Harry walked along the icy roads for Hogsmeade. He was normally up for a night at the pub with his friends but since it was New Year's Eve, he knew the pub would be busy. Packed full of overly drunk patrons who were excessively loud. The harsh winter wind blew, and Harry shivered and crossed his arms to stave off the cold. As he turned the corner, he slipped for the third time and cursed under his breath. It had been a particularly cold and rainy week, and the ice build-up was a lot.
He finally managed to make it to the pub, pulled the door open, and sighed in relief when the warm air hit his face. Then he looked around and was shocked by what he saw when he walked into the 'Three Broomsticks' pub.
What was normally a low-key bar had completely transformed. There was a stage set up in the back corner and shimmering, fairy lights lit up the ceiling. The music was loud and pumping instead of the calm background music he was used to, and Harry could swear that he could hear loud off-pitch singing. Everything looked as if it was coated in a layer of glitter.
Harry looked around and spotted his friend at a corner booth near the back. He raised his hand to show that he saw them and then headed towards the bar to grab a fire-whiskey before sitting down. As he stood at the bar a sign caught his eye and he groaned. He should have known there was a reason his friends wanted to come out tonight instead of ringing in the new year at one of their flats.
The atmosphere in the pub crackled with excitement and anticipation but Harry tried to ignore all of that and maneuver through the crowd towards his friends.
"Harry!" Luna called out excitedly, on her face were glitter glasses, and in her hair was a headband with the words 'Happy New Year' that flashed between red and blue. She reached up and popped a hat on top of his head and when Harry reached up to pull the hat off Luna slapped his hands away.
"Leave it. It's festive," Luna said with a wide grin. He could only imagine what was on his head but left it anyway.
Ron leaned over and nudged Harry, his eyes lit up with excitement, "I can't believe we're finally doing this. Karaoke!" he yelled, and Harry just chuckled.
"What song are you going to pick?" Harry asked.
"Not sure," Ron mused as the first notes of 'Don't Stop Believin' by Journey played out through the pub, "What are you gonna pick?"
Harry shook his head, "I don't want to go up there."
"Oh, come on. Let's go pick our songs," Ron insisted but Harry was able to stall, and the redhead gave up and went to sign up by himself.
Harry sat back in the booth and just looked around at all the patrons while Luna and Hermione were deep in conversation just to his left. As his eyes roamed closer to the bar, he caught sight of a particular barista.
He gasped in surprise and reached out to grab Luna's arm unaware that she and Hermione were preparing to slide out of the booth.
"I need you," Harry hissed.
"It's not a good time," Luna responded, half-standing awkwardly mid-way exiting the booth.
"What?" Harry asked and finally realized the position of the two girls.
"Luna, please," Harry begged.
Luna looked at her friend confused and then followed his gaze towards the bar and saw Angelina. She rolled her eyes and looked back at Harry.
"You don't need me. Just go talk to her," said Luna. She pulled him up out of the booth and then pushed him toward the bar.
Harry nodded to himself, took a deep breath, pushed his way through the dancing crowd, and came to a stop beside Angelina at the bar.
"Hey!" Harry called out to be heard over the music, his smile was a mile wide when Angelina turned around.
"Harry! Hey!" Angelina excitedly yelled back, then her gaze drifted upwards, and Harry noticed that she was holding back a laugh, "Nice hat!" she said through laughter.
Harry had forgotten that Luna had placed the hat on his head earlier and quickly reached up and grabbed hold. He pulled it off his head and finally saw that Luna had chosen a pink bedazzled top hat with '2000' spelled out in blue jewels. His cheeks flushed and he grimaced.
"Luna," he said, and Angelina laughed harder.
"I think it looks dashing," she laughed and plucked the top hat from Harry's grasp and placed it back on his head, "perfect," she said with a smile.
"Are you here with someone? Did you want to join us?" Harry asked as casually as possible but hopeful that she would.
"Nope, not here with anyone. Didn't want to ring in the New Year alone so I came for the Karaoke," she said and pointed towards the stage near the back.
"Come on," Harry waved for her to follow. They picked up their drinks and Harry led them back to their booth. By the time they made it back, Luna and Hermione were gone, and Ron still hadn't reappeared.
They had just settled in when they heard the heavy bass and the word 'Oh Baby, Baby'. Harry and Angelina looked up at the stage and Harry choked on his drink as he realized what he was seeing.
"Is that Ron?" Angelina laughed.
"Yup, that sure is."
The pair sat back and laughed as Ron performed, singing and dancing, Baby One More Time by Britney Spears. It was a performance to remember.