The Boy Who Fought: OC X Hermione

Hogsmeade Date

Today was the first Hogsmeade trip for the year. Hermione and Carson were going on a date. This is technically their first date, excluding all their study dates in the library.

"Remember! These visits to Hogsmeade Village are a privilege. Should your behavior reflect poorly on the school in any way, that privilege shall not be extended again." Professor McGonagall announced to the third years.

Harry tried to convince her to let him go, since his aunt and uncle didn't sign his form. Hermione thought that him staying would be a good idea, since Sirius Black, but didn't mention Carson at all because she wanted to go on a date with him.

They had entered the carriages, sharing the one between the two of them. They made out for the ride there, and when they got to the village, they went to honeydukes first before the post office. They picked out various candies for each other and bought nearly the whole store.

"You know 'Mione, you have a good taste in candy." Carson said, taking another bite of his chocolate while exiting the post office.

"Thanks. You're not so bad at it yourself. Should we get a butterbeer at the three broomstick? I heard its excellent!" Hermione said, taking Carson's hand in hers.

"If that's what you wanna do, that's what we'll do." Carson said, walking them to the tavern.

They had their butterbeers, a hint of vanilla in Carson's. They shared plenty of fun stories as they drank their butterbeer and ended up brining back some for Harry.

Their final stop was Zonko's joke shop, where Hermione forbade Carson to buy anything. They were there to look only. She had made that clear when he tried to buy a fanged frisbee, and she shoved him out of the store.

"I will not let you get detention! Half of those items are forbidden in the school! You know better!" she said, pulling him by the ear.

"Ow, ow, OW! Fine 'Mione! I get it! Let go!" He said, holding his ear in pain. She had a strong grip. She kissed his cheek and grabbed his hand again. "Sorry love, you needed to learn! Now, lets head back. This was fun! We should do it again. Next time, we can go to the bookshop here!" Hermione said, planning the next date on the carriage ride back.

Once they arrived back, they gave Harry his butterbeer and he loved it. He thanked the two profusely.

"And the post office! It's about 200 owls, all sitting on color-coded shelves, depending on how fast you want your letter to go!" Hermione said, raving about her date with her boyfriend.

"And Honeyduke's is brilliant! Sugar Quills, Flaming Whizbees -- and blood-flavored lollipops for Halloween!" Ron said, not noticing Harry's glum look. He was obviously disappointed about missing out.

"But, I mean, after a while, it got a bit boring. Don't you think, Ron, Hermione?" Carson said, picking up on Harry's demeanor.

The four were walking up the stairs to Gryffindor tower, when there was a commotion.

"Let me through please! I'm heady boy! Let me through!" Percy Weasley said, shoving through a crowd of first years.

"What's going on? Only Neville forgets the password." Ron said, noticing the crowd by the fat lady. There was a faint "Hey!" from Neville, indicating it wasn't him.

"The fat lady...she's...she's gone.." Ginny Weasley stuttered out.

The three looked at each other in shock. "Probably stuffing her face with the apples in that still life on the second floor again." Ron said, dismissing the idea that she was gone.

Hermione gasps as she clutches onto Carson's arm as he looks at the slash in the painting. Just as he sees what's going on, Dumbledore arrives.

"Mr. Filch. Round up the ghosts. Tell them to search every painting in the castle for the Fat Lady." Dumbledore commands Mr. Filch.

"There'll be no need for ghosts, Professor..." Filch says, pointing to a painting where the Fat Lady is hiding.

"Dear lady. Who did this to you?" Dumbledore asks the fat lady calmly.

"Eyes like the devil he's got. And a soul as dark as his name. It was him, Headmaster. The one they talk about. He's here. Somewhere in the castle. Sirius Black. Marshall's the one he wants, Potter's just an accomplice who will have to make a choice of life or death." The fate lady said, seeming to be in a trance of some sorts.

Hermione held onto Carson as if her life depended on it. She was going to protect him.

"Secure the castle, Mr. Filch. The rest of you... to the Great Hall." Dumbledore announced, shooing the children away.

The rest of the night, the teachers were on the lookout for Black, Snape was suspicious of one staff member, and Hermione held onto Carson all night.