The two of them walked through the streets with no particular purpose. Although they had the whole day to spend they didn't really have that much that they wanted to buy. The last Hogsmede visit hadn't been that long ago and so Harry didn't need to stock up on any thing from Zonkos. Not to mention Fred and George sent Harry free samples pack every month.

"I guess I could get some more quills." He said as they approached a school supplies shop. "I do still have some but I guess with exams coming up in a few months time it will be good to have some spares in case they break."

Hermione simply nodded and they made their way inside. It was quiet in here compared to the busy street outside, probably due to the fact that there was nothing romantic about parchment and quills.

Hermione walked a little way away and looked at some inks. They had various different colours, including a green one which reminded her of Harry's eyes, those things she spent so long staring into.

Harry picked up a few quills. They were an unusual type, but he always bought them because he said he preferred the stroke he could get out of them. Hermione smiled as he explained this. It was endearing. He glanced down at his watch which he wore round his wrist. Hermione was pleased to see him using it rather than the large clock on the wall. He glanced up at her and she quickly diverted her gaze.

"It's too early to get anything to eat. Is there anything else you would like to look at first, or would you like to go and get a drink?"

"Well there isn't really anything I need to get… Besides I'm meant to be saving for my holiday this year. I suppose we could always go and watch that street performance that is on. I saw one last year and it was quiet good. I don't mind if you don't want to though." She added. "After all it is a bit chilly outside and you probably don't want to be standing round do you?"

"Well I have never seen one, but if you think its good and you want to see it I don't see why not. After all what are friends for?" He asked as he smiled and opened the door for her.

"For dating…" She muttered to herself as she stepped outside. The street performance was mostly like a play, though it had a few differences. Firstly there were no stage and no props that weren't real. Secondly there was no announcement that it was about to start, or who the actors were, so basically people gathered in a crowd at the point and time, and then people who seemed no different than any others would start talking or behaving in a manner which seemed rather believable, so that you could easily be fooled into thinking it wasn't a play at all.

She heard somewhere that it was based on an old kind of Muggle theatre but she didn't really care for that. As long as she went with Harry then she could partly fool herself into thinking it was a date. The street play was scheduled to start in about fifteen minutes near the far outskirts of the village. It was a ten minute walk through the busy streets, and when they finally got there, there was already a large crowd assembled. There was a large circle which had been drawn on the ground with chalk, to mark where the play would take place.

Many people were standing inside the circle, for this was permitted, the only down side was that if you did stand there you may well find yourself involved in a play that you only wanted to watch.

"Wow its awfully busy do you think it's started yet?" Hermione asked as she tried to see over the mass of the crowd. "What do you see Harry? Tell me, I'm only little."

"I can't see anything myself, we are going to have to get nearer the front." He replied as he pushed through the throng of people leaving a closing path behind him that Hermione quickly darted down.

They stopped as they reached the front, only to find themselves some way inside the circle.

"Oh we are going to have to go back a bit." Harry mumbled as became panicked.

"Don't be such a big baby she said." As she shoved him the rest of the way forwards. They were standing inside a large circle, probably measuring about one hundred feet across. There must have been two or three dozen people inside the circle, though it was impossible to see where exactly the line was on the far side.

"Ok as long as we stay near the edge though we should be good. Generally the closer you are to the middle the more likely they are to choose you. Isn't that right?" Her asked as he looked down at her. She was only half listening as she looked round at all the people. There were only a few minutes to go so the actors were probably already there, though it was impossible to tell.

"She spotted Ron some way to their right, about a third of the way round the circle from them. She made no effort to point him out to Harry in case he wanted to join Ron again.

She waved to him, though he didn't see her. He still had the girl from earlier next to him, and he was talking to a man some years older than himself. At first Hermione thought it was Mr Weasley, but as the man turned slightly and his hat slipped on his head she saw it wasn't. She didn't recognise the man, nor did she know how Ron knew him.

She was about to ask Harry what he thought, but the stranger cast her a quick glance, so fast as to almost be missed, before turning his attention back to Ron, talking for a moment more, and finally disappearing into the crowd.

"It should start now." Harry said as he looked once more at his watch. As though on cue to what he said there was a small murmuring that went through the crowd, as though something was beginning. Everyone looked round at each other hoping to spot the beginning, though no one seemed to have any luck, none except Hermione.