Matchmakers & Fireplaces

Author: Sunnycouger (foolofatook_@hotmail.com)

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: The characters of Harry Potter don't belong to me, I'm just taking them out to play and I promise to get them home to JK Rowling in time for the next book. But, just in case you were in any doubt as to who they belong to have a look at this: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Category: Romance, Humour - S/Par, N/La, De/Han

Summary: A long long time ago Marianne began a fic and never finished it - now, the time has come for it to be adapted into a multi part fic. And this is it...Lavender Brown is very perceptive and she's on a mission to rectify something that should have happened years earlier by getting her best friend together with her former boyfriend. To do this she enlists the help of her current boyfriend (the ever lovable Neville), the unknowing guru of the seventh years (the one, the only Dean) and Dean's lovely, if somewhat clumsy girlfriend (Hannah Abbott.) Throw in an unsupervised (and quite frankly ill advised and against every rule known to Hogwarts) trip to Muggle London and you have the basis of this all told through the eyes of Ms Brown.

Authors Notes: As I said I started this a while ago but talking with Gracie at the D/H thread and I decided to adapt it and finish it. This fic is looking to be about five chapters at the moment and isn't going to feature any of the trio (they have enough fics ;)). It's just a bit of fun so I hope you enjoy :)

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Chapter 2: The Unlikeliest Accomplice

So, to recap on what happened last in case you forgot (or in case you're a particularly forgetful person - there's no point looking offended, you know who you are.) Me and Dean Thomas (mostly me, but I'm willing to share the glory) realised that in order for us to get our best friends together we would have to fabricate a situation that we could control. So, in a completely unselfish move we decided to forgo our own plans in order to take what will effectively be a triple date - me with my boyfriend Neville Longbottom, Dean with his girlfriend Hannah Abbott and the other two Seamus Finnigan and Parvati Patil. This was all agreed when Dean announced to us that he had persuaded his mother to send him some floo powder (this is what happens when Muggles have children that are wizards - they don't know the rules of Hogwarts forbidding it.) And he suggested that we all go with him into a Muggle city - of course, being the good student that I am I did have reservations but I can't deny that the benefits far outweigh the problems - I mean, it's not like they are going to expel us four months from graduation, is it? Of course not - besides, it is necessary to allow the course of true love to run smoothly.

Anyway, that's basically it - a few days have passed since we made that decision and it's now the day of the Hogsmeade visit and I'm sitting on the bed with Parvati, trying to be quiet as Hermione sleeps in the bed beside us. It's not that we don't want her or Harry or Ron to know what we have planned and I suppose it would be kinda fun to have them there. But to be honest, they could find trouble in the middle of a room full of nothing - they are kinda magnets for it and we really don't need that. Besides, if they go missing then everyone will notice - they are far too central to things in this place. (see how good I was at not mentioning the fact that we would also have a three hour long lecture by Hermione on rule breaking? And people think I'm bitchy - they just don't know me that well.)

"We have to ask her," Parvati whispered as she looked towards Hermione's bed. "She's Muggle born and will have the clothes. We can't exactly go out in our robes."

I turned and looked at her. "You think we could transfigure something?"

She sighed and pulled open a bag. "This is what I've got so far - it's a bit, I don't know if it's what Muggles wear. I've never been in a Muggle town apart from when I've been going to catch the train." She lifted up a pair of trousers and a glittery top. "I got Padma to give me a loan of them - she used them when she went to see Justin at Christmas but..."

"They're so dull..." I nodded my head in agreement as she scowled at the black fabric.

"I'm going to charm them a bit though, and at least the shirt is sparkly. I don't know what we're going to do for you though - I saw that Hermione has a nice dress. I figured we could steal that."

I groaned in frustration. "But what if she sees us?"

Parvati shook her head as she climbed out of bed and started raking through Hermione's clothes. Now I know what you're thinking - this is a bit of an invasion of privacy? We should just wake her up and ask? We should forget the whole idea and just go to Hogsmeade like good little witches? In the strictest sense you are probably right but, why change the habit of a life time? She knows we raid through her clothes the same way we know that she will sometimes pretend to be asleep so she can eavesdrop on our conversations about the boys. (of course she doesn't know we know that so we deliberately talk about Ron to hear her trying to disguise her indignant huffs after hearing us - I think one time we even pretended that Parvati was going to ask him out, I thought she had begun to hyperventilate at that.) Anyway, I digress - what was I saying? Ah yes, clothes. Now Hermione isn't really the most stylish girl at Hogwarts but she does dress well and , although she won't admit it when she puts the effort in she is rather pretty - the trouble is that she doesn't want to put the effort in and seems quite happy as she is and when we try and talk to her about stuff like that she looks at us like we're from another planet. Well, anyway she does have some nice clothes and I could probably get away with wearing them - she's a bit taller than me but just a little so it wouldn't be too hard to fit in.

"How about this?" Parvati whispered as she held up a pair of trousers and a gorgeous blue two piece with a strappy top and a cardigan. "She must have got it sent from home."

I nodded my head as Parvati brought it out of the wardrobe and sat on the bed. I reached over and felt the soft material - it was very pretty, I'll need to get myself one. It was then that I felt a piece of paper attached so I looked to read what it said.

"Parvati and/or Lavender,
I know you're doing something you shouldn't be doing and as Head Girl I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't at the least tell you not to. But, knowing that I'll be wasting my breath just be careful. I figure you'll be stealing my clothes again but if you damage my favourite two piece you better hope that Dumbledore expels you before I get to you - it came from France so I can't exactly get my Mum to pop to the shops and get another one. Have fun, but be careful out there (and tell the boys to not try and be clever by talking in code about the trip - their code is abysmal and it took me about two minutes to work out the whole thing.).

Hermione.

PS. When you get out of Diagon Alley do me a favour and pick me up some Muggle news papers and tell Dean to buy me a box of Malteasers, I'm not above dropping you in it with Ron and Harry for not taking them if you don't. And be careful, especially about using your wands. And don't go down any dark alleys. And...don't go away from Dean. And you girls don't leave the boys. And stay out of expensive shops with Neville in case he breaks anything. And if you get lost try and find a Muggle Policeman. And tell the boys not to act smart with groups of Muggle boys, and..."

The note continued in that style for at least half a page of things not to say and do while in amongst Muggles - which was funny, but rather touching. Who knew she cared? I handed the note over to Parvati who, after reading it, looked over at the sleeping girl fondly. "Who would've thought it - she likes us after all. And she's trying to blackmail us to boot...way to go, Hermione."

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I finally got changed and after breakfast we were all ready to go. The plan was that we would wear the Muggle clothes under our robes and when we got to Diagon Alley we would take our robes of and be ready to hit the streets. Of course, there was a problem - Harry and Ron were giving us strange looks all through breakfast and seemed determined to stay close by us as we walked to Hogsmeade. Now, I love Harry and Ron - they're great. You don't live with someone for seven years and not care for them but I could see that Dean and Seamus were getting more and more antsy about the fact that of all the trips they had taken to Hogsmeade that this was the one that the other two boys seemed interested in. "You know, I bet you that they have been talking in code in the boys room and they have worked it out."

I shook my head as I looked past Parvati. "No way, they're boys. Boys aren't that smart..."

She nodded her head as she looked towards the boys. "How are we going to get rid of them?"

That was a good question and one that would take all my brains and cunning to work out. This is the trouble with being clandestine like - there's always people trying to catch you out. I was about to suggest a very subtle plan of running as fast as we could to Hogsmeade and hoping we lost them (later both Parvati and Seamus would say it was a stupid idea anyway, but I think they may have just been jealous that I had managed to come up with such a fantastic plan.) When Hermione looked at me and shook her head before giving me a wave. I was about to ask what she was on about when she looked up at the sky, rolled her eyes and fell to the ground where she proceeded to clutch her ankle and gave a small yelp. I turned to Parvati, who was stood open mouthed.

"Is she...lying?"

I nodded my head as Hermione asked for Ron and Harry to come over and help her. I had to stifle my own laughter - the poor boys must have known what she was doing because they looked at the rest of us mournfully as we walked on.

"You guys wait and we'll get you down - Hermione's fine, right?" Ron said as he and Harry unceremoniously lifted Hermione to her feet and left her standing there.

She glared at him and tossed her hair as she turned around. "Yes. I'll just limp back to the school myself - I'm sure I'll get there soon. Go have fun in Hogsmeade."

Ron nodded his head and took a few steps towards us when Harry grabbed a hold of his arm and slapped him for his stupidity as they both went and supported Hermione on her way back to the school. At least one of them understood the concept of sarcasm. Harry would make a good boyfriend one day - I still have my doubts about whether he's gay or not though.

As they disappeared, Seamus turned to Dean and said. "Well, that was a stroke of good luck - wasn't it? I hope she isn't hurt too badly though."

Now, I think I mentioned it before - I'm sure I have but I'll say it again. There is nothing more idiotic in the world than men. Parvati couldn't hide her laughter as she reached over and linked arms with Hannah and me. This was it - we were now ready to go and as the six of us looked at each other in excitement we all broke into giggles as we rushed to Hogsmeade.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

We got to Zonko's with relative ease - dodging anyone who would want to know what we were doing and we had even managed to get to the back of the shop (although why Seamus and Dean had decided that they had needed filibuster fireworks, exploding candy and Bertie Bott's Every Flavoured beans for the journey was a mystery to me.) From Zonko's we had (rather nervously I have to admit) flooed into Diagon Alley where we arrived at Flourish and Blotts. I think we may all have been in shock at the fact we had made it but as soon as we had got there none of us seemed able to speak.

"Um, so...I'm thinking we got away with it," Hannah said as she looked around. "I can't believe no one caught us."

Dean dusted himself off and shook his head confidently as he slapped Seamus across the shoulder in celebration. "No problem at all - we were really discreet, no one would have found out about us. C'mon, let's get ready - we don't want to waste time here."

We took our robes off and I think we looked incredibly like Muggles. Dean had clearly advised Seamus and Neville (who looked great in his trousers and T-shirt). I turned to point this out to Parvati but she was a little preoccupied with admiring Seamus who was wearing a shirt and dark trousers. His hair was also a bit more haphazard than usual and she seemed to appreciate it no end.

Dean had examined the boys and despite the fact that he was looking much more relaxed and comfortable in his own clothes he seemed pleased that his wizard born friends looked the part. He turned his attention to us then and first up was Hannah who, it has to be said, looked really good. She had apparently been to the Muggle world a lot and knew how to dress the part and Dean, rather ignorantly just glanced at me and Parvati and said we were fine. I turned and looked at an equally miffed Parvati and we both tutted and shook our heads. Now, I know I looked good and Parvati had looked good. We had made an informed decision in the morning that we were going for something fun so I had Hermione's strappy top on with the cardigan in my bag and a black skirt, where as Parvati had shortened Padma's trousers so they finished just past her knees. Her top was pink and quite floaty and moved with her and she had tied her hair in a loose plait with tendrils all around her face. If Seamus could resist her like that then there was something up with the boy. We nodded at each other in approval as Neville came over and smiled at me.

"You look really, really pretty..."

Did I ever mention I loved him? I reached up and kissed him. "Thank you, I thought it was good to dress up - it is an important day."

"It is..." I reached over and took his hand as I turned around to see Seamus looking at Parvati. Now I could be wrong but I swear his breath just caught in his throat as he looked at her. Rendering a man breathless is always a good sign (as long as he's not rendered too breathless that he keels over, of course.) Anyway, he looked her up and down before taking a step towards her.

"Um, you look...you look really good. Muggle clothes suit you," he said with a smile.

She gave a small laugh. "What, you mean robes don't suit me?"

He immediately back pedalled and tried to clarify what he said but she had put her hand on his arm to stop him. "I was kidding. Thank you."

Aww, they had a moment. It's amazing the warm and fuzzy feeling that you can get when you are chuffed with yourself and I was getting it a lot recently. I definitely had a career as a matchmaker ahead of me. But first I had to finish the job. I reached into my bag and pulled out a camera. "Okay, I want a picture of us all dressed like this - we'll take it in twos. Hannah and Dean, me and Neville and Seamus and Parvati. Then we'll have one of the girls and another of the boys and then we'll take more in the Muggle world."

Dean gave me a discreet thumbs up as he went over and posed with Hannah. I noticed the faintest of blushes appearing on her fair skin as she smiled broadly when Dean wrapped his arms around her waist from behind her. She reached up and kissed his cheek as I took the picture and felt myself sigh. Who would have thought they would be such a good couple? That would be a picture that would be framed and still shown on their wall when their great grand kids were running about their floor.

"You two look really good together," I said as I tossed Dean the camera. "I never realised how pretty you were, Hannah."

She blushed and shook her head as Dean shook his head with a laugh. "Nice compliment, Lavender. And I thought it was guys who were tactless."

I pouted as I went and wrapped Neville's arms around me. "I wasn't being tactless - I just didn't think that she was as pretty as she is and that doesn't mean I thought she was ugly. You know that, don't you, Hannah? I didn't mean to offend you..."

"You didn't offend me. I'm not that sensitive, even for a Hufflepuff," she said with a smile as Neville and I both began to wink at the camera to let Dean take the picture. "That is going to be such a great picture."

I nodded my head. "Yeah, it will be. Okay, you two - front and centre."

Parvati and Seamus looked at me and proceeded to walk over rather unenthusiastically. Now, I wouldn't say they were being uncooperative to our efforts, or even selfish and self centred and unappreciative of our efforts...no wait, I would because that's exactly what they were! It was a good job that I am such a happy person because if I was highly strung I would have killed them there and then. But I didn't, I decided I'd let Dean do that.

"Okay, would it kill you two to enter into the spirit of the occasion? We are breaking about ten school rules, we are about to go into a city with a larger population than Scotland, Wales and Ireland put together and we have done it without anyone else telling us how to pull it off. This is fun and exciting and we have taken two classic photos already and you two are going to have one taken as well so please, please lets try and make it fun. I'm not asking for much here..."

Seamus rolled his eyes as he looked at Parvati. "See this is what happens when he gets a bit of power - he'll be expecting us to call him Mr Thomas next."

"Well, I was thinking of Professor Thomas but Mr Thomas is fine..."

Seamus shook his head and began to laugh as he pointed a good-natured warning to his friend before turning to Parvati and shaking his head. "What do you say? We letting them beat us?"

She looked at the four of us and shook her head. "Not a chance - we can come up with something better than that."

"Exactly my thinking - so, what do we think?"

She pursed her lips and considered for a minute before breaking into a slow smile and whispering something into his ear which caused him to laugh. Now, the fact that she whispered into his ear is a good thing. Whispering can be very sensual - the heat of a person's breath on your ear can turn the right person to butter and I saw that Seamus was no exception as he nodded his head enthusiastically.

Without warning Seamus bent over and scooped Parvati up into his arms and she wrapped her arm around his neck. Dean looked like he wanted someone to pat him on the back as he lifted the camera to his eye to hide his expression. Sadly, I don't think that I was that discreet because Hannah nudged me to get me to shut my mouth.

"So, you think we compete?" Parvati asked as Seamus spun her around and Dean nodded his head as he took the picture.

"This is going to be great," he said. "Well, that's us - the six of us have a memento. We'll take the rest when we get into the cool places. That okay with you, Lavender?"

I nodded my head and we walked out of the shop and out to the Muggle world. As we got to the last barrier I felt my stomach lurch as we stopped. Dean, Seamus and Hannah looked excited but the rest looked like I felt. Now, I come across as confident and ready to take on the world and I suppose I am but the prospect of facing the world without being able to use magic makes me nervous. Plus, what happens if we don't look like real Muggles? What if Dumbledore finds out? What if we accidentally blow something up? What if the boys charm something Muggle and get arrested? They could go to Azkaban - we could be seventeen year old prisoners with only the Dementors for company! I would have to wear tatty prison robes and never be able to wash my hair!!

"Lavender!"

I turned around to see everyone looking at me. "What?"

"You looked like you were getting ready to run back to the fireplace," Parvati said as she looked at me in concern. Her suggestion to run was quite a good one and I was close to admitting that I wanted to do just that when I saw Dean look at me desperately. Now there's something you have to know about Dean - in a lot of ways he's a lot like a girl. (I don't mean that in a bad way so don't tell him.) What I mean is he has a way with body language that men generally don't have. When a guy wants something there is no such thing as subtlety, when a girl wants something we make suggestions with the way we act, how we gesture, how we graduate our voice and how we move our eyes. Now Dean has all that going on and as a result he can make you understand him without really speaking. (sometimes, he's not so perfect that he's got it fine tuned - I think he might be selective with it.) And what he said with his eyes as I looked at him was 'don't leave me with them on my own - you are so much better at this than I am and if I'm baby-sitting them I won't be able to snog Hannah at all.' (Okay, I may be elaborating on what he actually indicated with his expression but you get the gist.)

"No, I was just thinking - what were you talking about?"

"I was just making sure that you all have Muggle money?" Hannah said as she looked at us all. "You all got money changed?"

I nodded my head as I reached into my pocket and felt the Muggle money that we had exchanged before we had changed out of our robes back at the bookshop.

"Okay," Dean said with a nervous smile. "Let's go hit the town..."

With that he opened the doorway and we were hit with a wall of noise as we stepped out. I grabbed Neville's hand while Hannah grabbed Dean's arm and looked around. "Wow, we really did it..."

"We got away with it," Seamus whispered as he instinctively reached down to take Parvati's arm so she wasn't standing on her own. "Now what do we do?"

That question is one that would prove to be most interesting and as we began following Dean into the big bad Muggle world I heard him mutter, somewhat ominously. "Now we go have some fun and make Harry and Ron jealous as hell..."

TBC

next? coming soon!