A/N1: Keeping this short: I'm VERY sorry for the wait: I was on a writing fanfiction hiatus. Oh and the 300th reviewer gets a Dramione one-shot in their honor added to Bittersweet Lullabies.

Disclaimer: These are JKR's puppets; I'm just using my artistic license to force them to do my bidding!! (Insert evil and very creepy laugh here)

NOTE: Thank you Dez for greatly inspiring this chapter!

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XXXXXXXXXXHermione and AlyssaXXXXXXXXXX (Hogsmeade for Elaine's gift).

Hermione and Alyssa went to Hogsmeade to go last minute shopping with for Elaine's gift from Hermione. Hermione didn't really know what to get for her. Books and chocolate would be what Elaine wanted, as she did nearly every year; but that was what everyone else always got her. Hermione wanted to get her something different, something special. The two walked through every store in Hogsmeade looking for something when out of the corner of her eye Hermione saw a store that was unfamiliar to her.

She pointed it out to Alyssa, but Alyssa didn't see it.

"It's right there! Don't you see?" Hermione pointed in the direction of the store but Alyssa shook her head. "Ok, well I'm going in. So in about 45 minutes I'll meet you in the Three Broomsticks." Alyssa shrugged and walked off shaking her head as she went. Under the strain of 6th year, the brightest of their age had finally snapped.

Hermione went in the store, as she walked in a little bell tinkled and a young woman about 27 or so appeared from out of a back door.

"Hello how may I help you today?"

"I'm looking for a birthday gift for my friend. Her birthday is tomorrow. But I'm fine; I'll just look around for a bit."

"Well if you need any assistance then let me know."

Hermione nodded before walking around the quaint little store. Twenty minutes later through her peripheral vision, Hermione saw something sparkle. Immediately intrigued, she changed directions and went towards that corner. There were tons of little delicate snow globes, of all sizes. Some had real snow, others had glitter, and there were some with angels in them and some with faeries and dragons. They were all very exquisite; and for some reason, they gave Hermione a vague sense of deja vu, which confused her.

Not aware that anyone was behind her, when Hermione felt a tap on her shoulder she nearly jumped out of her skin.

"Woah calm down there Herms, it's just me." Hermione put a hand to her heart.

"Yeah but you scared me Alyssa. I thought I was alone."

"Did you find anything?"

"Actually yes, I did." Hermione picked up the snow globe that was her favorite by far and held it up to show Alyssa.

"What do you think?"

"It's really pretty, but I think that you were thinking more of something you would like rather than Elaine." Hermione looked hurt and Alyssa backtracked.

"I'm sorry, but seriously. Do you honestly think Elaine would want a snow globe? It's more of something a guy would get for some chick that he liked for her birthday. You know?" Suddenly a light bulb flashed in Hermione's head.

"How could I have been so stupid? Of course!"

"Of course what?"

"This is just like the one that I got from--well that's not important; but you're right I can't get this for Elaine so I'm going to keep looking. Hey wait! I thought you couldn't see this store."

"I couldn't, but I needed to find you. In case you haven't noticed, it's been an hour and a half, not forty-five minutes. So I was worried about you because you always are everywhere on time. When I walked back here, the store suddenly appeared. Weird right?" Hermione mused about that for a second.

"Yeah that's strange." She tried to escape to another area of the store before Alyssa asked her about the snow globe that she herself had received, but to no avail.

"Yep; now who were you going to say gave you a snow globe like this? Don't try to distract me. I'm on to you; you're a terrible liar and subject changer."

"It was no one." Hermione proclaimed hastily.

"If it was no one, then it wouldn't be a big deal and you'd tell me. But because I know that it was someone and you aren't telling me who...this leads me to conclude that you are in love with whoever gave you alleged snow globe. He has great taste by the way, whoever he is."

Hermione looked absolutely incredulous. "I am NOT in love with Malfoy!! You've got to be kidding me!! Where did you get that?? There is absolutely no sense in that statement whatsoever!! You can't honestly think that I--oops."

Alyssa narrowed her eyes. "Oops indeed. So how long were you planning on waiting before you shared this with your best friends, hmm? I daresay Ginny shan't be pleased when she finds out you've been holding out on us." Hermione swallowed nervously.

"I was going to tell you guys...eventually. Alyssa please don't tell them!!"

"Why not? Aren't we best friends? Don't we share everything?"

"Yes but this is different."

"How so?" Hermione avoided Alyssa's eyes.

"...at least give me more time before I tell everyone else! I need to think for myself. If I show you the snow globe and the note he left, then will you please drop this?"

"For now." She sighed in relief.

"Thank you! Now come on, let's go!"

"Aren't you getting Elaine's gift here?"

"No."

"Then what are you getting her?"

"Books and chocolate. What else?" The two laughed and headed out the door together.

Elaine's party was going to be fun. It was a small little group: just Hermione, Alyssa, Marie, Spencer, and Ginny. But that was how she liked it: small and pretty short. Elaine never usually did sleepovers and as it stood it was hard enough to get her to chick nights. So today her party would be from about 5 (they were planning on just getting food from the kitchens) to 9. That wasn't very long in anyone else's opinion, but it wasn't anyone else's party. Just as Elaine was starting to open her gifts, and owl arrived addressed to Hermione. All the party-goers crowded nosily around Hermione as she opened it to see what it said.

Miss Granger,

It is of the utmost importance that you head down to my office immediately. There are important matters at hand to discuss. Please, make haste.

Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster

PS: I have a fondness for Licorice Wands.

Hermione was aggravated. She really didn't want to miss any of Elaine's party; it was short enough as it was. Besides, who knew how long it would take for her to talk to Dumbledore. Although she'd be lying to herself if she said she wasn't curious as to what he wanted.

"I'm really sorry you guys, but I have to go. I'll be back as soon as I can. Hopefully it won't take very long."

"Ok." Elaine shrugged. "Do you want us to wait for you before I open gifts?"

"No! Don't do that, I'd feel terrible. It's your party. I'll be back, I promise!" Hermione waved a quick goodbye to everyone else and scrambled out the door and to Dumbledore's.

TBC…

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A/N2: I know that this wasn't the best or longest chapter, but please leave nice reviews and no flames!! Remember reviewer number 300 gets a one-shot!!

Why are you still reading this? You're wasting time!! You should be reviewing!! STOP and review please!

Lovelove, Amanda