The Aftermath

Chapter Five

It had been about another week and Ron had still not mastered the cell phone. Hermione hadn't given up hope entirely regardless of the fact that Harry had considered it a lost cause. The two of them had been coming to the coffee shop every day during the week. Hermione had family that lived in town as did Ron and they were staying with them. As they walked into the shop Ron turned into a stuttering incoherent fool as he always did. Hermione had to order their coffee. The two went and sat down for their break. Harry wasn't working today so they were meeting him there. The real reason they kept coming in had little to do with Harry. There were plenty of other coffee shops. None of them had Jessica though.

Harry soon arrived and sat down at the table. He grabbed a scone and buttered it before sharing a look with Hermione. Ron could not stop staring at this girl. It was beyond obvious. Yet he couldn't even manage a recognisable hello in her presence.

"Seriously Ron. Sometimes I wonder if it wasn't for the whole Viktor thing if you ever would've admitted you liked me." Hermione said as a black owl flew into the shop. She took the letter. No one even batted an eyelash over it.

"I don't know what kind of magic Narcissa is using to make message carrying owls appear normal,"  Ron said.  It should've been a compliment but it didn't sound like one.

"It's a very subtle kind. Similar to subliminal messaging. It's one of her better laws in the case of Wizards who just can't grasp text messaging."

"That was unnecessary," Ron retorted. Hermione just ignored him. Wrote a return letter and then sent a text.

"Who are you talking to?" Harry inquired.

"No one. Honestly Ron. Talk to her. What's the worst that could happen."

"But she's a muggle, Hermione."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Hermione said with a little too much heat. Ron tried to backpaddle a bit.

"Nothing. Just. How do you go about explaining you're a Wizzard?"

"Worry about that after you figure out if she's even worth it. For all you know she may just be a summer thing," Harry added.

"We can't all be shagging the entirety of London like you are Harry," Ron commented. Harry paid this no mind and was eyeing up a guy at the next table.

"Really Harry. Could you not pick up guys while we are out together."

"You never had a problem with me picking up girls."

"It's just,"

"It's just what Ron," Hermione said. Harry had no intentions of going down this road but if she wanted to he would happily let her. Ron realising he was outnumbered didn't say anything. He wasn't entirely accepting which didn't surprise Harry at all.

"I am going to go talk to her." Ron went to the counter and ordered something as an excuse to talk to her.

"Should we let him try to use muggle money on his own or go over there and save him."  Harry mused as the two watched him.

"I think not. Let her realise how dense he is so she can make an educated decision about him."

"Don't you tell him this but..." Hermione was suddenly all ears. She peered over her coffee like she was looking over the top of a newspaper waiting for juicy information.

"I shagged her a few times."

"Harry," Hermione shook her head but smirked a bit.

"She's hot. Chocolate skin. Deep brown eyes. Come on. If you were gay wouldn't you too?"