A/N: Thank you all for reading! It's always nice to see people interested in this odd little story of mine. If you have any constructive comments please let me know, because my writing could always be better. Again, thank you! Please read and review! Or message me with any questions or comments. I don't own anything. I'm just having a little fun with the characters.

Chapter 19: The Hog's Head

Ronald Weasley was a different person. Without his alcohol, he walked around like a zombie through the halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hermione apologized to him, and things were back to normal besides his new found drag. Ron was finally having to deal with his emotions from during the war, and that did not agree with him. However, without the alcohol, he was less temperamental. He neither yelled nor raised a hand against his ever forgiving girlfriend. And things carried on in this same manner until their trip to Hogsmeade.

The last week in October was coming towards a close, and the village was bustling with students left and right. Hermione had met Draco earlier in the week to explain how muggles celebrate various holidays. Hermione had been impressed with his progression. He understood muggle currency and travel like the back of his hand. They had begun discussing muggle technology, but Hermione wanted to break things up to discuss the holidays with Halloween approaching. She didn't think there were huge differences in the lore of the celebrations, but the dressing up part definitely stood out.

Hermione had shown up to their lesson wearing cat ears and painted whiskers. Draco was taken aback. He didn't understand how Hermione looking like that would connect to muggle electricity, but what did he know? He laughed once she explained her plan for the lesson.

Things between the two of them quickly became comfortable. Despite her friends' misgivings, she could not find a reason to distrust him. He could be witty and funny. He was beyond intelligent, but his teasing brought out another part of her that allowed her to make intelligent quips that would normally go over her other friends' heads.

And on that Saturday morning, Hermione found herself politely wishing her snakes a good day as she ran down to meet Ron, Harry, and Ginny. They planned to go look at various stores and maybe eat a bite at the Three Broomsticks or the Hog's Head. But plans quickly changed as they were ambushed by press and villagers who wanted to get a chance to see or speak to the Golden Trio. They ran to the outskirts of the village and stealthily made their way back to the Hog's Head. Aberforth still kept things quiet and dingy so most villagers avoided the pub, favoring the bright warm atmosphere of the Three Broomsticks. The couples took seats in the back to try and hide. Aberforth took their order and quickly brought them their food and drink. They stayed there most of the day. Ron excused himself to the restroom for a little while, but Harry, Ginny, and Hermione did not question his absence.

Little did they know, the third part of their trio had slipped away to purchase more alcohol to replace his lost stores. He had found a small shop off the beaten path and quickly slipped inside. The wizard at the counter recognized him immediately, but Ron paid him extra for his discretion. Ron returned to the group with a crate full of Firewiskey, none of his friends and sister being wiser. Unbeknownst to him, a small bug had landed upon his shoulder with a curious exoskeletal coloring.

The group discussed their term so far and their excitement for the upcoming holiday break. Harry, Ginny, and Ron discussed quidditch and the season that would begin in the coming weeks. Nothing mentioned was juicy enough gossip for the little stowaway until Harry Potter inquired about a certain blond ex-Death Eater and his tutoring sessions with the snotty know-it-all.

"Is he giving you any trouble?"

Hermione laughed. "Not at all. He's extremely quick to learn and seems interested in actually understanding the differences between our two worlds."

Ron scowled and said, "He's just doing it to save his sorry arse from rotting in a cell next to his evil father."

"He really does seem excited to learn. Maybe he actually has put aside his previous ideology and is trying to be a better human being."

"And my hair is bright blue. And the sky is green. Hermione, you can't just change that quickly. It's an act. All of it. He's using you to save himself just like his mother used Harry in the woods to save her own hide. Never trust a snake. Snakes are too damn slimy and sneaky."

"Snakes are not slimy. They just appear shiny because of their scales, so you don't know what you're talking about, Ronald."

"I won't see my girl used by snakes. You need to tell McGonagall you quit."

"I'm not quitting. He needs the help."

"Bloody bleeding heart," he muttered.

With a glance at the setting sun, Harry Potter saved the day yet again and told his friends that they needed to be returning to Hogwarts.