A/N Sorry didn't post this with chap 3 like I said but here tis….Ok well chapter 4's a bit of a continuation of chapter 3….sorry not a lot happens in this chap but I'm getting there. Things are gonna happen soon! People are going to get a lot drunker…secrets will be revealed….who knows there may even be some sex (whoo hooo) down the line. But please keep reading and r/v if you do *hint hint*.

Thanks for r/v Nausicaa-mione!

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Chapter 4

The three finished their first cocktail quickly and Hermione made up the next one. "This one's called a Fluffy Duck" she said handing a glass to Ron.

"Um it's not like a canary cream by any chance is it?" asked Ron suspiciously looking at his drink.

"Ron!" said Harry and Hermione together "just drink it".

Harry and Ron sat on the bar stools leaning on the bar sipping their drinks while Hermione stood on the other side propped on one elbow. Jazz music played in the background.

"So Harry. Who have you got your eye on for your next conquest" asked Ron with an evil glance in Harry's direction.

"Oh you know….I was thinking of asking out Madison Valance. But she's probably not really up to my standards". Madison Valance was a famous pop singer in the magical world and the idol of most teenage wizards.

"Dream on Harry" Ron said "I mean we all know you're the boy-who-lived and all that but honestly".

Harry laughed. "Hey Hermes what about you? You after anyone?"

"If only you knew" thought Hermione with an inward sigh. "Well I mean apart from you Harry no one really compares. So I guess I'll end up some old maid".

"Oh Hermes you know you're the only woman for me" said Harry leaning over and cuddling up to her.

"Wow her hair smells really good" Harry thought as he pressed his cheek against Hermione's in a mock display of affection.

"What about you Ron?" asked Hermione pushing Harry away. While she loved being close to him like that it was also painful as she knew he only thought of her as a friend.

"Yeah Ron! So when are you going to get a girlfriend?" Harry seconded.

"Great drink Hermione lets have the next one" Ron said quickly changing the topic. Something he seemed to do a lot Harry had noticed, whenever the subject of him and girls came up. "Could he be gay?" Harry wondered thinking of how Ron had massaged his head while putting in the hair gel. "Harry that's just stupid! And even if he was as if he would fancy you" Harry thought with an inward grin.

~*~

For the next cocktail Hermione made them Long Island iced teas which all three finished quite quickly. Hermione had begun to feel quite relaxed and also happier. Everything seemed to be a lot less worrisome for some reason. Even the Harry problem didn't seem like such a big deal. Hermione leaned forward to put her glass down and found herself swaying slightly. She began to laugh quite loudly for what seemed like a long time. Harry and Ron laughed too although the three of them had no idea what was so funny.

"Hahahah Her Her Her Hermes what was in that last drink?" said Harry through his laughter.

"Mmmmmm it was a love potion to seduce you by" replied Hermione in a seductive voice leaning over to look into Harry's eyes.

For the first time Harry found himself really seeing the colour of her eyes. They were a warm chocolate brown fringed by long dark lashes. Harry noticed the tiny spray of freckles across the smooth tanned skin of her nose and her full soft red lips. He felt a tightening in his stomach as their gazes held.

"Oh of course!" said Harry pulling himself back onto his chair "Because I mean I know how in love with me you are Hermes. Who wouldn't be I'm irresistible".

Ron made pretend gagging noises beside him. "If anyone's irresistible around here it's me" he said preening his hair.

"Yeah irresistible to Hags".

"Irresistible to Veelas you mean". Harry and Ron bantered.

"So what is the next drink Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Right" said Hermione rolling up her sleeved and taking out her wand. "Ade, Ademismoko". The glasses she was pointing at suddenly flew off the table one landing in Ron's lap. Hermione started and then burst out laughing.

"Oh wondrous one can't even get a simple mixing spell right" Ron said picking up the glass out of his lap and placing it back on the counter.

"What's happening to me" Hermione thought. "I've NEVER got such as simple spell wrong before". For some reason this thought made her laugh even more. "Let me try again" she said "Ademis…ademiss" the word trailed off into a fit of snorts and laughs as Hermione leant over the counter with her hair falling into Ron's lap.

"Maybe we should just stick with something simple like vodka's and coke" said Harry pouring them all a glass.

"Oh my God I think I need to sit down somewhere" said Hermione through her laughter.

"Yeah good idea" said Harry waving his wand at the armchairs and transfiguring them into hundreds of large soft cushions.

"Know what's a good idea" said Ron "Making sure Hermione doesn't have access to her wand for the next six hours!".

"Nice one Ron. I'm not that drunk" said Hermione walking over to the cushions. "See I can walk" she said as she swayed and fell over onto the cushions.

~*~

Harry walked over carrying his drink and sat down next to the lying Hermione. Ron sat across from them. Hermione stopped laughing and sat up finding herself right next to Harry. "I'd better cut back on the drinks for a bit" she thought. Harry and Ron sipped their drinks as the three chatted about past events at Hogwarts and who was kissing who and how much money they would have to be paid to shag various staff members.

"You know what" said Ron "we should play some kind of game".

"Oh yeah" said Hermione "like in those American College movies. And everyone ends up having an orgy".

"Ahhhh right…" said Ron. "I was thinking along the lines of something a bit more tame. Like cards".

"Strip poker" said Harry.

"I'm up for it if you are" said Ron "but everyone has to play properly and no backing out. Hermes?"

"Yeah sure I'll do it" Hermione answered. "I might need another drink though. You guys seem to be one up on me".

"Ok but only if you promise to be a good girl" said Harry as though he were talking to a six year old child asking if she could have a cookie.

"I'm always a good girl" said Hermione in a alluring low pitched voice staring at Harry from under her lashes. Harry felt that jolt in his stomach again as he looked into her brown eyes. For some reason he found himself imagining what it would be like to lean over and kiss Hermione right then. "Wow Harry" he thought "I'm sure she'd really appreciate that! She'd probably give you a good slap and walk out the door. How come he'd never noticed how pretty Hermione was before? It was like all of a sudden she was a different person. "Could I possibly like Hermione?" Harry wondered. "This is incredible, I mean we're just friends". "You don't feel like kissing a friend Harry" a voice said in his head. "Besides think realistically. You are the last person Hermione would ever like like that. You've been just friends for too long."

"Here you go Hermes" said Harry waving his wand making her glass fly over from the bar.

"Ok lets get started" said Ron as a pack of cards appeared in front of them. "Now everyone knows the rules and no backing out. If you lose a hand you lose an item of clothing".

"And no cheating" said Hermione noticing Harry surreptitiously trying to conceal his wand down his sleeve. "Wands here boys" she said placing their three wands in a pile behind them. "No magic allowed. Now let's get started. Who wants to deal?".

~*~