Curing a Pirate's Hangover -
Ginny entered Hermione's room, her head feeling like it could burst from the pain of the headache that came crashing down on her as she had mounted the girls' stairs.
"Ginny?" said Hermione, sitting up in the queen size bed in the dark of the room.
"Yeah, I'm going to borrow a gown," Ginny said, using the bright moonlight to guide her to Hermione's dresser, taking out a long flannel sleeping gown of pale blue.
"That's fine," Hermione mumbled, laying back down and rolling to face the inside of the bed. Ginny quickly changed into the soft gown and climbed into Hermione's bed on the opposite side, turning to look at her friend. Ginny tucked a hand beneath her cheek, bending her knees up. She reached up with her other hand and began to twist a lock of hair around her finger.
"What happened after I left?" Hermione asked through a yawn.
"I went for a walk with Will," Ginny said, linking her ankles together beneath the heavy covers.
"Really?" Hermione said, coming fully awake. She propped her head up onto her hand, her elbow sinking into her fluffy pillow. "So what happened?" Hermione pressed.
"We ended up down by the lake where he almost kissed me," Ginny said softly.
Hermione gasped. "No, really?" she said, smiling excitedly before the smile began to slip. "Wait, what do you mean by almost?" she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly. Ginny gave the twisted lock around her fingers a tug before releasing it to roll onto her back and run both hands over her face with a groan.
"Just as he was about to kiss me Hedwig flew by and screeched," Ginny said, dropping her hand heavily by her sides onto the mattress.
"Oh. . . Oohh!" said Hermione, her eyes widening, "You don't suppose Harry sent her?" Hermione asked, leaning forward a bit, placing a hand in front of her on the mattress. Ginny turned her head to look at her best friend.
"I don't think so, but then . . . Oh I don't know," Ginny said in frustration, reaching up to pinch the bridge of her nose as her head throbbed in pain.
"Headache?" Hermione asked. Ginny nodded. Hermione reached behind her onto the night stand for her wand. Ginny peeked out the corner of her eye feeling Hermione shift in the bed, she closed her eyes again when she saw Hermione turn over with her wand in hand. With a few soft words said under her breath Hermione tapped Ginny's forehead lightly three times. The strong ache quickly lightened.
"Thanks 'Mione," Ginny muttered, feeling her last bit of energy drain away with her headache.
"You're welcome," Hermione said, settling back down into the bed after returning the wand to the night stand.
"Hermione," Ginny whispered.
"Humm?" said Hermione, curling up onto her side again facing her friend.
"Do you get the feeling we're missing something concerning Ron and Harry?" said Ginny, draping her arm over her head, playing with a stray lock of hair.
"I've been thinking about it all evening after Ron made that remark and stormed off," Hermione said, snuggling down further into the bed.
"Harry asked if we got the note Pig brought last night, but when I asked him if it was of any importance he said it was nothing," said Ginny, continuing to comb her fingers through her silken locks, twirling an occasional piece around her finger.
Hermione let out a frustrated sigh, rising up to punch her pillow down before dropping back onto it. "Stupid git," Hermione grumbled under her breath, "Well there isn't a thing we can do tonight, might as well get some sleep and figure things out in the morning." Hermione gave her pillow one last punch with the back of her hand. "Night Ginny," she said, yanking the cover over her shoulder.
"Good night Hermione," Ginny said, rolling over to face the outside of the bed, tucking her hand beneath her cheek.
Sleep came very slowly to Ginny, as she miserably failed to clear her head of all thoughts. For some reason two sets of handsome faces would appear in her mind, no matter how hard she tried not to think of them. As Ginny finally drifted off to sleep she dreamt of her heart being pulled in a tug of war. Despite her best efforts she felt herself being torn into two and she couldn't escape.
Hermione and Ginny entered the common room the next morning and were greeted by the sight of Will and Jack, again with their clothes freshly laundered and pressed. Will quickly stood as soon as he saw the women come into the room; Jack was a bit slower to rise, wincing. Gingerly he touched his right temple with his fingers.
"What's wrong with him?" Hermione asked, narrowing her eyes at Jack who winced further.
"Shh, Luv, not so loud." He said, holding a finger to his lips as he slightly staggered over.
"Well it appears Jack met up with the lad who had turned the cider to rum while we were on our walk last night. The water pitcher that was in our room has turned up missing..." Will said with a grin. Hermione crossed her arms, her eyes shooting daggers at Jack.
"The rum... it's gone," Jack said mournfully, putting his hand to his forehead as he swayed from where he stood.
"Did Seamus also not offer you any of his hang-over remedy for the next day?" Hermione said a bit louder than necessary.
Jack cringed, holding his head in both hands now, "Luv, please," he begged. After a moment he peeked out of one closed eye at Hermione. "He be having a remedy for this?" Jack asked hopefully.
Hermione frowned at him further, "Not that I believe you deserve it, but yes he does," she answered.
Ginny stepped forward lightly placing a hand on Jack's shoulder, giving a sympathetic look to his apparent suffering. "After watching six brothers nurse the occasional hang over all of these years, I learned how to help. If Seamus doesn't have the remedy I'll brew one for you," she said, patting his shoulder. Hermione scowled at Ginny's offer, crossing her arms in front of her.
"Ah, Ginny lass, you are my guardian angel," Jack muttered, giving her a weak smile. Ginny grinned devilishly, patting Jack on the shoulder again as she led him towards the portrait exit.
"Why don't we go find Seamus, I'm sure he's at the great hall having breakfast," she said looking over at Will and winking. "I'm starving. Some sausage and scrambled eggs sounds lovely," Ginny said with relish. Jack groaned, curling his lip as he walked. "I know. How about some porridge?" Ginny said again, "Doesn't that sound good, Jack?"
Jack scrunched up his face, attempting to block out Ginny's talk of food as they walked down the hall towards the stairs. "Ginny, m'darlin', please," Jack begged. Ginny put on a mock look of concern which Hermione couldn't help but smirk at. Will shook his head, actually feeling a touch sorry for his Captain by Ginny's taunts.
"How about some delicious pancakes?" Hermione offered.
Jack groaned louder, "Hang me if I'm not being tortured by two of the loveliest, but evilest witches me eyes has ever set upon," he growled. Hermione and Ginny chuckled and stopped their torture of the Captain as they began to descend the stairs.
"So," said Will as they walked down the corridor towards the main hall, "What are the plans for today?"
Ginny slowed a step so that Hermione and Jack were now ahead of her and she was beside Will. "We have the day open until it gets closer to time to prepare for the Harvest ball," Ginny said, reaching up to twist a lock of her hair around her finger. Hermione looked over her shoulder and caught Ginny's eye prompting her to drop her hand away from her hair immediately.
"Shhhh," Jack hissed, one finger over his lips as he winced. Hermione rolled her eyes and huffed about 'Vile rum'. Will lowered his voice a fraction, giving Jack a dirty look.
"Your Headmaster, yesterday, made mention of a town and that we were to ask you ladies to take us to. This store for proper attire, it was called. . ." said Will, pausing to think for a moment.
"Madam Malkins?" Ginny offered.
"Yes, that's it." Will said, "He said the students are free to go on a town visit today. We could stop by this shop to acquire some clothing for tonight's ball. Professor Dumbledore said that everything has already been taken care of," said Will, clasping his hands together behind his back as they continued to walk.
"Very generous of him. A great man that Professor Dumbledore is," Jack said with a nod, cringing at the pain the simple head movement caused him.
"Indeed," said Hermione with a raised eyebrow as they turned into the main hall.
The first thing they noticed at the Gryffindor table was a frowning Ron and Harry sitting across from an ill looking Seamus who was cradling his head in his hands. Dean grinned at his best friend as he took another bite of toast. Neville shook his head in sympathy before turning back to his Herbology text book. Seamus reached for a small vial containing vivid orange fluid and put several drops into his cup of tea sitting before him on the table.
"Just the man we were looking for," Ginny said brightly. Seamus and Jack cringed.
"Praise be to Fred and George for teaching me to brew this remedy," Seamus muttered under his breath as he took a sip of his tea.
"Aye, and when did you plan to tell me about this remedy?" Jack growled as he sat down next to Seamus.
"Point is your here now to take it," said Seamus, holding up the vial.
"Drink up me harties yo ho..." Ginny sang with a giggle.
Jack and Seamus raised their heads up, giving her a level look. Ginny couldn't help but smile bigger as she sat down next to Ron. Will grinned at her and sunk down beside Jack. Seamus put a few drops of the remedy into an empty mug for Jack as the Captain poured steaming tea from a pot.
"Oh, Jack," Hermione said, in a rather breathy voice, from her spot on the bench beside Ginny. The entire group turned to look over at her. Hermione smiled broadly, a golden apple held up in her out stretched hand. "Apple?" she offered sweetly. Jack sneered at her, picking his mug up and sipping the hot liquid.
"So this, you said, is the only all wizarding town in all of England?" Will asked Ginny as they walked down a street of Hogsmeade. Jack glanced over and grinned, bowing slightly at an attractive witch who walked past the group obviously feeling better since taking Seamus' hang-over remedy. Hermione glared over at Jack before turning her attention back to Will's question.
"Yes it is," Ginny answered and pointed to indicate they should turn right down the next street. Just beyond the corner a large wooden sign hung above a door, in glittering letters read 'Madam Malkins'.
"Well here we are," Hermione said as she reached for the door handle.
"Ah. Allow me Luv," Jack said, reaching around her to grasp the handle of the door. Hermione gave him a mildly stunned look but otherwise didn't argue as Jack pulled the door open.
"Well... er.. Thank you," Hermione said, stepping into the shop.
Jack watched her enter, paying close attention to her backside. "Trust me Luv, was my pleasure."
Ginny, who had witnessed the display shook her head as she walked into the shop, glancing over her shoulder as she entered to make sure Jack's eyes were not where they shouldn't be. She caught Jack's gaze for a second, he shrugged helplessly and gave her a roguish grin.
Over an hour later Ginny and Hermione were sitting in comfortable armchairs sipping tea as the two pirates were measured and assessed thoroughly by Madam Malkin herself.
"No, no, no this will not do," Madam Malkin muttered as she walked around Jack who was standing on a raised platform, arms slightly out. He had an extremely bored and very irritated look on his face. Madam Malkin tugged on the deep navy britches Jack wore.
"Easy on the goods, Darlin'," Jack said, looking down at the top of the witches head. Madam Malkin tisked and pointed her wand at Jack's pants. Jack's expression went from boredom to sudden panic as the robe-maker's wand was pointed at his most prized of 'jewels'. Hermione choked on her tea and was forced to put her linen napkin to her lips to cover her fit of giggles. An instant later Jack's trousers were slightly altered to Madam Malkin's satisfaction.
"An odd request it was for such period pieces of muggle clothing for a ball, but Dumbledore requested it and I am only happy to oblige," Madam Malkin said, nodding her head in approval as she gave Jack's pants a final light tug.
"Must there be so many ruffles?" Jack complained, looking down at his white silk shirt with its many ruffles beneath his deep navy tail coat.
"I don't know, Jack, I think it looks rather fetching," said Hermione, failing to suppress another fit of giggles.
Jack swiveled his head around to glare at her in response before putting on his most charming smile and looked down at Madam Malkin. "Do you think, per chance, that you could remove some of this?" he asked, grabbing at the ruffled silk of his shirt.
Will, who the entire time had been standing beside Jack on another raised platform, grinned at the lack of elaborate ruffle on his white silk shirt. Will tugged lightly on the edge of his charcoal gray tail coat and smiled over at Ginny making sure to catch her eye. Ginny looked up at him, wanting desperately to finger the stray curl of hair that had escaped from the black ribbon that held back his wavy locks. Madam Malkin smiled politely back at Jack.
"I am disinclined to acquiesce your request," Madam Malkin said sweetly.
Hermione snorted into her cup of tea before saying, "That means no."
With final alterations made, coordinating leggings and shoes gathered to go along with the men's ball outfits, the group slowly made their way through Hogsmeade.
"How about a butterbeer?" Ginny asked rubbing her arm lightly as a cool breeze blew over them.
"Beer?" Jack said, perking with interest.
"It's hardly what you are thinking it to be," Hermione said, leading the group to the entrance of The Three Broomsticks. Will took the door this time and held it as they entered into the pub.
"Ginny, Hermione!" the girls turned their heads to look at who had called for them. Ron and Harry sat at a rectangular table, Ron waving his hand for them to join. His expression quickly soured and he dropped his hand as Jack and Will soon followed in behind the girls. Harry, who had turned around to look when Ron called, quickly frowned and turned back to the table, picking up his mug. Hermione led the way over to where Ron and Harry sat.
"Mind if we join you?" Hermione asked, noting that all the other tables were full.
"Suit yourself," Ron said with a frown. Hermione gave him an irritated look and reached for the chair beside him. To everyone's surprise Ron shot up out of his seat and grabbed the back of the chair pulling it out for her. Hermione looked stunned for a moment before slowly sinking to her chair, muttering a quick thanks. Harry turned to the empty chair beside him and pulled on it at the same time Will pulled out a chair beside Hermione. Ginny looked at both chairs for a moment, feeling dread slowly rise within her.
"I think I'll go get our drinks," she said looking at Harry and his offered chair and then across the table at Will's expectant expression as he held out the chair beside Hermione.
"I'll help you, Lass," Jack said, looking at both men closely, before either Will or Harry had a chance to respond.
Will sunk down into the chair he had previously held for Ginny, eyes locked with Harry's, both men scowling at the other. Ron continued with his sullen mood, taking the occasional sip from his mug but otherwise remaining silent. Hermione felt overwhelmed by the intense negativity put forth by the men at the table.
"Oh honestly, are you two going to continue to behave like this the entire evening?" Hermione finally shot at Ron and Harry when she felt she couldn't take anymore.
"Look who's talking. At least we're not acting like there's another Gilderoy Lockhart in town," Ron shot back at her.
"What on earth are you talking about?" Hermione hissed, her eyes narrowing dangerously.
Ginny and Jack had returned with their drinks, quietly walking to the table, hearing the exchange begin all the way back at the bar. Will went to stand up to offer the chair again but Ginny shook her head, opting to stand as she placed the bottle of butterbeer in front of him.
"You bloody well know exactly what I'm talking about." Ron growled at her, "Fawning at them as if they're another Viktor Krum, its quiet disgusting you know."
"What?" Hermione shrieked, "How dare you!"
Ron stood up abruptly, knocking his chair back behind him. The sound of the scraping leg of the chair on the worn wood floor sounded exceptional loud compared to the sudden hush that fell over the pub from the sudden argument that was taking place.
"You know, it's a good thing you didn't answer Pig's note to go with us to the ball, saved us the trouble!" Ron bellowed before he turned and stormed away, his face now such a deep red that it clashed horribly with his hair.
Hermione screamed in frustration. She grabbed her butterbeer and savagely twisted off the cap before chucking it at the back of Ron's head.
"You blasted idiot! We never got the note in the first place so the joke's on you!" Hermione yelled at his back. Ron faltered in his step before squaring his shoulders and continued on out the door.
Harry glanced around the table, looking suddenly very tired and beaten down. His eyes settled on Ginny and held her gaze as he stood up. He quickly made his way out of the pub to catch up with Ron; Ginny felt her heart plummet as she watched him walk out. People sitting near by had grown quiet during the argument between Ron and Hermione began to whisper to each other as door shut behind Harry.
"Well," Jack said to himself as he sat down in a chair, raising a bottle of butterbeer to his lips. "That was very interesting."
