Consequences

Chapter 6

The week drew to its close, meaning a Hogsmeade weekend was upon Hogwarts once again. Ron appeared to have got in a huff with Harry as well, and so it was only Harry and Hermione who were walking together into Hogsmeade.

"So, why is he angry with you?" Hermione asked, as she and Harry walked through Hogwarts main gate.

Harry sighed and replied, "He started going on to me about how we should be keeping you away from Blaise. I said you'd be careful and it wasn't really our place to interfere and, well, he didn't like that a lot."

Hermione snorted. "No I bet he didn't," she said bitterly. "But thanks a lot, Harry, at least you realise I'm not still eleven."

Harry shrugged and blushed slightly. "Who am I to stop you from doing what you want? Besides, I think Zabini's trustworthy enough, for a Slytherin at least."

Hermione laughed. "They're not all evil Harry; they're not all Malfoy clones."

Harry smiled, "I think I'm starting to see that."

"That's really great. Oh, you'll never guess what Theo told me yesterday-"

Harry frowned in thought. "Theo Nott?"

"Yeah; he fancies Ginny!"

Harry gaped. "Really?"

Hermione nodded. "I said I'd talk to Ginny. I haven't yet, but you know what Ginny's like - she'll go with the flow, be more intrigued than judgemental."

Harry shivered slightly as they walked into Hogsmeade. "I dunno; she put me in my place fairly well last year."

"She was the only one who was brave enough to. It did you good though."

Harry smiled slightly. "Yeah, true. So, where d'you want to go?" he asked, looking at Hermione.

"Well, I'm meeting Blaise in the Three Broomsticks in about an hour. So, we could go to Honeydukes?"

"Hermione Granger!" Harry gasped. "They'll ruin your teeth!"

Hermione laughed. "I'll be okay just this once," she replied, leading the way to Honeydukes.

Hermione and Harry walked into the crowded sweet shop, looking for their choices. Hermione went off to get herself some fudge and Harry bought some chocolate frogs. They met outside as it was so crowded.

"Okay, Quidditch shop now," said Harry, dragging her over to the shop opposite. Hermione sighed and followed. "I need some new gloves," Harry commented as they entered the less crowded shop. Hermione pointed over to one side of the shop where there was a display of gloves. Harry nodded and walked over, Hermione following. He immediately picked up some gloves and started looking at them.

"What about these ones, they have red stitching on," she said, holding out a pair to Harry. Harry took, them, and started examining them, turning them over in his hands.

"These are good, lets pay - unless you want anything."

Hermione blushed slightly. "Actually, I wanted a book on-"

Harry rolled his eyes. "What happened the last time you wanted a book?"

"Hmph. I wanted a beginner's book for Quidditch, so I can understand it."

"Sorry, my ears deceive me; does Hermione Granger not understand something?"

Hermione tutted at Harry; who was looking delighted. "I have to go and meet Blaise, could you find a suitable one for me and I'll pay you back?" Harry nodded and walked over to pay as Hermione walked out of the door. She headed down the road and into the Three Broomsticks, where she stood for a moment in the door, looking for Blaise. He waved from a corner table and beckoned her over. Hermione smiled and made her way over, taking a seat when she reached the table.

Blaise took her hands in his across the table and spoke. "Who were you with?"

Hermione took the butterbeer he had bought for her and took a swing, while still holding his other hand. "Harry; he needed some new Quidditch gloves." Hermione replied, smiling at Blaise.

"Potter is a damn good flyer. Is he not annoyed at you then?"

"No, he's not. It's just Ron who's annoyed, and now he's annoyed at Harry as well. Harry took the "she can do what she wants" attitude and Ron didn't like that," Hermione replied.

Blaise snorted. "I bet he didn't. Potter's okay, plays the hero a bit too much for my taste at times, but he's one of the better Gryffindors. Weasley just rubs me up the wrong way."

Hermione laughed bitterly. "I think he does everyone, it's not intentional, but, well," she shrugged, "that's just the way he is."

"Hmph, I must say, you're my favourite Gryffindor."

Hermione smiled. "That's rather a biased opinion though."

"Yeah, I suppose, I mean, I haven't snogged Potter lately."

Hermione laughed. "Speaking of Gryffindors, Theo has a crush on one."

Blaise's eyebrows shot up. "Who?"

"Ginny."

Blaise seemed quite astounded. "I don't remember Theo ever having many crushes; there was a scary point last year when I thought he was gay, but obviously not."

"Well, he's not really a vocal person. But he said he thinks Ginny's pretty."

Blaise snorted. "Pretty? He's going soft."

"Do you think I'm pretty?" Hermione asked tentatively.

"No," Blaise said, and Hermione's face dropped. "I think you're beautiful." Hermione blushed and Blaise kissed her hand.

"You're a real smoothie, you know?"

"I try my best."

"You're getting me off topic. Can you ask Theo to meet me tomorrow in the Room of Requirement? We need to discuss how we're going to go about Ginny," Hermione asked.

Blaise nodded and stood up, pulling Hermione up and into a hug. "But don't go snogging him in the Room of Requirement," he said, before dipping his head and kissing her smoothly on the lips.