Extended Family

Chapter 111: Love Healer

Takes place after chapter 136 of Family

"Well now, what has you skulking in here like someone looking to drown their sorrows?" Rosmerta asked in a slightly exaggerated whisper and bright sparkling eyes.

"That obvious?" Harry asked sheepishly with a small smile.

"To me but I'm a bit of an expert of body language and expressions," she replied without a hint of arrogance.  "I'm especially good with folk I'm familiar with."  She pointed at him and made a circular motion with her pointer finger.  "And you, my dear, are bothered.  Want to know how I know?"

Harry sat at the bar; his smile fuller.  "Please."

"Well normally, you always have someone with you.  Before it was one of the older ladies and when they left, it was one of your other lady friends either your age or younger.  Sometimes you were one of the blokes and a few times you came in when some of the students were causing a ruckus and you were here to sort them out as a prefect or Head Boy, which while never quite needed was always appreciated."

She enjoyed the look of wonder on his face.  "So now, with you here on your lonesome, at a time where most of the underaged students can't be in Hogsmeade, without your badge on, makes me think that you are having a spot of bother."

"That's amazing, and you're right for the most part," Harry grinned.  "Not too much bother but, it's pretty banal.  I'm sure it's beneath your consideration."

Rosmerta opened her arms, taking in the quiet Three Broomsticks.  "My dear, you would be saving me.  Also, any drama, no matter how little or inconsequential, is not beneath my consideration.  I adore it.  More often than not, it amuses me greatly to the point where I've never had the need to listen to any wireless dramas."

Her laughter joined his.  "Let's make a deal.  You tell me the bother and let me pick at it.  In return, I'll throw in an appetizer on the house and even share a few older stories with you that I promise you'll be interested in.  What do you say?"

"You have a deal," Harry said comfortably, shaking Rosmerta's hand.  He did a quick look at the menu and placed his order and when Rosmerta returned with an ice-cold butterbeer in a pint glass, he took a sip.  "I'm mostly hiding here for a bit of privacy."

"Ah, last place they look sort of thing?" Rosmerta asked with a smile.  "Clever."

"You got it," he chuckled.  "I'm also hiding from my feelings a little, last year of Hogwarts and all."  He smiled sadly when Rosmerta nodded with complete understanding and sympathy.  "But I'm also hiding from my friends too, a little."

"Really?  Ooh do tell, what did they do?" Rosmerta asked eagerly, resting her elbows on the bar and her chin in her cupped hands.

"Nothing bad," Harry laughed.  "Just, yesterday was one of the weirdest days of my life.  I was asked by three of my friends to help them with their relationships."  He took another big sip.  "Me of all people, can you believe it?"

"I can," she said honestly.

"Really?  Why?"

"You've got a decent head on your shoulders.  You're sensitive, in a good way.  You've had insight into the female mind due to your friendships.  You're currently in a good one as far as I can tell."