Ch. 11

Hermione's POV

Harry and I were still unpacking books when Ginny and Draco appeared in the doorway, apparently finished with my closet.

"Hermione," Draco began, "Have you ever thought you maybe have too many books?"

I scowled at him silently and he shrank away while Harry and Ginny both laughed at him. Ginny then said, "You should know better than that!"

"I know, I know," Draco said in a defeated voice. "It's still just amazing to see just how many books she actually has."

"I guess we were more used to it," Harry added as he stacked books onto the shelf. "She carried around an entire bookshelf in her bag when we were on the run."

"An entire bookshelf?" Draco gave me an astonished look and I shrugged.

"I thought we might need them," I answered simply.

A sudden pop in the living room caught our attention, and it was followed by the sound of bickering.

"Pansy and Blaise are here," Draco announced with a smirk.

Harry groaned. "I wasn't expecting this to be a school reunion."

"Oh hush," Ginny said as she nudged him. "Pansy's become much nicer, actually."

The woman in question suddenly appeared in the doorway, dressed more casually than she was when we saw her earlier but still looking very chic in a pair of skinny jeans, a tucked-in black shirt, and black ballet flats. Blaise was dressed in dark jeans and a black button up, and he raised an eyebrow when he saw all of us.

"Well this is slightly unexpected," He said.

"Still have the ears, huh?" Pansy asked Ginny.

"Yeah," Ginny shrugged, her ears flicking towards the window at a car's horn. "Only a couple more hours with them."

Blaise stared at the ears and then shook his head. "I knew this was a mistake."

He yelped when Pansy elbowed him in the stomach. "Be nice!"

"I am being nice!" Blaise exclaimed. Then he looked at me and said, "How are you doing, Hermione? I'm sorry to hear about what's happened."

"Hello Blaise," I said pleasantly. "It's alright, I'm slowly getting over it."

He nodded and then raised an eyebrow at us. "Why are you putting books up the muggle way?"

"Yeah, I was going to ask that, actually," Draco added as he turned back to me. "Why aren't you using magic?"

"My parents taught me to never use magic for convenience," I shrugged. "That, and it's more satisfying this way."

The three of them watched us for a few moments before Pansy shrugged and stepped into the room next to Ginny and I, helping with the books. Draco and Blaise continued to watch us with uncertain looks, but they eventually came in to help as well.

With their help, we were able to get my books up in no time. Pansy stood back with her hands on her hips and sighed. "I hate to admit it, but she was right."

"Are you really surprised?" I asked mischievously, grinning.

She scrunched her nose at me and retorted, "Remember, I'm designing your clothes, missy! You might want to save the snarkiness!"

We all shared a laugh as we left the study and went to the living room. Pansy and Blaise looked around almost confused and Blaise asked, "Did you not bring anything other than books? It looks like Draco never moved out."

"I brought a few things," I said with a shrug. "My mugs and the dinnerware my parents bought me. I really just didn't want to keep anything from the apartment that he purchased. I still technically own it so if I need anything I can just go back and grab it, but I wanted a fresh start."

Pansy nodded in understanding and then clapped her hands together excitedly. "So! What shall we do in celebration of you moving?"

"Well," I started thoughtfully. "I was thinking of buying everyone drinks and lunch since you all helped me out."

"Aw!" Ginny exclaimed. "You don't have to do that!"

I smiled and shook my head. "I know, but I'm just so grateful that you all have helped me through this situation and I want to show my appreciation."

"I know I didn't help much but I will not turn down free food," Blaise spoke up with a grin.

Pansy rolled her eyes at her husband and then looked at me. "What were you thinking for food?"

"What about pizza?" I offered.

Harry and Ginny perked up excitedly while the other three gave me odd looks. Draco was the first to ask, "What is pizza?"

"Hermione, we have to!" Ginny exclaimed with a grin.

I grinned in response and turned to the other three, who were still giving me a confused look. "You'll like it, don't worry. And Pansy, I'm surprised you never had pizza in America."

She scowled at me. "I was preoccupied."

I raised a hand in defeat and looked at Ginny. "Can you find the nearest pizza place? I figured we could order it now and while we're waiting, I can take you all to a liquor store so you all can pick out what you want."

"Hermione, that's too much," Harry argued.

"No, it's not, and you know I'll be repaying you either way," I stated.

He sighed and rolled his eyes. "I just want pepperoni then."

Ginny was already on her phone, holding the mouthpiece away from her. "What do we want besides pepperoni?"

"Umm..." I shot everyone a glance before looking back at Ginny. "Just get one pepperoni, one cheese, one margherita, and one with sausage and pepperoni. All larges."

She nodded and walked off to place the order while I turned back to more confused stares. I couldn't help but laugh as I said, "Just trust me!"

Ginny returned moments later and said, "Order's placed, they said it'll be ready in about thirty minutes to forty-five minutes."

"Perfect, that's plenty of time to make a liquor store run," I said happily.

"Wait, if we're going out into the muggle world, what are we going to do about Ginny's ears?" Pansy asked, nodding towards Ginny.

I thought for a few moments and then said, "I'm sure a Disillusionment charm will do the trick since they won't be gone for a few more hours."

"I found a liquor store that's just up the street," Harry said as he looked at his phone. "We should be able to walk there."

"?" Blaise asked as if the idea of walking was absolutely absurd.

"It's a muggle store, Zabini," Harry scowled. "We can't just pop in."

Blaise frowned but nodded after a few moments. Draco then chimed in and said, "I hope you don't expect us to leave the building in a muggle fashion. We're on the fortieth floor."

I stared at him. "Are you serious?"

"Why do you think we're so high up?" He teased. "I thought you were smart, Hermione."