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“Come on Min. when was the last time you let your hair down from that tight bun of yours? Hmmm. You haven’t been to a girls night in, in 4…7…no…8 Years Minerva! Merlin woman. Let loose a little.” Rolonda chided in mocking accusatory tones.
“Please come Minerva. I have never had a proper girl’s night in before. The only real friends I used to have were boys. Emotionally unavailable, quidditch obsessed, danger junkie boys at that.” Hermione pleaded.
“I really don’t think” Minerva began
before being interrupted by Poppy. “Minerva, the dam war is over. Have some fun for goodness sake. Besides its good for you” she smirked.
“Fine” the headmistress spat “what time do you propose we begin this evening’s insipid revelry?” the ebony haired witch glared.
“how about eight? That gives everyone time to grab a bite, change and me, time to sort out a couple things in the infirmary” the midi-witch suggested brightly. Standing in unison they all agreed and began to meander back up to the castle.
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Eight o’clock came around faster than expected for the young hazel eyed witch. She had asked Winkey for a large glass of water and an apple. Had a quick shower. Strengthened and doubled up on all her glamours as to make sure when she fell asleep, they would hold. Put her hair in a plat and changed into her largest baggiest PJ top with matching sleep shorts. Threw on the rather skimpy (to her mind) looking charmeuse kimono style dressing gown her mother had bought her the week before she sent them to Australia and nervously headed down.
When she reached the seventh floor Rolonda, and Pomona were stopped in the corridor levitating several gallon jug of pale umber liquids in their dressing gowns looking puzzledly at the wall.
“Thank Circe you’re here. Ro and I have been stood here muttering and waiting for the door for the last ten minutes” Pomona said clearly a little miffed.
“oh well, I’ll give you a quick explanation then. You have to pace three times and clearly state what you require from the room, hang on a moment” and began to pace back and forth inwardly chanting the perfect room for a girls night in. Without sound on her third rotation a large double oak door materialized from the stonework. Grinning wide Hermione pushed both doors open in grand entry.
The sight within dropped all their jaws. It seemed that the room and by extension Hogwarts itself was determined to show its gratitude for all the work they had put into protecting its inhabitants, rebuilding and refurbishing the castle. There seemed to be an underlying thrum of joy and mischief emanating from the very stones. There were soft, high pile, warm tone rugs, layered over each other covering almost the entire floor space, with a vast cotton beautify draped canopy and floating candles above them. Cushions, pillows and blankets of every imaginable size were strewn thought, it looked like the most refined, pillow fort one could possibly imagine, complete with bathroom in the right hand corner. On the back wall was a well-stocked liquor and wine cabinet that looked suspiciously like the one she had encountered previously in this room when trying to escape the crowds after the war had been won. As well as, to her absolute and utter bewilderment a cassette player with attached speakers and what looked to be a large shoebox filled with tapes. The longer she observed the more came into view. A small and verry battered pile of dusty looking wizard games, a very large chest that seemed to be exploding with clothes beside an ornate Victorian mirrored changing screen. At that moment a nightgown clad Poppy arrived practically dragging a grim faced Minerva through the door with one arm and a large hamper on the other. With everyone here Hemione was struck by the absolute absurdity of the whole thing. She was in the room of requirement, in her pyjamas, ready for her first ever girl’s night in, with her three ex professors and the school matron all whom she had built exceedingly close if somewhat unorthodox friendships with, expecting to get piss drunk together. It was then that Hermione let out one of the most joyful and uproarious laughs she had let loose in several years, maybe in her life; one That both amused and stumped the other occupants who said nothing but smiled warmly in return.
Ambiance music was chosen from the very eclectic tape selection and Everyone quickly got comfortable on the pillows and blankets and Pomona conjured them all a glass and dolled them each out a triple measure of the mystery moonshine she had made to which they all cast a cooling charm over, except for Hermione who used a chilling charm of her own creation that she had perfected while on the run (in an attempt to keep fresh produce she forraged for longer) and they all took a cautious sip. Simultaneously Poppy, Rolonda and Hermione took a ragged breath and tried to suppress a coughing fit.
Before she could think what was coming out of her mouth Poppy spluttered “Fucking hell woman, are you trying to blind me!” and the room erupted into laughter, even Minerva gave a hearty chuckle looking minutely more relaxed than when she had walked in.
A look of mock indigence and Pomona took the glass from Poppy’s hand and poured her measure into her own “I shall have it back then my dear”
“I don’t know about you two” Rolonda nodded over to Minerva and Hermione “but I could do with a chaser- SCOOT” and a second later a middle age house elf apparated next to her.
“hows can I be’s of service madam” asked the small elf.
“could you send up some orange and pumpkin juice… anyone else need anything?” Rolonda supplied to the collective.
“if its not too much trouble, would you be so kind as to bring some limes, a small bowel of flaky salt as well as a half a pint of fresh lime juice and about a pound of ice cubes, oh and a small jar of olives please” Hermione requested kindly before Scoot popped back to the kitchens on his latest errand. When she looked up from the point where Scoot had vanished she was immediately greeted by four pairs of curious eyes. “I know hardly anything about wizarding drinks. But before my parents became dentists my mother had to pay her way through dental school and worked part time as a bar tender. On my 17th birthday after I told them about wizarding law, she insisted that I learn how to mix a few cocktails.” However, before any more could be said a seemingly grumpy Scoot reappeared. A large tray with all the ingredients and several different pitchers balanced on top in his hands and stood next to him a very stern looking Winkey carrying her own offering.
“Mistress should have called Winkey” the female elf said with a small frown eyes glued to the chestnut-haired woman “it is no matter; I’s has made you some snacks. You is been naughty. Not eating properly” the elf said levitating the food laden tray before the group and waggling her finger like an annoyed mother before disappearing away without another word followed rapidly by Scoot. All the witches smiled over at the youngest member of the group who was blushing furiously without comment.
“what are you going to make?” Minerva asked pointing to the tray attempting to ease the girls obvious discomfort.
“unfortunately I don’t have any tequila on hand but this moonshine seems to have a similar enough kick so I thought I could make some margaritas for those who prefer something fresh and a martini’s for those that prefer something a little more smooth” wand snapping into her hand form her currently concealed thigh holster she flourished it, causing several bottles to fly two at a time from the far cabinet into her outstretched hands while a couple cocktail sets and several glasses solidified around her.
Intrigued beyond measure they all watched as Hermione skillfully poured a jigger of that and a measure of this into the metals cup before chipping up the block of ice in one controlled flick of her wand and depositing a some into each beaker. Slamming down the metal lid on to both shakers she levitated them and set them to spin at a dizzying speed beside her before wandless and wordlessly chilling all five of the glasses. Grabbing the shakers from mid air she popped the top off each conjured a strainers and looked around at the amazed women. “ who wants what?” there was a small pause before they all shouted their order and the glasses were promptly garnished and filled. As each lady look their first taste there was a collective noise of enjoyment.
“You have to show us how to make these” Poppy exclaimed which was followed by vigorous nodding by the others.
“I’m glad I came for the drink alone at this point” Minerva laughed.
The group settled into friendly banter for a while before devolving almost completely into instances of funny or inappropriate things they had come across during classes or when out on patrol, and drinks in full flow. Hermione was happy to just sit and listen, enjoying the hilarity of the many stories being batted about. Pomona had just finished a rather colourful anecdote about finding two completely unaware sixth year Hufflepuff’s butt naked and rolling around on the muddy floor of greenhouse two when Rolonda gave her a nudge with her elbow. “you have been awfully quiet, anything you care to share?”
“That depends on what you want to know?” Hermione replied with a smirk feeling somewhat bold with the alcohol circulation her system.
“How about where Ron got that infected bite on his hand in your first year?” Poppy questioned.
Hermione frowned for a second at the thought of Ron but decided that it was one of the tamer stories in her arsenal “oh that, it was a baby dragon bite from a Hungarian horntail.” All of them gasped but Hermione continued “Quirrell or should I say Voldemort, got Hagrid drunk at the Hogs head and plied him for information about fluffy by letting him win a dragons egg. Hagrid brough the thing home and when we went to visit him we saw that he had hatched it in his fireplace. A couple of days later Ron went down to check on Hagrid and the thing bit him, but not before being spotted by Malfoy…” all the colour momentarily left her face and she spaced out for a few seconds before she shook her head forced a unconvincing smile “we knew he would rat us out so we convinced Hagrid to give him up to a sanctuary somewhere, and grow with his own kind in safety. We wrote to Charlie in Romania and Harry, Ron and I managed to organize them to pick up Norbert from the top of the astronomy tower just before Draco could catch us”
“But I… I thought… I…” stammered McGonagall
“Nope Nevil was telling the truth, you took 150 points and nobody would talk to us for at least three weeks after that. Should have known what I was getting into back then. Nearly lost us the house cup” Hermione snorted. “Thank goodness we won them back or I think we all may have been hexed in our sleep”
“I almost don’t want to know what rumours are true anymore” Pomona commented “alright I propose we play a drinking game! I haven’t had a good laugh in a while and merlin knows we all need it, and as its Hermione’s first ever girl’s night it can’t been missed.”
“really Mona’ a drinking game?... I it’s been so long that I can’t even think of one” Minerva heaved in mild annoyance.
“oh I know one that Lavender and her group used to play all the time, especially while I was trying to study” supplied Hermione looking round at the others.
“excellent, what are the rules?”
“well from what I recall it’s called never have I ever. We go round the circle and say something like never have I ever… punched someone in the face. If you have you put down a finger take a drink if you haven’t you move on to the next person in the group until the first person reaches 10 then the game is finished. They used to cast truth indication and compulsion charms just to raise the stakes a bit.” explained the young brunette.
“Alright I’m in. Monas right we could use a laugh.” Rolonda smiled.
“fine, but I refuse to answer follow up questions if I don’t want to” Minerva supplied sternly.
With Poppy and Pomona both nodding their agreement Hermione cast the necessary charms over the five of them and Poppy offered to go first.
“well at the risk of steeling your example Hermione… never have I ever hit someone in the face” and looked round the room.
Hermione and Minerva both took a sip as red mist swelled above their heads and Hermione laughed at the furtive look McGonagall was giving her “In third year I punched Draco in the face so hard his head bounced of the stone wall behind him, I think I even broke his nose” she chuckled as the three looked at her stunned.
“I remember him coming to me with that, he said he fell over but I could tell he was lying” Poppy smiled mischievously.
Realising she hadn’t answered Hermione gave a pointed look in prompt.
“Edmund Marchbanks, outside a small muggle pub in Caithness after he tried to, ummm… was a lot less gentlemanly than I had anticipated” the elder witch said with a frown.
“pffffff, oh… never have I ever been caught out after curfew” Hermione said as the red vapour swirled around her like an odd little halo and watched as a mist appeared above all five of them joined in and the chuckled as it swiftly dissipated as they took a sip from their tumblers .
“never have I ever attempted to flirt with Gildaroy Lockheart” Minerva let out a bark of a laugh as Pomona was forced to take a drink.
“Really Min that was the first day of term six years ago. Are you ever going to let it go?” Pomona wined looking put out.
“Never” the Headmistress said sniggering.
“Alright then, never have I ever snuck out on school grounds to meet someone for a late night make out session” Pomona said a glint in her eye looking directly at Minerva.
With great reluctance Minerva took a swig as the red fog began circling her, as it did Poppy and Rolonda. They all almost missed Hermione take a quick sip to try and clear her cloud. Almost. Four sets of eyes immediately looked her up and down in silent question.
“I’ll only talk if Minerva and the rest of you does” Hermine sniffed hoping to close the topic there but to her great surprise Minerva replied first.
“Fifth year, behind the greenhouses with Christopher Finch” she fired off.
“Sixth year with Alison Schaffer down by the boat shed” Rolonda stated with a shrug.
“Fifth year also behind the greenhouses with Octavius Saldana.”
“Uuuummm… fourth year, Victor Crumb by the black lake.”
“I did wonder when he took you to the ball” said Minerva with a knowing look.
“Yeah, well after weeks of him silently watching me study in the library day after day he asked me to the ball. I must admit I was surprised by his lack of coordination for a such a world rewound quidditch star.” She finished weakly blushing slightly under the effect of the alcohol and the compulsion charm.
All the women chuckled and grimaced at that thinking back to their own first kiss experiences before Rolonda continued with a mischievous glint in her eye “never have I ever… had sex in a public place”
The blush that crept over Poppy’s face as the red mist descended and she took a sip in as dignified manner as she could imagine was almost comical meanwhile Rolonda just chuckled and unceremoniously took a large drink herself with the biggest smirk Hermione had ever seen. “Ha, our sweet little Poppy!” The other three gave the silver haired spitfire of a witch a calculating look, almost as if suddenly realising that Hooch would of course play dirty, especially as they all knew there was very little that embarrassed the quidditch instructor.
“Oh hush you, if you carry on like that I know a great many things about you Rolonda Beatrice Hooch that I’m certain you wouldn’t want brought up” Poppy sniffed threateningly.
“Do your worst!” goaded Hooch with a broad smile without an ounce of worry.
“If that’s how you want to play, bring it on!” Poppy looked round at Pomona and Minerva who were both looking at her with caution in their eyes “Fine, never have I ever… had to send a protronus for medical assistance only to be found naked, covered in red lipstick, hung over and tied up to the bed” the silver haired medical professional finished locking eyes with Rolonda.
“You seem to remember it in quite vivid detail Poppy? I only really remember what proceeded that incident.” Ro said with a dreamy smile as the cloud circling her deepened in colour. Before shaking her head to clear the obviously interesting event from her mind and drinking. “Better luck next time. your turn Hermione, please make it interesting.”
By this point Hermione had a definitive blush after hearing and unconsciously imagining such detail about Hooch’s intermate life and was looking deeply into her half empty drink. She guessed she should have been more prepared for embarrassing stories at a girl’s night, well if the movies she had seen over the years were to be believed. “okay let me think. How about… Never have I ever…ummmm… been kicked out of a pub”
Rolonda and Pomona looked at each other as the clouds began to accumulate around the pair and they drank deeply from their cocktails and began falling about laughing. “You should have seen them it was the summer holidays ooohh, some twenty years ago now. We all went to the pub for evening drinks and those two managed to drink so much that they couldn’t stand and Rosmerta was forced to kick them out and because of that they got us all banned for the rest of the month” Poppy chuckled as she spoke the happy memory “on the up side if Mona’ hadn’t been quite so out of it I think it would have taken at least another three years before either she or Filius would have got it together”
“Thank goodness it was driving me up the bloody wall. I was honestly weeks away from just locking them both in a specifically warded classroom together until they sorted themselves out” the emerald eyed witch said with a twinkling smile.
“You wouldn’t have!” the herbology teacher said astonished coming round from her small laughing fit with Rolonda.
“oh, I definitely would have. Triple warded with no escape until it had been… resolved.” Minerva challenged with a raised brow.
It was clear that everyone was noticeably tipsy and well on their way to being drunk at this point. Especially as how loose lipped everyone was becoming with the help of the alcohol and relatively mild truth spells even the notoriously tight-lipped headmistress was joining in the joviality.
“Okay, okay, my turn.” McGonagall began with a boozy smile at Pomona “never have I ever played strip poker and lost so I was left in only bra and pants” she stated with a straight face before bursting out into rather un-Minerva like peals of laughter.
Pomona spluttered and went beet read as the mist wafted around her and she took a sip. “How did you know about that, that was during school, in Hufflepuff dorms and you weren’t even there?” however, it was Rolonda who noticed that Hermione was trying to take a very subtle sip to clear the red clouds that had begun to accumulate around her. With her cheeks several shades darker, her wide eyes could see she had been caught “care to explain Hermione” and the other three witches who had been bickering turned to her in shock.
“Uuummmmm… cough*… well the summer before I went on the run my parents and I went on a cruse and I got friendly with some of the other people my age on the boat of a sort and we… ummmm ended up playing poker a few times” she muttered thinking back on the experience with a wistful smile and slightly pink cheeks. Thinking back to the days before the war and a particularly eventful game that ended up being more educational than she had anticipated especially when she had ended up in bed a few times with the curvaceous Irish girl she had befriended. When she came back from her musings there were three pairs of questioning eyes upon her and before she could think the mix of alcohol and truth telling compulsions took hold of her and she blurted out the first thing that came to her head “never have I ever slept with woman.” and immediately threw her hand over her mouth in utter and absolute horror of what had just slipped out.
There was a very long pause where all four women looked at her in equal disbelief before they noticed the red haze begin whirling around the young witch before she began to drain her glass and then turn to look at each other as Minerva and Rolonda both saw the rush of scarlet around their own heads and took a sip of their own drinks. Then to her disbelief Rolonda in a slightly teasing voice and a twinkle in her eye said “Well I think we can guess what happened after you lost at poker then.” Before guffawing with laughter. Hermione summoned all her Gryffindor and liquid courage, willing to join in with the evenings apparent mischief and replied as evenly as she could muster “not what happened when I won though?” and blushed lightly while trying to keep her features calm while spots of pink appeared on the cheeks of the other occupant’s bar Hooch who just gave a bark of laughter and winked at her. In an attempt to distract before she let anymore words slip from her decidedly loose tongue she asked if anyone fancied a screwdriver. Hearing there accent once again she wandlessly and silently summoned the all the ingredients and cocktail equipment before filling the shakers with large quantities of ice, orange juice and vodka and begun to spin them mid-air using magic as she had done with the others earlier. Concentrating for a few seconds the five highball glasses she needed materialised before her as she poured and handed out the fresh cocktails to her eager if, inebriated friends.
Everyone took a dep drink from their refreshed drinks with nods and complements to Hermione before Pomona kicked off her turn “right then, as it seems this is turning out to be an all bets off kind of game” she said with a devilish grin “Never have I ever… taken a naughty photo”
The red fog descended over a pink cheeked Pomphrey and an unapologetic Hooch who gave a big smile “finally getting interesting” the ex-quidditch star stated “You know I still have a couple copies of the photos. I’m actually glad of it. I was dam fine in my day. Especially at the hight of my Harpie years.” Then turned to look at the youngest of the group with one of the most serious looks she had worn all night “You should take a few. Trust me when you get to our age you will be thankful for it. oooohhh let me think… oh I know, never have I ever… either given or received a lap dance”
Quickly the scarlet fog descended once again this time over a rather flushed looking Minerva, Pomona and Poppy. All three witches looked over at Hooch incredulously as though unbelieving that she hadn’t been caught out herself. Ro just threw back her head with a chuckle and fixed each with a pointed look “well? Given or received?”
Mumbling darkly into her glass the group just about made out the words “given” and “I knew this was a bad idea” by the Veridian eyed witch. Uncomfortably Poppy admitted she too had been the performer but that was a long time ago, cleared her throat and admitted that she actually ended up enjoying it and was the catalyst for her taking up a couple of dance classes. Pomona however, positively beamed as she admitted to having had a lap dance launching into a story of a hen night she had been on where they visited a male strip club in muggle London. “I had never seen anything like it! There were men just walking around in their tight little underwear serving drinks and in the centre of the room an absolutely gorgeous man dancing and moving his body in ways I have never seen in all my years. Honestly, he was so beautiful you would have thought he had taken a potion and layered about five glamor charms over the top. Well, when I turned around to pick up my drink and turned back he had jumped off the stage and was stalking directly over to me and proceeded to grind, wiggle and undulate all over and around me then just walk off back to the stage tocontinue his routine. I found out later that my sister who was also there had bought me the dance. Apparently, it was her way of telling me to get out there.” She leered dopily before quickly adding “That was before I met Filius of course.”
“I really hope you don’t come away thinking less of us by the end of this Hermione” Pomona said her brow creasing in worry and her cheeks pink in embarrassment at the topics they had been discussing.
The brown doe eyed young witch frowned in confusion “why would I? I may be young but I’m not nearly as innocent as you all seem to believe. Not to put a downer on everything but I helped lead a rebellion contingence in a war against one of the darkest wizards of the past two centenary. I have had to do and endure a great many things. Who am I to judge?” she said evenly in a tone that brokered no argument. “Besides, I lived with Lavender Brown and Parvati Patel for five years before living in a small tent with two hormonal teenage boys for a year all of whom were at best shoddy at silencing, concealment and cleaning charms. Not to mention my friendship with Luna Lovegood and Ginny Weasley. This is practically child’s play in comparison to some of the conversations and other nonces I am privy too.” Hermione finished with a snort and taking a drink.
All the other women looked over at her their eyes shining with undeniable warmth, understanding and mirth. “Well in that case we will have to step it up!” Poppy grinned “Never have I ever… had sex with more than one person at a time.”
The clouds of ruby red accumulated above all five of them much to the surprise of all of them. “well that was unexpected. the question is how many?” said Pomona a brow arched in an almost perfect imitation of McGonagall’s signature stare and held up four fingers and turning her unwavering impression to each of the ladies all whom held up their own numbers.
It was at this point that Hermione rolled on the floor laughing uncontrollably unable to find her breath for a solid five minutes. “sorry…*huff hahahahha *puff… just… *huff…. Just thinking wh-what… *puff… what shade of red Ron’s face… HA, Ron’s face… would turn if he had any idea.” It was clear the young Gryffindor that the alcohol had finally taken its more obvious effect over her at this point. Hearing that all the others burst out into equally mirthful laughter.
“If… if it was anything like… like the colour he went after we delt with him after his unexpected appearance the other day I would bet money he would have fainted from lack of blook flow” Rolonda roared with abandon and Hermione burst into another fit.
“I have no clue how you managed with those two for so long” the kindly round herbology expert said wiping tears of laughter from her eyes.”
“oh right my turn. I wonder? never have I ever… caught anyone mid act” Hermione enquired. The scarlet nebular began circling Rolonda, Minerva, Pomona and Poppy.
“The brain can act unpredictably under emotional strain. After he was killed the first time, I can’t tell you how many supply closets and alcoves I had to hastily retreat when I was helping out at Mungo’s” Poppy said matter of fatly.
“oooooooo, spill it matron” cooed Pomona with a Cheshire cat grin.
“Alright… the most memorable occasion was catching the Glassy eyed head of the accidental magic reversal team in the linin cupboard with his trousers round his ankles and some young nurse” Poppy laughed “apparently she was treating a rash on his upper thigh.” All the women laughed to the point of tears again.
“Unfortunately, it come’s with the territory of working at a boarding school with countless hormonal young people. I think I have lost the ability to be shocked by what I have come across on my rounds over the years” Minerva commented.
“What’s the craziest thing you walked in on recently Mona’?” the golden eyes of hooch asked pinning Pomona in question.
“Uughhh I have seen too much! I don’t know why they all seem to think behind the greenhouses is discreet the dam thing is made of glass. Although the strangest thing I have come across in recent years was walking in to water my sweet little snargaloff and seeing three rather underdressed bodies pressed up against the glass and an accompanying three pairs of hands either side of them. It was quite a sight to be greeted by before dinner” Sprout grimaced “I sent a frost and imperturbable charm at the pain they were all bunched up against and they cleared off pretty quickly” she smirked darkly
“Min?” Ro asked
“Coming across Mr Artemis Aldred from my house bent over, tied up and gagged by Mr Bacchus Bouvet of Hufflepuff apparently toughly enjoying themselves up in one of the older disused classrooms. It was one of the more striking encounters I have stumbled upon in recent years. I’ve not felt that level of mortification than when I appeared from around the corner in a great number of years.”
“Aaahhhh, young love.” Rolonda chuckled merrily “I mean I have run into a fair few instance out in the broom shed. Most interestingly was the occasion I caught Miss Knight and Miss Fletcher who were apparently engaged in a game of find the snitch. I would have left them to it but they were desecrating my equipment and I can’t stand for that.”
“Right well as its my turn and you are only one question away from the games end and you insisted so strongly that we make it ‘interesting’ as you put it. Never have I ever…” Minerva said giving a look that twinkled so brightly that it was as though she was shining from within with mischief “attempted and miserably failed to hide a currently four-year long relationship between Miss Penelope Leyland and myself after being set up by me on a date I swore blind would be a disaster to the point where, and I quote ‘I swear Min, if you have found a girl able to pin down this happily eternal bachelor I will ride my broom stark naked through this dam school and bow before you as the first disciple of you as lesbian Jesus” she laughed maniacally as for the first time throughout the entire evening Rolonda sported a magnificent blush.
“I can’t believe you! How long have you known?” Ro demanded
“Ooooh you know, as soon as you returned Monday morning in the same clothes you left in on the Friday night after your first date and Pen’s owl waiting on my desk Saturday with a sack of ten galleons attached to one foot and a declaration never to bet against me again” Minerva smiled brightly and everyone else snickered “I mean honestly Ro did you think you were being subtle? You were practically walking on clouds for months. Not to mention the number of meals you missed in the hall, when you would go missing practically every weekend and the mysterious lack of what used to be practically incessant, often vulgar and highly inappropriate talk of your latest conquests.”
“but it’s been years now. Why didn’t you say anything?” the quidditch coach accused pointing her finger.
“I was hoping that you would eventually tell me, but then with the war I didn’t want to risk an overheard conversation. It was also helpful to be able to miss direct a potentially leading question under interrogation with plausible deniability and supposition rather than hard facts my dear.” Minerva supplied with a hardening expression as she was clearly overcome with memories of the past several years.
Rolanda locked eyes with the now headmistress, smiled softy at her fiercely loyal, protective and unwaveringly kind friend of countless years and nodded her head “Thank you Minerva I truly owe you and now the war is over... I will happily tell you that I asked her to marry me and she has accepted. She is the only woman in the world for me, I love her more than anything else on the planet and I humbly ask that you officiate our upcoming wedding next year.”
There was a beat before everyone in the room jumped up surged toward Hooch with open arms wide smiles, accusatory but mirthful exclamations and misty eyes. All in a very unladylike pile the five of them laid on their backs looking up at the canopy and enjoyed the bliss that came with the knowledge that they were out of danger for the time being, they had all survived and things were for the first time in a long while full of hope and anticipation for the future.