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I sadly do not own Harry Potter, but I own any/all mistakes/typos.

"Why is this so ridiculously difficult?" Hermione scowled, as the frustration grew at her latest failure to produce more than a small gasp of white smoke. Harry, sitting off to the side as to not be in her way, thought it best to not say anything. He knew his friend would not appreciate any platitudes or promises of success.

I'll wait for her to talk to me...

"This is a highly-advanced spell Ms. Granger," Professor Lupin stated with a small smile. "You're honestly progressing magnificently, many are not capable of producing anything on their first tries"

Hermione sighed before turning to Harry. "What am I doing wrong Harry?"

Harry shook his head before replying, "It's not that you're doing anything wrong Hermione, it's just about the thought you chose. Try to pick something else, something that made you the happiest you've ever felt!" Hermione closed her eyes, and took a deep breath before crying out the incantation one more time. Light shined through the room as a barrier shot out and Hermione pushed the boggart dementor away. Hermione turned to Harry, grin on her face and eyes sparkling with happiness.

Harry shot up to embrace his friend. "Way to go Hermione! I knew you could do it!" She hugged him back before pulling away.

"I took your advice and picked a new happy thought."

The elder man smiled fondly at his two young students, happy they had each other for support. "If I may ask, what was your new inspiration Ms. Granger?" Hermione flushed a bit before replying.

"Harry was…well his friendship…I've never-I mean, I haven't ever had a friend like Harry. Someone I can trust completely who trusts me as well. I've always seemed to keep people at a distance. They didn't enjoy or appreciate…well my love for my studies." Taking a breath to compose herself she shot Harry a watery smile. "Thank you, Harry, for being the best friend I could ever possibly have."

Harry, throughout the entire speech had been rendered speechless, utterly unable to find his voice to respond. His eyes burned, his throat constricted by the urge to burst into tears.

Hermione…

Clearing his throat, he attempted to adequately put all he was feeling, all he wanted to say into words. "I-I know what you mean Hermione. Before coming to Hogwarts…I never had any friends at all. I couldn't get close to anyone, they were afraid Dudley would beat them up for their association with me. However, even if I had made any friends, I know they could never be as amazing a friend…as you are Hermione." Harry had scarcely finished when Hermione had flung herself at him. Strands of her bushy hair tickled under his nose as he held her close. They embraced for a few moments before breaking apart simultaneously, grinning sheepishly at each other.

"True friendship can be difficult to come by, I am pleased you have found it, and hope you will strive to protect it with all you have." Lupin stated solemnly, with a hint of a pleased smile on his lips as he handed them each a handkerchief to wipe their slightly tear-stricken faces.

Knowing Lupin was correct, that he had found a true friend in Hermione, Harry finally felt ready to bare his last secret to her. He made up his mind to tell her about the diary, about Tom, later tonight. Harry closed his eyes as he silently pleaded that everything would work out. The last thing he wanted was to lose her.

Let her understand…Let her see what I see. He's not him.

Harry felt quite at peace as he sat in front of the fire in silent solitude with Hermione that night. Having finished their homework, they had decided it would be a good idea to review each other's work for any mistakes. He paused after making a small grammatical note on his friend's essay. Glancing around, he was pleased to see the common room empty. Knowing now was the perfect moment to share his secret, he set the work aside. "Hermione?" he whispered.

"I thought we agreed not to point anything out until we finished going over everything Harry, it'll be much faster that way" she replied without looking over, seeming a bit frazzled.

Harry laughed quietly, "It's not anything with our work Hermione, I need to tell you something." She stopped nearly instantly and turned to him. Worry flashed through Hermione, however seeing the slight smile on his face made her feel more at ease.

"What is it Harry?" She questioned curiously. Her curiosity grew as she saw him pull out a small black book, placing it on his lap. Harry ran his hand over the book lovingly before turning to her.

Well…this is it. No backing down now. You can do this Harry.

Harry was quiet, attempting to decide where to best begin. He felt it would be easier to simply start from the beginning and hoped she would still be there when he finished. "Last year…amid everything that was happening, I stumbled upon this…journal. I-I was so alone and wrote in it...and it wrote back Hermione" his voice filled with breathless excitement and wonder towards the end. Hermione was shocked at the notion of the book writing back, however she thought it prudent to say nothing as Harry was clearly not finished.

"Someone is trapped in the Journal. He…Tom…used to be a student here during the time the chamber was first opened, and he's my closet friend, along with you Hermione. When I was alone, he was there and we talked back and forth over everything and nothing. Then…then I was in the chamber of secrets, saving Ginny and Tom...Tom was there, and he told me…he told me he was Voldemort." Hermione gasped filled with terror at the thought of her friend alone with him. She was shocked to see he didn't seem scared. Simply silent as he reminisced. "I felt betrayed, my close friend turning out to be him, but-he's not, I mean- not really. He hadn't really become Voldemort yet before being trapped in the Journal. Everything he knew about Voldemort, he got from Ginny. We talked it out… and we're still friends. He didn't hurt me or Ginny and he's still here. I'm going to find a way to save him Hermione. I have to." Finished, he stared down at the journal afraid to look at Hermione. Is she horrified? Angry? Repulsed?

He jumped as he felt her hand tentative on his shoulder. "Harry…are you sure you can trust him? He could be using you, to come back…" Hermione said gently.

Harry shook his head, a spark of anger at the idea. "No Hermione. Tom's my friend. I trust him. He could have killed me and he didn't. He likes me Hermione. He had his chance to leave the Journal but he chose to go back." Hermione was quiet. Her emotions ran rampant, they swirled around in one huge jumbled mess, her thoughts raced quickly through her mind. She was worried and scared for her friend. Not knowing if she could trust the (spirit?) inside the journal. The last thing she wanted was for Harry to be hurt. Not to mention this was Voldemort.

Although… was it truly Voldemort? Hermione had no doubt he had opened the chamber that first time, meaning he had been responsible for Myrtle's death. Who knows what else he had done as a student. True he hadn't actually killed anyone last year-could it have been because of Harry? Had he already become reluctant to commit more horrors? Hermione was torn. Part of her wanted to tell Harry what he so clearly and desperately wanted to hear, that it was alright, she understood. But she didn't-the other part of her wanted to knock him out and drag him-kicking and screaming if need be-right to Dumbledore. She wouldn't though. Hermione knew what had brought about this confession. They had declared themselves the truest of friends, and Hermione was touched he wanted to share this terrible secret with her. No, she would keep his secret but she had to settle certain doubts.

"Harry, I…I want to believe you, but I think…I need to speak to him myself." She stared at him determined, unwilling to back down. She had to see for herself how different Tom was from Voldemort. Had to try and see if he really cared for her dear friend.

She's…okay with it! Harry grinned, knowing the fact that she wished to speak to Tom herself meant she had already given in, even if she hadn't realized it yet. "You got it Hermione. Is right now good?"

She nodded, "As soon as possible." Hermione held out her hand to take the journal. Harry passed it to her gently, an eager smile on his face. She took the black object, hand trembling slightly. The young witch placed it gently on her lap, opening it slowly as if Tom would jump out at her any moment.

Hermione stopped, just as she was about to write her first letter. "Harry, would you mind…leaving us alone?"

She doesn't want me to see what she writes to him…

Harry raised his eyebrow at her but nodded and got up to sit at a chair further away. Feeling more confident knowing Harry wouldn't be looking over her shoulder, she held her quill over the page and began to write.

Hello?

…Who is this?

It's Hermione, Harry's friend.

Hello Hermione, Harry has told me all about you. I see he has returned the courtesy.

Yes. Harry told me everything , I know who you really are Tom, or…at least I know who you will become. What are you trying to do? Why befriend Harry?

I see you don't trust me. That's wise, but you should realize Harry isn't quite trusting either. It took a while for him to open up to me. We…bonded. I know it must be hard to believe, I struggle with it myself but, I wish no harm onto Harry. Unfortunately, I cannot speak for…my other who roams your world. I myself however have...grown to care for Harry. I do not ask that you just take my word for it, but I hope you will allow me a chance to prove myself.

Hermione felt shock course through her at the words disappearing before her eyes. She didn't understand how, but she felt Tom was being sincere. What Hermione wouldn't give to read what Tom and Harry had written to each other. It was obvious they were extremely close.

You're right. I don't trust you. I won't tell anyone about you, but I swear I'll set you on fire if you do anything to hurt Harry!

That is quite the threat, considering how much you value books…which is technically what I am.

Not bothering to reply, Hermione scowled as she slammed the book shut and turned to look for Harry. Seeing him sitting not far off, she crossed the common room and handed the journal back carefully. Harry looked at her nervously.

I can't tell if she liked him or not? What is she going to do?

Just as Harry was about to ask, his companion spoke. "I don't fully trust him, but I trust you Harry. Just, be careful okay?" Harry grinned and jumped up to hug her.

"Thanks Hermione! We should get some sleep okay? We'll talk more tomorrow…and go over our work."

"Okay, goodnight Harry."

"Goodnight Hermione" He replied before going to collect his things. He headed up to his dorm and put everything away before climbing onto his bed. Pulling shut the curtains around him he hurried to find his quill eager to converse with Tom.

Finally! Harry thought as he held up the quill triumphantly. He quickly opened the book and eagerly began to write.

Tom I'm so happy you and Hermione have met now!

As am I Harry, you have a very good friend there. I'm…glad you have someone like her by your side.

Yeah, Hermione is great. Speaking of how great she is, what did she say to you?

I believe that is best kept between the two of us. Just know that everything is fine Harry.

Harry pouted at being kept in the dark. He sighed.

Well, it's not like I really expected him to tell me.

You know, with Hermione in on it now, I'm sure she'll be able to help us find a way to get you out.

I'm sure, seeing as to how brilliant you've described her to be. However, I have to ask…is she aware as to the -extent of our…relationship?

Harry blushed at the thought of him and Tom in a relationship.

No…she doesn't know anything about that. I thought it would be easier to tell her I made friends with someone in a book rather than, "Hey, I'm kind of in love with this bloke who's trapped in this book."

Kind of in love?

Shut up. You love me too.

I do. Now go to sleep Harry. There's no rush to get me out of here. I'm willing to wait if it means being able to hold you again.

Goodnight Tom

Face red-hot, Harry shut the book and put it away, stomach fluttering as it did every time Tom expressed such sentiment. Harry buried his face into his pillow sighing happily. He slept peacefully, dreaming of being in Tom's arms.