Hermione couldn't sleep.
Her mind was a total mess.
She'd finally met Tom in person, but they barely got to talk.
And she almost died.
It hadn't felt that scary in the moment, but now that she was thinking back, Hermione could only huddle under her blanket, wrapping it tight around herself.
She sat up, glanced at the moonlight outside her window, grabbed a book from her nightstand, and tried to read.
...
The next day.
Hermione got up early, grabbed her carefully packed luggage, and headed off to Hogwarts.
Milora was back home now, curled up quietly in her cage—actually, she'd been there for a while, but Dobby hadn't let Hermione notice.
At Platform 9¾, Hermione made it through smoothly. She spotted the whistling train—the Hogwarts Express.
Red-haired kids were making a racket outside on the platform—probably the Weasleys.
She also saw a black-haired boy with glasses; a lot of people were staring at him.
But Hermione didn't pay much attention. She wasn't in the mood. She just boarded the train.
Once on board, she realized how famous she apparently was!
She heard all the whispers.
Everyone seemed to know her name—everyone knew Hermione Granger had won that competition Gilderoy Lockhart hosted half a month ago.
All those admiring looks made her feel like she couldn't breathe. She hurried faster, passing compartment after compartment.
Finally, in an empty one, she spotted the boy.
Tom was by the window, head propped on one hand, flipping through a book with the other. His eyes scanned the lines quickly, jotting notes before turning the page, over and over.
Hermione plunked her luggage on the table and sat right across from him—loud enough that Tom looked up. When he saw it was her, he just went back to reading.
"Tom!"
He finally closed the book and said seriously, "Hermione, why are you wearing that floral shirt underneath? That's the one I picked for you to wear in summer. Now you've got your wizard robes over it—it looks weird and stands out, you know!
"You should've gone with something beige..."
Hermione cut him off. "That's not what I want to talk about!"
She gritted her teeth, about to say more, but noticed people still watching her. She scooted over next to Tom and whispered, "About what happened between us—don't you have anything to say?"
"What?" Tom looked confused.
"The swapping thing!"
Tom shrugged. "Nothing much to say. Hermione, you know how it is—the wizarding world's full of wonders. It's those wonders that build friendships, one after another."
"Then pay me back! And where's Mr. Lockhart's signed book? I know you took the prize!"
"Miss Hermione, why don't you guess where all those pretty clothes in your closet came from? I threw out those tacky undies, and how your hair's not as frizzy anymore—it's shinier, softer... Haven't you noticed?"
Hermione's head drooped lower, her cheeks turning redder. Tom rubbed his temple.
How oblivious was this girl about her own looks? She really hadn't noticed?
"But you—you actually picked out my under... Tom, you're a jerk!"
"Sorry about that." Tom didn't seem bothered.
"How much did you sell it for—the signed Lockhart book!"
Tom held up five fingers.
"50 Galleons? Oh my gosh, you... I thought you were smart!"
"Nope. 50 pounds. I'm just an orphan—what do I need Galleons for? Better to get some pounds and buy stuff for the kids at the orphanage."
Silence hit hard. Hermione stared at him like he was an idiot.
50 pounds?
About 10 Galleons—just 10 Galleons, and Tom sold Lockhart's stuff?
"Jerk!"
"Thanks for the compliment." Tom grinned suddenly, like he'd remembered something. "Oh yeah, Miss Hermione, I've got an even jerkier favor to ask."
"No way!" Hermione shot back.
"Just hear me out..." Tom smiled. "Once we're at Hogwarts, could you handle my homework for me?"
Hermione: "?"
What was this guy saying?
She'd never met someone so shameless!
"For saving your life... fine, I'll let you copy mine. But don't you love Hogwarts classes anyway? Why ask me to do your homework?"
"No copying. You write it for me. We're good friends, right?"
"Good friends don't do that! It's against the rules—you know that, against the rules!" Hermione ignored the "good friends" part.
"Miss Hermione, you wouldn't want your body to get chewed out by the professors for not turning in homework, would you?" Tom looked up at the ceiling casually. "Sigh, I was about to fall asleep last night, but I worried about some idiot who spent all her savings coming to her house. Even risked my life saving her from giant spiders.
"Who'd have thought... she'd be so cruel to me. Won't even help with homework."
"Tom, are you threatening me?"
"Yes."
Hermione clenched her fists slowly, glaring at him all puffed up. She punched his shoulder twice, but felt how solid his muscles were and just sulked more, cheeks ballooning.
Jerk!
But even though Tom flat-out admitted it was a threat, Hermione had no comeback.
She knew Tom was tight with a lot of professors, plus his skills were insane. They might let missing homework slide for him. But not her.
She didn't have his people skills or strength. Facing trolls or spiders, she'd just try to survive—not take them down easy like Tom.
"Alright, cheer up, kiddo." Tom patted her head. "Your hair's messy. Got a comb? I'll fix it. Today's our first real meeting celebration—I'll buy you sweets."
"No thanks!" Hermione jumped like a startled bunny and scooted back across from him.
"Fine, just this once. I'll help you just once."
There'd be a second time after the first...
Tom thought it but just smiled. "Thanks, Miss Hermione. Oh, when you boarded, did you run into..."
"Hi, have you seen a toad? It's small, really cute and lovable." A voice interrupted.
Looking over, a red-haired boy was there with a black-haired one, and a shy kid behind.
Ron Weasley, Harry Potter, and Neville Longbottom.
"Hello." Tom leaned forward with a smile. "Maybe you don't need to worry about that little toad. You'll find it after we get off. You should enjoy the ride with your friends, right?"
"But I'm worried," Neville said quietly.
"Nothing to worry about. It'll come back." Tom assured him.
"Okay, thanks anyway. Harry, Ron, let's check the next compartment." Neville wasn't giving up.
Harry hadn't moved at first—he zoned out, then snapped back and hurried after Ron.
"Harry?" Hermione reacted after they left. "Wait, is that Harry Potter? The Boy Who Lived?"
Tom chuckled at her slow realization. "Yeah, and he was staring at you earlier. Maybe Harry likes pretty girls."
"Tom, if you want to call me pretty, just say it."
"Hermione, you're really pretty."
Hermione shut up, turning away sulkily. Her profile glowed red like the rising sun.
After a while, she tucked her hair behind her ear and buried her nose in her book, still pouting.
Kids are funny.
Tom tapped his chin, amused as he watched her.
Stared at too long, Hermione pursed her lips and huffed like a little troll. "Tom, you should read your book, not stare at me!"
...
The train pulled in. They still had to take boats across to Hogwarts.
Waiting at the platform was Rubeus Hagrid—the gentle giant.
"Tom!"
Hagrid spotted him and rushed over for a huge hug. "Kid, I'm so glad you're okay. You have no idea—I thought about you every day at Hogwarts."
"Hagrid, you look like you've slimmed down?" Tom grinned and hugged back—as much as he could around Hagrid's massive frame.
"Hey, you're spot on—I have lost a bit. Come on, boats this way. This is Hermione?"
"Hello." Hermione greeted him. "Mr. Hagrid, you're a lot gentler than you look."
They weren't total strangers—she'd met Hagrid in Tom's body.
"Kids, hop in." Hagrid beamed, loving the compliment.
Good kids, both of 'em!
"Hermione, you're being kinda cheesy. You wouldn't have said that before."
"Who do you think made me this way? And Hagrid really is nice—not like Professor Snape. If I'm cheesy, you're way cheesier!"
Tom just smiled and stayed quiet.
Professor Snape was a good guy too—at least to him.
On the boat were Ron and Harry Potter too.
They chatted a bit while waiting to dock.
Joy filled the first-years' eyes.
Hogwarts!
The Hogwarts they'd dreamed about—they were finally seeing it.
After disembarking, it wasn't long before the Sorting Ceremony began.
Tom seemed distracted. Hermione noticed and leaned over.
"What's up?" she whispered. "Decided on a house yet?"
"As long as it's not Azkaban."
"Azkaban's for dangerous criminals! You're not going there. I'm kinda excited, Tom. I never imagined the Sorting would be like this—a hat deciding for us."
Tom just hummed, not saying much.
He was looking for someone.
Where was Professor Snape?
He couldn't spot him anywhere.
"Hermione Granger."
Tom heard her name. She got sorted into Gryffindor, as expected.
She sat next to Harry and the others, chatting and laughing.
Harry kept glancing at her but barely spoke. Ron yapped away, mentioning Tom somehow. Hermione looked over at him, mumbled something, and looked down.
"Tom Riddle!"
Almost every professor looked up at once. Professor Snape arrived late, giving Tom a long, serious look as he passed.
Professor Sprout clutched her hands tight—she really hoped this boy would join Hufflepuff.
Tom strode up and sat on the stool.
The Sorting Hat dropped onto his head.
"Hmm... relax, child, relax. We've met before, haven't we? Good—you're not surprised. I admire your calm.
"Brave, hardworking, clever, ambitious—you've got it all. Let me think where to put you.
"Little Tom, what do you like to eat?"
"As long as it fills me up."
"Oh, good boy—not picky. I like you... I think I should put you in—"
His voice suddenly stopped.
Some professors held their breath.
"AZKABAN!"
Tom: "???"