Chapter 16 - 16: A Time for Giving Joy and Thanks

Hermione sighed and reread the letter.

Hermione,

I'm sorry that I'm writing this to you but I wanted to let you know that something has come up. Some visitors are here that need my attention, the staff Christmas party has been canceled. If you are not mad at me, I would like to spend the day after Christmas with you, just the two of us.

Your Grandfather, Armando Dippet.

Hermione found that she was disappointed to not spend the day with Dippet. He could be slightly dense, completely clueless, and a little out there but he was amusing and pleasant to be around.

She folded the letter up and stood up from her bed. She walked over to her writing desk and placed the parchment into a drawer. After a pause, Hermione waved her wand to unlock the middle drawer. Inside of it was the golden hourglass necklace. She picked it up with gentle hands and looked at it. Only a few grains of sand had passed through. It looked like the grains were still moving one at a time. She didn't want to be stuck in this time for a few years but it looked like that was what was going to happen. And all she wanted to do was to get back to Harry and Ron.

Hermione sighed in frustration before placing the Time-Turner back into its drawer. She waved her wand over it to strengthen the wards.

. . . .

Hermione walked into Dippet's office with his present held behind her back. She was nervous that her gift wasn't good enough.

"My dear," beamed Dippet. He gestured her over to the small sitting area that was set up in front of the fireplace. He took one chair and she took the other. "Tea?"

Hermione shook her head. "How about butterbeer?"

Dippet beamed at her with a twinkle in his eye. "An excellent choice!" He waved his wand and two pints of butterbeer appeared.

Hermione took hers and took a much-needed sip. Hopefully, it would help calm her nerves.

Dippet took a sip of his before settling back into the chair. "How is your break going so far?"

Hermione opened her mouth to reply but closed it. It seemed as if Newt Scamander hadn't told him about discovering her and Riddle spying on them or the Boggart in the woods. "Fine. Actually, it's been interesting." Dippet quirked an eyebrow, a gesture for her to explain in more detail. She really should have picked different words! "I saw that the guests consisted of people from the U.S. Ministry branch and Newt Scamander."

Dippet chuckled. "Yes. You seem quite interested. Are you curious about the policies of foreign governments?"

She hadn't thought about it all that much. "I am," smiled Hermione, finding it was true. "I think I'm more interested in Newt Scamander. His fascination with magical creatures is informative."

"Happy to hear. Mr. Scamander was a former student and has agreed to sit in on Mr. Kettleburn's classes."

Hermione smiled brightly upon hearing the news. She could finally ask Newt Scamander all, or at least most of her questions. It would also hopefully calm down Professor Kettleburn. The Care of Magical Creatures professor was a bit reckless and not very well-informed.

"Shall we exchange gifts?" Dippet rubbed his hands together gleefully.

Hermione felt her face heat up in embarrassment. "I wasn't really sure what to get you."

"Nonsense my dear," Dippet waved her comment away. "I am sure to love it no matter, though the best gift I've received has been meeting you."

Hermione couldn't help but to beam him a smile. She loved hearing his words since she had never really known her own grandparents. Her mind tried to fight with her heart by telling her that she was only going to hurt him. She vowed to make sure that she wouldn't hurt this sweet, old man.

She reluctantly handed Dippet her gift. He ripped it open and Hermione's heart stopped.

Dippet's quizzical glance turned into pure joy. He picked up the quill before examining the parchment. "I love them, and I was just in need of some new parchment."

Hermione sighed in relief. She got lucky though she would have to actually try to find him a proper gift next year.

Dippet flicked his wand and a large, wrapped gift landed softly on Hermione's lap. She tore open the paper. Inside laid a beautiful red gown that was professional-looking in style. "I thought you would prefer something in your house's color."

"Oh, thank you. It's beautiful though I don't know where I would wear it."

Dippet chuckled. "I'm sure a moment will pop up in the future." He sat down his pint of newly refilled butterbeer. "That's not the real gift though." Hermione's head popped up with a snap at his words. She couldn't believe that he would get her something else. She really was going to have to step up on her gift-giving. "It's a little early-okay, a lot early but I wanted to see the look on your face." Dippet paused in his words, trying, and succeeding in building a dramatic effect. "As of next year, you will be made Head Girl."

Hermione jumped out of her seat and wrapped her arms around him. It was a good thing that he had set his drink down. "Thank you! Thank you!" Maybe being stuck in the past for a while wouldn't be so bad.

Dippet chuckled and hugged her back. When she let him go he leaned back in his seat. "Your grades are excellent. You've reached the top of your class and even surpassed Riddle, though you were at a clear disadvantage. I was already thinking about making you Head Girl but wasn't sure if you wanted the responsibility but then Riddle came to me. He asked if I had given Head Girl any thought then he told me that you mentioned wanting to be it."

Hermione's mouth flopped open like a fish. Riddle, the past version of Lord Voldemort, had made an effort to help her. It was even more surprising when she had only mentioned wanting to be Head Girl once and she wasn't even sure he was around during that time.

Then reality finally hit her. She would have to find a way to thank Riddle. She sighed inwardly at the daunting task ahead of her.

. . . .

Tom entered his room. It was nice and peaceful now that every one of his roommates were away for break.

He flicked on the lights with a silent, wandless spell. Those things were getting easier and easier to do.

He looked toward his bed, wanting to lie down and forget about the day. His birthday. It wasn't a day of celebration for him.

Tom headed for the shower when he stopped in his tracks. He whirled back around to find that his eyes weren't deceiving him. Laying on top of his bed was a small, wrapped gift box.

He went over to it. Was it a prank? No, no one was brave, or stupid enough to pull one over him. The tag read his name in a neat, scrunchy script. That's Hermione's writing. Tom opened the gift to find a small, pen-sized broom and a letter. He unfolded the letter to read it.

Dippet told me what you did for me. To say I was mildly shocked was an understatement. I found out that your birthday was only a few days away and decided to get you a present as a way to say thank you.

I wasn't sure what to get you, so I asked Professor Slughorn, knowing that you are somewhat close to him. He told me how you were captain of your house's quidditch team and how you have been eyeing a particular broom. With a little help from Dippet, I was able to purchase it for you. I downsized it so that I could wrap it. Again, Thank you. Also, happy birthday.

P.S. Don't ever do anything to help me again. I do not want to have to repay or say 'thank you' ever again to you.

Tom put the letter down and laughed out loud. Her words were honest and bold. It greatly amused him to no end. If this was how she was going to react, he would have to start doing nice things for her, though he may anger her further. The thought brought forth a fresh set of laughter.

Once he was able to gain composure, he turned his attention to the broom. He cast engorgio so that he could see the broom in its full glory. He ran his fingers over the smooth wood.

He wasn't sure what exactly Hermione's presence was doing to him and he tried his best to push all thoughts of his change to the back of his mind. He would ignore the changes and only pay attention to his task at hand.

Tom's current plan was to bring Hermione to his side. She would be able to help him gain more followers. She would also be able to help him, or at least keep him in check so that he won't ever become like that thing. Thoughts of that snake-like creature still brought a shudder to him. It hit a nerve within him when Hermione had told him that he was similar to that thing. It also agitated him that the blue of that creature's eyes were similar to the blue his own eyes became when he was angered. No, he didn't want to be like that monster. If making friends will help him into not becoming a murderous monster that cares little about his personal appearance then so be it. Hermione would be the one he would make his friend. It's a way of killing two, well, technically, three birds with one stone, so to speak.