four

The Leaky Cauldron was where the four friends had planned to meet, just like almost every Friday for over a year now. It was their favourite place to go, partly due to the great drinks and music, partly because they enjoyed talking to Tom, the landlord, partly because they saw Hagrid in there from time to time. Mostly though, it was because it was the place that it had all started for Harry – where all his dreams had come to unfold. Every Friday they could start again if they wanted to, they could be the four misfits they had been in their youth and not worry about becoming adults and taking on responsibility.

Ron and Hermione entered the pub and suddenly were in a place where they fit into their surroundings. The warmth and comfort surrounding them was impossible to resist. They took off their jackets and proceeded to look through the already bustling crowd for Hagrid. He'd promised to look in for Ginny's birthday, but a quick scan of the parlor ceiling told them he hadn't yet arrived. Slightly disappointed, they caught Tom's eye and he waved them to their usual private corner which they happily squeezed themselves towards. They found that the seats were deserted; an unusual sight - Ginny and Harry were normally prompt in arriving.

Hermione and Ron looked at each other.

'It isn't-?' Hermione began

'No, it's the right time,' Ron finished for her, looking at his watch and frowning.

'Well, I'm sure they won't be long,' Hermione assured him, and they relaxed into the armchairs, warming themselves by the crackling fire.

It wasn't until a few minutes later that Ron spotted the couple coming through the back entrance of the pub.

'There they are,' he said, and Hermione turned her head to see Harry and Ginny approaching them.

'Finally!' Hermione said as she stood up to hug a strangely-annoyed looking Ginny while Ron and Harry exchanged greetings. 'What kept you?'

'We ran into Slughorn,' said Ginny, her teeth clenched menacingly. Hermione had seen her make that face before enough times to know it did not bode well. 'It seems somebody already RSVPed a 'yes' for us both to go to his party.'

'I'm sorry,' Harry apologized with dignity as they all took their seats – all except for Ginny who seemed to be unable to relax. 'I just assumed you wouldn't mind, those things can be rather fun…Slughorn is quite harmless you know.'

Hermione knew Harry meant well but she didn't blame Ginny for being so opposed to the idea of the party. There were almost always at least a dozen girls throwing themselves at Harry and Ron. Hermione didn't bother herself with jealousy – especially of witches like those; it took up too much of the space in her already overflowing mind. Plus, Ron was absolutely awful at flirting so she didn't really have much to worry about. Ginny however, had never been able to put up with them which in many ways Hermione could understand – Harry was quite a bit more charming than Ron, and on top of that he was the most famous wizard in existence.

'Well, Potter,' Ginny responded in anger, 'Maybe you should let me reply for myself in future instead of putting stupid jinxes on me and making me look like a complete idiot! Since when do you make my decisions for me, hmm?'

Hermione wanted to say something to help, but she knew enough about civilized conversation to know that right now would be just about the worst time to interfere. She was just glad that Ron, sitting on her left and looking dumbstruck, would soon gather his senses enough to excuse himself from the awkward situation in some way or another.

'Uh, I'll get the drinks, shall I?' he managed before leaving them abruptly. Hermione had to stop herself from laughing at his discomfort – he was such a fool at times.

'Ginny,' Harry consoled calmly, glancing at Hermione apologetically. 'It's your day, can we please forget about this for now?'

Ginny agreed, though reluctantly, and the blunt end to the tense topic left an uncomfortable silence behind it. Thankfully Hermione spotted a familiar face in the crowd and hastened to attract the wizard's attention.

'Percy!' Hermione called, beaming and waving him over. 'Surprised to see you in here!'

That was perhaps too generous of a statement; Percy Weasley's smart work robes and horn-rimmed spectacles looked distinctly out of place in the lively night atmosphere of the pub. His returning smile, however, did not; and Hermione felt a rush of affection for him.

'Hello all!' said Percy, obviously exhausted by his working week. Hermione couldn't blame him, the recent issues with the giants was causing a lot of problems with the Muggle skiers although Minister for Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt (who had out voted any other candidate by a mile to stay in office after his temporary position had expired) was doing a good job of keeping the population calm despite the exaggerations made in the Prophet.

'I thought I might find you in here. Happy Birthday Ginny!' he added to his still enraged sister. She managed to arrange her face into a half-grimaced smile and Hermione jumped at the chance to distract Ginny from the recent argument.

'Yes Happy Birthday!' she said, reaching for hers and Ron's gift in her bag and placing it in front of Ginny. 'Don't open it yet, though!' she said suddenly, 'This is all Ron's gift, and trust me, he'll want to see you open it.'

Ginny looked put out. 'Does anyone have any gifts I actually can open?' she said sulkily.

'I might,' replied Harry, pulling out a pink box with a gold ribbon.

'For me?' Ginny said casually, determined not to let Harry win her back so easily.

'It's pink!'

'Yeah well, I thought it suited,' he replied, smiling slightly as her anger evaporated there and then. Hermione noticed their eyes meet and knew they were out of the danger zone. Of course, this was the moment Ron chose to appear again.

'Drinks!' he exclaimed enthusiastically, placing four Ivy Coladas down on the table, each containing a novelty broomstick stirrer. 'Sorry Perce,' he added a little guiltily, 'did you want anything?'

'Oh no, I just needed a word with Harry actually…if that's okay, of course…'

His tone was casual but Hermione couldn't help but notice a kind of silent understanding be exchanged through the two men's eyes as they stood up and went to converse over by the bar. The other two Weasley siblings had obviously noticed nothing, but thinking it wouldn't be good to have the atmosphere destroyed again, she decided it wouldn't be good for them to see the serious discussion which was now taking place between Harry and Percy. She was able to quickly distract Ginny towards opening the present from her and Ron – a pair of tickets to see the latest gig of the band the Weird Sisters - which luckily kept them preoccupied.

When Harry returned, Ron was boasting about his connections to the Weird Sisters.

'…I mean one time when I met with Gareth, boy were we waste- '

'Yes thank you, Ronald' said Hermione irritably. He responded by levitating and flicking a peanut at her which soon turned into a mini snack-battle.

'What was that all about, Harry?' Ginny asked curiously as Percy gave them all a short wave before departing.

'Perce apologises for not being able to say a proper goodbye - he had to get off.' Harry told the three of them, Ron and Hermione still engaged in their small war.

'Harry,' Ginny questioned more firmly. He was avoiding her eyes, something she point-blank couldn't stand, and he hesitated before turning to her.

'Can't the boyfriend and brother plan a little surprise for the birthday girl, eh?' he said cheerily, winking.

'You're insane' said Ginny, a mixture of annoyance at his obvious lying and humor at the accuracy of his Slughorn impression. As usual, she decided not to press the matter.

'Right,' said Harry in a final sort of way, looking around at his friends in a serious sort of way. Ron and Hermione ceased their play-fighting and tried to look serious. 'I think it's about time we got this celebration rolling, and the best way to do this is with a toast.

'To Ginny,' he continued, locking his girlfriend's gaze to his. 'The most beautiful woman in the world…not to mention her extreme fighting capabilites or outstanding knowledge of jinxes.'

'Hear, hear' said Ron heartily.

Ginny smiled. 'You sure know how to turn my mood around, Harry Potter.' She said, and they kissed, to which Ron adverted his eyes ('I can't believe you still do that!' Hermione exclaimed) and they all raised their glasses together.

'Oh, I can't resist this – to me!' Ginny cried happily, and they all raised their glasses, unaware that very soon, everything was about to change...

I'm sorry it's short, as well as the loooong time to update. I'm having a bitch of a term right now so I hope someone is still following my fic!! ;) if it isn't already noticeable, this ends at a CLIMATIC MOMENT...so prepare yourselves for what's coming next!