A/N: They finally kissed! Sorry for it being so long life happens and unfortunately can't spend all my time writing no matter how much I wish I could be! I am attempting to pick up the pace while staying true to the store so the next few chapters may be a little jumpy! As always please like and review! Also sorry this one is so short I needed it to end where it did to move the story along in the next chapter!

Hermione spun around at the sound of her name being yelled from the porthole door. Druella came running in and up to her. Druella gripped Hermione in a crushing hug as she thanked her for her gifts. Hermione smiled and muttered a quick welcome before the girl flew into a frenzy of updating Hermione on what had happened the two weeks she was off.

When she was done she asked Hermione how her holidays were and how it was staying at the castle. Hermione couldn't help the blush that crept up her neck and into her cheeks. Druella picked up on it right away.

She rose an eyebrow, "What happened Hermione?"

Before Hermione could answer the boys of the group filed into the common room with Tom. They made eye contact which made Hermione's blush deepen. This did not escape Druella either, nor did it pass Evan.

Tom smiled and nodded towards the girls as they passed them, walking towards their rooms.

Druella turned back towards Hermione, "Okay now you have to tell me what happened?"

Hermione sighed, "I'm not even sure, to be honest. He kissed me on New Year's and we've been keeping each other company for the duration of the holidays but nothing has been made official."

Druella's mouth hung open, "oh my goodness Hermione! This is big news. Tom is certainly a catch. I wasn't sure if he was at all interested in relationships but clearly, he was just waiting until the right girl came along." Finishing off with an exaggerating wink.

Hermione chuckled, "Now don't get too far Druella. We haven't kissed again and not done anything other then what we've always done since. I don't know if it was just a New Year's kiss or something more."

By this time, Walburga and Philomena had entered the common room. Walburga questioned why Druella was acting so boisterous. Druella launched into telling them about the kiss. Hermione rolled her eyes but smiled at the fact that she had girlfriends to talk about this kind of stuff with.

The girls walked into their room, still talking about what happened during the holiday. It eventually drifted off into talking about what the girls did on their holidays.

By the time they had caught up, it was dinner time and they met the boys in the common room and walked towards the Great Hall.

Along the way Evan fell back and began to walk beside Hermione, "I wanted to thank you for your gift. It was incredibly thoughtful."

Hermione smiled, "you're welcome Evan I'm very glad you liked it."

They got to the hall and all sat down. Tom making sure to sit next to Hermione, glaring at Evan as he sat next to her on the other side. Chatter rang in the hall, everyone catching up.

Classes resumed the next day so they retired early. Again she and Tom shared lingering looks but nothing more as they parted ways towards their rooms. Instead of over-analyzing she just shrugged with Druella sent her a quizzical look at the exchange.

Hermione got into bed and fell asleep wondering what would happen next.