Happily Ever After

Chapter Five

Ron, Harry, Ginny, and Hermione shuffled aimlessly through the streets of Hogsmeade for several minutes after being turned away from Chateau Magique. They followed their long, gloomy shadows in uneasy silence. Ron looked from Harry, whose eyes burned with righteous anger to Ginny and Hermione, with their heads bowed in disappointment. In an effort to lighten the mood, Ron said brightly, "Chins up everyone! Who's up for some Butterbeers?"

Ron said, "On Harry!" At the same time as Harry said, "On Ron!"

Everyone smiled and it was in slightly higher spirits that the four friends headed for the Three Broomsticks.

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In a matter of minutes, the quartet stood in front of the Three Broomsticks. On this Saturday evening, the pub was full of people laughing and chatting. In a corner, a dozen Post-Hogwarts boys were listening to a Quidditch broadcast. Every crucial play was followed by raucous yelling, galleons changing hands, and shots of firewhiskey.

Once they were inside, Ron and Harry went to get drinks while Ginny and Hermione wove through the crowd trying to find a table. As the boys approached the bar, Madam Rosmerta caught sight of them and smiled. "Harry! Ron! It's so good to see you!" When bother boys failed to return the greeting, she asked "Why so glum?" Ron quickly looked over his shoulder to make sure Ginny and Hermione were out of earshot before replying, "We were going to propose tonight."

Rosmerta clapped a hand to her mouth. "To Ginny and Hermione?" Ron nodded, "Yeah, at Chateau Magique." Rosmerta's eyes widened as she asked, "What happened?" "Someone forgot to make reservations." Harry said, looking pointedly at Ron.

"You're never gonna forget that are you?" Ron asked, on edge.

"You know," Harry replied coldly, "I think there's been enough "forgetting" lately. That got Ron's dander up, but before they did anything they'd regret, Madam Rosmerta intervened.

"Boys, boys," she said, making "calm down" gestures with her hands. "Relax, I think I have an idea…"

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"An idea? What kind of idea?" Harry asked cautiously.

"I don't know yet," Rosmerta answered as she ducked into the kitchen. "She called over her shoulder, "Just don't let the girls leave!"

This would prove to be easier said than done.

As soon as they turned around, they were confronted by a very sheepish Ginny and a very angry Hermione.

"We're leaving." Hermione said. Then she met everyone's eye in turn, daring them to disagree. Truth be told, no one wanted to. Her beautiful new outfit now sported a large, dark stain and she didn't look happy about it. In fact, the look she wore was almost murderous so most people at surrounding tables were glad the look wasn't aimed at them.

Ron and Harry awkwardly looked at each other, then to Ginny who shook her head almost imperceptibly.

When no one offered any resistance, Hermione made to stalk past them and through the door but Ron said, "Oh no you don't!" grabbed her arm and swung her back around. She glared down at where Ron's hand encircled her wrist pointedly. Ron quickly added, "You don't want to leave just yet."

Hermione arched an eyebrow. "I don't?"

"No," Ron answered earnestly. "You don't."

"Why not?"

Ron faltered. "Because…erm….well, because…" Thankfully, Harry stepped in. "Because we haven't had our drinks yet!"

Hermione glared suspiciously from Harry to Ron to the Butterbeers sitting untouched on the counter before throwing up her hands in exasperation. "Fine!" she exclaimed, "I'm going to clean up." With that, Hermione turned on her heels and made for the restroom, being careful to detour around the rowdy boys in the back.

As Harry, Ginny, and Ron grabbed their Butterbeers and barstools, Ron asked, "What happened to her anyway?" Ginny sighed deeply before replying, "It was those guys in the back." She took a large swig of her Butterbeer. 'And….?' Harry prompted. Resignedly, Ginny continued, "Well one of them was completely wasted. When we tried to get by, her turned around and totally dumped his Firewhiskey all over her. While Hermione was telling them off…" Here Ron and Harry exchanged a brief, knowing look having both been on the receiving end of Hermione's lectures. "..they recognized her; they started calling her all sorts of vile things."

"Like what?" Ron asked darkly, glaring over his shoulder.

"Use your imagination." Ginny said. "Anyway, that's when we noticed their green and silver gear…"

Harry began, "The only thing worse than an ignorant bastard..."

"Is an ignorant Slytherin bastard." Ron finished.

The three sat in stony silence until Hermione returned from the bathroom. She took her seat, grabbed her Butterbeer and downed half of it. The whiskey stain was now a shadow of what it had been, and the thunderclouds on her face were slowly clearing up, but for the moment, she was still slightly scary.

Luckily, Madam Rosmerta lightened the mood by poking her head out of the kitchen.

"Oh! Hullo Ginny!" She said brightly. A pause as she took in Hermione's stormy appearance. "Hullo Hermione."

She had come out to give Harry and Ron an update on her plans, but didn't know if it would be wise to do so with the girls so close at hand. So, ignoring Ron and Harry's pointed looks, she edged toward the bar, grabbed something from under the counter, and sidestepped back into the kitchen.

The four looked at each other.

Silence.

Then, "So…how 'bout them Cannons?"

"Shut up Ron!" Harry, Ginny and Hermione said at once. While the four were laughing, Madam Rosmerta reappeared. She was holding a wicker basket which she handed to Harry. He held the basket over his head and yelled, "Ta-da!"

Hermione, Ginny, and Ron all asked, "What is it?"

Harry started, "It's….why it's…" "A picnic basket." Rosmerta whispered. "A picnic basket!" Harry announced.

"For us?" Hermione asked.

"For you." Rosmerta replied. "Go on!" she urged.

As they followed Ginny and Hermione our the door, Harry said gratefully, "Thank you so much!" "Yeah, we owe you one!" Ron said.

Madam Rosmerta smiled and crossed her fingers. "Good luck!"

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Much Luv,

La Nanita