Disclaimer: don't own.

Thank you so much for all of your reviews. I'm surprised that the Edward story went down pretty well. If you wish, I might add another chapter with some Edward-action.

Have fun…

That's what happened last time:

"Hey…" Draco said in a gentle voice that Hermione had never heard before. "Don't fall asleep." He smiled – so uncharacteristically of him – and his whole face lit up considerably. Hermione wondered, if she was imagining things.

"Draco…" she said softly… fondly. He pulled her towards him, his face only millimetres from hers, looking at her with a strange expression, an expression, Hermione couldn't quite place in her state.

The two of them gazed into each others eyes, both too entranced, not noticing a pair of dark eyes, watching them intently…

On with the story:

The dark eyes widened slightly when they saw what happened just in front of them. He didn't hear what the two students were saying or even their expressions on their faces – he was too far away for that, but he saw clearly what they were DOING.

And then, Hermione wasn't even sure – and neither was Draco – their lips met. The touch was soft and feathery, like air, so soft that they could have imagined the kiss. It didn't help that they were drunk. Their lips touched again, though only slightly, and then they broke apart.

Hermione leaned towards Draco, dizzy and weak. "I'm sooooo sick." she moaned, leaning into his arms. Draco muttered something in her hair – which smelled so good in his opinion – and Hermione didn't answer. She was busy holding herself together.

'I will never drink that much alcohol again!' Hermione thought seriously. To lose control over something like that was not only stupid, but also dangerous in current circumstances. She, Hermione Granger, Ravenclaw should actually know better.

Two dark eyes were joined by another pair of dark eyes.

"Do you think, we should go inside?" Draco asked the girl he had just 'kissed' or whatever that had been. He shuddered to think about it. Hopefully, Hermione wouldn't remember tomorrow, though he doubted, that he would easily forget. He was just glad that Potter hadn't been invited to the party or else he would have probably made a scene.

"I don't know." Hermione sighed. "I think I need some water."

"I'll go get some." Draco said immediately, pulling her up on her chin and smiling at her.

Hermione – against all her principles – smiled at him as well. Draco gave her a brief kiss on her lips and caressed her cheek, sweetly, almost lovingly. Hermione sighed and leaned back. Never any more alcohol! What had she been thinking?

"Don't come here to reprimand me. Nothing happened." the dark eyes looked defensively at the other pair which narrowed dangerously.

"Well what is that in front?" the venom in the voice was hard to miss.

"Looks like…kissing to me. Or rather…, I don't know. Their faces were very near…" the voice faltered slightly.

Tom straightened up. "It's your responsibility to find out if they are together, Zabini."

Draco got up and walked inside the party room, leaving Hermione outside. He didn't like leaving her alone. What if the bloodthirsty vampire came back? Or worse, TOM?

He shuddered and stepped inside the party room which was still full. Draco frowned, his headache worsening. Was Tom still here or where was he? He was already getting nervous when he approached the barmaid again.

Hermione flattened out her dress, while she was waiting for Draco to bring her the water. She felt slightly better though still on the verge of throwing up. To her dismay, her recent memories were fuzzy and blurry. Some memories were even missing. Stupid alcohol.

'I hope we don't have to drink with the Russians in Durmstrang. Viktor Krum mentioned quite a few times when they drank vodka like water.' Hermione wrinkled her brow in confusion.

Tom's eyes were burning red. He was really really angry at that lousy blonde-haired follower. Jealousy, though previously unknown to Tom, was now evident in every pore. Tom was furiously throwing pebbles into the dark water of the lake.

He looked back at the girl of his dreams again and gasped. She was ALONE. Finally. This was his chance. When he saw her face, he knew that she didn't feel well and immediately felt worry build inside him. Couldn't Krum take better care of his girl?

"Natalija." he stated when he arrived next to her. Hermione looked up at him, trembling. She obviously had had more than enough alcohol.

"Tom." she couldn't suppress the smile and Tom was surprised. "I trust you are not feeling too well. Can I do anything for you?" Well that sounded corny. Tom smacked himself for the choice of words. Couldn't he have asked something else? Like maybe if he should curse Krum? But oh well, Natalija was a strong girl - she probably didn't need anything anyway.

"That would be great. I need a glass of water." when Hermione looked into his deep eyes, she suddenly felt overwhelmed by his gesture and care.

'Oh, that's why the blonde git had gone back into the room – probably to fetch her a glass of water.' Tom shook his head. Was this guy a wizard or not?

He smirked and conjured a glass of water. "Here drink this, you'll feel better." Tom said stoically.

"Thank you." Hermione said weakly, downing the water in one go. She looked up questioningly at Tom who filled the glass again. Hermione immediately felt better.

"Better?" Tom asked grinning mischievously.

"Yes, loads." Hermione answered sighing in relief.

"I'm glad I could be of assistance." He sat down beside her.

Tom looked at her closely. Her beautiful face was turned towards him and her cheeks were slightly rosy from dancing. He couldn't take his eyes from hers and this disturbed him slightly. But when the angel smiled, all confusion or worry was forgotten. Tom held her chin upwards and his fingers travelled towards her cheekbone, caressing her cheek softly.

"So, I heard you are going back to Durmstrang?" his voice was almost a whisper.

"Yes, Miss Krum and me actually. We have to take a test." Hermione looked dizzily into the beautiful eyes that haunted her dreams. She marvelled at his perfect cheekbones and took in all of his handsomeness. Her face was burning when she still felt him caressing her cheek tentatively, almost lovingly.

"Do you know the MDA?" her voice almost cracked.

"Master of Dark Arts." Tom murmured. "I'm surprised that you and Miss Krum have signed up for the test. A Ravenclaw and a Gryffindor. Why not the two Slytherins?"

'Oh. Hermione, make up a story.'

"The boys usually take this test one year before us girls." Hermione said clearly.

Tom looked astonished for half a second but then put his mask back into place. "So they've already got the certificate?"

"I believe so. Though I'm not sure that Poliakoff passed." Hermione wasn't guilty for bringing Draco into this. He had had a lot of training with the Dark Lord after all in his Death Eater times, but when it came to a part of the golden trio, she couldn't help but protect him.

"Looks like it. And Krum is fit?" the question sounded doubtfully and Hermione grinned at the sound of it.

"What are you grinning at?" Tom frowned.

Hermione giggled. "Krum is fit? A very dubious question to ask by a boy…" she laughed loudly and Tom shook his head, smirking a bit himself.

"Believe me, I know I have better taste than that."

Tom looked at the beautiful girl, surveying her closely. She also seemed to have some humour. She liked to laugh – another plus. But could she be useful for his death eater group as well?

He might really arrange a meeting for her to come as well.

Before he was about to ask her, a tall and disgruntled youth with light blonde hair was in front of them, holding a dripping glass of water. Disdainfully, he sneered at Tom.

"What are you doing here?"

"Taking care of your date, since she obviously didn't feel so well. Krum, you seem to often forget your responsibilities. If I had been you, I would not have left her alone." Tom smirked at the obviously uncomfortable Draco.

But Draco wasn't a Slytherin for nothing. He regained his composure quickly and sneered: "I obviously do know my roles as a date. Natalija needed a glass of water and I brought it to her."

Tom let out a loud fake – and evil sounding - laugh at that and even Hermione had to suppress a smirk. "Are you a filthy Muggle, Krum? You are lucky I was there and conjured her some water. Maybe you should read your Charms book year one."

Draco's face purpled and Tom seized his chance. He stepped as near to Draco as near it would go without touching. Draco immediately felt scared and intimidated and tried hard not to show his insecurity. Tom growled once and muttered: "Krum, you are hiding something. You are like a second Abraxas. And I don't like that. I will find out what you are hiding. And believe me – I will find out."

And with that Tom gave a last glance at Hermione – she couldn't detect any emotion in his eyes – and departed with the grace of a bat, his black cloak billowing behind him. It reminded Hermione and Draco scarily of Professor Snape.

Draco sat down next to Hermione. "You okay?" he asked almost tonelessly.

"Yes, I'm tired. I want to go to bed." Draco nodded, downing the glass of water himself. "I'll walk you there."

Hermione nodded and got up with his help.

At the front of the Ravenclaw tower, Draco shuffled his feet helplessly and Hermione found herself in quite an uncomfortable situation. How were they supposed to say good night? "I hope, you didn't mind me being your date." Draco smiled slightly, mischievously. Hermione shook her head. "Not at all, Draco. I thank you very much for coming with me. I appreciated your gallant gesture."

Silence. Then Hermione and Draco burst out in laughter at the same time. "Have the 40s rubbed on to you? Not even YOU used such sentences in our time!" Draco gasped. Even Hermione had tears in her eyes from laughing.

"Don't you like it when someone treats you like your stilted pureblood relatives?" Hermione's tone was biting and sarcastic though still joking.

"I just love it, Hermione. Good night." Draco gave her one last good-night kiss, though not on the cheek but on her mouth. Hermione just looked at him speechlessly. He had just kissed her on the mouth?

Hermione decided not to say anything. "Good night Draco."

THTHTH

Harry was doodling on a piece of parchment. Unfortunately, the professor had seated him next to the Dark Lord himself and he was constantly reminded of that circumstance by Riddle's arm shooting into the air to answer questions, narrowly missing his glasses now and then.

Hermione was in the back, next to Abraxas and Draco was sitting next to Darius from Ravenclaw. When he looked at them like that, he could have been sure that Draco or Abraxas were twins. He turned around to Hermione who had already packed her suitcase. He hoped that she wouldn't get hurt in the exam.

On the one hand he was worried – especially for his girlfriend – but on the other hand he envied them. They had the chance to go to another wizarding school, and he, Harry Potter wasn't allowed to sit the exam although he was a Slytherin. Or maybe that had been Dumbledore's point? Maybe, he thought that Slytherins would be too tempted`?

Harry's gaze fell onto the girls in the room – out of boredom he either marked them as pretty or ugly. The only girl where his gaze lingered longer than necessary was Hermione. Of course, he had only seen her as a good friend, nothing more, though he had always considered her as rather good-looking. He shook his head. But the time travel had changed her rather drastically. With the little help of Dumbledore, her hair was blonder, longer, and not frizzy anymore, her teeth white and even and her eyes had also changed. But that wasn't the only difference, Harry noticed. She seemed much more at ease, open, friendly, not only worrying about school and grades, and she seemed happy and glowing. Her smile was wide and reminded Harry of the sun.

But WHY she was so happy? He couldn't fathom why. Draco Malfoy wasn't of help. He always kept complaining how Hermione didn't want to spend more time with him. For some reason that reminded him painfully of Ron. Maybe Ginny would find something out when they were together at Durmstrang. Harry had a nagging suspicion, but he wouldn't confront Hermione before it wasn't absolutely clear.

Harry averted his gaze quickly when Tom Riddle poked him rather painfully in the ribs. "Tomorrow night, meeting in the black forest at 8. Spread the word, Poliakoff." Tom's icy voice, helped him out of his trance and Harry nodded. So typical. Hermione was gone by tomorrow night…

THTHTH

"Well, have fun, Natalija. And don't turn over to the Dark Side." Richard chuckled when he bade Hermione good-bye. Hermione laughed loudly: "I have been going to Durmstrang for five years. Nothing happened or are you under the impression that I am a Dark Witch under disguise?"

Sarah, Richard, Darius and Matthew laughed at that as well.

"One can never be too careful. Oh and please tell us what you learned! It would be interesting to know. You know, so just in case we can defend ourselves better, should Grindelwald also come here." Sarah said thoughtfully.

Hermione looked at her, her eyes widening slightly in horror. Grindelwald. He was at large! And currently in Russia and Bulgaria! She decided to hide her sudden fear.

"Take care. See you next week." Sarah hugged her tightly and Hermione hurried out of the Ravenclaw common room, the suitcase in her hand.

"Natalija." a voice called out. Hermione turned around and saw a figure that resembled a greek god standing next to one of the paintings showing Rowena Ravenclaw. "Oh, hello Tom." Hermione replied panting her face slightly red.

"Come, let me take care of your suitcase." Tom took her suitcase easily and lifted it. "Where to?"

"Dumbledore's office. He is going to let us floo to Durmstrang." Tom nodded and led the way, leaving a very surprised Hermione trailing directly after him.

"Thank you, Tom." Hermione smiled gratefully.

"You're welcome. I cannot see a lady trying to carry heavy things – I'm stronger and therefore I can help you." Tom said, not keeping the proud tone out of his voice.

"Natalija, I wish you good luck at the test. And do be careful. Come back safely." Tom gave her a slight smile when they had arrived at the office that belonged to Professor Dumbledore at that time.

"Thank you Tom. Have a nice week as well." Hermione replied sincerely.

Tom looked at her with an odd expression, he took her face in both of his hands, almost like he had done at the party. Hermione's breath caught, when she gazed back into his perfect face. She felt a lump rise to her throat.

Tom's face went closer to her, breathing in the scent he loved so much. The scent, he had smelled when they had made amortentia. He inhaled deeply and opened his eyes, contently, when his face inched nearer towards her.

"Natalija!" a voice called out desperately. Hermione and Tom both whipped around, stepping quickly away from the other. But Ginny had already seen them.

"So, are you happy to see your fiancé again?" she smiled sugary sweetly at Hermione who wanted to punch her. She had just ruined a special moment between Tom and her. But then she remembered. Yes, the fiancé. It was part of the plan.

Hermione put on her best smile, wanting to curse Ginny right here and there. "Yes, I am. He is probably already waiting, we should get going!" she hissed at Ginny and stepped on her toes with extra force. Wasn't Hermione becoming one little Slytherin as well?

"Good bye Tom, and thank you for your help." Hermione looked at Tom, her eyes pleading for forgiveness. Tom looked at Hermione astonished and also a bit hurt. She had a fiancé. Why didn't he know? He had almost kissed her, as a matter of fact, he had already kissed her. A fiancé? The jealousy in his chest was almost unbearable, like an angry animal, turning his insides into live snakes. That was his woman and not of some freaking idiot from Durmstrang. Or was she?

Tom's well practised mask, slipped into place. "Not to worry, Natalija. Have a safe trip. Miss Krum." he nodded at Ginny who nodded back.

And Tom departed. Ginny looked at Hermione, an unreadable expression when Hermione looked back, sadly. "Thanks Ginny for your oh-so-brilliant plan! It FAILED! He didn't even mind. He probably will never talk to me again!" Hermione whispered, deeply disappointed and Ginny clapped onto her back, knocking onto Dumbledore's office.

Soon they would be away from Tom and away from Hogwarts. Ginny and Hermione were extremely excited.

THTHTH

"Is everything clear?" Dumbledore asked, his eyes twinkling.

"Yes, we will go with our true names, in case someone checks up on us. That's alright. Though, we have Russian names – and the courses will obviously be taught in Russian, shouldn't we somehow know the language? And I guess, it's too late for a Russian crash program." Hermione half-scoffed.

"Miss Granger, I know very well that you are foreign to the Russian language. There is a spell you have to renew every day. The wording is "Enrolio."

"Try it." Dumbledore ordered.

Hermione coughed and pointed her wand at Ginny. "Enrolio." she said loudly and clearly.

"Ginny, say something!" she urged.

"Iswini, shto tij skasala? Ya nichevo nye panimayu…" Ginny asked.

Hermione and Dumbledore looked at each other completely surprised. "Well yes, it did work. So, we have to renew it every 24 hours?"

"That's correct. Now, if you proceed through my fireplace and take Miss Weasley with you. Take her by her arm – she will not understand my instructions."

Hermione nodded and took a completely nonplussed Ginny by her arm. She pointed her wand at herself and muttered "Enrolio."

"Davaij." Hermione muttered and she and Ginny vanished.

Dumbledore sighed, looking at the empty fireplace. He hoped that he had done the right thing. Grindelwald was probably still at large and to send them to Durmstrang during those times was a bit risky. But oh well, he smiled. The bravery of a Gryffindor and the intelligence of a Ravenclaw mixed together, would probably help them out of any tight spots.

THTHTH

They emerged coughing. Hermione and Ginny looked around the room – it was dark, slightly cold and had an air of danger. "Okay, let's find the headmaster. What's his name again?"

It was still strange for them to speak Russian, but still understand every word of it. "I don't remember… Oh yes, Valinov."

They opened the door of the room that led them into the many hallways of the castle and stepped out. Ginny and Hermione gasped in surprise and shock. The walls were all dark, cold and unwelcoming of the hallways. Ginny hoped that the rooms at least were cosy and warm.

Not a single student was around. "It's not that late, is it?" Hermione muttered. "It's just two hours later. It should be 6 o clock now."

Hermione nodded, but before she could say something, a tall, dark figure, wrapped in the typical Durmstrang uniform, appeared at the end of the hallway. Hermione and Ginny stopped in their tracks, momentarily lost for words.

The boy looked at them strangely, his blue cold eyes holding a certain arrogance.

Slowly, they strode forwards simultaneously until they were only half a metre apart. Hermione was the first to regain back her confidence. "Excuse me. We're new here and looking for the headmaster's room. Could you please help us?" The way, Hermione said it, the way, she held herself, with confidence, yet open friendliness seemed to thaw the young man up.

The boy nodded. "Certainly, ladies. My name is Andrej. Nice to meet you." he held out his hand and Hermione shook it. "I'm Natalija Karkarova and this is Katya Krum. Thank you for your help."

"Miss Karkarova is that? Could it be that you have a younger brother called Ivan?"

Oh. Hermione remembered that sentence very clearly – when Dumbledore had asked her to play along. "Yes, I do." she smiled at him, trying not to look too fake.

"You must be very proud that he will be in Durmstang next year. A year sooner than expected. ..Very well, ladies. I will show you to the headmaster's room then."

THTHTH

Tom was sitting in the Head Boy's dorm brooding. In fact, he was thinking about a new plan to overcome all the muggles at once, but a smiling face with long blonde hair and big chocolate brown eyes kept disturbing his vision. The headboy leaned back in the comfortable sofa, sighing. He couldn't explain, why he always thought about her. She was the first thing that crept into his mind, when he woke up, and the last thing, before he went to bed. Furthermore, he cared for her. He kept worrying what would happen in Durmstrang – he didn't want her to be hurt.

Huffing, Tom crossed his arms. That couldn't be. He was an individual. A loner. Someone who doesn't need something as trivial as love. Something as unimportant as a girl.

What could that be? Feeling the need to protect her and to be there for her. Was he not the descendant of the famous Salazar Slytherin? Was he a stinking Hufflepuff? To suddenly go soft?

Tom sighed when he remembered the touch of her soft curls. She was gone for a week only, but he already felt strangely empty without her. It was hard for him to admit that he missed her. But there was no doubt about that.

But then he smirked. Who said that a Dark Lord could not have a Dark Lady beside him?

He glared at the white ceiling again.

Yes, he, Tom Riddle was in love…

THTHTH

Harry and Draco had been getting along very well since they had arrived in the past. When Ginny and Hermione were gone, they were sitting in the kitchens, talking about their mission.

"Why do you reckon did Dumbledore send the two girls and not us?" Draco glared at his roll. He had always wanted to see Durmstrang. His parents had even wanted to send him there.

"I have absolutely no idea. Besides, WE are in Slytherin and not them." Harry shook his head and stabbed his egg furiously with his fork.

"Do you think Hermione will fall for a Durmstrang? Like she did in our time?" Draco muttered almost too quietly for Harry to hear.

Harry stopped chewing and looked very surprised at his former enemy. The corner of his lips quirked upwards.

"WHAT? Are you telling me that you have a thing for our Hermione? For the girl you used to call mudblood?" he chuckled.

Draco shook his head mutely. "No, of course not!"

Harry started laughing loudly. "Who are you kidding?"

"Just SHUT UP Potter. It was a simple question." Draco said through gritted teeth, wanting to punch the golden boy right here and there into his face.

But then he stopped. Draco's arm fell limply to his side and his mouth dropped in surprise when he saw Harry's face. Well, yes, Dumbledore had transfigured it, but not that much and well, he had seen Harry for the past weeks. This was certainly something new.

"Er,… why are you staring at my face? I know I'm handsome and all of that, but sorry, I'm already taken. I'm really really sorry, Malfoy." Harry smirked. He had no idea, why Malfoy stared at Harry as if he had seen a ghost.

Draco didn't even change his facial expression a millimetre, he still stared at Harry in shock and surprise.

Harry shifted uncomfortably. "What is it?" he asked annoyed and looked directly, questioningly at his former enemy.

Draco seemed to wake up at that. He shook his head and transfigured his cup into a mirror.

Harry was surprised at the spellwork of the Slytherin. He had never paid much attention to Draco's magic, but he didn't seem to be that bad.

Draco handed Harry the mirror with an excited expression. Harry was now anxious to see. What had happened? Well, he must still look like last time when Dumbledore had changed his appearance a bit. Draco must have gotten used to that by now?

He took the mirror from Draco's violently trembling hand. He gazed into the mirror and let out a sigh of relief. Nothing was different. He still had his messy black hair, his pale skin, his rosy lips… but wait…

He met Draco's concerned eyes, his own face mirroring Draco's worried expression.

And they understood immediately what was wrong.

Harry's scar was not there anymore…