Author's note: Sorry for the delay…real life had to take a bit of a preference…had a few headaches with purchasing the lease on my vehicle…but it's all good. The vehicle is mine, all mine now! I hope you guys like this chapter. Please read and review!
Chapter Four
Don't Get Me Wrong
"Once in awhile
Two people meet
Seemingly for no reason
They just pass on the street
Suddenly thunder, showers everywhere
Who can explain the thunder and rain,
But there's something in the air…"
("Don't Get Me Wrong" by the Pretenders)
Harry didn't make contact with his godfather as he made his way quickly up toward the house. He didn't have to turn around to know that Hermione was also watching him. He hadn't meant to leave her so abruptly. Truth be told, he'd been enjoying her company. She hadn't been at all like he'd expected her to be. He couldn't help the smile playing at his lips as he thought of her sitting on the docks with the computer printout about fishing.
As soon as that memory came to him, he quickly tried to quell it. The reason he couldn't entertain any notions about this girl was looking down at him as he ascended the wooden staircase to the house. Sirius always thought he bloody knew everything, Harry thought crossly as he breezed past his godfather and into the house, without so much as a word of acknowledgement.
Once inside the house he mentally counted to three and sure enough, Sirius came walking into the kitchen behind him, a Cheshire cat grin on his face.
"Don't even say it," Harry said, as he turned the faucet on and began cleaning the marlin.
"Say what?" Sirius asked innocently. He leaned back against the refrigerator and watched his godson. When Harry didn't reply, Sirius admired the fish.
"She caught that, did she?" he asked.
"Yes," Harry said gruffly. "With my help."
"Pretty good for a beginner," Sirius commented.
"I suppose," Harry said noncommittally. A few moments of silence passed between them and Harry couldn't take it anymore. "Okay, Sirius. Why don't you just go ahead and say what you want to say and have done with it?"
Sirius shrugged. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Harry. I wasn't going to say a word about our guest. I was only going to ask you how the trip to Great Abaco was this morning."
"Yeah," Harry snorted. "Sure you were."
"I was," Sirius said defensively. "You sure are in a sour mood. Of course, you certainly didn't seem to be that way just a few minutes ago with…Hermione, wasn't it?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "Yes, her name is Hermione. I helped her catch a fish. End of story."
Sirius nodded. "Well, I'll leave you to it then. I think I may just take a walk…see where it may take me…"
Harry looked up from the sink. "Sirius…" he said warningly.
"See you later, Harry," Sirius said, without looking back at Harry.
*********
**********
~~~~~~~~~~~
Hermione was in the kitchen about to make a quick lunch when the doorbell chimed. She set her plate down on the table and walked quickly toward the door. It wasn't Jack that greeted her when she swung open the door, but an older gentleman with a goatee and salt-and-pepper hair. He wore cargo shorts and a white t-shirt. Although he was dressed casually, he had an air of distinction to him and a mischievous glint in his eyes. He smiled warmly at Hermione and although she didn't know why, she liked the man immediately.
"Sorry to bother you," he said with a grin. "But I wanted to officially welcome you to Isla Solarte. I trust my godson hasn't given you too much trouble, has he?"
Hermione smiled. She decided not to mention her earlier meeting with Jack. As she looked at the man, she couldn't help thinking that he, too, looked somewhat familiar. Like Jack, however, she couldn't place where she might have known his face from.
"No, your godson has been quite…," Hermione said, searching for an accurate description. "Um, cordial."
"Cordial?" the man said, laughing heartily. "I don't think I've ever heard him described that way. I'm Ben Thatcher."
He extended his hand toward Hermione and without a moment's hesitation, she shook it.
"Hermione Granger," she said warmly. "Would you like to come inside? I was just sitting down for a quick lunch. I'd love the company."
Ben shrugged. "Sure, if it's no trouble. I'd be delighted to join you."
Hermione waved her hand and ushered him inside. Within a few minutes, the two of them were seated at the kitchen table enjoying turkey and Swiss cheese sandwiches and ice cold glasses of pumpkin juice.
"So," Ben began with a grin. "Remus Lupin tells me you're the brightest witch of your age."
Hermione flushed, but felt an inward sense of pride as she always did when someone complimented her on her intelligence.
"I don't know about that," she said modestly.
"I do," Ben said winking at her. "Remus Lupin is the smartest bloke I know so I imagine if he thinks you're at the top of your game, he knows what he's talking about."
Hermione blushed. "He really said that about me?"
"That he did," Ben said smiling at her, before taking the last bite of his sandwich. "So you're going to be with us two months, isn't that right?"
Hermione nodded. "I can't thank you enough for…"
Ben waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, Hermione. Don't even mention it. We're both glad to have you here. Anything you need, you just ask."
"I wouldn't want to intrude," Hermione said.
"Nonsense," Ben said, leaning back in his chair. "What kind of hosts would we be if we weren't accommodating. Though, truth be told, I spend a great deal of my time on the main island."
"Oh yeah?" Hermione asked interested. She'd read up on the islands before coming here and she was dying to see what they had to offer firsthand.
"There's so much to see and do over there," Ben said with twinkling eyes. "You'll really have to spend some time there while you're here. My girlfriend Eva has a small café on Great Abaco that has the best food hands down."
"And you're not at all biased?" Hermione asked teasingly.
"Not in the slightest," Ben bantered back.
Hermione smiled.
"And she's dying to meet you, of course," Ben continued. "She's had to put up with Jack and me on her own for awhile and I'm sure she'll like having another female around to even things out."
Ben gave her a little bit of information about Eva and how she came to live on the islands. Hermione laughed at Ben's narrative and could tell just by the tone of his voice and the gleam in his eyes how much this man loved that woman. She wondered if someday she'd inspire that in someone else.
"I don't mean to bore you, love," Ben said, interrupting her thoughts.
Hermione flushed. "You're not! I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize," he replied.
Hermione looked thoughtfully at him and again racked her brain for why this man as well as Jack seemed so…familiar. She'd seen their faces somewhere before, but she couldn't put her finger on where. She hated not knowing the answer. It was so frustrating.
"Ben," Hermione said, leaning back in her own chair. "How long have you known Remus?"
Ben chuckled. "I sometimes think I've known him for far too long. But, we've known each other since we were 11. We went to Hogwarts together."
"And you were friends with Jack's father at Hogwarts, too?"
Ben looked at her with a quizzical expression. For a moment, Hermione wondered if he knew what she was really asking. Perhaps he was deciding if he could trust her, she thought.
"He was my best mate," Ben said with a smile. "My partner-in-crime. Remus had to get the two of us out of so many scrapes. You know, he was the golden boy---always wanted to study, always wanted to be the best. Jack's father and I sort of reminded him to take things easy and not be so serious all the time."
"My friend Lavender is like that with me," Hermione commented.
"And I imagine you try and get her to be more serious," Ben said with a wink.
"I try," Hermione answered laughing.
"You balance each other out," Ben said. "That's what friends are supposed to do. At least that's
what I used to tell Remus when he'd get on my case about being out after hours or when I'd nick food from the
kitchens."
Hermione nodded. She had heard Lupin's stories about Hogwarts quite a few times. Most of them revolved around his adventures as one of the Marauders. Hermione tried to remember who other than Remus was included in this group. Remus Lupin. Peter Pettigrew. Sirius Black. James Potter.
James Potter. Sirius Black.
Hermione saw in her mind an image of Harry Potter. Just last night, she and Lavender had laughed about the Potter sightings column in the Daily Prophet. The picture they had of Harry Potter was one of a 17-year old Harry. The image flashed in Hermione's mind. Green eyes. Raven-colored hair.
"How could I have been so stupid?"
"Pardon?" Ben asked, confused.
Hermione looked across the table at Ben and gave him a strange look. Had she just asked that out loud? From the look on Ben's face, she definitely had.
"I-I was thinking of something else," she said quickly. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm a little dazed from the portkey and getting used to the time difference."
Ben nodded. "I can understand that. You probably need to just get your bearings is all. I'll leave you to it then."
Hermione stood up along with Ben and walked him to the door.
"Remember if you need anything, we're just next door," Ben said, shaking her hand again. He turned to walk away, but he stopped.
"Would you like to join Jack and me for dinner tonight?" Ben asked her.
"Dinner?"
"Yes, you know the meal that comes after lunch," Ben replied teasingly.
Hermione giggled. "I know it quite well, thanks so much. And I accept your invitation."
"Good," Ben said, that mischievous gleam reappearing in his eyes.
Hermione could only nod and give a polite smile as she watched him walk back toward the house.
When he was out of sight, she quickly closed the door and made for her trunk in the bedroom. She'd brought along some books for research purposes and finding the tome that she wanted, sat down on the bed. Flipping absently through the pages, she found what she was looking for. The book was about Contemporary Wizarding History. Hermione scanned the various entries until she found it. She leaned back against the pillows and rested the book on her lap.
"The last living member of the Black family…owns 12 Grimmauld Place, the reported headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix…best friend of James Potter…godfather to Harry James Potter," she read aloud.
Harry James Potter. Harry James Potter.
She turned a few pages until she found the chapter dealing with Harry Potter.
"Son of Lily Evans Potter and James Potter."
"Evans….Jack Evans."
She remembered seeing photos of Sirius Black and Harry Potter in the Weasley home. The entire wizarding world was wondering where the two of them were and here she was living on an island with Harry Potter and Sirius Black. She dropped the book to the bed and put her head in her hands.
How could I have been so stupid?
There were so many things she wanted to ask the two of them. What had it really been like to face Voldemort? What caused them to come here and leave a life of anonymity?
Though Ron hadn't talked much about his best friend to her, Hermione could recall him mentioning one time that all Harry really wanted was to be normal and lead a calm, easy life. He has that here, Hermione thought to herself. They obviously didn't know who she was or her connection to Ron. If they'd wanted her to know who they were, they wouldn't have bothered using fake names.
And although she had millions of questions, she decided not to tell them that she was onto them. If they wanted to be known as Ben and Jack, that was what she'd call them. She just hoped she wouldn't slip and call them by their real names. She'd definitely have to be on her toes.
*****
****
****
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhh," Ron Weasley groaned as his eyes blinked open. He immediately shut them again and put a hand to his throbbing head.
He made a mental promise never to drink ever again in his life. It wasn't worth it if you woke up feeling like you'd died, he thought miserably. He felt an overwhelming need to use the loo, but didn't think he had the capability to move his legs. They felt as if they were made of jelly.
With his eyes still firmly shut, he slowly drew back the covers and felt a chill. A few moments later, he managed to swing a leg out of bed. With great effort, he managed to sit up and the throbbing in his head worsened. He was suddenly aware of the fact that he was starkers and he fumbled on the floor for his boxer shorts.
He wondered yet again why he'd let his teammates talk him into going to a pub after the game. Why hadn't he just turned them down and gone back to the hotel like a good boy? He could have written a letter to his parents or even to Hermione.
Hermione.
Ron found himself dissolving into a shame spiral as he just thought about her. She was a great girl who deserved better than him. He'd been unfaithful to her from the start. He'd thought having a serious girlfriend would have made him change his ways, but that certainly hadn't been the case.
She was never around, though. She didn't want to go out to the clubs or even to a pub. She preferred staying at home to going out. When they did go out, she usually just sat at a table and drank her ale. She had to be coerced into having a dance. He'd started to resent her for it and he hated himself for thinking that way.
As he sat hunched over the toilet, he made a vow to change his ways. Starting today.
There would be no other women. There would be no going out to the pub after the games. He would read more. Or he'd play a bit more wizard's chess. He wouldn't put himself in the path of temptation.
No more cocking things up, Ron thought to himself, as he splashed some water on his face. He was always doing that, messing up the good things in his life. He had a rather bad habit of sticking his foot in his mouth at the least opportune times. He couldn't count the number of times he'd done this with Hermione. Yet, she stayed with him. She was loyal. She was stable. She was the one. She was the one who would make him change. He could see that now.
His thoughts were interrupted by a persistent knocking on the door. Ron yawned as he swung open the bathroom door to reveal…his mind went blank. What was her name again?
"Do you mind if I come in?" she asked quietly. "I'm dying for the loo."
"No," Ron said, standing back to allow her to come inside. He started to walk out of the bathroom, but she laughed.
"No need to be a gentleman," she said groggily. "After all, you saw every inch of me last night."
Ron scrambled in his brain for some memory of this girl. He could recall walking into the crowded pub after the game. He remembered playing darts with a few teammates and he lost and had to buy the next round for everyone. After that, the details became quite fuzzy.
He leaned back against the door. The girl had shoulder-length blonde hair that was styled in a bob. She was slender and tall and at the moment was wearing only his shirt. Ron averted his eyes as she used the bathroom and only looked at her after she'd started to wash her hands.
"You alright?" she asked, giving him a quizzical look.
"Yeah," he said nodding. "Just a little hungover."
"I'm not surprised," she said, breezing past him and back into the room. "You drank an awful amount last night."
Ron followed her back in the room and sat down on the edge of the bed. "So, we…."
She laughed. "Yeah, we did. Three times as a matter of fact."
"Three times?" Ron asked amazed. How had he managed to do that three times pissed out of his mind?
"You really were out of it," she said leaning back against the pillows. "You're quite funny when you're pissed. "
"So, I've been told," he said morosely.
"Are you sure that you're okay?"
"No," he said, putting his head in his hands. "I'm really sorry…"
"Why?"
"I have a girlfriend," he said quietly. "And what happened between you and me…"
"So you have a girlfriend," the girl shrugged. "I have a boyfriend. Big deal."
"It is a big deal," Ron said turning around to face her. "I really care about this girl. I'm such a shit…"
"Don't beat yourself up about it," the girl said soothingly. "You were drunk. Your girlfriend never has to know."
"But that doesn't make it okay, does it?" Ron asked shaking his head. "I've been screwing around on her for far too long. She's the best thing in my life, and…"
"Do you love her?" the girl interrupted him.
Ron looked thoughtfully at her. "I don't know," he replied honestly. "We've not even been dating a year yet. She's busy with her job and right now she's on holiday. I don't even know where she is…"
The girl pulled a confused face. "How long is she supposed to be gone?"
"Two months," Ron answered.
"So you have two months to change your ways," the girl said, chewing on her bottom lip. She put a hand on his shoulder. "That doesn't give you much time. But, I think you can do it. Turn over a new leaf, as it were."
"I suppose," Ron said, wondering if he really could turn over a new leaf. Hermione was definitely worth it. He made a promise that when she returned from holiday, he would devote himself to her and only her.
"But, in the meantime…" the girl was saying as she ran her hand down his arm.
"Hmmm?" Ron asked.
"It would be a shame to waste this posh hotel room," the girl said as she nibbled on his ear. "And I don't really have to be anywhere until later this afternoon."
"You don't?" Ron asked huskily.
She shook her head and pulled him back further onto the bed. As he kissed her, Ron made a vow that his new outlook on life and his promise to be faithful to Hermione would start tomorrow.
*******
Harry had taken the boat back out that afternoon and returned a little after six. He saw the lights on in the guesthouse and he fought the urge to see what Hermione was up to. At the very least, he should have apologized to her for leaving her so abruptly earlier. But, that's probably just what Sirius wanted.
He hadn't seen his godfather since Sirius had went over to introduce himself to Hermione. Part of him wanted to know how that had gone, but the other part didn't dare ask Sirius because it would give him too much satisfaction.
Harry walked into the house and saw a note scribbled on the kitchen table.
Harry:
Gone over to visit Eva. Probably won't be back until the morning.
Sirius
Harry crumpled up the paper and threw it in the rubbish bin. He was on his own for the evening. He also had been out nearly all day on the boat and he certainly smelled like it. He grabbed a bottle of water and headed upstairs to take a shower.
~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
Hermione smoothed her sundress down as she walked over toward the main house. She'd debated about what to wear over there and had finally settled on a simple cobalt blue sundress and sandals. Her skin was still quite pale and she wished she'd spent a little more time on the beach earlier so she'd at least have some more color. But, she'd spent most of the day inside, reading and kipping.
She took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
At first no one came to the door, and Hermione wondered if anyone was home. Sirius had left a note that she should come by at around 7. It was exactly 7 p.m. on the dot. She lifted her hand to knock again, but that was when the door opened and she found a very surprised Harry Potter staring at her. He was wearing a pair of khaki cargo shorts and a white t-shirt. A towel was draped over his shoulder and his hair was still damp from his shower.
"Hermione," he finally said. "What are you doing here?"
She looked curiously at him. "Your godfather asked me to come by for dinner."
Harry frowned.
"Is something wrong?" Hermione asked. "He did say seven…"
Harry fumed. He was going to kill Sirius.
"I just bet he did," Harry said, a touch of anger in his voice.
"Oh," Hermione said, embarrassed. Harry obviously had no idea what his godfather had done and he looked as if he'd rather eat rat dung than eat a meal with her. "I guess I misunderstood. I'll just go back to the guesthouse. Have a good evening."
She turned on her heel and made it to the first step before Harry called out to her.
"Hermione, wait!" he said, coming up behind her. She turned around. "Ben has actually gone over to the main island for the night. It-it must have slipped his mind about you joining us for dinner."
"Oh," Hermione said, nodding.
"But, um, I haven't eaten yet and I imagine you haven't either so if you'd like to join me, I'd be much obliged for the company," he said quickly.
Hermione looked uncertainly at him.
"Come on, Miss Granger," Harry said, extending his hand. "Don't make me beg."
A smile played at her lips.
"Oh, she is going to make me beg," Harry said, grinning at her. He wasn't about to admit it to Sirius, but for some reason he liked this girl and truth be told, he would like to know more about her. "Please take pity on me, Miss Granger and allow me to cook for you."
Hermione laughed. "That depends. Can you cook?"
"One way to find out," Harry said with twinkling eyes. He held his hand out to her again. "What do you say?"
Hermione grinned and took his hand. "This had better be good."