A/N This is only going to be the parties. It'd take too long otherwise.
Chapter Sixteen*~~
Harry stumbled slightly as he moved out of the fireplace. Ron stood waiting. "You didn't even fall," Ron said, impressed. Harry glared daggers at him.
"I hadn't Flooed for a five year period and then I did it splendidly. I can live without your sarcasm," he said dryly. Ron shrugged and gave a devilish smile.
"Harry! Ron!" The two teenagers turned to see Bill grinning at them.
"Hello, Bill," Ron said, rolling his eyes. Bill grinned and pulled his brother into a fierce hug.
"Wotcher, Billy," Harry mimicked Tonks's usual greeting to Bill.
"Trying to be clever?" Bill asked, giving Harry a hug that matched Ron's.
"Not trying," Harry said. "I naturally am."
"Ha ha," Bill retorted.
"You know," Fred said, walking over, beer in hand. "We're at a bachelor's party, right?"
"Obviously," Charlie said, joining them and giving the new arrivals quick hugs.
"And there's supposed to be drinking and strippers and jokes and belches and farts and so on, correct?" Fred continued.
"What are you on about?" asked Percy. He had come up behind Fred with George at his side. Harry decided that Bill and Charlie had done well by advising their brother to make up with Penny. Harry also recognized the demeanor of someone who was no longer a virgin.
"I think that my dear twin is trying to hint at the fact that these dear youngins should be introduced to liquor," George said slyly.
"Here then," Percy said casually, handing them each a beer. Harry opened it easily and looked Percy up and down.
"Did you and Penny have a nice time then?" asked Harry sweetly. "Has she moved into your flat yet?" Percy choked on his glass of vodka. Harry snorted. "Not used to those comments?" Then he tipped the bottle to Percy and took a sip. Immediately he glared at him.
"Like my drink?" asked Percy casually.
"Stop having sex," Harry advised after he had swallowed it defiantly. Inside the bottle was a mix of a few liquids Harry really didn't want to know. He took Ron's bottle and moved to go dump them out. At the last moment he darted back with amazing speed and dumped them over Percy.
"That was uncalled for!" sputtered the wet Weasley.
"Ah, I must say, Penny is very lucky," smirked Harry.
"Come on," Charlie said. "Here are some real beers." Ron and Harry tipped them to the other men gathered around them and simultaneously swigged the down.
Their little group broke up to mingle with other men. Fred and George dragged Percy off to show him how to enter in a belching contest.
"Think they'll ever figure out that Sirius and Remus have been teaching us the secret art of drinking?" asked Ron.
"No," Harry said. "And this is really weak."
"Wonder how long it'll take for us to get them to give us whiskey?" asked Ron.
"Hopefully not that long," Harry said. He quickly added vodka to their drinks and downed some more before they headed over to talk to Lee Jordan.
It was around an hour longer before there was a knock at the door. Charlie grinned and opened it. He had already explained to them that as best man he had taken the liberty of hiring muggle strippers.
"Do we really want to see this?" asked Ron.
"You would if it was Mione," Harry muttered back.
"Scared?" teased Fred form across the room. They glared at him.
~Just for that, I can't wait,~ Ron thought vituperatively to his best friend.
~Fiesty?~ asked Harry teasingly.
~He thinks were silly little teenagers!~
~We are.~ Harry trailed off. ~However, I'm more like twenty-one than sixteen. Unlike SOME people.~ Harry was swiftly shoved off of his chair. He laughed and sat back down.
"Whiskey?" asked Bill, grinning evilly.
"Why thanks," Harry said sweetly. 'I need a bit of this. Not nearly as strong as the elves' drinks but it will do.'
"I'm honored," Ron said dryly. Harry grinned. He turned to toast Ron, ignoring the music and the hoots that obviously meant the girls were dancing. They clinked glasses and Harry turned back.
He took a drink and was about to swallow it when he caught site of the girl dancing on the table in front of him. He spit the liquor out.
"Can't take it, mate?" taunted Charlie, sitting down. "Nice view?" Harry quickly gulped down all of his drink. He shook his head.
"Her," he choked, pointing. The girl was tall and willowy with a certain grace. It wasn't the short black leather skirt or the dark blue halter or the tall black boots but the face and hair and eyes.
Her hair was blunt black with wavy jade green streaks. Her eyes glowed a majestic grey. Her face was soft set with a defiant chin and a long nose. Her ear tips were a bright red.
"She hasn't even begun to remove her clothes," Bill said carefully. "Maybe you and Ron-"
"Not that!" Harry snapped irritably. "I KNOW her. I KISSED her!" All of the Weasley boys were gathered around him and they began choking and sputtering. Harry quickly summoned more whiskey.
The dancer hopped down and moved to dance for Percy, grinding against him. He glanced between her and Harry. As the song ended, she turned to look at Harry. "Jistone?" she asked softly, eyes wide. "P-"
"Stuff it," snapped Harry, eyes sharp. "What on earth are you doing here, Jenariling?"
"I'm Jennifer," sniffed the girl stubbornly.
"You really did it?" he asked, reaching his hands up to feel her ears. She winced visibly. "Do they hurt?"
"You try having part of your ear chopped off!" she cried.
"Harry?" questioned Charlie.
"This is Jennifer," Harry said. "She was formerly known as the elf Jenariling."
"Since the War of Royal Blood," she glanced quickly at Harry who shook his head. "I haven't liked the way things were done. I don't agree with what the Lord and Lady are doing. I decided to leave the elves and live as a human. Now, because of our laws, I had to have my ears made to human ones. They're a bit sore. And my immortality has been given up."
"Jen used to be a Royal Guard," Harry said. "That's how I met her. We had a bit of a fling."
"With no sex," Jen added at the boys' looks.
"Well then, this is awkward," Bill said sardonically.
"You know a stripper," pointed out Percy.
"I'm an exotic dancer," corrected Jen.
"Kiss him," suggested Fred evilly.
"Only to defy," whispered Jen as she locked her lips on Harry's. She pulled back a few seconds later and made a face. "Human liquor is rather weak."
"Tell me about it," Harry muttered. "You know. I think I know someone you should meet." He dragged Jen over to one of Charlie's friends.
"Duke, this is Jen. Jen, this is Duke. Now scurry off and snog," Harry said with a cheery wave. He leaned against the bar, a ways away from the dancers.
"You okay?" asked Ron.
"Didn't really want to be kissed," Harry said resentfully. "At least not by her. She's nice and all but I don't need any more emotions. Especially not old ones."
~How's the party?~ came Ginny's mind voice.
~Fine, thanks,~ Ron said sweetly.
~So, good entertainment?~ asked Hermione. Both boys grimaced and glanced over at the girls who now wore only their knickers.
~Sure,~ the chorused.
~Ah, the strippers are there,~ Ginny said.
~No doubt,~ agreed Hermione.
~What're you doing?~ asked Ron, trying to steer their minds away from the dancers.
~Playing a game called Balderdash. Only with liquor,~ reported Hermione.
~Either of you know what gloam is?~ asked Ginny.
~Dusk,~ Harry said.
~Pooey, now she'll get it right too,~ came Hermione. They saw her mental mock pout. They all laughed mentally. Ron and Harry chuckled out loud and took a drink.
~Biffin?~ asked Hermione moments later.
~Something with an apple,~ Ginny said. ~I can't remember what.~
~Have fun,~ Harry said. Ron gave a mental smile before the boys broke off.
"Biffin?" asked Ron out loud. The two started cracking up.
"Wasted?" asked Remus, raising an eyebrow.
"We thought we'd trained you better," Sirius said.
"What's biffin?" asked Harry, ignoring them. He had sensed their presence in the middle of their mind chat.
"A dark red cooking apple," said Remus. He took Harry's glass and dumped something into it. "Wolf's Brew."
"Right," Harry said. He took a drink and tasted something that appealed to his favorite animagi form. "This better not be blood."
"Kappa blood mixed with French wine and rum. Good poculation," Remus said grinning. "Your dad made it for me as a joke. We never guessed I'd like it."
"Good," Harry said. He downed his drink and conjured another. They all laughed. "Nice to see you find my drinking so amusing."
Soon enough, the dancers had all vanished. They had presumably passed out or found someone to take to a room. Now, Fred and George were dancing on top of the table like folk dancers, tankards clutched in their hands singing an Irish drinking song.
"Let the experts have a go!" called Sirius. Fred and George hopped down and Sirius and Remus climbed up, grinning. They clanked tankards and began a drinking dance and a pirate's drinking song.
Harry thought of the Dwarf Elves that he had met in the Elvin Realm. They were peaceful elves that never fought and usually stayed out of wars- no matter the cost. They lived in the Kettlebank. Dwarf Elves were a race of short elves. They loved drinking as well and hand a great many songs.
"Anyone want to learn a new song?" asked Harry as Sirius and Remus finished. "It's something I learned this summer." The people who knew he had lived with elves felt their interest spark. "It's called 'Down at the Jaded Mushroom.'"
"Almost as good as 'Ketllebank's Ale,'" came Jen. He smiled at her, her arm linked with Duke's. "Duke, if you'll excuse me?" Duke smiled at her and removed his arm from hers.
"Lass Jena," Hary offered a tankard. She grinned and they climbed up. He transfigured her clothes to what looked like an old fashioned under dress in a well worn white.
"Stay out of my drawers," came the sour reply. "Gross, Grethamine's pukes stain is still on the sleeve." Harry removed the stain and raised his tankard. She grinned and bunched her skirts up.
They sang a few cheery drinking songs as they danced familiar dances. Then they taught the words and steps to the rest. Soon, the room was a loud choir singing the Dwarf Elves' favorite songs.
Eventually they tired. A few people left and a few passed out but most remained. "Anyone know how to fence?" asked Remus. He and Sirius were a tad tipsy but they held their liquor better than anyone else in the room- save Harry and Ron and Jen, who sporadically would vanish with Duke.
"Me!" called one of Bill's friends from Egypt. "Why?" He was rather sober. Sirius performed a sobering charm on him and then on Harry. The tiny buzz Harry felt lifted. They all knew it would last only an hour.
"Sirius?" asked Harry. "What're you two up to?"
"We would like to see you fence," Remus said as though it were palpable.
"No," Harry said flatly.
"Just for fun," Sirius said, rolling his eyes.
"Fine," Harry muttered. He stooped behind the bar and conjured to fencing suits and swords then carried them out.
Once they were properly dressed, Harry and Moss (that really is an Egyptian name) stood on the long platform of tables. At Sirius's cue, they began fencing. Harry quickly found that Moss was good with footwork but his attacks were on the meager side.
Moss locked their swords and bore down on Harry, trying to force him to the ground. Moss clearly was larger than the thin Harry. But Harry threw him off and made a quick, plain attack and sent the sword across the room- removing it from his opponent's grip. Moss grinned.
"Nice work," he said and shook Harry's hand. "Who are you?"
"Harry," he replied, removing his helmet and wiping off his sweaty forehead.
"Harry Potter?" asked Moss, elevating an eyebrow.
"Might as well be Weasley," Ron said. The other Weasley boys nodded in agreement and Harry forced down his blush.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (this is happening at the same time) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ginny and Hermione were greeted by Elle. "Hello!" she said brightly. They kissed on each cheek and then repeated the process with Fleur. For good measure they dd the same with all the women gathered.
"Hello," Hermione said to a woman she didn't recognize. "I'm Hermione Granger. Who are you?"
The woman smiled. She had silky looking brownie colored spiral curls cut to her chin. "I'm May Laux."
"Oh! You're THE May!" squealed Hermione.
"So, you've met Aunt May, Quill?" came Ginny's laugh filled voice. Hermione grinned.
"Before Harry," she said delightedly.
"Harry Potter?" asked May, sitting down with the two girls.
"Yup, he's our best mate," Ginny explained. "Remember when we last saw you? Before my first year and after Ron's? He was telling us stories about Mione and Ron."
"Oh yes! I hear that you've formed the Marauders again," May said, eye's dancing.
"That's true," Ginny said.
"I've kept in touch with Melanie," May said.
"And Remus Lupin?" questioned Hermione. May went pink.
"I had a crush on him school but we were good friends," May muttered. "I never told him. Then Lily and James died and there was everything with Sirius and Peter and. we were both too lost in thoughts that we didn't understand. He doesn't even know that I knew he was a werewolf for YEARS."
"He likes you," Ginny said, handing her two companions wine glasses filled with chilled white wine.
"Don't be ridicules," May said, her flush deepening.
"Ah, but he does," Tonks announced, falling onto the couch and spilling a bit of her beer. "Ooops.."
"Circle!" called Mel. She gave May a kiss on the cheek and was given one in return.
The women and girls all sat in a circle. "We are having male underwear models coming over later," Katie Bell announced. There were cheers. Katie grinned. "But until then, we have games to play!"
"Someone get the vodka!" called Angelina. Fleur and Penny were already bringing it over. They gave everyone a tropical drink glass and filled it with the liquor.
"Now then," directed Alicia. "Slap your legs twice, and snap you fingers twice." Soon they all had the rthem.
"We choose a category," Angelina said. "Then, we go around the circle saying something under that category. You use the alphabet and start at A. Then you keep working through it. You have to say you word before the end of the snaps or you chug your drink and answer a truth question."
"Brilliant!" cried Elle. "I love it!" They all chuckled and split into smaller circles. The wedding party and ushers and Katie made one group. Fleur chose the category.
"Magical animals," she announced.
"Apperlinc."
"Buggart."
"Catapoltin."
"Darko."
"E.e."
"MAY!" cried Mel, her hands over her eyes. "And you call yourself friend of the Marauders. I am ashamed!" May glared at her.
"Alright," Angelina said. "Drink." May quickly drank the alcohol. It burned down her throat. "Since you went before her, you ask the question Katie."
"Who is it you fancy?" asked Katie curiously. May was scarlet.
"Remus Lupin," she murmured. They continued to play. Hermione was asked how far she and Ron had gone (fondling), Fleur who had her virginity (some blue haired man she met when drunk), Angelina if she's ever seen Fred or George naked (yes, both), and many other many other questions. Eventually Ginny missed a beat.
"Do you still fancy Harry?" asked Tonks brightly.
"Yes," Ginny said stoutly. "I've decided not to dwell on it though. He doesn't like me. It's simple really. We're friends now and that's fine. Better than not knowing him at all."
"But who did you fall for?" asked Penny. "The-Boy-Who-Lived or Harry?" Ginny was silent for a moment and drank some of her white wine.
"I fell for the Boy-Who-Lived when I was six years old and I read books about him and his parents. I imagined him like the man his father was described as. And when Ron became such good friends with him, it only fueled my feelings. And then, I got to know him and I fell for Harry. Just Harry. I guess I've fallen in love twice. Once with a legend and once with a friend and they've the same name and face and body."
"That was deep," Tonks said softly.
"This is supposed to be a game," Alicia reminded them.
"No more sweetness," Katie agreed.
"We might cry," Elle added. Ginny smiled and shrugged.
After a while their group chose to play a muggle game entitled Balderdash.
"You roll the dice and whatever number you get, you spell out that number word from the card so everyone can write it down," Hermione explained. "If you get six, you choose the word. Then, you write down the definition for the word that's on the back. Everyone else makes up a meaning. The card person then reads all of the definitions. You try to choose the right one. You get two points for picking the right one, one point if someone picks yours, three if your definition is close to the real one, and the card person gets three if no one gets the right one."
Ginny and Hermione's words as CP were as follows. (from the bio of Karatina of Tortuga)
erlking- a wicked elf who hates children
skirl- the high tones of a bagpipe
ewer- a jug or pitcher with ears
dacoit- a member of a band of robbers
jocteleg- a switchblade or pocket knife
mabby- an intoxicating drink distilled from potatoes
pinder- a Jamaican peanut
ensky- to immortalize a person
scolion- a rousing party song
pilliwinks- an ancient torture devise used on the thumb and fingers
assumpsit- a breach of contract
cowan- a person who pretends to belong to private clubs but in fact s not a member at all
During the middle of their game, Ginny and Hermione started a mind conversation.
~Do you there'll be strippers?~ Hermione thought to Ginny.
~No idea. Hey, do you know what pinder is? Something to do with sleeping right?~
~Snoring or something,~ Hermione replied. ~So do something opposite. We'll look like less bookworms.~
~Did you know there's only one word in the English language with three double letters in a row?~ asked Ginny.
~Let me think a minute.~ A word passed before Hermione came back. ~Bookkeeper?~
~Absolutely correct!~
~I really think there will be strippers,~ Hermione thought acidly. Ginny mentally sighed.
~Me too. Let's ask....How's the party?~ asked Ginny's mind voice.
~Fine, thanks,~ Ron said sweetly.
~So, good entertainment?~ asked Hermione.
~Sure,~ they chorused after a slight pause.
~Ah, the strippers are there,~ Ginny said.
~No doubt,~ agreed Hermione.
~What're you doing?~ asked Ron, obviously attempting to steer them to a new topic.
~Playing a game called Balderdash. Only with liquor,~ reported Hermione.
~Either of you know what gloam is?~ asked Ginny.
~Dusk,~ Harry said.
~Pooey, now she'll get it right too,~ came Hermione. She mentally mock-pouted. They all laughed mentally. Hermione and Ginny giggled out loud too and got a few stares.
~Biffin?~ asked Hermione moments later.
~Something with an apple,~ Ginny said. ~I can't remember what.~
~Have fun,~ Harry said. Ron gave a mental smile before the boys broke off.
Their game was stopped when the amle models arrived. The rest of the night was spent watching them and dancing and singing on the table tops.
Ginny and Hermione mimicked Ooompa Lumpas from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and sang the song along with it. Then they joined in a chorus of a pirate's drinking song sung by Mel and May. After that, Ginny and Hermione taught them a song from Gin's brothers.
Suddenly Ginny heard a song at the back of her mind. She quickly taught it mentally to Hermione as well as the dance steps. They taught it to the others and dubbed it 'Kettlebank's Ale.'
The next morning found Hermione lying on the couch with a black cat in her arms.
Chapter Sixteen*~~
Harry stumbled slightly as he moved out of the fireplace. Ron stood waiting. "You didn't even fall," Ron said, impressed. Harry glared daggers at him.
"I hadn't Flooed for a five year period and then I did it splendidly. I can live without your sarcasm," he said dryly. Ron shrugged and gave a devilish smile.
"Harry! Ron!" The two teenagers turned to see Bill grinning at them.
"Hello, Bill," Ron said, rolling his eyes. Bill grinned and pulled his brother into a fierce hug.
"Wotcher, Billy," Harry mimicked Tonks's usual greeting to Bill.
"Trying to be clever?" Bill asked, giving Harry a hug that matched Ron's.
"Not trying," Harry said. "I naturally am."
"Ha ha," Bill retorted.
"You know," Fred said, walking over, beer in hand. "We're at a bachelor's party, right?"
"Obviously," Charlie said, joining them and giving the new arrivals quick hugs.
"And there's supposed to be drinking and strippers and jokes and belches and farts and so on, correct?" Fred continued.
"What are you on about?" asked Percy. He had come up behind Fred with George at his side. Harry decided that Bill and Charlie had done well by advising their brother to make up with Penny. Harry also recognized the demeanor of someone who was no longer a virgin.
"I think that my dear twin is trying to hint at the fact that these dear youngins should be introduced to liquor," George said slyly.
"Here then," Percy said casually, handing them each a beer. Harry opened it easily and looked Percy up and down.
"Did you and Penny have a nice time then?" asked Harry sweetly. "Has she moved into your flat yet?" Percy choked on his glass of vodka. Harry snorted. "Not used to those comments?" Then he tipped the bottle to Percy and took a sip. Immediately he glared at him.
"Like my drink?" asked Percy casually.
"Stop having sex," Harry advised after he had swallowed it defiantly. Inside the bottle was a mix of a few liquids Harry really didn't want to know. He took Ron's bottle and moved to go dump them out. At the last moment he darted back with amazing speed and dumped them over Percy.
"That was uncalled for!" sputtered the wet Weasley.
"Ah, I must say, Penny is very lucky," smirked Harry.
"Come on," Charlie said. "Here are some real beers." Ron and Harry tipped them to the other men gathered around them and simultaneously swigged the down.
Their little group broke up to mingle with other men. Fred and George dragged Percy off to show him how to enter in a belching contest.
"Think they'll ever figure out that Sirius and Remus have been teaching us the secret art of drinking?" asked Ron.
"No," Harry said. "And this is really weak."
"Wonder how long it'll take for us to get them to give us whiskey?" asked Ron.
"Hopefully not that long," Harry said. He quickly added vodka to their drinks and downed some more before they headed over to talk to Lee Jordan.
It was around an hour longer before there was a knock at the door. Charlie grinned and opened it. He had already explained to them that as best man he had taken the liberty of hiring muggle strippers.
"Do we really want to see this?" asked Ron.
"You would if it was Mione," Harry muttered back.
"Scared?" teased Fred form across the room. They glared at him.
~Just for that, I can't wait,~ Ron thought vituperatively to his best friend.
~Fiesty?~ asked Harry teasingly.
~He thinks were silly little teenagers!~
~We are.~ Harry trailed off. ~However, I'm more like twenty-one than sixteen. Unlike SOME people.~ Harry was swiftly shoved off of his chair. He laughed and sat back down.
"Whiskey?" asked Bill, grinning evilly.
"Why thanks," Harry said sweetly. 'I need a bit of this. Not nearly as strong as the elves' drinks but it will do.'
"I'm honored," Ron said dryly. Harry grinned. He turned to toast Ron, ignoring the music and the hoots that obviously meant the girls were dancing. They clinked glasses and Harry turned back.
He took a drink and was about to swallow it when he caught site of the girl dancing on the table in front of him. He spit the liquor out.
"Can't take it, mate?" taunted Charlie, sitting down. "Nice view?" Harry quickly gulped down all of his drink. He shook his head.
"Her," he choked, pointing. The girl was tall and willowy with a certain grace. It wasn't the short black leather skirt or the dark blue halter or the tall black boots but the face and hair and eyes.
Her hair was blunt black with wavy jade green streaks. Her eyes glowed a majestic grey. Her face was soft set with a defiant chin and a long nose. Her ear tips were a bright red.
"She hasn't even begun to remove her clothes," Bill said carefully. "Maybe you and Ron-"
"Not that!" Harry snapped irritably. "I KNOW her. I KISSED her!" All of the Weasley boys were gathered around him and they began choking and sputtering. Harry quickly summoned more whiskey.
The dancer hopped down and moved to dance for Percy, grinding against him. He glanced between her and Harry. As the song ended, she turned to look at Harry. "Jistone?" she asked softly, eyes wide. "P-"
"Stuff it," snapped Harry, eyes sharp. "What on earth are you doing here, Jenariling?"
"I'm Jennifer," sniffed the girl stubbornly.
"You really did it?" he asked, reaching his hands up to feel her ears. She winced visibly. "Do they hurt?"
"You try having part of your ear chopped off!" she cried.
"Harry?" questioned Charlie.
"This is Jennifer," Harry said. "She was formerly known as the elf Jenariling."
"Since the War of Royal Blood," she glanced quickly at Harry who shook his head. "I haven't liked the way things were done. I don't agree with what the Lord and Lady are doing. I decided to leave the elves and live as a human. Now, because of our laws, I had to have my ears made to human ones. They're a bit sore. And my immortality has been given up."
"Jen used to be a Royal Guard," Harry said. "That's how I met her. We had a bit of a fling."
"With no sex," Jen added at the boys' looks.
"Well then, this is awkward," Bill said sardonically.
"You know a stripper," pointed out Percy.
"I'm an exotic dancer," corrected Jen.
"Kiss him," suggested Fred evilly.
"Only to defy," whispered Jen as she locked her lips on Harry's. She pulled back a few seconds later and made a face. "Human liquor is rather weak."
"Tell me about it," Harry muttered. "You know. I think I know someone you should meet." He dragged Jen over to one of Charlie's friends.
"Duke, this is Jen. Jen, this is Duke. Now scurry off and snog," Harry said with a cheery wave. He leaned against the bar, a ways away from the dancers.
"You okay?" asked Ron.
"Didn't really want to be kissed," Harry said resentfully. "At least not by her. She's nice and all but I don't need any more emotions. Especially not old ones."
~How's the party?~ came Ginny's mind voice.
~Fine, thanks,~ Ron said sweetly.
~So, good entertainment?~ asked Hermione. Both boys grimaced and glanced over at the girls who now wore only their knickers.
~Sure,~ the chorused.
~Ah, the strippers are there,~ Ginny said.
~No doubt,~ agreed Hermione.
~What're you doing?~ asked Ron, trying to steer their minds away from the dancers.
~Playing a game called Balderdash. Only with liquor,~ reported Hermione.
~Either of you know what gloam is?~ asked Ginny.
~Dusk,~ Harry said.
~Pooey, now she'll get it right too,~ came Hermione. They saw her mental mock pout. They all laughed mentally. Ron and Harry chuckled out loud and took a drink.
~Biffin?~ asked Hermione moments later.
~Something with an apple,~ Ginny said. ~I can't remember what.~
~Have fun,~ Harry said. Ron gave a mental smile before the boys broke off.
"Biffin?" asked Ron out loud. The two started cracking up.
"Wasted?" asked Remus, raising an eyebrow.
"We thought we'd trained you better," Sirius said.
"What's biffin?" asked Harry, ignoring them. He had sensed their presence in the middle of their mind chat.
"A dark red cooking apple," said Remus. He took Harry's glass and dumped something into it. "Wolf's Brew."
"Right," Harry said. He took a drink and tasted something that appealed to his favorite animagi form. "This better not be blood."
"Kappa blood mixed with French wine and rum. Good poculation," Remus said grinning. "Your dad made it for me as a joke. We never guessed I'd like it."
"Good," Harry said. He downed his drink and conjured another. They all laughed. "Nice to see you find my drinking so amusing."
Soon enough, the dancers had all vanished. They had presumably passed out or found someone to take to a room. Now, Fred and George were dancing on top of the table like folk dancers, tankards clutched in their hands singing an Irish drinking song.
"Let the experts have a go!" called Sirius. Fred and George hopped down and Sirius and Remus climbed up, grinning. They clanked tankards and began a drinking dance and a pirate's drinking song.
Harry thought of the Dwarf Elves that he had met in the Elvin Realm. They were peaceful elves that never fought and usually stayed out of wars- no matter the cost. They lived in the Kettlebank. Dwarf Elves were a race of short elves. They loved drinking as well and hand a great many songs.
"Anyone want to learn a new song?" asked Harry as Sirius and Remus finished. "It's something I learned this summer." The people who knew he had lived with elves felt their interest spark. "It's called 'Down at the Jaded Mushroom.'"
"Almost as good as 'Ketllebank's Ale,'" came Jen. He smiled at her, her arm linked with Duke's. "Duke, if you'll excuse me?" Duke smiled at her and removed his arm from hers.
"Lass Jena," Hary offered a tankard. She grinned and they climbed up. He transfigured her clothes to what looked like an old fashioned under dress in a well worn white.
"Stay out of my drawers," came the sour reply. "Gross, Grethamine's pukes stain is still on the sleeve." Harry removed the stain and raised his tankard. She grinned and bunched her skirts up.
They sang a few cheery drinking songs as they danced familiar dances. Then they taught the words and steps to the rest. Soon, the room was a loud choir singing the Dwarf Elves' favorite songs.
Eventually they tired. A few people left and a few passed out but most remained. "Anyone know how to fence?" asked Remus. He and Sirius were a tad tipsy but they held their liquor better than anyone else in the room- save Harry and Ron and Jen, who sporadically would vanish with Duke.
"Me!" called one of Bill's friends from Egypt. "Why?" He was rather sober. Sirius performed a sobering charm on him and then on Harry. The tiny buzz Harry felt lifted. They all knew it would last only an hour.
"Sirius?" asked Harry. "What're you two up to?"
"We would like to see you fence," Remus said as though it were palpable.
"No," Harry said flatly.
"Just for fun," Sirius said, rolling his eyes.
"Fine," Harry muttered. He stooped behind the bar and conjured to fencing suits and swords then carried them out.
Once they were properly dressed, Harry and Moss (that really is an Egyptian name) stood on the long platform of tables. At Sirius's cue, they began fencing. Harry quickly found that Moss was good with footwork but his attacks were on the meager side.
Moss locked their swords and bore down on Harry, trying to force him to the ground. Moss clearly was larger than the thin Harry. But Harry threw him off and made a quick, plain attack and sent the sword across the room- removing it from his opponent's grip. Moss grinned.
"Nice work," he said and shook Harry's hand. "Who are you?"
"Harry," he replied, removing his helmet and wiping off his sweaty forehead.
"Harry Potter?" asked Moss, elevating an eyebrow.
"Might as well be Weasley," Ron said. The other Weasley boys nodded in agreement and Harry forced down his blush.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (this is happening at the same time) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ginny and Hermione were greeted by Elle. "Hello!" she said brightly. They kissed on each cheek and then repeated the process with Fleur. For good measure they dd the same with all the women gathered.
"Hello," Hermione said to a woman she didn't recognize. "I'm Hermione Granger. Who are you?"
The woman smiled. She had silky looking brownie colored spiral curls cut to her chin. "I'm May Laux."
"Oh! You're THE May!" squealed Hermione.
"So, you've met Aunt May, Quill?" came Ginny's laugh filled voice. Hermione grinned.
"Before Harry," she said delightedly.
"Harry Potter?" asked May, sitting down with the two girls.
"Yup, he's our best mate," Ginny explained. "Remember when we last saw you? Before my first year and after Ron's? He was telling us stories about Mione and Ron."
"Oh yes! I hear that you've formed the Marauders again," May said, eye's dancing.
"That's true," Ginny said.
"I've kept in touch with Melanie," May said.
"And Remus Lupin?" questioned Hermione. May went pink.
"I had a crush on him school but we were good friends," May muttered. "I never told him. Then Lily and James died and there was everything with Sirius and Peter and. we were both too lost in thoughts that we didn't understand. He doesn't even know that I knew he was a werewolf for YEARS."
"He likes you," Ginny said, handing her two companions wine glasses filled with chilled white wine.
"Don't be ridicules," May said, her flush deepening.
"Ah, but he does," Tonks announced, falling onto the couch and spilling a bit of her beer. "Ooops.."
"Circle!" called Mel. She gave May a kiss on the cheek and was given one in return.
The women and girls all sat in a circle. "We are having male underwear models coming over later," Katie Bell announced. There were cheers. Katie grinned. "But until then, we have games to play!"
"Someone get the vodka!" called Angelina. Fleur and Penny were already bringing it over. They gave everyone a tropical drink glass and filled it with the liquor.
"Now then," directed Alicia. "Slap your legs twice, and snap you fingers twice." Soon they all had the rthem.
"We choose a category," Angelina said. "Then, we go around the circle saying something under that category. You use the alphabet and start at A. Then you keep working through it. You have to say you word before the end of the snaps or you chug your drink and answer a truth question."
"Brilliant!" cried Elle. "I love it!" They all chuckled and split into smaller circles. The wedding party and ushers and Katie made one group. Fleur chose the category.
"Magical animals," she announced.
"Apperlinc."
"Buggart."
"Catapoltin."
"Darko."
"E.e."
"MAY!" cried Mel, her hands over her eyes. "And you call yourself friend of the Marauders. I am ashamed!" May glared at her.
"Alright," Angelina said. "Drink." May quickly drank the alcohol. It burned down her throat. "Since you went before her, you ask the question Katie."
"Who is it you fancy?" asked Katie curiously. May was scarlet.
"Remus Lupin," she murmured. They continued to play. Hermione was asked how far she and Ron had gone (fondling), Fleur who had her virginity (some blue haired man she met when drunk), Angelina if she's ever seen Fred or George naked (yes, both), and many other many other questions. Eventually Ginny missed a beat.
"Do you still fancy Harry?" asked Tonks brightly.
"Yes," Ginny said stoutly. "I've decided not to dwell on it though. He doesn't like me. It's simple really. We're friends now and that's fine. Better than not knowing him at all."
"But who did you fall for?" asked Penny. "The-Boy-Who-Lived or Harry?" Ginny was silent for a moment and drank some of her white wine.
"I fell for the Boy-Who-Lived when I was six years old and I read books about him and his parents. I imagined him like the man his father was described as. And when Ron became such good friends with him, it only fueled my feelings. And then, I got to know him and I fell for Harry. Just Harry. I guess I've fallen in love twice. Once with a legend and once with a friend and they've the same name and face and body."
"That was deep," Tonks said softly.
"This is supposed to be a game," Alicia reminded them.
"No more sweetness," Katie agreed.
"We might cry," Elle added. Ginny smiled and shrugged.
After a while their group chose to play a muggle game entitled Balderdash.
"You roll the dice and whatever number you get, you spell out that number word from the card so everyone can write it down," Hermione explained. "If you get six, you choose the word. Then, you write down the definition for the word that's on the back. Everyone else makes up a meaning. The card person then reads all of the definitions. You try to choose the right one. You get two points for picking the right one, one point if someone picks yours, three if your definition is close to the real one, and the card person gets three if no one gets the right one."
Ginny and Hermione's words as CP were as follows. (from the bio of Karatina of Tortuga)
erlking- a wicked elf who hates children
skirl- the high tones of a bagpipe
ewer- a jug or pitcher with ears
dacoit- a member of a band of robbers
jocteleg- a switchblade or pocket knife
mabby- an intoxicating drink distilled from potatoes
pinder- a Jamaican peanut
ensky- to immortalize a person
scolion- a rousing party song
pilliwinks- an ancient torture devise used on the thumb and fingers
assumpsit- a breach of contract
cowan- a person who pretends to belong to private clubs but in fact s not a member at all
During the middle of their game, Ginny and Hermione started a mind conversation.
~Do you there'll be strippers?~ Hermione thought to Ginny.
~No idea. Hey, do you know what pinder is? Something to do with sleeping right?~
~Snoring or something,~ Hermione replied. ~So do something opposite. We'll look like less bookworms.~
~Did you know there's only one word in the English language with three double letters in a row?~ asked Ginny.
~Let me think a minute.~ A word passed before Hermione came back. ~Bookkeeper?~
~Absolutely correct!~
~I really think there will be strippers,~ Hermione thought acidly. Ginny mentally sighed.
~Me too. Let's ask....How's the party?~ asked Ginny's mind voice.
~Fine, thanks,~ Ron said sweetly.
~So, good entertainment?~ asked Hermione.
~Sure,~ they chorused after a slight pause.
~Ah, the strippers are there,~ Ginny said.
~No doubt,~ agreed Hermione.
~What're you doing?~ asked Ron, obviously attempting to steer them to a new topic.
~Playing a game called Balderdash. Only with liquor,~ reported Hermione.
~Either of you know what gloam is?~ asked Ginny.
~Dusk,~ Harry said.
~Pooey, now she'll get it right too,~ came Hermione. She mentally mock-pouted. They all laughed mentally. Hermione and Ginny giggled out loud too and got a few stares.
~Biffin?~ asked Hermione moments later.
~Something with an apple,~ Ginny said. ~I can't remember what.~
~Have fun,~ Harry said. Ron gave a mental smile before the boys broke off.
Their game was stopped when the amle models arrived. The rest of the night was spent watching them and dancing and singing on the table tops.
Ginny and Hermione mimicked Ooompa Lumpas from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and sang the song along with it. Then they joined in a chorus of a pirate's drinking song sung by Mel and May. After that, Ginny and Hermione taught them a song from Gin's brothers.
Suddenly Ginny heard a song at the back of her mind. She quickly taught it mentally to Hermione as well as the dance steps. They taught it to the others and dubbed it 'Kettlebank's Ale.'
The next morning found Hermione lying on the couch with a black cat in her arms.