Although the music had started, it was only the Weasley twins and a handful of others who had started to dance. Ron was quite thankful for this, dancing wasn't exactly his forte, as he had proved at the Yule Ball in his fourth year. And by the looks of it, Fred and George weren't exactly smooth movers. They were dancing crazily, but even Ron had to admit they were having fun.

'Your brothers will never cease to amaze me, Ron. If it weren't for the trademark Weasley hair and freckles, I'd never guess you were related!'

'How do you mean?'

'Well, for a start, they're *dancing*, which I know for a fact isn't one of your favourite hobbies. And they're always joking around; thankfully you know when to be serious.'

Ron was rather confused by this compliment. 'Is that a good thing?'

'Of course! Especially during these times, with Voldemort at large...'

'Hermione! Will you not- say- the- name!'

'Ron, you *know* that the fear of a name only increases the fear of the thing itself.'

Ron could only groan in agreement at this. 'Ok, ok, back to my wonderful ability of knowing when to be serious!'

Hermione smiled; it was never like Ron to pass off on a compliment...

'Then again,' he continued, 'surely in these times it's important to be able to make people laugh?'

'Yes, of course you're right Ron.' The two friends shared a moment of silence. Following the events of the Triwizard tournament, Voldemort had dramatically grown in strength and support. Ron couldn't stand the quiet (well, apart from the music playing and the twins making a large amount of noise) anymore.

'Oh Hermione, why don't we just forget all of that for tonight? I'm bloody sick of constantly having to look over my shoulder... let's just pretend everything's normal, just for this one night.' The look in Ron's eyes captured perfectly the mood that had descended over Hogwarts this year. He looked so sad, so scared. Hermione felt it too.

'Yes, Ron. Let's.' Hermione so wanted everything to disappear, but knew that in the morning it would still be there. 'We need a bit of fun tonight.'

'Ok... well, first thing's first- I'm getting us another drink!' Ron drank the remainder of his Blue Bat, enjoying the shocked expression which had taken over his best friend's face.

'Ron! Well, don't think you're getting me to drink like that! It's *stupid*, not to mention a waste of money!' 'Hermione, I of all people know when to spend or save, and tonight I say we spend.'

'Fine. Waste your money, but I...' Hermione was cut short as Ron performed a quick spell:

'Vinum Ebibo!'

Hermione's eyes widened with shock as she found herself picking up her bottle and drinking it down, fast. She stared at Ron, mouth open, enraged to find that he was laughing.

'Ronald Weasley! What on earth do you think you're doing?!'

'Well, I could hardly perform an Imperius, now could I?' Ron managed between giggles. 'Besides, I said we were getting new drinks; I was just helping you on a bit!'

Hermione glared at Ron, trying to look angry whilst secretly being amazed that he could come up with such a spell, and also trying to hide the fact that the drink did actually make her feel a lot happier, especially at the speed she'd just drunk it.

'Fine. I'll have another drink.'

Ron smiled.

'But you're paying for it!' Hermione finished smugly.

Ron looked a bit put out at this, but then a mischievous grin crossed his face.

'Fine, but that means I get to choose which drink! Ha!'

Ron jumped up and began to head towards the bar.

'Ron! Ron!'

Hermione mentally kicked herself for getting into the situation. But, the last drink *was* quite nice, she reasoned.

'Don't you even think of trying to stop me, Hermione Granger. I know quite a few drinking spells, you know!' Ron teased, and followed it with a wink.

Hermione sighed and smiled, albeit a sarcastic one, at Ron. She was defeated, and she knew it. Besides, when had Ron learned all these new spells? She was going to have to get him to teach her them one day, she decided as Ron grinned at her from the bar, holding a steaming purple concoction.