Author's note: I know what you're thinking…it's not Sunday! Why is she updating now? Well, you'll be pleased to know that I was able to get some free time to write and so here you have with the next chapter. And thanks to all who pointed out my huge goof last chapter---it was unintentional and I corrected it! Sorry about that! I hope I'm more careful this time! Thank you again to all who read and review-I take the time to read each and everyone and I try to respond to each and every one.
Chapter Six
Message in a Bottle
"Just a castaway
An island lost at sea
Another lonely day
With no one here but me
More loneliness
Than any man could bear
Rescue me before I fall into despair"
(Message in a Bottle, The Police)
Hermione quickly made her way down the docks toward the boat. When she finally made it, he didn't even offer to help her come aboard. She gave him a strange look as she did it herself.
"Where should I sit?" she asked warmly.
Without looking back in her direction, he muttered, "Doesn't matter."
She finally decided to sit on one of the bench seats and awkwardly put on a life preserver, hoping that she'd done it right.
"You know I've never been on a boat smaller than a cruise ship before," she said conversationally. "And I've only been on a cruise ship once with my parents for a summer holiday…"
Her voice trailed off as she realized he wasn't listening to a word she had to say.
What is his problem? This morning he couldn't have been more friendly and charming and now…
She was jerked back into her seat as he started the boat and they pulled away from the docks.
"How long does it take to get to Great Abaco?" she asked, deciding to try again to engage him in conversation.
He stood at the helm with his back to her. "About twenty minutes," he finally said gruffly.
"The name of your boat is Padfoot, Moony & Prongs?" she asked, deciding not to give up just yet.
"Yes," he said with a sigh.
"I hear that everyone names their boat something for a reason," she said with a smile, wishing he'd turn around. It was hard to carry on a conversation with someone's back. "What was your reason, if you don't mind me asking?"
"It's not important," he said quietly.
Hermione nodded. Seeing as he obviously wasn't going to contribute much in the way of conversation, she decided to concentrate on the beautiful view. It was shaping up to be a beautiful day. There was barely a cloud in the sky and the weather was warm, but not humid. Hermione reached into her bag for her sunglasses. When she looked up, she saw Harry jerk his head back.
Was he just looking at me?
Shaking off the thought, she put her sunglasses on and again tried to concentrate on the view and the feel of the wind on her face.
What caused the complete 180-degree turn? Was it something I did? Perhaps it was Sirius? If Harry didn't want to take me to the island, why did he even offer? If he changed his mind, I wish he would have said before we left. I can't imagine spending the entire day with Mister Mood Swing, here.
Realizing that she was perhaps being a little too harsh in judging his behavior, she tried to rationalize that perhaps he just wasn't a morning person. She could certainly relate to that. When she was at work at the Ministry, she wasn't even on cordial terms with anyone until after at least two cups of coffee. Maybe he was the same way, she thought. Deciding to give him the benefit of the doubt, she remained quiet, leaned back in her seat, and enjoyed the rest of the boat ride.
If she had thought his mood would improve once they reached Great Abaco, she was sorely mistaken. When they docked, he didn't help her out of the boat and onto the dock. He immediately jumped out of the boat and after making sure it was secure, he walked toward the mainland. She scrambled to keep up with him.
The streets were surprisingly crowded for an early morning. Hermione figured that might have something to do with the three cruise ships docked a few kilometers away. She looked back and to her horror saw that Harry was increasing the distance between them. She could just make out his back in the crowd.
"JACK!" she called out.
"HURRY UP!" he called back over his shoulder.
Hermione couldn't believe the way he was acting. Last night when he'd offered to show her around, she'd been pleasantly surprised. She had thought she'd have to do this all alone, but the idea of having someone around who knew where to take her and what to do, had excited her. It was always much nicer to have a friend along.
Perhaps I misjudged him. It certainly doesn't seem as if he wants to be friends.
If she'd known he was going to treat her this way, she would have turned his offer down flat.
Although she had no idea where she was or where they were going, she certainly couldn't keep up with him and she didn't really want to. Hermione finally stood back and let the crowd take Harry away. She decided to take her chances walking in the other direction. Surely, she could find a nice place to maybe grab an orange juice or something and perhaps someone would give her directions to the museum or some other points of interest.
To her delight, she saw a sign for Café Oceana. She sighed in relief. This was Sirius' girlfriend's restaurant. She opened the door and saw that the café wasn't crowded at all. The only other customer besides her was a gentleman in the back, reading a newspaper and having tea and toast.
Hermione sat down at the counter and a pretty, petite blonde waitress smiled warmly at her.
"What can I get you?" she asked.
"I'd love some orange juice to start," Hermione answered, picking up a menu.
"Coming right up," the girl said with a nod.
A few moments later, the girl came back with Hermione's glass of juice.
"Thanks," Hermione said. "Um, is Eva here?"
"She's in the kitchen," the girl said, motioning behind her. "Would you like me to get her?"
Hermione nodded. The waitress disappeared behind a swinging door and came back with an older woman with olive skin and long black hair. She wore a simple green sundress and an apron tied around her waist.
"Hello," Eva said politely. "Maureen said you asked to see me?"
"We haven't been introduced, but I'm staying on Isla Solarte with Jack and Ben," Hermione explained. "I'm Hermione Granger."
"Of course you are!" Eva said, shaking Hermione's hand. "Hello, darlin'."
Hermione smiled back at her, but couldn't help noticing that Maureen was sizing her up for some reason. She'd been friendly enough when she'd thought Hermione was just some customer, but now that she knew where Hermione was staying, Maureen looked none too pleased.
Perhaps she's dating him?
"I'm sorry for just dropping in unannounced like this," Hermione said. "I just didn't know where else to go and Ben raves about you and this place so…"
"Don't you worry about it," Eva said, patting her arm. "I've heard great things about you from Remus Lupin's letters. And Ben thinks you're quite charming. He told me so himself. Where is he anyway? Did he or Jack bring you over?"
Hermione fidgeted in her seat. "Jack brought me."
Maureen grimaced at this bit of information.
"He did?" Eva asked. "Well, where is he?"
"I sort of lost him," Hermione answered sheepishly. "Intentionally."
Eva laughed. "Why on earth did you do that for?"
Hermione hesitated to answer at first. She certainly didn't want to badmouth Harry in front of Eva. Sensing her
hesitation, Eva grinned at her encouragingly. "You can tell me, Hermione."
"He was being a complete and utter arse," Hermione answered simply.
"He was?" Maureen asked, earning a warning look from Eva.
"Maureen? Why don't you go and see if that nice gentlemen back there needs a refill on his tea?" Eva said through clenched teeth.
Maureen opened her mouth to protest, but a stern look from Eva sent her on her way. Eva walked around the counter and sat in the stool beside Hermione.
"Okay, out with it," Eva said.
So, Hermione explained about the dinner the night before and Harry's invitation. She also explained about how nice he was this morning when she'd arrived, but after he'd come downstairs from his shower, he'd been in a terrible mood. Hermione related the tale slowly so she wouldn't slip up and call Harry and Sirius by their real names. She had no idea if Eva knew their true identities and if she didn't, Hermione didn't want to be the one to blow their cover.
When Hermione finished, Eva had her head in her hands.
"Jack, Jack, Jack," Eva groaned.
"So, I just let him walk away and…here I am."
Eva looked at her determinedly. "I'm glad you did, Hermione. How about I rustle you up something to eat in the kitchen? How does French toast sound?"
Hermione sighed. "Like heaven."
"Coming right up," Eva said, getting to her feet.
"I just need to freshen up, if that's okay?" Hermione asked. "Where are your bathrooms?"
"In the back, second door on your left," Eva said, pointing Hermione in the right direction.
Eva was nearly back in the kitchen when she heard the front door swing open and a rather agitated Harry come running inside. He scanned the restaurant for any sign of Hermione.
"Hiya, Jack," Eva said pleasantly. She tried to remember that Harry's sour mood probably stemmed from Sirius' matchmaking efforts. But, she certainly didn't think that warranted him taking it all out on Hermione. It wasn't her fault.
"Hi Eva," Harry said absently.
"Lose something?" she couldn't resist asking.
Harry scratched the nape of his neck. "Aye, I did."
Eva nodded. "Let me guess…she's about five foot seven, slender, shoulder-length brown hair that is pulled back into a ponytail. Last seen wearing khaki shorts and a white top and sandals. She has a darling English accent, too."
Harry stared at her. "She was here?"
"She is here," Eva corrected him.
"Well, where is she?" Harry asked impatiently.
"In the bathroom," Eva answered.
Harry sighed in relief. "I've been looking everywhere for her! She couldn't keep up…"
"I couldn't keep up?" Hermione interjected coming back into the dining area. "I couldn't keep up?"
Harry shook his head.
"You have some nerve," Hermione retorted crossly.
"You tell him!" Eva called out supportively, earning a glare from Harry.
Maureen had also come back into the dining area and she beamed when she saw Harry.
"Jack!" she exclaimed happily. "I didn't know you were here!"
Harry ignored Maureen and sat down beside Hermione at the counter.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. Hermione glared at him and picked up a menu and looked at it as if it was the most fascinating read on the planet.
"Maureen?" Eva said, pulling the girl's arm. "How about you and I go finish up with inventory?"
"Yes, but-," Maureen tried to protest, but her words were cut off by Eva's tug at her arm, pulling her into the kitchen.
Save for the lone customer in the back, Harry and Hermione were alone. Hermione swung her stool around so her back was to Harry. He knew that she wasn't going to make this easy on him. If the situation was reversed, he didn't think he'd be all that forgiving either. He'd behaved terribly.
"I-I was worried when I turned around and you were gone," he began. She shook her head and snorted.
"You could at least turn around and look at me when I try to explain," he said.
"You've got to be kidding me!" she retorted. "You treated me the same way on the boat…actually, you were worse!"
Harry nodded. "I deserved that. I-I'm sorry, Hermione. Really."
She didn't move.
"Padfoot is Ben's nickname," Harry said. "Prongs was my dad's and Moony is Lupin's."
Hermione slowly swung her stool around to face him.
"You asked me why the boat was named that," Harry answered, looking at her earnestly. "That's why."
A slight smile played on her lips, but she wasn't quite ready to forgive him.
"What do you want me to say?" he asked her. "That I was a complete arse to you?"
She didn't answer and for a terrible moment Harry thought she wouldn't forgive him.
"Keep going," she said, finally allowing the smile to break through.
He grinned back at her. "Wanker. Tosser. Twat…I'm all those things."
"You certainly are," she said, leaning on the counter. "Do you mind if I ask why?"
He sighed. "Surely you know what Ben's trying to do?"
She stared at him in confusion.
He couldn't believe this. He'd thought she was smart! If she hadn't seen this, she was …
"Oh!" she said acting as if she'd just had an epiphany. "You mean how he's trying to set you and me up?"
Harry laughed. "Yes, so you did pick up on that?"
"I'd have to have been deaf and dumb not to have seen that coming," Hermione said with a giggle. "He's relentless."
"Tell me about it," Harry said shaking his head. "He's the closest thing I have to a dad and most of the time he treats me like a mate, but other times he acts like he knows what's best for me and doesn't rest until I see it that way too."
Hermione laughed. "Well, my mum's the same way. And perhaps I should tell your godfather that I already have a boyfriend so his matchmaking efforts are for naught."
Harry nodded and wondered why he was disappointed to hear this.
"Please tell him that soon and he'll give it a rest," Harry said, leaning back in his stool.
"I will," Hermione said, taking a sip of her orange juice. She glanced sideways at Harry. "So what about you?"
"What about me…what?" he asked.
"You don't have a girlfriend at the moment or your godfather wouldn't be so keen on setting you up, would he?" Hermione asked. "But that blonde girl sure looked happy to see you…"
"Maureen?" Harry asked, shaking his head and waving his arms. "No, that's been over for a long time."
"Someone should tell her that," Hermione said thoughtfully.
"I've tried," Harry said.
"Well, I can't say as I blame her," Hermione said, pretending to size him up. "You're cute in a moody sort of way."
"Am I?" he asked.
"Yeah," she said, before bursting out into laughter.
Eva watched from a crack in the kitchen door as Harry and Hermione chatted.
She'd thought Sirius was bonkers before, but now that she saw Harry and Hermione interact with each other, she wondered if perhaps he knew exactly what he was talking about.
********
After they'd had breakfast at Café Oceana, Harry and Hermione set off for the local museum. Harry let Hermione talk him into it as his very own peace offering. He had to admit that he got more enjoyment out of watching her take in the exhibits and relics than from seeing them himself. She had such a spark and enthusiasm about her that was quite attractive. Her boyfriend was a lucky bloke Harry thought to himself.
After the museum, they walked along one of the beaches and Harry played a game with her where they tried to pick out the tourists and they had to come up with a story for that person's life.
"What about that bloke?" Hermione asked, motioning toward a heavyset man, wearing grey swimming trunks and a baseball cap.
"Him?" Harry asked thoughtfully, watching as the man held a metal detector and walked slowly across the beach.
Hermione nodded.
"He's probably a Yank," Harry guessed. "And I imagine his wife brought him down here for a second honeymoon or something. He probably didn't want to come, but now that he's here, he's enjoying it, but all the time is worried about how much the trip is costing him and about how much work he'll have when he gets back."
"Very good," Hermione said, impressed. "You read people very well."
"I sort of had to," Harry answered shyly.
"Really?" she asked, curious.
He nodded. "I, um, fought in the war and we were trained to know our friends and our enemies. You had to know what you're up against."
A pained look came over his face and Hermione's heart went out to him. She couldn't imagine what he'd seen and done. They walked in silence for awhile and Hermione decided to lighten the mood back up again. She bumped into him with her arm.
"What about me then?" she asked.
"What about you?"
"Can you read me?" Hermione asked challengingly.
Harry shook his head. "No, you don't."
"Come on," she said, pouting. "You can, can't you? Let's see what you've got, Evans. What can you tell about me?"
Harry looked thoughtfully at her.
"Come on," she said, stopping and looking at him. "I'm a big girl, I can take it."
"Alright," he said. "Well, let's see. You don't like your job. You act like you do and at first you did, but it doesn't excite you. It doesn't challenge you like you thought it would. You'd like to be helping people and I imagine at one point you considered a career in teaching, but opted for the higher profile job because you feel as if you have to prove yourself. You have a warm heart and you hate to see others suffer. You also have a stubborn streak in you that can get you into trouble at times. "
Hermione stared at him in disbelief.
"D-did Lupin tell you this?" she finally managed to ask.
Harry shook his head.
"Look, this was a stupid idea," he said, starting to walk again, hating that he may have overstepped his bounds.
"No," she said, quickening her step to keep up with him. "I-I was just surprised is all, Jack. I-I've never told anyone that before."
Harry stopped and looked at her.
"I wanted to be a teacher," she said wistfully. "I had even settled on that before, but the job offer came from the Ministry and my dad was so happy about it and proud, I just…"
"Couldn't turn it down," he finished for her.
She nodded. "How could you figure all that out? You don't even know me."
Harry shrugged. "Your eyes."
"My eyes?"
"Your eyes say a lot about you," he answered. "You know that old saying that 'a person's eyes are the windows to their soul?' I used to think that was codswallop. But, I think it's true, now at least, considering the experiences I've had.
Hermione smiled.
"So, um, how about we go snorkeling?" he suggested. "If you're up for it, that is."
"Sure," Hermione said, smiling at him. "I brought my suit along just in case."
"Good," he said and without even thinking, he offered her his hand. Without a moment's hesitation, she took it and they walked along the beach hand in hand.