10.
They arrived at the main gate just as their hour was up. Luna was already waiting for them when they arrived. As she turned around to greet them they could she was wearing a long black dress with flowers of every color and green vines weaving all over it. She wore purple leggings and black boots and had her pink plaid overcoat on. Her long golden hair hung freely as it usually did although it looked nicer somehow and she had in her radish earrings. As Harriet approached she could smell Luna's floral scent and it made her heart race.
"Wow…you look…amazing Luna," Harriet said. "You don't look too bad yourself," Luna replied with a smile that made Harriet turn bright red. The two young girls realized that they'd forgotten that there were other people there as Ron coughed to get their attention. "Right then," said Harriet sufficiently embarrassed for the moment, "shall we head down to The Three Broomsticks then?" Everyone nodded in agreement.
The couples held hands as they walked and talked, laughing and generally enjoying each other's company. It had been a long time since they'd all had so much fun and been so carefree. Normally Ron and Harriet would've started a snowball fight along the way but seeing as how they were all dressed up, not to mention on a date, they decided against it. As they reached The Three Broomsticks, the door opened up and out walked Ginny Weasley. She seemed surprised to see them. Her look quickly changed from surprise to annoyance and then possibly anger at the sight of Harriet and Luna still holding hands. She spun on her heel and stormed off the opposite direction all without ever saying a word to them.
"Well that was awkward," joked Ron from behind them. "Shall we go inside and find a table," he inquired as he moved forward and held open the door for them. "Thank you," replied Harriet and Luna. "Such a gentlemen," said Hermione with a smile. They managed to find a table in a corner by the fireplace where they could have a little bit of privacy. Harriet and Ron pulled out chairs for Hermione and Luna to sit. "We'll fetch the first round," Harriet said as she and Ron headed towards the bar.
"Good evening Mr. Weasley! Whose your friend? Is she your date this evening," asked Madam Rosmerta. Both Ron and Harriet blushed before Harriet quickly spoke, "No ma'am. I'm Harriet Potter. Both Ron and myself are here with dates. Double date tonight you see." Madam Rosmerta eyed Harriet up and down before continuing, "ahhh…I see. I'd heard about your unfortunate mishap. Nobody told me you were this gorgeous though!" Harriet blushed an even deeper red. "Thank you ma'am. Can we get four butterbeers please?"
"Of course you can dearie. Would the four of you like a privacy room? I can whip up something special in no time," replied Madam Rosmerta. Harriet turned to Ron who nodded and then looked back to Madam Rosmerta. "Yes please. That would be amazing. Thank you very much. I'm sure the girls will love it." "Fantastic," she beamed, "Give me a minute to set it all up. Go and get your dates and meet me back at the bar." Ron and Harriet nodded before weaving their way back to the table.
"Where's the butterbeer," asked Hermione.
"Change of plans," replied Harriet, "follow us please." She held out her hand to help Luna up and Ron repeated the action with Hermione.
"What's wrong? Why are you acting so mysterious?"
"Nothing is wrong Hermione. Just a change of venue. Stop worrying."
Harriet, Luna, Hermione and Ron weaved their way back through the crowd towards the bar where Madam Rosmerta was waiting. "Right this way," she said with a smile and ushered them to a privacy room in the back. She stood aside and said, "After you." Harriet pushed open the door and could not believe her eyes. The normal dreary privacy room had its fire going but the rest of the room had been completely transformed. There was a dark oak table with a pair of lit candlesticks and four chairs the same color with cushions around the table. At each of the chairs was also a steaming mug of butterbeer. The walls were decorated with festive holiday vines, including a heart shaped wreath over the fire place. There was a pair of love seats facing the fireplace. She walked into the room to let everyone else in. It was simple. It was elegant. It was perfect for their double date.
Everyone else filed in and was just as amazed at the setup. Once everyone had entered the room Madam Rosmerta interrupted their thoughts. "You kids make yourselves comfy. I'll get started on your dinner." She gave them a smile and a wink and closed the door as she left. Hermione and Luna were grinning from ear to ear. They had definitely not been expecting this on their date this evening. Ron and Harriet once again pulled out chairs for Hermione and Luna to sit before taking a seat next to their respective dates for the evening.
"How on earth did you manage this," Hermione asked before taking a sip of her butterbeer.
"Helps to have friends in high places," replied Ron with a smile.
"You're just full of surprises Ronald Weasley."
"This is beautiful," said Luna still in awe.
"I'm glad you like it," replied Harriet.
They sat around idling chitchatting for a few minutes. Both couples were holding hands and enjoying the atmosphere when the door opened and Madam Rosmerta entered pushing a cart tray of food. "Alright for dinner this evening we have a carved honey ham, some freshly mashed red potatoes, green bean casserole and a basket of cheddar biscuits. She quickly went around and served up slices of ham before parking the cart next to Ron and Harriet. "If you need anything else let me know." Harriet motioned for Madam Rosmerta to come over and whispered something in her ear. Madam Rosmerta looked at Harriet and grinned. "Of course I can do that. Just you wait." With that she headed out of the room and once again closed the door behind her. The others looked at Harriet before Hermione spoke up, "what was that about?" "Nothing. You'll see," replied Harriet.
Harriet and Ron proceeded to fill the plates of their partners and then their own. "This is delicious," said Ron taking a bite of ham. "Hogwarts has good food but this is amazing. Not to mention just the four of us being here together. It's just…," Hermione didn't have words to finish the thought. "Perfect," chimed in Luna, "Absolutely perfect." "I couldn't have said it better myself," stated Harriet. They continued idly talking between bites. When they could eat no more, they sat back in their chairs. "I don't think I could eat another bite," said Ron, "and that's saying something." "That's a shame," replied Harriet, "because I got…"
Harriet was interrupted by the door opening once more and Madam Rosmerta entering carrying a giant bowl. "WHO IS READY FOR DESERT," she practically sang. "By special request our world famous…chocolate pudding!" With a wave of her wand the dirty dishes on the table vanished and were replaced by clean bowls and dessert spoons. Madam Rosmerta set the giant bowl of pudding in the middle of the table. "Oh! I almost forgot," she said before dashing out of the room and returning a few seconds later with a second container that she sat next to the first. "Freshly made whipped cream! Enjoy!" With that she pushed the dinner cart out of the room and closed the door. Harriet turned to Luna whose eyes had lit up once more. "Pudding! I love pudding," she exclaimed. "I know you do," replied Harriet with a smile.
Harriet dished out the first round of pudding and passed around the whipped cream. The four of them ate pudding until the giant bowl was empty. They rested in the chairs around the table before Ron eventually suggested they moved to the loveseats by the fire. Ron and Harriet sat on the outside as Luna and Hermione sat on the inside. Harriet wrapped her arms around Luna and held her close as they cuddled on a loveseat while Ron had mimicked the action on the other seat. They all sat there for a while staring at the fire, wrapped up in their own little versions of paradise.
Eventually Harriet spoke up, "you guys want to know something? For the first time in a long time everything feels perfect. I don't know why that accident happened but I'm actually kind of glad it did otherwise we wouldn't be here right and there is nowhere else I'd rather be." She squeezed Luna tightly and gave her a kiss on the head. "I'm glad you're happy Harriet. You deserve it. You both do actually," said Hermione. "Yeah mate. After all you've been through you deserve some happiness," chimed in Ron. "Thanks you guys," replied Harriet with a smile, "It's good to you two finally getting on. I wondered when you'd work it out. I'm happy for you guys." "I'm happy for you too," said Luna, "You two have been beating around the bush since I met you. Although I must say when we first met I never thought I'd be here…much less with Harriet Potter. Life has a funny way like that sometimes. Sometimes it turns out and surprises you in a pleasant way."
This time there was a knock out the door. All four heads peeked over the seats as the door cracked open and Madam Rosmerta poked her head in. "Just wanted to let you know it's starting to get dark out. Sun will be going down soon and it will get a whole lot colder. You're welcome to stay as long as you like though. I also had a favor to ask. I was wondering if I could get a picture of the four of you for the bar. I wanted to put it up there next to the picture of James and Lily."
Harriet smiled. "I don't have an issue with it as long as they don't. I'd be honored to make the wall especially after everything you've done for us tonight." Harriet turned to the rest of the group and nobody had an issue with it. "One thing though, can we each get a copy?"
"Of course," replied Madam Rosmerta, "give me a second to go get my camera and I'll be right back." She disappeared again. They got up off the loveseats and straightened up, ready to have their pictures taken. Harriet pulled Ron aside and whispered something in his ear. He smiled and nodded in agreement. "Now what are you two concocting," asked Hermione with a raised eyebrow. "Nothing," replied Ron.
There was a knock on the door as Madam Rosmerta returned with her camera. "Are you ready," she asked. "You bet," replied Harriet. She and Ron stood next to each other and held Luna and Hermione in their arms. Madam Rosmerta aimed the camera. "1…..2…." As she got to 3 Harriet and Ron turned to the right and dipped the girls and kissed them before pulling them back up. "YES," cried Madam Rosmerta, "That was beautiful and amazing and it will make a fantastic magical photo. Give me a day or two to get it printed and I'll send them up to the school!" With that she disappeared closing the door behind her.
"Was that what you two were planning," Hermione asked with a smile. "Maybe," replied Ron, "but she's right. Think of the photo it will make!" "That was very clever Harriet Potter," Luna told her, "I look forward to the picture." "Why wait for the picture," Harriet said with a smile as she dipped Luna and kissed her again. "Well then," replied Hermione, "if you two are finished we probably should head back to the castle. It's going to get a lot colder after dark." They got their coats on and headed out of the privacy room and toward the front door. Ron and Harriet stopped by the bar to pay their tab and leave a generous tip for the excellent service.
On their way back through Hogsmeade they passed Gladrags. "You know," chimed Hermione, "you've still got to get in there are buy some new clothes. I'll tell you what. They're open tomorrow so we'll just head back into town and do a little shopping. What do you say?" Harriet looked nervously at Ron as if to ask for help. "Don't look at me mate. I'm not coming shopping with you. Now Honeydukes and Zonkos on the other hand…" "Oh clothes shopping! That could be fun! Can I come too," inquired Luna.
"Sure! It will be fun. Just us girls!"