Here we are. Sorry it took so long I'm revising for an exam and there's work, and I'm reading a bunch of other fics…

Plenty of fluff ahead - it's time for the date.

Enjoy, review, or don't. I noticed there was over a 100 followers on this fic. That honestly shocked me.

As always, I don't own Harry Potter.

"So, Harry, what do you think of Hogsmead?" Hermione asked as she and Harry strolled through the village. She pointed out some of the village landmarks and shops, as well as the famous Three Broomsticks bar.

"Well, to be perfectly honest, it's a little underwhelming. For what is essentially the only completely magical village in the country that is. Though I must say I do like it, it's… quaint. I like the quiet here." Harry replied after giving it a little thought.

"Hmm, it's hard for me to judge it having never been to any other magical places, and Diagon Alley definitely doesn't count." Hermione became thoughtful for a moment before asking Harry, "I guess since you moved around so much you got to see some very interesting places? Do you have a favourite?"

"Oof, tough question. Let's see… from the magical perspective I think Egypt was my favourite place, I'm pretty sure that's where we stayed the longest too. From non-magical, it's Malta, there's just something peaceful about being on that island."

"What was Egypt like?" Hermione asked as they continued their walk through the village, leaving behind the bustle of the busy corners usually occupied by students.

"It was hot," Harry chuckled at Hermione's expression, "it was magical, and I mean that in every sense of the word. The magic in that place was so dense you could feel it around you. It's also wild, I had to relearn how to control some of my spells whilst I was there. It was like the magic in the air reacted with my spell casting."

"That's incredible, I didn't even think that was possible. What were you doing in Egypt?"

"We actually went there for mum. She found a lead for her research that led her to Egypt, it's also why we stayed so long. The lead proved to be incredibly valuable and she wanted to get as much out of it as possible. Because of that though I had my first hit at doing things on my own.

"Mum still got me a couple tutors, mostly in runes and transfiguration. The Egyptians seem to be incredibly good at that. But I spent my time exploring the tombs, reading some of the history. Did you know that the Egyptian history is different when viewed from the magical world compared to the muggle?"

"Professor Babbling mentioned that in one of our lessons, the pharaohs confounded the muggles into believing that they were great, and noble, and that's what's been written into the history books."

Harry laughed. "Honestly Hermione, how do you file all that information in your head from a single mention in a class… but you're right, that's what the magical history of Egypt tells us. I found it interesting to draw parallels between Voldemort and Ramses III. According to what we know, he was an evil ruler. A dark lord 3000 years ago, and supposedly undefeated. No one knows what happened to him, he just vanished. But his reign was a dark time for wizards and witches, just like Voldemort's. Different ideals, but all just as ridiculous. Believing that only the royal family should possess magic, he hunted all other magic users down with the help of his army, who were all muggles."

"That's awful, and he just vanished?"

"Yeah, poof, gone. There's some accounts of him being poisoned, or assassinated. But nothing has ever been proven." Harry replied solemnly.

They have reached the border of the village, before them the Scottish highlands stretched as far as the horizon.

"Well, that's the whole village Harry, do you know what you want to do then?" She asked with a small smile.

"Yeah, I guess," Harry said, "sorry that's not very enthusiastic. In the muggle world there's just so much more you can do as a date, and I feel like anything we do here is just going to bore you." He finished with a sigh.

"I'm having a great time so far Harry, don't worry about it. Though I wasn't aware you knew about muggle, erm, dating habits?" She asked.

"Dating habits?" Harry laughed, "I picked up a thing or two moving around. I would have loved to take you to the movies, or something silly like mini golf, then finish with some sort of meal. Here we jump straight to the last part."

"Mini golf? That doesn't sound very fun." Hermione said.

"Oh Hermione, it's brilliant. Sirius took me for my birthday once. It's incredibly fun, the places are usually themed and honestly the worse you are at it the more fun it is." Harry replied excitedly to which Hermione just laughed.

"Well, how about, we also have a date in the muggle world then?"

Harry grinned, his smile turning into a slight tease. "Are you asking me out Ms Granger? Confident that there's going to be another date?"

"Well, I mean…" Hermione stuttered before turning to Harry, "that's not funny Harry!" She exclaimed, bumping into him lightly.

"Sorry, sorry! I'd like that though. Shall we head to the Three Broomsticks? Might be less crowded now."

"Sure, can't wait for a butterbeer!"

They carried on chatting as they made their way through the village towards the bar. Both smiling and at ease around each other. Harry initially worried about it being awkward. But the thought vanished when they spent the breakfast together before heading to Hogsmead, realising that they already spend so much time in each other's company that there's nothing to feel awkward about.

Harry and Hermione found themselves sitting side by side in a booth in The Three Broomsticks. Chatting and laughing about anything and everything. Their conversation turned to the magic club that Harry started on Hermione's suggestion.

"You know Harry, I've noticed you never actually do any of the demonstrations yourself, why is that?" Hermione asked.

"Well," Harry started looking around cautiously, "mum and Sirius drilled into me that I shouldn't really show it off. That it's better that I'm underestimated for as long as possible."

"Hmm, well I think that ship's sailed when you duelled Professor Dumbledore," she retorted.

Harry laughed, "I'm sure he was still going easy on me. Mum said he's coming to some sort of meeting she organised in January. I'm curious as to why, he's always been kept at an arm's length away from me. Though I guess now that I'm here it can't be helped."

"Yeah, you mentioned something about it before, it's the fact he painted you as the hero and not your mum, putting you in the spotlight?"

"That's right." Harry replied solemnly.

In truth, Harry never held that against Dumbledore. He didn't like that the man kept secrets, secrets that Lily found out anyways, but he was still Dumbledore. Whatever reservations people may have about him, he's the greatest wizard of our age. Harry wanted to be just like that.

Harry and Hermione were so deep in conversation that they hadn't noticed that they'd been approached by a small group of people, with a gangly red-head at the front.

"Harry, mate, do you wanna join us for a few butter beers? We've got a booth just over there," he pointed vaguely behind him.

Broken out of their conversation Harry and Hermione looked up to see their fellow Gryffindors standing by their booth. Completely oblivious to the fact that they have interrupted them.

"Ron," Harry said slowly, "I'm here on a date so I'll pass." He gave Hermione a smile, which she happily returned. But it seemed that Ron wasn't done yet.

"Oooo, a date, who with? Which bird did you snag?"

A second passed, then another, then a third. Everyone was gaping at Ron, his friends, Harry, and Hermione. Harry slowly turned to Hermione and lifted his arm and slowly edged it towards her. Ending up poking her in the cheek. "No no, you are here, which means that Ron over there, is an idiot."

Ron turned red, "You're on a date with the swot? Why?" His face turned slightly panicked and concerned, "mate, you sure you're not under some sort of potion, or-or spell?"

Harry was shocked for a moment, he looked to Hermione to see whether this was some sort of joke. He hasn't interacted with Ron much since that first night, but he knew that him and Hermione didn't get along. However, looking at Hermione he noticed that her eyes glistened slightly with tears. She was blinking rapidly to stop them from falling. Harry was torn between comforting her and physically throwing Ron out of the bar. He took Hermione's hand and gave it a little squeeze and a small smile, trying to convey that he didn't believe Ron and that she never had to do such things to get anyone's attention.

He turned to Ron with a murderous look, his friends long stepped away from him to disassociate themselves. They knew Ron was callous and a bit of a bully, especially to Hermione, but to do so openly like this, and to even suggest that she'd drugged Harry, was a bit too far.

"Weasley. What do you think gives you the right to put anyone down like that. I don't give a shit about your petty insecurities, I know exactly how your jealousy of Hermione started. She was better than you, she was better than everyone, and you took it out on her instead of addressing what you were lacking.

"I could have excused the actions of an eleven year old kid. Hell, I'm sure Hermione didn't go about the fact she knew more than everyone else the right way. But for fuck's sake you were eleven!"

Harry was standing now. With both his hands on the table in front of him to lean on.

"A lot of people have compared me to my father. But I don't actually want to be like him, at least not the way he was. Because he was a bully too. Sure he grew out of it, but he was one, and I always hated that about him. So, Ron, can you imagine that, using that small brain of yours, imagine that your own child hates you because you're a bully. Imagine what would happen if they were bullied at school, they couldn't turn to you could they."

Harry's steel gaze was making Ron shrink in himself.

"Grow the fuck up Ron, until then, don't speak to me, we're not friends, and don't you even dare insult Hermione again. Now fuck off."

Harry clenched his fists and sat back down. Ron scampered away and left the bar without saying a word to anyone. Whether Harry got through to him, or whether he was just scared was of no importance. Harry waved off the apologies from the rest of the Gryffindor boys, and as they all walked off towards their booth he turned to Hermione. Before he could speak though she started,

"Harry, you didn't have to do that. I can take care of Ron myself, I have been for years." Hermione told him, "let me finish" she said as Harry was about to interrupt, no doubt in an attempt to apologise. "Thank you. I do really appreciate it, no one's ever stood up for me like that. Well, maybe my parents. So thank you, but aren't you supposed to be controlling your anger?"

"That was me controlling it… I'm sorry he ruined our date," Harry said.

"He hasn't ruined anything, I'm still having a great time, and we still have a couple hours before we need to head back. So let's just forget it and move on, a confrontation with Ron was inevitable since Dumbledore put his prefectship on probation. This is still the best date I've had." She finished with a smile.

The tension in Harry eased a little. "Best day huh? How many dates have you been on then?" He asked teasingly, effectively breaking any tension left after the confrontation.

"Well, I mean, this is the first," she replied with a blush.

"Not much of a statement then was it"

"Oh shut it!"

Harry just laughed at her blush. "It's my first date too, don't worry."

As the pair walked back to the castle, with wide smiles on their faces carrying an easy conversation, Hermione spotted Neville ahead with a brunette girl.

"Is that? Is that Neville with Hannah?" She asked quietly to Harry. Harry glanced up before replying.

"It looks like it. Why?"

"Wow. I mean, I've never expected Neville to ask someone on a date. He always seemed too shy and awkward. Though I must say his confidence has been rising since he started hanging around you Harry."

"It was actually Hannah that asked him."

"Wait, you knew?! Why didn't you say anything?"

"I.. I didn't think it was that important." Harry laughed. "Neville's been helping her out in the magic club, we need a name for it by the way, we can't just keep calling it 'the magic club'. Anyways, she asked him out after the last meeting."

"I see, Neville's really taken to wandless magic hasn't he. If hanging around you didn't boost his confidence, the fact he was the best at that definitely would."

"Is that a hint of jealousy I hear in your voice?" Harry teased.

Hermione huffed, "it's just not fair how easily it comes to him! I'm still struggling to keep the focus for any significant period of time, and he's out there easily switching between his left and right hand as if he was born doing it!"

"Neville is an unusual case, he's taken to it faster than I have. A lot faster. I believe it's something to do with the fact his wand work is so poor. He doesn't have that mental block, telling him he needs a wand to cast something since he couldn't cast it with a wand in the first place," Harry replied thoughtfully.

Once they were on Hogwart's grounds Harry stopped.

"What's wrong Harry?" Hermione asked as she turned towards him.

Harry fidgeted a little and swallowed loudly as he stepped towards Hermione closing the distance between them.

"Nothing's wrong, I just- Thank you for agreeing to this. I really had a great time," Harry noticing Hermione smile gathered up his courage and bravely carried on, "Once we get in the castle our date is over, and I thought about how I wanted it to end, it's been on my mind pretty much all day." Harry shuffled closer, his arms now gently placed on Hermione's as she looked up to him. Her face smiling with a blush creeping up her neck. Her cheeks turned rosy.

"Yeah? And what conclusion did you come to?" She asked looking up at him. Her head tilted slightly. They were alone on the grounds, the last people to return from Hogsmead, but now even if they were standing in a crowd of people, they wouldn't notice. They were lost in their own world.

"I thought-" Harry breathed out quietly as his arms slowly encircled Hermione and his head lowered.

"Yes?" Hermione breathed right back at him as her arms now moved up, tracing a line on Harry's sides.

"I-"

He never got to finish as the distance between them closed. Harry pressed his lips to Hermione's. Their lips stayed in contact for a few seconds as they both clutched tightly to each other. They both opened their mouths at the same time, both trying to say something. In doing so they deepened the kiss, melting into each other. They stood together like that for what seemed like an eternity. Neither having any practice in kissing, they did what came naturally.

They broke apart after a short while. Both terribly red. Both smiling.

"Well, that was-mhm, wow." Hermione stuttered out. Harry, not trusting to make a coherent sentence just nodded and smiled wider at her. They untangled themselves from their hug and turned towards the castle.

As they took a few steps, neither of them saying anything. Harry's hand brushed against Hermione's, and as it did he took his hand in hers and entwined their fingers.

Not breaking their stride, they looked at each other smiling.

"As far as the end of a date goes, that was perfect." Harry eventually said.

Hermione hummed in accord and they walked the rest of the way towards the castle in comfortable silence, exchanging small smiles along the way.

Well there we go.

I have to say that I'm going on a road trip until June, where I should still be able to write I probably won't be able to post anything sadly. I will try and post Christmas and the meeting next. A longer chapter to make up for this one being so short.