"Eh, Hermione," Albus chortled to get her attention, jumping a bit and waving his hands in front of her. With no response he stopped jumping and lightly touched her shoulder. "Hermione," he tried again.

She nearly jumped at the touch and quickly turned to face him, nearly falling off the dinning bench in the process. This was the second time at lunch that she had zoned out. She knew she was being rude but she couldn't help it. She had started her potion the night before, adding the first ingredients that she had kept hidden in her trunk. It was going to be more difficult to brew the potion this time around. She knew she didn't have a good place to hide it. Without Myrtle to keep girls out of the loo she ran the chance of someone coming in and seeing her work. But at this point it was a risk worth taking. Trying to smile she looked Albus straight in the eye.

"Yes?"

"Oh well you just don't seem to be with us tonight, right mates?" He broke her gaze and turned to his brother and friends. They all nodded emphatically.

"It's true," said Jared in a teasing manner. "What could be so bloody important that you can't have a conversation with us?" He threw her smile, his eyes filled with mirth but still not on the same sparkle scale as Albus'.

"It's nothing really, I'm just a little jumpy I suppose. I have an exam tomorrow and I don't feel at all prepared." At that all the boys chuckled.

'Hermione? Not prepared? No there's an absurd thought!' Albus thought to himself as the laughter settled down. 'There has to be something more to it then just a test.' He watched her closely for the rest of the meal. She ate enough and her cheeks were a rosy pink, so he had no thoughts of her being ill. And after the second time of being taken out of her thoughts she tried much harder to keep up with the conversation, even adding a bit here and there.

For Hermione, dinner seemed to never end. Her potion was fine for the time being so she didn't have to worry about it being ruined from time but with every ingredient she had added the night before, more desperately did she wish that she had never come. She missed everyone so much. She tried not to let on to her friends, really she did. But more and more she found herself lost in memories, from the time with the troll to the sneaking into the Ministry of Magic that fateful night Sirius passed threw the veil. Even her spats with Ron were suddenly cherry coated and to have him yelling about something stupid and putting off his homework would have made her smile a million watt smile right then.

Finally everyone seemed to be full and content and they made their way back to the dormitory. Valloriey, who had joined then about half way through the meal, lead the way back, with book in hand. How she managed to not bump into anyone amazed Hermione. Aberforth and Jared walking close behind. Jared said something that he thought was funny but it lost all meaning on Aberforth, for he was to busy watching Valloriey. It was easy to see he had a crush on the girl. Murphy and Samel were next. And it was Hermione and Albus bringing up the rear. In usual fashion, Hermione held his arm as they strolled through the halls.

With a quick turn, Hermione stole a glance of Albus' face. She had to admit he was handsome. She had never really taken his appearance into consideration in her time, but really in her time he was a 170 year old man. She liked the way his hair fell, almost in layers onto his shoulders and down his back. It wasn't very long but it was easy to tie it back when they were in potions. His nose was very different to what she remembered. It was long but nothing like the nose Snape had been dealt. Also Albus' nose wasn't crooked, perhaps that was to come. But then again if something had happened to his nose in the future it would be easy enough to fix it. She had fixed her teeth and she didn't imagine a nose being much more difficult. She bushed slightly realizing that she liked looking at his mouth. He had full lips that seemed almost kissable…

'Kissable?' she nearly exclaimed out loud. Where had that thought come from?

She shook her head slightly, trying to get her thoughts back in proper order. But then she nodded a little. She was right, Albus Dumbledore had kissable lips.

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Albus was in heaven. Hermione was holding his arm and he felt like they were the only two in the castle. He smiled and glanced over at Hermione. Noticing that she had a blush on her cheeks he wondered what was going on in her head. Lately she had been acting distant. And the night before she had left the dormitory and not come back for hours. He was a little concerned but at that moment, his worries were far in the back of his mind. Looking at her now, all he wanted to do was kiss her gently but he was far too nervous to try anything. But he wanted to try.

They were almost to the Fat Lady when Albus stopped. Still linked with Hermione's arm he turned so that they were facing each other.

"Umm Hermione," he started. "I was wondering if… if…"

"If what?" Hermione asked when he didn't continue. She had unlinked their arms and now her hand was resting in his. She hadn't even realized that they were now holding hands. Looking down for a second she blushed brightly as Albus got the courage to entwine their fingers.

"I was wondering if… since next weekend is a Hogsmeade weekend, if you would accompany me to the pub for drinks, and maybe lunch?" he sputtered out the last part quick, filled with embarrassment and worry that she'd say no.

Hermione was in shock. Albus had become a dear friend, but then she had always loved his kind heart and nature. He made her smile and laugh and well he was just wonderful to her. They had wonderful discussions of class material and some nights they would curl up against each other as they studied but Hermione had never thought that Albus fancied her. How could she say yes to him? But then again she had just been fantasizing bout his lips, so why should she say no.

When Hermione hadn't answered right away, Albus had discovered how 'interesting' the hem of his outer robe was. He stared at his robe intently then turned his attention to his shoes. They looked a little scuffed and a shinning charm would soon be needed. He was still staring at his shoes when Hermione's free hand touched his face. He wanted to slap himself when he realized he was still holding her hand.

'What a bloody fool I am!' he thought to himself.

Gently Hermione nudged his face up and eagerly she looked up to meet his eyes. "I'd love to go out with you." She smiled brightly to him. Then acting on impulse she leaned up and brushed her lips against his.

It was a quick kiss but the reaction her body had was quicker. Her knees felt weak and she felt very warm. Still smiling she started to walk off, her hand still in his until the last possible second she broke contact and disappeared behind the Fat Lady.

Albus stood there a moment after she'd gone in, not moving an inch. His arm was still raised away from his body from when she had pulled away.

"She said yes…" he mumbled softly, still in awe. Gingerly he touched his fingers to his lips. She had kissed him! As he finally headed into the dorm, Albus thought he could now die a happy man.

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Meanwhile down the hall a very infuriated Nicola stood gawking.

"How dare she!" Nicola nearly screamed. Her hands were clenched and her back was rigid. Her usual composure gone and in its place was a very jealous, vindictive persona.

Albus may have been oblivious to the fact that he was the most popular boy in the 7th year class, but it hadn't gone unnoticed by Nicola. The fact that every girl looked to him as a confidant had always made her blood boil. He was smart and handsome. He had a good future lying at his feet and Nicola wasn't going to miss the benefits that he could reap. Marrying Albus Dumbledore was her highest goal. She had just never let onto the fact that she liked him. It would have been improper anyway, for her to go after him, that is. But now she was going to have to make a move. There was no way she was going to lose to Hermione.

"He will be mine. I don't care what I have to do to you to get him, but you had better be wary Hermione Granger. " She practically spat Hermione's name as she thundered towards the dormitory entrance.

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Inside, Hermione sat at the head of her bed with Valloriey at the foot. Quietly she was telling Valloriey what had happened in the hall. For a moment she nearly laughed as she felt just like Lavender and Parvati.

Suddenly a chill ran down her spine and she had to keep herself from falling out of the bed.

"Are you alright?" Valloriey asked when Hermione was settled.

"I'm fine. I just got this… feeling, like something bad was going to happen…"

Hermione went quiet for a moment, pushing the awkward feeling to the back of her mind. She was too happy to let a feeling get to her. And goodness knew she was no Trelawney. So she and Valloriey spent the next few hours talking about random things and for the first night in months Hermione went to sleep happy.