A/N: Alright, I'm sorry it took so long to update. School is rather… time consuming. I'm pretty sure I spend as much time at school as I do at home (sleep included…) Meh. Anyhoo, thanks for all the reviews! Enjoy!

The dark, heavy clouds held the promise of snow, and Hermione breathed in deeply to catch the scent of pine needles and wood fires. She grinned happily at Ron as they wandered through Hogsmeade. The weeks had flown by, and suddenly there were only a few before Christmas was upon them. As eighth years, they had permission to go down to Hogsmeade whenever they wanted to, so Ron had persuaded Hermione to come with him as he went Christmas shopping.

She had a few things to pick up, though she had done a good amount of proactive shopping over the summer. It was always good to be prepared. She did want to pick up some Honeydukes chocolate for her parents. Though they were dentists, they were strangely infatuated with the wizarding delicacy.

"Have you looked in Spintwitches for anything?" she asked Ron, knowing that it was doubtful he would have gotten anything for anyone at this point in time.

"No… Do you mind if we pop in?" He grinned down at her when she nodded.

"I'm only going in because it's bloody cold out. Not because I'm going to help you decide between a new pair of gloves or a broomstick polishing kit for Charlie."

"Oh, do you think he would like one, then?"

"Like one of what, Ronald Weasley?" Hermione rebuffed him with pretend indignation. He raised his arm to ward off her powerful poke.

He chuckled and shoved his hands back into his pockets to keep them warm – though she had told him to bring his mittens – and she slipped her arm in the crook of his. Having turned into quite the gentleman, he opened the door and let her in first, though due to their arm-linkage, they both entered the shop at the same time.

Half an hour later, the pair left, loaded down with new Quidditch gloves for Harry and a Wasps scarf for Charlie. Since there were so many Weasley children, they had decided that each of them would be assigned to take care of gifts for one of the others. Ron had drawn Charlie from the lot, and had been having trouble deciding what to get him. Luna had recommended an interesting book about a small subspecies of dragon living somewhere in the Arctic, so Ron had placed an order at Flourish and Blotts that was due to arrive any day.

"All set, then?"

"Surprisingly, yes." Hermione glanced up at him, startled. He looked slightly smug at having taken her aback. "Got Dad a new alarm clock – he broke the old one tinkering with it – and Mum that new Celestina Warbeck record. Kinda glad I won't be home all the time – that music would drive me barmy." He shuddered at the last part, and Hermione couldn't help but chuckle.

"Oh!" he suddenly started. "I was supposed to ask if you and your parents wanted to come over for Christmas dinner."

"I would love to, Ron. I'll just have to owl them and see if they can make it." They had made their way over to the Three Broomsticks, and Ron once again held the door open for her. Hermione blushed at the thought that Ron had gotten so mature – and especially for her – though she was forced to reconsider when he tripped over a chair and almost onto the lap of a somewhat disgruntled customer. She was losing track of all the times she had chuckled that afternoon. And she hadn't gotten an O on her Arithmancy O.W.L by being a bad counter.

-O-O-O-O-

As nice as Hogsmeade had been, Hermione sighed in relief as she stretched her feet towards the fireplace and squashed one of the couch pillows into a more comfortable shape. As soon as she and Ron had gotten to the castle, Ron had dashed up to the common room to wrap and hide his purchases. Harry had looked in askance at Hermione when Ron had barreled past him, so she had to explain the whole situation to him.

Opening her Charms book, she glanced up to see Harry and Ron once more engaged in a chess battle. She turned her attention to the Muggle-Repelling section of the book, and was soon absorbed in her studies. She was interrupted by the arrival of Crookshanks, who plopped down across her hands and book, rendering them ineffective.

"Really, Crookshanks? I was in the middle of a sentence, you know." He merely gazed at her, unfazed.

"He probably knows you study too much, Granger." She looked up to see Malfoy settle into the armchair next to her sofa. Crookshanks looked torn between which lap to sit on, before deciding to stay on the one where he was currently resting.

"Can I help you with something, Malfoy?" she replied, coolly. She couldn't help but remember the last conversation the two of them had had in the common room.

"McGonagall is looking for you."

"Now? It's rather late…" Hermione knew it wasn't that late, but she was rather comfortable by the fire.

"I suppose so. She just told me to toddle off and fetch you, so here I am." Malfoy looked behind her, and she noticed that Ron was staring at him intently, though he made no move to get up. "That looks like my cue to leave, then." He started to rise.

"Hold on. Where am I supposed to meet Professor McGonagall?"

"In her office, of course." He took a deep breath, and seemed to be debating something. "Granger, about that last time, when we had a bit of a spat… I'm, well… I shouldn't have reacted like that." Hermione almost let her jaw drop in shock, but she restrained herself. Just barely.

"And I shouldn't have gone through your things." She looked at him questioningly. "So?"

"So." He nodded as though some sort of puzzle or question had been solved, and walked away. She sat in confusion for a moment before lifting Crookshanks off her lap and rooting around under the couch to find her shoes.

"What was that about?" Ron asked as she laced up her shoes.

"Apparently McGonagall wants me for something. He was just the messenger."

"Oh." Ron scuffed his foot along the floor. "Well, that's good, I guess."

She didn't even register that his comment made no sense before the hurried out of the common room.

-O-O-O-O-

Headmistress Minerva McGonagall had made very few changes to the office she met Hermione in, yet there were some small items that showed it had very clearly become the new abode of the professor. The bookshelves were neatly filled with books, mostly of Transfiguration and reference, and many of the tinkling, silvery instruments that Dumbledore had been so fond of were nowhere to be seen.

"Professor?" Hermione asked hesitantly as she entered the room. The Headmistress looked up from the papers she was reading and motioned Hermione in.

"Ms. Granger, I'm glad you could make it. I apologize for having you come rather late."

"It's fine, Professor. What was it you wanted to see me about?"

"Right. I'll get straight to the point then. A friend of mine is planning a research project in new Transfiguration, Charms and Potions techniques. He mentioned that he was looking for people to help with it. They would start as interns and assistants, but there would always be the possibility of helping with or even running the experiments. I thought, Ms. Granger, that you might be interested in the opportunity." Hermione nearly jumped out of her chair in excitement.

"Oh, I would love to do it! When does it start? Who is running it? Oh, Professor, I'm so excited!" McGonagall smiled and held up her hand.

"Please, Ms. Granger, one question at a time!" The Headmistress smiled benevolently at Hermione. "Hubert Vloshinger is running it, and while he is still getting the permits and grants from the Ministry, he hopes to start in the summer, so you would not have to worry about this project interfering with your N.E.. I can send him an owl to let him know that you are interested – he should get back to you soon."

"Thank you, Professor! I really appreciate it."

"Of course, Ms. Granger. It is nice to see a student so serious and excited about learning. Now, I will send Hubert an owl in the morning."

"Thank you," Hermione called as she got up and left the Headmistress' office. She practically skipped through the hallway and couldn't resist spinning around when she was sure no one was coming. Feeling giddy, she floated through the common room and up to bed, willing the next day to come quickly so that she could hear from Hubert Vloshinger.

A/N: So, I hope you enjoyed it! Sorry for being so late…. Hopefully I'll be able to update more over winter break (coming soon, woot woot!). Mehehehe… Sleep, I am coming to getchoo! Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I really appreciate it! (cough, cough, hint hint to people who haven't reviewed) .

Until next time!

- GusGus Gamgee