Love Potion No. 9 ¾

Chapter 10: The Trouble with Butterbeer

Sango-sama

Author's notes: Well, I'm finally on a break from work, but I'm at my Dad's house, so I haven't had much time to write...and the computer is terribly slow. But I got good final grades, so I'm resting much happier, so I'm in the mood to write.

Dedication: The story is dedicated to my Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin. Who I won't get to see this Christmas...but I got you guys a present!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. I'm just a poor college student who is finally getting a much needed vacation!

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Ron watched his two friends as the carriage neared Hogsmeade.

Harry could barely sit still. He kept glancing back and forth between Sirius' letter and the window, his fingers rapping upon the seat cushion anxiously. The growing smile on his face was poorly concealed.

Ron smiled to himself. It was good to see Harry so happy; it was a sight he had sorely missed since before the final task of the Triwizard Competition.

Hermione, on the other hand, had barely said a word since they left Hogwarts. The look on her face as the same that he could swear he had seen all the many times before, when she was itching to run off to the library to bury herself in a book. Something was obviously bothering her.

She hadn't been too mad that he had come down late again. In fact, she hadn't seemed surprised at all. He had been certain they would be having a row all the way from the Castle.

Instead, she had bought a few Parrot Pasties and Finch Fruit Gums off of George, with a mischievous gleam in her eyes. He was nearly certain she just had done it for show, but he hadn't bothered to ask as he was a bit afraid to chance raising her ire or giving her any ideas. If he did, she might try using them with Crookshanks nearby.

He was still watching her, frowning, when Hermione's eyes caught his. Suppressing her urge to smile, her hand patted over the bump at her pocket, while her lips formed the words "The potion".

Ron took a brief glance at Harry. His foot was now tapping along in rhythm with his fingers. His eyes were focused intently out the window, willing the countryside to pass his eyes more quickly.

Satisfied, that he was sufficiently distracted, he mouthed "when we get outside" back across to her.

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Harry had opted to remain outside against the brick wall while Ron and Hermione were in Zonko's Joke Shop to watch for Snuffles. They still had yet to see hide or hair of either Sirius or Remus.

His stomach became a deep pit, as he briefly wondered if the letter really had come from Remus or if, perhaps, Sirius and Remus were out there in trouble.Perhaps, someone had seen Sirius. The dementors were still wondering around, after all, and Hogsmeade certainly didn't have as much protection against them that Hogwarts did.

But Sirius and Remus had been working to fix that.

Harry fidgeted anxiously, muttering, "Where are they?" as he contiuned glancing up and down the cobblestone street.

Hermione had chosen that moment to walk out of the shop, shaking her head. Ron was laden down with a huge bag of 'sweets' for his dorm mates to thank them for getting him on time each morning. His eyes just screamed "Let them just try and wake me up with Pig again."

"Honestly, Ron. I don't see why you don't just get an alarm clock." Her expression was at a hazy midpoint between scolding and smirking, almost like she wasn't entirely sure herself. "Surely the wizarding world has something like it."

Ron's eyebrows furrowed. "An ala-rum clock?"

Hermione looked at him matter of factly. "It makes sure you get up in the morning. On time."

Ron peered at her sourly.

Chuckling, Harry joined his friends. "You know, Hermione, you could always get him one for Christmas."

"I can't!" She shouted, eyes wide and face flushing. Softening her voice, she repeated, "I can't. I already got a present for Ron." Her face was nearly crimson. "And of course one for you too, Harry."

She was quite flustered, and was tearing off towards Three Broomsticks, but the boys were quick to catch her up, their legs by far longer. She was making a fair effort not to look either of them in the eye.

Ron's own ears were red-tipped, as he walked beside her. "Well, let's go get something to eat. I'm starved!"

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The door to Three Broomsticks jangled as it opened, customers busily chatting in the background.

Harry and Hermione sat down at the table while Ron sidled over to the bar, three half eaten meals sat before each of their places. Hermione was busily chatting with Harry. "Don't worry, Harry. We'll check the Shreiking Shack and the outskirts when we're all finished eating."

Ron clinked down three oddly shaped coppers on the wooden bartop. "Three Butterbeers."

Smiling, the barkeep handed him three cold bottles, which clinked together as Ron took them in his hands. "There you go, mate."

He nodded at the man, turning slowly back to the table. One of the bottles began to slip from his hands, Ron was quick to catch it though it was nearly five inches from the wood floor. As he was on one knee, he popped open the top to one of the bottles, dripping in a few drops from the vial. "Reparo," he whispered before getting back to his feet. The bottle was neatly sealed, just as it had been before.

Ron dropped into his seat. Setting the other bottles before the others, carefully setting the bottle in front of Harry. The bottles were quickly opened, Ron nearly chugging his back and Hermione sipping hers daintily. Harry took a large gulp, setting the bottle back on the table he leaned back into his chair

"I dunno. Tastes a bit off to me." Ron muttered, grimacing a bit as the aftertaste struck him.

Hermione was looking at him strangely. A smile and a light blush were brightening her face.

Ron caught her eyes. "What?" he asked, looking puzzled. "Do I have something on my face?" His hand was at his cheek, frantically swiping away at the offending spot.

"No.it's not that." Her smile widened.

Ron shrugged, taking another swig of his butterbeer.

"It's just.your eyes." She looked like she was searching for words. "They're awfully pretty."

The butterbeer came shooting back out of Ron's mouth and Harry's as well.

Ron's expression was quite similar to how he looked when he had been struck by his own wand in second year, right before his stomach had filled up with slugs. Harry looked shocked as well and they both sat looking across the table at her dumbly.

"Wonder why I didn't notice that before," Hermione mused.

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Alright. I only did the spit take at the insistance of my youngest sister. So there you go, Jen. Happy? ^_^