Love Bites (Harry Potter: Official Dragon Tamer, Part One)

Hell Freezes Over

"Harry!" Hermione waved me over excitedly as though I'd somehow missed them, and I couldn't help but grin.

"Hello," I greeted the four of them, smiling.

I slung one arm loosely around Ron's shoulder, then leaned over to give Hermione a perfunctory kiss on the cheek, per my usual greeting, before taking a seat between the two of them.

Blaise was seated to Ron's left and Pansy to Hermione's right, with a sixth empty chair, presumably for Draco, between them. Directly across from me.

"What, Potter, no kiss hello for me?" Pansy deadpanned, looking downright hurt.

I stared at her, mouth slightly open, before bursting out laughing.

"Sorry, Parkinson, where are my manners?" I teased.

"Don't mind Pansy," Blaise drawled, taking a sip of his pint. "She'll do anything to get attention from a fit bloke."

"Well, in that case, Parkinson, I suppose I've no choice but to greet you properly," I said, winking as I stood from my seat and made my way around the table, giving Pansy a lingering kiss on her cheek, keeping my arm wrapped around her shoulders as I sat at the empty seat between her and Blaise.

Might as well mix things up a little, I supposed.

"Merlin, Potter, who would've guessed you were such a flirt?" Pansy teased, lifting a hand to stroke my hand resting on her shoulder.

"Harry's incorrigible," Hermione informed her, and I shrugged.

"Worked well for me, so far," I reasoned. "'Course, you should probably be aware I'm more keen to take home someone from the other team." I slid a glance back at Pansy, grinning as I removed my arm.

"Of course you are," she grumbled, although her eyes were sparkling with mirth. "You lot insist on taking all the pretty ones."

"Surely that's the point, Luv," I winked, then glanced around the table at their nearly empty pints. "Is everyone ready for another round? This one's on me."

"Absolutely," Ron agreed, enthusiastically draining the remainder of his pint and pounding it back on the table.

I rose from my seat yet again to make my way to the bar, eyeing the taps as I did so.

"Get Draco something blond," Hermione called. "He got held up at work but said he'll be here shortly."

I leaned against the bar, flagging the barman down and ordered another round, adding a brown ale and a blond lager for Malfoy. 

Of course, he drank blond beer.

"Here, mate," Blaise said, appearing suddenly at my elbow. "I'll help you carry."

"Thanks," I replied. I'd been wondering how I'd get all six pints back to the table without spilling or using magic. "Where's Anaïs?"

"She and Fleur are having their own ladies' night," he answered, grabbing three of the pints the barman set down. "Figured there's enough baggage being unpacked tonight without adding those two to the mix."

"Fair enough," I reasoned, grabbing the other three pints to head back to the table.

"So, Potter," Pansy continued as though I'd never left. "Aside from all that nonsense drivel the Prophet prints, what have you been up to?"

"Pulling blokes," Ron answered for me, smirking. "Then complaining they don't measure up to his standards."

I pulled a face at Ron but didn't comment as I took a sip of my pint.