In 1935, Hermione Granger meets a boy in an orphanage who despises fairy stories, liars, and mediocrity. He offers her a deal of mutual convenience, and soon a tentative friendship forms between them—if Tom would ever lower himself to call anyone a "friend".

But whatever they have, it's something special, and if there's anyone who can appreciate Specialness, it's Tom Riddle.

1930's-40's Childhood Friends AU.