Chapter Three

"Good morning, Miss Granger," said Dippet as Hermione stepped into his office less than an hour later. "I trust you're settled in nicely? Tom is a very helpful young man, after all."

"Oh yes," she said. "He was very helpful indeed. I believe we're going to get on famously."

"Well, I'm very glad to hear it," he answered. "And are you ready for your tests, my dear?"

"Yes, sir," she answered confidently. "I just hope I don't miss any of the questions because I know future answers you didn't know about yet in the past."

"I can see where that would be frustrating," he agreed. "But, to put you at your ease, I shall do my best to ignore anachronistic issues when I grade your work, if that would please you."

"Yes, thank you, sir," she answered as she took the scrolls from him.

"I believe you're going to be in need of supplies," he commented as he gave her a quill and a pot of ink. "I will have Tom take you into Hogsmeade later today. I usually send him out with a bit of money for his own things, so I'm sure he won't mind helping you to do the same."

"Thank you, sir."

"Very well, then, I'll leave you to your tests," he said. "I'll be right at my desk, doing paperwork. Feel free to ask me anything, my dear."

Hermione merely nodded as she began to write her first answer. As she progressed through the pages she had little difficulty until she reached history. She needed to tread carefully here, because she didn't want to reveal anything that hadn't happened yet. It took a great deal of concentration, and just to add to that stress this was right when Tom Riddle showed up.

"Want some lunch, Granger?" he inquired as he set a tray down in front of her.

Hermione hadn't even realized how hungry she was until she saw the chicken legs and dumplings underneath the cover. He'd also brought her a pot full of tea, and two cups. She smiled in amusement when she saw this, and looked up at him with an inquisitive air.

"I'm sure Dippet won't mind if we eat together," he offered with a smirk. "Food's always better when it's shared."

"You have an entire school full of people to share lunch with, Mr. Riddle," Dippet told him dryly from his desk. "Don't linger too long, I'm sure Miss Granger would like to finish her tests soon."

"Yes, sir," he agreed.

"And Riddle, just because you're the Head Boy doesn't mean you can keep showing up in here whenever you want. I'm beginning to think you covet my job, as often as you're under foot."

"Maybe someday, sir," he answered with a wink. Dippet shook his head and turned back to his work, muttering something about intrepid puppies.

"I hope you like strawberry jam," Tom said to Hermione. "They've made it fresh today."

"Of course," Hermione said with a contented sigh. "They'll still be doing that later on, too."

000

When Tom left Dippet's office the old man had told him Hermione needed to go shopping for supplies, and told him he could take the afternoon off if he would bring her into Hogsmeade. With a flirty smile toward the girl in question, he had replied, "My pleasure," and then bowed in her direction before he stepped out the door.

Hermione couldn't believe that this Tom Riddle was the same person who would one day become Lord Voldemort. It was inconceivable that such a sweet, well-mannered young man with such a wonderful sense of humor would one day become the darkest wizard ever to live. What could have happened to cause such a drastic transformation?

Concentrate on your testing, Hermione, she told herself. Turning back to her work, she finished it in record time and handed it in with a flourish. "Here you are, sir, and here are your quill and ink as well. Thank you for letting me use them."

"You can keep those for yourself, my dear," he said with a smile. "I have plenty more where they came from. I sense that you are somewhat anxious to meet a certain young man and begin your journey to Hogsmeade. But is it the supplies you're so keen on, or is it the company?"

Hermione blushed, and said, "Maybe both, sir."

"I thought as much, Miss Granger, though I will not inquire of your motives any further. Very well, then, take this bag of galleons," he said as he handed her the item in question. "I gave Tom his earlier. And remember, my dear, you need to get clothes with that as well. We can't have you giving away your origins because the fabric of your dress hasn't been invented yet."

"It hasn't?" Hermione asked as she looked down at herself.

"I've never seen it before, and I pride myself on knowing a great deal about such things," he answered.

"Really? They never mentioned that in the history books," she commented with a smile. "But I suppose a Headmaster's job has little to do with fashion in any timeframe."

"That's not entirely so," he corrected her. "It is my job to see to it that every student here is properly clothed. And as I take my job quite seriously, I must be diligent in every aspect, including that one. Now, you need not report back to me again unless you have a need to do so. I have already compiled your class list—and you'll be pleased to know that Tom Riddle is in most of the classes on your list. He should be able to help you adjust to everything much more easily that way."

"Thank you, sir, for everything," Hermione said, shaking the man's hand.

"Professor Dumbledore will also be available, should you need to discuss your particular problem in any way. Since you already know him, you may find it much easier to talk to him than to me," Dippet said.

"No, sir, you've really been quite helpful," she told him as she turned to go. "I'll check back in a few days to let you know how I'm doing, if you wish?"

"That would be most agreeable, Miss Granger," he said. "Good luck—and enjoy your outing with Tom."

Hermione blushed again. "I have a feeling I will," she answered, and closed the door behind her as she walked out into the crowded hall.

Tom had asked her to meet him near the front hall, so she milled through the sea of bodies in that general direction, uncaring of the stares the other students cast her way. Then a big, blond boy blocked her path.

"Who're you, then?" he demanded. "I've never seen you before. You're a Slytherin, by the look of you, but you haven't been to our dorm. What's going on?"

"I've been made Head Girl," she said, looking him in the eye. "You must be Abraxas Malfoy, if my information is correct."

The lad broke into a grin then. "Riddle's been schooling you on who your mates are, has he?"

"Yes," she said with a smile. "He told me you were a brazen snob, and the first thing you'd try to do was see if you could seduce me. I'll save you the time by letting you know that you can't."

"Ah, prefer your men dark, do you?" he chuckled. "Come then, where are you off to? Can't even spare time for a chat?"

"I have to meet Tom," she said as she continued on her way. "He's taking me to Hogsmeade for the afternoon, so I can do some shopping."

"I guess I'll have to seduce you later, then," he called after her, and then his face fell as his eyes traveled to someone behind her.

Hermione turned in time to see Tom's scowl before he schooled his features into a smile just for her. "I thought you might be done by now," he said as he wrapped an arm possessively around her shoulders. "This ought to be fun, Granger. The sun's come out just in time for our walk."

"That's good," she answered as she moved ahead of him so he had to let her go. "It should be most interesting to see this little town I've heard so much about at last."

"Yes," Tom agreed as he glanced back at Abraxas again. "I can't wait to show you around."