It was nearing the winter break at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, so it was obvious that Hogsmeade would be booming with business and events. Jason ventured along the streets with four of his fellow housemates, a mixture of three girls and two boys. Besides Jason, each of them were sneering at other Hogwarts students, plotting vile rumors, and chastising innocent bystanders as they swaggered along as if they owned the place. Jason always made a subconscious effort to walk a few feet away from these followers of his. He never wanted them around, but they always seemed to find him. They knew of the power his family, mainly his father, had in the Ministry and thus flocked like flies to a graceful light. Jason never appreciated this attention, but there was not much he could do. To his class, he was an icon, but to the other houses, he was just another bully. Jason never antagonized others, but he did see the better sides to his house; not every Slytherin was like these unwanted lackeys of his.
Suddenly, he halted, the other four still walking but stopping abruptly as if they just realized Jason stopped.
"He's checking out that McLean girl again, isn't he?"
"I saw him snogging her the other day."
Jason turned at the comments, a chilly glare looming on his eyes.
"You all should go ahead without me. Now."
Each of the four looked as though they wanted to protest, but Jason's voice carried commands and traces of anger that worked to his favor. No Slytherin wanted Jason Grace furious. They reluctantly nodded in unison, moving on down the roads and howling with laughter at their new jests about others. Jason shook his head disdainfully, turning back to the shop window and noticing McLean, no, Piper at the counter with a bright smile for her customers. He had to remind himself that she was on a first name basis with him now.
"No more formalities." He thought.
He struggled with this because his father had strictly enforced manners, but Piper was patient with him.
"Oh, if father only knew she was a half-blood, he'd have a field day." Jason thought.
He felt like such a rebel dating her, but it was such an invigorating feeling. He felt alive with her. Suddenly he had an idea. He wandered over to the local inn and quickly purchased two butter beers, the luxury of Hogsmeade, and carried them back to the joke shop. He entered the shop, magical chimes announcing his entry. He beamed at Piper, waltzing on over as students played with Weasley Brothers inventions, fire snaps, puking pestals, and other items he was unfamiliar with. He reached the counter, setting down a butter beer in front of her and taking a sip of his own.
"Well hello there, beautiful. I thought you might be a little cold, so I brought over a little something to warm you up." He continued to smile at her, ignoring the wolf whistles and immature remarks of the younger students in the store.
"What do you say to you and I going out for a stroll? We can possibly get something to eat, too, that is, if you want." Jason felt that every time he was around Piper he was growing increasingly confident with her. He wasn't a blabbering wreck--he was cool and composed, as he always was.
