Timeless Charm (Tomione fanfic)

Chapter 17: First try

The clock struck midnight as Hermione, clutching her wand tightly, made her way through the dark corridors of Hogwarts. The castle was silent and still, its usual hustle and bustle replaced by an eerie calmness that seemed to permeate the air.

Guided by the dim light emanating from her wand, Hermione navigated her way to the second-floor girls' lavatory, her heart pounding with anticipation. This was it – the moment she had been preparing for, the moment she would attempt to open the Chamber of Secrets and confront the ancient evil that lay within.

Approaching the sink where the entrance to the Chamber was said to be hidden, Hermione took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She knew the task ahead would not be easy, but she was determined to see it through.

With a trembling hand, Hermione raised her wand and began to chant in a low voice, attempting to mimic the sound of Parseltongue – the language of snakes. "Open up," she repeated, each word enunciated carefully as she focused all her concentration on the task at hand.

But as the minutes stretched into hours, Hermione's frustration grew. Try as she might, the entrance to the Chamber remained stubbornly sealed, refusing to yield to her commands. It was as if the magic of the ancient chamber was testing her, taunting her with its elusiveness.

As the clock struck four in the morning, Hermione finally admitted defeat, her shoulders slumping in exhaustion and disappointment. She had given it her all, but it seemed that tonight was not the night she would unlock the secrets of the Chamber.

With a heavy heart, Hermione sank to the cold stone floor of the lavatory, her mind racing with thoughts of what could have gone wrong.

Hermione walked briskly through the dimly lit corridors of Hogwarts, her footsteps echoing softly against the stone walls. The castle was cloaked in darkness, the only light coming from the flickering torches that lined the passageways.

As she turned a corner, Hermione nearly collided with Tom Riddle, who was also wandering the halls at such an early hour. She offered him a polite nod, trying to suppress the surprise at seeing him there.

"Good morning, Tom," Hermione greeted him, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "I couldn't sleep the whole night."

Tom furrowed his brow in concern. "Are you alright, Hermione? That sounds like insomnia."

Hermione nodded, feigning a weary smile. "Yes, I think you might be right. I've been having trouble falling asleep lately."

Tom's expression softened with sympathy. "I'm sorry to hear that. Insomnia can be quite debilitating. Have you tried any remedies?"

Hermione shook her head. "Not yet. I'm not sure what to do about it."

Tom paused for a moment, considering her predicament. "Well, there are a few things you could try. Have you ever heard of drinking warm milk before bed? It's supposed to help relax the body and promote sleep."

Hermione's lips twitched into a grateful smile. "No, I haven't tried that. Thank you, Tom. I'll give it a go."

Tom nodded, his expression earnest. "I hope it helps, Hermione. Sleep is important for both your physical and mental well-being."

"Duly noted, thank you Tom, and good morning", with that, Hermione turned to leave after thanking Tom Riddle for his advice on her pretend insomnia, but before she could take another step, she felt his hand gently close around hers. Surprised, she turned back to face him, meeting his intense gaze with curiosity.

"Is there something else you need, Tom?" she inquired, her brow furrowing slightly in confusion.

Tom hesitated, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly as he struggled to form the words he wanted to say. His grip on her hand tightened slightly as if seeking reassurance.

Hermione watched him with a mixture of concern and patience, waiting for him to speak. But as the seconds ticked by, it became apparent that Tom was struggling to articulate his thoughts.

Finally, with a frustrated sigh, Tom released her hand and took a step back, his expression unreadable. Hermione watched him go, a pang of sympathy tugging at her heart.

As she continued on her way, Hermione couldn't shake the feeling of warmth that lingered on her skin from Tom's touch. She couldn't help but wonder what had prompted his sudden hesitation, and whether there was something more he had wanted to say.

Meanwhile, Tom stood alone in the hallway, his mind swirling with unspoken words and unanswered questions. He couldn't understand why he had been unable to ask Hermione about Archon's invitation to the upcoming ball, but one thing was certain – her presence had affected him in a way he couldn't quite explain. And as he watched her disappear around the corner, he couldn't help but wonder if she had always been this warm, or if it was just the effect she had on him.