Slytherins, Kisses and Other Disasters
Copyright© 2026 by Caroline Stanton
Chapter 14: A Little Something
By the time they left the Three Broomsticks, Victoria had stopped worrying about what she was supposed to say.
Not entirely, of course. She was still very conscious that she was on her first date, and occasionally she caught herself wondering whether she was behaving properly. But Harry had proved surprisingly easy to talk to once they’d got past the initial awkwardness.
They’d spent nearly an hour over their butterbeers, talking about Quidditch, classes, their friends, and the peculiarities of Hogwarts life. Harry had told her about some of Ron’s more spectacular mishaps, and Victoria had retaliated with stories about Georgina that would probably have earned her a punch in the shoulder if her friend had been present.
They’d laughed a great deal. And Victoria had discovered that she rather liked making Harry laugh. Now they were walking through Hogsmeade, their coats buttoned against the October chill, with no particular destination in mind. Harry was holding her hand again. She liked that too. It was becoming surprisingly easy to get used to.
“Where do you want to go?” he asked.
Victoria looked along the street.
“Dunno. Anywhere, really.”
“Honeydukes?”
“We could.”
“Zonko’s?”
She grinned.
“Trying to get me into trouble, Potter?”
Harry laughed.
“I thought you might enjoy it.”
“Probably would.”
They passed a group of Hogwarts students who looked at them with undisguised curiosity. Victoria recognised a couple of Ravenclaws from her year, both of whom stared longer than was polite. Normally, she’d have glared until they looked away. Today, she simply ignored them. Harry noticed.
“Does that bother you?”
“What?”
“People staring.”
“Bit annoying.”
“Sorry.”
She looked at him.
“What the bloody hell are you apologising for?”
“Well, I suppose they’re staring because we’re together.”
Victoria considered that. Then she grinned.
“Let them.”
Harry raised an eyebrow.
“Really?”
“Yeah. They’ll get bored eventually.”
She squeezed his hand.
“Besides, I’m having a good time.”
Harry smiled.
“So am I.”
Victoria felt that pleasant little warmth in her chest again. Bloody hell. He’s going to make me smile all day. They wandered past Honeydukes, stopping briefly to look at the window display, then continued along a quieter side street. The shops here were smaller and less crowded. There was a little bookshop, a place selling writing supplies, and a narrow storefront filled with inexpensive jewellery, scarves, hair accessories, and assorted trinkets. Victoria slowed. Harry noticed.
“Something interesting?”
She glanced towards the window.
“Just looking.”
The display contained several necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets arranged on dark velvet cushions. Some were elaborate, with brightly coloured stones or little charms that moved of their own accord. Others were much simpler. Victoria leaned closer. She’d never been particularly interested in jewellery. Draconia owned plenty, of course. Some of her pieces were expensive enough that Victoria was almost afraid to touch them. Georgina had a few rings and necklaces, though she rarely wore them. Victoria herself owned almost nothing.
Jewellery had always seemed impractical. Rings could get in the way during Quidditch, necklaces could catch on things, and bracelets weren’t particularly useful when swinging a Beater’s bat. But after Thursday’s makeover, she’d begun looking at such things differently. She wasn’t about to start wearing diamonds to Quidditch practice. Still, some of the bracelets were rather pretty. Harry followed her gaze.
“Want to have a look?”
Victoria hesitated.
“All right.”
He opened the door for her. She smiled.
“Thanks.”
The shop was small, warm, and rather cluttered. Shelves lined the walls, displaying everything from hair ribbons to little enchanted ornaments. A middle-aged witch sat behind the counter, reading a magazine. She glanced up when they entered and smiled.
“Good morning. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks.”
Victoria wandered towards a display of bracelets. There were silver ones, gold-coloured ones, bracelets made of leather or coloured beads, and several with small dangling charms. She examined them without touching anything. Harry came to stand beside her.
“See anything you like?”
Victoria shrugged.
“Some of them are nice.”
He looked at the display.
“Which ones?”
She pointed towards a simple bracelet lying on a dark-blue cushion.
“That one’s pretty.”
It was made of polished stainless steel, with a delicate chain of small interlocking links and a little oval charm hanging from it. There were no gemstones, no elaborate decorations, and no obvious enchantments. Just a simple bracelet. Harry leaned closer.
“That one?”
“Yeah.”
He smiled.
“It’s nice.”
Victoria nodded.
“Simple.”
“Would you like to try it on?”
She looked at him.
“What?”
“The bracelet.”
Victoria hesitated. Then shrugged.
“All right.”
Harry caught the shopkeeper’s attention.
“Excuse me? Could we have a look at this one?”
The witch approached.
“Of course, dear.”
She took the bracelet from its cushion and handed it to Victoria. Victoria examined it. The steel was cool against her fingers, and the little charm moved freely when she lifted the chain. She liked it. It wasn’t expensive-looking or particularly elaborate, but it had a quiet prettiness that appealed to her.
“Would you like to try it?” the shopkeeper asked.
“Yeah. Thanks.”
She attempted to fasten it around her wrist. That proved more difficult than expected.
“Bloody hell.”
Harry smiled.
“Need a hand?”
Victoria looked at him. Then laughed.
“Yeah, actually.”
She held out her wrist. Harry took the bracelet carefully and fastened the clasp. His fingers brushed her skin. Victoria felt a little flutter in her stomach. Oh, for Merlin’s sake. She’d been hit by Bludgers without flinching, and now a boy touching her wrist was enough to make her nervous. Harry finished fastening the bracelet.
“There.”
Victoria turned her wrist. The polished steel caught the light. The little charm rested against her skin. She smiled.
“That’s nice.”
Harry looked at it. Then at her.
“It suits you.”
Victoria glanced up.
“Think so?”
“Definitely.”
She looked at the bracelet again. Then reluctantly began to unfasten it. Harry stopped her.
“Wait.”
Victoria looked at him.
“What?”
He hesitated. Then smiled.
“Would you let me buy it for you?”
Victoria stared.
“What?”
Harry nodded towards the bracelet.
“I’d like to get it for you.”
“Why?”
Harry looked slightly surprised.
“Because you like it.”
Victoria glanced down at her wrist. Then back at him.
“Harry, you don’t have to.”
“I know.”
“Seriously. It’s fine.”
He smiled.
“I’d like to.”
Victoria hesitated. She wasn’t sure what to say. Nobody had ever offered to buy her jewellery before. Draconia had given her birthday presents, of course, and Georgina had occasionally bought her little things when they were shopping together. Her parents had given her gifts too. But a boy? A boy buying her something because she’d admired it? That was entirely new. She looked at the bracelet again.
“It’s probably cheap,” she muttered.
Harry shrugged.
“Does that matter?”
Victoria looked at him.
“No.”
“Then let me get it for you.”
She hesitated a moment longer. Then nodded.
“All right.”
Harry’s smile widened.
“Good.”
Victoria felt herself blushing.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
The shopkeeper examined the bracelet.
“Three Sickles and eight Knuts.”
Harry reached into his pocket. Victoria protested.
“Harry—”
He looked at her.
“What?”
“That’s still money.”
He laughed softly.
“I know.”
“You don’t have to spend it on me.”
“I want to.”
She looked at him. It was only a bracelet, and she’d liked it. Arguing would probably take longer than letting him buy the thing. Harry paid the shopkeeper, who smiled as she handed him his change.
“Would you like a box?”
Harry glanced at Victoria. Victoria looked at the bracelet on her wrist. Then shook her head.
“No, thanks. I’ll wear it.”
The shopkeeper smiled.
“Very good.”
Harry thanked her, and they made their way towards the door. Outside, Victoria stopped beneath the shop’s little awning. Harry turned.
“Everything all right?”
She nodded.
“Yeah.”
Then she looked down at her wrist. The bracelet gleamed softly in the daylight. She turned it slightly, watching the little oval charm move. Harry smiled.
“You really like it?”
Victoria looked up.
“Yeah.”
“Good.”
She hesitated. Then said, “Harry?”
“Yes?”
She swallowed.
“Nobody’s ever bought me anything like this before.”
“Really?”
Victoria nodded.
“Not a boy, anyway.”
He looked at her for a moment. Then smiled gently.
“Well, I’m glad I could be the first.”
Victoria felt her cheeks grow hot.
“Oh, bloody hell.”
Harry laughed softly. She shook her head.
“You’re doing it again.”
“Doing what?”
“Saying nice things.”
He grinned.
“Sorry.”
Victoria looked at him. Then smiled.
“Don’t be.”
They resumed walking. Victoria kept glancing at the bracelet. She couldn’t seem to help it. Every few minutes, she’d turn her wrist slightly, watching the polished links catch the light. Harry noticed after the third time.
“You’re going to wear a hole in it.”
Victoria looked up.
“What?”
He nodded towards her wrist.
“You keep looking at it.”
She blushed.
“Do not.”
Harry raised an eyebrow.
“Victoria.”
She sighed.
“All right. Maybe.”
He smiled. She looked down again.
“It’s just...”
She hesitated. Harry waited. Victoria shrugged.
“I’ve never had a boy buy me a present before.”
He nodded.
“You mentioned that.”
“Yeah.”
She looked at him.
“And it’s not even expensive.”
Harry smiled.
“No.”
“Just steel.”
“Yes.”
She turned her wrist again. Then looked at him.
“But I really like it.”
Harry’s expression softened.
“I’m glad.”
Victoria smiled.
“Thanks, Harry.”
“You’re welcome.”
They continued along the street, passing a bakery whose windows were filled with cakes and pastries. Victoria glanced at the display. Harry noticed.
“Hungry?”
“Always.”
“Want something?”
Victoria looked at him. Then at the bracelet. Then back at him.
“Harry.”
“What?”
“You’ve already bought me butterbeer and a bracelet.”
He shrugged.
“So?”
“So I’m not letting you pay for everything.”
“All right.”
“Good.”
She pointed towards the bakery.
“My turn.”
Harry laughed.
“Fair enough.”
They went inside. Victoria bought two pastries, ignoring Harry’s attempt to contribute, and handed him one as they stepped back onto the street.
“There.”
Harry smiled.
“Thank you.”
She grinned.
“You’re welcome.”
He took a bite. Then looked at her.
“Very good.”
Victoria nodded.
“Bloody right.”
They laughed. A little farther along, they found a quiet bench overlooking the street. They sat together, eating their pastries and watching people pass. Victoria’s bracelet rested against her wrist. She looked at it again. Harry noticed. This time, he didn’t tease her. Instead, he smiled. Victoria caught him looking.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“Harry.”
He laughed.
“I was just thinking.”
“About what?”
He looked at the bracelet.
“That I’m glad you like it.”
Victoria smiled.
“Yeah.”
She hesitated. Then leaned a little closer.
“Harry?”
“Yes?”
She looked down at her wrist. Then back at him.
“I’m going to keep this.”
“I should hope so.”
Victoria shook her head.
“No. I mean...”
She hesitated. It was difficult to explain. She’d received plenty of presents in her life. Some expensive. Some practical. Some she’d forgotten about almost immediately. But this little bracelet felt different. It was the first gift she’d ever received from a boy who liked her. A boy who’d asked her out. A boy who’d looked at her and called her beautiful before anyone else had thought to do so. And she’d accepted it on her first date. She looked at Harry.
“I’m going to keep it for a long time.”
Harry’s expression softened.
“I’m glad.”
Victoria smiled. Then, almost shyly, she leaned against his shoulder. Harry went still for a moment. Then relaxed. Victoria felt his arm settle gently around her. She smiled to herself. The bracelet was worth three Sickles and eight Knuts. It was made of ordinary steel. There was nothing magical about it.
She suspected the little steel bracelet might become one of her most treasured possessions.
Victoria was beginning to think that the bench outside the little bakery might be the nicest place in Hogsmeade.
It wasn’t particularly remarkable. The wooden seat was a little worn, the view consisted mostly of the village street, and the chilly October air had begun to make itself felt. But Harry was sitting beside her, his arm resting comfortably around her shoulders, and she had her head against his.
For the first time all day, she wasn’t worrying about what to say or whether she was behaving properly. She was simply enjoying herself. Harry had finished his pastry some time ago. Victoria had finished hers faster, which had earned her an amused look and a remark about Beaters needing plenty of fuel. She’d informed him that Seekers were scrawny little things who ought to eat more. He’d laughed. Then she’d leaned against him, and they’d fallen into a comfortable silence.
Victoria occasionally turned her wrist, watching the little steel bracelet catch the afternoon light. She liked the way it looked. More importantly, she liked knowing who’d given it to her. Harry noticed her examining it again.
“Still there?”
Victoria looked up.
“What?”
“The bracelet.”
She grinned.
“Just checking.”
He laughed.
“Afraid it’ll disappear?”
“Wouldn’t put it past you. Could be some clever Gryffindor trick.”
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