Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
That's what happened last time:
"And I was wondering, if maybe you wanted to go there with me." Alphard asked politely, his handsome face glowing.
"Uhm…" Hermione was about to answer when they heard a male dark voice.
"No, she doesn't. She already has a date."
On with the story:
Hermione and the black brothers stood rooted to the spot and saw an arrogant, white blonde-haired Slytherin strutting towards them. Draco Malfoy sneered at his future relatives and looked at Hermione imploringly. Those two weren't serious! How convenient that Draco was inexplicably near the Ravenclaw common room.
"I asked her out before you came along – two weeks ago!" Draco sneered, mainly at Alphard.
"You couldn't. The sign was put up yesterday and Natalija has just arrived." Orion answered, wearing the Slytherin trademark smirk.
"Oh but I did. I asked her for the NEXT Hogsmeade weekend, not specifying a time." Draco spat.
"It this true, Natalija? You are going there with Krum?" Alphard asked, disbelief colouring his tone.
Hermione had watched Draco throughout the whole exchange. Under his sneering mask, he seemed concerned for her and probably did that with good reason. Probably. But she would play along.
"Yes, Alphard, he asked me out before you. I'm sorry." Hermione said, trying to sound sorry.
"Oh, that's too bad then." Alphard said and directed a glare at Draco. "I hope, we'll see each other around."
Orion and he shot Draco another last glare and departed with a wink at Hermione.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Hermione rounded on Draco.
"Why did you do that?"
"Relax, Hermione. I just did that to save your ass."
"How?" Hermione was completely nonplussed.
"They made a bet on who would be first to get you into bed."
Hermione's mouth dropped open. She was beginning to be furious. Honestly. Men!
"Really?"
"Yes, I overheard them talking at the Slytherin table." Draco sounded sincere.
"Well, all I can say is thank you for saving me, then." Hermione said, sounding sincere as well. Or at least trying to.
"You're welcome, Hermione. And as a thank you, you have to go there with me."
Of course. Trust Draco to have selfish motives.
"Yes, Draco. As a thank you, I'll go with you. But, if you excuse me, I need a lie in. Desperately." Hermione yawned.
"Yeah, you look awful. Tell me, was the course strenuous or was it a party?" Draco couldn't keep the accusation out of his voice.
Hermione smirked as an answer. "Good bye, Draco."
"Yeah, see you at dinner."
THTHTH
Tom crossed out the previous sentence. He was sitting in the library, doing his potions homework, but couldn't really concentrate on the task. He wondered whether Natalija was already back and if everything was okay. Near him, two girls were whispering avidly about a Hufflepuff girl that didn't interest him at all. He was about to complain when Minerva McGonnagal stepped in. So typical of the head girl.
"Stop talking like that or I will deduct you points!" she said.
"Oooooh and who are you to say that? The head girl? I have to admit that the head girl has other duties and not to watch who speaks about who." Olive Hornby sneered.
"Yes, it is my responsibility. And if I come across your attitude one more time, it WILL be five points from Slytherin!" Trix Parkinson pulled out her tongue when Minerva had turned away and both girls started giggling again.
Tom groaned loudly. "Will you shut up now! The two of you!" he said in a menacing voice.
"Oh, I'm sorry Tom!" Olive and Trix obeyed immediately and fell silent.
"How do you do that?" Minerva asked quietly.
Tom slowly raised his face from his work. "And what, may I ask, are you talking about, head girl?" Tom's smile was mocking her deliberately, but she tried to keep a cool head.
"The way you use your power. The way, everyone does what you ask them to do." Minerva said boldly, not hiding her admiration.
"I wouldn't tell you, if I knew. And now, leave me alone!" he knew, Minerva would obey. It was just too easy.
Tom only vaguely noticed two boys sitting down at the table next to him.
"Are you glad, that Natalija broke up with Dolohov?" Harry asked Draco loudly, playing his act very well. Of course, he noticed that Tom had stopped breathing.
"Yes, they broke up! Finally! I couldn't stand him!" Draco exclaimed, cottoning on.
"Dolohov once told me that …" and he started whispering something into Draco's ear and Draco's eyes went wide.
Tom was baffled. So her fiancée was called DOLOHOV. Or rather, EX-fiancée. Tom's heart beat faster and almost felt as if he had to burst.
"You are kidding! Really?" the Malfoy-double exclaimed.
"Well yes… But now, let's get to work, Maxim. Professor Merrythought is a right git!" he heard Poliakoff's voice exclaim angrily. "I don't know what he expects us to do!"
Malfoy-double just shrugged. "He wants us to find out the differences between those two species. Though are there any?"
Tom couldn't help himself. "If you looked closely, Krum, you would find that there are certain differences."
Draco remained impassive and Tom turned to Harry. "Poliakoff, I would recommend the book 'Beasts of the north and where to find them.' It explains everything about our homework."
Harry just stared. Why was Voldemort so nice to him? "Thank you, Tom."
"By the way, is Natalija already back?" Tom played clueless and Harry almost fell for it. 'What? Didn't Tom just hear us TALK about her?' But then he reminded himself that Tom was an incredible actor and that he would never admit that he listened in on somebody's conversation.
"Yes, she arrived two hours ago." Draco explained, oblivious to Tom's act.
"Ah. Thank you." Tom bent down on his homework again, adding the finishing touches and got up fluently, leaving the two boys without a backwards glance.
"What is he up to?"
"I have no idea, Draco. We'll find out everything. Let's meet up in the room of requirement tonight."
THTHTH
Minerva and Tom were in front of the Headmasters office, presenting the almost finished winter ball.
"I have to admit that you both have done excellent work. I will award 10 points to Slytherin and to Gryffindor."
"Thank you, professor." Tom said in a sickly polite voice. "I was wondering about a significant problem."
"Yes, Tom, ask away dear."
"At the Halloween ball, Miss Mc Gonnagal and I had to go together as we were both heads. I have to admit, that the other students didn't take this development too well." Tom said, slightly bowing his head.
"What do you mean, Tom?" Dippett was surprised. He had always thought that this was an excellent suggestion.
"Actually, the others thought that we were stuck up and overconfident and only sticking to ourselves. Head boy with head girl going together… I'm really not sure if this is a good idea again. Why not mingle with the other students?" Tom looked up at the headmaster wide-eyed, using his acting skills to the fullest extent.
"Well, Tom, to be honest, I think this is an excellent idea!" Dippett clapped his hands together in happiness. "Though, I still expect you to hold the speech together with Miss Mc Gonnagal."
"Of course, headmaster. You can count on me!" Tom assured him in his best voice. How easily was the old man fooled?
Tom and Minerva exited the headmaster's office together. Minerva rounded on him. "Why did you just do that? Don't you LIKE going with me? Am I that ugly?" she asked tearfully.
"Mc Gonnagal, you are not ugly in that way. There is just someone, I would like to go with.
"Oh and who is that?"
"I'm not telling YOU, Minerva. Good-bye."
Tom hurried off into the direction of the Ravenclaw common room, hoping to be there, before two insanely blonde idiots.
THTHTH
Mc Gonnagal jumped on her bed, crying loudly – this woke Ginny up immediately.
"Oh, Katya, you are back?" Minerva asked, when Ginny stirred angrily away.
"Yes." Ginny snapped.
"You can't believe what happened to me, Katya. As you might know, there will be a winter ball in two weeks time. And the person, I was supposed to go with, even went to the headmaster to turn me down."
Ginny digested this.
"Sorry, what exactly do you mean, Minerva?"
"Look, Tom Riddle and I usually have to go together as headboy and headgirl. Though this time, he even went to the headmaster to tell him that he didn't want to go with ME but with somebody else." Minerva was furious AND disappointed.
"Oh!" Ginny was surprised and immediately knew what was happening.
"Do you know who it is?"
"I don't know for sure, but I have a fair guess." Ginny growled.
"What can we do, Ginny?"
"Nothing. I fear, Minerva, we have to look for another date. I can help you, if you'd like."
THTHTH
Wait. All he had to do was wait. But he didn't have to wait too long.
A giggling girl, dragging out her boyfriend walked out of the portrait hole.
"Miss Clearwater, Mister Goldstein!" Tom greeted them stiffly.
"Mister Riddle!" Both of them chorused back, just as stiffly.
"Miss Clearwater, I was wondering, if you could go into the girls dorm and get Natalija out for me? I need to speak to her urgently."
"Of course, Mister Riddle. If you would just wait here for five minutes – she is still sleeping!"
"Thank you, Miss Clearwater."
Sarah went back into the common room, rushing up the stairs to their dorm.
"Natalija!" she called out. "Wake up! Somebody is waiting for you!"
Hermione stirred around. "Wha'? Who?"
"Tom Riddle!"
This woke Hermione up immediately.
"Tom Riddle? Where is he?"
"Outside the common room. He needs to talk to you urgently!"
"Thank you, Sarah, I'll be right there!"
Hermione quickly pulled on her uniform, brushed her sleek curls and redid some of her make-up. When she rushed down the stairs, she felt her heart beat faster. Why though?
Tom was standing outside the common room in all his glory. Of course, Hermione had remembered him to be handsome, though not THAT handsome. His black hair was combed to the side, a stray lock hanging into his eyes. His robes were pressed neatly and he looked as perfect as a greek god.
Immediately, Hermione was captured by his stormy eyes.
"Good afternoon, Natalija!" Tom greeted pleasantly.
"Good afternoon, Tom." Hermione greeted back.
Tom looked at her with wide eyes. He definitely remembered her as the beautiful Ravenclaw, but when she stood in front of him directly, his thoughts hadn't done her justice. Her blonde long locks cascaded down her back as if a light wind were blowing, her brown eyes were wide open and beautiful accentuated with make-ups that Tom couldn't name. Her lush lips were just waiting to be kissed.
"I'm glad that you came back safely. How was your exam?"
"It went pretty well, though I have to admit it was hard."
"I can imagine. Does your arm still hurt?" Tom pointed to her bandage.
"No, it doesn't. Katya hit me when we had to duel against each other." Hermione shrugged and Tom's face darkened.
"You had to duel against each other?"
"Yes. Every day." Hermione laughed, but Tom looked forbidding.
"What would you say to a walk outside?" he asked, changing the topic altogether. "It's nice weather outside. You probably haven't seen the sun for a week now."
Hermione smiled gratefully. "That's a good idea. Let me just get my cloak."
THTHTH
Tom and Hermione were walking in the grounds despite the coldness and both of them having a lot of fun and laughing loudly. Hermione was surprised to see that Dark Lord that happy and carefree. What was really going on with him? She had never seen him this pleased and fun to be around with.
They arrived at the furthest end of the grounds where it was very quiet. The sounds of the other students were far far away. Tom subtly stopped Hermione in her tracks. "Natalija, you know that I've been preparing the winter ball – that's the ball which will be held in two weeks time." Tom fumbled with the cords of his dark green sweater.
Hermione's breathing quickened. He wasn't about to ask her, was he? She flushed a little and looked at Tom directly, noticing his discomfort.
"And I wanted to know, if maybe you wanted to go with me!" Tom said and even his pale cheeks were slightly pink.
Hermione smiled at him. "Yes, I would like to go with you. But aren't you going with the head girl?"
"No, this time, I don't have to go with her. Dippett informed us especially. He didn't think that the heads should go together as this would create a bad image." Tom said, sounding very relieved that Hermione had agreed to go with him.
Hermione smiled at him. "Ah, I understand. So tell me a little bit more about the ball! I'm curious, you know…"
She gazed at the handsome man standing next to her. His cheeks were pink from the cold or from the embarrassment, his hair was slightly wet as it had begun to snow and his smile was genuine. Hermione marvelled at the beauty of the future Dark Lord.
Little did she know that Tom had similar thoughts. Natalija was next to him, though smaller in size, her long blonde hair, flowing down her back with little snowflakes in it, her cheeks were rosy – probably from the cold – and her smile was just so beautiful that Tom wanted to wrap her in his arms and kiss her senseless.
Hey – why not?
Tom slowly inched towards Hermione. He noticed that her breathing became faster and louder. With a trembling hand, he brushed a curl behind her ear and Hermione's cheeks flushed even darker. Tom gazed at the beauty longingly and their faces moved closer instinctively. When they were close enough to feel the breath of the other, Tom couldn't stand it anymore.
With a small sigh, he crashed his lips onto Hermione's. He noticed that her lips were cold from the weather and soft at the same time. He marvelled at her kisses.
When she slung her arms over his neck, his left hand moved to the small of her back and his right hand to her hip, pulling her closer. Tom noticed that Hermione would want this too, he slid his tongue into her mouth.
Pure Bliss. For probably several hours. It had begun to snow heavier. Neither of them noticed.
THTHTH
Hermione glared at Draco.
"That's what we are here for!"
"No, we're here to teach him love and friendship, NOT acting as his little sex doll!" Draco spat, standing up furiously.
"But Draco, this IS love!" Hermione said hysterically, standing up as well.
"No, it isn't. He is just using you." Draco yelled.
"Draco." Ginny cut in, keeping her voice steady. "Tom NEVER loved, not even sexually. We are making progress and by allowing Hermione teach him love – not excluding sexual love – we have a chance of winning."
Draco gaped at Ginny. "How do YOU know?"
"Tom Riddle's diary." Ginny said tiredly.
"Ah yes, I remember that one." Draco said and sat down, having cooled off a little.
"Just be careful, Hermione." Harry pleaded. "Tom is dangerous. We don't want you to get hurt. And don't fall in love with him, because we will be leaving in 4 months."
Hermione suddenly felt as if Harry had hit her. Right. They had to leave again. They weren't from this time. Her face fell a little when she remembered. "Yeah, I know." she said quietly.
Harry smiled a bit. "Besides, you have Ron waiting for you."
"I'm not sure what the future really is like." Draco said, rubbing his brows.
"I'm not sure either. But we made immense progress. Tom had never had a girlfriend." Hermione stated.
Draco suddenly turned around towards her that he almost cricked his neck. Rubbing it furiously, he glared at Hermione. "You are WHAT?"
THTHTH
Almost one week passed without any incidents. Hermione and Draco were not going to Hogsmeade together as the whole Slytherin house had to serve detention for a prank they had played on the Gryffindors. And since none of them had admitted who it was, the WHOLE house had to serve.
Draco and Harry had been furious. "How are we going to get our dress robes then?" Draco had scowled.
"If you had paid attention, you would know that we are allowed to go on Monday in the afternoon." Tom had sneered, passing by, holding Hermione in his arms possessively.
Therefore, Hermione had decided to go with her Ravenclaws – Sarah, Richard and Matthew were impatiently waiting for her in the Ravenclaw common room when Hermione came down, wearing a white fake-fur wintercoat, the Ravenclaw scarf and gloves.
The other three Ravenclaws just gaped at her. "What? It's cold in case you haven't noticed."
On their way to the gates, the group passed some 4th-year Slytherins who were shovelling snow – without magic of course. Richard and Matthew laughed loudly at them.
"Oh shut it, Rich." Sarah said, rolling her eyes. "You're acting like a Slytherin yourself."
Hermione nodded in agreement. "Yes, I think it wasn't fair that Dumbledore now lets the WHOLE Slytherin house pay for that."
"Do and think what you like." Matthew grinned. "At least we know that you can finally come to us with Hogsmeade instead of your lover."
"He is not my lover, Matthew, Tom is my boyfriend." Hermione couldn't suppress a grin herself. So typical of CHARMING Tom. He was helping Slughorn correct some tests – the by far most interesting detention, whereas other students had to be outside and collect wood – like Harry, or sweep the floors – like Draco.
Chuckling heartily, the four Ravenclaws arrived in the snowy village of Hogsmeade. "It's quite peaceful without the Slytherins, isn't it?" Richard grinned at his girlfriend who shot him a warning look. "Do you want to stoop as low as the Gryffindors so that the Slytherins play a prank on us NEXT?"
"No no no… there aren't any Slytherins around who can hear us anyway. Ah look who is here today as well!" Matthew said and the two girls looked around to see…..
CLIFFFIEEEEEE…. I'll update next week. REVIEWS plse :)