Hermione took her time eating breakfast; she had a lot of thinking to do. She looked up at the teacher's table, oddly. Severus wasn't there. She was secretly thankful, as she was planning how to thank him for the lovely gift. Hermione left the table and headed back to her dormitory, she had a lot of work to do.

As she rummaged through her trunk, Hermione found what she was looking for, a photo album. As she flicked through the photos, she found one that was just right. She took it out, placed it in a spare frame, and examined it. In the picture were Harry, Ron, Ginny and herself on Christmas morning in Grimmauld Place a few years ago, everyone smiling and waving in the picture. She then wrote the card.

Ginny, I'm sorry. I never meant for our friendship to slip away. I consider you one of my best friends. Probably the only one I have here. I just feel so isolated after everything that has happened. I know nothing can be how it was, but in time, I think things will get easier. I just need the space and time to get my head clear. If you can be patient with me, someday I feel I'll be able to fit in again. But for now, I think it's best if I am on my own for a while. Your friend, Hermione.

She then went to the sixth year's dormitory, and placed the photo and the card on Ginny's bed.

Again, Hermione returned to her own room and wrote letters of thanks to Harry, Ron, and Mrs Weasley. But now was the hardest letter she had to write.

Severus. Thank you for the Christmas present, it is beautiful. I feel slightly guilty and unprepared, as I haven't gotten you anything. Although, I doubt I could get anything you would see as an appropriate or useful gift. So, as my Christmas present to you, I would like you to join me for dinner this evening at seven o clock. I will meet you at your quarters. Please reply as soon as is convenient. Hermione.

She then went to the owlery to send the letters to Harry, Ron, and Mrs Weasley. Finally, she made her way to the dungeons before preparing everything for that evening.

Severus was in his quarters; he didn't care to join the other professors at breakfast. They would only be gabbling about what they received as Christmas presents, something he didn't wish to sit through. He would have been faced with some embarrassing questions as to what he had received, which was nothing as usual. Instead, he sat in front of the fire in his rooms, a cup of tea on the table in front of him, and thought about the previous night's events. It was out of character for him to have behaved like that. He shouldn't have said, nor done the things he did, but when he was around Hermione, he couldn't help himself. The barriers he had worked so hard to put up and maintain around himself just crumbled when he was with her. She had such power over him, even though she was not aware of it. Now came the anguish, the uncertainty of not knowing what to do. He knew it was highly improbable that she felt the same way. She would just see a cruel, sarcastic, brutal old man, who in her six years of attending Hogwarts had at every opportunity, put her down in every way imaginable. Yet there was some hope. After all, she had asked him to sit with her, and she hadn't rejected his offer of coming back to his private rooms. Then there was the kiss. That glorious, breath-taking kiss. She wouldn't have done that if she didn't feel something for him. It was then that he noticed an envelope under his door. He crossed the room, picked it up and sat back down in front of the roaring fire. As his eyes travelled over the parchment, a smile crept upon his face. There was hope after all. He rushed over to his desk to get a new piece of parchment, and wrote a reply.

Hermione, I did not intend to make you feel in any way guilty by my gift. I merely wanted to give you something as a token of my gratitude for last night. I consider the kiss we shared as present enough. However, I would not be a gentleman if I declined your invitation. Therefore, I would be honoured to have dinner with you. Until then, Severus.

He sent the message, went back to the couch, and drank the now cold cup of tea.

As the clock approached seven, Hermione was nervous. She was sure she had everything, including herself, ready. Yet she couldn't stop the butterflies in her stomach, or the fluttering of her heart. She checked herself in the mirror one last time. She wore a knee length, sky blue dress that showed a tasteful amount of flesh without it looking trashy. She had placed her hair up in a bun, but let a few stray curls frame her face and hang down the nape of her neck. Her makeup was neutral, only a hint of rouge on her lips. She put her cloak on over this; she didn't want to arouse the suspicions of teachers or students if they came across any. Although this would be unlikely, as they would be in the Great Hall eating dinner. Hermione mustered all of her Gryffindor courage and made her way to Severus's quarters.

Hermione knocked tentatively at the door that almost immediately was answered.

"Hermione," said Severus simply.

"Are you ready?" Hermione asked her nerves calming down as she saw the smile spread across his face.

"Certainly," he replied, and he followed Hermione along the corridors until she stopped in front of a blank piece of wall. He was puzzled, and then it dawned on him… the Room of Requirement!

Hey everyone! Many thanks for your wonderful reviews, it's why I keep writing! Also huge thanks to my beta L'Vanna for making this story better than it was.

Reminder, they don't belong to me, but I wish they did!