It All Started At a Lake

Chapter 18

Saturday, November 20th, 1998

Hogsmeade was surprisingly beautiful during fall. People were bustling about buying candy and all the other things money could buy. Robes that belonged to all houses passed by in a hurry. Groups of students from all years chatted with each other. 

Hermione wrapped her coat around her tighter as another gust of wind swept through the air. Harry had his arm draped around Ginny while Ron pretended to throw up at the sight. He was starting to come to terms with his best friend dating his sister. 

"Where do we want to go first?" Ginny asked

"I'm sure that my Galleons are really wanting to be spent at the Three Broomsticks." Harry replied

Ron, Hermione, and Ginny all smiled as they headed in the direction of the Three Broomsticks. Madam Rosmerta was always happy to see Harry and his friends during the year, and she happened to have the best Butterbeer. 

Harry grabbed the handle on the wooden door and pulled it open, letting everybody else pass him before he walked in behind them. They took off their coats and hung them on the coat rack before going to a secluded table in the corner of the room.

Madam Rosmerta came up to their table and wrote down all their orders before walking off to a different table. 

Ginny curled up into her boyfriend's side and smiled at Hermione. The two girls had constantly talked about Hermione's date throughout the week and Ginny went into details one night about her most recent date with Harry. They had grown closer during the week and they now had a good friendship between the two of them. Harry and Ron didn't know that Hermione went out with some bloke and Ginny now had somebody to talk to about dates.

"Hermione, are you currently seeing somebody?" Harry asked

Hermione felt panic rise in her chest, but when she looked at her friend, she noticed that he didn't look as thought he though something was off, he looked like he was just asking a normal question. She had panicked for a moment and worried that Ginny had told Harry something and he managed to find out who she went on a date with. He had the Marauder's map and the invisibility cloak after all.

She turned to Ron and noticed he was glaring at Harry, but at the same time he looked relieved that he had asked the question. Ron turned to Hermione, awaiting an answer.

"I've gone on a date with somebody, but I'm not sure if it was more of a friend date or not." Hermione replied after a minute of silence. She was praying to the gods that Harry would end the conversation there and change it to something else. 

Harry frowned a bit and turned to Ron who shared a matching expression. Hermione looked between her two friends and realized that Ron had most likely wanted Harry to ask the question to see if she was with anybody. She knew that Ron still harbored feelings for her, but she didn't share those feelings anymore. They had their chance, but they hadn't taken it, and now she liked somebody else.

She paused her train of thought when she realized that she yet again admitted to herself that she liked Malfoy. It would take time to get used to the thought, considering that she never thought she would ever feel like this about the one and only Draco Malfoy.

Madam Rosmerta came back with four Butterbeers before walking off again. Hermione was the first to pick hers up and take a long sip. They all sat in silence as they all drank their Butterbeer. 

"Is everybody excited for Christmas break? Ginny asked,  "It's only a month away. I can't believe that the school year has been going by so quickly!"