Chapter 41: Johannes' Bierland

Harry, Ron, and Hermione stepped through the magic entryway to enter Antarctica's wizarding community, which was quite unlike Hogsmeade. While Hogsmeade was jolly and bustling with witches and wizards of all sizes even during the snowy months, Yetisburg (as was called the town) was bleakly empty except for the few people they had seen from Arnold's shop, who had quickly darted to their destinations without delay. Soon, the trio's sole companion was the snow, which was the sole cause of the empty streets. Yetisburg's snow was not welcoming like that of Hogsmeade's but it was harsh and unrelenting. Currently, it was the culprit of Ron's blue face and chattering teeth (not to mention frizzing curls).

"I can't wait to brew a potion to get rid of these bloody curls!" Ron exclaimed through his chattering teeth.

"Patience my dear friend, patience," Harry said, patting Ron's arm. Hermione stared at them.

"I think you two have brain-freeze," she said, raising an eyebrow at their huddling, cuddling forms. "Oh, and remember Harry, that Ron's my boyfriend."

Harry glared at her and let go of Ron.

"I was cold," he replied primly.

They continued on their way down the long street, searching for shop signs. However, most of the buildings were not shops, but private residences instead. The longer they walked the colder they became, and more desperate they grew. Ron started to whimper.

"There's got to be a shop around here somewhere," Hermione muttered.

"There!" Ron said, pointing to a large wooden sign in the shape of a humongous beer jug fizzing over at the brim, underneath which hung a smaller rectangular sign reading "Johannes' Bierland."

"I don't think we'll be allowed in there, Ron," Harry said. "We're only seventeen."

"Drats. I wanted to see if they'd sell me a beer," Ron said, attempting to snap his frozen fingers in disappointment.

"Umm, actually…." Hermione said.

"What?" Ron asked.

"Well, Antarctica isn't really an independent country, and no country owns it. It's sort of just…there. You know, since not very many muggles live here and no one knows about this wizarding community. So…."

"So what?" Ron asked.

"So, that means there are no laws here!" Harry caught on.

"Well, not necessarily. There are some laws, but I'm pretty sure there are no drinking laws or anything like that…" Hermione corrected.

"That's good enough for me! Wicked! I'm getting a pint!" Ron said, pushing open the door to Johannes' Bierland and stepping inside.

Hermione and Harry looked at each other and followed Ron inside. The door jingled as they pushed it open. They looked around to see an empty pub save a man behind the bar, a portly blonde fellow with a curly moustache wearing lederhosen and suspenders.

"Hello there!" the man exclaimed cheerily. "What can I get you kids?"

"Just three butterbeers please," Hermione replied.

"Hey, I wanted a real beer!" Ron cried.

"No Ron, you can't drink now. We have to concentrate on finding Pokey," Hermione reprimanded.

Ron scowled.

"Psst!" the blonde man whispered from behind the counter as Harry and Hermione took their seats. Ron whipped his head around. "Don't you worry there, boy," he whispered, pouring a little something extra from a dark flask into one of the butterbeer bottles, winking and handing it to Ron. Ron nodded knowingly and winked back.

The man followed Ron to their table carrying the other two bottles.

"So, are you Johannes?" Hermione asked.

"Yup, that would be me," he replied, twirling his moustache.

"Are you originally from Antarctica?" Harry asked. Johannes laughed heartily.

"No one's originally from Antarctica, boy. Look at this place! It's horrible! It's always below zero and no one ever goes out. You're the first customers I've had in over six months!"

"Oh," Harry replied, wondering how Johannes stayed in business if he never had any customers. "Then where are you from?"

"Germany. My wife kicked me out twenty years ago after my drinking problem got out of hand. So, I moved to Antarctica and opened a pub!" He sighed.

"Well, you must have made some nice friends here," Hermione said encouragingly.

"Well, if you count that great fluffy snowball who goes around ambushing me every time I step outside, then sure, I have great friends," Johannes replied.

"The abominable snowman," Hermione said.

"So I see you met him too?" Johannes asked amusedly.

"Yep, he gave us a great big bearhug on our way here," Ron said, shuddering at the memory.

"But surely you must have other friends?" Hermione inquired.

"Mostly everyone in Antarctica stays inside, miss. There's not much socializing in these parts. Well, except…"

The trio stared at him.

"Well, this one woman comes in here every so often. But she never buys anything. She just sits at the counter and stares at me, batting her eyelashes, and," Johannes shuddered, "flirts…then again, she flirts with any man she sees."

Ron and Harry looked at each other and raised their eyebrows.

"Hulga's her name."

Hermione dropped her bottle and nearly choked.

"Hulga you say?" she asked.

"Yeah, are you looking for her?"

"Um, yes," Hermione replied.

Johannes stared at them questioningly.

"Hulga has never had any visitors that I've known of," Johannes remarked suspiciously, "are you relatives?"

Hermione looked at Harry panicked, not wanting to reveal any critical information. "Um, yeah, she's my…aunt."

"Your aunt you say?" Johannes raised his eyebrows. Hermione threw Harry another nervous glance. "Ah, that makes sense. There isn't any other reason three young wizards would have to be in a place like this."

Hermione let out a sigh of relief. "Well, um, can you tell us where she lives? I've never visited her before," Hermione asked.

"Sure, you keep on going straight down this road, and her house is the last one you'll come to. It's huge and quite…unique. You can't miss it."

"Thank you," Hermione said getting up.

"Oh and by the way, watch out for her house elf," Johannes continued, "Pokey'll poke you right hard if you don't pay attention. I suppose she can't help it with a name like that."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione nodded and headed towards the door. While Harry and Hermione had left their unfinished bottles at the table, Ron snuck his spiked one under his coat, furtively taking gleeful sips when his friends weren't watching.

"Can I interest any of you in a chicken pot pie for the road?" Johannes asked. "Or perhaps a chicken smoothie? They're made fresh from the snow outside the pub!" Johannes exclaimed. Harry's stomach churned as he stared at the snow in front of the door that had curiously turned yellow since they entered the pub.

"Um, no thank you sir. Thank you for all the help," Harry replied, following Ron and Hermione out the door and down the street.