Slytherins, Kisses and Other Disasters
Copyright© 2026 by Caroline Stanton
Chapter 27: The All-Clear
By the time the interrogation finally ended, the Slytherin common room looked as though a particularly cheerful battle had taken place.
Empty teacups covered the tables. Biscuit crumbs littered the cushions. Someone had knocked over a bowl of sweets, and two second-year girls were arguing over the last chocolate frog. The elderly witch in the portrait above the fireplace had abandoned her embroidery altogether and spent the past half-hour offering unsolicited romantic advice.
Georgina Goyle sat in the armchair that had served as her place of interrogation, her cheeks aching from smiling.
“Well,” she announced, “I hope you’re all bloody satisfied.”
“Not entirely,” Millicent Bulstrode replied. “You still haven’t told us what you said after Adrian asked you to be his girlfriend.”
“I said yes!”
“We know that. What else?”
“I kissed him.”
Several girls cheered again. Victoria threw up her hands.
“Oh, for Merlin’s sake, leave the poor girl alone. She’s already told us she lost count!”
“Thank you, Vic.”
“Besides,” Victoria added with a wicked grin, “she’s got another date tomorrow. We can interrogate her again afterward.”
Georgina stared at her.
“Don’t you bloody dare.”
Draconia, who had been examining the remains of the refreshments, looked up.
“I think a formal interrogation after every date would be excessive.”
“Thank you, Draco.”
“A brief report should suffice.”
Georgina picked up a cushion and threw it at her. Draconia caught it neatly.
“Such aggression. And to think Mr Selwyn considers you charming.”
“He likes my aggression.”
“Does he?”
“He said he likes all of me.”
Victoria smiled.
“Good answer.”
The girls laughed, but the evening was finally winding down. A few younger students were yawning, and several seventh-years had homework waiting upstairs. One by one, they began gathering their belongings. Millicent came over to Georgina and gave her a hug.
“Seriously, Georgie. Congratulations.”
Georgina hugged her back.
“Thanks, Millie.”
“Adrian’s a nice boy.”
“I know.”
“And he seems completely gone on you.”
Georgina’s smile returned.
“Yeah. I think he is.”
Another girl embraced her, followed by two more. Georgina accepted every congratulation with a warmth that would have surprised anyone who remembered the formidable Beater of previous years. Eventually, most of the girls began heading towards the dormitory stairs. Draconia surveyed the room.
“Well, ladies, I believe our business is concluded.”
Victoria glanced towards the entrance.
“Suppose we’d better let the boys back in.”
Georgina laughed.
“Oh, bloody hell. I’d almost forgotten about them.”
“You would,” Draconia said. “You’ve been rather preoccupied.”
Georgina grinned.
“Can you blame me?”
“Not in the slightest.”
Draconia turned towards a fourth-year girl who was putting away the remaining biscuits.
“Clara, would you mind going up to the Great Hall and telling the boys they may return?”
Clara Warrington looked delighted.
“All of them?”
“Yes, all of them. Even the first-years.”
Victoria laughed.
“Especially the first-years. Poor little sods have probably been wondering whether they’ve been expelled.”
Clara grinned.
“All right.”
“And Clara,” Draconia added.
The girl paused.
“Yes?”
“Please tell them that the common room is once again open to everyone. There is no need to make an announcement about Georgina.”
Georgina nodded gratefully.
“Thanks, Draco.”
Clara smiled.
“Of course.”
She slipped through the entrance. Victoria watched her go. Then turned towards Georgina.
“You know Adrian’s going to be with them.”
Georgina’s smile widened.
“I know.”
Draconia raised an eyebrow.
“And I suspect the boys have been conducting an interrogation of their own.”
Georgina laughed.
“Oh, they bloody well better have.”
Up in the Great Hall, Adrian Selwyn was still the centre of attention.
The original gathering had diminished somewhat, but Marcus Flintley, Theodore Nott, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and the Weasley twins remained nearby. A handful of Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs had also stayed, having discovered that the Slytherin boys were providing better entertainment than anything else happening in the castle.
Adrian was attempting to explain that no, he did not intend to propose marriage to Georgina before Christmas.
“Why not?” Fred asked.
“Because we’ve been together for about three hours!”
George nodded thoughtfully.
“A cautious young man.”
“Very sensible,” Harry agreed.
Marcus grinned.
“Personally, I think he should ask her father’s permission immediately.”
Adrian stared at him.
“For what?”
“To court his daughter, naturally.”
Theodore laughed.
“Do people still do that?”
“Apparently Adrian does,” Marcus replied. “He kissed her hand, didn’t he?”
Adrian groaned.
“Oh, will you lot ever let that go?”
“Not a chance,” Ron said cheerfully.
Just then, Clara Warrington approached the table. Several boys turned towards her. Marcus looked up.
“Hello, Clara. Escaped from the dungeon?”
Clara grinned.
“Interrogation’s over.”
Theodore sat upright.
“Really?”
“Yes. Draconia says you can all come back.”
A first-year Slytherin at the far end of the table gave an audible sigh of relief. Fred clasped his hands.
“At last! The occupation has ended!”
George nodded.
“Peace has returned to the kingdom.”
Marcus looked at Clara.
“How did it go?”
Clara smiled.
“Very well.”
Adrian immediately leaned forward.
“Is Georgina all right?”
Clara looked at him. Her smile became positively mischievous.
“Oh, she’s more than all right.”
Marcus laughed.
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