After a few weeks, Riddle noticed that Hermione never raised her hand in class, or stayed up late to do extra studying. Instead, she did the normal amount of work and started reading garbage books, for fun. Something was wrong.
So, one night while patrolling the castle for any rule breakers, Riddle finally asked Hermione the question that had been bugging him for weeks.
"What is wrong with you?" Hermione has the audacity to look confused.
"What do you mean?" She asks.
"I mean, what happened? A few weeks ago, you and I were racing to be the best, one-uping each other. And now, you seem to not care anymore. You're reading bloody romance or fantasy books, instead of studying. Something is up, and I want to know why." Breathing hotly, Riddle glares at Hermione.
"Oh, that. Well, I just decided that I didn't care anymore about grades, or beating you. Plus, why do you care? Now that I'm not in the way, you have the number one spot."
"Yes, but it doesn't count if you are not right behind me, trying your hardest, and yet I still beat you." Tom breathes.
"Maybe, but grades don't matter to me anymore." Hermione shrugs.
"Why the hell not?!" Tom shouts, angry that the Brightest Witch of Her Age isn't trying her hardest to be the best.
"Why do you care?!" Hermione shouts back.
"Because!" Tom pauses, "Because I just do, okay?"
"Oh, are you upset that you no longer have competiton? Are you bored?" Hermione smirks.
Tom scoffs, "No"
"Then why are you so annoyed?"
"Because!" Tom sighs in defeat. "Because you are incredibly smart and you shouldn't care what others think. You are the only person in this school that I can have an intelligent conversation with."
Hermione in stunned. "I stopped trying because I was tired of people bullying me and teasing me in the halls. In this day and age, girls are supposed to seen and not heard. To be pretty and a good house-wife. Not a know-it-all" Hermione mutters, looking to the ground.
Tom smiles sadly and gently places two fingers under Hermione's chin and raises her head till their eyes meet.
"I find pretty house-wives to be annoying. Intelligence is what I look for. Knowledge is power. And power is beautiful. You are beautiful. Ignore what everyone else says, all that matters is that you're right and they are wrong." Tom passionately states.
"You think I'm beautiful?" Hermione whispers as Tom slowly moves closer.
"Very" Tom whispers and gently brushes his lips across hers.
"I just hope you remember that you wanted me to try when this is all over and I beat you" Hermione smirks.
"You beat me in archiving the highest scores in record, and I'll marry you" Tom growls.
"Is that a promise?" Hermione smirks and leans in to kiss him again.