A/N: Thank you for your reviews. I hope all of those who reviewed, received my review replies. On with the next chapter. Sorry, I don't know how Hagrid really talks. I tried my best though…. ENJOY!

Tom & Hermione

After a dull speech by the headgirl, Hermione's head was about to fall onto the table, but she kept her eyes open, eagerly awaiting Tom's speech.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, have fun at the winter ball!" Tom called out to the cheering, applauding students.

"Was that all?" Hermione hissed at him quietly, when they were seated again and all the students had begun talking among each other and ordering food.

"Rice, Natalija?" Tom asked in a fake polite voice.

"Yes, please." Hermione grumbled. "Was that all you were going to say about the ball?"

"Well, as you might have noticed, Minerva had put a lot of thoughts into her speech. So there wasn't really anything more to add." Tom said, scowling in the direction of the headgirl.

Hermione smirked at him. "Not that you really wanted to."

Tom smirked back. "Not really, no. Chicken?"

Hermione nodded and Tom smiled. Smiled, not smirked. "By the way, I've got a surprise for you tonight." Hermione's eyebrows shot upwards. "Oh really? What IS that surprise?"

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise anymore." Tom smirked, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, come on!" Hermione whined. The dark lord had a SURPRISE for her? No way! Why would HE of all people try to surprise her? But more important, what WAS that surprise? Something scary? She dearly hoped not.

"Nope. You will find out after the dance." Tom smirked and engaged himself in a conversation with the Ravenclaw-prefect, Jeremy Belby, who was Minerva's date.

Harry & Ginny

To Harry's dismay, he was seated next to Abraxas Malfoy, who was talking Harry's ear off. He kept going on about various family occasions and boasting about expensive holidays. Harry was glad when Ginny finally pulled him towards her.

"Thank you, Gin." Harry mumbled quietly. "No problem." his girlfriend grinned. She was looking gorgeous in a white dress and sparkling silver jewellery. "Harry, tell me, you went into the future with Hermione. What happened? Why were you so pale when you returned?"

Harry told her everything, leaving nothing out. "And suddenly Hermione disappeared. I had no idea what had happened and of course I was scared for her. When we finally arrived back in Dumbledore's office, Hermione was screaming her head off. After she had taken some calming draught, she told us that she was adopted by a pureblood family AND the mother of Tom Riddle's child."

"WHAT? She and Riddle were together?" Ginny asked with wide, disbelieving eyes.

"I don't know, if they were together. Tom obviously recognized her in the ministry, asked her what her name was, she said Hermione – although Tom probably remembered her as Natalija, and well, they made a baby together." Harry said, his face extremely red.

Ginny laughed loudly. "Don't play innocent. Hey, want to dance? THIS time?"

Draco & Eileen

They were seated at a table with quite a lot of Ravenclaws – and Eileen was ignoring Draco, but talking to Tobias Snape. Draco had to keep reminding himself that it was supposed to happen – Tobias Snape and Eileen – otherwise Severus Snape would never be born – but on the other hand, it bothered him immensely that Eileen hadn't uttered one word to him throughout the meal.

"Oh, I'm sorry Maxim." Eileen suddenly said. 'Finally!' Draco thought, rolling his eyes.

"I haven't been a good date so far." she pouted. "No, you haven't." Draco agreed. "Want to dance?"

"I'd love to, but you have to let Tobias Snape have one dance as well, okay?"

"Okay." Draco said grudgingly. He had a feeling that this one dance would lead into many others, but he didn't show his discomfort. After all, Severus Snape HAD to be born.

While leading his date onto the dancefloor, Draco remembered the afternoon, when Harry and he had just exited the room of requirement. "Poliakoff! Krum! What are you doing here?" Tom had been in front of the room, glaring at the two Slytherins. "We were talking about something private." Harry had quickly invented. Tom had just raised an eyebrow and waited for them to depart. Unfortunately, Draco and Harry had never found out what Tom had been doing there. But he knew it was something important.

Tom & Hermione & Harry & Ginny & Draco & Eileen were now all on the dancefloor, dancing to classical music. Hermione marvelled again at the fact that Tom almost seemed to be a professional dancer. Draco and Eileen were waltzing nearby, Draco shooting death glares at the pair. Also, Harry and Ginny seemed to have a lot of fun, Ginny winking at Hermione a little bit too often. Was there something that Ginny knew and Hermione didn't?

'I have to make Riddle tell me somehow.' Hermione thought, gazing up at Riddle adoringly. But the same moment, the thrilling thought occurred, Abraxas Malfoy swaggered over to them, smirking cockily. He stopped in front of Hermione, ignoring Tom completely, stretching out his hand: "Miss Karkarova, could you spare one dance for me?"

Hermione blushed scarlet to her dismay. "Oh, yes, why not." Hermione mumbled, but Tom cut her off. "No, Malfoy, go and dance with your own date!" Tom said so powerfully that Hermione shuddered.

Draco Malfoy gawked at them and departed without another word, looking slightly scared. Hermione rounded on Tom. "What was that about?" "HE is not here with you. I am." Tom said through gritted teeth. "But it would just be ONE dance. So what's the big deal?" "I repeat, no one takes you away from me." Tom stroked her cheek and leaned in for a kiss.

Hermione at first wanted to fight against it but thought better. She gave into his hot kiss and wrapped her arms around his shoulders when she felt his hands touch her hips. Tom groaned into their kiss and pulled her even tighter towards him. When he entered her mouth with his tongue, Hermione couldn't suppress a groan herself.

"When do you want to see my surprise?" Tom asked hoarsely. He was still holding Hermione tightly although they had stopped kissing.

Hermione decided for a moment. Most pairs were still dancing, drinking, talking or laughing. No one would notice them slip away. She decided to inform Harry and Ginny about their departure. She quite frankly had no idea what the dark lord would plan.

"Katya, I just wanted to let you know that Tom and I are … well… going somewhere." Hermione hissed urgently at Ginny who looked surprised. "What do you mean, Nat?"

"Tom has a surprise for me." Hermione said, her face slightly red. Ginny and Harry looked at each other alarmed. "What kind of surprise?" Ginny narrowed her eyes. "I don't know yet. He wants to show me." Hermione answered quietly.

"Look, it is dangerous." Harry began, but Hermione shook her head. "He hasn't done anything to me so far. Besides, I'm his girlfriend. Why should he do something to me?"

Ginny and Harry looked at Hermione pityingly and Hermione became suddenly furious seeing that look. "Okay. Just wanted to let you know. Have a nice evening." she stormed off in search for Tom who was already waiting for her at the doors.

He gave her a quick peck on her lips and they departed hand in hand. Hermione was surprised. Where was he leading her? And WHY? And what would await her?

They had reached the room of requirement – Hermione had expected everything but not that. When Tom Riddle opened the door, she saw the beautiful room. It was not too dark and not too bright. Candles were illuminating the slightly dark room, a king sized bed was next to the white wall, a bottle of champagne and two glasses, music was quietly playing in the background… well, it just looked perfect.

Hermione's breath quickened and she looked at a slightly flustered Riddle. "Do you like it?" Tom Riddle mumbled barely audibly. Hermione smiled. "Yes, I do. Very much. Thank you, Tom." she answered. "Though, I'm surprised that YOU are that kind of person who would do THAT." she pointed at the carefully decorated room.

"You know, you being romantic." Hermione said, a slight pink touch on her cheeks.

"Neither did I to be frank. Champagne, Natalija?" Tom had slumped down onto the bed, putting up his feet and motioning for Hermione to do the same.

Slowly and carefully, Hermione sat down on the bed as well – far away from Tom. Tom filled two glasses and handed her one. "You know, I don't bite." he smirked. Hermione let out a small giggle and cuddled directly next to him, enjoying his arm leisurely on her shoulders while they were enjoying their champagne.

"Tom, why did you do that?" Hermione wanted to hear it. But to her disappointment, he said something else. Something that she did NOT necessarily want to hear.

"Because you went to the ball with me and I thought you might like it." he shrugged, though avoiding Hermione's gaze. Hermione considered this. For some reason, she thought that it was only the partial truth.

The music was softly playing in the background, the lights were casting a beautiful light onto the already beautiful girl in his arms and the alcohol also had an effect. At this moment, both Hermione and Tom were completely happy and completely in sync. Tom carefully took her glass and put it onto the table that had conveniently just appeared.

He smiled, kissed her again – more passionately this time and Hermione responded, just as heated, just as passionately. Tom groaned and positioned himself on top of her, stroking her face.

They were cuddling, kissing, stroking and breathing heavily for a long time. By this time, Hermione was completely naked and Tom was only wearing his boxers.

He looked at her and yet another smile crept upon his face. The girl who was so innocently laying here in bed under him, looking up at him with her big chocolate brown eyes, her hair now flying out of her knot, her pink cheeks and her curvy, yet slim body – Tom knew, he admired every single part of her. Could this be love? He wasn't sure.

But he was sure that he cared for her more than anything in the world. Tom knew he HAD to protect her. And wanted her to be safe. With trembling fingers, he stroked a long blonde strand of her behind her ear.

He didn't know that the stunning girl under him had similar thoughts. She admired his perfectly toned body, muscles, his black hair combed to the side, his deep blue eyes and his dazzling smile. WHEN he smiled. And he did that a lot lately. Just as she was about to push her lush lips onto his kissable lips he asked her something important.

"Are you ready?"

Both of them were embarrassed to the max, but both of them knew: It was time. They were ready to finally give in to their lust.

THTHTH

"WHERE is she?" Draco turned away from Lucinda Black to talk to his former enemy, Harry Potter.

"Riddle had a SURPRISE for her and she left with him. Don't you think it's a bit dangerous?" Harry asked, not keeping the disdain out of his voice.

"I remember him in the room of requirement today. Do you think it has anything to do with that?" Draco asked, his eyes wide in worry.

"Yes, this is it!" Ginny suddenly said, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

"What do you mean?" her boyfriend asked.

"Well, isn't it OBVIOUS, Harry?" Ginny rolled her eyes jokingly.

"No, it isn't, Ginny. Care to explain yourself?"

"Nope. Just trust me. Leave her be this evening. You can interrogate her tomorrow." Ginny chirped and Draco and Harry looked angrily at her.

"Believe me. I know Tom. Better than you two."

There was too much truth to deny that. Grudgingly, the two boys admitted defeat and went back to dancing.

THTHTH

Hermione awoke early next morning, finding herself next to an insanely handsome, sleeping Tom Riddle. He had his arms around her and was snoring slightly. Hermione smiled at the thought of the day before. It had been perfect. With a happy sigh, she scooted closer to Tom, put her head on his shoulder and fell asleep again.

Tom awoke an hour later. He felt comfortably warm and happy. At first, he didn't know where he was, but then he remembered the beautiful night, he and Hermione had. He looked down at his girlfriend who was sleeping peacefully in his arms. He was still astounded as he would never have thought himself to be caring, passionate or romantic. Tom closed his eyes again and held Hermione tighter. It didn't take long before he was in deep slumber again.

Two hours later, Hermione was woken up by a stirring Tom. He looked at her and smiled. "Did you sleep well, Tom?" Hermione asked with a huge yawn. "Yes, very. What about you?" to her dismay, he was using his stiff polite voice again. 'Drop the act!' Hermione thought furiously.

"Yes, I slept very well." Hermione grinned and a blush crept onto her face.

Tom laughed and kissed her passionately. He had really enjoyed last night, and Hermione had obviously enjoyed it too. So there would be no harm in asking.

"Do you want to repeat last night?" Tom asked cockily, raising an eyebrow. Hermione let him squirm for half a minute, then a smile broke over her face. "Suuure." she drawled in a Malfoy-like fashion.

Tom groaned with happiness and lust and kissed her passionately again.

THTHTH

"Where do you reckon Mione is?" Draco asked Harry sighing. They were sitting in the relatively empty Slytherin common room, quietly discussing tactics.

Harry looked at his former enemy and shrugged. "I don't you. Though I still don't like it. Voldemort had a SURPRISE for her! What could that be? And maybe it really has to do something with the room of requirement."

Draco's eyes suddenly went wide. "That's it, Harry!"

"What? You want to go to the Room of Requirement to see if they are there? Are you sure you want to make a fool of yourself, Malfoy? Besides, Voldemort doesn't take it lightly, if you spy on him." Harry concluded bitterly.

"I'm not put into Slytherin for nothing, Potter." Malfoy said proudly, a smug smile gracing his lips. "I've got the perfect plan. Besides, I was about to stop in Ravenclaw anyway."

Harry hesitated for a moment, but got up as well. "Okay, Malfoy. I'm going with you." he growled.

Silently, Draco and Harry made their way to the Ravenclaw common room. "Shouldn't we involve Ginny? She knows the Dark Lord best." Harry said quietly.

"Leave your girlfriend out of this, Potter! We are capable of looking for Hermione ourselves." Draco sneered. "So what do we do NOW?" The two Slytherins were standing dumbfounded in front of the Ravenclaw entrance, the eagle knocker, looking at the mockingly. At least it seemed like that to Draco and he almost aimed at hit at it.

"I guess we have to wait until somebody-" but Harry was stopped by two giggling girls who were walking out of the room. They eyed the two Slytherins curiously and broke into giggles again. Harry waited for them to subside, then he approached the black-haired girl warily. "Uh… excuse me please… do you know… Natalija Karkarova? She is a 7th year."

The two girls looked at each other perplexed. "Yes, I know her. What's the matter with her?"

"We were looking for her. It's rather important. Could you get her down here please?" Draco asked with as much charm as he could, smiling at the red-haired girl in front of him.

"Oh." she blushed. "I can have a look, but I don't think she's here. I haven't seen her all day!"

"WHAT?" Both Draco and Harry cried out in unison.

"Well, she didn't return last night." the black haired explained, earning a horrorstruck look from Harry and Draco. "Sorry." she added.

"But well what do you expect?" the red-haired chimed in, grinning wickedly, "If I had gone to the ball with TOM, I wouldn't have returned either." and with that the two burst in giggles again, leaving the two Slytherins dumbfounded.

"Sooooo, Potter, glad that I suggested to look for her?" Draco sneered, mainly to cover up his shock.

Harry nodded slowly. "I suppose, I am. What do you suggest now? Go to the room of requirement?"

"Yeah."

The boys were climbing the stairs and Harry was having doubts about confronting the Dark Lord and Hermione. What if they were wrong?

"And what shall we do when we cannot get in? We don't even know what it looks like. We can't really say, I want you to become what you became for Tom Riddle, can we? What if he used protective spells?" Harry voiced his doubts and his throat became constricted with fear and worry.

Draco shrugged it off. "We have to try at least." They had finally reached the seventh floor, and were in front of the wall which leads into the room of requirement, panting heavily.

"You go first." Harry said flippantly, eyeing draco with doubt.

Draco sighed and started walking three times. Nothing happened. "What did you think of?" "A torture room." Draco answered. Harry sighed and got up, trying out himself. "I want you to become what you became for Tom Riddle last night." he tried it several times in almost all the variations he could think of. No success whatsoever.

"Do you think Riddle is still with her?" Draco asked suddenly.

"Yes, I think so. Unfortunately. If he did anything to her, I will personally KILL him." Harry spat.

At that moment, a big, crying boy came running along that corridor. He stopped quickly when he saw the two Slytherin boys and wiped his tears away. Harry and Draco immediately noticed that he was wearing Gryffindor robes.

"You okay?" Harry asked tightly. This boy seemed familiar, but he couldn't quite place a finger on it.

He choked and looked at them astonished. 'Well, Slytherins aren't usually friendly towards Gryffindor.' Harry remembered too late. Draco, however, played his role well, sneering in the background.

"Oh, yeah, thanks. Yeh are a nice Slytherin." the boy grinned toothily.

Harry gave a sour smile back. "Yes, I'm Anatol Poliakoff and this is Maxim Krum."

"Nice ta meet yeh. I'm Rubeus Hagrid!"