Location : Three Broomsticks

It was Saturday and weekends meant a heavily crowded pub which was already predicted by Ginny. Harry, Hermione, Ron, Luna and Neville were not a bit surprised to find many of their schoolmates there. Lavender, Seamus, Dean, Ernie, Parvati, Padma, Susan, Hannah, Terry and Zacharias. There were so many familiar faces. But the TDD Squad was kept a secret from everyone. It had already been decided. They all met and chatted and then the Gryffindors - Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Neville, Lavender, Parvati, Dean and Seamus sat together. Luna was the sole Ravenclaw with them. Padma sat with her friends- Hannah, Susan..

"Hem! Hem!", said Ron mimicking Umbridge. Everyone at the table turned to him. "Merlin's beard! Chill guys. I'm not possessed by that tode. Just having fun."

"So you think Umbridge is fun", said Dean with a mischievous smile on his face.

" I always knew Ron had hots for Umbridge", said Seamus smirking.

Everyone started laughing. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Guys I want to do something productive", said Ron acting as if he didn't hear them.

"You mean order food?", asked Luna. Everyone on the table started laughing.

"You've become so smart Ginny. I'm definitely a good influence on you", said Ron trying to pull the collars of his shirt only to realise that he was wearing a T-shirt and it didn't have any collars.

" Harry, Hermione why don't you go get some drinks" , suggested Neville.

"Hey mate! We'll get the drinks. How could you ask a girl to get the drinks when we boys are present here?" , asked a shocked Seamus.

" Neville you were the most chivalrous guy in our batch. I really didn't expect this from you", said Parvati.

Neville's face started turning red. He started feeling ashamed but Ginny knew why her boyfriend had given the suggestion.

She gave Hermione an assertive look and she immediately understood.

She got up and said, "Guys relax. I've got no problem in getting the drinks. In fact I like getting my drink on my own. You guys continue. I'm anyways not interested in Bubbly Canon and Haley Harpey."

" CHUDLEY CANNONS AND HOLYHEAD HARPIES !!!" , they all growled at her.

"Honestly Hermione! You're two best friends were in the Quidditch team and you still don't know anything about the sport!" , said Lavender.

"She never pays attention to us", frowned Harry.

"Harry! How could you of all people say this? You're the only reason I watched the match. You're the only one I cheered for. I only went to watch your matches and you know what?! I prayed to Merlin that you don't get injured. I used to be hell scared for you and you're saying I don't pay attention to you?! How could you have the nerve to say this?", Hermione was literally shouting but fortunately no one heard because there was already a lot of noise there.

Harry blushed. He could feel his cheeks burning and hoped no one noticed him.

Everyone at the table stared at Hermione who now realised what she had said and immediately added, " And Ron. Ron and you were the reason I watched the game. You and Ron are my best friends."

"Nice cover up", muttered Ron. "Always knew you went there for Harry."

"Weasley is our King!" , said Luna in her dreamy voice and everyone roared with laughter. Ron blushed. And immediately everyone started chanting, "Weasley is our King! All hail King Weasley!"

Hermione grabbed Harry's arm and pushed him out of the crowd towards the bar counter. "Hermione what happened? I and Seamus and Dean would've brought the drinks", said Harry.

"Honestly Harry! You really think Neville would send me to get the drinks? He said it so that we both could leave them and do what we intended to do. Search dates. He couldn't have said it there in front of Parvati, Lavender, Seamus and Dean."

"Oh" , was all Harry could say as realisation dawned upon him.

"So" , he said looking at her amused.

" How do we start? I mean umm..well..eh...umm...any specifications? What kind of partner do you want? How should he look? You need a someone soft right?"

"What?", Hermione asked. She started laughing. "Honestly Harry! you're such a dunderhead sometimes. Ron's right about you actually", she continued laughing.

"Harry you know me more than anyone in the world", she smiled.

They were looking into each other's eyes now.

"You know looks don't matter to me. Not that I would mind being with someone handsome and good looking". They both chuckled.

" You know Harry? I don't really know what kind of a man I want for myself. I never really put that much thought into it. Like you know our time at Hogwarts was all about risking our lives and doing homework", she said looking at her feet.

"I don't know. Maybe someone who understands me and my love for reading. Someone who understands my thirst for knowledge and doesn't think I'm an insufferable know-it-all. Someone who is kind to everyone and doesn't discriminate against anyone on the basis of their blood status or maybe for being different like werewolves, elves. Someone who is humble and kind and smart and intelligent. I don't mean he has to be a walking talking encyclopaedia when I say intelligent. You understand what I'm saying right?" , she asked Harry. He nodded.

"And Harry" , she looked at Harry, her eyes now twinkling.

"Who told you that I need a soft person? I need a strong partner. Someone who is rough and tough. Someone who is bold and not shy. Had I needed a soft person, I would've dated you" , she said.

"Wait! What? I'm not soft. I'm strong. And bold." , said Harry who felt embarrassed now.

" Harry! you're not!" , said Hermione smirking.

"I am!" , said Harry looking intently at Hermione.

" So you're saying that I should date you?" , asked Hermione with a smug look on her face.

"What?" , asked Harry who was shocked now. His heart started beating fast.

"You're the one who's claiming to be a strong person. A bold person. So you want me to date you, don't you?", asked Hermione who was still smirking.

"Umm..I...umm...I'm a soft person I think." But Hermione's smugness started impacting Harry. He felt a little bold and decided to play into it.

"You know what?" , he started with a new found confidence, "the traits you mentioned to me that you want in a partner are that of a soft person. And since you consider me a soft person, I think it would be write for me to assume that you, Hermione, want to date me", said Harry. It was his chance to smirk now and Hermione stared at him. She was stumped.

Harry raised his eyebrow. Hermione was flustered. She couldn't think of anything. She could feel her hair frizzing out. She started feeling hot.

Harry didn't blink. He kept looking intently at her. His expressions serious. He kept looking into her eyes.

Hermione broke their eye contact. She looked over at the crowd and said, " Look Harry" and Harry suddenly stopped looking at her and started looking at the direction she was asking him to look at.

"See there. Padma. I think the ball was a disaster and Parvati will never forgive you. But Padma is different from Parvati. Why don't you ask her out?"

Harry looked at her furiously. Hermione who said all this trying to supress her laughter now burst out laughing.

"Funny huh?" - Harry.

" I'm serious Harry! I always thought that you two would make a beautiful couple. Harry and Padma. HarMa! or even better PadRy!" , Hermione was laughing so hard, she had tears in her eyes.

"Well even I think you and Zacharias Smith would make a beautiful couple." , said Harry coolly.

Hermione made a disgusted face.

"Oh come on, Hermione! Stop blushing. Darling Zacharias is feeling lonely. Why don't you give him some company?" , asked Harry who now felt triumphant. He was enjoying it. Irritating Hermione (sometimes) was one of his and Ron's favourite thing.

"Harry" , growled Hermione.

"ZachMione! or even better "HermRias!" , Harry said with a smirk even Draco Malfoy would be envious of.

"Hey Hermione!", came a voice and both Hermione and Harry turned around.

"Alex Cucumberbatch! How are you? Merlin! it's been so long. Never got to see you after our sixth year", said an excited Hermione.

"Well you went to fight He who must not be named with Harry Potter and Ron Weasley in our seventh year. So how could we have met? I'm so glad to meet you. And by the way you're looking gorgeous, Granger!" , said Alex.

" Well yeah. It wasn't me actually. It was Harry who defeated Voldemort. I didn't do anything. And Voldemort is dead so jusy take his name. And oh by the way, Harry this is Alex Cucumberbatch. He's a Hufflepuff from our batch. He and I shared our Arithmancy classes. He's very intelligent indeed. And Alex he's Harry Potter", said Hermione.

"Blimey! I didn't see him. Harry Potter! How could I not... Merlin! Nice to meet you Harry. We shared our Herbology classes. But don't think you ever noticed me. And you, well, you don't need any introduction. The entire wizarding world knows about you. And Hermione kept praising you whenever we talked", said Alex who was very excited to meet and have a talk with The Boy Who Lived.

"Umm thanks Alex. And yeah I think I've seen you. Nice to meet you too" , said Harry.

"Yeah well I was just an ordinary student" , said Alex but before he could finish Hermione said, " You're amazing Alex! Don't you ever call yourself ordinary!"

Harry looked at Hermione who was beaming at a now blushing Alex. He didn't know why and in what way Hermione found Alex was amazing. And didn't understand why Alex started blushing suddenly.

"Merlin's beard! What exactly are you both doing here? Making firewhiskeys yourselves?" , asked Seamus.

Dean, Seamus and Neville were looking at Harry and Hermione.

"Hey guys!" ,said Alex. "I think I interrupted them. Sorry. Let me buy you all firewhiskey. I've met you all after such a long time. Today's gonna be a blast" ,said Alex who was smiling from ear to ear.

"Cucumberbatch!" , "How are you mate?" , "How was your trip to Italy?" , asked Dean, Seamus and Neville respectively.

"You guys know each other?" , asked a bewildered Harry.

"We shared our Herbology classes, Harry. And just like us, he struggled a lot" , said Dean chuckling.

"Thanks to Neville we all survived and got acceptable in Herbology" , Alex said.

" Don't say that Alex. Hermione finds you amazing and she doesn't just call anyone amazing like that" , said Harry as calmy as he could.

Hermione was flustered. Everyone was looking at Hermione when Neville finally said, " Hermione and Harry go back. We'll get the drinks."

As they reached the table, Hermione asked Harry, " What was that all about?"

"What?"

"You know what I'm saying!"

"No I don't" ,said Harry innocently. He very well knew what she was talking about.

She rolled her eyes. He knew he had no choice.

"You called him amazing! That's just what I said. What's wrong in it? I just repeated your words."

"Harry I said he was amazing in Arithmancy."

"Oh, so you acknowledge that he's ordinary? Sn ordinary guy who's amazing at just Arithmancy."

"Honestly Har-" before Hermione could finish, Parvati interrupted, " Where were you guys? Next time you two go snogging just let the others know. Don't keep them waiting!"

"Exactly!" , said Lavender.

"What?!" , exclaimed Harry and Hermione in unison. "How could-" and before Hermione could say another word Lavender cut her mid sentence.

"Come on guys. Don't start with the we're just friends crap. The entire school knew there was something going on between you. Accept it."

"But we are just friends" , shouted Hermione.

"You're not just friends. You're best friends" , said Luna.

"Right Luna" , said Harry smiling at her.

"They both are just friends Lavender and Parvati. Trust me" , said Ginny who sounded miserable.

"Did you find?", asked Ron excitedly. Ginny stamped on his foot.

"Ooww"

"Oh haha nothing. Red ant just attacked me" , cried Ron. Parvati and Lavender didn't understand anything but started giggling.

"Firewhiskey guys!" shouted Seamus.

Nevilleq sat next to Ginny. Seamus and Dean sat beside Neville. Alex sat next to Hermione.

"Blimey! This guy is the replica of that Hufflepuff Alex Cucumberbatch!" , exclaimed Ron.

"I am Alex, mate!", laughed Cucumberbatch.

"And the Firewhiskey's on him", grinned Dean.

"How have you been Alex?" , inquired Lavender.

"Your housemates are sitting over there", said Parvati smiling at him.

"I'm good Lav and I already met them Parvati. I just saw Hermione and couldn't stop myself from meeting her. It's been long since I met her and had an intelligent discussion with someone. So..."

"Hermione and intelligent? What are you talking about mate?" , joked Ron. They all laughed.

"Very funny Ron" , said Hermione who tried to act annoyed but couldn't help but smile.

Neville introduced Luna to Alex.

"You haven't introduced Ginny to him" , said Harry.

"Oh I know him Harry. He's Neville's friend. We've met a few times" , said Ginny.

Harry thought how everyone knew this guy. Even Ron knew him. How didn't he know him? Why didn't no one ever mentioned Alex to him?

"Really? You know I've been reading a lot. I want to free the house elves and give them better lives. I'm so happy to hear you have the same thoughts Alex!" , said Hermione.

Harry came out of his thoughts.

They all talked. Discussed their school days and the jobs they intended on taking.

Hermione and Alex were in a world of their own. Oblivious to their surroundings, to the presence of others. They were lost talking to each other. House elves, wizarding laws...they had an intellectual discussion.

"Ahem!" - Ron

Hermione and Alex looked at him. Everyone had gotten up.

"You guys wish to leave this place or do you want to wash the glasses and clean the floor here?" asked Ron.

"Shut up Ron!" , said Hermione.

"You didn't say Hem! Hem!", said Seamus.

They all started laughing. Alex was confused.

"Oh I'll tell you later", said Hermione noting his confusion.

Later? thought Harry. Why did she say later? Have they decided to meet later? Has Cucumberbatch asked Hermione out?

Harry was confused and his mind was filled with unanswered questions.

As they stepped out, Alex said," Hermione I'd love to walk you home. If you don't mind."

Everyone was shocked. Ginny smiled and looked at Neville who was blushing. Luna was smiling dreamily most probably thinking about something. Parvati and Lavender giggled. Seamus and Dean grinned. Ron's jaw was dropped open. He looked at Harry. Harry, just like Ron, was shocked. He looked at Ron and then back at Hermione.

'I..uh..yeah sure!", said Hermione who was now looking at the ground.

"Alex mate! We're all going back to our homes. We all will literally walk down to our homes", said Ron.

Ginny hit his ribcage with her elbow.

"Ow" , cried Ron.

"Ron's kidding, Alex. You guys go", said Ginny.

Alex smiled at Ginny and then turned to Hermione.

"I've brought my broom. I'd love to fly to your home. Will you Hermione?," said Alex extending his hand. He had already summoned his broom.

"Hermione doesn't like to fly", said Harry.

Ron too wanted to say it but was too scared of his sister. He loved his ribs more than chickenwings. Ok not more than chickenwings. A little less than chickenwings.

"We'll fly slow, Hermione. Promise Hermione. Come with me. We'll walk the way if you don't feel comfortable flying with me. But give it a try."

"Well if you say so. Ok", said Hermione.

Harry and Ron were shocked.

"But-" , before Harry could say anything, Parvati grabbed his hand. He turned to her.

"What are you doing? Let her go with him", she said.

"Um ok", said Harry unable to understand why Parvati said so and why everyone but Ron and Luna was glaring at him.

"So let us all summon our brooms. We'll all fly to our homes", said Harry excitedly.

Just as he extended his hand to summon his broom, Ginny held his fist. "No! We're all tired so it's better we walk back to our home." She glared at him.

Harry was still confused why everyone was avoiding to accompany Hermione and Alex was beyond him.

"You better hold on to me tightly. We'll fly slow but still it's better you have a good grip on me" , said Alex now grinning.

"Yeah", said Hermione who was blushing.

And they bid goodbye to their friends and went away.