Disclaimer: don't own.

"You are a typical Ravenclaw, Natlija. It took me fifteen minutes to find out. But you probably guessed it: He is a vampire." Richard grinned at her.

"Wow. I didn't know that they allowed vampires to teach." Hermione sniffed and to her horror she sounded just like Fleur. Now that explained the Muggle Name.

"He is harmless, trust me." Richard gave her an encouraging smile which she returned only half-heartedly. She looked to her right at Harry and Draco who were still clueless and glaring at the good-looking teacher. He seemed no more than 30, but on the other hand vampires didn't age anyway.

"Today we are going to start a little project which will take over a week. Next Monday, you will have to present your results." the velvet voice said that pulled Hermione out of her horrifying thoughts in an instant.

"That sounds like fun." Sarah smiled and sat up straighter.

"Of course she is all for it when Professor Du Reau suggests it." Darius couldn't keep the bitterness out of his voice.

"We are going to practice in groups of twos. A girl and a boy. You will receive a miniature flat and the girls will have to keep it clean, tidy and proper and the boys will have to do all the repairing and painting spells and what else must be done!" the professor announced. Hermione's mouth dropped to the floor.

The girls had to do the household spells?

She looked around but the girls weren't disturbed and acted as if it was the most normal thing to do.

Harry and Draco were both watching her with a look of pity and their ruffled faces full of laughter. Her face went beetred. YES, they were in the forties. Of course the women here had to know all sorts of household spells.

She was doomed. Hermione Jean Granger was obviously in the wrong time period and was glad when she could leave the forties again. However, she still had to survive this project.

"The pair with the best flat will be awarded a good mark and a small present from me." the professor smiled.

Hermione didn't listen. Instead, she counted in her head. She knew 8 household spells. Which was – regarding her book – more than she should know anyway. On the other hand, she only knew them theoretically. Well except scourgify which she used every day as she hated nothing more than a dirty shower. 'Thank you Mrs. Weasley.' she thought gratefully.

"I will now put you into pairs and then I will hand out the small flats." the teacher announced.

"Mr. Malfoy and Miss Nott." Abraxas swaggered over to a timid-looking Ravenclaw girl who was obviously the sister of Matthew Nott. Hermione had the urge to roll her eyes when Draco had been about to get up as well. In the last second, Harry pulled him down onto his seat again.

Typical.

"Mr. Poliakoff and Miss Clearwater." Harry and Sarah smiled at each other as they sat down at the next table. Hermione dearly hoped that she was paired up with someone nice. What if she was paired up with a stinking Slytherin boy?

"Mr. Nott and Miss MacNair." Matthew, the grandfather of Theodore Nott one of the death eaters surprisingly enough flinched when a hard-faced Slytherin girl glared at him and gestured for him to walk over towards him. Not a lot of self-confidence that one. Hermione was genuinely surprised how he had been allowed into the ranks of Death Eaters.

After Draco was paired up with Lucinda Black – to which he replied with a flirtatious smirk – Hermione was getting bored. When was her name going to be called?

In that second she regretted her thought as she heard the loud clear velvet voice of the vampire.

"Mr. Riddle and Miss Karkarova."

Hermione had to suppress a scream. She and Riddle? Again?

Riddle looked shortly at the beautiful witch. Together again? Well, fate sometimes meant well for him.

"Mr. Riddle." Hermione greeted, trying to keep her voice even and her face fearless when she sat down next to him, after he had pulled out the vacant chair for her which she found extremely sweet again.

"Miss Karkarova. And so we meet again." Tom Riddle was wearing this half-smile which reminded Hermione of the time in front of the Ravenclaw doors when he had been flirting with her.

"Let's just hope that we can keep our flat tidy and clean. Sometimes this is harder than brewing Amortentia." Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Not that excited on doing household spells?" Tom asked with a raised eyebrow, obviously mocking her.

"NO!" Hermione said through gritted teeth.

"That's a pity, because you are a girl and have to do that. Or would you rather do the repairing-spells?" Tom smirked.

Repairing spells? She didn't know any. Mrs. Weasley had only taught her scourgify. At least she knew that one. Well, she would learn soon enough.

"No, Mr. Riddle, that's your responsibility, as long as I keep everything tidy and clean." Hermione said half-seriously, half-mock-sweetly.

"That's wonderful to hear. You'd make a good housewife." Tom's voice was now full of laughter.

"I think I would make much much more than just a housewife." Hermione's face was red and she was furious.

"Clearly." Tom said quietly and Hermione detected the hint of dangerousness in his voice.

When the teacher was finished, he handed each pair a brown box. "What are we supposed to do with that?" Hermione was confused.

"Are you a witch or aren't you?" Tom hissed. He pulled out his wand "Engorgio."

A miniature flat – empty for now - that was as big as their desk was now between them. "Wow! I'm impressed." she couldn't keep the wonder out of her voice.

Smugly, Tom saw that the other couples followed their lead. Well of course. Everyone would just follow him. Hermione noticed his face, but didn't say anything. If she was honest, she hadn't expected anything else. Tom Riddle was of course happy that he was the first to perform that charm. And that everyone was copying and following him afterwards. She had to change that.

"Very well, Mr. Riddle. 10 points to Slytherin." the charms-beauty said. All of the Slytherins cheered. "You will all practice your spells on that flat and next week, you will present me your flats. Off you go. The most beautiful flat will win."

Hermione packed up her things and looked uncertainly at Tom.

"Okay, so how shall we proceed?" Hermione stammered when she looked into the insanely handsome face of Tom.

"We should meet up tonight and start sorting out the spells and discuss how we shall proceed with the decoration and furniture of our flat." Tom suggested in a voice that Hermione couldn't quite place. It sounded excited, but also a bit… insecure?

"That sounds wonderful. What about right after dinner?" Hermione proposed.

"Perfect. In the library." Tom said. "Reducio." and the flat was a small brown box again. Tom pocketed it and smirked at Hermione.

"See you later then. You know that I want to WIN, Natalija!"

What was that about? Now on a first-name basis?

Dazed, Hermione stepped out of the charms-classroom. He had made it sound like a date. Well, it was just to study. She, Hermione Granger, would never go on a date with Riddle.

Once outside, she was greeted by a smirking Draco and a sad-looking Harry.

"Everything alright? Why are you both looking as if you had stepped into a tornado?" Hermione asked, her lips twitching.

"We had defence against the dark arts." Harry said, looking onto the floor.

"AND?"

"And we had to duel." Draco said, the smirk gone from his face.

"Well that wasn't a problem then." Hermione said. After all, they had fought several times in or rather before the real war. Furthermore, Harry was a perfect dueller.

"Actually it was. We had to duel in pairs and the winner of one pair had to duel against the winner of the next pair. Well, and after some time, it was only Riddle, Harry and I left." Draco said, not trying to keep the smugness out of his voice.

"Very well! And you probably both won against him, am I right?"

"No, actually we lost. By a wide margin." Harry said dejectedly.

"You both lost against Riddle? But you fought in the war. And Harry, you were the leader of the D.A.?! What happened?" Hermione was angry.

"Riddle is dangerous. He casts non-verbal spells as soon as he sends out a stunner or another hex. Did you see him when he walked into the charms-classroom after he had defeated everyone in class? Smugly. As if he owned Hogwarts. And as the winner." Draco said bitterly and Hermione even heard a tiny touch of jealousy.

"Be careful around him, Hermione. Those curses he sent towards US were definitely not harmless, because he realized that we were stronger than the other students. When he was duelling against Lucinda Black – who is really good by the way – he just used some minor curses like Expelliarmus. But with us, he was different. He somehow knows that we are hiding something. And as far as I know Riddle, he will try to get some information out of you. I know that you and Riddle are going to meet up this evening for homework. Please pay attention." Harry pleaded.

"Don't worry." Hermione nodded. Riddle sounded more and more intimidating. Hermione wasn't sure, if she could really change him.

Sighing, the three time-travellers made their way down to the Great Hall. "Ginny was in that class as well, right?"

"Yes. But she lost right after McGonnagal had sent a stunner towards her!"

Hermione let out a loud laugh.

"And what might I ask does Miss Karkarova find so hilarious?" Draco offered Hermione his arm which she took, smirking.

"Ginny was in the D.A. as well. She was perfect. Not only stunners but I should have known that she would have used the Bat Bogey Hex. A pity that she didn't."

"Actually Mc Gonnagal played foul. She sent the stunner at Ginny too early when she wasn't prepared."

"Mc Gonnagal? I've always thought that she was fair."

"She is still a teenager. Our age." Harry reminded her.

"Oh right." the three had reached the Great Hall now.

"I think we should meet up and talk tonight. Make a plan." Harry suggested.

"If three people are enough, Potter, then go for it. Our lovely Miss Karkarova has a study date." Draco sneered.

"Shut up, idiot." Hermione glowered at him.

"No worries, no worries." Draco held up his hands in defeat. "Let's talk about it tomorrow."

Hermione waved to them and walked over towards the Ravenclaw table. When she sat down, Richard sent her a pitying glance.

"What?"

"Poor you, working with Riddle."

"What's so bad about that?" Hermione was curious now. Almost everyone seemed to worship Riddle.

"He is dangerous. Please be careful." Richard said, giving her almost puppy-dog-eyes.

"I will." Hermione said, looking directly at her friend. After all, Richard was dead right.

After a quick dinner, Hermione said good-bye and went to the Ravenclaw dorm. She didn't know what made her do it. She didn't even have a plausible reason, but she had to freshen up. She redid her make-up, brushed her sleek blonde hair and even sprayed on some perfume. Was she now completely out of her mind? She was meeting only Voldemort for a study session. But he was not Voldemort. Yet. Not, if she could help it.

Five minutes too late, she arrived in the library.

"You're late. I don't like tardiness." Tom said coldly, without looking up from the book he was reading.

"Let me apologize." Hermione said sincerely. She didn't like tardiness either after all.

Surprised, Riddle looked up at her. He had expected her to explode furiously or to defend herself. His jaw almost dropped, however. She looked beautiful – as always. He couldn't help but notice that she had freshened up. He couldn't be angry at her long enough. Her angel-like appearance put all the other worries out of his mind.

"So, well then. Have a seat. Let's get started." Tom gestured to the chair opposite him and took out the little flat which he enlarged once again. "We first have to draw a plan on this sheet of paper Du Reau gave us, before we actually start decorating the real flat."

"We also need to talk about what kind of furniture we are going to use and we will decorate it." Hermione said when she sat down. To her relief, she noticed that her voice was fearless and she was even looking forward to an intelligent conversation with Riddle.

"That's right. Why don't you clean it thoroughly before we start making plans?" Tom couldn't keep the laughter out of his voice.

Hermione looked down into the flat. There were 3 rooms. One bedroom, one living-room and one bathroom. The kitchen was small and integrated into the living-room.

"Scourgify." she muttered through gritted teeth. At once the whole flat sparkled.

"For the fact that you hate household spells, you are not that bad." Tom smirked, clearly impressed.

"Thank you." Hermione smiled strained. She would have preferred different compliments, not on how good a housewife she was.

They both worked for at least an hour, both of them drawing out a plan what kind of furniture they would like to use and how to decorate the room. At least on paper, it looked like a cosy flat to Hermione and Tom. She was surprised that he preferred white walls. She thought that he would choose black, green and silver for sure.

"What are those?" Voldemort asked, his face wearing half a sneer.

"Cushions." Hermione replied simply. "You can't expect me to sleep on that bed without any cushions."

"Well now. But why are you placing them onto our sofa as well?"

"As a nice decoration."

"What colour?"

"Hmm, difficult. I would say something soft, like a soft pink."

"No, too girly. What about a soft light-blue?"

"Sounds perfect." Hermione smiled and labelled the plan with the correct colour.

Tired, but happy they both finished. "We can make the furniture tomorrow!" Tom said, when he examined the perfect white walls that he had created.

"Tomorrow?" Hermione said dumbstruck as she had already made plans with Draco, Harry and Ginny.

"Do you want this project to work or not? Do you want to be the best?" Tom Riddle looked dangerously at her.

"Yes." Hermione said. Not because she was scared, but it was true. She always wanted to be the best, the most intelligent and the winner.

Tom and she were very similar she suddenly noticed to her shock. They both shared the same beliefs and wishes.

"So then it is tomorrow again. After dinner in the library." Tom said nonchalantly.

"Sounds fine." Hermione shrugged. She wanted the project to succeed almost as much as Tom wanted to win.

They both packed their things and walked together ouf of the library. 'I wonder when his death-eater meetings are usually held. Although it is not MY job to find out, but rather Harry's and Draco's.' Hermione thought. Actually she was beginning to feel more and more comfortable in his presence. 'Very well, Hermione Jane Granger. Try to swarm up to him.' she thought satisfied. She needed to get in his good books, although she was appalled by the very idea.

At that moment, she noticed that Tom walked in the same direction. The Head Dorm was on the other side, though.

"Uhm, Tom, where are you going?" she asked confused.

"What does it look like?" he asked coldly.

"The head dorm is the other way, isn't it?" Hermione stated.

"I'm accompanying you to your common room." Tom said and his voice was softer.

"Thank you." Hermione said also softly and smiled up at him which – to her surprise – he returned. It seemed for a second as if they were enjoying a private, intimate moment.

"Certainly. It is not safe to wander the corridors at that time of the night. At least, I'm headboy and can protect you from whatever danger awaits you." Tom smirked smugly.

Of course. Right. The worst danger is probably you.

But Hermione thought better. She smiled again and they walked further on.

In front of the Ravenclaw door, Tom kissed her on the hand and left a blushing Hermione to the question of the eagle door knocker.

Confused and tingling from the feeling on her hand, she answered the question about dragon blood correctly and entered the comfortable spacious common room.

"Sarah! What happened to your hand?" Hermione asked surprised. Her friend's left hand was bandaged.

"That you can ask Poliakoff." Sarah answered venomously.

"What do you mean?"

"He wanted to put a COSY fire into our flat – or rather a fire place WITH the fire already – and then he burned my hand." sarah said bitterly, holding up her bandaged hand.

Hermione bit back a smile. That sounded very much like Harry.

"I didn't mean to badmouth your friend, but he doesn't always have the brightest ideas." Sarah shook her head.

"I cannot deny that." Hermione smiled. "Did the matron bandage it?"

"Yes. I'll be fine by tomorrow."

"That's good to hear. I'm off to bed then."

But Hermione couldn't sleep for a long time. A face always kept crouching into her dreams. A handsome young man, with sharp features, pale skin and dark hair.

"Natalija! NATALIJA!" Hermione woke up by the sound of someone calling her name.

"Wake up. Breakfast starts in 10 minutes." Sarah was sitting on her bed, already completely dressed.

"Already?"

"Didn't sleep well?"

"No. Bad dreams." Hermione groaned and got up to start her speedy shower. 15 minutes later she was styled and therefore walked into breakfast slightly late.

"Had a long night with Riddle? Did your study date go well?" Matthew asked smirking.

Ugh. "No, I was in the dorms at 9:30." Hermione snapped, her eyes flashing towards one of the first future death eaters angrily. "Besides, it was not a study date. It sounded like a project to me. By the way the same project that you and Miss Black have to complete." she smiled mock sweetly at him.

"Ow Miss Karkarova that hurt." Matthew smirked.

"I sometimes wonder why you weren't sorted into Slytherin." Richard grinned as well.

"Because I'm just too intelligent. Want to abandon me?" he grinned devilishly.

"Sure. Get out of my house!" Richard almost yelled, though a broad grin on her face. Hermione smiled as well and poured herself some coffee.

"Your house, Richard?" Matthew worked hard to keep a straight face and Hermione let out a giggle.

"What's our first lesson?" she asked Sarah, who was staring at her time table. Hermione was already so used that she had lessons with the Slytherins, it was quite a surprise for her when Sarah announced: "Defence against the Dark Arts with the Hufflepuffs."

"Defence." Hermione murmured. She clearly remembered Draco and Harry. She was more than glad that Voldemort was not in that class with her.

"It's easy. Professor Merrythought takes it extra slowly because of the Hufflepuffs." Richard smirked.

All the Ravenclaws in the vicinity laughed loudly at that and even Hermione joined in.