Chapter 3:
"We can still be leprechaun…"
(Harry's POV)
A/N: I'm so excited to be writing again! Sorry I haven't written in several months, but a teacher at my school banned Harry Potter, and I only get to read it on breaks from school. Since my inspiration comes after reading JK Rowling's work…Well, you can see how this has become a problem. I am working on updating all of my stories over the holidays; however be warned no other stories will be finished until summer, unless a miracle happens.
God bless,
katie
Years passed. Ron was still there, but he wasn't as close to either of us as he had been. The euphoria of being leprechaun had fizzled out soon after the festival, and few remained who even remembered what the E.L.F. was. That night at the Astronomy Tower had changed Hermione and me both. In those dark hours, we both realized that the innocence and random frivolity of our childhood was over. I became a little more serious, and Hermione grew quieter. We both went on with our lives, although I knew that I wasn't the only one who missed the leprechaun family. Still, we moved on to bigger and better things. In sixth year, we started dating, and before we knew it, it was our last year at Hogwarts.
In March of our seventh year, Hermione was quieter than usual. One day, as we sat together in the Great Hall, my hand stroking hers, she suddenly looked at me, her eyes unusually bright.
"'Mione, what's wrong?" She pursed her lips in an adorable manner and turned her brown eyes towards the table.
"Sometimes I miss being a leprechaun."
Her words surprised me. We had never spoken about the family since that night at the Astronomy Tower, and now, two years later, it was the last thing I expected to hear.
"What do you mean?"
"I just… being a leprechaun was actually really fun. And we had an excuse to do daring things, to be who we really were inside. And now, we're about to graduate and go out into the world, and I realize now that we really grew up that night. And I don't know if I'm ready to grow up…"
I sighed and kissed her forehead. "We can still be leprechaun…"
Hermione flinched. "What do you mean? I don't want that whole thing to start up again…"
"No, I mean…we'll do it right this time. We'll just have it, me an you, and we can just…I don't know…be those kids we once were."
"Are you really sure about this?"
"Positive."
That is why, on March seventeenth of our final year of schooling, Hermione and I were found sitting on a huge, checkered blanket by the lake, having a picnic lunch. Hermione had dug around and found our old leprechaun hats, and had brought them with her to our feast. I snatched one up immediately and plopped it on my head so it fell over my eyes. The feelings that flooded my body were astonishing! All those fun times we had flooded back to me in a moment, and I felt like the innocent fourth year I had once been. I could have filed through the memories forever, but I realized that Hermione had gone quite still. Pulling up the hat, I saw that she was gripping the hat tightly, staring with huge eyes at the tall, lanky shadow that fell over our blanket.
I really thought I might just throw up the corned beef I had just eaten.
"What are you doing here?"
Ron Weasley gave us a shrug and a sheepish attempt at a grin.
"Well, I was in the common room, and I saw the two of you heading down here, and… Well, I found this near the fireplace, I think you dropped it, Hermione."
He extended his hand, holding out the third leprechaun hat. Hermione continued to stare at him, open-mouthed, as though he had just announced that he had just inherited Gringotts. Silence ensued as Hermione watched Ron, who watched me, who watched her. Finally, Ron threw his hands up and sighed.
"Listen, I need to say something, and I ask you both to just hear me out.
"I screwed up, putting the E.L.F. before our friendship. I mean, I was so excited that the club was popular, and I just basked in the glow of popularity. I never should have gotten so carried away. And I know that I hurt you both-especially you, Hermione-and I just came down here today to…to…to apologize."
I watched as a faint smile crept over Hermione's face and Ron continued with his speech.
"I know that this is our final year, and I really should have apologized sooner, but I've been a prat, and, well, I reckon our friendship's wrecked all because of me, and neither of you two should ever forgive me, but…"
"Ron," Hermione interrupted. "Do stop being an idiot. The corned beef and cabbage is getting cold, so you better get your bum down here and eat it."
Ron grinned sheepishly and slowly sat down in the empty spot. Hermione dished some food onto a plate for him and I dusted off the third hat and plopped it down on his head.
"You do know what this means, boys?" Hermione had a devious look on her face as we looked at her curiously. "Well, we're still leprechaun, right?"
"Yeah," I said. "Your point?"
"As Vice President of this fine establishment, I make a motion that we begin this meeting."
"Motion seconded by the president," Ron said before shoveling cabbage into his mouth.
"As the Cabinet, I ask that we all join together in the leprechaun dance."
Hermione, surprisingly, jumped up and held out her arms, forcing us all to link arms and do the dance as best we could.
"Hearts, stars, and horseshoes!
Clover and blue moons!
Pots o' Gold and *two hops * rainbows
And the red balloon!"
We collapsed in the clover in hysterics, each of realizing that, though time had passed, it didn't take much for a friendship like ours to be rekindled. Things had changed, and it would take a while to be where we had been at one time, but we would never be separated again. We all howled with laughter, only stopping our manic ways when Ron sat up rigidly and grabbed his butterbeer.
"I make a toast: to the real E.L.F., and to friends who are always willing to take you back when you've been stupid! May we always be the leprechaun trio, from now till forevermore!"
"Hear, hear!"
"Couldn't have said it better!"
Our bottles clinked, and we gulped down the sweet fluid. We sat in silence for a moment, enjoying each other's company, when I was suddenly affected by the greatest idea I'd ever had.
"GUYS! I have a great idea!"
"What is it, love?"
"Well," I said mysteriously. "Do either of you have any plans right after graduation?"
************************ **************************
Ron's PoV
I can't decide which is more unbelievable: the fact that Harry came up with this brilliant plan all his own or the fact that we all jumped head first into it.
Graduation took place on the first Friday of June, and the very next Monday, the E.L.F. arrived in Blarney, Ireland.
True, we were fast friends before the start of the E.L.F., and we will be ever after, not because of the club but because of who we are. But, though not a main pillar for us, the E.L.F. is almost a defining point, like a symbol of who we are, unique specifically to us. Honestly, how many other Evil Leprechaun Families are running around in the world?!
Hermione couldn't contain her excitement as we walked together up the way to Blarney Castle, home of the legendary Blarney Stone. I must admit, it was an excellent idea, coming here. As everyone knows, leprechauns are native to Ireland, and the Blarney Stone is a main connection to Irish culture, supposedly bringing good luck or some other such thing. We, as leprechaun, want to make a point to kiss this stone so dear to our true native land.
We climbed up the stone tower, Harry listening bravely to Hermione's constant chatter. I know he must love her, to put up with that. Reaching the top where the Blarney Stone is located, we were all pleasantly surprised to see that the tower was empty, and the Blarney Stone lay before us.
Now, this was a great idea and all, but dangling far above the ground to lean backwards and kiss a stone was beginning to seem a little foolish. As always as the lady, Hermione went first. She leaned back cautiously as Harry held her, pausing only momentarily before kissing the stone with a smack. Harry went next, pretending he was going to make out with the stone (I protested, saying I wasn't going anywhere near it after that). Then it was my turn, upside down, kissing the stone. Surprisingly, it tasted like cabbage and firewhiskey.
We went back down to the pathway again, arms linked in brotherhood, er, sisterhood, with Hermione and all…
I don't know if the Blarney Stone really is lucky as some say, but as I walked with my two best friends through the greenest clover in the world, I felt as though I had the true luck o' the Irish. And that is better than a pocket full o' gold any day.
Fin
A/N: Thanks for reading! Sorry it was a bit abrupt, just had to finish it up! Please read and review and feel free to read and comment my other pieces! LKB09
-->