Timeless Charm (Tomione fanfic)

Chapter 11: Fogs

As darkness enveloped Hermione's mind, she found herself trapped in the clutches of a haunting nightmare. In the depths of her subconscious, she relived the harrowing moment when Bellatrix Lestrange had carved the word "mudblood" into her wrist, a cruel reminder of the hatred and prejudice that lurked within the wizarding world.

The pain was all too real as Hermione felt the searing agony of the carving once again, the sensation like fire coursing through her veins. She tried to scream, to escape the torment, but her voice was lost in the void of her nightmare.

Suddenly, the scene shifted, and Hermione found herself floating in a vast expanse of swirling galaxies, surrounded by shimmering golden dust. Confusion gripped her as she gazed upon her younger self, a sinister glint in the girl's eyes.

"Expand more, Hermione," her younger self whispered, her voice dripping with malice. "You who control time, control the world."

Hermione recoiled in horror at the sight of her younger self's twisted demeanor. "No," she protested, her voice trembling with defiance. "I'm not like that. I would never use my powers for such darkness."

But her younger self only laughed, a wicked sound that echoed through the void. "You underestimate your own potential, Hermione," she taunted. "You have the power to change everything, to reshape the world in your image. Embrace it."

With a jolt, Hermione woke from her nightmare, her heart racing and her body drenched in sweat. She frantically looked down at her wrist, half-expecting to see the damning word carved into her flesh once more. But to her relief, there was nothing there, only smooth, unblemished skin.

Yet, despite the absence of physical evidence, Hermione could still feel the phantom pain of the carving burning inside her, a reminder of the darkness that lurked within her own mind. Trembling, she wrapped her arms around herself, grappling with the unsettling visions that had plagued her sleep.

As the moon hung high in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over the Hogwarts grounds, Hermione found herself unable to sleep. Tossing and turning in her bed had proven futile, the weight of her nightmares still lingering heavily on her mind. With a sigh of resignation, she slipped quietly out of the Gryffindor common room and made her way towards the Forbidden Forest.

The dense canopy overhead blocked out the faint light of the stars, enveloping Hermione in a comforting darkness as she wandered through the winding paths of the forest. The soft crunch of leaves beneath her feet and the gentle rustle of the trees provided a soothing backdrop to her troubled thoughts.

As she reached the edge of the forest, Hermione paused to gaze out at the tranquil surface of the lake shimmering in the moonlight. The sight of the water, so calm and serene, offered her a momentary respite from the turmoil within.

Lost in her thoughts, Hermione barely registered the sound of a twig snapping behind her. Startled, she turned to see Tom Riddle standing there, his dark silhouette illuminated by the faint moonlight filtering through the trees.

"What are you doing out here so early, Hermione?" Tom inquired, his tone curious as he approached her.

Hermione shrugged, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips. "I couldn't sleep," she admitted, her voice soft against the backdrop of the forest. "Thought a walk might help clear my mind."

Tom nodded in understanding, a thoughtful expression crossing his features. "And what about you?" Hermione asked, turning the question back on him. "Why are you up at this hour?"

A hint of amusement danced in Tom's eyes as he replied, "As prefect, it's my duty to patrol the grounds and ensure everything is in order."

Hermione chuckled, unable to suppress a teasing remark. "Taking your role as prefect very seriously, I see."

Tom smirked, a playful glint in his eyes. "Of course," he replied, his tone tinged with mock seriousness. "Someone has to keep Hogwarts running smoothly, after all."

As Hermione gazed upon Tom Riddle, a tumult of conflicting emotions raged within her.

I can kill him now, right here, right now.

On one hand, she knew that eliminating him in this moment could potentially save countless lives in the future, preventing the rise of the dark lord that he would become. But on the other hand, she couldn't ignore the fact that the Tom before her was not yet the infamous dark wizard, but rather a young boy with the potential for greatness.

The weight of the decision hung heavy on Hermione's shoulders as she grappled with the moral implications of her thoughts. Could she truly justify taking a life, even one as dangerous as Tom Riddle's, in the name of preventing future atrocities?

Lost in her internal struggle, Hermione was jolted back to reality when she realized that Tom had noticed her staring at him. His piercing gaze bore into her, his expression curious as he awaited her response.

"Why are you staring at me, Hermione?" Tom asked, his voice tinged with a hint of suspicion.

Hermione hesitated for a moment, her mind racing as she searched for an answer that would conceal the true nature of her thoughts. But then, with a sudden burst of courage, she decided to speak her truth.

"I want to get to know you better," Hermione replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her.

Tom's eyebrows shot up in surprise at her unexpected response, his expression momentarily caught off guard by her sincerity. For a brief moment, Hermione saw a flicker of something in his eyes, a glimmer of vulnerability that hinted at the complexities of the boy before her.