A/N: Hello, I'm back! Instead of apologies and promises to post quicker (Which, I hope, you know I'm trying to do), I've decided to ask you a question that has been bothering me. If two muggleborns have a child, will that child be considered a half-blood, muggleborn or some sort of a new status? There is a poll in my bio where you can vote, if you want lol

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the new chapter and thank you so much for reading!

Chapter 3- The Alley

Appearing in the Leaky Cauldron wasn't as nostalgic as I thought it would be. Not only because I remembered the place from my new Nott memories, but also because the place was a dump. Even more so than in my timeline, if that was even possible. Dirty tables, drunk wizards (if was ten in the morning, for Merlin's sake), clearly hangover wizards, no source of light whatsoever, and a few families that looked completely unsure of their decision to come in, a.k.a muggles with their muggleborn children.

"Let's go children, I hate this place." My mother said nearly pushing us forward as soon as she stepped from the fireplace. Her expression was one of disgust and I honestly couldn't tell whether that reaction was for the state of the establishment or due to the presence of muggles. Either way, we reached the entrance and opened it in record time.

"Finally," my mother let out a breath.

Now the Diagon Alley was a whole new story. I could almost believe that they kept the Leaky Cauldron that disgusting not for muggle discouragement, but solely for the purpose of making the Diagon Alley look more fascinating.

The only thing that took the word 'perfection' away from the place was the huge mass of people running around; particularly, those extremely frustrated parents, trying to figure out what they forgot to buy, while their little demons of children refused to stay still and, more importantly, silent.

It was just as crazy as when I was Hermione Granger.

To be honest, that wasn't the only similarity. I looked around and noticed that very few things were actually different here. I already knew that from the memories, of course, but seeing the alley in person made it more real.

It was 1938, but besides the twin joke shop, which only appeared in my sixth year, nothing else was missing. While the muggle world changed constantly with new buildings, companies and inventions, it seemed like the wizarding world pretty much stood still. I wasn't sure it was a good thing, but that was a topic for another day.

Today my focus was on, hopefully, running into a small dark-haired boy; which, I now realized, was not going to be easy, since I only had an idea of what he looked like. Not to mention that I wasn't sure he even came here today. Oh well.

We went to Gringotts first and, while I expected a completely different experience than in my past life, it was actually more surreal. Even my predecessor's memories couldn't fully prepare me. Despite the fact that blood meant little to goblins, money was a different story. And since my family was, at least for now, the wealthiest in the wizarding world, we were treated like royalty. None of that 'every client is equally important' nonsense. We were greeted before we were even through the door.

Even the cart we rode in was way more luxurious, with plush seats and whatnot, which I didn't want to but couldn't help but be happy about since the ride was extremely long. I almost let out a happy cry when we stopped.

"Nott family vaults," the goblin announced, letting us out of the cart. "Which ones would you like to be opened Mrs. Nott?"

There were four vaults that I could see. My new memories told me that there was the family vault, the Nott business vault and the two 'trust fund' vaults for me and Theo. Plus, while it was already a lot, the vaults themselves were enormous. Not to mention that there was a huge dragon guarding them.

The dragon made me stop for a second. It was a confirmation that the flashback before I died was actually real. After everything that happened, I suspected it, but this was a proof.

I was supposed to live a happy life with Ron and our children.

"I think only the family one for today," my mother announced, disrupting my thoughts.

"Very well," the goblin nodded and led us to the vault in the middle, while using clankers to keep the dragon from attacking us. I could see that the poor animal was shying away from the sound, which meant they used pain in its training.

It was utterly barbaric and stupid. There were better ways to keep the vaults safe. Getting away from the dragon was not impossible; Harry did it in our fourth year and, apparently, I was supposed to use one to get away from this bank in my past. If anything, the tortured animal was the perfect mode of transportation for thieves.

Still frustrated I entered the family vault. There were, unsurprisingly, piles and piles of gold, with not a single sickle in sight. It was only one of the vaults, but it already had five times more in it than the vault from my flashback.

However, it was not the money that captured my interest.

On the right side, there were bookcases as high as the vault itself. I could see that on some of the shelves there were small boxes that I suspected held family heirlooms, but the majority of the space was occupied by books and scrolls.

I nearly floated towards them.

First editions, hand-written notes of praised wizards, the rarest texts that Hogwarts library could only dream of having, the darkest texts that the Black family wished to even look at – everything was here. They belonged in a museum or at least in some sort of a national wizarding library. It was a crime to keep them in this vault. Personally, however, I couldn't complain. After all, they were mine to read now.

"Mother, may I take a book from here?" I asked noticing that my mother was ready to leave already.

"Just one, Hermione, these books are extremely valuable," she answered at pointedly looked at her watch as if to say 'hurry up'.

I looked around trying to choose. There were so many options, even the first edition of Hogwarts, A History was here.

I had to think with my head, though. I needed something useful.

After skimming through the titles again and ignoring all of the first editions and the classics, I finally settled on The Key to Mastering the Art of Legilimency.

"I've made a decision," I said handing the book to my mother.

She looked at the book and then back at me before nodding with approval, "good choice."

Was it normal for a mother to support her daughter's decision to learn to read and manipulate the minds of others? I really wasn't sure anymore.

"Helen!"

We were on our way to Olivanders when a dark-haired woman with two extremely pale and blonde children caught up with us.

"Luciana, what a pleasure to see you," my mother said with, what I knew to be, a fake smile and air-kissed the woman on each cheek.

Only then did it register that I was in a presence of the Malfoys. My "friends" apparently, if the new memories were to be trusted. The other thing that I realized in that moment, was that Abraxas Malfoy named his son Lucius after his mother. That was gold; even if I couldn't share it with Harry and Ron.

While our mothers exchanged pleasantries, Abraxas went to talk to Theo after greeting me, while the girl (Adelaide, my mind supplied) came to me.

"Oh, Hermione, is it not amazing that you get to go to Hogwarts?" She said, positively beaming. "I cannot wait to go next year!"

"Yes, it sure is wonderful," I answered trying to sound superior.

Previous Hermione was horrible to Adelaide and I didn't want to seem that out of character. In fact, the Hermione from my memories treated everyone horribly. It was her way of showing who was in charge. It didn't get her any real friends, but definitely created some admirers as well as enemies. A tactic, she probably learned from the dear old daddy.

I wasn't sure if I would be able to pull it off, but if I couldn't, at the very least I had to try and 'phase it out'.

"Did you get your wand already?" Adelaide said still excited.

"No, but we are going there now." I answered looking at my mother for confirmation.

"Yes, we should really go," my mother sighed dramatically. "I am sorry to cut this short, Luciana, but you know how these things go. Let's get together for tea soon, alright?" she offered.

"Of course." Mrs. Malfoy air-kissed my mother goodbye and left with her kids.

"Bye, Hermione!" Adelaide all but shouted, "See you soon!"

"Bye." I politely smiled. She wasn't bad; actually, she was kind of nice. Maybe we could actually become friends later on. Then again, she was a Malfoy.

"Merlin, I hate that woman," mother announced leading us to the wand shop.

"Why?" I was curious. Weren't purebloods supposed to love each other and hate just about everyone else?

"Well," I suspected Helen didn't expect the question. "She constantly tries to out-do me. Not that she could, obviously," she scoffed, "but it is still a, how do I say it, a problem that needs to be sorted out."

I was beginning to think that my father had nothing to do with the previous Hermione's ability to manipulate others.

Olivanders seemed to be uneventful up until the point that the wand in my hand reacted.

"A yew wand with a dragon heartstring!" Garrick Olivander, who looked like a crazy scientist no older than twenty, announced. "What an interesting combination; you will definitely show up in future history books!"

"Uhm, thank you?" I offered.

"No need, no need," he laughed. "And what an interesting day. Yew wands choose their wizards extremely rarely and here I am selling the second one in the same hour! Albeit, that had a phoenix feather," he said thoughtfully.

"A yew wand with a phoenix feather?" I held my breath. It was Riddle's wand; which meant he was here. I was right!

"Yes. Just sold it to a peculiar young gentleman," said Olivander. "He is also starting this year. I'm sure you both will achieve great success. Yew wands don't choose mediocre people."

"Thank you," I said and turned to my mother. "May we go to the bookstore now?" I was sure I would be Riddle's last stop.

"No, I think we should get your robes fitted first," mother announced.

I groaned.

It took nearly half an hour to get a stupidly huge amount of clothing fitted; and that was with the somewhat special "I am rich, do it faster" treatment. Then, of course we had to get our cauldrons and other potion-related necessities. And, obviously, we had time to look at the brooms, because Theo wanted it.

The only shop that we didn't go in was Magical Menagerie, which I wouldn't have minded missing Riddle for if there was a copy of Crookshanks there. But then mother had to quote father's famous, "If it doesn't serve a purpose, it doesn't have a place in our house" nonsense and so we skipped it. Well, at least we were finally in the bookstore.

What if he already left? Worse, what if he was still here?

While mother went to the clerk to try and get the needed texts, I went exploring. It was ridiculous how many dark-haired eleven year olds were here. Honestly, every one of them could be Riddle.

However, my eyes settled on one boy in particular as soon as I saw him. It had to be Riddle.

The boy looked, what was the word for it, groomed. His clothes weren't new by any means, but they were obviously well kept. His hair was dark and neat; he obviously used gel to create that vintage wave. Well not vintage, since it probably just became popular now, but anyway. He seemed in control of himself and his appearance, which was a complete opposite from other boys his age running around.

The dead giveaway, however, was the book he was examining. I read it in the past. Charms and Curses, if I remembered the title correctly. I, of course, read it for the charms, but I could see that he was turning the pages to where the curses were.

"It is a horrible book. I would not recommend it even to my enemy," which you sort of are, I added in my mind.

He looked at me then, his expression guarded and yet somehow still a bit hostile.

"How do you know?" He demanded.

"I've read it, of course. It's much too simple," I said in my know-it-all voice. "The charms section is abysmal and not only do they not cover basic curses, but the ones that they do would not harm a fly, let alone a first year student who had one defense class," I concluded.

"I did not see any other introductory books on curses," he simply stated.

"Yes, well Hogwarts is not very into teaching curses," I said. "But it can be easily remedied," I smirked and said a bit louder, "Binksy!"

"Yes, mistress?" The elf instantly appeared in the shop. It was fascinating how their magic allowed them to apparate anywhere.

I could see the look of shock and mild interest on, hopefully, Riddle's face. Game on.

"Please bring the Dark Arts: Book 1 from my room," I ordered.

"Of course, mistress," the elf bowed and disapparated.

"What was that?" Riddle questioned. Although, it sounded more like an order to answer.

"Do you not know what a house elf is?" I tilted my head innocently.

"No," he reluctantly grounded through his teeth. It was so obvious he hated to be kept in the dark.

"Oh, well they are magical beings that serve mostly the oldest wizard families. Extremely loyal," I finished. Oh how good it felt to know more than Voldemort.

I could see that he looked at me in a different way now, with his mask in place. Probably realized, that it would beneficial to have me on his side.

He might've wanted to question me further, but Binksy appeared once again, book in hands this time.

"Here you go," I presented it to Riddle. To myself I justified the gift as a means to an end. He would get the information sooner or later; there was nothing in that book that he wouldn't find out on his own at some point. I was ninety percent sure it wouldn't speed up his evolution to becoming Voldemort.

"You're giving it to me?" He asked, confused. I doubted anyone has ever willingly given him things; he always just took them.

"Why not?" I smiled. "We have more than one copy and I've read it already."

"Okay," he said slowly. It didn't escape me that he was not going to say 'thank you' anytime soon, so I've decided to move one.

"Oh where are my manners," I chuckled. "My name is Hermione Jacqueline Nott," I extended my arm. There it was, a moment of truth.

"Tom Marvolo Riddle," he said while shaking my hand.

I don't know why, but I always imagined him to be cold. Cold-blooded and all that; like a snake. After he returned in my timeline, I think he actually was. Not that I had an opportunity to check. Not now however. It was just a normal hand.

Yet, a hand that might kill thousands in the future.

It would be so easy to just get rid of him now, this year. It wouldn't even be hard to justify it. After all, he was Voldemort. How much hope was there for him?

But I had a plan for myself in this timeline and I was going to stick to it. I'm sure there was a 'Hermione' currently fighting with all her might against him in another timeline.

"It was interesting meeting you, Tom," I let go of his hand. "I'm sure we will see each other on the train. You're starting this year as well, right?" I questioned.

"Yes, I am," he stated and then silently added, "See you soon," before leaving.

"Could've been worse," I muttered to myself before going in search of Theo and mother.

A/N: So, what did you guys think? Yes, I know that Malfoy probably didn't have a sister and that his mother's name probably wasn't Luciana… But I wanted it to be, so… here we are hahaha.

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