Chapter 3: A Change in Atmosphere, A Change in Time

Energy shot through Hermione's body like nothing she had ever felt before. A sharp pain spread through her broken back and arm. She couldn't help but scream as fire filled her body with a terrible sensation. It was obvious to her that Tom had awoken her from her deep sleep with some type of spell, but which…she couldn't place.

"I'm so sorry, Hermione. I didn't realize that would cause you so much pain. I was only trying to wake you." Hermione grimaced as she saw that grin creep upon his face again.

The Chamber was so cold and dark that all Hermione was able to make out was the Tom's body standing over her. But she knew how the chamber appeared around her. She had seen it many times before in her nightmares. Harry had described it to her in immense detail. It was made of nothing but stone. Snakes lined the entrance and the entire chamber looked as if it had been rotting.

Hermione tried to make out the entrance to the chamber. She longed to stand and fight to the death, but all she could do was wait. The thought of surrendering herself to whatever Riddle had planned sickened her, but her current state left her with no other options. His eyes were examining every part of her figure. The expression on his face was unreadable as he kneeled down towards her. The silence seemed almost pleasant until Hermione had the sudden urge to speak.

"W-why...what do you want from m-me?" She was disappointed that she failed to find vigor in her voice.

"Oh, I have great plans for you Hermione, such things you would never dream of. But before I set these plans into action, I must change a few things. And I do believe you should be asking yourself not what I want from you, but what you will be wanting from me. I have waited long for this moment to come Hermione. I must tell you, I consider doing this an honor."

Hermione completely lost her voice. In a moment of desperation, she reached for the bottom of his arm. Her grip wasn't firm enough. He gripped it and forced it back to her side. She tried to lift her broken arm to protect herself but couldn't even lift it above her shoulder. He then placed a hand on that arm and held it down.

"What are doing?" Said Hermione in a voice that barely sounded like a whisper.

"Changing your life." He let her go and stood towering over her.

Hermione felt her breath leave her body. The world around her started to change. Everything was a blur. The stone ground beneath her suddenly began to soften. Her body became even weaker than it was before. He was trying to make her pass out again. As much as wanted to resist, her mind obeyed. Whatever was happening was too powerful for her to refuse. At last, the deep sleep came willingly.


Hermione's eyes began to lift. They were heavy with exhaustion. She tried to lift herself but her body was practically nailed to wherever it lay. In the back of her mind she wondered if it had all been a dream. She just might wake up and be in her own bed again. Ginny would come wake her up for breakfast and she would receive her yearly schedule.

She tried once again to lift her eyes, only this time they opened. Much to her shock, she wasn't in Gryffindor tower. She was in the hospital wing. She expected to see Madame Pomfrey rushing to her aid, but someone else was standing there…someone she had never seen before. She was dressed like Madame Pomfrey, no doubt, but it wasn't Madame Pomfrey.

"My, you must have taken a bad fall," she said.

"Who are you? Are you new here? Where is Madame Pomfrey?" said Hermione.

"Madame who, my dear?" The nurse seemed puzzled. How could she not have ever heard of Madame Pomfrey?

"Madame Pomfrey…she is the head nurse here at Hogwarts."

"No, my dear. I am Madame Purseville, and I have been here at Hogwarts long before you were born."

"Madame Purseville? What?" Hermione was in a state of shock.

"Lay yourself down now. I believe you need more rest."

"No. What I need are some answers."

"Answers to what, my dear?" Madame Purseville looked more intrigued than anything else.

"I am at Hogwarts, am I not?" said Hermione. Madame Purseville seemed rather taken aback by the question.

"Why, of course. Where else would you be?"

"What happened to me exactly? I mean, you said I took a fall? Where did you find me?"

"It was not I who found you, my dear. It was one of the school prefects, Mr. Riddle."

Hermione paled as soon as she heard the name.

"He found you at the foot of one of the staircases. He said you must have tripped. You are quite lucky, my dear. It could have been a lot worse."

"Worse? How could it be worse?" Hermione said with a bit of an attitude.

"I've heard of muggles tripping down stairs and never being able to walk again. But no worries… even if the worst had happened, I would have been here for you."

Hermione was silent for a moment. Her mind was going in all directions trying to figure out what Riddle had done.

"Although I am a bit curious, my dear…" said Madame Purseville. "How did that bullet wound come about?"

Hermione didn't even hear Madame Purseville's last question. She was more interested in getting her own answered. The realization had finally come to Hermione. There was a different school nurse, Riddle was a prefect, and this whole thing about her falling down the stairs…it was all a set up.

"What year is it Madame Purseville?" Madame Purseville gasped.

"Oh my! You must have suffered a head injury. I must get some more…"

Hermione cut her off. "No, I didn't hurt my head, it was a simply question." She had lost all patience and wanted to get to the bottom of what was going on. "Now if you could kindly tell me where to find the head master's office, I would greatly appreciate it."

"Professor Dippet does not have time to visit with…"

"Professor Dippet? Wait…I meant Professor Dumbledore," said Hermione.

Madame Purseville sighed as if she was trying to make up her mind about something.

"If you insist, but I really do protest. You need more rest, dearest."

"No, what I need is to talk to Professor Dumbledore…immediately!"

At this point Hermione had thrust the sheet of her hospital bed off of herself and started walking towards the door.

"Oh for heavens sake child! At least allow me to take you to him. I don't trust that you can make the trip alone."

"Suit yourself." Hermione felt as if she could go on a rampage. She was so angry and confused that she knew her adrenaline would get her there with or without the company.

Madame Purseville led the way and Hermione reluctantly followed behind. She was convinced that she could have found it on her own. The hall was dark and it seemed that they were the only ones stirring throughout the entire castle. Hermione wondered if Dumbledore would even be awake. Madame Purseville knocked on a very large door that Hermione didn't recognize. She assumed that it was Professor Dumbledore's personal quarters. Very light footsteps could be heard walking towards the door. It opened with a soft creak and a younger version of the Head Master she knew stepped out. His hair was not yet white, and his face had not yet acquired the frail features that reminded her of the kind and gentle soul she knew. But he was there. She noted that he looked as if he hadn't aged greatly between whatever time she was in and her own.

"Good evening. May I inquire as to the purpose of this rather late visit?" said Dumbledore in a very soft voice that soothed Hermione. Seeing a somewhat familiar face helped to ease her nerves.

"Miss…uh…actually I never quite caught her name," said Madame Purseville. "Well, she wanted to see you. I was hesitant to allow her to leave the hospital wing, but she insisted on speaking to you right this instant."

"Oh, yes. I had heard that one of the students had taken a bad fall. Are you alright Miss…?"

Hermione wondered for a moment if she should give him a fake name. But she knew in the back of her mind that he would know that she was lying. Not to mention that telling him who she really was could help her situation.

"Hermione Granger, sir. Yes, I'm fine now. May I speak with you alone please?"

"Of course, my dear. It is obviously a private matter, or else you wouldn't be visiting me at this late hour. Madame Purseville, thank you so kindly for taking care of Miss Granger. She seems well enough for now to be left alone for now."

Madame Purseville gave a little pout then went on her way with a "Good night Professor, Miss Granger."

"Shall we?" said Professor Dumbledore as they stepped inside what appeared to be a large living room. He shut the door quietly and took a seat across from Hermione on one of his large and rather luxurious coaches. The room was a beautiful shade of gold with black furnishings. The curtains draped heavily over the night sky as wind gently swayed them about. The window was cracked just enough so that some fresh air wafted into the room.

"Well, Miss Granger, I must say, you gave us quite a fright when Mr. Riddle brought you to us. He carried you all the way to hospital wing from the staircases,' he said.

"Yes, I was told. I am sorry for frightening you. To be honest sure, I don't even remember falling down the stairs. But I do remember Tom Riddle."

"Well of course, he is the school prefect, it is natural for you to recognize him," said Dumbledore said with a carefree smile.

"That's not what I meant, sir." Hermione raised her voice slightly. She was far too tired for small talk and wanted to get down to the point. "You see sir, Tom Riddle didn't rescue me. In fact, he is the one who…" Before Hermione could even finish her sentence, someone knocked on the door.

"Ah yes, come in." Said Professor Dumbledore, as if he had been expecting him. "I hope you don't mind, Miss Granger. I am going to have you stay in one of the guest quarters since it is obvious that we have much more to discuss. It is closer to the hospital wing in case you have any problems. I feel you should be up to going back to your own room with your friends once you are better recovered. I took the liberty of asking a fellow student to escort you. I understand how over protective Madame Purseville can be and thought you would like another to help you find your way there. "

Hermione didn't even bother turning to see who it was. She could feel his eyes glaring at her as he walked stepped forward to greet the Professor.

"Good evening, Professor. Is this the girl?" he said.

"Yes Tom, I would like you to meet Hermione Granger. Due to previous situations I doubt that you two were properly introduced."

Hermione reluctantly took Tom's hand and tried to act as if she hadn't met him before. His eyes were oddly welcoming. If anything gave Hermione the chills, it was a smile coming from the face of this monster. She fought hard to hold back tears when he let go of her hand.

"Miss Granger," said Dumbledore, "Would you prefer continuing this conversation tomorrow? Forgive me, but I was not expecting Tom to show up so quickly."

"Actually, if we could just…"

"I would be glad to escort Miss Granger back in the morning, sir. If that is alright with you and herself of course." Rage spread through every vein in Hermione's body. She knew he was trying to stall her.

"That would be very kind of you, Tom. I think we could all do with a little sleep before continuing tomorrow." Her turned to face Hermione. "You and I shall have a talk about what is bothering you first thing in the morning, Miss Granger."

"Yes, Professor." Hermione's voice was close to a whisper. She saw no way to argue. Professor Dumbledore was already heading for the door to what she assumed to be his bedroom when he said, "You may show yourselves out. Good night to you both."

"Good night, Professor," Tom and Hermione said in unison.

Tom walked towards the door and held it open for a moment before Hermione could muster up the courage to step outside. With her head held high, she walked out the door. Completely and utterly alone, Tom and Hermione walked to what Hermione was sure wouldn't be the guest quarters.


A/N: I think I'm just going to have to accept that it's hard to update during the school year. Last summer I wasn't in the best of shape, so it wasn't my number one priority to write. I am getting things done piece by. I just went through a huge move and I'm starting college soon. Updates may be extremely slow, but they do come. Sorry for leaving you all without a chapter for so long. I'll try to do better this time around.

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