Chapter 12

I had knocked back one shot of the amber colored liquid in the enchanted cups that twinkled lights along its sides. I tried to sip the next one even more slowly. Knowing that I was slowly losing more control over my motor and cognitive abilities. I knew it was a mistake to not be on top shape when near Tom, but I think I deserved a treat after that failure to trip Tom with my nonexistent sexual appeal. He seemed more invigorated then ever as I watched him walk from circles talking to figures with impressively shiny robes.

I took another sip remembering the heat that pooled in the pit of my stomach when I was bended backwards with the warm breath of Tom twirling down my neck. It made me want to hide in my bed and scream. I never felt so high strung. This alien feeling of hotness that crept to my cheeks for I felt it burning. This had not been my goal. To feel this type of attraction to a person capable of such cruelness and devastation. It really was a tragedy. When I kissed Victor it felt like being a teenager, doing the things teenagers do. When I had kissed Ron, it felt like cuddling into a teddy bear by the fireplace, warm, friendly, and safe.

Being with Tom felt like playing with fire. It was engulf and consume me. But it made me feel alive. This baiting play is going to have to end.

I took another sip of whiskey when I saw Riddle walking over.

"Had enough of hiding by the punch? We should interact with the other officials that are still here." He took one look at my cup and infuriatingly plucked it out of my grasp and vanished it.

The absolute nerve.

"I was drinking that or have you lost your eyes on your walk over here?" I said bitterly.

His eyes darkened at my tone. Most likely not used to any insult. He leaned over threateningly, "Hermione, it would be in your best interest to stop baiting me. You are getting intoxicated." He peered closer to get a look at my eyes and placed a hand on my check. I went to slap his hand away but ended up swiping air and tagging his shoulder with my wrist.

I heard a chuckle and looked up to see a small smile. It seemed I was amusing him and it would have pissed me off it I wasn't so caught off guard how it made his face light up. I didn't see that irritating trademark smirk of his. His eyes didn't crinkle but there had this glint to it that was not harsh or acerbic. He seemed like a normal handsome boy. One in perhaps another life would have been my study partner, one that wore turtle necks and someone who would open doors for me, one that I would be able to take to my parents. My poor parents.

It slapped me out of the moment.

"Yes er-well, I may need to go to the bathroom. To freshen up." I finish lamely.

I scurried off quickly leaving Tom looking on curiously.

Going into the washroom I splashed my face and ran water down my neck to cool down. I looked properly drunk and unhinged now. Some of the wet hair had started to curl up and my eyelashes down clumped together and the redness in my cheeks made me look splotchy.

I sighed. I rather not go back to the dance at this point.

A streak of red and the mirror shattered. Breaking into shards of glass that crashed down onto the porcelain sink and floor.

I quickly turned around yanking out the wand that was nestled in the stitch on the side.

"Reducto!" I sent towards the entrance from where I assumed the attacker was.

I didn't hear a reply but I did hear another crash that sent the metals stall where I had been against blown off the hinge. A resounding boom that reverberated through me shaking my bones.

Who the bloody hell was this? Non verbal explosive magic? Was this Tom?

I was immediately being transported back to when I was on the run with spells that were recklessly being cast destroying things around me. Where a deathly pale snake man and cruel masked black hooded members were intent in creating havoc. Come on Hermione!

I sent a blasting spell towards the top arch of the bathroom. Wanting to burst the bricks and send it raining down on my attacker, this was no time for child's play.

I glanced around the stalls after putting up a shielding and saw through the dust a figure surrounded by a yellow orb, a shield that held strong through the rubble. It could have been a man or a women.

"Who are you! Answer me!" I shouted.

"Hermione! Where are you?" I heard a distinctive voice yell out. The robed figure glanced back before running off.

I chased after it. Sending a stupefy that I saw bounce off the shield before it turned a corner. I heard a distinctive cracking sound. Whoever that was, it was gone.

Damn it. How did it get past Hogwart's apparating charm?

"Hermione!" I hear more shouting closer now.

I saw Tom with his robes billowing out from running with a ferocious look on his face. I was taken back and instinctively raised my wand.

He looked aghast as he came up and smacked it away. "Put that away. Are you all right? Who did this?"

I calmed down a little. Trying to breathing deeply to calm my heart that I could hear beating rapidly in my ear.

Tom didn't stop for answer instead going around the bend sending off spells that I guessed were diagnostic in nature before planting a rather large orb around us.

Younger Voldemort was cautious, I thought absently.

Firm hands that gripped the top of my arm as he pulled me closer taking inventory of me with narrowed eyes. My ripped green dress with a tear that went up side, my hair that I would bet everything on that it slipped out of its coif and was now wildly surrounding my face as I felt it on my bare neck.

He relaxed, it seemed I didn't suffer any injuries besides minor scraping. I didn't glance down to check. He pulled me close and enveloped me in his arms. Pine needles and soap. It smelled safe and I let it envelope me. How bloody ironic.

He was making soft noises as he patted my back. I realized I was literally shaking in his arms. It was like I was watching myself in 3rd person, removed from myself. Was it the adrenaline or was it the fear?

A little more time passed when I perceived he was just shushing me as he awkwardly patted me. It almost made me laugh.

Voldemort comforting someone.

"Its okay. You are safe now." He murmured into my hair.

"I could have handled it. How did you know to come find me?"

"I thought to get you before the higher ranking officials finally left for the night. And it's a good thing I did. Who was that person."

I pulled back to see his eyes greys that were usually mocking and sharp to see that it was now fiery. Widened pupils with a face set in anger. It looked real. I didn't think Tom planned this or sent whoever it was after me.

"You think I planned it" He accused as he abruptly let go of me.

No.

He crossed his arms and he leveled his gaze at me. I realized he was offended but he might also be hurt. Why? Its not like I did not know who he was.

"No Tom, I don't think you planned it. I just-" I starting pulling at my hair trying to get the pins out. "I am in shock."

"I have no idea who that person was."

He still had his arm crossed as he responded, "I made a pledge to never hurt you didn't I? And I don't have any reason to hurt you. Know that that I am your greatest ally here, Hermione. Let us go. This will be have to be reported."

I just nodded.

We found Slughorn first and he notified the other teachers to be on their guard as they guided students back to their houses.

He is horrified and the red spots on his cheeks whiten as he quickly guides us to Dumbledore's office. I wrap Tom's thick black coat around me tighter, my dress is a mess and there was no time to spare to change.

It always brought me back; seeing this room. His office is not as warm as I remembered in my day where Fawkes would perch on the mantle sparks of warmth flying out every so often, but there were still dozens of trinkets shelved and on display.

And sitting near the intricately carved wooden desk was Dumbledore who had a spectacle balancing on his nose.

Slughorn horn recounted the tale to him and Tom injected in minor details that were left out. Dumbledore looked on gravely. His eyes falling on to me and not swaying away.

"Miss Gardener are you sure you were not harmed? The healing wing is always open we can take you there immediately."

I shake my head. "No Professor, I am unharmed… just shaken. I do not know who my attacker was but that person was very skilled. I never heard a voice, it was non verbal magic and the intent was to harm."

"I see Miss Gardener. In this case we should go immediately to Headmaster Dippet. This is a serious incident that occurred."

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Dippet's old creased eyes went wide for a moment it had mirrored Minister Fawley's who had been seated taking tea with Dippet in his office when we arrived as a group.

"Albus? Horace? What is the matter?" He asked confused before taking a look at my appearance my wild hair and ripped dress where how the coat covered me, it looked like I wore nothing at all. He looked positively petrified.

"Miss Gardener! Who did this to you? Trust me when I say we will find the person who dishonored you this way." He said as he stood up from his seat.

My eyed almost bugged out of my head when I caught up to his insinuation and Tom flinched before he grasped me into his side yanking his coat around me tighter.

Multiple people spoke at once. Their voices intermingling with each other, but it was Tom that refused to abate as he started, "Headmaster, it was not in that nature. There is a trespasser in the school that ambushed Hermione when she took a break from the ball to go to the washroom. We do not know who it is or why, but the room is in shambles. It were using destructive spells not taught in the Hogwarts curriculum." And he would know exactly what was and was not taught in the curriculum. "When I arrived it fled and Hermione was not able to see it either. We found Professor Slughorn right away and Professor Dumbledore."

Slughorn spoke up "We hypothesize that is was not a Hogwarts student due to the caliber of the spells and Hermione here said that it was non verbal. She didn't hear anything at all. And the spells were not meant for incapacitation but more deadly. We had many important ministry officials here tonight we hope that it was not someone from the eastern-"

Minister Fawley abruptly stands as he cuts him off, "They would not dare. England is absolutely safe, we have reinforced our borders and our policies have become stricter in regards to who is allowed in. This is quite a pity that this happened to our dear Miss Gardener here, but it must be some house rivalry issue. I am quite familiar with how well the houses get along here and this seems like such as case."

He looked to the Headmaster as he spoke, "I believe this is now a private issue so I will excuse myself from your meeting, but if there is something else I can do from my end do let me know. I had a grand time at Hogwarts tonight and I am sad to see it end with an event such as this."

He nodded to each of the professors before taking a hold of my hands which made Tom's hand that was on my shoulder grip a little more firmly, it might have been painful if it wasn't for the coat. "Dear it is a tragedy that this happened. Do let me know when the perpetrator is found, I will not stand for such injustice done to such a charming girl who I am expecting grand things from." He clapped Tom on his shoulder as well before taking off swiftly through the doors.

I felt the familiar churning in my stomach at this new turn of events. It brought on a foreboding feeling that made me shiver.

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I would like to send a thank you to reviewers ariwolff14 and elite-handuffs.

Now we will get into some plot.

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