chapter 9
Hermione had recalled Harry briefly mentioning a locket the night Dumbledore had died. He hadn't made much sense, spurting out mismatched parts of a story that she couldn't account for. It was horrible to watch her brother be tormented with such heart ache, losing another parental figure. She could only offer sentimental comfort, feeling as though pushing for answers and a report of the day was too much for him to handle. So she didn't, she allowed him to dissolve into tears in her arms, a dishevelled mess. But phrases of that night flashed in her mind 'R.A.B', 'sea cave', 'Salazar Slytherin's locket', 'It was a fake'. She had recognised that the pain and triumphs Harry and Dumbledore had ordained was in vain and that it revolved around a locket. She was certain there was a link.
Her new found interest had drove her to the library once again, flicking through books of Hogwarts history for any mention of the damned necklace. When that had failed she progressed to the subject of magical objects. After a tiresome couple of hours searching, she resulted in creeping up to the restricted area once again. The library was supposedly empty now since she had glanced at the clock and sighed when the time read 10:49pm. Hermione made a quick scout over her shoulder before returning to the door and whispered "reductor". The locks on the door blasted off and a high pitched ringing etched itself into her ear canals from the destructive waves of highly compressed air spreading outwards, Thank fuck for the muffiato spell.
She waved a hand over the smoke that sizzled from the fried lock to clear a path into the newly unravelled section. The only reason Hermione was aware of the time was due to the large toll of the clock tower, echoing through the rooms. Midnight and she was still unsuccessful. She sat at the dimly lit desk with a pile in front of her, raking her hands through her hair in annoyance and then trailing her hands down her face to rub against her eyes, forcing herself to stay awake. Hermione plucked off the next book in her ever-growing pile, tossing it about in her hands. It was a large volume, bound in faded black and purple leather. She ran her finger over the title, tracing its unique symbols that were etched on the sides. 'Secrets of the darkest arts'. When she flicked the cover to reveal its contents, she was shocked to see a library card on the inside. Only one name, Voldemort. Nobody at that time would have addressed it to Tom, nobody was aware of his acronym, except Hermione.
Hermione did not falter, immediately diving into the pages, its content completely repulsive and full of evil magic that no witch or wizard should be aware of. She read every word, ensuring not to miss a single character, until she reached a section on horcruxes. It detailed explicit instructions on how to create and destroy a horcrux. Mentions of placing your soul into an inanimate object was all she needed to read to assume Tom Riddle was attempting to do just that. She departed with the dark natured book, tucking it tightly into the corner of her arm, ensuring the title was hidden and headed straight for the swivelling staircase.
"We have got to stop meeting like this Miss Granger" Tom Riddle stood, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, his tall figure blocking the exit. Fuck, just her luck.
"Agreed". She muttered under her breath as she took three long strides and ducked slightly to escape under his arm.
"I don't think so Granger" He growled, closing the gap that was once an escape route. "unless you would like me to slave away at a desk tonight filling out an incident report for why a lock in the restricted area has combusted, you'll tell me what your up to"
She shoved his body with her free hand, "Get out of my way". He grabbed it.
"No" He flashed her a devious grin, looking down at her. "I don't think I will, what would people think if I showed bias to a student? Everyone should be punished equally". She would not allow him to belittle her.
"Get off your high horse Tom, your no better than the rest of us. " Hermione's anger had boiled over, fed up of his psychotic act. She would not succumb to fear, her adrenaline had fuelled her episode and she would not hesitate to speak her mind. "You don't fool me" Toms obsidian eyes glared, flashing fire but his faced remained stationary, only crowing his neck in confusion. He allowed Hermione to release her display of anger, most likely due to fascination at her outrage. It was refreshing to have someone not tremble in his occupancy.
Hermione blinked and was transported to a completely different setting. An aggressive wind lapped at her curls, her ragged breath blew cold, leaving a trail of fog in its wake. She was surrounded by darkness, visibly outside by the sound of waves crashing in the distance and fresh sea breeze. Her eyes adjusted to her environment, watering from the abrupt change in temperature. Her vision stopped at Tom who still positioned himself in front of her, holding her upper arm with one hand. He was too calm as he sighed, the warmth hitting Hermione's blushed nose and rosy cheeks. They were stood on a cliff that over hanged the ocean, currently an inky pool. Hermione's body was numb and stiff, as her back faced the ridge. She looked down at her feet, placed too close to the edge to feel secure, her life relying solely on the hands of Tom Riddle. Her brain betrayed her with thoughts of falling into the dark ibis, it would feel like being stabbed by a million needles. She gasped at her vulnerable state, She was going to fucking die and nobody would know. She would cease to exist if she died now.
"Care to share what you implied by that Miss Granger?". He had done this, used wandless magic to teleport them to some dark void where he could murder her without causing a scene. She despised the fact she had to lean into his grasp to stop herself from falling to her own demise.
Her hyperventilating breath only permitted her to let out a strangled cry. "stop this"
"Wrong answer Hermione" He took a step closer, leaving not even an inch between their bodies, Hermione's foot scrambled for surface as fear rose into her eyes. "last chance to be honest with me".
Her mouth moved before her brain, fighting for survival. "N- notts" Her lip quivered, due to dread or the glacial aptitude, she wasn't sure. He nodded for her to continue. "Told me about your parents"
"Lies". He grasped her book equipped arm and took another step closer forward, raising her from the ground. She writhed in anticipation, peering down at the extensive drop.
"NO, it's not. Your mother died in childbirth and your fa- father. A muggle" His grip was excruciatingly tight, which she was surprisingly grateful for. She had never witnessed Tom show any drastic emotions but now anger seethed from his features. "It isn't anything to be ashame-"
"I'll kill you if you breathe another word". She watched Tom contemplate her words, trying to deny her statement and find other solutions for her extensive knowledge.
Her vision warped once again, delivering her back to the library. Hermione collapsed on impact to the stone floor, never so grateful for some solidity underneath her feet. Tom watched her regain her breath as she sprawled across the floor, arms and knees to stabilise herself, completely defenceless. "You'll tell me everything you know". Tom's eyes fixated on the book that now laid scattered across the floor next to Hermione's body. "starting with why this is in your possession". He spat, swiping the horrible book off the ground and shoving it into her face. Fuck.