Time Changes All Things: Now Complete

Time Changes All Things...Chapter 3: Game On

Professor Dumbledore’s office, as transfiguration teacher, was much smaller than the one he would eventually reside in as Headmaster. He still had the many gadgets scattered around the room. His eyes were still the sky-blue twinkling variety. Hermione wasn’t taken aback at all when she heard a muggle coo-coo clock go off.

The room was silent as Professor Dumbledore looked at Hermione, Riddle looked at Dumbledore, Hermione looked at Riddle, and Riddle looked at Hermione and on it went. No one saying a word, just waiting for someone to speak first.

Suddenly she felt the harsh pressing of someone trying to invade her mind. Quickly looking away, Hermione used her Occlumency, blocking her mind to the invader. But who was it? It could have been either Professor Dumbledore or Riddle, both skilled Legilimens. Now was not the time for her secrets to be spilled.

Hermione could feel Tom Riddle’s eyes boring holes into her.

“Now Miss…” the wise old wizard began as he attempted to catch her gaze. “What did you say your name is?”

“Hermione…MacMillan, Professor. We are third cousins on your Father’s, Mother’s side. “

Hermione noticed Professor Dumbledore looking at her narrowly, and then his eyes flicked over to Riddle. Tom, hiding his feelings, sat stone cold staring at Dumbledore. Hermione could see that there was no love lost between these two wizards; in fact, there was outright animosity as Tom sat there with clenched jaws.

With a pleading voice Hermione asked, “Professor, may I speak to you privately?” as she glanced over at Riddle. Tom stared back at Hermione with a smirk one would usually see on a Malfoy.

Standing quickly, and high-handedly puffing out his chest, Tom Riddle excused himself.
“I have other duties to attend to. I am sure that I will be seeing you around Hermione."

Chills went through Hermione as she heard Tom Riddle speak her name so menacingly. He turned, but not before Hermione smiled, “Tom, I really appreciate your help”, she said in an overly sweet voice. “Thank you.” With a nod of his head, Riddle left Dumbledore’s office.

With the click of the door shutting, Hermione was able to breathe normally again.

“Now Miss Hermione…MacMillan,” Dumbledore with exasperation in his voice spoke, “would you like to tell me what is really going on? Who are you and why are you here at Hogwarts?” Hermione, fidgeting in her seat, was trying to decide how much to tell Dumbledore.

Dumbledore matter of factly proclaimed, “I know Miss MacMillan that we are not related.” Hermione nervously bit her lip as Dumbledore waited impatiently for an answer.

“Professor Dumbledore, “Hermione implored with assuredness, “I never came here with the intention of outright deceiving you. But I must ask you to please help me and go along with my story.” Hermione implored.

Exhaling loudly Dumbledore answered, “Miss MacMillan, if you want my assistance then you must allow me to hear all of the details about you…”

Hermione, with a booming voice and tears starting to form in her eyes, jumped out of her seat and leaned her hands on Dumbledore’s desk, “Sir, I cannot do that! Please just trust me!”

Dumbledore blaringly answered back, “How can I trust you young lady when I don’t even know you! You are asking too much from me,” as he now vaulted out of his seat.

Feeling exasperated, Hermione took a deep breath, “I am here to do something very important. What I do or don’t do will affect the future of the Wizarding World. “Hermione flounced back into the chair folding her arms in front of her.

Dumbledore remained silent, suppressing his anger, as Hermione struggled to explain herself.

“I know that there is someone here at Hogwarts,” Hermione exaggerated each word with a nod of her head,” a student, who will become one of the most evil wizards of all time.”

Dumbledore arched an eyebrow and smirked before saying, “This is not something that I am unaware of. In fact, Miss MacMillan, I have a feeling I know who you are referring to.” Dumbledore speaking almost jovially voiced.” My question for you is how do you intend to deal with this problem or should I say Wizard?”

“Can we discuss details now Professor Dumbledore?” Hermione asked with a half smile.

Professor Dumbledore, giving Hermione a wink, nodded his head, “Let’s.”


Two weeks later

Hermione sat curled up with her Arithmancy textbook in the Slytherin common room. Bursting through the doors, accompanied by the sound of laughter, came the cream of the crop that the house of Slytherin had to offer.

Sauntering in at the helm of this group was Tom Marvolo Riddle.
He marched over to Hermione and stood in front of her waiting for her acknowledgement. When Hermione did not look up, he sat down heavily, next to her on the couch. He lifted her legs and limply set them down in his lap.

Hermione tilted her head up. Trying to show no emotion on her face she asked, “Do you need something Riddle?”

Tom smoothly asked, “Can’t I just sit down with the pretty new girl to get to know her better?”
Tom almost had a meek look on his normally intense face. Around him, Tom’s followers had settled in. They consisted of wizards and witches Hermione had only read about, Abraxas Malfoy, Casper Crouch, Lucretia Black, Alphard Black, and Radbourne Lestrange.

“She looks like she has the same problem you have Tom, she loves to study,” Alphard laughed teasingly.

As if taking offense Tom exclaimed, “What is wrong with that? I like an intelligent woman.” Tom stared at Hermione to see if his words had any effect on her.

Hermione looked up, “What were you saying?” trying to look nonchalant and uninterested. She knew her behavior would either anger Tom or make him even more determined to win her over.

Lucretia giggled and batted her eyelashes, “She’s not falling for your charms Tom, not like the rest of the girls that inhabit Hogwarts.”

The bristly look on Tom’s face showed that he did not like being provoked, even by his devoted admirers.
Tom, nose flaring and fists clenched belted out, “Why don’t you lot bugger off so Hermione and I can talk.”
They all knew that this was a command and not a request.

Abraxas leapt up sensing the hazard in annoying Tom any further, “We will be in Alphard’s room if you need us,” and Abraxas grabbed Lucretia’s hand.

Alphard bowed, “Good day to you fair maiden Hermione. “Taking Hermione’s hand in his he kissed it lightly, and strolled away.

Hermione smiled pleasantly at them and turned to peek at Tom. He reached over languishingly and shut her book she had been reading.

“Hey, I was studying!” Hermione acted put out.

Tom, with mischief in his eyes, scooted closer, “I think that you need to study something else, like maybe me at the moment.”

Hermione wasn’t sure what to think about this strange turn of events. With Tom’s arm casually laced around the back of the couch, Hermione turned to face him.
Gods, why did he have to be so dashing; the dark wavy hair, deep blue eyes, fine chiseled bone structure and a thick muscular chest.

Tom gave a small, winning smile when he saw Hermione scanning his features.
“Do you like what you see?” the magnetic wizard asked, knowing full well that Hermione did.

Hermione flushed red and boldly said, “What if I say I do?”

Tom leaned even closer until they were nose to nose, “That would please me immensely”, he whispered. Reaching out he ran his fingers over Hermione’s lips. She was tingling with delight at Tom’s touch. This not only scared her, but flattered her that someone as good looking as Tom Riddle was showing interest in her.
The little voice in the back of her mind was reminding her why she had traveled back in time. She was realizing it was getting easier and easier to push that little voice somewhere else when Tom was around. What was he doing to her in such a short time?

“Would you like to go for a walk around the lake Hermione?” Tom congenially asked with a pleasant grin on his face.

Intrigued, and with sparkling eyes directed to Tom, Hermione said, “Yes, that would be pleasant.”


Soon the two were walking arm in arm around the lake on a beautiful autumn afternoon. Occasionally glancing at each other, Hermione would shyly look down. Sending a small grin Tom’s way, Hermione was trying to sort out the happenings of the past two weeks. As per plan that Hermione and Dumbledore devised, Hermione was sorted “privately” in to Slytherin. Keeping an eye on Tom and his ever present audience was Hermione’s number one job at the moment. Little did she know that the great Tom Riddle would start having an extreme fascination for the new girl? Hermione playing indifferent to it all seemed to fuel the fire in Tom and his trying to get Hermione’s attention. Now that he had her on his own, Hermione was curious as to what Tom was wanting from her. Rarely did Tom do something that didn’t have a secret agenda.

Tom was suddenly stopping, gathered Hermione’s fingers and lifted them gently to his mouth. He lightly nibbled on each finger on her hand. “I have to be honest with you Hermione,” he said with intensity, “I have never met a witch, our age, which exuded so much knowledge and power as you do.”

So that’s what this was all about! He had noticed her in their classes together. Hermione, being Hermione, couldn’t help being the know it all she had always been accused of. She should have known that this part of her character would be the one thing Tom would be the most attracted to.

“Hermione,” Tom animatedly spoke, “you know spells that someone your age shouldn’t know.”

She smiled up at him, “You know the same spells as I do, “she elbowed him in the side.

He swung her around in his well-set arms and pushed her back up against a tree facing her. He placed his arms solidly around her waist.

“You know as well as I do that knowledge is power. Power is needed to run the world. It pleases me seeing this power in you.” Tom’s eyes were almost blazing as he spoke these words to Hermione.

“I’ve never wanted power Tom;” Hermione soberly shared, “Knowledge to me is a gift. It lifts me up.”She looked at him to see if anything she said was sinking into Tom’s mind.

With more forcefulness in his voice Tom continued, “But Hermione, we are talking about the same thing, being elevated above others because of our intelligence.” Tom’s face was illuminating with excitement.” We are almost equals when it comes to our brilliance; you are very close.”

Tom reached up to play with Hermione’s hair, tucking a stray curl behind her ear and trailing his fingers along the side of her face.

Tom held Hermione’s face perfectly still in his hands, “This is why I want you by my side, along with my other followers. I need you! I need your wisdom, discernment and lust for knowledge and reasoning.” Hermione listened closely, and for a few tension filled moments, Hermione did not let her eyes stray from Tom’s.

Enunciating each word sharply, he moved in even closer, “I have chosen you. I hope that you won’t take this lightly, that would be a mistake.”

With those words said, Tom Riddle leaned into Hermione fully and kissed her for the first time. Hermione loved the feel of his lips on hers. His lips demanded an answer back and started an unexpected fire in her. Hermione reached up and put her hands in Tom’s silky hair, stroking him, as the kiss became more urgent. Nothing could compare to the moment she was experiencing right now. The physical power of his body, this close, overwhelmed any other thoughts of power and knowledge.

But she also knew that Tom had upped the ante in the game they were playing.


A/N:Thanks always goes to my amazing beta Curse Weaver. I even appreciate the "homework" that she gave me to make this chapter even better.

Chapter End Notes:
Thanks for hanging in there with me and the slow start. Things start heating up in the next chapter. I have plans to make Tom the evil Tom we all know and love!