I didn't need to make sure Hermione was with me at times. This she would do naturally, stay as close to me as my own shadow would, the only thing I had a problem with now was how her spitfire personality seemed to have been undone. I didn't like this hollow Hermione, I realised over time that I actually enjoyed our little arguments and the opinions she'd formed against me. She had a voracious mind, and with this curse it only left a dull replica of her in its place. And I was getting bored.

It was morning and we were both walking down to the Great Hall, Hermione walking on my right. She looked up at me with her pretty brown eyes, a frown suddenly appeared on her face.

"What." I said impatiently.

"Tom I don't know where we're going. What's happening now?" She asked quietly. "Are we going to classes?"

I sighed, feeling defeated. I hadn't ever seen Hermione looking as helpless as now, and it did send a thrill through me that I was the one that did this to her. She was mine to use and exploit. But it was becoming irritating. Every day had been the same since I had cursed her. She'd be asking me numerous questions about everything, as though I was her parent and she was a child. It was getting on my nerves, it was better toying with an independent woman instead of a person with a childlike personality.

"We are going to have breakfast. And then after that we have our classes." I explained.

"Thank you." Hermione said.

"For what?" I turned down to her in confusion.

"You're helping me." She smiled at me and I felt bad all of a sudden, completely thrown off guard. She was thanking me. I hadn't helped her at all. In fact I had ensured she wouldn't ever know true happiness and leaving her to only know me and what I wanted.

I had prioritised myself over her wellbeing. I never knew how to process emotions, but right now I felt even emptier than I had before.

I watched as she walked ahead of me about 10 steps before stopping to see if I was still with her. I wish she would've done this without being cursed. It would've been something to see her just following me of her own free will, without being manipulated by me and the curse I had given her.

I got to the Slytherin table, Hermione making sure to sit right beside me. Jade was sitting opposite us, she looked from me to Hermione in disgust. I got up, suddenly not being able to stomach anything any longer. I had to get away. I had to clear my head.

"Tom?" Hermione called. "Tom?"

I looked back to the Slytherin table to see Hermione looking extremely lost and confused. "Where are you going? Do you want me to come?"

"No." I clenched my jaw. "You can stay over there and go to classes with the others today."

I left shortly after, students parting easily as they saw me coming. It didn't take me long to get to the boys bathroom, I stood in front of the sink before me staring at my reflection in the mirror. My hands were shaking. What the hell was happening to me?

I turned the tap on, icy water blasted out of the faucet, I splashed my face to shake some sense into myself.

"Tom?" I spun around to see Jade Black standing at the doorway.

"What the fuck have you done to Hermione?" Her voice was devoid of all emotion. "I don't think I can stand to see her like that. I don't know what you are trying to gain here but you need to end this."

I walked over to her, clearly her bravery was just a front because she flinched when I got nearer.

"This has nothing to do with you. At all."

"She's my friend. It has everything to do with me. I'm going to Dumbledore. I don't care what you say, or what you're going to do."