Two weeks and one day later-
Hermione skived off the rest of her classes Friday to go to the library to check out any books that refer to time travel. As always, it seems, the library was insufficient. Which means that she will have to give a visit to Dumbledore to see if he has any books on time travel.
Actually, she hasn't seen Dumbledore since last week. Not even in classes, Headmaster Dippet has been taking over in his absense. The only information he gave the students was that he was away on an important business trip. Hermione assumed it was for the Grindelwald thing...in the history books Dumbledore defeats Grindelwald pretty soon. She definitely didn't need to interfere with Dumbledore's future defeat over the evil wizard of this time.
Speaking of evil wizards, Tom hadn't shown his face much recently. In some weird, off-hand way, this made Hermione feel cocky. Maybe he likes me and is afraid to look me in the eye? Or maybe he's secretly planning a romantic way to ask me to Hogsmead? Doubtful...but she would most likely say yes...for information sake only.
Honestly, she had been thinking about Tom quite a bit. There was no getting past it. It took two weeks, some tears, a broken mirror, and an awful lot of thinking for Hermione to realize that she had a "crush" on Tom Riddle. She found herself day-dreaming about his dark eyes, his tall stature, and his gorgeous body. The only time she felt bad about thinking like this is when she remembered who he was.
Not someone to be messed with, her conscience repeated over and over.
Hermione's trying to keep her distance. Only talking to Tom when need be, and only looking him in the eye for important reasons. Even in Defense, she only spoke to him when Professor Berrati would pair them together. Everyone seemed to have got over the whole dueling incident between Alice and Romi, and Romi had yet to retaliate. Which is good, even thought Alice constantly talks about Tom, she's had turned out to be an honest, trustworthy friend. Hermione's second, only to Ginny, actual girlfriend.
"Ms. DeLance?" Came a voice from behind her.
"Yes?" Hermione asked as she turned around to face a timid looking third year Gryffindor.
"Professor Dumbledor said he would like to speak with both you and Tom in his office at 8 sharp."
Hermione let out a tired sigh as she got up to go find Tom. Couldn't Dumbledore give further notice? How was she supposed to find Tom and be down in his office in ten minutes? She stuffed all her books into her bag and headed out of the library to check the common room first.
She made it to the corridor right outside of their common room when she heard Tom's voice...and Alice's too?
"...and well, I was just wondering whether you were going to Hogsmead tomorrow?" Alice was saying as Hermione got closer.
"Yes. We have to, incase you forgot, patrol.. All prefects and both Heads' must go into Hogsmead tomorrow." Tom said in a voice that would make you think he was talking to someone with a mental disability.
"Oh, well, yes, of course. I was thinking that maybe you would want to come wi-with me?" She said hesitantly.
Hermione watched as Tom's face turned from mildly interested to cold and defensive. After Tom didn't speak for awhile Alice started to sway back'n'forth on her heels.
"Well...I can see that you need...um, time..? So..I'll just go..." Alice said as she started to walk away.
"What made you think that I like you Alice? Have I ever shown any interest in you? Do I talk to often? Do I walk you to class? Have we ever stopped and spoke with each other in the corridors?" Tom responded in an annoyed voice.
"I'm sorry, I-I didn't realize..I didn't think that...no, you've never shown any interest in me." Alice finished sadly.
"Correct. And I never will show ANY interest in you. I could never like someone like you, Alice. And I think you know why." He said in a smug voice.
Tom is such an ass! Hermione thought bitterly. He could have at least let her down softly.
"I'm sorry, I'm a mudblood...I didn't mean anything. And I know you like Hermione anyways, it was jus-"
"What did you say?" Tom said in a small whisper as he stepped closer to her.
"I-I just said, th-that you like Hermione?" Alice replied as she took a couple steps away from Tom.
"What makes you think that?"
"Well," she started as her voice gained more confidence, "all the things you just asked me about 'showing interest' and 'talking to me and walking me to class' it's just that you do all that stuff with Hermione. Or you did, that's what made me ask...because you two haven't been speaking lately." she paused. "You were always together. And you always carried her books and walked her to class AND you even stop in the hallway to talk to her...I should have known."
Alice glaned up at Tom to see if he was going to say something.
"I don't like Mione..." Tom said to himself more than Alice.
Alice smiled and started to walk down the corridor.
"Don't worry Tom, I won't tell her."
Hermione couldn't believe it. Did she honestly just hear that conversation? She glanced down at her watch, 8:02, great, now we're late for our meeting with Dumbledore. How was she going to look him in the eye at all now? Let alone talk to him! Silently deciding to think about this later, Hermione called out for Tom so they wouldn't be even more late to their meeting.
"Tom!" He turned around slowly to face Hermione. "I just got a notice for us to meet Dumbledore in his office at 8, and it's already past. We should hurry."
Hermione didn't wait for Tom to follow her, she just started walking down the corridor in front of him. So, he likes me too? Then why can't he show it! Once, back in the 90's, Seamus had a crush on her, and boy did he show it. He would produce flowers out of nowhere for her and give her kisses on her hand, telling her how beautiful she was. It was swee, honestly, then Ron found out and told him to back off. So that was the end of that.
Professor Dumbledore was sitting as his desk when Tom and Hermione arrived.
"Ah, a bit late, but all is well. Have a seat Tom; Hermione." He said as he gestured to the comfortable chairs in front of his desk. "I know I've been absent this past week or so, but the Headmaster has kept me well updated on my classes. I'm pleased to see that you are both doing exceptional as always.
But down to business, the Headmaster also showed me the plans for the upcoming Masqurade Ball! This should be very exciting! Now, as you both know tomorrow is the Hogsmead trip, which both you and all the prefects will be supervising. I have a list of things you will need to purchase for the Ball," he handed Tom the list, "they shouldn't be that hard to find. There are also a couple of muggle items I need you two to pick up. You won't be able to find them in Hogsmead, so I've created a port key for both of you to take."
"Are we going to London?" Hermione asked excitedly. There is so much going on in London right now, she thought! The recent bombing on September 16th in Southern London.
"Not quite. I'm sending you to Rome...there are plenty of muggle shops around the vicinity that I'm sending you. And if I'm not mistaken, neither of you are too bad at your Italian?" Dumbledore explained.
Rome! Bloody Rome! Hermione had only ever dreamed of going there. She use to sit in a daydream when her parents would talk about the marvelous shopping and the beautiful waters. Oh, and the history! Excited was a understatement. Thrilled! Estatic! Hermione looked at Tom to see if he were as excited as she was. It brought a frown to her face to see that his face was expressionless as always.
"You are to be in my office tomorrow morning at ten. Those items shouldn't be to hard to find. Now if there aren't any more questions, I have quite a few essays to grade...?"
Tom gave a shake of his head and started walking towards the door, Hermione gave Dumbledore a smile and took off after Tom.
"Tom, isn't this wonderful news! I've never been to Rome! Think of all the beautiful sites...this is so exciting!"
Tom wasn't smiling.
"Tom?" Hermione asked again. "Is everything ok?"
"Everything is fine, Mione." He said softly.
Hermione reached out to grab his arm to stop him from walking so quickly. All previously over-heard conversations forgotten. Tom looked down at her hand on his arm, then deep into her eyes.
"I've been avoiding you." He admitted as he looked down at the ground.
Hermione's stomach did an involuntary somersault.
"Yes...I've noticed..."
They started walking again. Tom didn't speak until they reached the portrait hole.
"I don't want to. Sometimes it's nice talking to you. It's just that what we spoke about...you know, the last time we spoke, it just threw me off some. I know girls like me, but I never thought a girl like you would think I'm 'cute' or whatever. I don't know, um...I don't know what to say to you anymore."
Hermione smiled as his sudden shyness.
"Yes...I suppose I feel the same way. I didn't think I would ever like someone like you." She said as she climbed into the common room.
Tom stood outside the room for a few minutes thinking. One side of his conscience was going crazy with things like 'tell her you like her too', 'she would be good for you', and 'she could love you.' Then the other side was telling him that 'she's lying', 'no one would ever care for you', 'you're not good enough', and 'you will never love!'. Over all, it was pretty depressing.
Eventually, the 'caring' side won out and he followed Hermione into the common room to find out exactly what she means.
"Wait...so you like me?" Tom went ahead and just said what he felt.
Hermione turned around from her place by the fireplace to look at Tom. She did like him. And she knew she shouldn't. But there was no stopping it. He was adorable, and sweet, and powerful, and so many other things. What's the harm in liking him? You can't date him...and he wouldn't date you...right? Right. She couldn't date Tom Riddle. No matter what. Because if she fell in love with him, and if she actually had to kill him to change 'time', then...she wouldn't be able to.
"Yes." Was her simple answer.
"Wait, wait, wait...Mione, you like me?" He said agast. "You like me. Mione likes me." He wasn't trying to sound smug, or arrogant, he just liked the way it sounds. Hermione stiffled her laughter with her fist. He really was just a teenage boy.
"Yes, Tom!" She said while chuckling. "I like you."
Tom let one of his rare, real smiles come across his face as he took a couple steps closer to her.
"This is...wow, so...now what?" He looked her directly in the eyes. There was no mistaking the coldness in them, but they had an odd twinkle in them, just like Dumbledore's.
"Now...we go to bed." Tom raised his eyebrows. "No, no, no...not like that! As in sleep! We have to get up early."
Hermione stepped up to him and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. She could feel him lean into the kiss, and when she pulled away a little bit his eyes were still closed.
"Goodnight Tom...we should have fun tomorrow." She whispered to him.
Tom finally opened his eyes to see Hermione shutting her bedroom door.
"Mione likes me."
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I have chapter fourteen done and ready to post! I need more reviews to motivate me! I mean the one's I've gotten so far are amazing, but I need more. Please review!
Here's a line from the next chapter!
'Out of habit he went to his wardrobe to grab his school robes, but stopped half way to head back to his dresser to get a pair of black slacks and a short sleeved, button up, black shirt. It didn't even occur to him that he'd be dressed in all back. And little did he know...he looked real, real, REAL good.'