Thank you to everyone who reviewed!
NadiatheNinja123: I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far!
sweeteandcookies: I know right! Lol!
HollyVanDerBerg: Thank you!
ima: I will try!
dark-moon1820: Thank you so much for your kind words! I know my chapters tend to be short, but I'll work on that. Your review has made me giddy with happiness! I very much love Tomsy too!
Cam: Thank you, I will try!
kit: Thank you!
Anonymous: Imagine how Tom will feel once he becomes his normal self again, hehehehe!
andraide: I know, reading the books would definitely help me write this story! I haven't even seen all the movies either!
Hermione was sitting across from Dumbledore in his office. His desk was strewn with all sorts of knickknacks and scrolls, just as it was back in the future. She had given him the note his future self had prepared and he had accepted it easily with very few questions. Hermione didn't know what was written on it, but Dumbledore was obviously unperturbed by the situation. He had even agreed to speak to the Headmaster on her behalf so that Hermione could transfer to Hogwarts for her seventh year, regardless of the fact that she had already graduated in her time. She most certainly wasn't looking forward to retaking her NEWTs.
Hermione cast a furtive glance towards the corner where Tom was crouched, watching the two of them warily. Now the only thing left was to discuss his situation.
"You must be wondering about the case of poor Tom," Dumbledore said, noticing the direction of her gaze.
"What happened to him?"
"A most grievous accident had occurred during his Defense Against the Dark Arts class," Dumbledore explained solemnly, sucking on a lemon drop. "Mr. Riddle has been the victim of an errant curse, the effects of which we haven't been able to reverse."
"What sort of curse was it?" she asked.
"That's precisely the problem Miss Granger. We haven't been able to figure that out."
Hermione swiped at her hair in frustration.
"Even so! Professor, how could you allow him to walk around with just a pillowcase?"
Tom covered his face with his hands as he huddled further into the corner. Hermione watched the boy in pity. Even with knowing what he would do in the future, Hermione's protective instincts were ignited. He reminded her of her efforts with S.P.E.W.
Dumbledore simply shook his head sadly.
"Mr. Riddle has convinced himself that he's undeserving of anything else," he responded. "It was difficult to get him to accept even a pillowcase."
Hermione left Dumbledore's office, shortly after arranging the remaining details of her stay. Dumbledore had advised that she move into Tom's quarters, seeing as the boy was hardly utilizing the space. A student had even found him sleeping in his closet.
Dumbledore reasoned that perhaps Tom would regain his senses more quickly if he were allowed to remain in her company. For some strange reason, he seemed to regard her as his Mistress and appeared to be eager to do whatever that pleased her. Hermione had been too shocked to disagree.
She cast a furtive glance at the boy behind her as they approached the portrait in front of their room. He watched her with a meek expression, his arms full with Hermione's possessions. She had brought a trunk, which Tom insisted he carry. Trying to take the load from him had caused him to burst into another fit of self-punishment.
They entered the room and Hermione asked Tom to put her things near the edge of the bed. She warded the room then sat in a chair, not knowing what else to do at the moment. Although she had been sent here on a mission to thwart Voldemort, Hermione hardly thought that the current situation warranted it.
What sort of evil could Tom do as an elf?
Author's Note: Please review!