Chapter 29

"I feel the capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest significance."

- Pablo Casais

"He was going to rape Hermione." Harry said angrily, "But sir, Hermione seemed shocked that it was Voldemort who saved her and yet, he didn't know why."

"It seems like to me, that young Tom Riddle is coming back," Dumbledore answered, "And Miss. Granger is the key into doing that."

Back at the Riddle Mansion…

Voldemort couldn't sleep at all tonight, whenever he closes his eyes he would see Jane, but then that image would slowly turned into Hermione. It's funny actually, they both are very much alike and look alike but Voldemort knew that Hermione was different than Jane in some ways. Hermione would like to read a lot in the library, Jane only goes to the library to do homework, Hermione hates flying, Jane loved to fly in fact, and she was the Quidditch Captain for Gryffindor.

"Why did you save me?" she asked staring at him.

"I don't know." He whispered and he left the room.

"What does this girl have hold of me?" Voldemort thought as he walked in the halls.

Before he knew it, he was back before her bedroom door, and stood there, his ear stinging in the silence as he recalled their previous conversation. But no matter what, he couldn't avoid her. Carefully, his hand clasped the doorknob and he slowly pushed the door open, his heart beating faster by the second. He found her still in bed, but asleep. Closing the door, he quietly crept across the big room, sitting besides her quietly.

There was a sigh as his eyes scanned her calm face, which was free of the anguish and torment whilst she lay lost to her slumbering unconsciousness. He knew that the teenager witch was peaceful right now. Both the lack of a frown creasing her brow, and the downturn of her gentle lips, relaxed her face from it's concerned lines, leaving youthful features as they should be.

Youthful features he suddenly had a desire to touch, and Voldemort carefully extended his hand to catch the slipping strands of ivory as one of her streaks threatened to fall across her face. He tucked it back behind her ear, but didn't yet pull away and allowed his rough and cold fingers to drift across her cheek. If only everything else was as gentle and as calm as her expression. He felt her stir beneath his fingers but her eyelids stayed shut.

"Harry…." She mumbled.

Voldemort released his fingers from her touch and felt pain…in his heart that he hadn't felt for many years. He knew that this girl was in love with Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, and the child who lost his parents because of him. Suddenly, he noticed Jane's necklace around Hermione's neck and saw it glowing bit. Inside he saw a red and orange phoenix that soon turned into the image of Jane Granger.

The next morning, Hermione woke up refreshed and got out the big bed noticing a brown gown on a chair. Hermione rolled her eyes, she felt like she was a rich pureblood and got nothing to do but try on different colorful gowns. The young teen put on the long gown and put on brown sandals, and then she put her hair into a long ponytail.

Hermione was about to walk inside the dinner room but heard muffle of voices yelling and arguing about stuff. Hermione hid behind the wall and started to hear the voices more clearly.

"What about the girl, my lord?" asked a man's voice.

"That is none of your business, Pettigrew." The Dark Lord answered, "What about Potter?"

"Nothing we know yet, my lord." He answered again.

"Very well, be gone!" he demanded.

Hermione couldn't believe it. Voldemort was protecting her. Or was he trying to trick her? When Pettigrew left the room, Hermione enter but felt a little uncomfortable because she felt that she couldn't breathe.

"You seem uncomfortable, my- Miss. Granger." The Dark Lord said.

"I don't like wearing dresses." Hermione answered without thinking.

Voldemort raised an eyebrow at her. She was definitely different than Jane. He raised his wand at her and Hermione was now wearing jeans, shoes, and a brown top.

"Thank you." He heard her whispered.

As Hermione was eating her breakfast, she knew that Voldemort was staring at her and Hermione again felt uncomfortable. When Hermione looked at him, her mouth dropped because Voldemort's appearance was changing. His skin wasn't so waxy and grey, it was now pale and now he has black hair. He actually looked like an adult except the fact that his dark eyes were still there.

"Why are you staring me?" he asked looking shocked.

"Tom." She gasped, "You're back."