Consequences

Chapter 10

"Heremione, psst, Hermione!" Hermione was in the library working on her Defence against the Dark arts essay when she was interrupted by Ginny Weasley. She looked up at Ginny, a little irritated; her essay had been flowing well.

"Yes?"

Ginny didn't seem at all perturbed by Hermione's brisk manner and sat down opposite her, looking all smiley. Hermione stared at her for a few seconds, before a look of comprehension dawned on her face; Ginny was wearing lipstick. She leaned forward and put down her quill, more interested.

"Date with Theo, how did it go?" Ginny squealed in a way which made Hermione want to thump her, but she held back. "So, how was it?" Hermione pressed.

Ginny sighed rather dramatically and opened her mouth. "He's so chatty-" Hermione frowned but said nothing; that was not the Theo she knew. "He really helped with the potions and he was all, sarcasticky and Slytherinny and," Ginny sighed again, "charming."

"So, did he ask you out?"

"Well, he said we could study again, he was sort of shy with that - but that's as good as, right?" Ginny asked nervously.

Hermione nodded reassuringly; she was glad for them. "Yeah, he is shy, that's really good. He didn't kiss you - did he?"

Ginny shifted and replied, "Well, he sort of leaned towards me at the end, then went red and muttered goodbye - I think he was going to, but the more I think about it the more I think I imagined it - wishful thinking." Ginny sounded confused and looked slightly thoughtful.

"No," Hermione shook her head, "that sounds like Theo all over. I tell you what, I'll talk to him."

"Would you? Tell him I really like him. Wait; don't tell him that, I want to tell him that!" Ginny was starting to babble and go pink in the face. "So, tell him... tell him I understand it and that I had a good time and that-"

"Tell him that you've got so worked up over him you don't stop for breath?" Hermione asked, smiling in an amused fashion. "That would make his day."

Ginny contemplated for a moment. "Doesn't sound too clingy?"

"Not to Theo - he wouldn't sleep tonight if I told him that." Hermione replied matter of factly.

"Alright," Ginny said happily, "tell him that." She paused for a second, watching as Hermione went back to her essay.

"Well?" Ginny demanded.

Hermione looked up. "Well what?"

Ginny tutted. "Aren't you going to see Theo?"

"What, now?" Hermione demanded. "I still have my essay to do!"

"Oh, fine." Ginny sulked and crossed her arms. "I get it."

Hermione sighed. "This'll only take ten minutes, then I'll go straight away, alright?"

Ginny brightened. "Okay!" She left after a couple of minutes of Hermione's scribbling.

Hermione packed up a few minutes later, wondering vaguely where she could find Theo. She didn't need to look far.

"Hi, Hermione." She jumped and turned round from fastening her school bag.

"Oh, it's you, Theo. Sit down, I was about to come and find you," Hermione replied, trying to steady her racing heart. Theo sat obediently and waited patiently for Hermione to put her things away.

"Well, what did she say?" he asked as soon as Hermione sat down. "I know she will have talked to you by now."

Hermione smiled, "Well, she said you were OK...."

Theo's face fell. "OK?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I'm joking, she was babbling on without breathing about how fantastic you are."

Theo looked over the moon. "Really?"

"Really."

He looked nervous. "Should I ask her to Hogsmeade?"

Hermione rolled her eyes; he was being very slow. "Yes, definitely, she wants you to. And what's this I hear about you almost kissing her?"

Theo went red. "Bottled," was his simple reply.

Hermione sighed. "Well, she guessed what you were going to do - but that was a good effort on a study session. She did want you to, though."

"She did? I will next time," Theo sounded determined.

"You Gryffindor, you," Hermione joked. Theo fluttered his eyelashes dramatically.

"So, what's Blaise been saying about me now?" asked Hermione eagerly.

Theo thought for a moment, still with a wide smile on his face. "Nothing particularly new, apart from his usual "my girlfriend is such a good snogger," spiel." Hermione smiled, that sounded alright by her. "Oh," Theo said suddenly, "have you let him snog you on Snape's desk yet?"

Hermione went bright red. "No, I think he needs to be kept waiting."

"And how would you know that?" Theo asked, leering at her. "You're Hermione Granger."

"I am. But I'm not just a bookworm."