Slytherins, Kisses and Other Disasters
Copyright© 2026 by Caroline Stanton
Chapter 38: A Saturday Without Girlfriends
Harry Potter was halfway through his breakfast when a small folded piece of parchment came flying through the Great Hall. It was not being carried by an owl. It was flying by itself, flapping its corners like the wings of an unusually determined butterfly. Harry watched it weave between two Hufflepuffs, narrowly avoid a jug of pumpkin juice, and make a sharp turn towards the Gryffindor table. It landed directly in his porridge. Ron stared.
“That’s new.”
Harry fished the parchment out of his bowl, shook off a few drops of milk, and unfolded it. The handwriting was unmistakable. Handsome, Can’t see you today. Something important has come up. Nothing bad, don’t worry. I’ll explain everything later. Love, Vic. P.S. Don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone. Harry read the note twice. Then he turned it over. Nothing. He looked at Ron.
“Well, that’s mysterious.”
Ron leaned closer. “What is?”
“Victoria says she can’t see me today.”
Ron blinked.
“Really?”
“Apparently something important has come up.”
“Did she say what?”
“No. She’ll explain later.”
Ron considered this while spreading marmalade on his toast.
“Sounds suspicious.”
Harry smiled faintly.
“That’s what I thought.”
“Maybe she’s planning a surprise.”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe she’s buying you something.”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe she’s finally realised you’re a terrible boyfriend.”
Harry threw a piece of toast at him. Ron caught it.
“Thanks.”
Harry laughed, folded the note, and slipped it into his pocket.
For the past several weeks, almost every Saturday had involved Victoria in one way or another. Hogsmeade visits, walks around the grounds, the extraordinary excursion to the Muggle shopping centre, and countless hours spent together in the library, corridors, or wherever they could find a little privacy.
He loved every minute of it. But he had to admit that an unexpected free Saturday was a rather novel experience. He wondered what to do with it. He was still wondering when another flying note entered the Great Hall. This one made a beeline for the Slytherin table. It struck Adrian Selwyn squarely on the forehead. Harry burst out laughing. Adrian peeled the parchment off his face, looking deeply offended, and unfolded it. A moment later, his expression changed from surprise to puzzlement.
Marcus Flintley leaned over his shoulder.
“What’s that?”
“A note from Georgina.”
“What’s it say?”
Adrian read it aloud.
“Adrian, darling, can’t see you today. Something important to do with the girls. I’ll explain later. Don’t worry, everything’s fine. Love, Georgie.”
He turned the parchment over. Then looked at Marcus.
“That’s it.”
Marcus grinned.
“Congratulations. You’ve been abandoned.”
Adrian frowned.
“I haven’t been abandoned.”
“Your girlfriend’s cancelled your Saturday.”
“Temporarily.”
“Without explanation.”
“She said she’d explain later.”
Theodore Nott looked up from his breakfast.
“Perhaps she’s discovered your guitar.”
Adrian stared at him.
“What?”
“Perhaps she’s decided to flee the country before you learn another chord.”
Marcus nearly choked on his tea. Adrian sighed.
“You’re never going to let that go, are you?”
“Not until my hearing recovers,” Marcus replied.
Ten minutes later, Harry was leaving the Great Hall when he spotted Adrian coming towards him.
“Morning, Selwyn.”
“Potter.”
Harry noticed the parchment in Adrian’s hand.
“Got a note?”
Adrian looked surprised.
“How did you know?”
Harry pulled Victoria’s note from his pocket.
“Same here.”
They exchanged a glance. Then, without a word, exchanged notes. Adrian read Victoria’s. Harry read Georgina’s. Both boys looked up.
“Well,” Harry said.
“Indeed,” Adrian replied.
Harry handed back the parchment.
“Something important.”
“Something to do with the girls.”
“Explanations later.”
“Everything’s fine.”
They stared at each other. Then Harry grinned.
“They’re up to something.”
Adrian nodded.
“Definitely.”
“Any idea what?”
“Not the slightest.”
Harry considered the matter.
“Draconia?”
Adrian snapped his fingers.
“Of course!”
Harry frowned.
“What?”
“Her date!”
Harry blinked. Then laughed.
“Alex!”
Adrian nodded enthusiastically.
“She’s going out with that Muggle boy today.”
Harry remembered how excited Victoria and Georgina had been about Draconia’s upcoming date.
“Oh, no,” he said.
Adrian looked at him.
“What?”
Harry began to laugh.
“Oh, those two idiots.”
Adrian stared.
“What are you talking about?”
“Victoria and Georgina.”
“Yes?”
“They’re going to follow her.”
“Follow her?”
“To the shopping centre.”
“Why?”
“To watch her date.”
Adrian stared at Harry. Then he began to laugh.
“You’re joking.”
Harry shook his head.
“Think about it.”
Adrian thought.
His smile faded.
“Oh, Merlin.”
Harry nodded.
“Exactly.”
“They wouldn’t.”
Harry raised an eyebrow. Adrian considered.
“Actually, they would.”
“They absolutely would.”
Adrian laughed again.
“Poor Draco.”
“Poor Alex,” Harry corrected. “He has no idea what he’s getting into.”
The two boys wandered towards the courtyard, still discussing the situation.
“Do you think Hermione knows?” Adrian asked.
Harry considered.
“She probably helped Draco get ready.”
“Then she’ll know what the others are planning.”
Harry shook his head.
“Not necessarily. Victoria can be surprisingly sneaky when she wants to be.”
To read the complete story you need to be logged in:
Log In or
Register for a Free account
(Why register?)
* Allows you 3 stories to read in 24 hours.