Serious Disclaimer: All references and ideas related to the Harry Potter universe belongs to J.K. Rowling and Co.
Not Serious Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter, I wouldn't be a poor little fanfiction writer.
"Honestly, Ron!" Hermione finally bit out, fed up with the redhead's snail-like pace in getting ready for their celebration. "I really don't know if you could go any slower!"
"Merlin's balls, Hermione! Don't get your knickers in a twist." Said redhead waved off Hermione's words like they were pesky flies buzzing in the air above his head. "I don't know why you're so worked up. We're just meeting with Harry and Ginny at the Three Broomsticks. They'll understand if we're a bit late."
Hermione frustratedly ran her hand through her hair, before casting a quick Tempus charm. She paled at the time.
"RON! We're leaving, now!" She tugged on his arm as he finally finished looping his belt around his trousers, and a second later they were appearing in the pub with a loud snap. Ron shook his head, woozy at the feeling of an unexpected side-along apparition. The pair glanced around, before locating the still-famous Boy-Who-Lived sitting in the corner with his longtime girlfriend, Ginny Weasley.
Harry glanced up from reading a newspaper, and his face broke into a huge grin as he noticed the friends that completed the infamous Golden Trio. With such an infectious smile, Hermione couldn't remain frowning, so she pushed her annoyance at Ron to the back of her mind and navigated her way through the crowd towards her friend. By the time the dysfunctional couple had reached the small table, Ginny had noticed them as well and jumped up in excitement. She wrapped her arms tightly around her brother, as Ron sputtered sheepishly and scratched his head.
"It's so good to see you guys again! I feel like it's been forever." She laughed as she flopped back down next to Harry after embracing Hermione. "How's the Golden Duo?"
"Please don't call us that," Hermione sighed at the nickname Ginny had concocted for them months ago. "I didn't even like the name 'The Golden Trio', so obviously I wouldn't like this label."
"Oh lighten up Herm." Ginny grinned, the flash of white teeth in the dim pub still managing to lessen the aggravation Hermione was feeling. "Here, have a butterbeer. We're ordering Firewhiskey later to celebrate."
Hermione accepted the offered drink with a grateful nod, before popping the cap off and taking some long pulls. The sweet taste of the drink softened the tense muscles in her throat and helped her relax some more. Then Ron ruined it, by knocking his own bottle over and spilling the contents all over her new blouse.
"Ron!" She exclaimed, more surprised than angry at the moment. She pulled out her wand and thought about the easiest way to not ruin her newest piece of clothing.
"Tergeo," She muttered under her breath, and the butterbeer seeped out of her shirt, rising to float in a globe of liquid. "Scourgify." She continued, banishing the globe.
"Wow! That's our Hermione, always quick on the spot." Harry praised nervously, trying to defuse an argument before it began. Unfortunately, his comment was not even registered by the angry young woman as she fixed a glare upon Ron.
"Why do you always have to be so careless, Ron? What if I had forgotten what spell to siphon liquid out of something? I would've ruined my new blouse." She forced the words through her mouth, trying to remain in control and not rant. "You never focus on anyone else but yourself! We were late because you were too busy trying to find matching socks! Why do I always have to take care of you?" Her words became more heated, and she gripped the table, her knuckles white as she tried to calm down. This was a rather common occurrence, so she succeeded in not hexing her significant other's face.
"I'm sorry, ok?" The redhead muttered, his face almost as red as the famous Weasley hair. "It was an accident. No need to get so mad."
"It would be ok if this happened every so often, but this happens at least three times a day! When will you learn to care about your surroundings?" Hermione ground out. "I always have to fix your 'accidents' by myself, and where are you?"
"Er.. Look guys.." Harry interrupted gently, shooting a careful look at Hermione. "We're celebrating the fact that Ginny made the Holyhead Harpies tonight, ok? Let's try not to argue." Ron glanced at Harry gratefully, before looking back down at his thumbs. Hermione took a deep breath, before looking away from Ron and staring at the wall in an effort to ignore the clumsy redhead. Harry and Ginny resumed their conversation, trying to fill the gaps of silence in the now cold atmosphere.
"Our Firewhiskey is here." Harry announced, before taking the proffered bottle in his hand and pouring liberal amounts of it into four fine-stemmed glasses. Each of the table's occupants took a glass (one of them grudgingly) and raised it for a cheer.
"To Ginny!" Harry smiled lovingly at his girlfriend. "Congratulation. I know this means a lot to you." Ginny sighed happily and leaned against his shoulder, joy written all over her face. Hermione was struck by a twinge of jealously. Why couldn't her relationship be like that? Ron and her were always arguing, always disagreeing over the smallest things. Harry and Ginny were like a fairytale couple straight out of a book.
"Harry? Is that you?" A feminine voice called out cautiously, testing the hostility of the people sitting at the table. The group turned as one to meet the eyes of none other than Daphne Greengrass, a former Slytherin at Hogwarts.
"Daphne!" Harry called out in surprise. "How are you doing? I saw you fighting in the battle at Hogwarts. I'm glad you stayed." The woman averted her eyes (they were a curious stormy blue-grey color), and nodded cordially as a small "I'm doing fine," slipped out between her lips.
"Tracey died in that battle." She suddenly spoke up, surprising the four. "A Death Eater cut her down without any hesitation. Her. A student. That's when I knew I was fighting for the right side." She finished, looking a little lost in memories as the gloomy subject of the battle of Hogwarts was discussed.
"I'm sorry. I knew you two were close." Harry murmured quietly, his emerald eyes forlornly tracing the grains of wood on the table. "There was too much death."
"Well, I didn't come here to depress you," Daphne teased, her smile not reaching her eyes. "I just wanted to congratulate Ginny on her acceptance into the Holyhead Harpies." Ginny looked up, surprised.
"Thanks Daphne." She smiled kindly. "You're not too bad for a Slytherin!" She added cheekily. Daphne laughed quietly.
"I suppose I'm not." She whispered, almost to herself. "Well I'm just glad to have run into you four, I think I'll be going now." She continued, shaking off her sadness and standing a bit straighter. Almost as an afterthought, she added casually, "Oh and Hermione, I'll be working in the Department of International Magical Cooperation, just like you. I look forward to it!" She smiled mysteriously, before sauntering off.
Hermione watched her move gracefully away until she was swallowed up by the crowd. She turned back to the table to see how everyone else would react.
"That was a pleasant surprise." Harry commented, smiling widely. "It's good to know some Slytherins, or I should say former-Slytherins, aren't all bad." Ginny nodded along, and stroked her chin sagely in a mockery of her boyfriend.
"I think she shouldn't be trusted." Ron spoke up, his eyes slightly flinty. "She's still a Slytherin, and Slytherins are bad news." Hermione sighed at his conservative viewpoint towards Hogwarts houses, but said nothing in lieu of starting an argument. Harry frowned slightly, but didn't want to upset his best mate. They sat there in an awkward type of silence, before Harry stood up and stretched, joints popping in abundance after sitting still for so long.
"I think it's time Gin and I went home." He yawned, wrapped an arm around Ginny's waist now that she had also stood. "I'm going with her to meet the new teammates tomorrow, and we need some sleep." Ron snorted.
"Like you're going to be getting any sleep." He chuckled. Ginny flushed and glared at him.
"That's extremely inappropriate, Ronald!" She chided, shaking an index finger in front of his face. Ron just grinned, and Hermione suddenly felt a wave of affection for the affable and easy-going man. Harry grinned at the renewed atmosphere, and put down a few Galleons to pay for the evening's drinks.
"It's on me, guys." He announced, before disapparating with his girlfriend in his arms. Ron and Hermione looked at each other, slightly stony, before Hermione offered an arm out to him. He took the arm, and they disappeared in a whorl as they apparated home.