This is my first fanfic ever. Review, please, and thank you for taking the time to read.

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Tick. Tick. Tick.

Minerva anxiously watched her clock while she waited for nine o' clock to roll around. The image of Tom entered her mind once again and she smiled dreamily.

A small girl by the name of Rosanna looked at Minerva and rolled her eyes. "Really, Min, you've been waiting for him to ask you out during nighttime patrol for the past six months," she said, plopping down on her bed with Quidditch Through the Ages lying open in front of her. "Don't you think that if he wanted to, he'd have done it by now?"

Minerva sighed. "You can't rush love," was her answer. She reached for her brush and neatened her long black hair for the umpteenth time.

She wondered what would happen if she and Tom really did become an item. Her parents would undoubtedly be crushed. It was out of the question for the rich, Gryffindor daughter of two Ministry officials to be with poor, orphaned Tom Riddle. She absolutely must marry a rich man, according to her parents.

Dong! Dong! Dong! Minerva jumped up and looked at her clock, which was telling her that it was time to go down to the Defence Against the Dark Arts corridor to meet Tom.

As always, Tom was leaning on the wall waiting for her. Minerva felt hot sparks jumping around in her stomach just from looking at him. For some reason, leaning made him seem even more attractive than he already was.

"Oh, hello there, Minerva," Tom greeted her, his scintillating, deep brown eyes resting on her beady green ones. "Are you ready to begin the patrol?"

As usual, Minerva was lost in his brilliant eyes for several seconds, until clearing her throat awkwardly and responding with a meek, "Yes."

Tom smiled his handsome one-sided smile and began strolling toward the corridor's exit. Minerva followed suit. She waited for him to start conversation with her, like he did every night, but when she heard his words she could hardly believe it.

"Do you like me?"

Minerva let out a tiny gasp which, she dearly hoped, was inaudible even to Tom. She thought for a moment, wondering whether Tom was teasing or really asking her.

"Yes."

To her surprise, Tom smiled widely and asked, "How much so?"

Minerva looked down at the ground. "Um," she mumbled. "A lot."

She felt a hand on her chin. It lifted her head up so that her face was just inches away from Tom's. "I can't hear you," he said softly. "Tell me again."

Minerva swallowed, but then she felt a sudden surge of confidence. The same feeling she got whenever she answered a question in class. "I like you a lot," she declared.

"Good." And with that, he wrapped his arms around her waist and closed the remaining space between them. Their lips met.

Minerva simply stood there wide-eyed for the first few moments, but suddenly relaxation flowed through her as if she had just been given a Draught of Peace. She gently took hold of Tom and kissed him back like her life depended on it.

Several hours later, or so it seemed, they released each other. Minerva nearly melted on the spot, and Tom seemed to notice this. "I think I can finish up patrol by myself," he told her. "You go on ahead to bed."

Tom watched Minerva as she did as requested. Once she was out of sight he leaned onto the nearest wall. Silently he smoothed down his hair and smirked to himself. His job here was done.