After their tag team effort against Colin the trio returned to what they had been doing just prior to the torture they had inflicted. Harry and Hermione returned immediately to the couch and to each other and Ron resumed his consumption of ale. Ron's nights out with the twins and Harry the prior year had made him quite comfortable drinking alcohol. His funds, however, had never allowed him to become quite as comfortable as he would have liked. Fortunately for him money was not an issue this night and he could drink as much as he wanted…and he did.
Everything was right in the world. Voldemort was gone, his best mate was back and Ron was actually happy that Harry and Hermione had gotten together finally. He did not want to be a third wheel that night and the alcohol and the remaining Gryffindors provided a welcome alternative. As he grabbed another bottle he looked at the backs of their heads as they sat so close together on the couch. "I can't believe I ever thought Hermione and I belonged together," he thought as he let out a chuckle. He then turned his gaze in an attempt to find Lavender Brown in hopes of renewing their earlier conversation. He had been fairly certain that he and Lavender did not belong together either but the alcohol was causing a remarkable change of opinion to occur.
*********
As the next ninety minutes passed by Harry and Hermione did not move. A great majority of the time was spent in silence, both pondering the momentous changes that had taken place that night and what lay ahead later that evening. Neither had brought up if and when they would be retiring to Hermione's private room since their conversation upstairs and the anticipation was killing Harry. He wanted to wait for Hermione to bring the subject up but his curiosity and anticipation finally got the best of him and he had to speak.
"Hermione?"
"Mmmmm?" Hermione dreamily replied. She had spent the last fifteen minutes with her eyes closed soaking it all in…soaking him in.
Harry took a deep breath as he began to speak his well thought out lie. "What we were talking about earlier upstairs…about going up to your room later. Well if you don't want to do that tonight I'll understand. Things have happened pretty quickly tonight and I don't want you to feel any pressure."
"He's such a horrible liar," she thought to herself as her newfound devilish side reared its ugly head once again. Hermione had been looking forward to going back to her room all night but she decided to torture Harry before telling him.
"I'm so glad to hear you say that Harry," she said in her most serious tone. "I think we may be moving a little fast. You do understand don't you?"
"Oh sure," Harry replied, dejection clearly in his voice.
Hermione smiled to herself as she continued her ruse for a few more moments. "In fact I'm not sure we should even be kissing yet. I suppose holding hands would be fine for now and perhaps in few weeks we can begin kissing again…maybe. Is that all right?"
Harry was regretting ever asking the question. He was much happier not knowing his fate for the rest of the evening. Now he knew his fate for the indefinite future and it was bleak. But what could he say? Before he could respond Hermione restored his faith.
"On second thought," was all she said before lifting her head and pulling him into a long, passionate kiss.
As she pulled away, Harry opened his eyes and saw the same smirk she had earlier leveled at Colin. He finally realized she had been having fun at his expense and Harry was entirely too happy to be upset. "You little…" was all he could say as he leaned down for another kiss.
After the kiss had ended she nuzzled her head against him once more and erased all doubts about where they would be heading after the party. "If I have to levitate you up to my room tonight I will Harry. I've waited too long to spend time with you and I'm not waiting anymore. You're all mine whether you like it or not Potter."
"Well given the condition of my leg I suppose it would be useless to fight you Hermione. I suppose I'll just have to let you ravish me regardless of how horrible it may be."
Hermione smiled at his remarks. "Your selflessness is touching Harry. Always sacrificing for others…you really are quite the hero."
The conversation was interrupted by a familiar but slightly different than normal voice from across the room.
"Harry!!! Hermione!!!"
Harry immediately recognized what was happening and quickly filled Hermione in. "Hermione there's something you need to know about Ron when he starts drinking. He becomes extremely-"
Harry's words were cut off as Ron's arms wrapped around them and enveloped them in a sturdy hug. As Ron started to laugh Harry finished his sentence.
"…friendly"
Harry laughed at his best friends current state as he cast a smiling glance at Hermione. "Having a good time Ron?"
His question was met with a slightly askew smile from Ron. "I think you could say that. I'll let you on a little secret though."
Ron then began speaking in a labored whisper that was virtually the same volume as his normal voice. "I'm a little drunk."
"I would have never known," responded Hermione with a smile. "Umm Ron, could you let go of my shoulder? I'd like to get the blood circulating again if possible."
Ron laughed but did not release his grip. Instead he actually pulled the two closer. "Oh Hermione you're so funny. I love you guys."
Hermione leaned forward to look past Ron's face and see Harry's expression regarding what was happening. It looked as if Harry had been through this many times before. She imagined Ron had professed his love for Harry on their trips back from Hogsmeade many times while draped on Harry's arms. She delicately pulled Ron's arm off and spoke. "We love you to Ron."
Ron turned and smiled at Harry. "I think we need to start making our trips to Hogsmeade again, Harry. Now that you can drink that town won't know what hit them. And now that Hermione's been corrupted she can come along as well."
Harry couldn't wait to make such a trip and actually drink something. "You just want me to go for the free ale Ron. But you've got a deal on one condition."
Harry removed Ron's arm from his shoulder before continuing. "Stop hugging me so much. Your public displays of affection are becoming quite disturbing."
Ron laughed and wrapped them both in a hug again. "You guys!!!"
His hug was interrupted as he realized his other best mate that evening was empty. "Need more ale…I'll be right back."
While making his way to the ale a remarkable idea occurred to Ron. They had been taught the summoning spell late in their fifth year and he was one of the quickest to master it. He could simply summon a bottle of ale using the spell and he wouldn't have to make the rest of that long walk. As he pulled out his wand he was temporarily stopped from uttering the spell by Hermione.
"Ron what are you doing?" Hermione had been enjoying watching Ron's meandering walk away from the couch and was alarmed that he would be attempting to perform magic in such a state.
"No worries Hermione…I'm just going to summon a bottle. Much less of a walk that way."
Hermione wasn't sure to be concerned or amused at the thought of Ron attempting the spell. Her better side won the battle and she attempted to stop him. "Ron are you sure that's such a good idea? That spell takes a tremendous amount of focus and in your…state…you may not be able to concentrate enough."
Ron quickly shot back. "Do I need to remind you how quickly I was able to learn the spell Hermione? Much quicker than you in fact."
Ron's mild insult allowed Hermione's dark side to take over the conversation. She smiled and replied. Very well then. Good luck Ron…don't say I didn't warn you."
"Warn me! Bollocks…" Ron thought as he began to say the words. Hermione could be so annoying sometimes…it was a spell he had performed numerous times in the last several months. There was no doubt in his mind that the bottle he summoned would be on its way towards him as soon as he uttered the words. He squinted his eyes, focused on the desired bottle and uttered the spell. "Accio bottle."
Ron had been right. Immediately after he said the words the bottle he had requested was quickly flying towards him. Unfortunately Hermione had been correct as well. Due to his inability to properly focus six other bottles had received the same message and were also flying straight toward Ron.
"Dammit she's right again" ran through Ron's mind as he thought of the pummeling he was in for if those bottles reached their intended target. He realized he was standing near the steps to his room and immediately began to run up the stairs, hoping to reach his room and shut his door before the bottles caught up. He could hear Hermione yell out "Nice job Ron" as he continued his sprint and made his way to the top.
He had been hoping Harry and Hermione had left the door to their room open when they had come down earlier but his hopes were quickly dashed as he reached the top and found the door to be closed. As he attempted to open the door he glanced over his shoulder to see where the bottles were. He barely had enough time to turn his head around as the first bottle reached him, followed by the six others. He quickly hunched down as the bottles ricocheted off of his back and side until finally sinking down to sit in defeat. As painful as the bottles hitting his body had been he knew he was in for something much more torturous as Hermione sprinted up the steps.
She pulled out her wand and uttered a spell, quickly cleaning up the mess made by the four bottles that had broken after hitting the steps. She then grabbed one of the remaining unbroken bottles and handed it to Ron, smiling all the time. "I apologize for doubting you Ron…that spell was quite advanced. I've only been able to summon one thing at a time. You however were able to summon seven things at once. Well done."
"Very funny, Hermione," replied Ron as he took the bottle. The bottles hitting his body were not as painful as he had feared and he suspected he would feel much worse in the morning after the affects of the alcohol had worn off.
Hermione smiled and helped Ron up before responding. "Are you all right Ron? Those bottles were moving awfully fast."
"Yeah I'm fine…thanks, Hermione."
As he made his way to his feet another female made her way to the top to see how Ron was doing. It was Lavender.
"Oh Ron are you okay? That looked positively dreadful."
Suddenly the injuries he had suffered became increasingly more serious. Ron winced as he spoke. "I'll be fine, Lav…but do you mind helping me down the steps? My back is really hurting."
Lavender pulled Ron's arm over her neck and smiled. "Certainly, Ron…let's go sit for awhile. All right?"
As they made their way down the steps Ron shot a glance at Hermione who had folded her arms and was shaking her head with a smile at his actions. "See you later, Hermione."
"Yes Ron, and I do hope you feel better."
As Hermione made her way back to Harry he quickly asked about Ron's condition. "Is he okay Hermione? He looked pretty banged up when he came down with Lavender?"
She laughed and filled him in. "Let's just say his injuries became more serious once Lavender started showing some concern."
Harry looked across the room at Ron, as their eyes met Ron smiled quickly and winked at Harry. "That dog! How much do you want to bet he'll need Lavender's help to make it back to his room later?"
Hermione laughed and said the words Harry had been waiting to hear since they came back downstairs. "Speaking of going back to one's room, I think we've put in enough time at the party Harry. Are you ready to g-?"
He spit "yes" out before she could finish her sentence. Then a thought occurred to him. "How are we going to go up there without everyone noticing, Hermione? I don't mind everyone knowing about us but if they see us going to your room we'll never hear the end of it."
Hermione smiled and grabbed Harry's hand. "Don't you know me well enough to know I would have thought about that already? I'll simply help you up to your room for the evening and take your invisibility cloak with me when I go to my room. I'll wait a few minutes and come get you under the cloak. How does that sound?"
"Marvelous" was the only word he could say after hearing her plan. "Ron was right Hermione. I have had a horrible influence on you."
She leaned up for a kiss before responding. "I know…isn't it wonderful?"
"Most definitely…now let's go."
Hermione let go of Harry's hand and spoke. "I want to take care of one more thing first."
Harry watched as Hermione walked over to Ron and whispered something in his ear. Ron turned to look at Harry and smiled before Hermione made her way back.
"What was that all about?" Harry asked as he grabbed Hermione's hand and made his way to the steps.
"Oh I just let him in on our plans for the evening and told him that he would have the room that you two share to himself for the evening in case he had any…guests."
Harry laughed as he looked over to Ron and Lavender talking together on the couch. "Ahh…young Ron has found love as well?"
Hermione chuckled before responding. "I wouldn't call it love yet but it's definitely something."
"Aren't you worried about our boy corrupting Lavender?"
Hermione laughed. "Based on what Lavender's told me in the past I'm more concerned about Ron being corrupted."
Upon reaching Harry's room Hermione quickly reached under his bed and pulled out the invisibility cloak. She reached up and kissed Harry again before turning to leave. "I'll be back in a few minutes Harry," she said as she began her descent.
"Please hurry Hermione," Harry desperately whispered as the sound of her footsteps faded.