A/N: Hellooo..it's been a lonngg time, but yes, I am back for this short (and most likely crappy) chapter. Anyway. This chapter is going to have some nice interaction between Hermione and one of her professors...and possibly an angry Tom? I'm not sure...just go ahead and start reading...haha.

Hermione awoke the next morning feeling as if she was making a huge mistake by kissing Tom Riddle. Although, she grudgingly admitted to herself that it was quite possibly the best kiss she had ever received. Well, in all honesty, Hermione had only kissed three boys before Tom. Victor, Ron, and Micheal Coroner (who trapped her under the mistletoe during Slughorn's party in 5th year...) How was she supposed to destroy a guy who was mostly a gentleman toward her? And he's good looking to boot! She had to stop thinking like this...and get back to her task at hand.

Hermione decided that a nice walk around the castle grounds should clear her head of all this Riddle business, so she quickly showered and got dressed in her typical 1940's attire.

"Bloody zippers...on the back of the skirt! Of all places..." Hermione let out an agitated sigh and gave her zipper one last tug. Finally completing the difficult task of getting dressed, she headed out of her dormitory, needing to clear her thoughts.

"Miss Delance!" Hermione had made it almost half-way to the library when she heard a voice calling out her name. She turned around to see her overly handsome Defense teacher, Professor Berrati, calling out to her. Hermione put on a smile at seeing him jogging to catch up with her.

"Hello Professor, how are you this morning?" Berrati caught his breath, while pushing his curly, brown hair out of his face before answering.

"Hello Hermione. I'm doing just fine. I have a favor to ask of you, though..." he asked slowly.

"What is it, Professor?" What could he possibly ask of her? Grade papers? Psh, he hardly gave any out!

"I was wondering if you'd like to join me in my study for tea...and to talk about some things...you don't have to stay long! I'm just curious...about...stuff." He finished lamely...very lamely.

So, one of my very handsome professors wants me to come with him to his study to talk...about stuff. What could he be curious about? Hermione had an odd feeling that he was going to ask her about her past...and about the curse that was bestowed upon Romi. Great...more people to lie to, she thought bitterly. Hermione was still uneasy about being alone with men she didn't know too well. Hermione's train of thought started to drift to Andy...and that stupid night.

"Hermione?" Professor Berrati's voice stirred Hermione from her thoughts.

"Oh? Yes...sure, I'll come for a bit." Hermione was quite certain that nothing bad was going to happen. He's a professor, right?

"Excellent...follow me, then?" The professor led her up toward the astronomy tower, before taking a left and heading down beneath the tower to his quarters. Hermione was quite surprised at the decor as she walked into the room. Everything was done in neutral colors...except for spots of red, here and there.The carpet was a soft white, the clashed amazingly with the black leather furniture. He had red picture frames placed sporadically through the room, a red coffee table, and red marble (A/N: Is red marble even possible? Haha.) all around his fire place. Hermione, involuntarily, let out a gasp of awe.

Berrati let out a slow, deep chuckle while giving her his thanks. He had many questions to ask this girl...or woman, from the looks of her. He had only seen one other student with that much Defense ability...and he was her roommate. Who was this Hermione Delance? Of course, he has heard about the Delance's, but...them having an estranged daughter? How can she breeze by so easily in all of her classes, if she's only ever had the theory taught to her? Dumbledore has refused to say what he knows...he acts as if I'll use it against her, Berrati thought angrily.

Berrati led Hermione to the couch to wait while he retrieved them some tea. Hermione felt unbelievably awkward being in her professors quarters...him being one of the most gorgeous men in the school doesn't help either.

"Alright, Hermione." Berrati said as he sat down opposite her. "I need to know some things, you don't have to answer...but just know, that it will help me sleep better at night." He gave her a big smile here. Fortunately, it helped her relax some. "Also...feel free to ask me questions too, to help this feel like it's not an interrogation. And call me Tony, if you'd like." Hermione gave him a small, sheepish smile.

Hermione knew this was going to come. Whether it was going to be from Dumbledore, or Tom, or hell, even Alice. She knew she didn't have to answer any of these questions...it's just better for her background if some people think they know a sliver of who she is.

"Okay, first question. What was the spell that Shoemaker used on Black? Was an original spell? What does it do exactly?" He questioned lightly.

Alright, that wasn't too hard of a question...just give him the almost truth. Hermione smiled inwardly.

"It's called Sectumsempra. Er, yes...it's an original spell. I don't advise you to use it...or to repeat it, as you can see, it can kill someone...easily. I should really be more careful with my possessions, anyways...I don't want to get into thick detail, but it is Dark Magic. And usually you need to know some extensive healing spells to temporarily heal it, but mostly you'll need potions...Blood-Replenishing potion mainly. Next." Tony smiled and proceeded to his next question.

"Okay, next it is...where did you learn all of this magic if you've only been taught theory? And how did you find the means needed to learn the Dark Arts?" Hermione quickly thought of the correct way to answer his question before replying.

"My friends. And books. Theory is good enough for me. Alls I need to know is the 'how to' to be able to do it...I don't need to practice. Dark Arts is easier to get ahold of then most people think. Knockturn Alley holds quite a few books...old family friends seem to be a good source also." Which is partly true...she found most of her books in Knockturn Alley...and from the Noble House of Black...and she might have stolen one or two from the Malfoys when her, Harry, and Ron broke in. Ah, memories.

Flashback

They had finally made it into the Malfoys home and were checking all the doors, until they came upon a locked one.

"Ron! You aren't going to be able to open the bloody door with Alohamora...'' Hermione said irritably to Ron as he feebly jabbed his wand at the antique door...for the tenth time. "This thing is centuries old! And probably has some dark magic in it!"

"Sorry 'Oh-Great-One'..." Ron retorted sarcastically.

Harry rolled his eyes at their bickering. He pulled out Sirius' knife from inside his pocket and ran it between the crack of the door. The door let out an oddly quite creak as it opened. It took all three of them to push the door open.

Hermione will never forget the sight of the most beautiful library she had ever seen. She tried to savor the moment, until Ron cut in with one of his insensitive comments.

"Old books smell like dung..."

End Flashback

"...such a filthy place..." Hermione jolted back to reality in the middle of Professor Berrati trashing Knockturn Alley. "They should have it destroyed..." Hermione gave him a smile to ensure him that she had been paying attention.

"Alright, then...hm, this should have something to do with you...why did I catch Riddle punching Zambini in the face a few weeks ago? Zambini said something like, 'You can't protect her forever, Riddle...' Do you know what that's about?"

Hermione's surprise had to of been apparent, because Tony quickly mumbled something about 'just being curious...' After Hermione's initial shock, she decided that it would be nice to share that horrible story with someone else, it's a hard thing to carry on your shoulders...when no one else knows what happened. But to tell it to a Professor? And it's such an embarrassing story. He's probably just going to think I'm weak, Hermione thought sadly.

"Can you promise me not to do anything about what I'm going to tell you?"

Tony looked a little skeptical, but he agreed none-the-less.

"Well, a month ago or so I went out on a date with the great Andy Zambini. Everything was going lovely until he insisted he come inside to check out the Heads dormitories. So I figured why not...and soon after he asked to see my room...and I said no, but he begged so I let him go up there. He looked around for a bit...and then he well..." Berrati had leaned in further to listen to her story...already he had a slightly angered look upon his face. Boy did Hermione feel uncomfortable...especially with what she was about to say. "...well...he pushed me on the bed, got my wand away from...and he, uh...ripped my clothes off...I-I tried screaming, but he had his hand over my mouth..." Berrati put his hand on top of hers, to insist that she continue with her story. "...and well, he started to touch...and I was able to get his hand off my mouth to scream for Tom to help me...and he d-did...he pulled Andy off of me...and hit him and threatened him. So...so I guess that's the only thing I could attribute Tom punching Andy too."

"Hermione...I-I had no idea...please, let me do something...we could get Zambini kicked out of school for that! Possibly even sent to Azkaban!" Berrati pleaded with anger in his voice.

"No! You promised not to do anything! I can handle this...and it's not like Tom will let him around me anymore..." Tony reached up and wiped one of Hermione's stray tears away with his thumb. He had moved over to the couch sometime during her story. Oddly, it didn't feel one bit odd to have him comforting her like this. Like he's a friend...or more than a friend.

"Alright, Hermione...just know that I can do something about it. I can help. Do you want to stop talking now? I'll completely understand if you do..." Hermione shook her head and wiped all her tears away.

"No, it's nice to have someone to tell things to..." He smiled at her. Tony thought to himself that he should tell on Zambini, then he looked at Hermione and chose to stay true to his word. How can one beautiful girl go through all of that and still manage to smile? He asked himself.

"So...is it my turn to ask you questions?" Hermione asked with a small smirk on her face.

Tony laughed and leaned back on the couch.

"Okay...go ahead..." He said nonchalantly.

"Alright. How old are you?" She questioned.

"Twenty-four." Hermione raised her eyebrows, she definitely didn't know he was that young.

"Wow, so young." She laughed, and then continued. "Tell me some stuff about you...like are you married? Where did you go to school? Birthday? Pureblood?...you know...the essentials." Anything to get the topic of herself.

Tony let out a heart laugh before giving her the 'essentials.'

"No, I'm not married. I went to Hogwarts...let's see, I'll be 25 on the 29th of September. I'm a half-blood. My family has moved to America, so I don't get to see them all too much. Dippet offered me this job just 3 months after I had got done with my extra schooling. Hm... most of my friends work at the Ministry, so I get to see them every now and then. But, what about you, how old are you and when's your birthday?" Tony questioned.

Hermione giggled and then replied, "I'm 18, and my birthday is on September 19th, actually I'll be 19 on my next birthday...my Golden Birthday." Golden Birthday? Hermione silently scolded herself, what are you...12? Professor Berrati just smiled. "Um...anyways, have you always wanted to be a Defense teacher?"

"No, actually. I really wanted to become an Auror...with the Ministry, but they told me all the positions were full. Which I know is a lie. I attribute it to me being a half-blood." Hermione caught herself before she could add, 'Don't worry, I'm a muggleborn...I know what it's like.' Instead, she gave him a small smile.

"So...uh, are you seeing anyone?" Hermione asked without looking him in the eye.

Tony laughed, "No...I just can't seem to find the right type of girl."

"And what's the right type of girl?" Oh she definitely wanted to know.

"Well...for me, the right type of girl is someone I can rely on...someone who's easy to talk to. A girl who is smart, but has a stunning beauty to her. Someone who knows Defense, preferably. Let's see...someone who is not afraid to live. Who likes to have adventures, but at the same time...someone who likes to just sit by the fire and read at night. A girl that will let me play with her hair when we fall asleep together...yeah, a girl like that." He finished with a chuckle.

Hermione was intrigued. There was this beyond handsome man sitting in front of her, who knows what he wants...but can't find it. Oddly, she found herself comparing her with the girl he described. Well, I'm smart...and I know defense! And I've been on plenty of adventures with Ron and Harry. I read tons and I'm not terribly horrid looking either...oh, what am I saying? That I want to be the girl Berrati is describing? Psh...nahh.

Tony watched as Hermione lost herself in thought. She really was a beautiful girl. No Berrati! She's a student! I know, I know, he thought back to himself...it's sad when a man has to argue with himself in his head about possibly liking a woman...but knowing there's nothing he can do about it. But Hermione is so smart, and witty, and skilled...she's pretty much everything I described! Oh, what to do...what to do?

"What about you Hermione, have you found yourself a boyfriend since you've been here?"

Hermione's thoughts instantly went to Tom. Is he her boyfriend? Could their secret kisses be apart of an unknown relationship? Hermione doubted that Tom even thought of her like that. She still, even after all these weeks, couldn't tell if he truly liked her. He is so kind (most of the time) and he did kiss her yesterday. Suddenly Hermione felt wrong for being with her professor...she felt as if she should be talking to Tom about all the things that have happened recently.

Hermione stood up abruptly and decided she definitely needed to leave...a student shouldn't be having this type of a conversation with her professor. The weird thing is, Hermione felt completely comfortable sharing things with Tony. She felt comforted when he sat down next to her and held her hand during the sad story that she told. She liked how he was only 6 years older than her, and how he had extra schooling after Hogwarts-and, unfortunately, how his hand felt on top of hers.

"I'm sorry, Tony...er, Professor. I really must be going." Tony gave her a quizzical look before asking why she was leaving. "I've forgotten I had plans with someone. I'm sorry."

"Well, that's alright Hermione. We can talk some other time if you'd like...or if you don't want to..." he added as he saw an odd look come upon her face.

"Er, no. We can talk some more...later on." How could Hermione explain to HER PROFESSOR that she had an amazing time talking to him and would love to spend more time with him?

"Alright then, Hermione. Let me walk you to the door." Hermione gave him a quick smile before following him to the door. "I'm sorry if my last question offended you and I'm sorry if I took it too far..."

"No, it's okay Tony. I-I had a good time talking to you, oddly, I felt completely comfortable." She gave him a big grin then.

"Good, I did also. Enjoy your evening Hermione," he said as he reached down to grab her hand, placing a soft, small kiss on her knuckles. Hermione's blush was very evident.

"Bye Tony," she said as she backed out of his doorway, still facing him. Unconsciously, she bit her lip as she gave him a last wave goodbye. The professor raised his eyebrows as she rounded the corner and he let out a soft moan. He had no idea how he was even going to teach his NEWT class now.

Hermione felt like she had just finished with an amazing date, instead of an afternoon with her professor. This is completely wrong, Hermione! Like scolding herself was going to stop her from thinking about him. Hermione shook her head, and set out to find Tom, its a little after 4:30, so he should be in the library doing homework or studying.

TOMS POV

He woke up feeling like he had the whole world at his command. Nothing, he thought, could bring him down today. Last night, was quite possibly the best night of his life. Never had he felt anything so intense when kissing a girl. Hermione was different, he thought as he grabbed clothes for his shower. 'She likes me,' was still repeating in his mind.

Tom bounded down the stairs after his shower, and plopped down on the couch for Hermione to come out of her bedroom. After a few minutes, Tom started to get restless so picked up a book called, 'Charms of the New Age,' and started to read. He had obviously gotten into the book, by the time he was a quarter of the way done, Hermione still hadn't come down. Tom decided that he should go upstairs to retrieve her.

"Mione?" Tom asked as he knocked on her door. There was no answer, so he slowly opened the door, "Mione, are you awake?"

Tom looked around to see the room empty and the bed already made. Maybe she went down to the Great Hall? Once he got down to the Great Hall, Hermione was no where in sight. Odd, he thought.

"Hey Shoemaker!" Tom called out to Alice who was just about to ascend the main staircase.

"Yes?" Alice turned around. "Tom! Nice to see you! How are you?"

"Yeah, great...so you wouldn't have seen Hermione at all this morning, right?" Alice's face fell, Tom idly thought that Alice wanted him to strike up a conversation with her...yeah...right.

"No. She wasn't at lunch and I haven't seen her since Friday." Tom turned to head to the library. "But I could help you look!" Alice yelled after him in disparity.

Where could she be then? If Alice hasn't seen her, and she wasn't at lunch. Tom checked his watch, it was around 3 o'clock, and he woke up around 1:30, which is weird for him. He's usually a 10:30 type of guy. He knew she wasn't with any of the Slytherins...because he specifically told Abraxis to stay away from her. He wish he knew who else she spoke to. By the time Tom had made it to the library, it was already close to 3:20. He checked all of her normal tables and usual sections, finally he succumbed to asking the librarian if she's seen Hermione.

"Why no, Tom. She hasn't been in here all day!" A little bit annoyed at not being able to find her, he decided to go down to the kitchens and head back to the common room to wait for her and sort things out for the meeting he's having tonight.

Even by the time he had finished with a quick lunch and made it back up to the common room, Hermione was still not there. He was officially pissed. He had thought that she would like to talk about the happenings of yesterday, but obviously not! He was just some joke to her. She kissed him...and then expects him to take it as if were nothing? What now? Are they just supposed to ignore each other again? Tom felt foolish for believing her when she said that she liked him. Tom! How could you be so daft? You know better than to trust people like that...she was just trying to use you. Tom scolded himself for another hour or so, before he checked the time. 5:45...already?

Tom went upstairs to change into the clothes he was going to wear to his meeting tonight. He had thought of a new term for his fellow Kings...'Death Eaters'. He was excited to tell them what he had come up with...he's even come up with a pattern he would like to be recognized as...he'd been holding it back for quite some time now, tonight is the right time to show the them, though. He was also quite interested in what Prince has found out.

He threw off his shirt onto his bed, when there was a knock at his door. Tom stood still and stared at the door for a few seconds. What if it's her? What if she wants to talk now? Well there's no way...he waited for her all day...and now she has the dignity to knock on his door...?

"Tom...it's Hermione...can we talk?" Tom's breathing had quickened. He didn't know why he felt so anxious to have Hermione outside his door. A new feeling, that Tom definitely didn't like.

Slowly he walked to the door. He put his hand on the handle and took a deep breath before opening it.

"Tom, I-" Hermione didn't expect him to be...indisposed. "Uh...I-I wanted, to um...talk." Hermione's eyes traveled down his chest and to the rest of his body. Each time she sees him without a shirt, the view just gets better and better...

Tom smirked at the thought of his body causing her so much discomfort. "Well speak then, I have places to go."

Hermione was a little surprise at his tone. Was he mad at her?

"Look, Tom...about yesterday..."

"I know you think it was a mistake Mione...just come off it, and go away." Tom said rather harshly.

Immediately tears sprung to her eyes. Damn emotions, she thought as she quickly wiped them away. A mistake? I loved it! Why would he say such a thing? Unless...he thinks that it was a mistake? But how could he! He said that he liked me too! Hermione's emotions quickly turned from hurt to anger...which is typical for a teenage girl.

"Well if that's what you think, then fine! Maybe it was just a mistake! You don't have to blame me for what you think! If you hated it so bad, then maybe you should have stopped flirting with me!" Hermione turned to leave, but Tom quickly reached out and grabbed her by her arm, pulling her close up against his chest. He put the other arm all the way around her and held her close to his body. Hermione squirmed a bit to loosen his hold, but it was useless.

Tom backed them up against the wall so Hermione was pinned. Tom caught the smell of her hair, and it just angered him more to know that he can never wake up to that smell on his pillow...because she thought of him as a MISTAKE! Tom let out a low growl of frustration.

Hermione let out a gasp. "Listen, Hermione...I wasn't the one that left first thing in the morning to avoid this situation. I waited for you to come out of your room, but boy did I feel daft when you weren't even in there! So I went around the whole damn school looking for you! I even talked to a filthy mudblood just to find out where you went! You were the one to run off to God-knows-where...probably to shag Zambini again..." Tom winced when he realized what he said...normally he wouldn't care to offend anyone, but the remorse he felt for saying that to Hermione stung...badly.

Hermione's jaw dropped from what Tom said to her. No one had ever been that inconsiderate to her and he was the one to save her from Zambini! How could he even say that?! She pushed herself away from him so hard that they both almost fell.

"Hermione, wait! Please...I'm sorry. Don't go!" Tom said as he was chasing her down his staircase into the common room. He couldn't believe he was calling out to her to come back...but it just felt so damn important for her to be in his arms.

"You will never change Tom Riddle!" she screamed at him. "You have no idea what that kiss meant to me! And now you have no idea how you've just ruined everything! Everything! How could you say that?!" Hermione fell to her knees by the fireplace and started to cry. Tom didn't know what to do. Is he to comfort her? Tom slumped down on the couch and put his head in his hands. Things had never been this complicated for him...and he has never felt...sorry about something hes said to someone.

"Mione...I'm sorry, I didn't mean that and you know it. I hate Zambini for what he did to you." Hermione just continued sitting there, silently sobbing into her hands. "It's just...you weren't there, and we both know what needs to be said. You...it...it wasn't a fucking mistake! It made me feel crazy, and happy, and content all at the same time!" Tom knelt down on the floor next to Hermione. "Look at me."

Hermione shivered at his voice being so close to her. His arms wrapped around her body and he pulled her close to him. Hermione was reluctant to relax in to his shirtless body...but with the slow circles he was rubbing on her back, she gave in. Tom would whisper apologies into her hair and place random kisses on top of her head as they sat there in silence. Tom leaned back so that he was laying flat on the floor with Hermione half-way on top of him. After several minutes, Tom realized Hermione had fallen asleep in his arms. He breathed in the flowery, vanilla scent of her hair, and gently rolled her off of him. He carefully picked her up off the floor and carried her up to his room and put her on his bed.

Tom grabbed everything he would need for his meeting that was coming up in a couple of hours and sat down at the edge of the bed. He stared at Hermione for a few minutes contemplating the feelings he has for her. She had everything he wanted...and needed. Tom knew she would still be mad at him when she woke up, but it would be worth it if he ever got to kiss her again.

He stood up and kissed her lightly on the forehead. He let out a deep breath and prepared himself to speak with his Death Eaters...

"Tonight, is the first real night of me being Lord Voldemort.." Tom said to himself in his bedroom mirror, before he turned around and walked out of his bedroom.