Slytherins, Kisses and Other Disasters
Copyright© 2026 by Caroline Stanton
Chapter 18: You Can Call Me Vic
By Monday morning, Harry Potter had discovered that there was something worse than having the entire Gryffindor common room interrogate him about his first date. Having the entire school do it.
He’d barely reached the Great Hall before three Hufflepuffs congratulated him, a Ravenclaw asked whether Victoria Crabbe was really his girlfriend, and a second-year Gryffindor wanted to know whether it was true that she’d lifted him off the ground when they hugged.
Harry had denied the last story rather firmly. Unfortunately, Peeves had heard it. The poltergeist was currently floating above the entrance to the Great Hall, singing something about Potter finding himself a giantess for a sweetheart. His verses were dreadful, his rhymes worse, and his enthusiasm apparently inexhaustible. Harry had attempted to ignore him. Then Peeves had swooped down and asked whether Harry needed a ladder to kiss his girlfriend. That had earned a roar of laughter from several passing students.
Harry had considered hexing him. Instead, he’d gone to breakfast. Victoria, meanwhile, was experiencing much the same thing at the Slytherin table. Every few minutes, someone approached to ask about her date, her bracelet, or Harry. One particularly foolish fourth-year asked whether she intended to transfer to Gryffindor. Victoria informed him that if he asked another stupid question, she’d transfer his head into his breakfast. That ended the conversation. For approximately thirty seconds. Then Georgina began laughing again.
By the time breakfast was over, Victoria had decided that the next person who mentioned Harry Potter was going to regret it. Which made it rather unfortunate that Harry himself was waiting for her outside the Great Hall. Victoria spotted him standing near one of the tall windows, talking to Neville Longbottom. She slowed. Georgina noticed immediately.
“Oh, look.”
Victoria sighed.
“Don’t.”
“Your boyfriend.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
“Yet,” Georgina added cheerfully.
Draconia glanced towards Harry.
“At least he’s punctual.”
Victoria looked at her.
“What?”
“He’s waiting for you.”
Victoria felt herself smiling. She tried to stop. Failed. Georgina noticed.
“Oh, that’s pathetic.”
Victoria elbowed her.
“Fuck off.”
Georgina laughed. Draconia smiled.
“Go on, darling. We’ll see you in class.”
Victoria hesitated. Then nodded.
“Yeah.”
She started towards Harry. Behind her, Georgina called, “Try not to break him!” Victoria turned.
“GEORGINA!”
Her friend waved innocently. Draconia caught Georgina by the arm and steered her away before Victoria could retaliate. Harry, who had heard the exchange, was laughing when Victoria reached him.
“Morning.”
Victoria smiled.
“Morning, Harry.”
Neville looked between them. Then smiled.
“Hello, Victoria.”
She turned towards him.
“Longbottom.”
Neville hesitated. Victoria remembered something Harry had said during their date. About treating people properly. She made a small effort.
“Morning, Neville.”
Neville looked surprised. Then smiled.
“Morning.”
He glanced at Harry.
“I’d better get going. See you in Herbology.”
Harry nodded.
“See you.”
Neville walked away. Victoria watched him go. Then looked at Harry.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“Harry.”
“You called him Neville.”
“That’s his name.”
Harry laughed.
“Yes, it is.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Don’t make a bloody thing out of it.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
They began walking towards their first class. For a while, neither spoke. Then Victoria glanced at Harry.
“So.”
Harry looked at her.
“So?”
She grinned.
“Enjoying being the most talked-about boy in Hogwarts?”
Harry groaned.
“Oh, don’t.”
Victoria laughed.
“That bad?”
“Fred and George interrogated me for nearly an hour on Saturday night.”
Victoria burst out laughing.
“Seriously?”
“Yes.”
“What did they ask?”
“Everything.”
“Everything?”
Harry gave her a look.
“Everything.”
Victoria’s cheeks grew warm.
“Oh.”
Harry grinned.
“They wanted to know where we went, what we talked about, whether I bought you anything, whether we held hands...”
Victoria laughed.
“Sounds familiar.”
“What?”
“When I got back to Slytherin, every girl in the House was waiting for me.”
Harry stopped walking.
“The entire—?”
“Every bloody one of them.”
Harry stared. Then laughed. Victoria nodded grimly.
“Exactly.”
“What did they ask?”
“Everything.”
Harry laughed harder. Victoria grinned.
“Draconia had even arranged chairs.”
Harry nearly doubled over.
“She what?”
“Sat there like some bloody queen presiding over a trial.”
Harry wiped at his eyes.
“Oh, Merlin.”
“And Georgina was worse.”
“I can imagine.”
“No, you can’t.”
They continued down the corridor, laughing. A portrait of an elderly wizard watched them pass.
“Young people,” he murmured to the painted witch beside him. “Always laughing at something.”
The witch leaned out of her frame.
“That’s Potter and the Crabbe girl.”
The wizard looked interested.
“Really?”
“Oh, yes. They’re the ones everyone’s talking about.”
Harry heard her. He sighed. Victoria heard her too. She looked up.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. Even the paintings?”
The witch looked offended.
“There’s no need for that language, young lady.”
Victoria stared at her. Then turned to Harry.
“See what I mean?”
Harry laughed. They reached a quieter corridor leading towards the Charms classrooms. Most students had already hurried off to lessons, leaving the passage relatively empty. Victoria glanced around. Then looked at Harry.
“Can I ask you something?”
Harry smiled.
“Of course.”
She hesitated.
“Does it bother you?”
“What?”
“All the gossip.”
Harry considered.
“A bit.”
“Yeah.”
“Mostly because people keep inventing things.”
She grinned.
“Tell me about it. Apparently we’re engaged.”
Harry stared.
“What?”
Victoria nodded solemnly.
“According to a third-year, you bought me an engagement ring.”
Harry burst out laughing.
“Three Sickles and eight Knuts?”
“Apparently you’re a very economical fiancé.”
He laughed harder. Victoria grinned.
“Draconia said she’d never heard of such a cheap engagement.”
Harry shook his head.
“Oh, Merlin.”
Then his smile faded slightly.
“Does it bother you?”
Victoria considered.
“People staring? Yeah, a bit.”
“But...”
She hesitated.
“But I don’t mind them knowing we’re going out.”
Harry looked at her. She smiled.
“Actually, I rather like it.”
His expression softened.
“Really?”
Victoria nodded.
“Yeah.”
She looked down at her bracelet.
“Six years of nobody asking me out, and now half the school knows I’ve been on a date with Harry Potter.”
Harry laughed softly.
“Well, when you put it that way...”
She grinned.
“Not bad for a first attempt.”
They stopped near a window overlooking the grounds. Harry leaned against the stone wall. Victoria stood beside him. For a moment, they watched a few students hurrying across the courtyard below. Then Victoria spoke.
“Harry?”
“Yes?”
She hesitated.
“You know you can call me Vic.”
Harry turned towards her.
“What?”
“Vic.”
“Everyone who knows me properly calls me Vic.”
Harry smiled.
“I know.”
“Then why do you keep calling me Victoria?”
He considered.
“I suppose because that’s how I first thought of you.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Crabbe, you mean.”
Harry laughed.
“Well, yes. At first.”
“And then?”
He looked at her.
“Victoria.”
She blinked.
“Why?”
Harry hesitated. Then shrugged.
“I like your name.”
Victoria felt herself blushing.
“Oh, bloody hell.”
Harry laughed. She shook her head.
“You really are impossible.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
She looked at him. Then smiled.
“But you can call me Vic.”
“All right.”
He hesitated. Then said, “Vic.” Something about hearing him say it made her smile. She’d heard the name thousands of times. Georgina used it constantly. Draconia used it when they were alone. Her parents had called her Vic since she was little. But hearing Harry Potter say it was different. She liked it.
“Yeah,” she said softly.
Harry smiled.
“Vic.”
“All right, don’t wear it out.”
Harry glanced at her bracelet.
“Still wearing it.”
Victoria looked down.
“Course.”
He smiled.
“I thought you might.”
She turned her wrist.
“Everyone’s been asking about it.”
Harry laughed.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Apparently buying a girl a bracelet is a major event at Hogwarts.”
“Well, it was my first attempt.”
Victoria looked at him. Then smiled.
“Not bad.”
“Thank you.”
“Could’ve been worse.”
“Oh?”
“You could’ve bought me something pink.”
Harry laughed.
“Noted.”
“Or something with hearts all over it.”
He grinned.
“Definitely noted.”
Victoria looked at the little steel charm. Then smiled.
“This one’s perfect.”
Harry’s expression softened.
“I’m glad.”
They fell silent for a moment. Then Harry remembered something.
“How’s Georgina?”
Victoria turned.
“What?”
“Georgina. You mentioned she was hoping someone would ask her out.”
Victoria’s face lit up.
“Oh, Harry.”
He smiled.
“What?”
“You’re not going to believe this.”
Harry raised an eyebrow.
“Try me.”
Victoria leaned closer.
“Two boys.”
“What?”
“Two boys asked her out yesterday.”
Harry stared.
“Really?”
Victoria nodded enthusiastically.
“Within ten bloody minutes of each other!”
Harry laughed.
“You’re joking.”
“I’m not!”
“Who?”
“Adrian Selwyn and Marcus Flintley.”
Harry considered the names.
“Both Slytherins?”
“Yeah.”
“And?”
Victoria grinned.
“Adrian asked first.”
Harry nodded.
“And she said yes?”
“She did.”
“Good for her.”
Victoria nodded.
“She’s been grinning ever since.”
Harry laughed.
“Sounds familiar.”
Victoria narrowed her eyes.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Harry.”
He smiled.
“You’ve been grinning quite a lot yourself.”
Victoria blushed.
“Oh, piss off.”
Harry laughed. Victoria leaned against the wall beside him.
“Seriously, though. I’m happy for her.”
“I can imagine.”
“She’s never been asked out before either.”
He looked surprised.
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
She hesitated.
“People think we’re scary.”
Harry smiled faintly.
“Well...”
Victoria pointed at him.
“Don’t.”
He laughed.
“I wasn’t going to say anything.”
“Liar.”
Harry grinned. Victoria continued.
“But Georgina’s a lovely girl when you get to know her.”
Harry nodded.
“I believe you.”
She looked at him.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Victoria smiled.
“Good.”
She glanced down the corridor.
“And Draconia’s already planning her outfit for the next Hogsmeade visit.”
Harry laughed.
“Of course she is.”
“Georgina’s terrified.”
“Of the date?”
“No. Of Draconia.”
Harry burst out laughing. Victoria grinned.
“Can’t blame her, really.”
They talked for several more minutes. About Georgina’s upcoming date. About the ridiculous rumours. About how Fred and George had decided Victoria was the greatest discovery in Hogwarts history. Victoria laughed when Harry told her that.
“They said what?”
“A bombshell hidden in plain sight.”
Victoria stared. Then laughed.
“Oh, Merlin’s arse!”
Harry nodded.
“They were quite impressed.”
Victoria shook her head.
“Six years of threatening those two idiots, and now they think I’m gorgeous.”
Harry smiled.
“They’re not wrong.”
Victoria blushed.
“Harry!”
“What?”
She shook her head.
“You’re going to give me a bloody heart attack.”
He laughed. Eventually, the corridor grew quiet. The last students had hurried off to their lessons. Harry glanced towards the classroom door at the far end.
“We should probably go.”
Victoria nodded.
“Yeah.”
Neither moved. Harry looked at her. She looked at him. For a moment, neither spoke. Then Victoria smiled.
“What?”
Harry hesitated.
“Nothing.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Harry.”
He smiled nervously.
“I was just thinking.”
“About what?”
He took a breath.
“Saturday.”
Victoria’s expression softened.
“Yeah?”
“I had a wonderful time.”
She smiled.
“Me too.”
He hesitated. Then said, “I’d really like to do it again.” Victoria grinned.
“You already asked me that.”
“I know.”
“And I already said yes.”
Harry laughed.
“Right.”
She stepped a little closer.
“You’re nervous.”
He smiled sheepishly.
“A bit.”
Victoria laughed softly.
“Good.”
Harry blinked.
“Good?”
“Means I’m not the only one.”
They stood facing each other. Victoria was very aware of the difference in their height. Harry had to tilt his head slightly to look into her eyes. She looked down at him. And suddenly remembered the moment outside Hogwarts on Saturday evening. The moment when she’d wondered whether he was going to kiss her. He hadn’t. She’d been relieved. And disappointed.
Now, standing in a quiet corridor with Harry Potter looking at her as though she were the most beautiful girl in the castle, she realised she didn’t want to be disappointed again. She took a breath.
“Harry?”
“Yes?”
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