A Dance of Deception (Tomione)

Chapter 1

A/N: So, as promised, the update is here and a bit late. Ok, I know it been weeks since the last one but my only excuse is exams. Please don't avada kedavera  me! I know that the last chapter was boring, probably because it was the prologue, but I'm sure that this would be better. Of course, Tom Riddle's gotta be in this chapter, but I'm afraid we only get like three lines at the end about him. I'm sorry but I just wanted to leave the chapter at a cliffhanger, and it was already too long. So, without further ado, let's roll the curtains for chapter 1!

Disclaimer: Alright. Let's get this over with- All the characters here, are the rights and properties of JK Rowling, and unfortunately, I don't own anything and blah blah blah.

Hermione, once engulfed in darkness, started to spin around. For how much time, she didn't know. But then again, time probably didn't even exist in this place.

After at least 2 hours, it stopped. Everything stopped. The air, the spinning. It became a still void of darkness. Hermione couldn't breath. Suddenly, the darkness faded and she noticed that she was in a room that  somewhat resembled the place she had just come from. Instead of all the various instruments that puffed green smoke, there were antique vases and globes. Very muggle-like. The warm and cozy atmosphere had been replaced by a cold and unwelcoming feeling. The portraits were all present, with the exception of Armando Dippet, Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape.

Hermione tried to sit up, but her hands slipped and her head landed with a loud thud on the wooden floor. Hearing the commotion, a figure emerged from the closet room in the corner, and knelt beside her, looking at her curiously. The last thing Hermione remembered, before passing out, was a familiar face, with twinkling blue eyes and auburn hair.

"We don't even know who she is!" Exclaimed a gruff voice.

"Judging from her clothes, she looks like someone from a war. And she's dressed weirdly. Maybe she's from the muggle war that has been going on?" Asked a second.

A third voice, argued: "That wouldn't explain how she got inside. No, she doesn't seem like a muggle." A warm hand touched Hermione's forehead. " I went through her- what's the word- sack. It was especially odd. I found some unrecognisable artefacts and  what seems to be a diary. Other than that, all I found was a change of clothing, though muggle, I believe, and her wand."

"Hush, she's stirring!" The second voice spoke again.

Hermione wearily groaned and tried to pull her eyes open. After a few moments, she gasped as the sharp sunlight streaked on her now open eyes.

She tried again, in vain, to sit up, but found herself unable to do so. 

The walls and ceiling  of the room were white, like an infirmary. She soon found her view blocked, as three old faces looked down at her. The first one had a long white beard, yellowish eyes and a stern face. He was wearing a very old fashioned wizards hat, one she knew existed only before the 50's. The second face had more of a casual look. He had straw-coloured hair, and a few missing teeth. His face was extremely plump. The third face was more familiar. And then Hermione realised that this was the person she had seen before her blackout. He had sharp, blue eyes and auburn hair. He looked to be in his early 60's. He had more of a look of expectance than anything else.

"Well Dumbledore, since deputy headmaster, I leave this case to you. Do let me know as soon as you'd can, will you?" The bearded man said as if this was an everyday thing. 

After a few moments, both the men except the one called Dumbledore left.

The third man studied Hermione for a few minutes before saying : " Miss Granger."