Just Old Friends
Chapter 14: The Three Broomsticks
Harry sat through the afternoon after apologising for missing lunch using the excuse that he got lost, that he took the lift got off on the wrong floor and couldn't find his way back.
Five o'clock arrived quicker than he thought and he and Ron joined Remus at the lift. They stood in the lift for a bit and Harry just looked around.
Harry was about to say something when the lift opened and they left. They got into the atrium and Neville was there waiting. He waved at Harry who looked at his two friends and moved towards Neville.
He stopped just in front of the man and gently slugged him in the arm.
"Glad you decided to join us Neville."
Remus and Ron stopped just behind Harry and Neville started laughing.
"What's wrong with you two? Someone would think that you'd seen the ghost of Voldemort."
Harry laughed; he hadn't heard that before but it was good. Neville smiled at the other two before they shrugged. Ron spoke up.
"What made you decide to join us tonight Neville? I thought you said you were busy."
"Harry. Now are we going?"
They moved over to the apparition point and left. Seconds later they appeared just outside of The Three Broomsticks. It was still rather early for the others and the four friends headed inside. It was quiet and a small buzz sounded through the room.
"Harry, Neville, Ron; what you want to drink my treat."
"Oh, Firewhisky for me."
Harry laughed heartily at Ron's face he looked so excited as if Firewhisky was a forbidden drink and he couldn't help but wonder how often he got to drink it.
"I'll have Odeon's Ice Vodka."
Remus nodded and looked at Harry. Ice Vodka that was something new he'd never heard of that, he began to think about what he could have, maybe some Gilly Water, or some of the whisky or maybe even the Vodka.
"Earth to Harry!"
He smiled as Ron's hand swept in front of him.
"I'll stick with a butterbeer for now."
Half an hour passed with the four friends sitting and laughing and just catching up. To Harry it felt like the old days when nothing had changed. But so much had, they had each lost so much. Remus; his closest friends from childhood, Neville; his legs, Ron; one leg and Harry himself; two years of his life.
To his surprise, a grunt broke up their conversation and Harry's eyes grew as large as saucers when he saw who had joined them.
The man took his seat next to Remus and smiled slightly at them all. His hair was as it had always been, flung into his eyes and swimming with grease.
"So, Potter and Longbottom joining us? This is unusual."
"Oh shut up Snape! We're not your students anymore, don't act as if we don't have a life."
"I was just commenting on your presence Longbottom; you don't often join us in the pub and as for Potter well you'd think he'd forgotten where the pub was until now."
To Harry's surprised both Ron and Remus laughed lightly as the owner, Rosmerta came up to their table.
"Look my three favourite boys are here, and they've brought two friends. Why it can't be Neville, it's been a long time and Harry, I heard you were awake, how are you?"
"Fine Rosmerta, could you fetch me another butterbeer?"
"Of course. What about the rest of you?"
Snape gave her a warm smile something that Harry had never seen before.
"I'll have a Mudblood Mix, and let me see; Weasley is drinking that Firewhisky again, I'm betting Longbottom; the Vodka and as for Lupin let me see, the Marauder Mix."
Rosmerta left and Harry just looked at his old Professor.
"A Mudblood and Marauder, what are they?"
Remus answered the question as Rosmerta handed the drinks around.
"A Mudblood is like a muggle cocktail drink. It's called Mudblood because it has Firewhisky which is of course a drink of the magical world and then there's the muggle Gin in it, and of course when you add the cranberry juice it looks like blood."
Snape raised his glass and smiled a cocky smile at Harry. He took a mouthful of his own drink.
"So what's yours then, Remus?"
"Oh, the Marauder is Ice Vodka with vanilla ice-cream on top, and then above that is Firewhisky. It gives you this hot cold burning feeling that's just great. Who would have thought that Sirius could create a drink that people would actually want to taste."
It was with that that they fell onto conversation. Harry found it a strange experience to be sitting drinking with his old Professor the man that he had hated for years and who in return hated him.
It was seven o'clock before the last four of their party arrived. Percy true to his word had taken off his tie, although he still wore the muggle shirt and trousers. Harry wondered what it was he was now doing within the ministry.
Then there was Charlie. Harry tried not to stare at his right eye. He wasn't surprised that he wore Moody's old eye though, the magical one that could swivel in one's head; after all Ron had gotten the old mans leg.
There was Bill; physically, he didn't look very different. His hair was shorter though, to his shoulders tied back into his ponytail. Then he still had his fanged earring. However the way he held himself was different to before; he seemed slightly held back, although Harry knew that around any other people he would be more reserved.
The last to arrive though was Wood. Dressed in the Puddlemore uniform that he loved so much. They sat down at the table ordered their drinks and the evening of conversations began.