Chapter 4: In The Days of Tom Riddle
A/n: I don't own Harry Potter
Hermione's POV
It was dark, too dark. A throbbing in her head woke her up and she regained conciseness.
" Where am I? What's the date, and time?" she mumbled, dazed by the bright light.
"Well, you are at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, it is Thursday, December 23rd, 1955 also known as the Winter solstice, and the time is ...7:45, just after dinner. Who are you?" a familiar voice said.
"Professor Dumbledore!" Hermione sat up in bed, "I well...you see...um," she struggled for words.
"I believe you have some papers in you hand, may see them?" he asked gently.
"Oh, here you are" she handed the folders to him, "they're actually for you."
Professor Dumbledore flipped through some pages and read a long letter.
"You may find this hard to believe professor, but I am-" Professor Dumbledore stopped her.
"No worries, you are from the future Ms. Colombe, am I right?" he asked.
Hermione nodded.
" Good, this letter has told me everything. I will have to leave you to go convince our Headmaster to let you attend. Rest well." and with that Professor Dumbledore swept out of the Hospital Wing.
Hermione looked around her. The Hospital Wing looked similar to the future, except the beds had different sheets and dividers around them. A few people occupied the beds at the far end of the Wing and had various cards and sweets from admirers and friends all wishing for that patient to get better. There were cauldrons at each end of every bed, sizzling with different potions to cure the students, the sound of footsteps approached Hermione's bed.
"Is Professor Dumbledore gone? Can I treat my patient now? "The speaker was a small and slightly chubby woman that had a kind face that mad you feel as if you were already better.
"Erm, yes.' Heroine answered.
The women smiled, " I'm Madame Meadowlark, the healer of Hogwarts dear. And who are you may I ask?"
"Oh, my name is Gracelyn Colombe, but you can call me Grace. I'm from Beauxbatons, the Finest Magic school in all of France" Hermione answered.
"Well Grace, you gave us all quite a fright. Just drink this and you'll be up in no time." Professor Meadowlark said, as she handed Hermione, no, Gracelyn a purple potion.
Grace sipped it. The potion tasted good, almost, fruity. It gave her strength and she soon felt wide-awake. A soft knock on the Hospital Wing's door disrupted the silence as Madame Meadowlark went to go open the door.
"Oh Hello Tom, do come in" Madame Meadowlark called.
Tom, as in Tom Marvlo Riddle? Hermione thought.
"Hello Madame Meadowlark. I just wanted to check up on our newest patient," a musical voice said.
Hermione doubled over.
This was the man that killed Harry's parents, the person who killed his own father, the murder of Myrtle, and torturer of muggles and muggleborns, she thought.
Not yet, Riddle hasn't become Voldemort yet, a small voice said
He will be, Hermione thought
Not at this time, the voice said
Shut it! Hermione thought.
"Oh, she's right this way" Madame Meadowlark smiled.
Hermione put on a cheerful face and prepared to meet the future Dark Lord.
I am Gracelyn Colombe. I am from Beauxbatons and am running from the Dark wizard Grinwald who has killed my parents. I am not Hermione Granger, Muggleborn/Mudblood from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I know nothing of Tom Riddle and think he is just another stuck up, pompous student of Hogwarts that fools everyone, Hermione thought.
A pair of footsteps echoed down the hall.
"She just woke up."
Her breath quickened.
Relax! Hermione thought.
Two figures appeared in front of her bed, one was Madame Meadowlark and the other was the most handsome boy Hermione had ever seen.
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING HERMOINE? She mentally kicked herself for thinking Riddle was handsome.
"Gracelyn, this is Tom Riddle. Tom this is Gracelyn Colombe." Madame Meadowlark introduced us.
Great. Another proud, stuck up, conceited person I have to be civil to. Just what I need.
Tom smiled, " Hello Gracelyn, are you recovering well?"
"Very well, thank you" she replied through clenched teeth.
Tom looked surprised but quickly hid it.
"Madame Meadowlark, could you please bring me my bag? I believe I left it at the door, I would like to give our new visitor a gift." Tom asked.
"Of course Tom!" Madame Meadowlark ran off.
As soon as she was out of hearing distance, Tom walked swiftly over to her bedside.
"I don't know who you are Colombe, but I intend to find out. Got it?" Tom asked. He said this all really nicely, but Hermione could hear every word was laced with a threat: Do not cross me.
Madame Meadowlark came back, "Sorry Tom, I couldn't find your bag for you."
" It's alright, I believe I left it at the Library. Thank you so much for you help. Do get better Colombe" Tom said, and he quickly left the Hospital Wing.