R.J. Lupin | Sunlit Hugs and Moonlit Kisses

Chapter 25

A bright red head of hair was clearly seen entering the Three Broomsticks, alongside a bushy haired girl, and a boy with messy black hair. Alethea immediately recognised the trio and hurried to catch up with them before they chose a table. As she approached her third year friends, she could already hear the bickering between Ron and Hermione, while Harry looked around the pub in awe.

'How are my favourite Gryffindors going?' She asked them cheerfully as she stuck her head in-between Ron and Hermione's shoulders, giving them a right fright that made Ron release a small yelp.

'Thea!' Ron exclaimed in surprise, clutching his heart. 'You here to have a Butterbeer with us?' He asked hopefully, his eyes twinkling under the glow of the candles.

Alethea smiled at him, 'only if you lot don't mind of course.'

Hermione beamed at her, with her slightly larger front teeth showing. Alethea had always loved Hermione's teeth. 'Of course not Thea! Now that you're here you can tell Harry how irresponsible he is being!' She said pensively. Ron and Harry rolled their eyes at her words, already having heard an earful, while Alethea feigned confusion.

'How so?' She asked the young Gryffindor, dragging all three of them toward a table, which stood in the back corner next to the fireplace and in-between a window and handsome Christmas tree.

Hermione's stare hardened as she stared at the older girl. 'You aren't being serious right now, right?' She asked slowly still staring at Alethea.

Alethea laughed lightly, 'I'm only messing Mione, of course I know what you're talking about!' She said teasingly, pulling out a chair for Hermione and gesturing for her to sit down.

Hermione sat down gratefully and Alethea pushed her chair in slightly, as Harry had already sat down and Ron was still standing - looking quite lost.

'So you agree with me then Thea?' She asked her hopefully, turning in her chair to face Alethea who has gone to stand next to Ron. Although, Alethea wasn't too sure on what she was actually agreeing with, so she hummed, biting her lip as she did so.

Hermione rolled her eyes, 'Don't you agree that it's dangerous for Harry to be outside of school grounds?' She asked Alethea expectantly, unsure of what to say, Alethea looked between Harry and Hermione cautiously.

'Oh for Godric's sake!' Huffed Hermione, 'Don't you think Sirius Black might attack Harry?' She added on irritably. Alethea opened her mouth, but promptly shut it again. She knew for a fact that Sirius wasn't going to try and hurt Harry, but she couldn't blatantly tell them that though.

After a few seconds of not saying anything, Alethea finally let out a deep sigh. 'I think that Harry's taking a risk being out- I suppose it's not any different to his other years at Hogwarts...' she trailed off, but stopped as soon as she saw Hermione's glare. '-right erm...I think he'll be alright as long as he's not alone.' She finished, anxiously looking at Hermione for her reaction, desperately hoping it was the right thing to say. With a nod of approval from her and an appreciative smile from Harry, Alethea finally felt relieved.

The scraping of wood drew their attention, along with half of the occupants within the Three Broomsticks too, to Ron - who had tried his best to pull out his chair quietly. Unfortunately for his dignity and everyone's ears, that was not the case.

'Sorry!' He rushed out embarrassed as soon as he sat down. His three friends just laughed at him, watching as he turned a deep shade of pink. Slowly angling his body, Ron quickly looked over at the bar before spinning back around and sinking into his chair.

'Looking to see if Madam Rosmerta heard, were you Ronald?' Hermione questioned mockingly, although Alethea swore she heard a hint of jealousy in her tone. If possible, Ron turned even pinker, covering his face with his hands.