Tom's POV

I had never realized the vastness of the Forbidden Forest before, it was huge. I was sure I had been wandering for days, and still hadn't seen anything that resembled civilization. Not that I had really been trying to though, I don't think the world is ready for me.

Over the past couple days I had started putting my plan further into action. I had been readying myself for the creation of my Horcruxes, of course, I couldn't start making them. To do that I needed a few special items, one of which, I figured I would need to return to Hogwarts.

A flash of something bright caught my eye. I looked up, there was a flickering light, distinct in darkness of the forest at night. I kept as quiet as possible. I had put up protection spells, no one should be able to see me.

Footsteps got closer to me, voices started to fill the forest.

"I could've sworn I saw something over here."

"It was probably an animal Ronald." The second voice was sarcastic, I recognized that voice.

"No Mione, I saw something else this time."

It was Hermione, that meant the other voice belonged to Ronald Chase, the idiot. I had hoped to deal with him.

"Ron, you said that last time too." The sound of her voice warmed my heart but somehow it made me angry at the same time, What was she doing here with him, after what he had done.

After that they seemed to quiet down, the only way I could tell they were still there was the breaking of the branches under their feet.

I cautiously took a breath in. The feeling of being watched, and knowing you were, but they couldn't actually see you.

I heard someone start muttering and immediately I paled. She was taking down the protection spells I had put up. I had to get out of here, I disapparated with a loud crack. The noise made me wince, they would know that I was there, but I really didn't have another choice.