reparo ( ✓ )

chapter six

"Hey! You know what I just realized?" Ron, Hermione, and Harry had been sitting together in the Common Room working on revision when Ron suddenly had an epiphany.

"What?" Harry and Hermione asked in unison, a bored tone evident in both of their voices.

"We're old enough to go to the Three Broomsticks and get drinks that aren't butterbeer and pumpkin juice! We could get drunk!" Ron exclaimed, and Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Sure, but is that a good idea?" She asked, pursing her lip. Ron's excitement diminished slightly as he stared at his girlfriend, contemplating his next move like some life sized version of Wizard Chess - which he'd already run into once before.

"No, probably not, but it'd still be fun! Besides, Harry looks like he could use a drink, couldn't you Harry?" Ron asked, to which Harry gazed up from his scrolls and sighed.

"Ron, I don't want to agree with you on this, but if you insist that we should go to The Three Broomsticks on this ever so dreary Saturday, then let's do it." Harry stated, standing up, and abandoning his scrolls.

"Seriously Harry? You're agreeing with him on this?" Hermione asked, bewildered.

"Mione, I'm not gonna get drunk, and if you're not coming with us, I'll watch your boyfriend. I actually do like the idea of getting out of the castle, even if it is just to Hogsmeade." Harry stated, and Hermione sighed, settling into her overstuffed chair once more.

"Fine. Have fun, and don't do anything stupid." She stated, to which Ron grinned, assuring her he wouldn't and pulled Harry from the room. After making sure no professors were lurking, they made their way to the passage behind the knight statue that led to the Honeydukes cellar, and disappeared.

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Hogsmeade was full of life for some reason on that cloudy Saturday. No holidays were coming up, but the witches and wizards seemed cheery and festive enough. The pair were stopped a few times for autographs, but made their way to The Three Broomsticks seemingly unharmed. Upon arrival, they chose a high table towards the back corner and each ordered a butterbeer - for old time's sake.

"Can't believe 'Mione actually let us go." Ron stated, taking a sip of his frosted drink.

"Me neither." Harry agreed, also taking a sip of the drink. The taste was like nothing he'd ever had, and he loved it.

"So like, I actually don't know what to do now. Like, I thought she'd forbid us for going and now that we're here, and not even sneaking around like we used to have to, I'm so lost. We need conflict!" Ron exclaimed, to which Harry let out a light smile.

"I think I've had enough conflict for a while, Ron." He said, sipping once more at his drink. The ginger boy stared at him thoughtfully, taking a bite of a biscuit.

"You talk to Ginny yet?" He asked through a mouthful.

"Actually, yes I have." Harry stated, and Ron's eyes widened.

"So, you two back together?" He asked.

"No, but we're at least friends. I don't know, Ron, I'm just- I'm not in a very relationship mood I guess." Harry sighed, finishing off his drink and deciding to go for something stronger. Thoughts on Sirius were clouding his mind, as they typically did. He then realized that he was seated at the same table that he had been when he'd overheard his professors discussing the fact that Sirius was his godfather back in Year Three.

"Well, friends is okay, I guess. But you're Harry Potter, and women are bound to flock to you. Surely you'll settle down eventually? Right?" Ron asked, also finishing off his drink and cradled his chin in his hands as he faced his friend.