Harry Potter One-Shots

Pygmy Puffs

Emma rubbed her hands together in an attempt to warm them up. It was getting chillier outside and soon Hogwarts would be like a winter wonderland. She walked outside the castle along with the rest of her peers. They were taking a well-earned trip to Hogsmeade.

“And so you see, we have to start studying earlier for our exams.” Hermione was saying, though Emma wasn’t paying too much attention to her friend, Hermione didn’t mind too much.

Ron scoffed then whispered something to Harry, which made the two boys burst out laughing. Harry whispered back, Ron nodded; glancing over at Hermione.

Rolling her eyes, Hermione ignored the two, “Tired?” Hermione offers her friend a smile.

 Emma nodded; a yawn escaping. “Yeah. Went to bed later than usual since I was working on my essay for Potions class. Snape really knows how to pile the homework, doesn’t he?”

Hermione nodded, “Though it’s good, since we can learn more.”

“Hermione!” Ron sighs, “Don’t ruin my day already. All this talk of school is making me sick to my stomach. Why can’t we talk about something that won’t make me fall asleep?”

“Well, Ronald, what do you suggest we talk about?” Hermione sighs, shaking her head. “And don’t say quidditch, you know that Emma and I don’t play quidditch.”

The two boys groaned.  “Why not? It’s not like you have no idea what it is or how to play…” Ron complained. Hermione and Ron fought quite a lot so while the two were going back and forth.

 Emma shifted her attention to Seamus. He was standing near the front of the group with Dean.

Harry nudged Emma slightly, “Seamus, eh?” It wasn’t really much of a question, due to Harry already knowing the answer.

All the same, Emma’s blush slowly crept on her cheeks. “Oh shut it.” She muttered, “Everyone knows you fancy Ginny.”

Harry ducked his head, laughing, “True. Or, you know, almost completely true.” He glances at Ron carefully but then decides Ron probably didn’t hear it, not over Hermione’s rant at least.

The group walked in silence for a bit, even Hermione and Ron stopped their bickering. They entered the store owned by Ron’s twin older brothers, Fred and George.

“Welcome,” George greeted; his eyes sparkling, “what do we have here? The chosen one himself with his very best friends.”

“Perhaps,” Harry replies, taking a look around. Harry and Ron went to look at some of prank potions and candies. Emma and Hermione headed by the Pygmy Puffs. They were just so adorable and Ginny suggested that they both get one. Luna had also said that they were known to sing on Boxing Day.

“Hey, can I get through here?” Seamus asks, taking a long look at Emma. Emma glanced behind her, and then nodded, trying to keep her cool. Her heart pounded slowly as she took in the moment. She and Seamus hardly spoke and she regretted that fact.

“Oh…um... sure. Yeah.” She sputters out, moving to the side to let Seamus through. Hermione had an amused smile on her face.

“Great, thanks.” He grins and stands beside her, looking at some Muggle Magic Tricks. “Can you believe that some muggles actually believe that this is real magic?” He asks, holding up the box which contained ‘magical cards’ and ‘false coins’.

Emma smiles; taking a good look at the box and its contents, “Not really. It all seems too fake to me.” She concludes and hands it back to him.

Seamus nods his approval, “Yeah. Same here for me. What’s your name again?”

“Emma.” She replies, looking at the Pygmy Puffs once more, hoping and wishing that her blush wasn’t starting once more.

“So Pygmy Puffs, eh, Emma?”

“Yup. They’re just too cute. Too bad I don’t have enough money to get one.” She sighs and looks around. Hermione had gone back with Harry and Ron. This left her and Seamus utterly alone.

“Well, I have some extra money with me and I don’t mind buying something for a friend,” Seamus takes out a bag which jingled and jangled with its coins.

“No, thanks. I’ll just wait until next time I’m here in Hogsmeade.” Emma sets down the pygmy puff, now giving Seamus her full attention.

“Alright then, if you’re sure.”

“I am.” Emma nodded her head and made her way back over to her friends.

*

Since that day, she and Seamus had started to talk more. To Emma’s delight, they were starting to become friends. He often sat by her at lunch and talked to her as they switched classes. Dean was still a little cold to her since he wasn’t used to having a girl around with them so much.

“So, I was wondering, will you go to Hogsmeade with me tomorrow?” Seamus asks his hands stuffed in his pockets. “That is, if you aren’t already going with someone. I mean Dean can’t go since he has detention and I really don’t want to go alone…so…”

“Yes!” Came Emma’s quick answer and she couldn’t even try to be able to hide her smile.

“Sounds like a plan. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

*

The next day couldn’t have come any sooner. Emma stood waiting for McGonagall to let them through to roam Hogsmeade. Seamus stood right beside her.

“Alright, students, you are free to go. Be sure to meet me back here by 6 o’ clock sharp! Unless you want to face detention and 50 points deducted from your house.” Professor McGonagall gives them all a sharp, serious look.

Seamus and Emma smiled at each other then started their trip down to the village. They were playing a round of 20 questions.

“Is it a broom?” Emma asks.

Seamus groaned, “You’re too good at this game.”

“Nah, you just aren’t making this hard.”

He stopped a moment, “Wait here. I’ll be back in about…five minutes?”

“But why?” Emma sighs, sitting down on a nearby bench, a little upset to say the least. She stared down at her hands, waiting for an answer.

“Cheer up! I’ll be back before you know it!” Seamus gives Emma a smile and Emma tried to look happier. She watched as the other students passed by her; laughing, smiling, talking. She saw some couples in the tea shops and about, their hands linked together.

“Close your eyes,” Came a voice from behind her. Emma jumped a bit before she realized it was only Seamus.

“O-okay.” She mumbles, still startled but she did as she was told. She heard the gravel crunching as Seamus made his way over.

“Open them.” He commanded and there in his hands was a Pygmy Puff. It was pink and rather fluffy. It looked at her, its eyes blinking slowly.

“It’s for you.” He says, placing it on her shoulder, where Ginny had hers placed while on the train ride to Hogwarts this year.

Emma’s pinks were tinged with pink, the same shade of pink as the pygmy puff. “Thanks. I’ll name him Apollo.”

Seamus shrugged. “It’s nothing. I just want to see you happy, Emma. You are a wonderful girl. I was wondering…would you like to be my girlfriend?” He asks, grinning at her, his eyes hopeful.

“I would love to! As long as you’re my boyfriend.” She teases.

“Great…ummm...” Seamus leans forward, and kisses her gently. Emma was in heaven and she did not care who was watching.

“We probably shouldn’t do this around Apollo.” Emma jokes, and Seamus nodded.

“Oh yeah…” He grins, and gives her a peck on the cheek. The two walked around some more, just enjoying the day. Today was the day and it all started with a simple trip to Hogsmeade.