Disclaimer: I only own the plot. Darn it.
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'I can't believe you've known about this since September!' said Ron for about the fifth time that evening, 'And you didn't tell us!'
Hermione sighed and turned to face him, while carrying on walking. 'Ron, I've *already told* you, I wasn't *allowed* to tell anyone who wasn't sixteen, and you'd better not be thinking about telling Harry or you'll be in all sorts of trouble.'
Ron seemed a bit put out at this, and frowned. 'Yes I know, but don't blame me when he finds out in July and stops talking to us for keeping it secret. I'm handing all the responsibility over to you.'
'Fine, but I'd like to point out that you haven't stopped talking to me since *you* found out, and besides, he'll get over it by the time sixth year starts. His birthday is in the holidays remember? He's hardly likely to be breaking into Hogwarts so he can use the bar now is he?'
'I suppose. mind you he could just go to a muggle bar I expect'
Hermione smiled and refrained the urge to role her eyes. 'No, Ron, Muggles aren't allowed to drink alcohol until they're eighteen. It's different to wizard alcohol, much stronger, and they don't have the safeguard of being able to cast a spell to stop someone getting out of hand.'
'Yes, but then again surely wizards have the added problem of someone getting out of hand and then using magic when they're drunk?' Ron felt pleased that he'd actually thought of a counter-argument that made sense for once, and when you were dealing with Hermione, this was a very rare occasion. He soon changed his mind when he realised that his point would probably change her mind about even going to the bar at all.
'Erm. that is. no one would be stupid enough to do that here in Hogwarts would they? I mean, not with the teachers around. Even Malfoy wouldn't try a stunt like that!'
Hermione stopped walking and turned slowly to face him, wearing the expression that Ron and Harry, and the majority of the Gryffindor common room had come to learn meant that Hermione was right, and wasn't going to be budged. Great, thought Ron, this is the first chance I get to actually legally drink in a bar, and I ruin it by proving Hermione wrong for the first time in my life. Then suddenly, she broke into a wide smile, eyes glinting
'Honestly, Ron, you didn't think I'd pass on this chance did you? I'm more than capable of saving myself from a few drunken charms! And as you've pointed out, I've been waiting since September to come down here.'
Ron looked at her, confusion settling over his face.
'What?'
'Well, it's just I never pictured you as someone who would approve of alcohol that's all. Anyway, the bar is open once every two weeks, why didn't you ever come down here before?'
'Oh yes, a thrilling night that would make. You're forgetting I'm the second oldest in our year so there weren't that many people who could go. I didn't really fancy spending my spare time with Terry Boot.'
Ron couldn't help but think that an evening with Terry Boot, a Ravenclaw, would be just up Hermione's street. He was sure they'd find some homework to do.
'But now as it's March there are a lot more people old enough to go. All the Gryffindor girls are allowed now, it was Parvati's birthday four days after yours.'
'Yes I take your point. It's bloody bad luck that Malfoy's already sixteen, I could do without him spoiling the evening.'
Hermione grinned.
'Oh he'll probably be to occupied with Pansy Parkinson. Besides, I don't think Crabbe and Goyle are sixteen for a while yet, he wouldn't dare come near us without tweedle dee and tweedle dum to protect him. Sorry, it's a muggle thing.' She added at Ron's puzzled expression.
'So I expect there'll only be about ten there, our year's quite small.'
'Oh no, it'll be quite busy. there are two other years worth of students as well. I expect Fred and George will be coming too.'
Hermione had no chance to continue as she was cut off by Ron.
'What??? They knew too?! Honestly, doesn't being their brother count for anything anymore?!'
Hermione just laughed, and replied teasingly
'Oh Ron, you know the rules. It's not like you'll be encouraging Ginny to come either. Besides, you get to be a big boy now and go!'
Ron tried his hardest to look like he was sulking, but even he had to admit he was quite looking forward to tonight. He gave up, and grinned broadly at Hermione as they carried on down into the dungeons.
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'I can't believe you've known about this since September!' said Ron for about the fifth time that evening, 'And you didn't tell us!'
Hermione sighed and turned to face him, while carrying on walking. 'Ron, I've *already told* you, I wasn't *allowed* to tell anyone who wasn't sixteen, and you'd better not be thinking about telling Harry or you'll be in all sorts of trouble.'
Ron seemed a bit put out at this, and frowned. 'Yes I know, but don't blame me when he finds out in July and stops talking to us for keeping it secret. I'm handing all the responsibility over to you.'
'Fine, but I'd like to point out that you haven't stopped talking to me since *you* found out, and besides, he'll get over it by the time sixth year starts. His birthday is in the holidays remember? He's hardly likely to be breaking into Hogwarts so he can use the bar now is he?'
'I suppose. mind you he could just go to a muggle bar I expect'
Hermione smiled and refrained the urge to role her eyes. 'No, Ron, Muggles aren't allowed to drink alcohol until they're eighteen. It's different to wizard alcohol, much stronger, and they don't have the safeguard of being able to cast a spell to stop someone getting out of hand.'
'Yes, but then again surely wizards have the added problem of someone getting out of hand and then using magic when they're drunk?' Ron felt pleased that he'd actually thought of a counter-argument that made sense for once, and when you were dealing with Hermione, this was a very rare occasion. He soon changed his mind when he realised that his point would probably change her mind about even going to the bar at all.
'Erm. that is. no one would be stupid enough to do that here in Hogwarts would they? I mean, not with the teachers around. Even Malfoy wouldn't try a stunt like that!'
Hermione stopped walking and turned slowly to face him, wearing the expression that Ron and Harry, and the majority of the Gryffindor common room had come to learn meant that Hermione was right, and wasn't going to be budged. Great, thought Ron, this is the first chance I get to actually legally drink in a bar, and I ruin it by proving Hermione wrong for the first time in my life. Then suddenly, she broke into a wide smile, eyes glinting
'Honestly, Ron, you didn't think I'd pass on this chance did you? I'm more than capable of saving myself from a few drunken charms! And as you've pointed out, I've been waiting since September to come down here.'
Ron looked at her, confusion settling over his face.
'What?'
'Well, it's just I never pictured you as someone who would approve of alcohol that's all. Anyway, the bar is open once every two weeks, why didn't you ever come down here before?'
'Oh yes, a thrilling night that would make. You're forgetting I'm the second oldest in our year so there weren't that many people who could go. I didn't really fancy spending my spare time with Terry Boot.'
Ron couldn't help but think that an evening with Terry Boot, a Ravenclaw, would be just up Hermione's street. He was sure they'd find some homework to do.
'But now as it's March there are a lot more people old enough to go. All the Gryffindor girls are allowed now, it was Parvati's birthday four days after yours.'
'Yes I take your point. It's bloody bad luck that Malfoy's already sixteen, I could do without him spoiling the evening.'
Hermione grinned.
'Oh he'll probably be to occupied with Pansy Parkinson. Besides, I don't think Crabbe and Goyle are sixteen for a while yet, he wouldn't dare come near us without tweedle dee and tweedle dum to protect him. Sorry, it's a muggle thing.' She added at Ron's puzzled expression.
'So I expect there'll only be about ten there, our year's quite small.'
'Oh no, it'll be quite busy. there are two other years worth of students as well. I expect Fred and George will be coming too.'
Hermione had no chance to continue as she was cut off by Ron.
'What??? They knew too?! Honestly, doesn't being their brother count for anything anymore?!'
Hermione just laughed, and replied teasingly
'Oh Ron, you know the rules. It's not like you'll be encouraging Ginny to come either. Besides, you get to be a big boy now and go!'
Ron tried his hardest to look like he was sulking, but even he had to admit he was quite looking forward to tonight. He gave up, and grinned broadly at Hermione as they carried on down into the dungeons.