Slytherins, Kisses and Other Disasters
Copyright© 2026 by Caroline Stanton
Chapter 52: Old Friends, New Company
Harry had barely settled into an armchair in the Gryffindor common room when Ron Weasley looked up from his chessboard.
“Well, look who’s decided to visit.”
“Hello to you too.”
“Good afternoon with Crabbe?”
“Victoria,” Harry corrected automatically.
Ron moved a knight.
“Right. Victoria.”
Seamus Finnigan, sitting opposite him, smiled.
“Careful, Ron. You’ll start sounding like an old man.”
Ron ignored him.
“Seriously, Harry. We’ve hardly seen you outside classes and Quidditch practice this week.”
Harry shrugged.
“We had lunch together yesterday.”
“Yes, and you spent most of it talking about something Malfoy said.”
Harry frowned.
“Did I?”
“You did.”
Dean Thomas glanced up from his magazine.
“He’s got you there.”
Harry laughed.
“All right. Perhaps I’ve been a bit distracted.”
“A bit?” Ron repeated.
“Fine. Quite distracted.”
Ron nodded towards the empty chair.
“Sit down, then. Seamus has been making a complete mess of this game.”
“He’s losing,” Seamus explained.
“That’s what I said.”
Harry pulled up a chair. They watched Seamus make another move. Ron studied the board, then captured a bishop.
“Check.”
Seamus groaned.
“You’re insufferable.”
“Only when I’m winning.”
Harry smiled. For a few minutes, they talked about Quidditch. Then Ron glanced at him.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“What exactly happened between you and Malfoy’s lot?”
Harry looked puzzled.
“What do you mean?”
“Six months ago, you couldn’t stand them. They couldn’t stand you. Now you’re practically inseparable.”
“A lot’s happened.”
“Clearly.”
Ron leaned back.
“Look, I’m not having a go at you for dating Victoria. That’s your business. She’s pretty, she’s a good Beater, and apparently she’s got a sense of humour. Fine.”
Harry smiled.
“She has.”
“But Malfoy?”
Harry sighed.
“Ron...”
“I’m serious. We’ve spent five years dealing with her and her friends. You can’t expect me to forget all that because they’ve suddenly decided to be pleasant.”
“I’m not asking you to.”
“Good.”
“But I am asking you to give them a chance.”
Ron looked thoughtful.
“Maybe. I just don’t trust people who change that dramatically overnight.”
“It wasn’t overnight.”
“To you, perhaps. You’ve been spending time with them. The rest of us haven’t.”
Harry considered that.
“Fair point.”
Ron raised an eyebrow.
“Did you just agree with me?”
“Don’t get used to it.”
Seamus laughed. Dean put down his magazine.
“Actually, Ron has a point. It’s a bit strange seeing Harry Potter walking around with three Slytherin girls.”
Harry smiled.
“Two Slytherin girls and my girlfriend.”
“Three Slytherin girls, one of whom is your girlfriend,” Dean corrected.
“Fair enough.”
Seamus grinned.
“And a Slytherin bloke.”
“Adrian’s all right,” Harry said.
Ron looked at him.
“Selwyn?”
“Yes.”
“The one who’s been torturing everyone with an electric guitar?”
Harry laughed.
“He’s getting better.”
“That’s what worries me. Soon he’ll be loud and competent.”
Dean chuckled. Ron continued.
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