Chapter 2-Hogsmeade Heaven
Rested and excited for Lupin and Tonks, Harry looked in his closet where he heard his tuxedo would be. Harry had filled out a little over time but nothing like Ron who was working out all the time. Therefore, clothes were never a problem for Harry. There was a knock at the door. Harry looked at his watch. It was 8:35. Who would be at his door at this hour?
He opened it to see Hermione in that pink sweatshirt and a pair of jeans she'd mentioned the night before. He shook his head. "This must be a world record recovery for a drunk," he teased.
"Oh come on you light weight, don't think I didn't see you setting down full ones and picking up a new one every once in a while," sassed Hermione. "Just wondering actually if you wanted to come eat a really light breakfast in the Great Hall? They have toast, bagels, jam, cream cheese, cereal…you know all the stuff I can actually eat in moderation. I need to take advantage."
He had his dress pants on already, so he said, "Yeah, give me a minute and I'll be out. Don't want to overdress for breakfast." He smiled.
He was back in a flash in sweats and tennis shoes. He took them with him on trips simply because he liked to jog to clear his mind. It had just become habit. He looked at her as they walked and wondered how she'd had time to take off the make up, sleep and look like she was ready for a new day. "How did you do it, Hermione?"
"You mean avoid the hangover. I have no idea, but I'll probably be miserable later. I woke up, stripped the make up off with cold cream…and ooh, that pillow case has problems," she shivered as she cringed. "Most of my make up was on the pillow." She laughed if he hadn't gotten it. "Let's just get some stuff to take with us and walk the grounds."
"Okay, why not?" he replied.
He took a large cup of coffee, a Cherry Danish and a bagel. Once he'd smeared the bagel with cream cheese, he wrapped it and stuck it in his pocket. He looked at Hermione who was eyeing him with skepticism and said, "Hey, I'm a cop. I do this all the time." She laughed.
They went out the front through the Main Entrance Hall and took a deep breath. There had been light shower earlier and the increasing heat made it a little muggy. "So, I didn't seem like lush, did I?" Hermione asked.
"No, no more than most of us-I guess I have to work on my lush character actor skills. I thought I'd done better than that," joked Harry. "Last year, I went with a bunch of people to a Christmas party. Well, after I'd tried every lampshade on as a hat I realized that unless the flow of alcohol was restricted, I needed to stay away from it."
"You don't think you have a problem do you?" asked Hermione seriously. "Because I'm sure we'd all be a little more cautious in offering it to you if you do."
"Yeah, I have a problem. I'm a lightweight. You drank more ale last night than I had last year. That's what's embarrassing," he added.
"Ooh, I see." She paused. "Hey, Harry, I don't mean to be rude and change the subject, but have you given more thought to teaching here? I mean, Professor McGonagall would gladly let you teach alongside Slughorn for a year or two to get your feet wet." Hermione asked.
"Who says I don't want to work in the Auror's office? I'm okay there. I'm famous which we knew I'd never avoid and I'm the emissary to the British Prime Minister," he said proudly.
"Now that's cool, I hadn't heard that before," said Hermione. "Have you had to talk to him yet?"
"This past Christmas I introduced myself and gave him kind of our State of the Ministry speech and he seemed like a fairly even tempered fellow, but he seemed to have a lot on his mind with elections and things, so I was on my way quickly," said Harry.
Hermione stopped under a tree and leaned against it kicking a foot up to it as well. "I'm just glad that I'm able to get away from cameras and personal appearances. If I couldn't speak my mind about S.P.E.W. and similar issues I'd have quit after six months. I miss school."
"Really? You look so vibrant and happy, Hermione," said Harry and she did with the exception of the last few comments last night.
"I suppose I can't complain. My parents can now take patients at their leisure without working those long days; and, I'll never worry about money for school when I stop doing this. Yet, it's places like this that remind me I'm not a model. I'm just a girl they pay a lot to pretend she is." She sipped the frozen juice drink from the straw again.
"I knew you hadn't changed when the Daily Prophet had that article about S.P.E.W. or about the giants. Is it true that Grawp asked you to marry him?" Harry laughed as she took a swipe at him.
"Harry!" she said in a gleeful shout. "You are still bad. You know that don't you?"
"Yeah, I suppose I am," said Harry. "We should get back they want us there 45 minutes early for the wedding and unlike you it takes me hours to get beautiful," Harry imitated a being an effeminate male.
"That's funny, Harry. That's really funny," she said. "Yeah, contrary to your pea-brained beliefs it takes a lot for me to get ready too. Models don't just wake up and put a shear dress on and get pictures taken. I want to kill the lady who does the bikini waxing."
"Hey do you have any of those pictures for me while I shower this morning?" said Harry in his best perverted voice. "Uhm, do you have some reeeally sexy, ones...huh….huh….huh." He was clearly teasing.
"Ooh, that is so gross, Harry. Get away from me?" she was laughing but embarrassed. "If I ever caught you ogling one of my bikini pictures I don't know if I could ever talk to you again."
"Hermione, it's a joke," he said. "Hey, I thought you'd get a kick out the single guy aspect of it."
"That creeps me out, Harry, really. I would feel better if you asked me to do a striptease to excite you than think of you with my pictures and …. Ooh, God whatever. I would still be disgusted with you for asking but…" Hermione started to look truly upset.
"I'm sorry, Hermione. I….we used to joke about sex stuff all the time. I mean I must have asked you to show me some skin at least a dozen times, it was natural when we were younger to make lewd comments and laugh it off." Harry said. It had been too. They'd proposition each other in fun all the time after Ron had broken it off with her to go on the Quidditch tour. They had gotten closer for a little while after school but nothing ever happened.
"Yeah, well, maybe I've run into some really creepy people since then and it just isn't funny anymore," said Hermione. "When you are naïve and trusting you think everyone will be like your old friends were, and they weren't and aren't."
"No one hurt you or anything, did they? You don't have to put up with them touching you, if you don't want Hermione." asked Harry.
"I know I don't. But let's just say that being known for your looks tends to attract a few people who are very shallow and don't take your feelings into account." Hermione said. "You know I'll see you in a little while. This is the reason I looked forward to this weekend. There would be no tension like I deal with everyday, but I was wrong. I'll be okay, Harry. It's my problem, really. Not yours."
Harry hadn't meant anything by his comment at all. He no more would want to embarrass or hurt Hermione than anyone in the world. He supposed there were things about him that he was sensitive about as well. He could think of one right off the bat. Doing that book was wrong, but he'd signed a contract to do book signings and promote it so he was stuck with it. Or, he thought, I never date anyone I really like because they see my name with all the rich wizards all the time and think I wouldn't be happy.
An hour or so later, he saw Hermione again and she looked ravishing as well as in good spirits again. "Hermione, are you okay?"
"Yes, Harry and thanks for not taking it personally. I thought I might have to beg you to forgive me. Anyway, doesn't Luna look spectacular?" said Hermione.
Harry turned and lo and behold, she did. She was the same old Luna in a lot of respects. Her comments and stories last night were still about things most people laughed about never existing. Yet, she seemed to be more confident in talking to people too. Gone was the buggy-eyed look and her teeth had been straightened. And, as girls tend to do, she'd filled out to be quite shapely and taller than Harry remembered.
Harry and Hermione went to the second tent where Tonks was getting the final preparations for the trail and the veil. She was gorgeous, thought Harry. She'd waited a long time for Lupin to come around and he was a lucky man. "You know, none of the male portion of the party is supposed to see the bride. But Harry, for you I'll make an exception. He gave her a hug. He told her that she looked wonderful and stepped out to let Hermione talk to her for a moment.
They stopped by the last tent to wish Lupin good luck. "Ah, Harry, so you'll have the most beautiful girl besides the bride on your arm." Harry smiled and nodded. Hermione blushed.
"I just wanted to wish you well, Remus," said Harry. Remus was the only person left who felt like family. He was more brotherly than fatherly, but still a very good friend.
"Do you think I'm going to need good luck? That can't be good. I thought I was already pretty lucky. I need more luck. What do you know that I don't?" joked Remus.
Harry whispered in his ear, "Do you have something for a heart attack just in case the honeymoon goes too well?" Remus laughed.
"If I die of a heart attack on my wedding night, I'll consider it a full life," he said just a little too loudly. Harry was embarrassed that Hermione might have heard him. She didn't seem too and Harry was glad for that. Why every woman here seemed more appealing than they would have the day before yesterday baffled Harry.
"Hermione," Remus said loudly. "Be sure to catch the bouquet." He smiled.
Hermione smiled back and took Harry's arm as they walked toward the end of the rows of chairs. The place was filled. Nearly everyone from the Ministry showed up. Many students and families that lived close to the Hogwarts Express took the train in and then there was the press following the Hermione, Harry and Ron reunion angle. The music began precisely at 11 AM much to the pleasure of the wedding party.
Harry stood looking at Lupin and Tonks exchange vows. He listened to the traditional Christian vows as they were given. "To have and to hold from this day forward. In sickness and in health…" Harry realized those two lines were the thing that bothered Remus most. He would never, Remus thought, have to sacrifice nearly as much as Tonks would for those vows. And, for many months, he wouldn't even let her close enough to be friendly, even though she loved him and he loved her. Harry realized what a triumph of love and the human spirit this day was as they kissed and made their way down the aisle. With Harry and Hermione in tow it was quite a moment to remember.
While pictures were taken beneath the trees, Harry thought back to those days when he and everyone had found out that Tonks and Remus were struggling over their love. He was with Ginny and Ron had just told Hermione his feelings. The major battles still remained and Harry tried to avoid thinking of them as he did most days when he went to sleep.
"Come here, Harry," called Hermione. "I'm not leaving without a picture of us dressed like this together." They stood cheek to cheek and mugged for the camera. The resulting picture was one of the cutest they'd ever had together. Harry knew that picture was a keeper.
Remus and Tonks weren't much for the reception being the place for some of the ceremonial things so all the single women gathered behind Tonks as they prepared to toss the bouquet. Hermione stood poised as Harry teased her about being 22 and an old maid. "You'd better catch it, you won't have those looks forever," he said. Hermione laughed so hard she didn't see Tonks toss it until the last second. She moved toward it and caught half of it while standing there with Luna Lovegood. "Okay, so they marry each other. Everyone's here," said Harry. The crowd laughed. No one had ever seen a bouquet caught by two people who didn't try to wrest it out of the other's hand.
"It's yours Luna. I think I came in late," said Hermione. Luna smiled.
"Maybe we're supposed to marry twins," she said in typical Luna style which made Hermione laugh and hug her.
"Maybe," said Hermione. She'd learned to never doubt Luna's intuition. It had saved them all on more than one occasion.
Once all of the stuff that Lupin and Tonks wanted pictures of were done, they let everyone change into comfortable clothes to go eat and enjoy the rest of the day. When Lupin told him this one day a week or so ago Harry had been grateful. He hated thinking of spending five hours dressed up and then having three or more hours to kill before going back for the Quidditch Match. It had all worked out.
"Harry, meet me outside my room when you're done changing," said Hermione.
Harry had no other intention but to wait for her, but it was nice to know the feeling was mutual. It was only Saturday and he already felt more relaxed than he did by Sunday afternoon most weekends. Wow, he thought, I actually get a chance to enjoy the feeling instead of dreading work again the next day.
Hermione seemed to be taking forever. But finally, she popped out carrying a plastic bag and 3 x 5 index cards with a marker. "What's this for?"
"Remember, Truth or Dare?" Hermione said with a pixyish smile. "I found a perfect spot for it this morning."
First, everyone sat down and had a wonderful meal with half a dozen choices of meat, a dozen vegetables, more breads than Harry could count and pumpkin pie. He didn't care that there were six other types of pie. Pumpkin pie at Hogwarts had always been one of his favorites. Harry spied the little boy, his sister and parents who wanted to meet Ron at a table not too far away.
"Ron, mate, I promise I won't do this to you again. But see the little guy over there with his sister. He's looked over at you at least a half a dozen times," said Harry.
"How do you know it's me?" said Ron.
"Yesterday, I stood right next to them and they didn't recognize me, but Bobby asked his Dad when he would meet Ron from the Quidditch team. His dad smiled at the mom and told Bobby that he couldn't promise they'd meet you," said Harry. "Be a sport and help me out. You come too, Hermione. I'll bet the girl knows you."
So a few minutes later, Harry along with his two friends went over to the table where the little boy was talking with his Dad. "How long until the match starts Dad? Remember when we went last and Ron, he caught the quaffle between his feet as he flipped over on his broom. That was cool."
"Eh hem, could I bother you for a second. Bobby is it," said Ron kneeling down at his chair and gave him a
signed napkin. "Before the game tonight I'll try that again, but it was all luck I'm afraid."
Bobby's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Dad, Dad! It's Ron Weasley!"
"Sh, sh. I know you're going to fall out of your chair Bobby," the boys father just looked at Ron and shook his hand. "You have no idea how important it is that he met you. I mean for my sanity's sake." He laughed. "I'm John Lovington; I work with Tonks. How did you know?"
Harry had stood back and let Ron enjoy the moment. "Well, Harry here, he heard you when you got off the train yesterday and remembered your son."
"Hi, Harry, heard a lot about you," he said timidly. "I saw you yesterday, but frankly, the stories make you a little intimidating to just greet in public."
"Harry and you are, John. No more of that will you. If you see me, give me a yell. A family like yours is a dream of mine one day," said Harry casually. He knew not many of the rank-and-file approached because of his reputation, but it was a shield against having to tell the Lord Voldemort story a million times. It was the price of fame.
"Rebecca, meet Harry Potter and Ron Weasley," said John to his wife. She shook hands with Harry and Ron.
"John, that's Hermione Granger there too," said Rebecca.
John blushed a little. "I just didn't want you hitting me for staring at her so I ignored her." He was such a nice guy thought Harry.
"Annie, meet Hermione," said Rebecca.
"That's not her. Hermione has really red lips and wouldn't be caught dead in jeans and a sweatshirt," the little girl replied. At 8, Annie was sure that Hermione woke up and went to sleep in perfect picture frame condition.
"Seriously, Annie, it's her. She's on vacation. She wears different stuff when she's out with real people," said Rebecca.
Annie looked close walked over and looked at her more closely as she circled once and started as second time.. "It could be her but…"
Hermione was still laughing as she circled for the second time, "Look, Annie, do remember me at the drums acting silly, like this." Hermione made a face and instantly the little girl smiled.
"Yep, that's her," she gave Hermione a hug. "I'm going to be a model just like you."
"You should try to be a student just like her first, sweetie," said Rebecca.
Harry stood back and watched as his two best friends entertained their young fans. "So, John, isn't Tonks one of the sweetest people you've ever met?"
"She is that. She's actually going to be the Head of our office starting in September. She's going to try to have a baby so they have offered her a position as Head of Magical Forensics where she's not on her feet and she could work while taking care of her child." said John.
"Well, you're certainly no dummy yourself to be working there, John. What got you into that work? Well, I graduated from Hogwarts in 1985 and went on to University at Cambridge. I was going to do a combined muggle medical and a homeopathic medical degree when I met Rebecca. We kind of got sidetracked on our education and we just finished last year. So, I applied."
"Did you finish the medical stuff?" asked Harry.
"No, I got interested in forensics watching muggle TV and I did some investigation into the profession. I can do a lot that muggles can't do because I use magical means, but we had no one doing the job full time. It was the next wizard available type thing, so with a little effort I got them to hire me without a real place to work. But that will change in September."
"Won't that actually be a lot more strain on Tonks as a Department Head?" asked Harry.
"They don't expect it to take long and nine months is a fair piece of time to get things rolling when you're as smart as she is," said John
"True, very true. Well, good luck. Nice meeting you," said Harry.
Hermione and Ron were pleading to get out of there. "Nice meeting you Ron and Hermione," said John.
"Yeah, that kid was pretty cool. He knows Quidditch alright," said Ron. "But there is only so much time you can spend hearing a little kid tell you you're the greatest and when you have to go." Ron smiled, "Thanks Harry. Wouldn't have missed that for the world, though, mate."
Hermione just looked at him a growled. "I love being a kid's favorite model, but getting the third degree from an eight year old was a bit much." She stopped for a second. "I suppose when you think about it is pretty cool." Hermione didn't seem that excited about fame.
When they'd returned to the table, Ron was the one who brought up the rest of the afternoon. It was understandable because he had to leave at least an hour before everyone else to be with the team. Hermione spoke up, "I found this little clearing where there are a couple of benches. The area is open so the ground should be dry. Who's up for a little game of Truth or Dare?"
Harry wasn't surprised that Luna volunteered from the other end of the table. Seamus shook his head that it wouldn't be fair to his girlfriend who knew no one."
"Seamus, I've got some questions she can use. I've made a little list," said Hermione. "Plus I have a list of dares. Guys we only get to see one another once in a while and we'll end up going home knowing nothing about each other again until the next wedding or whatever. It's just for fun."
All in all eight people joined but only seven teams: Hermione, Harry, Ron, Ginny, Luna, Seamus and Shannon who they counted as one, and Dean. "Okay, there are no winners or losers so anyone who comes along can join. First rule, you must either take Truth or Dare and if the question or task is objectionable a vote will be taken to determine if it's too embarrassing or dangerous. Second, if you are overruled you can pass one time, but not the first or third times through. That way no one can play strategically and just start embarrassing people."
"Hermione, wait. I thought this was a friendly game," said Seamus. "I don't want Shannon being embarrassed in front of people she doesn't know or for that matter, you guys making me out to be a buffoon." He laughed.
"Wait, I'm not finished. You have 15 minutes from now to get props for your dares. For example I'm going to get two eggs and a lollipop that I'll use for my dares. You can think up something that would be challenging and fun," said Hermione. "You could make a blindfold and … well...I'm not giving anymore hints. We've all played I'm sure. Is everyone cool with the rules? We can make new ones to make sure things are safe as we go."
Everyone agreed. Harry took off and liked Hermione's idea of eggs or something messy that would make people cringe. He was so lost as to what to do, but he bought two eggs and a small lollipop anyway. For what, he had no clue.
When he got back Hermione was telling them something she'd forgotten to mentin earlier. "Okay, just so people can't pick on one another, the dares will be placed in a bag on that tree and a card pulled out. So you could end up with your own dare, be careful of what you ask people to do. I've put some in there that I thought would be fun from other times I've played." Hermione said.
"How are we going to start?" asked Dean.
"Do you want to start? You pick someone who will say truth or dare." Hermione said. "Anyone object to Dean starting?"
They all agreed. So Dean started. "Harry Potter."
"Oh, brilliant. How did I know it would be me?" said Harry. "Truth."
"You love your job at the Ministry." Dean said sarcastically.
Wow, thought Harry. I got off easy on that one. "Yes. Gee, that was easy." Dean shrugged as though he were saying. Hey, I don't know what I'm doing.
"My turn to pick someone, right?" asked Harry.
He looked around and realized this was a good chance to get it started and pick someone most people would avoid. "Luna."
"Oh, cool, you picked me," she said. "Dare."
Harry was glad the bag with the dares was there. He looked at it and though this could be messy, but he thought it might be funny. "Luna, if you were blindfolded, could you identify every guy here with a kiss? If it's too embarrassing Shannon you can keep Seamus out." Harry asked.
"Well, it's not like you're asking her to feel their bulges and identify them," she said with a smirk.
"Oh, did I tell you guys, that Shannon isn't real shy?" said Seamus.
Hermione smiled. "That's what I like. That's what this game is all about."
They laughed uproariously. "Yes," said Luna while very one is laughing.
No one noticed until she said, "Yes, I could do that bulge thing too if you want." Everyone stopped and looked at Luna. "Just kidding, but no one was listening to me. Let's do the dare." The laughs went up again.
"Okay, guys be quiet and get in line you will sit down so she can't tell by height. No hands Luna, only the kiss." Hermione blind folded Luna and the guys stood in line for their turn. They were in order of Ron, Dean, Seamus, and Harry.
Luna stood still and when Ron sat down she leaned in and kissed him softly until he kissed her back.
Hermione said, "So who is that?"
Luna stood up and said, "I don't have to say until I've kissed them all. That wasn't one of the rules. I just have to get them right. Besides, if I miss the first one I don't get to kiss all of them." She giggled.
Hermione laughed, "That's true." She held a finger to her lips for the guys not to laugh.
So Luna went down the line until she'd kissed them all the same way.
"Okay, I'm ready. That was too easy. It was Ron, Dean, Seamus and Harry." She'd gotten them all correct.
"How'd you know?" asked Ginny.
"The first guy was timid so it had to be Ron. He's always shy with girls. The second guy, Dean, has really nice full lips which made it easy. The third guy was a smoker, Seamus. The fourth guy is a good kisser and aggressive, Harry." Luna said.
"Ooh, Harry. Putting the moves on Luna were you," said Ginny with a sly grin.
"If you have to kiss someone, make it count. I always say. Okay, Luna. Your turn," said Harry.
"Ginny," said Luna.
"Dare," said Ginny.
From the bag, Luna pulled out a card. "You have two choices, you can remove one piece of outer clothing, excluding shoes, hats, gloves and belts and you can't put them back on for 5 minutes. The game could continue while you are doing your dare. Or, option 2, you can let us hear your sexiest moan for 20 seconds. In either case, no one can help you tell time, you must meet the time requirement on your own. The penalty for stopping early is continuing the dare for twice the time without a personal timer or watch." Luna stopped reading.
Ginny rubbed her bare shoulders in contemplation of taking off her shirt or pants. "It's too chilly, so here goes." Ginny closed her eyes and began to coo. The guys tried really hard to make her blush with comments on how excited the look on her face made them. . It was good fun and as red as Ginny was she had to admit it was not as bad as she'd anticipated.
"That was hilarious," said Shannon. "You guys are really a lot of fun. Thanks for including me. You don't have to hide me in with Seamus anymore."
Now it was Ginny's turn. Hermione had the look of a cornered tiger. She knew that Ginny was coming after her. "Hermione," said Ginny. "Anyone who can make up a game that embarrasses all of us deserves some of her own medicine."
Hermione hated that moment. It wasn't that she didn't want to play. It was that taking "Truth" with someone who knows you well can be really embarrassing and a lot of people had been doing the "Dares" so far.
She couldn't take a Dare. "Truth," she cringed.
"Okay, Miss Bathing suit model, in preparation for a bathing suit shoot, how close does the bikini waxing get: A) depends on bathing suits, B) almost everything, or C) au naturel." Ginny winked, smiled wickedly and said. "There you go, Miss Truth or Dare."
Hermione turned a little red. Harry could tell that wasn't a question she expected at all. And what Harry was sure made it worse was the wording for two of the three.
Finally, Hermione answered. "C) au naturel". She paused for a second. "Muah, thank you Ginny." They giggled. "That was cruel, but I'll live."
They roared through question after question and dare after dare. Everyone had been picked at least once, but now it had come to Harry's second turn in three challenges. "Wait, how is this fair? I picked Shannon."
Harry's face was still red from his last turn. He had selected `Truth' again and ended up having to admit being a gigolo of sorts for the Ministry. The fact that he was always mentioned in the tabloid with some rich wizard's daughter was no coincidence. The Ministry encouraged Harry to accommodate the wishes of their supporters no matter what sacrifice needed to be made."
"Then Shannon picked you back," said Hermione. "That's fair as far as I'm concerned."
Harry wasn't sure he wasn't getting ambushed here.
He had taken too many "Truth" questions. He'd figured everyone knew him so well that he couldn't be embarrassed. Well, the last one cured him of that thought. "Dare," he said.
Shannon took out the card. "Harry, your dare comes in three parts. First, you will select one of our names out of this bag. Second, you will have one minute to come up with a convincing marriage proposal to her, and third, you will propose to her. She will rate your effort by agreeing to marry you or not. We will rate it by boos and hisses or cheers to go on. You will have three minutes to deliver your proposal." Shannon put the card on the bench and wrote the names of all the girls on the cards. "Whoever came up with this dare is diabolical and very, very good at this game."
Harry picked the name and happy. This should be easy, he thought. "Hermione," he announced.
"Okay, you have one minute beginning," said Shannon, "Now."
There were so many obvious things. She was kind, loving, sexy, original, safe, warm, funny, beautiful, and his best friend. Then he thought, wow, this is silly. I have to do something, because I might get too serious. So he started mulling over ways that he could say those things but not be taken too seriously. After all the last thing he wanted to do was embarrass Hermione too much.
"Okay, Harry, now you have three minutes. Begin." Shannon stepped away and everyone's eyes were on the two of them.
To everyone's delight, he took Hermione's hand and kissed it lowering himself to one knee. He began, "Hermione, we've been friends for so long now that when I think of something I need an opinion on, I wonder where you are and what you're doing. Can I please just talk to you for a minute? You are the warmest, kindest and most generous woman I have ever met. The smell of your hair arouses passion in me that I have never enjoyed with any other woman. Your beauty reminds me the warmth of the sun beading down on my naked body on a hot day. I want to spend every waking hour with you. I would like you to have my children and share my bicycle built for two that I call life…."
He continued getting campier by the second. He hoped the silly and good ideas would keep coming. He had everyone in stitches and cheering.
By this time the laughs at his overdone performance were just killing everyone. Hermione was laughing as he kissed her arm up and down. He got more and more sappy until finally. When he finished, the tears were streaming down Hermione's face so hard from laughing that she just said, "Yes, I'll marry you, you fool." They looked at each other and hugged. He hadn't had so much fun playing off Hermione's wonderful sense of humor in his life. What a wonderful feeling it was to be with her again.
"Okay, okay. That was good, I mean really good," said Shannon. "At first I really though you were proposing to her." Everyone just kept kidding Harry about how hokey he looked kissing her arm.
"Okay, beer break. I have to go get more and use the loo," said Dean. "Harry, that was funny. You'd be a good actor."
Harry sat just a few feet from Hermione who was talking with Ginny and Shannon. He wondered if there had ever been a girl in his life with whom he could be so free and easy. If they'd have made him settle down and be more serious, he knew looking into her eyes he could have done it without thinking. That gave him an eerie feeling. He was so far from wanting to be married at that moment, but was Hermione different. He shook his head and grabbed a beer.
Meanwhile a few feet away, Hermione, Ginny and Luna were laughing about how glad they hadn't been picked or if they had been picked Harry was the only one they thought could pull it off. "Yeah, no one else could have pulled that off. He's just funny enough to go with the flow and not take himself too seriously." Hermione said.
"Yeah, Ron would have been sweating and maybe never got a word out," said Ginny.
Luna defended Ron. "I think he would have done fine. I don't think he would have been funny intentionally like Harry, but he would have been cute."
Shannon smiled, "I think Seamus would have refused that one unless he picked me. He knows I'm jealous of all of you." She said that very seriously. "I was squirming until I saw he'd picked Hermione, too. I don't know if he'd have thought it funny if Harry knelt in front of me."
Hermione glanced over her shoulder toward Harry as the other girls continued to chat. Harry saw her out of the corner of his eye and wasn't sure he wanted to acknowledge her at the moment as he overheard the conversation in their little group. "Luna, do you have a thing for my brother?" asked Ginny.
He didn't hear the answer, because he was concentrating on Hermione. He felt something when she looked at him. But he couldn't keep from looking at her. He raised his beer bottle and smiled, "Here's to best friends."
Hermione raised her bottled water, "To best friends."
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