Chapter 1

July 13, 1998

"My god, Hermione!" Draco shouted at the bushy-haired girl, "Do you have to be so friggin' dense? I'm not interested in you in any way!" Hermione's mouth fell open. How could Draco say that? She had saved his life and had loved him since fourth year, but now he was being so cruel to her. He wasn't even interested in friendship even though they had fought side-by-side many long and lonely nights. Tears formed in her amber eyes. "Oh gods, Mione, I didn't mean to-" His voice trailed off as tears spilled down Hermione's cheeks and she fled. "Hermione! I'm sorry!" Hermione didn't even turn from her mad run into Hogwarts.

Hermione ran straight to the Room of Requirement. I need a place to hide my tears. I need a place to hide my tears. I need a place to hide my tears. She thought over and over. The door appeared in the wall and Hermione rushed inside. The door disappeared behind her and Hermione found herself in a room resembling an attic. She slumped down in an old rocking chair, crying. After a while, Hermione could cry no more tears. She began to examine her surroundings. There were several boxes and one large green trunk. Hermione cautiously opened the trunk. Inside lay carefully folded Slytherin robes. Whose trunk is this? Hermione mused as she dug deeper into the trunk. Her hand hit something slightly harder than the robes around it and she pulled it out. It was a journal much like Tom Riddle's that Ginny had been given back in second year. The black leather cover was devoid of any name, but it had an embossed, golden heart. Embossed, red blood dripped from the jagged tears in the heart. Hermione was curious, whoever had owned this journal was in deep pain, if not physically at least mentally. She opened it to the first page and began to read the diary entries.

September 11, 1948

This is my diary of thoughts, dreams, and oh-so-hidden feelings. People are too hard to trust, and on top of it all, it hurts to trust them. I trusted someone with my heart and they broke it.

Hermione smiled sadly in agreement with the author.

I am Head Boy, but what does that mean? I'm just in power over most students, aren't I? It doesn't help my position anyhow. Most boys at the age of 18 are dating or engaged. Me? I'm still to closed off from the rest of the world I guess. No one wants to come near me because of the façade I've put up the last nine years of my life. I'd always hoped I'd find someone that would see behind the mask and hold out their hand to me. It's just so hard, knowing that no one cares about you at all. Sure, I have the Knights, but what are they but a bunch of bumbling fools. Why did I even start the Knights? It was folly. Pure unadulterated folly. Now, I am expected to lead them into a Muggle-free life after all the destruction they wish to cause. In a way, that I want to cause. But I carried out my vengeance long ago, didn't I? What need is there for more?

Hermione's blood ran cold. This way the diary of young Tom Riddle, the future Lord Voldemort. The man who had destroyed her life so thoroughly. She flipped the page, hoping to learn more. Instead, it was blank. "That's weird." She set the opened diary on the floor and searched through the trunk again. Nothing more turned up. She glanced down at the diary. Her heart stopped, there was writing on the page.

Who are you that you have found my belongings? There is a quill and ink in the chest.

Hermione stared at the writing for a moment, remembering what had happened to Ginny Weasley, and decided to risk it. She found the ink and quill where they hadn't been before and scribbled down a reply.

I am Hermione Granger, you are Tom Riddle, correct?

Her words sank into the page. In a moment, Tom had written back.

Hello, Hermione. Yes, I am Tom Riddle. How did you find this diary?

Hermione paused and chose her words carefully.

I fled to the Room of Requirement, asking for a place to hide. I found the trunk and was curious. Your diary was inside.

Her words disappeared and a few minutes later, a reply appeared.

So you found the Attic of Memories. I found it once, too. I ran from my heart and my feelings. That was a long time ago though. Why did you run to the Room?

Why was Tom being so nice? Wasn't he supposed to be evil and trying to seduce her as in all the stories?

Why should I share my innermost feelings with the likes of you, Voldemort?

Hermione snapped at him, her words seemed to crackle with anger.

So you know who I became. It is after the war is it not? As you read in my previous entry, I think forming the Knights was folly, but how could I back down? I'd taught them what it was to back away from me before my vengeance was carried out, they too could just as easily turn on me and destroy me. I did what I did only to preserve myself.

Hermione's eyes flooded with bitter tears as she remembered all those that had died to stop him.

Instead of one dying, you killed thousands. You killed mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, cousins, brothers, and sisters. Yet you did it all to save yourself. You are a selfish, unaccepting, no account prig!

Hermione's tears had returned as she thought of how Neville had finally had his parents returned to him, alive and mentally stable when Voldemort had killed first his parents and then him. Sirius had just reappeared, only to be killed by Bellatrix right in front of Harry. Hermione had seen Bill and Fluer die at their own reception. Tonks and Remus had barely become engaged when they died in each other's arms. Molly was reliving the pain of her brothers' deaths when Fred and George were tortured into an insanity much like the Longbottoms'. Hermione had lost her own parents when King's Cross had been attacked. Ginny had been mortally wounded and only just survived. How many that Hermione had loved had died at the hands of Voldemort and his followers? How many had lost the ones they loved? All because he had been selfish? A single tear ran down her cheek and dripped onto the page.

Please, don't cry. I know there is no way you can ever forgive me for what I have done. No way I can apologize to those I have wronged, but please, don't cry. It only hurts worse when you cry. I know, I used to cry once, but people used that against me and it hurt. I never wanted to cause so much pain and sorrow, but it seems I have. Just please, don't cry and don't leave me alone again. I need you.

Hermione stared at the ink words on the diary page. "Oh Merlin." She whispered. So Tom had actual feelings after all. The very man that had destroyed the lives of so many was telling her that he needed her in his life. It was the very first time anyone had ever told her that.

If I could change the past I would. But I can't, so now I must make the best of the future.

Hermione sighed as she stared at Tom's words. Tom wrote some more.

Please, come back with me for just one moment, so that I can see you.

A reluctant sigh escaped her lips.

All right, but only for a moment.

Suddenly the room began to spin and Hermione felt herself falling through swirling gray mist. She landed in the Astronomy Tower in Hogwarts, in 1948. A handsome young man with wavy brown hair and deep onyx eyes turned to face her. "Hello, Hermione." Tom said softly. Hermione froze and started to back away, afraid. Pain filled Tom's eyes. "I'm so sorry for the pain I've caused you. I-" He stopped, his hand outstretched to her. "Please, all I ask is one moment that you pretend I'm not the monster I will become in my future. That is all I ask. That for one moment, I will know what it is like to be around a girl that is not absolutely terrified of or fawning over me." Hermione took a deep breath and gingerly placed her small, browned hand in his large, pale one. Tom pulled her slowly closer to him until they were only a foot apart and he sat down on the window seat, pulling Hermione down beside him. Stars twinkled in the night sky. Hermione felt tears sting her eyes as she spotted the formation for which Sirius had been named. She found the formation of Draco and was reminded of her own heartache. Another tear slipped down her cheek. To her surprise, Tom gently brushed it away. "No tears, remember?" His voice was soft and kind. His onyx eyes were full of hope, hope that Hermione would allow him to become almost human again. Hope that she would be the one to heal his hurting heart. Hermione abruptly stood up. "I have to go, Riddle." She said quickly and the room began spinning. "No, please don't go. Not yet." But the room dissolved into mist and Hermione was back in the Attic of Memories. The diary lay open beside her. Tom had written to her again.

Oh, Hermione, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. Please, just try. Don't leave alone again. Please…..

Hermione felt her heart wrench at the pleading in his words. She wrote one last time.

I've got to go, but I will take the diary with me wherever I go and will write to you when I have the chance.

Tom responded quickly.

Thank you so much, Hermione.

Author's Note: Please review, I need it so bad. Thankies if you do and I will try to respond sometime, but yeah. I hope to post the next chappy soon! If I don't go crazy from the last day of school.