A/N: Many thanks to all my lovely reviewers: Silver Tears 11, pottergirl91, nehimasgift (You deserved all those reviews. No, I didn't hear a thing about all that kidnapping, and I think Hufflepuff is a wonderful house, though I'm sorted into Gryffindor 99 of the time... other 1 being Ravenclaw. As for Cedric, yeah, big kid at heart, even though at times he'll come across as a soft, charming guy who's a tough Hufflepuff.), MandaPandaAR, san01, Vera-Sabe, moonlights desire, and svelte. I owe each and every one of you a big hug! -squee- Now, one with the show... Acid Pop anyone?

Chapter 3 – A Glitch In Time

Hermione sighed, sitting down Indian style on the center of her bed as she pulled her diary, quill, and ink bottle to her.

"A clean start," Hermione said to herself with a smile.

She dipped her quill in the blood red ink and took a deep breath. She held her quill above the page as she wondered how to start her first entry into her new diary. She began wiggling the feathery writing utensil between her fingers, dripping ink on the page. The ink, unnoticed by Hermione, disappeared into the page as though it were a paper towel soaking it up. She sighed yet again while thinking peacefully and unsuspectingly to herself. 'Maybe a bit of fresh air?' she pondered as she got up, laying the quill on the page, and went to open the window.

As she was struggling with the jammed lock, the quill began dripping more onto the page, and just like before, it disappeared.

"How stupid can I be?" Hermione groaned to herself before walking over to the nightstand and picking up her wand. She pointed it at the lock and spoke the spell clearly. "Alohomora."

The lock popped, and she pushed the window upward, all the while, the ink still draining from the quill as though the book were magnetically pulling the ink to its pages.

"That's better," Hermione breathed as she crawled back onto the bed, picking up her quill as she went.

She tapped her chin with the quill, flicking out the last few drops of ink and splattering them onto the page. She stared up to her canopy top as the drops disappeared into the page. She was so unaware of just what was happening.

"I've got it," she half exclaimed as she put her quill to the page and tried to write, but there was no ink. "How odd..." Hermione shook the quill, but still no ink. She dipped it in the well yet again and put it to the page, writing neatly across its blank surface.

Dear Diary,

Today was a day like any other. Ron and I had our morning spat, Harry confessed worries about the Dark Lord, Neville needed help, and surprisingly, no remarks from Malfoy. But then again, no one has seen him most of the day. I think it is because he is the one that broke into Dumbledore's office and is trying to hide from the guilt. Hopefully Harry comes forward and tells the Headmaster about his dream. I do hate to see Dumbledore so disappointed and in such a suffering state.

Potions went off unusually well. Of course, I was called out by McGonagall to go over the prefect meeting for tomorrow night so that might have helped. She wants me to lead the meeting because she is going to be at a conference with Dumbledore about the break-in. It still shocks me to think someone would break into the Headmaster's room. It truly is appalling.

Transfigurations was exceptionally enjoyable today because for some reason, Ron was somewhat annoyingly apologetic. He kept telling me that he was sorry for saying that I should lay off his case about studying, that he understood I was only watching out for his own well being. The look in his eyes was definitely true, so I knew he was not just saying that just to get my Transfigurations homework from the night before.

I have got to wonder about Ron anymore. He has been extremely nice, relenting, and forgiving. But then again, he seems withdrawn. When I asked him what he was doing this weekend on Hogmeade Saturday, he stuttered and mumbled something that I could not hear. When I asked him what he said, he avoided the question. I am worried that our friendship has been suffering lately.

He seems to be around Luna Lovegood a lot more as of late, too. I am happy for him, yet – as much as I hate to admit it – I am jealous. He was so awkward about asking me to the Yule Ball a few years back, so I went to Viktor who was so forward and sweet that I thought he was what I wanted, but I was wrong.

It would seem that I wasted too much time with Viktor, and now I am mad that I lost that chance with Ron. I really did like him. I suppose I'll just have to resort to loving him from a distance, and if it is up close, it will be nothing more than friends.

Hermione stopped for a moment, dipping her quill into the ink well and went to turn the page, not realizing that the words 'Dear Diary' were gone and 'Today was a day like any other' was starting to disappear.

She continued to write, talking about how Terry Boot was commenting her again and how she had gotten a letter from her mom and dad that told her how her grandparents were and that they hoped she would come home for Christmas. She sighed and put the cap on her ink bottle and laid her things on the nightstand as she got up and put her pajamas on.

She crawled back into bed, her eyelids heavy with sleep, and her mind drifting to a fairy tale land where she was a princess and Ron was her knight in shining armor.

Hermione awoke the next morning with a yawn and a cat-like stretch as she swung her legs out of bed. She sat there for a moment before dropping back onto the bed, her feet dangling above the wooden floor that she knew would be cold.

She was correct. The moment she put her feet on the floor, chills went up her spine, and she ran to the wardrobe for some socks. Once she had a pair on, she stood observing her wardrobe wondering what she could wear. She sighed and decided that today would be a day for comfort, so she pulled out a red jumper and a pair of jeans. After putting them on, she was on her way downstairs when she ran into Parvati and Lavender at the bottom of the stairs.

Parvati looked her up and down before tutting and storming upstairs. Hermione could tell Parvati was angered. They were wearing the same thing shirt, but Hermione wasn't about to change. So with a smile, she bounded over to the couch where Ron and Harry were sitting talking. She dropped down between the two of them and let out a happy sigh.

"So, what are we going to do today?"

"Um, well... I er... I promised...," Ron trailed off after those words, mumbling incoherently as Hermione frowned and turned to Harry.

"I was thinking of going into Hogsmeade with Ginny," Harry replied.

"Really?" Hermione was excited for Harry. She knew that he liked Ginny, and she also knew that Ginny would gladly go with Harry.

"Yeah, really, Harry?" Ron seemed to not know about this, and Hermione became aware of the fact that Harry had yet to tell Ron about this.

"Yeah," Harry replied nervously. Ron opened his mouth to say something, but he didn't have time to finish as Ginny came bounding over much in the same way Hermione had.

"Ready, Harry?"

Hermione watched Harry's face go a light shade of pink as he nodded, and Ginny held out her hand for him to take. Hermione recognized that look on his face and those jerky movements. That was exactly the same way he used to get around Cho Chang in third, fourth, and fifth year.

After they had left, Ginny dragging Harry out as Ron stood to say something. Hermione got up too and stood next to Ron in a bashful way as she prepared to ask him something. He turned to her, noticing the smile on her face, and the way she twisted her hands together.

"So, what did you say you were going to do today?"

"Um... well, I've got some uh... some studying to do," Ron stammered.

She frowned as he turned and headed for the portrait hole. 'Well, if he's going to study, there's no reason I can't come help.' Hermione resolved to follow him to the library, but when they came to the fourth floor, Ron passed right by the library.

"Now, where's he going?" Hermione's brow furrowed as she continued to follow him clear down to the entrance hall. She hung back on the first floor just behind a statue at the top of the marble staircase as she watched Ron on the ground floor.

He was standing alone and looking a bit lost until someone came up to him. Hermione frowned further when she realized that it was Luna Lovegood and that they were now holding hands while leaving the entrance hall, undoubtedly heading for Hogsmeade.

Tears welled in Hermione's eyes as she turned and left for the girls' dorm in Gryffindor Tower. She was almost there. She was on the fifth floor when Draco came around the corner.

"Well, if it isn't the Mudblood," he taunted.

She did her best to ignore him, but he wasn't about to have that as he grabbed her by the arm and spun her around to face him.

"What... what's this?" A smile cracked across his face as he looked down at her tear-stained face.

"Sod off," she said in a voice that she had intended to be forceful, but it came out anything but that as she wiped her cheeks with the back of her sleeve.

"What's wrong, Mudblood? The Weasel not love you anymore? Found some weird little Ravenclaw to go for?" Malfoy's taunts weren't making her feel any better, but they weren't making her angry like they usually would either. Instead, they were just upsetting her more.

"Leave me alone," Hermione ordered a little more forcefully as she tried to pull her arm from his grasp, but it was no use. She was about to pull out her wand when someone spoke from behind her.

"Hermione?" She looked over her shoulder to see Terry Boot standing there, books in hand and angered confusion spreading on his face from his furrowed brow. "Let her go, Malfoy."

"Go back to your studies little Ravenclaw... I'm Head Boy, and this is a discussion between the Head Girl and I," Malfoy hissed.

"It doesn't look like any discussion she wants to be in," Terry growled as he stepped forward and dropped his books while pulling out his wand.

"Don't," Hermione advised as she turned back to Malfoy. "I know it was you," she added in a low, grumbling whisper that made Malfoy smirk in proud arrogance as he narrowed his eyes.

"Let her go," Terry ordered again.

"Fine... have it your way," Draco said carelessly as he let go of Hermione's arm, pushing her by it and almost causing her to fall, but Terry had caught her in just enough time.

Once Draco was out of sight and Hermione was upright again, Terry picked up his books and tucked his wand away.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine," she sighed as she thought about what Malfoy said about Ron not loving her anymore. His voice was echoing in her head. Those words. Those words that she herself had been thinking even before he said it.

"You're sure?"

"Yeah, fine. Thanks, Terry," Hermione said softly before continuing on her way to Gryffindor Tower. Terry watched her, his face crest fallen.

"Poor girl. So much brains and stuff, hope she finds someone good for her," he breathed as he frowned and turned to go on his way to Ravenclaw Tower while feeling deep worry for his friend.

Meanwhile, Hermione had entered Gryffindor common room and was now on her way up the girls' dorm stairs. She had ran the rest of the way to the tower because her tears began coming faster and harder. By now, she was in uncontrollable fits of sobbing as she threw herself on her bed and began to cry.

A few minutes later, she had managed to calm herself, figuring that crying wouldn't help anything though she couldn't help but do it. She sighed, reaching to the nightstand for her diary. She opened it and began to write, putting her every emotion on the page because her mother had always taught her that it was good to let out her feelings in a healthy way.

Dear Diary,

This morning has been horrible. I've found out why Ron has been acting so distant. It is just as I suspected, he is with Luna, and I am on the outs. I just wish there was some way to bring him back. I know that if I were to use Viktor that would only make him angry and would not help the situation in any fashion.

Hermione paused for a moment and began to think, her mind swarming with guys.

"Seamus?" she said to herself as she thought about walking into Hogsmeade arm-in-arm with Seamus Finnigan. "No," she sighed. She didn't want to come between friends. That also limited out Dean Thomas, Neville Longbottom, and Colin Creevey. "Who though?"

She continued to think, wiggling the quill between her fingers and sorting through the boys of Hogwarts. She was so deep in thought that she didn't even notice she was writing on the same page she had the night before.

"I've got it!"

I know just who to use to get back at him though. If he wants to go for brains in a Ravenclaw, then so will I! I will just go out with Terry Boot. That will show him.

Hermione felt a bit of relief flow through her, but then guilt crept in.

The only problem with that is, Ron and Luna just might be friends and if I do that, I might hurt Ron. He's hurt me, but I don't want to believe that it was done intentionally. I think that's part of the reason he refrained from telling me in the first place. I would be perfectly understanding if he would just confess though, at least I could try to be.

I just wish things were not so secretive between us. He shows no emotion towards me, and the time we about kissed last year, he moved away saying he had something in his eye. When I tried to help, he faked sneezing and got up and left. I was more than angry! I mean am I really that ugly?

Hermione paused to ponder this as she reached into the drawer of her nightstand. She pulled out a tiny mirror and began to look herself over.

"I don't have boils or warts, and my nose isn't crooked or too big. My hair isn't as fizzy or bushy as it used to be. In fact, Lavender said it was quite pretty and even Parvati agreed there. I do have a bit of darkness under my eyes, but that's not anything that can't be fixed. I'm not entirely fat... but I'm not muscular either... Then again, I'm built like Luna," Hermione assured herself. "So what's wrong with me?"

Hermione picked her quill back up and went back to writing, but then she noticed something. The words 'Dear Diary' were gone and 'This morning has been horrible.' were starting to disappear.

"Oh, honestly... stupid invisible ink. I'd like to smack whoever invented it," Hermione grumbled as she put the cap back on the ink well and went to get another one, but it had been the same ink well she had used the night before. It was also the same one she used to write her essays for school, and the writing never disappeared then.

She went back to the page, rewriting everything that she had just written, writing larger than before in her hurry. She moved to the next page, missing the fact that once again, the words 'Dear Diary' were slowly fading.

So much emotion was flowing from her hand, to the pen, and down onto the page as she wrote with fury. She messed up on the next page and began scribbling out the word she had misspelled. But the ink tore a hole in the page so she just ripped it out.

Many thousands of miles away, Lord Voldemort gasped and clutched his hand.

"Master?"

"Wormtail, bring me the Invigoration Draught that Dolohov made," Voldemort ordered as his hand felt a stab. "Quickly!"

Back at Hogwarts, Hermione had went back into fits of sobbing as she lay atop the diary, her tears flowing from the corners of her eyes and falling to the page where they were soaked in quickly.

"Ron," she sobbed silently as she hugged a picture the Golden Trio that had been taken at the Quidditch World Cup from their fourth year. "W-Why-y?" Hiccups overcame her, and she closed her eyes tight as a fresh wave of tears rushed forward. "Please, Ron!"

Back at the Riddle House in Little Hangleton, Voldemort felt his heart rate picking up. He clutched at his chest, breathing in a raspy way. It wasn't paining him, but it was shocking him because he certainly hadn't expected this.

"Wormtail!"

"Y-Yes, M-Master?" Wormtail had come running back into the room, almost stepping on Nagini as he entered. The snake hissed at him as Voldemort dropped into his armchair.

"Send... send for Lucius," th Dark Lord ordered as Peter rushed once more from the room.

Hermione was still crying, her fits becoming stronger, and her sobs louder.

"W-Wh-Why can't i-it be l-like it-t us-s-used to be-e?" She hugged the picture tighter, the pages of the diary should have been sopping wet by now, but they were still dry as they soaked in her tears.

She wasn't even paying attention to it as she was distracted by wishing for Ron's hand to shake her by the shoulder and hope that she was in a bad dream.

Lucius arrived at the Riddle House within a matter of mere minutes. Voldemort was still breathing heavily as Malfoy entered the room, Wormtail in tow.

"Yes, my Lord?"

"L-Lucius... it's done." The blond haired man crouched at his master's side as the Dark Lord began to cough. "It's done. She's unleashed my memory... he'll soon take essence from her and be more powerful than ever imagined."

Lucius looked to Wormtail who nervously writhed his hands together and stared in horror at the back of his master's head.

Hermione was still crying as a warmth began to radiate against her cheek. She sat up slowly and looked down at her diary. It was glowing a jade color. She gasped, crawling frantically back to the top of her bed away from its glowing pages as they began to flip like a breeze was blowing them.

She scrambled to find her wand as the light got brighter. Hermione jumped from the bed and raced for the door as the light changed to a bright gold while wind picked up in the room, though no windows or doors were open. She grabbed the handle as a blast was heard, and the book hit the floor.

She dropped to her knees and looked over her shoulder at the figure of a tall, pale boy who looked to be in his late teens. His dark hair and build was like Harry's, and Hermione knew him instantly from description. Harry had talked about a boy like this being in the Chamber of Secrets in their second year. This was Tom Marvolo Riddle as Harry had saw him, in all his evil and deceiving charm which could chill a person to the bone.

Hermione quivered as she realized just what this meant. She was in the presence of the man that would soon become Lord Voldemort, one of the most powerful evil wizards ever.

"Good morning, my little Mudblood host," Tom laughed as he pulled out a wand and pointed it at Hermione. She whimpered as he sent a spell at her. She had just managed to scramble out of the way and grab the diary.

Riddle cast a spell, and Hermione threw the diary at him as she cast her own incantation. The journal, flying through the air, took both spells at once. When it was hit with two Stunning Charms, the book froze in midair as everything seemed to stop what it was doing. Hermione looked to the window and saw a bird which had been flying by was frozen in mid-flight.

She went to stand as she and Tom looked around, but something jarred like an earthquake, and they both fell to the floor. The book itself dropped as well, and a whooshing sound occurred as everything suddenly began to loose color and fade to gray. Next thing they knew, everything was turning white as a light so bright it could rival the sun was beaming around them.

Hermione screamed when she felt the floor drop from under her, and she began falling as though she'd never hit ground. Just when she thought she would be falling like this forever, she shrieked again and then her drop stopped as she landed on something that let out a loud groan.