Hogs Meade's streets were practically deserted for a weeknight as was the crowd in Madame Rosemerta's pub, making it easy for Harry, Ron, and Neville to find an empty table upon the arrival . They ordered a pitcher of butter beer and some crisps and got right down into the important talk that had been neglected ; the sad state of Quidditch for the four Hogwarts house teams with so many members having not returned after the war.

Questioning verity's loyalty ( she was half-sister to Malfoy , after all) as Draco had been pardoned for his part with help from a hidden letter from Dumbledore, which had been found recently and then more speculation surrounding Seamus Finnegan not returning .

Harry had also been recently informed by his girlfriend that she, Luna, and Neville were keeping Dumbledore's Army alive and couldn't get past it.

" Neville, I understand why you kept it alive . I mean, you guys held down Hogwarts during the war and that was important," said Harry, plaintively," but it's over. There isn't any need , not anymore, for the D.A."

" The D.A. was all about doing what was right ," stated Neville," you showed us that. Working together , Harry. It was great advice . Do you know we've been having different teachers rotating in the Dark Arts since Snape was killed? We've had a different one like every two weeks and I don't think its helping . The D.A. helps, it still helps , and it reminds us that we don't ever forget what we fought for"

" He makes a lot of sense, Harry," agreed Ron, calling out for some biscuits .

Neville flashed a grin," In a way, we're keeping it alive for Dumbledore too"

This Harry understood only too well-hadn't he don't that in part himself ?

" I think Dumbledore would have really liked that sentiment, Neville," commented Harry," even if I don't think its necessary anymore'

" Besides I am really quite skilled at producing my Patronus now a days ," added Neville, proudly as he inclined his head towards Harry," though I admit I am not as impressive as our former teacher at it but I'm not too shabby"

Harry smirked, raised his glass at his friend and took a gulp of the refreshing beer.

Ron and Neville found this incredibly humorous and chuckled together.

"My famous teaching skills aside," pried Harry," how are you and Luna doing?"

" We're good," admitted Neville with a catch in his voice," it was right dicey after the war but then so much awful had happened . Once all the dust settled and Luna finally talked about being held by the Death Eaters, it was as if nothing at all happened '

" I think Luna handled things much better than the lot of us' said Harry, wryly.

" Okay , maybe Harry's right but why do I sense a but coming from you, Neville," teased Ron," Luna step out with Dean while we were all at Bill and Fleur's ?"

"Or is it that you've suddenly become fancible since you helped lead the revolt here?"

Harry nudged Ron's elbow, making him spill some of his beverage.

" Luna wouldn't do such a thing and you know it, Ron"

" Yeah but Luna's done a lot of things I wouldn't have imagined " Ron waggled his eyebrows, comically," isn't that right, Neville?"

" No comment "

" Neville let out a hearty sigh," You know, Ron actually kind of hit on it with that second one. I mean, I'm not either one of you and I never figured girls would openly flirt with me besides Luna, I mean. " He leaned forward to confide in them," Hannah Abbott has been flirting with me in Charms and Study Hall and you should hear what some of those fourth year Hufflepuff's have said about me'

Ron slapped him on the back." Bloody hell ! We should toast that!"

"It is cool,' agreed Harry, a cocky grin emerging on his face," I have to admit that I did enjoy the extra attention by the girls when I was The Chosen One. I mean I wasn't interested in anyone but Ginny but it's a really fantastic boost for your ego"

"Like being the Gryffindor Keeper," recalled Ron," all the glory and attention"

" You two are still completely mental," reminded Neville," Romilda Vane and Lavender Brown ring any bells . I seem to remember the wrath of Hermione wasn't pretty.."

" Yeah," agreed Ron," that wasn't such a great time after all with her hating my guts "

"Tell me about it," groused Harry," it was hell on me with the both of you"

" Okay so I was a prat for not realizing Hermione took what happened between us in the infirmary after Sirius had gone,' stumbled Ron," I didn't know she took it as us being an us"

" You should have ," chimed in Neville," we were there and we figured as much"

" Okay so we'll be here all night if we discuss all of Ron's mistakes with Hermione," conceded Harry," so, Neville, you and Hannah then?"

" There isn't any me and Hannah," answered Neville," it is wild and flattering but it doesn't change the fact that I am in love with Luna. Even though I do like all the attention…but Luna knows that "

He hadn't had any really female attentions before Luna -Hermione and Ginny didn't count because they were one-sided crushes on his part.

" I'm sensing a bit of a problem here," inquired Harry," Luna jealous?"

Neville let out a frustrated sigh." Not in the least,' confessed Neville," she trusts me . I mean, I guess that isn't something I should complain about . We don't row at all"He deliberated meeting his friends gazes." She's so damn peaceful, guys. I cant even argue with her if I wanted to just so we could have fun making up because she wont raise her voice, at all"

" Hermione has never had that problem," commented Ron,rubbing thoughtfully at his chin," and rowing is what Mione and I do best. The making up is the greatest"

" Ginny's pretty good at the yelling at me if she disagrees with me," Harry took in the wariness in Neville's eyes and understood," sounds to me like you want some more excitement in your relationship with Luna. Maybe you could provoke her "

" I have considered that," admitted Neville," if she wouldn't avoid me"

" Constant vigilance," told Ron," Moody was big on reminding us of that'

" So I should what, Wear Luna down with what, flirt with Hannah in front of her and hurt her feelings," pondered Neville," Ginny has already mentioned to her that some of the younger girls are giving me a second look . I know because Luna told me.."

" Maybe you should just ask her how she feels about it?" considered Harry, taking in the numerous accounts where jealousy was involved either between himself, Ginny, or Dean or any other bloke she'd dated before him. Then there was the Ron and Hermione saga of jealousy issues generally involving any mere mention of Victor Krum or Lavender Brown.

" Maybe she doesn't care as much as I do" speculated Neville, worriedly.

"Or Luna cares too much and is unsure of how much to show," said Harry," I mean, she is always been really honest with me and I think she's the best. Has she said anything to you, Neville, about the two of you?"

Neville got his back up." I don't know and Luna hasn't been seeing anything, she is supposed to have laid off looking into things …she promised me that "

Harry held up his hands." Okay then I don't know what to say"

" Sorry, Harry," said Neville," guess I'm a little sensitive. I will figure something out"

"Well," Ron finished his drink ," I'm going to ask Hermione tomorrow night"

Neville stared blankly at him," Ask her what…exactly?"

Ron's face screwed up in disgust." To marry me," stated Ron," what else do you think that I would ask Hermione?"

Neville opened his mouth, thought better of it, and closed it.

"Rosemerta," Harry signaled to the owner," a bottle of Ogden's best, please"

The stunning proprietress smiled warmly at the young man," Of course, Harry"

Neville's eyes widened upon the realization." That's huge," muttered Neville,' marriage is….big step. Huge really ….wow, Ron"

" He's had the ring for a year," informed Harry," it's a damn miracle he hasn't lost it yet"

Ron ignored him.

" The time is right," declared Ron," I'm working now and once I'm an Auror , I'll make good pay. Mione's job in International Relations is just waiting for her once she graduates and we can do this….we wouldn't have to look for a place of our own till she was ready"

"Ron," Harry slapped him on the back," you don't have to convince us. Just her"

Rosemerta sat a bottle of Odgen's Best Firewhiskey between them and Harry promptly filled their glasses. " Hermione will not turn you down. We have been over all of the reasons hundreds of times and you need to calm down, Ron. She's been in love with you forever "

" I just cant screw this up," Ron blew out a breath," its too important "

" You aren't going to screw up," encouraged Harry," and Hermione will cry happy tears"

Harry shook his head ,amused , at Neville." That is why we didn't go to the Burrow first"

Neville raised his glass." Let's have a toast then," offered Neville," to Ron and Hermione"

" Here, here," agreed Harry, lifting his glass towards the center. Ron lifted his as well even though he appeared confident in his blue eyes save for the shade of unnaturally pale his face was taking on with nervousness," to Ron and Hermione!"

Their glasses clicked in unison and the fire whisky burned all the way down Ron's gut.

" Thanks, guys," Ron poured himself another," Bloody hell! She better say yes!"