Hermione watched as Tom slammed the door shut. All she had done was ask if the potion was working. It must be if he lost his temper that quickly though with it being Tom Riddle it was hard to tell. He was always temperamental.
Maybe she had pushed things a little too far by persuading Dippet into allowing them to have their own private dorm. If so, then she was in for one hell of a year. She just hoped that Tom wouldn't try to kill her, or her him. She still, unfortunately, needed him to be alive so as to not mess with the future too badly.
Hermione shook Tom from her thoughts and decided to head to bed. Tomorrow started their first day of classes and their first petrol.
. . . .
"Mind if I sit beside you?" asked Fleamont. Hermione was grateful to see the black-haired boy. His resemblance to Harry no longer upset her as it did when she had first met him.
"Go ahead," said Hermione with a genuine smile. Now that all of her friends were gone, or in Abraxas' case, had forgotten her, Hermione was desperate to have at least one friend she could talk to. Tom didn't count because of his irritable mood swings and the fact that he seemed to be avoiding her again. Plus, they never really talked that much anyways. They were perfectly comfortable in each other's presence while reading, though she didn't see much of that happening this year.
"How was your break?"
"It was pretty good. Tom and I at least didn't kill each other." She took a bite out of her apple.
Fleamont laughed. This action puzzled Hermione since it didn't seem to require that much laughter, maybe only a light chuckle or snort. "No, you definitely didn't kill each other. I'm guessing the pompous Slytherin didn't tell you that he sent me an owl?"
"No." Hermione shook her head for emphasis. She honestly couldn't envision Tom sending a letter to Fleamont, least of all acknowledging him.
Fleamont gave her a wicked grin. "He told me to make sure you keep up practicing your broom skills."
Hermione groaned. For some reason, she could easily picture Tom pulling a stunt like that. She couldn't figure out why he was so adamant on her learning about quidditch and increasing her skills on a broom.
"I wish I could say that I can't believe that he would do something like that but. . ." Hermione let out a dramatic sigh that held slight irritation. "Don't listen to him."
"I don't, I think I might want to see you on a broom now." Fleamont sent her a playful wink. Hermione couldn't help but to laugh at his joking mannerism. She had a feeling that life wouldn't be quite as lonely with him around. Who would have guessed that she would have befriended Harry's paternal grandfather?
Gooseflesh rose on her skin and a cold shiver ran down her spine. The little hairs on the back of her neck alerted that she was being watched.
Hermione looked up and her eyes immediately fell to the Slytherin table. An immaculately dressed Tom with a bite of oatmeal poised at his mouth was glaring at her. No, not at her. At her and Fleamont. The cold look in his eyes made her gulp in trepidation. She just had to ask Dippet to make her dorm mates with that monster?
"Is everything all right?" asked Fleamont as he took in her ghostly expression.
"Ye-yeah." Hermione stood up from her seat. "I think I'll head to class now."
Fleamont stood up and gave her a warm smile. "We have the same class together. Why don't I walk you."
Hermione chanced a glance at the Slytherin table and saw that Tom's cold stare had turned deathly. What did she and Fleamont do to warrant such an expression?
"Yeah. I would like that," said Hermione as a way to get Fleamont out of Tom's sight. Fleamont held out his arm and she took it gratefully. Her legs felt a little unsteady from the rush of adrenaline. It looked like she would truly never escape the feelings of war.
They walked out of the Great Hall, feeling eyes on them the entire time. "That was intense," commented Fleamont with a sigh of relief. "Riddle acted as if I stole his favorite pet."
Hermione grimaced internally. That analogy was probably not that far off from the truth. "Yeah," said Hermione weakly.
Fleamont drew them to a stop. "He's not courting you, is he?"
"Oh God, no!" Hermione was appalled by the question. She may have found Tom handsome and endearing at times but that was as far as she could-would picture him. "We're just friends."
Fleamont let out a sigh and chuckled as he nervously rubbed the back of his neck. "Good. I would hate to garnish the wrath of Tom Riddle. Don't let my brave facade fool you, the guy scares me."
"He scares just about everyone," chuckled Hermione. She was definitely enjoying having Fleamont around. It was a good thing that he was in the same year as her. Plus, she would have really great stories to tell Harry when she got back to her time and Harry was alive again.
They were the first ones to arrive at Defense Against the Dark Arts. The seats were all gone and a large dueling stage was placed in the middle of the room.
"Not again," groaned Fleamont. "Why must professor Merrythought insist on torturing us."
"I quite like in-class dueling. The professor is always there to step in when things become dangerous. There's no worry of an actual threat. And, practicing is a practical way to prepare for an actual duel. It helps sharpen one's skills." Hermione wasn't sure how her tone sounded but Fleamont shut up right then. That was another thing that Fleamont and Harry had in common.
The two of them didn't have to wait long for the rest of the class to shuffle in. Tom, much to Hermione's surprise, was the last student to enter. When his eyes locked onto hers', he frowned. Barging in behind Tom was a middle-aged woman with long, curly blonde hair. Her gold and white robes swished about her with every movement. The woman reminded Hermione of Professor Lockhart. Maybe it was in the way that they dressed, it was slightly similar.
The woman waltzes up to the front of the class before turning to face them. "I am the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. You may call me professor Merrythought." The professor's voice naturally carried across the large room and she spoke in crisp tones. "Normally, my husband would teach this class but he has been called away for another matter and is not due back to teach for another year or two. I hope there will be no grievances for this sudden change. I promise that you will have your old Defense Against the Dark Arts professor back shortly. Well, you lot won't as this is your last year."
Oh yeah, this professor Merrythought definitely reminded Hermione of Gilderoy Lockhart. Hopefully she won't be as incompetent as he was.
"I will pair each of you up. Each winner will continue to be paired up till only two remain. The last two to beat all of their opponents will then face off against each other." Professor Merrythought clapped her hands together. "The first pairing will be between Mr. Riddle and Mr. Potter."
Fleamont gave Hermione a worried smile. "Wish me luck?"
Hermione offered him the best smile that she could muster. "Good luck." Poor Fleamont didn't stand a chance against Tom. And it worried her even more when she caught the triumphant smirk that Tom displayed when he heard that Fleamont was his opponent.
The two wizards walked up to the dueling table and took their place at opposite ends. With their wands steady, they bowed. Tom didn't even wait for Fleamont to come completely out of the bow.
"Crucio!"
Fleamont buckled underneath the spell. He landed heavily on his knees and a cry of pain was ripped out of his throat.
Hermione felt tears pricking her eyes. She absentmindedly ran her thumb over her scar.
Tom ended the spell after a few seconds. "That's unfair. He should not be allowed to use an Unforgivable," hollered one of her fellow Gryffindors. There were a lot of mumbled agreements.
Professor Merrythought cleared her throat, effectively shutting everyone up. "It should be noted Mr. Riddle that that curse should not be used on school grounds." She turned her focus onto the students before her. "I should also state that this is a duel. There are times when a witch or wizard uses an Unforgivable. With that said, I will allow it this time. I declare Mr. Riddle our first winner."
The duels continued on until it was just Hermione and a kid, she believed his name was Wood, were the only two left. Hermione hopped onto the table and faced her opponent. They bowed to each other and as soon as Hermione's back was straight she called out an expelliarmus. Her opponent's wand soared into her awaiting one. Professor Merrythought declared her the winner and Hermione handed the wand back to its owner.
Each of the winners were then paired up. Hermione was first this time and her opponent was Abraxas.
Hermione's heart dropped at facing her old friend. She would have to win this match quickly without harming him.
They bowed to each other. "Expelliarmus!" Shouted Abraxas.
Hermione whispered protego underneath her breath before shouting her own expelliarmus. Abraxas' spell bounced off her shield as his wand flew into her grasp.
"We have our first second round winner. Thank you Miss Norris for demonstrating silent spells and the usefulness that they can provide when wanting to take your opponent by surprise."
Hermione handed Abraxas' wand to him. He let the wand hang in her grip for a few seconds while he glared at her. A scoff from the crowd spurred him into action. Abraxas grabbed the wand roughly, jarring her hand in the process.
Abraxas jumped down from the dueling stage to stand behind Tom. Hermione shot Tom a glare, fearing that Abraxas' behavior meant that he was probably now one of Tom's followers. Her hunch was confirmed when Tom's look turned sheepish. If it was any other situation, Hermione probably would have laughed at seeing such an expression on the young Dark Lord.
"Brilliant," congratulated Fleamont when Hermione took her place beside him.
"How are you feeling?"
Fleamont grimaced at her question but still answered her. "Better. Never want to experience that again."
"Sorry."
"You have nothing to apologize for," laughed Fleamont. "Besides, it prepared me for the next time, though I do hope there will never be a next time," joked Fleamont.
Hermione was relieved to hear him say that. She felt guilty as if she were responsible for Tom's behavior. She was just glad that Fleamont didn't blame her.
Tom was the next one to duel. His opponent was a Slytherin girl with wild brown hair that had golden highlights in it. Her eyes were a stunning mauve and Hermione wondered if the girl had cast a glamor or a color changing spell on them.
This duel was by far the longest of the others. The girl was pretty good though Hermione had the feeling that Tom was toying with her. Twenty seconds later the duel ended with Tom's triumph.
Hermione watched the rest of the duels without paying any attention. She had the feeling that her final opponent would be Tom. The first time that they dueled had given Hermione some insight. She got to see how Tom thought on his feet, which gave her an advantage. The only problem is that Tom would also have that same advantage. Hermione would have to come up with a completely different kind of fighting style-or adjust hers. Maybe she could combine some of the things that she had experienced with Ron and Harry into her duel.
"Ah, down to our last two duelists." Hermione's head shot up with professor Merrythought's words. She looked around her to find that she was standing on the dueling stage holding Phillis Argunt's wand, a fellow Gryffindor who wasn't too keen on Hermione. She suspected it was because the girl had a crush on Tom.
Somehow, she had dueled in automatic while her mind was running over tactical scenarios. Hermione handed Phillis' wand back and went back to her spot on the dueling stage. Tom took the spot at the opposite end.
They bowed to each other before standing up. Hermione watched as Tom flicked his wand. She saw the symbol to summon up fog though she didn't hear him mutter anything.
Fog enveloped around them. Hermione cast a locator spell and shot out an expelliarmus in Tom's direction. Nothing happened.
Hermione decided to change her tactic. She needed to get rid of the fog-what if she got out of the fog instead of dispersing it?
"Ascendio," whispered Hermione as she pointed her wand up. She shot up and out of the fog. It was a really good thing that the school had high ceilings. She then used her wand to aim her downfall toward where she thought Tom would be.
The force of her downfall caused her hair to whip her in the face. She caught the sight of Tom's wavy, slicked back, brown hair before she landed on top of him.
Hermione smiled triumphantly when she saw Tom's wand still clasped in his hand. She leaned down to pull it out but it wouldn't budge. Tom let out a weak chuckle. "Learned from our last duel."
Hermione laughed when she realized that he meant that he had used the super sticking charm on himself. She reversed the spell and grabbed the wand.
"Looks like I win this time." Hermione smirked triumphantly down at Tom.
Tom quirked an eyebrow. "You gonna get off now or am I that irresistible?"
Hermione's face flushed red with Tom's joke. She quickly clambered off of him and held a hand out for him. He took and stood though he looked really pale to Hermione.
"Excellent," clapped professor Merrythought. "It looks like our winner is Miss Norris." The professor looked at Tom and concern crossed her golden eyes. "Norris, take Mr. Riddle to the infirmary."
Hermione obliged and helped Tom walk out of the classroom. Her concern grew for him when he didn't refuse her help. "Are you alright?" She asked once they were out in the hallway.
He gave her a funny look. "Shouldn't you be apologizing to me. You did land on me after a twenty foot fall."
Hermione felt her face heating up again. "Sorry," mumbled Hermione as she stared down at the floor.
Tom stopped walking causing Hermione to stumble. She looked up at him, afraid that he would pass out from some internal injury that she had caused. Instead, she found him holding his hand out to her. "How about we promise to never duel each other again in and out of a classroom."
Hermione looked at his hand unsure if she should make such a promise. Well, maybe she could just pretend to make one. She would have to battle him as Lord Voldemort in the future anyway. "Deal," lied Hermione as she took his hand.
"Good. I don't think I can take you falling on me again." He coughed and his breathing started to become ragged.
"I should get you to madam Dhavies."