The days were like something out of someone else's life. I didn't end up mentioning to Dumbledore what had happened to me, choosing instead to spend what little time I had left with him going over books on defensive magic to use against Tom, and powerful enchantments I could use to protect my mind. The days we shared together were like a dream I didn't want to wake up from. Dumbledore was a sure father figure, the most familiar thing in the past so far. At least when I got back to the future and had to live in the present without him I could look back on this moment and treasure it. I barely did get to spend time with Dumbledore in my own days at Hogwarts, it was always Harry who was his wing man. I woke up in the morning with a heavy heart. Today I was going back to Hogwarts. I wasn't ready to go. When the hour finally came, I stood with my beaded bag before the fireplace in Dumbledores cosy home, staring at the grate with trembling knees and a cold feeling in my heart. This was it. I was going back to my own personal demon.

"After you, Hermione." Dumbledore stood a small distance apart.

I stepped into the grate, taking Floo powder in my hand from a small bag in the fireplace.

"Hogwarts." I said clearly. I threw the powder at my feet and instantly green flames sparked, rising high around me. Gently warm and blindingly bright, they encircled me leaving me left to see nothing else. The next thing I knew, I was eclipsed by darkness, and the familiar twisting feeling of enclosed me, gripping my lungs leaving me short of breath. Just when I felt like I couldn't handle it anymore I found myself in Headmaster Dippets fireplace. I jerked forward on trembling legs. What the hell was Tom going to do when he saw me? Nerves sparked inside, my heart rate going a hundred miles a minute. Is this what true fear felt like?

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes a moment trying to clear my head.

Dumbledore was the next to appear within mere moments of me, stepping out of the grate with a grace I knew I had definitely lacked. There was no sign of Headmaster Dippet, for that I was glad.

"I better head off to the Slytherin Dorm." I said finally. I couldn't hide the disappointment on my face, something Dumbledores sharp

blue eyes picked up easily.

"No one is ever truly alone, Hermione. It would pay for you to remember that."

It was something to think about when I made my way back down the spiral staircase. It was like this was my first day in the past again, everything felt new and terrifying. Although I had a sneaking suspicion of what Tom may have in store for me, I can honestly say that the sight of him leaning against the wall outside the office entrance was enough to make me jump out of my skin.

"So. You've returned." He said by way of greeting. "Did your little vacation do you any good?"

It wasn't a surprise to see those cold black eyes glint in fury, or that jaw stiffen. I found myself frozen beneath his paralysing look. If I looked deeper into his eyes I would've seen my pale face even whiter in shock.

Ok. I couldn't let this bastard get under my skin.

"Yes, it was brilliant." I said in a controlled voice. "It was just what I needed, actually."

I began to walk, Tom pushed off from the wall and kept pace easily beside me. My heart was racing. I wasn't expecting to find him standing out here waiting for me. How did he know I was going to return? Who told him?

"A lot has happened since you've been gone." He said quietly. His voice was low, hard to read. "It was a pity that you couldn't have been here."

"And why is that?" I heard myself ask as if from a distance.

"Funny that you of all people should care to ask." His voice was edged in amusement, and I had no idea why. "I have been working on a particular spell. Until quite recently I was having some issues with it, and then much to my delight last night I had a break through."

A break through.

"What spell was that?" The familar fear was creeping back into my mind. This wasn't sounding good at all.

"It's advanced magic." Tom paused. "It's not anything you would have learnt here, I'm certain of it. But I can show you."

We had just reached the Slytherin Common Room entrance, when I realised he had stopped in his tracks behind me. I turned, and in one single second he had gripped my hand, and with his wand at the ready slashed a deep cut into it. I screamed.

"Qui in mentem nobis fiet" He said clearly, gripping my bleeding hand in his own.

"Et flectere voluntatem meam

sententiae meae tam multae sunt et submittere."

A wave of dizziness hit me, and I collapsed into his arms.