Can't run from time

Hermione spent the next few days in a haze of confusion and sadness. Her encounter with Tom in the Chamber of Secrets had left her shaken, and broken. Tom had been ignoring her all week. Glaring and scoffing was their only interaction.

One evening, Tom approached her in the library, his expression unreadable. "Hermione, we need to talk."She nodded, closing her book and following him to a secluded corner of the library. She was surprised he was talking to her again so soon. They sat down, and for a moment, there was only silence between them.

 "I didn't mean to call you that. I was angry, and I took it out on you."Tom began, his voice low. Hermione sighed, her heart aching. "It's all right, Tom. I know you have a lot of anger inside you. But I want to understand why."Tom looked at her, his eyes dark and stormy. "I just can't believe my dark lady is a mud- muggleborn." 

She looked at him in pain. "Im sorry" she summered, looking away. He cupped her chin, and fulled her face to him. But his eyes were still full of rage. "You want to know my story? Fine. I'll tell you." 

He took a deep breath, and for the first time, Hermione saw a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. "My mother was Merope Gaunt, a descendant of Salazar Slytherin. She lived in a rundown shack with her brother Morfin and their father Marvolo. They were both mad, obsessed with their pureblood heritage. I'm only telling you what ive heard and researched, ive never met them.."

Hermione listened intently, her heart breaking for the young Tom. "One day, she fell in madly love with a filthy Muggle, Tom Riddle Sr. She used a love potion to make him marry her because he found her and 'her kind' disgusting. But she was stupid and still had feelings for the bitch. And they had conceived me. But the stupidest part is when she stops giving him the potion, hoping he'll really love her and his baby.." he paused, eyes gleaming red.

"He abandoned her when he found out. He was horrified, he had apparently beaten her, before fleeing. She was left alone, pregnant and heartbroken. The Gaunts didn't want to take the filthy blood traitor back"

Tom's voice grew colder. "She died giving birth to me, and I was left in an orphanage. The matron there, Mrs. Cole, was kind enough, but I never fit in. The other children were scared of me, and I had no friends. I discovered my powers early on and used them to control and frighten those around me."

Hermione felt a pang of sympathy. "That must have been so lonely for you."Tom nodded, his eyes distant. "It was. I hate that place. I hated being different, being unwanted. But when I came to Hogwarts, I found a new purpose. I discovered my heritage, my power. I vowed never to be weak or helpless again."

He looked at her, his gaze intense. "That's why I despise Muggles and Muggleborns. They remind me of my father, of the weakness and betrayal that defined my early life." he stopped and looked her in the eye "I vowed to rid the world of them"

Hermione reached out and took his hand, her eyes filled with tears. "Tom, Im so sorry. But hatred and cruelty won't fill that void inside you. You need to find another way."

Tom pulled his hand away, his expression hardening. "It's too late for that, Hermione. My path is set. and I dont want your pity" he spat. 

She looked down at her hands. "I understand if you dont want me to be at your side anymore" she whispered. 

He stood up and turned to leave before replying quietly "I want you at my side. Always"