They had no more than entered the crowded room when Jamie waved excitedly. "Look it's Chantal and Felicite," she shouted.
Jamie had competed against these two girls last summer at Cap d'Adge and during the contest they had become fine friends. After everyone said hello and introductions were made, Emily, Kim and Caitlin stood listening in awe as Jamie conversed with the two girls in fluent French.
For the most part they didn't understand any of the conversation, only picking up on an occasional word here and there. That was until Emily and Caitlin heard Felicite unmistakably say Roz and point toward the far side of the room.
New Friends
Emily's stomach lurched at the very sound of Roz's name. Jamie and Emily had known Rosalind for a number of years because both families vacationed yearly at Cap d'Adge. In this case, knowing and liking had absolutely no correlation.
Roz had detested Jamie from day one and did everything in her power to aggravate and humiliate the girl whenever possible. In the last few years, she had even tried getting at Jamie through Emily. Last year, she had tricked Emily into a bet that was both sickening and demeaning. Every time Emily thought of what she had nearly had to do to Roz, she had the urge to heave.
Although totally impossible in the din, Roz's head turned toward the group, as if hearing Felicite bring up her name. "Oh shit!" Emily cursed. "She's coming our direction."
"Who?" Caitlin and Kim voiced in harmony.
"Rosalind," Emily said, virtually gagging on the name.
Although Kim had never met Roz, the stories she had heard from Emily and Caitlin made her extremely anxious.
"What's going on here?" Roz said as she swaggered over to the group. "Is this a meeting of the hopeless losers club?" She gave Kim a turned-up-nose glance. "Still picking up new members I see."
Roz shook her head in a self-aggrandizing way. "Daddy said that this year's holiday would be better because we'd be away from all the riffraff, but I imagine the cruise line must allow all types on board or they'd be accused of bias."
"I'm likewise happy to see you," Jamie said, trying her best to pay no attention to Roz's snide holier-than-thou attitude. "I believe you know everyone except Kim. She's a friend of the family."
Roz gave Kim the sort of look usually reserved for rancid garbage and then turned to a young girl, about Emily and Kim's age, that was shadowing her. "This is my niece Angel," Roz said, acting as if she were introducing royalty.
"Angel, you don't even need to know their names," Roz said arrogantly. "Just take a good look at their faces and stay away from them; they're not worth your time."
Roz turned and walked away as Angel's face flushed. "I'm sorry," she said, sounding sincere. "I... I... I got to go." Angel turned and hurried after Roz.
"Well, that was pleasant," Caitlin said acerbically, to Emily and Kim.
Jamie had returned to her conversation in French with Chantal and Felicite, although now by their frequent glances in the direction of Roz, it was easy to speculate what they were talking about.
"I actually felt sort of sorry for Angel," Kim said. "She didn't appear to be at all like Roz. It looked like she was humiliated by that whole encounter."
"I agree," said Caitlin. "It's difficult to believe they are related. Not only do their personalities seem totally different, but also they don't look at all physically alike. Angel is extremely pretty and Roz is..." Caitlin seemed lost for the proper word.
"Roz is an unkempt hag," Emily suggested. "No, that's not being fair to hags in general."
"I always thought you were both exaggerating when you described her, but you weren't," Kim said. "She's as miserable and gross as you portrayed her. I can understand a girl or woman not wanting to go to the extreme of being smooth, but you'd think she'd at least trim. And her underarms... ugh!"
The discussion of Roz came to an abrupt halt when Emily noticed Brian walking in their direction accompanied by two other boys; the girls, especially Kim, watched nervously as the boys approached.
"Hi," Brian said shyly, upon reaching them. He was addressing them all, but his eyes seemed trained on Kim, who was clearly tense.
The girls all responded with a muffled greeting. Emily was the first to break the ice. "I see you finally discarded your clothes and got with the program," Emily said, addressing Brian.
"Yeah!" he said. "This is my preferred condition of dress. I've been a naturist my entire life. Unfortunately, coming from Pennsylvania, I don't get to practice it outdoors nearly as much as I'd like. This is Jeff and Mark's first time." He indicated his two friends. "They're only doing it so they can get to see a lot of naked women."
"You are so full of it," Jeff retorted, and then turned to the girls. "Mark and I have been nudists since we were youngsters; we're fraternal twins. We met this liar on vacation about five years ago; been putting up with him every summer since."
"How long have you guys been at it?" Mark inquired.
"I've been a naturist my entire life," Emily replied. "If I had my way, clothing would never touch my body."
"You sound like a nudism activist," Mark answered back.
"I just might be," Emily said, "once I reach the age where my actions won't affect those I care for. Caitlin's only been a nudist two years."
"It looks like you and Caitlin get to spend a lot of time bare outdoors," Jeff commented. "You both have great all over tans without a trace of a tan line."
Obviously Jeff had been observing Emily and Caitlin closely, but neither girl seemed the least embarrassed by his comment . It was Kim who blushed because she had very noticeable tan lines. You could see the precise outline of her bathing costume.
"How long have you been a naturist?" Brian asked, giving Kim a pleasing smile.
Kim gulped. She thought about lying, but lies always had a way of coming back to haunt her. "I'm not a naturist," she said. "I'm nude lots of times with Kim and Caitlin where they live, but this is the first time I've ever been naked in public."
Brian looked at Kim with astonishment. "Then you must be the gutsiest girl on earth," he exclaimed. "I'd expect you to be scared to death, but you don't look the least ill at ease."
"Looks can be deceiving," Kim said with an uneasy laugh.
"Well, one thing is for certain," Brian said truthfully. "You most certainly have nothing to be ashamed of; you're quite lovely."
"Thank you," Kim replied, a bright glow covering her entire body.
Day Two, Tuesday, August 9, 2005, 11:00 AM, Princess Cays
"Ron, please join us," Sam entreated. "I'm sure Jamie won't mind watching Timmy. She already has
Benjamin."
"I'm not really feeling up to it," Ron lied. "Besides Timmy and I have to finish building this sand castle."
Truthfully, Ron wanted to join the fun; he just couldn't handle playing volleyball with a group of naked people, especially when two of those people were his best friends, Harry and Hermione Potter
He still couldn't believe that his wife and best friends were so relaxed and confident while being totally nude. There was no way he could run about with his privates flopping about, yet Harry seemed totally at ease.
Despite trying to do just the opposite, Ron found himself stealing glances at the various people about him.
His lycanthropy had always caused heightened sexual desires when a full moon neared; the inability to satisfy these desires while imprisoned in Azkaban had nearly driven him insane.
It was over a week until the next full moon. He had been religiously taking the potions Severus prepared for him to dull these desires, but yet Ron found himself with a perpetual stiffy. Samantha had most certainly done everything possible to help relieve him, but they had a child and could, after all, only spend so much time in bed.
Ron tired to hide his protuberance and concentrate on helping Timmy build the castle, but it was difficult. Then suddenly it became impossible.
"Hi! Would you mind if we helped with your castle?" The pleasant female voice inquired. "My husband Jim is playing volleyball with your wife and friends and Lynn and I are bored stiff."
Ron looked up and saw a smiling, sweet-faced toddler, about Timmy's age standing next to a pair of gorgeous legs. His eyes slowly climbed the legs, pausing where they joined and then, realizing that he was gawking, they hurriedly finished the journey to the lovely face that owned the legs.
"My name is Bonnie," the young woman said, not seeming to be at all upset that Ron had caressed her body with his eyes.
"Hi," said Ron uneasily, knowing he should get to his feet, but daring not. "Which one is your husband?"
As soon as the question passed his lips, Ron regretted asking. Now he would have to look at the group of naked volleyball players.
"Jim is the tall dark haired one between your wife and her friend with the awesome chest. Do you know who did them?" she asked.
"Who did what?" Ron asked.
"Her breasts. I was thinking of getting augmentation surgery, although nothing quite that dramatic." Bonnie stared enviously at Hermione. "Notwithstanding their size, they look very natural."
"That's because they are," Ron said. "That's one hundred percent Hermione. "I've known her since we were eleven. She's an exercise aficionado and watches what she eats, but she'd never consider Muggle surgery to enhance her appearance. Her breasts are naturally quite large and the fact that she is breast-feeding makes them even more dominant."
"What type of surgery did you say?" Bonnie asked, questioningly
"What did I say?" Ron asked, laughing as he tried to cover his slip. "I meant mug. Hermione doesn't have a vain bone in her body. She'd never have surgery done on her face or body."
"She's breast feeding?" Bonnie asked, staring a Hermione in disbelief. "I need to learn what she eats and what type of exercises she does. She defies all customary rules; it's almost magical. But enough about her. Do you mind if my daughter and I join you and your son? I have the feeling that they'll be playing volleyball for hours."
Timmy and Lynn had already started playing nicely together; therefore, Ron found it extremely difficult to say no. How in the world would he hide his stiffy from Bonnie and what would Sam think of him fraternizing with this attractive woman? He glanced toward the volleyball court, but Sam was busy receiving high fives from Jim and her other teammates.
"My name is Ron, Ron Weasley. This is Timmy and my wife's name is Samantha, but we all call her Sam."
"Have either of you ever been on a surfboard before?" Kim asked, looking at Emily and Caitlin.
"I haven't," Caitlin said. "Truthfully, I prefer my swimming water in a nice clear pool."
"I'm not that grand a swimmer," Emily admitted. "I'd drown if I went out that far."
Kim leaned the board back into its rack, dejectedly.
"Are you girls going surfing?" Brian called out as he, Jeff and Mark came bounding toward them.
"Just looking," Emily replied. "Kim is the only one with the guts and ability to try it."
"Then this is her opportunity," Jeff said. "Brian is the main man when it comes to surfing. You'll take her out, won't you dude?"
"This is a good place to give it a try if you're interested," Brian suggested. "The water is warm and the surf mild. You won't get any thrill rides, but you won't get knocked off the board either."
"Why don't you try," Caitlin said encouragingly. "I'm sure the four of us can find something safe to do while Brian and you drown yourselves."
"You won't drown," Brian said, reaching out and squeezing Kim's hand. "I'll see to that."
"Okay," Kim said giving Brian a smile. "But if I do die, I'm coming back to haunt you."
"No chance," Brian said. "Only witches and wizards can become ghosts." He turned to the others. "We'll meet you guys in front of the Banana Beach Bar in about an hour."
Kim looked over her shoulder apprehensively as Emily and Caitlin walked off with Jeff and Mark, leaving her alone with Brian.
"You have quite a way with cats," Severus said as he watched Katie relate with Crookshanks and Alfred.
"They're not cats," Katie corrected Severus. "Crookshanks is part Kneazle and Alfred is a purebred. These guys are both very intelligent and can almost tell at an instant whether you are trustworthy or not."
"It's a shame we humans don't possess that ability," Severus commented.
"Some do, although most don't realize it or use it to its full potential," Katie said. "Jamie Zacherley is a case in point. Hermione says the ability is strongly manifested in her, but she tends to block it, instead looking for the good redeeming values in people."
"That sounds like Jamie," Severus said. "How do you think she'd do as a member of staff?"
"Next year, just right out of school?" Katie questioned. "But I thought she had plans to go into training as an Auror."
"She does," Severus answered. "Unless she and Alex Ward do appalling on their N.E.W.T.s, I would expect them both to be accepted into the program."
"I don't understand," Katie said. "If she isn't interested in teaching, why would you be considering her?"
"Because Flitwick says she's the best qualified person to replace him when he retires next June." Severus answered. "He claims that her abilities stand far above any other candidate we've considered for the position. Not only that, but she's already gained some valuable experience by subbing and has shown a strong aptitude for teaching."
"Aren't Ward and she dating?" Katie asked.
"Yes! That is what is causing me consternation," Severus answered, shaking his head. "They have been extremely close friends since first year. Very much like Hermione and Harry were. Now, like the Professors, they have been chosen Head Boy and Head Girl. Every indication is that they are destined to be together. I feel that by offering her a position, I'm building a roadblock in the path of their happiness. It would dictate them being apart for three years."
"Are you asking my advice?" Katie asked.
"I value your opinion greatly."
"Then when the time comes, you must offer her the position. By not doing so, even though your intentions might be honorable, you are trying to control her life. The choice has to be theirs. It will be a difficult choice, but it must be theirs to make."
After a time, with Bonnie's help, the piles of sand actually began to take shape and look like a castle. The
varying enticing positions that Bonnie had gotten into during the construction, however, had done little to help
Ron's growth problem.
Ron had tired not to look intently, but after all he was human and what guy could resist looking at a beautiful naked girl bending and stretching uninhibitedly in front of him.
"You guys ready to get some drinks?" Sam asked as she ran over to Bonnie and Ron, her body glistening with sweat.
"Hi! I'm Sam," she said with a smile as she held out her hand to Bonnie. "Your husband is an awesome volleyball player. I'm glad I was playing with him rather than opposite him."
By this time, Jim, Harry and Hermione had reached the construction site. "You guys should enter a contest," Jim said observing the sand castle critically. "That's an incredible job. I'm Jim, Bonnie's husband."
As Jim reached out his hand, Ron realized that he had no alternative. Out of good manners, he had to get to his feet, and when he did all would be observable. But just as he began to get up, Bonnie stepped in front of him and without being seen dropped a towel. Ron held the towel loosely in front of him as he rose to his feet and firmly shook Jim's out reached hand.
"Bonnie this is Hermione and Harry Potter, they teach at the same school as Ronald," Sam said politely.
The couples all exchange pleasantries and then after some coaxing finally managed to convince Timmy and Lynn to abandon the castle in order to get some refreshments.
As the others started off, Ron held back a moment and whispered thanks to Bonnie.
"Thank you," Bonnie whispered back. "I had fun, and such a reaction to me from someone as handsome as you is quite a nice compliment." With that said she went over and grabbed Jim's hand as Ron ran to catch up with Sam and Timmy.
"Sam! I know we've never met Jim and Bonnie before, but their faces seem so familiar. Where do I know them from?" Ron asked as soon as he caught up to Sam.
"It's a good thing you decided against a career as an Auror," Sam said with a laugh. "They're the couple that was staring at us yesterday. Jim apologized for that. He said they were hoping to make some new friends on the cruise and were attracted to us."
"She's quite nice," Ron offered. "What's Jim like?"
"He reminds me a lot of you," Sam said, a dreamy sort of expression on her face. "Accept, of course, for the nudity concerns."
"Draco, would you ever go nude?" Ginny asked completely out of the blue, as they were finishing up
dinner.
"I assume you mean with others about than just yourself," he said.
"Yes, like Harry and Hermione, on their cruise," Ginny confirmed.
Draco thought twice before answering. "Ginny, I'd rather we not fight tonight, and I think my answer might be such that it will start one."
"How would a simple yes or no answer start a fight?" she demanded.
"Because nothing is ever that simple with you," Draco retorted. "You'll insist that I explain my answer."
"We're more likely to get into a fight if you refuse to answer the damn question," she said, her voice slightly louder than before.
"Fine," Draco said. "I'll answer the question. No, I'd never go on a nudist cruise or for that matter go about naked anywhere but in my bed or shower."
Ginny looked at him in a befuddled manner. "Why not? I think it would be fun."
"I knew you wouldn't simply settle for a yes or no," Draco said. "It would be fun for you because you're a female and females think differently than males. You women spend you're entire life in skimpy clothes trying to catch the attention of males. It's not that great a step, going from a scant bathing costume to being nude. Besides, girls look good naked."
"Are you saying that you don't look good starkers?" Ginny asked fiercely.
"Of course, I'm not. I look excellent," Draco admitted. "That's not the point; it's just something that guys don't do. A group of naked women running about is hot and sexy. A group of nude guys is just plain gay."
"Are you saying that Harry and my brother are poofs because they went on this cruise?" she asked angrily.
"I'm saying that MEN don't hang about in groups nude," he reiterated.
"But you have no problem with a group of women being nude? What if some of them are older or out of shape?" Ginny questioned.
"Ugh! Certainly they have some standards, some limitations," Draco cried.
Ginny just shook her head in disgust. "You know if they ever need a poster child to represent male chauvinistic pigs, you'd be a perfect choice."
* * * * * *
"Are you nervous?" Brian asked after he and Kim had paddled out to sea a good distance.
"Nervous doesn't come even close to describing how I feel," Kim said fearfully.
"You'll be fine," Brian said reassuringly. "You just have to trust me. Now getting to our feet can be a little tricky. I'll get up first and then assist you. Once we're both up, relax and lean back against me. Let me move your body in tandem with mine in order to maintain balance. One more thing, forget that we're naked."
Forget that we're naked. How the devil am I supposed to do that when you're going to be touching me, when you want me to lean back against you? Why am I here? Why did I agree to do this? Why is he so nice to me? Why is he so gorgeous?
Brian had made what they had to do sound much easier than, in fact, it actually was. Ten times they had tried standing and ten times they had fallen into the brine. Kim was exceeding glad that she was a proficient swimmer; else she would have already given up and begged to return to shore. As it was, she could only picture trying this a few more times.
They fell for the eleventh time.
"Okay," Brian said with assurance. "The twelfth time is charmed."
"It better be," Kim gasped. "I've swallowed about as much ocean as I care to for one day."
Brian was on his feet and so was Kim. They were finally actually both standing. "Now relax," Brian said. "Lean against me and let our bodies become one."
They were actually riding a wave, albeit a small one, and headed for shore.
"This is great," Kim said happily, forgetting for the instant that Brian's naked body was pressed tightly against hers. Then he shifted to change their direction and she felt it. She knew at once what it was and it had nestled itself gently between her butt cheeks. Kim panicked and they were both in the water.
"What happened," Brian asked after they had both surfaced and caught their breath.
"I lost my footing," Kim lied.
"Want to go out and give it another try?" Brian offered.
"No thanks," Kim begged off. "I've had enough for the first time, but it was fun. Thanks."
"It was my pleasure," Brian replied genuinely.
"Are you sure it was his Willie?" Emily asked as she and Kim lay in bed discussing the events of the day.
"Well, since I didn't in point of fact see it, I can't be positive," Kim replied. "But I can't imagine what else it could have been. He had a hand on each of my arms and I was leaning back against him."
"Was it soft or hard?" Emily persisted.
"I don't know!" Kim said, aggravated at Emily's doggedness. "I just knew it felt weird having a part of him touch me there." Kim thought for a minute. "He must have had a stiffy, otherwise I don't think it would have prodded me to the extent it did. I just know it didn't belong there."
"I think you're being overdramatic," Emily said assuringly. "Brian seems like a real nice guy. I'm sure he wasn't trying to do anything improper. It was probably just a natural reaction to his penis having rubbed against your bare skin. Jamie says they sort of have minds of their own sometimes; that guys can't fully control them."
"Speaking of which, have you noticed Professor Weasley's?" Kim asked, her face turning ruby red.
"It's somewhat difficult not to," Emily answered. "I wonder whether his large size has anything to do with him being a werewolf."
"Probably," Kim answered. "Can you imagine something that large inside you?" She shuddered at the very thought. "I wonder how Sam does it."
"Well, as we saw when Amanda and Mum gave birth, women can adjust." Emily said, actually fingering herself. "It must be an awfully tight fit."
"Emily, can I ask you a question without you getting irritated and flying off the handle?" Kim questioned warily.
"I can only promise to try," Emily said with a laugh. "Lately I seem to have a very short handle."
Kim took a deep breath. "Are you and Caitlin gay? Have you had sex? I mean if you are and have, it's okay with me. I just..." She didn't finish.
Emily just stared at the ceiling, completely caught off guard by Kim's questions.
"I don't think either of us is gay," she answered. "I'm not sure a person at twelve or thirteen can even be fully confident of their sexual preferences, but we are unquestionably both extremely interested in boys so I don't think that either of us is gay."
Emily took a deep breath, not sure how her best friend was going to handle the balance of her answer. "We have experimented with oral sex," Emily honestly admitted. "And we both found that it felt nice."
"Oh!" Was all Kim could say in response.
"Does knowing that change things between us?" Emily asked apprehensively.
"I'm not sure," Kim said nervously. "I love you. You're my best friend, but I could never do that to another girl; not even you."
"Kim! I love you too and I'd never ask or expect you to do it," Emily replied. "I'm not even sure if I could do it with you. You are my best friend, but Caitlin is my sister and although I can't quite explain it; the two of us have a special something that actually made it feel good and proper."
"Then I can slumber assured that you won't molest me during the night," Kim said with a laugh.
"Promise," Emily said. "Will you still hold me if I have another nightmare about that git, like I did last night?"
"Promise," Kim said, as she kissed Emily on the cheek before turning on her side and shortly going to sleep.
Day Three, Wednesday, August 10, 2005, 10:00 AM, At Sea
"Daddy, why don't you come swim with Mummy and me?" Timmy beseeched, as he and Sam headed off into the
pool.
"Maybe later," Ron fibbed as he and Hermione made for two unoccupied deck chairs. Harry and the girls were already in the pool, roughhousing as usual.
"How does he do it?" Ron asked as he helped Hermione situate and shade a sleeping Benjamin, all the time trying not to look straight at his friend. Ron was already using a towel to hide his semi-erectness; if he allowed his eyes to fully appreciate Hermione's body, he'd have a full-fledged stiffy that would never give up.
"I don't know for sure," Hermione said, stopping momentarily to watch her husband as he frolicked with the girls. "He has always been incredibly good at controlling his mind. Remember in our forth year how he was able to resist the Imperius Curse, whereas that Moody pretender had the balance of us making fools of ourselves."
"Yeah," Ron said, his mind drifting momentarily back to their school years.
"I imagine he must be able to do something akin to that to ward off any sexual thoughts. Because when they go at it, they really go at it, and there are no holds barred," Hermione said, shaking her head as she watched her family horse around.
"Even with Jamie?" Ron asked, amazed.
"Those two are now actually the worst," Hermione laughed. "If they're wrestling and one has the advantage, neither will bother to think twice before grabbing the other's private."
Ron looked at Hermione shocked. "And you think that's acceptable; you're actually okay with that?" he asked.
She smiled and nodded her head. "They're like brother and sister, but with none of the usual inhibitions." She looked Ron in the eye. "They have the type of relationship that I wish you and I had; that after what we've been through together we should have."
Ron looked at Hermione, completely caught off guard by her remark. Did she mean what he thought she meant? It didn't matter. His lycanthropy would surely make such a bond between them impossible. Under normal circumstances his sexual desires were controllable most of the month, but during the three days of the full moon without the proper potions his sexual desires could not be satisfied and no man, woman, child or beast was safe.
"Oh! Sam just made a huge mistake," Hermione said, drawing Ron's attention back to the present and the pool. "She just handed Timmy off to Jamie. That makes her a marked woman."
Sure enough, within seconds, Harry had pulled Sam under the water. In retaliation, Sam joined the girls in their efforts to submerge Harry. With Sam's help, Harry was far out numbered, and soon also became a victim
"Look at those two," Ron said enviously. "They're behaving like two little kids. You'd never think they were adults, naked adults at that."
Ron and Hermione were interrupted by the shrill sound of a woman's voice loudly calling out Hermione's name.
Hermione turned and, upon seeing Michelle Wolfskill, hurried to greet her, giving the relatively fleshy woman a proper hug. Michelle had befriended Hermione last year at Cap d'Adge; she was also responsible for telling the Potters about this cruise. She and her husband, Lloyd, had been good friends of Jennifer and Carl Zacherley, Jamie and Emily's late parents. Upon first meeting, Michelle in fact mistook Hermione for Jennifer's sister because Jamie and Hermione looked so similar.
"It's wonderful to see you again," Michelle said, sincerity evident in her voice. At that time she looked at Ron. "Have you brought us a new convert, Hermione?"
"That remains to be seen," Hermione said candidly. "This is Ronald Weasley. Ron, Harry and I have been best friends since our first year of school. Ron, this is Michelle Wolfskill. We only just met last summer, but hit it off immediately."
Ron and Michelle exchanged smiles and then shook hands, with Ron, naturally maintaining full eye contact.
"Where is Lloyd?" Hermione inquired.
"Still sleeping," Michelle said disgustingly. "He was gambling till the wee hours of the morning. I didn't realize the ship had a casino when we booked passage or I might have reconsidered. Lloyd has an unhealthy obsession for playing poker."
Ron listened with great interest. Wizards had nothing that compared to casinos in their world. He was extremely eager to find out more about this form of adult Muggle entertainment. Unfortunately, Harry and Hermione seemed to both eye gambling negatively and Sam had shown little curiosity.
"That's Samantha, Ron's wife, perched on Harry's shoulders," Hermione said, pointing in the direction of the pool. "We all call her Sam. Jamie is holding their son, Timmy."
"You have a very attractive wife," Michelle said, but as she spoke her mind seemed to wander as she glanced at Kim, Caitlin and Emily. "Did you adopt another daughter?"
"No, although she almost seems like part of the family," Hermione said with a laugh. "That is Kim, she's a good friend of both Emily and Caitlin."
"But our family has increased in size," Hermione noted proudly as she bent over and picked up Ben. "I'd like you to meet Benjamin James Potter."
"You've had a baby?" Michele said disbelievingly. She gazed at Hermione in skepticism and then at little Ben. Temporarily all other thoughts were erased from her mind as she looked at the adorable baby. "May I hold him?"
"Certainly," Hermione said trustingly as she handed Ben to Michelle. "Don't take it personal if he wakes up and starts crying; he's normally been fed by now."
"I'll feed him if I may?" Michelle said. "It seems like forever since I've held a baby and giving me grandchildren doesn't seem to be a priority with my children. Where do you have his bottle?"
"I'm breastfeeding," Hermione said almost penitently because she knew it would draw Michelle attention to her breasts.
Michelle just stared unbelievably at Hermione. There were so many things she was temped to say, so many questions on the tip of her tongue, but she somehow managed to remain mute and instead just nodded her head.
"I looked all over Princess Cays for you yesterday," Hermione said. "I'd about come to the conclusion that you had decided not to book passage."
"Lloyd and I opted to stay on board yesterday," Michelle advised. "Most of the stops are pretty much the same and Princess Cays, being owned by the line, is the most bland and uninteresting of the islands."
"Ladies," Ron said, getting Hermione and Michelle's attention, "I'm not really in the mood to lie in the sun. If you don't mind, I believe I'll just move over to that table where I'll have a better view of the pool."
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked, feeling shoddily for perhaps ignoring him.
Ron, however, was already on his feet and didn't answer. Perhaps he hadn't heard her or possibly he was intentionally ignoring her as he headed for the empty table.
"A penny for you thoughts," Bonnie said cheerily as she approached the table a brief time later.
"A what?" A startled Ron said, immediately opening his eyes. He had closed them to seal out the copious nudity surrounding him, but had evidently done such a good job of relaxing that he had almost dozed off, while sitting up.
"I'm sorry. I forgot for the moment that you were British," she apologized. "I imagine that sounded very nonsensical to you."
"Not really, I've heard it used before," Ron said. "I just wasn't quite with it. I was rather bored and had started to doze off."
"Bored? Why don't you join your family in the pool?" Bonnie asked.
"Two reasons," Ron replied. "You need to be naked to enter the pool, and I'm not a nudist. And I think you noticed the other reason yesterday."
Bonnie blushed, "Considering its size, it was rather difficult not to notice."
Ron endeavored to change the subject. "Might I ask you the same question? Why aren't you swimming with your husband and daughter? You obvious don't have either of my problems."
"No, not quite," Bonnie laughed. "I'm very much accustomed to being nude. Frankly I've earned a living the last ten years dancing like this. Well, except for when I was pregnant with Lynn."
Ron was taken a back by Bonnie's forthrightness. "You dance totally starkers?"
"It depends on where I'm dancing and if they sell alcohol," Bonnie explained as she took a seat across from Ron. "Sometimes I wear pasties and a G-string, but I prefer being totally bare; that way there is no possibility of getting into trouble for something inadvertently peeking out. I started doing it to pay my way through college, but when I graduated; I couldn't afford to take the cut in pay, so I kept dancing."
Ron looked toward the shallow end of the pool where Jim now stood engrossed in conversation with Sam as Lynn and Timmy splashed each other contentedly. "How does Jim feel about you dancing, and what about Lynn?"
"Lynn only knows I'm a professional dancer," Bonnie answered. "As for Jim, I was dancing when we met, and he knew I intended to continue doing it when we got married. Besides he can't say much when I earn three times as much as he."
"Would I be getting personal if I asked how much?" Ron asked tentatively.
"Very," Bonnie replied, but with a smile. "But I like you. Each of the last five years, I've cleared over $100,000 and that's mostly tax free." Bonnie looked at Ron severely. "And before you get the wrong idea, that is for dancing and posing for pictures only. No one touches me and I don't touch them in any way."
"I couldn't handle my wife earning a living like that," Ron said straightforwardly.
"Most men couldn't, but Jim isn't most men and we have a unique relationship." Bonnie elucidated. "Don't get me wrong, we love each other very much. There are some activities we like to pursue together, but for the most part we have totally dissimilar interests. Take yesterday as an example. He would never have the patience to build a sand castle, and I couldn't hit a volleyball to save my life."
"Today, he'll probably never leave the pool and me... Please don't laugh, but if I could find a challenging opponent, I'd spend the entire day playing chess."
"Oh No!" Jim cried, looking, as if irritated, toward the table where Ron and Bonnie where seated. "I
don't believe it."
"What's the matter?" Sam asked concernedly.
"Chess!" Jim muttered under his breath. "Is your husband any good at that stupid game?"
"Actually, he's quite good," Sam answered, not at all understanding what had ignited the discussion of Ron's chess ability.
"Then I'm afraid we've both lost our spouses for the balance of the cruise," Jim said wincingly as he pointed toward Bonnie and Ron, who were absorbed in a game.
"Is Bonnie any good?" Samantha asked.
Jim nodded his head. "She's played in a number of regional tournaments. Never won, but she's always done well. If possible, my wife would play chess twenty-four hours a day."
Sam watched Ron for a while. For the first time since they had boarded the ship, he looked relaxed and as if he were truly enjoying himself. Samantha smiled. "It looks like you and I might be spending a good deal of time together," she said with a laugh.
Jim smiled broadly. "What's that saying? Every cloud comes with a silvery lining. In this case that is most definitely true."
Sam returned Jim's smile, graciously accepting his complement. She wanted to be with Ron, after all this was to be a family vacation. Until now, however, Ron had been totally miserable. He had only agreed to the trip because of his love for her and Timmy. If playing chess made the trip manageable for him, then it was only fair that she allowed him this obsession. Besides, Jim seemed like a nice enough guy and certainly a fun person to spend time with.
"Michele, what's on your mind?" Hermione inquired. "I know you well enough to be able to tell when
something is bothering you. It's not like you not to say what you're thinking."
Michelle looked at Hermione hesitantly. "I'd rather not say," she said. "I value your friendship too highly, and we get to see each other so seldom that I don't want to chance saying something that will rub you the wrong way."
"Part of the reason I like you so much is because you are frank and tell it like it is. I'd much prefer you come out with whatever it is you want to say rather than let it fester the entire holiday."
Michelle shook her head as she bit down on her lip. "You're different," she finally said. "I like you. I like you very much, but there is something different about you; and by you I mean you and your entire family."
Hermione looked at Michelle concernedly. She was expecting a question in regards to her breasts or her body springing back to shape so fast after having Ben, but she wasn't expecting this. Michelle most certainly didn't know that she was magical, but somehow she had realized that she was unusual.
"Last year when we first met, I took an instant liking to you," Michelle said. "I imagine most people do; you have that sort of charisma about you. Of course, I was cheering for Jamie in the competition." She hesitated a moment. "I was watching the day of the contest when Jamie reached the hotel clutching her breasts in pain. Having done some nude running myself in my younger days, I could be empathetic with the tenderness she was feeling. It was evident that the girl could run no more."
"But then I watched as you and Caitlin held hands and went into what seemed to be a deep trance. Jamie who had been sitting very quietly, almost as if in a trance herself, began to move about as if... Well, from my viewpoint she seemed to be reacting to her chest being rubbed, yet neither you nor Caitlin had touched her. This went on for a time until Emily came running up to you. She almost went into a panic yelling and shaking the three of you before finally there was a response."
"As you know Jamie went back and finished that race not showing any sign of even a token amount of tenderness. I kept my judgment to myself, not even telling my husband my suspicions. He probably would have considered me mad anyway. Besides, after what you and Harry had done... how you had taken those girls into your home and heart. I didn't want to think negatively of you."
"But now look at you. Hermione, I've been a nurse for over twenty years," Michelle declared. "Your body is flawless. The most obvious unfeasibility is your breasts. Natural breasts the size of yours do not, cannot defy gravity, especially when breast feeding."
"But that's not all," Michelle went on. "Your skin is perfect. Not a stretch mark or even a pimple anywhere. Even the scar you had on your arm last year; probably from a childhood injury, is gone."
Hermione glanced at her arm, almost in panic. Michelle was correct. The scar that she had gotten on her arm from a bicycle accident was gone. The massages that Caitlin had given her during her pregnancy had done far more than intended.
"Michelle, I don't know what to..."
"Look Out! They're attacking!" shrieked a woman.
"My god what are they!"
"They're going for those girls!"
"Someone help them, please! Oh my god, those poor kids."
End of Chapter Three
Thank you very much to all of you that have reviewed. I thought that by now you might have tired of my stories, but the response to the first two chapters has been very gratifing.
Thank you also to my wonderful betas: Amber, Paul, Matt and Peter work very hard to turn my gibberish into a readable chapter. If anyone is concerned with the direction the story is headed with regards to Sam/Ron/Bonnie/Jim, please address you howlers to Paul. He suggest that sub plot.
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