"What are you guys looking at?" Ginny asked Harry, Ron and Hermione, who were standing on tiptoes trying to peer over the crowd. There appeared to be some sort of announced on the notice board, and everyone was clustered around it trying to see.
For once, Ron was glad for his extra height. "Hogsmeade… next weekend… cool! Hogsmeade trip next weekend!"
"Oh, that's neat!" Ginny exclaimed. "I can get my Christmas shopping finished!"
Just then, Draco broke up the gang as he pushed by to see what was on the board.
"Move aside, you losers," he said with a scowl.
Harry and Ron both lunged at him, only to be held back by Ginny and Hermione.
"Save it for later when the teachers are gone," Hermione, hissed. "You guys can pummel him in Hogsmeade."
Ginny glared at Malfoy's back as he was talking to a group of Slytherin girls about lacy undergarments.
* * *
They arrived with the large group of students, eager to finish their Christmas shopping and fill their stomachs with warm butterbeer. Harry and Ron quickly ran to the Three Broomsticks to get their first rounds of butterbeers, while Hermione and Ginny did more productive things.
By the end of the day, Hermione and Ginny had shopped in every store in Hogsmeade in search of perfect Christmas presents for everyone. They joined Ron and Harry who were more than slightly tipsy and each had two butterbeers in their hands.
It was only after Hermione checked her watch that they realized that they were already five minutes late.
* * *
"Hey guys, I've got a plan," Draco told Crabbe and Goyle as he grinned devilishly.
"What is it, boss?" Crabbe and Goyle said together
"Don't you think we need a little something to take the edge off all the homework we have?"
"Sure, yeah," said Goyle.
"Well, I figure I can wait till all the students have left and the places are locked up, and then I can steal some butterbeer, you know?"
"Yeah," said Crabbe. "But… but how are you gunna get inside the store if it's closed?"
"How thick are you?" snorted Draco. "Jeez, sometimes I wonder if you even have a brain. Oh wait. Sorry, you don't." Draco paused. He started slowly as if talking sense into monkeys. "I'm going to stay here, in The Three Broomsticks, and hide until they close and everyone's gone. Then I'll come out of my hiding spot, grab some butterbeer and alcoholic beverages, and I'll walk out like I own the place."
Crabbe and Goyle looked at each other and finally Crabbe spoke up, "Yes but where are you going to hide?"
"Uh, I'll find a place." Draco said, looking around the tavern. "But you guys have to go back to the castle so you don't raise suspicion."
The two goons looked at him blankly.
"Just go back to that castle, I'll come later. Do I have to do everything for you?" he said exasperatedly. "You're late."
As Draco watched the two goons leave the Three Broomsticks, he looked around quickly for the bartender and found refuge in a near by cupboard behind the bar.
