The Wizarding World Is So Small

Daphne put her smile back on, snatched the bill, paid it, and left the restaurant with Vincent.

Hermione could more or less guess the outcome from their expressions. Astoria, being more innocent, did not think much of it and merely assumed her sister and Vincent had been discussing who should pay.

After saying goodbye to the Greengrass sisters, Hermione linked her arm through Vincent's. "I don't want to go back so early. Where should we go next?"

"Um..." Vincent looked around. "It's almost evening. Let's just wander around."

With the school term approaching, the bustling streets of London were as lively as ever.

After walking for a while, they arrived at Charing Cross Road several blocks away.

Hermione instinctively looked toward the Leaky Cauldron, wedged between a bookstore and a record shop. She tightened her grip on Vincent's arm and stopped by the roadside. "Should... should we go in and have a look?"

"No." Vincent gently patted her hand. "I'm currently the British Wizarding World's most wanted criminal. It would be troublesome if someone recognized me."

Hermione's hand around his arm tightened further.

She knew the trouble Vincent meant was not the Aurors coming after him, but their still-intimate relationship being discovered.

"I'm not afraid of trouble."

The door to the Leaky Cauldron suddenly opened. A flicker of panic crossed her eyes, but it was instantly replaced by resolve.

Their eyes met, and Vincent saw what she meant.

He raised a hand and lightly scraped her nose. "If we get found out, just say I forced you."

Hermione pouted, her gaze a little despondent. "Would the Ministry of Magic believe that?"

Vincent grabbed her wrists firmly with both hands. "Of course they would. Forcing a little witch to go shopping with me—wouldn't that make excellent dirt on me?"

Hermione laughed