Braving the Past

Chapter 3: The New Girl

Tom didn't go far after leaving that Granger girl. Something was terribly off about her, and it wasn't just her grotesque look fresh from a battlefield, either. She was definitely hiding something, and Tom was going to find out what it was.

He waited for her to come out of the bathroom – something that took a ridiculous amount of time – and watched Hermione Granger make her way down the stairs to the infirmary, something he found quite odd, seeing as she had refused to go with the Headmaster.

Tom stayed behind the infirmary doors, opening them a crack to peek through. Hermione made her way to a dirty bed when Madam Richter came rushing out from her office, making the girl jump in surprise.

"There you are!" Madam Richter cried. "I thought you might have left!"

So she had already been brought here?

Hermione smiled ruefully. "No, I didn't leave, ma'am. I didn't mean to frighten you, I merely went to make myself more presentable."

The matron waved her hand at this. "Oh, who cares about looking presentable? This is a hospital, and you shouldn't leave until you're feeling better, now what have you gone and done to your broken ribs?"

Hermione slowly moved her hand away from her abdomen, looking uncomfortable. "I had to go up a few stairs – "

Madam Richter cut the girl off with a gasp, making Hermione jump once more. Merlin, this girl was on edge.

The older witch yanked Hermione's shirt up to reveal her horribly bruised abdomen, making Tom's stomach turn, and he made himself look away. He wasn't that inappropriate of a person.

"Oh dear, I'd better get going on that potion," Madam Richter said wistfully. "And how is the arm feeling?"

"Still hurts..." Hermione paused. "Madam Richter...am I going to be a...?"

There was a sigh. "I'm afraid it might be deep enough to have a few repercussions. May I ask...did you have another scar underneath that scratch?"

This time the pause lasted over a minute, Tom holding his breath to make sure he heard her answer.

"Yes," she said quietly. "I'd rather not talk about it."

"Don't you worry, dear, it was rude of me to ask. Now settle down in one of the clean beds and I'll bring those potions along," Madame Richter said, her footsteps coming closer to the door.

Tom turned around quickly to leave, but Madam Richter had already opened the door.

"Oh, Mr. Riddle!" she exclaimed. "Can I help you?"

A bed creaked inside and Tom caught Hermione leaning over with a wince to look at him. She eyed him suspiciously, but there was another emotion behind it. It couldn't possibly be fear, could it?

"Excuse me, Madam Richter, I just wanted to make sure Miss Granger found her way back alright," Tom said with a charming smile, which the woman returned.

"That's very kind of you, Mr. Riddle. And as it just so happens, I've got to run to Professor Slughorn for a few needed ingredients if you wouldn't mind keeping Miss Granger company, and making sure she doesn't run off again?"

Tom barely held back his smirk as Hermione stiffened and noticeably swallowed. "Of course, Madam Richter."

The older witch smiled gratefully and took off down the hall toward the dungeons. Tom took slow, elaborate steps with his hands in his pockets, looking at Hermione innocently.

"You were listening," she said. It wasn't a question.

"I'll admit, I got a little curious about our battle-ready newcomer," Tom replied.

"And how much did you hear?"

"What repercussions was Madam Richter talking about?" Tom asked in answer to her question.

"That's none of your business," Hermione said stiffly. "And it was completely wrong of you to listen to a private conversation like that."

"I do apologize," Tom said with no ounce of remorse. "I simply wanted to know more about the new girl since she wouldn't tell me herself."

"That's what being kind and gaining trust is for. Otherwise, backstories don't matter," Hermione answered, turning her head away from him.

"They do if the person of interest magically shows up half beaten and covered in grime."

Hermione visibly flinched at this, and Tom almost regretted his words.

"Well, I'll leave you be if you don't wish to – "

"I don't."

The two sat in silence for the remaining minutes as they waited for Madam Richter to return with her ingredients for Hermione's bone mending potion. When she did come back, Tom immediately excused himself, annoyed that the new arrival was so difficult.

He usually had great influence over those residing in Hogwarts. All but Professor Dumbledore of course; Tom sensed Dumbledore had been suspicious of him from the start, but that wasn't too important. Tom had eyes all over the school, he didn't doubt he'd find out who Hermione Granger was in no time, even if Dumbledore tried to keep him from it.

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A little shorter of a chapter, but I hope it being in Tom's point of view makes up for it!

I'm super bad at naming chapters, but I thought I'd try it out. If you have any suggestions let me know!