A/N: Happy New Year Everyone! Have fun! Btw, I do not have a Beta so I hope there are not too many mistakes. Tell me if you spot some!
Chapter 3 – I'll Just Have One Drink Tonight
Hermione and Ginny apparated in front of an old-looking, small building which was located on top of a hill, nothing but grass and a few trees her and there surrounding it.
"Where are we?" Hermione asked.
"Just a few miles from the pitch", Ginny replied and smiled at her. "This place has really nice pasta. It is run by an Italian wizard, so the taste is authentic I guess. I figure you could need something like this after the shock." Her voice still sounded concerned.
"Thank you, Ginny, I think you're right", Hermione replied. "Though I actually have some work to do, but maybe-"
"Enough nonsense. You are not going back to work today, Hermione Jean Granger!", Ginny replied with a stern voice, which made her sound almost like her mother, Molly Weasley.
"Alright, alright", Hermione lifted her hands in surrender. "And Ginny, thank you so much. I think you saved my life today. How can I ever thank you enough for that?"
"Don't talk nonsense", Ginny put her off with a smile. "You helped me so much in the past. No need to thank me. You should get over the shock, so let's not talk about it for today." She tightened the grip around Hermione's arm but not in a unpleasant way.
"Let's go", Ginny said happily and dragged Hermione into the restaurant. It was indeed a nice place. Comfortable and warm. A small tree grew in the middle of the room and a few strings of fairy lights were attached to its branches. Oh, and some real fairies were actually buzzing around the tree giving off their typical sound. A few other people were eating and chatting at the wooden tables placed around the tree.
They sat down at a table located in a corner and Ginny called out the waiter immediately. She obviously knew what to order.
"Two spicy seafood pastas, please. And two butterbeer as well."
"Butterbeer and pasta?", Hermione gave her a questioning look.
"I know, the combination is weird, but believe me, it's just what you need."
They fell silent for a moment, each of them in thought.
"So…", Ginny eventually said, "it has been some time, huh? I mean, since we last saw each other?"
Hermione felt a little embarrassed and avoided the redhead's gaze. Ginny had send her an owl from time to time during those last months, suggesting a meeting, but Hermione had been busy, so she had rejected her offer several times.
"I am sorry", she said and detached her gaze from the table looking in Ginny's eyes. They were certainly very beautiful. And suddenly she realized once again how much she had missed her friend. Ginny's presence alone made her feel more comfortable than she had during all those months. "You know I am very busy at work, all these reports and I really want to get promoted quickly, so I have to work overtime and-"
"And you think you'll become happy?" Ginny cut her off. "Working all the time, being stressed out, not meeting your friends, spending the evening in the Ministry or alone at your flat? Hermione, of course work is important, but don't forget to live your life!"
These words and the concerned expression on Ginny's face made Hermione even more embarrassed. But she did not really see how she was not living her life, since she was doing all this to be able to make a difference, to improve things. This was what she wanted, so she was living her life, right?
"I am sorry", Hermione repeated. "I should have met you more often. I missed you, seriously."
"I missed you too", Ginny replied. There was another silence, which felt more awkward as the first one. Luckily, their food came out at that very moment, not brought by the waiter, but appearing on the plates in front of them. It was indeed really delicious and the combination of warm and spicy caused the tension in Hermione to disappear slowly. And to her surprise, the butterbeer went along with the food really well, providing relief when the spiciness was too much for her.
The two women chatted lightly while eating, talking about Hermione's work as well as the latest news from Ginny's career as a professional Quidditch player. According to Ginny, the Harpies had won all but one of their games in this season so far. However, they did not face off against the best teams in the league yet, so she was worried that the team's winning streak would be over soon. Hermione tried to cheer her up by assuring what a great Seeker Ginny was, but since she knew not enough about Quidditch, her arguments seemed rather weak. Ginny appeared to be happy about Hermione's support though and her mood improved significantly.
"You know, I am really glad we met today", Ginny said and smiled at Hermione cheerfully. "Even if you did not show up voluntarily."
Hermione blushed and replied apologetically: "Stop it, will you. I will get in touch more often from now on, I swear."
"Maybe I should have dated Harry a little longer," Ginny said thoughtfully. "Then I would have been able to meet you more often."
"Don't be silly!", Hermione reprimanded. "Everyone knows you weren't happy with him, so you did well not to wait too long before breaking up. And I don't see Harry that often either. I really miss him, though." Hermione sighed and her smile disappeared from her face.
Ginny reached out for Hermione's hand and rubbed it slightly. The gesture was warm and comforting, but it also made Hermione a little sad since she could not remember the last time someone had hold her hand. It might have been months.
"Try to meet your friends a little more often and stop to bury yourself in work, Hermione", Ginny said. "Go outside, meet people and have a little fun once in a while." Ginny's eyes started to twinkle and a mischievous grin spread over her face. "Let's start today!" She pulled something out of her bag which looked like a galleon, wait, it was a galleon…the Dumbledore's Army galleon in fact. Hermione started to realize what Ginny was up to. "Ginny, you don't need to-" But the redhead had already activated the spell.
A few seconds later, the restaurant's door opened and Luna Lovegood entered, walking straight towards their table. "Ginny, you're lucky I just came back home from my research excursion, you won't believe it, I think I spotted a new kind of Wrackspurt, a little smaller than the ones around here!" Her voice was dreamily. Then her gaze fell on Hermione and her eyes widened a little
"Hermione! It must have been ages! So good to see you!", she walked over to her and hugged her tightly. Hermione was a little taken aback, but she was happy to see Luna too. It had been more than two years she last saw her at their graduation ceremony. Yet, the blonde girl looked just the same. Only her earrings had changed. It looked like two miniature eggplants were hanging from the girl's earlobes. But the color went nicely with Luna's skin, so Hermione did find it rather pretty than weird.
Luna sat down at the table next to Ginny and only ordered a butter beer. "I already had lunch", she explained. "So, what's up?", she asked looking at Ginny and then at Hermione.
"Hermione here needs a little fun I figured, so I called my best friends to lighten up the mood", Ginny grinned at Luna. "And maybe we can go to that pub we went the other day?", her grin widened as she seemed to remember something Hermione did not know about.
"The 'Giant's Belly'?", Luna snickered. "Well, I don't mind."
"Luna thinks the bartender is really cute", Ginny explained to Hermione.
Before Hermione could reply, the opening of the door pronounced the arrival of someone else. "Hey everyone", a handsome-looking Neville said while looking around a little bashfully. When had he become so good-looking? He had grown a little more muscle and his facial features did look nothing like the clumsy, slightly chubby boy he had used to be.
"Oh, hello Hermione, it has been a while, has it?", he smiled at her and the familiar gesture made Hermione feel all warm inside. Only now did she realize how much she had missed everyone.
They chatted for a while and drank more butterbeer. Luna had become a naturalist, travelling around the country and sometimes even abroad to collect information about known and unknown magical creatures with the aim to publish a new encyclopedia, kind of an updated 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'. Sometimes she published some of her findings in the Quibbler, which was selling better than ever, making her father really happy. Neville had been doing pretty much the same but with magical herbs and plants. He now considered to apply for the teaching post for Herbology at Hogwarts, since Professor Sprout would retire next year.
Ginny talked a little more of Quidditch and Hermione told them about her work at the ministry and the latest occurrences they had dealt with in her department. Listening to everyone else's stories made her feel a little strange. It sounded like everyone was doing what they had dreamt of, but why did it seem to Hermione that this was not the case for herself? Before she could ponder more on this question however, Ginny got up and said: "Let's go to the Giant's Belly and have a few more drinks!"
Neville and Luna cheered and got up as well. "Come on Hermione!" Hermione gut up hesitantly. Drinks at a pub? So, they might be drinking something stronger than butter beer. Would she be able to handle that? She wasn't really much of a drinker. Whatever, she thought. Having a little fun once in a while could not hurt. She would have a little fun today and concentrate on work tomorrow. "Let's go", she said and they went outside to disapparate.
They apparated in front of the "Giant's Belly", which lay in a small Muggle village close to the Harpies' Quidditch pitch. It seemed to be invisible to muggles as several of them just passed its front door not looking at it at all.
They entered and sat down at a table near the window. The place was comfortable and warm, just perfect for the kind of weather outside. Everything was made of dark wood and candles lit the room.
"Why is this place called 'Giant's Belly'", Hermione wondered aloud.
"The owner claims he could make so much food in a day to satisfy even the greatest giant", Luna explained. "I am not sure though. They eat a lot, those giants."
They ordered a bottle of fire whiskey and fried pumpkin slices as a side dish. Hermione looked over at the bar tender, who looked quite handsome indeed. Not her type though.
"He is married I heard", Luna explained following Hermione's gaze. "I have to find someone else I guess."
"You can easily find someone", Neville said and poured everyone a glass of fire whiskey. "You are really pretty and lovable."
"So why don't you have a try, Neville?", Hermione asked him teasingly and grinned.
Neville sighed and looked sad suddenly. "Neville, I am sorry, did I say something I shouldn't have?", Hermione said, surprised about the sudden change in the young man's expression.
"No, Hermione, it's okay." He set the shot glass on his lips and devoured everything in one gulp. Then he looked Hermione right in the eyes and said: "There is someone I like, but they will never like me back." He poured himself another glass and Luna, who was sitting next to him stroked his back lightly.
"I am sorry to hear that", Hermione said a little taken aback by his behavior. "But…are you sure, you don't have a chance with her?"
Neville seemed to tense as she said those words. Did she say something wrong again?
"The person I like is…not a woman. It's a man…a-and it's…Harry…" He said in a shaking voice, his hands trembling slightly.
Hermione just stared at him as her thoughts were racing. Wait, what? Neville liked Harry? But Harry was a man… Well, okay so Neville was gay. That was unexpected but she did not have any ill-feelings about that, so okay. But the fact he liked Harry?
"But Harry is not gay", she muttered more to herself than to Harry. Neville heard her though and winced. "Oh sorry, Neville, I am sorry."
"He is still a little sensitive to the word 'gay'", Luna explained as she kept stroking Neville's back. "Took him quite a while to say it out aloud. And of course, we all know that Harry's not gay, but you cannot change your feelings so easily."
"We keep telling him to get over it, though", Ginny said. "I bet there is a really handsome and nice young wizard out there who was made just for him."
They fell silent for a few moments each of them looking down on their glasses.
Neville was the first one to interrupt the silence. "So, Hermione…" Hermione looked at him trying to smile. "Yes?"
"So, you're okay with it? With me b-being g-gay, I mean".
Hermione laughed because Neville looked so seriously worried it was almost cute. "Oh Neville! Of course! Don't worry, you're one of my best friends even though we didn't see each other much lately. That won't change."
Neville looked relieved and smiled happily. "Thanks."
"So that means we are all single right now?", Luna looked at Hermione quizzingly.
"Yes, I am not seeing anyone", Hermione replied. "I was too busy with studying and working, so there was no one after Ron. The relationship was not a serious one anyways. I think we just dated because of the emotional stress during the year before the battle against You-Know-Who. It made me feel a little better, but it wasn't love. At least I think so."
"So, you were never in love?", Luna asked a little surprised. "Don't you want to know what it feels like?"
"Well I am kind of curious, but I don't really need anyone right now. I am too busy working and trying to complete my House Elves project. Dating anyone is not really on the top of my agenda at the moment."
"But do you feel happy with that?", Neville asked.
"I am not unhappy", Hermione replied. "At least it's better than suffering from unrequited love, I guess?" She said it in a caring manner, so Neville was not offended by her words.
"Well, you might be right", Neville replied. "I started liking Harry when we started Dumbledore's Army and feel rather miserable since. But it also makes me feel alive somehow. Weird isn't it? I should really get over him though. Ginny and Luna are right."
"Of course we are," Ginny said and smiled at him. They drank their shots and Neville poured everyone another glass. "Thanks", Hermione said. She could feel the strong whiskey burning in her throat even minutes after drinking. She was starting to feel a little hot and lightheaded even though she did not have drunk much yet. The lack of 'training' was obvious.
"So, Ginny, did you think about what we discussed the other time?", Luna asked looking at Ginny. Ginny suddenly blushed, her cheeks almost as red as her hair. The three friends seemed to meet often as they apparently discussed really personal matters, Hermione thought.
Ginny cast a glance at Hermione looking nervous before she replied: "Well…your assumption might be true, Luna."
"I knew it!" Luna exclaimed. "Seeing all those wrackspurts that were infesting your head and how you talked about that captain of yours, it was rather obvious." She grinned, apparently content with herself.
"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked curiously. "Did I miss something?"
"Well", Neville replied. "We were talking with Ginny about her ideal-type the other day since she has been single for a while now, but she seemed not really be able to come up with a clear description of a guy. And Luna here noticed that she had some trouble organizing her thoughts about the matter."
"So we asked her to describe her team members to us,", Luna continued the explanation. "It was just a test, a thought of mine, but it worked really well. She could describe everyone using lots of details and she seemed particularly euphoric in describing the Harpies' captain, so…yeah."
"I don't really understand," Hermione said confusedly. Ginny was rocking in her seat clearly uncomfortable and avoiding her gaze.
"Hermione, I thought you were the brightest witch of our age," Neville said teaslingly.
"Well uhm…", Ginny uttered finally saying something for herself. "Well, I…I…umh…so Luna voiced the assumption, that…I…that I might be into g-girls." Ginny blushed even more before hiding her face in her hands avoiding everyone's gaze. "Now! I said it!", she said, her voice muffled by her hands. "But I am not interested in the captain", she said, spreading her fingers a little to give a glance at Luna. "She's not my type."
Hermione was a little shocked. Okay, so Neville liked boys. But Ginny liking girls? She reached for her glass and drank the fire whiskey in one shot. Well, thinking about it, the redhead had dated some boys including Harry. But she had never seemed really sad when she broke up with them. She also never heard Ginny talking about her boyfriends when they were not around. But Hermione had just assumed that she did not met the right person yet.
"Ginny", Hermione spoke up. "Stop hiding your face. It's okay. We still all love you. I think it will take me some time to get used to all the stuff I heard today, but who you like is your business and does not change anything about you. Don't worry. And don't be ashamed."
Ginny slowly lowered her hands, still looking extremely bashful. "Thank you, Hermione", she said smiling shyly at her. Her smile was really pretty, Hermione thought suddenly.
"After Luna told me about her thoughts, I started to wonder if she might be right and I think she is", Ginny explained. "When I walk past a pretty woman I look at her. And when I think about being in a relationship, I cannot picture myself with a man anymore. It's weird. I didn't want to acknowledge it at first, but I think I cannot be happy with a man. I also rethought my past relationships and I realized that I just dated out of curiosity."
"So time to find you someone", Neville said and grinned.
"No need for that, Neville", Ginny replied bashfully. "I should just concentrate on Quidditch."
"Alright", Neville replied. "But what would be your ideal type though? Just curious."
Ginny pondered over this for a few moments while staring at her shot glass. Hermione reached for a piece of fried pumkin. She suddenly felt a little nervous and needed something to calm her nerves. But why did she feel nervous?
"My ideal type", Ginny finally started explaining "I guess would be someone who is intelligent, passionate and loves me for who I am. Someone who is serious at the right moments but also has a funny side to them." She stopped, thinking some more. "Oh, and for physical appearance, I prefer brown eyes over blue or green ones. Oh, and I like long wavy hair I think."
Neville and Luna opened their mouth but did not say anything. They stared at Ginny and then moved their head towards Hermione in unison.
"Didn't you just describe Hermione?", they asked simultaneously.
Wait, what?
A/N2: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please review and tell me what you think, it would mean a lot to me! :)