Braving the Past

Chapter 30: Memories

So I watched Valerian  earlier this week, and I absolutely fell in love with this song!! Listen to it, it's amazing <3

《 ▪ 》

The warm summer breeze and lightly rustling leaves did nothing to calm the mind of Tom Riddle. In fact, they angered him more.

He had been searching relentlessly for the powerful wizard known as Lord Voldemort, and though it had only been two days since leaving Hermione, it had felt like weeks. Most people he questioned would cower from him, claiming they didn't associate with muggles or mudbloods. He soon caught on that they thought he was their time's dark wizard, and he used that to his advantage.

Not many people knew just who his followers were, but he had gathered that they called themselves 'Death Eaters' – an intriguing name that Tom was sure he had thought up himself in his later years. It was only a matter of time before he came in contact with one of the brutes and, worst case scenario which didn't seem too harmful in his mind, Tom would use Legilimency to delve into their mind and dig up what they knew about Lord Voldemort's whereabouts.

Tom sat in a particularly shrouded area of woods, having put an invisibility charm around his camp just to be safe. He had easily acquired a tent and other necessities from some horrified wizards, casting a memory charm on them afterwards. He couldn't have people going around and talking about his strange behavior just yet, now could he?

Tom stared down intently at his wand, deep in thought. As he listened to the annoying crickets chirping incessantly and nearby shrubs crunching as tiny animals scurried about, completely unaware of his presence, he thought of Hermione.

He could have easily taken a comfortable home; his followers were more than willing to give up what they had at a mere glance. But he found himself thinking that Hermione would not be too pleased with him if she were to find out.

And knowing her, she would most definitely find out.

Why had he left her? He tried to tell himself that this mission's importance warranted such an action, but he couldn't help but feel as if he had taken ten steps backwards by his actions. Tom could still clearly see her distressed face as she shouted at him to come back – she had wanted him to stay with her, so why had he let her go?

It was because deep down, he sensed that she still didn't completely trust him. Hermione only wanted him to stay so that she could keep a close eye on him. In all honesty, the revelation had stung.

Tom knew she did not mean for him to travel time with her. As soon as he had seen Boot's fingers slip and twist the necklace, he knew he would lose Hermione if he didn't act fast. So he had grabbed her. If he couldn't get her to stay in his time, he would just have to leave with her.

But the surprise and fear on her face had said it all. She didn't want him there; she never had. She had played him like a game of wizard's chess, and had beat him by manipulation. He had clearly stated his feelings several times over, which made Tom all the more angry at himself. How had he allowed himself to become so weak? He had let a simple woman sneak into his mind and destroy all his carefully laid out plans.

It was that fact that led Tom to make the rash decision he had. His curiosity was ever raging, and if he couldn't create and live his prized future himself, he would just have to see what had become of it and take liberties where he could. It had been a split-second decision, and had tugged at his heart to see Hermione's desperation and worry.

He would go back to her of course. As soon as he discovered what had become of himself, he would return to Hogwarts where she had undoubtedly taken refuge. He was already quite proud of how his future self had turned out; all the fear, destruction and mayhem that he caused.