A/n: This is the FINAL chapter in this particular story. It's totally fluffy, sappy, cheesy, corny, whatever you wanna call it, but so was the whole story! BIG HUGE thanks to everyone who has reviewed! I love getting reviews. :D Again, thanks everyone for reading and most importantly reviewing. And of course, enjoy!


Chapter 7

As the students slowly began to fill the Great Hall for supper, Dumbledore surveyed them, sensing something slightly unusual about them all. He was surprised at the great number of students holding hands, and the sheer number that had signed up to stay at Hogwarts over the Christmas holidays. Never had he seen this many students stay. In fact, he was hardly sure whether any had left at all.

Of course, then again, he was not really very surprised at who were holding hands. Like Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, for example. For years, Dumbledore could tell that something was there, something neither was willing to share. It was unmistakable, however, the way they glanced at each other constantly when the thought the other wasn't looking. That something, it seemed, they had finally admitted it, and told each other.

Dumbledore smiled. About time, too. He was beginning to wonder if they would ever tell each other. He slowly began to stroll towards the Staff Table at the end of the Great Hall.

Suddenly, Ginny Weasley jogged up to him. "Sir," she said breathlessly. "Sir, I know that everyone's supposed to sit at their House Tables, because that's the rules, but just this once - it being Christmas and all - just this once, could we sit anywhere we choose?" When Dumbledore did not answer immediately, she added again, "It is Christmas, after all, Headmaster, sir." She looked up at him with pleading eyes, clearly expecting him to say "no".

Dumbledore looked past Ginny, and could see young Zacharias Smith fidgeting and watching Ginny tensely. He caught Dumbledore's gaze, and quickly looked away, and pretended like he was just standing around... At that, Dumbledore could easily guess her reasons for asking.

How could he say no?

His aged face cracked into a wide smile. "Yes, Ginny, you may."

Immediately, her face lit up. "Oh, thank you sir!" she bolted back to Zacharias to tell him the good news.

Dumbledore moved to his seat at the Head Table, noticed only a few people hearing of the students being able to sit anywhere, and decided he ought to announce such a change in the seating. He lifted his arms before he spoke, and the whole of the Great Hall hushed.

"It has come to my attention that it is Christmas." Dumbledore said, and a few chuckles and snickers were heard here or there. "And, on such a special occasion, as there are so many of us this year - " he hesitated. Some students appeared fearful, while others were bouncing in their seats they were so full of anticipation. Dumbledore continued, "The House Table rule - this Christmas holiday only - will be no more. You may sit where you like, with whomever you like. That is all." Dumbledore gracefully sat.

Excitement and applause swept through the students, and there was a rush of chatter and movement as a good number of the students hurried to sit together. Dumbledore was especially pleased, but none-the-less surprised when even the Slytherins were mingling.

Merlin's beard! Dumbledore thought. There must be something in the air!

The food appeared on the plates, and as Dumbledore ate, he was astounded at the rest of the Staff's behaviour. Was it the wine? Was there something in the wine?

Sybill Trelawney was sitting with the Staff, and smiling! She even laughed at one of Hagrid's jokes. Hagrid's cheeks were ever so slightly flushed from the influence of some form of a drink. Professors Spinstra, Sprout and Vector were laughing merrily and clanking their forks on their plates. Dumbledore turned his gaze farther down the Staff Table and noticed Professor Snape leaning on his elbow, listening to Hagrid animatedly tell a story, and he appeared to be trying not to smile. Dumbledore raised an eyebrow as Hagrid finished the story and Professor Trelawney burst into strange laughter, Professor Flitwick squeaked happily waving his glass around, and Professor Snape chuckled.

Dumbledore half-smiled and shook his head. Really, he thought. There must be something in the air. He turned to Professor McGonagall, fully expecting her to be frowning disapprovingly with her arms crossed and tell Dumbledore to do something.

Instead, Professor McGonagall was grinning at him. "That was very good of you, Professor Dumbledore." she said. Her grin widened. "Everyone seems to be in a giddy mood..." she giggled, and Dumbledore was pleasantly surprised. He'd never heard her giggle before. "Including myself!" she added, and her cheeks went pink.

Dumbledore smiled. On impulse, Professor McGonagall leaned sideways and gave Dumbledore a quick little peck on the cheek. Dumbledore's bushy white eyebrows shot up into his receding hairline and his grin froze. He wasn't sure what to think...

Professor McGonagall's cheeks were very red now, and she looked worried and flustered, apparently thinking her actions to be extremely inappropriate. She wiped her hands on her napkin and kept her eyes down on plate.

"Thank you Minerva." Dumbledore said, and touched his hand to his cheek briefly before setting it on top her hand, which was now resting on the table top. He cracked into a wide grin. "I've been waiting for that for a long time."

This time Minerva's eyebrows shot up. Had he really said what she'd just thought he'd said? "Er, your welcome, Albus." she smiled.

Down at the formerly Gryffindor table where many people from other houses were sitting, Ron glanced up at the Staff Table in time to catch McGonagall's peck on Dumbledore's cheek. He elbowed Hermione.

"Did you see that!?" he said.

Hermione was smiling from ear to ear. "Yes!"

Ron shook his head and returned to his food. "It's weird."

"No, its cute." Hermione was still smiling. She stared at the two Professors for a moment before also returning to her food. "It's about time. They've always been glancing when they think the other isn't watching. It's good they've finally admitted their feelings and revealed them."

"You sound like a therapist or something." Ron said and took in a mouthful of mashed potatoes drowing in gravy.

Hermione shook her head, ignoring Ron's comment.

A few seats over, Luna said loudly, "There must be something in the air..."

-end-

A/n: Thank you to each and every person for reading this! And an even bigger thank you to everyone who reviewed, and to anyone who reviews after this. You all rock. Also, thanks for reading the entirety of my cheesy little romance fic. :)