RP: Welcome to the Swamp

[pb_rosmerta]

Characters: Madam Rosmerta
Location: The Three Broomsticks
Date: October 31, 1999
Status/Warnings: Open/None
Summary: Party at the Swamp
Completion: In progress

Comments

[pb_hermione]

Hermione had fretted over her costume. On one hand, she was twenty years old now and she liked feeling attractive. On the other hand, she was twenty years old and should be above such things as wanting to gobsmack people by making an effort to look attractive.

In the end, her choice between the corseted gown and the dancing costume was decided by the simple fact that Hermione really liked the sparkling gem in her navel and wanted to show it off. Costume decided, she carefully cast a concealing charm to cover the curse scar Dolohov left on her torso. It wasn't hideous but she certainly looked better with it concealed than not. She also cast a warming charm on her lace-up sandals and added jingling bands of coins to her hair and ankles

[pb_harry]

Harry and Ron followed Hermione into the Three Broomsticks and took off their cloaks. Harry was dressed all in black and carried a sword for his costume as a ninja, which he thought had been inventive, but had not been too costly or attention-grabbing, which was the way he liked it.

He was about to take Hermione's cloak from her, when he saw what was underneath and his jaw dropped wide open. He tried to think of something, but it was as if his brain had completely shut off. His mouth was open, but there was no sound coming out and he was frozen in place.

It was only when Hermione twirled around that he snapped out of it, shut his mouth, took her cloak and mumbled something about her looking nice. She was breathtaking - he had no idea what to think, let alone to say to Hermione, about her outfit. He was completely dumbfounded.

[pb_hermione]

Hermione grinned, pleased by Harry's response, or lack of one. "Your face says it all, Harry. I can see you like it. You're very kind," Hermione toed up and kissed her friend's cheek.

"Oh, look! Luna's here. And Charlie. Oh! He has a new tattoo. He didn't have that one on his arm last year. It looks great in here. Where should we sit?" She realized she was rattling on and stopped to let Ron and Harry get a word in.

[pb_harry]

Harry's face turned a little more red than he would have liked. Hermione looked bloody brilliant and... he couldn't be paying attention to the way Hermione looked right now. He had to find Ginny. He knew she was supposed to be there somewhere, but she hadn't come with them - she'd probably had practice until late - but Harry was determined to keep his mind, and eyes, on Ginny only.

"Uh, maybe by the door so we can keep a lookout for Gin or do you think she'll Floo?" he asked Ron.

[pb_ron]

Ron couldn't believe he'd agreed to come, especially when he was so upset with Hermione. Her response to his owl had sent him into a fit, and he had ranted and raged in his room for the better part of an hour, and had broken both the desk and the chair in his anger. But he had promised Harry he'd come, so he'd shown up at Grimmauld place, not speaking more than two words to her other than a grunt. He'd settled for a pirate outfit which covered his red hair, and gave him a sporting beard to hide his now seemingly permanent scowl. And she acted like there was nothing wrong, nothing wrong at all with stomping his feelings into the dirt

[pb_hermione]

Ron still looked sour and he was obviously in a mood. Well, if he didn't want to acknowledge that he had been wrong, Hermione was not going to let it spoil her fun. She needed a night out.

"How about over there, Harry?" She pointed to a good location. "You'll have a view of the Floo and the door that way." It seemed practical to her.

She might have to amend sour to pissy judging by Ron's tone when he asked what she wanted to drink. "I'll have an apple cider. Thank you for asking, Ron." She said politely.

[pb_ron]

Ron noted where she pointed, and then turned his back, with no reply and stalked off to the bar to get drinks for them all.

[pb_hermione]

Hermione resisted the urge to sigh. If he wanted to be in a mood, he was allowed. She had been a bit harsh but it was important that he understood she had boundaries.

"Ginny has certainly been busy," she said to Harry. "I'm really happy for her though. I know how much she wanted the Harpies slot."

[pb_ron]

Ron came back, carry the three drinks carefully. He placed the cider on the table in front of Hermione, and then slid a glass over to Harry, "It's the special of the house, the swamp drink. She says it's strong," and he sipped it, and found he liked the way it tasted. He had a hard time looking at Hermione, but sitting there, he had a more difficult time not talking to her.

After a few minutes of not saying anything to either of them, he ventured to Hermione, "Nice outfit," in a lame attempt to be civil.

[pb_hermione]

"Thank you, Ron. I'm glad you like it," she said. He didn't seem very interested in talking so she decided to ask if he'd like to dance. "Would you like to dance or do you just want to relax and enjoy your drink?"

[pb_ron]

He was surprised that she'd asked him to dance; he could not quite figure out if she was pretending to be nice to him, or if she'd changed her mind. He knew the last couldn't possibly be correct; she never changed her mind about things. But then again, he reasoned, she sort of changed her mind about Malfoy, hadn't she?

He took another drink of his punch, and then rose, nodding to her, "Sure, I'll dance with you, Hermione. Lead the way," he said, and waited to follow her out to the dance area.

[pb_hermione]

"Excuse us for a few minutes, Harry," Hermione smiled at their friend.

She took Ron's hand and led him to the dance floor. "The swamp effects look like George's work. Do you know if he helped Madam Rosmerta decorate?" Hermione liked the music. It was a little fast but it was good music considering her costume. She enjoyed dancing. "I like your costume too, Ron."

[pb_ron]

He held her hand as she lead him out and he was immediately confused. He knew he was slow at this, but he was more than a tad pleased that she liked his costume pick. He relaxed a little, and gave her a small smile and an 'Arrrggg' and a wink, "I think it bloody brilliant. Be a pirate and sail on the ocean? Your costume is really amazing, Hermoine. You look....so beautiful," and he started moving as he looked about at the effects, and then answered her question, "You know, I'm not sure. He could have set this up. I haven't spoken to him for a while. Ships passing in the night, we are," and he moved his shoulders, letting his hips follow to the fast beat, "Well, except for the other night, when I'm sure he heard me," and he stopped, not sure that he wanted to tell her about the fit he'd had, over her owl back to him. He was sure they'd discuss it, eventually, and he hoped it wasn't going to be now, or even later tonight.

[pb_hermione]

"Thank you again, Ron. I hoped I wouldn't end up looking like a tart. It's a fairly normal sort of costume by Muggle standards but witches seem to be much more conservative," she said before going quiet to concentrate on the music. It was too loud this close to the stage for much conversation and they could talk at the table.

[pb_harry]

"Yeah. I haven't seen much of her, though I know she's happy. I think I'll go off and see if I can find her," Harry replied, leaving Hermione and Ron to work things out on their own. No matter how good-looking Hermione was in that outfit, Harry didn't envy Ron one bit at the moment.

Not finding Ginny right away and not sure what to think about Hermione's costume or Ron's reaction to it, Harry stalked off to the bar and ordered the special drink of the evening... Swamp Juice. It was supposed to be strong, but Harry didn't think anything much of it - it didn't taste like firewhiskey at all, but after just one drink, his stomach was starting to get warm and after a second, he had almost forgotten about Hermione and her sexy costume.