Consequences

Chapter 12

Hermione just about jumped a foot in the air when she felt someone tap her shoulder while walking back from dinner. She had left early, wanting to get some work done, and was consequently on her own. That did not mean, however, that Theo had the right to creep up on her. But he did.

"Ahh! Theo!!" Hermione spun round and went for her wand.

"Don't hex!" said Theo sarcastically, his hands raised.

"You... you... little Slytherin! Don't you dare sneak up on me like that!" Hermione's heart was beating a little too quickly for her to feel comfortable.

"Sorry, can't help it- I creep." Theo smirked hugely as Hermione shot him a look.

"Anyway- why were you creeping up on me?" asked Hermione, putting her wand away.

"Oh- Ginny," Theo replied.

"What happened?" Hermione inquired eagerly.

Theo replied happily, practically jumping up and down, "I asked her out!"

"So I assume she said yes," Hermione replied with some amusement.

"No, I'm this happy because she said no," Theo stated sarcastically.

Hermione huffed. "Fine- what happened?"

"Well," began Theo, unusually chatty. "I met her in the library; she's actually okay at Potions when she applies herself."

Hermione snorted. "When she applies herself to you, you mean?"

Theo blushed. "I kissed her!"

Hermione gaped. That was his most random comment so far. "Well done!" she said, rather impressed; Theo was bound to be quite shy around Ginny.

"It was only for a second- but she didn't pull away and she agreed to go out with me!" Theo was getting very excited.

Hermione was impressed- Theo seemed to have really made a decision about Ginny and Ginny didn't seem to be minding either.

"So- where are you taking her?" Hermione asked, honestly curious about what Theo had planned; she guessed it would be rather special.

He frowned. "I don't know yet."

Hermione thought, "Well- it needs to be something special." They both thought.

"I know!" said Hermione suddenly, a brilliant idea popping into her head. "Ask Blaise if you can use his uncle's house in Hogsmeade- the garden is beautiful!" Hermione smiled; reminiscing to her first date with Blaise- she had loved it and was sure Ginny would too.

"Do you think he'll let me use it?" Theo asked doubtfully.

"He has no reason not to," she replied matter of factly. "Besides, if he does say no, I'll persuade him."

"Persuade him? DO I really want to know?"

Hermione grinned. "Probably not, but I have my devious ways. Now, go and have a good daydream about Ginny." Theo grinned at her and walked back down the corridor.

Hermione smiled as she set off walking again; she was really happy for Theo, and she could only imagine how excited Ginny was going to be when she saw her.

But when Hermione entered the common room a few minutes later Ginny wasn't back. Hermione went up too her dormitory, (which was thankfully Lavender free.) She sat at her desk and pulled a piece of parchment towards her, having an idea.

She picked up a quill, dipped it in some ink and began to write.

Dear Mum and Dad,

I suppose this letter is going to give you several feelings and make you think a lot of things. I don't know exactly what you will feel, but I can guess your reactions.

I have a question to ask. You can say yes- and I'll love you forever, but you can say no and it will not only break my heart but someone else's too.

I've been invited to go to a person's house over the summer. In Italy. I know you miss me over the course of the year and I miss you too, more than you'll ever know. But I wouldn't be gone for the whole holiday and it really is a fascinating opportunity to go to Italy. Perhaps you could come as well? I'll ask the person.

I suppose you want to know who this person is- after all, you don't want your daughter in the hands of someone you don't know anything about.

He's my boyfriend (and, no, mum, you can't have him.)

We've been together for about three weeks and it's going really well. He's lovely, you really would like him. His name is Blaise Zabini, he's smart, quiet (and you mummy will probably melt on the spot when you meet him.)

But I'm going off topic. He invited me- he didn't have to, but he wanted to.

If you want to, you could meet him at the end of term- see what you think of him before you make a decision. Whatever you want.

I had best go- otherwise I'll use up all my ink (which I need for my Potions homework.)

Please reply with your answer.

Love,

Your Hermione.

Hermione read her letter through- evaluating practically every word of what she had written. Did it make her parents trust her; encourage them to let her go? A few scribblings later, Hermione folded the letter into three and wrote her parents names on the front. She sealed it with a Muggle sticker, which she always kept a supply of; they reminded her of home.

Hermione stood up and walked down her dormitory stairs into the common room, looking for Harry. She soon spotted him curled up in a chair, talking to Seamus. She walked over and asked him a question.

"Harry, can I borrow Hedwig to send a letter to my parents?"

Harry looked up and replied. "Yeah, she's in my dormitory- help yourself."

Hermione thanked him and walked up to Harry's dormitory, glad that none of the boys were in there. She spotted Hedwig and coaxed her onto her arm, before attaching the letter to her.

"Can you take this to my parents- make sure it gets there; I'm trusting you, Hedwig." The owl seemed to hold herself a little higher when Hermione said this- she knew she'd said the right thing.

Hedwig took off and flew out of the open window. Hermione sighed to herself; she hoped her parents would say yes.