Thanks for the reviewing guys, I'm sorry I took so long to update, I'm just trying to ease myself back into the fanfiction scene hahahaha. Dont forget to drop some suggestions for me in the reviews, I will take them all into account while forming this story, because right now I'm trying to figure out a plot. well here's your chapter!
Harry raced out of his bedroom, past Hermione, grabbing her hand.
"Come on!" he yelled, she caught a glimpse of his face, he was beaming like a little child on Christmas morning, absolutely ecstatic.
"Harry! We can just apparate, it is one of the many perks of being magical!" she giggled as he continued to drag her down the stairs from his flat.
"Aww, don't take all the fun out of it."
She and Harry dashed through the streets, both laughing insanely. They were both extremely skilled at dodging the numerous pedestrians from all the times they avoided curses from Death Eaters, and in Harry's case, bludgers.
Harry suddenly skidded to a stop and Hermione who had been following close behind him slammed into him, Harry braced himself on the brick wall of the Leaky Cauldron to keep them both from tumbling to the ground; both of them were shaking from shaking from laughter and simultaneously gasping for air from their previous sprint. With a loud crack, the current Minister of Magic appeared before them both.
Ron Weasley's face broke out into a broad grin. He wore a deep blue robe, with silver trim and fastenings, and there was a hint of stubble on his chin. He looked to be so much older and more mature than when Hermione had last seen him, of course the final battle with Voldemort had brought about a lot of changes to the trio emotionally. Ron had lost his father in the war, which led him to follow in his footsteps by finding work in the ministry. He had never intended to be minister at first, but things just seemed to fall into place for him. Minister Ronald Weasley was most famed for his push to better equip and train the auror department, to aid in finding and imprisoning the remaining Death Eaters.
Now that Hermione thought about it, Harry looked older too, his messy hair was more untidy, and he too had facial hair, although much more than Ron. His body had really filled out though, his muscles much more defined, and he stood at a good six feet. His eyes had changed, they were darker and full of pain, but when he looked at her she could see something different in them, something that made her heart leap...
Hermione brought out of her thoughts by Ron's crushing hug. She sank into his arms thinking of how great it was to be back.
"Oh Ron, I heard that you're Minister now, congratulations. And you are married to Luna! Oh, when I heard I was thrilled, its absolutely wonderful. I'm so happy for you."
"Thank you, Hermione," releasing her, "you know we have a kid on the way? She's due in two months. Can you believe I'm going to be a dad?"
The trio laughed, it was like nothing had changed. So far, their interactions with each other had been smooth, no awkward silences. Just a few old friends, no, they weren't 'old' friends, Hermione thought, they were friends now, and they were going to be friends for as long as they were alive.
"Well, how about we go inside?" suggested Harry.
"Good idea," Ron answered, "I'm starving."
"Somethings, including your eating habits apparently, never change I suppose." said Hermione with a cheeky grin.
Walking into the tavern, Hermione was greeted with the familiar sights of the wizarding world, she hadn't fully realized how much she had longed for the magical world until she entered it. People walked up left and right as soon they entered, shaking Ron's hand and congratulating him. Hermione found it amusing that Ron used to complain that Harry got all the attention, and now Ron was clearly being treated like the hero. Actually, she thought, he was a hero to all those that had lost loved ones and suffered in the hands of the Death Eaters, because of Ron they finally were finding justice.
"Hiya Ron, Harry, oh and nice to meet you miss," Hermione looked up to see Neville Longbottom in front of her with an extended hand, "wait, Hermione, is that you?"
"Hello Neville, how have you been?"
"Ah your back, I know Harry and Ron are happy to hear that," he shook her hand vigorously, "its great to see you again, really it is. I'm good, I'm the new Herbology teacher at Hogwarts. Why are you visiting in England?"
"Oh, I'm not visiting, I'm here to stay. I just missed home I suppose."
Harry broke in, "Neville would you like to stay for dinner with us?"
"Well I've really got to get back, Minerva doesn't much care for teachers coming in and out late at night, and considering I've just been hired... oh what the hell, I'll stay for a drink and catch up with my old mates, no harm in that I suppose."
Ron led them all to a table towards the back of the pub, hoping not to catch too much attention. Ron, Harry, and Hermione all ordered butterbeers, although surprisingly Neville ordered a firewhiskey. Hermione looked at him, startled.
"I'm not a big drinker, but I figure I've only got time for one drink and dealing with nasty little teenagers all day, gotta have something for the nerves," Neville laughed, "well no about the teenagers, they're great, they really are the whole reason I'm teaching; but the part about the nerves is right, I'm new to the school and well you remember how nervous I get."
Harry spoke up, "I'm sure you've got no reason to be nervous, you're great at Herbology, remember when you saved me with that gillyweed? I might have died had it not been for you."
Neville blushed and muttered a thanks.
The four talked for what seemed like hours, about all their times back in Hogwarts and some of the crazier parties in the Gryffindor commons. After a while Neville congratulated Ron on becoming Minister and thanked him for finding the Lestrange family, he wished Harry well and thanked him for letting him stay for a drink, and told Hermione how glad he was she was back and kissed her on the cheek.
"Well I better be going now, I don't want to stay out too late, its a school night you know, you kids behave now" He smiled, waved., and apparated away.
well thats all. Read, review, suggest things! Thank you.