17 September 1994
Hogwarts was hosting The Tri-Wizard Tournament, something Hermione never heard of. Having 6 older bothers, she was a little surprised there was a school event her brothers not her parents mentioned so she immediately went to research in the library. It was banned 200 years previously because of the mortality rate amongst contestants. She couldn't believe it, she was very close to running to her Uncle Albus's office to demand an explanation for resurrecting such a dangerous tournament. Not that her brothers cared, oh no, they were scheming together to try and figure out how to enter. She just hoped whatever preventative measures the headmaster thought of were Weasley proof because Fred and George were practically salivating over the prize money. Apparently, when Fred and George made a bet with Ludo Bagman, he tried to pay them off with leprechaun gold. Harry assured her that he would be a happy spectator but Ron got a dreamy look whenever someone mentioned the tournament, especially the eternal glory.
Eloise tried to join her in the library, Hermione still felt hurt and betrayed by the shy girl. However, she felt bad that everyone was ignoring her because Hermione was injured. She knew it had little to do with Eloise's behavior and more to do with her arrival at the burrow. All of her friends were walking on egg shells around her, even though the tremors and twitches went away, the nightmares no longer plagued her every night. Even Madam Pomfrey couldn't find a reason to keep her. Hermione knew what would happen if she didn't forgive Eloise, the shy girl would slink back into the library and would never be seen again. So, tentatively, she offered to study with the dark haired girl. Forgiving her but not forgetting how cold she had been to Hermione for months, for something that wasn't even her fault.
Ron was having a hard time accepting that his best mate asked his sister on a date. While Fred and George talked to him about the possibility over the summer, he felt so sure that his best mate only thought of Hermione as a sister. So he, as was his right as her brother, made sure he supervised them at all times, watching all their interactions suspiciously. Ron wasn't sure if it was because a bloke was attempting to date his sister or that it was just Harry dating his sister. He just knew he felt uncomfortable when they would smile at each other shyly or hold hands when he was around. They had not kissed, yet. Hermione wanted it to be special and she was hoping that after their day in Hogsmeade they could share their first kiss.
"You're not wearing that." Eloise said sternly as Hermione sat on her bed, lacing up her trainers. She cast a nervous glance down at herself, she was wearing a United Jersey over jeans.
"Why?" Hermione looked puzzled as Eloise began digging through her own trunk. Next thing she knew Eloise dumped five dresses on her lap. They were all very pretty, vibrant colors, and very short.
"I bought those for you over the summer hols." Eloise shifted uncomfortably as she picked up the dark green dress and held it out for her. "It's your first date."
"Fine." Hermione grumbled, pulling the dress on quickly and putting tights on underneath. Eloise scrunched her nose up but didn't say anything, just threw her a pair of shoes before attacking her hair with a silver clip.
"Am I done yet?" Hermione whined, feeling incredibly uncomfortable. Their friendship wasn't nearly as close as it once was but she could see the girl was trying so she let Eloise continue. The redhead grit her teeth, wondering how Eloise could just carry in like nothing happened.
"Almost." Eloise grunted as she reached into a bag to pull out a shiny tube of lip balm. "It's charmed to taste like your favorite desert, I got it at a magical shopping district in France. This one is yours."
"You really shouldn't have done all this..." Hermione trailed off guiltily, the dresses were all of good quality. It felt like Eloise was trying to buy her friendship.
"Look, I know I was acting like a right bitch. I'm sorry but even when I was being horrid, I still thought of you as my best friend." Eloise said in a small voice, looking up at her hopefully. Hermione let out a long suffering sigh and pulled the much taller girl into a hug.
"Now, I've got to go meet Harry." Hermione flashed a nervous smile before dashing down the stairs to find Harry, only to stop short when she saw her date shuffling his feet nervously by the hearth. He was dressed differently, with a pair of stressed denim jeans and a faded Rolling Stones shirt, she felt incredibly overdressed and wanted to hit Eloise. Just as she was about to dash up the stairs to change, Harry turned. His face lit up when he saw her then his jaw dropped as he looked her over. Hermione blushed furiously as she walked up to him.
"You..uh look great." Harry cleared his throat and smiled nervously. He bent at the waist and clumsily tried to kiss her knuckles, making Hermione giggle. The bespectacled boy flushed as he stumbled awkwardly.
"Harry! It's just me! Relax!" Hermione laughed happily as she took his hand in her own. Harry seemed to relax at her touch and soft words. "You look quite dapper but...not quite you. I didn't know you liked the Rolling Stones?"
"Well, Sirius kind of...helped." Harry smiled sheepishly as they walked through the the portrait hole together. "I uh, arranged with Dobby to set up a breakfast for us...if that's okay."
"That sounds great, Harry!" Hermione smiled reassuringly and they walked in a comfortable silence to the carriages. They would sneak glances at each other but neither wanted to be the first to say anything. She reached out and grabbed his hand while staring resolutely ahead, both let out w breath of relief as they relaxed slightly. "I support United." Hermione blurted as they set out for Hogsmeade.
"Really? So you don't like the Harpys?" Harry smirked, thinking back to the first birthday present he gave her.
"Nope, no idea why Ron thought so but its always been United...what about you?" Hermione watched him from the corner of her eye as they started walking down the cobbled street of Hogsmeade.
"Well, I never really supported a team until last year when Remus told me my dad followed United..." Harry shrugged sheepishly. They continued with their easy banter all the way to a field by the shrieking shack where Dobby waiting. After a delicious breakfast, Harry spilled pumpkin juice all over Hermione's dress. Flustered, he attempted to mop it up with a napkin only to realize he was patting down her chest.
"I'm sorry!" Harry exclaimed for the fifth time as they walked away from the shrieking shack, hand in hand.
"Harry! Relax!" Hermione laughed at the flustered look on his face. She thought he was adorable when he looked at her like that. After using her wand to clean up her dress, Winky brought her a jumper to keep warm.
"So, you want to go to HoneyDuke's" Harry asked as they came up to a brightly colored shop packed with students. Hermione looked at the display curiously before pulling him inside. The redhead stopped to look at all the different sweets in awe. The shelves were stuffed to the ceiling with different kinds of sweets, students packed in tightly through the aisles. Hermione didn't even know there were so many kinds of treats.
"What are your favorites?" Hermione asked curiously as she picked up a cockroach cluster, examining it closely.
"Definitely not that!" Harry laughed and reached around her, pulling a hand full of individually wrapped treacle delights. "These are amazing and if I don't hide them, Ron always eats them all!"
"I have no doubt, I like sugar quills and fizzing whizbees, myself. Ron always tried to deny nicking my whizbees, even when he was floating along the pitch!" Hermione giggled. Harry grinned as he wrapped an arm around Hermione's waist, he grabbed random sweets as well as Hermione's favorites on the way to the register.
-0-
"I can't see them." Ron whispered loudly as he peered into the fogged glass of Honey Duke's. Eloise sighed impatiently as she roughly shoved the boy to the side. Even though Ron did grow a few inches over the summer, Eloise was still a few inches taller.
"It looks like...they're discussing sweets..." Eloise frowned as she watched Harry put his arm around her best friend. A small smile bloomed on her face as Hermione beamed radiantly. A cough from behind her made her jump, her face blushing furiously as she looked around guiltily.
"I'm sure Mina will tell us all about it tonight." Luna frowned as she held onto Neville's arm.
"Yeah, why are we sneaking about again?" Neville asked, his voice cracking as he was very aware of how close the blonde was.
"He's with my sister." Ron said bluntly before he turned to press his face against the glass. The tall girl beside him looked between the red head and Neville and Luna guiltily.
"She's my best friend and he's a twat." Elise sniffed before turning back to the window, a scowl on her face. "What is he saying that's so funny?"
"Dunno, b-" Ron started but was cut off as Luna sighed loudly from behind him.
"Nev, let's go to Tomes and Scrolls. I hear they have 117 Creatures Plaguing Your Greenhouse." Luna smiled serenely up at the blonde boy.
"Right." Neville said after a small pause that he observed the two peering into the window.
"Seriously, what's he saying that's so funny?" Eloise groaned as she watched Hermione laugh happily, completely oblivious that Neville and Luna left them.
"Dunno..." Ron frowned, feeling conflicted. While he was happy that his sister so full of joy, enjoying her first official trip into Hogsmeade, Ron still felt a heavy weight on his chest as he watched his best mate and sister getting along so well.
"I told her to just get over him." Eloise grumbled under breath angrily, forgetting Ron was even beside her. Her full focus was on the couple smiling at each other inside the shop.
"They're coming out!" Ron shout jerked Elise out of her musings and they both rushed around the side of the building so they wouldn't be seen. "Wish I brought Harry's cloak."
-0-
"Is it true these will really burn a hole through your tongue?" Harry asked curiously as he picked up an acid pop.
"Oh, definitely. I know mum nearly made Fred and George's ears bleed for giving one to Ron." Hermione snickered. "Blood pop?"
"Are they really made of blood?" Harry smiled down at her, feeling more relaxed then he'd been all morning.
"Not these! Charlie says that they do make some out of dragons blood for vampires!" Hermione smiled broadly at his look of disgust. "Charlie said it's a right of manhood to drink dragons blood."
"Really?" Harry looked at her skeptically as they reached the counter and Harry quickly paid for the sweets as Hermione reached for her purse.
"Thank you," Hermione blushed as Harry handed her a sugar quill. "Yes, really. Want me to get him to bring some home next summer?"
"Muggles have different rites of passage for manhood." Harry muttered under his breath.
"Really? What are they?" Hermione asked curiously as she suckled on the sugar quill. Harry flushed and stumbled, knocking Hermione into the wall. The petite girl gagged on her treat, making her eyes water.
"I'm sorry!" Harry gasped as he pulled Hermione upright, his face red with embarrassment.
"It's fine, really Harry!" Hermione chuckled weakly as she wiped the tears away. "So, rites of passage?"
"Uh? Tea?" Harry asked quickly, pulling her towards Madam Puddifoot's tea room. He missed the look of horror that flashed across her face as they entered the frilly tea shop. Harry lead them to an empty table, not even looking around. Hermione shifted uncomfortably as she looked around them, every doily covered table had couples that we're currently occupied.
"You...wanted to come here?" Hermione asked incredulously, Harry had his head buried in a menu, hiding his blush.
"Uh..yeah." Harry flushed and flashed her what he hoped was a confident grin. As he looked at her, he saw a couple behind her, glued to each other's faces. Harry looked around slowly, noticing that every couple in the tea shop was snogging, much to his horror.
"Err...right. Uh...you know. I'm going to go catch up with Luna." Hermione put the menu down calmly and stood slowly, fighting to keep her temper in check. She could not believe sweet, shy Harry would think to bring her there of all places. Harry gaped at her, unsure of what he did wrong. Harry watched her walk out of the tea shop, unable to figure out what happened. He spilled juice on her, he tripped over he and she was fine, laughing having and good time. He grew uncomfortable sitting at the table alone when he noticed one of her older bothers glaring murderously at him.
"You better have a good reason for being here, Potter." Fred growled menacingly as he made his way to his table. Harry swallowed thickly, never having been on the receiving end of an angry Weasley twin.
"I just brought Hermione here...I...Sirius said it was the spot to take a girl on a date." Harry stammered as Fred scowled at him, cracking his knuckles.
"You brought my baby sister here?!" Fred hissed. His date, Angelina walked up behind Fred curiously.
"And?" Angelina snapped, crossing her arms across her chest as she glared at the redhead.
"What would have done if I brought you here for a first date?" Fred snapped, not taking his eyes off Harry.
"I would have boxed your ears in and told your mother." Angelina snorted then her eyes widened in realization as she looked at Harry who was blushing furiously. "Oh, you didn't."
"Oh, he did." Fred growled, grabbing Harry up by his shirt. They walked briskly from the tea shop. Looking around outside, Harry immediately saw Hermione sitting with Luna on the fountain. He could see her face was red and she was talking very fast, Luna was nodding along with whatever she was saying.
"Harry, you know that Puddifoot's is for...serious...older couples, right?" Angelina said gently, pulling his focus away from the irate Hermione. She stood between Harry and Fred, who looked like he was go into rip Harry's head off.
"No...I why is Hermione so mad?" Harry asked, looking back to the little redhead who currently glaring at him.
"I would be more worried about her brother." Angelina snorted, rolling her eyes. "She's mad because you don't bring a girl here for your first date unless you think she's a slag."
"What? No! Sirius told me to bring her here! Said it would be an ice breaker and romantic or something!" Harry blurted, looking panicked. He turned to rush over to Hermione to explain but was stopped by Fred.
"You better make it good, Potter. Remember, Spitfire has 6 older brothers." Fred said angrily, his eyes promising pain if he didn't fix it, immediately. Harry nodded emphatically before rushing to where Luna and Hermione were sitting on the fountain.
"I'm sorry!" Harry blurted, his face red from embarrassment.
"For?" Hermione snapped, refusing to meet his gaze. She fancied Harry for quite a while so for him to bring her there of all places on their first date made her feel dirty.
"I didn't know about the tea shop! Sirius told me to bring you there. He gave me a lot of advice because I wanted today to go well. I really want to kiss you but I don't want you to think that I think you're a slag like Angelina said. I've never even kissed a girl and I think I'm buggering this up..." Harry trailed off sheepishly seeing Hermione's look of astonishment.
"Angelina called me a slag?" Hermione exclaimed incredulously, looking over to see her brother and Angelina watching them eagerly. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at the older girl.
"No! She said if I brought a girl there on a first date then I thought she was a slag! I didn't know!" Harry cried helplessly as he watched his first date end horribly.
"So, you didn't know Puddifoot's reputation?" Hermione asked slowly, eying him critically.
"No, I swear. I've heard the lads in the dorm talk about bringing dates there but nothing about...that." Harry trailed off awkwardly.
"You want to kiss me?" Hermione blushed, a small smile forming on her face. Luna looked on with a serene smile.
"Yes." Harry squared his shoulders, trying to look more confident than he felt. Sirius's words echoing in his head, Gryffindors charge, Potter!
"Good." Hermione grinned as she stood up and grabbed Harry's hand. Harry watched the redhead with trepidation, waiting for the punchline. "Cheers, Luna!"
"Really?" Harry asked quietly after they walked for a few minutes in silence, his eyes darting down to her nervously.
"I like you, Harry." Hermione said simply as they turned down a street towards Tomes and Scrolls.
"I like you too, Hermione." Harry smiled shyly as he held the door for open to the book shop.
A few hours later, a very happy Harry and Hermione made their way to the castle. Hermione slipped as she got out the carriage, landing on top of Harry who was helping her out. They both ended up on the ground, their faces only inches apart when Hermione burst into laughter.
"Of course, you would be rutting in the mud like the filth you are." A malicious voice made their smiles wilt immediately.
"What did you say?" Harry hissed as they both scrambled up from the ground, he wrapped a protective arm around her waist as he stared down the blonde. Crabbe and Goyle chuckled behind Malfoy, drawing themselves up to their full height to seem more intimidating.
"Obviously, you've picked up some bad habits from the mudblood." Malfoy smirked as he took in their flushed faces. Hermione suddenly smiled brightly, her brown eyes lighting up, making the blonde freeze.
"Malfoy, you are utterly pathetic." Hermione snorted, "Just because your boyfriends don't take you to dinner before they bugger you in the forest doesn't mean the rest of lowered our standards." Harry choked on a laugh as the three Slytherins blushed to the roots of their hair and sputtered indignantly.
"They're not my boyfriends!" Malfoy shrieked, his pale face completely drained of color as he gaped at her with a horrified expression. "My fath-"
"Methinks the lady doth protest too much." Harry quipped, a sly smile on his face, making the whole group pause and stare at him in confusion.
"I'm not a lady!" Malfoy cried after a moment of stunned silence, Crabbe and Goyle inching away from him as the crowd gathered.
"You uncultured swine." Harry scoffed as he turned to lead Hermione away, leaving the Slytherin sputtering behind them.
"I...don't get it?" Hermione blushed as she looked up at Harry through her lashes.
"Really? Never read Shakespeare?" Harry asked curiously, thinking back to his muggle schooling. Shakespeare was actually one of his favorites and read all the plays in the school library.
"Uh...no?" Hermione said sheepishly, grimacing as she saw Harry's incredulous expression.
"Uh, well. I just assumed you were named after one of his plays, The Winter's Tale." Harry shrugged. "Then again, wizards to have the oddest names..."
"Excuse me, Harry James." Hermione scoffed as she rolled her eyes.
"Let's just look at your family, shall we? Hermione Cedrella, Ronald Billius, Fabian, Gideon, Percy..." Harry scrunched up his nose at the last name, Hermione smacked him in the arm with a laugh before pulling him towards the lake.
"Those aren't the worst..." Hermione groaned. "Mum originally wanted to name me Ginerva, thank Merlin dad convinced her to let me keep my name."
"Ginerva?" Harry choke as he sputtered in laughter, holding his sides.
"Shut up! Winky!" Hermione called out.
"Yes, Mistress?" Winky popped to her side immediately with a basket. Hermione smiled warmly as the elf laid out a blanket and a couple torches.
"Thank you, Winky." Hermione smiled warmly as she sat down. Winky meticulously laid out a feast around the teenagers before popping away.
"Planned this, did you?" Harry smiled happily, excited that their date was not quite over. Hermione just winked cheekily as she took a bit of her supper. The couple ate in a comfortable silence, watching the setting sun.
"I had a lot of fun, today." Hermione smiled warmly after they finished their food, looking at Harry from the corner of her eye.
"Really?" Harry choked on his juice, staring at her incredulously. Just having been ripped from his thoughts of his clumsiness throughout the day. He was working on how he could ask her on a second date, worried that he failed spectacularly.
"Yeah...did you?" Hermione's smile fell from her face as she looked at the boy nervously.
"Uh well, yeah besides me tripping all over you, spilling juice on you, bringing you to that tea shop, and almost getting murdered by your brother." Harry groaned, staring moodily at the water as the sun set.
"Oh." Hermione said in a small voice, pulling her knees to her chest.
"I'm sorry, I was really nervous. I just really wanted today to go well and I kept buggering it up. I hope you still want to be my friend." Harry ran his hand through his hair nervously.
"Harry, I will always be your friend." Hermione said softly as she reached out and took his hand in hers. Harry felt a smile spread across his face as he laced their fingers together.
"You think maybe you would want to be my girlfriend?" Harry asked hopefully. Hermione turned to him with a bright smile, slowly she leaned forward, her heart beating rapidly. Harry leaned down to meet her, finding it hard to breathe as he closed the distance for a soft chaste kiss.