Hepzibah Smith was a witch who knew nothing but the good things in life and it showed very visibly, from her wide girth to the opulent jewelry that she bedecked herself with.

Tom Marvolo Riddle, ever the charmer, was a wizard after her own heart and, if he was just a bit older or perhaps, she a bit younger, Hepzibah would not have minded becoming Mrs. Riddle at all.

Alas, her many galleons could only do so much and so, she did her best to keep Mister Riddle's attention with the shiny objects that she surrounded herself with.

The morning of her meeting with the young wizard to negotiate an offer on her goblin-made armour was an ominous one. Thunder rumbled boisterously and brief flashes of lightning lit up her dark home.

Two hours before Tom was scheduled to arrive, frantic knocking sounded on her lovely oak doors.

"Hokey!" She called, "tell whomever it is to leave! Mister Riddle will be here soon and I do not want there to be any interruptions."

Hepzibah heard the house-elf attempt to shoo the unwanted visitor but the tiny creature seemed to be unsuccessful.

"Please," the stranger begged hoarsely, "I just need a place to wait out the storm and this is the only shelter for miles."

"No!" Hokey refused, "Madame said that you must leave."

"Please!"

The voice sounded young and desperate so Hepzibah sighed heavily before pulling on her robe. She plodded down the grand staircase to the front door and stopped short at the sight.

A youthful and beautiful woman stood at her front doorstep, soaked to the bone. Her clothes clung to her thin and petite frame and her almond-shaped eyes were wide with fear as she stared down at Hokey. She shivered violently and rubbed her hands up and down her crossed arms.

"I'll die out there!"

Hepzibah shook her head slightly and forced herself to ignore the way the young lady seemed to hypnotize her.

"Let her in," Hepzibah commanded as she strode up to the door, the house-elf moving out of the way. She held out her hand.

"Come here, sweet child. Let us warm you up. What are you doing out here?" She asked in a motherly tone, brushing her hand against the girl's cheek and recoiling at how cold she was.

"Oh my! You are freezing!" Hepzibah turned to Hokey, "fetch the young miss some dry clothes and grab blankets!" she commanded.

The elf bowed before disappearing with a crack as Hepzibah guided her new charge in front of the large fireplace.

"What is your name, child?" She asked and something most peculiar occured.

The girl in front of her straightened up, her spine rigid as she sat on the edge of the chaise lounge as if it were a throne. Her eyes no longer looked frightened but were filled with a cleverness that made Hepzibah uneasy. A smile that lingered on the edge of mocking pity pulled at her face.

"My name, Madame Smith, is Hermione Granger, and I will be requiring your assistance with something."

The girl named Hermione leaned forward and clasped Hepzibah's soft and pudgy hands into her own rough and calloused ones. She peered into Hepzibah's eyes and Hepzibah was utterly entranced, unable and unwilling to do anything but comply with the girl who was obviously something more than human.

She found herself nodding, feeling compelled to please and obey.

"Anything, my dear, anything that you would like."

The smile on the girl's face morphed into something much more sinister.

"Most excellent, Madame. Your first task is to give me the Hufflepuff Cup and the Slytherin Locket. When Tom Riddle arrives, simply say raptor. That is all."

"Of course, child, of course," she acquiesced.

After ensuring that Hermione was dry and warm, Hepzibah fetched her two most prized possessions from where she kept it hidden. As she handed the items over with the utmost pride, pleasure filled her very being and she didn't understand why.

Hermione's small hands wrapped around the two objects and she stood up quickly, heading for the door with a quick thank you.

"You're leaving so soon?" Hepzibah cried out in disappointment. Hermione turned around and tilted her head to the side.

"I have a duty, Madame, and it is most unfortunate that you had to be involved. I need to be gone by the time he arrives which is in a quarter of an hour."

Hepzibah lumbered from her seat to the door and held out a hand but was stopped short.

"Madame," the girl started, "you will forget me and will not mention anything to Tom about our meeting except for the word. Tell me what the word is."

Hepzibah's thin eyebrows knitted together in confusion but she complied, "raptor. The word is raptor."

Hermione smiled and nodded once.

"Good day, Madame."

Hepzibah blinked and stared at her empty doorway.

"What am I doing here?" She asked herself. She turned to the grandfather clock in her foyer and startled.

"Oh, Mister Riddle will be here anytime soon! Hokey!"

The elf appeared.

"Why am I not ready? Why do I not remember a thing?"

The elf stared at her mistress peevishly.

"You invited in an evil, Madame, and she has forbade me to say anything to you."

"Why - you - are you not my house-elf?!" Hepzibah spluttered.

There was a polite knocking at the door which prevented Hokey from responding as she reached for the handle to open it.

Tom Riddle stood proudly on her front doorstep, dressed to the nines, with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Good afternoon, Madame Smith."

Hepzibah blinked several times before she responded.

"Raptor," she whispered.

A look of cold fury spread across Tom's face and she shrank away from him in fear.

"She was here!" He barked, forcing his way into the home and placing his hands on the woman's shoulders, "Tell me everything!"

Hepzibah shook her head rapidly with fear blooming in the pit of her stomach.

"I can't," She confessed quietly with horror, "I - I don't remember a single thing."

Tom stepped away from the witch and she watched as his throat bobbed, "I'm remembering everything."