Story: War
Chapter: 16
Rating of Chapter: R
My other Fics: Stress, Wake Me From This Nightmare, Psychokinesis, Forlorn
Thanks: Thanks to Cheryl and Muirnin for their continuous support and help with this fic.
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. The only things I own are the plot, any characters, spells etc that you do not recognize.
Author Notes: A much more pleasant chapter than usual.
Chapter 16: Engagement Rings and Butterbeer
Harry waited for Hermione in the main Gryffindor Common Room while she was meeting with Professor McGonagall to find out if there were any subjects she needed to master in order to achieve all of her N.E.W.T. levels. Harry already knew what he needed if he wanted to be an Auror.
A short while later Hermione walked in and sat down next to Harry. She didn't say anything but looked a little annoyed and slightly embarrassed. "Is everything okay?" asked Harry smiling. It always made him laugh when Hermione was angry.
She turned to face him and sighed heavily. "I might as well tell you, you're going to find out anyway. There is one subject that I am missing…flying." Harry chuckled but Hermione glared at him. "I don't see what's so funny?" she snapped.
"Well I've never seen you on a broom…" he said through his laughter.
"That's because I can't fly."
"What?" he asked, his laughter dying out. "Oh well, I can teach you." Hermione shook her head.
"Sorry Harry, but I want to master this on my own, if I need your help I'll let you know." Harry shrugged.
"Okay, but it's not that simple you know."
"I know, It's not like I haven't been on a broom before, it's just…I have a hard time staying on." Harry laughed again and Hermione couldn't help but smile. "I don't know what you're laughing about, you still need to ask Snape for Occlumency lessons." Harry stopped laughing abruptly and his face turned from happy to sad.
"I'll ask him when I get chance. So," Harry started, changing the subject, "heard anything from your good friend? The French guy."
"No, he was only saying hello."
"He was hitting on you," argued Harry. "Trust me."
"Believe what you will, I don't see why you're concerned anyway, I'm quite happy with you and I don't see any reason to trade you in…not at the moment anyway." She smiled at him and Harry realised that this was the first light-hearted conversation they had shared recently.
To be honest I wouldn't blame you for trading me in. How are people treating you now that they found out your boyfriend's a sex addict?
"Nobody's really said much, a few Beauxbatons girls snicker when I walk past but nothing more, how about you?" she asked, turning to her boyfriend.
"About the same, although a few Slytherins have enjoyed making me the butt of their jokes. I just take it all with a pinch of salt."
"I still can't believe Fudge and Rita, I can't wait to reveal her animagus form." Hermione said with excitement in her voice.
"Sorry Hermione but I won't let you." Harry demanded. "I know how much you want to get back at her, but if you reveal Rita's form Fudge will make you pay, and I won't let you go through more pain." Hermione thought for a moment.
"You can be very wise when you want to be Harry."
"Well I learnt from the best." He placed a kiss on her cheek and turned his attention back to his Potions book. How was he ever going to pass five N.E.W.Ts and get `Exceeds Expectations' in each of them?
*
The next weekend Harry still hadn't asked Snape about Occlumency, "I'll get to it," was his usual answer to the ever-persistent Hermione. His mind was currently occupied with the thoughts of going into Hogsmeade, which is what he would be doing in a few minutes time.
He entered Hogsmeade through the usual passage with only Hermione. Ron had gone on his first date with Susan, and Hermione and Harry had to literally drag him along. They could see him a little further ahead walking nervously next to Susan. It was bitter cold outside and all the students were dressed in their winter clothes. Harry didn't have too much to wear so he wore one of the many sweaters Mrs Weasley had knitted him, over his school uniform and he had a pair of gloves that Hermione had brought him a couple of years ago. Hermione was wearing a red woolly hat with her brown locks swept back; she was also wearing a brown and black jacket, denim jeans with a pair of black gloves. Light snow was beginning to sprinkle a gleam over the crowded streets as Harry and Hermione walked together. ,
"Do you want to go for a Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks?" Hermione asked him.
"Yeah," Harry replied, his mind clearly on something else. "Why don't you go ahead, I'll be there in a while."
"Where are you going?"
Harry began to lie but thought better of it and told her the truth. "I'm getting your Christmas present." Hermione beamed and Harry knew that it would be a huge surprise for her. "So you'll let me go?"
"After this…" Hermione kissed him softly on his lips, and in this cold her breath felt even warmer than usual, his face now tinted with a little bit of colour.
"I might need more of those to keep me warm." She gave him another quick kiss before allowing him to begin shopping. "I won't be long," he called to her as she entered the Three Broomsticks, the usual friendly atmosphere striking her as soon as she stepped foot in the pub.
*
Harry made his way to `Jackie Joyce's Jewels For All,' it wouldn't take him long as he had said, the truth was that Sirius had already ordered and paid for the wedding ring Harry had chosen last time he was at Hogsmeade. He had decided a long time ago that he was going to pop the question and seeing as though things hadn't gone quite so well before he figured Christmas would be the perfect moment to propose again, only this time he would have a ring. It had used almost all of the remaining money he had left from his mother and father, and he was glad it would be going to the most important cause in his life.
He entered the very classy jewellery store. The very old building's walls were painted white. Harry looked up to the ceiling at the many old exposed wooden beams that showed the building's age. There were various tables displaying an array of fine jewellery, but Harry passed them by making his way to the checkout. A tall, thin woman with long black hair whipped back in a ponytail greeted him. She wore a white shirt and a long black skirt that matched the colour of her eyes. "Hello sir, I'm Jackie. How may I help you?" she asked pleasantly.
"My Godfather ordered an engagement ring for me a while ago, it's under the name `Black.'" Jackie nodded and walked into the small room located behind her. She returned shortly carrying a small black box. She handed it to Harry. He carefully opened the box and gazed in awe at the twinkling ring. The engagement ring, a one karat princess cut diamond flanked on either side by two quarter karat diamonds placed in a white gold setting, simple yet elegant just like his Hermione. He quietly thanked Sirius for his good taste. The ring was perfect.
*
Hermione sat at a table for two in the Three Broomsticks. She had ordered Harry and herself each a butterbeer. She couldn't help but wonder what Harry was getting her for Christmas. "`ermione?" she jumped around only to see Felipe walking towards her.
"Felipe!" she said in surprise, looking down at the table. He sat down opposite her.
"You are `ere alone? Vhere is `Arry?"
"He'll be here soon?" she responded, looking uncomfortably at the door, dreading Harry returning now. Madam Rosmerta placed two glasses of Butterbeer down on the table. "Thank you," she said to Madam Rosmerta as she nodded and left them alone.
"No Hermione, thank you." Felipe picked up the glass and took a swallow of the drink.
"No!" Hermione exclaimed. "That was for Harry."
"But `Arry is no' `ere." Hermione took no more notice of Felipe and continued to look anxiously towards the entrance. "You don' really love `Arry do you?"
"Oh no," gasped Hermione as she saw the door open and Harry stepped in.
"Ah, it was obvious dat you didn't," Felipe added. Hermione turned back to him.
"What? No! I do love Harry, now would you leave please?" she said harshly.
"You!" Harry shouted striding towards them. He grabbed Felipe by the collar pulling him off the seat. "Get way from my girlfriend!"
"We vhere only talking." Felipe innocently explained, however, the glare in his eye did not go unnoticed by Harry. Felipe then shrugged himself free and quickly walked away.
"What was he doing here?" asked Harry taking the seat once occupied by Felipe.
"Sorry, I couldn't get him to leave."
Harry glared at his half empty Butterbeer. "He-He…he drank my Butterbeer?" he snapped angrily. It took Hermione half an hour to calm him down, before they finally left Hogsmeade to return to Hogwarts.