©Sunrisepainter: Because of Snape
9. Hogsmeade
Cormac already waited for her in the entrance hall as Hope walked down the stairs. It was exactly one minute after three o'clock. Cormac smirked:
„Right on time, Miss Shycates!"
She laughed:
„It's a habit of mine. I always try to be as punctual as possible. This is something you still have to learn, Mr. McLaggen."
„Well, I still had to help my uncle", he winked, „then, if you would let me lead you the way, Madame..."
He offered her his hand and she smiled before she inked arms with him.
„Of course, Monsieur..."
They left the castle together and went down the school grounds. Pupils who crossed their way eyed them curiously.
Hope could not explain what was happening to her right now. She really had a date with Cormac Mclaggen whom she considered as a cocky, puffed up bullfrog just the day before. However, he had proved her wrong. She had expected him to take her somewhere in Hogmeade where she absolutely did not want to go, but her assumption did not come true.
„Where do you want to go first?"
„Well...I'm not sure...maybe to the Shrieking Shack? I've never been there before!"
„What? Are you serious?"
„You see", she blushed shyly, „I've only been to Hogsmeade once in my life. It was right at the beginning of third great, but after that I've always been too busy."
„Just once", Cormac repeated while shaking his head, but then he grinned:
„So, it will be my special pleasure to show you around, Madame!"
It was the most beautiful day Hope ever had. First of all, Cormac brought her to the Shrieking Shack. As they arrived on the hill, they stayed in front of the fence and Cormac started to tell spine-chillers, about howling sounds at full moon which could still be heard down in the village and about other scary things. He was really could at it and his easygoing behaviour made Hope friskier. On the way back to the village, they tried to scare each other and came up with more and more tales.
Next, they went to the Honeydukes which was packed with pupils. Just when Hope was very fascinated by a shelf with Cinder-Tinder Drops, Cormac sneaked behind her back and put a lollipop in her mouther. She shrieked and spun around. Cormac smirked:
„Sorry, but I bought it for you. I hope the taste is to your liking."
She sucked on it for a few times. It was red and shaped like a heart. The taste was something between fresh strawberries and cherries. She smiled at him:
„Thank you, it's good."
A mischievous grin crossed his face as he leaned forward and whispered into her ear:
„And how do you plan to compensate me? Maybe with a kiss?"
Hope blushed:
„McLaggen, I went out with you and I can't pretend I didn't like it, but don't go overboard!"
„Please pardon my improper manner, but having such a lovely company, I couldn't help myself!", he took a bow.
Although she did not want to, Hope had to laugh. He was quite charming and funny. He was really different than she believed him to be.
„Very well then! I won't take it to the heart!"
She got on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. However, he grimaced in disappointment:
„What? That was all?"
„Yeah, that was all for now."
„Bummer, but maybe I may invite the lady for a drink at the Three Broomsticks?"
„You may!"
After Angelina and Alicia fell for a small boutique, Fred, George and Lee separated from the girls. The last thing they wanted to do at Hogsmeade was a round of "shop 'til you drop" with Angelina and Alicia. Instead,, they preferred to pay a visit at Zonko's. After their need of stink bombs other joke articles which were actually not tolerated by Filch but which they wanted to smuggle in somehow, was satisfied, Lee suggested to drink some butterbeer. The twins immediately agreed to this. So, the three Gryffindor boys sat down on a table at the Three Broomsticks ans enjoyed the first butterbeer of the school year.
"By the way, when is the next Quidditch game?", Lee wanted to know.
"Next week and even against Slytherin!"
George grimaced and Fred also did not look too amused.
"Angelina scheduled a lot of extra training units."
"She's no better than Oliver, except..."
"...for the long speeches before a game, but..."
"...instead she makes us get up earlier in the morning than Oliver did."
Lee smirked:
"Good old Ange! Wouldn't it be better to start training and in he evening and doing it all night long? Who needs sleep anyway."
"Tell me about it!"
"Hey look, over there. There are Harry, Hermione and our lovely brother", Fred pointed at the corner of the inn where the golden trio was about to sit down.
"let's go over there to say hello", George said and enthusiastically, he jumped onto his feed. Fred smirked:
"I see, you still have a thing for our little Miss Bookworm."
Lee laughed:
"What? You're into Hermione Granger?"
George clenched his fists and got as red as a tomato:
"If you don't take your wrong accusation back right now, I kill you!"
"Why should I take back something that is nothing but the truth?"
"I kill you!"
"You won't."
"Really?"
"Yeah and the thing concerning Hermione: Forget about her! She's much too young!"
That was enough. George's mind went blank. He lunged out at his brother and both of them rolled on the floor.
"Go George, slosh him! Kick his ass, Fred!", Lee urged his friends. Suddenly, it went quiet in the room. Everyone gawping watched the twins fight.
"IF YOU DON'T STOP IT RIGHT NOW, YOU GET THE CHOP!", Madame Rosmerta build up in front of them with her hands on her hips. She glared at them. Immediately, the two squabbler were back on their feed. They looked like two kicked dogs. Fred's lip was bleeding and George touched his black eye.
"Sorry", they mumbled simultaneously.
"I should hope so, too!" Saying that, she disappeared behind the counter again.
"When do you think you'll continue your little wrestling match? Please tell me time and place."
"Lee!", Fred growled.
"Or do you prefer a Wizards Duel?"
"LEE!"
"Whoa, keep it down, man!"
"Shut up and keep your playful comments for the next Quidditch game" George hissed and rubbed his swollen eye, "I'm very sorry, Fred. I've lost my mind for a second there. Are you okay?"
However, Fred did not answer. In fact, he did not even listen, but had his eyes fixed on the entrance of the inn. He looked really pissed:
"That's just not possible!"
"What's wrong?", confused, George followed his gaze and then he moaned, too.
"I don't believe it! He really did it!"
"What the hell are you talking about?", Lee asked.
"Just take a look to your right.."
"Hope and Cormac? Are they going out? This means he won his bet!"
"No, he still did not kiss her for everyone to see", a small smile formed on Fred's face.
"However, it looks like it's going to happen soon", George frowned and watched how Cormac took Hope's coat and helped her in her chair. She smiled at Cormac.
"I bet that he's blackmailing her into going to Hogsmeade with him", Fred assumed and unconsciously he clenched his fists.
"I don't think so. Look how she's smiling! Does it look like someone who was forced to come hear?" Lee pointed out.
"We have to prevent them from kissing", George said, "I don't want to do homework for such a dumbass!"
"Of course, we're going to drive a wedge between Cormac and Shycate. And I exactly know what to do!", Fred rubbed his hands, smirking.
Fred could not relate his feelings. The moment Hope and Cormac walked in, he was surprised, angry and frustrated at the same time. He was really confused, but there was one thing he was sure of: He did not just dislike Cormac, but he downright hated him!
George eyed his twin brother suspiciously from the side.
"What are you up to?"
"You'll see soon enough, dear brother! You'll see soon enough..."
End of Chapter Nine.