Kicking the Habit

"Ginny!" Hermione shouted down the hall as she uncorked a vial of the Draught of Peace she had brewed for this specific occasion. "Ginny! They'll be here any minute! You know it's our turn to host it! We've been having these teas since you graduated from Hogwarts! This isn't something new!" Hermione screeched before downing the first vial and uncorking a second.

Ginny's flame-red hair could be seen popping around the corner. "Just a second!"

Hermione groaned in exasperation before downing her second and third vials of the calming potion she had brewed. Hermione walked to the stove to begin heating the water for the tea.

"Bloody hell!" Ginny shouted.

"Damn," Hermione whispered.

"'Mione!" Ginny shouted from their room, "my wand's malfunctioning, so… I may be a while longer!"

"Oh bugger!" Hermione yelled angrily, turning so she could shout back to her lover. Her quick turn sent the teapot crashing to the floor. "Bloody hell!"

Hermione grabbed for another vial and quickly downed it. "Gin, use my wand! I need some bloody help out here!"

"You know I can't use your wand to dry my hair! It'll be frizzy as all hell!"

"Welcome to my life," Hermione muttered angrily as she knelt to pick up the pieces of her broken teapot.

Hermione took another teapot from the cabinet and set it on the stove before walking down the hall. "Gin, darling, what's wrong with your wand? I can't think of any logical reason that your wand wouldn't work properly!" Hermione said as she reached the doorway to their room.

"I don't know! It's broken or something!" Ginny cried, gesturing toward the discarded wand on the floor.

"Or maybe, you're using one of Fred and George's trick wands since yours is right here," Hermione said, picking up the wand laying on their bedside table.

"That could be it," Ginny responded sheepishly as she reached for her wand.

"Now hurry. They'll be here any minute!" Hermione screeched as she rushed from their bedroom to check on the tea.

A loud popping sound, like a car backfiring, was heard by the backdoor and knocking soon followed.

"They're here!" Ginny yelled in a singsong voice.

Hermione scowled and scurried to the door, grabbing three vials of her calming potion on the way. "Be there," Hermione began before downing one vial and walking to the door. "In just," she downed another as she drew closer. "A second!" Hermione downed the last vial in her hand and further closed the gap to the door.

Just before Hermione reached the door, the doorknob turned and the door opened. Hermione eyes widened as she ran for the door to welcome her guests.

"Ginny, we have visitors!" Hermione called with forced cheerfulness.