Slytherins, Kisses and Other Disasters
Copyright© 2026 by Caroline Stanton
Chapter 28: Here and Now
Sunday breakfast at Hogwarts was a considerably more relaxed affair than breakfast on a weekday.
There were no classes to hurry to, no professors reminding students about unfinished assignments, and no frantic searches for missing textbooks. The Great Hall was filled with the pleasant sounds of conversation, clattering cutlery, and the occasional screech of an owl delivering a late letter.
Harry Potter sat at the Gryffindor table with Ron and Hermione, helping himself to another slice of toast. He was in an excellent mood. The previous day had been wonderful. He and Victoria had spent most of the afternoon together in Hogsmeade, and their goodbye in the entrance hall had included a kiss that he was still thinking about. He had also learned, courtesy of Fred and George, that Georgina Goyle and Adrian Selwyn were now officially boyfriend and girlfriend. He was delighted for them.
He was also, although he hadn’t admitted it to himself, a little envious.
“Harry?”
He looked up. Ron was spreading marmalade on a piece of toast.
“Yeah?”
“When are you going to ask Victoria to be your girlfriend?”
Harry nearly dropped his knife. Hermione stopped turning the page of her book. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Ron looked up.
“What?”
Harry stared at him.
“Sorry?”
Ron frowned.
“I asked when you’re going to ask Victoria to be your girlfriend.”
Harry blinked. Hermione slowly closed her book. Ron looked from one to the other.
“Have I got something on my face?”
“No,” Harry said.
“Then why are you looking at me like that?”
Harry put down his knife.
“Ron, did you just ask me when I’m going to ask Victoria to be my girlfriend?”
Ron stared at him.
“Yes, Harry. That’s what I said. Twice.”
Hermione’s lips twitched. Harry shook his head.
“I just ... wasn’t expecting that question from you.”
Ron looked puzzled.
“Why not?”
Harry glanced at Hermione. She was watching Ron with unmistakable interest.
“Well,” Harry began, “considering what you thought about Victoria a couple of weeks ago...”
Ron waved a hand dismissively.
“Oh, that.”
Harry raised an eyebrow.
“That?”
Ron shrugged.
“Look, I was wrong about her.”
Hermione’s eyebrows rose. Harry stared. Ron noticed.
“Oh, don’t both of you start.”
Hermione smiled sweetly.
“I’m sorry, Ron. Could you repeat that?”
“No.”
“Just once?”
“Hermione.”
“You said you were wrong.”
“Yes. I was wrong. Happy?”
“Immensely.”
Harry laughed. Ron pointed his toast at them.
“Look, I’m not saying she’s suddenly turned into a saint. She’s still got a temper, and she still swears like a sailor.”
Harry grinned.
“That’s Victoria.”
“Exactly. But she makes you happy, doesn’t she?”
Harry’s smile softened.
“Yeah.”
Ron nodded.
“And you make her happy.”
Harry looked at him. Ron shrugged.
“It’s obvious, mate.”
For a moment, Harry didn’t answer. Then he smiled.
“Thanks, Ron.”
Ron looked mildly embarrassed.
“Don’t mention it.”
Hermione watched the exchange with a pleased expression. Then Ron continued.
“Besides, after what happened with Georgina and Selwyn yesterday, I thought you’d have sorted it out by now.”
“What?”
Ron looked at him.
“Well, they’ve only been on one date, and they’re already boyfriend and girlfriend. You’ve been out with Victoria twice, kissed her a fair few times, and spent most of the week walking around looking like you’ve won the Quidditch Cup.”
Hermione burst out laughing. Harry went red.
“I have not!”
Ron raised an eyebrow.
“Harry, yesterday you spent ten minutes staring at the bracelet you bought her.”
Harry opened his mouth. Then closed it. Hermione was laughing openly now.
“And you smiled every time someone mentioned her name,” she added.
Harry groaned.
“Not you too.”
“See? You’re doing it again.”
Harry tried to stop smiling. He failed. For a few moments, they returned to breakfast. Then Harry put down his toast.
“Actually...”
Ron looked up.
“What?”
Harry hesitated.
“I’ve been thinking about asking her.”
Hermione’s expression softened.
“Have you?”
Harry nodded.
“Yeah.”
Ron stared.
“Then what’s stopping you?”
Harry considered the question. It was a good one. A surprisingly good one, coming from Ron.
“I don’t know,” he admitted.
Ron frowned.
“You don’t know?”
“Not exactly.”
Hermione leaned forward.
“Are you worried she’ll say no?”
Harry shook his head.
“Not really. I mean, I suppose she could, but...”
He smiled.
“After yesterday, I don’t think she would.”
Ron snorted.
“Harry, she practically drags you into corners to kiss you.”
“RON!”
Hermione dissolved into laughter. Ron shrugged.
“Well, she does!”
Harry covered his face.
“Merlin.”
“Honestly, mate, if that girl wanted you any more, she’d have your name tattooed on her broomstick.”
“RON!”
A couple of nearby Gryffindors looked over. Hermione was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes. Ron grinned.
“What? It’s true!”
Harry shook his head helplessly.
“You’re impossible.”
“Maybe. But I’m right.”
Hermione eventually recovered.
“Harry, perhaps you’re waiting for the perfect moment.”
Harry looked at her.
“Maybe.”
“Well, there isn’t necessarily going to be one.”
Ron nodded.
“Exactly.”
Hermione glanced at him, surprised by the agreement. Ron continued.
“Look, Selwyn didn’t wait, did he?”
Harry smiled.
“No.”
“He liked Georgina, she liked him, so he asked.”
“Yes.”
“And now they’re together.”
Harry nodded. Ron spread more marmalade on his toast.
“So what’s the problem?”
Harry stared at his friend. Then laughed.
“Ron, when did you become an expert on relationships?”
Ron went slightly pink.
“I’m not.”
Hermione smiled.
“He’s making a remarkably sensible point, though.”
Ron looked pleased.
“Thank you.”
“Try not to let it go to your head.”
“Too late.”
Harry laughed. Across the Great Hall, the Slytherin table was attracting attention of its own.
Georgina and Adrian had arrived together a few minutes earlier, holding hands. They were sitting close enough that their shoulders touched, and Georgina appeared to be explaining something with considerable enthusiasm while Adrian listened with a broad smile.
Victoria sat opposite them, grinning. Draconia, beside her, looked amused. At one point, Georgina leaned over and kissed Adrian’s cheek. Marcus Flintley, sitting nearby, immediately made a theatrical gagging noise. Georgina turned towards him.
“Piss off, Marcus.”
Marcus laughed.
“Good morning to you too, Georgie.”
Adrian smiled. Georgina slipped her hand into his beneath the table. Harry watched them for a moment. Then his gaze moved to Victoria. She was laughing at something Draconia had said, her long black hair falling over one shoulder. The stainless-steel bracelet he’d given her caught the light as she lifted her cup. Harry smiled. Ron noticed.
“There you go again.”
Harry didn’t look away.
“Shut up, Ron.”
Ron grinned.
“Ask her.”
Harry glanced at him.
“What?”
Ron nodded towards Victoria.
“Ask her.”
Harry looked back across the hall. Victoria happened to glance up at that moment. Their eyes met. Her expression brightened. She smiled at him. Harry smiled back. Then Victoria raised her hand in a small wave, the bracelet glinting at her wrist. Harry returned the wave. Ron watched the exchange. Then he shook his head.
“Honestly, Harry.”
Harry turned towards him.
“What?”
Ron gestured towards Victoria.
“She’s practically glowing every time she looks at you. What more do you need?”
Harry considered that. Then, slowly, he smiled.
“Nothing, I suppose.”
Hermione looked delighted.
“So?”
Harry took a breath.
“I’ll ask her.”
Ron nodded approvingly.
“Good.”
“Today.”
Hermione smiled.
“Wonderful.”
Ron returned to his breakfast.
“About bloody time.”
Harry laughed. A few minutes later, as they were leaving the Great Hall, Hermione fell into step beside Ron.
“That was rather nice of you.”
Ron looked puzzled.
“What was?”
“What you said to Harry.”
“Someone had to tell him.”
“You really have changed your mind about Victoria.”
Ron considered.
“Well, she’s still terrifying.”
Hermione laughed.
“Ron!”
“What? She is!”
“She’s actually rather nice when you get to know her.”
“I know.”
Hermione looked at him. Ron shrugged.
“And Harry’s happy. That’s what matters, isn’t it?”
Hermione’s expression softened.
“Yes,” she said. “It is.”
Ron grinned.
“Besides, if he doesn’t ask her soon, she might get fed up and ask him herself.”
Hermione laughed.
“She might.”
“And then Fred and George will never let him hear the end of it.”
Hermione shook her head.
“You’re probably right.”
“Usually am.”
Hermione gave him a look.
“Let’s not get carried away.”
They continued towards the staircase, laughing. Behind them, Harry lingered near the entrance to the Great Hall, waiting for Victoria to finish breakfast. For once, he knew exactly what he wanted to say to her. He only hoped he could manage to say it without making a complete idiot of himself.
Harry had spent the morning trying to decide where to ask Victoria.
He had nearly talked himself into waiting for another Hogsmeade visit, until Ron and Hermione reminded him that there was no perfect moment.
When Victoria came out of the Great Hall, he decided to stop planning and talk to her.
“Harry!”
She smiled, said something to her friends, and hurried towards him. Harry couldn’t help smiling back.
“Morning, Vic.”
“Morning.”
She stopped in front of him, looking very pleased to see him.
“Been waiting long?”
“Not really.”
“Good.”
She glanced towards the doors.
“Georgie and Draco are going to the library. Apparently Draco’s decided we need to start our Transfiguration essay before Tuesday.”
“She’s probably right.”
“Don’t tell her that. She’s insufferable enough already.”
Harry laughed. Victoria grinned.
“Anyway, I’ve got a bit of time. Fancy a walk?”
“Yeah. Actually, I wanted to talk to you.”
Her smile faltered slightly.
“Talk?”
Harry noticed.
“Nothing bad!”
Victoria blinked. Then laughed.
“Bloody hell, Harry. You looked so serious for a moment.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
She took his hand.
“Come on, then.”
They walked through the entrance hall and into one of the broad corridors leading towards the courtyard. Sunday morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows, illuminating the stone floor. A few students passed them, and an elderly wizard in a portrait greeted them with a cheerful wave.
“Good morning, young lovers!”
Victoria rolled her eyes.
“Morning, Wetherby.”
Harry laughed. The old wizard winked and returned to his newspaper. Victoria squeezed Harry’s hand.
“Honestly, those bloody portraits.”
“They’re getting worse.”
“They’ve got nothing better to do.”
Harry smiled.
“Probably.”
They continued walking. For a while, neither spoke. Victoria seemed content. She swung their joined hands slightly as they walked, occasionally glancing at Harry with that small, private smile he had come to love. Harry looked at her. Then looked away. Then looked at her again. Victoria noticed.
“Harry?”
“Yeah?”
“Something wrong?”
“No.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“You’ve been looking at me like you’re trying to solve a particularly difficult Arithmancy problem.”
Harry laughed nervously.
“Have I?”
“Yes.”
“Sorry.”
“Stop apologising.”
She stopped walking. Harry stopped too. Victoria turned towards him.
“All right, Potter. What’s on your mind?”
Harry looked up at her. She was wearing a dark-green jumper and black trousers, her long hair loose over her shoulders. The bracelet he’d given her was visible beneath her sleeve. He noticed, as he always did, that she was wearing it. Victoria followed his gaze. Then smiled.
“Still got it.”
Harry looked up.
“I noticed.”
“Haven’t taken it off.”
“Really?”
“Well, except when I shower. I’m not completely daft.”
Harry laughed. Victoria grinned. Then her expression softened.
“Seriously, Harry. What did you want to talk about?”
Harry took a breath. He could wait until they reached the courtyard. He could find a quieter place. He could spend another half-hour trying to decide exactly what words to use. But then he remembered Ron’s question. When are you going to ask Victoria to be your girlfriend? And Hermione’s answer. There isn’t necessarily going to be a perfect moment. Harry looked at Victoria. She was standing right in front of him, holding his hand, smiling patiently.
He suddenly realised that he didn’t need anything else.
“Vic?”
“Yeah?”
Harry swallowed.
“I really like you.”
Victoria blinked. Then smiled.
“I should bloody hope so.”
Harry laughed.
“No, I mean...”
He hesitated. Victoria’s smile became gentler.
“Harry?”
He took her other hand.
“I like being with you. I like talking to you. I like how you make me laugh, and how you always say exactly what you’re thinking, even when it’s something completely outrageous.”
Victoria grinned.
“Especially then.”
“Especially then.”
“And I know we’ve only been going out for a couple of weeks, but...”
He took a breath.
“I don’t want to keep calling them dates and wondering what we are.”
Victoria’s smile slowly faded. Not because she was unhappy. Quite the opposite. Her eyes widened.
“Harry...”
He looked directly into her green eyes.
“Victoria Crabbe, will you be my girlfriend?”
For a moment, she didn’t move. She simply stared at him. Harry felt his heart hammering against his ribs. Then Victoria whispered, “What?” Harry smiled nervously.
“Will you be my girlfriend?”
Her mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. Then her face transformed.
“Harry.”
He waited.
“Harry, are you bloody serious?”
He laughed.
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