"Oh," she said quietly, risking a glance in his direction. "No, I... I just.... wasn't thinking. I.. I'm sorry that I caused you any discomfort." A faint blush decorated her cheeks, visible in the bright moon light. With a sigh, she kept her eyes on her booted feet, cursing herself for presuming too much.

((I am so sorry. I think I've responded to things when I really haven't.))

((That's fine. <3 I'm always like that. xD))

Harry sighed softly when Pansy did not reattach herself to his arm. He had rather liked the comfort, but if she wasn't comfortable with it, and had only done it because she hadn't been in her right mind, well...that was her choice.

They reached the Italian restaurant. Lucio's. He turned to take all the girls' coats from them. Hermione handed her his first as she walked into the restaurant. Placing her coat in his arms, he nodded in thanks and whispered as she went by, "Someone's gotta a cru-ush." 

Harry shook his head and blushed furiously. How did she know these things? 

He waited for Pansy and Padma. 

  Pansy gave Harry a tenative smile as she handed him her leather jacket. She was determined that she would not make any further unwelcome advances on him, intentionaly or not. "This is a lovely place, Harry," she said softly, as Padma handed him her coat. With a sigh, she moved away from the door to join Hermione, asking a question about flowers.

  Padma gave Harry a secretive smile and stopped him before they joined the others. "She never makes the first move. She always feels that it is presumptous of her. Remember that," the dark haired girl told him quietly before she went to join the other ladies.

After Padma had given him that little piece of advice before moving to join Pansy and Hermione, Harry had stayed at the entrance of the restaurant for a few seconds, thinking. Maybe...maybe she did like him, then. They might be able to make this marriage work.

The thing was, Harry had begun thinking of this as an actual date. Pansy had shown him a completely different side of her, and he had liked that. He had forgotten that this was a date for them to 'get to know each other' because of the Ministry.

Sighing, he moved towards the girls, who had been led to a table by a handsome waiter who had been flirting mercilessly with Hermione. He heard her politely decline his advances, and he watched as the waiter walked away looking slightly dejected. Chuckling slightly, he joined the girls and began taking their seats out for them, starting with Pansy first.

"I don't know, Hermione," Harry said laughingly as Hermione began ranting quietly about 'men who couldn't take hints', "you looked rather interested in him to me."

"I'm engaged, Harry," Hermione said exasperatedly. "Even if it's arranged, doesn't mean I can flirt with whoever I want." 

Harry shrugged. "I know that. But I'm just saying, it's rather hypocritical for you to be ranting about him when you looked interested yourself."

Hermione shot him a glare. "Well...I don't care," she retorted lamely, before smiling slightly. She had just had a rather strange thought. If I had been arguing with Draco Malfoy, I would have had a humiliating response for him. 

Harry laughed. "Ok, Hermione."

The waiter came back with their menus, and Harry began to peruse his. "What would you guys like to have? It's all on me, girls. I am the man of the date, you see." 

  Padma laughed at Hermione and Harry's exchange, sharing a look with Pansy that said it all. At Harry's comment, she made a show of opening her menue and muttering, "Don't they have the dishes listed by price?" Before laughing again.

  Pansy gave Harry a bright smile as he sat beside her. "You're a very lucky man, Mr. Potter. You have managed to take on a single date the Queens of Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor." Her smile was arch and her eyes sparkled with fun. "Thank you, however, for your kindness." Her final words were genuine, as was the soft blush that stained her face.

Harry sent a mock-glare Padma's way before relaxing and smiling. "I am lucky," he smirked, "but not only for that reason. It's also because my dates all happen to be very beautiful, brilliant girls. And you're welcome, Pansy." He directed this last sentence to the girl sitting beside him. 

Hermione just rolled her eyes, already used to the teasing she had to endure from Ron and Harry that bordered on flirting when she had suddenly grown up from the buck-toothed, bushy-haired girl she had been. "I think I might get the Chicken and Bacon Carbonara," she said thoughtfully. "And some red wine, maybe. What about you, girls?"

  "Mmm..." Pansy perused her menue. "I think the mezza luna. Mushrooms sound wonderful. Though I believe I prefer a rose this evening." She gave Harry a look seeking approval. Padma was busily scanning. After a few moments, the girl had made her decision.

  "I would like the chicken alfredo. And a glass of red wine, please." Pansy gave her a sharp look. 

  "You know we're going to have to work out extra hard tomorrow, right?" Padma gave her an annoyed look.

  "Yes, I know. Good thing it's fun to do. Hey, Hermione, where do you work out?" Padma asked turning to the curly haired girl.

Hermione blushed. "I don't go to the gym." She grimaced. "Old habits die hard, and I prefer to spend my time reading. I do have a daily run, though, which I suppose is the only thing that keeps my fit." 

"And the fact that you barely eat anything," Harry added.

"I do eat things! It's just that sitting next to Ron at the dinner table makes my serve look minuscule compared to his."

Harry could only laugh at the truth in that statement. 

Hermione turned to Pansy and Padma. "Where do you girls work out?"