Chapter 10: See what is now

Hermione went to see Ginny, Harry and Ron the next day and tried to forget about everything that happened the other day. She didn't try to tell them about it either, she decided to keep it to herself for now.

"So how was work yesterday?" Harry asked her.

"Fine," she forced a smile.

"Wanna go to the Leaky Cauldon for butterbeers, guys?" asked Ron the always-been-a-sweets-addict.

Hermione hesitated, "Um, we can always try something new," she paused,"Why don't we try the ice cream shop?"

"Do they have butterbeer there?" Ron asked rhetorically.

"Well, no..."

"Exactly!" Ron smirked.

Ginny and Harry shrugged, as they walked towards the Leaky Cauldron. Hermione reluctantly stepped inside the store, hoping she won't see.... anyone else.

Harry and Ron picked a spot right near the door. When Ginny was right about to sit down—

"Why don't we go to our old spot?" she pointed to the darker side of the store, where they usually always sit on.

"Um, we can always try something new," Ron winked, "What's wrong with here?"

"Yeah?" Harry asked, just trying to be part of the conversation.

"I -dunno..." Hermione looked down at her feet, "It doesn't matter. Here's good."

Hermione tried not to look up. She didn't even offer to go get the butterbeers for them. Harry got up to order, instead.

"What's wrong, 'Mione?" Ginny asked tenderly.

Hermione looked up, trying to keep herself calm. She shook her head slowly, "Nothing...nothing's wrong, Gin" she bit her lip. Does she notice that she's practically...lying to her best friends?

I'll tell them sometime, she told herself. She was so caged in with thoughts from "the other day".

Eventually, Harry got back with four butterbeers in a tray.

They talked for a long while. They talked about Hogwarts, and their future plans. They talked about old school friends, events and memories.

Ginny laughed, "Remember that time Ron got a howler?"

Everyone laughed, except Ron.

"Remember when Ginny couldn't stop talking about Harry?!" Ron shot back. Ginny's cheeks turned pink.

"Oh, very nice comeback," she rolled her eyes.

"Hey, what about that time we turned into Malfoy's double bird-brained sidekicks," Harry chuckled, "Good old day's!"

Hermione's hair behind her neck stood up. She shivered inside as Harry mentioned his name.

"And what about that time when Harry kept encountering near-death experiences and You-Know-Who kept back?!" Ron said sarcastically. He didn't like talking about things he...simply didn't like.

The three others looked up at him blankly.

"Sorry..." Ron muttered.

"So, how's the Weasley twins been, Ron?" Hermione changed the subject.

"Great" Ron replied, sipping his butterbeer.

"Yeah, they're working on Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and it's doing quite well!" Ginny smiled.

"They're openining next year," Ron nodded.

After a whole hour of just talking and drinking butterbeer, they've decided to do their weekend shopping.

"Hey, 'Mione," Ron said, "Do you still want to go to that ice cream parlor?"

"Sure," Ginny dragged Hermione, as they all walked towards the Ice cream shop.

"Haven't you had enough? After all that butterbeer?" Hermione asked Ron, who seem to have two stomachs.

"I don't mind," Harry replied.

As they sat down on a table of four, they waited for someone to take their order. As Hermione sat on her seat, she happened to look at the next table beside her...and the table next to that.

Oh, look what luck brought me now¸ Hermione rolled her eyes.

....

A/n: Yeah, another short one-

Thanks again to old reviewers and new!

Sunshine*girl-Hermione
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The Charmed One