Slytherins, Kisses and Other Disasters
Copyright© 2026 by Caroline Stanton
Chapter 24: Until Tomorrow
By the time Harry and Victoria left Hogsmeade, the sun was already sinking behind the hills.
The afternoon had been everything Victoria could have wished for. They had wandered through the village, shared a bag of sweets, argued cheerfully about Quidditch, and spent nearly an hour sitting together on a bench beneath the autumn trees. Harry had told her stories about Ron and Hermione, and she’d told him about Georgina and Draconia. They had laughed so much that Victoria’s cheeks hurt.
And they’d kissed. More than once. That was still something she was getting used to. She glanced down at Harry as they walked along the road towards Hogwarts, their fingers intertwined. He noticed.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You keep doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“Looking at me.”
Victoria grinned.
“Am I not allowed?”
“Of course you are.”
“Good.”
She squeezed his hand.
“Because I rather like looking at you.”
Harry laughed softly.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
They walked a little farther. Then Harry said, “You know, I never thought I’d hear you say something like that.” Victoria raised an eyebrow.
“What, that I like looking at you?”
“Yes.”
She laughed.
“Well, I never thought I’d be saying it.”
“Fair enough.”
Victoria considered him for a moment.
“Actually, six months ago, I’d probably have threatened to knock your teeth out.”
Harry nodded solemnly.
“You did threaten to knock my teeth out.”
“Only once?”
“Several times.”
Victoria winced.
“Bloody hell.”
He laughed. She looked at him.
“Sorry about that.”
Harry’s expression softened.
“It’s all right.”
“No, it wasn’t.”
He glanced up at her. Victoria shrugged.
“I was a right bitch sometimes.”
Harry hesitated.
“Sometimes.”
She gave him a playful shove.
“Oi!”
He laughed. Then she smiled.
“Seriously, though. I’m glad you didn’t give up on me.”
Harry looked at her.
“Me too.”
The castle came into view as they climbed the last stretch of the path. Its windows glowed warmly against the darkening sky, and the towers stood silhouetted against the clouds. Victoria slowed. Harry noticed.
“Tired?”
She shook her head.
“No.”
“What’s wrong?”
She looked towards Hogwarts.
“Nothing.”
Then she sighed.
“Just don’t want the afternoon to end.”
Harry smiled.
“Neither do I.”
Victoria looked down at him.
“Really?”
“Really.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
They continued walking, more slowly now. At the edge of the courtyard, Harry stopped.
“Vic?”
She turned.
“Yeah?”
He hesitated.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Course.”
He took a breath.
“Would you like to go out with me again next Saturday?”
She stared. Then laughed. Harry blinked.
“What?”
Victoria shook her head.
“Oh, Harry.”
“What?”
“Do you really have to ask?”
He smiled sheepishly.
“I thought I should.”
She leaned closer.
“Yes, you daft sod. I’d love to.”
Harry laughed.
“Good.”
Victoria squeezed his hand.
“Very much.”
They entered the castle through the great oak doors. The entrance hall was quieter than it had been that morning. Most students had already returned from Hogsmeade, and the distant sounds of conversation drifted from the Great Hall. A few students crossed the hall, carrying shopping bags and chatting about their afternoons. Harry and Victoria walked towards the foot of the grand staircase. Neither was in any particular hurry. Above them, a portrait of a medieval knight watched with interest.
“Ah,” he murmured to the lady in the neighbouring painting. “The young couple have returned.”
The lady leaned forward.
“Which couple?”
“Potter and Miss Crabbe.”
“Oh!”
She peered down.
“How lovely. They’re still holding hands.”
The knight nodded approvingly.
“A promising sign.”
Victoria heard them. She closed her eyes.
“Oh, for Merlin’s sake.”
“What?”
She glanced upward.
“The bloody paintings.”
Harry followed her gaze. The lady in the portrait smiled sweetly.
“Good evening, dears!”
Victoria sighed.
“Evening.”
The knight bowed.
“A pleasant outing, I trust?”
Harry smiled politely.
“Very pleasant, thank you.”
Victoria looked at him.
“You’re encouraging them.”
He grinned.
“They’re being friendly.”
“They’re being nosy.”
The knight looked offended.
“My dear young lady, I assure you—”
“Come on, Harry.”
She tugged him gently towards the staircase. Behind them, the painted lady giggled. They stopped at the foot of the stairs. Harry would be heading up towards Gryffindor Tower. Victoria would be going down towards the dungeons. For a moment, neither spoke. Then Victoria smiled.
“Well.”
Harry smiled back.
“Well.”
She laughed softly.
“We keep doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“Saying ‘well’ when neither of us wants to say goodbye.”
Harry grinned.
“That’s true.”
Victoria looked down at their joined hands. Then back at him.
“I had a wonderful time.”
“So did I.”
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