Chapter Six
Hermione could see the excitement building up in Harry as Saturday approached. He looked just like he had back at Hogwarts when they were planning some kind of adventure, or about to sneak into Hogsmeade. Now that he had resigned from his job, his boss had pretty much take as much time as he wanted off, as the Auror department was so quiet. So Harry and Hermione had spent the last two days hanging out together, doing a bit of shopping in Diagon Alley, and catching up on everything Hermione had missed while she was away.
"You'd better go see Molly. She'll be eager to check you've been eating and looking after yourself." Harry warned Hermione as they sat eating lunch on Friday.
"Why don't we all go tomorrow after we've been to the Three Broomsticks?" Hermione suggested. Harry nodded his agreement and picked the tomato off the top of his pizza passing it to Hermione who took it, and passed him the pepperoni from hers.
"We've really got to stop letting Ron order the pizza." Harry said with a grin.
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Saturday morning Harry was awake at six, and was ready to leave by seven. This was ridiculous he thought to himself, as Rosmerta wasn't expecting them until ten, so he made breakfast, sat around, and got impatient. He was relieved when Hermione appeared in the living room at half past eight.
"Harry, have you been cooking bacon? Before nine in the morning?" She asked sleepily.
Harry handed her a bacon sandwich, which she took with a grin as she settled down next to him on the sofa.
"Excited at all?" She teased.
"Ok, Ok, so I'm excited! Nothing wrong with that." Harry said, poking Hermione in the side.
"No, there's nothing wrong with it. It's great in fact; it's been a long time since I've seen you so lit up about something…I can't wait to see the place and see what you want to do with it."
"Thanks `Mione."
Rosmerta let the four of them into The Three Broomsticks with a smile.
"Good to see you all. Haven't seen you in a long time deary." She said giving Hermione a hug as they entered the pub. She ushered them into what had been their favourite booth as Hogwarts students and pulled up a chair.
"I can't tell you how happy I am that I know this place is going to be in good hands. I was unsure about putting it on the market, but I know you'll take care of the place, and my sister needs me."
"Don't worry Rosmerta. I don't plan to change much; this place is perfect as it is. We don't want to lose the regulars." Harry told her with a smile. They had discussed the matter in depth when he had first spoken to her about buying the pub, and she had even suggested ideas for refurbishing the bar, which she'd considered but not managed to get off the ground.
Harry grinned widely as Rosmerta gave them a guided tour of the bar, the basement below it, and the house above it. Hermione laughed to see him so happy still, even when told what time he'd need to be up to take delivery of new supplies on Saturday mornings. Ron was soon bouncing around happily behind the bar, pretending to pour drinks, as Lavender laughed at him. Hermione perched on a bar stool and she and Harry chatted to Rosmerta about the logistics of running the bar, the accounting and organising working with the brewery. Harry was beginning to look overwhelmed, but Hermione was taking notes and smiled at him reassuringly. He sighed with relief, knowing Hermione would help out and teach him how to take care of the accounting and other things he knew nothing about.