Chapter 6

Nervously, Hermione walked back and forth between the two sides of her room. Her hands clasped behind her back.

After getting back from the library, Hermione thought she would be better off remaining in her room until eight o'clock came. She was anxious enough as it is. Christy had come to check on her, three times in the past hour. Hermione had even missed out on dinner because she didn't want to risk seeing or meeting Riddle. No doubt he'll suspect something of her now. She had nagged at herself a thousand times over now for acting more like Harry, compared to her usual planned out self.

But I'm in the past looking like a six year old; surely people can't expect me to be so thoroughly thought out all the time.

Pfft. Yeah right. You're Hermione Granger! Of course that's what they expect!

Hermione let out a loud groan as she picked up her teddy from her bed and quickly magicked it back into her wand. "Tempis." she murmured and then the time and date showed up in bright red in front of her.

26th August 1943, Tuesday

19:57

Making sure to keep her breathing calm, Hermione made her exit from her room. Looking both ways up and down the hall, she turned right in the direction or the stairs, knowing that Tom Riddle's room was on the top floor along with Christy's and another boy she hadn't heard of.

To say that Tom Riddle was pissed off would clearly be underlined as the world's biggest understatement of the decade. How dare that brat go and get him detention.

She didn't even know him!

And now he had to serve detention!

Sorting files!

Something he hated. It was one of those moments he really wanted to curse the ministry for putting a ban on under seventeen's from using magic outside Hogwarts. All his detentions would have been a hell of a lot easier if he could just use his wand.

But one word that had been going through his head the entire evening that basically questioned everything that has so far happened was-

Why?

Why did she come here? Why did she lock him in the canteen? Why wasn't she so scared of him like every other kid? Why did she trick Miss Cole into giving him a detention?

So many unanswered questions.

And everyone that knew Tom, would know that he does not take kindly to being left in the unknown.

"Bloody...hell..." Hermione breathed out as she finally made it over the last step.

Hermione was actually quite active for her age. She'd always been an active person, but being back in her six year old form meant she got more tired out than normal.

She turned a corner, and saw herself now standing in front of Tom Riddle's bedroom. Using the same spell she had used on the cuboard door back in the kitchen, she checked to make sure he had definitely left for his detention. The last thing she wanted was to have him questioning her on why she was caught stalking around his room. That on top of why she had gotten him detention.

When she was absolutely positive that no one was inside, Hermione removed the spell. Looked around her. Then stretched up and grabbed a hold on the door handle. Breathing in and not letting go, she slowly pulled down on the handle. When the small click was heard, indicating that the door was open, she finally let out the breath she had been holding. Giving the door a small nudge, it slowly creaked open. Worrying that the creek might have been heard, she gave another quick glance around her before going in and shutting the door behind her again.

Hermione almost turned pale at the sight before her. Plain white walls, an old tattered bed, a set of drawers, and trunk and... Lots and lots of books.

"You have got to be kidding." Hermione muttered.

There was about five books on top of his drawers, six on his window sill, some underneath his bed, about ten on a small chair in the corner and only god knows where else.

"Please let some of them just be muggle books." She prayed.

She placed her wand on top pf his bed, not taking her eyes off of the books on top of the drawers. Hastily making her way over, she wasted no time in grabbing the first load of books.

Sixth year Potions, Arithmancy, Defence, Transfiguration, Care of Magical Creatures, Charms, Ancient Runes, and... Hermione snorted, Divination? You've got to be kidding.

Hermione silently scolded the future Dark Lord for being so careless and leaving these books out in the open for any unknowing muggle to come across.

But then again. I'm probably the first person to even dare try and do this.

Giving up on any hope of finding the spell in any of these books, Hermione ventured over to the window sill. She knew it was dark magic that had been used, meaning her best shot was in a book on dark magic, not simple school books.

Besides, I've read them already. She scoffed, lifting up the heavy tomes from the window sill, Hermione began to look through them as well, but felt her anger and impatience swell up even more as she read the titles.

"I've read these already." Hermione grounded out.

In a slight huff, Hermione tried the ones under his bed. But found everything under there was something she had already read. That was. Until she found something that made shivers run up and down her back.

The Diary...

In disgust, Hermione chucked it back to where she found it. She was tempted to just take and hide it god knows where. Stop it from doing to them what it did in her second year.

But Hermione wasn't that stupid. Nor was she going to risk changing the time line to such an extent. She's already changed it enough as it was she realised.

Letting out a loud sigh, Hermione stood up from the floor. All she wanted was to let out the loudest scream, she could ever muster. She was so hoping she would be able to get away from this place. Escape this body. Get as far away as possible from him. Yet when she went to push her bushy hair out of her face, instead she felt a small wet streak on her cheek. It was then Hermione's tears came out. All she could do was let them fall. Standing there, she waited until they stopped and gave her face a wipe with her cardigan's sleeve.

Composed as ever, Hermione leaned over to reach her wand, but then noticed another book. This time on his bed next to her wand. Hoping with all hopes, Hermione snatched the book and brought it to her face hoping to read the title, but let out a defeated sigh as she realised it was only Oliver Twist.

Still feeling a bit huffy over not finding the book she needed, Hermione decided to act her new age and took out his marker. Skimming to a random page in the book, Hermione placed the book mark inside. She went to shut it, but not before catching sight of the pages title.

How To Master The Unforgivables

Hermione stood frozen gaping at the book like a cod fish.

"That sneaky son of a bi-"

"Ahem."

Hermione spun round, eyes wide as saucers. As if by routine she placed her wand behind her back.

"T-t-tom." Hermione stuttered.

"What. Do you think. You. Are. Doing" Tom glared at her, his eyes momentarily shifting to her hand behind her back then to the book in her other hand.

"I...I..." Hermione had no idea what to say, she had only just found a decent looking book, but had totally forgotten to check the time. She had never been so careless before in her life.

Maybe Harry has been rubbing off on me a little too much lately...

"What?" Tom grounded out.

Tom had just returned from sorting out god knows how many files on orphans at this orphanage dating back to mid-nineteenth century. He knew there was some sort of reason behind all this, and had planned to question her when he next caught her alone, but this had been the last thing he had expected. No one ever even thought to come in here of all places.

His attention turned onto the book in her hands.

Oliver Twist.

Not Good.

"I don't have time for your stuttering. Give me my book." Looking at her with shear loathing.

However, Hermione didn't give him the book. She couldn't possibly let this chance slip past her. "N-no"

Tom's eyes narrowed, "Excuse me? Give. Me. The. Book." He seethed. "You have no business being in here."

Hermione felt her temper flare. If there was one thing Hermione never had real control over, it was her temperament.

"Are you deaf? I said 'no'." Hermione said.

Shock flashed across Tom's eyes before turning back into those dark pools of his.

Hermione knew she was pissing him off. Hell. IT seemed to be becoming a sort of hobby for her now a days. She could feel the anger in the air. She also knew that if she didn't get out soon, she would be made to do something she didn't want to.

Tom took a step forward, expecting her to step back, but instead she held her ground. Then a look of interest crossed his intense features. "What's that behind your back?"

Oops Hermione grimaced; I'm really on a role tonight.

"None of your business." Hermione stated simply.

Again Tom Riddle's eyes narrowed. But before Hermione had a chance to even think, Tom bent down a grabbed her around her waist faster than she had seen any seeker fly a broom. Lifting her up, he shoved her on top of his bed and brought his face down to hers. Eye to eye. "Anything in this room is my business. Understand?" This time he made to grab the book, but Hermione jerked it away. Only annoying him further. Next he had her pinned back on his bed, one arm above her head and now her other armed was trapped under her back. Smirking, Tom grabbed the book from her hand. "Now. What little contraption do you have hidden under you back? Hmm?"

Hermione's eyes widened when he made to reach behind her back.

I can't do this anymore, its now or never.

Whipping out her wand, she pointed it at his chest. She took great pleasure in seeing how his eyes where now the size of saucers.

"Get. Of. Me. Now." Hermione ordered forcefully, pressing her wand against his chest a wee bit harder in emphasis.

Either Voldemort was mentally retarded or he was just plain ignorant. He didn't move. Instead he just smirked. "Or what? Gonna hex me?"

This was just the excuse she needed. "Incarcerous!"

Immediately, ropes sprung from her wand and wrapped themselves tightly around Tom, also pushing him from Hermione causing him to land on his arse. Any other day Hermione would have laughed at the sight, but now wasn't the time. As soon as Hermione lifted herself from her awkward position, she sent another well aimed spell at him. "Petrificus Totalus."

Hermione watched gladly as his body become stiff and he landed hard on the floor. Getting up and off the bed, Hermione walked over to his body. "Much better." she stated sweetly. "Don't you think?"

"Aha!" Hermione bent down and picked up the book he had still managed to keep a hold of throughout the entire fiasco. Snorting, Hermione then added, "Oliver Twist my arse."

Hermione knew perfectly well that he could hear every word she uttered, but it didn't bother her, as every word she said almost felt like a small victory over him. Looking again at his frozen posture, Hermione let out a soft chuckle upon noticing how his eyes were outwardly glaring at her full of hate. Hermione wandered if he was doing that consciously or if they were just frozen like that. She went for the former idea.

Getting into a comfy sitting position on his bed, Hermione began looking through the book. "Bloody hell," she murmured as she came across a section giving off a detailed exclamation on the use and effects of the 'Borrou' curse. "Ouch."

Finally, after searching about three quarters of the book, Hermione came across the curse she wanted. Reading it, Hermione noticed that in some cases it could most likely be quite the handy little spell, but in her case is was like a twisted form of torture. Hermione skimmed most of the chapter, making sure to note the curse's spell and counter-spell. Yet, to Hermione's misfortune, she noted that the counter would have painful effects on her body, and her appearance might even change a little. Reading that, Hermione gave her body a quick scan. Frizzy, bushy hair, small, squeaky voice, dodgy teeth. Hermione easily came to the conclusion that it would be entirely worth it.

"Well. Take one last look Mr. Riddle, because you're never gonna lay your eyes on this thing again." She stated, gesturing to herself.

Hermione calmly walked towards the door, opened it and stepped out, but before shutting it, Hermione poked her head inside the room. "I've set the charm to remove itself in approximately ten minutes. By that time I will be gone and," Hermione sighed, wishing she didn't have to say this but thought it would be best. After all, she understood what it was like to be completely unsatisfied with school books. She herself had read most of the dark books she discovered at the Black house. It was the reason she had had a fairly good idea as to what curse Bellatrix had used might have been. "And, I'll leave your book on my bed. Oh! And I suggest you do a better job in keeping those books away from prying eyes. Using Oliver Twist was a good one, but you never know." Hermione really couldn't help but scold him just a tiny, little bit. What could she say? It was in her nature. With that she left.

Hermione had run the entire length back to her own room. She slammed the creaky, stiff door shut, (Hermione had taken time during her boredom to place some light-weight charms on the door and made the handle less stiff, making it easier to use) and placed some silencing spells around the room. The book hadn't really stated how much pain, just that there would be pain and she didn't want to attract anyone if she did scream out.

Beginning to wish she had gave herself more time than she had, Hermione removed all her clothes and placed them all spread out on the floor. Using her wand, she enlarged them to what seemed more of her sixteen year old self's size. She also conjured herself a full bodied mirror and placed it against the wall she now faced.

Breathing deeply Hermione sat down on the floor, crossed legged. She gripped her wand tightly and aimed it well at her chest. The same place Bellatrix had hit her with the curse. Shutting her eyes tightly she shouted, "Jeunex!"

A bright light, this time blue, soared through Hermione. It took a matter of seconds before pain beyond belief overtook her. Hermione doubled over, holding on to her stomach as she felt her skin burn, her bones stretch and the tears come to her eyes. She screamed. It was like the cruciatus curse times 10! Which now felt pleasant to Hermione. One thing she never thought she'd agree on.

After writhing on the floor for what felt like years to her, the pain finally subsided and Hermione laid on the floor trying to get her breathing back in order.

"There's going to be hell to pay if that didn't work." Hermione muttered.

With her bones still aching, Hermione got herself up from the floor, not once looking at the mirror. No, she wanted to get dressed first. Putting on the same clothes the orphanage gave her, again using magic to make them fit just the right size, seen as she had made them a size too big, confirming that the spell had worked in some way.

It wasn't till after she had gotten herself ready that she finally chanced a look at the mirror. What she saw made her gasp in both shock and amazement.

Standing there facing her in the mirror was a young woman. Even though it was difficult to believe, Hermione knew it was her. She still had the same face, chocolate brown eyes, heart shaped head, soft pink lips and same nose, and even her teeth had managed to return to their straighter form and remained a healthy white. Now, though, her height had somehow grew a few inches it appeared, her body seemed much more filled out with womanly curves, and her HAIR! Hermione had managed to tame her hair come fifth year, letting it bounce of her shoulders in soft, chocolate brown ringlets. Here, it was still the same but it seemed more thinned out and now came down past her waist.

"Hmm... maybe I'll thank Bellatrix before I kill her." Hermione joked slightly to herself, but quickly snapped out of it when she remembered what she was supposed to be doing in the first place. "Oh shit, I almo-"

BANG!

Hermione spun round at the sudden noise. Only to find a certain shocked Tom Riddle.

- - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - -

What felt like an eternity, as soon as Hermione's spell had worn off, Tom had swiftly got to his feet and began running in the direction of Hermione's room.

A witch! She's a bloody witch! Why hadn't I seen it before!?

Sorting through those files had taken ages! All he wanted to do was get back to bed as soon as possible, and then maybe catch that girl the next day. Finding her in his room, with his book, had been the last thing he needed. He thought he might as well as use that time to finally get some answers, but was bloody well shocked when she pulled out a wand. He didn't think she would be capable of anything at such an age, but she easily - Yes! Easily! He had to at least admit that he had let his guard down by thinking he could fool around with her - got him. Then took his book!

He'd be damned if he was going to let her get away with doing something like that to him! He was the Heir of Slytherin! He wasn't going to be bettered by six year old!

But is she what she says she is? No six year old could do magic like that!

He didn't care. He may not be able to out do her using magic but physically, he could break her like a twig. She has something of his and he wants it back.

Finally he got to the door and pushed it open hard.

But he saw made his draw drop to the floor, if it was possible. This he did NOT expect!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
She was frozen! She didn't have a clue what to do!

This was terrible!

She was able to risk him seeing her like a six year old, because she knew the Voldemort of her time had never properly seen her till the end of fifth year, through Harry's memories. And even then she had been eleven! There was no way he could recognise her unless he looked really closely, but now he might actually recognise her!

Oh God! What have I done!?

I'll tell you what you've done. You've went and screwed up the bloody time-line!

Hermione did her best to try and push her little Harry counter part to the back of her head. That was the last thing she needed right now! Besides, Riddle didn't seem to be doing any better.

"Y-you…Granger?" He finally got out.

Making sure to try and sound a least a 'bit' confident, Hermione answered, "I guess so. That big of a change huh? Well, this is me, my true sixteen year old self." She put extra emphasis on her age, hoping to get it across.

He looked a little disturbed by her information, but luckily for her, he seemed to have gone back into that little speechless stage of his.

Good. The less talking the better! Besides, I need to get my arse out of here!

Hermione turned around back to the mirror and straightened herself out a little. Once that was done, still managing to remain calm, she turned and walked towards her dressing table that was next to the window. Picking up her brush, she calmly put it through her hair, happy when she found it ran nice and smoothly through her longer locks.

Not even bothering to glance at him, she said, "You should really shut that mouth of your's. It makes you look a bit like a Cod Fish."

Placing some hair behind her ears, she turned to see him sending her a hard glare. She just smirked, strangely feeling more and more confident.

"It was you wasn't it." He seethed.

"Care to clarify?" She mocked back.

"You were the one watching me in the kitchen weren't you? I'll bet you were even hidden it that cuboard bellow the sink!" He stated, rather than questioned. Then he scoffed, "No bloody wander you were able to read so well."

"Well done mister Riddle. You just earned yourself ten brownie points!"

You're playing with fire, Hermione!

Realising she was maybe taking it all a bit too far. If he was to recognise her in the future now, the last thing she wanted was for him to be more on her back than he - partly - already was.

"As delightful as our little chat has been, I really must be going." Hermione said half sarcastically. She took her wand from her skirt's pocket, getting ready to apparate.

"No! Wait! Who are you really?" Tom inquired anxiously. Hermione almost let how she inwardly grimaced, show on her face. It was scary noticing how much he reminded her of herself at that one moment.

But there was no way she would actually spill all her deepest, darkest secrets right there and then anyway. She may of had a Harry day, but she wasn't completely idiotic.

No offence Harry.

A small smirk graced her features.

"Ah... Now that Mr. Riddle is something you will have to just figure out on your own."

And with that, Hermione Granger apparated.

R&R