The room spun as she stood in the eye of the storm — at the center of swirling paintings and wooden splinters, gold and silver spinning around her in a blur. Her eyes locked on Draco's, still crouching low, untouched by the walls of the storm. Something passed over his face, and he tore his gaze to the floor.

She had to reach him.

Her fingers gripped Daphne's wand, and she summoned her energy to shoot spell after spell at the wind. But they were caught in the eyewall, the force of her magic crackling up the walls like lightning. A shadow shifted in front of her — Tom Riddle, watching her closely.

She thought of Harry as she stared at him. Of Fred and Luna, Remus and Cho. And her vision went white with rage. She paced, fingers trembling to strangle him as his face stretched in an amused leer. She shot her arm through, and a wooden chair quickly caught her in the stomach, crumpling her to the ground. She curled on her side as the pain blossomed, tasting blood in her mouth.

"Draco Malfoy." Tom Riddle's voice drifted to her like a purr in her ear. "Purest of blood, and heir to the great Malfoy line. Loyal servant to the great Lord Voldemort."

Hermione's chin lifted. Through the stars in her vision, she saw Riddle tilt his head, serpentine in his movements.

"And yet, you come to betray him."

Draco looked up from where he knelt, like a knight swearing fealty.

Tom Riddle looked over at her and smirked. "My mother was also tempted by the beauty of a Muggle," he said to Draco. "But I've seen inside of you now, Draco." With an elegant bend to his knees, Riddle dropped in front of him, meeting his eyes. "It's not her beauty that did you in."

Hermione's breath caught, and she pushed herself up by the elbows. "He's manipulating you!" A snap of Riddle's fingers, and the wind howled louder, silencing her.

She stumbled to her feet, ignoring the pain in her head as she watched Draco stare down the ghost of Tom Riddle. Apart from the muscle ticking in his jaw, he was perfectly still.

"I believe that was your Aunt Bellatrix's fatal mistake this evening." Riddle tutted, and Hermione shivered, the sound crawling beneath her skin. "She assumed you would be satisfied with a replica." He gestured in Hermione's direction. "But I've seen your heart. I've broken through your brick walls and cracked open your jewelry boxes."

Draco's eyes flickered to her, wide and terrified. Her heart rattled inside her ribs.

"No, no, Draco," Riddle said, and Draco's eyes darted back to him. "I want your loyalty. And as your aunt can attest, killing this girl won't get it." Riddle smiled, leaning into his ear. "I can give you what you want."

"I don't want anything—"

"Security. Protection. No more hiding in the shadows with her." Riddle studied him, and with the grace of a predator, he gripped Draco's shoulder. "You know how easily she could be cast aside. And you know who'll be waiting in the shadows to take her from you."