By the time they got back into Diagon Alley, Harry had kissed Hermione a total of four times, and he was starting to get the hang of it. They held hands on the way back, and Hermione assured him that it was normal for their hands to get warm, and that she didn’t mind at all if they got sweaty or anything (prefaced by the fact that he kept releasing her hand to wipe his on his pants). Harry’s heart was still racing from their kiss, and he wasn’t sure if it would ever stop. He’d actually kissed Hermione. And he planned to do it more.
They found the Weasleys in Madam Malkins, with Ron milling about looking very annoyed about something. As soon as he saw them, his eyes widened. “Hey! There you two are!” His eyes flicked down to their joined hands. “I take it your date went well, then.”
“Yeah,” Harry said a little breathlessly. Hermione blushed. “Is everything all right?”
“No, it’s not,” Ron huffed. “Our supply list this year says we need dress robes.”
“What for?”
“No idea. Some sort of event. But of course, we can’t afford robes for everyone, so Mum’s trying to figure out who’s gonna get the hand-me-downs. Three guesses who. And believe me, Harry, I don’t want to be caught dead in those. They’re just all frills and lace and-” Ron shuddered.
“Ron, I can get you dress robes if you can’t afford all of them, honestly. I’ll buy yours.”
“You don’t have to-”
“Look, I’ve got more money than I know what to even do with. I’m more than willing to buy my best friend a set of dress robes, all right? I would have gotten you a new wand second year, only I didn’t even think about it. I still owe you.” Harry smirked softly.
“We had a deal!”
“You think I was going to let you off without paying you back somehow?”
“Mum will never let you buy anything for me.”
“Then I’ll buy two for myself in case I mess one up. You know I’m prone to doing that. Then you can say you borrowed it if your mum asks.”
Ron’s shoulders dropped. “You’re a lifesaver, Harry, honestly. I’d kiss you right now if that position wasn’t already taken.”
Hermione blushed further.
“Have you rendered her speechless? Blimey, Harry, you should have kissed her in first year.”
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