Smudged Mascara // Hermione Granger

Blood spill

The court yard was full of students, each of them buzzing holding a permission form as they pass by a glowering Filch, the same look plastered on his face as he stares out over the sea of students. "Remember! These visits to Hogsmeade Village are a privilege. Should your behaviour reflect poorly on the school in any way, that privilege shall not be extended again." Professor McGonagall says, warning the students as she looks over all of them. Harry Potter approaches her, a blank permission slip in his hands. Before he can utter a syllable McGonagall warns him.

No permission form. No visiting the Village. That's the rule, Potter." She says, staring straight at the boy. Harry captures his thoughts in his head before counteracting the Professors statement. "Yes, Professor, but I thought if you said I could go-" Professor McGonagall cuts him off, shooting down any theories the boy had. "But I don't say so. A parent or guardian must sign, and since I am neither, it would be inappropriate." She says, a flicker of pity in her voice.

"I'm sorry, Potter. But that's my final word."

Hermione and Ron watch Harry expectantly from across the the way, their faces falling as they see the dark-haired boy turn and shake his head. Harry raises his hand in farewell, not noticing a pair of grey eyes watching him from afar, a blank permission slip also in her hands. She watches as Professor Lupin approaches the boy, striking up a conversation with the boy.

"So . No Hogsmeade, eh?"

***

The Hall buzzes with tales of Hogsmeade, as students swap stories, sample sweets, and send soap bubbles of all shapes, sizes and colours into the air. A marionette of Harlequin cavorts atop the Gryffindor table, moving its limbs in response to the strands of light that extend from Neville's fingertips. Seamus passes his hand through the light beams and a loud thumping noise rings out as the Harlequin collapses.

"And the post office! It's about 200 owls, all sitting on colour-coded shelves, depending on how fast you want your letter to go!" Hermione says excitedly, telling Harry about her experiences in Hogsmead. "And Honeyduke's is brilliant! Sugar Quills, Flaming Whizbees and blood-flavoured lollipops for Halloween!" Ron adds on, excitement laced in his voice.

Harry just nods, picking quietly through the spray of brilliantly coloured sweets on the table. Hermione notices the disappointment laying on the boys face "But, I mean, after awhile, it got a bit boring. Don't you think ,Ron?" The girl says, giving the redhead a look that screamed for him to play along. "Huh? Oh. Yeah. Dead depressing. Hang on. I almost forgot. I got you something wicked at Dervish and Banges." Ron says, digging through his bag before pulling something out.

"It's a Pocket Sneakoscope" Ron says, placing a small glass spinning top on the table. "If there's someone untrustworthy around, it's meant to light up and spin. Mind you, Fred and George say it's rubbish, sold for wizard tourists, but I thought, you know, it can't hurt, given that-" Harry cuts Ron's sentence off, finishing it for him, "Sirius Black's trying to kill me."

Harry looks up, grinning at the two of them. "I'm glad you had a good time. Really. And thanks for this." He says, eyeing up the Sneakoscope "Rubbish or not, you're right. It can't hurt." Harry pops a pepper imp into his mouth. Making Ron speak once more "Oh, careful of those, they'll make

your-" before Ron could finish his question, smoke curls from Harry's ears and nose. "Never mind" The redhead mumbles.

"Who is that for?" Ron questions, seeing Hermione put a ashtray onto the table as she tries to sort out her bag. "Its for the girl we met on the train" She says, causing the two boys to exchange looks. "I share a room with her and she keeps on burning our windowsill with ash and from putting out her cigarettes, so i have simply brought her an ashtray" Hermione explains, making the two boys nod.