A/N: Thanks again to everyone who took the time to leave a review! Your comments are appreciated and we responded to most of them so be sure and check those out ;)
And we purposely waited until today to post- Happy 24th birthday to our favourite HP girl Hermione! hehehehehe
Harry sat with his textbooks open in front of him in the sitting room. Cho was next to him, her bridal magazines spread out on her side of the table.
Harry glared at the doorway to the kitchen as Hermione's laughter floated through. She was in there studying yet again with Gordon Devereaux. "You'd bloody think they'd study and not be laughing and joking around." He grunted to Cho.
"Maybe something they're studying is funny," Cho suggested helpfully.
"Right," Harry glowered. "He's hitting on her again, I know it. He fancies her."
Cho sighed as she closed her magazines. She needed to be at Madam Malkin's in a few minutes for her shift. "Harry, what does it matter? Even if he does, I'm certain Hermione would never take him up on it. She's crazy about you, remember?"
"I know," Harry relaxed. "I just don't like him. There's something about him I don't trust."
Cho was silent. She wondered if she should tell Harry what Lavender had shared with them that night they'd gotten together for Hermione's birthday.
"If I tell you something do you promise not to tell Hermione I told you this?" she asked, keeping her voice barely above a whisper in case Hermione or Gordon came into the room.
"I won't," Harry replied immediately.
"Okay, well Lavender remembers him from school," Cho said softly. "She reckons that Gordon used to fancy Hermione back when they were kids. Hermione didn't think so, but Lavender seemed pretty sure."
"I knew it!" Harry whispered furiously. "And now he thinks he can just walk back into her life and claim her!"
Cho put a hand on her arm. "It doesn't mean that he still does, Harry. Maybe this guy is legitimate. Maybe he truly only wants to be her friend. Hermione seems to think so, and she's usually a good judge of character." She watched as Harry silently fumed. "Are you going to be okay?" Cho asked, slowly getting to her feet. "I need to get to work. Promise me you're not going to go all 'jealous boyfriend' on them, Harry."
"I'm not going to be a jealous boyfriend," Harry replied. "But I'm not going to sit there and watch him try to move in on MY girlfriend either!"
"Alright," Cho said knowing that there was no way she was going to be able to convince Harry that he had nothing to worry about. "I'll see you later then."
"Later," Harry barely noticed her leave, his eyes fixated on the doorway to the kitchen as the two of them in there laughed again. Who the hell did Gordon Devereaux think he was, ushering Harry out of his OWN kitchen saying that he and Hermione needed their privacy to study. At that moment, Harry heard a chair scrape against the floor and Hermione's voice.
"I forgot that book upstairs- I'll go run and get it while you finish off those notes." he now heard her run up the stairs and he got up, with the 'intent' on getting himself something to drink.
Gordon was still laughing about something Hermione had said earlier when he saw Potter come into the kitchen. "Hello, Harry," he said with forced sincerity.
"Hello, Gordon," Harry replied tensely. "Having a good time?"
"Yes," Gordon said, leaning back in the chair. "Though truth be told, Hermione and I haven't just been studying, if you know what I mean."
"Oh please, do tell." Harry said, holding back the flood of sarcasm that was dying to leave his tongue. "Especially since I know how seriously Hermione takes her studying."
Gordon fought the urge to smile. He could tell his last remark had gotten to Harry. "We were just catching up about some old classes we had at Beauxbatons," Gordon said. "You know your girlfriend has such a great sense of humour. Then again, she always has been able to make me laugh."
"Yes, she's quite good at that, among other things, especially upstairs in the bedroom." Harry smirked, sensing that he'd struck a nerve. He normally wouldn't have even said something like that but he wanted to put this asshole in his place.
Gordon clenched his fist from under the table. He couldn't get upset now. He'd ruin the headway he'd made with Hermione if he let his anger get the best of him now. He took a deep breath. "How are her parents doing?" Gordon asked. Hermione had confided in Gordon how her parents, mainly her father, hadn't been in favour of her relationship with Harry. He knew that things had changed now, but he couldn't resist bringing it up...especially after Potter's last remark.
"Great," Harry got himself some butterbeer without offering Gordon any. "Her dad and I went golfing together a few times... really got to know one another quite well." that last part was a bit of a lie as Robert had been laughing too hard at Harry's inability to hit the ball to really talk.
"Dr. Granger is a great man," Gordon said with a smug smile. "Our families used to be real close. Of course, when mine moved away, we lost contact. Our mums used to joke that they wanted Hermione and I to grow up to get married someday. Funny, isn't it?"
"Hilarious," Harry said flatly. "But then again, there are some dreams that are never meant to become a reality."
"True," Gordon said, forcing a smile. "But, you never know...sometimes you get second chances."
Harry narrowed his eyes. "Hermione and I have been through a lot together in the short time we've known one another. We've always come out of whatever situation it is just fine..." Harry let the unsaid threat hang between them in the air.
"You know I envy you, Potter," Gordon finally said. "You have a great girl. She's one in a million. Kind of has a way of getting under your skin."
"And she's so far under mine I couldn't get her out if I tried." Harry said evenly.
"Just be careful," Gordon cautioned. "You wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardize what you have, would you? She's too good a girl to be left alone for too long..."
"I'd never jeopardize that," Harry said coldly. "The best thing about our relationship, besides the fact that we're completely in love, is that we also trust one another explicitly."
Gordon was about to respond when Hermione suddenly appeared in the doorway. "Found that book, Gordon. I think it's really going to be..." she looked between the two men curiously. "What are you guys doing?"
"Your boyfriend and I were just chatting," Gordon said warmly to Hermione. "Getting to know each other, right, Harry?"
"Right," Harry turned to his girlfriend. "How's the studying going love?" he stood up and slipped his arm around her waist. "Going to get everything right on the next exam?"
"I think so," Hermione said cautiously. She had a feeling that Gordon and Harry hadn't just been getting to know each other at all. "Might I have a word, Harry?"
"Sure," he allowed her to lead him out, not bothering to look back at Gordon.
"What did I just walk in on?" she asked when they were out of Gordon's earshot.
Harry shrugged as innocently as he could while sipping butterbeer. "Why?"
"It just seemed rather tense in there," Hermione answered.
Harry didn't want to lie to her. "I don't like him and you know it. I came in for a drink and the next thing I know he's trying to insinuate that you and he are doing more than just studying," he hissed.
"He did?" Hermione asked. "That doesn't sound like Gordon, Harry."
"Maybe... I don't know the guy," Harry replied, his arms crossed. "But I still don't trust him, especially around you."
"You know me, though," Hermione said moving closer to him. "And you trust me, right?"
"Of course I do," Harry replied as she placed her hands on his chest.
"You know you're pretty irresistible when you're jealous," she teased.
Harry tried not to grin but failed miserably. "And you're gorgeous when you're trying to appease me," he set the butterbeer bottle down on the table and pulled her closer to him.
"Am I now?" she asked with a grin before leaning in for a kiss. She'd only meant for it to be a quick one as Gordon was just in the other room, but Harry obviously had other ideas.
He kept her pressed against him, his hand running through her hair and loosening it from the ponytail. "And that, Ms. Granger is all I'll need for a little while."
"He won't be here for too much longer," she promised, knowing she should get back into the kitchen, but not yet wanting to leave his embrace.
"Okay," Harry gave her one last, slightly lingering kiss, his hands still buried in her hair.
Someone cleared their throat rather loudly behind them and Hermione pulled away from Harry. Gordon was standing in the kitchen doorway staring at them.
"Sorry to interrupt, Hermione," Gordon said with a shrug. "But I found something in that book I think you should see."
Harry grabbed his butterbeer bottle, the neck clenched in his hand. "Right... go study, we can pick back up later where we left off..." he nuzzled her ear shamelessly.
"Deal," Hermione said before following Gordon back into the kitchen.
*** *** ***
The entire Weasley clan sans Ginny and Percy, of course, had gathered for a family dinner to celebrate Bill's birthday. The house was as crowded as Ron could ever remember seeing it what with Bill and Fleur's children running about. Ron loved his nieces and nephews, but getting them together in one house seemed to be an invitation for disaster.
After a particularly busy day at the shop, he'd not really been in the mood for a party, but since this was a family obligation, he had no choice. Besides with Percy and Ginny estranged from the family, Ron knew his mother would never have forgiven him if he'd begged off. So he'd brought Luna along, but he'd unusually quiet the entire evening.
After dinner, everyone retired to the sitting room. Ron, however, snuck out for some fresh air. The night air was cool and crisp and he'd wished he had thought ahead to bring his cloak with him, but he didn't want to go back inside just yet.
"Ron?" he felt his girlfriend's soft hand on his shoulder as she handed him the aforementioned cloak. "What are you doing out here?"
"Just needed some air," he said, taking his cloak and giving her a grateful smile.
"May I join you?" Luna asked softly.
"Of course," he said, moving over so she could sit down.
"What's on your mind?" she asked, leaning her head on his shoulder. Ron absently put his arm around her. "You're awfully quiet these days."
He sighed. "Don't know really. Just have a lot on my mind."
"You can tell me," Luna buried her nose in his shoulder; she loved the way Ron smelled, especially when it was cold outside. "I'm your girlfriend aren't I? We're supposed to share how we feel with one another."
"I know," he said softly. "I guess it's just all the extra hours I've been putting in at the shop are starting to take their toll and Fred and George seem more interested in goofing off now that I'm around so I just feel as if I'm constantly working...and for what? Just so I can move out?"
"You know you can always stay with me," Luna offered. "I have plenty of room..."
"Luna," Ron said with a laugh. "You have one room. It's slightly bigger than the place Cho was staying in at The Leaky Cauldron, but it's still small. And I thought I told you, I want a place of my own."
Luna nodded. "All right." she said. "What else is on your mind?"
"This whole thing with Neville and Cho," he said shaking his head. "Can you believe that?"
"Believe what- that they're getting married?" Luna asked.
"Yeah," Ron said simply. "It's hard to believe someone I used to share a room with is getting married. And then you have Harry moving in with Hermione... and Seamus over the moon about that Lavender girl. It just seems as if everyone's settling down."
Luna blinked at Ron's choice of words. "And... you don't feel that way?" she asked carefully.
"Hell, we're still young, Luna!" Ron said, getting to his feet. "I mean everyone keeps telling us these are the best years of our lives. Wouldn't you wonder what you were missing out on if you just... I don't know...I'm not making any sense. I don't begrudge Neville and Cho any happiness. But, I don't know if I would have done the same if it was me."
Luna felt as if she'd been punched. "So..." she said, her voice shaking. "If I was the one who was pregnant, you'd just keep things as the way they are now?"
"Why are we even talking about this?" Ron said quickly, with a weak laugh. "It's not like it happened. You're not the one who's pregnant."
"How do you know that?" Luna asked quietly. "What if I told you that I was pregnant... right now? What would you do?"
Ron's jaw dropped. "Y-you're not, are you?"
"No," Luna replied. "I'm not." she looked at him coolly. "But what would you do if I was?"
"I would stand by you, of course," he finally said.
"Stand by me how?" Luna pressed on.
Ron felt that familiar feeling he often felt at Hogwarts when he was taking a test that he hadn't properly studied for. "Come on, Luna," he said, offering his hand to her. "Let's go back inside. It's cold."
"I don't want to go back in!" she stepped away from him. "I bloody want to know where you and I are headed!"
Ron groaned in frustration. "I knew this would happen! I told Seamus that the moment Neville proposed to Cho that this would invariably lead to all you girls going wedding crazy! Look, Luna, all I said was that I didn't see myself getting married at such a young age. It's well and good for Neville, but it's not me...not right now. I thought you and I were on the same page with this."
Luna stared at him, her eyes pale and slightly shiny. "I don't want to get married right now Ron. But you're so overly cavalier about keeping things casual. I feel like all the passion we had at Hillsdale stayed there..." she turned away, her long hair blowing out behind her. "Sometimes I feel like I'm just here so you can have a girlfriend... like I'm just for show or something."
"Where would you get a silly idea like that?" he asked her. "Is this about you and me not going out all the time? I knew you were still cheesed off about that!"
"I'm not!" Luna turned back around. "I don't care about that anymore!"
"Sure you don't," Ron said sarcastically. "I've been busting my arse since we got back and I'm never going to be able to move out of here if I have to keep taking you out to dinner!" As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them.
Luna pressed her lips tightly together. "So you're being cheap with me so you can move out. That's just great Ronald." her voice shook slightly.
"That's not what I meant," he said his tone softer. "Luna, I hate it when you and I fight. Why don't you just tell me what you want me to say and I'll say it."
"I don't want you to say anything you don't mean," Luna finally said after they had looked at each other in silence for a good minute.
"You know that I love you, right?" he asked her. "I mean that."
"I love you as well," Luna replied softly. "I guess sometimes I need to hear it more often than normal."
Ron smiled, glad that she wasn't mad at him anymore. "What do you say we go back inside and get some of that birthday cake?"
"All right," Luna finally took his offered hand and they went back inside. But she couldn't shake the nagging suspicion that she and Ron were headed for more trouble.
*** *** ***
Lavender hummed to herself as she walked down the street towards Seamus's school. They had plans for a laid back dinner that night at his place and were just going to play it by ear. She shook her long hair out of her face as she went into the large brick building.
She stopped outside the room he'd told her to meet him at. Taking note of the fact the red light outside wasn't on, Lavender slipped inside. She looked around for a moment until she spotted her boyfriend, who was currently tightening the bolts on a rather large light.
"Hey you," Lavender smiled widely.
"Hey," he said giving her a warm smile. "I'm not quite ready to go just yet. Do you mind hanging out for awhile?'
"Hmmm..." Lavender tipped her head to the side. "Maybe for a little compensation..." she teased.
Seamus grinned and bent his head to give her a soft kiss. "I really am sorry that you have to wait. We're supposed to be shooting today and it's been one disaster after another. The bloke who was supposed to do lighting for me bailed and it's just gone downhill from there."
"Awww..." Lavender stroked the back of his nape as she leaned in for another kiss. "I'll wait however long you need me to okay?"
"You're too good to me," he said, taking her hand and leading her onto the set. It was rather small and Seamus explained to Lavender that they were basically setting things up so they could complete shooting tomorrow morning. "This is it. Not exactly glamorous is it?" he asked her.
"I love it," Lavender replied. It was small but very cosy. "Don't all you big time directors and... what was it... gaffers?" Seamus grinned and nodded. "Don't you all have to start somewhere?"
"Aye, we do," Seamus said, impressed. His eyes though quickly left Lavender and his eyes narrowed as he saw one of his fellow students drop a box of props. "Julian!" Seamus exclaimed. "How many times have I told you to stay away from the props? If you keep this up, we're not going to have anything left! And Stacey, don't use that colour...it's going to clash with the background!"
Lavender pressed her lips together as Seamus stomped over to his fellow students. "I guess he wasn't kidding when he said he was a tyrant on set." she said to herself.
A few minutes later, Seamus came back to where Lavender sat. "They're going to send me to an early grave," he said, shaking his head.
Lavender giggled. "When do you start filming?" she asked.
"Provided I'm not arrested for murder, tomorrow," he joked.
"What do you have to finish up tonight?" she asked curiously.
"Just blocking mostly," he said, sitting down beside her. "You'd never know that this much work goes into filming a five-minute scene, would you?"
"Not really," Lavender squeezed his hand. "But I'm sure I'll appreciate it a lot more now."
A loud crash came from somewhere on the set. "It was an accident, Seamus! I swear!" a girl's anxious voice called out a minute later.
Seamus put his head in his hands. "What else could possibly go wrong?"
"Don't ask, just go!" Lavender sat back, feeling bad for her boyfriend as he rushed around.
Seamus hadn't meant to leave Lavender for so long, but one of his crew had knocked over a statue that was a critical prop in a scene. Since his entire crew were Muggles, Seamus couldn't just whip out his wand and everything would be good as new. It served him right, he thought, as he helped clean up the broken pieces. This is what he deserved for deciding on a Muggle career and not a Wizarding one.
Nearly an hour later, he finally made his way back to Lavender. Everything was in place and he'd sent the crew home for the night, but made them promise to be there promptly at seven the next morning.
He grinned as he caught sight of Lavender on the director's chair, fast asleep. "Hey, Sleeping Beauty," he said softly, caressing her cheek.
"Oh!" she jumped. "Blast, did I fall asleep?"
"Aye," he said. "I shouldn't have made you wait. I'm sorry."
"Oh it's all right," Lavender stretched. "I'm just angry at myself that I fell asleep- I've been working on Cho's robes for the wedding and I need to have the design finished in two days so we can start sewing them."
"Do I get to see these designs?" he asked as he gathered up his belongings. "You've been awfully secretive about them."
Lavender hugged her sketchpad to her. "I just want them to be a surprise for everyone," she said.
"Fair enough," he said. "I can understand that. And if what I saw earlier is any indication, I'm sure they're great. You have a great eye for detail, Lavender. Not many people can say that."
"Thanks," Lavender blushed. "Are you ready to go?"
"More than you know," he said, grabbing his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. "What do you say to pizza and a movie at my flat? Neville should be out with Cho so we should have it all to ourselves."
"Sounds fantastic to me," she leaned against him. "It's gotten so cold. Makes me wish for those hot days we had back at Hillsdale."
"I spent most of my time locked in the studio," Seamus said with a laugh. "Until I met you I didn't even know they had a lake."
Lavender laughed. "Well it's a good thing you met me then," she said lightly.
"Definitely," Seamus agreed. "You've definitely done wonders for my social life, Lavender Brown."
She giggled as she turned around to face him, walking backwards. "You've done wonders for my love life, Seamus Finnigan..." she answered, reaching for his hand.
"Have I?" he said, pulling her closer to him. He gently stroked her cheek before kissing her.
Lavender kissed him back, not caring that they were outside in plain daylight. "Yes, you definitely have," she breathed.
"Maybe we could skive off the movie and just have dinner and then snog for a couple of hours?" he asked cheekily.
Lavender laughed. "I rather like that idea," she replied, grabbing his hand. They made it back to his flat in record time.
*** *** ***
A couple of nights later, Luna found herself sitting in Hermione's sitting room, going over wedding plans with Cho, Hermione and Lavender. Luna had barely heard a word any of them were saying. She was still mentally rehashing the argument she'd had with Ron. She honestly didn't know whether she was coming or going with him and the more she thought about it, the more infuriated she became.
"And I'm thinking Luna- do you like blue or pink better?" Cho was saying. "Luna?" she tapped her friend on the shoulder.
"Hmmm?" Luna asked, looking up to see three sets of eyes trained on her. "What did you say?"
Cho sighed. "Would you rather have blue or pink robes for when you stand up with us?"
"Blue," Luna answered. "I've never really liked pink."
Lavender made some notations on her sketchpad as Hermione sat back and regarded their friend. "Are you all right Luna?" she finally asked. "You've been awfully quiet the last few days."
"I'm fine," Luna lied. "Seriously."
Hermione gave her a disbelieving look. "I know I haven't known you as long as Cho or Harry or any of them have but I know when a person is upset about something."
Luna knew Ron probably wouldn't appreciate her airing their dirty laundry to their mutual friends, but if she didn't tell someone about this, she'd burst. It was times like these that she really missed her mother. "Nothing is wrong except that Ronald Weasley is a big fat prat," she heard herself say.
Hermione stopped swinging her leg over the arm of the chair she was sitting on, Cho sat up straight and Lavender nearly dropped her sketchpad. "Come again?" Cho asked.
She quickly related for them her conversation with Ron outside the Burrow. Before she could stop herself, she also told them how he'd been quite frugal over the past few weeks. "It's like its one step forward and two steps back with him," Luna said miserably. "I love him, but I don't know how much more of this ambiguity I can take. And to top it all off...someone else asked me out today."
This time Lavender really did drop her sketchpad and Hermione's eyes widened. "Someone else asked you out? What did you say?"
"I wasn't going to say yes," she said avoiding her friends' penetrating stares. "But he's been flirting with me ever since we started working together and it was just nice to have someone pay me attention like that and treat me nice...so he asked me out for this weekend...and I said okay."
Everyone was silent for a minute and then Hermione came and sat down by her. "I think its good you said yes."
"But what about Ron?" Cho asked her eyes still wide.
"Oh, sod Ron!" Lavender exclaimed. "He obviously is just stringing her along! She should go out with this other bloke. If anything maybe it'll get the wanker to wake up before he loses her!"
Cho felt sorry for her redheaded friend but she could see where Luna was coming from. "I think you should go," she said quietly. "And if you have a good time... maybe see where it all takes you to. If it means you and Ron break up then it's probably better you do it now rather than when you're in my condition or living together like Harry and Hermione."
"Do you think I should tell Ron?" Luna asked. "I've kind of been avoiding him the past couple of days."
They were all silent again. "That's really up to you," Hermione finally replied.
"My life was much simpler when I was single," Luna said, managing a slight smile.
There was a collective laugh and Hermione hugged her. "If you need backup if you do decide to tell Ron let us know okay?"
"Alright," Luna said gratefully. "Enough about me...we're supposed to be talking about the wedding, right?"
"Right," Cho knew Luna was trying to change the subject. "We've reserved a room at the Ministry, where the actual ceremony will be, and then afterwards we're going back to...." she paused dramatically. "Your favourite Italian restaurant Luna and mine!" she laughed.
"Maybe I can ask that cute waiter out," Luna said, only half-joking.
"What, instead of grabbing his arse again this time you'll actually talk to him?" Hermione laughed.
"I still think you lot are making that up," Luna replied. "I have no recollection of that event whatsoever."
"You have no recollection of that event because you were pissed beyond belief," Lavender chimed in.
Hermione and Cho began laughing again. "That's right Lavender practically had to carry you back to your flat." Cho was giggling.
"If you can hold off teasing me for a few minutes," Luna said, getting up from her seat. "I'm going to get myself some butterbeer. Anyone want anything while I'm up?"
"I'm fine," Hermione said, Lavender echoing the sentiment.
"Could you refill me on some pumpkin juice?" Cho asked.
"You got it," Luna said, leaving the room.
"So," Lavender said looking at her cousin. "How's Mr. Wonderful?" She smiled as she said it because she knew Hermione hated it when she called Harry by this particular nickname. "Where is the love of your life tonight?"
Hermione made a face at her. "Harry is out with Neville- they had a late training session? What about Mr. Patience?" she smirked at Lavender.
"Still patient, thank you," Lavender replied sweetly. "He's filming tonight."
"I see," Hermione smiled at Cho, who was getting up to go use the loo.
"He's really great, Hermione," Lavender couldn't help gushing when they were alone.
"I'm happy for you," Hermione said.
"I'm happy for me, too," Lavender said. "I know we're nowhere near where you and Harry are, but I could really see myself falling hard for him. No, I have already fallen hard for him."
Hermione's eyes widened. "Tell me more!" she slid over on the sofa.
"He's just so great, Hermione," Lavender said dreamily. "And he is patient. He understands how I feel about that and he said he wasn't going to make me do anything I wasn't ready for. At the beginning, I wasn't sure what to make of him. I kept thinking he must have some ulterior motive, but he doesn't. He just wants me to be happy and comfortable and safe. And I... I am when I'm with him. I'm all those things."
Hermione grinned. "Sounds as if you've found your Mr. Wonderful," she teased.
"I may have," Lavender said happily. At that moment, Luna came back into the room and Lavender decided to change the subject.
"So are you back on top again? All that extra studying paying off?" she asked Hermione.
"I am," Hermione answered smugly. "And Harry's quite pleased about that as well," she recalled their 'celebration' the previous evening which involved a bottle of Muggle champagne and some very sticky bed sheets by the time they were through.
Luna laughed. "I don't see how you do it. The two of you can barely keep your hands off each other yet you still manage to get top marks in all your classes. I am in awe, Hermione."
Hermione laughed. "That's my trade secret too," she smiled.
"Are you still studying with that Gordon?" Lavender asked.
"Mmhmm..." Hermione began to pull her hair up and twist it around. "Usually we'll study in between our classes and meet two or three times a week in the evenings to work on something."
"I still say he fancies you," Lavender said.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "We're not going on about that again are we?" she asked.
"I was just making an observation," Lavender said. "Besides, why are you getting so testy? I'm just trying to look out for you."
"Harry's suspicions are bad enough," Hermione replied firmly. "It's just getting tiring to explain over and over again that Gordon and I are just friends."
"I think Gordon Devereaux would beg to differ," Lavender answered absently. When Hermione shot her an annoyed look, Lavender decided to change the subject. "Did anyone have any more ideas about the party for Neville and Cho?" Lavender asked her voice low.
Hermione let her hair fall back down past her shoulders. "Well since they're having the 'reception' at the Italian place we can't use that," she said pensively.
"What about the Three Broomsticks?" Luna suggested. "Maybe we could convince Madam Rosmerta to let us have it for the evening?"
"There's an idea," Hermione said thoughtfully. "Do either of you have time to run over there tomorrow?"
"I can," Luna volunteered. "I have an interview near there tomorrow so it wouldn't be any trouble to just go over there."
"Fantastic," Hermione smiled as Cho came back in the room.
"What's fantastic?" Cho asked.
"Butterbeer," Luna said, holding up her bottle. "This stuff is fantastic!"
"Yes, I already knew that. And I'd love to have some..." she sighed.
"Your pumpkin juice," Luna said, handing the glass to her. "You could just pretend its butterbeer."
Cho gave her a dirty look. "It's just not the same," she grumbled, shifting around on the chair.
"Uncomfortable?" Hermione asked sympathetically. "When is your due date again?"
"In January," Cho sighed. "So two months and a few days to go."
"Unless Little Longbottom there decides to put in an early appearance," Luna said.
Cho couldn't help but smile at the name. "Did I tell you guys we sent adoption papers to Malfoy and he's already sent them back?" she said softly.
"He did sign them, didn't he?" Lavender asked, sitting up straight.
"Yes..." Cho replied. "It just... I don't have any regrets about marrying Neville or having him as this baby's father... but it saddens me to see how easily Malfoy let it all go. It's no skin off his back. I guess I hoped deep down he'd have SOME interest in his own child."
"Something tells me it's better this way," Luna said thoughtfully. "I don't see him wanting to share custody, do you? He'd either want or all or nothing."
"That's very true," Cho smiled. "In any case... this also means we're free of Malfoy. He can't make any claims on this baby, ever."
Luna looked at her friend. "Do you think someday you might tell your child about his or her biological father?"
"I might," Cho replied. "Well, yes I probably will tell him or her eventually, when he or she is old enough to understand." she rubbed her belly. "Oooh... the baby's kicking again," she grinned.
"Oh!" Lavender said, practically jumping out of her seat and over to Cho. "Can I?" she asked. When Cho nodded, Lavender put her hand on Cho's belly and grinned. "That is so cool!"
Cho grinned even wider. "Neville thinks we might have a footballer but I'm thinking it might be a dancer as well." Hermione came over and pressed her hand on her stomach too.
"It's amazing," she said as Luna joined them. "To think you've got another human being in there..." she looked up at Cho. "I'm so glad you kept the baby."
"Me too," Cho said softly. "Me too..."