Consequences

Chapter 7

"Hermione!"

It was the day after the Hogsmeade weekend and Hermione was walking down to breakfast, while ignoring the person who was calling after her.

"I have nothing to say to you, Ron," Hermione said snappily, as he drew level with her.

"No, probably not," he said, keeping up with her as she walked faster. "But I have something to say to you." Hermione huffed; he was not going to lecture her again.

"Hermione, stop," said Ron sharply, grabbing her arm and making her stop.

"Weasley get your hands of my girlfriend NOW." Blaise had appeared from round the corner of the corridor looking highly pissed off with Ron.

Ron frowned and let go of Hermione, but ignored Blaise. "Look, Hermione, I'm sorry, really I am. I shouldn't have interfered like-"

"No, you shouldn't have," Hermione cut across him.

Ron looked miserable. "Please, I'm sorry, let me make it up to you," Ron begged. Blaise made an irritated sound from behind Hermione.

"I, Ron, I don't know -" Hermione began unsurely.

"Please, I was only trying to protect you, I get it now, I went too far."

Hermione bit her lip and felt Blaise shift behind her. She sighed. "I'm sorry too, I don't suppose I handled it that well either," she said with a sigh.

Ron chuckled. "No, but you were better than me." And with that he pulled her into a hug.

"I will repeat this only once, Weasley. Get your hands of my girlfriend," Blaise drawled.

Hermione let go of Ron and turned round to Blaise smiling. "Girlfriend? I don't remember you ever asking me that," Hermione said smoothly, watching Blaise's discomfort.

"I, er..." Blaise seemed to be getting rather nervous and shot a look at Ron.

"Oh, don't mind me," said Ron mildly. "This looks quite entertaining."

Blaise shifted and spoke to Hermione. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

Hermione pretended to think for a moment, biting her lip, shifting her feet. Blaise looked truly scared. She laughed and rolled her eyes. "Yes, of course. I am not a scarlet woman; I don't just keep kissing you for the sake of it!"

"Eugh - too much information, I'm going," said Ron, making a hasty exit.

"Bye, see you at breakfast!" Hermione called, watching him go and smiling.

Blaise took her hand and kissed her on the cheek. "I suppose you'll be eating at the Gryffindork table this morning?" he drawled.

Hermione hit his arm as they walked. "Behave yourself, Blaise. I wasn't sure until you said that, but now I will be." Blaise's face fell.

"No, just joking. I will be; I want to talk to Ron, it's been a while, what with the fight," Hermione reasoned.

"You don't need to justify yourself to me," Blaise said. "I get it, they're you're friends."

Hermione smiled and kissed him as they drew level to the door of the Great Hall.

"But I may have to come and collect you when I've finished. We have Ancient Runes together," Hermione said cheekily. "And we can't be late."

***

Later that evening after dinner Hermione walked to the Room of Requirement to meet Theo. They needed to talk about how Hermione should approach Ginny, and what Theo wanted her to say.

She pushed open the door; it seemed Theo was already there. He was sitting at a chair behind a desk, his chin resting in his hand, his black robe tossed on the side of the table. Hermione smiled at him as she walked in and took a seat opposite.

"So, how do we go about this?" Hermione asked, frankly, going straight into it.

Theo frowned in thought, then spoke. "Tell her..." He paused again. "Tell her I've seen her and like her, and suggest the Potions tutoring."

"So not the "Oh he really fancies you, he told me he's been watching you" approach?"

Theo shook his head. "Too overboard, but make sure she knows I like her."

Hermione nodded. "I'll see her after this, she should be in her dormitory."

Theo nodded once. "What stuff is she interested in?" he asked, with a slight blush.

Hermione smiled and thought. "She likes sleeping, Charms, and music."

"What sort of music?" Theo asked curiously.

"Well, I'm told she has a Muggle record collection, but I know she's a Weird Sisters fan," Hermione replied thoughtfully. "If in doubt, music is good."

Theo nodded again, looking away with the fairies.

Hermione grinned. "You're thinking about her, aren't you?" He blushed and nodded. Deciding to spare him embarrassment Hermione diverted the subject away from Ginny. "So, what does Blaise say to you about me?" she asked eagerly.

Theo grinned. "He said you have great boobs." Hermione gasped, going bright red. "Just kidding," Theo said. "No, good kisser. Er - pretty, not too girly."

She nodded, still a bit red. "Good kisser? I didn't know boys discussed that sort of thing," Hermione remarked.

Theo nodded. "Oh yeah, just as much as girls do."

Hermione went bright red. "What do you know?"

His smirk was thoroughly unnerving. "Enough, Hermione, enough."

She leaned forward looking thoroughly petrified. "What did he tell you?"

Theo looked like he was enjoy it a lot too much. "How far you'd got and what he wants to do with you."

Hermione was blushing bright red. "What he wants to do with me? Oh God, do I really want to know that?"

"Probably not," Theo said dismissively. "I can't blame him, apparently you're willing so far, and he's a red blooded male."

"Tell me," Hermione said, leaning forward. Theo grinned crookedly and whispered in her ear. When he had finished he pulled back to gauge the look on Hermione's face.

"I have no problem with him doing that."