, Mr. Riddle, the formalities must not be discarded. Bow and we can get on with the lesson," Professor Sylva said impatiently. Hermione frowned and slowly bowed, as did Tom. She only did a half bow and quickly straightened up again. Tom did the exact same thing and they both turned their backs on each other to walk ten paces back.

Hermione willed herself to focus and inhaled deeply. "Ready?" Professor Sylva asked the Heads. They both turned around; wands at the ready. Hermione was focused and ready; Tom was calm and expressionless.

"1, 2, 3 DUEL!" Professor Sylva called loudly. Before she knew it, Hermione found herself flying across the room, landing painfully in a cluster of desks. Hermione took a moment to regain her confidence and concentration and quickly got up. She willed herself to do Occlumency so he couldn't find out what she was about to do next. Tom sent another spell her way but Hermione was ready this time; she non-verbally cast Protego and a white-silvery shield blocked the spell for her. She quickly sent Expelliarmus his way, but he blocked it easily.

"Watch how their quick use of non-verbal spells are a big advantage in duels like this. But they are no good if your opponent knows Legilimens and Occlumens and you do not. So we shall prod into that category later," Professor Sylva said, circling the two Heads who were still dueling it out.

I can do this. Hermione realized. I've held out so far. Hermione gave herself encouragement as she sent a Locomotor Mortis at Tom who blocked the spell with a lazy flick of his wand. With another flick of his wand, Tom sent a jet of a bright red light that shot out and hit Hermione square in the chest. Her entire being was thrown back into the corner of the classroom, crashing painfully in the cluster of pupil desks. Hermione forced herself to get up despite the throbbing pain in her wand arm. Her wand arm.

Where was her wand?

Hermione frantically scanned the floor for any sign of her wand, looking back into the group of desks she had gotten up from. Nothing.

"Looking for something?" Tom said, amused. Hermione spun around and nearly yelped when she discovered that Tom was dangling her wand in front of him like he was coaxing a dog with a treat. "Tsk tsk, disappointing Granger. I thought you would actually be a challenge for me. Well, I can't always be right can I?" he said mockingly, still holding out her wand in front of him, taunting Hermione. The class gave a low 'oooh', and Tom smirked. Suddenly, he chucked the Vinewood wand back at her.

"One more." Hermione nodded in understanding, and took her place in the middle of the classroom once more, more determined than ever. "Your move Granger," The Heir of Slytherin said monotonously. Hermione glared at him and sent every single hex and jinx she knew, hoping that at least one would hit him. He almost looked bored as he deflected spell after spell.

Hermione was flushed in the cheeks with frustration. Then she remembered the Blinding jinx that Professor Lupin had taught them in their third year.

She sent three Avis spells at Tom and then an Opugno. The flocks of birds angrily flew at Tom as Hermione sent the Blinding jinx from behind them. He cast the Banishing charm and prepared to hex Hermione, though he didn't see the Blinding jinx that Hermione had cleverly disguised behind the huge flocks of birds. The Blinding jinx went straight for his head, and hit him square in between the eyes. Tom stood still for a moment, shocked but not hurt at the tiny pang the spell left behind. She had actually managed to get a spell to hit him.

Hermione waited anxiously for the spell to take its effects. Tom snapped out of it and seemed to regain his focus. For a few seconds, nothing happened and Tom smiled mockingly. "Granger, I'm -" he abruptly stopped talking and started blinking like mad, dropping his wand in the process, which Hermione summoned to her, taking away any chance that he might retaliate.

The class gasped in surprise as Tom's eyes were overcome with a black tint, covering his entire eye until it looked as if Tom was possessed by some rabid beast. He kept blinking, and looked around wildly, though Hermione knew that he couldn't see anything; that Blinding jinx was designed to completely impair the opponent's vision, leaving them in the dark and vulnerable. The duel was as good as done.

But Tom stopped blinking, straightened up. The class fell completely silent as they waited in anticipation for Tom's move. He stood still for a minute, then turned around to face the direction where Hermione was.

How could he possibly know where I'm standing? He's practically blind! Still, Hermione readied herself, in case he had something left to pull out of his sleeve. And he did.

Regaining his composure, Tom's hand shot out to Hermione suddenly, making her jump back in surprise. His wand jerked out of her grip and into his, and upon reclaiming his wand, he nullified Hermione's jinx.

Now that he was able to see again, Hermione kept her wand at the ready, preparing herself for whatever spell he might cast, and began to cast a spell of her own.

Tom beat her to it however, and with a bright flash of purple, she was thrown back once again into a group of desks in the corner, harder this time. She felt the back of her head hit the edge of a desk rather hard, and then blacked out.

----------

"Shut up before somebody hears you, you blockhead!"

"Well if you'd stop pushing I wouldn't have to yell!"

"Oh would you two just shut up?"

"Stay out of it Gerald!"

"You know, Madame McHarding'll have your heads if she found out you woke me up," Hermione muttered, eyes still closed.

"Hermione! You're up!" Claudia exclaimed.

"Oh thank you Mrs. Obvious. Next time we need you to tell us when it's already raining, we'll let you know," Arny mocked with a roll of his eyes. before pushing in front on the little huddle the Gryffindors made. "So how are you feeling Hermione? That foul git's going to get it sooner or later, and I'm going to make sure that it's from me!" Arny said angrily.

"I'm fine thank you. Except I have this really painful throbbing in the back of my head," Hermione said sarcastically. She attempted to sit up, but found that her left arm was unable to move; it was wrapped in a cast.

"Here let me help you," Charlie offered. He propped up her pillow and helped her sit up and lean against it.

"Thanks," Hermione muttered. "So, how long have I been out?" she asked. She also noticed that Angela was missing from the group, but decided not to ask about it.

"Three days," Vivian stated.

"Three days?! What?" Hermione stuttered. What about the school work she missed?

"Well, after Ice Man hit you with that purple spell, you flew back into the group of desks in the back of the classroom. And I guess you hit your head on the edge of one or something, because you were completely out of it," Claudia explained.

"All right. And then what happened?" Hermione asked.

"Well, after you passed out, Professor Sylva stopped the duel and had you brought to the Hospital Wing," Claudia continued to explain.

"Then Madame McHarding forced us all to leave until she could properly take a look at your head," Vivian continued.

"Professor Dumbledore, Professor Dippet, and Professor Sylva took Riddle outside the Hospital Wing to talk to him about it," Samantha said.

"And he didn't get in any trouble whatsoever," Claudia finished.

"Professor Dumbledore decided after hearing what happened from Professor Sylva that everything was an accident, and Ice Man was let off the hook," said Vivian. "Completely above water."

"Don't worry Hermione. We'll get our revenge on Riddle soon. I already have a foolproof plan, but I'm going to need a couple of Red Caps and Fire Crabs. I'm going to catch them tomorrow during lunch. Anyone care to join?" Arny asked. The rest of the gang shook their heads and backed away from him. "Fine," He grumbled.

"Anyway, after Madame McHarding casted your arm and cleaned up your head, she just left you to rest, you were out cold on your own, no Sleeping potions or anything," Vivian said.

A loud creak resounded through the room, silencing the gang. They all swung their heads in the direction of the giant oak doors instinctively, and exhaled in relief when they found that no one was there.

"I think we should leave now guys. Madame McHarding might come back at anytime," Gerald said, nervously glancing at the door every now and then.

"Relax Ger-bear, she's still in the Great Hall eating her heart out, and she won't be back for some time, so keep cool," Claudia reassured the nervous boy.

"We shouldn't even be here! You heard Madame McHarding, no visitors for Hermione until tomorrow! If she catches us in here, we'll be cleaning out potion vials after dinner for a month!" Gerald said, still nervously eyeing the door.

"Just relax, Ger-bear, we won't be much long-" Claudia was interrupted by a loud creaking noise. This time, someone was coming in.

"Quick! Everyone hide!" Charlie said in a hushed tone. They quickly scrambled to find adequate hiding spots, finding them behind bedside tables, under beds, and behind cabinets.

Hermione pretended to be asleep as a cloaked figure walked silently into the room and made their way to Hermione's bedside. The figure stood there, still as a board for a moment, then pulled something out of their cloak. Claudia almost gasped, but was quickly hushed by Charlie, who put a hand over her mouth.

"Shhhh." Charlie said quietly, putting a finger to his lips. Claudia nodded in silent agreement and exhaled as quietly as she could. They looked on as the cloaked person put the object down on the bedside table and retreated from the room just as silently.

They waited for the doors to completely close before getting up to inspect the item left by the mysterious stranger. Hermione sat up half way and grabbed the book from the table. She opened the cover and a small piece of parchment fell out. She didn't get a chance to read it though, because as soon as she picked it up and turned it over to read it, the doors of the Hospital Wing opened once again.

The gang scrambled back to their hiding spots while Hermione put the note back in the cover and stuffed the book under her pillow, feigning sleep as two people entered the Hospital Wing.

"So, how is she doing Margaret?" the voice of Albus Dumbledore could be heard asking.

"She's recovering as well I hoped she would. One more day and she should be fine to return to her studies," The healer said in a hushed tone. The two staff members stood at Hermione's bedside.

"Good. For now, we'll let her sleep... I must be getting my own sleep as well. Thank you Margaret, good night."

"Good night Professor," Madame McHarding replied, seeing Dumbledore out of the room and then retreating to her own office. After a few moments, the gang cautiously emerged from their selected hiding places and made their way to Hermione's bedside.

"So what was that thing our little mystery person left for you Hermione?" Claudia asked excitedly.

"I don't know; it's a book of some sort," Hermione said flipping through it. She didn't want to show them the note, why exactly, eluded her, but she skipped the cover where the note was hidden and flipped through the rest of the book.

"Oh, all right. Well, we'd better get out of here before Madame McHarding hears us. We'll see you when you get out," Charlie said on behalf of the gang. They opened the oak doors as quietly as they could and made their way back to the Gryffindor common room.

Hermione made sure they were gone, before flipping back to the cover of the book and slipping out the note. She turned it over and squinted in the dim light to read it. She recognized the sharp, neat and near perfect handwriting of Tom Riddle. She read the note out loud:

I know you've wanted to read this for a long time. I hope I didn't bloody you up too much.

The last line made her smile a little, and she put the note down, opened the book, and began to read.

A/N: Well, that's it people! I'm trying my best to make these chapters as long as they can possibly be, so there's more content for you guys to read in each chapter. Hope you guys like that. Anyway, don't forget to click that OH-SO-COOL REVIEW BUTTON!!!!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

With love,
Elle Cee