The Leaky Cauldron PUB and Hotel

"This is your fault," Hermione told Ron.

"My fault! How could it−" said Ron.

"If you didn't come up with the topic about the time we're still dating, it wouldn't have come to this!" said Hermione.

"Yeah," said Ron sarcastically. "Blame me when the only thing you and Harry did is to apparate from that Pub to the front desk downstairs! Why Leaky Cauldron, when there's also a hotel just beside 108 PUB!"

"Its roof is leaking," explained Hermione.

"What if it leaks? I don't care if it drops some rain to her face!" said Ron pointing to Lavender who is sleeping on the bed some feet away from them. "And besides, it's not raining!"

"Oh yeah?" said Hermione as she folded her arms in front of her. Then, all of a sudden, rain came pouring outside.

Ron's ears went pink but he pretended not to notice. "It's − it's just a coincidence, and besides, as I told you, I don't care if some damn rain drops wake her up−"

"Ron! What are you saying? He's your girlfriend!" said Harry who is sitting on a couch beside the bed. He's staring at Ron, disbelieving.

"First, Hermione. Now, you. This isn't my fault," said Ron. He glanced back at Lavender over the bed, glared at Harry then to Hermione. Then, without another word, he stomped out of the room.

Hermione clenched her fist and stomped her left foot so hard that some of the dust on the ceiling shook and fell. "Argh! Why did he not change? That good for nothing−"

Harry stood up from the couch and reached for Hermione. "Shhh… you might wake her up," he said smiling and gave Hermione a comforting hug while rubbing his hands gently against her back. "He knows we can't apparate Levi so he has to carry Levi here." Harry lead Hermione to the couch where he was sitting and let Hermione sat on it.

Hermione sat slowly and said more calmly, "I know."

Hermione is sitting on the couch while Harry sat at the foot of the bed where Lavender's lying. There was a complete silence that fell to the room. Hermione's eyes are surveying the whole room while Harry, on the other hand, is watching Hermione's hazel eyes. "They're beautiful," he thought.

"Harry?. . . Harry!" said Hermione but Harry didn't reply. "Harry, what's up with you?"

Harry snapped back to reality and saw Hermione waving a hand in front of his face. "Are you alright? Why are you smiling?"

Hermione was right. He, Harry, was indeed smiling. Harry immediately stopped himself. "I'm okay… I was just smiling because… er… the fact that Ron didn't notice your straight hair. Yeah, that's why," he said.

"Ron would've noticed it if−" said Hermione and gave shocked look with her mouth half-open.

"What, Hermione?" asked Harry.

"No, nothing."

Harry was about to say something when he heard a groan. It was Lavender. Harry and Hermione looked at her and Hermione stood up and sat down beside her. "Lavender, are you alright?" she asked as she reached her hand towards Lavender but Lavender moved back a little to avoid Hermione's hands as if they were filthy.

"Don't touch me, you − you, scarlet!" said Lavender frowning at Hermione.

Hermione's mouth was again half-opened.

"Lavender, Ron's gone. We had an argument because of−" Harry tried to explain.

"−Because of you," interrupted Hermione sharply, looking furious.

Lavender forced a laugh. "Because of me? You argued because of me?" Ridiculous!"

"Ridiculous yourself! You know why we argued? Because I defended you. We fought because I defended−"

"Defended me? You know, I don't need a defender, thank you, because I can defend myself−"

"Defend yourself?" Hermione gave a sarcastic laugh. "Defend yourself, when you're here, sleeping so soundly on this comfortable bed while we're there," she said pointing at the place where she, Harry and Ron were standing earlier, "making the dust fall off the ground!"

"Well it's your fault−!"

"My fault?" Hermione stood up and pointed a finger to her chest. "My fault? I think not! It's your fault that you drank a lot of muggle liquor when all you can drink is a bottle of butterbeer!"

Harry stood up too and tried to stop Hermione. "Hermione−" he said reaching a hand to Hermione. But, Hermione held it back.

"No, Harry, this is enough," said Hermione as she turned her back and walked straight to the door, and before opening it, turned back to Lavender. "You're so fortunate Harry's here and I'm not drank or you'll be sorry you were born, girl." Then, before Lavender could speak, Hermione opened the door and slammed it before her.

Harry, still standing beside Lavender's bed, ran towards the door and before opening it, turned to Lavender. "The bill's not yet paid, by the way. I'll call Ron," he said before closing the door before him.

Harry ran to catch Hermione. He took steps down a staircase and stopped when he saw Hermione on the second floor right below the staircase, her arms folded and she was leaning her back against the wall. She looked at Harry and said, "I don't believe this."

"Don't believe what?" Harry asked panting.

"This − this whole thing," said Hermione impatiently. "This arguing with Ron because we tried to defend Lavender and arguing with Lavender because we tried to defend her! How−"

"Relax, 'Mione!" said Harry who just stopped from panting and sat down on a stair.

"How can I relax, Harry? Huh? After what they did to me! They don't have to worry; I know they'll be together… Birds of the same feather…" muttered Hermione.

Harry stood up. "Wait here, I'll call Ron downstairs, maybe he'd be happy to hear that Lavender's awake."

Hermione just gave a grunt before Harry started walking down the staircase. When he landed on the floor below, he looked around the pub and there, sitting on one of the tall stools at the bar section, Ron, with his back facing Harry's direction. Harry walked towards the bar and pat Ron's shoulder. Ron turned around and saw him.

"Oh, it's you… Come to make a sermon?" said Ron.

"No, Ron. I'm just here to inform you that Lavender's awake. I though you'd like to−" said Harry but Ron interrupted.

"Look after her? Come on, Harry! I've had enough carrying her upstairs."

"Ron, she's your−"

"Girlfriend. I know! But, she's got her own feet, hasn't she? She can go down here on her own."

"Did you pay the bill already?"

"Yep… Got some savings now, didn't I?"

"Ron that's enough!" Harry's voice is filled with impatience but he disregarded it. "Fetch Lavender upst−"

"No need, Harry," said Lavender's voice. Ron and Harry turned around and saw her standing before them.

"Oh, it's you," said Ron.

"Yeah, it's me, indeed. And if you don't stand there and take me home, I'm gonna break this relationship up now−" said Lavender threateningly.

"Oh yeah? Who're you scaring?" asked Ron.

"You−"

"Oh yeah? Try me."

Ron has said it. Lavender looked furious than ever and without another word, took out her wand and disapparated. Ron looked either surprised or scared, Harry couldn't tell, and said, "I wasn't expecting her to take that seriously." Ron immediately grabbed his wand under his cloak and disapparated too.

Harry just shook his head and walked back to Hermione. Hermione was still with her position when Harry reached her but she looked a little bit calmer.

"They're out," said Harry.

from the author

I know it's already the fifth chapter and yet nothing's happening between Harry and Hermione. Don't worry, we'll come to that, I promise… But, as for now, I thank you all for reading my fanfict and for reviewing… I hope you'll not get bored or anything. I just think it will be better if we do not take things in a rush. Love moves in mysterious ways, anyway − and love takes time… Ciao!