Chapter 23

If there was one thing Hermione did not appreciate on a Saturday morning, it was two screaming girls waking her up!

It seemed that Minnie was on the same boat as Hermione. Both girls simultaneously turned over lifting the pillow up, and shoved it atop of their heads, trying desperately to drown the two excited girls out.

Hermione didn't know if it was deemed dignant in this day and age, but she really couldn't care. She sloppily crawled out of bed, wand in hand. Moving slowly across the floor, she made her way over to Minnie's bed. Dragging herself up, she slid under the covers and shuffled over to Minnie.

If Minnie minded, she didn't say anything. Too tired to really care either.

Hermione waved her wand and the curtains hid them, and she warded the bed against any noise, and their two hiper active room mates.

Both girls sighed happily as they caught a few extra hours sleep.

If there was one thing about Severus Snape, that he would inwardly praise himself for, was being fast minded.

He was currently going through rows and rows of books, looking for anything to do with Time Travel. Lucius was doing the same, but further away. All Severus had been told was that he and Lucius had to hunt for any books containing information on Time Travel and that they would have a 'special task' to do.

But he, of course, already knew exactly what that special task was.

Voldemort knew Severus to be highly intelligent and a great potion's master, but luckily, he underestimated his being observant.

Severus had seen the time turner wrapped round Hermione Granger's neck. He knew that when she disappeared, the only place she could have gone was into the past.

And judging by what Lucius had secretly told him about the Dark Lord's change in a appearence, he could only guess that she had had a big impact.

The only way his appearance could have went back to what it was, is if his soul had been repaired. And the only way to repair it, is to make it feel. Somehow, and he also had a guess to how, someone had made him feel.

And now, despite the fact that by reparing his soul, he was actually stronger, the Dark Lord wanted her back.

However, he wants the past to stay the way it had been.

And how do you do that?

By erasing any memory of one Hermione Granger.

Severus wasn't stupid, and it was easy to figure the situation out if you looked deep enough into it.

Now he had to find away to stop it from ever happening.

A small 'ha' was whispered as he found the book he'd been looking for. Many times during the first war and the second, he'd thought to run to this book. But he never could. He couldn't bring himself to do it.

He quickly flicked through until he found the page he was looking for. Ripping it out and folding it into his inner robe's pocket, he quickly replaced the book.

But if one person could, it would be a Gryffindor like Granger.

Voldemort walked calmly into the place he'd always found peace and quiet in. The library. He was satisfied to see that Snape and Malfoy had already begun on the books. They'd probably guessed the situation with Granger, and seeing as she was at the fore front of the war, she wasn't going to be permitted such freedom, and in a place that could cause too much risk for their cause.

Let them continue thinking that.

When they noticed him enter, they both stood and bowed. He gave them a nod, letting them know it was fine to sit and continue their work.

He sat down in the spare seat opposite them.

"Now, what I am about to tell you is to be uttered nowhere else, or to anyone else. Is that clear?" Both nodded. "Good. As you might have guessed, Granger is in the past, and we cannot give her such an opportunity or amount of freedom. You both are going to be returning to the past to bring her back here."

Both of them nodded, having figured that much out already.

"You will be going back to the year 1943. I will tell you now, it wont be easy, but you will have the advantage. In the end up."

Tom stood, completely emotionless, as he watched most of his 'inner circle' enter into the Room of Requirements. He looked closely at the expressions written on their faces.

Most of them seemed to be near relieved that he'd finally called a meeting, and that it wasn't some sort of trick. He looked at Black, he seemed slightly bored, despite the fact he was curious as to what was about to happen. This made Tom smirk. Black was probably the more mature out of the lot, and knew when something wasn't right.

Anyone could tell Malfoy was nervous about something.

And Dolohov? Riddle easily caught the small glint in his eyes. Tom knew straight away that his not-so-sneaky knight had something planned to put him 'in his place', and Tom fully planned to let him have his moment.

"Welcome, Knights. I know its been a while since our last meeting, but so far, the school year has made it near impossible for meetings to be had. We are-"

"It's not been impossible." Dolohov spat, steeping out of his place in the small semi-circle.

Tom raised his eyebrows. He wasn't waisting any time, was he? "Something you want to say, Dolohov?"

Dolohov stepped closer. "It's not been impossible. You're just too busy spending time with that disgusting Gryffindor. We all followed you blindly when you started this organisation up last year, but the second a pretty face shows up, you forget all about us. And I wont stand it any longer. None of us will. We don't want you with us any more, we want someone who will lead us to getting rid of the scum that is muggles and mudbloods. Not some filthy halfblood, who isn't even worthy of being in the House of the mighty Salazar."

Dolohov smirked as he looked at Tom, thinking he had everything down to a T, and that Tom would be an out cast for once and for all. Fair enough, nearly everyone had shock written all over their faces. Some even bordering on digust.

Tom nodded and took a step forward to were Dolohov stood proudly.

"You make a fair point Dolohov. But allow me to point out your many flaws." Tom took out his wand and began to twist it around calmly in his hand. "Yes, the Gryffindor is pretty, as you put, but in case you haven't noticed, she is also highly intelligent and good with her wand. I do believe the duel between you both is enough proof of that Dolohov. She would be a great asset to our goals. You say I am not committed to the cause. You forget that, that when I start something, I see it through to the end."

Now, Tom moved in for the kill. He smirked as he stood only a foot from Dolohov. "Yes, my father was a muggle. But my mother, was a Gaunt. Do you know who the Gaunts are descended from, Dolohov?" Dolohov slowly began to back away. Tom's magic was starting to spark around him dangerously. "They are the only, and true descendants of one, Salazar Slytherin. Making me his only heir. Now tell me, who else could me more worthy to stand in the 'Might House of Salazar'?"

Before Dolohov could even beg for some sort of mercy, Tom had him flung against the far wall. The force he was flung at, caused him to fall to the floor unconscious, and broken in some places.

"From now on, there will be lesser meetings. Only because I have decided to do something new with our cause that will take much more preparation. All of you may leave. Anyone not going to Slughorn's party tonight should take Dolohov's pathetic body to the hospital wing. He fell down the stairs."

And with that, Tom left to head back down to the Dungeons. He was glad he'd chosen to keep his ancestory a secret from his house, as it came in handy at just the right moment.

Now he had to get dressed and sorted for meeting Hermione at the staircase.

Hermione sat, positively depressed as Mary tugged and pulled at her poor hair. About two hours ago, the two hyper active room mates had finally grabbed herself and Minnie and dragged them into their dorm room.

Since then, they'd both had long baths, were their bodies got soaked in all different kinds of bath oils and moisturisers. Afterwards, they'd had their nails and faces done, although Hermione insisted not to go crazy with the make up.

Both Mary and Sarah had gotten ready earlier, stating that they both wanted to have the pleasure of doing Hermione and Minnie's hair and make up for them.

Once Hermione's hair was combed out to its full length, in soft curls, Mary pulled one side of her hair, from the ear up, to the back of her head where she clasped it down with a small diamond clasp.

Minnie's hair was done up in a twisty sort of style, that allowed some of her black hair to fall down in made up curls.

Both Mary and Sarah stood back, happy with their work. They looked at each other and squealed, "time for dresses!"

Tom stood patiently, waiting for Hermione to arrive. He was supposed to be meeting her at the staircase to escort her to Slughorn's party, and arrive together. He knew they would be Slughorn's favourite, and most talked about couple there.

Tom caught a glanse at Potter from the corner of his eyes. Potter was standing, dansing back and forth on his heels. He kept fiddling with his neck tie every so ofter as an act of nervousness. Tom rolled his eyes.

Typical Gryffindor.

Tom knew that Potter had only asked McGonagall out in order to make Hermione angry. But it soon backfired on him when he actually began to like the girl. Potter was hoping he wouldn't bugger this chance up.

A small, black haired head poked its way out from the wall at the top of the staircase. Tom watched as Minerva blushed at seeing Potter down there waiting for her.

Rather comically, she began to walk out, but was pulled back rather suddenly by some force.

He would gladly wager what that mysterious force was.

Before Potter lost his wits about him, two figure stood side by side as they started walking down the stairs slowly.

Tom was speechless.

Hermione was dressed in a sleek, silver dress, that came all the way down to her heels. It looked loose on her, but managed to cling to her curves at the same time. There was a slit up the leg that ended almost mid thigh. The two straps were about an inch thick, and the circular neck line only gave a little glimpse of cleavage. Teasing, yet decent.

Hermione was beaming when she reached his side.

It turned out Potter was now bright red in the face, with a blushing Minerva next to him.

Tom smiled down at Hermione, hoping she didn't notice how flustered he now felt. When he went to offer his arm, he had to turn sharply a way, slowly exhaling a breath.

The back was low. Not low enough to be called indecent, but still too low for his liking. The last thing he wanted was people, mainly men, ogling at Hermione's smooth back.

Finally looking at her, he managed to say in a tone that luckily sounded concerned. And he was in a way! "Aren't you cold?"

Any reason to cover her with something!

He narrowed his eyes when he saw the smirk on her face.

"No, actually. Minnie charmed our dresses so neither of us would feel the Autumn chill."

How nice of her.

Hermione looped her arm through Tom's. Together they followed Charles and Minnie to the dance.

Tom watched Hermione, as Hermione watched and smiled at her friend in front of them. Charles had just lent down and whispered something in Minnie's ear. Whatever he'd said, it had made the girl blush furiously, and they now walked a bit more closely.

Hermione looked up at Tom to see him looking down at her, humoured. Hermione smiled smugly up at him. "They make such a sweet couple, don't they," she whispered excitedly.

Tom cocked his eyebrow at her antics. "Mhmm," he murmered dissmissively. He bent his head down slightly, and Hermione, taking the initiative, went up on her tip toes to meet him half way and give him a sweet kiss on the lips. "You look beautiful by the way."

Hermione blushed slightly at his comment. "And you look like quite the gentleman."

Tom smirked, making Hermione smile slightly. "I'm always a gentleman."

Five minutes later and they were in front of the portrait that would bid them enter to Slughorn's party.

Once Charles and Minnie were inside, Hermione and Tom soon followed. Hoping beyond hope that they could get in behind the first couple and escape notice from Slughorns.

Pfft, how stupid were they?

"TOM! HERMIONE!"

The pair had both been trying to make their way to the back of the room and then slowly head to the drinking table across the wall. They paused in their steps and grimaced. They looked at each other in self pity before they turned round to face Slughorn. Happy smiles on their faces.

"Professor," they greeted.

Slughorn beamed happily as he walked up to his two favourite students. "Now now, we will have none of that. Tonight you are my friends. Therefor you shall call me Horace, and will continue to do so unless we're in the classroom of course."

He came up behind them. Standing in between them, he slung his arms around their shoulders and walked them towards the first official he could find.

Half an hour later, Hermione and Tom wished they'd never came to the party.

"This just isn't worth it anymore," Hermione groaned as she took a well needed seat near the far end of the room.

"It most certainly isn't," Tom chuckled lightly as he sat down in the chair next to her.

Hermione's head tiredly fell against his shoulder. "I say we leave as soon as it's deemed possible, and at the same time, polite."

"Yeah," Tom sighed. "Although, I shall never forget the bewildered look I got from Head Auror Dellie after he found out I could bake."

Hermione scowled. "And I will never forget the desiring lookk that is wife sent you at the thought of you covered in chocolate butter icing."

Tom laughed at that. Hermine couldn't help but chuckle along, although it didn't stop him from receiving a playful slap on the shoulder. He pouted at her playfully as he rubbed his shoulder, acting as if it had actually hurt. At this, Hermione did burst out laughing. A pout on his face was just so odd. Tom smiled at her.

"Come on. Let's go. We could go for a wander, maybe down to the lake or something." Tom said as he stood up. He offered Hermione his hand to take.

Hermione easily agreed, and stood up, taking his hand as she did. Together they walked up to Slughorn, who seemed to have already downed half of his drinks cupboard.

Tom tapped the professor lightly on the shoulder. As soon as Slughorn turned round, Tom knew he was about to try and drag the pair of them into a deep, drunken discussion about something or other. So before the old man got the chance, Tom quickly began speaking.

"Sorry Horace, but Herione and myself are going to have to call in early tonight. We both have a lot of work to get done tomorow, and Hermione here is rather exhausted."

Hermione did her best to give the teacher a tired and apologetic smile.

Slughorn smiled down at them fondly. "Never have I seen such devoted students. You both are such a credit to your school! Everyone you have met here tonight loved you. Feel free to leave if you're tired. I look forward to seeing you on Monday!" He slurred it all out, and the couple had to do their best to dodge the spit flying their way.

As soon as they were out, and the portrait had swung shut, Hermione released a long sigh. "Thank god for that."

Tom nodded in agreement, and hand in hand, they made there way through the castle.

Stepping outside, Hermione looked up, happy to see that it was one of those starry nights. The moon was out aswell, and it was completely cloudless. Completely beautiful.

Tom thought Hermione fit in with the scenery rather well with her dress.

The strolled leisurely down to where the lake was.

"It really is gorgeous, isn't it?" Hermione smiled up at Tom. He looked like some sort of dark angel right then. The moon light shining behind him.

"It is," Tom fully agreed.

"Have you really been sucking up Slughorn's arse like that all these years?"

Hermione watched him with raised eyebrows as he almost began choking on air."

"Excuse me!" Tom looked down at her, amusement radiating off of him. "I don't suck up anyone's arse. I'm simply polite."

Hermione coughed a little before speaking in a high shrieky voice, "Oh, I cant believe it was my 70th birthday last week!" Then, she deepened her voice. "Really? You hardly look a day over forty" High voice. "Oh, Tom, you're such a charmer!" Hermione fanned her face as if she was really flushed.

Tom pretended to glare at her. "First of all, I don't speak like that, and secondly," He spun her round so he had his arms secured around her and she was pressed up against his chest. "I can't help it if everybody loves me."

Ever so slightly breathless at being held flush against his chest, Hermione looked into his eyes. They were quite alive that night.

Before Hermione could think, the words were leaving her lips. "I think I might lo-"

"Well well well, what have we here?"

To bad she never got to finish her sentence.

Both teenagers spun round to face the figure that had spoke to them.

Tom stared in suspicion and confusion, whereas Hermione stared in pure horror at the tall figure that was Lucius Malfoy.