Chapter Text
Harry knew something was wrong the moment Hermione Granger intercepted him outside the Charms classroom.
Not unusual Hermione.
Not 'have you finished the essay?' Hermione.
Not 'you forgot your notes again' Hermione.
This Hermione looked determined.
Terrifyingly determined.
"Harry."
"Hermione."
She grabbed his sleeve.
Harry blinked.
Hermione never grabbed people.
Then she marched him down an empty corridor.
"Hermione?"
No response.
"Hermione, are we being attacked?"
"No."
"Is there another essay?"
"No."
"Did I accidentally start a war?"
She stopped so abruptly he nearly walked into her. The corridor was deserted. Hermione checked both directions. Then she turned back to him. Harry suddenly felt like he was about to be interrogated.
"Good," Hermione said.
"Good what?"
"No witnesses."
"What?"
She folded her arms. Harry recognized that expression. It was the same one she wore before correcting professors. Or arguing with Peeves. Or informing a troll that it was standing in the wrong place.
In other words, she was about to be completely unreasonable and somehow win anyway.
"Harry."
"Yes?"
"You're taking me to Hogsmeade on Saturday."
Harry stared.
"I am?"
"Yes."
"Oh."
Hermione nodded once.
"As a date."
His brain stopped working. Completely. No thoughts. No words.
Just Hermione standing in front of him looking annoyingly composed while his heart attempted to escape through his ribs.
"A date," he repeated.
"Yes."
"With you."
Her eyebrow twitched.
"That is generally how dates work."
Harry opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. No sound emerged. Hermione sighed. Honestly sighed. As though she was dealing with a particularly dense first year. "I considered waiting for you to ask."
Harry swallowed. "You did?"
"For six months."
His jaw dropped.
"Six-"
"Unfortunately," Hermione continued, "you possess the romantic awareness of a teaspoon."
Harry looked offended. Then thought about it. Then looked less offended. "Fair."
"Therefore, I have decided to solve the problem myself."
She sounded like she was explaining a homework schedule.
Harry couldn't decide whether to laugh or panic.
"So..."
"So."
"You want to go on a date with me."
"Obviously."
Harry blinked.
"Obviously?"
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Harry, I spend three evenings a week helping you interpret soggy tea leaves despite the fact that Divination is a fraudulent insult to human intelligence and I don't even take the class."
"Oh."
"I attend Quidditch matches voluntarily."
"Oh."
"I have listened to you explain broom maintenance and wonky feints"
Harry winced. Under normal circumstances, he would have instantly corrected her. It was Wronski, not wonky. But his brain was currently working at a severe deficit.
"That..." He swallowed hard. "That does sound serious."
"Exactly."
A smile threatened the corners of her mouth.
Harry felt his own grin appearing.
"So this is really happening?"
"Yes."
"You're asking me out?"
Hermione frowned.
"No."
"No?"
"I'm informing you of our plans."
Harry laughed.
Actually laughed.
Because of course she would do it this way.
Of course Ravenclaw Hermione Granger would analyze a problem, determine Harry Potter was incapable of solving it and then implement a solution herself.
"What time?" he asked.
The smile finally appeared. Small. Triumphant. Beautiful.
"Saturday. Three o'clock."
"Honeydukes?"
"First."
"Then?"
"The bookshop."
Harry groaned.
Hermione's eyes sparkled.
"Then tea."
"And if I say no?"
She stepped closer.
Not enough to be threatening.
Just enough that Harry suddenly forgot how breathing worked.
"You won't."
The confidence in her voice was staggering.
Harry stared at her.
Then he grinned.
"You're ridiculously sure of yourself."
"Yes."
"And what if I already had plans?"
"You don't."
"What if I wanted to make you ask properly?"
Hermione reached up, grabbed the front of his tie and pulled him down slightly.
Harry's pulse immediately forgot how to behave.
"Harry."
"Yes?"
"Saturday."
"Okay."
"Three o'clock."
"Okay."
"Hogsmeade."
"Okay."
Hermione released his tie.
"Excellent."
Then she turned and walked away.
Just walked away.
Leaving Harry staring after her.
Halfway down the corridor she called over her shoulder, "And wear something nice."
Harry watched her disappear around the corner.
A moment later Ron appeared from another hallway.
"Why do you look like you've been hit by a Bludger?"
Harry stared into the distance.
"Hermione just ordered me to take her on a date."
Ron nodded thoughtfully.
"Sounds about right."
"She didn't even ask."
"Still sounds about right."
Harry couldn't argue with that.
Not when he was already counting the days until Saturday.