Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Right Place, Wrong Time?	By : Shan84 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Hermione/Voldemort Views: 7815 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series nor any of the characters from the books/movies. I don't make money from writing this fanfiction.

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
- 4
Author Note: Welcome to Chapter 3, thanks for reading

XXX

Tom picked up the Deluminator, which had been sitting on the counter since she left the shop and smirked as he re-inspected it. Serves her right for being, well… her, he thought smugly and remembered with satisfaction the pained expression on her face at having to give the item up. And wasn't it a curious item? Tom had never seen anything like it – nor heard of such an invention. Holding the Deluminator up in the air, he gave a small click and watched as it claimed all of the light in the room. Basking in the darkness for a few moments, Tom reluctantly clicked the Deluminator again and the light returned to the room.

"Hello, Tom."

Tom felt himself mentally jump at the sound of that voice. Looking up, his worst suspicions were confirmed as he looked into the twinkling, blue eyes of one Albus Dumbledore. Sweet Salazar! How did that old coot always manage to do that sort of thing? Tom stared blankly back at the old man, momentarily forgetting the usual charade, completely unsettled by the idea of Dumbledore being able to sneak up on him. And what was he wearing? Merlin! He should get a one-way ticket to Azkaban for wearing such offensive robes!

Dumbledore didn't wait for Tom to greet him, chuckling lightly as he took in Tom's usual blank expression. "Ah, I do assume that is Miss Edward's?" He said, nodding towards the Deluminator that was still in Tom's hand.

Tom stared at Dumbledore for a few moments, before he remembered himself. "Hello Professor. Yes, this is the item that Miss Edwards traded in. How have you been?" He asked smoothly, carefully placing the Deluminator on the counter-top.

"I've been well Tom, thank you for asking. How have you been?" he asked with that perpetual annoying smile on his face.

"Fine, thank you," Tom replied tightly, a mechanical smile appearing on his face.

Dumbledore nodded his head, and stepped closer to the counter. "Very good. How do you like working here?"

Tom eyed the older wizard, "It pays well enough; interesting artefacts," he replied and gestured around the shop.

"Interesting indeed," Dumbledore agreed, before changing topics, "Is Mr Burke in?"

Tom raised his eyebrows. "No, he's gone home for the day actually. Unfortunately he won't be back in the shop till next Wednesday as he had business in Ireland."

Dumbledore seemed to muse on this, and for the first time since he stepped into the store, a more serious expression appeared on his face. "That is most unfortunate. I very much wanted to discuss some matters with him. Though all is not lost, as I wish to purchase the item Miss Edwards had to trade in."

Tom was suddenly interested, but forced his face to remain impassive. "We only received the item this afternoon; therefore a price hasn't been placed on it." Tom did not want to sell the item to the old Gryffindor fool. He hadn't had the time to properly inspect it yet.

"Just name a price, Tom. What do you think your bosses would like for it?" Dumbledore quickly countered.

"But Professor, I would hate to name the wrong price and Mr Burke seemed extremely interested in keeping it…" Tom knew he was stalling, but he wondered why Dumbledore was even here. Was it because of that bossy little chit?

Dumbledore smiled. "I'm willing to give you 70 galleons for the item, Tom. Which I know – from my discussion earlier with Miss Edwards – would be a significant profit made on an item which Miss Edwards shouldn't have had to give up in the first place. I am sure Mr Burke wouldn't disagree with that offer either, if I discussed it with him."

Tom almost gaped – but forced his expression to remain impassive. Seventy galleons! What was the old fool playing at? Tom looked at the Deluminator again. Why was it so special that Albus Dumbledore wished to purchase it? Tom had to think fast as Dumbledore was now staring at him with an expectant expression on his face.

"I'm certain it is an offer that Mr Burke would accept," Tom gritted out in the most pleasant tone he could muster. He certainly did not want to be on the end of a lecture from his boss if Dumbledore went ahead and told Burke that Tom had refused to sell it to the old coot. He knew Burke would be over the moon with such a sale – he hadn't been that enamoured with the item, unlike Tom. He had hoped Dumbledore would be put off buying it if Tom stalled, but that certainly didn't seem to be the case.

"Excellent. Such a fascinating item!" Dumbledore clasped his hands together happily.

Tom smiled mechanically and began organising the sale. "Yes, it is a fascinating item. Miss Edwards seemed devastated to have to part with it," Tom commented. He was now very interested in finding out the connection between that annoying little witch and Dumbledore.

Dumbledore eyed Tom. "Yes. Well, we all find it difficult to part with things that hold a significant sentimental value to us."

Darn it! Tom thought furiously, why didn't the old codger ever give any useful information? Why does he always use annoying analogies? He had to take a new tactic. "Will Miss Edwards be going to Hogwarts?"

Dumbledore pulled out a small pouch and began counting the money owed. "No, no. Miss Edwards has completed her education," he answered jovially, and handed Tom the correct money.

"Oh. She just seems so young to be out on her own," Tom commented, allowing the right levels of concern to lace his tone.

"I'm sure Miss Edwards will settle in soon, Tom," Dumbledore replied.

"Oh, settle in? She divested to me that she was only staying in London for a short time…" Tom continued with his innocent act. He knew that Dumbledore had never completely trusted him, but none-the-less, it wasn't as if his questions were outwardly inappropriate or anything.

"Oh I couldn't be sure to say, Tom," Dumbledore replied, looking thoughtful. "Miss Edwards certainly has her own ideas on how things should work," he added with amusement.

"How do you know her Professor?" Tom asked, trying to keep the curiosity out of his voice. "Of course, if you don't mind me asking," he quickly added, sounding as modest as possible, though he knew he would probably have to stop asking questions soon.

"Miss Edwards contacted me a short while ago to work on an academic project. She needed some advice. An absolutely delightful young lady, wouldn't you say, Tom?"

"She seemed very... determined, Professor," Tom replied nonchalantly, trying to analyse the small scraps of information that Dumbledore had just provided. Academic project? Tom gave a mental snort… he highly doubted that.

"Yes, that she is." Dumbledore chuckled, before reaching into his hideous robes and pulling out a muggle pocket-watch. "Well Tom, now that this is all taken care of… I'm afraid I must leave, as I have a meeting at the Ministry," he explained.

Tom pasted a polite smile on his face and handed Dumbledore the Deluminator. "Of course Professor. Shall I tell Mr Burke that you stopped by?"

"Yes, please do that Tom. Well I must be on my way. Do take care." Dumbledore smiled, but Tom noticed that the smile wasn't as jovial as what it would have been for anyone else… Not that Tom cared, though.

"Thank you Professor. Please pass on my regards to the other teachers when school goes back in the next couple of weeks."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Ah yes, will do Tom. Unfortunately poor Horace is still utterly inconsolable over the fact that you didn't take one of the many graduate offers from the Ministry."

Tom clenched his jaw. He was starting to become slightly tired of the many raised eyebrows he received over taking a job in a shop over one of the many job offers at the Ministry. "Surely Professor, you - of all people - must understand that the Ministry is not for everyone." The last person he needed to have judging him now was that Gryffindor fool.

Dumbledore, who had been cheerfully making his way out of the shop, turned and eyed Tom soberly. "Of course Tom, there are many paths a wizard as bright as you could take." Whilst his voice did not betray his usual cheery disposition, Tom noted that Dumbledore's eyes said something else completely. Oh, how it made him want to curse him! However, before Tom could react Dumbledore gave him a smile and then bid the Slytherin Heir a polite farewell before leaving the shop.

For the second time that day, Tom was left staring at the door. What in Merlin's name was going on? Tom sneered, that old coot always made him feel so uncomfortable – like he knew every single one of Tom's secrets… and Tom did have a few secrets.

But what was the big secret in all of this? Why was that girl receiving help from Dumbledore? Not that the old coot wasn't helpful – no, in fact, it seemed to be one of many consistently annoying personality traits of his whole goody two-shoes Gryffindor act. But going out of his way to purchase that Deluminator to what… give it back to the little witch? That's certainly what Tom gleaned from what Dumbledore had said.

What was a young witch like her doing in London not being escorted by any family? And having a wizard like Dumbledore, who Tom assumed - quite obviously - did not know her very well, spending what Tom considered was an exorbitant amount of money on her?

Tom mused a little more on the mystery surrounding the witch, mildly surprised that this actually interested him at all. But if anyone could get to the bottom of this mystery, it would be him, he thought, rather imperiously. He was, after all, probably one of the brightest students Hogwarts had ever seen – except for bloody Dumbledore.

But Tom thought that he was much cleverer than Dumbledore because unlike that lemon drop loser, Tom was willing to use any means to get to the bottom of a mystery – including the use of magic that others considered 'too questionable or evil'. Tom sneered at the thought, he didn't believe in restricting any kind of magic – which is why he would always have the upper hand. Allowing a smug smirk to settle on his handsome face, he thought it was rather a pity that he probably wouldn't run into the girl again. It would just have to be put down as the 'drama of the day', so to speak. Yes, wasn't it a pity indeed?

XXX

… The Future: Yes, Zacharias Smith is still alive …

XXX

Zacharias Smith was not happy – no, not happy at all. After all, he found it extremely uncomfortable sitting across from a murderous looking Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter, who both currently looked as though they had him set in their sights for their next killing.

"So you're telling us that Hermione and Tosspot over here-" a furious looking Ron gestured to Zacharias, "were somehow thrown into the Veil and he's here but Hermione's not?"

Bob Harrigan, the harried looking Head Unspeakable, nodded his head quickly. "Yes, Mr Weasley, that is correct."

Zacharias noted that whilst Harry Potter's jaw looked unnaturally clenched, Ronald Weasley's face was turning an unfortunate shade of puce.

"And you're saying that you were both supposed to come out, but you haven't seen Hermione since you went through their… floo system?" Harry asked with a note of incredulity in his tone.

"Yes. I even joked with her that I'd 'see her on the other end'… I don't know what happened to her!" Zacharias explained, for what he counted, as the fiftieth time since he had returned.

"How do we know you're all telling the truth? You're all bloody Unspeakables aren't you?" Ron said, jumping up angrily from his chair and balling his fists.

"Now see here Mr Weasley, this is a situation that goes much above our heads now… Minister Shacklebolt is even involved," Harrigan blustered.

"Yeah! And I'm not lying either!" Zacharias added rather lamely.

Harry, putting a hand on Ron's fore-arm, and forcing him to sit back down turned to Harrigan. "What are you doing to get her back?"

"Well, that's the thing… we need to actually work out where she went," Harrigan answered.

"How are you planning to do that?" Ron demanded.

"We are currently going through Zacharias' memories – though they are very hard to watch, as they are very distorted – whether that is from the Veil remains to be seen. This is obviously a very strange case. Unspeakables are currently working around the clock to find her."

Harry's head snapped up. "This isn't a case! It's a person! It's Hermione!" he exclaimed angrily.

"We know Mr Potter… and we'll do whatever it takes to find her," Harrigan assuaged.

XXX

…Meanwhile, back in 1947…

XXX

Tap, tap, tap, tap…

Hermione grumbled into her pillow as the incessant tapping started becoming rather unpleasant. "Ron… Get the owl…" She mumbled sleepily into her pillow.

Tap, tap, tap…

"Ron!" Hermione swiftly jolted up in bed and caught her breath; her current 'predicament' hitting her like a tonne of bricks. Lazily dropping back against the pillows, she held in the tears that threatened to fall – like they had almost every morning since she had found herself in the forties. Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, she stretched and pulled the blankets more securely around her.

Tap, tap, tap…

Hermione closed her eyes in annoyance, wondering who would be sending her an Owl. "Alright, alright, I'm coming." She grumpily mumbled as she pulled herself out of bed.

Dawdling over to the window, the Owl gave a disgruntled 'hoot' when she finally opened the window and allowed the bird to enter. Hermione mumbled a quick apology and quickly removed the package which was securely tied to the Owl's leg. Hermione furrowed her brow in confusion… she hadn't been expecting any packages – could it be something from Professor Dumbledore?

She was brought out of her thoughts by the Owl hooting at her rather angrily – obviously wondering where it's treat was. Hermione frowned; she didn't have an owl treat. Feeling guilty she quickly gave it a plain cracker from a packet she had bought the other day to snack on.

"Sorry, that's all I have," she apologised to it as it eyed the cracker. "I wasn't expecting you." She smiled lightly at it.

The Owl gave a much softer hoot, and then ate the cracker, obviously accepting Hermione's explanation. A loud squawk and it was back through the window – obviously whatever was sent to her didn't require an immediate response.

Hermione shut the window and went and sat down on her bed with the package in her hand. Quickly removing the letter attached to it, she quickly opened it and immediately recognised the spidery writing of Albus Dumbledore. Scanning the letter, she couldn't help the smile that crossed her face as she read.

Dear Hermione

I hope you enjoy what's inside the package, I promise that I didn't cheat and examine it - too much – which is quite the achievement considering my rather curious nature.

Also, I hope you don't find it too forward of me, but I contacted an old friend who may have some paid work for you. It is nothing extravagant, but I imagine you might enjoy it whilst you work on your 'project'.

Please head to Knight's Second Hand Tomes at 1pm and ask for Mrs Valeria Knight, the owner. The shop is a 'blink and you'll miss it' just down from the Leaky Cauldron. Valeria may also be able to assist with some more permanent accommodation for you as well.

Please write and let me know how you go.

Warm Regards,

Albus Dumbledore

Hermione re-read the letter again, feeling a bit emotional at her old Headmaster's kindness. Here she was, not even really able to prove who she was, and he was helping her without question.

Blinking away the tears, she turned her attention to the simply wrapped package. Quickly opening it, the biggest grin crossed her face when she realised what it was… the Deluminator! But that meant… she had only seen and told Dumbledore about losing the Deluminator yesterday… so he must have headed over to Borgin and Burkes that afternoon to buy it! Hermione let herself chuckle as she held the Deluminator tightly in her hands. She hadn't lost it! She hadn't lost Ron's Deluminator… Lying back down on the bed, she realised that she shouldn't lose hope... She would make it home!

Standing outside the small shop at 12:55pm, Hermione agreed with Dumbledore that the shop certainly was a 'blink and you'll miss it' place. In fact, she had accidently walked past it twice already without realising she had missed it.

Hermione gaped when she walked inside; Knight's Second Hand Tomes was not even half the size of Flourish and Blotts, yet seemed to have almost as many books as the bigger shop. There were books precariously piled to rafters, bulging from the book cases and stacked along the narrow aisles. Hermione stepped over several stacks of books as she walked through the entrance and towards the serving counter. 'Unorganised chaos' was the term that sprang to mind as she noted that books did not seem to be in a particular order, nor did it appear that fiction was separated from non-fiction.

Approaching the counter, she noted an older lady, perhaps close in age to Dumbledore, leaning over the counter reading. The woman was small and petite, with greying black hair loosely tied back, wearing flowing violet robes with masses of silver bracelets stacked up on each arm. Hermione felt a nervous flutter in her stomach as the woman looked up from her book and smiled at Hermione kindly.

"Hello," she greeted. "How can I help you?"

Hermione smiled at the lady. "Hello, I'm looking for Valeria Knight. Professor Dumbledore sent me," she explained and watched the woman's eyes light up at the mention of Dumbledore.

"Ah, so you're Hermione Edwards! It's so lovely to meet you; I'm Valeria by the way." She grinned and held out her hand in greeting, which Hermione took.

"It's nice to meet you. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me," Hermione replied politely.

"Oh, none of that nonsense! Thank you for coming to see me. Albus said that you were a rather determined and intelligent young woman looking for work, so technically you are doing me a favour." She grinned whilst gesturing to the crazy shop. "I'm looking for someone who is willing to sort this out."

Hermione's eyes bulged slightly. "I'm sorry, what?"

The woman laughed, "Yes, I know… it's in terrible disorder. I'm hopeless with organisation and well, I must admit that it has gotten rather out of hand over the years."

"Oh. I don't have much experience in how to organise a shop," Hermione explained.

"Nonsense! Albus said that you are highly intelligent… this job is probably beneath you!"

Hermione blushed. "Oh, well… he's very kind-"

"And always honest," Valeria resolutely interrupted. "Albus came to me because he knows that you are after paid work that will not require a huge commitment on your behalf. I can't guarantee that the wage is spectacular, but I think I may have something to else to also offer you." She smiled.

Hermione's eyebrows rose in interest. "Oh?"

"Yes, follow me," she instructed. Hermione couldn't help but smile at the woman due to her warm disposition.

After Hermione almost tripped over several stacks of books, they eventually made their way to the back of the store and walked through what was obviously supposed to be an office/inventory room and up a set of stairs.

"Now it's nothing grand, but I can include it as part of your wage," she warned as Hermione followed her up the stairs.

They reached a rich, dark hard-wood door and Valeria used her wand to unlock it. They stepped into what appeared to be an old and rather cramped sleep out. Valeria turned and smiled at Hermione. "Before I got married – many moons ago, mind you," she winked, "I lived here. It's nothing special, but it has all the essentials. And a bit of elbow grease would make it look much better," she explained as Hermione stepped around her and looked around.

Well, Hermione had to agree. Whilst it was sparsely furnished and nothing special, it did have a certain charm to it, she thought, as she noticed the large window overlooking Diagon Alley. Hermione also noted that the bedroom was at least separate from a small kitchenette, lounge area and bathroom. In fact, from what Hermione knew of this era, the room seemed quite sophisticated – despite the heavy layers of dust.

"It would come as part of your wage," Valeria re-iterated. "Plus, I doubt you will do traditional hours, so at least it will mean you won't have to walk around unaccompanied at night to and from work."

Hermione turned and smiled at the older Witch. "It's perfect. I keep wondering what the catch is?"

Valeria laughed. "Well I'm sure once you start sorting through the mess downstairs I'll have to hide from your curses."

Hermione thought about it. Sure, it wasn't the most glamorous of jobs, but she wasn't looking for glamorous… and it would give her access to hundreds of books! She mentally thanked the shrewdness of Albus Dumbledore as she looked around the place again. "I think you have a new employee on your hands Mrs Knight." Hermione smiled.

"Excellent! Now I can offer you four galleons per week and the room. So you're not paying rent, but I believe that the wage should be enough to cover your basic living expenses," Valeria explained.

Hermione nodded, reminding herself that it was the forties, even though it was a pittance compared to what she was paid as a graduate Unspeakable, but it would be enough until she worked out how to get home.

"So if you are taking the job, you can move in when you like. I should take you to meet my nephew, who you'll be working with. He handles the customer service side of things. He's a perpetual dreamer who has no idea what he wants to do with his life… reminds me of myself at that age." She grinned impishly.

Hermione smiled back. "Okay," she replied, feeling slightly nervous at the thought of meeting more people from what she considered as 'the wrong era'. Squaring her shoulders, she realised that she'd have to deal with it, considering she just took a job in a shop, after all.

They left Hermione's new accommodation and headed back downstairs into the shop. Valeria smiled at her before they walked up behind a tall, rather lanky young man who had just finished serving a customer.

"Tarquin…" Valeria said in a sing-song voice, as she tapped him on the shoulder. "I want you to meet Hermione; she'll be working with you – sorting out the shop."

The boy spun around and Hermione was face-to-chest with a boy who looked to be about 6"4 with a shock of brown curly hair and wide, bright blue eyes. His grin widened as he looked down at Hermione.

"Tarquin. Tarquin Skeeter. Pleased to meet you, Hermione."

Wait? What? Skeeter? Hermione tried to control her shocked face as she looked at the young man standing in front of her. Does that mean he was related to Rita Skeeter?

Tarquin, seeming to pick up on Hermione's expression laughed. "I know - it's a weird name, even for the wizarding world!" he commented, holding out his hand to shake.

Hermione shook herself out of her initial shock and allowed him to shake her hand. "Oh, it's not that, I'm pretty sure that I've heard your surname from somewhere before…" she shrugged her shoulders.

Tarquin cocked an eyebrow. "Really? I've never heard of any other Skeeters and I'm a spoilt rotten only child." He winked at her. "Maybe you are confusing it with another name?"

Hermione smiled. "Perhaps." Merlins pants! Does that mean she was working with Rita Skeeter's... Father?

Valeria looked between the two of them and smiled. "Tarquin will show you around and tell you all about the shop, if you like?"

Tarquin grinned. "Sure thing! Say, let's talk about what exactly needs to be done – since my beloved Aunt couldn't organise a party in a pub!" He winked playfully at Valeria, who simply laughed.

Hermione couldn't help but smile. "Sure, sounds great."

After two hours of chatting and learning about her new colleague Tarquin Skeeter, Hermione had found out that Tarquin was 20, a Virgo, went to Hogwarts – a fiercely proud Hufflepuff 'thank you very much', was crazy about Quidditch and a girl named Melanie den Boer – who he was apparently going to win over and marry 'one of these days'. He had no idea what he wanted to do with his life, but loved working with people. Hermione couldn't help but smile at his infectious enthusiasm. At least working here with him it didn't seem like it would ever become boring, Hermione mused to herself. And she barely had to reveal anything about herself, considering that Tarquin was happy to chat amiably on almost any topic under the sun. She almost got the feeling that he knew Hermione wasn't too keen on talking about herself, and therefore seemed happy enough not to request her life story.

She was now making her way back to from the Leaky Cauldron with her meagre possessions, ready to settle in to her new abode. Walking back into the shop, she grinned at Tarquin, who was currently serving a customer and continued walking towards the back of the store.

Turning a corner hastily, she cursed as she almost knocked over a six foot high tower of books when she saw who was standing in front of her. There, with his head buried in a book, was none other than the future bane of the wizarding world, Tom Riddle. Hermione, without thinking, quickly ducked behind a stack of books and hid, not wanting to have another run in with the Slytherin heir.

Heart beating a mile a minute, she quickly peeked out from the behind the stack and noted he was now placing the book back down on the cramped shelf and walked to another aisle. Hermione looked up towards the rafters… Why! She huffed. Why on earth did he need to come into this shop… can't he buy his books from somewhere else? Like Evil Wizards Incorporated? She mentally sniggered at her own joke before peeking out again and noticing that he seemed to have vanished. She was about to let out a huge sigh of relief and stand back up when a smooth voice interrupted her from behind…

"Miss Edwards?"

Hermione's heart sank as she slowly turned around and there stood one smirking future Dark Lord.

"Oh," she squeaked, as she looked up at his towering form, which was currently standing right over her.

"Why do you look as though you are hiding down there?" He was looking much too pleased with himself, a calculating glint appearing in his eyes as he observed her.

"Oh! I wasn't hiding down here…" Hermione was trying to think fast on her feet. "I was just searching for a book…" she explained, and grabbed the nearest one, which was sitting beside her feet. "Oh! Here it is!" She feigned happy surprise at 'finding' her book.

Moving to stand, she wasn't prepared for him to hold his hand out and offer his assistance. She crinkled her nose, wanting to refuse – but one look at his face and she was pretty sure he was onto her and daring her to say no. Hermione gave a feeble smile and took hold of his large - surprisingly warm - hand and allowed him to pull her up. Once she was up, Hermione had to stop herself from wiping said hand along her robes in disgust.

"So Miss Edwards…" he began, before taking a look at the book she was holding in her hands. "You're interested in reading about 'The Mating Habits of Manticores' then?"

Hermione suddenly glimpsed down at the book and a look of mortification dawned on her face. Yes, there in her hands was said book, with an awful illustrated picture of a Manticore on the front. Hermione could feel her cheeks begin to blush profusely and quickly glanced up at him, noting the triumphant smirk that now appeared on his face – he obviously thought he had caught her out. She just wanted to slap that stupid smirk off his face, so squaring her shoulders; she looked back up at him.

"Actually, yes. I happen to find Manticores very fascinating," she replied, in the famous tone that had all too often given her the label of 'insufferable know-it-all' by Professor Snape. "I find it especially fascinating because of their stinging tails," she continued, trying to remember what she learnt about Manticores and therefore, thoroughly bullshitting.

He arched an elegant, dark eyebrow at her. "Yes, I'm sure," he replied dismissively, which angered her even more. "Is this part of the project you're working on with Dumbledore?"

Hermione scowled. "No."

"Ah, I see. I take it you got your Deluminator back?"

Of course! Hermione thought in annoyance. She bet he must have served Dumbledore when he went to retrieve it for her. "Yes, he sent it back to me." She replied, trying to maintain a semblance of politeness.

"It was very kind of him to do that," he commented, and Hermione detected a hint of coldness in his voice.

Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "He's been very kind to me."

"Yes, how do you actually know him?" Tom asked. Hermione could just tell that he was waiting for her to give him the wrong answer, so he could catch her out. Dammit! She quickly wondered what the Professor had told him when he was in Borgin and Burkes. Feeling lost, she felt a surge of anger as she looked up into his cold, calculating eyes. What exactly was he trying to prove? She thought in annoyance. She was about to bluff, when a very welcome voice interrupted their conversation.

"Tom Riddle? How are you?" Tarquin stepped up beside Hermione and Tom, grinning.

Hermione smirked as she thought she saw an annoyed glint pass through He-Who-Must-Be-Annoying's eyes. Tom quickly pasted a polite look on his face. "Ah, Tarquin, long time no see. I'm well - how are you?"

"Great thanks!" He grinned before looking between Hermione and Tom. "I see you've met my new co-worker, Hermione."

Hermione tried to stop her eyes from rolling. "Yes, we've met before. I had to buy something from Borgin and Burkes the other day," she quickly explained to Tarquin.

Tom's eyebrows shot up in interest. "Co-worker? I thought you weren't staying in London for very long?"

Hermione gritted her teeth, wanting to just crawl under a rock and hide until she worked out a way to return back to the future. "Plans change," she replied tightly. Hermione noted the glint in his dark eyes as he looked at her, and then the book again. Now thanks to Tarquin's innocent chattering, she looked like an idiot!

"Well you know, Hermione, Tom and I went to school together," Tarquin began happily. "Tom was Head Boy."

"That's wonderful." She smiled, wanting to go find the nearest bucket and vomit at Tarquin's reverent tone.

Tom smirked and eyed Hermione. "Where did you go to school, Miss Edwards?"

"I didn't. I was privately tutored," she replied evenly, extremely annoyed that she had to deny going to Hogwarts. "Of course, I've read 'Hogwarts: A History' out of interest… I know Tarquin was in Hufflepuff… What house were you in?"

"Slytherin," Tom replied and Hermione noted the haughty look in his eye at the mention of his house; again, she had to force herself to resist the urge to roll her eyes at his subtle arrogance.

"Yeah, but don't hold that against him, Hermione!" Tarquin joked. "He's one of the nicer members of Slytherin," he said, nodding his head at Tom in a friendly manner.

Hermione looked at Tom and smirked. "I'm sure," she replied politely – though her gaze was anything but polite. Hermione knew that deep down she should be nicer to Tom Riddle but something caused her to continuously want to be rude towards him. She decided that she would probably have to stop that if she didn't want to rouse his interest.

"So you didn't take a role at the Ministry, Tom? Old Sluggie must be rolling in his potions cabinet about that," Tarquin suddenly changed topic.

"No, I decided that the Ministry wasn't for me," Tom replied with a small hint of tightness in his voice.

Tarquin laughed, completely unaffected by his tone. "I don't blame you! Merlins Pants, the Ministry would be so boring."

Hermione had to bite her tongue at her new friend. Not all parts of the Ministry were boring! She thought with a huff. Stupid Tom Riddle! Just because the Ministry didn't work like a dictatorship – like he wished – didn't mean there was anything wrong with it!

Tom chuckled at Tarquin. "I couldn't have said it better myself." He then turned to Hermione and smirked. "Well, it was lovely to see you again Miss Edwards," before turning to Tarquin, "This store has an excellent range of books. I'm sure I'll be back."

Tarquin grinned. "Yeah, my Aunt owns it. It's not as fancy as Flourish and Blotts but it also sells a lot of books they wouldn't sell. My Aunt doesn't believe in restricting reading material at all."

Hermione wanted to groan into her hands. Yes, Tarquin! That is the perfect thing to say to Lord Voldemort!

"Great, I'm sure I could spend ages here just sifting through the books," he replied with a politeness that made Hermione want to vomit, yet again.

"Well, hopefully that'll soon be made easier. That's why my Aunt hired Hermione. She's going to sort the shop out," he replied.

Hermione wanted to curse the innocent Hufflepuff standing next to her. Especially when she saw that Tom now eyed her with an interest that made her extremely uncomfortable.

"Really? Well, it was nice to run into you both," he said and nodded to both of them, before walking out the door, careful to turn around and give a polite smile to Hermione as he left.

Hermione narrowed her eyes in annoyance at the retreating back of Voldemort before noticing that Tarquin was still standing next to her.

"Wow, I'm so shocked that Tom Riddle isn't halfway up the Ministry by now!" he exclaimed, "Lovely bloke, isn't he?" he added, turning to look at Hermione.

"Just dandy," Hermione replied, pasting a fake smile on her face as she tried to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach about one Tom Marvolo Riddle.
- 2
- 3
- 4
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Right Place, Wrong Time?