I don't own Harry Potter, and I never will, but I hope you enjoy regardless!


Chapter 29

"Hey guys," Hermione said with a smile, joining the others.

Ginny threw herself onto Hermione, hugging her tightly. "Mione, I've missed you!"

Hermione laughed, hugging Ginny back tightly. "I've missed you too!" Pulling away from Ginny, Hermione surveyed the boys. She threw an arm around the each of them, pulling them to her tightly. The three of them stood like that for a moment. It was almost as if nothing changed.

"Harry, you look like you've gained some muscle," Hermione said, a hint of teasing in her voice.

Harry made a face, crossing his arms. "I have actually. All the working out for the Auror program is paying off."

"What about me?" Ron asked, flexing his arms.

Hermione chuckled, shaking her head. "You look good as well."

"Let's go inside!" Ginny piped in. "It's freezing out here."

The four of them went inside the Three Broomsticks. Ron went to get them some butterbeers as Hermione, Harry, and Ginny grabbed a table.

"So how are things with you two?" Hermione asked, a knowing look in her eyes.

Ginny smiled. "Oh, things are just absolutely lovely!" Ginny gushed. "My dress is getting altered, the invitations are ready to be sent out, and we've just booked our honeymoon!"

"Where are you two going?"

"To Key West, off the coast of Florida," Harry answered with a grin.

Hermione arched her eyebrow. "To the states?"

Ginny nodded. "We wanted to do something different and exotic, and well, that fit the bill!"

"Oh congratulations! I'm so happy for the two of you."

"What are we congratulating?" Ron asked, putting the drinks down on the table and taking a seat next to Hermione.

"Our honeymoon plans," Ginny explained, before taking a sip of her butterbeer.

"How are things with you Hermione?" Harry asked, his eyes full of concern for his best friend.

She shrugged. "It's hard, but now that I'm busy with school, it's going by faster. I've adjusted, but it still sucks." She took a sip of the butterbeer. "Especially since I know my humanity is practically dangling in my face."

Ron patted her shoulder. "You'll be human again, don't worry."

Hermione bit the inside of her lip. "I don't want to get my hopes up, just in case. But anyways, I've been managing."

Ginny sent her a sly grin. "How's our favorite potions master?"

Hermione couldn't help the smile that formed on her face. "Absolutely wonderful."

"Is the sex good?" Ginny blurted out.

Ron and Harry both made sounds of disgust, while Hermione practically choked on her drink. "Ginny," she hissed, glancing around them, "You don't ask questions like that!"

"But I want to know!" She protested.

Hermione shook her head. "That's much too personal for this situation." Harry and Ron nodded in agreement.

Ginny smiled smugly. "So that's a yes."

"Ginny," Harry said, gently reminding her of their presence at the table.

"Oops," she replied cheekily. Leaning over, she pressed a kiss to Harry's cheek. "But things are good though?"

Hermione nodded. "Yeah, they are. He's more open with me now, and we just get along swimmingly."

Ginny nodded. "You two really are so much alike."

Hermione nodded in agreement. It was true, her and Severus were so similar. It's like they were meant to be together.

"But anyways," she said, turning to Ron. "How are things for you?"

He shrugged. "I've been busy with Auror training so I don't get out much, but things are going good. Padma and I have been doing good as well."

Hermione nodded. "That's good! Is it just a fling, or do you see some long term potential?"

Ron shrugged, taking a sip of his butterbeer. "I'm not really sure."

Hermione understood what he meant. She knew deep down there was a small flame of hope in Ron's chest that they'd get back together, but everyone knew that wasn't ever going to happen. "Well, you should bring her the next time we get together," she said, hoping to make Ron feel better.

A grin spread out on his face. "Okay," he said.

The four of them chatted for the next hour or so, each sharing stories. Ginny shared her wedding drama, Ron and Harry his auror stories and Hermione told them about the dunderheads that she taught on a daily basis.

Hermione couldn't remember the last time she had so much fun. She loved spending time with Severus, but this was a different type of fun. It was carefree, and for a moment, she forgets all about the drama and stress that was in her world.

It was just the four of them, much like it was before the War had escalated.

Glancing at the clock, Hermione let out a small sigh. "I actually have to do some Christmas shopping before the day is over, so I better be going."

Ginny smiled. "Can I come with you?"

Hermione internally groaned, knowing that Ginny just wanted to get that girl talk in, but nodded anyways. Who was she to say no?

Ginny squealed with delight, hoping up from the table. Bending over, she gave Harry a quick kiss and promised to see him later that night.

Hermione gave Ron a tight hug, and then gave Harry one. "I'll write to you both, and I'll see you for Christmas."

"Be safe Mione," Ron said, giving her another hug.

Turning, she squeezed Harry's hand. "See you."

Hermione and Ginny exited the Three Broomsticks and headed across the street into Honeydukes. "I haven't gotten anyone's presents yet," Hermione explained.

"That's fine; I need to get a few last minute things as well." Ginny eyed her friend with a smile on her face. "So?"

Hermione let out a sigh. "Yes Ginny, Severus is good in bed. We have sex almost every night."

Ginny grinned in excitement. "Oh Hermione, you dirty girl you, banging your professor."

Hermione let out a small laugh. "Ex-professor…. More like colleague now. But that's beside the point; we're both adults so it's completely fine."

Ginny nudged her in the arm. "Come on, you know you thought about pulling the old school girl act."

Hermione's eyes widened. "No Ginny, I didn't." She let out a sigh. "But I am now," she grumbled.

Ginny let out a laugh. "You're welcome."

Hermione quickly finished her Christmas shopping. At Honeydukes, she bought Ron some candies, including treacle fudge, salt water taffy, ice mice, and some pepper imps. At Madam Puddifoot's, Hermione picked up some tea leaves for Severus. In Tomes and Scrolls, she picked up a new book for herself, and a few books for Severus. At Spintwitches, she picked up Harry some things for his broom. Poking in a few other stories, she grabbed various gifts.

"I'm all set now," Hermione said, shrinking down all her bags and putting them in her pocket.

"Shrink mine!" Ginny commanded, a smile on face. Rolling her eyes, Hermione flicked her wand.

"Well, I'll walk you to the gates," Ginny said, not quite ready to let her friend go.

It was now dusk and the village was mostly empty. The two of them walked towards Hogwarts, each lost in their own thoughts. Ginny began to gush about her wedding once more, causing Hermione to shake her head. Ginny was so excited, so could barely contain herself. But Hermione didn't blame her.

A breeze came by, and Hermione sniffed the air. She froze, the hair on her body sticking up. Ginny noticed her friend's alert expression.

Before Ginny could ask what was wrong, Hermione had pinned her up against the wall and taken a protective stance in front of her.

Her fangs descended and a growl escaped her lips. "We're not alone."