Gathering

"I'll go buy some Butterbeer in Hogsmeade," Harry said. "Pabbie said she wanted some last time. Ron and Hermione are home these days too. I wonder if they'd be interested in coming over to Grimmauld Place."

"Then we can go to Hogsmeade tomorrow morning," Pabbie said, getting up from the sofa. "We can go to The Three Broomsticks in the afternoon."

Next morning, Harry got up, rubbed his eyes, and walked downstairs.

"We're going to Hogsmeade today." Pabbie placed the fried bacon on a plate. "I've already decided what I want to buy."

After breakfast, the four of them followed the path leading to Hogsmeade.

Harry pushed open the door to The Three Broomsticks, and warmth mixed with the scent of Butterbeer and toasted bread rushed out.

There were already quite a few people inside. Several wooden tables were full, and low conversation and occasional laughter rose and fell throughout the room.

Behind the bar, Rosmerta was wiping a glass. When she saw Harry enter, she gave him a nod.

"Find yourselves a seat," she said.

The four found a table by the window, and Harry went to the bar to order four Butterbeers.

The drinks came in dark ceramic mugs with finely frosted outer surfaces. A thick layer of foam floated atop the Butterbeer, gleaming warm gold in the firelight.

Harry set the mugs on the table and took the seat by the window.

Outside, on the streets of Hogsmeade, someone stopped beside a snowbank, bent down to tie their shoelace, then continued on.

Pabbie lifted her mug and took a large gulp. When she set it down, a thin layer of foam clung to her lips. "The Three Broomsticks' is still the best. Honeydukes' recipe is too sweet. It leaves your throat feeling sticky after you drink it."