Disclaimer: The characters and setting most definitely do not belong to me – they came from that wonderful story-teller J.K. Rowling.
10 minutes earlier . . .
It had been on one of the more beautiful days of October that the Hogsmeade trip had been scheduled. The air was crisp and cool, the scent of burning leaves wafting across the main road. Students had swarmed from the castle, anxious for a day of rest and relaxation.
Hermione sighed as she breathed the fresh air. After days of studying and homework, all she needed was a trip to Hogsmeade. She looked forward to a warm draught of butterbeer and could taste the Sugar Quills she would soon buy. A smile played across her lips. Another bag of Bernie Bott's Every Flavor Beans and her new robes would no longer fit.
"Hellllooooo? Anybody there?" Ron's voice cut through her daydreams. He waved a hand in front of her very spaced-out eyes.
Hermione frowned. "What, Ron?"
"We just asked if you wanted to stop in Zonko's before we grab a butterbeer," Harry explained patiently. Ron nodded enthusiastically.
"Well . . . guys . . . I really wanted some Every Flavor Beans. Can I just meet up with you in five minutes?" Hermione's idea of a good time did not include purchases at Zonko's.
Hermione thought for a moment she saw Ron's face fall, but an instant later, he had plastered on a large smile. "I guess so, Hermione . . . but don't be late!" He grabbed Harry's arm and led him, protesting, toward the joke shop. Hermione could make out a faint ". . . get her good . . . " before the boys entered the bustle of every Hogwarts' students' fantasy store. She shook her head, as she strolled into Honeydukes, unaware of the pair of black eyes gazing at her retreating form.
Five minutes later, Hermione exited the candy store, a bag of sweets held tightly in her fist. She could almost taste the toffee beans melting in her mouth.
'And Ron and Harry won't even get one bean from me. Nope, no wa –' Hermione suddenly felt herself jerked into an alleyway and pushed against a mossy wall.
"What- ?" A hand clamped over her mouth. Hermione's eyes focused on an unknown face as her assailant leaned in close. He chuckled softly as he said, "Who would leave such a pretty face alone on such a day as this?" Suddenly, the man's mouth covered hers. She could taste the firewhiskey on his breath.
He's going to hurt me! Comprehension dawned on Hermione's face. Gasping, she brought up her knee.
"Don't, my sweet. You won't like the consequences . . ."
10 minutes earlier . . .
It had been on one of the more beautiful days of October that the Hogsmeade trip had been scheduled. The air was crisp and cool, the scent of burning leaves wafting across the main road. Students had swarmed from the castle, anxious for a day of rest and relaxation.
Hermione sighed as she breathed the fresh air. After days of studying and homework, all she needed was a trip to Hogsmeade. She looked forward to a warm draught of butterbeer and could taste the Sugar Quills she would soon buy. A smile played across her lips. Another bag of Bernie Bott's Every Flavor Beans and her new robes would no longer fit.
"Hellllooooo? Anybody there?" Ron's voice cut through her daydreams. He waved a hand in front of her very spaced-out eyes.
Hermione frowned. "What, Ron?"
"We just asked if you wanted to stop in Zonko's before we grab a butterbeer," Harry explained patiently. Ron nodded enthusiastically.
"Well . . . guys . . . I really wanted some Every Flavor Beans. Can I just meet up with you in five minutes?" Hermione's idea of a good time did not include purchases at Zonko's.
Hermione thought for a moment she saw Ron's face fall, but an instant later, he had plastered on a large smile. "I guess so, Hermione . . . but don't be late!" He grabbed Harry's arm and led him, protesting, toward the joke shop. Hermione could make out a faint ". . . get her good . . . " before the boys entered the bustle of every Hogwarts' students' fantasy store. She shook her head, as she strolled into Honeydukes, unaware of the pair of black eyes gazing at her retreating form.
Five minutes later, Hermione exited the candy store, a bag of sweets held tightly in her fist. She could almost taste the toffee beans melting in her mouth.
'And Ron and Harry won't even get one bean from me. Nope, no wa –' Hermione suddenly felt herself jerked into an alleyway and pushed against a mossy wall.
"What- ?" A hand clamped over her mouth. Hermione's eyes focused on an unknown face as her assailant leaned in close. He chuckled softly as he said, "Who would leave such a pretty face alone on such a day as this?" Suddenly, the man's mouth covered hers. She could taste the firewhiskey on his breath.
He's going to hurt me! Comprehension dawned on Hermione's face. Gasping, she brought up her knee.
"Don't, my sweet. You won't like the consequences . . ."