The rest of September flew by in a flurry of classes. I was still on cloud nine from George's confession of love, and nothing seemed capable of bringing me down. So, September disappeared and October came, bringing with it the first trip to Hogsmeade.
Of course, that good mood would be ruined the first weekend trip to Hogsmeade. I was sitting in the Great Hall, eating my breakfast in anticipation of seeing George at the Three Broomsticks when Ron and Harry showed up. Ron sat down beside me immediately, obviously excited about something. He started rambling about a spell Harry had used on him last night while Harry sat next to him.
"... and then there was another flash, of light and I landed on the bed again!" Ron finished, grinning like a maniac. Did he really think it was just cool? He grabbed a sausage while waiting for my reply. I kept my face straight, feeling anything but amused.
"Was this spell, by any chance, another one from that potion book of yours?" I asked, turning my gaze on Harry. He frowned at me, looking slightly worried.
"Always jump to the worst conclusion, don't you?" He said defensively, going for a sausage as well.
"Was it?" I asked again, forcing my voice to stay calm.
"Well. . . yeah, it was, but so what?" He said, already knowing what I was thinking. Really, how could he be so naïve?
"So you just decided to try out an unknown, handwritten in-cantation and see what would happen?" Of all the stupid things, that spell could have done anything, it could have seriously hurt them!
"Why does it matter if it's handwritten?" Harry asked, ignoring my question. I rolled my eyes as I answered him, feeling annoyed at his childishness.
"Because its probably not Ministry of Magic approved, and also because I'm starting to think this Prince character was a bit dodgy."
They both exploded at once, Ron knocked over the ketchup bottle exclaiming it was a 'laugh' while Harry glared at me.
"Dangling people upside down by the ankle?" I said in my most severe voice. "Who puts their time and energy into making up spells like that?"
"Fred and George," Ron answered immediately, knowing that answer would make me maddest. How dare he try and use my boy friend against me, even if it was his kind of spell.
"it's their kind of thing. And, er—" He continued, fading out as he saw the death glare I was sending him. He was lucky my wand was in my pocket. I couldn't jinx him at the moment.
"My dad," Harry said suddenly and quietly.
"What?" Ron and I asked together. I shot a glare at him before turning back to Harry.
"My dad used this spell," Harry answered. "I — Lupin told me." That was obviously a lie, but his confession brought another memory to my mind.
"Maybe your dad did use it, Harry" I said quietly, feeling horrified at my memory. "but he's not the only one. We've seen a whole bunch of people use it, in case you've forgotten. Dangling people in the air. Making them float along, asleep, helpless."
Harry stared at me for a long moment before his face fell with realization. Ron, realizing what I was talking about spoke up quickly.
"That was different, They were abusing it. Harry and his dad were just having a laugh. You don't like the Prince, Hermione," he added, pointing a sausage at me, "because he's better than you at Potions —"
"It's got nothing to do with that!" I said, growing angry. I didn't care that he was beating me, well, not too much. I was far more worried about the fact that Harry was using a spell that Death Eaters had used, one that he didn't even know the effects of!
"I just think it's very irresponsible to start performing spells when you don't even know what they're for, and stop talking about 'the Prince' as if it's his title, I bet it's just a stupid nickname, and it doesn't seem as though he was a very nice person to me!" I finished, feeling angry and flustered. I had been so excited about seeing George and now I was furious.
"I don't see where you get that from," Harry said angrily. "If he'd been a budding Death Eater he wouldn't have been boasting about being 'half-blood,' would he?"
"The Death Eaters can't all be pure-blood, there aren't enough pure-blood wizards left," I answered, rolling my eyes in annoyance. Did these two ever think logically? "I expect most of them are half-bloods pretending to be pure. It's only Muggle-borns they hate, they'd be quite happy to let you and Ron join up." I finished, not really thinking about my remark.
"There is no way they'd let me be a Death Eater!" Ron said angrily, he was still poking his fork at me with his disgusting bit of sausage on it. "My whole family are blood traitors! That's as bad as Muggle-borns to Death Eaters!"
"And they'd love to have me," Harry said sarcastically. "We'd be best pals if they didn't keep trying to do me in."
Ron laughed at that, and I even grinned slightly. It had been a thoughtless comment, but still, Harry shouldn't be getting so attached to his 'Prince.'
"Hey, Harry, I'm supposed to give you this." Ginny said, appearing out of nowhere and handing Harry a scroll of parchment.
"Thanks, Ginny. . . It's Dumbledore's next lesson!" Harry Said excitedly as he read the message. "Monday evening!" He smiled happily before glancing at Ginny. His grin got even bigger and he spoke again. "Want to join us in Hogsmeade, Ginny?" he asked.
"I'm going with Dean — might see you there," She said, already leaving the hall, she waved cheerily and disappeared around the corner. The grin had left Harry's face and he looked upset.
"Guess it's just us three then." Ron said cheerfully. I shook my head, already rising from the table.
"Nope, I'm meeting George at the Broomsticks." I grabbed my bag and ran off, a smile lifting my lips as I ran to meet my boyfriend.
I ran out of Hogwarts excitedly, mind already on what I would do with George. Even Filch and his overzealous search with the Secrecy Sensor couldn't down my spirits. I ran most of the way to Hogsmeade, but stopped myself when I was about ten minutes out. I slowed to a walk and transfigured a rock into a mirror, checking my hair and seeing how I looked. A few minor adjustments and I was ready to meet my boyfriend, my love.
That thought would never get old.
I walked into the Three Broomsticks, forcing myself to remain calm and collected. I couldn't wipe the silly grin off my face though, not that I'd have wanted too. I looked around quickly and was sad to see that George hadn't arrived yet. Oh well, that just meant that I got to pick the spot. I chose a cozy booth in the corner away from everyone else.
Now I just had to wait.
George didn't keep me waiting long. I had just started reading Wuthering Heights out of George's birthday book when I heard a voice by my side.
"Thought I'd find you reading." I smiled and closed the book, folding it up so it was small enough to fit in my pocket again. George moved from standing in front of the table to the seat beside me. He scooted in next to me in the booth and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek before grabbing the menu off the table.
"What's say we grab a drink and then head somewhere else?" He asked, scanning the menu quickly before setting it back down. He turned so he was facing me and he had a huge grin on his face.
"Sounds fine to me, any place in particular in mind?" I asked. He nodded his head, grabbing the hand I had resting on the table.
"Yep, I was thinking Fred's and my flat." He answered quickly, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Really?" I asked, feeling nervous suddenly. Me alone with George at his apartment?
"Yeah, you're 17 so you can leave legally. No one will be at the flat so that can give us some privacy to talk and practice." I took a quick breath and nodded my head.
"Sure, that sounds like fun." My voice sounded normal, much to my delight, because I was anything but calm. He smiled excitedly and gave me another kiss on the cheek.
"Okay, I'll get the drinks, what would you like?"
"Butterbeers fine." I said, smiling softly.
"Wait, how about a Firewhiskey, your seventeen now." He said, a mischievous grin lighting his face.
"Umm, is that such a good idea?" I asked, feeling even more nervous. I'd never had anything stronger than a Butterbeer. I really didn't want to get drunk in front of George.
He smiled and nodded his head. "Sure, I'll just let you have one, and I'll make sure and spot you. Nothing will happen, it'd take a lot more than one Firewhiskey to get you drunk. Plus we have potions to help if anything bad did happen." He was smiling so easily, and looked so sure that I couldn't help but trust him. I nodded my head and he grinned even wider. He disappeared into the crowd around the bar to get us our drinks. It surprised me how busy the three broomsticks was today, did every witch and wizard decide to come here? It would be nice to go to George's apartment just so that we could hold a conversation and hear each other over the buzz of conversation that sounded all around here.
He returned scarcely a minute later with two glasses, one had a dark reddish liquid in it, and the other was the familiar color of Butterbeer. He placed the darker one in front of me before sliding in next to me.
He raised his glass and I grabbed mine. "Cheers." He said before clicking my glass with his. I pulled the glass to my lips looking at it with a distinct feeling of worry. What on earth was I doing? Did this actually seem like a good idea?
"Go on," George gently encouraged, laying a gentle hand on my shoulder. "I promise nothing will happen." I nodded my head at him and raised the glass to my lips. I took a deep breath and then slowly let it out before I took a sip of the liquid. The first thing I noticed was the intense burning sensation. It made me cough and sputter, turning my cheeks bright red and making my eyes water. George patted my back, smiling softly when I looked over at him.
"The second sip is better, I promise." I raised the cup again, keeping my eyes on George and took another sip. It went down much smoother than my first, and I actually caught some of the flavor this time. It had a deep, earthy flavor, slightly smoky with a hint of cinnamon. It was beginning to warm me up, and I was beginning to enjoy the taste of it. I took another sip without further encouragement, and then another, and before I knew it my drink was gone.
"Okay, so how was it?" George smiled, sipping his Butterbeer. I grinned, feeling warm and happy.
"Great." I answered, snuggling into his side. He was warm too, and so comfortable. He put his arm around me and shook his head.
"Ready to go yet?" he asked, finishing his Butterbeer. I nodded my head eagerly, I couldn't wait to be alone with my George and practice turning into an Animagus. I had just finished my first Firewhiskey, and nothing bad had happened. He stared at me curiously for one second before getting out of the booth and pulling me with him. "Okay, just hold onto my arm, I'll apparate us in." he said once we'd gotten outside the Three Broomsticks.
I grabbed his arm in a vice like grip, not wanting to experience the crushing feeling of apparating, but not wanting George to leave yet either. We landed in the middle of his flat, in what looked to be the living room. I stumbled but George grabbed hold of me.
"Woah! Easy there." He said, pulling me back upright. He looked at me for a moment, raising an eyebrow. "I only gave you one, do you feel alright?" I nodded my head vigorously, I felt fine. Better than fine, I felt happy and warm. I also felt in control, which he seemed to be unsure of.
"Okay, well, are you ready to start our lessons, Love?" He asked, smiling again. I grinned right back and walked up to him.
"Absolutely."