Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

A/N- Thank you everyone who has supported me so far, I love reading your reviews... please keep reading :) Here come the shout outs; Pyra Sanda - Thanks! Keep reading! KelliePotterHoranx- I will try and upload a new chapter everyweek if i can! Emily Moyle- haha keep reading! Clarabelle- thank you for the constant support 3 donaj13- please keep reading! JOLIVE- thanks and i will update asap IamAcritic- thank you so so much! Scarlet Dewdrops- thanks keep reading :D PinkSlytherin- exactly ;) Ramyfan- haha thanks :)

Hermione sat on her bed that evening. She decided she would avoid dinner and the glares from Malfoy and now she found herself with that all too familiar diary in her hands. It whispered to her, asking her to open its pages. Despite trying to resist she was mesmerised, the sound of the voice she heard was like listening to a lullaby. Closing the curtains around her bed frame she let the voice take over and she did as it told her. Opening the pages she wrote onto the worn paper.

Hello

Good Evening, Miss. Granger

How did you know it was me?

I know a lot of things, especially the handwriting of one of the most intelligent girls in Hogwarts.

Who are you?

You may call me Tom but only if you promise to write to me often.

Why should I promise anything to you?

Because you want to.

Hermione paused for a moment and let the ink drip from her quill. Tom was right, she couldn't explain it but even now, after a few lines she already felt like she could tell him everything; but more importantly she didn't feel like Hermione Granger anymore, she felt like a completely different person.

Do you trust me ?

Biting her lip she felt a heat creep over her. Almost as if she was dreaming and watching someone else write the word, her quill met the page.

Yes.

She wrote slowly and watched the ink disappear; for a small moment Hermione felt her stomach drop when he didn't reply instantly, but she couldn't look away.

I promise you I will look after you if you write to me every day. Do you promise me Hermione? I will be like a guardian angel. Your angel.

Hermione's stomach fluttered gently and a soft smile played on her lips. The handwriting was so elegant, it was beautiful and she somehow felt safe, her head felt light on her shoulders and her eyes glazed.

I Promise.

Little did Hermione know, that was the first night she was manipulated by Tom Riddle himself. A few hours passed and as the clock chimed 10pm, Tom finally said goodnight. Closing the diary, she hid it underneath her pillow and fell into a deep sleep.

Draco didn't feel like talking to Hermione, her appearance just continued to piss him off, constantly smiling and acting all day-dreamy. In fact he was just waiting for the disappointed letter from his father to arrive and rub it in even more. The truth was, that he was jealous. Not that he would admit it of course. The most annoying part, was that she didn't even like Quidditch ..and yet she still beat him. Sitting at the table at breakfast, he was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't even notice the owl drop the letters onto his plate of toast. It was only when Blaise sat down in front of him, that he looked up.

"You alright? You look annoyed." Blaise said cheerfully, flicking through that days 'Daily Prophet'. Draco just shrugged as he picked up the first letter.

Draco.

As I am sure you are a wear, I have recently found out that you made it onto the Quidditch team as chaser. Well done, I am proud. However, it is a shame that Grangers daughter beat you to the place of seeker. I suppose this just means you must train hard this year, ready for tri-outs again next year. At least I know she is a well prioritized young lady. I am sure it will work in your favor to be-friend her.

Speak soon,

Lucius.

Draco re-read the letter and bit his lip in frustration. Why isn't he angry? He thought before placing the letter into his robes. The other thing looked like a note and he could already tell by the handwriting who it was from.

Malfoy,

Astronomy Tower, tonight.

Granger

Rolling his eyes he also disposed of that note. Nodding towards Blaise, who was now talking to Pansy, he made his way to the first class of the day.

Hermione felt light-headed and happy...she couldn't explain why, she just knew she was. Delicately making her way up the steps to the tower she embraced the autumn wind that played with her hair. It was getting dark earlier now, so she made the wise decision to bring a lantern with her. Lighting it, she sat cross-legged at the bars that ran around the edge. The silence was comfortable and she felt in her own world, so much that it wasn't untill Draco had sat down next to her that she noticed him.

"Granger." He spat towards her. She didn't flinch, she didn't understand why...but it didn't bother her. Nothing did. She just felt happy.

"Malfoy." She replied with quietly.

"Look, I'm just going to come out and say it. I don't think you deserve the place of seeker. In fact it has really pissed me off but, if we have any chance of escaping this place we need to work together..." He said awkwardly, looking at the side of her face. She turned towards him, dazed.

"It's fine, but I don't feel like going back right now...I'm happy here."

"Wait, what? Granger, you do know it has been a whole year?!"He basically shouted at her, shaking her shoulders untill she faced him. She looked up into his face and smiled.

"Why would I want to go back? Here I am a pure blood, I am in Slytherin, I have better friends and I am happy? Why would I want to go back to being a mudblood? It's like you always said...mudbloods are filth." Hermione said in a daze, it felt like she was outside of her body, watching someone else speak for her. In her head she cringed at the use of the nickname.. but it still didn't affect her. She almost felt like it had lost meaning, a bit like when you say a word over and over untill it doesn't really make any sense . He was shocked and stumbled for a moment before replying.

"Gr-Granger...being a pure blood isn't everyth-"

"That's what you told me."

"I know bu-"

"Don't worry Draco. If you want to go back, you can ... " With that Hermione rose from her place on the ground, blew out the candle in the lantern and floated down the steps humming. Draco was left staring out into the darkness of the forbidden forest. He was frozen on the spot for a moment. He knew something wasn't right, he just didn't know what.

It was Halloween and Draco was sitting at the feast. He had been waiting for Hermione to enter but she never had. For the past few weeks, ever since their meeting on the astronomy tower, he noticed there was something a bit different with her. Actually, it reminded him of the Loopy Luna Lovegood, they way she is always drifting and dazed. Sighing he picked at his plate of food untill professor Filch burst through the door and made his way towards the other teachers. After a message from McGonagall about staying in the Great hall, she, Dumbledore and Snape left.

Taking that moment to slip away, Draco followed them out, keeping to the shadows. It was only when they reached their destination on the dungeon corridor that he realised what was going on. A group of students crowded the wall, including that weasley kid and Scar-boy. Hanging was , the cat. She was petrified and was hanging from one of the latens, illuminating the hall. The message on the wall was written in blood and Draco bit his lip as the iron smell filled his nose.

The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir, beware.

A sickening lump dropped in his stomach and it was everything he could do to turn on his heel and walk away from the situation. Wrapping his arms around his chest as a shiver ran up his spine, he practically ran to the Slytherin dorm. He didn't know why he felt the need to do it...but before he could ask himself any questions he found himself outside Grangers room.

Letting out a sigh he ran his hand through his hair and rested the other on his hip, before knocking three times quickly onto the wooden door.

Waiting patiently he listened to the sound of shuffling inside then footsteps and finally the door swung open. There in the frame stood Hermione. Her hair was a mess and she looked like she hadn't slept in weeks.

"Granger, are you okay?" Draco asked.. he couldn't explain te feeling he was having... but he knew that it was a mixture of panic and stress.

"Of course Malfoy. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well it is just that you didn't come to dinner.."

"waiting around for me know? He told me you would, you know he is very intelligent. He knew exactly what grades i was going to get and how people were going to react."

"Wait, who are you talking about...what are you talking about?"

"Dont worry Draco I am safe. He is protecting me, no matter what happens here in Hogwarts I am safe." Draco bolted upright at the sound of his first name on her lips. A chill ran down his spine and he began to panic. Clearing his head he tried again.

"Look, Granger..I don't know what is going on with you... but when you sort your head out a bit maybe we can try and talk about leaving this place."

"What ever you say. But remember I am happy here."

With that the door swung closed and clicked shut gently in front of him. Draco gritted his teeth. Everything was becoming confusing and for the first time in a very long time he felt alone. But not like usual. But as if he was an alien on a different planet and couldn't escape. Swallowing hard he decided to get and early night and turned and disappeared to his own room.

Draco was laying on his bed with the curtains drawn around him. He had one arm resting under his head and the other laying limply by his side. The clock ticked in his room as the seconds went by. The Chamber of Secrets. Draco thought. He remembered this incident from quiet some time ago... but it seemed different somehow. Decpite everything... he thought that the events would still run the same as they had previously but obviously that must be the whole point. They have been sent here to learn a lesson. If they knew what was going to happen ... it would make it too easy. After what Granger ad said to hm, he sort of understood the idea of the punishment a bit more. Except... it hasn't exactly worked. He could bring himself to work out why Hermione was acting so strange. The beaver had never wanted to be a pure blood... but now she seemed to cherish it. The sad part is...that he doesn't understand why she cherishes it so much. True he did rub it in all the time and insult her. After all it was like wearing a badge of honour. But after all these years he realised that it has now in a way disappointed him. He would never have admitted it, but in all honesty he had slowly gained respect for the gryffindor girl. Even after the war she wore the badge of a mudblood with the same pride as any pure blood had.

The fact was, that she was strong ...and though he would never say this to anyone...he would even go as far to say she was stronger than him.

Letting out a deep sigh he closed his eyes and let the ticking ring in his ears. He couldn't explain the annoying feeling he was having now. He just knew that it was there and that is what frustrated him. Pushing his thoughts away from Granger he decided the count the ticks that passed untill he fell asleep.