Ginny Weasley and Hermione Granger were not pleased to say the least. Their men were out doing Merlin only knew what, and they were stuck at home wondering and worrying. At first they had tried to pass the time by gossiping, but of course, that always seemed to lead right back to the topic that had them there in the first place. They had long since settled down in the sitting room, either reading a book or listening to the wireless as the minutes began to slowly creep by.
After the clock had struck midnight, Ginny had begun to doze and eventually fell into a very un-fitful sleep. She dozed in and out for about an hour, and after waking up for seemingly the hundredth time was trying to decide whether staying on the sofa would be worth the back pain the next day, when the room was suddenly filled with a flash of green light.
Hermione and Ginny immediately jumped upwards to a sitting position and looked around the room.
"Oh thank Merlin!" a voice cried from the fireplace, causing both girls to scamper down in front of it.
"Aberforth?" Hermione immediately queried.
"Yeah, it's me," Aberforth's head grunted from its sitting position. "Listen, I think we've got a bit of a problem."
"Problem?" Hermione responded. "How can we help?" she continued as Ginny nodded her agreement.
"Well, you see, there are some young men in my bar who have had quite a bit to drink tonight, and I'm having quite the time getting them to settle down," Aberforth chuckled.
Ginny slapped her forehead in embarrassment. "Please tell me you're kidding," she groaned.
"Nah, your boys sure have made quite the ruckus. Driven away all me regulars they have!"
Hermione sighed for a moment. "Watch out, Aberforth, we're coming through."
Aberforth gave her a nod and his head was pulled back through the fireplace.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Ginny hissed angrily as she snatched her wand up from the sitting room table and stuffed it into the lining of her pajama bottoms.
Hermione nodded as she made sure to grab hers as well. "They've gone too far."
Ginny stepped up to the fireplace, and grabbed some floo powder. Throwing it down, she firmly said, "The Hog's Head!" As she began to quickly spin round and round, she closed her eyes to try to avoid the nausea. She was too tired to be dealing with her drunken brothers right now.
Stumbling out of the fireplace, Aberforth caught her shoulder to help steady her.
"Thanks," Ginny muttered quietly as she immediately sat down on a nearby stool in an attempt to regain her equilibrium. A quick look around told her that they were in the back room of the Hog's Head. A moment later, Hermione neatly walked out of the fireplace.
"So what have they done this time?" she snorted.
"Well, they've been having a jolly good time! Singing and dancing on the tables, having mock duels, trying to get some younger ladies to play spin the wand, that sort of thing. After young Mr. Thomas was trying to teach them some muggle game, strip poker I think it was, I called you!"
"What!" Ginny and Hermione simultaneously shrieked.
"Shh," Aberforth whispered. "I was just kidding! Besides, I don't want them to know you're here yet."
"Not funny," Ginny grumbled.
"I thought it was. Seriously though, they've been making quite a mess, and they stole my goat."
"They stole your goat?" Hermione said slowly. "Are you sure?"
Aberforth nodded glumly. "Watched it happen. You'd think that two Aurors would be a little more experienced in being 'stealthy'."
Ginny sighed. "Why didn't you try to stop them?"
"Are you mad? Last time I tried to step in that bar I had my hat hexed off!"
Hermione looked at Ginny and shook her head sadly. "I'm so sorry Aberforth, we'll deal with this."
Hermione and Ginny both drew their wands and began to make their way towards the front of the bar with Aberforth cautiously on their heels.
As Ginny approached the bar she heard a very off key rendition of what sounded to be 'Weasley is our King!'
As Ginny entered the bar she saw all of the boys were standing on a table with Ron hoisted high into the air on their shoulders as they sang,
"Weasley can save anything,
He never leaves a single ring,
That's why Gryffindors all sing:
Weasley is our King."
"They're going to drop him!" Hermione squealed from behind her.
"So?" Ginny giggled.
"Oy! Put him down!" Aberforth yelled from behind them both, which caused the boys to all fall down off of the table.
"Bloody Hell!" Ron yelled as he rubbed his slightly bleeding head to the laughter of the rest of the boys who were now stumbling back to their drinks on the other table.
Only one of them had noticed the sudden appearance of the girls, and he began to stumble over to where they were standing.
"Hey look, it's Ginny, and Hermione! Hey guys! And it's Aberforth!" George slowly giggled to himself.
"Shh, we stole his goat! It's in Harry's office!" he half whispered as he tried to slap his knee, and fell in the process. Quite amused at his own antics, he didn't bother to try to stand back up.
Ginny glanced up at Aberforth who was giving them a rather pointed look.
Hermione sighed. "Hold your breath," she instructed.
Aberforth and Ginny quickly inhaled a deep breath before Hermione drew a small drawstring bag from her pocket, opened it and threw it in a high arc across the room. The result of this was a large stream of powdery substance now floating through the air. Within ten seconds, all of the boys had slunk down to the floor in a deep magically induced sleep.
"George's sleep powder?" Ginny giggled softly after the powder had settled on the floor.
"Always keep a handy supply," Hermione grinned.
"We're so sorry Aberforth," Ginny grumbled as Hermione took a seat at one of the tables.
"It will be alright lassies, it wasn't your fault. Question is; how are we going to pay them back?"
Ginny looked up with a sudden mischevous glint in her eye, as Hermione responded. "What do you mean, pay them back?"
"Hermione, we've got to do something to them!" Ginny giggled.
"Like what?" Hermione responded slowly.
"Quiet, I'm thinking," Ginny muttered.
After a minute of silence, it was Hermione whom had caught on and had a stroke of genius. "I've got it!"
"What?" Ginny queried.
"We take them home, and take Harry with us!"
"Brilliant!" Ginny hissed, "Imagine when they wake up tomorrow and Harry's missing!"
"Exactly! And we know them, there is absolutely no way they would ever even think of approaching us without him!"
"Ladies, I'm liking this!" Aberforth giggled.
"Only problem is, how do we take them back to well, erm, Bill's place?" Hermione murmured softly.
Ginny rolled her eyes, "I thought you were smart!"
Ginny walked over to where Bill lay and bent down next to him.
"Bill, wake up!" she whispered as she softly shook his shoulder
"Hmm?" He whispered groggily.
"Bill, where do you live?"
"Shell Cottage! Now leave me alone!" he grumbled as he turned over and went back to sleep.
"See? That was easy."
"But won't he remember you asking that in the morning?"
"Hah! Ms. Granger, I don't know if you're aware of how pissed Mr. Weasley really is; I'm kind of surprised he remembered the name of the house himself!"
"That is true," Hermione muttered to herself.
"So it's settled, let's start apparating all of these idiots back home!" Ginny said gleefully as she rubbed her hands together.
"Aberforth, we can only take two of them at a time, do you mind watching a few of them for a second?"
"Course not!" he chuckled.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" Ginny whispered as she levitated two of the drunken men towards her. With a quick twist and a pop she had the three of them in the living room of Shell Cottage. A moment later, Hermione appeared behind her with Ron and Bill.
Happily dropping Seamus and Neville onto the floor, she returned back to the Hog's Head and took Dean and George to Shell Cottage while Hermione grabbed Percy and Charlie.
Suddenly re-appearing back in the Hog's Head, she saw Aberforth standing above the last remaining drunk in the building. As she too stood over him, she heard the crack that announced the arrival of Hermione.
"So, if those boys show up tomorrow asking about Harry?"
"Well, hmm, what do you think Ginny?"
"Hmm, tell them they were here, but tell them that they did something horrible next. But what though?"
Aberforth looked thoughtful for a moment, "Pigalle Palace?"
Ginny grinned, and made a mental note to hang out with Aberforth more often. Talk about being on the same wavelength! The boys would be absolutely petrified if they thought they went there! There would be no way they would want her to find out, which would make it all that much sweeter when she got a hold of them.
"Brilliant!" Ginny hissed as Hermione nodded her agreement.
"Then it's a plan!" Aberforth grunted as he gave each of the girls a one armed hug.
Hermione and Ginny each threw one of Harry's arms around their shoulders and with a crack were back in the living room of Shell Cottage. Ginny carefully let him down on the floor and looked at the rest of the boys.
"Hermione, go find the cauldron in the kitchen and hide it. I've got some work to do in here," Ginny giggled evilly as Hermione complied.
Ginny levitated Ron across the room and placed him sitting up next to Seamus. Much to her glee, Ron's arm slowly snaked itself around his shoulder. After making sure that everyone else was lying face down, so as not to choke on their own vomit if they threw up, she moved into the kitchen where Hermione was standing on a chair piling pots and pans into the highest cabinet.
Hermione grinned. "I had a better idea. They could just summon the cauldron whenever they couldn't find it. Better yet, when they summon it all of these pots and pans are going to fall down from this cabinet, should make quite the noise!" she giggled.
Ginny grinned at her best friend, she could really be a prankster when she put her mind to it.
"I reckon that will about do it. So are we staying at your place tonight?"
"Yeah, I think we should keep your mum out of this one for as long as possible."
"That's probably a good idea," Ginny whispered as she returned to the living room. It had been long enough for the sleeping powder to wear off. It wouldn't do for the boys to wake up now.
Ginny levitated Harry and grabbed tight hold of him. Just before she could apparate, Hermione stopped her.
"Wait!" Hermione whispered. She reached into Harry's robes and pulled out his wand.
"What are you doing?" Ginny hissed.
Hermione held a finger up to her lips, walked over to Ron, and slipped the wand into his pocket.
Ginny couldn't help but giggle. The boys were going to freak out!
After moving outside onto the front porch, Ginny and Hermione apparated Harry back to Hermione's flat.
"You remember where the spare room is Ginny?"
Ginny laughed. She had spent the night here a few times, but it was more common for Hermione to stay over with Harry and her. Even more often it was Hermione staying over with Ron. In fact, she kind of wondered why Hermione even bothered to pay the rent for it each month.
"Yeah, thanks Hermione," Ginny giggled.
After levitating Harry into the spare bedroom, she quickly stripped him of all his clothing before removing hers. She was rather fond of the sleeping arrangements she and Harry usually made.
She put him into the bed and slipped in next to him, enjoying the feel of warmth he provided.
"Goodnight, Harry," she whispered before giving him a soft kiss on the lips.
Harry stretched his feet out and felt his body relax as he turned to put his face in Ginny's hair. He truly loved the way it tickled his nose as he breathed in the smell of her.
"Mmm," Ginny mumbled softly as he drew small circled on her naked back. "That's so nice,"
After several more minutes of stolen kisses and touches, Harry finally began to pull away from her.
"So I reckon we'd best get back to the Burrow. In case you've forgotten, we have this event to plan. It's supposed to be happening tomorrow I believe."
Ginny rolled over and gave him a stink eye. "After that display last night you still think I'm marrying you?"
Harry awkwardly scratched his head. "About that, how exactly did we get to, where ever we are?" he trailed off.
Ginny sat up straight in the bed. "We're at Hermione's you dunderhead, where did you think you were?"
As Harry immediately blushed, Ginny caught on. "You thought you had slept with another woman?" she asked half amused.
"Erm, well," Harry stuttered.
"You wake up in a strange room, and you automatically think you slept with someone? Is this a regular occurrence?" Ginny shrieked, somewhat angry now.
Harry held his hands out in front of him, quite at a loss of how to make peace. "Ginny, I haven't been in Hermione's flat in over a year! I had no idea where I was, and I absolutely don't remember what happened last night! Of course it isn't a regular occurrence, but I was terrified that that was what had happened!"
Ginny rolled her eyes as she jumped off the bed and picked up her bra. "Just in case you were wondering, Potter, Hermione and I got a rather interesting floo call last night around two in the morning."
Harry groaned. Now they had done it. "From who?"
"Aberforth. You idiots had run over the Hog's Head completely! The whole lot of you was pissed off of your arses! Merlin only knows what would have happened if you all had tried to apparate back home!"
Harry sighed and made his way over to try to give her a hug. Statistically speaking, it had served him well in the past.
"I'm so sorry, Ginny, you have no idea! I'm just as much a victim here as you are! After you left they all but dragged me out the door to that first bar!"
Ginny pulled herself away and gave him another look, "First bar?"
Harry groaned miserably. Talk about putting yourself in a hole. "Look, Ginny, I'm sorry, I really am. I had no idea the night would turn out like that. Can we please just forget about it and say that I definitely owe you one?" Harry pleaded.
Ginny gave him one last hard look before giving in. "Okay, Potter, you owe me one. But don't expect my brothers to get that same treatment."
Harry grinned, but at the same time felt pity for the suffering that would soon come to his brothers. The phrase "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," definitely seemed appropriate for this situation.
"Fair enough, Weasley," Harry chuckled as he pulled his shirt over his head. "By the way, did you happen to see where I left my wand?"
Ginny stopped in her tracks on the way to the door. "Uhm, Harry, love?" she called in her sweet sing song voice.
Harry slapped his hand to his forehead. He knew that voice. "What did you do?"
Harry sat on Hermione's sofa in a not so great mood. Not only had he made a fool of himself last night, but he was being used as a tool for revenge. He had instantly wanted to floo Ron, and notify him of his safety, but his leash had been cut short. His fiancé had quickly reminded him of the "You owe me big agreement," that he had literally just agreed to, and as a result was grounded. He didn't have his wand, he wasn't allowed to contact anybody, and more importantly he wasn't allowed to leave the flat.
Harry glared over at Ginny who was uncharacteristically filing her nails.
"Don't you think there are more important things for us to be doing right now?"
"Like what, dear?"
"I don't know, getting ready for tomorrow maybe?"
"Nah. Mum's got that all wrapped up. All we have to do is show up."
Harry rolled his eyes and turned his eyes back to the muggle telly. This was really shaping up to be quite the day.
Suddenly the fireplace flared green and Ginny shrieked, whilst quickly attempted to disillusion Harry with her wand.
"Thank god! There you are, Potter!" Kingsley's voice boomed out as Harry turned to face his visitor.
"Kingsley, Merlin am I glad to see you!" Harry grinned as he stepped up to shake his hand.
"Erm, Harry. I do consider us to be quite close friends, but could I maybe ask you to put on some pants for this discussion?"
"Pants?" Harry stuttered slowly before looking down and gasping at what seemed to be him standing in the presence of the Minister of Magic in nothing more than his boxers and shirt.
Ginny exploded into a fit of laughter as she slowly managed to croak, "Sorry, Harry, I missed!"
Harry scowled in her direction before waving his hand to cancel the charm.
"I'm glad you find this funny," Harry grunted to Kingsley as he was also chuckling.
"Anyways, back to the point. The Weasley boys seriously think you're missing, Harry, and for Merlin's sake, why was there a bleeding goat in your office?"
Harry's jaw dropped. "There was a goat, in my office?" Harry stated slowly for confirmation.
"Yes, and you might want to look into buying another loveseat. Erm, apparently it got hungry."
Harry looked towards Ginny. "Oh yeah, you guys stole Aberforth's goat," she chuckled.
"And when were you going to tell me?" Harry asked in disbelief.
"I kind of forgot about it to be honest," she shrugged.
"Wait, you knew about this?" Kingsley turned to Ginny.
"Well, yeah, but the goat thing seriously slipped my mind."
"Ok, I'm lost. What's going on here?"
"I'll give you the short version, Kingsley. The guys threw me a stag night last night; we had a few drinks, had a great time, and now Gin's all bent up out of shape about it and playing this 'clever' prank on her brothers, who think I'm missing and wandless," Harry ranted as his fiancé gave him a glare.
"Are you serious?" Kingsley's eyes bulged as Ginny nodded.
"That's hilarious! Good one, Ginny!" Kingsley laughed as he gave her a high five much to Harry's chagrin.
"Whose side are you on anyways?" he muttered angrily, but apparently Kingsley didn't hear him as they all turned to see Hermione enter the sitting room.
"Morning sleepy head! Wow, you slept in late!" Ginny called cheerfully as Hermione plopped down on the sofa.
"I deserved a lie in, I was out chasing drunkards in the wee hours of the morning," Hermione grumbled as she gave Harry a glare.
"Once again, I'm just as much a victim here!" Harry stated as he threw his hands up.
"Anyways, Ginny, what are you going to do when these boys come to you?"
Ginny looked thoughtful for a moment before looking to Hermione. "What would be the first thing you would do if we didn't actually have Harry?"
"I'd call the aurors," Hermione replied with a small smile on her face.
Kingsley rubbed his hands together. "I say you one up it. Call me directly. I'll bring in Robards. We should be able to make it worth your while."
Harry opened his mouth to say something but with a flick of her wand Ginny had silenced him. "Sorry, Potter, but as part of your punishment you don't get an opinion on this," she called out cheekily.
Kingsley stood back up. "Well ladies, I must be getting back to the Ministry. I'll be seeing you later," he called with a smile as he made his way back to the fireplace.
After he had disappeared Harry turned back to the girls. "Don't you think this is taking it just a little too far?" he asked after finally managing to break his silencing charm.
"No." Both girls said quite seriously.
"Well what now?" Harry asked.
"We wait. And when they get here, you will be a good little wizard and hide in the closet," Ginny giggled.
Harry folded his arms and gave her a look. "And if I don't?"
Ginny's face stretched into a big smile as she looked at him. "Harry, remember two years ago when you agreed to have our anniversary dinner with the whole family at the Burrow?"
Harry gulped. That had been a lonely week.