"No, it's still crooked." Hermione eyed the mostly conical evergreen that was listing in the corner of the great room at Grimmauld Place.
"Bloody. Hell." Harry's extremely exasperated tones emanated from somewhere under the tree's abundant lower half.
"Just a little to the left and then kind of back a bit?" Hermione went over and grasped the tree's spindly top. "You've almost got it."
"Your status as my oldest and best friend is in serious jeopardy right now." Harry grunted as he struggled with the base of the tree and then finally clipped something metal into place.
"Ooh, do I beat out Ron?" Hermione beamed down as Harry scooted out and peered up at her.
"No," he said. "You're co-best friends now. He abandoned me on the Horcrux hunt, but you made me faff with this tree."
Hermione laughed and put out a hand to help him up. The tree was still squint, but she knew when to pick her battles. "Thank you very much," she said, stepping back and floating a string of magical twinkle lights around the tree's rather odd shape. It had been practically the last one on the muggle lot she'd drug Harry to earlier this afternoon. At least they'd got it at a deep discount.
"You have to admit it looks a little more festive in here now," she said, opening a box of Christmas ornaments she'd found in her parents' things. I can't believe you didn't have any decorations up!"
"We've just been too knackered." Harry ran a hand through his messy hair. "They give you the most shite busywork after training. All the late night stake-outs and endless paperwork jobs." He rubbed his forehead. "Feels neverending. All Ron and I want to do when we get home is eat and sleep. Annika too. She made noises about a tree a few times, but she's always shattered when she comes home from the restaurant. And we figured Molly'd do it up tomorrow."
As he was speaking Harry had flopped onto the couch to watch Hermione spell ornaments onto the tree's branches.
"Do you think Molly will do all the usual stuff?" Hermione asked, twisting to look at him.
Harry's eyes closed. "Good point," he said. "I don't know." His shoulders slumped.
"Do you think we should have gone tonight?" he asked, bringing up a question they'd been debating since he'd met Hermione at Platform 9 ¾ on Monday. They didn't usually attend the Weasleys' Christmas Eve celebrations, but Ron had invited them both this year.
"I still think it's better that we left it for family-only." Hermione said. "We'll all be there tomorrow anyway."
"Yeah." Harry nodded distractedly. "Yeah."
Hermione fought down the wave of sadness this conversation brought, noting that digging through her old family Christmas ornaments probably wasn't helping. She'd spoken to her mum the day before last and planned to call again tomorrow, but a couple of phone calls felt very meager when measured against years of family holidays. She sighed.
"You want a beer or something?" Harry asked. "I feel like we need some help with our holiday cheer."
"Agreed and yes." Hermione nodded as Harry stood up. "And I'm taking that as permission to put on some muggle Christmas carols!" she called to his back.
A faint "Bah humbug," floated down the hall and Hermione smiled, closing the box of ornaments and going to her music player. She sorted through her CDs, selected a really campy one and put it on.
Of course, doing so made her think of Theo. She sighed again.
True to his word, he had left Hogwarts very early Sunday morning, so she hadn't seen him since Saturday night. He had floo'd as he'd promised, although the faulty connection on his end had made the conversation short. She'd tried to call him a few times since she'd arrived here Monday, but kept missing him. And with all the activity—shopping with Lavender, a leaving dinner for Annika before she went home for Christmas, aiding Harry in buying some very last minute gifts and today's bid for introducing some holiday cheer at Grimmauld—she hadn't had a lot of time to feel sad about it. But it did sneak up on her in random moments.
She wondered how he was doing, what he was doing.
"Here we are." Harry walked back in carrying two frosted pint glasses.
Hermione hurriedly pasted a smile on her face. "A glass? How posh." She took hers, then clinked it to his. They both drank and stared at the lights for few moments.
"Bit better than last year," Harry finally said.
"God. Yes, it is. Thank you for that perspective." Hermione moved over and tapped her head to his shoulder, visions of the bleak night in Godric's Hollow filling her mind. She shivered.
He put his arm around her. "Are you all right?" She could hear the concern in his voice. "You still don't seem quite yourself."
Hermione frowned. She hadn't had the time or inclination to tell him the latest with Theo.
She felt him look down at her. "Do I need to add Nott to the list of Slytherins I owe a grudge to, or is it Malfoy again?"
"Again with the unexpected perceptiveness—does Auror training include a component I'm unaware of?" She looked up at him and he rolled his eyes.
"And no." Hermione shook her head quickly. "Theo's done nothing wrong. And Draco is—" She shrugged. "Essentially the same."
"But something is wrong." Harry moved to the sofa and sat. "Come on," he said. "Tell me. Last I heard from Lavender you were very happy with Theo." He squinted at the tree. "Or she was very happy that you were with him." He took a long drink of ale. "Took a minute to process that one, even though I saw it coming."
"You did? And when did you talk to Lavender!?" Hermione sat down next to him, tucking a leg under her and sipping her pint.
"We see each other fairly regularly out and about. Diagon is not large, you know. We had a drink one night a few weeks ago while we were waiting for other people."
"Lucky you weren't photographed. I can just imagine that headline."
"We sat in the back," Harry said flatly. "And don't try to change the subject."
"I guess I'm just feeling… a little lost." Hermione lay back against the sofa cushions. She felt Harry's hand slip into hers and squeeze. "And It's not just Theo. Although that's part of it. It's my parents and the end of school and yes, a little bit of Draco still. Tomorrow and how sad it's going to be without Fred. What this year has been. I just—I don't know."
"I do. I know exactly what you mean."
"Right?" Hermione turned to him. "It's like I wish I had a clear path, like you. With training and your work. Something I could sink my teeth into that would anchor me. School just feels so temporary at this point."
"It does help," Harry said, taking another deep drink of his beer. "But it doesn't solve everything."
"I'm sure." Hermione squeezed his hand back. "I don't really know what I'm trying to say, to be honest."
"Well, what about Theo? What's going on?"
"What do you know from Lav?"
"Just that you started... dating, I guess? And that you were happy. She was very happy. Thought I'd be surprised about it, but I wasn't."
"Yeah, I guess that surprises me."
Harry lifted a shoulder. "I saw it in Italy. At least on his side. Thought he was pretty far gone for you. Although with Malfoy…" He shook his head once. "He was a little more subtle on this last visit to London, but it was still there. I thought you were starting to return it too—and that that was a good thing."
"But you said you had to process!"
"Well." Harry grinned. "It's just two Slytherins in a row..."
"Oh whatever." Hermione made a sound of exasperation. "You know, we've been doing these unity classes at Hogwarts this year and it's really showing me how silly house divisions can—"
Harry held up a hand. "I know! I know. I'm just winding you up."
Hermione nudged him. Hard.
"So things haven't been going well…?" he said after a moment.
"No, they've been lovely. We get along so brilliantly, Harry. I just really enjoy his company." She described some of their drives and walks and outings.
"So you were more friends, then? Lavender made me think—"
"Well, er, no." Hermione cut in. "We were, are, definitely more than friends." Her mind went to a particular encounter from the week before last and she felt her face heat.
"Ah. Well, as I believe I've said in the past, he is bloody fit." Harry smirked at her. "But why did you say 'were'?"
Hermione took a deep breath in and then blew it out. "Well, do you know about Theo and Daphne Greengrass? Their history?"
"I know that they were close and I think they dated at some point." Harry finished the rest of his beer. "Why?"
"Well, it's sort of more than that. Their relationship is like—" Hermione searched the ether for an example. "Like if I'd lived next door to you in Little Whinging and been raised by an equally abusive, or at least neglectful, family. And we'd become friends very early in life to the extent that we relied on each other totally for our emotional needs. And then eventually we became more than friends in a very passionate way. Annnd, then one of us totally betrayed the other."
"Okayyy," Harry said. "And I'm the one who betrayed you…?"
"Yes."
"Ouch." Harry grimaced.
"Yeah. So Theo has never gotten over that. And for a long time, Daphne really shut him out. Understandably, of course. But devastating for him—he was in the aftermath of that when I met him in Italy. Bit wild."
"Mmm-hmm. I definitely remember hearing that about him."
"Yeah. It was why I didn't want to take up with him then. Well, that and—"
"Malfoy."
"Yeah." Hermione swallowed the last of her beer.
"Another?" Harry lifted his brows at her empty glass.
"I think I need one for this next part, yes." Hermione laughed a little as she got up and followed him to the kitchen.
Harry took two bottles from the fridge and began pouring one carefully. "So what does Daphne and Theo in the past have to do with you and Theo in the present?" He handed her the foaming glass.
Hermione leaned on the counter. "Well, up until last week she was in a relationship with Michael Corner."
"Arsehole. I remember when he was with Ginny." Harry shook his head disgustedly.
"Right! I know. He's awful. But Daphne didn't see that forever. Until she couldn't not see it. And finally broke up with him." Hermione heaved a huge sigh. "So now she's in a very bad place and has asked Theo for support. As a friend."
"You're sure about that?" Harry finished pouring his own beer and leaned against the opposite counter. His eyes narrowed behind his glasses.
"I am. He's told me that for one thing. And I've gotten to know her a little over this term. I don't think she's the type to move in on someone else's—"
"Boyfriend?"
"I guess." Hermoine looked to the side.
"So what's the problem, then?"
"Well. Going back to my analogy. How would you feel if it were you in his shoes?"
Harry blinked. "Ah. Yes," he finally said, nodding slowly. "I see. Crippling guilt, overwhelming need to put it right and fear of hurting someone who has also become very important to me. Blimey." Harry shuddered.
"I think he's really torn. He told me he's torn. Lavender thinks he's in love with me." Hermione laughed a little incredulously. "She was on me when I saw her Tuesday to try to..."
"Hold on to him?"
"Yes."
"That won't work." Harry shook his head. "Not if he feels badly enough about what happened with Daphne."
"Exactly." Hermione put up her hands. "So I'm trying to be understanding and give him the room to do what he needs, but I'm sad about it. And I'm afraid of what it means for our friendship."
"What about your relationship?"
"I think that part is ending."
As Hermione finally spoke the words that she'd been holding in for days, the tears that she'd also been holding broke forth. She put her hands over her face and heard Harry move swiftly across the room. His arms went around her and she let herself be held.
"God damn it," she heard him whisper. "I'm so sorry, Hermione."
"And it's not like—it's nobody's fault!" Hermione said, sniffing and wiping her eyes with her jumper sleeve. "No one is the bad guy here. It's just timing and circumstances. I probably never should have— We probably should have stayed just friends, but the spark. It was so hard to resist."
"I do know about that." Harry stepped back and looked at her, his face sympathetic. "And what's Malfoy's reaction been to all this?"
"Theo and me? He hasn't liked it. At all." Harry made a noise and crossed his arms. "I mean, part of all of this—the reason why I won't work on Theo—is him. My feelings for him."
"Still there?"
"Yeah." Hermione nodded and closed her eyes. "Whether I like it or not, it seems."
"I understand that too."
"How are things with you?" Hermione asked.
Harry leaned on the counter and cast his eyes to the ceiling. "Well, I'm feeling bloody awkward about seeing Ginny at her family home tomorrow."
Hermione made a sympathetic noise. "God, wouldn't it have been easier in some ways if we'd both just settled down with our Weasleys and never strayed from that path?" she asked.
"I do think about that, yeah." Harry moved across the room and picked up his beer again. "Would certainly have been convenient."
"Do you feel like it's all over between you and Ginny? For good?"
"I feel like it's almost unfair to answer that when I'm seeing someone else. Well, a couple of someones." Harry's face reddened.
"Oliver?"
"Yeah, but that's casual. As is the other thing."
"Anyone I know?" Hermione raised a brow.
"Nope. Just someone from work. We've been, er, out a few times. But I have to keep everything quiet unless I want it splashed all over the papers." He winced. "She seems OK with it, though."
"Hmm. Might want to keep checking on that."
"Yeah, I know."
"Well, Ginny hasn't been exactly waiting in the wings for you, you know. She has her pick from a lot of willing volunteers." Hermione gave Harry a challenging look.
"I'm aware of that, yes," he said shortly. "And I do still care for her, love her, am attracted to her—whatever. It's just where my head is right now. I'm no use for anything serious."
"I think she understands that. Even if she doesn't quite like it." Hermione tipped her beer into her mouth again. "And she'll be OK tomorrow. At least until you get on your brooms. I'd watch out after that." She gave Harry a half-smile and he laughed.
"I've no doubt. I've barely had even a five-a-side match in weeks. Work has been too insane. I'm really glad the holidays are here. Glad you're here," Harry said.
"Me too. Thank you so much for having me. I think part of all my…" Hermione waved a hand at herself. "Is about my parents too. I miss them. And yet I feel so far away from them. And not just physically far away."
"I'm sorry," Harry said. "I guess you're newer to being an orphan than I am."
"That's something Theo said too, about me being an orphan."
"He'd know." Harry pushed off the counter and rinsed his glass in the sink. "And what's Lav up to tonight?" he asked, his voice lightening.
"With her family. I'll move over to hers on Boxing Day. She's having a party. She wanted me to invite you. Just an all-day drop-in."
"Ace. I'll be there. Wonder if Ron will want to go." Harry gave her a swift smile.
"With Annika out of town? Risky." Hermione tapped her chin.
"She's not the jealous type."
"No, I really like her. She's so good for him."
"I know. His head would be about three sizes bigger if she weren't around."
Hermione laughed. "It's already big enough."
"Exactly. Hey, what do you want for dinner? We should probably get cracking before all the restaurants close."
"Ooh, how about a curry? I've been craving one for ages."
Harry's eyes lit up. "Brilliant. Thank god I have at least one muggle-born friend. There's a place I've been meaning to try just outside the border near the ministry apparition spot."
"Let's go," Hermione said. "We can bring it back here and watch a film on that TV-video thing you rigged up. I still can't believe you did that."
"Arthur helped. It was great fun and a distraction for him, I think. And Ron watches it almost more than I do. He's gotten really into muggle football."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Of course he has." She pulled her long blue coat out of the closet and shrugged into it. Harry helped her with the second sleeve, then threw on his own.
They clattered down the steps into the frigid early evening. The stars were already winking brightly in the clear sky and Hermoine could hear a faint sound of carolers coming from nearby. Harry tucked her arm into his, looked around and nodded. "Despite all the shit," he said, looking down at her, "it really is better than last year. Only one thing I'm happy is the same: that I'm spending tonight with you."
Hermione felt tears prick her eyes again. "Me too, Harry," she said, squeezing in close to him. "Me too."
⁂
"I caught you! Hooray! And the connecton is so much better!" Hermione hunkered down next to the fireplace in the living room of Lav's flat and looked into the green flames. Theo peered back at her from a cavernous room.
"Yes!" he said. "You're seeing the results of several days of cleaning and spellwork. Floo's almost workable now. And I'm so glad you caught me. Can't believe how many times we've missed each other. I was about to bloody owl you." He laughed a little as he pulled a chair up and sat down. "How have you been? How was your holiday?"
"Busy on both counts!" Hermione settled herself on the sofa. "But the holiday was good. Harry and I spent Christmas Eve together with a curry and a film and then we went to the Weasleys' on Christmas Day. That was lovely. Really special day with the whole family and some unexpected guests."
"Unexpected?" Theo's brows went up. "And it sounds like it was lighter than you'd hoped?"
"It was. With Harry and me away on Christmas Eve, I think the family had a chance to do their own grieving. So by the time we came round on Christmas Day everyone was determined to celebrate. And then Andromeda Tonks brought baby Teddy over, which was just amazing. He's adorable—just learning to crawl—and he's so smiley." Hermione smiled herself.
"I'm glad. Sounds like it was a good day for all of you."
"It truly was. Wonderful food and company. I even flew in the quidditch match! And then I came to Lav's yesterday and she had a day-long party which was just a blast. People dropping in from early afternoon until almost midnight."
"Brilliant. And who came by?"
"Oh, Harry, Oliver Wood, various Weasleys, a lot of Lav's friends from here—several of whom she seems to be dating—and her family." Hermione paused and laughed. "Meeting her mum was very illuminating."
"Oh really?" Theo laughed too.
"Yes, I can see where she gets... well, everything." Hermione shook her head. Lavender's mother had been the life and soul of the party from the moment she'd arrived. "And today I've just been pottering around," she continued. "Making your last two tapes and going to the Central Library. What about you? Several days of cleaning and spellwork sounds like a lot."
"Well yes, it has been. I'll tell you about that in a minute." Theo grimaced. "But it's been good. It feels satisfying to clean this place up and get it habitable. Even though I've barely made a dent. This room," he looked behind him and waved a hand, "is the only one that's really in good shape."
Hermione leaned in, dark walls, low lamps and a lot of tall, book-filled shelves coming into focus. "Oh Theo, is that a library?"
An expression crossed his face that could only be called a smirk. "Why, yes it is." He wiggled his eyebrows.
"It's HUGE." Hermione was even closer to the flames now, trying to see around him, and Theo burst into full laughter this time.
Hermoine snapped out of her trance. "Listen, you…"
"I'd love you to see it sometime," he said, wiping his eyes.
"Are you thinking of keeping it, then? The house?" Hermione grabbed the mug of tea that was cooling next to her and took a small sip.
"Leaning that way, yes. I took some drives out and about and it's just lovely around here. The muggle area. I never fully appreciated it. I persuaded Daph and Pansy to go with me a few days ago and we came across a nice little village with a great pub. I wouldn't mind staying connected with all of it."
Hermione was nodding along, trying not to feel the pangs she was feeling. "That's lovely, Theo. But what about the buyers? Or did they not come through?"
"I've met with a few, but I haven't been comfortable with any of them. They've all been a little too interested in the manor's past, the Nott name. If you know what I mean?" His face held a hint of disdain.
"Ah. Yes."
"Rather keep it and turn it into something than let it fall into those kinds of hands."
"The museum and sculpture garden still gets my vote. With lending library!" Hermione held up a finger.
"Ooh yes!" His face lit up. "And I've been reading my books and listening to my tapes. I bought a personal player thingy…?"
"A Walkman?"
"Yes! Daph and I went into York on Saturday and braved the crowds to go to an electronics shop. A Walk in the Wind is very good for when I'm going over the estate. And I bought The Fellowship of the Ring."
"Good, good. Sounds like you've been getting Daphne out, that's good." Hermione kept her voice bright, but she saw Theo's expression change.
He shifted in his chair. "Yeah, a couple of drives. A lot of walks. I miss you, though." Hermione saw that expression cross his face that had been there when he'd come back to her room that last night.
"Same," she said after a long moment. She cleared her throat. "And when are you coming down? I've cleared my schedule for the next few days."
Theo looked away and then back with a grimace. "About that." Hermione felt the tension in his voice tighten her own body. He let out a big breath. "There was a storm two nights ago. A bad one. Rotten portions of the roof on the east wing blew completely off. That's been the majority of the spellwork I've been doing… But I have to meet with a professional crew that's coming tomorrow and my manager's off for the holiday, so I need to be here to supervise the work." He rubbed his mouth. "I'm so sorry, but I don't think I can come."
Hermoine swallowed and mustered a smile. "Of course! God, what a faff. I'm so sorry you're dealing with that."
"Hermione."
"Mmm?" Hermione was still concentrating on keeping her smile in place.
"I really want to come." Theo leaned down, closer to the flames. "I'm so sorry I can't."
"No, I know." Hermione brushed her forehead. "I do, Theo. Of course. And it's actually fine because Lav asked if I wanted to work in her shop for a few days and I was thinking I should because I need the cash. So I'll be able to do that. And then Hagrid's coming down to Grimmauld and Lav has a big night out planned on the 30th, and there were several things I wanted to take a closer look at in the Central Library and—"
"Hermione."
Hermione stopped and took a breath.
"I'm really sorry," Theo said slowly. "I wanted to see you."
Hermione let her breath out, willing her shoulders to relax. "I know. I know you are. And it really is fine. But I did want to see you too." She couldn't help her mind going to what she'd said to Harry on Christmas Eve, though. This felt like just another nail in the coffin.
"Do you have New Year's Eve plans yet?" Theo asked after a beat of silence.
"Oh yes. Lav has declared a girls' night in."
Theo tilted his head.
"Well, apparently nobody who knows anything in London actually goes out on New Year's Eve," Hermione explained. "Too crowded, too difficult, too expensive. So all the clubs have 'night before' nights—'New Year's Eve Eve' or some such—and that's when everyone does their partying. And then you stay in with friends on the actual night." Hermione shook her head. "I don't know, but I trust Lav. And we are going out dancing on the 30th. I thought you'd enjoy that." She wrinkled her nose, but then spoke again quickly. "But what about you? How are your plans shaping up?"
"Not nearly as fun as clubbing in London. I would have enjoyed that." A faint version of his mischievous smile crossed Theo's face. "Just the same old stuffy ball. Although—" He looked away and his hand went to his collar.
"What?"
"It's just—I don't know why this didn't occur to me before—but Daph mentioned the Malfoys are going to be there. At the ball."
"Oh." Hermione's mind ran in several directions, but the thing that surfaced was a sense, perhaps unfair, that all the purebloods would be together where they belonged, while the muggle-born was kept out. "Of course," she said. "Of course."
She could tell from his face that Theo had picked up on her thoughts. "For what it's worth, it feels off to me, to be going." He actually tugged at his collar now. "Daph and I talked about it and both decided this is our last year. We're not children anymore and there's nothing compelling us to be a part of all that… rubbish. It's just this year—she doesn't think she can cope with the inevitable row that would happen if she told her parents she wasn't going."
"Right."
A silence stretched, then Theo shifted impatiently in his seat. "You know, fuck the repairs," he said suddenly. "I can be down there in ten minutes. I can be there on New Year's Eve." He ran a rough hand through his hair.
"No! God. They're expecting you. Can't back out now." Hermione attempted a laugh. "Besides, Lav has said very strictly that our plans are girls-only. Harry and Ron have some big DMLE ball to go to that night anyway. Stuffy nonsense. I don't envy any of you. I'll be in pyjamas and slippers and you'll be in dress robes and uncomfortable shoes."
Theo cracked a wry smile and seemed to settle a bit.
"Or," Hermione smiled back, trying to rally herself, "will you find a kilt for the occasion?"
Theo bit his lip and looked away. "I did enjoy wearing that."
"I quite enjoyed you wearing it too."
He snorted and then they were both quiet for a moment, Hermione's mind filled with images from that night. She was sure he was thinking about it too.
Finally he sighed. "I really fucking miss you, you know."
"Same. But we'll talk again soon? I'll call you since I'm not quite sure where I'll be staying after Lav's roommate gets back."
"OK. I'll be looking forward to it. Very much."
Hermione nodded and waved as she doused the flames. Then she stayed sitting and staring at the empty grate for a long while. Strangely enough, her mind went straight to Draco and his presence at this ball, which was shaping up to be rather epically awkward. She wondered if Pansy would come back for it and add to the general sense of unease.
Stifling something like a laugh, she sighed instead, her thoughts circling back to Theo. Wetness tinged her eyes and she sniffed just as the front door lock twisted and Lavender came pushing through.
"Darling, I'm hoooome!" she called. "And I've brought chocolate!" She waved a giant box of Christmas Milk Tray. "Half off in the muggle shop!" she said with a gleam.
Hermione looked up and swiped at her eye. "Give some of that here," she said, trying to laugh again.
"Oh no, what's happened?" Lavender rushed toward the sofa, face filled with concern.
"Well, the good news is I can work in the shop after all." Hermione waved at the fireplace.
"I just finally got ahold of Theo."
"He's not coming."
"Nope." Hermione rubbed at her eyes then pulled the lid off the chocolate.
"WHY!?" Lavender's wail filled the room.
"A storm damaged the manor. He's got to stay there and supervise repairs, hold the roof on, I dunno. He was very sorry." Hermione shoved the first chocolate her fingers touched into her mouth.
"Fuck. Do you think he's telling the truth?"
"About why he's not coming? Yes. And no. I think if he wanted to make it happen he could. He actually offered that at the end of our conversation."
"Why didn't you let him!?"
Hermione blew out a long breath. Why hadn't she? "I guess a sort of, 'the more attached I get now, the harder it will be later' type feeling?" She ventured, looking at Lav. "I mean, it's been really good since I've been here in London. I've felt good. Mostly. And I'm looking forward to our plans. But if Theo comes down, especially after the conversation we just had, would that knock it all out of whack?" Hermione ate another chocolate.
Lavender sat back on the couch. "Possibly."
Hermione flopped back next to her. "Better to just let the distance do the work," she said, trying to rally herself again.
Lav rolled her neck and looked over at Hermione.
"What?" Hermione raised her brows.
"Are you really all right with that?" Lav asked.
"Let's say I'm hovering at around 60%." Hermione attempted a smile.
"That's more than half!" Lav brightened. "And I've brought wine to go with the chocolate." She nudged a carrier bag at her feet. "And it's fizzy."
"OK, see now I'm at a strong 65!" Hermione's smile widened.
Lav jumped up. "I'll get glasses." She strode to the kitchen, depositing her coat and scarf on a chair as she went. "And I'm really quite excited that you'll be with me at the shop. It will be such a lark."
"I do need the money too. Although I'm sure I'll be fairly hopeless at selling clothes. Does Cerise know what she's getting into with me?"
"Oh, nonsense. You'll be grand at it. And Cerise knows exactly what she's doing." Lav waved a hand then magicked the cork out of the wine bottle with a loud pop. She poured two fizzing glasses. "Once people hear you're working in the shop, I'm sure we'll see a few curious faces, who might then stay to buy lots of clothes!" Lavender's eyes widened as she walked over and handed Hermione a flute.
"To retail therapy!" she said, holding out her glass. Hermione laughed as she clinked hers against it.