A/N: Hey all! Heather here! Thanks so much Lauren for being kind enough to send me the chapters and all! I really appreciate it! It's a boring world without the wonderful internet, but I will survive... hehe, I am bugging my family constantly. Anyways, I suppose you want more chapter rather than a huge author's note, so here we go!

Disclaimer: No, I am not J.K. Rowling, it doesn't take a 'Hermione' to figure that out, does it?

Chapter 24: Broomsticks & butterbeer

Hermione looked at Ron with a grin.

"The Leaky Cauldron sounds okay, but I was thinking that we could all go to the Three Broomsticks and get a few butterbeers, just like old times..." replied Hermione.

"I think that sounds brilliant Hermione, and it's just around the corner, always the practical one, eh?" said Ron, amused, he put his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.

"Yeah, it's been ages since I've had a warm butterbeer, it doesn't sound bad at all." agreed Harry. He was glad that Ron and Hermione didn't seem very upset about the break up. He was sure Ron would have said something about it, but he was acting perfectly normal, as if nothing had changed.

To be perfectly honest, it took him a while to forgive himself for the break up. He knew that Ginny was a wonderful person and she cared about him deeply, he felt for her the same way. But he didn't think he could deal with the pain of knowing that when he was gone, Ginny wouldn't be there with him, that she'd be waiting for him all alone. He couldn't have her do that to herself just for him. He knew that she could find someone very easily to care for her and be there for her whenever she needed, and it's what she deserved... even if it wasn't him. He didn't break up with her out of spite, he did it out of love.

He really didn't think he could ever move on from her. He stayed up all hours of the night when he left. It made him ache knowing he made her cry over him. He wanted to go back so badly and hold her in his arms and never leave her side, but he couldn't... it was for her own good. When he started on the team it made the situation easier as he didn't have much time to ponder on how Ginny was... he didn't think anyone could ever replace her in his heart. Although a few weeks into training he met a girl on the team that he remembered very well from Hogwarts. She quickly made him forget his worries, and even though he missed Ginny dearly he even stopped thinking of her so often. She got him out of his depression and they had fun together. Soon, much to his surprise, he found himself falling in love with her, something he didn't think would be possible after Ginny. They started dating, at first he felt guilty, but it quickly faded. He didn't tell her about Ginny, however, it was to hard to talk about, he wanted to forget his feelings for her. Although it would be nice to talk to her and salvage a friendship still. He didn't know how to explain it to Ron and Hermione, or mostly Ginny. He didn't even know if Ron still remembered the letter he sent to him previously, he was nervous to bring it up.

After Ron had changed into something more casual than his work clothes, they enthusiastically made their way down the street of Hogsmeade. Harry thought it was really cool that his friends had gotten an apartment there, and he was sure Ron was with all the candy and joke shops... They might be out of school and considered adults, but some things never change.

It was a weird feeling. He was walking in Hogsmeade with his best friends, like they were still in school. It felt like nothing had changed. Though it was a bit different considering Hermione and Ron never held hands when they went before. Harry smiled to himself. He was so happy that they were so in love, it was obvious in school to everyone except them. It was also weird being an adult here, he watched as students from Hogwarts rushed passed him talking excitedly.

Finally they reached the Three Broomsticks and entered.

"Hasn't changed one bit," replied Ron, with a grin.

Harry looked around, it hadn't changed at all. He watched as Ron took out his wallet to go pay for drinks.

"No, Ron... I'll pay for it," said Harry, quickly.

"You sure?" asked Ron.

"You need to save every galleon for that wedding of yours," winked Harry." Go get a booth and I'll be over in a minute."

"Okay, thanks Harry," said Ron as he pulled Hermione over to get a booth. It wasn't going to be hard to see them married at all, they already acted like they were.

As Harry went to pay for some butterbeers, Hermione and Ron found a booth in the far corner of the room.

"Did you invite him here, Hermione?" asked Ron.

"No, he just dropped by... I am glad you are being rational about this," said Hermione, kissing his cheek.

"Ah, a professor might see you kissing me," teased Ron, Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "Anyways, what happened was between Ginny and Harry, it's not really my place to hold grudges, you know." shrugged Ron.

"Ron, your sudden maturity is scaring me," teased Hermione.

"Oh, thanks tons 'Mione, but it isn't maturity, it's just common sense." said Ron, seriously.

"I was only joking, I think it's great that you've forgiven Harry, and it certainly looks like he is grateful as well." smiled Hermione.

"What are friends for?" shrugged Ron.

"I love you, wise one," grinned Hermione and kissed him again.

"Oh, you meant me?" teased Ron, with a grin. "You're pretty clever yourself, and for the record, I love you too."

"Well, I think I am going to use the ladies room quickly before Harry gets back," said Hermione, getting up and walking away.

"Don't get lost now," joked Ron as he watched her walk away.

Hermione was surprised, however, when she walked into the restrooms. Of all people she could have ran into at that particular time, it had to be Ginny....

"Hermione! Wow, I didn't know you were here!" exclaimed Ginny, grinning widely.

"Oh, I only just arrived... Ron and I thought we'd have a butterbeer for memory's sake, why are you here?" asked Hermione, nervously. She couldn't bring herself to say that Harry was there as well, she didn't know if Ginny was completely over him yet, she didn't know what to do.

"It's the first Hogsmeade visit for Hogwarts students today," replied Ginny. Of course! It was obvious now that she thought of it.

"Were you leaving?" asked Hermione, nervously.

"Yeah, Colin is waiting for me in Zonko's," answered Ginny, a blush appearing in her cheeks.

"Colin, eh? Are you two dating?" asked Hermione, curiously.

"Well, this was our first date actually," replied Ginny, biting her lower lip nervously. "Hermione, this is all just so new to me... I mean, Colin has been really great and very supportive since I told him about Harry and the break up and all... he helped me get over him. He's so sweet, I couldn't ask for a better guy. After Harry I didn't think I could be happy enough to date again, but now... I, well, I haven't felt this happy in along time." said Ginny, happily.

"That's great Ginny, it really is. I'm happy for you!" said Hermione. She was surprised that Ginny had started to date so soon.

"Thanks Hermione, how's the wedding coming along?" asked Ginny.

"It's coming, I just wish it'd come sooner," replied Hermione.

"Well good luck... I can't wait until it arrives!" said Ginny, enthusiastically. "I best be going! Enjoy your butterbeer!"

Hermione nodded as Ginny exited. A few minutes later she settled next to Ron in the booth, Harry sat across from them looking happy and nervous. That was close, Harry and Ginny had missed each other by mere moments. Hermione couldn't help but think what would have happened if they had seen each other. She doubted if either was really over the other. In fact, she knew Harry would probably be very upset if he knew that Ginny was with Colin. She wasn't going to mention it though, as Ron said- it was their business.

"So how's the wedding coming along?" asked Harry, taking a sip from his mug.

"It's alot harder than it looks... I can't wait until the day finally comes," replied Hermione.

"'Mione, you're suppose to have fun spending my money on the wedding," teased Ron.

"You could help at any time, you know. For Pete's sake, right now I am stressing over getting pink roses," laughed Hermione.

"Hermione, you know you can just use magic to change the color," replied Ron, matter-of-factly.

"That's right! Ugh, and here I was putting myself through all kinds of confusion... I swear, here lately you have been the brains of the operation... I think I am losing mine," she said.

"Nah, you're not losing anything..." grinned Ron.

"So how's you're job? I left before you started," said Harry.

"It's a job, it gets the bills paid and all. I am not to happy with certain co-workers, but other than that it's pretty simple work," said Ron.

"How is it with Percy as a boss?" asked Harry.

"Oh, it's splendid !Even more considering he's dating Lavender, of all people, and she works in my department. I try to avoid her as much as possible, she hasn't tried anything conspicuous though, shockingly. Though I really doubt she is with Percy because she is attracted to him. She's up to something, I just don't know what right now," said Ron.

"Poor Ronnikins has the women just fawning for him, eh?" teased Harry.

"Only mental ones," muttered Ron. Hermione slapped him playfully on the head.

"I'm mental, eh?" asked Hermione, an eyebrow raised.

"In the best sense possible, it's why I love you," grinned Ron.

"Okay, I guess I'll let it go for now..." she giggled, shaking her head.

Harry watched the two, fighting an urge to laugh. They hadn't changed much at all.

"So what about you Harry? How's life been treating you these last few months?" asked Ron.

"Well, you know... it was really tough at first. But, as you read in my last letter, I did find a really nice girl, she plays on the quidditch team, we've been dating for a few months..." Harry replied nervously.

Ron was silent for a moment, Harry was afraid of what he was about to say. Hermione cleared her throat nervously.

"Who is it Harry? You said we know her?" asked Ron finally.

"Well, I dated her my sixth year actually," said Harry.

"Cho?!" asked Hermione.

Ron unintentionally spit his butterbeer out .

"Yeah, we broke up because she had to graduate if you remember, so it was a shocker when I found out she was on the team," said Harry.

"Just so you know, Ginny got to your letter before I did and she knows you have girlfriend... it upset her pretty badly. You know she loves you, Harry... Cho?!." said Ron.

"She read the letter?" Harry asked, shifting nervously. "And yes, Cho... she's great really. Different from Ginny, nobody can take her place, but it is alot easier to see someone everyday... things with us were really complicated and all."

Ron nodded his head with a sigh. Hermione took his hand under the table, she gave it a squeeze understandingly. She knew how Ron felt, she felt the same way. She knew how perfect they were together, but their wasn't much they could do about it.

"I can't wait to see the game, it sounds like you guys have been practicing alot," sad Hermione, trying to change the subject.

"Oh yeah, we have been... can't wait. I hope the Cannons actually get to the world cup this year," said Harry.

"Good luck, you know I've always been a Chudley's fan," said Ron.

"Thanks," said Harry.

After a while of talking and reminiscing, Harry had to leave and Ron and Hermione walked back to their flat without a word until they got inside and sat on the sofa.

"Can you believe Harry is with Cho?! Poor Gin," said Ron quietly.

"Well, if she makes him happy we should be happy for him, besides Ginny looks pretty happy herself now," said Hermione.

"What do you mean?" asked Ron, curiously.

"I saw Ginny today as I was going to the girl's room... she was on a date," said Hermione.

"A date? Ginny?! With who?!" asked Ron.

"With Colin Creevy," answered Hermione.

"Colin?!... Well, as long as she's happy then that's all that matters. I just know Harry and Ginny are so great together... they are dating these other people just to prove they've moved on, when in fact they haven't," sighed Ron.

"I know Ron, but all we can do is watch... they'll wise up soon enough, hopefully."

"Well, other than that it was great tonight, it was like old times... not to mention butterbeer rocks!" said Ron.

"I agree with you, it was fun," smiled Hermione.

"Make sure we get butterbeer for the wedding, will ya?" grinned Ron.

"Speaking of the wedding, it's only a month away, I'll officially be Hermione Weasley," she said grinning.

"I love the sound of that," smiled Ron, kissing Hermione sweetly.

"So, do you still wanna watch the match? I mean Cho will be there, and Harry will probably want to introduce her," asked Hermione, nervously.

"Mione, it's been ages since I've seen a live quidditch match. I don't care if Cho is there, I mean it's Harry's choice. I still want to go to the match, if you do, that is," replied Ron.

"Okay, then we go. I just wasn't sure if you was up to it or not," said Hermione.

They both sat there together wondering what the future would bring, and wishing the special day would arrive sooner.

~~~ That's the end of the chapter, hope you liked it!!!!! Please review1 It's appreciated, although I can't read them unless Lauren is kind enough to send them to me... but it's still nice to get 'em, ya know? ^_^ ~~~