Inside Your Mind

ironic

Ironic - Alanis Morissette

September 12th 1998

A week on the four had become slightly more acquainted with one another though they were still prone to regular arguments.

However, after the first, Hermione had insisted that, should they argue, no wands were allowed. She had mostly said it to Ginny but she had thrown pointed looks at Blaise and Draco so that it didn't look like she was specifically speaking to the fiery red head lest she be on the receiving end of a Bat-Bogey hex.

It was clear that, after the first Saturday of bonding over a drink, it would become a regular thing. Hermione didn't want to ask Blaise how he managed to get Firewhiskey into their dormitory and he never shared that information.

At first the conversation was stunted and awkward, mostly consisting of the boys and girls chatting seperatly in their own conversations, but they soon managed to discuss safe topics as a group of four.

Being somewhat of an oddity to the Pureblood Slytherins, Hermione was asked about the workings of the Muggle world and Blaise in particular took a certain interest in her upbringing in the Muggle world.

'So, how do Muggles get around if they don't Apparate, Floo, or use Portkeys?' Blaise asked with wide eyes and a confused expression written across his face. Hermione glanced over to find Draco just as interested but with a smirk on his face instead.

'Well, there's all sorts of transport. Trains, buses, cars, planes.' Hermione said as she finished her drink and poured another.

'Trains I know. I'm assuming your buses are like the Knight Bus?' Blaise said. 'But what are the others?'

'The Knight Bus only really looks like a Muggle bus, it works in a completely different way. Buses and cars are similar though. They're essentially metal boxes with wheels that move with an engine.' Hermione tried to explain, not knowing how much Blaise would understand or have heard of already. 'And planes also work with an engine, but they fly.'

'Like a broomstick?' Blaise asked.

'Not really.' Hermione said with a laugh. 'Most planes carry more than one person. They're huge.'

'Can you drive a car?' Draco asked, much to Hermione's surprise that he would even be interested.

'Yes.' She admitted. 'I learned Christmas of Sixth Year and passed my test in the Easter holidays that year.'

'Is it harder than riding a broom?' Ginny asked, never having known that Hermione could drive.

'It probably would be for you but I'm terrible at flying so it was probably easier than riding a broomstick for me.' Hermione laughed.

'I reckon I could drive.' Blaise said with a confident look.

Hermione laughed. 'You don't even know what a car looks like, how could you confidently say you could drive one?'

'If you think it's easier than riding a broom, I reckon I've got a chance.' Blaise confirmed with a nod.

Hermione rolled her eyes as she took a sip of her drink.

'If only dad still had his car I could learn to drive.' Ginny mused with a smile.

'Your dad had a car?' Blaise asked.

'A flying car.' Ginny corrected. 'He's interested in all sorts of Muggle things but he likes to change them. He doesn't have it any more.'

'What happened to it?' Blaise asked, leaning towards Ginny with genuine interest.