Ronald and Lavender's Set-Up Service

3

INITIATION

'Harry, come on! Your birthday dinner's probably getting cold!'

Ron had told Harry that Mr. and Mrs. Granger were cooking up a dinner for him, and that he should dress formally for it. The Grangers were actually taking him out for dinner at The Lighthouse Bistro, an old lighthouse turned into a stylish restaurant looking out on the sea.

Harry walked up the stairs. 'What?'

He was astonished to see that the girls (and Mrs. Granger) were dressed up in - well, dresses!

'C'mon Harry, your limo awaits!' said Lavender. They walked outside to the car. Harry looked somewhat confused. 'Where are we going?' he asked.

'You'll see,' said Mr. Granger. 'It's not a long drive from here.'

The four teenagers squished into the backseat (which was only meant for three).

In about fifteen minutes, they arrived at a small lighthouse on a cliff. Harry looked at the water. He recognized the small rock in the ocean immediately.

'Oh, that's the island we stayed at when my Uncle Vernon went mad!' Harry exclaimed.

Mrs. Granger looked at him strangely. 'Well, here we are!' she said with a smile.

Harry looked at the sign above the lighthouse's door. 'A restaurant!' he said happily. 'Really?' Harry wasn't sure if they'd do all this just for him.

Ron nodded. 'You are sixteen and all.'

Harry didn't know what to say. Hermione got that impression. 'Let's go inside,' she said.

They walked inside the lighthouse. Harry didn't know what to expect. He was shocked. It was the fanciest restaurant he'd ever been to! (Even though he'd only been to three others.)

'Would you kids like your own table?' Mrs. Granger asked.

'Yes please,' said Ron and Lavender in unison.

'Would you like a booth?' the hostess asked.

'Actually, could we sit outside on the patio?' asked Lavender sweetly.

'Sure,' said the hostess. 'It does get quite cold -'

'Outside,' snapped Lavender.

The four students walked outside and sat at the table closest to the edge.

'It's good we brought sweaters,' said Hermione. 'It's awfully chilly out here.'

The hostess put down menus. 'The server will be here to take your orders shortly.' She shivered.

'Thanks,' said Lavender.

They pondered over the menus. Both girls decided to have virgin margaritas.

'Margaritas?' laughed Ron. 'How sappy can you get?'

'Well, what are you getting?' asked Lavender.

'Champagne,' he said, pretending to be dignified. 'Of the non-alcoholic sort.'

Everyone laughed. They ordered their meals and talked all the way through dinner. Ron did so with his mouth open. ('You kissed him?' Hermione exclaimed.)

'You know how Crabbe and Goyle didn't 'ave dates for the Yule Ball?' said Ron.

'Yeah.'

'Turns out they were each other's.'

They'd just about talked their brains out when dessert arrived: Chocolate Fondue.

Lavender kicked Ron under the table. 'Oww! What was that for?'

Lavender jerked her head towards the door.

'I must excuse myself, you see. I must find the Men's Toilets,' said Ron, as he slipped into the restaurant.

'I have to go too. Be right back!' Lavender called as she ran inside.

Lavender met Ron just inside the door.

'I found the perfect window,' he said. 'It's looking out from the men's toilets, though.'

'Is anyone in there?' Lavender asked.

'No...'

'We're going in.'

Ron casually walked in to the bathroom. Lavender made a run for it and snuck into the toilets. She put up the 'Closed for Cleaning' sign and locked the door from the inside.

'Ready?'

'Yep. Phase One has begun: Initiation.'

'OK, here's the window.' Ron pointed to a small window above the counter. You just have to kneel on the counter and you'll see them fine, and it's a frosted window. We can see them, but they can't see us.'

They peeked out the window.

'Wonder what Ron and Lav are doing,' said Hermione.

Harry raised one eyebrow. 'Isn't it obvious?'

'Oh dear,' she said.

Harry looked at her hair. It was tucked into a bun, with a few strands hanging over her face.

'Your hair looks nice,' said Harry. 'You can see more of your face.'

'Thanks,' she said. 'Lavender did it.'

She caught his glance for a second, then looked away.

'Um, Harry?'

'Yes.'

'There's something that's been bugging me for a while...'

Harry nodded, as to prompt her.

'You know when you saved me from the troll back in first year.'

'And Ron,' Harry added.

'I never said thanks,' she said shyly. 'So, thanks.'

'We couldn't just leave you.'

'I know.'

Harry looked at her. You saved my life too, with the Devil's Snare. Don't forget that. I think that was your way of saying thanks.'

'I had to save you,' Hermione said, smiling. 'I couldn't just leave you.'

'I know,' said Harry, grinning. 'Thanks.'

Lav and Ron were still watching from the window.

'Something's gonna happen,' said Ron. 'I know it.'

'Come on Harry, make a move,' Lavender urged.

Back out on the table, Harry and Hermione's attempts at conversation were failing.

'Let's go look at the view,' said Hermione.

They rose and walked to the railing that was separating them from falling into the sea.

'It's so beautiful,' said Hermione dreamily.

'It is,' said Harry.

He took one of her hands. She blushed a little.

'Oh my God, oh my God! It's working! It's really working!' Lavender exclaimed. She jumped off of the counter and did a sort of victory dance.

'Get up here! You're going to miss something!' Ron said excitedly.

Harry and Hermione looked at the rock farther out to sea.

Hermione turned to face Harry's side. Harry turned to face her. She grabbed his other hand. They looked into each other's eyes.

'They're going to kiss! I know it!' said Lavender, her face squashed against the window.

Instead, Hermione let go of one hand and pointed up.

'Look at the sky!' she exclaimed.

'It's beautiful,' he said.

And it was. The deep blue sky was ribboned with hundreds of stars, each shining as brightly as the next. The full moon reflected on the water.

'Lupin's going to have a hard night,' said Harry.

Hermione laughed.

'Look over there,' said Harry. He pointed to his right.

Hermione looked over her right shoulder.

'What?'

She turned back to Harry.

Before she could speak again, he leaned in quickly and kissed her.

'Well,' she said. 'That was nice.' She grinned.

They turned to face each other once more, holding hands. Hermione leaned in, and Harry's lips met hers.

Ron smiled. 'We are victorious.'

They high fived and then looked back out the window.

'I wonder where Ron and Lav are,' said Harry. 'They've been gone for a long time.'

'Who cares?' said Hermione. 'Let's sit down.'

'That's our cue to come back,' said Ron.

'No, wait. It's not over yet,' said Lav.

They sat down. Harry put a hand on Hermione's knee. She grabbed onto it, and took the other as well. They looked into each other's eyes for almost two minutes.

Harry finally looked away, slightly embarrassed.

Hermione smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

'You're really sweet,' she said.

'You too,' Harry said, smiling.

'Now is our cue,' said Lavender.

They walked out of the toilets, remembering to take off the 'Closed for Cleaning' sign.

'Ron! Lav!' called Harry as they walked out onto the balcony. 'Where were you? Even though I can guess.'

'We were nowhere.'

'I see,' said Harry.

'It's getting late,' said Hermione.

'We better go find your parents, 'Mione,' said Ron.

*

It was a long drive home. Harry and Hermione couldn't look each other in the eye. Ron and Lavender couldn't look them in the eyes either. At the end of the journey, everyone was relieved to be home.

Ron and Lavender looked at each other and smiled. Phase Two was about to begin.