Disclaimer: don't own.

That's what happened in chapter 12:

"Bored?" Tom asked quietly when Slughorn went from one long-winded story to another one without so much as a breath.

Hermione nodded imperceptively.

"Tell you what. I'll meet you in the kitchens in fifteen minutes, okay?"

She smiled. "Okay."

On with the story:

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Tom and Hermione both left after having convinced Slughorn that she felt sick and Slughorn was only too happy to let Tom accompagnie her to the "hospital wing". He winked at them when they left.

As soon as they were outside, Hermione started giggling. "He believed it. He actually believed it."

Even Tom couldn't suppress a smirk. "Slughorn loves me. And you obviously. Of course he lets his two favourite students do what they want."

Swiftly, Tom led her to the kitchens and tickled the pear. Hermione cringed at the sight of the houseelves working their socks off at this time of the night. She vowed she would set them free. All of them.

"Two butterbeers." Tom said smoothly.

Hermione bent down to the little house elf near her left knee and smiled kindly. "Good evening. We would like two butterbeers, PLEASE. THANK YOU." She glared at Tom. "No need to be impolite, Tom."

"They are just house elves." Tom said dismissively.

"They have feelings." Hermione replied angrily. "Like you and me… or rather… mostly like me. You don't seem to have any feelings." Except jealousy. But that's a start.

Tom smirked. "Exactly, Hermione. Have a seat?"

Hermione nodded and Tom sat down next to her and scooted very close. Almost too close to Hermione's comfort, but on the other hand, she craved his company. What was going ON with her? Surely she wasn't falling for the Dark Lord?

The butterbeers arrived and to Hermione's utter surprise Tom thanked the house elf. "See?" he smirked when he handed her a glass. "I CAN be polite. When I want to be."

Hermione laughed. "Alright." They clinked glasses and Tom looked Hermione straight in the eyes. She noticed again how deep they were. The colour was difficult to describe… it was a mixture of dark blue, grey, brown and black. Hermione's breath hitched and with difficulty she tore her eyes away. "Cheers."

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"I hope their meeting goes well." Harry said when he and Draco were relaxing in the common room. "Slughorn used to be a right old bore, but at least, Tom is with Hermione."

Draco shrugged in response. "With well you mean, you hope that Hermione's gonna seduce the Dark Lord?"

"Something like that. Hopefully, they finally recognize their feelings for each other. It's pretty obvious if you ask me."

Draco chose to ignore harry's comment. "You know… I think Dumbledore's lost it. After all, he can't really expect a young girl to fall for a monster."

"Well – Ginny fell for him too. Apparently, Tom can be very charming and usually gets what he wants." Harry answered heavily. "And it seems to me Hermione likes him too. AND remember the potion? They belong together."

Draco's eye twitched. "I still hate you for that, Potter."

"Understandable."

"Oh look… there is Snape's mother. I'm going to bed." Draco smirked and sauntered off, leaving Harry on the sofa. "That's for stealing my girl."

"Good evening, Harry." Eileen said sourly. "May I sit next to you?"

"Oh… s-sure." Harry inwardly cursed Draco for having left him; Eileen didn't look like someone who was very communicative. Poor Hermione even had to share a dorm with Snape's mother. Harry shuddered at the thought.

"So, how do you like it at Hogwarts so far?" she asked him, a light smile gracing her lips, making her look almost pretty.

Harry's eyebrows raised; Eileen had a beautiful smile.

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Hermione didn't know if it was the alcohol, the atmosphere, her hormones or her mission: she felt inexplicably drawn to Tom; she almost sat on his lap now (and that was VERY un-hermionish *lol*) . "So, what's there with Quentin and you?" Tom asked nonchalantly taking a swig of his butterbeer.

"Nothing. And you know that perfectly well. After all, you've been pestering me about that every day for the past week." Hermione rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Besides, have you ever seen Quentin and me together except when we worked together in potions?"

Tom looked relieved and Hermione was stunned. He couldn't seriously be interested in HER, could he?

How very wrong she was.

"Hermione…" Tom asked, suddenly hoarse. He looked deeply into her eyes again and both of their hearts picked up speed.

"Would you mind it terribly, if I kissed you?"

Would. I. Mind. It. What kind of guy would ask? Oh. A guy from the forites, obviously.

"No." Hermione breathed back, hardly daring to believe that this was actually happening. "I would not mind."

Their faces inched nearer. And then she felt his lips on hers. They were incredibly soft and warm. Tom put his hands around her waist and pulled her closer and Hermione hugged him around his neck. It was pure bliss.

Hermione didn't know how long they kissed; she only knew that they couldn't get enough of each other. The kiss varied in intensity; Tom slipped in his tongue and Hermione moaned, pulling him groaned and the kiss got hotter and more passionate. Hermione's hands tangled in his hair and Tom pulled her onto his lap.

The kiss went on for a long time.

Even longer.

Even LOooooooOOooonger.

Finally, they broke away, gasping.

Hermione leaned her head onto his hard chest and Tom pulled her close, encircling her with his arms. Hermione wanted to stay like this for a long time and never move. At the moment, she was utterly blissful and content. Little did she know that Tom felt the same.

"That was the best kiss I've ever had." Tom said after a long pause.

"I can only agree with you." Hermione said softly.

"Want to try it again?"

Hermione laughed and looked back up at his face. "Fine."

And Tom's lips found hers again in a heartbeat.

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"How come you are that interested in potions?" Harry asked Eileen when she was finished explaining about the wolfsbane potions flaws. To Harry's utter surprise; she was good at that – much more interesting than listening to Snape.

"My father ran a small apothecary when I was younger. I used to play with the potions and medicine and that's where it all started, I suppose." Eileen's face turned sour again. "He wants me to take over the apothecary after graduation."

"Oh. And you woulnd't like that?" Harry asked, reading her face.

However, Eileen turned to him, surprised. "I would like that very much. Why wouldn't I?"

WHAT? "Well, because your face… you were scowling." Harry clarified with the tact of a troll.

"I was scowling?" Eileen asked scowling, but her tone still sounded surprised.

"Yes. You are doing it again."

"Weird. I've never noticed."

"You are scowling a lot, Eileen. I like your smile much much better." Harry went on, his cheeks flaming. "You have a beautiful smile."

Eileen smiled in earnest this time, her whole face lighting up. "Thank you, Harry, I like your smile too."

"Really?" Harry forgot where he was for a moment; he forgot the Slytherins who were still up; he forgot the time line and forgot his mission when he looked into her glowing face.

Eileen nodded, her face void of any frown lines. "It's one of the purest smiles I've ever come across. I like it."

"Thanks." Harry said awkwardly.

"I'll go to bed then." Eileen stood up, yawning. "And please remind me when I'm scowling again, okay?" she winked at Harry who just sat there flabbergasted.

"Okay. Good night, Eileen, it was nice talking to you."

"Good night, Harry."

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"I was wondering, if you would mind doing that every day." Tom asked hoarsely… almost tenderly.

"Well…" Hermione was at a loss. "What are you talking about? Slughorns meeting? The meeting in the kitchen? Or the…kissing?"

"Silly you." Tom smiled. "I was actually talking about the kissing."

"Every day?"

"Every day."

"No… I wouldn't mind, Tom. Not at all."

"Well then. Would you like to be my girlfriend, then?" Tom asked, avoiding her face.

Did he really just ask that? Hermione actually had no idea if he meant it, or if it was just a fluke. But Tom seemed earnest enough.

"Yes."

The relief he felt was written all over his face. "Really? You will be my girlfriend?"

"Yes." Hermione couldn't help but smile at him. "Sounds good to me, getting to kiss you every day, you know."

"Perfect." Tom's happiness seemed so pure that Hermione wondered if Dumbledore had been lying about his emotions. He could very well express his emotions; even happiness and relief, not just jealousy. Or was it, because they had already altered the timeline? "But you know what that entails, Hermione?"

"There are conditions?" Hermione groaned.

"Of course. For example, you are not allowed to kiss other guys when you are together with me."

"You think I don't know that, Tom?" Hermione rolled her eyes. "I'm not stupid, you know. The same goes for you, by the way."

"There is only one girl for me." Tom said quietly. "And this is you. No one holds even half the attraction you have for me. Hermione, if you haven't noticed it yet… I…" Tom struggled and fell silent.

"You?" Hermione probed him gently.

"I…" but Tom gave up.

"Don't be afraid, Tom." Hermione whispered. "You can tell me everything."

"I … like you… a lot, Hermione." Tom stuttered.

"Tom – there is nothing to be ashamed of." Hermione cried out, relieved. He was progressing fast, Hermione thought. he had even admitted that he liked her – a first, obviously. "I like you too… a lot."

Tom didn't answer. He swooped her up into his arms and kissed her senseless again.

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Still dazed, dumbstruck, Harry was sitting in front of the Slytherin fire, thinking about Eileen when the portrait hole burst open and a disheveled Hermione walked in. Her dress was rumpled, her hair bushy again and coming out of her knot, her lips were puffy, but her face was glowing and there was a spring in her step.

Harry didn't need to ask.

"I am together with Tom now." Hermione declared, her voice quivering. "isn't that wonderful?"

"Great." Harry smiled at his friend. "Congrats. Our mission is going perfectly."

"It's not just for the mission. I really like him a lot." Hermione admitted.

"You think I don't know? I'm not blind. I'm not Ron." Harry laughed. "Don't tell Draco though – he would be furious."

"Ugh… poor Draco…. Well, Harry, Tom is a really good kisser." Hermione grinned.

"No details, please. I'm off to bed then. Good night, Hermione."

"Good night."

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In the morning, Harry was awoken by Abraxas muttering profanities.

"What's the matter?" Harry croaked still half asleep.

"Tom has a girlfriend." Abraxas' fist punched the stone wall. "Ooooow. That hurt."

Harry tried to hide a grin and quickly rearranged his features.

"Tom has never had a girlfriend before." Abraxas went on angrily. "I mean, he was never interested in girls… in anyone. Only his group."

"But that's normal, isn't it? To be interested in girls? Whats so bad about that?" Harry said cautiously, but Abraxas glared at him.

"You know who he is together with, Delacour?" Abraxas smirked sinisterly. "You sister. Tom is together with Hermione. Now, are you still so nonchalant about that?"

"I really don't mind." Harry said to Abraxas' surprise. "Tom seems … decent enough."

"You know what his meetings are like!" Abraxas said flabbergasted. "You call that decent?"

"He's stopped torturing people." Harry cried out.

"But he still isn't a saint!" Abraxas roared, actually stamping a foot in frustration.

"Well – " Harry hesitated. "Neither is Hermione."

Abraxas laughed cruelly. "Believe me; everyone in this school is more of a saint than Tom. Mark my words, Delacour, your sister will go down!"

Harry stiffened. "What do you mean?"

"Tom isn't boyfriend material. Your sister should be together with someone who is handsome, intelligent, rich, influential and obviously very interested in her." Abraxas said, putting on his sweater. "Someone like me."

Was this all about jealousy? Harry couldn't believe it.

"And you think that Tom isn't? I think it's obvious that they are smitten with each other. You should see the way they look at each other."

Abraxas growled like a tiger and Harry inwardly smirked. Could it be that both Malfoys had a thing for Hermione – Grandfather and Grandson? How weird could it get?