This chapter is to my awesome little reviewers and alerters out there! :P

You guys make my day and for that it's a tad bit longer than normal! :D :D :D

~enjoy

CHAPTER 7

He roughly jerked awake as the sound of paws pit pattering against the soft carpet reached his ears. Looking around him wildly his thoughts hysterically made out the stone cold cellars of the orphanage and the maddened Harold with his bloody cat but as his eyes slowly adjusted to the night he released a shaky breath. He was safe…in Hogwarts.

Yes, sooo safe in fact that you're lying on the ground unconscious, his mind snorted but he promptly ignored it and got up. He couldn't let anyone see him in such a vulnerable pose and so with his mind still plagued with unknowns he walked through the library and down the castle to the common room, pushing back the dizziness that threatened to engulf him and ignoring the sinking knowledge that someone had gotten the better of him. But he knew he'd find out who- it was only a matter of time before he broke through what was obviously the oblivious charm. He wouldn't panic though – no, he'd carry on as normal and let no one know that he was fazed – not that he was mind you – by whichever wizard this was. But with each step he took towards the dungeons his headache grew with an alarming strength until he could barely stay upright.

'Well, well, well. Look what we have here! Ickle, Pickle, Tommy!'

Groaning he glanced up at the one man that seemed to have thriven on annoying him this past week – a bit like that silly Mary Dylan. Smirking at the image of her hanging from the chandelier in nothing but her nightgown, he maliciously began to plot revenge on the simpering sixth year. For now though… he'd play along.

Staring straight up at Raven he smiled almost sweetly at him, disarming the gangly boy enough for him to start to calmly walk away.

'Hey, you! I haven't finished –'

'And what do you think you are doing?' He froze as the familiar voice of that blasted banshee reached his ears.
Would she ever leave him alone? Ever?

'Go pick on someone your own size you snivelling coward!'

After several seconds of silence he viciously rubbed his ears raw– they couldn't possibly be functioning properly.

The sixth year by now had recovered from his initial shock and sneered down at Hermione.

'And what if I don't?' Her glare would have scared death itself into hiding as she roughly jerked Raven back with her tiny first year hands while he looked on in astonishment.

'I'll set Peeves on you, you pimple-faced bigot!'

Laughing at her flimsy threat the said bigot pulled out his wand in an attempt to tame the raving first year but his wand was pulled away not a moment later by a now fully recovered Tom.

'That's no way to treat a lady Masson. I suggest you apologise before she wakes up the whole castle.'

Raven sneered contemptuously down at them both before walking off, grabbing his wand back from Tom as he did.

Looking around he found Hermione smiling brilliantly at him.

'What now?' He asked, the corner of his mouth twitching in amusement.

'You called me a lady Tom – you-'

'Oh put a sock in it Granger.'

He couldn't go to sleep that night, Hermione's outraged face swimming in front of his closed lids. She had defended him – the boy who had either ignored or insulted her for the entirety of the past few weeks – and without hesitation.

Chuckling quietly to himself he finally fell asleep, a smile lighting his lips.

So there is a part for Granger in my diabolical plans...

She sat in front of the fire staring wistfully at the flames… she had nearly forgotten why she had returned to the past.

Ah, but you can't ignore that tiny flicker of guilt that you're also-

Oh shut up why don't you!

Hey I'm not the one who jumped to Tom's rescue when-

If I didn't he wouldn't really see me as his friend now would he? And then Dumbledore's plans would be-

Oh fiddle dee dee!

She promptly ignored her inner self and mimicked ignorance when she snickered in amusement.

Sighing miserably into her hands she desperately wished that this was all but a nightmare and that any minute now she'd wake up and be back-

Back where exactly? There's nothing left now of your old life. It's all in ruins…

She hastily squeezed her eyes shut, willing the tears back as her memories began to plague her mind again, leaving her battle-worn.

The following morning found Tom bright and chirpy, practically skipping to class.

'Um Tom, are you feeling alright?' She asked, staring at him warily.

'Of course I am, why wouldn't I be?'

'No reason,' she muttered, returning to her breakfast and missing the smirk that flashed across his face momentarily.

'T-Tom…' She looked up as the nervous words of Abraxas reached her ears. He looked beyond frightened, his muscles taut and his eyes squeezed shut as if expecting a beating.

'Yes Abraxas?' His eerily calm smile sent shivers down her spine and she silently prayed for Malfoy. Whatever he'd done must've been bad.

Bad for Tom, good for us.

And for once she agreed.

But what could he possibly be planning? He's just arrived at Hogwarts for Merlin's sake! He can't possibly be planning everyone's demise now can he?

Silence reached her ears.

AN: I know this story is dragging out a bit but I promise it's reaching the good parts! I just need these scenes out of the way first! :D
cheers - and dont forget to press that cute little button down there! :D :D :D