Chapter 12
"It's My Life"
"I really can't believe you want to go out," smiled Ginny as she sat across from Harry at the kitchen table.
"I really am getting tired of people saying that," Harry said having a bite of toast.
"Well you're not the partying type mate," said George as he took a seat next to Harry.
Harry was going to respond when Errol slammed against the kitchen window with the post.
"Good Morning!" said Mr. Weasley cheerfully as he walked into the kitchen directly over to the window to get the post. He sorted through the mail, "Ah, Ginny your Hogwarts letter." He handed it to Ginny.
"I was sure Hogwarts would be closed after the battle," she said opening the letter excitedly.
"Nothing will ever be able to keep Hogwarts doors closed," said George.
"Professor McGonagall is the New Headmistress," Ginny smiled brightly, "I wonder who's going to be the head of Gryffindor."
"I wonder who's going to be the new defense against the darks teacher," said George, "I hope it's not another one like Umbridge, I'll have to give discounts to all the students wishing to terrorize the new teacher."
Mr. Weasley hit George over the head with the stack of mail as he took a seat at the head of the table. "There will be no need for that the new teacher will be just fine."
"That's what they thought about Gilderoy Lockheart but look where he is," laughed Harry.
"Terrible what happened to him", said Mrs. Weasley stepping into the kitchen shaking her head.
They all laughed, "Harry, are you coming to Diagon Alley with me to get my school supplies," questioned Ginny.
Harry thought about this for a moment, he hadn't really been out in public since the battle and he knew going to Diagon Alley was only asking for trouble but it was for Ginny, "Yeah sure."
She smiled and left the kitchen to get ready.
_DIAGON ALLEY_
Harry and Ginny stepped out of the floo network into the street. Harry grasped Ginny's hand tighter waiting for the moment people would notice he was there. They walked through the crowded streets of students and parents buying school supplies. They were in front of Flourish and Blotts when…
"IT'S HARRY POTTER!" A young boy who had just come out of the bookstore shouted. Harry smiled politely and tried to continue on, "Can I have your autograph Mr. Potter."
Harry wanted to say no but the boy was so young and his eyes were full of excitement. He had no choice as other people began to crowd around.
"You saved us Mr. Potter!"
"You're a god send!"
"You are the greatest wizard of all time!"
"We will always be safe with you on our side!"
Harry couldn't see Ginny through the crowd of people. He finally caught sight of her in the Flourish and Blotts window looking through a stack of books. Harry really didn't like the attention, he wasn't the greatest wizard of all time, he was just lucky. He didn't even know what he was writing on all the paper being pushed at him. The one thing he was sure about was that with all this attention Rita Skeeter couldn't be far behind.
"Make way this is for the Prophet," a man with a camera was pushing through the crowd to get a better shot of Harry. He snapped a photo and stepped aside.
"Hello Harry, long time no see," said Rita Skeeter with her cunning smile as her quick quills quote was scribbling furiously away in the air next to her. "So what has our hero been up to? It's been a couple months since the battle and no one has seen you."
"I'm not a hero. I didn't defeat Voldemort on my own," Harry signed the last piece of parchment he had in his hand, "Thank You," he said to everyone with a polite smile and made his way into the bookstore to find Ginny.
"Just in time," she said as she finished paying for her books.
Harry took the books from her and tucked them under his arm, "let's get out of here, Rita Skeeter is on her usual rampage for a story."
"How predictable she wants to exploit Harry Potter," Ginny rolled her eyes, "Let's ask if we can use the floo in here."
_RON AND DRACO'S FLAT_
"Thank You," said Ron as he walked into the living room where Draco was sitting on the floor in the corner his face hidden behind a copy of "Wizard World", next to their stack of publications.
"For what," He asked not lowering the magazine.
"Helping Hermione"
Draco thought to himself for a moment he couldn't imagine why he would help Granger and he didn't do it because Ron asked him to look after her. He wasn't getting ready to tell Ron that he did it of his own accord…
"You're welcome," he replied and continued reading the magazine.
There was a knock on the door and Ron answered it.
"Hey Weasel," said Goyle pushing past Ron into the apartment uninvited.
"Goyle, of course you can come in," he stated sarcastically closing the door.
"Don't get your knickers in a bunch, we're not staying," said Draco closing the magazine.
"Yeah Won Won," agreed Goyle in his Lavender impression, "the big boys are going to have some fun."
"Oh yeah, doing what? Scaring small children," he said with a chuckle.
"On the way to the good stuff if there happens to be some children to frighten then maybe we will," answered Goyle with a smirk.
"Come on Goyle, Weasealby can't handle where we're going," Draco was getting ready to go out the front door.
"How would you know?" Ron argued defensively, "You won't even say where you're going."
Draco smirked, "Okay Weasel, you're in for a real treat, let's go."
Goyle grinned and followed Draco out, Ron looked at them suspiciously, he sighed and followed. I hope I don't get arrested.
_DIAGON ALLEY_
Later that night
It was almost midnight, Ginny and Harry walked hand and hand down the empty main street of Diagon Alley. Harry had agreed to have the outing in a magical place but decided the later the better and hopefully he wouldn't get ambushed and so far so good. They turned down a side street it was pitch black. They could hear faint music and laughing. Harry tensed up and tightened his grip on Ginny's hand, she took out her wand and said, "Lumos", they walked down the street a couple of blocks and one lonely light hung under a sign that read The Dirty Boot.
Harry opened the door and was expecting the place to be pack with all the blaring music.
There were a few people scattered about, there were a couple of old witches having a heated conversation at a table in the corner. There was one man sitting at the bar talking to the bartender and a couple sitting in a back booth drinking wine with their arms intertwined. The people Harry had invited were sitting at a table near the dance floor or the dance floor they created by pushing some tables and chairs aside. They were watching Luna, George, and Lee dance like idiots. Ginny and Harry made their way across the room to the table.
"Hi guys," said Neville cheerfully.
"Hey Neville," they said in unison.
"Having fun," Harry asked as he took a seat next to him
"Yes wonderful," he smiled as he took a sip of his drink.
"This is a really good song," commented Ginny bobbing her head, "Harry can you order me a drink," she asked while dancing over to join her brother, Luna, and Lee on the dance floor.
"Are Ron and Hermione coming," asked Dean?
"They're supposed to," Harry answered.
"Is it okay that I invited Lavender and Parvati," asked Seamus.
"Yeah, I don't see…"
Harry was interrupted by Parvati's entrance, "HEY! Let's get this party started!" She and Lavender danced right in over to the dance floor to join the others and waved over to the guys at the table. Harry went to get his and Ginny's drinks. Everyone was talking, dancing, laughing, and having a good time. He completely forgot that just a couple months ago there was a huge war and this empty bar didn't seem so empty anymore.
_RON AND DRACO'S FLAT_
"I can't believe we just did that," said Ron leaning against the wall.
"I warned you, I knew you wouldn't be able to handle it," smirked Draco.
"I handled it just fine," snapped Ron.
"If you count drooling as handling it just fine," commented Goyle, as he took a seat on the counter living room side.
"Can't take you anywhere Weasel," said Draco shaking his head shamefully.
"You could have told me we were going to a strip club. Don't act as if you're all experienced, I know you guys are just talk," stated Ron.
Draco and Goyle just looked at each other and smirked, "Weasel you have no idea the things we've done and seen," said Draco.
Ron raised an eyebrow at this comment for some reason he believed that their experiences were far greater than he ever imagined. There was a knock on the door and Draco left his leaning spot to answer it, "This place gets as much action as Kings Cross… Granger, I've been wondering when you were going to show up it's been a couple days."
She gave a fake grin, "Thanks for the concern Malfoy." He stepped aside to let her in.
"Hi Goyle… Ready?" She asked Ron.
"Yeah I suppose so," he said pushing off the wall.
"Where is the lovely couple off to at this hour," said Draco in a sweetly disgusted tone.
"To meet some friends," answered Ron.
"Didn't know you had any," commented Draco.
"Malfoy…" Ron started.
"Ok, let's not start anything. We're just going to have a drink or two with some people… How about you two join us, it'll be fun," suggested Hermione with a smile.
"I don't think that's a good idea Hermione," said Ron looking at her wide-eyed.
"Well if Weasel, thinks it's a bad idea then it must be good. Let's go," Malfoy smirked leading the way to the door.
Hermione was going to go to but Ron grabbed her arm, "I really don't think this is such a good idea."
"Relax," she kissed him on the lips, "this will be good for everyone, and maybe we can learn to get along or at least tolerate one another." Ron still looked worried and Hermione kissed him again.
"Come on you two and stop all that mushy stuff," shouted Goyle from the hall.
They left the building and ventured towards Diagon Alley.
_THE DIRTY BOOT_
"The Dirty Boot, who the hell are you meeting in this dump?" Asked Draco opening the door, "Ah, Potty and friends," He immediately turned around to leave but Hermione pushed him inside.
"HELLO EVERYONE," she said as three cowardly looking boys followed her over to the group of people.
They all stopped laughing and looked up at Draco and Goyle.
"Hi Hermione," said Harry slowly, "What are they doing here?"
"I know what you're thinking but they'll be cool."
"You expect us…. to believe that the ferret… and his goon are cool," slurred Seamus through his drunkenness.
Hermione saw Draco step forward out of the corner of her eye and without hesitation stepped in front of him, "They really are as long as you don't refer to them as the ferret and his goon."
"Of course they are," George was completely wasted and put his arm around Draco's shoulders, "here, have a firewhisky mate!" Draco stared at him oddly as he took the bottle.
The song on the jukebox changed
"Good song!" Shouted Ginny hopping off Harry's lap and taking a shot before staggering back out to the dance floor, Lavender and Parvati followed too.
Parvati with her drink still in her hand put her arms around Goyle's neck, "come on Goyle dance with me."
Everyone laughed as Goyle actually started dancing with Parvati, even Draco had to smirk at this. She screamed as he picked her up and spun her around and took her out to the center of the floor. Hermione took a seat and Ron sat down on the side of her and Draco went over to the bar to get another drink.
"Hey Ron it's good to see you reappeared mate," said Dean hitting Ron in the arm.
"Sorry 'bout that"
"I wandered into the dark forest looking for you and all you can say is sorry," said Neville.
"The dark forest is full of interesting creatures and it's actually not that dark just misunderstood, unless they mean darkness literally," said Luna in her normal wide eyed dreamy state. She had three fire whiskeys but it was hard to tell if she was drunk.
"Are you drunk," asked Seamus struggling to keep his eyes focused, "there are things in the dark forest… that will rip you to… shred's!"
Dean pried the bottle of fire whiskey out of Seamus' hands, "I think you had an enough."
"What… are you … talking about… see I can stand," Seamus stood up and fell to the floor. Everyone started laughing, "I'm okay," said Seamus from the floor.
"I think we missed all the fun," said Hermione to Ron. As Draco came back from the bar and placed a glass of white wine in front of Hermione and took the seat next to her.
"No you didn't, this party is still going strong," said Dean pulling Hermione out of her seat and over to the dance floor, she grabbed her glass of wine and went with him.
"So Potter, was this your idea to gather in this deserted place," asked Draco taking a sip of his drink.
"Yes, if you have a problem with that then you can leave."
Draco smirked, "I'll stay, anything to make your life more miserable, very clever having this get-together where no one will bother you."
"Obviously my plan failed, you showed up," Harry smirked
Draco smiled mischievously, "True but I have no intention of bothering you tonight just getting piss drunk."
"Sounds like a plan," Ron stood up and went over to the bar. He came back with a firewhisky for all. He made sure everyone got one and even did some unidentifiable dance move, as he made sure everyone that was on the dance floor had a drink as well. He opened his own whisky and continued to dance waving his arm for Luna to come join him, which she did. Drink in hand and it was finally determined that she was drunk when Neville had to turn her so she was actually going in the direction of the dance floor.
"Has Ron already been drinking," asked Neville to Ron's behavior.
"He had a couple of beers earlier," answered Draco staring at Ron in complete confusion.
"He really should never dance again," commented Harry taking another sip of his drink.
The three boys nodded slowly in agreement.
As the night went on everyone was completely wasted except for Neville, Draco, Harry, and Hermione. Neville, Harry, and Draco had somehow found their way onto the dance floor, Lavender was grinding on Draco, and Seamus was still passed out on the floor. Harry was dancing, well stepping side-to-side and wanting to sit down but Ginny wouldn't let him. Neville was dancing with Luna trying to dodge her swinging arms. She looked like she was trying to take flight. Harry looked down at his watch and saw that it was five o'clock in the morning.
"Shit" he whispered to himself. He would have to leave now because in a few of hours the streets would be crawling with people going to work and shopping. Not to mention at 10am he had to take his NEWTS. Harry pulled out his wand and silenced the music.
"Hey, what did you do that for?" Asked Ron pulling away from Hermione who he was slow dancing with to a fast song
"It's five o'clock in the morning I think we should call it a night," said Harry pouring a glass of water on Seamus' face who instantly sat up.
"OH MY GOD, we have to take our NEWTS in a few hours," said Hermione pissed that she lost track of time.
"Let's get out of here," Harry struggled pulling Seamus to his feet.
They all went outside. They shielded their eyes to the harsh light of the sun rising in the distance. Lee and George skipped up the street towards Weasley Wizarding Wheezes singing loud and drunkenly.
"I will apparate Seamus, Lavender, and Parvati home," said Neville holding onto to Seamus so he wouldn't fall over.
"I'll escort Dean home we live in the same general area," said Hermione.
"I'll take Luna too if you want," offered Neville.
"That's okay she can come with us she only lives over the hill," said Harry getting a firm grip on the arms of his drunk girlfriend and their loopy blonde friend, "see you," He turned CRACK!
They disappeared.
"I'll see you guys later," Parvati and Lavender waved grabbed hands then held onto Neville's arm and he held onto to Seamus with the other. CRACK!
Dean was leaning on Hermione and she was struggling to keep her balance, "I have to go to work in a couple hours," laughed Dean tipsy.
"I don't think you'll make it. Where do you work?" Asked Hermione as she continued to struggle, to hold up her six-foot plus friend
"The Department…. of Magical…. Games and Sports, British…. and Irish…. Quidditch… League," Dean hiccupped.
"How did you manage that," Asked Hermione confused because she knew he didn't finish school.
"Took… my NEWTS as… soon as the battle… was over," he was tipping over
Draco grabbed Dean before he could force Hermione to fall over, "How about I make sure these three get home and you go get some rest before your NEWTS."
"Thank you," she said catching her breath, "but you really don't have to do that."
"I know, but I will." He made sure he had a firm grip on Ron, Goyle, and Dean "Good luck on the exam… and remember Nargles." Hermione laughed and Draco smirked, CRACK!
He was gone and Hermione was still laughing to herself turned and disapparated.
"It's My Life" Bon Jovi
