Alright guys I'm back with another update! Sorry it took me so long, and that it's such a short update. I've been studying like crazy to pass all my exams with A's so it's taken my mind away from my writing. But here it is, and I hope you like it! Also, I've got a new site up and running. It's 100% dedicated to writing, and writers. Yeah it might sound boring but it's really not. There's a hp fanfic section there as well. The site is very new, but there isn't one empty forum in the whole place. So check it out if you want. There are some really helpful things there to improve your writing. But if you just want to chat, hit up the awesomeness or randomness threads. Thanks!
The site: http://s4.invisionfree.com/CreativeMinds
There in the clearing stood Hermione, Chloe and some more of her cronies. Hermione was now completely dried off, and she appeared to be…enjoying herself? Chloe was trying to show her how to do something, which looked like a type of game or dance. She was smiling and laughing hysterically along with them as she desperately tried to look like she was fitting in.
Harry and Ron closed their mouths when it registered she was just fine. Josie only rolled her eyes because the two boys seemed overly shocked at the situation. They all knew Hermione would be able to take care of herself, and, from the looks of it she was carrying on just fine without them. Maybe that was a key factor in why they were surprised. They watched from behind a few trees, not wanting to give their presence away just yet. After a few moments of observing the group in the clearing, they all huddled close together.
"Now what do we do," Ron asked Josie and Harry.
Harry bit his bottom lip. "I don't know. We found Hermione, but I think we should wait until she sees us." They all nodded in agreement and watched her from afar, getting some entertainment out of what they were seeing.
Hermione continued to participate in the activities, but suddenly stopped. She got Chloe's attention by looking at her hand and running her fingers over the soft flesh of her wrist. "I think I dropped my bracelet. I'll be right back," she said in a solid voice. Chloe eyed her suspiciously, but nodded with a cheery smile.
Harry, Ron and Josie all looked at each other strangely from behind the trees. "What bracelet is she talking about," Ron and Josie asked in unison.
Harry eyed them carefully. "She doesn't have one." Harry's gaze was suggestive, but right then, they all saw Hermione headed leisurely in their direction, looking over her shoulder every now and then. They all ducked down.
Hermione stepped into the batch of trees and started looking at the ground, bending over to move some rocks and leaves. She moved further into the shade of the trees, to the side, and stood up quickly. She was directly in front of the three as they turned around. She snaked her head around to look back at the islanders out in the clearing. Her gaze met Harry's.
"What's going on?" they all seemed to ask at the same time.
Hermione looked at them with a serious face and took one more glance at the group of islanders gathered, waiting for her return. She smiled when they went back to what they were doing as if she wasn't there.
"Well?" The three anxious buddies asked in unison.
She smiled some more and reached into her pocket to pull out a very small box. It was a wonder it even fit into the tiny pocket of her outfit. She held out her palm to everyone, for them to look at the shimmering blue cube hovering slightly there. Ron reached for it. Hermione closed her hand back into a fist and put the cube back into the safety of her pocket.
"What was that," Harry asked.
Hermione smiled and took his hand, pressing a finger to her lips for him to quiet down. Slowly the two of them turned around and began walking. Moments later they looked back at Ron and Josie who weren't following them. "Coming?" Hermione asked in a hushed tone.
They immediately picked up their feet and followed closely behind. Harry noticed Hermione was trying to pick up her pace, without appearing too obvious. But her goal was to make as little noise as possible.
Hermione was starting to seem anxious, looking over her shoulder every few moments as they walked back through the trees. Suddenly she stopped and turned to face everyone. "Ok, when I say go, start running like mad. Got it?" she asked with her voice lower than normal, grabbing Harry's attention almost instantly at the sudden change.
They eyed her strangely but nodded slowly with her request. She shut her eyes and took a few deep breaths before looking at them again. They were all staring at her blankly, as if clueless to her behavior. Harry was the only one remotely in-tune with her.
"Where are we going to run, and why?" Harry asked.
Hermione eyed each and every one of them cunningly, then tapped the sharp bulge in her pocket where the swirling blue cube was. All their eyes darkened, then went wide with interest.
"You stole that didn't you?" Josie asked in a matching sly manner.
Hermione looked around at them again and flashed an innocent smile. "I most definitely did! And we're running through there," she answered and pointed toward a dark tunnel-like forest of many plants opposite their position.
Again they eyed her differently. Harry gave her hand a gentle squeeze and quickly pecked her on the cheek for a gentle kiss. She smiled in return, sending a flashy-like look through her eyes to him. It gave him chills, but made him feel good all the same.
"Alright, ready?" she paused. All their hearts sounded in their minds as they beat, silently listening to the moments ticking by. In slow motion, Hermione opened her mouth to utter the word `go' then her body turned, bringing Harry along as she began to break out at a run with everyone keeping up behind her.
Time returned to the normal pace as their feet scraped and bumped through the sand, rocks, twigs, and various other island things. Hermione wasn't kidding. She was running just as fast as she had hinted at, like her life depended on it. Harry had been able to keep up with great effort as he continued to grasp onto her hand. Suddenly they let go of each other and began running faster. Ron and Josie sped up as well. Feeling like ages had passed, they came to the entrance of the dark area Hermione had pointed to way back where they had just innocently stood.
Harry turned to look at Ron, Josie, then eventually Hermione. She had done something outside her usual personality, but whatever it was, they could all wait to find out once they reached the next destination Hermione was taking them to. If she had a plan anyway. "We going in?" Harry asked quietly.
Hermione breathed deeply, with her eyes closed, trying to grasp hold of a fulfilling breath. She nodded ever so gently and felt Ron and Josie brush lightly by her. She opened her eyes and looked at Harry. "Let's go!" she said enthusiastically.
Harry brought Hermione in front of him, to follow close behind her as they stepped into the very dark tunnel. He brushed a hand against her shoulder, reassuring her he was close by.
The darkness was just that, with very little light, and many noises going on all at once; birds chirping, animals moving through the trees, and the sounds of water dripping from the treetops high above them. They walked cautiously at first, then once they got used to it, walked in their usual manner as if to be taking a Sunday stroll through the park.
"So Noni, do you mind telling us what's going on?" Harry said softly, with a caressing voice that could always give a girl the chills. Particularly Hermione.
Ron and Josie were aware of what Harry just asked, and tuned their ears in to what she might say.
Hermione turned her head slightly and grabbed hold of Harry's hand, gently pulling him to her so she could wrap her arms around him. "Well I'll tell you that if you tell me what you're doing without a shirt on!" she teased.
Harry had almost completely forgot he was shirtless, but didn't mind feeling the soft, warm skin of Hermione's arms around his bare upper-body as they continued to walk, more at a leisurely pace now. "It's a deal."
Hermione smiled with her head resting against his chest as she turned it and gently kissed him on his bare skin, sending shivers all over his body.
Again, sorry this was so short. I try to write up big updates for you, but it usually takes me a while to do that and then by the time I get around to posting, most of you forget what happened last. So it's really easier for me to give you the shorter, or half updates, so you don't forget what's going on.
And check out my site! You're missing out on the party if you don't:
http://s4.invisionfree.com/CreativeMinds
P.S. I'm also working up an idea for a new story. I might post the summary to it in the next update. Basically it's my take on what I think will happen between the trio as far as dating goes. Compromises have to be made, but safety is also an issue with Voldemort still terrorizing. So if you're interested in what it's about, say so when you review this update and I'll write up a quick summary!