I woke up beneath cozy blankets, a slight chill was felt on my forehead. I blinked, coming to my senses to find Madam Pomfrey holding a damp rag to my head.

"It's ok dear, you're all right now. You've been asleep all day. Lucky you were in good hands when you collapsed, I fear what would've happened if Riddle wasn't around to save you."

"What?" I cleared my throat. "What do you mean?" My head hurt like hell. I was starting to fear that I would always end up waking up like this.

"That dress you wore to the Winter Ball," Madam Pomfrey gave me a very significant look, "Well, it had been cursed with very powerful dark Magic. Tom reversed it, I don't know how he managed to do that. He's brilliant at the best of times, that one. Its a pity that it is a side of him not many get to see. Headmaster Dippet was very grateful for his quick thinking."

I sat up.

"Where is he?" I asked her. I had a million things running through my mind and the last thing I really wanted to do was engage in idle conversation with Madam Pomfrey.

"Headmaster Dippet? In his office."

"No- I mean Tom."

"He was here a moment ago when you were still asleep." She told me. "And speaking of which, he left something for you. He asked me if I could give it to you once you awoke."

"He did?"

Madam Pomfrey walked over to the tiny table beside my bed and gave me a single rose and a neatly folded piece of parchment.

"I understand you might want to be alone, after all it's only natural after the ordeal you've been through. If you need me, just call." With a nod, she left me to be alone.

I looked at the single rose. It was really quite beautiful. Someone had even taken the time to cut the thorns off it. I smiled, opening the letter. Very neat cursive spelt my name at the very top of the page, inked in Tom's familiar script.

Hermione,

I should think that when you read this letter you will be conscious once again and I myself will not be far away. Shalini Black is dead, as is the Witch who was assisting her with her schemes. Her sister Jade has left Hogwarts for good as of yesterday. Forgive me, for I had no other choice but to avenge you. It has been two days since you were last conscious. I know you don't this, but you very nearly died. I only ask that you understand me.

As for the rose, I hand picked it myself from the garden. Call me sentimental if you will. But it reminded me of you. Make sure to drink water. And do not leave the Hospital Wing.

Yours sincerely,

Tom

I closed the letter, folding it back neatly. Tom had murdered Shalini. Jade had left Hogwarts. My mind felt like it was going to explode. I lay back down on the soft hospital bed, the letter still in my hand. The sunlight streamed through the window behind my head. It looked about late afternoon outside. I blinked twice, suddenly feeling sleepy again. I was drifting into a deep sleep when I felt a cold hand touch mine.

"Falling asleep with my letter in your hand. How sweet."

My eyes flew open in shock, the tall dark figure of Tom Riddle beside me jolting me to my senses. He was laughing, standing beside me, his dark eyes amused as they watched me come to my senses.

"Where the hell did you come from?" I spluttered. Tom looked around in mock surprise.

"Through the door? Like a normal person?"

I couldn't help it. I laughed.

"Well," I said bitterly, "Acting like a normal person.... That's a first."

"It could be worse," Tom said. "I could be lying in a Hospital Bed recovering from a curse."

"Gosh." I said sarcastically. "Because I've had no experience with being cursed before." I rolled over in bed, away from him. Maybe if I closed my eyes he would leave.

Apparently not.

"I wanted to help you." Tom sat on the edge of my bed. His voice was quiet, I had to listen hard to hear him. "After I found out what Shalini did to you that night, something came over me. I just wanted to kill someone. I did kill someone. Two people. I don't understand myself when I'm near you. I could've annihilated everyone in that Hall. And no one could've stopped me."

"You could've stopped yourself." I only realised I was pissed off until I heard the derisive note in my voice. Tom was the only one responsible for his actions and he never seemed to allow himself to be accountable for them. I should have felt grateful, but I was feeling panicked again.

"What are you thinking." Tom asked me after a pause.

I rolled back over to face him. "Don't you feel like you can control how you act? I mean, I'm grateful that you saved me. I could be dead right now if it wasn't for you. But it... scares me how you seem to always be overcome by something you can't control."

"Vengeance is not something the best of us can control. If I killed someone you loved, then you would understand how I feel."

You already have killed several people I love I felt like yelling at him. But after I thought about it, I realised he actually hadn't killed anyone I loved yet. This was his time, the days before he grew into the Wizard the entire world feared. Would it be fair if started ripping into him about this now? He wouldn't even understand what I was talking about.

"I am not like other guys." Tom said lowly. "I'm dangerous. And not the Muggle definition of the word either. I am powerful and unstoppable. And I have never met a single person who dared to challenge me on this path I am walking. There is no wizard who could match me."

"What about Dumbledore?" I asked.

"What about Dumbledore?" Tom said in an terrible tone. "That old moron has nothing on me. Sure, he's powerful enough. But he's stupid. He will never reach the level of success I have."

"He's already very successful. And you don't have half of his experience." I didn't care that I was pissing Tom off. I couldn't just lay here and let him insult my friend and the greatest Headmaster Hogwarts ever had.

"Dumbledore is nothing compared to me." The hand Tom had on my waist tightened slightly. "It's a shame really."

"What is?" I frowned.

"I was starting to think you were similar to me." Tom stood, straightening his tie. "Clearly you've got a lot of growing to do."

"Tom, don't leave. Wait." I sat up, my head pounding painfully.

"What, Hermione?" Tom said coldly. He looked like the devil incarnate head to toe in black, a wickedly scathing look on his face.

"You can't love. So you don't know what you're saying."

"Oh," Tom shot me a flat look. "This shit again. I'm going to go and let you get some more rest. Clearly you need it."