Am I Too Late

AM I TOO LATE

Chapter Four

Engagement Binges

Hermione wasn't sure how she made it through the remainder of the day, but she chalked it up to rigid stubbornness to focus and do something productive with her time. Remus had informed her that she wasn't allowed to come into work in the next few days, and he was disappointed that she hadn't told him of her panic attacks and feelings of overwork.

She felt increasingly guilty about allowing him to believe that her sudden stress overload was due to work, but she couldn't just tell him the truth about Harry. She was still hesitant to believe it.

Hermione tried to spin a positive twist on her "forced" vacation time, but the following morning as she sat at her kitchen table, drinking the remains of her coffee, she drummed her fingers anxiously. She had to do something, anything.

First she called on Ginny, who was busy working the morning shift at the new apothecary in Diagon Alley. When her head appeared in the flames inside Admina's Apothecary, she could see Ginny working feverishly over a bubbling cauldron.

"Ginny?" Hermione asked hesitantly.

"One minute," she said, very slowly adding something purple and oozing to the cauldron. A blue puff of smoke erupted from her concoction and she stepped back, wiping her hands on her apron. "Excellent," she said smiling, and then she turned around to look at Hermione.

"Hi," Hermione said.

"Good morning. You okay?" she asked.

"Oh sure. I've got the day off--"

"--the day off?" Ginny asked in shock.

Hermione laughed uneasily. "Yeah. Can you believe it?"

"Actually I can't." A loud voice yelled something that Hermione couldn't understand. "In a minute! I said the potion would take ten minutes, and it's only been five! Tell Aunt Hildy she'll have to wait a bit longer." Ginny turned back to Hermione and frowned. "No one has the time for patience anymore. Don't they know that potions is an exact art and a subtle science?"

"Eww," Hermione replied, grimacing. "That's almost frightening."

"What?" Ginny asked, looking over her shoulder.

"You sounded like Snape just then."

"It's too early for insults of that caliber, Hermione. Now what's this about you having the day off?"

"Actually," she paused, "I have more than a few days off."

"Oh, come off it, Hermione. You don't expect me to believe that, do you?" Ginny laughed.

"It's Harry's fault really."

"Oh?" Ginny asked, raising an eyebrow.

Hermione sighed. "Yeah. He talked Remus into forcing me to take a vacation."

"Did he now?" Ginny smirked.

"Oh, it's nothing good, I assure you."

"And why not?" Ginny wondered, untying the strings on her apron and folding it neatly. She placed it on the table behind her.

"Because my vacation should have come with a warning label," Hermione groaned.

"What do you mean?" Ginny asked, stirring the liquid in her cauldron.

"Well for starters, I'm bored out of my head. What am I supposed to do all day?"

"I don't know, Hermione, enjoy it? Read a book?"

"Don't be saucy. You know I hate being idle. And at the moment, I've read every book in my house."

"That's not surprising," Ginny mumbled under her breath.

"I heard that. And secondly, Harry wants me to help him plan his bloody wedding."

Ginny's hand froze mid-stir. She wrinkled her forehead and turned to look at Hermione. "You're joking, right?"

"Nope." Hermione sighed again.

"I hope you bloody told that prat no!" When Hermione didn't answer, Ginny let her mouth fall open before glaring at her friend's head hovering in the fire. "Hermione, you didn't! Tell me you didn't agree to help him! Oh, you did! I can't believe you, are you nutters? And what's he need your help for, can't she plan her own wedding?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. She should have known Ginny would react in the exact manner that would remind her decidedly of Molly Weasley.

"He said she wanted him to do it. She's going to be so busy with her work and all, she won't be able to plan a proper ceremony. And seeing as how Harry is right clueless about women most of the time, he asked me to help him. What was I supposed to say?"

"Well, no, would have the correct response."

"But Ginny," Hermione said in a voice that teetered dangerously close to whining, "he gave me this pitiful, begging look."

Ginny crossed her arms and frowned. "I can't believe--wait a minute, has he already asked her to marry him?"

"Not yet," Hermione answered.

"Then how has she asked him to take care of the wedding arrangements?"

"Obviously she knows he's going to ask. They must've talked about it. Actually, now that you mention it, Harry did say it was mostly her idea," Hermione said.

"Hmmm...well, I still think it's a bit odd for a woman to want her fiancé to plan her wedding. Would you want someone else planning your wedding?"

"Of course not," Hermione scoffed. "But she is busy."

"Too busy for her own wedding?" Ginny frowned again.

"Oh, I don't know. Can't you take a break or go to lunch with me or something? I'm going to go stark mad here all alone for an entire day."

"I'm not surprised," Ginny said in irritation, turning back to her cauldron. "Agreeing to help with Harry's wedding," she tiffed, "what in the world were you thinking?" Another shout pulled Ginny's attention. "Oh all right! Keep your knickers on. I'll be right there!" Ginny looked at Hermione. "Look, we're swamped here today. I probably won't even see food until tonight. I'm sorry," she said, looking at the pitiful expression on Hermione's face. "Don't look at me like that. Listen, I'll come by your place around 7 and we'll head down to Justin's pub...get some dinner...have a drink or two. Sound good?"

"Okay," Hermione said dejectedly. "I suppose I'll find something to do until then."

"Why don't you find the cure for some incurable disease? That should take you all of the afternoon, don't you think?" Ginny teased as she scooped a large amount of slimy yellow goo out of her cauldron.

"Very funny. I'll see you tonight," Hermione said, and then she pulled her head out of the fire, disappearing from Ginny's sight.

* * * *

Harry paced his apartment. He tossed the tiny black box up in the air and caught it. He repeated this action over and over again. Today was going to be a great day. Beth was coming home, and he was going to ask her to marry him. Hermione had agreed to help him with the wedding plans. There was no one else in the world he would rather have help him with such an important event.

The hearth lit up, and he grinned widely as he shoved the box into his pocket. In a matter of seconds, Beth materialized and stepped out of the flames, brushing the excess soot off her stylish clothes.

"Sweetheart!" she chimed as she stepped into the room and kissed both of Harry's cheeks.

He pulled her into a quick embrace. "Welcome home," he said sweetly. "I missed you."

"Did you?" she asked, smoothing out the wrinkles on his shirt with her hand. "I missed you. Paris was an absolute madhouse though the hotel was simply divine. We should go there sometime," she said, walking into his kitchen and opening the refrigerator. She frowned. "No soda?"

"You told me to throw it out. Too many calories."

She flashed a winning smile. "You're right. I should thank you for watching out for me." She walked over to him and wound her arms around his waist. She kissed his lips. "I did miss you."

Harry grinned and pulled her close to him. "So you had a good trip?"

She pulled away and walked over to the sofa and sat down. "It was work, but my fashions went over famously. I think the new dresses for spring are going to be a 'must have' item for anyone who's anyone."

"That's good right?" Harry said, not entirely understanding the fashion world.
"Very good," she purred, leaning her head to the side and patting the vacant spot beside her. Harry complied. "Did you have any plans for tonight?"

"I thought we might go to The Benevolent Badger for dinner," he said.

"Good. I don't feel much for pomp and circumstance tonight. Something cheap and casual sounds great to me."

"I thought you might be too exhausted for fine dining."

"And you were right," she said, snaking a hand up his chest. "You're always right, and that's what I love about you. You always know just what I need."

And realizing immediately that her words held more meaning than agreeing over simple dinner plans, he pulled her to her feet and led her to his bedroom because he knew she liked certain activities to occur in their appropriate rooms.

* * * *

Ginny, staying true to Weasley fashion, was half an hour late arriving at Hermione's flat. By the time she arrived, Hermione was standing on a ladder, dusting the top shelf of her bookcase.

"What are you doing?" Ginny asked, stepping out of the hearth and into Hermione's living room.

"Dusting."

"Like a Muggle? Why?"

"I was bored," Hermione said in annoyance as she climbed down from the ladder and put the duster on the end table.

"So you were dusting?" Ginny questioned disbelieving.

"Well if you had been on time then perhaps I wouldn't have been forced to keep busy."

"Oh, come on already. Let's go. Besides, you knew I wouldn't be on time."

And with that, Hermione smiled. "You're right. I did."

Hermione and Ginny walked the few blocks to Justin's pub, The Benevolent Badger. By the time they arrived, they both had pink cheeks, cold noses, and icy fingers.

"Brrr," Hermione shivered, pushing the heavy wooden door open and feeling the heat from inside wrap around her instantly.

"Oh, it feels good in here," Ginny said. She saw Hermione head instinctively for 'their' booth.

It was common knowledge that when any of the gang visited Justin's pub, they always sat in the same spot. It was a ritual of sorts.

"Hey, why don't we sit at the bar?"

"Why?" Hermione questioned.

"Something different. Shake things up a bit. Closer access to the alcohol." Ginny winked, and Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Fine, but don't expect me to drink...much."

Ginny smiled. "I would never dream of making you drink...much."

They climbed onto the tall, black leather-cushioned barstools, and as soon as Justin saw them, he walked over.

"Well, look who's here. How are you lovely ladies doing tonight?" he asked, wiping off the bar in front of them with a clean towel.

"Oh, we're great," Ginny said, smiling back at him. "What's good tonight?"

"Fish and chips is the special. Half off tonight. The special drink is the Purple Pixie."

"Ohhh, that sounds perfect. We'll have two orders of fish and chips and just for kicks, bring us two Purple Pixies."

"That okay with you Hermione?" he asked, surprised she was allowing someone else to order for her.

Hermione shrugged. "Sure. One Pixie won't kill me."

Justin leaned over towards Ginny and whispered, "Suppose I should tell her what's in it? She might change her opinion." He winked at them and walked off to prepare their order.

"What is in it?" Hermione asked.

"Just what we need tonight," Ginny said, unwilling to elaborate. "So when is Harry going to ask her?"

"Tonight," Hermione answered.

Justin sat two bubbling Purple Pixies down in front of the two girls and smiled. "Enjoy."

Ginny reached out and caught his arm, and glancing once at Hermione, she said, "I think we'll need another one of these. Each."

"Already?" he asked playfully.

"You have no idea," Ginny said. He nodded and walked off.

"Honestly, Ginny, drinking is no way to deal with my problems."

"Of course it isn't," she admitted, "but it sure does make you forget for a bit, and that's exactly what you need."

"I don't need to forget--"

"--Hermione for one night can you just go with it? We are two girls having a ruddy drink or two in order to drown our sorrows. Just this once I think it will be acceptable."

Hermione sighed and then smiled. "Okay, but promise me you know a good anti-hangover charm."

"Well, I don't, but I've had personal experience with Justin and he is a bloody master with them."

Ginny held up her glass filled with the bubbling purple liquid, and Hermione followed suit.

"Cheers to us," Hermione said.

"Cheers to us," Ginny repeated, clinking her glass against Hermione's.

The bubbling purple liquid was sweet on the tongue and slid down the throat like water. It was so delicious it could be properly termed sinful. But it was highly deceiving--most people partaking of the Purple Pixie were mislead by its sweet, non-alcoholic taste, but it was, in all actuality, highly potent. Hermione would not be the first to fall victim to its cunning deceit and sugary taste.

By the time she and Ginny had finished their dinner, they were toasting with their fourth Purple Pixie.

With shiny, slightly cloudy eyes, Hermione held up her glass with a somewhat wobbly hand. "To chaos," she said seriously.

"To chaos," Ginny agreed, smiling widely. They clinked their glasses together, both giggling madly when the purple beverage spilled over the edges of their glasses and soaked the bar top.

* * * *

Harry held open the heavy wooden door as Beth slid in and thanked him. The inside of the bar was warm and cozy, the lighting dim and flickering. He glanced quickly to the rear of the pub and noticed their usual booth was empty.

"Great," he said.

"What?" Beth asked as she turned, taking off her coat and draping it across her arm.

"Our booth is empty," he said as he grabbed her hand and pulled her through the crowded pub.

"I don't understand the fascination with this one spot. It's dark and in the back corner--"

"--and perfect," Harry said, smiling as they sat down. "We can hide from everyone back here."

"Why would you want to hide?" she asked, reaching across the table for his hand.

"It's the privacy."

She laughed teasingly. "And you do love your privacy, don't you?"

"More than anything else," he said, looking at her seriously.

She poked out her bottom lip in a pout. "More than me?"

"Okay," he said, "almost more than anything."

Beth flashed a winning smile and squeezed his hand. A waitress stopped in front of their booth and grinned at Harry.

"Evening Harry," she said sweetly.

"Evening Liza," he greeted, "you remember Beth, don't you?"

"Of course. Good evening to you, Miss Jordan," Liza smiled. "Fish and chips is the special tonight."

"Excellent," Harry said. "We'll have two of those."

"Harry," Beth said, frowning slightly, "I can't eat those greasy foods."

"Why not?" he wondered.

"I don't want to put on extra weight. Not with spring just around the corner. I need to be able to fit into my spring line."

Harry laughed. "Okay, whatever you say. I think you're perfect."

Beth smiled at him. "Thanks sweetheart." She looked up at Liza kindly. "I'll have the fruit plate and a side of asparagus."

"Great," Liza said as she turned to walk away.

"Oh Liza!" Harry called. "Tell Justin I'm here. And bring us two butterbeers, please!"

"Sure thing, Harry," Liza said as she swept through the pub toward the kitchen.

* * * *

Hermione placed her half empty glass of Purple Pixie on the top of the bar. She held a cold hand to her forehead and tried to stop giggling. The laughter seemed to have sprung a leak somewhere inside, and she couldn't get it to stop.

"I feel weird," Hermione said, looking up at Ginny.

Ginny leaned closer to her and smiled widely. "Great, isn't it? Want another?"

"I probably shouldn't," Hermione protested.

Justin walked over to them and leaned his elbows on the bar. "Hermione, I never knew you were a drinker," he said playfully.

"I'm not," she said, hiccupping accidentally, and she and Ginny burst into another fit of giggles. When she maintained some sort of order, she smiled sheepishly at him. "Sorry, Justin. This is all Ginny's fault. She said you knew a wicked Sobering Charm, and I'd be safe."

"Did she now?" Justin winked at Ginny, who blew him a kiss in return. Hermione looked at the two of them in surprise. "Oh, Hermione, don't look so shocked. Ginny and I had a go at dating. Found out we're better off friends though." He leaned closer to Hermione and whispered, "She's an excellent kisser, but she beats me at bloody everything...Quidditch, chess, academics. Bit of a constant blow to my ego, you understand."

"Oh, Justin," Ginny piped in, "I told you I'd let you win."

"Not the same, love. Not the same."

"And the Sobering Charm?" Hermione asked, blinking quickly because for a moment she could see two Justins.

"That's true enough. When you've had your fill, let me know. I'll set you back to normal quick enough."

Someone brushed up against Hermione, and she turned to see Seamus and Dean crawling onto the barstools on either side of her and Ginny.

"Hermione, tell me I'm seeing things. Are you partaking in the spirits?" Seamus asked, his eyes wide and glassy.

"Of course she is," Ginny said, "and we'll have another round Justin."

Before Hermione could protest, Justin was bustling off. She looked back at Seamus and shrugged her shoulders.

"One time thing," she said. "An experiment you could say."

"Well, if you're experimenting, you should try the Vodka Horntail."

"The what?" Ginny asked, her interest peaked.

"A silly drink Dean introduced me to. It gets you pissed in no time. We've had two each and I'm damn near gone," Seamus said, leaning over toward Hermione.

"No thank you," Hermione said, realizing how tipsy Seamus actually was.

"Come on, Hermione," Ginny said. "Justin already told you he could cast a Sobering Charm on you. You've nothing to worry about."

"Yeah," Seamus said, clasping a hand on her shoulder, "come on Hermione. Let loose for one night. It'll be fun for us. You always have to take of our drunk arses. This time you can join in the fun."

Justin placed two more Purple Pixies down in front of Ginny and Hermione. He greeted Seamus and Dean.

"If Neville and Ron were here, we'd have the whole gang," Justin said happily.

"How is that?" Ginny asked, sipping the purple liquid up through a blue straw.

"Well, you and Hermione and these two blokes are here, and Harry's in the back corner."

The color drained from Hermione's face quicker than it took her to blink. "What?" she whispered.

"Yeah. He's back there in our booth having dinner with Beth."

Hermione's head turned without her permission and stared straight at their old booth. There he was sure enough. He and Beth sat laughing and eating. Her heart thudded in her chest, and then sank beneath her barstool.

"You have got to be kidding me," Ginny blurted out.

"What's the problem?" Dean asked, glancing at Harry over his shoulder.

"Let's get them to join us," Seamus said, trying to slide off his stool.

"NO!" Hermione shouted immediately, grabbing Seamus' arm and tugging him back up to the bar.

"Why not?" Justin wondered.

Hermione couldn't answer, so Ginny did. "Harry's going to ask Beth to marry him...tonight."

Hermione reached for her Purple Pixie and sucked it up quickly through her pink straw. She was trying to wash down the knot in her throat.

"Blimey," Seamus said.

"Wow," Justin beamed. "That's great news. But..." he trailed off.

"But what?" Dean wondered.

"I don't know," Justin admitted. "I suppose I always thought Harry would end up with Hermione."

Ginny gasped. Seamus laughed. Dean nodded his agreement, and Hermione dropped her head onto the bar; it thudded against the thick wood. She mumbled something incoherent.

"What's that love?" Ginny asked, rubbing Hermione's back.

Seamus glanced at them in shock, and then a wide smile split his face in half. His eyes were shining brightly when he said, "I think she said she wanted the bloody Vodka Horntail."

"Excellent," Dean replied, slapping his hand against the bar top. "Make it four!"

* * * *

Harry finished his butterbeer and laughed as Beth told him of the model who had tripped over her skirt and had landed face down in the lap of a poor photographer.

"Did it hurt her?"

"No," Beth laughed, "but the photographer thinks he's in love."

Harry wiped his hands and moved his hands under the table. He slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out the tiny black box.

"When are you leaving again?" he asked, looking up at her as he held the box in his hands beneath the table.

Beth frowned. "I have to be in Rome by noon tomorrow, and then Paris by four."

Harry smiled. "Paris might as well be your home," he said.

Beth's eyes lit up. "We could live there one day," she replied.

Harry frowned slightly. "Live there? I rather like it here."

"I know you do. We'll have a home here and perhaps a home there."
"Sure," he said. He cleared his throat. "Well, speaking of that." He pulled his hands up to the table and held the black box out for her. "I've never been very good with these sorts of things, but I'd like you to marry me."

"Oh Harry," she gasped, reaching out for the box. She flipped open quickly, and her smile faltered, but only momentarily. "Did you pick this out?"

"Yes," he said proudly. "All by myself. So what do you say?" he asked.

"Of course I'll marry you," she gushed as she pulled the ring out of the box and slipped it on her finger.

Harry grinned. "What do you think of it?"

"The ring?" she asked. "Oh...well...it's really lovely, Harry," she said, but he could see something in her eyes.

"You don't like it, do you?" He looked temporarily wounded but shrugged it off. "Well, to be perfectly honest with you, I didn't know what style you liked. We've never really talked about it. I could exchange it for something else."
"Oh, no, don't be absurd. It's lovely...very...traditional."

"Here," he said, reaching out for her hand. He slipped the ring off, and she frowned. "Really, I don't mind at all. Tell me what you'd rather have. I want you to really like it."

She sighed and smiled. "You know me so well. It's lovely Harry, but I'd rather like to have an emerald cut diamond."

"Done," he said, slipping the ring into his pocket.

"You're not mad, are you?" she asked, reaching across the table for his hands.

"Not at all. I want you to be happy. You said yes, and that's all I needed," he admitted sweetly.

"Oh, I am so crazy about you," she said. "Are you still okay with planning everything for the wedding?"

Harry smiled, thinking of Hermione. "Absolutely."

"Great. I wrote down a few possible dates. I'll give them to you when we get back to your place. In fact, let's go home."

"Alright. Let me go up to the bar and pay for dinner. I'll be right back," he said, sliding out of the booth.

"Kiss me before you go," she said, leaning up for him.

Harry kissed her briefly before winding his way around the tables and finding his way to the bar.

* * * *

The crowd at the bar erupted in a roar of laughter. Hermione shushed them with a finger pressed firmly to her lips, smashing them in the process.

"Husssshhh," she slurred, "I'm working here."

She took Dean's shot glass and stacked it on the top of the architectural edifice they had dubbed the Tower of Debauchery. Everyone clapped and Hermione faked a few bows--the last one tipping her off the back of her stool into the arms of a stranger.

She collapsed like a rag doll into someone's arms and closed her eyes as her body shook with laughter.

"Oh dear," Ginny said, moving sluggishly but smiling broadly as she recognized the stranger.

Hermione looked up at the stranger and was going to apologize, but her gaze locked on his green eyes and she sucked in a breath. She struggled to get to her feet, but he helped her slowly, still cradling her in his arms.

"Hermione?" he asked, boyish merriment in his voice.

"Huh?" she asked.

"Are you...drunk?" Harry finally asked, trying not to laugh.

"Of course she is mate!" Seamus said, rocking dangerously on his stool.

Hermione, pushing Harry's arms away, turned around to look up at him and wobbled. He steadied her, and she brushed his hands away again.

"Wow, when I asked Remus for a vacation for you, I never thought you'd spend it getting sloshed with my mates," he said, obviously greatly amused.

"I mam most...mam...I man...I am most cccertainly not," she said, holding her head high.

Harry laughed in shock. "I can't believe it. I've never seen you drunk in my entire life."

"Oh, we're having a jolly good time," Dean said, holding up a shot of something that was on fire.

Harry's eyes widened at the stack of empty glasses in front of Hermione. "You've had quite a bit to drink, Miss Granger. Do you need walking home?" he asked, reaching out to steady her again. She swayed back and forth as if blown by an invisible wind.

"Absssofluting not," she said defensively. "Jusstin iss going to cast a Sseverus Charm," she frowned and scratched her head, "...a Sssevering Charm..."

Ginny laughed loudly and shook her head. "A Sobering Charm."

Hermione grinned over her shoulder at her. "That'sss what I read...said."

Harry laughed again, shaking his head in disbelief. He gripped Hermione's arms and leaned forward, pressing his mouth close to her ear.

"Can you hear me?"
Harry's warm breath had a sobering effect on Hermione. It tingled down her neck, and she closed her eyes. "Yesss," she whispered, resting her hands on his chest and leaning into him.

"She. Said. Yes," he whispered.

The alcohol in Hermione's blood was wreaking havoc on her system. She could feel tears welling behind her closed lids. She couldn't find the words to speak, so she nodded her understanding.

Harry pulled away. "You're still going to help me, right? With the wedding?"

Hermione nodded but didn't open her eyes.

"Are you alright?" he asked. Again she nodded. "Great! Justin, here mate, this is for my dinner. I'll see you blokes later. Goodnight." And he rushed off, shouting to Hermione over his shoulder. "I'll talk with you tomorrow!"

Hermione turned back toward the bar, climbed clumsily onto her barstool and dropped her head again. Dean was called over to a table by some other friends, and Seamus wobbled clumsily toward the nearest lavatory.

"What did he say?" Ginny wondered, leaning close to her.

Hermione lifted her head, tears glistening in her eyes. "Beth said yes." She turned to look at Justin. "The charm?"

He smiled at her. "Coming right up." Justin reached behind the counter for his wand and pointed it at Hermione. Before he spoke the words, he leaned toward her and whispered, "Chin up, love. She's a mere shadow compared to you." He winked at her and cast the charm. In an instant, the hazy world she'd been twirling in disappeared. She blinked her eyes and wiped her cheeks.

"Don't suppose you know a good Heartache-zapping Charm, do you?" she asked Justin sadly.

* * * *

Ten minutes later, Hermione moped into her flat. Though Justin had cast the Sobering Charm, she still felt slightly sluggish and as if someone had taken out her brain and filled her head with cotton instead.

She shed her coat, kicked off her shoes and never stopped walking until she was in her bedroom, where she proceeded to fall into bed and into sleep almost instantly.

* * * *

Harry took Beth's coat and hung it up once they were inside his flat. He started a pot of hot water on the stove; Beth always liked tea after dinner.

"I can't believe Hermione was pissed," Harry said, clanging around the pots as he searched for his kettle.

"You've said that already," she replied as she dug through her bag in search of her planner.

"I know, but..." he paused as he filled the kettle with water and placed it on the stove. "It's...so unlike her."

Beth looked up at Harry and shrugged her shoulders. "Sweetheart, you can't possibly know everything about her."

"We've been best friends for fifteen years. I think I know her very well," he said defensively.

Beth smiled. "I know that dear, but a woman's heart is full of secrets."

"Oh, is it? And yours? Is yours full of secrets?" he asked, crossing the room and sitting down on the couch next to her.

She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Of course it is."

"Tell them to me."

She laughed and leaned her head against his shoulder. "If I told you then they wouldn't be secrets anymore, now would they?" She winked up at him and flipped open her planner.

"I just hope nothing is wrong with her."

Beth sighed. "Will you stop worrying about Hermione? She's a grown woman and practically all of your friends were there with her. She's fine. I mean, it isn't my style to get completely pissed in a bar, but to each his own."

"It isn't her style either--"

"--Yes, yes, of course it isn't. You can ask her about it later. Now back to important business," she smiled and rubbed her hand on his thigh. "This week here in June would be perfect...or this one in July. What do you think?" she asked.

"That's only six months away," Harry said in surprise.

"I know," she grinned, "you'd better get planning. You decide which date you'd like. They both fall on free weekends for me...both after the summer line debut. We should be okay. Does that sound good for you?"

Harry shrugged and ran a hand through his hair. "Sure."

"Oh fabulous!" she said, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. "You are so good to me!"

Harry blushed and wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his lap. She giggled and pulled away.

"Harry...not on the couch," she teased.

"Okay, okay," he said as he lifted her up and carried her into his bedroom and closed the door. A moment later, the bedroom door opened and Harry rushed into the kitchen. The kettle was whistling loudly. He turned off the stove and poured the steaming water down the drain. Then, he hurried back into his room, closing the door behind him.