The first hints of autumn had settled over Hogwarts, and with them came the crisp air and golden hues of fallen leaves. It was a Saturday morning, and excitement buzzed through the Gryffindor common room. Hogsmeade weekends were always something to look forward to, especially after a long week of classes. Harry stood near the fireplace, adjusting his cloak, while Ron sat sulking in one of the armchairs.

"I can't believe it," Ron muttered darkly, slumping further into his seat. "Detention. On a Hogsmeade weekend, no less. Of all the rotten luck."

Harry stifled a laugh, though he couldn't help but feel bad for Ron. "It was pretty obvious you were going to get detention, though. You fell asleep during Snape's lecture."

Ron glared. "Yeah, well, I didn't mean to! It's not my fault his voice could put a Blast-Ended Skrewt to sleep."

"Honestly, Harry, are you ready yet?" Hermione's voice floated over the sound of rustling robes as she yanked on her jacket.

Harry glanced up, pulling his second shoe tight. "Nearly," he muttered, watching Hermione pull a scarf from her bag and wrap it around her neck with a precise flick of her wrist. Ginny was perched on the windowsill, waiting impatiently.

"Well, hurry up," Ginny chimed in, grinning mischievously. "Or we'll be late. We wouldn't want to miss out on our first Hogsmede visit! How did you manage to get your Aunt and Uncle to agree this year?"

Ron, Hermione and Harry exchanged a quick smirk. Truth be told it wasn't Uncle Vernon or Aunt Petunia that had signed the note, but rather his 'convicted felon' of a Godfather, though Ginny hadn't been clued in on the events of last year.

Before Ginny noticed though she began to excitedly chatter about all of the shops she couldn't wait to see. Hermione had offered Ginny to come with Harry and herself because it was her first visit and without Ron there, Ginny thought this might be a bit of fun even though her own friends were a bit disappointed she wouldn't be joining them.

Harry gently cut Ginny off, not wanting to waste more time. "We'll bring you back some sweets from Honeydukes, Ron," Harry said, grinning.

"Yeah, thanks," Ron replied, moodily, sinking further into his bed.

Harry, Hermione, and Ginny made their way down to the common room and through the portrait hole, joining the throng of students heading to the village. The trio chatted excitedly as they crossed the grounds, Hogsmeade drawing closer in the distance.

As they entered the village, Hermione nudged Harry. "I'm popping into Scrivenshaft's for some new quills. Want to come?"

Harry scrunched his nose. "I think I'll pass on that one."

Ginny giggled. "Yeah, I'm with Hermione. I need some parchment, too. You sure you don't want to come, Harry?"

Harry shook his head. "I'll meet up with you both later. I'll just—wander around for a bit."

"Alright," Hermione said brightly. "We won't be long." And off they went into the slightly wonky building.

Harry stuffed his hands into his pockets and glanced around. The shops were busy, students darting in and out of Honeydukes, Zonko's, and various other spots, their laughter filling the air. For a moment, Harry wondered if he should have gone with the girls after all. At least he would've been warm in the shop.

As he mulled over his options, he caught sight of a familiar face walking down the street. Cho Chang was strolling along, her dark hair tied back in a ponytail, and she was alone. Harry's heart did a little flip.

Great,he thought, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement.Maybe I could—no, I can't just walk up to her.

But before he could talk himself out of it, Cho looked up, and their eyes met. She smiled, and Harry's insides squirmed.

"Hi, Harry!" Cho greeted him, stopping a few feet away. Her smile was warm, and Harry could feel his face growing hot.

"Hi, Cho," he replied, trying to keep his voice casual, though he was sure it came out a little higher than usual.

"Are you here by yourself?" she asked, glancing around as if expecting to see Ron and Hermione somewhere nearby.

Harry shrugged. "Uh, yeah—well, no. I'm with Hermione and Ginny, but they're off in some shop I wasn't interested in."

Cho nodded. "Oh, I'm just out with Marietta, but she's—well, she got dragged into Gladrags. And I didn't really fancy looking at dress robes for an hour, so…"

She trailed off, and they stood there for a second in awkward silence. Harry quickly racked his brain for something to say.

"Er—want to get a butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks?" he blurted out before he could stop himself.

Cho blinked, her smile widening. "Sure! That sounds great."

They walked side by side toward the Three Broomsticks, Harry's heart thudding a little faster than usual. Inside, the pub was warm and bustling with chatter. The smell of roasted nuts and butterbeer filled the air.

They walked up to the bar. "Two butterbeers, please," Harry said to Madam Rosmerta and then slid over 6 sickles.

"Coming right up!" Rosmerta replied with a wink, bustling off to the bar.

As they made their way toward a small, open table near the back, Harry's nerves kicked up a notch. He hadn't expected to run into Cho today, let alone end up sitting with her, but here they were.

Harry shifted in his seat, trying to think of something clever or interesting to say, but his mind was strangely blank. Cho was looking around the pub, her gaze occasionally drifting back to Harry, and he felt the pressure of the silence growing. Thankfully, it wasn't long before Madam Rosmerta returned with two steaming mugs of butterbeer.

"Here you go, dears!" she said, placing the mugs down with a flourish.

"Thanks," Harry mumbled, taking his mug and wrapping his hands around it for warmth. Cho gave Madam Rosmerta a quick nod of thanks, then took a sip of her butterbeer, smiling as the warmth spread through her.

Harry cleared his throat, desperate to break the silence. "So... er, how are things? You know, with... everything?"

Cho looked at him over the rim of her mug, clearly a bit puzzled by the vagueness of the question. "With everything?"

"Yeah, uh, you know... school and stuff," Harry added lamely.

Cho smiled, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "It's been alright. Busy, of course with OWLs coming up, so they're starting to pile on the work already. How about you?"

Harry nodded quickly. "Yeah, same here. Homework's getting worse, and with all this stuff about the Triwizard Tournament, it feels like there's a lot going on this year."

Cho's face brightened a little at the mention of the tournament. "Oh, I know! Everyone's talking about it. I can't believe they're really hosting it at Hogwarts. It's supposed to be really dangerous, isn't it?"

Harry shrugged. "Yeah, sounds like it" Harry said dumbly.

Cho laughed softly. "I heard the champions have to face all sorts of terrifying creatures in the tasks. I can't imagine signing up for that."

Harry just nodded his agreement. After a few more moments of silence, Harry asked "Do you think anyone from Ravenclaw will put their name in?" setting his mug down.

Cho shrugged, looking thoughtful. "I'm not sure. Maybe Roger Davies? He's always been one for showing off, and he's a good Quidditch player. I could see him trying."

"Yeah, that makes sense," Harry agreed, but the conversation seemed to stall again. He noticed Cho glance toward the door as a group of students from her year came in, and he wondered if she'd rather be sitting with them.

"So…" Harry began, trying to grasp for another topic, "it's weird not having Quidditch this year, isn't it?"

Cho's face fell slightly, and she nodded. "Yeah, it's really disappointing. I was so looking forward to playing this year. I have been practicing all summer, and now… nothing."

Harry nodded in sympathy. "I know what you mean. It's strange not having practices. It feels like something's missing, y'know?"

Cho sighed. "Exactly. It's one of the things I look forward to most every year."

"Same here," Harry said. "Gryffindor was really set on winning the Cup this year. Oliver Wood would have had a fit if he knew all that practicing was going to waste."

Cho laughed softly at the mention of Oliver. "Oh, I remember Oliver. He was intense, wasn't he?"

Harry grinned. "Yeah, that's an understatement. He was always so worked up about winning. Sometimes, I think he cared more about Quidditch than classes."

Cho smiled. "But that's what made him such a good captain, I suppose."

The conversation stalled again, the mention of Quidditch only bringing up more disappointment about its cancellation. Harry took another sip of his butterbeer, glancing out of the window where the street was bustling with students. Cho, too, was quiet also noticing the uncomfortable silence, swirling the last bit of butterbeer in her mug.

After a few moments, Cho spoke up again, her voice quiet. "Well… I should probably get back to Marietta. She's been in Gladrags for ages, and I told her I wouldn't be long."

"Oh," Harry said, trying not to sound too relieved. "Yeah, I should probably find Hermione and Ginny, too. They'll wonder where I've gone."

Cho nodded, standing up and picking up her cloak. Harry followed her lead, feeling a strange mix of disappointment and relief that the butterbeer was over. It hadn't been exactly what he'd imagined—more awkward silences than he'd hoped for. Cho was nice but the desire he had felt at the sorting ceremony to go and join her at the Ravenclaw table had very much passed.

They made their way to the door, the cold air hitting them as they stepped back out onto the busy street. Cho smiled again, her cheeks slightly pink from the wind. "Thanks for the butterbeer, Harry. It was , ah… nice running into you."

"Yeah, you too," Harry said, managing a smile despite the awkwardness that still hung in the air.

They stood there for a second, neither of them quite sure how to say goodbye.

"Well, see you around, then," Cho said, waving slightly as she turned and headed off down the street, her cloak billowing behind her.

Harry watched her go, feeling a bit deflated. That hadn't gone the way he'd hoped at all. He'd thought sitting down for a drink with Cho would be exciting, maybe even fun. Instead, it had felt like pulling teeth, and now all he wanted to do was find Hermione and Ginny and put the whole thing behind him.

Shaking his head, Harry turned and made his way back toward Scrivenshaft's, the shops around him bustling with students and laughter. As he rounded the corner, he spotted Hermione and Ginny emerging from the shop, bags full of quills and parchment in their hands.

"There you are!" Hermione called, waving him over. "We were starting to wonder if you'd disappeared!"

Harry grinned, relieved to be back with his friends. "No, nothing like that. Just... ran into Cho."

Hermione raised her eyebrows. "Cho Chang?"

"Yep," Harry said, trying to sound casual as they started walking back toward the center of the village. "We grabbed a butterbeer together."

"What!" both girls exclaimed in unison. Hermione seeming quite excited and Ginny seeming a little bit put out.

Harry shrugged, kicking a small stone along the path. "Yeah, um we ran into each other and I asked her if she wanted one. It was... fine, I guess. A bit awkward."

Hermione frowned sympathetically. "Awkward?"

Harry sighed, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "I don't know... we just didn't have much to talk about. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be."

Hermione gave him a small nudge. "Well, at least you tried. Maybe next time will be better."

Harry smiled, though inwardly, he was pretty sure he didn't want there would be a next time. For now, he was just glad to be back with Hermione and Ginny, their easy conversation quickly washing away the awkwardness of his encounter with Cho.

Ginny, carrying a bag full of parchment and quills from Scrivenshaft's, nudged Harry playfully. "So, where to next? Honeydukes? Or are you dying to drag us to Zonko's?"

Harry grinned. "I think you'd enjoy Zonko's more than you're letting on."

Ginny raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Maybe. But let's be honest, nothing there could top Fred and George's inventions. Besides, Zonko's doesn't sell Nose-Biting Teacups, and that's my new favorite prank."

Hermione sighed good-naturedly, shaking her head and rolling her eyes "Honestly, you lot."

Ginny laughed, and Harry found himself looking at her smiling without even thinking about it. He felt his stomach give a little tug as he looked at her and realized he was enjoying her company in a way that surprised him.

Breaking him out of his thoughts, Hermione suggested "Honeydukes, then," adjusting the strap of her bag.

Ginny and Harry exchanged a small glances as they turned toward Honeydukes, the familiar sweet smell wafting through the open door. Inside, the shelves were stacked high with rows of colorful candies, and students bustled about, grabbing every sweet they could carry.

"Let's see if we can find something Ron would like," Ginny said, glancing over the selection of sugar quills. "I feel a bit bad that he's stuck in detention."

Harry nodded, though he quite like spending time with the girls without Ron around. It wasn't that he didn't like spending time with his best friend—far from it—but today felt different. Without Ron there, the day felt a bit more relaxed, and Harry realized he was enjoying this quieter side of Ginny and Hermione's company.

They wandered through the aisles, picking out sweets to bring back to Ron. Ginny grabbed a handful of Fizzing Whizbees and held them up to Harry. "You think these'll cheer him up?"

Harry smirked. "They might. Unless he's still in a foul mood about Snape."

"Ron's always in a foul mood about Snape," Ginny said with a grin. "But these might help."

As they browsed, Harry found himself comparing this easy camaraderie with the earlier tension he'd felt with Cho. The conversation with Cho had felt strained, like he was constantly searching for something to say, and he couldn't quite figure out why. With Ginny, though, everything flowed naturally. She teased him, and he teased her back, just like friend's ought.

Before he could think more about it, he realised it was his turn to pay. He bought the sweets for all his friends and they thanked him happily and headed out.

They spent the next hour wandering through the village, stopping at the small magical oddities shops and chatting about the Triwizard Tournament and all the rumors flying around school. Harry noticed how easily Ginny and Hermione moved in and out of conversation, teasing each other lightly,he hadn't quite ever realised just how good friends they were.

At one point, as they strolled past Zonko's, Harry caught Ginny glancing sideways at him. "You don't miss Quidditch too much, do you?"

Harry shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant, though he did miss it—more than he cared to admit. "I mean, it's weird not having it. Feels like something's missing, y'know?"

Ginny nodded. "Yeah, I get that. I was looking forward to playing this year, actually. But at least we've got the Triwizard Tournament. That should keep us entertained."

Harry nodded, but the familiar longing for the rush of the wind and the feeling of soaring on his Firebolt stirred inside him. The excitement of the Triwizard Tournament hadn't fully distracted him from how much he missed Quidditch. He glanced over at Ginny and wondered if she felt the same.

"We could always have a bit of fun on the pitch sometime," Ginny added casually, her eyes lighting up. "You know, just to keep our flying sharp. We could grab a couple of brooms and practice—maybe even get Ron to play Keeper."

Harry's interest piqued immediately. "Yeah, that's a brilliant idea! I haven't flown for ages. It'd be nice to get back out there." He paused, glancing at Hermione. "You'd come too, wouldn't you?"

Hermione smiled, though there was a glint of amusement in her eyes. "I'm not sure you'd want me playing. I'd only slow you down, but I can watch."

Ginny laughed. "Yeah, Harry, you might need someone to keep an eye on you. Who knows what tricks you'd pull?"

"Me? Cheat?" Harry feigned innocence, raising an eyebrow. "You're the one who's been learning from Fred and George."

Ginny grinned back at him, her smile infectious. "Alright, you've got a point."

They continued walking for a few moments before Ginny suggested, "Why don't we head back early? Ron might be out of detention by now. If we're lucky, we can grab some brooms and head down to the pitch."

The idea of playing a casual game on the Quidditch pitch filled Harry with a sudden energy. He couldn't remember the last time he'd looked forward to something this much.

They picked up their pace slightly as they made their way through the rest of the village, the distant outline of Hogwarts coming into view as the afternoon wore on. The wind was dying down up, and the sky had turned a bright blue, it felt like perfect Quidditch weather.

By the time they reached the castle, Harry was eager to find Ron. "You two head up to the common room," he said to Hermione and Ginny as they entered the entrance hall. "I'll check if Ron's done with detention and grab some sandwiches for us all from the great hall that we can take down" And the trio parted ways.

A few minutes later, Harry returned to the common room, hold a charmed container holding more sandwiches than they could possibly eat. Ron was there, looking thoroughly irritated as he rubbed his ink-stained fingers. "Snape had me scrubbing cauldrons by hand for two hours," he muttered as Harry approached. "I swear, he's got a personal vendetta."

Harry grinned. "Sounds like Snape. But I've got something that'll cheer you up."

Ron looked skeptical. "Does it involve not being anywhere near the dungeons?"

"Even better. Ginny suggested we play some casual quidditch. I thought we could head down now and…"

Ron's expression brightened almost instantly. "Now you're talking," Ron interrupted "I could use a good game."

They quickly grabbed their brooms from their dormitory—Harry's trusty Firebolt and Ron's hand-me-down Cleansweep—before heading back downstairs to meet Ginny and Hermione. The four of them made their way out to the pitch, the excitement of a spontaneous game lifting everyone's spirits.

As they reached the familiar grassy expanse of the Quidditch pitch, Harry breathed in deeply. The air felt fresher out here, the open space calling to him. He mounted his Firebolt, feeling the familiar surge of adrenaline as he kicked off the ground, soaring upward into the cool air.

They played for nearly an hour, the game full of laughter and lighthearted competition. Ginny was quick on her broom, darting around Harry with surprising agility, scoring goals and taunting him good-naturedly every time she slipped past him. Hermione, despite her reservations, even managed to score once, much to her own surprise—and Ron's dismay.

By the time the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the pitch, they were all thoroughly exhausted. But it was the best kind of exhaustion—the kind that left Harry feeling exhilarated.

"That was brilliant," Ginny said breathlessly as they landed on the grass, her face flushed from the wind and the thrill of the game. "You were lucky, though. Next time, Hermione and I will crush you."

"We'll see about that," Harry replied, grinning as he brushed a bit of dirt off his sleeve. "But you're right—you played well. Maybe even as well as Fred and George."

Ginny raised an eyebrow, looking pleased with the compliment. "High praise, coming from you."

They gathered their brooms and began making their way back toward the castle, the fading light casting a golden hue over the grounds. Harry walked alongside Ginny, feeling lighter than he had all day. There was something about the easy rhythm of their banter, the way they pushed each other just enough without it feeling forced, that made him feel… different.

He couldn't quite place it, but as they laughed about the game and teased Ron for missing a few too many saves, Harry realized how much he enjoyed the day. Not just because of the flying, but because of the company. Ginny's playful spirit, Hermione's quiet encouragement and Ron's eagerness —it had all felt so natural, so fun.

And, as they reached the entrance to the castle, Harry found himself glancing at Ginny out of the corner of his eye. He wasn't entirely sure what had changed, but there was a quiet warmth in the way she smiled at him that lingered longer than it had before.