Can't run from time

The Great Hall was filled with worried chatter. Every Hogwarts student and professor had been called there under urgent orders. Even the floating candles, usually so bright, flickered and dimmed, mirroring the unsettled atmosphere. The teachers stood tall at the doors, their eyes scanning the gathered faces.

"Tonight, we face an unexpected threat," Professor Binns announced, his voice grave. 

"Grindelwald has entered Hogwarts despite our defenses."

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the hall. Tom Riddle's eyes darted around the room. Where is she? he thought, his chest tightening. He barely heard the rest of the speech. Hermione was supposed to be here.

 She was supposed to be standing next to him, protected..

"We will now do a count, please go to your houses, prefects, head girl, head boy please come forward and assist."

As the counts began Tom's stomach was in Knots. Where was she?

A painful half hour later all the head of houses announced they had everyone.. except Slytherin. Slughorn announced loudly " We are missing Mrs Hermione Riddle and Mr Abraxas Malfoy.." 

Everyone mummered fearfully. 

The teachers were wasting time talking, they had to go out and find her!?!?!

 Tom made his decision. Without waiting, he sprinted out the hall, his strides long and purposeful. Prefects and teachers shouted at him to stay put, but he glared and continued walking out.

---meanwhile 

Hermione shivered, the icy wind biting through her cloak. The Hogwarts garden was filled with ice. She glared at Abraxas Malfoy, who had led her out here.

"I needed to speak to you," Abraxas said, his voice low, almost urgent.

"Here? Now?" Hermione demanded. "The school is under attack, Malfoy. We don't have time for this."

His expression hardened before softening into something oddly vulnerable. "This might be my only chance," he whispered, stepping closer. "I need you to know—I've always admired you. You're different, Hermione. Stronger. Smarter. You are everything. The strongest girl in this time. I want you to know that I want to help you be free of Tom, to go home... but I also want to be selfish, and ask you to be with me.."

She blinked, momentarily stunned. "Abraxas, you can't—"

But before she could finish, he pulled her close, his lips pressing against hers. Shock and anger collided within her. She shoved him away with every ounce of strength, chest heaving.

"Don't—" she began, but her words faltered as the air thickened with dark magic. It was as if all warmth had been sucked away. Abraxas stumbled, eyes wide with fear. The shadows around them twisted unnaturally, forming a shape that made Hermione's blood run cold.

The figure that stepped forward wore a mocking smile. It was Tom...

"Tom! I- I didnt- I wasn't -"

"How could you? After all I've done for you? Honestly you are such a whore granger.." he smirked

Granger? Wait, something wasn't right... Hermione clutched her wand. 'tom' noticed and dulled out his own wand. "Very clever.. you instantly knew something was wrong.. good work for a slut..." 

Lights flashed and the illusion broke. It was Grindelwald.

 "Such a touching moment it was," he drawled, voice dripping with venom. "I wonder how your husband would react..."

Hermione shouted "Expelliamus" but the dark wizard moved faster. Pain exploded through her body. She crumpled to the ground, her screams echoing through the trees. Next to her, Abraxas writhed, caught in the same torment. Grindelwald's laugh was a low, chilling rumble. They both fell unconscious as Grindelwald used a floating charm and strode towards the forest, dragging their bodies behind him. "COME GET ME ALBUS! COME SAVE YOUR PATHETIC STUDENTS" he screamed loudly, laughing as he walked.

---
Back at the castle, Tom was a storm of fury and desperation. He had no other choice but to ask for help.. Dumbledore..

He ran to the office and found Dumbledore on his way to the hall.

"She's gone!" he snarled, his eyes burning with barely controlled panic. "Hermione is missing!"

"Thank you mister riddle. Go back to the safety of the hall and-"

"NO! Don't you get it old man? She's gone and if you don't help then I- i..." he trailed off, realising his 'nice' act was over.

Dumbledore's gaze was hard. "We will find her."Together, they set out around the castle.  Tom's heart pounded with every step. He would tear the world apart to find her.. even if that meant going against Dumbledore to get there.