Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, brilliantly created by J.K.
Rowling. Most situations are based on those created by J.K. Rowling.
Chapter Three: The Reunion Begins
Hermione stood in front of the mirror in the hotel room and pulled her hair back to look at her earrings. Ron, who was sitting on the bed, stopped what he was doing (trying to smooth some wrinkles out of his dress robes with his wand) and watched her. She concentrated on each ear, squinting into the mirror. Ron put down the robes and walked over to her and laid his chin on her shoulder. "You look beautiful," he said.
"Ron, I haven't seen these people in ten years," Hermione complained. "I'm not the same person I was when I graduated."
"Who is?" Ron asked. "Besides, you saw some of them last night."
"They were pretty drunk," Hermione said, referring to the crowd of Gryffindors in the Three Broomsticks. They had ended up playing a strange drinking game before Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny arrived. They greeted their former classmates, but merely had one drink with them before heading back to the hotel. Their classmates had been too drunk to come up with any coherent thoughts.
"I just want to make a good impression," Hermione said, now watching Ron's face in the mirror.
"Who do you want to impress?" Ron asked. ""Cause I can name at least three people who think you're the greatest person in the world."
Hermione smiled, and thought of Emma and Olivia. She reached down to the table and grabbed the locket Ron gave her when Olivia was born. "Help me," she said, handing the locket to Ron and holding her hair up. He helped clasp it around her throat and then leaned over and kissed her neck. She giggled, sounding very much like the person she had been ten years before.
"Ron!" she protested.
"We have time," he said.
"No, we don't," said Hermione, still smiling. "For one thing, Harry and Ginny are going to meet us downstairs in ten minutes. And second, you don't even have your dress robes on yet."
"So?" said Ron, with a gleam in his eye. "That takes care of one step already."
Hermione looked at him, and said, "Ron," firmly. He frowned to tease her, and then turned to finish straightening his robes. Now it was Hermione's turn to watch Ron. She watched him wrinkle his nose as he tried to make the spell work. Hermione smiled and sat down on the bed, and took the robes from Ron.
"Let me," she said, and in seconds the robes were straight.
"Thanks," Ron said softly. "My know-it-all."
Hermione closed the gap between them and kissed him, passionately. This time, Ron protested, "Hermione! You said we couldn't!"
"I know," she said mischievously. "But I was just giving you a preview of later. Now come on." She walked towards the door and opened it, waiting. Ron blushed and threw on his dress robes quickly, then joined her as they went downstairs to meet Harry and Ginny.
* * *
The four friends were excited as they approached the Hogwarts gates. They opened and the friends headed up the pathway until they were at the castle entrance. "Here we go," said Harry, and he pushed the door open. They walked into the castle and smiled at what they saw. Thought the entrance hall was decorated for the occasion, everything about it was nearly exactly the same as it had been ten years before when they graduated.
"Nice to know some things never change," said Ron as he walked further into the room and headed for the Great Hall.
"Ronald Weasley?!" came a small voice from across the room. "Hermione Granger?! And Harry Potter!" They three turned to see tiny Professor Flitwick making his way towards them. When he stood next to them, their height towered over him. "I also see Miss. Weasley is here as well. Or perhaps I should say Mrs. Potter?"
"Hello, Professor," said Hermione, and she reached out a hand to shake Professor Flitwick's.
"It's jolly good to see all of you here," the Professor continued. "I've seen so many friendly and familiar faces so far."
"How have the students been, Professor Flitwick?" Hermione asked, and Professor Flitwick smiled.
"None as good at repelling charms as you, Hermione," he said. "Or anything else for that matter. Though we do have some promising students. I'm sure they will make Hogwarts proud. Can we expect any little Weasleys and Potters in the near future?"
"Not for five more years, at least," said Harry. "Our son James just turned six."
"Well, I'm sure I will still be here," said Professor Flitwick. "Wouldn't dream of leaving Hogwarts." Professor Flitwick smiled and looked to his left. "Oh, look, I see Mr. Longbottom has arrived. Excuse me, I am going to say hello."
"See you later, Professor," Harry said as Professor Flitwick rushed off. They watched him greet Neville and Luna and then headed into the Great Hall. Again, almost everything about it was the same. The enchanted ceiling showed off the late evening sunshine, which the friends could only assume was going to turn into a lovely, star filled night. The house tables were set up, but shortened, leaving room for mingling and dancing.
"Same as always," said Ginny as she looked up at the ceiling.
"Hello there Harry!" came a familiar, very pleasant voice, and Harry felt a heavy hand clap down on his shoulder. Though he had reached his own full height, the form of Rubeus Hagrid still towered over him. "Knew ye'd be here. It's good ter see ye."
"Of course," said Harry. "But Hagrid, we only saw you last week."
"I know that, I know that," said Hagrid. "Must be the spirit of the reunion, though. Makes it seem different."
"I know what you mean, Hagrid," said Hermione.
"How are the little ones?" Hagrid asked.
"With my mum," said Ron, "probably being spoiled rotten and having a wonderful time."
"I hope we'll see you next month at Olivia's birthday party," said Hermione.
"Of course, of course," said Hagrid. "Have I ever let one of yer wee ones down?"
"Never," Ginny agreed.
"Ah, here comes Professor Dumbledore. He'll be wantin' ter say hello," said Hagrid, and he waved to show Professor Dumbledore where he was. The older man walked towards them and was soon standing directly in front of him. If it was even possible, he beard seemed whiter since the last time they had seen him.
"Why, my favorite students," he said with a smile. "Glad you're here."
"We're glad to be here," said Ginny, and she blushed, still shy to be talking to the Headmaster of Hogwarts.
"Should be a lovely night," said Dumbledore. "The gardens are all decorated especially. I was just out there myself, putting some of the finishing touches on them." He looked at the four friends with a smile. "Have you seen many of your classmates yet."
"Sort of," said Harry. "Some of the Gryffindors met up in the Three Broomsticks last night, but they got a little.. rowdy, I suppose."
"Looks like almost everyone is here," said Dumbledore. "I'm sure we'll cross paths some other time this evening. For now, I'll leave you to meet and greet." The friends smiled and watched as Professor Dumbledore and Hagrid headed off in another direction to say hello to more students.
"Think you'll see Dobby tonight?" Ron asked, knowing the house elf regularly visited Harry on his days off and was still pleased as punch to work at Hogwarts.
"Maybe," said Harry. "Though he'll be disappointed that the kids aren't here. He likes James and Lily because they're closer to his height." Ron laughed, and Hermione looked at him. Deep down she still had a soft spot for the treatment of house elves, though she had long before given up on S.P.E.W.
"Hermione! Hermione!" called a voice, and Hermione looked to see Parvati Patil and her twin sister Padma heading for them. When they reached them, Parvati surprised Hermione by pulling hugging her. "It's good to see you again!"
"Good to see you too," said Hermione genuinely.
"And Ron and Harry!" Parvati exclaimed. "Good to see you too!" She hugged each one of them as well, and then turned to Ginny and hugged her as well. "And it's good to see you're all here together. Can I assume you're married now?" She was addressed her question to Harry and Ginny, as she had been present at Ron and Hermione's wedding. Ginny nodded.
"Seven years now," she said. "What about you?"
"Engaged," she said. "The wedding is next January."
"Congratulations," said Hermione, and she looked at the hand Parvati held out for them to see her engagement ring. "Anyone we know?"
"Oh no," said Parvati. "No one from Hogwarts, if that's what you mean. I met him in America. He's a wizard though. He attended a wizarding school over there, Salem Academy. You know it?"
"I've read about it," said Hermione.
Parvati smiled, "Of course," she said. "Always reading." She smiled again, and gestured to her sister. "But the best news is that I'm an auntie now!"
"Oh," said Ginny. "Did you have a baby, Padma?"
This time it was Padma's turn to smile, "Yes. His name is David, and he's only two months old now."
"Padma's husband didn't even come along because she didn't want to leave Davey with a baby-sitter."
"Well, I understand that. Our kids are with Ron's mum, and I trust her with all my heart, but it still feels weird," said Hermione.
"Oh! You have children? Can I see pictures?" Parvati asked. Hermione nodded, and nudged Ron, who took out his wallet, where he had recent pictures of Emma and Olivia. Harry prepared for Parvati's next question by taking out his own pictures of James and Lily. Parvati gushed over the four children, and then urged Padma to show off her own pictures of her children.
"What are you doing now?" Parvati asked. "I mean, as far as work goes?"
"I've been a Healer at St. Mungo's for the past six years," said Ron.
"And Ginny and I run our own practice, actually," said Hermione. "We're Mind Readers."
"Wow," said Parvati. "Maybe I'll come in to see you sometime. I could always do with an analysis of the crazy thoughts in my head." Ginny and Hermione laughed.
"I'm dying to hear more about it," said Parvati. "But I want to say hello to Seamus and Dean. Stay right here and I'll come back!"
Parvati, pulling Padma along, walked across the room. Ginny and Hermione turned back to Harry and Ron. "We're going to have A LOT of the same conversation tonight, aren't we?" Hermione asked.
Ron put his arm around Hermione. "Of course," said Ron. "That's what these reunions are all about." He smiled. "Want something to drink?"
"Sure," said Hermione.
"Come on, Harry," said Ron, and he and Harry headed off in the direction of the bar that had been set up in the Great Hall. When they returned, they saw Professor McGonagall standing at the staff table, gesturing the room to be quiet.
"I know Professor Dumbledore usually makes the announcements," she said. "But I just wanted to extend my wishes and welcome to all of you. I can see that almost the entire class is present, and I am glad. So, please, enjoy the night!" The crowd in the room applauded, and then Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione walked around to seek more people they could catch up with.
Chapter Three: The Reunion Begins
Hermione stood in front of the mirror in the hotel room and pulled her hair back to look at her earrings. Ron, who was sitting on the bed, stopped what he was doing (trying to smooth some wrinkles out of his dress robes with his wand) and watched her. She concentrated on each ear, squinting into the mirror. Ron put down the robes and walked over to her and laid his chin on her shoulder. "You look beautiful," he said.
"Ron, I haven't seen these people in ten years," Hermione complained. "I'm not the same person I was when I graduated."
"Who is?" Ron asked. "Besides, you saw some of them last night."
"They were pretty drunk," Hermione said, referring to the crowd of Gryffindors in the Three Broomsticks. They had ended up playing a strange drinking game before Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny arrived. They greeted their former classmates, but merely had one drink with them before heading back to the hotel. Their classmates had been too drunk to come up with any coherent thoughts.
"I just want to make a good impression," Hermione said, now watching Ron's face in the mirror.
"Who do you want to impress?" Ron asked. ""Cause I can name at least three people who think you're the greatest person in the world."
Hermione smiled, and thought of Emma and Olivia. She reached down to the table and grabbed the locket Ron gave her when Olivia was born. "Help me," she said, handing the locket to Ron and holding her hair up. He helped clasp it around her throat and then leaned over and kissed her neck. She giggled, sounding very much like the person she had been ten years before.
"Ron!" she protested.
"We have time," he said.
"No, we don't," said Hermione, still smiling. "For one thing, Harry and Ginny are going to meet us downstairs in ten minutes. And second, you don't even have your dress robes on yet."
"So?" said Ron, with a gleam in his eye. "That takes care of one step already."
Hermione looked at him, and said, "Ron," firmly. He frowned to tease her, and then turned to finish straightening his robes. Now it was Hermione's turn to watch Ron. She watched him wrinkle his nose as he tried to make the spell work. Hermione smiled and sat down on the bed, and took the robes from Ron.
"Let me," she said, and in seconds the robes were straight.
"Thanks," Ron said softly. "My know-it-all."
Hermione closed the gap between them and kissed him, passionately. This time, Ron protested, "Hermione! You said we couldn't!"
"I know," she said mischievously. "But I was just giving you a preview of later. Now come on." She walked towards the door and opened it, waiting. Ron blushed and threw on his dress robes quickly, then joined her as they went downstairs to meet Harry and Ginny.
* * *
The four friends were excited as they approached the Hogwarts gates. They opened and the friends headed up the pathway until they were at the castle entrance. "Here we go," said Harry, and he pushed the door open. They walked into the castle and smiled at what they saw. Thought the entrance hall was decorated for the occasion, everything about it was nearly exactly the same as it had been ten years before when they graduated.
"Nice to know some things never change," said Ron as he walked further into the room and headed for the Great Hall.
"Ronald Weasley?!" came a small voice from across the room. "Hermione Granger?! And Harry Potter!" They three turned to see tiny Professor Flitwick making his way towards them. When he stood next to them, their height towered over him. "I also see Miss. Weasley is here as well. Or perhaps I should say Mrs. Potter?"
"Hello, Professor," said Hermione, and she reached out a hand to shake Professor Flitwick's.
"It's jolly good to see all of you here," the Professor continued. "I've seen so many friendly and familiar faces so far."
"How have the students been, Professor Flitwick?" Hermione asked, and Professor Flitwick smiled.
"None as good at repelling charms as you, Hermione," he said. "Or anything else for that matter. Though we do have some promising students. I'm sure they will make Hogwarts proud. Can we expect any little Weasleys and Potters in the near future?"
"Not for five more years, at least," said Harry. "Our son James just turned six."
"Well, I'm sure I will still be here," said Professor Flitwick. "Wouldn't dream of leaving Hogwarts." Professor Flitwick smiled and looked to his left. "Oh, look, I see Mr. Longbottom has arrived. Excuse me, I am going to say hello."
"See you later, Professor," Harry said as Professor Flitwick rushed off. They watched him greet Neville and Luna and then headed into the Great Hall. Again, almost everything about it was the same. The enchanted ceiling showed off the late evening sunshine, which the friends could only assume was going to turn into a lovely, star filled night. The house tables were set up, but shortened, leaving room for mingling and dancing.
"Same as always," said Ginny as she looked up at the ceiling.
"Hello there Harry!" came a familiar, very pleasant voice, and Harry felt a heavy hand clap down on his shoulder. Though he had reached his own full height, the form of Rubeus Hagrid still towered over him. "Knew ye'd be here. It's good ter see ye."
"Of course," said Harry. "But Hagrid, we only saw you last week."
"I know that, I know that," said Hagrid. "Must be the spirit of the reunion, though. Makes it seem different."
"I know what you mean, Hagrid," said Hermione.
"How are the little ones?" Hagrid asked.
"With my mum," said Ron, "probably being spoiled rotten and having a wonderful time."
"I hope we'll see you next month at Olivia's birthday party," said Hermione.
"Of course, of course," said Hagrid. "Have I ever let one of yer wee ones down?"
"Never," Ginny agreed.
"Ah, here comes Professor Dumbledore. He'll be wantin' ter say hello," said Hagrid, and he waved to show Professor Dumbledore where he was. The older man walked towards them and was soon standing directly in front of him. If it was even possible, he beard seemed whiter since the last time they had seen him.
"Why, my favorite students," he said with a smile. "Glad you're here."
"We're glad to be here," said Ginny, and she blushed, still shy to be talking to the Headmaster of Hogwarts.
"Should be a lovely night," said Dumbledore. "The gardens are all decorated especially. I was just out there myself, putting some of the finishing touches on them." He looked at the four friends with a smile. "Have you seen many of your classmates yet."
"Sort of," said Harry. "Some of the Gryffindors met up in the Three Broomsticks last night, but they got a little.. rowdy, I suppose."
"Looks like almost everyone is here," said Dumbledore. "I'm sure we'll cross paths some other time this evening. For now, I'll leave you to meet and greet." The friends smiled and watched as Professor Dumbledore and Hagrid headed off in another direction to say hello to more students.
"Think you'll see Dobby tonight?" Ron asked, knowing the house elf regularly visited Harry on his days off and was still pleased as punch to work at Hogwarts.
"Maybe," said Harry. "Though he'll be disappointed that the kids aren't here. He likes James and Lily because they're closer to his height." Ron laughed, and Hermione looked at him. Deep down she still had a soft spot for the treatment of house elves, though she had long before given up on S.P.E.W.
"Hermione! Hermione!" called a voice, and Hermione looked to see Parvati Patil and her twin sister Padma heading for them. When they reached them, Parvati surprised Hermione by pulling hugging her. "It's good to see you again!"
"Good to see you too," said Hermione genuinely.
"And Ron and Harry!" Parvati exclaimed. "Good to see you too!" She hugged each one of them as well, and then turned to Ginny and hugged her as well. "And it's good to see you're all here together. Can I assume you're married now?" She was addressed her question to Harry and Ginny, as she had been present at Ron and Hermione's wedding. Ginny nodded.
"Seven years now," she said. "What about you?"
"Engaged," she said. "The wedding is next January."
"Congratulations," said Hermione, and she looked at the hand Parvati held out for them to see her engagement ring. "Anyone we know?"
"Oh no," said Parvati. "No one from Hogwarts, if that's what you mean. I met him in America. He's a wizard though. He attended a wizarding school over there, Salem Academy. You know it?"
"I've read about it," said Hermione.
Parvati smiled, "Of course," she said. "Always reading." She smiled again, and gestured to her sister. "But the best news is that I'm an auntie now!"
"Oh," said Ginny. "Did you have a baby, Padma?"
This time it was Padma's turn to smile, "Yes. His name is David, and he's only two months old now."
"Padma's husband didn't even come along because she didn't want to leave Davey with a baby-sitter."
"Well, I understand that. Our kids are with Ron's mum, and I trust her with all my heart, but it still feels weird," said Hermione.
"Oh! You have children? Can I see pictures?" Parvati asked. Hermione nodded, and nudged Ron, who took out his wallet, where he had recent pictures of Emma and Olivia. Harry prepared for Parvati's next question by taking out his own pictures of James and Lily. Parvati gushed over the four children, and then urged Padma to show off her own pictures of her children.
"What are you doing now?" Parvati asked. "I mean, as far as work goes?"
"I've been a Healer at St. Mungo's for the past six years," said Ron.
"And Ginny and I run our own practice, actually," said Hermione. "We're Mind Readers."
"Wow," said Parvati. "Maybe I'll come in to see you sometime. I could always do with an analysis of the crazy thoughts in my head." Ginny and Hermione laughed.
"I'm dying to hear more about it," said Parvati. "But I want to say hello to Seamus and Dean. Stay right here and I'll come back!"
Parvati, pulling Padma along, walked across the room. Ginny and Hermione turned back to Harry and Ron. "We're going to have A LOT of the same conversation tonight, aren't we?" Hermione asked.
Ron put his arm around Hermione. "Of course," said Ron. "That's what these reunions are all about." He smiled. "Want something to drink?"
"Sure," said Hermione.
"Come on, Harry," said Ron, and he and Harry headed off in the direction of the bar that had been set up in the Great Hall. When they returned, they saw Professor McGonagall standing at the staff table, gesturing the room to be quiet.
"I know Professor Dumbledore usually makes the announcements," she said. "But I just wanted to extend my wishes and welcome to all of you. I can see that almost the entire class is present, and I am glad. So, please, enjoy the night!" The crowd in the room applauded, and then Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione walked around to seek more people they could catch up with.