Thanks for the reviews. Just to clarify, this is NOT the final chapter.
Harry froze at this strange sensation, as it took him a moment to try and comprehend what had happened. Finally when his brain caught up with him and found the answer, it tried to deny such a thing, such a taboo act, between friends. Hermione on the other hand was thinking just as fast. She cursed herself afterwards, and if there was a gun in her hand she could think of at least one person she would willingly shoot.
"Think of something fast." She thought to herself as the fractions of seconds seemed to drag on like days under a blistering desert sun. Hermione decided that the best thing she could do for now at least, and also to risk a repeat performance, was to get out of the close proximity. She raised her leg and whacked her knee straight into Harry's groin, causing him to freeze further before falling sideways and onto the floor.
By this point thankfully the actors had come together and were bowing, and so little attention was on the two friends. Harry was unaware of anything however, as he lay on the floor clasping himself in agony. It was far worse than any Crucio curse Voldemort had thrown at him. This was a pain so great he doubted he would ever have children.
"Are you alright?" Hermione asked after a minute in which she composed herself as best she could and looked down into his eyes, which stared back confusedly.
"What the hell are you doing Hermione?" He panted as he heaved himself to his feet. Hermione decided to play innocent, for it came naturally to girls.
"What do you mean?"
"What do I mean?" Harry spluttered as he waved his hands in indignation. "you licked my face and then whack me in my sensitive places!"
"Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean to do that." Hermione said caringly as she held out her hand to support him in case he succumbed to the equally crippling after pain. "I was just trying to get up form where I was. I felt a bit awkward and everything and I didn't want Rita Skeeter or anyone getting a picture of you on top of me like that. I must have accidentally brushed my lips against your face or something. I think I did but I didn't want to make a fuss about it. As for the other bit… I'm sorry about it… do you think you will be ok?"
Harry didn't seem entirely convinced of this explanation, partly due to the fact that there had been a few seconds pause in between the two incidents. However Harry seemed to accept it as he gave a sigh and straightened himself up.
"Yeah I will be fine… I hope." He said as he dusted himself off. Before they could say anything more the leader of the actors came over, who was the one who had played Albert.
"That was a great performance you two did there. We hardly had to work around it at all." He complimented as he gave them a hearty pat on the back. "Normally we end up with a couple of duffers who mess everything up, but you two did really well. If you ever want to consider a career in the acting business then give me a cool." He said as he flashed a grin and flicked out a business card.
"Since your students I'm afraid I can't give you any of the profits we took." He said as he jingled a hat that was full of contributions of gold and silver. "Still, I know its not much but I would feel a lot better if you accepted it." He said as he passed the hat to one of his friends and began rummaging in his pocket. He muttered to himself for a minute or two whilst doing this, before drawing out two small tickets.
"I had reservations at my brother's restaurant later tonight, but I'm sure you will make better use of them than I will." He said.
Harry hesitated for a moment before accepting them.
"Are you sure? We were pleased just to help." Harry said modestly.
"No go on I can get tickets anytime. Besides I don't know what you had planned for the young lady but she deserves to be taken out, after all, it is Valentines day."
Before they could say anything else the man had turned on his hell and walked of, where an assistant was ready to remove his carefully applied makeup. Hermione and him exchanged a look before glancing at the tickets. They were for a restaurant which had opened sometime last year. It was very nice; according to the few people Harry knew who were lucky enough to get reservations. It was booked up several months in advance, or so Harry had been told. He pocketed the tickets before turning to Hermione.
"Mmm I don't know about going to that." He said causing Hermione to sulk inwardly. "We will have to see about it. For now let's just get a drink and something to eat shall we?" He asked as they walked out of the chalk square, into the main town once again, with Hermione leading and Harry hobbling slightly behind.
They went into the Three Broomsticks, to Hermione's disappointment. She had been hoping, though not expecting, that they would go to somewhere a little more romantic. Maybe one of those places where they gave you all the pretty bits on the drink with umbrellas and whipped cream and cherries and stuff. Still she pushed this aside and concentrated more on the fact. She was with Harry, and being in his company was pleasure enough for her, at least for now.
There ere a few decorations put up to make it look nice, though it wasn't really romantic yet. As Hermione sat at the usual table by the window it started to rain outside. She watched the droplets run down the pain of glass, and felt glad for the warm fire next to them with the crackling logs. Harry returned a moment later carrying his things, and a piece of carrot cake and a hot chocolate for her.
It had cream on it, and was sprinkled with chocolate; there were also lots of chocolate hearts round of the saucer on which it stood. She hadn't given him any money, and as he took a drink of his butter beer he made no move to ask her for any. She smiled to herself as she sipped some of her drink. It may have been far from it in his eyes, but in her opinion he had just bought her a drink and a cake. It was a nice gesture and showed that he cared, if only a little.
