A/N: -winces- sorry for the really long delay in the updates! I could blame it on my busy schedule with exams and stuff, but well, it's my own fault for being so lazy and procrastinating. Forgive me? :D

Just to clarify, for the last chapter as well as this one, what old Dumbledore meant as love was more like "love and concern", he's NOT match-making them!

Anyway, I have made some minor edits to the previous chapters. No major changes to plotline or whatsoever, but more characterization to make the story flow more smoothly(: so there's no need for you to re-read those chapters to understand the story better. I'll probably be editing my work more and more as I progress, but I'll let y'all know if I have made any major changes.

Without further ado, I present you the long awaited chapter 13 :D

Hermione barely suppressed a sigh as she stood up, ready to leave. "Thank you for your help, Professor." She said, trying to keep the sarcasm out of her voice. That was really helpful.

Chapter 13: A Trip to Hogsmeade

Thursday, 7 January, 1998

4.00pm

Hermione sank down onto the chair in the Gryffindor common room, pondering over what the headmaster had just told her. The normally crowded room was now empty as her fellow classmates were having lessons. Hermione had considered joining them for to reduce suspicion, but decided against it. As usual, Hermione was thankful for the silence – it helped her to think a lot more clearly. Right now, what she needed most was time to sort out her thoughts and feelings alone. Hermione was an intelligent student, but when it came down to relationships with others, it just was not her forte.

With a tired sigh, Hermione closed her eyes and rested her chin on the table, letting her arms hang down limply from her sides. Honestly, Hermione thought, rather bitterly, this thing with Riddle is draining me out. If it wasn't for him, I could be enjoying my last year in Hogwarts with Harry and Ron, and writing graded essays and catching up on my reading!

Hermione raised her head and stared at a blank spot in front of her. Taking a glance at the clock on her right, she groaned in frustration. She was wasting time, dilly-dallying around. But how she hated the thought of facing Riddle, and taking on a false identity again! And worse still, this time, she actually had to, dare she say it, care and show love for him, despite the irreplaceable damage and harm that he had caused to the people she truly loved.

But, Hermione reminded herself quietly, he did save you from Malfoy. Maybe Dumbledore was right. Maybe all Riddle really need is someone who can show him what love is. For someone to guide him onto the correct path.

Hermione snorted right then. Do I seriously believe that I can be that person? To shower him with so much love and concern that he actually chooses to abandon all his evil plans?

Annoyed with herself, she shook her head firmly. No, she was not going to have this debate with her inner self. Not now. Regardless of whether she could or could not do it, she still had to try. You agreed to Dumbledore's plans. She told herself resolutely. You're not going to back out now. Dumbledore has faith in you, so have faith in yourself!

With new-found determination, Hermione took out her wand and uttered the familiar spell as a circle of blue once again opened up on the floor.

Back in the headmaster's office….

"Dumbledore, what on earth are you thinking?" The portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black burst out loudly once Hermione left the room. "Asking a self-centered youngster to prevent the young Dark Lord from rising to power? And giving him love?!" He snorted disbelievingly as he spat out the last word.

"Love is a very powerful thing, Phineas," the headmaster said softly, stroking Fawks with one hand while gazing out of the window, lost in his own thoughts. "I wouldn't expect you to understand."

"But still! Dumbledore, a student! A dim-witted, ignorant adolescent! I honestly doubt that she can actually do it," Phineas protested, looking indignant and irritated.

"I have complete faith in Miss Granger." The reply was simple and curt. Phineas snorted again, but said nothing more.

Friday, September 15th, 1944

6.23pm

Ouch, was the first thing that registered in her mind as Hermione landed on the cold, hard stone floor of the Slytherin common room in the fifty-four-years-ago-Hogwarts. Even after travelling via the same method for three times, she still did not manage to land on her feet once.

Rubbing her head, she glanced up, only to see a first-year Slytherin staring at her, her mouth dropping open in shock.

"W-where…how'd you…I saw you fall from up there," the girl asked hesitantly, pointing a finger up at the ceiling.

Quickly, Hermione scrambled up from the floor, straightened her robes, and offered the small girl an embarrassed smile. "I was just practising a spell," Hermione told the girl reassuringly, her mind making up a story as she talked. "I'm sure you'll get to learn it when you're older, too."

The young Slytherin's face changed from fear to awe. "Woooww! That's so cool! I have to tell Millie about it!" She squeaked excitedly as she started running towards the girls' dormitory, no doubt to tell her friend about the new "magic" that she has seen.

Hermione covered her mouth with her hand to prevent herself from laughing out loud. The elated look on the little girl's face was just too much, even for her.

"Naelitte, what is so amusing?" A silky voice behind her made her whirl around immediately. Riddle was walking towards her across the stone floor, his voice betraying no emotions other than slight interest.

"N-nothing," Hermione faltered, schooling her face to feign ignorance. "Why are you not at lessons?" She asked quickly, desperate to turn the attention away from herself.

"There are no A.P. classes right now," Riddle replied, a smirk appearing on his face. "Did you injure your head? Or has your days of disappearance made you forget about your timetable?"

Seeing Hermione stiffen immediately at his words, Riddle's mouth twitched upwards slightly. If she did not know Tom Riddle so well, Hermione would have thought that he was actually smiling.

"I am right, am I not? Do not think that I did not notice your…absence."

Hermione winced inwardly. She glanced up quickly into those cold, yet questioning eyes of his, and then lowered her head again. She desperately raked her brains for a logical excuse for her absence, but her efforts were in vain as she came up with nothing.

"And do not even try lying to me. I know that you were not in Hogwarts." Riddle's voice drifted into her thoughts as he stared at her, sensing her hesitation.

Hermione took a deep breath to prevent herself from lashing out at Riddle and his annoying, inquisitive questions. "Look, I just…had to do something, and I had to leave the school for a while, OK?"

"And what important matter might that be?" He asked in that infuriating tone of his, raising one of his eyebrows slightly in amusement.

Perhaps it was this tone of voice that greatly annoyed Hermione, for she shot back, "I don't think it's any of your business to question what I was doing."

Riddle contemplated her for a moment before leaning forward until their faces were just inches apart. "Naelitte, what are you hiding? Where are you really from? And what is your purpose here? You are not just a transfer student, are you?" He whispered quietly, before leaning back, enjoying the effect of his words on her.

Hermione had always worn her emotions on her sleeve, and it was not difficult for Tom Riddle to tell that she was greatly affected by his words. As he spoke, her face had turned as pale as a sheet. Her mouth opened and closed, but she was suddenly at a lack of words as she continued to stare at Riddle.

Sensing that Hermione was not going to give him a satisfactory reply, Riddle turned away from Hermione. His robes brushing across the floor, he left the room looking pleased with himself, leaving a silent Hermione staring after him.

Stupid, stupid Riddle, Hermione fumed as she glowered at the figure of Riddle leaving the room. Who does he think he is?

The future Dark Lord, of course. The voice at the back of her head piped up again.

Oh, be quiet. I can't hide my false identity from him much longer, he'll be bound to find out someday. What should I do?

Complete this mission before he finds out then.

Easier said than done, Hermione snorted. I doubt that I can change him just by caring for him, which is already hard enough to do given his current attitude.

Then help him. Help him to realise that there's something more important than power. Love.

You're beginning to sound like Dumbledore here, Hermione accused her inner self.

But you know I'm right, don't you? You must teach Tom Riddle the one thing that Dumbledore wants him to know.

I really am going crazy with this whole Riddle business, Hermione thought, rubbing her temples. Since when have I started talking to myself?

Moments later, Hermione stepped out of the common room into the chilly, dark corridors of the dungeon. Pulling out her colour-coded timetable from her bag, she scanned through her schedule of the day, before realising that she had came back at such a late timing that it was nearly time for dinner in the Great Hall.

Not wanting to be the first to arrive for dinner, Hermione leaned against the cold stone walls outside the Potions classroom, where she knew Erika and many of her fellow housemates were having lessons. She was just contemplating whether or not to make up an excuse for her absence, in case Erika asked, when the doors to the classroom opened. She barely heard Professor Slughorn shouting over the noise of students pushing back tables and chairs ("Now, don't forget to hand up your essay on the Top 10 Potions for Emergency Use next week!") before a swamp of students filled out of the room, scrambling past each other as they rushed out of the dungeons.

"HELENE! You're here!" Hermione was greeted with a sudden whirl of golden hair as Erika saw her and ran over. Laughing, she hugged Erika, whom she had missed even though she had only left for two days.

"I've missed you! Where'd you go? We were so worried!" Erika grinned as she stepped back, looking at her friend curiously.

Uh-oh, Hermione thought, barely preventing a sigh from escaping her throat. But luck was on her side for now. She was saved from answering Erika's question as Slughorn spotted them and shouted, "What are you two girls still doing here? Run along, now. You don't want to be late for dinner! And Miss Erika Allen? Where is your essay for Potions of the World?"

Exchanging an exasperated look with Erika, who poked out her tongue at the Professor when he turned away, both of them hurried to follow the other students who were leaving the dungeons.

Dinner at the Great Hall was delicious, as usual. This time, they had chocolate torte and mango pudding for dessert, both of which Hermione was very fond of.

"Ah, good evening," When the last traces of the chocolate tart had faded off the plates, Armando Dippet rose from his seat, clapping his hands to get the full attention of the students in the Great Hall. "As you all know, the annual Hogsmeade trip is this Saturday, which is tomorrow, in case you have forgotten. As your very responsible headmaster, I have decided to change the rules slightly this year, with consultation from the teachers, of course. Oh, some of you may disagree with me, but I, Armando Dippet, always have the best suggestions!"

At this, the previously quiet Great Hall was suddenly filled with snickers and titters, and Hermione could not resist chuckling herself.

"You'd have thought that by now, we'll all be used to his large ego," Erika commented with a laugh. "But no, he always manages to surprise us with his absurdity!"

"Silence! I haven't finished my speech!" Dippet called out. "As I was saying, all of you are allowed to choose your own partners this year to Hogsmeade, instead of the teachers pairing you up in previous years. So…"

His voice, however, was drowned in the loud, excited whispers that broke out in the Great Hall at his announcement.

"Ohmigosh, Helene, did you hear that? We can choose our own partners! Who do you want to go with?" Erika squealed, grabbing Hermione's arm excitedly as soon as Dippet plonked back down onto his chair, looking annoyed.

"You mean, we're not going together?" Hermione asked carefully, feeling confused at the sudden excitement in the hall. Isn't this just another of those Hogsmeade trips that Hogwarts always organises during the weekends?

Erika rolled her eyes impatiently at her friend's ignorance. "Helene, I do want to go with you, but don't you see? We're going in pairs. This is a golden opportunity for us to go with a boy to Hogsmeade, and we can't miss it! So, is there anyone you'd fancy going with?"

"I haven't thought of it yet," Hermione said truthfully. She had no idea who would actually want to go with her, given that she was still a new transfer student and knew few of the people here. "Who are you going with?"

Erika did not reply her. Instead, she cast a glance over at the Ravenclaw table on her right. Hermione followed her gaze and spotted Conor Jacklins, a friendly seventh-year Ravenclaw that was in many of her A.P. classes.

"Conor? I thought you'd want to go with Vol- I mean, Tom?"

"Oh, him," said Erika exasperatedly. "I realized that it is simply impossible between us since he obviously does not even acknowledge my presence! I'd much rather go with Conor. He's just so adorable, don't you think?"

Hermione shrugged. As far as she was concerned, she was just here temporarily on a mission. It would be best if she did not get close to anyone, except for say, Tom Riddle.

"Tom, will you be going to Hogsmeade tomorrow?" Abraxas Malfoy asked, his mouth full of food.

Tom Riddle threw him a look of disgust before replying, "No. You know that I don't go on such trips. Why should this one be different?"

"I just thought…," Malfoy hesitated, swallowing his food before chancing a glance at Riddle.

"Yes? You can continue." Riddle's voice was cold, but strangely curious.

"I…I mean, since you take such an interest in that mudblood Naelitte, I just thought that maybe," He winced under Riddle's stare. "You'd…want to go with her..?"

Seeing the look on Riddle's face, he quickly added, "Of course, you don't have to. I'm just saying since it might be a good opportunity…for you to…well, find out more about her?"

Riddle was silent for a while. When he looked up at the rather nervous-looking Malfoy, he had a smirk on his face.

"You're right. I think I will go with her. This is a wonderful chance for me to find out more about that mudblood. I want to know who she is, and why she is here," Riddle said slowly, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

After the dinner, Hermione walked out of the Great Hall amidst the crowd of chattering students and headed back to the Slytherin common room on her own. Erika had left as she had prefect duties – patrolling the corridors to ensure that every student returns back to their common rooms instead of loitering around the school.

For a brief moment, Hermione felt a heavy feeling in her chest. If she hadn't been chosen by Dumbledore for this mission, she could have been executing her Head Girl duties and running the school together with Harry, too.

"Hey, Helene! Wait up!" A cheery voice disrupted her thoughts. Turning around, she smiled when she saw Conor.

"Hi, Conor," She stopped and waited for him to catch up with her. "Is anything the matter?"

"Uh, I was thinking if you'd want to, you know, go to Hogsmeade with me?" He asked, giving her that crooked smile of his as he waited expectantly for her response.

Hermione winced. Conor was a nice guy, and she would definitely not mind going to Hogsmeade to him. But after what Erika had told her about the nature of the trip, she hesitated. She did not want Conor to get the wrong impression that she was interested in him as more than a friend.

"I'm really sorry, Conor. Why don't you try asking Erika instead? I think she might like to go with you." Hermione said gently.

Conor's face fell visibly, but he still managed a small smile at her. "Yeah, OK, no problem. Then..I guess I'll see you around."

Hermione watched as Conor jogged away, barely suppressing a sigh. If only I weren't here for the sole purpose of getting closer to a certain Tom Riddle.

As she was about to turn and leave, a voice behind her stopped her dead in her tracks. "Naelitte, why did you reject him?"

Riddle. Hermione squeezed her eyes in frustration as she recognised his voice. I don't need this. Not now. But unfortunately for her, Tom Riddle sauntered up to her seconds later.

"I…I'm already going with someone else." Hermione stuttered, before realizing a second too late that she had no obligations to answer Riddle's question. "And well, I don't have to explain anything to you."

"I don't think so. Even if you are, cancel it, because you'll be going with me to Hogsmeade. Be at the Great Hall by 9am on Saturday. Do you hear me?" Riddle replied obnoxiously, pointedly ignoring what Hermione had added on. With that, he left, a smirk visible on his face, leaving Hermione to gawk after him, speechless.

Who does he think he is? Hermione fumed inwardly once she got over the shock that Riddle had given her. Does he seriously think I'll go to Hogsmeade with him? I'd much rather stay at Hogwarts alone!

But then again, isn't this too good an opportunity to be passed up? After all, you'd be alone with Riddle, and you can talk to him without being interrupted by say, Malfoy. What do you have to lose?

The next day, however, Hermione found herself waiting at the foot of the staircase in the Great Hall against her better judgment. She had managed to convince herself that it was only right for her to accept Riddle's "invitation" and go along with him to Hogsmeade. And, well, nearly every student was going to Hogsmeade. She did not want to be one of the few that are left behind in Hogwarts with nothing to do and no one to talk to. And perhaps it would do her good to get away from the castle for a while, to get some fresh air and help her to think better.

And most importantly, if she want to teach Tom Riddle how to love, she had to start now before its too late.

Tom Riddle sneered triumphantly as he entered the Great Hall, his gaze sweeping across the hall and finally landing on Helene. She was wearing a light-pink sweater that matched her eyes perfectly, together with a pair of simple dark blue jeans, complimented by her dark brown sneakers. Her eyes were darting around anxiously, and Riddle was secretly amused by how fidgety she seemed to be.

What he did not understand, however, was why his own heart started thumping loudly in his chest once he saw her.

"Looking for me?"

Hermione whipped her head around immediately, only to find Riddle's pale but undeniably handsome face smirking down at her.

"Well, you are late." She replied simply, before heading towards the exit of the hall, where most of the students had already gathered, engaged in their own conversations.

"Why did you come?" Riddle's sudden question caught her off-guard, making her mouth drop open in surprise. She wheeled around to find him standing at the same spot with his arms crossed, a sneering look visible on his face.

"Excuse me? You were the one who asked me to go to Hogsmeade with you!" She retorted indignantly, staring up at those intense dark eyes of his.

"Do not make me laugh, Naelitte. I know that you do not want to come, but you still did. Why?"

Hermione took a deep breath to prevent herself from lashing out at her counterpart. "Look, Riddle, do you want to go to Hogsmeade or not? If you don't want me to go, I can just leave this instant," Hermione glowered, her irritation with Riddle getting the better of her.

Riddle raised his eyebrows at her, his piercing stare making her uncomfortable. "You are being defensive and avoiding my question. Well, I will settle that later with you. Now get a move on before Flitch comes over."

She opened her mouth to argue, then thought better of it. If she was going to achieve her goal of teaching Tom Riddle to love, she had to get on his good side, and treating him with obvious irritation was definitely not the way to go. Wordlessly, she marched towards Flitch and joined the long queue of noisy and excited students, with Riddle following closely behind her.

The two of them left the school and walked towards Hogsmeade together, Hermione doing her best to ignore the stares that they were getting from the other students. She overheard several murmurs of "Isn't that Tom? Why is he with her?" or something of the sort. Riddle must have heard them as well, for he turned and silenced them with a look.

They walked past the tall stone pillars and turned on to the road into the picturesque village of thatched cottages and shops in silence. Now that they were out of the school grounds, Hermione felt that somehow, it was her duty to struck up a conversation with Riddle. After all, she was the one who wanted to know him better.

"Well, where do you want to go?" Hermione asked nervously, her voice breaking the thick silence between them. "Three Broomsticks?"

Riddle narrowed his eyes slightly. "What is that?"

"Y-you don't know what Three Broomsticks is? It's the most well-known inn in Hogsmeade. Nearly every student has went there at least once before." Hermione told Riddle, her voice full of incredulousy. "Wait, do you..do you mean to say that you've never visited Hogsmeade before?"

"I..am not one to go on such childish trips. This is my first time at Hogsmeade." Riddle replied, his voice strangely strained.

"Oh." Hermione was taken aback at his response. Is he so arrogant that he doesn't even want to go on Hogsmeade trips, even though it's such a big part of the school life at Hogwarts? Then...why did he change his mind this time? She didn't voice her queries out loud though.

The two continued in silence as they turned on to the main street of Hogsmeade. Hermione sighed inwardly. She'd much rather be enjoying such a trip with Harry and Ron than Riddle, who was proving to be more and more difficult to talk to.

"Where were you the past few days?" Riddle's sudden voice disrupted her thoughts, breaking the uncomfortable silence between them. Seeing the look on her face, he continued. "I know have asked you before, and I'm asking you again because you did not give me an answer."

"And I still don't think I owe you any explanations." Hermione replied, moments later, her calm voice not betraying her true emotions.

Riddle narrowed his eyes dangerously. It was not going to work on Hermione, though. She stared back at him steadily, her determined oval face showing no fear in the sightliest.

"I want to know." He demanded simply. "I will repeat again for the last time. Where exactly were you, Helene Naelitte? And what were you doing?"

Suddenly, Hermione could not take it anymore. She was angry at her own situation, at how she had managed to get herself into such a position. And how Riddle was not making this any easier for her, but instead she had to tolerate with his arrogant and domineering attitude. "Why do you care anyway?" She burst out, glaring at Riddle. "To you, I'm just another mudblood, aren't I? Why can't you just leave me alone?"

Riddle stared at the girl before him. Her words cut deeply into his heart, and he started questioning himself. She was right, he realized. When did he even start to care about where she was? Or rather, when did he start to care at all?

A/N: This long chapter was incredibly fun, but hard to write, mainly because it's the first time that Tom and Hermione really interacted, and the fact that I actually forgot some parts of my own story (so I had to went back and re-read the chapters) doesn't help either, but I only have myself to blame for that –sigh-

Do you think their relationship developed too fast? Too slow? Is there too much going on in this chapter? Comments please! & I hope you don't mind the many line breakers in this chapter!

13,000 hits! Thanks for all your lovely reviews(: Do keep them coming! I'll probably take longer to update from now onwards (as compared to my first few chapters), because I'm beta reading stories and also working on another story. I'll keep y'all updated if I post a new story!