At the end of April, Hermione was back in the hospital wing, but this time, she was the one delivering the baby. Tom had actually come and stayed by her side through everything. He even spoke with his son. Hermione was allowed to take care of the baby until the end of the school year then the baby would go to his new parents. Hermione decided to call him "Riddle" for the time she had him. His name would of course be changed. Once the nurse was sure that everything was all right and that Hermione and the baby were both healthy, they were free to go. Lily had been taking Harry to classes and would put spells on him to keep him from crying in the middle of a lesson. Hermione decided she would do the same with Riddle. They also had a new class, Divination. Lily, James, and plenty of other students leapt at the chance for this new class. Hermione, however, knew that it was just a stupid class and didn't bother trying to get into the class. Hermione learned quite a bit about Harry's past, and his parent's, when she hung around Mr. and Mrs. Potter. Riddle had dark brown hair, and brown eyes. He looked a lot like Tom and Hermione. Hermione, like Lily, received plenty of compliments on the baby.

As May went by, everyone was cramming for their O.W.L.s. Hermione was extremely nervous about everything, and Riddle did not help. She would study a lot, and she could manage to get into bed at around ten o'clock, but Riddle would wake her up in the middle of the night for various reasons. She was lacking a lot of sleep, and her bushy hair was even worse than usual.

Hermione dragged herself to the last classes of the year. She had Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Arithmancy. Potions and DADA were quite easy to stay awake it. During Arithmancy, though, she could feel her eyelids drooping as the teacher went on reviewing what they've learnt so far. When class was finally over, she rushed back to the common room with Riddle and her books. She sat down waiting for Tom. She knew he would come to get some stuff from his room. She would have him take Riddle with him to his room, so she could have some sleep, she would have the whole weekend ahead of her to study. Tom came by and took the baby without a fight, which Hermione was quite thankful for.

She slept in on Saturday morning, but as soon as she woke up she was rushing around and getting ready to go to the library to study. She took a quick shower, dressed, and combed her hair.

The library was packed with students doing some last minute studying. Hermione decided to just take out a few books, then she would go find Tom and Riddle in Tom's secret room. She yawned and smiled as the woman in the painting ran for a different frame. The portrait swung up and she entered into the room. Tom looked up from his books and smiled slightly. Hermione sat in the extra chair in front of his desk and looked down on the floor at the baby sleeping in a little bed/crib Tom made for him.

"Want to study with me?" Hermione asked him.

"Sure," he said. "Can we start off with earlier years? I've mostly been studying for this past year. . ."

"Yes," Hermione said, pulled out a book on simple charms, and then handed it to Tom.

"Alohomora?" Tom asked her. This went on until lunch. Then, after lunch, Hermione quizzed Tom. They decided they could finish everything the next day and took after dinner off. Hermione spent that time with Riddle. Riddle did not do much, but Hermione secretly hoped she could stay in this time for a while longer so she could spend time with Riddle.

The two weeks of testing went by quickly. Hermione was guessing that she did well in everything, judging by how the teachers acted, but still she could not help but think she failed in certain areas.

Dumbledore offered a handful of students to stay for the summer, including Tom and Hermione. Everyone stayed at their respective houses. Hermione and Tom were the only two Slytherins, so they had the whole common room to themselves, with, of course, baby Riddle. Hermione and Lily were keeping touch by owl.

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July 2 Dear Hermione,

How are you and "Riddle" doing? Harry is beginning to walk! It's extremely exciting, even if he still needs support. Have you read about all the different deaths? They are saying it is being cause by the "Dark Lord" or "Voldemort." Tell me what you know! ~Lily

Hermione reread the letter over and over again. She could not believe Tom was already starting. It explained the reason for him acting strangely and sending lots of owls to Lucius, Severus, and other people she did not know. Hermione did not dare question his actions, though. He had forbidden her from getting the news, which explained even more. Hermione was not sure why he did not want her to know so much, though.

July 3 Dear Lily,

Riddle and I are doing wonderful, how are you? Riddle is beginning to crawl around faster and is getting into plenty of trouble. The school is wonderful, though. Actually, I have not heard about the deaths. . . I don't know who this "Voldemort" is. . . No one is getting the Daily Prophet except a few professors. Yours truly, Hermione

Hermione sent the owl off then returned to playing with Riddle. Tom would even play with baby Riddle when he was not reading or writing letters.

July 3 Dear Hermione,

I have some . . . news. Well, you see. . . I am pregnant again . . . but it is not James' baby. . . I have convinced him that we cannot deal with another baby, so we will give her to a muggle adoption agency once she is born. My parents are not too happy with me. They are making me send her to a muggle place as punishment, really. . . I just need someone to talk to. I can't believe what I've done, Hermione! ~Lily

Hermione had panicked after the first sentence thinking someone she knew had been killed. Hermione pulled out some more parchment, a quill, and some ink.

July 4 Dear Lily,

Who is the father? I am very, very sorry that the baby has to go with muggles, but really, it won't be that bad. You and I both know that (I was brought up in a muggle house-hold . . . both my parents are muggles). Yours truly, Hermione