Hi everyone!

Here's another chapter :) Big announcements ahead in this chapter, and some drunken New Year's idiocy and fluff.

Thank you all for staying with me, even though my updates aren't a daily occurrences anymore! I try to make them as regular as I can and I really appreciate anyone who pays attention to it :)

Love, Flora

Chapter 16: How Harry convinced Hermione that 2004 was going to be one heck of a year.

'3... 2... 1... Happy New Year!'

The group of friends cheered, holding tightly unto one another, as a cascade of lights, stars and loud bangs filled the night sky. She saw Ron pulling Nicky closely against him, a enormous grin spreading on his freckled face, holding her tightly in her long arms as he gave her a fiery kiss; she noticed Luna, eyes beaming and large, smile up at Neville as their lips sweetly met, she recognized Ginny, disappearing in her girlfriend's embrace, almost knocking her off her feet. Then she looked to her right, straight into the most beautiful, bright green eyes she had ever seen, covered by plain, round glasses. Last year they had also celebrated New Year's together, she remembered, and their six best friends had reacted very similar after the countdown. As they were occupied with their partners, Harry and her both filled their loneliness with unmeant laughter. A pang ran through her chest at that point, realizing what would never be between her and him, and how there would be times in her life where she would always find that trying.

This year was different. She looked to her right, saw those eyes, and didn't hesitate to close the space between them with a searing snog, wrapping her fingers in his unruly, black hair. Their friends noticed and wolf-whistled, but Hermione couldn't care less. This year, 2004, would be the best year in her entire life. She quickly sneaked her tongue past his lips, making Harry growl a little inside her mouth, and then she teasingly broke away from his lips. Harry's eyes were heavy lidded and smug, as he brought her knuckles to his lips, keeping her pressed firmly against him.

'Happy New Year, Hermione,' he said coarsely, lips like a promise on her fingers, and Hermione couldn't stop but grin.

'Happy New Year, Harry,' she replied. For a moment it seemed like they were alone on that rooftop, that there were no fireworks surrounding them - it was just them, and a lot of future promises. This was going to be one hell of a year, but come what may, Harry would be there at her side. Not just as a partner, not just as a friend, but as hers. It was bliss, it was perfection, and Hermione leaned into her boyfriend again to taste their happiness on each other's lips.

Then a particularly loud *BANG* pulled them from their high and they congratulated the others, enjoying the fireworks together. They were not as good as Ron's own, as he liked to remind them, but they had agreed that they would spend New Year's Eve spend together and that everyone would get their year of organizing the event. This year, it had been Hermione's turn and she wanted to celebrate New Year the Muggle way.

Hermione had woken up that morning, with a cheerful Harry bringing her waffles in bed, and then they spent the first half of the day at work, until noon, when Harry came by her office accompanied by a very happy Ron and a huge bag full of groceries. It was another tradition they had brought home from Australia: celebrating the New Year by cooking together, - Ron tried his best, but was more useful at taste-testing than actual cooking, as was Hermione, so it would usually be Harry delegating the two to do easier prepping tasks - and while their food cooked or stirred or hardened in the fridge or in a magically secured stove, they went to see a movie in the theater. Harry always insisted on paying the tickets, Ron always insisted on paying (and picking) the snacks, and Hermione would always decide which movie they'd go to. As Billy Mack's "Christmas is all around" was still booming in the charts, she opted for "Love Actually". It was probably one of the funniest films she had seen in a while, and they chatted about it, re-enacting part of the scenes, until Nicky, Jaana, Ginny, Luna and Neville flooed into Hermione's little apartment. It had been such a long time since she'd seen Luna and Neville, and they didn't stop chatting, laughing and reminiscing until it was almost midnight.

'Let's go to the rooftop,' Hermione suggested, as the midnight hour came closer and closer. 'You have a great view of the firework show on the Thames from there.'

They did, they counted down, they kissed the ones they loved and enjoyed the company of their friends. As the bells of the Big Ben rang in their ears, they locked hands with each other, and started to scream on top of their lungs.

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For days of auld lang syne!"

She had always sung it with her parents at New Years, but Nicky was the one to introduce it to their group of friends three years ago, when they started dating. Being a Muggleborn, she was very keen on restoring some Muggle traditions, and Hermione had gladly helped her teach their friends the lyrics. It gave a sense of pride, of solidarity, of harmony. The fireworks only lasted 3 minutes, which disappointed Ron a lot, but they had fun, and when they sat down in Hermione's living room again, making sure everyone had ample to drink, they all realized how lucky they were to have each other.

'So, Harry... Hermione... How did this come to be?' Neville asked, taking a sip of his butterbeer., gesturing to the hands they had intertwined. 'Last time I saw you together there was no sign of... Well, of course each and everyone in this room was praying for the day to come that you would finally stop dancing around each other, but still...'

They all laughed and Harry looked at Hermione with a look full of fondness. She loved that look - it filled her with butterflies and she couldn't help but beam.

'Yeah, well. That's actually a really weird story. It started when Harry offered to accompany me to this god awful party that my grandmother hosted in November...'

'A very gracious offer, may I add,' Harry chuckled. They told their story together, filling in the other, teasing each other for acting like an idiot when the story called for it. Harry ended by telling how he realized his love for Hermione at Christmas Eve, and how they shared their first kiss. He let out the whole ordeal in front of the fireplace - obviously.

'It was that fresh when we found out at The Burrow?' Ginny said, astounded. 'Oh, good. I felt so ashamed with this whole Olga thing at Boxing Day, I thought I had missed something important...'

'You couldn't have known,' Harry said, sympathizing. 'And Olga did seem very friendly. I hope she's doing alright, it must have been so awkward for her...'

'We introduced her to Michael Corner yesterday, she'll be fine,' Ginny chuckled. 'I'll hear all about it Saturday, before the match, I'm sure. She's partying with him tonight, so...'

They talked a bit about old classmates, sharing the latest gossip and antics.

'I would like to ask you to be discreet about us, though,' Hermione added. 'You know how the Daily Prophet can be, and we're not really ready to face all the press right now-...'

'Goes without saying,' Ron said, with an assuring smile. The others agreed.

'What are you going to do, though? I mean, your family thinks you're engaged. Are you going to go through with that?'

'We have no idea,' Hermione said, truthfully. 'It's a bit of a mess. We actually see them again tomorrow, so...'

'Always be truthful with people you care about,' Luna advised, with a kind smile.

'That's great advice, Luna. And what do you suggest to do with people you want to punch in the face on sight?' Harry asked with feigned diplomacy.

'The one doesn't have to contradict the other, per se,' Luna added.

'Oh, that Philip can't be that horrible-...' Ron interceded.

'He is Malfoy's even more entitled Muggle twin,' Harry replied.

'He is,' Hermione nodded. 'He once told me that I should count myself lucky for the existence of sperm donors, because no living human being would ever, and I quote "consider entrusting his precious swimmers to such a horrid munter like you".'

'He what?!' Harry replied, choking on his wine.

'Yeah,' Hermione smiled. 'That was one fun party. I told him not to worry, because he was so full of shit that his swimmers probably wouldn't be able to exit his urethra anyway.'

'What's a munter?' Jaana asked, sheepishly.

'A very ugly woman,' Ron explained, with an angry face. 'What a cock. Is there a way for me to punch him in the face?'

'Maybe we should let that fake wedding take place, Hermione,' Harry said simply. 'It would give me a great excuse to lure Philip to a secluded corner and, I don't know. Rip his vocal chords out of his throat and stuff them up his-...'

'I'll gladly assist!' Ron answered darkly. Hermione rolled her eyes.

'It was a long time ago, probably the first time I met him,' she said. 'He was just trying to scare me off, that's all. All mouth and no trousers.'

'Probably a prick the size of a peanut,' Ginny added. 'Insecure guys say weird things.'

'Maybe he fancies you a bit, Hermione,' Luna said, playing with the cocktail onion in her Gillywater. 'You know, like Ron used to be awful to you sometimes.'

They shared an awkward glance and Harry broke the silence with a laugh.

'Well, if Philip sprouts red hair and freckles and starts accusing me of putting my name in The Goblet of Fire, I'll let you all know.'

He winked to Ron and punched him in the arm. Ron chuckled and punched him back.

'Yes, I was an insecure prick too. But I would have never said something like that to Hermione. I always thought she was quite pretty.'

'Quite pretty?' Harry asked, exaggerating. 'She is a goddess, Ronald Weasley, and I will not accept anything else from you!'

'Oh barf,' Ginny said. 'If you are going to be just as goo-goo eyed with Hermione as Ron is with Nicky, I'm going to be sick!'

'Says the girl who had her face plastered to her girlfriend for the first five minutes of this year,' Neville chuckled.

'Well, I will definitely not stop being goo-goo eyed with Nicky,' Ron said, with a glimmer in his eye, 'because... Do you want to say it, Nick?'

Nicky hadn't been feeling all to well that evening, so she had listened and laughed a lot and not interjected herself, but now she showed a mischievous smile.

'Well, we just found out, and obviously, we hadn't planned on this already, but... Ron and I are expecting.'

The group fell silent for a moment. Ron had never looked more proud, he puffed out his chest and grinned from ear to ear, swinging his hand around his girlfriend, placing one hand firmly on her belly.

'You-... You're pregnant?' Hermione said, mouth widened in surprise.

'Yes,' Nicky answered, as she got a bit red. 'As I said - it wasn't planned. Potions are 99% sufficient, but still - ninety-nine is not a hundred. I stopped getting my periods a few months ago and we took a test on the 28th at the doctor's office. I'm 11 weeks. 11 weeks!'

'That's amazing!' Harry said, rising from his chair to pull Nicky in for a hug. 'Congratulations!'

The others followed suit, hugging their friends tightly. Ron and Nicky were positively glowing.

'The due date is the 15th of July as of now,' Nicky smiled. 'It's going to be a strain on our working life - Ron and I are both so busy with our businesses, but we're going to make it work. I'm sure of it.'

'And,' Ron said, 'because we want to be considered husband and wife when the baby comes, we will be getting married on Easter Sunday. If you won't give us a fake wedding, we'll throw one ourselves! And Harry, I would be honored if you...'

Harry cracked a wide smile.

'I would love to! Oh, I'm going to have so much fun organizing your stag night...'

'And Neville, it would be great to have you as a groomsman!'

'I want you to be bridesmaids, Hermione, Ginny, Luna,' Nicky smiled. 'It won't be too big, though. Just a little ceremony.'

The next hour was spent discussing wedding plans - 'You should cast a strong Patrificus Totalus on mom before you give her the news" - and the baby - "Well, if you start having kids already, you could also easily reach the Weasley-Standard in terms of offspring, Ron!" - and then Nicky and Ron went home, so Nicky could rest a bit. After they were gone, the group discussed how a wedding and a baby would change the dynamic of the group. They had all been forced to grow up way quicker than any normal young adult, but for some reason, the fact that two of their friends would soon become parents was a much more definite way of growing up than any war.

'Well, I could use a drink after hearing that I'm going to become an aunt thrice this year,' Ginny said. 'Who's with me?'

Hermione detested club dancing: it was loud, the music was bad, the guys were obnoxious, there was no room for proper conversation and the bathroom stalls were criminally filthy. So, obviously, being the host, she wanted to say "absolutely not", but then she saw the anticipation on Harry's face, and she figured it would be hilarious to see Luna on a Muggle dance floor. Right. How bad could it be?

Bad, it turned out. But an amazing kind of bad. They had clubbed a few times before, but she had forgotten how much Harry liked it. He loved going crazy on the dancefloor to the worst kind of music, because when he was there, he was not The Chosen One or the Boy Who Lived, he was just some crazy young adult, and she couldn't help but be find it contagious as Harry smiled broadly while jumping to some stupid electronic tune. Neville was actually an amazing dancer, creating quite a buzz as he and Luna did a way too serious improvised dance routine on Crazy in Love by Destiny's Child. Ginny and Jaana both tried to trump each other by requesting the most ridiculous songs at the DJ-booth - Jaana, who was way more into Muggle music, easily won by requesting Right Said Fred's "I'm too sexy" and "We are the Cheeky Girls" by... Well, that kind of goes without saying.

Harry persuaded Hermione to join him on the dancefloor, as he made her howl with laughter by acting out the most ridiculous dance moves. Luna was quite good at making some moves up on the spot, dragging them along in the process, and as Neville made sure that they kept on drinking, Hermione felt more and more lightheaded with each passing minute. She didn't know whether it was the alcohol or the fact that she was just so freaking in love with Harry and this party.

'I think the DJ had it when we requested Witch Doctor,' Ginny grinned. 'I mean, it's his New Year's Eve as well, I think he nearly had a nervous breakdown... Who wants some shots?'

Hermione raised her hand, as they all cheered to an amazing year, her head buzzing and turning from the booze and the sound and the sensations, and then another song came on and she couldn't help but sway against Harry, drowning in his scent and his muscular frame. Harry quickly accepted her touches, leaning into her, slowly stroking her arms, her neck, her face, before pressing his lips firmly onto hers. Harry was needy - his kiss felt hungry, insatiable, as they leaned against the balustrade that separated the dance floor from the rest of the bar. It wasn't just Harry who was hungry - she needed it as well, was desperate for his touch, and when she felt his heat flush against her leg, she groaned against his mouth, and the alcohol made her not care that she was very obviously frenching her boyfriend in the middle of a dance club.

Harry lost all sense of composure, as he pressed Hermione tightly against him, leaving her lips to ravish her throat. Hermione tilted her head back, her moans lost in the music and the crowd, and just when Harry moved towards her bosom, Ginny felt the need to interrupt them.

'I think it's time we brought you home,' she said, with a cocky smile. 'So you can finish whatever you're doing without an audience.'

If Hermione had been sober, she probably would have turned beet red, but she wasn't. Instead, she blinked with her eyes a couple of times, feeling annoyed that they had been ripped from their delicious contact, and then slowly nodded.

'You're coming, Hermione? Harry?'

She felt Harry's hand linger on her hipbone, possessive, and grinned. Hermione didn't really remember how she got home, she didn't even remember the others leaving or saying goodbye, she just remembered that Harry helped her take off her black jumpsuit and that it took mere seconds for them to fall unto the beds, half naked limbs intertwined. Harry kissed from her neck to her bosom to her navel, and Hermione closed her eyes to anticipate the contact of having him there with his mouth, but when she closed her eyes, she couldn't actually open them again. The last thing she felt was Harry sighing deeply and resting his head contently on her upper thigh.