The answer was, how could Colin miss a chance to take pictures with Harry there?
He had photographed the entire scene from every angle.
The boy was furious at Malfoy's rude behavior earlier. He readily agreed to Su Er's request, then reluctantly took a few more pictures of Harry soaring through the air before hurrying away.
Hermione had been watching Su Er.
"Why isn't he taking pictures of Harry anymore?"
"I asked him to help me with something." Su Er narrowed his eyes at the Castle's spires. "Malfoy has to pay for this."
For someone who cared about appearances, public humiliation was the best punishment.
"Oh." Hermione nodded without asking any more questions, then said softly to Su Er,
"Thank you for earlier."
"No need. Of course I'd protect our Hermione." A smile played on Su Er's lips as he looked into Hermione's sparkling eyes.
"Who..." Hermione's cheeks flushed. "Who said I was yours!"
They waited in the stands until Harry finished training, panting for breath. As planned, they were going to visit Hagrid's little hut.
Hagrid was, of course, delighted to have them.
"I hear you've been handing out signed photos? How come I didn't get one, Harry?" Hagrid suddenly said on the way, as though something had just occurred to him.
Harry protested vehemently. "I haven't been handing out signed photos!"
"If Lockhart's still spreading those rumors-"
"I was joking, Harry." Hagrid clapped Harry hard on the shoulder. Harry stumbled and nearly fell to the ground. "I know you haven't. Lockhart came to see me earlier, and I told him you didn't need to do that, because you're already much more famous than he is."
"I bet he wasn't happy about that." Harry grabbed the hem of Ron's clothes to steady himself, keeping himself from making intimate contact