Slytherins, Kisses and Other Disasters
Copyright© 2026 by Caroline Stanton
Chapter 5: An Invitation
Victoria Crabbe was beginning to suspect that Harry Potter had developed a habit of appearing whenever she was alone. It was getting bloody annoying. She was standing beside a window on the fourth floor, waiting for Georgina to finish speaking with a teacher. Draconia had gone ahead to the common room, leaving Victoria with a few minutes to herself. She was watching the grounds when she heard footsteps approaching.
“Victoria?”
She closed her eyes. Oh, for fuck’s sake. She knew that voice.
“What do you want, Potter?”
Harry stopped a few feet away.
“Can we talk?”
“We’re talking.”
“Right.”
She turned to face him, folding her arms.
“Well?”
Harry glanced briefly down the corridor, then back at her.
“I wanted to apologise.”
Victoria blinked.
“What?”
“About the rumours.”
She stared at him.
“What about them?”
“I know everyone’s talking about what I said to you. I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
Victoria narrowed her eyes.
“Well, it bloody did.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
She hadn’t expected that. She’d been preparing for another ridiculous compliment, perhaps some attempt at flirting. An apology hadn’t occurred to her.
“What are you apologising for?”
“For making you uncomfortable.”
Victoria’s expression hardened.
“Who says I’m uncomfortable?”
Harry hesitated.
“Well, I thought—”
“You thought wrong.”
“All right.”
She stared at him. That was another irritating thing about Potter. He wasn’t arguing. Usually, when she snapped at someone, they either snapped back or backed away. Potter seemed determined to do neither. He simply stood there, looking at her. Victoria shifted her weight.
“Look, Potter, if you’re worried I’m going to hex you because people are talking, don’t be. I can handle a few stupid rumours.”
“I know you can.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I don’t want you thinking I did it to embarrass you.”
Victoria frowned. Harry continued.
“I meant what I said the other day. But I wasn’t trying to make you the centre of attention.”
She looked away. That was almost worse. If he’d been playing some stupid joke, she could have punched him and been done with it. If he’d been trying to humiliate her, she could have hexed him. Instead, he was apologising because he thought he’d upset her.
“You’re a bloody idiot,” she muttered.
Harry smiled faintly.
“Probably.”
“And you’ve got a death wish.”
That made him laugh.
“Why?”
Victoria stared at him.
“Why? Potter, you’ve spent six years getting on my nerves, and now you’re following me around telling me I’m beautiful. What do you think is going to happen?”
“I was hoping you’d talk to me.”
“I am talking to you!”
“Without threatening to kill me, preferably.”
Victoria almost laughed. Almost. She caught herself and scowled instead.
“Don’t push your luck.”
“Fair enough.”
There was a short silence. Victoria looked at him properly. He seemed perfectly comfortable standing there, although she suspected he was at least a little nervous. His hands were in his pockets, and he kept meeting her eyes rather than looking away. She was accustomed to boys avoiding her gaze. Potter didn’t. It was unsettling.
“So,” she said, “is that it?”
“Almost.”
Victoria groaned.
“Oh, bloody hell. What now?”
Harry took a breath.
“Would you like to go to Hogsmeade with me?”
Victoria stared. For a moment, she genuinely thought she’d misheard him.
“What?”
“Would you like to go to Hogsmeade with me? Just the two of us.”
Her mouth fell open. Then she closed it. Then she opened it again.
“Are you taking the piss?”
“No.”
“Potter.”
“Victoria.”
“Have you completely lost your bloody mind?”
Harry smiled.
“Not that I’m aware of.”
She stared at him. He was serious. Again. The ridiculous bastard was actually serious.
“You want to go to Hogsmeade,” she said slowly.
“Yes.”
“With me.”
“Yes.”
“On a date.”
Harry nodded.
“That’s the idea.”
Victoria looked at him as though he’d just announced his intention to jump off the Astronomy Tower.
“You’re mental.”
“Maybe.”
“No, not maybe. Definitely.”
Harry said nothing. Victoria folded her arms more tightly.
“Do you have any idea what people would say?”
“Probably quite a lot.”
“Quite a lot? Potter, the whole bloody school would be talking!”
“They’re already talking.”
“That’s not the point!”
Harry waited. Victoria was becoming increasingly irritated by his refusal to argue. She wanted him to say something stupid. Something arrogant. Something she could get properly angry about. Instead, he was simply asking her out. Like she was any other girl. Like there was nothing particularly remarkable about wanting to spend an afternoon with Victoria Crabbe.
“Why?” she demanded.
Harry looked puzzled.
“Why what?”
“Why me?”
He considered the question.
“Because I like you.”
Victoria gave a disbelieving laugh.
“You don’t even know me!”
“Not very well,” Harry admitted.
“Then how can you like me?”
“I know you’re brave. You’re a brilliant Beater. You’re loyal to your friends. And I think you’re beautiful.”
Victoria felt heat rise into her face. She hated that. She particularly hated that Potter might notice.
“Stop saying that!”
Harry looked surprised.
“Why?”
“Because!”
“Because what?”
“Because I bloody said so!”
“All right.”
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