The entire morning had been one big awkward silent disaster Naruto had been wanting to talk with Hermione about what had almost happened earlier that morning in the common room. However, she was too mad at Ron for trying to kick her cat and Harry for his firebolt broomstick.

It was clear enough to Naruto that he wasn't the only one who wanted to discuss the morning's event if the looks Hermione was sending his way every so often as if she wanted to say something but instead thought better of it were any indication. This whole situation had given Naruto time to pause and think the last girl he had liked enough to want and try and kiss was Sakura-chan sure Naruto had always thought the painter girl was very pretty but he had not thought of her for quite some time now that he was finding it difficult to remember what exactly it was about her that made him want to ask her out all the time

Looking up from the spellbook Dumbledore had given him once again he stared at Hermione and she read her large book while every so often sending vicious glares at Harry's new broomstick. At first glance, it was pretty obvious how Sakura and Hermione were different. It was starting to give Naruto a headache how he could find two girls that were the opposite of each other attractive the whole thing was giving him a headache.

"Why do girls have to be so complicated?"Naruto thought to himself has Hermione looked up from her book and caught him staring at her the both became flustered and quickly looked the way from each that's when Naruto was suddenly struck by a brilliant idea instead of giving himself a headache why didn't he just ask a girl what all this stuff meant. However, that solution posed its problem as they were the only ones left in Gryffindor Tower and the school for that matter due to everyone wanting to escape the castle because of the dangerous criminal serious black it didn't leave Naruto with that many options of who you could ask.

"That's it," Naruto said as he stood up from the recliner he had been sitting in and quickly started to gather up his things as he made his way towards the portrait hole.

"What's it?"Ron asked as he looked over at the blond teen.

"Everything all right Naruto?" Harry asked wondering what had gotten the boy so worked up.

"What!?...re-yeah...I just remembered something... I have to... I see you guys at later." and without another word, Naruto had bolted out of Gryffindor Tower and was quickly making his way through the castle.

"Mental that one I'm telling you, "Ron said as he and Harry got back to admiring the firebolt, all the while Hermione was fighting with herself if she should go talk to Naruto or keep an eye on Harry and Ron.

Moving through the empty castle Naruto was able to get to his destination with relative ease and speed thanks to his knowledge of a few secret passages. Standing in front of a locked door Naruto started to knock.

" BANG!BANG!BANG!"

Naruto started to rapidly knock on the door. And a few seconds later the door opened and he was greeted by an angry Professor.

"Mr.Uzumaki what is the meaning of this!" Professor McGonagall said she adjusted her rob. It was clear to Naruto the older which and still been in bed.

"Minerva I need your help," Naruto said as he looked up at the woman. At this piece of information Professor McGonagall took on a more serious demeanor.

"Has something happened were is Miss. Granger." Professor McGonagall asked as most of the time she had seen the two of them were in each other's company, much like Potter and Weasley.

"That's what I need your help with it's Hermione, you see something happened this morning." Naruto started to explain.

"What has happened has there been an attack?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"What? no nothing like that Hermione's fine." Naruto said.

"Than what is so important that you feel the need to break my door down this early in the morning." Professor McGonagall demanded as she returned to her full fury once more.

"Well you see this morning we almost kissed ad now she won't talk to me, but she keeps on looking at me when she thinks I'm not looking. Did I do something wrong?" Naruto said hoping that the older woman had the answers he needed. Professor McGonagall became enraged only for it to vanish when she saw the honest pleading look in the blond teen's eyes.

"You'd best step inside Uzumaki," McGonagall said as she stepped aside to let the blond teen inside. walking past his head of house Naruto stepped inside a large well-furnished room with a few red and gold hanging tapestries decorating the room. along with several bookcases and a large open fireplace warming the room next to it which was a table with some chairs.

"Nice place," Naruto said as took a seat in one of the chairs.

"Yes, I'm glad you find my lodgings to your liking." Professor McGonagall said flatly as she took a seat at the table and with a quick wave of her wand a full tea set tray and biscuit appeared.

"Have a biscuit, Uzumaki" McGonagall said as she pointed to the food. "Now tell me what happened between you and Miss.Granger." As Naruto started to recount the early morning events Professor McGonagall proceeded to fix them some tea. the entire time Naruto talked all McGonagall did was listen to him till Naruto finally stopped.

"Uzumaki I want you to listen to me very carefully and do exactly what I'm about to tell you." At the words of his head of the house, Naruto sat up in his chair. "What happened today between you and Miss. Granger is perfectly natural the best thing you can talk things out with Miss. Granger then let things progress naturally in their own time." At this Naruto became even more confused than ever before. Which must have been clear.

"Mr. Uzumaki I am not sure if you have been giving the talk or not but there come a time when young men and women start to take interest in each other.

"You mean I'm starting to like Hermione," Naruto said already knowing a thing or two about puberty.

"tell me Uzumaki, what are your thoughts on Miss. Granger." McGonagall asked as she took a sip of her tea.

"Well, I think she's smart and nice to me, she's the first friend I made, my best friend," Naruto said with confidence in his voice, at this McGonagall got a very satisfied look on her face.

"Then there is nothing you should worry about you are both young and have plenty of time to figure out what you want, till then I would suggest for you to focus on your friendship," McGonagall said if it is meant to be it will be.

"Alright if that's what you think it should do," Naruto said not understanding. if they almost kiss made things this awkward how was trying to ignore it any better.

"Now if that is all, I believe is nearing lunchtime so why don't you head down to the great hall," McGonagall said as she vanished away from the tea tray.

"Oh, right well thank Minerva this was a big help," Naruto said leaving her room and making his way down the castle. When Naruto finally made it down to the Great Hall, to find that the House tables had been moved against the walls again and that a single table, set for twelve, stood in the middle of the room. Professors Dumbledore, Snape, Sprout, and Flitwick were there, along with Filch, the caretaker, who had taken off his usual brown coat and was wearing a very old and rather moldy-looking tailcoat. There were only two other students, two extremely nervous-looking first years and a sullen-faced Slytherin fifth year. Quickly taking a seat it wasn't long before Professor McGonagall arrived.

"Ah, Naruto my boy merry Christmas!" said Dumbledore as Naruto approached the table. While Naruto took the empty seat next to Dumbledore and across from Snape with McGonagall filling in the open spot to his right.

"Marry Christmas Oldman, Severus." Naruto greeted as he took his seat and got comfortable.

"Thanks for the spellbook I've already started to read through it," Naruto said.

"Think nothing of it my boy, and I must thank you for your wonderful gift as well," Dumbledore said happily as he recalled the scarf he had received from the blond teen. Not long after Harry, Ron, and Hermione approached the table.

"As there are so few of us, it seemed foolish to use the House tables. . . . Sit down, sit down!" Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat down side by side at the end of the table

"Crackers!" said Dumbledore enthusiastically, offering the end of a large silver noisemaker to Snape, who took it reluctantly and tugged. With a bang like a gunshot, the cracker flew apart to reveal a large, pointed witch's hat topped with a stuffed vulture. Naruto, remembering the boggart during his defense against the dark arts class, grinned; Snape's mouth thinned and he pushed the hat toward Dumbledore, who swapped it for his wizard's hat at once.

"Dig in!" he advised the table, beaming around. As Naruto was helping himself to roast potatoes, the doors of the Great Hall opened again. It was Professor Trelawney, gliding toward them as though on wheels. She had put on a green sequined dress in honor of the occasion, making her look more than ever like a glittering, oversized dragonfly.

"Sibyll, this is a pleasant surprise!" said Dumbledore, standing up.

"I have been crystal gazing, Headmaster," said Professor Trelawney in her mistiest, most faraway voice, "and to my astonishment, I saw

myself abandoning my solitary luncheon and coming to join you. Who am I to refuse the promptings of fate? I at once hastened from

my tower and I do beg you to forgive my lateness. . . ."

"Certainly, certainly," said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling. "Let me draw you up a chair —"

And he did indeed draw a chair in midair with his wand, which revolved for a few seconds before falling with a thud next to Professors Snape so that she was across from Professor McGonagall.

"But where is dear Professor Lupin?"

"I'm afraid the poor fellow is ill again," said Dumbledore, indicating that everybody should start serving themselves. "Most unfortunate that it should happen on Christmas Day."

"But surely you already knew that, Sibyll?" said Professor McGonagall, her eyebrows raised.

Professor Trelawney gave Professor McGonagall a very cold look.

"Certainly I knew, Minerva," she said quietly. "But one does not parade the fact that one is All-Knowing. I frequently act as though I am not possessed of the Inner Eye, so as not to make others nervous."

"That explains a great deal," said Professor McGonagall tartly, at this Naruto had to take a drink from his goblet to hide his laughter. Professor Trelawney's voice suddenly became a good deal less

misty.

"If you must know, Minerva, I have seen that poor Professor Lupin will not be with us for very long. He seems aware, himself, that his time is short. He positively fled when I offered to crystal gazefor him —"

"Imagine that," said Professor McGonagall dryly at this Naruto gave a loud laugh that he was able to turn into a fit of coughs.

"I doubt," said Dumbledore, in a cheerful but slightly raised voice, which put an end to Professor McGonagall and Professor

Trelawney's conversation, "that Professor Lupin is in any immediate danger. Severus, you've made the potion for him again?"

"Yes, Headmaster," said Snape said cooly

"Good," said Dumbledore. "Then he should be up and about in no time. . . . Naruto, have you had any of these chipolatas? They're excellent."

"Oh man, that's good," Naruto said as he took a bite of the food.

"So Naruto how have you been enjoying your first holiday at Hogwarts," Dumbledore asked the blonde.

"The castle looks amazing and I got presents for the first time," Naruto said with a genuine smile as he recanted his morning while leaving out Hermione.

"Hey Oldman, I was wondering am I going to stay in the castle during the summer holiday too?" This had been the first time Naruto thought about where he was going to stay once school was out.

"Not to worry Naruto arrangements will be made so you needn't worry about it. Once everything is in order we will go over the details." Dumbledore said as he took a dring from his goblet.

Professor Trelawney behaved almost normally until the very end of Christmas dinner, two hours later. Full to bursting with Christmas dinner and still wearing their party hats, Harry and Ron got up first from the table and she shrieked loudly.

"My dears! Which of you left his seat first? Which?"

"Dunno," said Ron, looking uneasily at Harry.

"I doubt it will make much difference," said Professor McGonagall coldly, "unless a mad ax-man is waiting outside the doors to

slaughter the first into the entrance hall."

Even Ron laughed. Professor Trelawney looked highly affronted.

"Coming?" Harry said to Naruto and Hermione.

"No," Hermione muttered, "I want a quick word with Professor McGonagall."

"Probably trying to see if she can give Naruto more classes," Ron said with a yawn.

"What about you Naruto?" Harry asked as he looked at the blond.

"In a bit, think I'll go for a walk around the Black Lake." Harry and Ron just nodded as they made their way into the entrance hall, leaving the Great Hall Naruto had no difficulty sneaking into the kitchens to grab some food for Sirius. Heading out to the whomping willow he deposited the food before tuning to towards the Black Lake. although everything was covered in snow Naruto had been able to easily make a bluebell flame thanks to a spell Hermione had taught him. taking a rear moment to think to himself Naruto found his mind wandering back to the hidden leaf and his life now. before Naruto know it the sun had already started to set.

"Oh man, was I out this long." Naruto side to himself as he vanished the blue flame with a wave of his wand and headed back towards the castle. It didn't take him too long to make it back to Gryffindor tower. stepping through the portrait hole he found Harry and a very angry-looking Ron in the common room.

"Hey, guys, where Hermione?" Naruto asked as he took a seat on the couch next to the fireplace.

"That traitor, she ran off to the girl's dormitory," Ron said bitterly as he looked at the staircase that lead to the girl's rooms.

"Traitor, what happened," Naruto asked confused at what Ron had said.

"She went and told McGonagall about Harry's firebolt and now she's confiscated it and is planning to strip it down," Ron said as Harry when into feather detail and explained to Naruto what had happened after they came back to the common room.

"Well she's not wrong," Naruto said thinking how Hermione had been able to guess that Sirius had been the one to send Harry his new racing broom. "But there's nothing wrong with the firebolt" Naruto added at the furious looks he was getting from Ron. The rest of the night was spent with Harry and Ron lamenting the loss of the firebolt while Naruto studied the book Dumbledore had given him, till they decided to go to bed.

The next morning Naruto awoke bright and early as he normally did and with a quick change he headed down to the common room, hoping he would run into Hermione. Reaching the bottom of the staircase he was greeted with the sight of the bushy-haired girl passing back and forth in front of the fireplace while she was talking to herself.

"Morning Hermione," Naruto said as normally as possible remembering what McGonagall had told him to yesterday.

"Oh, Naruto, m-morning," Hermione said as her look of surprise quickly changed to one of worry than sadness. Both of them just stood there looking back at one another neither wanting to be the first to speak. a minute passed then five, finally, Naruto had enough and spoke.

"I'm sorry about almost kissing you."

"I'm sorry about almost kissing you."

It looked as if both teens thought the same thing as they each spoke at the same time. this happened to be what was needed they shared a light chuckle each glad to see the other wasn't angry.

"Look Hermione I'm sorry about what happened, I talked to McGonagall and she told me I should talk things out with you. You are my best friend and I don't want that to change.

Naruto explained as he looked over at the girl. "When we were sitting there holding me and I looked into your pretty brown eyes I don't know what came over me and I just felt the need to kiss you. So please don't be mad I'm sorry and I want us to still be friends." After his explanation, Naruto fell silent as Hermione looked at his then down at her hand which had started to fidget with.

"Naruto I'm not mad at you for what happened yesterday. I wanted to kiss you too." Hermione said looking glad that the blond thought along the same lines as her. "I thought that you might be mad at me. I mean why would you want to kiss plain old Hermione Granger, little miss know-it-all. Your Naruto Uzumaki, you openly stand up to Professor Snape, you walk into the forbidden forest like it was nothing. Your this amazing wizard and I'm just. . .me." Hermione finally said as he looked down at the ground. Naruto was shocked silent having never heard Hermione put herself down like that before.

"Your wrong," Naruto said getting her attention. "I don't think you're plain. to me, you're this pretty amazing person who became my best friend, your smart and always wants to help your friends." with each word Naruto and Hermione were moving closer and closer to each other. till they found themselves once again in the same situation as yesterday.

"I like you, Hermione Granger," Naruto said as he looked down at the girl standing in front of him only a few inches apart.

"I like you to Naruto Uzumaki," Hermione answered back as she looked right back at the blond boy from another world. this time there was nothing to interrupt them as they both leaned forward and lightly pressed their lips together. it was a quick and small thing each not knowing what to do, but it made it no less special to each of them. They both brought their lips together once more and this time we're able to get a better feel for the thing and soon were kissing each other with some gusto.

"Wow, that was nice," Naruto said with a big goofy grin threatening to split his face in half. while Hermione looked away from the blond a bit bashful at how forward she was being.

"Y-yes it was very nice." She said with a smile of her own. she lead the two of them over to the couch where they would usually read their books enjoying each other's company. getting comfortable neither one of them felt the need to speak as they sat next to each other.

"Naruto?" Hermione asked as he turned the page of her book. "Are you, my boyfriend, now." at her question Naruto stopped was he was doing and looked over at the girl.

"Yeah, are you my girlfriend?" he asked.

"Yes, she answered him as she looked up from her book. smiling at each other they both went back to reading their books only this time they held each other's free hand that wasn't holding the book.