Authors Note: I am SO sorry you guys, I haven't updated in SOO long! I never meant to let it get out of hand like this, but I had finals and weekends spent up north, and my life's just been so hectic that I haven't had any time at all to even consider writing another chapter! It wasn't until I jumped on the computer today and looked over the first chapter that I realized how much I loved this story and that there was no possible way I could keep putting this off. Sorry again for the wait, I'll try to speed things up now, which should be easier because it's summer vacation and I'm freeeeee! Hahaha okay so I'll save the rest of the boring stuff for the end of the chapter. For now, here's chapter two of MP II!!!!
Chapter Two: Alcohol, Tea, and Bribery Money
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I am not J.K. Rowling. I borrowed all names, places, ideas, etc. that I did not make up myself. I am not making any money off of this.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Hermione is having trouble coping with Ron's wedding, so she goes to meet an old friend at the pub for some girl talk. Harry and Ginny arrive at the hotel in Paris, only to find themselves in an eerily similar situation to the one they shared during The Muggle Project 1. Fred and George, however, have already made their trouble-making selves at home, starting with bribing the manager of the hotel!!! What will happen next??
Hermione ran out of her flat, he shoes clacking mercilessly against the sidewalk. She held her light spring jacket against her bare arms, seeing as it was a bit windy. Her bushy brown hair flew in all directions, and she was sure it must look terribly frightening.
Finally, she reached the familiar worn wooden door of her favorite pub. She pulled it open with force and stepped in purposefully, waving at Rhett the bartender on her way. Hermione made her way across the room to a table set for two underneath a large, semi-dirty window in the back. She plopped herself down and picked up the small menu unnecessarily. Hermione Granger frequented this pub far too often to need a menu.
Seeing the pretty young woman come into his bar, Rhett stood up from his hunched position next to a reporter from the Daily Prophet and came jogging up to her.
"The usual, Ms. Granger?" he asked in a warm tone, smiling at her with his blindingly white teeth.
"That would be wonderful Rhett, but see if you could put a dash of something in it, you know, to liven it up a bit."
"I understand, Ms. Granger," he nodded knowingly, turning to place her order.
Hermione stared distantly out of the window for many long minutes, letting her mind wander freely. Exactly how long she waited for Rhett to return with her mint tea was unknown, but the slightly spiked beverage was more than welcome when it did arrive. She sipped the hot drink slowly, blowing across the surface occasionally to cool it.
The tinkling of a bell rang through the musty room, but she didn't pay it much attention. She continued to stare out of the window.
A skinny blond woman walked briskly up to Hermione's side and sat down in the chair opposite her. She barely looked up as the newcomer made herself comfortable and signaled Rhett to come and take her order.
"What's that you've got there?" she asked curiously, pointing to Hermione's mug.
"Mint tea with a shot of firewhiskey," she replied monotonously. Rhett had just approached them when Hermione started to stir her tea with her wand.
"What can I get ye, Miss?" Rhett asked Hermione's companion politely. The young woman told him to bring her a small coffee with extra cream. Hermione watched the bartender flip his small black notebook closed and walk in the direction of the taps.
"So are you going to tell me what this is all about, or are we just going to sit here forever?" Luna Lovegood asked her solemn friend.
"I don't know, forever sounds good, as long as I don't have to see Ronald Weasley ever again," Hermione mused, biting back a bitter smile. As upset as she was over Ron, Hermione was still glad that Luna was so dependable. In fact, she'd been coming to comfort Hermione at the drop of a hat for the past two years. And it wasn't as if Hermione didn't repay the favor; when Jonathon had left Luna last November, it was Hermione who met her at this very pub for a "Girl Talk" that lasted well into the morning hours.
Luna was obviously confused. She furrowed her brow as Hermione talked, and when Rhett came to deliver her coffee, Luna told him discreetly that she could also use a shot of Odkin's Ol' Firewhiskey.
"Start from the beginning," Luna said calmly after Rhett had taken her drink grudgingly and went to put some alcohol in it.
Hermione started in on her tale, telling Luna of how she had received the wedding invitation, and how ever since she opened that horrible envelope she hadn't been acting normal.
"I just don't know what to do, Luna," Hermione said in an exasperated tone, looking up at the dusty rafters.
"Hermione Granger doesn't know what to do? Is the world coming to an end?" Luna joked.
"Yup, it's Armageddon and you missed it. Now can we move on?"
"Sure," Luna said cautiously, suddenly aware of Hermione's mood. Although it was custom for Ms. Granger to come up with cutting remarks at any mention of humor, never had her snide comments been made with such a sneering undertone. Clearly this was not a simple matter.
Harry hefted the large duffel bags up the stairs, trying his best to not show any weakness.
"I'll ask once again, Ginny. Why the bloody hell do you need so much stuff?"
"Hey, you offered to carry it," Ginny commented dryly, trying to hold back her laughter. Harry really could be amusing sometimes.
The two of them had just reached the top of the inn's long and winding staircase, and as Harry nearly fell over at the end, Ginny shook her head and whipped out her wand.
"Harry Potter, you can act like such a muggle sometimes," she laughed, flicking it and sending all of her bags flying to the end of the corridor. Harry looked up at her in a frustrated manner, as if to say, "Why-did-you- not-remind-me-that-I-am-a-wizard-and-can-magic-things-around-without-having- to-carry-them?" Ginny only laughed and looked down at her small, brass key.
"Room 28," she read plainly, looking from door to door. She found the one she was looking for directly across from her pile of luggage.
"Where are you?" she asked him in a polite tone.
Harry held up a similar looking key and her keen eyesight allowed her to read the small ticket attached to it.
Room 28.
Ginny's eyes darted from her key to his, and then back again. Okay, being in the same wedding as Harry Potter she could deal with, but the same ROOM? A distant laugh rang through her ears, and it took her a minute to realize that it was coming from Harry. She had to fight hard to keep the edges of her mouth from smiling, and even then it didn't work. Within moments she was wearing an ironic smile and shaking her head.
"Do they both work?" Ginny asked smartly, grabbing his key from his outstretched hand and trying each one in the lock. And yes, to her amazement and frustration, both keys did work.
"Well, we'd better get this sorted out," Harry said in a happy voice, grabbing them back from her and starting on his way to the stairs.
"I am terribly sorry, Miss Weasley, but a mistake seems to have been made. I regret to inform you that all other rooms are currently full. The wait for a vacant spot is three weeks."
"What do you mean, three weeks?" Ginny nearly shouted at the manager of the inn, who was holding stunning composure in the face of danger, (i.e. Ginny Weasley's wrath). Harry gave himself a mental note to commend the mustached man later for his bravery.
"Are there any other hotels in the area?" Harry asked calmly. Ginny gave him a thankful look for being so smart to ask.
"None that have open rooms, I'm afraid."
"Damn," Ginny cursed quietly. She started to pace the small room that functioned as the lobby, wondering what on earth she could do.
Her eyes caught Harry's, who was standing near the door.
"I'll go find somewhere else to stay, then. It might not be close by, but I'll come and pick up my suitcase later once I find a place," he said in such a gentlemanly way that made Ginny feel guilty.
"Oh no, you're not getting out of this that easily," she said sternly, walking up to him.
"What?"
"You heard me, Harry Potter. You're not about to make me out to be the selfish one. You have just as much of a right to that room as I do," she said, pointing a finger at his broad chest.
"I do?" he asked. Seeing Ginny act this stubborn brought back way too many memories.
"I'm going to go find another inn," she said in a firm tone, "and you can stay here."
"Don't try that one, Ginny," he retorted, "I'm not about to kick a lady out on the street just so I can be closer to the party. You're staying here."
"May I suggest something?" the manager said in a small voice.
"What?" Harry and Ginny said in exasperated unison.
"If the two of you decide to stay here, then I believe we could arrange for your time spent at the Grande to be complimentary."
"You mean free?" Ginny asked dumbly.
"Yes, Miss," he replied in a curt French accent. Harry caught himself staring at his slick little moustache.
Ginny looked up at his emerald eyes in a strange manner. "What do you think?" she said carefully. Harry thought for a moment, pondering the consequences. It was a lose-lose situation. At least this way he could get a free breakfast out of it.
"Sure," he said slowly, nodding his head.
"Okay," Ginny replied, "Okay." She turned to the man behind the desk and said finally, "We'll stay."
The manager watched the two English people walk towards the stairs, and once they had gone up the second flight, he turned to face the two red- haired twins who were standing beside him.
"Thanks, mate," Fred said, slipping a wad of French currency into the man's open hand in a gesture that looked like a handshake.
"We owe you one," George added, clapping the manager on the back.
"Anything for our customers," the manager said through a sly smile, clearly pleased by the large amount of bribery money the twins had used to pay him off.
"Think they'll survive?" Fred asked his twin evilly.
"Not a chance," George replied through a large grin.
A/N: So, what did you think? Does this situation look familiar to anyone? Well, let me know what you think!
Laughingurl: Sorry, here you go!
Ronluver626: I hoped you'd read this, and I also hope you like it!
Loves to Read: Thank you SO much! I'll try to update as often as possible!
SnakeEyesHannah: lol sorry, glad you did review though!
LuthienGranger2004: I think it's safe to say that you'll like my story...hint hint.
Hpgoldensnitch: Definitely, all that stuff is coming.
Maria: Okay, I did notice the correlation between my story and the Friends episode "The One with Ross' wedding" and I can't say that Ron will say Hermione's name, but would it be any fun if she DIDN'T pull a Rachel?
Lady of Masbolle: Thanks, I will.
Hahaha: Okay.
Luvsirius: Can't say it'll be horribly painful, and I hate to tell you that you might even end up liking her, (while hating her, of course) but don't worry, everything will work out. Trust me.
ElizabethMM: Crotch, that was a good review. Lol
Allison: Thank you soo much, I know it was a shocker to see them broken up, but it kind of makes you want to read, doesn't it? Keep in touch.
Hollywoodblvd: I will, in due time. Sorry it took so long.
Harry gin: I hate hw!! Haha thanks
Brownpryde: There will be LOTS of h/g
Lucugirl07: don't worry, lol!
Jamiebell: yes, yes, you will, and yes, yes, she does. Keep reading, haha!
Okay, well, that's all the reviews I have time to respond to, so keep reading everyone and...
REVIEW!!!