I arrived in the entrance hall ten minutes early, wanting to prove to McKinnon that I really did want to spend the day with her. I felt as though she was still doubting my motives and wanted to make it clear that I liked her – even if it did turn out to be just as a friend.
I grinned when she came down the stairs with Evans and Prewett. McKinnon smiled shyly as they reached me, then turned to the other girls.
"So I guess I'll see you later then," she told them.
"See you later, have a good date," Prewett winked suggestively, as Evans laughed uncomfortably.
I hooked McKinnon's arm through mine and led her gallantly out the front doors. "Good morning my fair lady," I said, putting on a high-pitched accent.
"That was terrible," she told me, but she was laughing so I figured that was ok. We hopped into an empty, waiting carriage and I could see the other three marauders coming out the doors, along with Evans and Prewett. I suddenly realised exactly what was about to happen and turned to McKinnon, laughing.
"So much for farewelling your friends before our private carriage ride," I told her. She looked at me in confusion, then looked out at her friends, sheepishly approaching our carriage. She started laughing too as the two girls clambered in with us and my friends piled into the carriage behind us.
"Long time no see," I told the girls.
"Yeah, we just couldn't stand to be away from Marls for so long," Prewett grinned.
I smiled back at her, shifting my arm so that McKinnon could extract hers if she wanted to. She didn't move it though, distracted by the landscape outside, and I was glad that she didn't feel uncomfortable around her friends.
"I'm glad it's still warm, but Hogsmeade is much nicer when it snows," she said wistfully.
I stared at her for a second. "Are you crazy? Hogsmeade is the best when it's warm! Trudging around in the snow, struggling to get a seat in the pub, wearing seven layers? This is much nicer!"
"No way!" McKinnon hit back, smiling. "Snowball fights, warm butterbeer, buying fudge to warm you up, everything all covered in snow, the village looks so cute."
I looked to the other two girls, shaking my head. "You know your friend is crazy right?" Evans was grinning.
"I've been trying to tell her Hogsmeade is better in summer for three years Potter, good luck to you." I found myself smiling back at her, a small pop of excitement rising up that we liked the same seasons… No! I thought to myself sharply. Do not think about having things in common with Evans while you're on a date with McKinnon! Also, seasons? There are only four to choose from, that's not even worth being excited over. Luckily neither of them seemed to have noticed me zoning out, and McKinnon was still eagerly trying to explain all the positives of Hogsmeade in winter as we pulled into the village itself and exited the carriage, McKinnon and I falling a few steps behind Evans and Prewett.
"Look McKinnon, I'll give you snowball fights but the list of positives ends there," I told her with a grin.
"We're on a date and you still can't call me Marlene?" She smirked at me and I smiled back.
"Sorry, Marlene," I grinned at her sheepishly. "But you know Butterbeer tastes just as delicious in warm weather, don't you?"
"Nope," she told me, stepping closer as we paused behind the other two who were looking in the window of the bookstore. "There are special flavours in butterbeer that only come out when it's cold, it definitely tastes better when it's snowing. Plus, who wants to drink a hot drink on a warm day?"
I laughed her. "That 'special flavours' thing is rubbish, but I'll give you the second point," I said, wondering if I should put my arm around her shoulders or if that was too cliché.
"Right then, where to lads?" Sirius appeared behind us, wrapping one arm around Marlene and one around me, effectively ruining the moment before it even happened.
"We're heading to Zonkos," Peter said, gesturing to himself, Remus, Evans and McDonald who had appeared in another carriage. "Do you all want to come?" Everyone, including Marlene nodded enthusiastically. We wandered as a group towards the joke shop, Sirius still between Marlene and I as we joined in with the broader group conversation. It briefly crossed my mind that I should do something with Marlene alone, but she seemed happy with going to Zonkos, and I didn't want to miss out on all the fun with the other marauders so I didn't say anything about it.
After Zonkos our group moved on to the Three Broomsticks for lunch and butterbeer, minus Prewett who had wandered off with Frank Longbottom. Throughout lunch a debate raged (started by myself and Marlene of course) as to whether butterbeer tasted as good in the warmer weather. Eventually we called it a tie and decided to reconvene when it was colder to test it out again.
"So," Sirius said, putting down his empty butterbeer glass; "Where to next? Honeydukes anyone?"
The others all agreed and I stood along with them, shrugging on my coat. As we exited the Three broomsticks however, I grabbed Marlene's hand and pulled her back behind the others. "I actually kind of thought we could do something different," I said, looking down at my shoes and blushing. "You know, spend some time with just the two of us since this is a date and all."
"Oh - sure. That sounds nice actually," Marlene told me with a shy grin. Our date so far had largely consisted of hanging out with our friends like any other Hogsmeade weekend, and even though it was fun it wasn't exactly the one-on-one conversation with Marlene I had been imagining.
Evans turned around to see what was taking us so long but Marlene waved her off, with a "we'll catch up with you later". Evans nodded and turned to follow the others, though I saw her face tighten slightly and wondered if she was annoyed with Marlene for going on a date with me. I wondered if I should ask about it, but Marlene spoke first.
"So, what do you want to do now that it's just us?" she asked, fiddling with her scarf.
"I'm not sure to be honest, I didn't think that far ahead,' I chuckled. "We could go to that new teahouse that just opened up?" My nose crinkled slightly, hoping she wouldn't agree. The place looked awful but I knew lots of couples went there so maybe Marlene would like it.
"The one full of pink frilly doilies? I'd really rather not," Marlene pulled a disgusted face and I cracked up laughing in relief.
"I'm so glad you said that," I told her between laughs. "I only suggested it because I've heard people go there on dates and, to be honest I've never been on a date before so I don't really know what I'm doing here."
"Neither have I, so I guess that makes two of us." I felt much more at ease having heard her say that, and relaxed somewhat. I was very aware that we were standing up in the middle of the pub for no reason. "How about if we get another butterbeer and stay here to chat?" I suggested.
Marlene smiled, and sat back down. "Yeah, I'd like that." We spent the next hour or so chatting, and although I had a good time with Marlene, I found myself wondering how long it would take for me to develop the same kind of feelings for her that I felt with Evans. I resolved to try harder to forget Evans, and spent the carriage ride back to Hogwarts doing my best to get Marlene to laugh at my impressions of our Professors.
