Pacific Dawn

Michie

Rating: PG
Genres: Romance, Humor
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5
Published: 17/12/2003
Last Updated: 18/04/2004
Status: in_progress

The trio are out of Hogwarts and leading their own lives. What happens when Ron gets desperate for a vacation and books them for a wizarding vacation to an unexpected destination? It all started when they made a pact to do something unforgettable when each of them turned 21. Now it's time to put that pact into action!

Chapters

1. Late Night Chat

2. Messy Hair, anyone?

3. Scary Muggles

4. Let

5. It

6. The Horizon

7. Outrageous

8. Refreshing Scent...

9. Mission Accomplished

10. Take The Plunge

11. Out of Sight

12. A Dangerous Idea

13. Operation: Kiss Me

14. An Unexpected Guest

15. Beginning to Analyze

16. Cold Dare

17. A Mental Understanding

18. Glimmer of the Past

19. Getting Tough

20. A Nightmare Encounter

21. Confessions and Secrets

22. Josie

23. A Careless Sleep

24. Seaweed, Saltwater, and the Strange Islander (fixed)

25. Hermione the Guilty One

26. One More Day - Part 1

27. Don

28. Quick Author

1. Late Night Chat

This is a new fic I’ve started on another site…I hope you’ll enjoy it just the same!

Chapter 1 – Late Night Chat

Harry Potter sat at his desk inside the Auror department, filling out tedious paperwork in hopes of getting it done so he could go home early. It was early May and he was now twenty-one; nearing his twenty-second birthday in just two short months. Harry had been an Auror for three years now, but currently switched positions to an office job due to the incredible amount of stress from defeating the one and only infamous villain of their time, Voldemort. He needed a break, as did his friends and others around him.

“Done!” Harry exclaimed as he crossed the last ‘T’ in his signature. Finally he was done signing petitions for all the little things that were cropping up, mostly dealing with muggle involvement.

It was nearly midnight and Harry was exhausted. The moonlight was pouring through his window and onto his back, creating a shadow on his desk as he filed his stuff away in a bottom drawer. It was dead quiet around the ministry at this late hour. Everyone had gone home but Harry stuck it out and made the decision to get all his paperwork done so he had the weekend free.

The open space of his office was a security to him. When he was having a hard time with something, namely his girlfriend of two years, Cho Chang, he would hide away in his office and take in the silence to think clearly. Lately things were quite rocky with Cho. She and Harry would fight over the smallest things, despite the fact that she thought they were made for each other. Harry didn’t see that at all.

So here he sat in his elegant office that Cho had redone to suit his status. Two black leather love seats sat on opposite ends of the room. The walls were an off white and pictures adorned them; pictures of school days dotted the off white texture, but Cho smothered the wall directly in front of his desk.

Harry mustered up the strength to get up and chuckled at the silly office he had. One would think he was a stubborn, greedy old miser with tons of money and nothing better to do with it. He stood in the doorway and made sure everything was as it should be and flipped off the light.

Harry stepped out into the quiet hallway, his shoes echoing lightly on the tiled floor. He pulled the door shut softly and locked it with his wand, using a high-security charm he had learned in his Auror training. Only someone that knew everything there was to know in the world and then some could get through that door; unless you were Hermione Granger, who did in fact know everything there was to know.

Harry stood with his hand on the door frame and recounted vaguely about the first time his best friend burst into his office late one night while he was up signing paperwork, in tears over the latest jerk of a boyfriend. Harry shook himself out of his thoughts and smiled slightly at the memory. She was the only one that knew how to get in with that intense security lock charm placed on his office. There were many times she came to visit him late at night, mainly to discuss nasty dates and horrible boyfriends; the last time being just three nights ago. This time she had told Harry that she and her boyfriend, Peter, were through. Many tears were shed that night.

Harry had dropped everything that he was doing immediately, shoving his mile-high stack of paperwork aside to calm her down, offering himself up as a punching bag if Peter got to be too frustrating when she did break up with him.

Harry walked down the dark hall, ready to go home. Somewhere along the line his mind wandered. He turned down another hallway and ended up in front of Hermione’s office. Yes, she too, worked at the Ministry. Her job was quite involved, and was right alongside the Minister himself, Arthur Weasley.

Harry peered into the tiny window in the door, letting his hands hang to his side with his wand still in his hand. Someone was in there. Harry cupped his hands around his face and felt the cold glass on his forehead to see who it was. They seemed to be rummaging through a file drawer. Harry felt a twinge in his stomach and was about to mutter the spell to get security down to their location on the empty third floor when he saw who it was. It was Hermione. She had her hair pulled up and paced around her office in the dark. Harry knocked lightly, causing Hermione’s silhouette to jump and stop dead in its place. He smiled and she came to the door.

“Harry! You gave me a fright!” she whispered, holding the door open just enough to poke her head through and make sure trouble wouldn’t be coming her way.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to. Just saw you in there and wondered what you were doing here so late,” he answered back in a low hum. She stepped out with her robe and wand in one hand. Hermione smiled at him and locked her door behind her to walk out of the building with Harry.

“I had some unfinished things to settle, that’s all,” she said rationally. They had started to walk and Harry turned his head to look at her strangely.

“In the dark?” he asked skeptically. She just grinned at him and they walked on.

Harry’s black mussed up hair was the same as it had been since he was very young. Harry had grown to be quite tall, at least three or four inches taller than Hermione’s five-foot, six-inch frame. His eyes glowed in the dimly lit hallway and his voice echoed as they spoke to one another, walking slowly.

“I broke up with Peter today,” Hermione said out of the blue. Harry looked at her.

“Really. Are you alright?” he asked sincerely.

Hermione sighed contently, as if to be breathing her very first molecule of fresh air. Harry smiled. “Went that good then?”

Hermione turned her head to him. “Actually he was furious with me,” she started, then sighed again. “But then I felt so much better after, I didn’t care what he said or thought of me after that. How’s Cho?”

Harry gritted his teeth a bit and folded his arms, tucking his wand in his pocket first. “She’s the same as ever; can’t predict anymore whether or not she’s going to be mad at me.”

“For what?” Hermione asked sounding very stern.

“Who knows exactly. She keeps telling me she wants to get married but when she throws these fits, about nothing—it’s very easy for me to blow her off.”

Hermione stopped in the hall and grabbed Harry’s arm. “Do you love her, Harry?” she asked sweetly. Harry loved this side of her; so caring and open about everything.

He smiled at her but gave her an answer she wasn’t expecting. “No. Not really. Most of my time with her is spent defending myself. It’s like she’s on a rampage to bring down my spirits,” he joked. Hermione smiled at him and let out a soft chuckle.

“Well Harry, everything will work out if it’s supposed to.”

“I don’t think I want it to,” he mumbled under his breath. Hermione looked at him strangely.

“What did you just say?”

“Nothing. I’m just tired.”

She started to walk again, Harry following closely behind to catch up to her pace. “Well I’m glad to see that you’re not totally broken with dumping Peter,” he said teasingly, slinking an arm around her shoulder in the usual friendly way.

Hermione grinned widely at Harry and acknowledged his arm around her. In response, she wrapped her arm around his back and curled her hand around the other side of him.

“You know, Ron owled me last night. He wants to talk about those vacation plans we talked about last summer. You know, the promise we all made to each other about going somewhere when we were all twenty-one?”

“Promise?” Hermione asked, then it dawned on her. “Oh, that’s right. I remember now. What did he say?”

Harry smiled down at her as they casually walked out of the building and into the night. They wrapped their arms tight around each other and apparated to 12 Grimmauld Place, Harry’s home. When they appeared in the middle of his living room, he continued.

“Hold on. I’ll go get the letter so you can read it yourself,” Harry said.

His arms coiled away from her shoulders and he walked into the other room, starting a fire in the fire place and encouraging Hermione to sit in front of it. It was May, but still a bit cold at night.

Ron was currently working his tail off with his pro-Quidditch tour. After graduation, he tried out for Puddlemere and made it as first choice for keeper.

Harry came back into the room with a letter in his hand. It was from Ron. He handed it to Hermione and sat beside her on the soft sofa, curling himself up in a blanket. Hermione glanced up from the letter and looked at him.

“Hey! Share some of that, Potter.” She teased, looking out the corner of her eye.

Harry laughed at her and opened up his arm to her, with the blanket gripped between his fingers. Hermione scooted into his arms, resting her body against his chest and he wrapped himself around her with the blanket. She looked back down at the letter and read aloud:

‘Remember that promise you, me, and Hermione made last year before our birthdays? You know, to go on a vacation somewhere when we all turned twenty-one? Well dad has an idea of where we can go. Forget the cabin in the woods. And Hermione, if you’re reading this, roll those eyes back up into your head and listen to me.’

Hermione paused and laughed at his comment to her. Harry tightened his grip around her shoulders teasingly and kissed the top of her head.

“Ron and his comments,” Harry said softly before Hermione continued. Harry watched her mouth move, the way she formed the words was just entrancing.

‘I think Hermione will like what we’ve found. She needs some time off, especially with what’s happening with that prat she calls her boyfriend. No offense Hermione, but he’s a twit.’

Hermione laughed harder again, feeling like the letter was addressed to her more than Harry. She started again. This time Harry moved some pieces of her long brown hair away from her face so she could see better in the dark room with the only light coming from the crackling fire in front of them.

‘Meet me tomorrow at the tower. I’ll fill you in on the details then.’

“Well that’s interesting,” she commented.

“What is,” Harry asked softly. Hermione looked up at him, noticing how close they were to one another.

“Just that he thinks I need some time off. Really, I’m fine.”

Harry turned his body to hers and stared into her eyes. “Then why are you here with me instead of at home?”

Hermione’s eyes flickered and she let out a deep sigh, leaning forward and hitting her forehead into Harry’s chest.

“I don’t know,” she mumbled to him. Harry chuckled and wrapped his arms around her, giving her a light kiss on the top of her head, then rested his chin on her shoulder.

“Well Hermione, you know where your room is. You can stay here for one more night, but tomorrow you should go to your place and start reorganizing your things. The longer you put it off—“

“I know. The longer I’ll dwell on it,” she finished for him. Harry nodded against her face and smiled.

“You going to be all right?” he asked, pulling her away at the shoulders to look at her. She smiled and ruffled up his hair playfully.

“You’re such a good friend Harry. What would I do without you?”

Harry smiled again and got to his feet, pulling a tired and reluctant Hermione up with him. “Well what are friends for? I’ll always be here for you.” He answered back. Hermione showed her appreciation by the look in her eyes and hugged him tight.

“Goodnight Harry,” she said sweetly, walking away with the blanket still wrapped around her shoulders.

“Goodnight Noni.” He said. Hermione turned around and smiled.

“Yeah you’re the only one that’s allowed to call me that.” Slowly and lazily she ventured up the stairs, smiling at the name Harry had found for her a couple years before. Harry positioned himself in a comfortable position on his back, staring into the fire and dozing off to sleep with the situation with Cho weighing heavily on his mind.

2. Messy Hair, anyone?

Harry turned on his stomach and smashed the pillow over the back of his head to block out the sunlight that was pouring through his room. It was morning once again. He groaned into his mattress when he heard noise coming from downstairs.

His blankets and sheet were bunched around his waist, exposing his bare back. Harry was concentrating so hard on imagining a dead silence, he didn’t even hear the door open. Hermione poked her head through the door and saw that Harry still wasn’t moving. Obviously he reacted to the sunlight when she had pulled his curtains open. Now she was back to really wake him up. Hermione slowly stepped through the door and shut it behind her, leaning her back against it. She saw that his blankets were only halfway on him and smirked at seeing the fine detail of the muscles in his back

She tiptoed over to his bed carefully and leaned her body against the foot board. She cleared her throat. Nothing happened. Harry still mashed his pillow against his head, blocking out all sound. She gripped the left post on the corner of the bed and leaned her body forward even more. Her top half was dangling above his legs. She looked down and saw his legs start to move.

“Harry, time to get up,” she said in a mild but solid tone. Harry flung his arm out, sleepily trying to tell her to go away. She got a smirk on her face and got down from the foot of the bed to stand beside it.

She shook her head with her arms folded and smiled at his lightly sleeping form. “Harry if you don’t get up, I’m going to make you.”

She ducked when Harry tossed his pillow at her. She smirked at him. “Oh really? Well in that case—“

Hermione bent over and gripped the blankets firmly, Harry not even in the same universe at this moment, didn’t notice. Hermione silently agreed with herself and ripped his blankets clean off him. He flipped over quickly on his back and sat up even faster. He was dressed in only his boxers and felt a bit embarrassed that she was looking directly at him.

Hermione was standing beside the bed with her arms folded and a huge smile on her face. She bent down and picked up the pillow, tossing it from side to side a bit and lunging it at him.

“You might want to start getting dressed,” she commented sarcastically.

“Nice wake up call, Noni,” he said in a low raspy voice. Hermione chuckled at how tired he sounded. He put his glasses on and looked at her. She was wearing white Capri pants with thick sandals and had on a light blue sleeveless shirt. Her hair was down and curled at the ends. She had very silky hair. It wasn’t fizzy anymore; just silky, but as long as ever, reaching the middle of her back.

“Well if you hurry up and get changed, we can at least have a late breakfast before he shows up,” she suggested happily. Harry smiled at her.

“Meet you downstairs in twenty?”

Hermione nodded shyly, finally realizing he was right in front of her with nothing on but his boxers. She blushed and turned to go. Harry tried to open his mouth to say something, but he didn’t. Instead he met her eyes while she walked, until she turned around and shut the door.

Harry tossed the pillow up in the air and fell onto his back into his soft bed. Sprawled out and starting to feel cold, he finally got up and picked out his clothes for the day to get in the shower.

Hermione was sitting at the bar counter on a stool with her legs hanging off when Harry finally came down. She turned when she heard footsteps in the kitchen and was pleased to see Harry was finally dressed, though she thought it quite rare to catch him in nothing but his boxers. Hermione was blushing bright red when Harry waved a hand in front of her face

“Hello? Anyone in there Hermione?” Harry teased. She smiled at him and shoved him out of her face. He started laughing.

“Ready to go?” Hermione finally asked.

“You bet I am! I’m starving!”Harry smiled and held out a hand to her to help her off her stool. She gratefully took it and stepped down.

“Well that’s not my fault is it? You’re the one that couldn’t get your lazy butt out of bed.” She teased. They laughed together.

Because of the non-apparating spell placed on the house, Harry and Hermione stepped into the back yard.

He wrapped his arms around her gently. For a moment he caught the scent of her hair as the breeze slowly passed through it. She smelled of water lilies and some perfume of some sort.

Harry smiled down at Hermione. “Ready?”

She nodded, making Harry smile. Hermione rested her head on his chest and they both closed their eyes. Moments later they appeared with a snap, in front of the doors to The Three Broomsticks. It was only eleven in the morning; plenty of time to get something to eat before meeting with Ron.

Harry held his arm out to Hermione and she coiled her own around his. “Thank you, Harry. Quite the gentleman today aren’t we?” she smirked. Harry looked down with her and flashed his knee weakening smile. “Just because I gave you a compliment doesn’t mean I’m going to fall for that grin.”

“Oh come on, it makes Cho go all jelly-like inside. Don’t tell me it doesn’t work on you.”

Hermione blushed and turned her head away from his as they walked into The Three Broomsticks.

They table they usually sat at in the center of the room was occupied by some young teenagers, making out for the world to see. Hermione scoffed at their behavior and looked around for a table.

“What’s the matter? Does my little Noni want a kiss?” Harry teased. Hermione slugged him playfully in the stomach and walked toward the only empty table: a rather small booth.

She slid in first and Harry followed. There was barely enough room for the two of them. Their shoulders were almost touching, they were so close.

“Maybe we should switch places with the kissing couple over there. They would probably benefit from this more than we would,” Harry joked. Hermione turned to look at him with a smirk on her face.

“Oh what’s this? Harry Potter gets a girl into the tightest booth in the place and he doesn’t want to kiss her?” She smiled. “What is this world coming to?” she finished, looking down at her menu for something good to eat.

Harry nudged her softly with his shoulder and then rested his arm on the back of the booth seat.

“And just what makes you think I’m not going to try something?” he teased, bringing a bright blush color out on Hermione’s cheeks. She rolled her eyes at him and forced herself to look down at the menu.

Harry reached down to scratch his leg and Hermione felt his fingers unnoticeably touch the skin that wasn’t covered by her capris. He shivered a bit and Harry came back up, looking at her strangely.

“What?” He asked. Hermione shook her head just as Madame Rosmerta came along to take their orders.

Hermione ordered an omelet and hot chocolate, and Harry ordered bacon and eggs with a slice of toast.

“Is that all for you two,” Rosmerta asked. Harry and Hermione both nodded and thanked her.

Harry turned to Hermione. “So tell me, what did Peter do to mess things up as bad as he did?” Harry asked politely. Hermione looked at him and smiled, no longer afraid of talking about it.

“He just wasn’t the kind of person to count on,” she started, but stopped when Harry almost choked on the air that occupied his mouth. “Anyway,” she continued sternly but just trying to get her point across, “We would go make plans to do something and at the last minute he would send me an owl saying we couldn’t go. This time we were supposed to have dinner with my parents. He was supposed to meet me there but after being there a half an hour he sent me an owl.”

“Oh I’m sorry,” Harry said sincerely, letting his arm fall around her shoulders. She shrugged beneath him.

“It’s all right. I mean I would rather be stuck at my parents’ place than to be sitting in the middle of a restaurant waiting for him.”

Harry gave her a concerned look and hugged her. They pulled away after about a minute or so. “Harry, why couldn’t Peter be more like you?” she said out loud. Harry looked down at her in curiosity.

“I beg your pardon?”

She laughed at his embarrassment and total clueless behavior. “Harry, you’re a very trusting person and can be trusted. I just don’t understand how someone could be so forgetful and misleading.” She answered back. The cocky side of Harry’s personality showed through.

“Well you know. Every girl wants me,” he said haughtily, though he didn’t really mean it. Hermione slugged him in the arm.

“Well Harry you’re actually right about that.”

“I am?” He asked, looking down right confused. Hermione smiled at him.

“Yes. I can’t think of one girl that wouldn’t snatch you up if you weren’t so attached to Cho.”

Harry nodded, comprehending what she was trying to say. “Well if I’m so important to Cho, why does she push me around the way she does? I mean, the other day we were standing outside talking and she started messing with my hair. Can you guess what she told me?”

Hermione shook her head.

“She said that I needed to try something new with my hair to get it under control. Some of her snooty friends walked up and I realized she wanted to impress them. When she turned her back, I messed it up again, just to aggravate her some more.” Harry sighed contently, “I’ll never forget the look on her face when I tried playing dumb.”

Hermione started laughing at the little story. “Well maybe you should corner her one day and tell her that she needs to try something new with her attitude.” Hermione paused and dropped her tone. “Harry, if she really loves you then she’ll straighten up.”

Rosmerta came by and put their food on the table in front of them. A few moments later they continued their conversation while they ate.

“Well the thing is, I’m thinking of breaking it off with her this weekend. We have a date tomorrow night but I’m not all that excited about going.”

Hermione’s eyes widened and she put her mug of steaming hot chocolate down on the table. “What? Why? Is everything—“

“I think she might be seeing someone else. With the way she’s constantly nagging me and getting annoyed with the little things, it makes me wonder why she’s even still with me.”

Hermione raised her eyebrows in sympathy and looked at him, placing a hand on his leg and picked up her mug again. “Well whatever you decide, I’ll support you,” Hermione answered, lightly rubbing the part of leg just above his knee. Harry smiled calmly at her and touched her hand under the table with his. For a few short moments, they just looked into each other’s eyes.

Just then, the doors of the shop opened and Ron came through. Harry and Hermione waved to get his attention and he started over toward them with a broad smile on his face.

3. Scary Muggles

Hermione noticed Ron had some papers in his hand as he walked over to them and pulled up a stray chair from another table.

“I thought you were going to meet me outside,” Ron said. Harry and Hermione shrugged.

“Sorry Ron. We got caught up in talking and I had to eat something,” Harry said. Ron looked from Harry to Hermione, who just shrugged to confirm.

“Well what is it? Where are we going on vacation?” Hermione asked excitedly. Ron slapped the papers on the table in front of him and shoved them at Harry and Hermione. Hermione took one and Harry picked up the other.

Harry’s paper was up in front of his face, Hermione’s also. On instinct, with their faces hidden from Ron, he turned to Hermione. “Is he for real?” Harry asked when he read the title of the paper. Hermione smiled at him with her paper in front of her face.

Harry read over the paper and glanced at the moving pictures on the pamphlet-like page. Slowly, he took the paper down and peered at Ron over the top of it, just the top of his head and eyes were showing. Ron had a look of apprehension on his face and stared at Harry.

The pamphlet had a great deal of information in it and was sure to spark a ton of interest among travel-hungry wizards and witches all over the world:

The Ultimate Muggle Experience

Witches and wizards of the world! Would you like to have a travel experience worth remembering with loads of fun things to do? Then book you and your friends or significant other onto our many cruise ships and tour the world, muggle style.

First just an idea by the ministry, this expedition has sparked huge interest in our world. Come with us as we sail to many exciting wizarding parts of the world. The ships sail invisible to any muggle life out there for our safety. You will enjoy many fun and exciting days on board the ship as well as our shore excursions. Packages include three to five night vacations and go all the way up to five and six month trips all over the world. Many muggle activities and culture will be on the ship, as well as off. Try many of the exciting foods our dear muggles enjoy, and take a shot at some activities invented by them.

Magic is still a big part of this voyage and will not be cut out during any of this. Many activities we enjoy in our world will be among you throughout this journey. Contact the office at the bottom of this page for further information.

Hermione put her pamphlet down on the table in front of her and started to study it very closely. Harry watched her for a moment as she became enthralled in the information, then he turned to Ron. “Are you sure you want to do this? I mean, you are the one out of the three of us that has the hardest time understanding muggles. It would be a very different experience for you, for all of us.”

Hermione snapped her head up and looked at her two friends as they talked. “You know, Ron, I think you might be on to something.” She said softly. Harry and Ron turned their gazes to her and saw a smile creep onto her face, as well as in her eyes.

“So you want to do this?” Harry asked her reassuringly. Ron nodded with Harry.

“Well I must say, I’ve wanted to go on one of these for the longest time, but up until now, muggles only had this luxury. It just wouldn’t be a possibility for us to go because of the involvement we would have with muggles. I can’t even imagine how hard it would be not to use magic for however long we were gone.” She finished, rolling her eyes a bit at the thought of going without magic for more than an hour.

“You sound like you know a lot about it.” Ron commented as he rested his hands on the table with his fingers laced together. Harry gave Hermione’s knee a light squeeze to tease her. She jumped a little but elbowed him in the ribs.

“Well, mum and dad took one of these trips about three summers ago and they loved it. I think we should do it. Harry, what do you think?” she asked, turning to him for his opinion. So far two out of three were up for it.

He glanced between the hopeful faces his friends had and mentally debated about it. Hermione’s face, however, is what got him to make his decision. Harry thought about how stressed his friend was over all that was happening with her boyfriend. The past month was a complete nightmare and he was sure she was losing many hours of sleep over it. He could just picture her pacing in her living room while Harry sat on the couch worrying about her. Her face was very excited about this opportunity and he was sure all three of them would like it. He looked between them once more.

“Alright. Let’s do it,” he concluded.

Ron and Hermione smiled. “Yes! Alright, if we’re going, we have a week until we leave. That gives us time to catch up on things at work and to also let everyone know we’ll be gone—“

“But Ron, how long do we want to be gone?” Hermione asked. Harry looked at her, wondering the same thing and looked back at Ron, his hand forgotten as it rested softly on Hermione’s leg.

“I was thinking we take the two week package. One month is too long to be gone and I can’t even begin to imagine how much paperwork Harry would have by the time we got back.”

Harry and Hermione agreed. “Two weeks it is,” Harry said happily. He looked back down at the information sheet in front of him. “Looks like we’re going to America to get on the ship,” he observed, looking at a map of all the locations they would be going in that span of two weeks.

“America?” Hermione asked. Harry leaned over and pointed out the place on the map.

“San Francisco Bay,” Ron said. “But that’s if we take that trip. There are other places like Europe or even cold places.”

Hermione cleared her throat. “No I think this trip sounds fine. I mean think about it, we board the ship in San Francisco and then after that we go straight to Honolulu, Hawaii. Mum and dad went there last summer and it’s the most amazing place. All these destinations listed in this package are warm places!”

Harry’s and Ron’s eyes lit up. “Then after Hawaii we go to…” Harry started, trailing his finger down the map to the next place.

“Looks like we’ll be spending two days in Hawaii,” Hermione commented, finishing Harry’s sentence. Ron just watched them in silence. After all, they were the ones with muggle experience. “The next place is Hilo, Hawaii. Then we go to…”

“The Marshall…Islands,” Harry continued. Hermione nodded and Ron looked excited. He had never really known much about these places but they sounded very intriguing.

“Oh, these places we’re going will all be the wizarding areas so we don’t have to worry about running into any strange muggle folk.”

Harry and Hermione laughed with each other. “No one could possibly be any stranger than the Dursleys,” Harry said lightly, bringing out more giggles from Hermione, and even more from Ron.

“No kidding, mate! So what other places are listed?”

Harry studied the map again. “Sydney, Australia; Wellington, New Zealand; Jamaica, and the Bahamas. Those are all the stops. Looks like the longest we’ll be on the ship is three days, traveling from New Zealand to the Bahamas.”

Ron shrugged. “As long as I can relax. That’s all I care about.”

Harry and Hermione smiled. “Well I’ve got some things to do for the game tomorrow night so I’ll catch up with you two later.” Ron said, standing up and picking up his copy of the brochure. “I’ll get everything squared away—“

“Ron, I can do that. I’ll be in that part of town today anyway, you know, sorting out some things at my place,” Hermione said kindly. Ron smiled and appreciated her initiative to handle everything.

“Thanks a lot. And if you need help with sorting things out, let me know and I’ll be right over,” he said before throwing his robe over his shoulders to leave.

4. Let

Harry turned to Hermione as they still sat in the booth seat. “You going to be alright sorting through your things by yourself?”

Hermione smiled genuinely at him. “I’ll be fine. It’s just a matter of not wanting to do anything today,” Hermione responded. Harry grinned.

“You know what?” he paused as Hermione turned and looked at him curiously.

“What?” she asked obliviously. Harry cracked another small smile as his arm found its way to her shoulders and squeezed them gently.

“I don’t have anything I have to do today. Why don’t I come with you and help you with whatever you want?” he suggested. Hermione smiled.

“You don’t have to Harry,” she mumbled.

“Well too bad. Let’s go,” he responded happily, sliding out of the booth seat and offering a hand to Hermione for her to get out.

Harry and Hermione went on their way and Ron was heading off up to the Puddlemere stadium to get things squared away for their vacation.

Ron apparated to the main tower where all the offices were. The white tile floor radiated the afternoon sun and the windows shimmered from the rays pouring in at different angles. He continued to walk down the window-lined hallway, with its high ceiling. He carried his robe in one hand and his feet clicked lightly on the floor as he went.

Finally, Ron came to the door he was looking for. He knocked and the door immediately opened. Ron stepped into coach Dawson’s office and had a seat.

“Coach, I just wanted to tell you that I’ll be gone for two weeks, starting next Saturday.”

Coach John Dawson was roughly thirty-five years old, about six-foot tall and blond hair. His eyes were brown and his body was as average as they get. Being a quidditch coach for Puddlemere kept him in good enough shape. He looked at Ron from behind his desk.

“Oh? Where will you be going?” He asked him. Ron smiled at him.

“My friends are dragging me along on that muggle cruise thing. We all need a vacation and I’ve been saving my time for this.”

John looked at him some more and smiled. “Well do me a favor, will you?” he asked.

Ron blinked in a curious but lost way. “Sure,” he answered reluctantly.

“If you get sunburned while you’re gone, don’t complain when you come back because it will make me that much more anxious for a vacation.”

Ron smiled, grateful he wasn’t going to say something to nag him.

“Besides, you’ll be expecting a heavy practice when you get back, won’t you?” he said slyly. Ron faked a smile but his insides turned outward at being able to take a proper vacation for the first time in two years.

“I’ll be looking forward to it, John,” Ron responded.

“Alright then. Well look at the time,” he paused, looking at the clock on the wall in front of him. “I’ve got a meeting with the international Quidditch board.

Ron jumped out of his seat. “I better get to the agency and get everything squared away for this vacation.”

John looked at him as he walked with Ron to the door. “You’re sure your friends are dragging you along? Or was this your idea,” he said slyly.

Ron rolled his eyes. “Like I would plan this,” he said with a fake tone.

“Right, well I’ll see you at practice on Tuesday then,” John responded, brushing off Ron’s comment because he knew better.

The day disappeared quickly into night with all the preparations being made to be able to leave town and country for two whole weeks. Hermione plopped herself down on her sofa in her living room, and Harry followed soon after; both very wrecked from a full day of rearranging furniture and sorting through Hermione’s stuff for anything Peter had given to her. The part that messed them over was the emotional strain the sorting caused. The furniture was moved by magic, as expected. Of course, they tossed those things of Peter’s in a box to be forgotten. Harry didn’t know, but Hermione actually got rid of the said box of disaster by throwing it out her window and into the pond below.

Harry looked at an exhausted Hermione leaning against the arm of the sofa. She slowly turned her head to look at him.

“Harry, do you think Ron’s really serious about going on this trip,? She questioned, gently pulling her feet up on the sofa to be more comfortable.

Harry rested both his arms out on the back of the sofa and stared at the floor to think. “You know, I don’t think he’s ever suggested anything freely unless he was really interested in it,” he finished, turning his head back to look at her. She smiled. “I don’t think we have to worry. We all need this vacation more than anyone will know.”

Hermione bit her bottom lip. “Harry, I have a question.”

He looked at her for a moment. “Sure.”

“Was Peter really that bad? I mean you two could never get along.”

Harry tipped his head back and sighed. “We got along for the same reasons you and Cho get along.”

Hermione wrinkled her forehead. “But, Harry, we never got along.”

Harry brought his head back up. “Exactly.”

Hermione nodded slowly as she began to understand what had been going on between her boyfriend and Harry.

“He was jealous of our friendship. Same with Cho,” Harry responded, finishing Hermione’s thoughts out loud. She looked at him and smiled.

“Funny isn’t it?”

Harry shook his head in slight confusion. “I’m sorry, what is?” he asked, genuinely lost.

Hermione almost laughed but just smiled instead. “I think we’re going to live the rest of our lives with that jealousy from whomever we date or marry.”

Harry went silent for a moment. “Yeah,” he said, halfway out of this world. Hermione waved a hand in front of his face and when she got his attention she moved into him slowly, giving him a gentle hug. Harry was a little surprised and gradually wrapped his arms around her waist.

“Thanks Harry, you were a big help today.” She whispered in his ear. Harry felt chills run over his skin.

He pulled her away and brushed a section of hair away from her forehead. “Any time,” he responded, pulling her back into a hug. “So what should we do tomorrow?” he asked.

Hermione jumped back a little and stared at him. “Harry!” she giggled. “Don’t you have better things to do than spend all your time with me?” she asked teasingly. Harry looked up at the ceiling and thought about it for a moment as he bit his bottom lip.

“Well I guess you’re right,” he said half seriously. Finally he brought his eyes back to hers and started laughing. “I honestly can’t think of a better way to spend my weekend. We should go shopping for our trip tomorrow.”

Hermione smiled sweetly at him and hugged him again.

5. It

The next week soon passed before everyone’s eyes and it was the morning of the trio’s start of vacation. It was ten in the morning and things were as hectic as could be. Hermione met up with Harry at his house and the two of them made sure everything was ready to go as they waited for Ron.

Unfinished business had been taken care of during the past week. Harry finally broke things off with Cho so he could enjoy his vacation, guilt free. She of course had thrown a fit when Harry wouldn’t tell her where he was going. Being the controlling person she was, she threatened him by saying he couldn’t come crawling back to her.

“I think I can handle that,” he had told her in an all too happy tone. In response to that, she stormed out of the restaurant they were in. All in all, Harry was quite relieved.

Hermione also had her own things to wrap up. Peter had sent her an owl every hour until she responded. At the end of the second day of getting these owls, she wrote back telling him she was seeing someone new. He didn’t write back after that.

But now the crazy week is over and time for vacation…

Harry and Hermione raced around Grimmauld place aimlessly, looking for things. Harry passed through the kitchen and heard a loud ‘pop’ come from the living room. Hermione must have been thinking the same thing because she followed Harry in there. Ron had appeared into the living room.

He stood there, looking ready to take anything that came his way. “You two ready to go?” he asked.

Harry and Hermione sighed, feeling out of breath. “We would be if Harry didn’t misplace his shoes,” Hermione joked. Harry gave her a sarcastic glare, making her laugh.

“Yeah well at least it only took me an hour to shop for the stuff I need on this trip,” he shot back sarcastically.

“Harry!” she scolded with a smile, slapping him in the arm. Ron shook his head.

Harry stepped up the stairs for his shoes and came back down. “Are you ready to go or not? We have to be there in a little less than an hour, so let’s go,” Ron reminded them. Harry and Hermione shrank down their things and stuffed them into their traveling bags.

Ron nodded, seeing that they were ready to go and watched them slip their arms through the shoulder straps of their bags. The three of them moved together and linked hands, then apparated to the wizarding part of San Francisco, California; in the United States of America.

“Wow look at this place,” Hermione said as the three of them stood on a bridge leading to their ship. It was still dark outside, due to the time change. Here, it was three in the morning.

Lights shimmered along the bridge and reflected in the water. The three of them got over the sight of things and walked quickly over the bridge due to the amount of excitement running through their veins. As soon as they reached the end of the bridge, they turned to each other.

“Ron?” Harry asked nervously. Ron looked at him, feeling the same thing.

“Yeah Harry?”

Hermione gazed up and down the dock as they figured things out.

“Did you happen to check which ship is ours?” Harry asked out the corner of his mouth as he looked at the six gigantic ships in the water in front of him.

Ron’s eyes widened and he searched menacingly through the pockets in his jeans. He pulled out the paper and opened it all the way and looked for the name of the ship.

A few nervous moments went by. “Ron! Please tell me it’s on there.” Hermione said.

“Here it is!”

Harry and Hermione looked at each other, relieved, and let out the breath they were holding.

“It’s called Pacific Dawn,” Ron said, folding up the paper and stuffing it back in his pocket.

The three of them set off along the dock, looking at the names of all the ships. They reached the end of the line, and also the biggest ship of them all. On the front was a plank labeled ‘Pacific Dawn.’

“I guess this is us,” Harry said, staring in awe at the ship in front of them. The other two were doing the same thing as well.

A staff member, obviously belonging to their ship came up to them.

“Are you boarding this morning,” he asked happily. Hermione, Harry and Ron all nodded with smiles on their faces, still a little stunned that they were even here.

“Ron, give him the tickets,” Hermione said, earning her a little encounter with the guy standing in front of them.

“Have you been on one of these before?” He asked. Hermione shook her head.

“No, but my parents have. They’re muggles.”

“Oh, that makes sense.”

Ron handed over the tickets to the guy and he turned around. “Follow me please,” he responded. The three of them followed him across the narrow bridge to the entrance of the ship.

Hermione looked down and automatically grabbed Harry’s arm. “Hey, I need that,” Harry responded. Hermione let go, gave him a sarcastic look and stepped onto the ship, relieved to have made it safely across. Harry and Ron followed immediately after and laughed at her behavior.

They continued to follow the guy down a pathway on the outer side of the ship. He opened a door that read: Suite 101. He held the door open and the three of them walked inside.

“This is where one of you will be staying. You’re booked for three separate rooms, each side by side. Oh, I’ll be your attendant for most of the trip so you can just call me Tom.”

Hermione smiled and looked around at the room. Something caught her eye and she turned around, smiling at them. “This room is mine!” she answered. Harry and Ron looked at each other and shrugged.

“Fine, whatever,” Ron said. Tom smiled politely.

“Alright boys, I’ll show you to your rooms. Can I get your name, miss?” he asked, gesturing to Hermione.

“Hermione Granger,” she answered as she looked around the room.

“Well Miss Granger, we’ll be leaving soon. Since it’s still very early in the morning, you might want to get some sleep.”

Hermione nodded and looked around her room as Tom took Harry and Ron away to their rooms. She opened a door to her bedroom, ignoring all the other magnificent things in her quarters and took one look at the bed before crawling onto it and relaxing into the softness of the mattress.

6. The Horizon

Sorry I didn’t put in too much detail about the break-up with Cho. I did that on purpose to get the story moving along, but you’ll find out more later on in the story. But until then, here’s more!

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The ship set sail with a low rumble deep in the engine, marking the starting point of the trio’s vacation of a lifetime. Mostly everyone on the one and a half thousand passenger ship remained asleep in the early hours of the journey. Harry, Ron, and Hermione each had a suite, to themselves. There was a huge living room, complete with two sofas, a coffee table, a bookcase, and a muggle television. Off to the side somewhere was a small dining area, just big enough to fit a table and chairs, and a couple counter spaces with appliances for making drinks or any quick food. There was a decent-sized bathroom with a jetted tub, and a side balcony overlooking the sleek ocean. The bedroom had its own walk-out garden, which also linked the trio to each other with the shared balcony-garden.

This was the life. The bedroom was possibly the most relaxing of places in the suite. The beds were king-sized with feather down-comforters and one ceiling-high post on each of the corners to give it an added boost of sophistication. Each of their suites was a bit different in the layout in order for the three of them to share a balcony-garden on the deck.

Harry rolled over in his bed onto his stomach and looked out the window of his bedroom. He saw the garden out through the double glass doors and also noticed that the sun was now up. He raised his head up off the pillow a bit and squinted at the bright sunlight radiating throughout his large room. His eyes still felt quite tired but that soon changed when he saw someone step out into the garden. It was Hermione.

She was leaning against the railing and looking out onto the water. The deck, or level they were on was called the Horizon deck; and for good reason. They were the lowest deck that had a balcony over-looking the ocean, with at least five more decks above them. Most of the space of the upper decks was the recreation and dining areas.

Harry sat up in his bed with the blankets still covering his legs. He watched contently as Hermione’s glossy sienna hair lightly coasted through the light breeze. She had her arms folded on the metal railing and the sun showed off each delicate highlight in her hair. Harry seemed to think she was sifting through her thoughts as she just stood there, calm as could be. He was also surprised Ron wasn’t out there yet.

Letting out a light sigh, Harry crawled out from under his light blankets and went into the bathroom to get ready for his first day of adventure at sea. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying desperately to tame it, but it was no use. After a few moments of being satisfied with his appearance, Harry looked around the white and green marble bathroom for anything out of the ordinary. Sure enough, Harry noticed a basket in the corner labeled: laundry. He rolled his eyes in a happy way, thinking how interesting it would be to do his laundry the muggle way; if he chooses to do so, that is.

One last look in the mirror and Harry walked out to his bedroom, placing a hand on the sliding glass door. He stood there for a minute. Hermione was still standing in her same stance. A second later, he slid the door back and shut it quietly behind him. Hermione didn’t notice anything.

Harry crept quietly along the deck and placed his hands softly on Hermione’s shoulders and slid them halfway down her arms.

“Finally decided to get up, I see,” Hermione commented, knowing who it was without turning around.

Harry smiled and rested his chin on her shoulders, stretching out his arms to grasp the railing on each side of her. “How long have you been out here,” Harry asked soothingly, taking in the scenery.

Hermione shifted her weight into her other leg and took in a cleansing breath before letting it out again. “Oh, not long really. About a half hour I suppose,” she finished, smiling to herself.

Harry was still leaning up against her but moved to her left and occupied his own piece of railing. Casually he rested his arms across it and felt the cool pacific breeze whirl around him. His eyes were closed, but if they weren’t, he would see how Hermione was observing him.

His eyes snapped back open and he looked at Hermione, turning around to lean his back against the railing casually. “So how are you doing today? Feeling better about the Peter thing?” he asked.

Hermione turned her head to face him and smiled. “Yes Harry. It’s just an amazing feeling being here with my two best friends and no one else to bother us.”

“Sure is,” Harry replied in almost a dazed whisper.

Hermione smiled. “Ron should be out any minute. I talked to him before you came out here and he said he would unpack his things into his closet and be right out.”

Harry nodded. “Well that’s fine. Is there anything you needed to talk about before we kick this vacation into full gear? I mean, I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable doing things if you just want some time to yourself,” Harry said in a sincere tone.

“Harry, I really appreciate that. But don’t be silly! This is our vacation. How long have we waited for this?” she asked.

Harry thought about it for a minute. “Too long,” he answered back. Hermione nodded to agree with him.

“That’s right,” she said defiantly. Then she inched closer to him and put a flat hand on his chest. “Really, I’m fine Harry. I’m here to have fun with my two best friends,” she said in a soothing tone. Harry put his hand on hers while it was still on his chest and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“I just want you to have fun.”

Hermione smiled and reached up to give him a kiss on the cheek while she wrapped her arms around his neck. “You’re a wonderful friend, Harry. Ron is too. I don’t know what I would do without you guys.”

Harry chuckled and pulled back to look at her. “You’d probably have a lower blood pressure, not having to put up with our shenanigans.”

Hermione laughed into his chest and slapped him playfully in the arm as she pulled away. “I’m going to go get some things out of my room, then I’ll be back out.”

Harry nodded and smiled at her as she trailed her hand across his chest. Harry followed her arm with his until their fingers met when she walked away.

Just then Ron came out. “Hey, Harry! Where’s Hermione?” Ron asked. Harry turned around and looked at Ron.

“She went into her room to get a few things. Have a nice nap?” he asked.

Ron smiled. “You know, I think that was the best nap I’ve every had in my entire life!”

The two had a laugh and continued to chatter about the incredible suites they each had. Hermione came back out with her small backpack in her hands, fumbling around in it as she walked toward them. She pulled out a map of the ship and had a seat at the umbrella-shaded glass table. The map fell open nicely and Hermione flattened the folded parts with her hand. Harry and Ron had a seat at the table as well.

“So, what should we do first?” Ron asked Hermione as she studied every detail. She looked up and smiled.

“Isn’t it obvious?” she asked with a sly grin.

7. Outrageous

Harry and Ron looked at each other. “Isn’t what obvious?” Ron asked Hermione. She rolled her eyes.

“Well what’s your gut telling you right now?” she asked with a smile. Ron wrinkled his eyebrows a bit and thought about it.

“I don’t know. But if I don’t eat something soon I might just pass out here and now.” Ron said.

Hermione rolled her eyes some more and stared at him.

“What?” he asked.

“That’s exactly what I meant.” She answered back in a dull, yet amused tone.

Harry looked at Ron and laughed. “Well where should we go? There’s got to be at least ten different restaurants in this place. I mean, look at the size of ship we’re on!” Harry pointed out excitedly.

Hermione shrugged and smiled at Ron and Harry. Her bare arms stretched out some more, showing every little detail in her muscles as she flipped the large piece of paper over to see where all the restaurants were.

“Harry, what time is it?” Hermione asked, still looking at the map of the ship.

Harry squinted his eyes to look through the glass of her bedroom. “Just after eight.”

“Okay. Well we’ve got some fancy dining areas we can go to, there’s a breakfast bar we can go to up on the main level, or there’s always room service,” Hermione’s eyes still scanned over the paper a little bit more and then she looked up at them as they thought about it.

“I think we should save the fancy dining for dinner. So that leaves all the smaller shops and bars,” Harry suggested.

“Great point, Harry,” Hermione said with a gentle smile on her face.

Being that they had put their two cents in, so to speak, Harry and Hermione looked at Ron. “Well?” Harry asked.

“Yeah sure. Leave me to make the decisions. I’m the one that got us on here in the first place,” he said impatiently.

Hermione exchanged an uncertain, yet sarcastic look with Harry. “Ron, I’m sure it was your dad’s idea. First of all, he’s the minister now and he’s the muggle lover. But that’s beside the point. What do you want to do?” Hermione asked finally.

Ron gave her a sarcastic smirk and thought about it for a few moments. “I say we go for room service!” he suggested happily, rubbing his hands together in excitement.

“Room service it is!” Hermione concluded.

“Sure why not,” Harry said. “I’ve always wanted to try room service the muggle way.”

Hermione and Ron laughed and got up from the table. Harry stayed seated and gazed around as the other two started inside. Hermione had her eyes glued to the paper for instructions when she turned around again and had a seat where she was before. Ron came back out looking confused.

“Okay how are we supposed to enjoy room service if we can’t even order it?” Ron asked with his hands supporting him against the door frame. Hermione smiled at Harry and then rolled her eyes at Ron.

“Sit down Ron. Says here that we can order from the balcony.” She turned her eyes away and started looking around. “Now where’s that switch?” she asked in a concentrating tone.

Ron planted himself in the chair facing the water and looked at Harry and Hermione. “Harry?” he asked.

Harry snapped his head up from his fixed gaze on Hermione figuring things out. “Yeah?”

“Do you mind switching me spots? I’m getting a little…uh…seasick. And eating isn’t going to help it.”

Hermione looked up from the paper at Harry and then saw the pained and pleading look on Ron’s face. She laughed then Harry stood to get up. She reached out an arm to him, urging him to sit down. “Ron, you can switch with me. The water doesn’t bother me,” she said. Ron gave her a thankful expression and stood up to switch her spots.

Hermione was now facing the water. Ron and Harry sat on each side of her at the circular glass table.

Since the table was scooted up against the railing, that only left open three spots. Hermione went back to getting things ready to order when she felt the switch under the table. She flipped it with a light press of her finger and jumped back when a section in the center of the table opened up and a shallow open box lifted to the top. There was a phone hooked to the bottom with a red button on it. Harry and Ron looked at it.

“Uh-oh. Looks like we have to order the muggle way,” Ron said, sounding a bit thrown off.

“Well what did you expect? We didn’t come here to relax and be lazy.” Harry and Ron smirked at her. “Okay so maybe we did, but that’s not the point. Anyway, if you two are too chicken, I’ll go ahead and order.”

She thought about it for a minute and looked around.

“Where are the menus?” Harry asked, looking under the table for amusement. Hermione lifted the silver phone from it’s red velvet casing and revealed the menus. She handed one each to Ron and Harry, keeping one for herself.

They all scanned the menu quickly. “I guess you tell them what number you want, judging by the numbers off to the side of the choices,” Hermione mused.

Harry and Ron shrugged their shoulders and continued in silence as they made their decision. “Hermione, what are cheese blintzes?” Ron asked, wrinkling his face in curiosity as he looked at her.

She smiled. “It’s like pancakes, but thinner. They’re rolled up like a burrito and there’s different cheeses in the middle, like cream cheese and such. You put fruit over them and they’re actually quite good. That’s what I’m having.”

Ron appreciated her expertise when it came to muggle foods. He knew what some things were, but nothing like this. “Do you know what you want, Harry?” she asked, looking over her menu at him.

He looked up from his menu and smiled at her. “Yeah I think I’m going to have the French Toast. That’s number eleven.”

She nodded. “Okay. Ron?”

He looked at her. “The breakfast sampler. Number fifteen on the list.” He put his menu down calmly.

“Alright then we’re ready to order. Harry, hand me the phone, will you?”

Hermione stretched out her arm and Harry handed her the small silver phone, being careful not to drop it. She read over the instructions carefully and picked it up, pushing the red button after she put it up to her ear.

Ron and Harry watched carefully to what she was doing. A faint voice could be heard on the other line and Hermione started to tell them what they wanted for breakfast. She looked up at them with her hand cupped over the mouth piece. They stopped their whispering immediately.

“Harry, how do you want your eggs?”

“Scrambled.”

“Okay, and to drink?”

“Orange juice,” he answered. Ron was watching them like a hawk, being sure not to miss something.

“Ron, same for you.” Hermione said with her hand still covering the mouth piece.

“I’ll have…water. Just water.”

Hermione gave him a funny look and blinked in understanding. She finished ordering everything for them and hung up the phone when she was done.

“So when will it be here?” Harry asked as he observed her carefully.

“She said it will be about fifteen minutes.”

“Fifteen minutes? Fifteen minutes! That’s outrageous!” Ron complained, then he remembered they were doing almost everything the muggle way.

“Ron it’s not that long. Think about it. That’s about the amount of time it takes you to wake up in the morning,” Hermione snickered. Harry chuckled at her comment and smiled at her. Ron’s face went a little red.

8. Refreshing Scent...

Sorry if this update seems a little short. I’m feeling like a zombie after last night. I went to see Lord of the Rings and didn’t get home until 2:30 this morning so I’m a little wiped. I got about 4 hours of sleep because of work but to be honest…it was totally worth it! Ok here’s your update. I’m going to have a better one up after I take a nap…I’m a little out of it :blink:

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Hermione’s hair blew softly in the light breeze as they sat there waiting for their food. Ron was extremely grateful to have a seat that wasn’t facing the tossing waves and he leaned back casually, enjoying the scenery; with the exception of the waves.

The rhythm of the ocean seemed to lull Hermione into a daze, feeling the smooth transition from wave to wave.

Harry looked over at her as they all sat in silence. He watched as she rested her head in her hand with her eyes closed. The sun was beaming down on her, making her skin glisten in its rays. She wore a pale yellow tank top with green palm trees imprinted on the front. Her lower half was dressed in white shorts and she wore thick sandal clogs.

Hermione sighed in contentment and pulled her hair over one shoulder, exposing a side of her neck as it was hidden under her long sections of hair. Harry continued to watch her closely, just glad that she was enjoying herself so far on this trip. Harry was brought out of his thoughts by Ron chattering lightly about the sunshine.

Soon their food was delivered and the three of them ate in silence. Hermione particularly enjoyed poking fun at Ron for having to move away from the view of the tossing waves. Harry was constantly doing things to see if he could catch Ron off guard and make him look at the water, just to see the sickened look on his face. It was simply priceless. Ron just gave his two friends sarcastic looks instead, as he ate his breakfast as quickly as possible.

“What are we going to do today?” Hermione asked as she took the last bite of her food into her mouth. Ron and Harry put their forks down and looked at her.

“I don’t know. What choices are there?” Harry asked. Ron laced his fingers together and listened.

Hermione swallowed her food then moved her plate out of the way to look at the map of the ship. “Well the most obvious choice is swimming. Then we have…” Hermione paused and ran her finger along the page to the next activity. “…well we could take dance classes, or watch a cooking demonstration…”

Hermione gazed at the paper some more for a moment. Harry was the only one that saw Ron rolling his eyes at the thought of taking dance classes, or watching people cook the muggle way.

“Or we can just look over the edge of this balcony and watch Ron get sick,” Harry teased. Ron kicked him under the table.

Hermione laughed and then stopped to silence them with her hands covering each of their mouths. They stopped their teasing with each other and looked at her when she took her hand away.

“Do you hear that?” she asked. Ron and Harry shook their heads.

The two confused boys to each side of her listened closely.

“All I hear is the water splashing from the bo—“

Hermione smiled and cut Ron off. Harry was still listening. “But it’s not just splashing,” she pointed out when she got up from her chair.

Harry watched Hermione take her place at the railing again. She was looking down. “You feeling alright?” Harry asked in a concerned tone as he went up to her and put his hands on her shoulders. Ron soon followed, and, judging by the smile on Hermione’s face when she looked at them, she felt just fine.

“Look. Over there,” she pointed, aiming her finger down at the water. Ron wrinkled up his face and looked down, trying to ignore the yucky feeling he got when he saw how fast they were moving on the water.

Three bottlenose dolphins were jumping alongside the ship, keeping the pace and acting as if they wanted the attention from their audience. Harry scooted up closer on Hermione’s back and looked over her shoulder down at the dolphins. His hands slipped off her shoulders a bit to grip her arms lightly.

Harry smiled at the wonderful sight of dolphins playing in the water below them.

“What are they?” Ron asked.

Hermione smiled up at Harry then turned to look at Ron again. “They’re dolphins, Ron. Water mammals. I’ve always wanted to see one up close. But I can see three right in front of us!”

Hermione looked back down and disappointment spread across her face. The dolphins were gone. Harry looked around and pointed a finger in the direction they had come from. All three dolphins were jumping high in the air and disappeared into the water again.

Hermione smiled and turned around, noticing just how close Harry was to her.

“Harry, you smell nice,” she commented with a smile as she slipped under his arms and out of his grasp. He smiled at her.

“So have we decided what we’re going to do today?” Ron asked.

9. Mission Accomplished

Hermione turned halfway to face Ron. "I think we should wander around a bit. You know, to make sure we know where everything is." She suggested. Ron and Harry nodded along with her casually and proceeded to following her through her bedroom and out into the open walkway outside.

Many other wizards from their world were roaming around the ship as well. It was a big place, and very easy to get lost in. All together there were about thirteen levels, including the sky deck and lower most deck where the hospital wing was. Harry, Ron, and Hermione came to the end of the deck where three sets of stairs were. One went up, one went down, and another one went up in the opposite direction of the other ascending stair case. A sign was posted at the opening of each stair case.

"Hermione, whats up on the Aloha deck?" Ron asked as he read the sign in front of the ascending stairs. Hermione pulled the map out of her pocket.

"Looks like that’s where the spa is located. There’s also some side bars for drinks and other things like that. That’s also where the information on our destinations is located."

"Let’s check it out," Harry said, looking at his two friends for approval. Ron and Hermione nodded with eager smiles on their faces and stepped up the stairs in the bright sunlight after Harry.

Hermione followed behind Harry, thinking of random things as she went. A certain something caught her eye as she watched her friend lead the way to the upper deck. Harry was walking very confidently; something Ron or Hermione hadn’t seen in quite some time. Hermione concluded it must have been this vacation, and most likely the breakup with Cho that had him behaving this way. Hermione smiled and felt Harry’s arm around her waist.

"Watch it, Noni." Harry said. Hermione snapped out of her day dream and realized she almost tripped on the top step. Harry pulled her out of the way.

"Oh, right. Thanks Harry," she said obliviously. Harry and Ron looked at her strangely as she walked passed them, seeming like she didn’t fully know where she was going.

"Uh, Hermione?"

Hermione turned around and looked at Ron. She looked around at her surroundings and walked back over to her friends. "Sorry. I must have been thinking about something."

Harry bent over as Ron walked on and whispered something in her ear.

"Harry, I told you I’m fine. Now let’s enjoy this vacation alright?" she responded with a smile. Harry smiled back at her and wrapped his arm playfully around her shoulders.

Ron stopped in front of one of the drink bars and looked at Harry. "Hey mate, want to grab a drink with me? I’m a bit thirsty."

Harry looked down at Hermione. "Go ahead Harry. I’m just going to check out the board with our destinations posted on it."

Harry smiled and kissed the top of her head then went to sit on a stool with Ron at the canopied bar.

Hermione walked off, smiling, and opened a door to the information office. She turned a corner and found a big bulletin board hanging on the dark blue wall in the empty room.

There at the top, was a list of all activities that would go on at each destination. Hermione pulled a copy of the list from the bulletin and looked over it for a minute. Without looking away from it she started to walk out the door. Once outside she still didn’t take the time to watch where she was going and ran into someone.

Hermione looked up and put her hand over her eyes so she could see better, due to the bright sun beaming on her face. She blinked a bit and the person came into view. His hand was on her arm and Hermione immediately pulled it away. He was a total stranger, about the same age as her, Ron and Harry.

"Hi there. What’s your name?" he asked her. Hermione attempted to ignore him by walking on, holding her paper at her side to move faster.

They guy pulled on her arm and turned her around. "You look familiar, do I know you from somewhere?" he asked with a sly smile.

Hermione gave him a sarcastic look. "I’ve never seen you before in my life. Now please leave me alone," Hermione turned around and started walking again, never looking back.

"My name is Connor! I’m in the Baja deck in room forty-seven!" He shouted. Hermione rolled her eyes. And kept walking. She stopped when she spotted Harry and Ron talking at the bar.

Relief consumed her and she let out the breath she was holding.

Hermione started to chuckle a bit when she saw someone hitting on Harry. The woman also seemed the same age as the three of them and she was really spreading on the charm. Hermione bit her fist and tried to count how many times Harry turned his head to ignore her. Already she lost count. The woman wouldn’t leave him alone. Hermione had an idea that would benefit both her and Harry. She turned around once more and saw Connor staring at her still. So she took in a deep breath and tried not to laugh.

The woman kept running her hand down Harry’s back, completely oblivious to Harry’s body language; telling her to leave him alone.

Hermione closed her eyes tight and opened them again, catching Ron’s attention. He mouthed something to her that looked awfully close to begging her to do something. She smiled wickedly and proceeded to move her feet.

"Please forgive me Harry," she whispered to herself.

Hermione came up to Harry and glared at the woman, then caressed his neck. "Hi honey," she started with a smile and moved to his side to stare at him. She winked and noticed the woman backing off a little, but still not enough.

Harry looked at her strangely but judging by the wink and the pleading look in her eyes, she was up to something, so he played along.

Hermione ran her fingers through Harry’s hair, flirting helplessly with him. She kept glancing at the woman’s expression, clearly disbelieving the entire situation. She still wouldn’t back off.

Very gently, Hermione caressed Harry’s face and pressed her lips to his in a gentle kiss. Ron was having a hard time choking back his laughter at the look on the woman’s face. She gaped at them, appalled. Harry deepened the kiss and kept kissing Hermione gently and slowly. His hands roamed convincingly up her sides and found their way to her back, pulling her in closer. Hermione climbed onto his lap and straddled him, her fingers playing with his hair as they kissed. Moments later the woman left in a huff and Hermione pulled away, blushing, as she climbed off his lap. Harry was a little confused still, but grateful all the same, judging by his loss for words.

"Thanks Noni," he choked out. Ron busted out laughing and put his face down to the counter as he lost control.

"Hermione smiled a bit and sat backwards on a stool to face Harry. "No problem," she replied with a smile.

"What made you do that anyway," Ron asked as he regained his senses and sat back up..

Hermione blushed a little and looked at her hands. "I was being hit on a few minutes ago and when I saw that you were having a hard time getting rid of that…woman, I saw the opportunity to help us both out."

"So you kissed me." He stated.

Hermione smiled with Harry.

He picked up her hand to kiss it. "Well thanks. She just wouldn’t take no for an answer."

"More like she just wanted to jump you no matter what you said is more like it," Ron commented. The three of them all laughed with each other and Hermione looked around; Connor was nowhere in sight. She smiled to herself at her boldness.

10. Take The Plunge

Ok here’s another fun chapter…hopefully. I’ll most likely have the next one up tomorrow. Let me know what you think of this!

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Harry, Ron and Hermione proceeded their venturing around the ship by trudging along the outer deck. Ron’s stomach was feeling better from breakfast and he wasn’t having as hard a time watching the waves crash against the ship. Mostly everyone onboard was near the pool and other recreation areas. The three of them found themselves walking along one of the more quiet decks, with not many people occupying it.

Hermione found an empty part of the stairs nearby and had a seat. Harry and Ron stood by the railing and looked at the crystal blue water as they talked.

“Harry, were you embarrassed at all that Hermione kissed you?” Ron asked.

Harry gave him a sort of confused look and turned around to glance at Hermione before answering. She was leaning on her knees and tapping her fingers against her face. “No Ron, why?” Harry finally answered as he sifted through the question.

“It was just a question. I mean, that was probably the only time I’ve seen Hermione act like that.”

Harry nodded and looked at her again. This time she looked up and smiled, getting up from her spot on the stairs to join them. “Are you two talking about me by any chance?” she asked with a smile and narrowed eyes.

Harry winked at her. “Maybe. What are you going to do about it?” He asked as he playfully wrapped an arm around her shoulders and bringing her closer. His arm around her nearly made her trip on her feet.

“Well if you don’t be nice I might do something. And who knows, maybe next time you get yourself into a rut with another woman I won’t help you!” she teased and started to laugh.

Harry narrowed his eyes at her and made a pouting face. “Hey! That’s not fair! With all these people on this ship I just might need you to help me out again!”

Hermione slapped him in the arm and looked appalled. “Well Mr. Harry Potter can’t seem to keep the girls off his back! That’s a shock,” Hermione teased some more. Ron was laughing at the two of them playing around with each other.

“Harry Potter! Put me down right this minute!” Hermione screeched as Harry sat her up on the guard rail. The only thing keeping her from falling overboard was Harry. He wrapped his arms around her waist and just stood there even though she was squirming.

“What?” He asked obliviously with a huge grin on his face. Ron was laughing at the two of them and Hermione was scared out of her mind. “She said to put her down this minute so that gives me at least thirty-five seconds before I have to let her down.”

Ron looked at Hermione and couldn’t help but laugh. She had her hands gripping the railing quite hard and her knuckles were white. Ron bit on his fist to save his loud laughter for when she got down.

“Ouch!” Harry said loudly as Hermione gripped some of his hair in her hands. “Alright, alright. I’ll let you down.” He said with a smile on his face.

Harry let Hermione slip into his arms and he held her tight until he was far enough away from the edge that she would let go. She held tight to his neck until he bent down and could feel her feet safely on the ground again.

He pulled away swiftly, knowing perfectly well what Hermione’s next move would be. Sure enough, Hermione swung at him with an open hand and a not too pleasant look on her face. Ron jumped back as Harry took off, Hermione following close behind.

Harry pounded the deck with his shoes, praying to get far enough ahead of Hermione to throw her off his trail. No such luck so far. She was close behind him, and Ron was following behind her, so he wouldn’t be lost on the ship by himself.

“I’m going to pummel you into the ground Harry Potter!” Hermione shouted as she rounded a corner after Harry. Lucky for them, not many people were around.

“Oh yeah? You have to catch me first!” he called back with a smile on his face.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him as she saw him turn another corner. Ron was still racing along the deck with them, but was beginning to feel rather tired.

Harry took off through an empty hallway and looked through one of the doors. He slipped in and waited for Hermione to pass.

“Where did he go?” Ron asked when he caught up with Hermione.

They were standing still, catching their breath and looking around for him. He was nowhere in sight. Harry could hear them just a short distance away and could barely choke back his laughter. Hermione and Ron moved on down the hallway past him and Harry slipped back out of the door, heading the opposite way and turning a corner.

“I can’t imagine where he went.” Hermione said quietly. She stopped again and listened. There was a splashing noise coming from around the corner. Ron poked his head around and whipped back to look at Hermione.

“Hermione, there he is,” he whispered, pointing at Harry standing near one of the many secluded outdoor hot tubs. He appeared to be catching his breath and leaned against the sides, bowing his head down to gather his strength back up.

Hermione smiled wickedly at Ron and took off in a run. “You’re going to get it Harry!” She shouted from the other side of the deck, not far from him. Harry turned around and his eyes went big.

He had just enough time to catch Hermione as she jumped at him, pushing him over the edge of the hot tub and into the warm water. Harry grabbed Hermione at the last minute and pulled her in with him. Ron looked on and doubled over in uncontrolled laughter and watched his friends nearly drown each other

11. Out of Sight

Ok I just want to say thanks to everyone who has reviewed…I’m so glad this many people are enjoying my story! Thanks a million! Anyway, here’s more….and two more chapters are on their way! I did a lot of writing last night because I couldn’t sleep so I’ll be posting that today.

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Hermione shot up out of the incredibly warm water and felt the drops trailing down her face. For a few quiet and short moments, she forgot where she was, then she remembered falling in after Harry had pulled her in with him. Her long hair was hanging partly down in front of her face. With one quick swipe it was where it should be and her gaze pierced Harry right down to his core.

He was also standing there in the water, staring straight back at her as he felt the water run down his face and back into the hot tub.

“Well aren’t you just a clever witch?” Harry said in a low dragging tone. Hermione could tell he wasn’t all that happy, but if there’s one thing she did know for sure, it’s his tool of surprise. He could be feeling something one minute, then the next he totally turns around on you.

Hermione clicked her tongue at him and stood up all the way, her clothes sticking to her body. “Oh no. I’m not falling for that one, Harry James Potter,” she said to him, never breaking her gaze that she had on him.

With narrowed eyes he sat himself on one of the higher ledges in the hot tub and stared at her. The way her clothes were sticking to her were cause to make any grown man blush, and that’s exactly what he did.

Ron came up and leaned against the edge. “Well, that was fun wasn’t it?” he asked, breaking the silence. “Well Hermione, looks like you’ve got on yellow knickers today,” he added, trying desperately to keep a straight face.

Hermione looked down and flung her arms at her sides. “I give up.” She then let out a sigh with Harry making his classic pouting face at her.

“What’s the matter? The great Hermione Granger can’t suffer yet another defeat against me? What is this world coming to?” he teased, looking at Ron.

“Yeah, mate. What on earth is going on?” he added sarcastically.

Hermione rolled her eyes at them and hopped up onto the ledge to start drying off. “Well I’ll tell you what’s going on. The world is coming to an end if either of you do anything like that to me again,” she added with a sly smirk.

Harry glanced at her again and felt his body turn inside out. While Hermione twisted the bottom of her pale yellow tank top, a patch of skin was exposed near her belly button. He froze at the sight and trailed his eyes up and down her body. Her wet shirt clung to her like water, which it half was, and it showed off all the curves of her upper body. Then his eyes moved south, along her stomach and down to her legs. Harry choked for a moment when he noticed a little bit of yellow showing through her white shorts. Ron was right, and she was practically see-though now.

Harry snapped out of his thoughts with the sensation of water splashing on him.

“Earth to Harry!” Hermione joked.

Hermione and Ron laughed and booked it away from Harry. He wiped his face of the water Hermione had splashed on him.

Hermione’s feet ached under her as she carried her shoes in her hands. The wooden deck fried the bottoms of her feet, but she kept moving, water dripping off her with each movement. Harry wasn’t far behind. He too, carried his shoes in his hands, which were now soaking wet, and kept a short distance between them.

“I’ll get you Hermione!” he shouted playfully. Hermione turned around and looked at him, running backwards as she did so. She made a face and flipped back around, grabbing onto Ron for support.

They went down some stairs and found themselves out in the corridor to their rooms. Hermione flung herself through her door and locked it immediately after Ron came in. He ran through her suite and out the back door to enter his room. He his door also.

“Hermione! I know you’re in there…open up!” Harry shouted. He was pounding on the door, and wished desperately that he had his wand on him.

Containing her laughter wasn’t an option at this point as Hermione leaned up against the door, laughing madly at him. “Ha! I got you this time—Harry?”

It was too quiet. Harry wasn’t shouting back at her. She pressed her ear against the door to listen. Nothing. Realizing that he finally gave up, Hermione shrugged and went into the bathroom for a towel. She whipped one off the rack and put it to her hair to dry it.

Hermione heard the click of a door in her suite and froze. She bit her bottom lip and poked her head out of the bathroom. No one was there. “Must be hearing things,” she said quietly to herself.

She sighed and went back into the bathroom, slipping quickly out of her wet clothes and into her white robe.

A few minutes later, she came out of the bathroom, holding her towel, it being very wet from her soaked hair. She looked up and jumped; the towel dropped.

“Harry!” she gasped. He had a sly grin on his face and stared at her. “Don’t scare me like that!” she held out a hand to the wall to support her self.

“And why not? You’ve gotten me a couple times today. I thought I would even the score. The next time we’re down by the pool, namely the hot tubs, you better watch out,” he threatened coolly.

The corners of her mouth turned upward at him. “Oh yeah? Well then I guess you have forgotten one little detail.”

She winked at him and walked off to the back door and opened it, stepping outside onto their deck.

“And what’s that?” he asked, watching Hermione closely. When he saw she was going outside, he followed. His eyes brightened at what she was talking about.

“With all the excitement so far today, you and Ron have both overlooked the hot tub in the corner.

Harry smirked and looked at Hermione right as Ron came back out. “Did I miss anything,” he asked. Harry and Hermione laughed at him.

“No Ron. I was just reminding Harry that we have our own hot tub.”

Ron’s eyes lit up and he snapped his head in all directions. “Wicked,” he responded with a smile.

“I think I’m going to relax in my room for a little while.” Hermione said, breaking the still silence the three of them were keeping.

“Yeah. I think I’ll go down to the lower decks and talk to some girls. Harry, want to join me?” Ron declared with a smile.

Harry faked a grin. “No that’s all right. I’m going to sit out here for a while,” he responded. Hermione smiled at the two of them and slowly turned to go inside. Ron left and Harry stood out on the deck, looking over the railing on the North end to the deck below.

A few minutes passed and Hermione came back out, not realizing Harry was still there. He heard her close the door and just then, something caught his eye on the deck below. Hermione came up behind him and put her hands on his shoulders.

“Harry, what’s—“

“Shh…” he said to her. She stood beside him in her robe and looked down to what he was looking at. Her eyes came back up slowly and she looked into his face, trying to look sympathetic.

“Harry, is—is that—Cho?” she asked. Harry looked at her.

“I hope so!” he chimed. Hermione’s forehead wrinkled and she tried to find her voice again.

“I’m sorry? Harry, did you just say you hope that’s Cho?” she said in disbelief.

Harry turned and grinned at her. “You bet.” Hermione smiled evilly.

12. A Dangerous Idea

A few hours passed and dinner time crept up. Many things had happened during the day, but nothing more distracting than seeing Cho on the ship. Harry was up to something, and Hermione knew it. She just didn’t know what it was, and didn’t want to know for that matter.

The three stooges, or as they had behaved, decided to spend their dinner hour at one of the nicer restaurants. There would be dancing, and fine dining. Not to mention, the chance to discuss the events of the day.

Hermione smiled to herself as she got dressed for a fun night with her friends. On the day she went shopping with Harry, she had picked out a dress especially for this vacation, and for when nicer attire would suit better than the usual t-shirt and jeans. Harry picked one out, but she switched it last minute to one she knew he had liked more. He turned that particular dress down because it looked too drafty, and she might get cold. But it was Hermione’s favorite out of them all. So she got it. She also helped Harry with picking out his new clothes. He grabbed a couple nice, button-up shirts and some nice casual-dress pants. The three shirts he decided on were black, maroon, and the usual white. He also got a couple nice cable-knit sweaters for cooler nights.

Harry heard a knock on his back door and rushed to open it. It was Hermione. She was all decked out and ready to go to dinner. His jaw dropped open and he could swear he felt it hit the floor hard. Hermione blushed and looked at him. He didn’t quite have his maroon shirt buttoned up all the way. Harry just gaped at her for a few seconds before snapping out of it and letting her in.

“I thought you got the other dress!” he said in a surprised tone.

“No. I knew you liked this one more,” she said softly, a smile playing on her shiny lips. Harry cleared his throat.

“You know me too well don’t you, Noni,” he stated. He was still staring at her in her sky-blue, one-shoulder strapped dress. It clung to her every curve, and went down to her mid-calf. “Go on, turn for me,” he requested. Hermione smiled and turned slowly, showing off her ensemble. Harry still thought it was a bit drafty as he watched the muscles in her half-bare back contract from the cool air passing over it as she turned. “Incredible,” Harry managed to say as he buttoned up his shirt. “You’re very stunning. I’m sure every guy in the restaurant is going to be looming over you tonight,” he added.

“Thanks Harry,” she blushed. “Here, let me help you.”

Harry was having a bit of difficulty folding down the collar of his shirt. Hermione’s white strap-y heels tapped softly against the tiled floor. “Thanks,” he choked out.

Hermione gracefully slinked her hands around his neck and softly folded down his collar. Once or twice, her fingernails gently scraped against the back of his neck, giving him goose-bumps and totally turning him numb all over. She slowed her fingers a bit, seeing the way he was looking at her. “Honestly, Harry. You’d think I was the only girl you’ve ever seen,” she teased. Harry smiled.

“Well you’re just so stunningly beautiful tonight.”

“There you are,” she said, finishing up with him. “Is Ron going to be ready to go soon?”

“Who knows,” Harry shrugged. “He’s walking down with us but I think he’s going to sit with that girl he met today.”

“Josie, is it?”

Harry nodded. “Yeah that’s it. He told me she was amazing. I’m kind of anxious to meet her. You know, because Ron’s so ecstatic about the whole thing.”

Hermione nodded and looked as if she was about to say something.

“What is it?” Harry asked.

She hesitated for a bit and opted to watching Harry slip on his black shoes. “Oh nothing. It’s not important.”

He stopped for a moment. “If something’s bothering you I want to know, alright?”

“Fine, but we’ll discuss it at dinner. Like I said, it’s not that important.”

“If you say so,” he responded.

A few minutes later, Harry and Hermione headed out of the suite to check on Ron. When he didn’t answer the door, they took that as a hint that he might have gone down with Josie. So they walked together, chatting lightly on the way until they came upon the entrance to the outdoor restaurant, Chenelle’s.

For five minutes they waited, until Ron showed his face with Josie slinked around his arm.

“Harry, Hermione, this is Josie. Josie these are my best friends Harry, and that’s Hermione,” he gestured. Both of them shook her hand and smiled at her.

“Nice to meet you Josie,” Harry said with a smile.

“You too. And—Hermione, right?” she asked, looking at Hermione.

“Yes. It’s Hermione. So Ron, will we be seeing you after dinner? It’s alright if you want to go and do something else. Harry and I have a few things to discuss.”

His face wrinkled up a bit. “Harry, is everything alright?” Ron asked, with Josie still holding firm to his arm.

“Yeah it’s just—“ He paused and looked at Hermione.

“Ron, we saw Cho today. She’s on this ship.”

Ron looked like he just got hit with his own worst Quidditch stats. “She is? Oh Harry, mate, I’m sorry. That’s got to feel—“

“Incredible?” Harry finished for him.

“Not what I was thinking. Just what exactly do you mean by ‘incredible’”

Harry smirked. “Look Ron, it’s not bothering me one bit that she’s on the same vacation as us. I’m just anxious to see her reaction when she sees me here.”

Ron and Hermione laughed. “So that’s what you’re thinking! I thought you were wanting to hook back up with her,” Hermione said, full of relief.

“No way!” Harry said in disgust, then wrapped his arm around Hermione’s waist.

“Well you two, we’ll see you later,” Ron said. Harry and Hermione nodded at him and watched him find a table in a far corner of the open restaurant.

“Harry, if you could do anything to get Cho all hot and bothered, what would it be?” Hermione asked before they stepped through the crowd of tables. She had stopped him and had him looking directly at her as she held onto his arm.

“Well, I’m not sure exactly. I guess it would be funny just to see how she reacts when she sees you with me,” he smirked. Hermione did the same and hugged him gently.

“I’ve got an idea. If you really want--” she whispered into his ear, then pulled away to see the sly smile on his face.

“You read my mind, Noni,” he said with a wink.

She nodded and felt as if the world had just fallen into her grasp. “We just have to make sure we don’t look like we planned this.”

“No problem. Shall we? He held out his arm to her and they walked together into the restaurant.

13. Operation: Kiss Me

Well I’ve had enough reviews since the next chapter so here’s more. I hope you like what I came up with…if not, those wheels are always turning in my head and I’m bound to come up with something better. Thanks guys…you rock!

CHAPTER 13……OPERATION: KISS ME

“So Ron, tell me about your two friends. Are they a couple?”

Ron nearly choked on his ice water at her question. He wiped down his front from the little bit of water that dripped on him and looked into Josie’s heather-toned eyes.

Her light blonde hair shimmered in the moonlight and he couldn’t help but smile at her. “No. I’m afraid they’re not.”

“And why is that? They look so perfect together,” she commented.

Ron started to feel his insides twist a bit and fiddled with his fork, bouncing one end of it on the table. “Well we’re all very good friends. I don’t know what it is. Harry and Hermione—they’re—just very comfortable with each other. It’s always been that way. Both of them just got out of rocky relationships so…”

“It would be awkward,” Josie added in a soft, intelligent tone.

“Exactly! But I don’t know—if they were a couple, I guess I would be the one that would feel awkward. It’s always been just the three of us.”

“Sounds like you’ve got a very solid friendship.”

“We do. Now enough about me. Tell me about yourself.”

Ron leaned forward on his side of the table in interest, resting his arms on the edge and waiting for a response from Josie.

“There isn’t all that much to tell. I come from a big family. I’m an only child but I’ve got a very large extended family. Probably the most interesting thing about me is that I can sing.”

Ron’s eyes lit up. “You sing? Well you’re going to have to prove that to me sometime.”

Josie blushed and moved a lock of her blonde hair out of her face. “Well I haven’t done any solos for a while so unless you find someone else to sing with me, you’re out of luck.”

Ron smirked and tapped his fingers on the table. “What about her,” he pointed to the woman entertaining the customers with her beautiful voice.

“Very funny.”

“Oh come on! She sings too!”

Ron and Josie sat and talked for a few minutes. Meanwhile, Harry and Hermione were talking about Cho and looking around to see if she would be there.

“There she is!” Hermione said to Harry, tapping him lightly in the shin with her foot. Harry turned in his seat and looked behind him. Sure enough, Cho came strolling in with someone on her arm.

“Isn’t that Tom? The guy that showed us to our rooms?” Harry asked.

Hermione squinted a bit to get a better look. She caught his eye and he smiled at her, winking just as Hermione turned back around. “Sure is.” She said calmly and taking a sip of her strawberry lemonade.

“Now what was it you were going to tell me earlier? You said you would tell me at dinner and,” he gestured with his arms, announcing their presence. “Here we are!”

“Alright. It was actually just a quick question I had for you.”

Hermione gingerly put her strawberry lemonade down and gazed into his eyes, clear and green as they always were. “Harry, why is it that you didn’t go with Ron earlier today to go look for girls?”

Harry sighed contently and leaned back in his chair, looking deep into her eyes. “I guess it’s because I don’t feel comfortable being around women right now. Except for you of course. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s like—“

“Sorry Harry. Cho just sat down.”

“Right. So what’s the plan.”

Hermione knew very well how to get Cho to notice they were there. She leaned carefully over the table and whispered in Harry’s ear. He nodded and she got up out of her seat, heading toward the bathrooms.

The loneliness Harry suddenly felt with Hermione leaving him there was torture. He felt as if the entire world was staring at him. His feet began to tap anxiously under the table, waiting for Hermione to come back. Then it happened. He caught Cho’s eye.

At first she just stared, giving off the feeling of a thousand needles driving into his skin. This was it. She was going to fly off the handle at any given moment. To Harry’s surprise, she got up from her table and came over, sitting in Hermione’s seat.

“Well Harry. It’s definitely a surprise seeing you here.”

Harry stared, almost ready to leave the restaurant at any moment. “Likewise,” he said in a plain tone, making her feel uncomfortable immediately.

“Are you here with someone? Because if you’re not, I’d really like to--” she began, running her foot up his leg.

Just then, Hermione returned, saving Harry from the horror he was going through. “Hey sweetie,” she greeted. Harry looked away from Cho and up to Hermione as she stood above him. Her perfume wafted through their area and it sent shivers down his spine. She started to work her magic and trailed her fingers down one cheek, ever so softly, and planted a sweet kiss on him. Her hands moved to his shoulders, massaging them gently, and moving back up to his face.

Harry instinctively put one arm around her waist as she stood in front of him, kissing him deeply, but most of all, convincingly. Her half-exposed back tingled under his touch as he moved his hands to caress her soft skin. During the last moments of the kiss, Harry moved his hands down her arms, making her go all funny again. Then they pulled away from each other. Hermione had a sort of stunned look on her face, but washed it away at remembering Cho was watching them.

Cho’s mouth was open, and she was at a total loss for words. For a very short time though. “Harry, sorry I bothered you. I guess I’ll just go back to my boring date because the person I came with is busy right now.” She left in a huff, hinting that she wanted him to feel bad for her.

Harry chuckled into Hermione’s mouth as Cho walked away. Hermione had a seat next to Harry, instead of taking back the one Cho had just occupied. Harry leaned into Hermione when he was sure Cho was watching and pecked her softly on the lips. She smiled at him and felt chills run throughout her entire body, like a sonic wave, when Harry put his hand softly on her leg.

“I think we got her. Hopefully she won’t bother us the rest of this trip.”

“If we’re lucky. But Harry, didn’t you hear the part where she said she was with someone else. Sounds to me like Tom was a last minute thing.”

“Yeah, I wonder who she really came with.” Harry said, looking at Hermione and giving her a wink of thanks before bumping her chin up to kiss her once more.

14. An Unexpected Guest

Once again here I am thanking everyone for the awesome reviews I have been getting. I hope this is a long enough update for all of you! I think it might be longer than the first chapter, and that was really really long. Let me know what you think and I might update tomorrow!

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Dinner came and went rather quickly, and, with all the buzz about sharing a ship with Cho, that made it fly by even quicker. Hermione reminisced a bit about the night’s events, and couldn’t shake the horrified look on Cho’s face from her mind. She was just simply awe-struck at seeing the two most unlikely people in a lip lock. Though, Cho’s most famous excuse for not liking Hermione was because she was ‘too friendly.’ If that could be possible.

The restaurant slowly emptied, leaving just a few people at their tables. Harry caught Ron’s gaze and saw the surprised, yet accusing look on his face. Josie linked her arm with Ron’s and strolled over to the ‘pretend couple.’

“Harry, that was some display of affection you showed Cho,” he said slyly.

Harry looked at him and then at Hermione, who was blushing. “It was just a spur of the moment thing and—Hermione, you alright?” Harry asked.

All their attention was turned to Hermione. She had her hands covering her face. When she heard Harry’s voice, those hands came down to reveal a very red face. “Harry, I’m so embarrassed. That must have looked so awful to everyone, kissing you like that in front of Cho.”

Ron started to laugh. “That was bloody brilliant! Hermione, you forget, we don’t know that many people here, at least not yet. But you’ve got a point. You’re the last one I expected to do something like that.”

Hermione looked at Harry with a pleading face. “Look, I feel a little odd about it too. I mean, Cho didn’t even know we were here and the first thing she reacts to is us kissing.” He answered.

“Well, I think I’ve had enough excitement to last me a century. I’m going to go on up to bed,” she responded with a sigh. Ron and Harry nodded. “It was nice to meet you, Josie,” Hermione added before taking her bag off the table and heading out to the stairs.

“Hermione wait!” Harry called. She stopped and turned to look at him. He jogged over to her to catch up. “I’ll walk you to your room. It’s the least I can do. I mean, in a sense you were my date tonight.”

With a gently smile and the color returned to her face, she walked with Harry out of the restaurant.

The cool night air coming from the cold water below, and the scent of it, cleared Hermione’s mind in an instant. The only light surrounding them was that of the moon. It illuminated her pale blue dress, making it seem like she was in a spot light. She walked along Harry in silence as they casually made their way to their rooms. His hands were stuffed in his pockets, clearly sending the signal that he was thinking rather hard about something.

“Harry, are you all right?” she asked in a concerned tone. Harry looked up at her.

“Yeah fine.”

Hermione looked at him skeptically and reached into her bag for her room card-key. Her skin glistened under the moonlight, catching Harry’s attention as he gazed at her half exposed back. Hermione slid her card-key through the slot and the door popped open. She walked in a short distance and put her things down. Harry was still standing in the doorway, hands in his pockets, and eyes locked on the floor.

Hermione came up to him with a smile on her face and gripped the upper most part of his shirt that was unbuttoned. This brought him back to reality and he looked at her. She was fumbling with his shirt, as if to be straightening it a bit. His eyes met hers very slowly.

“Harry, I don’t want this thing with Cho to bother you so much. I mean, if it’s tearing you up so badly that you wish you were still with her, what are you doing, standing here in my doorway for?”

“What? Oh, no! I’m not—“ he began, cluing into what Hermione was implying. “Believe me, she’s the last woman on my mind right now.” He scoffed the subject to the side and looked at Hermione.

“Oh?” she smirked. “Would you be thinking about Josie then?”

“Why would I be thinking about Josie?”

Hermione shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe it was those incredible steely heather eyes that caught your attention. Or perhaps it was the long blonde hair. Or maybe, just maybe, it was Josie in general that’s got you all—“

“No, no, no.” Harry interrupted, shaking his head. Hermione took her hands away from his chest, fully realizing she got caught up in the feel of his body under her touch. “I’m just a little tired is all.”

“Well then I suggest you go get some sleep. We’ll be in Hawaii tomorrow, well actually, probably in just a few hours. But I’m not staying up to see it come into view.”

“I agree.” Harry said, leaning casually into the open door’s frame and staring at her. “I wonder what we’ll be doing tomorrow when the sun comes up. You up for another water fight, Noni?” he teased.

Hermione squinted her eyes at him and slugged him lightly in the arm. “Very funny. Well, goodnight Harry,” she said softly, turning to walk back into her room to shut the door.

Harry grabbed her hand and softly pulled her into a hug. “Sorry if I made you uncomfortable earlier. I guess we both got caught up in…well I don’t know exactly what it was. But I’m sorry.” He whispered into her ear. Hermione pulled away and looked at him, a smile slowly forming on her lips.

“Harry, don’t worry about it. Honestly, I’ll be fine. But get some sleep so we can enjoy our day tomorrow. I want to get out of here early.” She said.

Harry nodded and let go. Before he could turn to leave, Hermione landed a soft kiss on his cheek and walked into her room.

For the rest of the night, and into the early hours of sunrise, Hermione remained asleep in her room, with Harry next door to her, and Ron next door to Harry.

The waves crashed on the shore as the ship ‘Pacific Dawn,’ sailed to port in Hilo, Hawaii. It was around eight o’clock in the morning and the sun was shining brightly on the palm trees and clear blue ocean.

Harry was sleeping very deeply and peacefully when something brought him out of his precious slumber. A loud slamming noise was issuing from the outer deck that joined their three rooms. Harry’s head snapped up as he lay on his stomach. He bobbed around a bit and looked out the back door. His head hit the pillow again when he realized it was Hermione.

She was standing out in the fresh air, soaking up the burning sun and clearly excited that finally, their vacation was about to go into full swing. Her hands were pale from gripping the guard rail in order to lean down a bit for a better view. The water was impossibly clear, with the rocks on the bottom very visible from where the ship had docked. A low rumble rolled throughout the ship as it finally came to a stop and the engines shut down. Hermione clapped her hands together in excitement and pivoted around in her spot, contemplating on which of the boys to wake up first.

Her spaghetti-strap sun-dress twisted in the calming breeze, tingling her skin as it touched her legs. A smile tugged through to the corners of her lips as she looked through the glass door of Harry’s suite to see that he was awake. That settled it. He would be the easiest to get going.

Hermione grasped the golden door handle on Harry’s door and slipped in quietly. His back was turned to her, his bare back, as he fumbled through something in his closet. Hermione bit her bottom lip and fought back the urge to run up to him and stroke his masculine skin. It was way too tempting for her to digest. She must have made a noise to alert him of her presence because he turned around quickly, still in his loose sleeper pants and stared at her.

“Hermione! You scared me!” he gasped, dropping the clothes he picked for the day, to the floor.

“I uh—sorry Harry,” she choked out, tripping on her own words at seeing Harry’s strong muscular upper body facing her. His skin glistened in the bright sunlight reflecting off the glass door.

“So, any word yet as to what the plan is?” he asked, placing his shorts on the bed to pull his t-shirt over his head.

Hermione shook her head nervously and saw Harry step out of his pants, standing there for a few moments in just his boxers. She turned around to give him some privacy. “I think they might tell us our options at breakfast down on the main deck. They’re serving us outside in the open sun.”

Harry chuckled. “Hermione, why are you turned around? It’s not like you haven’t seen me in my boxers before,” he teased.

Hermione turned around, her face raspberry red. “Sorry, Harry. It’s just an automatic reaction.”

“Don’t be sorry. And what’s with you being sorry about everything lately?” he asked as he buttoned up his blue denim shorts.

She shrugged at his question. “I don’t know.”

“Well, it hadn’t better be about Cho because we’re not going to let her ruin our vacation. I’m here with you—and Ron, so don’t worry about it, alright?”

Hermione smiled at him. “You’re right, Harry. It’s just that—“

“Shh—“ he interrupted, putting a finger to her lips to calm her. “No excuses.”

She smiled under his finger and willingly took in the scent radiating throughout the room from his very skin.

“Now that’s settled, where’s Ron?”

Hermione shrugged. “Most likely sleeping. We should go wake him.”

“How do we know he even came home last night?” he smirked, earning him a back-handed slap on the arm from Hermione. He laughed. “All right, all right! We’ll go get him up.”

“Honestly, Harry. Ron’s not the type to go off with some girl the day he meets her. We all know perfectly well how picky he is.”

He rolled his eyes at her and followed her through his back door to go get Ron. What they saw once outside was something totally unexpected. Ron was sitting outside on the edge of the hot tub, looking quite bothered.

Harry glanced at Hermione and back at Ron. “Is everything all right?”

“Ron, you look terrible! What’s eating at you this morning?” Hermione added. Ron took the grip he was holding on his hair and rested his hands on his knees. “I feel terrible. I totally blew of Josie last night when she wanted to go swimming.”

“What? Why?” Harry chimed. Ron looked at him.

“I don’t know. I got spooked I guess. And I would have kissed her too, but that’s when I started feeling all funny.”

“About what?” Hermione asked calmly, having a seat beside him. She draped one arm over his shoulder and waited patiently for him to slip out of his self-loathing.

“Oh I don’t know! Maybe it’s those pale gray eyes of hers, or that bright blonde hair! It just dawned on me how much she reminded me of someone else. You put two and two together!”

Hermione looked up at Harry, his eyes growing wider with each syllable Ron spit out. “Ron, you’re just paranoid. You know that as well as we do.”

“Harry’s right, Ron. Besides, what ever made you think of Malfoy at a time like that?” she nearly teased. Ron shot her a piercing glare and tightened his knuckles.

“That’s easy. She looks like a Malfoy! Think about it…how many people do we know that have blonde hair like that.”

“Plenty. There’s a lot at the minis—“

“WITH the gray eyes to match?” Ron spat, cutting Hermione off completely. “Besides, she told me she comes from a big family.”

“Well, she didn’t act like a Malfoy to me,” Harry countered. Hermione looked at him and nodded.

“He’s right. Ron you’re just getting all upset over nothing. Just go find Josie and have fun.” Hermione suggested, nudging Ron’s shoulders in a friendly hug.

“I guess I could do that,” he said in a bored tone. “And I thought we were supposed to be in Honoluwhatever today.”

Hermione chuckled at his choice of words. “It’s Hon-o-lu-lu. And it seems there’s been a change of plans. Today, it’s Hilo, and I’m totally anxious to go hiking up the hills and play in the waterfalls.” She said excitedly.

Harry glanced at her for a moment and noticed a shimmery-red string connecting at the nape of her neck, tied in a bow. He realized what it was and looked back at Ron.

“So, now what? Are we going to get some breakfast?” Harry asked with a smile on his face.

The three of them proceeded down onto the main deck where some white round tables with umbrellas were arranged for the guests. It was filling up rather quickly, and Harry and the others all got a taste as to who was on the ship. Hermione’s eyes widened and she suddenly felt a panic rush through her. She was absentmindedly searching for Harry’s sleeve to tug on it, and when she found it, that’s exactly what she did.

Harry turned in his seat and looked up. Seated not ten tables down the deck from them was Cho, and someone else with their menu purposely up high enough to hide his face. But Harry, Ron or Hermione couldn’t mistake him for someone else. Harry recognized the stupid light brown hair right away.

“Peter. I’ll kill him!” Harry said with a clenched jaw. Hermione turned quickly in her seat and scooted herself so that her back was to them.

She buried her head in her hands, trying to hide herself. “I can’t believe Peter’s here, and with Cho.”

Harry still gritted his teeth and tore his eyes away from the site. “Well that just confirms my sneaky suspicions about Cho seeing someone else.” His words totally fell out of his mouth and Harry wished he hadn’t said anything. Hermione’s eyes were red, and he knew perfectly well that’s what she looked like when she was fighting back tears.

“Noni, I’m sorry. Really, my mouth just got carried away.”

“Don’t worry about it. So, what are we going to have for breakfast today?” she swerved the subject around.

Harry felt like wrapping her in a tight hug, but decided to leave that for another time, after breakfast. The attendant came around and prepared to take their order. Without much patience, Hermione spoke up immediately.

“I’ll have a mango-star fruit aloha smoothie, and take the herbal boost down to half, thanks.”

The attendant wrote everything quickly in his note pad and smiled nervously. “Sure thing miss.” Then he turned to Ron and Harry.

“Uh, we’ll have the same thing please, but with the full herbal boost,” Ron and Harry decided. The attendant nodded and walked off anxiously, bringing back their smoothies a few short minutes later.

All three of them chugged down their refreshing drinks rather quickly, awaiting news for the agenda of the day. Just when it seemed like nothing was going to happen, a loud echoing voice filled the open deck of the ship.

Everyone listened very closely for instructions. Five minutes later, it was all over and everyone poured off the ship to go enjoy various activities.

15. Beginning to Analyze

“Hermione, did you catch all that?” Ron asked. She turned to him as they walked down the ramp to the dock.

“Of course I did. We do whatever we want today, and board the ship at midnight to travel to Honolulu. They gave each of us a map so we should be fine.”

Harry walked with Ron and Hermione off the ship and looked back as the ramp slid back up into ship. “So what are we going to do first?” Harry asked, looking at his copy of the map. Soon the other two were looking at the activities planned, and where everything is located on the map.

“Well it looks like there’s a bus heading out to Kameha Falls and the botanical gardens in thirty minutes,” Hermione said, looking at the two of them. “Please tell me you dressed in your swim trunks before we got off the ship.”

Ron and Harry glanced at each other. “We kind of forgot that little detail,” Harry answered. He and Ron laughed when Hermione rolled her eyes, but pulled their wands out of their pockets.

“Well then, I suggest that when the opportunity arises, you change.”

“Oh, and what about you?” Ron asked.

Hermione smiled and pulled at the red string tied around her neck, hiding the rest of her suit under her purple sun dress. He nodded. “Oh, right.”

“Now come on! We had better get walking if we want to make it to the bus on time!” Hermione said, starting to walk up the shore line. She slipped off her shoes and looked back to see Ron and Harry jogging to catch up with her.

She held her sandals by the straps and let the warm sea water run over her feet. Ron and Harry did the same when they realized what a nuisance sand was.

“This bloody sand is disgusting!” Ron complained. Harry and Hermione just laughed at him.

“Ron, it’s actually better walking in it bare foot because with shoes on, you’ll be cleaning the sand out for months down the road.” Harry pointed out.

“Well that’s why I have my wand.”

“Oh, please. You take the fun out of everything! I’m trying my best to do without magic. They never said it wasn’t allowed but it’s a challenge.”

They started walking again, taking in the scenery all around them. The water was a crystal aqua-marine blue and it sparkled in the sunlight. There were forests of trees to the side of them, but quite a bit off the shore line.

Never has Hermione or anyone she knew for that matter, seen a blue sky as blue as the one above them. Everything was so clear; the water, the blue sky, and the sand seemed to stay consistent in its creamy white tone.

A few minutes later, they arrived at a dirt path, with the bus waiting at the end for new passengers. They climbed on, took a seat and looked around at all the other faces. Someone struck Harry right away and he jumped out of his seat.

“Well Wood makes that the third person we know on this trip,” Ron said to Hermione. She nodded distractedly and watched Harry converse with his long time friend. “So, what will we be doing at this Kameha Falls place anyway,” he asked.

Hermione turned her head and smiled at him. “Well the list states that it’s a very beautiful waterfall with a large, clear pond at its base. It’s also surrounded by hundreds of trees, flowers, and plants. It’s invisible to the muggle eye so it’s perfect.”

Ron’s eyes widened in surprise. “Is Hermione Granger telling me that she actually wants to go for a swim?” he winked.

A sly grin stretched out on her lips. “Perhaps.”

Harry came and sat back down, all pumped up again from seeing someone he knows. “Ron, did you ever catch up with Josie?” he asked.

“Oh, that. Yes I did. She’s going the same place we are, but she must be on the other bus.”

Harry and Hermione shrugged. “So, what’s this place all about, the one we’re headed to?” Harry asked, looking at his two best friends for answers.

“I don’t know really, but from what Hermione’s told me, we’re going swimming,” Ron answered.

Harry looked at her and smiled. “Well I guess that just means another dunking contest.”

“Oh? I believe I’ve won that battle! You know you’ll lose, Harry James Potter,” she teased, swinging her leg as it was crossed over her knee.

Harry looked at her for a moment, in awe and excitement. For some reason, he felt different now, looking at her. She definitely sent a jolt through him as she looked at him just now. He mentally beat himself for letting his mind wander. She was, after all, his best friend. But something just nagged at him. Maybe it was just the fact that he’s single again. Or perhaps it’s the fact that Hermione’s finally free and not interested in anyone at the moment. Whatever it is, Harry definitely had better figure it out before this trip totally wrecks him over. He was definitely thinking too much about it, but the kiss they shared in front of Cho electrified him, almost like he changed into someone else, and that is definitely a good thing.

The bus came to a stop a little while later in a batch of lush green trees and radiant flowers. It was surely paradise. There was a light rustling of little animals scurrying throughout the little paradise thicket. Hermione followed Ron and Harry off the bus and scowled darkly when she saw a familiar face on a very familiar body, leave the bus that was stopped ahead of theirs. The blonde hair and surety in the way he walked was enough to make her sick. Ron and Harry turned around when they noticed she wasn’t following them.

“Noni, you coming? I have a dunking challenge to win, you know,” Harry joked. Hermione snapped herself back to reality and looked at him.

Ron rolled his eyes and curiously walked off, wanting to get right down to jumping into one of the many pools that surrounded the various waterfalls. Harry saw that Hermione had a strange look on her face, and meandered toward her in utmost curiosity.

“Noni, is everything alright? You look like you’ve just seen a Malfoy.” He said nonchalantly. When she didn’t change her expression, he knew something was up.

Hermione’s fingers gripped the strap of her bag as she held it casually over her shoulder. Slowly, she moved toward him, desperate to vacate the vicinity before being caught in the radar of Draco Malfoy.

Harry turned as Hermione walked up beside them and they followed far behind Ron and many other tourists.

“Harry,” Hermione whispered secretively.

“Yes?” He asked, turning his full attention to her.

“Do you think that maybe Ron’s right? I mean about Josie?” She asked stubbornly.

“You mean about her being a Malfoy? I think it’s highly possible, especially that it’s been revealed Draco Malfoy himself, is on this trip. She appears to have a lot of money.”

“Yeah,” Hermione nodded distractedly, making sure Ron wasn’t going to turn back and become curious all of a sudden. He had caught up with Josie and seemed wrapped up in a chatty conversation. “Do you think he’ll be crushed if she is a—a—Malfoy?”

He looked her in the eyes, and that was enough. “Noni, we’re talking about Ron here. If he went bonkers over thinking she looked like one, what do you think he’ll do if she IS one?”

“You’re right Harry. You’re absolutely right. But who’s to say she’s a Malfoy. Just a couple coincidences aren’t a big deal. Well anyway, we better catch up with Ron so we can decide where to wander off to,” she said with a smirk.

Harry hopped further ahead to keep up with her as she started jogging in Ron’s direction. He and Josie turned around and grinned at his two best friends finally catching up with them.

“Hi Josie,” Hermione said politely. Harry did the same and they stared at Ron.

“What’s that look for?” he shook his head. “Josie suggested we head off toward the botanical gardens and then go for a swim. How does that sound.”

“Fabulous,” Hermione said, still claiming that smirk she shot to Harry. “Just let me change really quick.”

“Change? How many pairs of clothes are you wearing, Hermione?” Ron complained. Josie and Harry laughed at his remark.

“Oh breathe Ron. If we’re going to be walking around for a while, I want to be comfortable. I’ll be right back.”

The three of them watched surprisingly as Hermione walked off behind some thick trees. A flash of glittery flame and smoke later, she returned, thoroughly stunning Ron and Hermione with her choice of dress.

Her red, halter swim top was visible as her upper dress, and her previous sun dress appeared to be transformed into a wrap around skirt, tied into a knot at her hip. She was ready for the day and couldn’t be happier.

“What,” she asked in a demanding tone, obviously not seeing what it was they were looking at.

Ron smiled and looked at Josie, pecking her on the cheek as they turned down the path to the botanical gardens.

Harry eyed her thoughtfully as she followed along, and he too picked up his feet and followed behind her.

A short walk later and the botanical gardens came into view, showing an opening of sunlight pouring through, and framing its contents mysteriously. Hermione’s loosely curled and side-parted hair glowed in the misty sunlight. Everyone stopped and took in the sight of the greenery around them. Hermione was the first to step up to the opening and enter it, carefully and respectfully.

A lax vine lie in front of Hermione’s feet, causing her to be more cautious as she nearly tumbled to the ground. She stopped once she was in and motioned for the others to come in after her. Ron and Josie snuck carefully through the gap, watching out for the vine as well. Harry was distracted and didn’t seem to pay much attention. His foot snagged and he lunged forward, reaching aimlessly around him for any other attached vine to keep him upright. No such luck.

Hermione was busy taking in the lush scenery around her when she felt herself falling to the ground. She hit hard on her front with a thud, but managed to have landed in a batch of leaves; making the fall less painful. A heavy weight rested on top of her as she lifted her head off the ground. The damp leaves and smooth dirt stuck to the side of her face and weaved into her nicely curled hair.

“Whoa! Hermione, you all right?” Ron commented. She looked up and scowled at him, trying to imagine what had just happened that caught her by such surprise. He and Josie choked back their laughter immediately, but continued as they walked when she looked away.

A few moments went by and she realized someone had fallen on her. She wiggled helplessly for what seemed like an everlasting battle with gravity, and she maneuvered onto her back. Harry was straddling her stomach, examining the cut on his arm and oblivious that he was still pinning Hermione to the ground. His eyes shifted and he met the look of frustration on Hermione’s face. He grinned helplessly and slowly brought his arm down.

“Comfortable...up there…Harry?” she strained, trying to cast off the amused look on his face.

“I’m very comfortable. You know, your skin is so soft, you feel like a velvet blanket.” Harry froze at the words he had just used. That must have sounded so stupid, he thought. Where it came from, he couldn’t conjure up, but the look on her face at his comment made her blush.

“Harry, get off me! I can barely breathe with all your weight pressed into my stomach,” she moaned, her feeble attempts at shoving off his strong legs unsuccessful.

He absent-mindedly, looking at his pink and red arm, got up from her and muttered, “Sorry.” His mind returned fully to his head and he reached down to help her up. Hermione was regaining her strength after the fall and nearly lost her balance, falling into Harry’s chest.

She nervously backed away. Harry smiled at her and started smoothing out her hair, moving behind her to get all the leaves out.

“Thanks Harry. I don’t know how all those leaves got there.”

Harry smiled again and kept picking at her hair. His stomach gave an awkward turn when she lifted up her hair, exposing her neck. A sly grin spread across his face and he lightly traced the back of her neck with one of the leaves. She didn’t make a sound or move really, but just tipped her head to the side relaxation. Harry knew this had an affect on her when he saw small bumps appear on her downy skin.

Hermione’s thought were elsewhere, somewhere she wished she hadn’t dipped into. This sensation on her neck soothed her, quieted her, but somehow, knowing Harry was doing it gave her mind an awful turn.

She let down her hair carefully when Harry stopped the slight tickling and turned slowly to contemplate the meaning behind his sage-colored eyes.

“Well now I know how to get you to relax,” he said hoarsely. Hermione grinned unknowingly shyly at him and nodded a bit. “Especially on those days when you really need to relax.” He tapped her shoulder with the leaf and threw it to the ground, making his point.

Feeling the awkwardness between them, Hermione turned and began to walk down the narrow path, through the beautiful plants and trees that lined it. Harry watched her from behind as she took on the image of a maiden in the middle of a quiet forest. It was like a photograph. She was innocent, as she always was, but this appealed to him so greatly, he found himself mentally punting thoughts out of his mind.

As Hermione turned around slowly, she saw Harry staring at her contently as he slowly caught up. Her stomach flipped over when she took in the scent of his cologne. Suddenly her mind was flooded with foreign thoughts of her best friend; thoughts she had never once pondered about him. As he came up to her side, she glanced sideways at him, as if he were the most angelic thing she had ever seen. It made her shy all over again as these new and awkward thoughts began to take her over completely.

16. Cold Dare

Ron and Josie linked hands and took off down the path to the small stream gushing through. It was really an incredible sight. Everything was so green; and quiet. So quiet. Harry caught up with Hermione finally, stuffing his hands in his pockets. The silence was unbearable.

“Hermione?” Harry asked softly.

She twisted her head to look at him. “Yes, Harry?” A smile appeared on her face.

“Are you alright? I mean with seeing Peter here with Cho. It was really rude of me to spout my mouth like that, and I’m sorry.”

She smiled some more as they kept walking slowly down the path. “Harry, look. Now I have the proof I’ve been needing in order to nail his head to the wall. All those owls he had sent me this past week just didn’t sound right. Yes he hurt me, but I’m also kind of glad that I’m not dwelling on it anymore.”

“But why did you seem so upset at breakfast?” Harry asked, confusing himself all over again.

“Because, Harry,” she laughed. “It caught me off guard. And maybe you’re right. Maybe Cho really was seeing Peter all this time. It would explain his distant behavior with me. Besides, it’s far too much of a coincidence that they’re here together. I highly doubt they met yesterday. I mean, there’s no time! We haven’t even seen everyone on this ship, just a few people we actually know.” Her expression dropped. “Unfortunately,” she drawled.

Harry couldn’t help but laugh at her cute behavior. “Well, if Malfoy comes anywhere near us, which I doubt, he’ll have to put up with my mouth.”

Hermione laughed at him as they walked around the bend in the path, coming to the stream that Ron and Josie were playing in.

Ron was running through the below-the-knee stream, splashing Josie with water. She squealed out of protest, prancing around in her purple bikini. Hermione laughed at the sight and turned to look at Harry. He was blushing.

“Harry, are you blushing?” Hermione teased. He slowly leaned into her.

“No. Where would you get that idea,” he said casually. Hermione rolled her eyes and looked at him.

“You act as if you’ve never seen a girl in a swim suit before! What are you going to do when we go swimming and you see two girls? I’m not just giving up the chance to go swimming in Hawaii, you know.” She replied.

Harry smiled and jutted his eyebrows at her, making her blush this time. She swatted him on the arm.

“Harry! Hermione! You two going to join us or just make eyes at each other all day long?” Ron shouted from down the stream. He and Josie stopped their battle in the middle of the water to invite them in. Josie was bent over with her hands skimming the water.

Hermione glanced at Harry and saw a smile spread across his face. “Be there in a minute,” he said distractedly, staring at Hermione. She smiled back and walked to some trees to put her stuff down.

Harry slipped his shirt over his head and put it next to Hermione’s stuff. With a flick of his wand, his swim shorts appeared on his lower half. He then put his wand down on top of his shirt and did a double take when Hermione untied her skirt from around her waist.

It fell to the ground smoothly and she started toward Ron and Josie who were in the water. At the last minute before stepping into the water, she turned and looked at Harry sweetly. “You coming? I’ve got a water fight to win and you’re holding me up!”

Harry snapped out of his strange thoughts and smiled, running down the path into the water.

Ron and Josie eyed the two, finding something strange in their behavior. Hermione stepped into the water and shivered, giving Ron and Josie a secretive look as she did so. They caught on.

“This water is freezing!” Hermione said. Harry stopped dead before he went into the water.

As if in slow motion, Hermione scooped the water with both hands. Harry watched her body with respect and admiration. Then it dawned on him that the water she was scooping was intended for him. Her arms flew outward and water came at Harry, still in slow motion as he looked on. His eyes grew wide and he tried to move out of the way, but prepared for the contact the piercing cold water would have with his skin.

It hit him square in the back. He was tricked. The water wasn’t cold at all, but quite warm in fact, even with the sun peeking through the trees above them. Ron and Josie also contributed. Harry was already dripping wet and turned around, water running off the top of his head and down his face as his friends continued to splash great amounts of water on him.

His strong muscular body glistened with accentuating water droplets trailing down his front. He glared at them all and without warning, charged after them. Hermione and the others picked up their feet and moved further down the stream.

Hermione was squealing at the top of her lungs; the rocks tickling her feet as she bolted as fast as she could from Harry. A little bit farther down the stream and Ron and Josie stopped.

Hermione saw trees in the distance and stopped also. Harry did the same and all three of them looked around.

“Look like we found the top of one of the waterfalls,” Josie said happily.

All three of them stood at the end of the stream and looked down. The trees on the other side were just as green, if not greener, than the ones around them. Down where the water emptied, was one of the many pools that skimmed this area of the forest. It was at least a sixty foot drop to the pool from the top.

Rocks were stuck in the dirt wall that cascaded behind the gently rushing water fall. The wall gave into the passing of time and hooked back, leaving the water running over few rocks and running into the pool as a curtain of glass.

“I dare someone to jump,” Josie suggested, raising her eyebrows to tempt them.

Ron, Harry and Hermione all looked at each other. “I’ll do it!” Harry offered. The other three looked at him.

“I don’t think so Harry. You could get hurt.” Hermione said logically, her bookworm brain kicking in for the first time this trip.

He shook his head. “Hardly. I won’t hit any rocks on my way down.” He added with a wink, causing Hermione to smile sweetly at him again.

“Fine, but I’m next.” She said, volunteering herself up to the challenge. Harry’s eyes went big with surprise but nodded, accepting her decision.

“Alright then, Harry. You insist on jumping, so you will. Head first.” Ron challenged, making Harry grin even more.

“Perfect,” he said. “But what do I get as a reward?”

“You get to kiss me,” one of the girls stated. Harry looked up and glanced between Hermione and Josie to figure out which one said it. He grinned madly at Hermione, trying not to blush.

Hermione blushed in return and cleared her throat. “Harry just jump before you lose out on the chance of kissing Josie.” She said.

Harry’s eyes went big with embarrassment, his face flushing of all color as he looked at Josie. “Well then, I better get on with it,” he said to Josie, trying to hide his early assumption that Hermione would be the one he would kiss.

Ron tried to remain as composed as possible, but felt a little jealous that his best friend would be kissing the girl he liked, before he would.

With a loose stature, Harry stepped further to the edge, his toes dangling off the small cliff. Hermione looked on, being the only one to notice every muscle in his back tensing, and his calming deep breaths he took, she crossed her fingers behind her back and hoped nothing bad came out of this.

Harry’s arms swiftly came up and folded on top of his head, each hand gripping an elbow so he could concentrate. Hermione continued to keep an eye on him as his upper body grew with that massively deep breath he needed to calm his nerves.

His arms came down and very suddenly, he lifted off the rock platform, and launched himself out and far enough away not to hit anything. The other three rushed to the edge, clinging to each other for balance as they watched Harry dive head first down into the pool below.

SPLASH!

He finally hit the water and their anticipation and anxiety melted away. Hermione was nearly drawing blood, she was biting her lip so hard. When she saw Harry rise out of the water, she felt much better.

“How is it Harry?” Ron shouted down to him. Harry spun around in the water and looked up at them hanging over the ledge.

“It’s quite warm! And this pool is very deep!” he shouted back.

Ron and Josie accepted his answer and looked at Hermione. She was very nervous but it didn’t show. She put on her most brave stature and readied herself for a long jump.

“Come on Hermione! I’ll save you if you drown!” Harry called out in sarcasm. She laughed, her voice echoing distantly from above.

“It’s not that far, it’s not that far,” she kept chanting to herself.

Without much delay, she brought her arms back and jumped forward, also head first into the water. Harry swam out of the way a bit and watched her come down, a bright smile on his face. A few short seconds later, and she slipped gracefully into the water; only making a small amount of water splash in Harry’s face. He could hear Ron and Josie debating on who should jump next. Right then, Hermione popped up not far from Harry, gasping for air.

Harry knew he was in trouble.

“Harry Potter! You lied! This water is freezing!” she chattered fiercely.

He laughed at her reaction as she spun around to look at him, death written all across her face. He pulled on her arm bringing her to him and pressed a finger to his lips.

“Shhh. I think Ron’s coming down next.”

Her teeth chattered and she glared at him. “How can you not be cold! I’m freezing!”

“You’ll get used to it. But keep it quiet until Ron jumps.”

“So you want to fool Ron, do you? It’s a little hard to keep quiet when I’m freezing!” she spat.

Harry rolled his eyes and pulled her into him. “Then I’ll keep you warm until Ron gets down here.”

Hermione nestled herself into Harry, his arms wrapped tight around her stomach as they both faced forward. Still, Josie and Ron couldn’t make up their minds on who was going to jump next.

“Come on,” Harry said, pulling her with him as he swam backward into the rock wall that lined the pool. They were in the more shallow part of the pool where they could barely touch the bottom.

Hermione sucked in a lot of air at feeling Harry move a little too far from her. He responded almost instinctively and wrapped his arms around her, this time facing her. She rested her head on his chest and felt herself begin to warm up.

“Looks like Josie’s coming down next,” Hermione whispered to Harry with a cold voice as Josie launched herself off the top. She came down swiftly and smacked hard on the water, creating a big splash as she tucked her knees into her chest.

Harry and Hermione laughed with the last bit of Josie’s wave hit them. It splashed up in the crevice they had created with holding each other tightly. Hermione got most of the water in her face, spitting it back out when she accidentally swallowed some.

“You all right?” Harry asked, taking one arm away from her waist to move some of her wet hair out of her face. She nodded and licked her lips a bit.

“That’s disgusting,” she said, tasting the water all over again.

Harry laughed under her embrace and rested his chin on top of her head. Awkwardness struck once again, or was about to anyway. Hermione felt like she was nestled up against a rock face, feeling Harry’s chest and the rest of his chiseled body pressed up against hers. But yet, it was soft. His skin was warmer than hers and felt like velvet under the soft water they were immersed in. Subconsciously she wrapped her arms around his waist tighter, and he moved his arms up around her shoulders, giving her a tight squeeze.

She smelled like fresh lavender even being soaking wet. Harry brought a hand up and fiddled with her hair. Just then, Josie swam over, just getting her air supply back.

“Harry, this water is freezing.” She said in a bored tone. He grinned at her. Hermione pulled her head back and separated herself from Harry.

“Shhh. I wanted to surprise Ron with that information so keep it down until he comes back up out of the water.”

“Okay I’m coming in!” Ron shouted from the top, adding an extra scream of excitement as he jumped head first into the water.

A few short seconds later, he hit the water, and came up rather fast, ready to kill Harry.

“You said this was warm!”

“It is now! I’ve been in here longer than any of you. Hermione’s warmed up now too, I think,” he said, glancing at her with a thoughtful look on his face.

She smiled nervously and tried desperately to find a place to put her arms against her body.

“Yeah well she’s warm because you were sharing your body heat with her,” Josie said with a wink.

“Oh really? Josie, are you sure he should be kissing you? Maybe he should kiss Hermione instead,” he joked.

Hermione laughed nervously. “No, you made a deal. Harry kisses Josie.” She said with a smile on her face.

Josie and Harry turned to each other. She moved in first and planted a sweet kiss on Harry’s warm lips. Both closed their eyes. Ron and Hermione exchanged awkward glances with each other and watched Harry and Josie kiss for a few more seconds.

Josie pulled away and smiled at Harry. He was blushing a bit but it didn’t really make any difference since he was warming up from the cold temperature of the water.

Harry looked at Ron and Josie, feeling embarrassed, then looked around when he didn’t see Hermione smiling back at him. “Where’s Hermione?” Harry asked.

Ron looked around frantically. “I don’t know.” He looked back at Harry and Josie. “She was right next to me, I swear.”

A ripple in the water sounded from further into the center of the pool. Harry snaked his neck around Ron to see. Hermione was waving at Harry.

“Come and get me! Let’s even this score!” she said, then dipped under the water again.

I’m working on more right now….what do you think is going to happen….will Harry and Hermione duke it out, or do you think something else might take place? *wink wink*. You’ll find out in the next update…….and there will be that action all of you have been begging me for! That’s what’s to come after this one!

17. A Mental Understanding

Ok here’s the update everyone has been waiting for!!!!! When you get done reading this, you can’t say I left you hanging…! Lol well I guess I do that every time because I can’t put the entire story into one update….then it just wouldn’t be any fun!!!! Anyway, hope you enjoy this! Thanks to everyone for reviewing!

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Harry grinned evilly at the sight of Hermione from a great distance away from him. He went down under the water and pushed off the rock wall behind him with his feet to give him some speed.

“Think they’re not a couple now?” Josie asked Ron as they watched Harry go after Hermione. “They say they don’t like each other, but the way they act—“

“It’s so obvious,” Ron added obliviously, as if he were just realizing the most obvious thing in the world.

Josie patted him on the shoulder. “Good one Ron. Now how about we go join in on the fun before we get left out?”

“Sounds like a great idea.” He answered happily.

Harry swam fiercely with his strong arms and legs carrying him quite fast. Harry could see Hermione ahead of him under the water with the bright sun’s rays slicing through the crystal clear water they were swimming in. He saw her go up for air then come back down. That’s when Harry decided to get some air. That way, she wouldn’t see him when she came back up again.

Ron and Josie met them in the middle and that’s when it started. Harry pulled on Hermione’s legs from under the water. She laughed a bit before being silenced from the water surrounding her head. Harry wrapped his arms and legs around her small frame, feeling her wiggle wildly underneath him. She was very slippery and escaped his grip.

Hermione swam to the top for some air, feeling distracted for a moment, but snapping out of it at hearing Ron, Josie, and Harry coming toward her as they swam fiercely.

Harry gripped the tip of her foot. Instinctively, she dove under the water and swam between his legs, throwing him off once more. Hermione came back up and wrapped herself around Harry from behind, making her way to his shoulders. She balanced herself on Harry’s shoulders while trying desperately trying to bring him down.

“A little rough aren’t you!” Harry teased, earning him a slap upside the head.

“Harry! I can’t believe you just said that!” Hermione protested.

Harry’s hands moved up to her knees as they loomed on each side of his face. His hand gripped tightly around her left knee, making her scream.

“Harry! Stop!” she laughed. Harry kept squeezing in small intervals, and now he was winning this battle. Hermione hooked her legs around his back and leaned backward into the water.

Harry followed her under, totally surprised.

Josie was having her own fun going after Harry and Ron, splashing water at them continually. Harry stopped and went after Josie and Ron, pulling both of them under the water at once.

Hermione was swimming away, under the water, very quickly. Harry didn’t see her anywhere, but followed the slightly rippling water with his eyes. He was off, swimming after her with just as much force and a devilish grin on his face.

Harry slowed a bit and saw Hermione upright in the water in front of him, her legs swaying lightly to keep her above water. She appeared to be twirling around, as if to be looking for him. Harry was running short on air and could now see her very clearly now in the glistening water.

She found her way to a ledge underneath the water and stood on it under the overhang, allowing just her top half from the shoulders down to be immersed in the water.

She put her hands on her face, letting the water run all over it. Her eyes were closed and her ears were completely tuned out to everything around her.

Harry stopped under the water, right at her feet. His head slowly came up, and peaked above the water to look at her. She didn’t even notice. As he stood up all the way, the dripping sound of the water running off his body caught her attention, and she jumped.

“Harry, what are you—“

He just stared at her, in a very serious manner.

Her back was pressed against the rock wall and Harry’s hands were on each side of her against the wall. His face was so close to hers and she could see the pores in his skin as water ran off his face.

“I got you.” He said softly and with a grin on his face.

Hermione unknowingly held her breath and looked at him. He was so close to her face and she just stared into his eyes as he held himself up against her.

She gulped harshly. “I um—no. This isn’t over Harry James Potter,” she answered softly, with a smile on her face.

Ron and Josie opted to leaving the two love birds by themselves and wound up in a corner talking, while they kept their heads above the water.

“What do you say we call a truce?” Harry asked, still leaning his weight against the wall from in front of her.

Hermione squinted skeptically at him. “How do I know this isn’t a trick? I nearly drowned you once, I can do it again. I think you’re scared. That’s all it is.” she said slyly. Harry grinned and looked around to find Ron and Josie, just to pin-point their location.

Hermione looked at the side of his face that was so very close to hers. She mentally traced his neck and moved up to trace over his jaw line with her eyes.

‘What’s wrong with me,’ she asked herself. ‘Why is this happening? He’s my best friend,’ the gentle voice in her head sounded.

Harry turned his head back to look at her seriously. Hermione gulped again.

“So don’t believe me? I’m not scared but I’ll prove that I want to call a truce on this water fight.”

“Oh really? And how is that?” Hermione asked with a great amount of skepticism in her quiet voice.

Harry smiled gently and touched her chin with one of his hands.

‘Oh no, oh no! This isn’t happening!’ the alarm in Hermione’s head rang, giving her a slight headache.

Harry leaned in closer than he already was and closed his eyes. Hermione did the same out of pure confusion but with a little hint of want in her bones.

Harry steadied himself on the ledge they were on, framed Hermione’s soft, glistening face and kissed her ever so softly. He wasn’t sure exactly why he was doing this. Perhaps it was just opportunity presenting itself and Harry wanted to take it. Or an even bigger scenario could be that he has feelings for her and he wanted to show them.

Hermione, on the other hand, couldn’t decide whether she wanted this to happen or not, but gave in to Harry’s kiss desperately as she pushed off the wall gently and further into his arms.

Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck and she deepened the kiss, allowing Harry to venture into a very new world of kissing his best friend. When they had kissed in front of Cho, it was simple. They only appeared to be performing a battle with the tongues, but they weren’t. This time it was real. The strangest sensations came over them as they deeply kissed each other while trying to stay on the ledge and above the water. Harry held her tight around her waist with one hand and let the other one become tangled in her hair at the back of her neck.

At this very same moment, they must have been thinking the same thing. Hermione gently rose up and wrapped her legs around Harry’s waist. He held her up with his hands firmly on her back, still kissing her lovingly. Both of them relaxed their bodies and attempted something neither of them had ever tried with anyone else before. Harry and Hermione smiled against each other’s lips as Harry tipped backwards, slowly dipping under the water.

Ron and Josie watched the situation in front of them with awe-struck faces. Ron was the worst off though. In all his years of being friends with these two, he had never seen them even remotely act this close with each other.

“Either they’re up to something, or the underworld has just frozen over. But either way, I just love a happy ending!” Josie stated dramatically. Ron stared at her with what felt like an ‘I’m-with-stupid’ sticker plastered to his forehead.

“Have you gone mad?”

Josie laughed at the look on Ron’s face. “It could be a distraction. You know, to really get this water fight under way. Didn’t you tell me they’re very good at acting together with things like this?”

Ron shook his head fiercely, blocking out her comment completely. “No way. This is far too intense to be just some act. Trust me, they would do other things if they up to something. I’ve known them for a very long time and I know their moods and behaviors. This is definitely something new. I’ve never seen this before between them.”

“Do you think maybe this vacation has had an effect on them? Or maybe it’s because they both transitioned out of relationships and they’re relieving leftover tension.”

Ron shook his head. “You know, you’ve got a lot of good points there, but unfortunately, I only see one thing.”

“And what’s that?” Josie asked with a grin, trailing a finger up Ron’s bare chest. He gulped and felt all his muscles freeze under her touch.

“Clearly they’re head over heels for each other, but they don’t know it—yet.”

Josie stopped dancing her finger across his chest. “Do you think they’ll see it before this vacation is over?” she said with a grin.

Ron was too distracted and looked at her seriously.

Hermione and Harry shot up out of the water to get some air, and in the most literal sense. They were under far too long.

Hermione was swimming up to the side, reaching for a ledge in the rock wall. She clung to it and caught her breath. Harry came up beside her and leaned his back against the wall, gripping a ledge above him. He waited for oxygen to catch up with him again before opening his eyes to look at Hermione’s horrified face.

Once his eyes opened, they met Hermione’s. Harry thought his heart stopped for a moment. She was staring back at him, but the anticipated horrible look he was imagining on her face wasn’t present; at least not now. Her eyes were clear, as if to be glazed over a bit, but she didn’t seem like she didn’t have any sense left.

‘Just slap me and get it over with,’ the voice in his head rang out. He breathed heavily, just staring back at her.

But she didn’t do anything but look at him with calmness throughout her face. Together they came to a mental understanding and Hermione swam away, giving him a sweet smile as she pushed off the wall and into the water.

Harry let out the breath he was holding and smiled to himself. “Note to self…figure out why I even did that,” he said quietly, and letting go of the ledge above him to sink back into the water.

18. Glimmer of the Past

Sorry it’s taken me so long to update guys! All this holiday stuff messed up my schedule. I don’t know when my next update will be because I’m going out of town for the weekend (leaving Thursday) and I won’t be back until Sunday night or Monday afternoon. My cousin is getting married and my aunt has volunteered me to sing at the reception…I’m sooo nervous! But anyway, I probably won’t update again until next week because I’ll be busy all weekend. And most likely I won’t have any access to a computer! But that gives me plenty of time to write, which I’ll be doing on the plane. So I’ll talk to you all then! And thanks sooo much for reviewing! It helps a ton. I know I make some mistakes when I type these up, but I try to get everything. So I’m working on that. Thanks guys! You are the best!

The next hour of swimming in the natural pool went by rather quickly. Harry and Hermione seemed to feel reasonably awkward toward one another after the events of the last little while. Their mannerisms seemed cool and relaxed, but deep down there was that tension that had been building up for so long. It was around two in the afternoon now, and time to change activities.

Ron turned to Josie as they walked stiffly out of the water and into the soothing warmer air. “Josie, do you know the Malfoys?” he asked curiously.

Josie slowed a bit and reached for her towel. Squinting her eyes skeptically, she answered, “I’ve heard of them.” Her answer was rather nonchalant and relaxed. Almost as if she too didn’t have a high opinion of them. “Why do you ask, Ron?”

“It’s just that—well, it’s hard to explain. You’ll probably think I’m a real nutter now.”

“Just tell me,” she said with a hint of laughter in her voice.

Ron stared at her for a few moments. “You just remind me of a Malfoy I went to school with. His name’s Draco and he happens to be on this trip with us. But besides that, you’ve got the hair and the eyes of a Malfoy.”

“Is it just that I look like a Malfoy? Do I have any of the other mannerisms?” Josie was running her towel along her skin, drying herself off. She moved it to her hair before Ron thought of answering.

“N-no. Not really. The Malfoy I know is really cold-hearted and picked on us all the time. His whole family is frightening alike in that aspect. But I haven’t seen any of that from you.”

Josie listened closely and walked off, keeping her ears open. “Yes,” she said coolly. She and Ron sat on a bench to put their shoes back on.

“So Ron, you think I’m a Malfoy?”

Ron’s face went scarlet in the cheeks but he shook his head frantically.

Josie flicked back her wet silvery-blonde hair and pulled her legs up onto the bench. “Well Ron, I’m not a Malfoy.”

Ron mentally felt the weight lift off his shoulders. “Well then, can I ask you your name? I mean your whole name—I only know your first.”

Josie stood up and stretched a bit. “It’s Black. My full name is Josie Narina Black.” She finished with an amiable smile, and walked off to go talk to Hermione.

Ron followed her footsteps with his soft eyes and sighed into the bench. Good news was she wasn’t a Malfoy.

“So Hermione, tell me. What’s up with you and Harry?” Josie asked. Harry’s head snapped up as he dried his shorts using a drying spell. Because of this, Josie pulled Hermione behind some trees.

Her face was read, and she was nearly at a loss for words, but she managed to say something. “I don’t know exactly what’s going on Josie. But I do know that this vacation is going to be rather hard for me to forget, if that’s what I choose to do, that is.” Hermione responded rationally.

A corner of Josie’s mouth turned up as it turned to a smile. “I don’t know either of you two very well, and I’m just getting to know Ron, but I could see something between you. Ever since dinner last night.”

“Josie look, I’ve known Harry for a while, and I don’t know what’s going to come of this. Honestly I don’t.”

Josie smiled and slowly walked away to go clear Ron’s conscience.

Hermione walked out from behind the trees with an embarrassed grin on her face when she looked at Harry. He stared right back at her, smiling at the look on her face.

A few minutes went by and they walked down the path to find something else to do; Ron and Josie right in front of them, chattering about everything under the hot Hawaii sun.

Harry eyed the bushes next to them as they walked by, then looked at Hermione. She had dried her hair and put her sun dress back on the way it used to be. He reached out and gripped her arm, pulling her to a stop with him.

“Harry! What are you doing?” Hermione asked with a very surprised tone. A smile broke out on her face when she saw Harry pull a flower from one of the bushes next to them.

He blew on it lightly to make sure there was no dirt on it. His hand left her arm and he used both his hands to fasten the flower behind her ear. She looked up at him as he did his thing, seeing the great amount of concentration and sincerity in his actions. Before he was done, he glanced at her and smiled gently.

His hands came down and Hermione smiled, wondering what she looked like with the bright red and yellow flower accentuating her curled brown hair.

“Thanks, Harry,” she said so softly she was almost speechless. Harry smiled a mellow smile and turned her around to walk with him with a gentle trailing of fingers across her bare back. His arm slinked around her shoulder and they began walking again to catch up with Ron and Josie.

Hermione was in a daze with everything that had happened so far this day. Amazingly, she realized they were only on day two. Twelve more to go if things went as planned. Automatically, she wrapped her arms around Harry’s waist and rested her head on his chest as they walked, a smile breaking out on her lips at the look on Ron’s face.

The buses finally came back into view as Ron, Josie, Hermione and Harry walked down the long tiresome path they had treaded down earlier.

Ron looked at Josie and noticed she seemed a little withdrawn. “Jos, are you cold at all?” he asked when he touched her shoulder.

She glanced up at him and stared for a moment. “Not really. Why would you think that?”

“Your skin feels really cold and—sticky. You’re not coming down with something are you?”

“No Ron. I’m fine. It’s probably just that we went swimming in the cold water.” She said in a bored tone.

“But—you used a drying spell!”

Josie rolled her eyes at him and smiled before walking off to follow Harry and Hermione into the bus. All four of them sat down and looked around at various people on the bus. One particular person sitting at the other end immediately locked eyes with Harry and it was now a duel of the senses.

Draco Malfoy sat sideways in his window seat with a girl leaning back into his chest. Her hair was blonde, but not quite as light as Draco’s. He wasn’t very pleased to see the ever famous trio taking up his breathing space.

Josie glanced at Draco and tapped Harry’s knee with her foot. “Don’t let him get to you, Harry.” She said.

Harry’s stare was shaken and he looked at her with another unwavering stare. “You sound as if you know him.”

Josie shrugged, but Harry’s comment got Ron’s and Hermione’s attention. She glared at Draco threateningly. “I’ve heard of him.” her eyes shifted to Hermione’s. “I mean, he looks the bully type.”

“He was up until our seventh year. But for some reason, He and Harry couldn’t seem to resolve their differences. It’s all very reasonable, really. I don’t expect Harry to become best friends with that prat.”

Ron nodded at Hermione’s comment.

Harry tried to avoid looking at the other end of the bus and gave Hermione a gently smile as he leaned forward on his knees.

When the conversation died down and the bus left its parked position, Josie shot another threatening glare at Draco. After a few moments she let go of the piercing glare she was giving him and leaned into her window, watching the trees and pathway flash by quickly as the bus bumped along.

***Flashback***

Josie stood outside in a garden during a large party, watching the stars slowly appear in the dark, endless sky. Her satiny, glamorous, yet party dress’s hem swished in the light breeze passing below her knees. She sipped on her goblet of champagne, trying to drown out the voices coming from inside, with her own thoughts. As she closed her eyes, she began to succeed to shut out the noise and the bright light of the full moon, but someone interrupted her. She snapped open her eyelids to see a tall man staring down at her. She sensed he was in an off mood, and clearly that wasn’t a good thing.

His medium-brown hair ruffled in the whispering of the night breeze and his eyes were pleading. “Josie, why aren’t you inside with your family?” he asked.

“My family makes me bonkers, that’s why. I swear I’m going to end up hitting someone,” she added with a nudge of her head in the direction of a group of people on the other end of the garden.

“Oh, I see. You young kids sure have a lot on your plates as far as emotions go.” the man with brown hair said.

Josie sensed a bit of impatience in his voice but ignored it. “I’m not a kid but I just want this party to be over. It’s just some stupid excuse for my crazy family to get together. Why are you here anyway? Have they seen you?”

The man sighed and rubbed his eyes at the bright moonlight. “Not yet. But if they do, I’m in a lot of trouble. Look, I just wanted to check in to make sure no one was onto us.” He turned away, holding his forehead as if he had a headache.

“Your secret’s safe with me. Are you alright?” Josie put her glass down on the stone bench next to her.

“Just a headache. Look, I better get going.” He disappeared with a soft pop.

BUMP!

Josie snapped out of her day dreaming as her forehead smacked into the bus window she was looking out of. The bus had hit a big hole in the ground, sending most of the people on it into the ceiling. Josie wasn’t the only one with a headache now.

Harry was on his back in the aisle with Hermione trying to help him up.

Everyone piled off the bus a few minutes later. The driver had brought them to one of the largest and most active volcanoes in the world, Kilauea.

“A volcano! Are they mad? Are they trying to kill us or something?” Ron complained.

Hermione smacked him upside the head and followed everyone up the hill. Draco Malfoy wasn’t too far ahead and had his arm wrapped around his apparent blonde girlfriend.

Harry laced his fingers with Hermione hesitantly, not sure if this was a good thing or not. Judging by the gentle surprised smile on her face, everything was just fine.

19. Getting Tough

Ok guys I’m finally back with an update!!!! I got back from Arizona a few nights ago, but I had to write this up before I could post it. Also, I got sick coming back to the cold weather from the warm weather…that really messed me up. Anyway, hope you enjoy this update and thanks to everyone who reviewed! I truly appreciate it. One more thing…I’ve got my own site now so if any of you have time, please check it out. We need new members! Here’s the url: http://s3.invisionfree.com/MichieFiles Thanks again guys!

At the top of the steep trail, smoky mist surrounded everyone very thickly. The opening of the volcano was still quite a distance away, in order to keep everyone safe. The bus driver, who also doubled as their tour guide, slipped his wand from his pocket and walked to the front of the group.

Directions were shouted out to everyone and all were abided by accordingly. The hill was very hot, but everyone kept their distance as they were told. Safety masks were handed out despite the complaints of them being ‘too muggle.’ The tour guide was very patient and nice. Many of the girls took to him very quickly and admired his good looks; even though he seemed very new to the fact of doing most everything the muggle way. He turned around and began to walk, everyone following behind as they were told to.

As everyone made their way around to the guarded area around the top, Harry had finally caught someone’s eye. Draco Malfoy stood on the opposite end, glaring at him like nothing ever changed. His right arm was occupying his girl’s shoulders but it didn’t stop him from taking some precious time out to beat Harry at a staring contest. It took Hermione’s sweet voice and Josie pulling on his arm to bring Harry out of his stare.

“Don’t even bother with him Harry. It’s not worth your vacation to go getting mad at him all over again,” Hermione soothed softly into his ear. Harry blocked all thoughts of wanting to hurt Malfoy, from his mind and smiled down at the brunette staring back up at him. His arms tightened around her shoulders and he dropped the pained thoughts.

Josie nodded her head and held her own short glare in Draco’s direction. A few short moments later, she took a few steps back to stand by Ron.

“Tell me, Ron, how long have you known that Draco Malfoy character?” she asked as she started to fiddle with the sleeve on his shirt.

He looked down at her and seriously thought about it. “Long enough to remember how he use to treat us.”

“And how many times did you get after him for it?”

Ron thought some more, wrinkling his forehead. “I stopped doing that because he stopped hounding us about everything. But he still has a huge issue with Harry, and he’s got an issue with Malfoy. Why do you ask?”

Josie smiled brightly and stepped back.

“Where are you going?” Ron asked her.

She tipped her head in the direction of the former Slytherin punk and walked off slowly, turning her back when she saw Ron wasn’t going to follow her.

Ron put his face in his hands and ruffed up his hair. “Girls.”

“What was that?” Hermione asked with raised eyebrows.

Harry caught his comment and was trying not to laugh but moved between him and Hermione.

“What’s the deal with Josie, Ron?” he whispered out the side of his mouth.

Ron huffed. “She’s a little too curious about Malfoy. I don’t know what the deal is with her, but she just went over to him. I think she wants to give him a hard time about something.”

“Oh,” Harry answered. “She’s not doing it because we don’t get along is she? I don’t really have a problem with him. He’s the one that’s got the grudge against me still so whatever.”

Josie stood in front of Malfoy with her hands on her hips.

“Black.” He said dully.

“Nice to see you too.” She said sarcastically. “Listen, I think you should quit throwing your fit over Potter there, and stick to wooing your new girl.”

The blonde under Draco’s arm looked up at Josie, seeming a bit alarmed.

“How about you listen for once. Why is it that you’re always trying to boss me around? Just because—“

“I’m Cyndi, by the way,” the blonde purposely interrupted.

Josie shook her outstretched hand and shook off the tension that nearly ended up breaking into a fight with Draco.

Draco scoffed and straightened his shirt collar. “You should get back to Ron. He’s been watching you ever since you came over here,” he added with a roll of the eyes.

Josie sighed, flipped around very fast, and stomped back over to Ron. At the last second, she faked a smile and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and rested her chin on his shoulder.

A few more hours went by and the sun was starting to go down. Hermione’s stomach told her it was time to put some food into it, as were Josie’s, Harry’s and Ron’s. But being the grown boys they were they were always hungry.

“Where are we going to eat?” Ron asked as the four of them walked down the torch-lit path to the tiki-style restaurants.

“I think we should go there!” Josie pointed. Ron, Harry, and Hermione saw a medium sized restaurant with some music echoing out of it and in their direction.

“Sounds fine to me.” Hermione said. Ron and Harry nodded and followed Josie into the already noisy restaurant for a relaxing dinner.

"Be right back," Ron, Josie and Harry all muttered at once. Hermione looked at them wide-eyed as they found their table and the three of them walked off. Harry gave her a quick kiss on the cheek when she sat herself safely down.

She was all by herself now, nestled into the semi-comfort of the booth seat. Her bag dangled down at her feet as she swung her leg over the other in utter silence. Her attention was quickly drawn to her unsatisfactory fingernails.

Customers were bustling all around, but Hermione was in her own world. At least, until she felt the seat shift a bit. Her head slowly came up and impatience flooded her nerves. Not once did she take her priority away from her fingers; not even long enough to show the least amount of interest in the person leaning on the end of her booth seat.

"Haven't I seen you somewhere before?" he asked.

Hermione looked him up and down with a slight glimmer of disgust in her face.

"Yes you have," she paused a moment and stared blankly at him. "that's why I don't go there anymore."

The tall, slender man stopped and faked a smile. "Is this seat empty?" he asked calmly.

Hermione put her hands on the table and looked at him. "Clearly it's very empty--"

The man started to sit down and Hermione felt her eyes ready to roll right through the top of her head.

"...and my seat will be empty too if you sit down."

He stood back up and nodded slowly, feeling very shot down. "Look, I'm really a nice guy. It was just a bad day for me."

"Is everything alright here?" Harry asked, having finally returned from wherever it is he went.

Hermione glared at the guy as he walked away, then smiled brightly at her best friend as he looked down at her with worry in his eyes. She sighed and pulled on Harry's arm until he was seated comfortably next to her.

He gave her a light kiss on the side of her head and wrapped one arm around her shoulders. "Was that the guy that was harassing you up on the volcano earlier today?" Josie asked as she too, returned.

Hermione smiled sarcastically. "Very funny. I would rather call it a bad attempt at picking someone up."

Josie and Harry laughed at her comment, right as Ron returned. He, however, didn't miss a single beat and knew what it was they were talking about.

"Is that scum bag going to be following you around all over during this trip? If so I'll--"

Josie pressed a finger to Ron's lips to hush him. His fist came down and he practically melted. She then trailed that finger very smoothly down his chest and back up again before kissing him on the forehead. Ron froze, to say the least.

"I just couldn't believe he had the nerve to bother you again after you socked him in the jaw for saying that to you!" Harry said protectively as he pulled Hermione in closer to him.

They all laughed again.

"It was bloody brilliant what you did to him too!" Ron exaggerated.

"Oh please," Hermione began, "it wasn't that big of a deal. But you two boys can learn from this. Never say, in front of a girl, what you would want to do with her chest! It will earn you the same treatment. At least from me anyway!" Now she was laughing, nudging Harry in the arm at the embarrassed look on his face.

"Well you won't have to worry about that! Seems to me like you've got these two under control!" Josie teased.

Hermione nearly choked on the ice water the waiter brought around when she saw the look on Ron’s face. Josie was whispering something in his ear that made him blush and melt all at the same time.

Harry noticed it too, but was too wrapped up in Hermione to really care.

20. A Nightmare Encounter

Sorry it took me so long to update again! I’ve come down with the flu (it’s that time of year here) so I’ve been a little sleepy. BUT I managed to find some time to write this up (took me 2 hours!). Also, thanks so much for all your wonderful reviews! They sure help to keep me focused on this. So here’s the update and I hope you enjoy it!

P.S. Check out my site…it’s lots of fun! http://s3.invisionfree.com/MichieFiles

The night drew on very slowly, having Harry and Hermione both tossing and turning in their beds for some reason unexplained.

Hermione finally gave up on trying desperately to fall asleep and rose from the comfort of her queen-sized bed. The clock on the wall in front of her made her realize it was already morning. Her eyes were heavy, lacking restful sleep, and her body felt very weak. Something inside her told her a very big event would take place in just a few hours, but her rational mind wouldn’t pick up on it enough to care.

It was seven in the morning, the sun just barely coming up over the horizon.

Hermione’s head rested against her cherry-wood headboard, refusing to move. She patted the blankets over her stomach and pouted at the memory of Peter staring at her while at dinner with Harry the previous night. Without any uttered words, she stared out the window, watching the crystal blue waters of the ocean grow steadily clearer as the sun finally burst fully into the sky.

The arrangement of islands from Hermione’s view would suggest they reached their second destination: Honolulu. It was definitely a beautiful day. Hermione still didn’t want to move, but then realized her early morning date with Harry. Automatically she shot out of bed and ran to the back door. With a quick glance outside, it appeared no one was up yet. In conclusion, she pulled her clothes out of her dresser and frantically locked herself in her bathroom.

Twenty minutes later, there was a solid knock on Hermione’s door. Her head popped out of the bathroom, her hair soaking wet. Hermione slumped her body against the door frame in defeat for trying to get ready before Harry arrived. Soon though, a smile formed on her soft pink lips.

Hermione quickly wrapped her white robe around herself and twisted her matching towel around her dripping hair. Excitedly, but at the same time, embarrassed, she rushed to the door and stopped. One thought crossed her mind. In a very quick moment, Hermione adjusted her robe to be sure everything was situated and she took the silly-looking towel down from the top of her head.

The door opened quickly. Hermione stood in her doorway, still totally clad in her white fluffy robe. However, the person standing just inches in front of her wasn’t Harry. In fact, it was the one person she wished never to see again for the rest of her life: Peter.

“What are you doing here,” Hermione growled.

Peter looked at her, truly astonished by her behavior. His hand came up and flatly pushed back the door from Hermione’s grip, letting himself inside her room.

Hermione felt defeated once again, but in a bad sense. She knew that at any moment, Harry would come flying through that door to see her. Still, she didn’t stop Peter from making his way in. Just the thought of what Harry could do to him calmed her nerves and almost made her laugh. A smile crossed her face and she folded her arms, not letting Peter’s entrance bother her one bit.

Peter was standing in the center of the room with his back to her, admiring her taste in choice rooms aboard the ship.

“So let me guess, Harry is paying for your room, right?” he asked amusedly.

Hermione’s mouth dropped and for the first time since he walked in, she felt total malice toward him. “Even you should know better than that. But I really shouldn’t have to answer this question,” she answered annoyingly.

Peter turned back around and looked at her, almost narrowing his eyes at what he had just said. “You have some nerve leaving me, you know.”

Hermione folded her arms defiantly and almost seemed amused. “Is that so?”

Peter glared and inched closer, making Hermione feel eerily endangered. “You shouldn’t have done what you did.”

“And what exactly did I do?” she asked, still hanging on to the amused tone in her voice. Clearly she wasn’t threatened by his words. It was the fact that he moved threateningly closer with each sentence he uttered. “Hmm,” she started. “From what I remember, it was you that initially did the leaving. I only disappeared from the picture when I sensed you were cheating on me. It’s a pity though—“ Hermione shook her head and bit her bottom lip sarcastically.

“What’s a pity?” Peter asked dumbly.

A small sigh escaped Hermione’s mouth and she looked him directly in the eyes, never blinking to make her point a serious one. “It’s a pity that you and Cho hooked up. I think it’s a shame but for you, it’s a perfect match.” Hermione stopped to observe the look on Peter’s face. “I mean, think about it. When I first found out about you two, I couldn’t imagine what either of you would get out of it. Then it hit me. You’re both incredibly controlling. You can control each other and neither of you will complain about it.”

“You think you know everything,” Peter said insultingly.

An obvious smile finally made its way on Hermione’s face. “And I thought I knew you. Too bad though. Don’t expect me to take you back because I’m totally over the two of us. To me, it’s like nothing ever happened.” She turned away nonchalantly and walked over to her dresser. Her small fingers traced the design on a thick muggle ash-tray.

“Well you’re only perfectly fine with our break up because of your Harry. What’s up with you two anyway?”

Hermione picked up the ash-tray and examined it closely. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business. No matter what I say about it, you’ll find some way to twist my words to make it sound like I planned this all along, to clear your conscience. Like I said, you did the leaving, not me.” She let go of her new muggle toy, turned to him and saw a fire-y look in his eyes. It was the same look he had when she broke off all ties to him.

His voice was always smooth and steady when he was mad. His light brown hair hung into his eyes, but couldn’t hide the look in them from the world. “It’s always been clear to me you two had a thing for each other. At least now, I can say I knew it all along. Who are you to say what I can or can’t think anyway?”

Sensing something was about to explode, Hermione slowly inched her fingers back to the ash-tray, but didn’t lose eye contact with Peter. “That’s real funny. This time I didn’t have to say anything and you twisted my ‘words.’” She lifted the ash-tray from the dresser and tossed in her hands as she circled around her bitter ex, and soon-to-be enemy.

“You know, you were always satisfying in bed, but not up to my standards,” he said coolly.

Her eyes widened with her back turned to him. If the ash-tray in her hands was a living thing, it would be losing all circulation right now. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes and she slowly turned around. “How dare you even say such a thing? You know perfectly well that I refused to ever sleep with you. Heh I guess that’s a good thing because I honestly was never attracted to you in that physical sense.”

Peter turned around and walked through her room some more, making his way further away from her. “Hmm well would anyone else believe you never slept with me? Cho believes me, and from what I understand, she’s talking to Harry right this moment.”

Hermione gripped the marble ash-tray between her hands even harder, becoming fully aware of how heavy and solid it was. “You are too much of a coward to do anything like that to me. But then again, you did cheat on me with Cho, who happened to be Harry’s ‘committed’ girlfriend at the time.”

Peter chuckled insultingly. “Well I don’t think you’ll have any problem showing Harry just how ‘good’ you can be, if you know what I mean.”

“Peter Harlow! If you ever come near me again on this trip I’ll have you thrown out into the depths of the ocean to be eaten alive by the sharks!” Hermione’s voice rose several decibels and she was now shouting at him. “I’m not sorry that I wasn’t the kind of girl you wanted me to be! You’re just a genuine scum bag!” She paused for a moment to gain back her self control. “Now get out of my room before I call security.”

Peter shrugged as if it didn’t matter to him. He took one small step toward the bed. “How about we have just one more romp on the bed for old-time’s sake?” he laughed insultingly, knowing how mad it would make her.

Hermione turned her back, gritting her teeth with each of Peter’s insulting comments. “And then we can have Cho bring Harry in here! Then we’ll see just how loyal he is to you when he sees you with me!”

That was all Hermione needed. In one swift movement, she whipped around, pulled back her arm and launched the heavy marble ash-tray in his direction. As if in slow motion, Hermione caught each second of the look on his face before the thing hit him square in the forehead. He dropped off the bed and rolled on the floor, holding his head in his hands. Hermione watched with amusement, her arms crossed, as the ash-tray slid across the floor before hitting dead into the wall; the very wall that separated her room and Harry’s. A feeling of utmost victory filled her within. Just as expected, Harry came strolling through her doorway, obviously surprised to see Peter rolling on the floor in pain.

Harry stepped over Peter with one large stride and questioned Hermione with the look on his face. She smiled and ran to him, jumping on him to wrap her legs around his waist.

She hugged him tight and locked her ankles to keep herself around him. “Harry I’m sorry! I wasn’t doing anything with him. He just came in and—“

Harry pulled back to look at Hermione. Seeing the undying truth in her eyes, he knew she was telling him the truth. Where it came from, he didn’t know but judging by the pained words slipping out of Peter’s mouth, it was a big thing that just took place. Harry smiled and kissed her softly on the forehead before realizing just how close he was holding her. He smirked and blushed at the same time, feeling Hermione’s bare legs locked around his waist. “Do you mind explaining to me why you’re wrapped around my waist in only a robe?”

Hermione jerked her head up off of Harry’s shoulders and smiled. “What’s the matter Harry? It’s not like I’m completely naked under here. I made sure to put most of my clothes on.”

Harry laughed and walked with Hermione to the bed to put her down. She refused to let go of him, resulting to Harry falling on top of her. Harry rested his forehead against hers and stared at her while on the bed, his arms holding her firmly as they looked at each other admiringly. Neither of them cared that Peter was still on the floor, now passed out.

21. Confessions and Secrets

Once again I get to explain what took me so long to update! Well for the past week and a half (almost 2 weeks now), I had a nasty case of the flu and I was just too tired to write. But I’m back with what’s hopefully a long enough update for all of you! Anyway, I hope you like it and as always, let me know what you think!

And… check out my HP site. I put my fics there too (ones no one else has read):

http://s3.invisionfree.com/MichieFiles Thanks! You guys are simply the best!

Hermione reached up and moved some hair out of Harry's face, getting a better glimpse of those striking eyes of his.

"So what do we do about Peter?" Harry asked, pointing his head in the direction of Peter's limp body sprawled on the floor next to the bed.

Hermione couldn't help but laugh and feel vengeful all at the same time. "Oh I don't know. Any word from Ron yet?"

Harry rolled his eyes helplessly. "I thought the point was to get out of here before he and Josie come breaking down our doors. Why do you ask?"

"Well it's Josie we need. She can help make up my mind about what to do about Peter." she sighed and lifted up to kiss Harry on the forehead.

Harry looked at her skeptically. "What are you up to?"

Hermione shrugged playfully and rolled Harry away from her so she could sit up. "You know, I better get dressed before our two buddies show up. This would look really bad if they saw me only in a robe."

Harry rolled on his side and propped himself up on his elbow. He watched her get off the bed and take a few steps before turning back around.

"Do you mind?" she teased.

"Not at all."

Hermione sighed and picked out her clothes for the day then locked herself in the bathroom for some privacy.

While sitting, waiting for Hermione, Harry looked down at Peter, still flat on his stomach and completely unconscious. An evil glint sparked in Harry's eye and he put his foot down underneath Peter and flipped him over roughly.

Harry almost choked on the air he was taking in at the site of him. Quickly, Harry put his hand to his mouth and glanced at the bathroom door, as if to be smiling at Hermione, herself.

Peter's forehead was all bruised up, with a cut from the ashtray to match. He looked plain awful, but nothing a nice swim couldn't fix. Harry stopped and smirked before glancing at the bathroom door thoughtfully for a few moments. He managed to shake out all his thoughts and looked at Peter some more. The sudden urge to stomp his face in came over him, but with the fact this was Hermione's room and he didn't want to make a mess, he held himself back.

The thought of what Cho might say to this, put Harry into another fit of happy giggles.

Just then, the bathroom door flew open, revealing a refreshed and well-dressed Hermione. This morning she opted for yet another sun dress, however, this time it was more casual instead of something to wear at the beach. It was pastel green all over and spaghetti-strap. Where the straps connected were small embroidered purple flowers, enhancing the look of the bunching around her top. Her hair was also pulled up off her neck loosely--with a couple ringlets hanging down the sides of her face.

Harry jumped up and smiled at the sight of her. Tuning into his thoughts, Hermione spun around, showing off playfully. Harry locked eyes with her for a few long moments, but the two of them snapped out of it when they heard a groan come from Peter. He was slowing coming back to reality.

Hermione sighed and looked down at Peter. Two seconds later, Ron and Josie appeared in the doorway. It didn't take very much time before Ron was doubled over trying to contain his laughter at the sight of Peter groaning on the floor.

"What happened here?" Josie mused, still observing the semi-unconscious form on the floor.

Harry tried to act serious in this situation but he was failing miserably. "Hermione threw and ash-tray at him." as soon as he finished his sentence, he had to sit himself on the bed to calm down.

Josie's eyes widened, as did Ron's. "She what?!" they both said in disbelief.

Hermione smiled at them and walked over to where the ash-tray rolled across the floor, and picked it up. "Peter came in here causing trouble and when he didn't stop, my reflexes got the best of me and I threw this at him." she held out the thick chunk of marble to Ron.

"Mione, that really had to hurt!" he said proudly.

Hermione and Josie giggled a bit before Hermione took back the ash-tray. "Well I would have aimed lower but I didn't feel like getting locked up in Azkaban for doing permanent bodily damage to someone's important...um...parts."

Harry, Ron and Josie all burst into laughter. Their musings stopped abruptly as Peter began to move around. He sat up slowly and put his hand to his forehead. Immediately he took his hand away to look at the blood that had rubbed off onto his hand. His expression turned to pain, then anger when he somewhat remembered what had happened.

Hemrione cringed when Peter stared up at her. Not in fear but in sheer anger for the stupid git. She stretched out her arm and pointed at the door. "Out," she said sharply.

Peter glared at her, still somewhat unable to fully function. Harry and Ron looked at each other, nodding to a silent agreement and rushed up in front of Peter. He slowly stood up, pressing his hand to his forehead and staggering helplessly. Apparently he wasn't moving fast enough for Hermione's liking, judging by the way her arms were folded impatiently. Harry and Ron took each of his arms and carried him quickly out of the room.

The door slammed shut as they came back in, but Hermione was moving swiftly in their direction. The both of them moved out of the way to allow her to fling open the door again.

Peter was still standing outside, having met up with Cho immediately. She was babying his forehead and trying to be gentle.

Hermione felt like up-chucking at that very moment. Ron, Harry and Josie stood back and watched her.

Hermione clenched her fists and walked toward Peter.

"What do you want?" he sneered.

Hermione saw some immature Draco Malfoy in him just now. "This is for insulting me," SLAP! "This is for insulting Harry," SLAP! "And this is just because I feel like it!

Peter's eyes grew wide as Hermione pushed her hands into his chest. He slammed up against the guard rail of the ship and reached out for Cho. Hermione pushed again, sending Peter overboard, followed by the clingy Cho. SPLASH!

Hermione looked over the edge in triumph, seeing the difficult time they were having battling the waves back to shore. Harry and Ron soon joined her, admiring the amount of courage she had to have mustered up to push her ex-boyfriend over the guardrail of a massive cruise ship.

“Look at them go! By the time dinner rolls around, they should be stepping out of the water.”

Harry and Hermione looked at Ron and began laughing heartily at what he had said. He was right though. Cruise ships very often have to dock far enough away from shore as to not get stuck from lack of water and space. Honolulu and just about everywhere else in Hawaii was well known for waves. These ones weren’t particularly big in the morning, and that was true now. They were just annoying. Cho and Peter swam as hard as they could, but not gaining much in their efforts.

Josie came up and tapped Hermione’s arm. Her attention was drawn to the captain walking down the stairs and heading their way. Hermione grabbed Harry’s arm and soon all four of them were off to go eat their breakfast.

The choices of the morning down on the main deck were: bagels, toast, eggs & bacon, donuts, muffins, and of course—hash browns.

The four pals wandered along the tables of food for the continental breakfast, picking out various things to eat that would hopefully hold them over until lunch.

Harry lifted a blueberry muffing from a plate and leaned over into Hermione. “Sorry breakfast got botched up.” He whispered.

Hermione smiled to herself a bit before answering. “You shouldn’t be sorry. I’m the one that should be sorry. If I hadn’t made such a fuss over Peter, we would be alone right now.”

Harry shook his head as they moved down the table toward the beverages. “Don’t blame yourself. Really, it’s a good thing you got to him first. I would have ended up messing up his pretty-boy face at the sight of him.”

Hermione giggled and reached for a cup of orange juice. “I’m really sorry all that happened just a little while ago.”

Harry shook his head some more. “Look, we both knew very well that Peter was going to have to be dealt with sooner or later. I’m just glad he didn’t do anything to you.”

Hemrione stopped and stared at him for a moment before turning around to go to their table.

“Great. Just great.” Harry scoffed. “Now I’ve gone and made her mad.” He sighed and grabbed his glass of fruit juice and went to sit across from Hermione at their table. Ron and Josie weren’t done yet so this was the perfect time to talk.

Hermione was staring down at her plate, shaking some salt and pepper over her eggs without blinking. “Harry, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come off the way I did. It’s just that—“

“He has a problem with us.” Harry finished, awaiting her reaction as he stared.

A faint sigh escaped her mouth before she finally looked up at him. Her fork found its place flat on her plate as she let go of it. “He will always have a problem with us. But that’s not the point. He’s just so—“

“Selfish? Demanding? Pig-headed? Egotistical? Controlling—“

“Okay, Harry stop. Just stop before you get me carried away on this subject too.” She was finally smiling.

Harry mentally picked up his jaw and closed his mouth before he got even more into it than he already was. “Sorry.”

“You forget that I actually dated him. I was probably everything you just listed at one point or another.” Hermione looked dumbfounded at seeing Harry laughing at her. “It’s not funny, Harry! How can you laugh at me like that,” she defended with a smile.

Harry stopped and tried to hold it in. “Sorry Noni. No actually, you were quite demanding when you were with Peter.”

Her jaw dropped, as if she expected him to say something else. “I—I was,” she questioned faintly.

“Yes you were. But not to worry, you weren’t doing anything to make me or Ron mad. It’s just that anytime the three of us would go do something, you had to be in charge, which was fine. Usually you made all the decisions anyway, but it was more prominent.”

Hermione slouched in her chair and looked up apologetically. “I’m sorry. I had no idea.”

Harry just smiled sweetly and tapped her foot with his to reassure her. Not long after, Ron and Josie showed up.

“So what are you two talking about?” Ron asked, sliding into the booth seat next to Hermione.

“Oh nothing. Just talking about the incident today with Peter,” Hermione answered.

The next few minutes passed in almost total silence. Both Ron and Harry picked up on Hermione’s timidity, knowing that right now wasn’t exactly the best time to ask what happened with Peter.

“Impossible!” Ron hissed as they all got up from the table. Everyone looked at him, then saw what he was seeing.

Cho and Peter were already back on the ship, and soaking wet. The crawled over the guard rail and toppled onto the deck. Someone must have seen them in the water and brought them back onboard. One of the ship’s staff members was tying one of the emergency escape rafts back in its proper place, with a stern attitude.

Hermione, Ron, Harry and Josie looked on from their position and tried not to laugh, but the situation was too big to hold it in.

Seeing Cho and Peter carrying their shoes in their arms, with their clothes sticking to them like glue, was priceless. Cho’s Hair was stuck to her face and jutted out in all sorts of directions. Her long flowing black hair was messy for once in her life, while Peter’s was just soaked to the roots. Both of them were clearly pissed off at the situation, but didn’t say a word to anyone as they made their way back to their room to dry off, since they apparently didn’t have their wands on them.

“Do you think we should tell Cho she has a crab stuck in her hair?” Hermione asked with a huge grin. The look on Harry’s face told her no one should say anything.

“No! I’d rather listen to her scream when she realizes it’s there.” Harry pointed out amusingly.

All four of them burst into uncontrollable laughter and turned down the opposite direction to leave the ship.

The day grew on yet again with tours all over the famous island. Hikes up massive waterfalls were the highlight of the day for most, while many others played in the clear water of the ocean.

Slowly, the sun made its decent from the sky, making it quite a site on the water with its many colors spreading out over the crystal waves. Harry and Hermione stood at the water’s edge, barefoot, admiring the picturesque sight before their very eyes. The water rhythmically came up to just above their ankles and receded, leaving their toes and heels buried a bit in the white satin sand.

“Harry, can I ask you something,” Hermione started.

Harry came up behind her and wrapped his strong arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. “Sure, ask away.”

Hermione smiled at his caress and leaned back into him fully as he brought his head up. “I was just wondering. Did Cho talk to you this morning? I mean about the same time Peter was talking to me?”

Harry took in a deep breath. “No. I haven’t talked to her at all on this trip. And if by chance I did, you would know about it because we both know it wouldn’t be something I’d actually enjoy.”

A small giggle escaped Hermione’s gentle throat. Knowing Peter was lying comforted her to a huge degree.

“Why do you ask,” he questioned.

The cool night breeze clung to their skin, giving them all goose-bumps. “While I was yelling at Peter, he kept saying Cho was in talking to you at that same moment. I just wondered was all.”

Harry nodded and put his chin on top of her head as they watched the last of the sun’s rays suck away from the world above them. “Is there something you need to get out in the open? Because if you do, I’ll be the good listener and let you vent it all out. I don’t know all that happened in your room, but if it resulted into you throwing pieces of furniture at him, it had to be something big.”

Hermione smiled and turned around in his arms, looking into his shadowed face. The breeze crawled coolly through the strands of his hair, taking away Hermione’s habit of brushing it out of his face. “You’re right. I need to talk. Come with me and I’ll tell you everything.” She took his hand and the two of them walked up the sandy beach into the area where the luau would be starting soon.

On the opposite side of the beach park, Josie had a very pissed off Ron staring her down, in the now dim light. “Ron come on, it’s not that big of a deal! Why can’t you just get over it?” she put her hands on her hips, trying to bring to light, his over reaction.

Ron slowly made his way to stand just inches from her face. “You told me you didn’t know Draco Malfoy. And now I find out that—that—ah! I can’t believe we’re even having this conversation! I’m going to go walk this off before the party starts. I’ll see you later.” He turned away from a disappointed Josie and began to walk glumly down the beach, letting the water run over his bare feet.

Josie stood vulnerable, out in the open, just watching him disappear down the sandy beach. There was no longer any light left lingering on them, so Ron was quickly out of anyone’s line of sight. She kicked up a bit of sand with her toes, and felt something strange jump out of the sand and into clear view. She reached down and picked up what looked like a diamond ring and stuffed it carelessly in her pocket after deciding it had to be fake. Slowly and disappointed, she turned away from the tossing waves and made her way into a now-formed tent that had been set up for the party.

Hermione seemed to be weeping on Harry’s shoulder in the distance. Coming to the conclusion that they needed their privacy, she walked right past them without acknowledging their presence. Not long after, someone grabbed her arm and slowly turned her around.

“What’s wrong,” Hermione asked in a sincere, concerned, tone.

Josie faked a smile and tried to be strong while tears threatened to rain tenderly from her eyes. “I think Ron hates me now.”

Hermione gave her a soothing, sympathetic look, and brought her to sit down on a bench by the gentle pull of her hand. “What did Ronald do,” she asked seriously.

Josie looked up at her pleadingly, silently begging Hermione not to make her tell her what Ron now knows.

After staying behind on Hermione’s orders, Harry finally made his way over to the two girls. He sat hesitantly beside Hermione, seeing the odd look on her face. Josie seemed apologetic as she looked Harry in the eyes. For a few fleeting moments, Harry couldn’t think of anything that could be going on, but then he remembered how he saw Ron storming off a little while ago. The look on Josie’s face said enough.

“Harry, Ron found out that Josie knows Malfoy.”

“So,” he said bluntly.

Hermione gave him a scolding look.

“I also told him how I knew him and he freaked out,” Josie said in a near whisper.

Harry’s chest tightened a bit. “I know Ron’s a hot head but he’ll come around—eventually,” he answered back. “But whatever you told him, I could probably guess what it is without thinking twice.”

Josie tilted her head forward in a secretive manner and looked at them. “Will you two swear to me that you won’t go telling anyone else? I know we really don’t know each other all that well, but—I like Ron—a lot, and I want to deal with him on my own, you know, to explain things a little better.”

Harry and Hermione gave her a trusting smile, reassuring her they would keep their word. But no where in her mini-speech did she say they couldn’t talk about it between just the two of them.

********

Ok so now you get to tell me what you thought of what I just wrote for you! Hehehe well it’s up to you really but I would really appreciate your feedback. I’ll try to have another update ready to go very soon. At least a lot sooner than how long it took for this update!

22. Josie

Hey guys! Just thought I would update you again. Sorry if this is too short for you, but since you all asked for another update, here it is! Let me know what you think, and if you don't like it, please be helpful in telling me so. Thanks!

Josie's Memory -

Ron finally took a moment and stopped walking further down the dark, sandy beach. With his hands stuffed in his pockets and an empty _expression on his face, he turned around and looked back from where he just came from.

In the distance there were lights dotting an area of the beach; a tell-tale sign of a party just now getting underway. Nothing was going to change his mind about what he was feeling just now; not the enticing feeling of wanting to join the party, or even the sloshing waves beside him. The water pranced around his ankles, but the feelings of guilt, embarrassment, and anger filled his insides to a never-ending degree.

Slowly, he turned back around and sat himself gently on a large, flat rock to think, relax, and hopefully get himself under control before walking the great distance back to join the party.

Ron now knew the truth about Josie. And knowing wasn't looking up to be a great thing right now. With how closely tied she is with the Malfoys made his stomach churn uncomfortably.

After thinking about it for a minute, he came to one obvious conclusion. 'I shouldn't be bloody mad about this!' he said quietly to himself. The one thing that got to him the most was the 'M' word: Malfoy. For a while now, Draco has been decent toward everyone but Harry. Still, the thought made him squirm in his pockets and he was angry. She lied to him. True, he hasn't come to know her all that well, but the body language and signals said enough. They wanted to go in the same direction, together.

The misty breeze kissed his skin and danced along each exposed freckle, creating bumps all over his ivory skin. The wind was beginning to pick up quite a bit, leaving Ron no choice, but to start walking back, and fast.

The rock wall beside him and the open body of water, trapped in all noises. Deciding he better go faster than he already was, he picked up his knees and began sprinting. Water and sandy mud splashed up on his shins with each powerful stride, making him quite dirty. A thought comforted him about this. As he continued his lightning-fast run down the shore, he reached into his pocket, searching for his wand. It wasn't there. He reached into his other pocket for it. It wasn't there, along with something else that had been in his pocket all day long. His heart dropped a few inches in his chest, and his running slowed. Finally he was back where he was before he took off, right in the very spot he had left Josie. Guilt overtook him yet again. He truly felt bad for the things he had said to her, and he knew she would be mad at him for quite some time.

Ron's feet sifted through the sand as he began to walk, the tiny grains sticking to his still wet skin. With how his bottom half looked, he wished he had his wand. With his head down and mind drowning out the noises from the luau in front of him, he nearly missed a familiar voice calling out to him. A few moments went by before he noticed it, but he eventually looked up.

Hermione was running from the blazing bonfire at full speed, and in his direction. She slowed her pace when she caught Ron's attention. "Where were you," she asked, nearly out of breath.

Ron turned up one corner of his mouth in a sly smile, something Hermione caught onto almost instantly.

"Needed time to think, did you," she asked with raised eyebrows and an accusatory voice.

Ron eyed her funny for a moment, then realized she knew what he did. "Out with it, Hermione. What do you know?"

Hermione folded her arms and glared at him. "I think you know very well what I know, Ronald Weasley. But that isn't important--"

"Isn't important? She's a bloody Malfoy!" Ron's voice caught a few people's attention, making him anxious.

"Actually she's a Black, but that's not important right now. What's important is you've got a very upset girl. She thought you would understand. She really likes you Ron, she told us. But she was afraid you'd reject her."

"Well aren't you one to talk," Ron accused.

Hermione stepped cautiously closer to him, starting at him skeptically. "What on this green earth does that mean?"

Ron grinned evilly at her for a moment. "Oh nothing really. Just that we all hold back on something sometime."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"No? Well let me remind you!" Ron gently turned Hermione by her shoulders until she was looking at the same thing he was.

In their direct field of vision, stood Harry. He was talking to Josie about something that appeared to be important. A few silent moments went by as they looked on. Just then, Harry turned and looked in Hermione's and Ron's direction, giving both of them a sincere smile. Without even realizing it, Hermione was smiling back, quite cheekily.

Then Ron spoke up. "How long are you going to hold out on him, Hermione? I guess the more important question is how long are you going to hold back from each other?" Ron backed away, leaving Hermione to stir in her own confused thoughts, and walked off up the sandy walk way to join the party.

Hermione was still staring adoringly at Harry, but he was talking with Ron now. Her mind wandered in and out of various things before she realized Ron had left her side and Harry was starting toward her. Uncontrollably her face flushed and was replaced with a hot sensation in her cheeks.

Hermione looked Harry directly in his jade eyes as he stood in front of her, smiling sweetly. She felt the blood rise once again, and felt that familiar feeling of floating on a cloud with how he was staring.

For a while, the two of them stood there smiling at each other, taking in the site before them.

Meanwhile, Ron scampered around the party, finding his way around as best he could. One glimmer from across the fire caught his eye. Josie was talking with some other guy across the way, and appeared to be enjoying herself completely. They laughed and talked for what seemed like forever in Ron's mind. He was fixed on watching someone he had feelings for, flirting and having a good time with someone else. The anger suddenly washed away, like the waves of the ocean, and was replaced by guilt. For the first time in the last little space of time, he honestly felt bad for how he had treated Josie. But the rational part of him sprung out and he simply found no excuse as to why she would be hanging around with someone else.

In a mixed fit of guilt and confusion, he stalked off across from her, purposely putting himself in her field of vision.

As Josie stood there talking to this perfect stranger standing in front of her, she saw a flash of red dance in her eyes, then quickly disappeared. Her head bobbed around the stranger, for any clue as to what she had seen. Then she locked her eyes on him.

Ron was making his way to a table to have a seat. Yet again, he needed time to think. A waiter, dressed in the traditional Hawaiian party-wear, came around taking orders for drinks. Ron ordered his, not even really realizing what it was he ordered, and continued to drown himself in his thoughts. A few long moments later, someone had a seat at the table across from him. It was Josie.

“What are you doing sitting here all by yourself,” she asked in a dull tone.

Ron leaned back in his chair in a casual way to look at her. “I felt like sitting. What are you doing?”

Josie settled herself in her chair and moved closer to the table. “I just thought I would check up and see if you're still mad.” Her demeanor was relaxed and unthreatening.

He looked at her further and tried not to react in the way he felt like reacting. “Why couldn't you just tell me you were a Malfoy in the first place? I'm only mad because you waited until now to tell me.”

“Yeah well I'm not all that proud about it myself. And technically I'm a Black.”

Josie took the opportunity to gaze around the restaurant a bit during the awkward silence. Waiters bustled about, taking orders, and delivering. Her gaze was fixed on a small family of four, eating peacefully at their table. A little boy about the age of six was carelessly handling his glass of water, and within a matter of seconds, it came crashing to the ground with a loud break. Water and glass scattered everywhere very quickly, but in Josie's eyes and mind, she saw the situation play out in slow motion, bringing back an awful memory from her childhood.

***Flashback***

“Josie, you should be careful. Father won't like you tampering around in the kitchen like this,” a young voice whispered to her as she crawled onto the counter tops in their spacious kitchen.

“Oh go away! What do you care anyway? Of course he won't like what I'm doing! But I don't really care since he'll find some way to punish me no matter what,” she spat to the blond boy standing on the marbled kitchen floor below her.

He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. “If you insist,” he said coolly.

Josie reached into the cupboard and pulled out a glass for some water for herself. None of the house-elves were anywhere in sight, so she had to take things into her own hands. Carefully, she climbed down, with the help of her somewhat-caring half brother. She filled the glass with some ice, followed by some water, and began drinking it. Moments later, sounds of screaming, slamming doors, and other harsh noises filled the halls of the house.

An elegant, blonde woman stomped into the kitchen, fuming mad.

Josie continued to sip on her water, reluctantly, wondering what the fight was about this time. Just as she thought it, the other half of the parent-ship came storming in, just as mad. Josie removed her glass from her mouth, fully coming to grips that this was something more serious than anything ever before.

Narcissa Malfoy scurried behind Josie, to hold her daughter close to her. Tears were in her eyes, but she looked at her husband with such anger and hatred no one had ever seen before. “She's not going anywhere,” she said threateningly.

Draco stood on the sidelines, wondering just what it was they were talking about. He could see Josie was scared, and she didn't even know why she was. Lucius took a step forward, looking into his wife's eyes with a defiant expression.

“We can't have your daughter and my son going to the same school! How would it look if they knew they were only half brother and sister? This is for the benefit of our entire family. She goes to Durmstrang this fall, and that's the final decision.”

Josie felt weak in her knees, the most weak she had ever felt throughout her progressing eleven years of life. The expression on Draco's face was even worse. He was just as scared as she was, but felt more anger in his nerves than her.

She jumped from her mother's grasp and looked up into Lucius's cold eyes. “Durmstrang? That's years away from here! I'm not going and you can't make me!”

Lucius knelt down on his knees and looked at her. For being eleven years old, she sure had an incredible amount of courage and grace in her, much like her mother. “You're going whether you like it or not. Besides, you'll be able to come home for Christmas and summer holiday,” he said in a dark tone.

Josie looked at her half brother standing on the other side of their mother. “I want to go to school with Draco,” she sobbed.

Lucius didn't have any intention on backing down. He stood up, turned his back, and stalked out of the room without one glance over his shoulder.

Josie looked at Draco again. “I don't want to go away,” she sobbed some more.

For as long as they could remember, Draco and Josie had been best friends and now she was going somewhere far away to go to school. It didn't take long for her anger to to build up before she unleashed it. In one smooth stroke, Josie brought her glass up and thrust it to the ground, glass and water spreading all over the precious marble floor.

She never forgot that day. Their first day of school was only a month away, and this news totally wrecked her. She spent as much time as she could with Draco before leaving once and for all.

Then Christmas came around. Draco and Josie both went home to their family, but he wasn't the same. He was bitter and angry, with many qualities his own father possessed. From then on, Josie blamed his change on Lucius splitting them up to go to school. Things were never the same after that. The two fought all the time, and it never let up, not even now, in their twenties.

***end flashback***

Lucius isn't my father and I refused to go by the Malfoy name. Besides, it's not like I was around there every day anyway.”

Ron began to get into what she was saying a bit, feeling the curiosity rise in his gut. “Josie, I'm sorry I threw a fit a little bit ago.”

She cracked a small smile in his direction. “It's alright. I would probably be mad too if someone I cared about lied to me.”

He smiled back, wondering just what she meant, and finally felt comfortable knowing the truth.

23. A Careless Sleep

Ok well I finally got around to writing your update! Sorry it took me so dang long. I have had the hardest time concentrating on anything for the last few days, and my writing wasn't turning out so hot. So anyway, in this update I've included a few bits from the end of the last update, but revised a bit because I didn't like how I ended the last chapter. So anyway, just read this and tell me what you think. You guys are so awesome and I thank you all for the wonderful reviews. *hugs*!

Also, I've put the beginnings of a twist in the end of this, so I just want to see how many of you catch on. If you don't get it, you'll see what I mean in the next chapter. Talk to you later! *more hugs*

A Careless Sleep

Lucius isn't my father and I refused to go by the Malfoy name,” Josie suddenly blurted out, having snapped out of her memory trance. She looked at him sheepishly, suddenly finding a great interest in the table's design.

Ron studied her for a few moments, figuring out why she had said this all of a sudden. “What?” he paused for a bit, “You're only half a Malfoy?” he choked out.

Josie's eyes shot up to his in a dazed, yet dark, look. She bashed her hands down on the table…SLAM! The glasses and silverware jingled under the fierce impact. For a moment, she had a teary look in her eyes, but it softened after a little bit. “Ron, for the last time, I'm not a MALFOY! Don't you get it? Narcissa Malfoy is my mother, but I do NOT have Malfoy blood in my veins, understand?”

Ron nodded his head fiercely, not wanting to make her even more furious. He'd never seen her even remotely bothered, but just now, he figured he didn't want to be the cause of it surfacing ever again. He took her angry words in, trying desperately to make it fit in his mind. He began to get into what she was saying, and, suddenly he felt the anger subside, feeling it replace itself with a calmness he felt earlier before storming off down the beach shore by himself. He let his mood show through his eyes and face, making Josie feel better about the situation. “Josie, I'm sorry for the things I said to you. I just didn't understand.”

She cracked a small smile in his direction, finally feeling the utmost relief of getting through to him. “It's alright. I would probably be mad too if someone I cared about lied to me.”

He smiled back, matching her mannerisms.

“So—what did you order to drink?”

Ron shrugged his shoulders a bit, “How did you know I ordered a drink,” he asked loosely.

Josie smiled. “I figured that you don't feel like eating much when you're in an off mood.”

“Yeah, you're right about that one! Actually, I ordered some Noni juice or something like that.”

Josie snickered at him, covering her mouth to hide it. “I hope you ordered some fruit with that to liven it up. The last time I tasted Noni juice, I spit it right out because I couldn't stand the bitterness of it.”

Ron turned his head just as the waiter came around and put his drink in front of him. The juice was a strange color, but no fruit in sight. He lifted his nose to smell it, and put it down swiftly. Trying to remain in focus, with Josie staring at him, he picked up the straw and placed it in the drink before wrapping his lips around it to take the first sip.

Josie looked on, leaning her elbows on the table in an amused manner. “I wonder if this is the reason Harry nicknamed Hermione `Noni,'” she said vaguely

Ron roughly swallowed the juice that was in his mouth. “Not bad. It's definitely different than anything we have at home.”

Josie put on a sly smile, tipping her chin up in a challenging way. “Take another sip.”

He eyed her apprehensively but took another swift sip of his juice. Very soon after, his face warped into a sickened look, and the juice came spluttering out of his mouth.

Josie pulled up one of the menus to guard herself from the spray. “Tastes different the second time around, doesn't it?”

He nodded fiercely and pushed the glass slowly away from him. “That's the most revolting thing I've ever tasted. No wonder the waiter was pressuring me to order some fruit.”

The two exchanged loose laughter. Josie reached into her bag and pulled something out, and handed it to Ron. It looked like a straw wrapped in colorful paper, but with powder inside.

“What's this,” he asked hesitantly as he took it from her grasp.

“It's a muggle treat. Really, it's just tartly-flavored sugar, but it will spice up that drink quite pleasantly.”

Without anymore hesitation, he ripped off the top, being sure to shake the powder down, and poured the entire thing into his drink. Then he tested it, and gulped about half of it down. A sly nod indicated it tasted better, but it wasn't enough to cover up the bitterness. “Do you have any more of those?”

Josie wrinkled her forehead and looked in her bag. A short time later, she pulled out a whole bag filled with the sugary treats. She took some out and put them on the table in front of him. “I wouldn't recommend mixing either the blue or orange ones together. They can really mess you up after a little while.”

Ron glanced at her, but didn't take her advice as he took all blue and orange sticks from in front of him. One by one, he poured them in, soon finding he needed a spoon to stir everything together as it became thicker and thicker. Now it was an awful shade of green, and the grains of sugar were very visible from Josie's position.

Her eyes grew wide as he attempted to slurp his new drink through the straw. It became so thick, that it took at least a minute for one little slurp.

“That's disgusting!”

Josie and Ron turned their heads in the direction of the new voice. Harry and Hermione stood next to their table, watching Ron closely, but Hermione was the one to speak her mind about what he was doing. “Need some water with that there, Ron?”

He flashed her a cheesy smile and nodded his head. “That would be perfect!”

Hermione trailed her hand around Harry's abdomen, lightly tickling him, as she slipped behind him to get Ron some water.

“So I see you two are getting along fine now,” Harry commented distractedly, as he watched Hermione make her way around the lively area. He looked back down at them, to find the two of them looking up at him accusingly. “What,” he said defensively.

Ron gave up on his straw, and sat back in his chair while they waited for Hermione to come back. “Honestly, Harry. You two are so caught up in each other, I'm surprised you've even decided to join us.”

Harry smiled uncontrollably, not quite knowing what to say. “Well that was the original plan, but we decided to check up on you two.”

“Tell me Harry, what were your plans going to be tonight,” Josie asked suggestively, raising her eyebrows to him.

He responded by rolling his eyes. “You and Ron are perfect for each other,” he said bleakly. “No actually, we have some things we wanted to talk about without any interruptions. We'll do that sometime tonight, but for now, we plan on partying a bit with everyone.”

Josie sighed. Just as the conversation dropped, Hermione returned with a small glass of water.

“Here, Ron.” She said, handing over the water.

Ron smiled brightly and took it from her grasp, immediately dumping it into his half-empty drink.

The sugar and remaining Noni juice had mixed in such a way, that it made a very thick paste in the glass. The water Ron had poured in didn't even penetrate into the mix, but instead, just rested on top of the other two ingredients, untouched and still perfectly clear. He raised the glass up and looked at it, a smile breaking out on his face. “Wicked.”

“What did he put in that,” Harry asked, disgusted.

Josie shook her head and sighed. “It's a muggle candy. A very tart sugar and colorful, to say the least. I told him not to mix the blue and orange together, but he obviously didn't listen to a word I said.”

“Well it looks to me like he's drinking sugar, with a hint of water and juice,” Hermione commented jokingly.

Josie and Harry had a good laugh about it while watching Ron attempt to scoop it with a spoon.

Harry came behind Hermione and circled his arms around her, becoming more aware that the breeze was slightly dropping into colder temperatures.

She smiled and leaned into his embrace, feeling his warm skin against hers. It gave her goose bumps all over just to think none of this would have been possible just a few days ago. And now, they had started to become something more.

Harry bent down and whispered into her ear, making her smile some more. He moved her hair off her neck, and kissed the skin underneath, tenderly.

“So what do you say we hit the dance floor,” Josie asked. “Or we could go run around the bon-fire and make total fools of ourselves.”

Harry and Hermione looked at her, then back at Ron. He was so wired with the sugar his hands were a little shaky. “I say we make total fools of ourselves. That way, Ron can't protest.” Harry suggested, swaying slightly back and forth with his arms now wrapped around Hermione's shoulders.

Josie got up, and walked to the other side to pull Ron out of his seat and away from the oddly intoxicating drink.

He staggered a bit at first. “So tell me again why you shouldn't mix orange and blue together?”

Josie slapped him in the arm, testing his balance, and nearly knocking him over. “Because it does that to you.”

Harry and Hermione laughed at the two of them. “Well let's get a move on before all the good spaces are taken up!”

All four of them took off in a light jog, Harry and Hermione linking arms all along the way.

Ron, Josie, Hermione and Harry all danced around the enormous inferno, shouting random things at one another as if no one else was watching, having a grand old time. Ron's perkiness and twitchy behavior from his highly sugary drink concoction eventually rubbed off onto his friends. His laughter was contagious, and his eccentric behavior was enough to keep everybody entertained. Those sitting in chairs around the fire watched the four of them go around one side, and come back from the other. It was quite a sight. Few people joined in the encirclement of various island dancers. Being that Ron was so excited about the festivities, and he was still very wired with sugar, he didn't put up a fight when Hermione suggested they join the dance circle.

Around and around they went, twirling and jumping at all the right moments. The hula dancers seemed quite amused themselves at the fact that four tourists could keep the entertainment going for everyone.

“Wow, I'm tired,” Ron commented suddenly. He stopped the dance circle and felt the dizziness sink in from so much activity.

“Ron, are you alright?” Hermione rushed up beside him, seeing the sickened look in his eyes. A mix of huge amounts of sugar, and dancing in circles over and over again, can cause quite the after effect. “Okay, you're done. I think you should go sit down.”

Hermione, Harry and Josie all followed Ron to a table. “You know what?” Harry spoke up. They all looked at him with their eyebrows raised. “I think we should go sit by the water for a while. I saw a little clearing with some trees that would be perfect.”

Hermione and Josie beamed at him. “Well Ron? You up for it?”

Ron looked at Josie and stood up quickly from his chair. “Good idea Harry. Then maybe I can take a quick nap or something.”

They all rolled their eyes at him as they began walking quietly out to the sandy beach.

The breeze whispered through the sands, and echoed off the ocean waves. Moonlight skimmed across the glassy surface and illuminated the beach. Gentle torches lit the path to the shore, and made for easy travel.

“Right here looks good,” Josie said, stopping in her spot as the other three attempted to continue on.

They all turned around and looked at the place she had picked out. Palm trees surrounded the clearing in a semicircle, and in the center, was a pit for a fire.

Harry led Hermione from behind, nuzzling her neck, as they looked for a comfortable spot to sit down. Logs were surrounding the fire pit and everyone decided that to be perfect for a while.

Hermione and Josie shivered from the cool sea mist floating from the oceanic waters. Harry tuned in right away and pulled out his wand. He muttered a few words and four blankets appeared at their feet.

“So Josie, what did you have to do to Ron? I mean, he's not being a cranky git anymore.”

Josie snapped her head up and looked at Hermione with a smile on her face. “Oh nothing really. He was just jealous,” she snickered.

Harry looked over at Ron.

“I was not!” he said in his defense.

Josie squared off to him and stared him down, with her eyebrows raised. “Oh? Then what would you call it then? I particularly remember you getting all hot and bothered when you saw me talking to another guy.”

Hermione and Harry tried not to laugh as the two of them started a mild argument.

“Fine, whatever,” Ron said glumly, with Josie staring at him.

“I can't hear you,” she teased, cupping her ear in a playful way.

Ron muttered something so quiet, not even crickets could hear.

“Come on Ron, do what the lady says,” Harry joked.

He sighed. “Fine. You win. I was jealous. Now can we talk about something else a little more interesting?”

The four of them started a conversation about how the trip was going so far. Everything from the excitement of taking a vacation, to the fact that Ron nearly got sick from downing so much sugar just a little while ago was a hot topic.

“I see you're not as twitchy anymore,” Hermione commented sarcastically about Ron.

He shrugged. “I'd do it again if it didn't make my stomach turn inside out. That mixture tasted pretty good, but it had some strange affect on me.”

They all laughed.

A while later, they began to get really chatty, signaling the start of their drowsiness. All of them had long since moved to the comfort of the sand to lie down and get even more comfortable while the fire crackled. Harry and Hermione snuggled in one blanket while Harry's blanket was stretched out underneath them to keep out the sand.

Ron and Josie suddenly got quiet, the two of them drifting off to sleep while Harry and Hermione whispered to one another.

“Guess what Josie told me,” Hermione said in his ear.

He pulled back to look at her. “What?”

Harry's arm was lazily slung over her waist, while his other arm propped up his head as he rested on his side. Hermione's back was to him, but it wasn't all that difficult to carry a conversation with the sudden quietness.

“Josie is Malfoy's half sister.” She could feel Harry's muscles freeze from behind her. Obviously it was a shock. She rolled over in her spot and looked up into his jade eyes.

She just lay there on her back, waiting for some response from him. He appeared to be thinking about it. “Harry, say something,” she whispered softly, moving his hair off his face, and trailing her finger languidly down the side of his face.

He made a thoughtful face then looked down at her, smiling. “Don't want to. Who cares if she's Malfoy's half sister? I don't want to think about that right now.”

“What do you want to think about then,” Hermione asked pleasantly.

Harry rolled over on top of her and propped himself up on his arms. Effortlessly he bent his head down and kissed her on the forehead. “You. All I want to think about is you.”

She smiled and looking up him, pulled him down to her for a soft kiss.

A little more time passed and Harry was now on his back, with one arm folded behind his head for support, and Hermione snuggled up to him. They both stared in silence at the clear night sky, dusted with shimmering stars, while thinking heavily about each other, and little by little, drifted off to sleep……..

24. Seaweed, Saltwater, and the Strange Islander (fixed)

Ok guys, so so sorry it took me so long to update. I had everything mostly written up but I kept getting side tracked and I was so busy I couldn’t see or think straight. But I’m finally back with another update that I hope you’ll all like. Officially, this marks the turning point in the story so pay attention to the details. I edited it about 3 times to be sure everything flowed smoothly, so constructive criticism is very welcome, but if you didn’t like it, be specific on what you didn’t like so I know what direction to take this. Thanks all!

Note to all: Ok well I fixed that little Ron/Josie part that was throwing everybody off. Well at least I think I did. Let me know if there is anything else that is backwards or what not and I’ll get it taken care of. Sorry about that, but keep in mind that I wrote this at very late hours of the night for the past week, and I just edited it at 1 this morning.

Next chapter:

Harry and Hermione napped peacefully in their blanket, totally wrapped up in each other on the soft sand. Hermione may have been asleep, but she was very aware of how warm and soft Harry’s skin was against hers. Harry knew it too. She was comfortable and in a deep sleep, but also keyed into the fact that she was with Harry and the cool night air danced on their faces. It felt like home. While they cuddled up to one another, Josie was quite cozy with Ron. He was on his stomach, but one side of him was draped comfortably over Ron. She wrapped her arms around him and continued to sleep from underneath him. Ron, however, was having a very vivid dream and a nice one at that….

The sun was shining brightly above them, and Josie continued to kiss him all over his mouth and cheeks. Never once did he complain. Suddenly he felt something cold trickle down the side of his face. As he looked up at Josie, she had no expression. Not even the slightest smile. He felt it again. It was stinging him but cold at the same time. In the next breath, his feet and legs felt quite heavy, like something was trying to drag him off somewhere. He began to panic and started to break free of what had a hold on his ankles. His dreamy vision blurred and he finally fell out of his dream and back to the reality he was once in…

“Ron! Get…up!” a female voice shouted, dropping his feet to the ground very quickly.

Ron opened his eyes and looked up. The clear, bright, blue sky flooded his eyes, and he soon met eyes with Harry, Hermione and Josie at his feet. They all looked rather unhappy and had their arms folded. He found it hard to sit up, due to the fact that he was lying on a slope, with his head at the bottom on the lower end of it. He managed to lift his body up a bit but fell back down and sat up very quickly, feeling a familiar sensation on the side of his face.

As gravity caught up with him and he was sitting straight up, ice cold water trickled down his face, stinging his apparently sunburned skin. The salt water appeared to be dripping from his hair. He took another good look at the three people in front of him and discovered they were soaking wet as well, but from the waist down. He suddenly lost control of his balance, due to the slight slope, and tumbled down; landing his lower half in water.

Ron finally jolted to a standing position and looked around. The tide was in, and was coming up to where he had just been sleeping. That explains the water in my hair and the SEAWEED, he thought, pulling a long strain of the plant from the top of his head. They all laughed at him a bit. All of them had slept clear through the night and now had a new situation on their hands. Slowly Ron turned back around and looked at his friends. “What time is it,” he asked hesitantly.

All three of them looked panicked as they stared at him. “I’d say it’s about noon,” Hermione said in a sarcastic, frustrated, what-does-the-time-matter-now, kind of voice.

“How long have you been up?” He asked them.

Josie bit her bottom lip and thought about it for a little bit. “We just barely woke up.” She paused, “Is everyone alright?”

They looked each other up and down for a few moments, then checked themselves over. “I think besides the fact that we’re drenched in salt water we’ll be fine,” Harry said with a sigh. “But—“ he started slowly.

As if to be tuning into each other’s thoughts, the same exact thing dawned on them at the very same moment.

“The SHIP!” They all shouted in panicking voices.

Automatically they all turned and rushed to the edge of the water, which wasn’t more than a few steps away, and sprinted along the sand to get a view of where the ship was docked. The wet mush splashed all over their legs as they kept moving, weaving in and out of trees and jumping over rocks. Harry arrived first and held out his arms for the rest to stop.

The dock was totally empty.

Now all four of them began to panic. No ship meant that they had been left behind, no thanks to all of them falling asleep on the beach the night before. There was no sign of civilization as they listened closely. All they could hear was the waves washing up onto the shore, and receding back through the various clustered rocks. Harry stood on top of the sea cliff, looking out into the empty water. The cerulean tint to it swirled in and out of itself.

“What are we going to do?” Hermione asked, wrapping her arms gently around Harry from behind.

He breathed deep and closed his eyes, then turned around in his spot, letting Hermione cling to his front. “I don’t know what we can do. We can’t apparate because we don’t know where the ship’s headed exactly, or if it’s already docked.”

Ron and Josie looked at each other for a few long moments. “Harry,” Ron started, inching closer. “It’s on its way to the Marshall Islands and if we can—“

“I’m afraid you are mistaken,” a strange feminine voice interrupted.

Ron curved around and all their eyes rested on one of the islanders. Her black hair came down to her waist, and her skin was medium toned and smooth. She wore no shoes, but had a tribal type ornament around her ankle. Her blue sarong tied around her waist and rested above her knees, matched with a pastel yellow halter top.

“Who are you,” Josie asked. She inched closer to the strange girl in a defensive manner.

The girl was about Josie’s same height and she just smiled. “My name’s Chloe.”

Ron seemed a bit too quick on the draw and rushed up to shake her hand. “I’m Ron, and these other people are my friends.”

Josie’s jaw dropped and she stared at him. When he stepped back, she nudged him hard in the ribs. He jumped and looked at her with a somewhat innocent face. “What was that for?”

She shook her head and looked the opposite direction.

Harry and Hermione were still holding on to one another, watching the situation between Josie, Ron and this Chloe character play out.

“So why wouldn’t our ship be headed to the Marshall Islands,” Hermione finally interrupted.

Chloe looked out at the water for a few moments, in a mysterious manner, then back at the small group of stranded magic folk in front of her. “Because of the storm.”

“Storm? What storm?” Ron spoke up defensively.

Chloe smiled at him and turned to point at the tossing waves. “See how the tide’s in?” she stopped and they all nodded. “Now see all the seaweed gathered on the shore and the violent waves?” They nodded again, and Ron briefly remembered how he had just pulled some seaweed from his hair a few minutes earlier. “Usually when the tide comes in, and brings seaweed with it, there has been a great storm out on the water. This particular storm was on its way to the islands. I’m sure the ship went around it and is now headed to one of your other destinations.”

Harry slumped his head down in defeat. “So we’re basically stuck here, then?”

Hermione looked up at him and kissed him softly on the cheek. His frustrated behavior was hard to resist sometimes.

Ron plopped himself back on the sand and stared blankly at the water to the islands in the distance. Josie sat down behind him and began rubbing his shoulders as they all waited to hear their first course of action.

Chloe’s soft footsteps in the sand indicated she was moving away from them. Josie silently cursed the girl under her breath, while still working out all the tension in Ron’s shoulders and back, giving him twinges of pain here and there from her little spurts of frustration.

Hermione could see right through Josie’s behavior and peeled herself away from Harry long enough to notice Chloe disappearing back into the trees.

“I’ll be back. I want to find out all that I can from this girl,” she whispered in Harry’s ear, making him shiver. He trailed his hand down her arm as she moved away until their fingers linked for a few short seconds before breaking away totally. Following her instinct, she slowly crept off toward Chloe; hoping to get some answers. Harry and the others gave her a careful glance, but she waved them off and they all watched her slightly disappear down the stretch of sand. Hermione caught up with the strange girl and finally spoke, “Chloe?”

Chloe stopped her leisurely walking manner and turned to face Hermione with her eyebrows raised. “Yes?”

Hermione stopped once she caught up with her and clasped her hands behind her back, thinking of what to say. “Is there any way we can get back to our ship,” she asked.

Chloe smiled a gentle smile. “It’s possible. But first someone has to find out where your ship is headed.” She slowly turned to start walking, but Hermione called out to her again, having to catch up with her peculiar movements.

“You’re from around here. So, you can help us, right?” she began to pace around her, desperate to keep her attention.

Hermione and Chloe were in a batch of trees, making it hard to see anything around them with only a small amount of sunlight pouring in from above them. “I know how to get you out of this.” She said slow and soft.

Hermione raised her eyebrows and folded her arms nervously. There was something odd about Chloe, but being that she was a total stranger cleared Hermione’s suspicions in a blaze. Chloe led her through the trees some more, crunching over branches here and there in her bare feet. Hermione watched where she was walking, trying everything in her control to not trip over the branches. That has already happened on this trip and it didn’t need to do it again. ‘But I got a kiss out of it,’ Hermione mused mentally to herself, referring to a couple days ago when Harry tripped over a tangle of vines and landed right on top of her. She smiled and continued to follow close behind Chloe as they stepped through bushes, trees, and large rocks.

****

Meanwhile, back on the beach, the sun beat fiercely down on Ron, Josie, and Harry. So far, no one had thought of the sun repelling charm, and apparently the sun was baking all sense out of them.

“Harry?”

Harry shifted to a comfortable position against the rock he was leaned up against. “Yeah?” he asked with closed eyes and a peaceful expression on his face.

Ron sat up from the comfort of Josie’s embrace and felt her arms coil away from around his chest to rest at his sides, tickling his hot skin. “Hermione’s been gone an awfully long time. Don’t you think we should go looking for her?” He asked.

Harry opened his eyes and looked warily at Ron and Josie, cuddled up against one another. A smile played on his lips at the sight but nearly an hour had passed since Hermione left, and he was beginning to think something could be wrong with her being gone so long. “She said she would try to get as much information out of Chloe as she could but that girl gives me the shivers,” Harry answered cautiously.

Ron nodded and Josie rolled her eyes from behind him. At least he wasn’t showing interest in this strange islander anymore. Josie then sighed as she rested her forehead at the back of his head.

“She’ll be fine. Hermione’s a tough girl,” Josie answered from behind Ron. “But what if Chloe isn’t who she seems and Hermione gets into trouble. I know she’s smart, but Ron’s right. She’s been gone a little too—“ Josie slowed, and smiled when she saw Harry already brushing himself off, getting up to leave. He started to walk, but flinched when the collar of his shirt rubbed his neck the wrong way. ‘I sure could use Noni’s soft hands right about now,’ he said softly to himself. A short moment later he turned around and saw Ron and Josie working up the strength to move. “You two coming?”

Ron stood up all the way and helped Josie to her feet gently, closing the large gap between them as she stumbled a bit. “We better go,” Josie said softly. Ron looked over at Harry who had started walking again, a bit slower, but he was definitely moving forward. Every now and then, Harry would fiddle with his shirt to position it comfortably on his body. Josie took Ron’s hand and led the both of them toward Harry.

It made Josie giggle to herself at seeing Harry struggling with his shirt. It was incredibly uncomfortable for him, and that was clearly a problem. “Harry, just take it off.”

Harry stopped when he heard their footsteps and Josie’s voice. He watched them move closer at a rapid rate, then they stopped right in front of him. “What?” he asked cluelessly.

Josie rolled her eyes. “You can be so clueless at times. If your shirt is bothering you so much, you should just take it off.”

Harry felt an argument stir in his head. “Josie, if I take off my shirt, I’ll just burn more and more, then what good will that do?”

She rolled her eyes and spun him around to look at his skin. Harry stood there confused, but let Josie do her thing, with her fingers trailing along the scarlet skin on his neck. “Well for starters, it will get you extra treatment from Hermione.”

Harry sucked in a breath but Josie cut him off. “Second, either of you two guys were too dense to take out your wands and do something about our burning skin.”

Ron put his hands on Josie’s shoulders as Harry turned around. “Well Jose, I don’t recall you remembering either,” Ron said smoothly.

Harry folded his arms and just waited.

Josie turned around and had a sensual glint in her eyes, like she wanted to kiss someone. But as Ron smiled in anticipation, she reached down into his pocket and pulled out his wand. His eyes rolled back and his face flushed when he didn’t get his wish. “Thank you! And I actually did think of it, a while ago, and used it on myself but I’m surprised neither of you thought of anything.” Josie said sarcastically. “Harry, turn around,” she said impatiently, swirling her finger in a circular motion.

He felt frustrated but did as he was asked. Josie muttered something and his skin suddenly felt tingly and cool at the same time. After the sensation passed, he turned back around to thank Josie. “Thanks. So what did that do?”

“It blocks your skin from burning anymore, but you’ll have to put something on your skin later tonight when we get things figured out. So in other words, you can take off your shirt without burning anymore.”

Harry smiled and shot a cheesy grin at Ron from the look on his face. Ron was staring at Josie, then repeatedly from her to Harry. Obviously he thought Josie was coming onto him.

Josie immediately turned around and did the spell for Ron. “Now Ron, you can take your shirt off as well.”

Ron felt relief rush through him when he realized Josie was just trying to help, and she wasn’t hitting on his best friend.

All three of them turned to face the same direction and realized they stood at the entrance to the forest of palm trees, where Hermione and Chloe had ventured into. As they looked on, Harry was slowly unbuttoning his shirt. Little did he know, he had an audience. A few moments later his shirt slipped off his shoulders and slipped away from his body completely. To keep his shirt on hand in case it came in handy, he slid it through one of the belt loops in his shorts and let it hang down in two separate parts as it hung from its middle. The light material waved in the gentle breeze. After a long silence from Josie and Ron, he looked at them.

“So what’s the plan,” Josie said nervously. Harry’s glistening skin shimmered in the sunlight, showing off each crease of muscle on his muscular upper half. No matter who you were, one look at that body could weaken you significantly; as long as you happened to be a girl. And Josie was feeling it, despite the fact that she was attracted to Ron in more ways than one.

Harry sighed and looked at Ron and Josie. “I guess we take a walk through and see if we can find them. Most likely they’re on the other side where all the rest of the islanders are. It’s not that far,” he said, putting his hands on his hips and wiping his forehead with the back of one hand.

‘I’d like to strangle that girl right about now,’ Josie muttered under her breath, causing the two boys to give her strange looks. She sounded as if she was mad at Hermione, but had to correct herself so the boys didn’t lecture her about it.

So with a deep sigh, they all set off into the coolness of the trees in search of Hermione, and hopefully some answers as to what to do about being left behind. Harry led the way and soon they came out on the other side with an interesting sight in front of them. Ron and Harry had their mouths open in shock, and Josie just rolled her eyes.

25. Hermione the Guilty One

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!

26. One More Day - Part 1

Ok guys, sorry I took so long with this update! I got super busy studying, AND I just got back into town from a funeral I had to go to. I was also asked to sing at the graveside, which was really interesting, but I did it anyway. I worked on this chapter while I was gone, so I hope it lives up to your standards. If not, you'll get over it when I post the next part ^_^. At the end of this update, you'll find the summary for the next fic I told you I was working on. So read that, then tell me what you think! I'll be posting it when THIS story is finished (which isn't far off). Only about 4 or 5 more updates after this. Thanks guys!

One More Day (Part 1)

The four of them walked a good distance before Hermione decided it was time to stop. They were still in the darkness of the surrounding trees, but Hermione had found a nice place for them to talk about what was going on. Each of them followed her into a mess of bushes off the path they were walking on, and into a clearing not far from that. There was a picnic table and each of them took a seat. Hermione stood at the end of the table, taking charge in the situation, to inform them what their next plan of action was.

Harry sat at the end, closest to her. Ron and Josie sat opposite from Harry and waited eagerly for some explanation.

Hermione was perfectly aware of their impatience with her, and reached into her pocket, to pull out the small, blue, swirling cube she snatched from Chloe's hut. It floated again in her hand and she gazed carefully at each of them as they looked on.

“Everyone,” she paused “this is what is going to get us back to the ship so we can continue our vacation.”

They all looked at her strangely.

“What is it exactly,” Harry asked to break the silence, giving Hermione a sincere, yet challenging smile.

Hermione turned the corners of her mouth up at him, then looked at Ron and Josie. “It's a map.”

The looks in all their eyes flashed before her, revealing excitement, as well as confusion.

“What do you mean it's a map? I don't see how it could display anything significant. It's too small!” Ron pointed out.

As expected, Harry, Hermione, and Josie all rolled their eyes at his denseness. And it was quite true that Ron could be very dense at times, especially during those situations that demanded most of his brain power. It was a bad habit for him to be a skeptic when it was most inappropriate.

Hermione turned the little cube over in her hands a few times then stopped. It started spinning, faster and faster, then shot open to a large blue, flat surface. Proving her point that not everything is as it seems, Hermione placed the now enlarged map flat on the table surface.

“How did you do that,” Josie questioned, looking up at Hermione with a little skepticism behind her eyes.

Hermione just smiled. “I just turned it and flipped it until it unlocked. It's protected by a combination.”

They all nodded at her then stared at the map. It was now a thin satin-like cloth, but easy to tell what the different things were on it. Everything was miniature, not just pictures. There were little trees displaying forests, and pools of swirling water for the small lakes and ponds on the island. Out of curiosity, Harry ran his finger across the top of one of the small pools of water. Hermione watched closely for his reaction when the map changed; now showing everything that could possibly be living in the pond it represented. Harry's eyes widened in curiosity and he touched the water again. This time the map returned to its original state, showing the whole island and the surrounding ocean.

“Oh, I get it! You touch an area to see it up close. That's bloody brilliant!” Ron proclaimed, leaning over the table for a closer look.

Hermione smiled at his correct observation. “Right! So naturally I already know where our ship is. Chloe was right. It's headed straight for the Caribbean as we speak.”

“Well what are we going to do?” Harry asked, smiling up at the very girl that had stolen his heart just a few short days ago.

Hermione narrowed her eyes in a mischievous look. “We locate the exact position of the ship, utter a small spell, and then we're back on board. It's as easy as that. For now, we hide. I took this without anyone seeing me and surely they're out looking for us right now.”

Something didn't make sense to them as she said this. “But Hermione, what happened to make you take this?” Josie spoke up.

Hermione took in a deep breath. “I saw Chloe go into her hut for something. So I followed after her, thinking she could use some help. She had a very suspicious looking box on her desk, one I've seen on the bad list at the ministry. I tucked myself away in a corner and watched as my suspicions were confirmed. The box was protecting the map, and I took it because it's on the wanted list at the Ministry.”

Harry creased his forehead in thought. “Are you saying this is one of those voodoo maps?” He asked eagerly. Hermione nodded.

What Harry was referring to was actually a map where you can move things around, completely changing the geography of certain places if you wanted to. The Ministry was after these maps because criminals would use them to hide things and no one would ever find them. People would even hide themselves in certain locations, never to be heard of again.

“Why do you think Chloe had this, and why aren't we running for our lives right now,” Ron inquired.

A small smile crept out on Hermione's lips. “Because I can see if they're headed our direction and stop them if they are. With this map, I can take us to a total different location and they'll never find us.”

“Impressive,” Ron commented with the explanation. They all shared a small laugh.
“So why don't we just get back to the ship right now then,” Josie asked softly, staring at the contents of the map before them.

Harry looked up at Hermione with adoring eyes, waiting for her to answer Josie's question. She was plotting something. With that look in her eyes, something was definitely reeling through that smart brain of hers.

“Because I don't want to go back yet. Wouldn't it be fun to just hang around this island for one more day as if we owned it? With this map we can explore all the interesting areas then leave for the ship and finish out our vacation whenever we want. What do you say?”

The three sitting at the picnic table looked at each other thoughtfully, then up to Hermione, whose eyes were sparkling with a plan. They all shrugged with broad smiles on their faces.

“Sounds fine to me,” Harry said playfully, staring up at her.

Hermione bit her bottom lip and smiled back at him, taking in the incredible sight of him. He was without doubt, very good looking all dirty and sweaty. It was very appealing to her as she thought of all the possibilities one more day on the island could bring. Inwardly she smiled at that inclination, with Harry smiling back up at her.

Lunchtime was finally ticking in everyone's stomachs. With the day's events, they all forgot that eating was part of their daily routine. The frustration of deciding what to do, was starting to drive everyone crazy. Since they were all really hungry, all rational thought was very scarce at this point. Harry being the quick thinker he was, thought of a very simple solution for all of them.

“Why don't we just pick a cozy spot and eat?” he asked.

Everyone stopped their bickering immediately and looked at him.

“Or did you forget that we can use magic,” he added sarcastically.

Ron and the others shrugged and began thinking up their lunch. A few minutes passed, the lunch was finally done being `created', and Ron and Josie decided to go off by themselves to eat and talk about the day's events. In the meantime, Harry and Hermione decided to leave the picnic site and find something a little cozier. The two of them ended up in a sunny clearing under some trees. Harry conjured up a blanket with his wand and sat down; Hermione following immediately after.

**

“So what do you think of your vacation so far,” Josie asked Ron.

He stopped mid-chew, with his sandwich taking up most of the space in his mouth. Ron roughly swallowed, to be able to answer Josie's question without his food falling right out onto the ground. “It's great! It's good for Harry and Hermione too. They sort of needed this to push them together, you know?” he paused to look at Josie, who seemed to be enjoying herself. “Besides, I kind-of like having someone else to hang around, while they're getting all cozy and touchy-feely. They always thought I was bad when I was with a girl, but—“

Ron stopped mid-sentence when he noticed the odd smirk on Josie's face. She was sitting across from him as he leaned up against a large palm tree. Slowly and saucily, she crawled over to him and took the sandwich out of his hands. Ron didn't utter one word of protest, but just stared at her in awe, and in shock. She smiled and found her place right beside him, but still faced him straight on.

“You won't be needing that,” she said as she made the remainder of his sandwich disappear.

His jaw fell open a bit, and he gulped.

Josie ran her fingers slowly and lovingly through his hair. Still, his mouth was open a bit; perfect opportunity for Josie. She stared suggestively at him for a few moments. Ron got what signals she was sending and…

***

Harry helped clean up his and Hermione's lunch from their blanket under the trees and splotchy sunshine. Something popped into his head as he made things disappear, one by one, and stole small glances at Hermione. She was sitting on the corner of the blanket, with her head tipped back, exposed to a bit of sunshine coming through a gap in the trees above. It was very silent between the two of them while Harry took care of things. He smiled down at her, with her eyes closed, enjoying the warmth on her already pink skin.

“Hermione?” asked Harry.

“Hmmm?” She didn't make an effort to pull her head back up, but continued to let it hang back.

Harry smiled and sat down next to her, interrupting the sun rays washing over her skin. “Do you think our vacation is ruined now?”

Hermione finally brought her head up, and looked next to her, where Harry sat watching her. “I don't think it's ruined, just interrupted. Besides, I've enjoyed not having to worry about Peter, or even that other guy that was hitting on me a couple days ago.”

Harry shook his head. “You're so much more relaxed since we've been away from the Ministry.”

Hermione had tipped her head back again to soak up the sun, and had shut her eyes. “That's because it's incredibly stressful on me, don't you think?”

He nodded back to her. “You deserve this vacation more than anyone else. But at least when you go back, you'll have something to start fresh with.”

“Yeah? What's that?” she tipped her head back up.

“Chloe's map.”

“Oh.” She sighed and put her head on Harry's shoulder as he leaned back on his hands. He stroked her hair and nearly lost himself in her, feeling her skin on his chest.

“I mean, they've been looking for that map for ages, right?”

Hermione nodded her head.

“I wouldn't be surprised if you get promoted for this,” he finished with a smile.

Hermione smiled and turned around to face him. She crawled over his lap and straddled him. Slowly, she began running her fingers through his hair. Harry's eyes were closed now as he felt fingers darting through his jet black hair. He smelled of the trees and ocean around him, but it wasn't necessarily a bad thing, Hermione thought to herself.

Before Harry could open his eyes and enjoy the look on her sweet face, she had her lips pressed against his, with her hands softly rested on each side of his face.

He immediately responded to her advances and sat up taller, wrapping his arms tightly around her as they kissed.

Birds were fluttering and chirping above them in the trees, and the sound of the ocean waves in the distance added to the natural music of the island.

Harry pushed forward and now had Hermione on her back underneath him. He pulled away to look down at her. She was smiling brightly, and had one hand trailing down his chest. He shivered a bit, but looked down at her, with just as much admiration as she showed him. Her hair was spread out on the blanket underneath her, with a few locks in her face. Harry gently smoothed them away and went back down to continue their few moments they had alone with each other.

A few minutes went by before Ron and Josie found Harry hovering over Hermione, assaulting her lips with his own. Ron cleared his throat, which broke the two of them apart.

“Oh, hey Ron,” Hermione said from underneath Harry, who hung his head down low, disappointed that they had been interrupted so soon.

“We've got a problem,” Josie said to break the silent tension.

Harry and Hermione immediately sat up, composed themselves, then looked at them.

“Why, what's going on?” Hermione said as she smoothed out her hair.

Ron and Josie looked at each other, then back at them. “We think we heard some people back off in that direction,” Ron said, pointing back to where they had all been gathered not too long ago.

“Where's the map, Noni,” Harry asked her, with a kiss on the cheek.

Hermione wrinkled her forehead and reached into her pockets, searching frantically. Her forehead wrinkled some more and she pulled her hands out of her pockets. “I…I don't know! I just had it, I swear!” Hermione jumped up from her spot and looked around hers and Harry's picnic spot, for some sign that she could have dropped it. There was nothing around to help her figure it out.

“Looking for this?” A voice called from behind Ron and Josie.

Harry stood up, helping Hermione to her feet as well.

Chloe was looking directly at them, with the boxed map floating in the palm of her hand.

Thanks for reading! In the next chapter, you'll find out what happens to Chloe, and how the quad (Ron, Josie, Harry & Hermione) get back on the ship. There will also be a twist that leads up to the ending. Now read my summary below ^_^

(Harry Potter &) The Alliance of the Protector, by Michie

Only JKR original characters will be appearing in this story.

It is Action/Adventure. Originally it would have been another fluffy fic, but that changed after I started actually writing it. A/A will be considered the main contents of the story. And L/R is the secondary base.

The title says a lot, but I can't totally tell you what.

It starts during 6th year, and also follows with the results of book 5. There are a LOT of spoilers, so if you haven't read it, don't read my fic.

The dating circuit of certain Hogwarts students is a bit complex, and there's a big secret that you have to read along and see if you can figure it out because it's not made known right away.

H/Hr shippers may be a bit peeved with the first couple of updates. But it's not my fault if they totally freeze up and don't read on to find out what's really up.

Lots of action sequences in this...and it's very suspenseful!

The summer after 6th year, which is close to the beginning of the story, is filled with a lot of happenings, and when they return to school for 7th year, Snape gets a big surprise from a few certain students. Let's just say `check-mate' in this case! Also, the Head Boy and Girl are announced close to the beginning, and I think you'll like what I've decided. I just have to shout out a THANKS! For this situation. You know who you are…*wink*

27. Don

Well, like the title says...don't hurt me because I haven't updated in so long, ok? I actually have an explanation for all this no-update madness. First of all, I just have to shout out to all of you how incredibly cool you are for reading this fic! You guys rock!

Anyway, back to the subject…which is why I haven't updated. For starters, I really can't update right now. Why, you ask? Well it's simple really. I'm a member over at Darkmark.com, and I post all my fics over there too. Recently, I've gotten majorly stressed out with this fic because I'm not living up to everyone's expectations over there, as far as this fic goes. So at this point in time, I don't even want to think about this story. I feel so bad about this too. But I know what you're all thinking, and I also know how close to the end this story is. I've just got a mental block with this story right now, and this will be the first time this has ever happened to me. By the way, this is totally different than writer's block. I know where the story is going, and everything I want to happen. I just don't want to write it right now.

So this is what I'm going to do to make it up to all of you. Keep in mind that you're chill peeps and all of you are on my `good' list, hehe. I've written up that other fic I was talking about a while ago, and I've actually started posting it on my site: http://s3.invisionfree.com/The_Phoenix_Prophecy - side note: if you haven't joined, you should because you'd make it an even MORE rockin' good site!

So anyway, look for `Harry Potter & the Alliance of the Protector' to debut here on Portkey very soon. I'm guessing it should be up early tomorrow sometime, but if any of you have learned anything from me, it's to never listen to a word I say because I'm just full of it, hehe. But seriously, you guys are just awesome and I luv ya all!

Another little tidbit…

I will be ending this story soon, but I just don't know when. It is NOT in the `abandoned' category, so don't jump to that conclusion alright? It's just on hold right now. Again, you guys are the best!

Here's the summary of the new fic in case you missed it, or just forgot (hey, it's been a while since you've heard from me)

Summary:

- Only JKR original characters will be appearing in this story. No more Des originals in this case!

- It is Action/Adventure. Originally it would have been another fluffy fic, but that changed after I started actually writing it. A/A will be considered the main contents of the story. And love/romance is the very STRONG secondary base.

- The title says a lot, but obviously if you want to know what it is, you'll have to read when I start posting!

- It starts during 6th year, and also follows with the results of book 5. There are a LOT of spoilers, so if you haven't read OotP, don't read my fic.

- The dating circuit of certain Hogwarts students is a bit complex, and there's a big secret that you have to read along and see if you can figure it out because it's not made known right away. It has a lot to do with the trio and how they'll be able to work out certain things with the threat of dearest Voldie still on their trail.

- H/Hr shippers may be a bit peeved at me for how the story starts out, and then some. Actually, I'm pretty sure I'll be a least favorite to some people for a little bit. A couple chapters at least. But it's not my fault if they totally freeze up and don't read on to find out what's up. It'll be worth it, I can promise you that! Would a fellow H/Hr shipper (me)...a diehard...let you down? I think not.

- Lots of action sequences in this...and it's very suspenseful!

The summer after 6th year, which is just after the beginning of the story, is filled with a lot of happenings, and when the trio & co. return to school for 7th year, Snape gets a big surprise from a few certain students. Let's just say `check-mate' in this case! Also, the Head Boy and Girl are announced close to the beginning, and I think you'll like what I've decided. I just have to shout out a THANKS! For this situation. You know who you are…*wink*

Remember what I said about paying close attention to details in this fic, because if you miss something it could confuse you quite a lot.

Watch for it soon!

28. Quick Author

Another quick note, guys!

Heaven, I saw the little but you posted about making sure I don't corrupt the rules of Portkey. No worries, honestly! I'm the biggest H/Hr shipper I know, and despite what turns and twists the story takes, it is, and will always be Harry/Hermione. It's all in how you interpret it.

But as some of you have said, you don't like the whole R/Hr idea, and neither do it. I mean that too. I hate reading R/Hr fics. So again…it's all in how you interpret it.

The first part will be up today. Just thought I'd say that little bit so you're all aware that I haven't turned on you, hehe.

Buh bye!