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"I could show you around Hogsmeade," he said, "I'm sure there are a few shops that aren't there in your time." He smiled warily.

"Okay," said Hermione. She knew that she shouldn't, she knew she should have said no and gone straight to Dumbledore and tell him the truth. But there was even more of a chance that she could screw up the future if she was with the Gryffindors. Besides, even if she had only spent a day with the Slytherins, the Gryffindors probably wouldn't roll out the welcome wagon. "So, would this be considered, like, a date?"

"I guess," he said. "I mean, if you want it to be." Hermione smiled.

"Alright, then. It's a date. I'll see you tomorrow."

Chapter Four: A Trip to Hogsmeade

Hermione awoke bright and early the next day. 'I am really lucky that I had planned to go to Hogsmeade with Ron later yesterday,' she thought. Ron was head boy in her time, and she was going to drag him to Hogsmeade to buy a book she had wanted. So, she had most of her money with her. 'Thirty galleons should do, I think.'

She picked out an outfit, black tube top and a dark purple pleated mini. Hermione put her hair into a loose bun, pulled on her boots, and looked in the mirror. 'Okay,' she thought to herself, 'ready to start the day.'

She had figured that she might have to wait in the common room for awhile on Severus, but to her surprise, he was already out there. He was sitting on one of the sofas, talking to Lucius, who had his arm around a young Narcissa. She walked over to the three of them. When Severus saw her, he smiled. "This is Narcissa," he said, "Lucius's girlfriend. If you don't mind, they said they'd like to come with us?" he looked at her hopefully.

"Oh, sure," she said, smiling. She wasn't quite sure she wanted to spend the entire day alone with her future potions professor anyway. "Were we going to eat breakfast? 'Cause I'm not especially hungry."

"Me neither," said Lucius and Severus at the same time. Hermione looked at Narcissa.

"No, I'd rather get to Hogsmeade," she said thoughtfully.

"Okay, then," said Severus. "Let's go."

Hermione smiled as she and Severus exited the post office. Although they had found her request rather odd, they had agreed to put the letter aside for twenty-one years before they sent it. Now, she and Severus were going to meet up with Lucius and Narcissa at the Three Broomsticks.

"I'm glad you found a way to make sure your friends know you're all right," said Severus, as they walked down the street, hand-in-hand. "You must care for them a lot."

"Harry and Ron are like brothers to me," she said. "Knut for your thoughts," she said, looking up at the pensive face of Severus.

"I was just thinking, what if you being here has some affect on the future? I mean, do you know me in the future?"

"Kinda," said Hermione. "But I'm not telling you anything about your future," she added quickly. They walked a little ways in silence. "Just remember; Dumbledore's a good man, all right? Trust in him."

"Why? Hermione, what happens to me? What ab-"Hermione put her hand over his mouth.

"You ask too many questions," she said, then laughed. 'Talk about the cauldron calling the kettle black,' she thought. After seeing Severus's questioning look, she waved it off. "It's nothing. C'mon, the others are probably waiting on us."

As they entered the Three Broomsticks, their first impression was to be embarrassed. Lucius and Narcissa were sitting in a corner of the otherwise empty room, snogging each other's brains out.

"Ahem," said Severus, as they walked over to the table. Hermione suppressed a smile as the couple quickly worked to right themselves. Severus pulled out a chair for her and she sat down.

After a couple rounds of butterbeer, the four of them decided to go outside and shop. Lucius and Severus were immediately drawn to the quidditch store, but Hermione and Narcissa chose to visit the bookstore instead. It seemed that Narcissa shared Hermione's dislike for flight.

"So," Narcissa said as they entered the shop, "Severus is nice." Hermione smiled.

"Yes, I know." Hermione picked a book off the shelf and opened it, scanning a little before putting it back on the shelf.

"He likes you, you know." Narcissa smiled as well. "He likes you a lot. He was reluctant to let us come, because he wanted to be alone with you."

Hermione stayed silent, not sure how to react. She knew what it was like to be in that boat. She couldn't even begin to think of all the times Lavender and Parvarti had never shown up at night. She turned to look at the door as she heard it open, and Lucius and Severus walked in. She walked up to Severus.

"You said you were going to show me around Hogsmeade," she said expectantly.

"And I am. Right now." He looked over to Lucius. "You two don't care, right?" Lucius nodded. "Good. Let's go."

He and Hermione walked down the street, Severus telling her little tidbits of information about this building or that one, until they got to the shrieking shack. "This is the most haunted house in all of Great Britain," said Snape.

"Ever been inside?" she asked. Snape shook his head. "I have." She grinned. "With an escaped convict and a werewolf. On the full moon."

"Have not," said Severus. "You're making that up."

"Am not. It was the end of my third year." She stuck her tongue out at him. They stood in silence for a few minutes, then Hermione sighed. "It's almost like I was here with Ron and Harry. It's just like it is in my time. I almost expect to turn around and see them." She sighed again. "I'm sorry, you know, for talking about them all the time. It must be annoying."

"It's alright," said Severus, putting his arm around he shoulder. "I know how much you must miss them." Hermione nodded and leaded into him, resting her head on his chest. She smiled as he put his arms around her. Somehow, just standing here with him made her feel loved.

"Can I tell you something? Promise you won't think I'm stupid," she said.

"Never," replied Severus, holding her tighter.

"I've never had a boyfriend before," she said. "Well, there was this thing with a quidditch player in my fourth year, but it was only one date. This is as close as I've ever been to a guy. I mean, romantically."

"Why are you telling me this?" asked Severus. "I don't mean to sound rude, but-"

"No, I know what you mean. To tell you the truth, I have no idea why. It just feels right." she twisted in his arms so she could wraps her arms around him. "You know what? I'm scared. What if I go back, and the entire world is going to hell? What if my being here changes the future?"

"Hermione, in all likelihood, you being here won't change anything at all, because in your time, you've already been here, you see?" Severus said. Hermione smiled confusedly and rested her cheek on his chest again.

"I didn't understand a word of that, but I trust you." She hugged him tighter to herself, before they separated. Hermione shivered. "The wind is really bad up here, what do you say we go get another butterbeer? My treat."

"I'm not going to take your money, Hermione. Let me buy the drinks," Severus took her hand in his and they started walking back to the Three Broomsticks.

"Excellent. Thank you," said Hermione to the waitress as she set their drinks in front of them. She took a sip of butterbeer and felt warmth spread all the way to her toes. "So, what do you want to do now?" she asked Severus.

Severus looked up from his butterbeer. They were sitting in a booth beside each other, Severus's arm wrapped around Hermione's waist. She was leaning against him, looking up at him. He smiled, and bent his head to place a gentle kiss on her lips. He looked into her eyes, waiting for her reaction.

She sat up a little straighter to press her lips against his again. Severus instantly responded by kissing back. As they broke apart, Hermione smiled. 'My first kiss, coming from my future potions teacher. What would Harry and Ron think?'

They walked back to Hogwarts, enjoying each other's presence. At dinner, Severus sat next to her, with his arm wrapped protectively around her waist. After they finished dinner, they went back to the common room, where they talked for a while, before Hermione went to get ready for bed.

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Hermione smiled at him, and leaned forward to kiss him.

As they broke apart, both Severus and Hermione opened their mouths at the same time. "You go first," said Hermione.

"Hermione," said Severus, "I love you."

My reviewers are so great! Thank you all!

And now, the most important announcement. I have decided to continue this story. But I need to know; do you, the reviewers, want Hermione to stay in Severus's time, or go back home? I have excellent outcomes for both, but I want your opinion.

Myoujou