Author: Thalia Kendall
Category: General, Romance
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the property of J.K. Rowling. Characters and situations are used without permission, no infringement is intended.
Summary: Padma Patil, a Hogsmeade trip, and a charming rogue of a Slytherin who seems determined to shake up her life a little. A snarky little vignette dedicated to Lyta.
* * *
"And how is it possible that the ever-lovely, scintillating goddess that is Padma Patil is walking through Hogsmeade alone, without hordes of adoring male worshippers crawling after her, kissing her shoes and laying handfuls of rose petals in her path?"
The 6th year Ravenclaw girl halted in her path, and turned slowly around to face her fellow Prefect. 7th year Slytherin Lawrence Avery gave her a disarming, innocent smile... or more accurately, a smile that would have been disarming and innocent on anyone else. His hazel eyes were full of impudence as he cocked his head to the side and crossed his arms. "Well?"
"My hypothetical male worshippers must have come to their senses and figured out that I'm liable to trip over them if they attach themselves to my shoes, and that I'm allergic to roses," Padma replied dryly.
"Ah, how sad," Avery didn't seem very saddened by the information. "At least I don't attach myself to your shoes. I prefer looking at your face." The last bit was spoken with an insolent wink.
"I'm supposed to be flattered, right?" Padma said sweetly, raising an eyebrow up at him.
"Something of the sort," Avery draped an arm over her shoulder, reaching over and ruffling her hair slightly despite her efforts to swat him away, and steered her somewhat gently down the street. "So, what were your plans today, Miss Padma?"
"It's just 'Padma', thanks," the Ravenclaw replied with a roll of her eyes, "and I was going to buy some more Never-blotting Ink and see if I have money left to buy coffee."
Avery grinned beatifically at her, revealing white, even teeth, "Oh really? I think I have the perfect solution to this dilemma!"
"What dilemma?" Padma stared up at him, a bit mystified, "This wasn't really a life-or-death situation..."
"Ah, but ink and caffeine are both vitally important to your existence!" Avery declared, nodding firmly, "To easily have both, you can join me for a cup of coffee, and then buy your ink! That way, I get to amuse you with my antics, you get that life-saving elixir running through your veins, and you have enough money for ink! The world makes sense again!"
He was giving her an infuriating smirk, and Padma sadly reflected to herself that Hogwarts, otherwise respectable by all means, didn't teach girls how to wipe smug expressions off of blokes' faces. Although to be sure, if they did, none of the Slytherin males would be safe. The temptation of caffeine was rather strong, though, and at last, she nodded.
"I knew you'd see it my way," he remarked in satisfaction, leading her down the street towards the local cafe. Padma didn't deign this with a response.
* * *
"It's so sad that you're not in Potions this year," Avery told her as the waitress brought over their coffees: sugar and no cream for him, cream and no sugar for her. "I never knew that adding too much bloodroot extract to the latest potion makes for a reaction similar to a liquid version of a firework, but apparently Jordan MacDonald of Gryffindor did. It was fascinating, I will have to make a mental note to thank him for enlightening us with a display."
"You're so very charitable, you know that?" Padma sipped her coffee slowly, looking up at him with a hint of disapproval in her dark eyes.
"Can't help it, it's just the way I am," Lawrence gave her an endearing smile, "and besides, he isn't an attractive female, unlike yourself."
Padma snorted and narrowed her eyes. Avery merely chuckled, stirred sugar into his coffee with easy grace, and watched her drink her own coffee with good humour in his eyes.
* * *
Padma stood up as the waitress took away their empty cups, watching Lawrence out of the corner of her eye as he casually dropped a few coins on the woman's tray. He got up out of his chair and pushed it in with a flourish, sauntering over to her side and plucking her cloak from the back of her chair, draping it over her shoulders. Taking the opportunity to slip his arm around her again, he led her out of the cafe, quite pleased with himself.
"All right, thank you for the coffee," Padma said evenly, carefully disengaging herself from his grip. "I appreciate it."
"Anything for the pretty lady," he replied immediately, turning to face her. "I'm meeting Nott in fifteen minutes, supposed to help him with some stupid Transfiguration homework of some sort, so it is with immense regret and sadness that I must tear myself away from your beauteous presence now."
"I'm heartbroken, really," Padma deadpanned, staring up at him. "Go on, then. Have a nice day, I suppose."
Lawrence nodded slowly, before a devilish look entered his eyes. "One more thing before I go," he drawled.
"Dare I ask?"
"Probably not," he replied. Lightning fast, he grasped her shoulders, bent down, and planted a noisy, audacious kiss over her cheek before pulling away and fleeing down the road, laughing merrily.
Padma stared, wide-eyed, at his rapidly-retreating back, slightly horrified and slightly embarrassed, raising one hand slowly to her cheek. It was a full minute before she could speak again.
"Damn," she whispered to no one in particular, "He got away before I could hex him for that!"