Author's note: Sorry, guys that I am posting this a day late…I kept putting this off and putting it off. I do have a bit of bad news, though. This will probably be the last update until after December 10th. I have a huge exam coming up that I have to take to help me keep my insurance agent's license. If I have some free time, I will try and update, but I do really need to spend most of my time studying for that. I hope you will understand! Special thanks to Excalibur for beta-ing this for me on short notice.
Chapter Nine
Drop in the Ocean
"Love took me by the hand
Love took me by surprise
Love led me to you
And love opened up my eyes
And I was drifting away
like a drop in the ocean
And now I realize that
nothing has been as beautiful
As when I saw heaven's skies
In your eyes"
(Michelle Branch, Drop in the Ocean)
Max's was one of the most popular nightspots on the island and Harry liked it mainly for the music and the billiard tables on the top floor. He spent most of his time upstairs playing pool and rarely made it out onto the dance floor. He wondered momentarily if Hermione knew how to play pool and if she didn't, he'd spend the evening teaching her. Hopefully, she wouldn't want to dance.
He was waiting in Café Oceana for Hermione to come downstairs, where She and Eva had disappeared over an hour ago, and Harry had gone back home to get ready for the evening ahead. He was quite surprised to find that he was worrying over what he wore and what she'd think of it. As he was getting ready, a grey owl arrived carrying a package of letters sent by Lupin. Harry only had time to open the parcel to see that there were two letters-one from Lupin to Sirius and one from Ron to Harry. He didn't have time to open the letter so he just set it on the table before leaving the house.
Harry was acting as if this was a date even though he reassured himself that it was about as far from a date as one could possibly get. Although he'd admitted to Sirius that he liked this girl, he still didn't know what he was going to do about it. For one thing, she had a boyfriend and Harry didn't usually go after another bloke's girl. That was just asking for trouble… trouble that Harry didn't want or need.
"How long does it take for someone to get ready?" Harry asked impatiently.
"My boy, you have so much to learn," Sirius chuckled to himself. He and Eva planned a quiet night in and although Sirius wanted to be there to see what happened, Eva had told him, in no uncertain terms, that he was to lay off... or else. Sirius didn't know what "or else" meant, but one look in Eva's eyes and he had a feeling he didn't want to find out. "Women tend to get a bit… fussy when they get ready to go out on dates. What am I telling you this for, anyway?" Sirius mused. "It's not as if you've never been out on a date before."
"Hold on," Harry said defensively, "this isn't a date."
Sirius stared at him. "You're a bloke. You're taking a girl out to a club. Where I come from, Harry-that's a date."
"She's just helping me try to get Maureen off my back," Harry said, sitting down beside Sirius at the counter. "That's all there is to it."
*******
"Take this tissue and blot your lipstick," Eva said, handing Hermione the Kleenex she'd just pulled from its box. They'd just finished doing Hermione's makeup and Hermione was pleased with the result. She certainly hadn't gone overboard and instead of looking made up, she looked natural. Hermione honestly didn't know why Eva was going to all this trouble. It wasn't as if this was a "date".
"The moment I saw that dress I knew it would look great on you," Eva complimented her. Hermione blushed but she had to admit that the dress did look rather nice on her. It was a misty pink color and had intricate beading along the straps and bodice. It was cut loose so it was quite comfortable but also accentuated every curve and line of her body. The color complimented her skin tone and the tan she'd managed to get the few days she'd been on the islands. The dress was short, but certainly didn't make Hermione feel uncomfortable. Simply put, the dress suited her style and body perfectly.
"I have a really beautiful silver charm necklace that would go wonderfully with that," Eva said, disappearing from the bathroom into her bedroom to find the necklace in her jewelry box.
"You really don't have to do that," Hermione said, following Eva into the bedroom.
"Nonsense," Eva said with an incredulous glance. "Humor me, Hermione... I have a son so I never had the opportunity to do all this fun, girl stuff."
"You and my flatmate, Lavender, would get along so well it's not even funny," Hermione said, sitting down on the edge of the bed as Eva continued to hunt around for the necklace.
"I hope I get the chance to meet her someday," Eva said, grinning, as she finally found the necklace in her jewelry box. "Found it!"
Hermione admired the simple silver chain and its heart pendant. She grinned as Eva handed it to her and quickly clasped it around her neck.
"Perfect," Eva said, smiling at her. "Jack isn't going to know what hit him."
Hermione looked bemusedly at Eva. "Eva, I'm not going out on a date with Jack. This is just me doing him a favor. That's all."
"Of course it is," Eva said, with twinkling eyes. Hermione just shook her head as she put on her sandals. This wasn't a date. Harry knew that. She knew that. It was just two people getting to know each other at a bar.
Sounds like a date.
"So what are you and Ben doing tonight?" Hermione asked, trying to get her mind off the date/non-date issue.
"We're probably going to just watch a movie or something," Eva answered.
"This place-Max's Bar?" Hermione asked. "What's it like?"
"It's nice… it's basically your one for all kind of bar," Eva answered. "You can play billiards or you can have a drink and chat or you can dance. It's got a little bit of everything. Jack likes it so much because not too many tourists know about the place."
"He's not one for tourists, is he?" Hermione asked.
"Not usually," Eva said thoughtfully. She grinned at Hermione as they walked out of the apartment. Under her breath, she said "Until a certain someone came along…"
Hermione turned around and looked at her friend. "What did you just say?"
Eva waved her hand, ushering Hermione down the stairs. "Nothing, nothing at all... come on, you don't want to be late."
******
Harry looked at his watch one more time. Hermione hadn't struck him as the "high-maintenance" type of girl so what in blue blazes was taking so long to get ready? He was ready to go upstairs and get her himself when he saw Eva come out from the kitchen.
"Hello, Jack," she said with a knowing smile then looked behind her, but didn't see Hermione. "Hold on just a second."
Eva went back into the kitchen as Harry and Sirius exchanged confused looks. A moment later, Eva came back, but she wasn't alone. Harry looked at the girl before him and a wide smile broke across his face. She looked… beautiful.
Hermione found herself blushing as he looked at her. Sirius and Eva stood proudly-and in Sirius' case, smugly-watching the two of them.
"I'm sorry I took so long," Hermione said finally. "My hair…"
"Is beautiful," Harry interjected. This time it was his cheeks that reddened.
Hermione nervously touched her hair which Eva had styled in ringlet curls. "Really?"
"Yeah," Harry said, nodding. "And that dress…"
"It's a bit much, isn't it?" Hermione asked.
"No, it's just right," Harry said, still smiling at her. They stood silently for a few moments, just admiring each other.
"You look really nice, too," Hermione said softly. Harry was wearing khaki trousers and a short-sleeved, loose, brown shirt over a white t-shirt. He looked like he normally did, but for some reason, Hermione found him especially handsome tonight. She shook off the thoughts as she suddenly remembered that this wasn't a date.
You have a boyfriend.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Harry clearing his throat. "Well, I guess we better get going... if you're ready, that is?"
Hermione nodded. "Sure."
She led them out of the restaurant but Sirius stopped Harry at the door. He asked Hermione if he could have a quick word with Harry and Hermione nodded before she stepped outside to wait for him.
"So, just to settle my curiosity," Sirius began with a smirk. "This would still not be a date, right?"
Harry grinned. "Old man, you never change."
******
Hermione struggled to keep up with Harry's rather quick gait which wouldn't have been so hard if she didn't have to contend with the high heeled sandals she was wearing. "Jack," she called out to him.
He turned around and gave her a sheepish smile. "I was doing it again, wasn't I?"
She laughed. "Yes. It's these shoes. I'm not used to them."
He crossed the distance between them. "I could always carry you on my back… so your feet wouldn't hurt."
Hermione looked at him. "Yeah, and have my arse in the air for everyone to see? No thank you. I'll do just fine as long as you slow down."
"Deal," Harry said.
They walked in silence toward Max's and Hermione wondered what she should say. She had no idea Harry was worried over the same thing.
"It's a nice night," they said at the same time causing Hermione to giggle.
"Sorry," Harry said with a laugh.
"Yes it is," Hermione said, nervously. "It's a very nice night."
When Harry didn't reply, Hermione decided to keep talking, figuring it would keep her mind off of her thoughts. "So, do you go to Max's often?"
Harry nodded. "It's a great place. I haven't been in a few weeks though but I think you'll like it."
"I'm sure I will," Hermione said, as they turned the corner. "Um, so Maureen… you dated her?"
"A couple of times," Harry replied with a shrug. "She's a nice girl, but there's not a lot going on upstairs, if you know what I mean…"
Hermione smiled, pleased with this knowledge. It meant that Harry didn't just want someone for their looks. Of course, the fact that this mattered to her in the slightest puzzled her. She could hear the sound of lively music getting louder as they got closer to the club. A few locals were standing outside the club smoking and Harry said hello to a few of them as he led Hermione inside.
The first floor of the bar was where the music was coming from and Hermione could see a band playing in the distance. The music was quite nice and a few couples were dancing in front of the stage. Harry explained that the second floor was where he spent most of his time and Hermione followed him upstairs where she found another bar and a dozen or so billiards tables. The night was still young and the place wasn't crowded yet.
He led her to the bar.
"Jack!" an older woman said, grinning at him. "Where've you been stranger?"
"I've been busy," Harry said with a smile. The bartender looked at Hermione and gave her a welcoming smile. "Hermione Granger, this is Colleen. She's Max's wife."
"Nice to meet you," Hermione said, shaking Colleen's hand.
"Nice to have you on the island," Colleen said. "Now, what can I get the two of you?"
"Beer for me," Harry said. He looked at Hermione.
"I'll have the same," she said.
As they waited for their drinks Harry looked slyly at Hermione. "So, have you ever played?"
Hermione shook her head. "No, can't say as I have."
"I'll have to teach you then," he said, as Colleen returned with their drinks. They thanked her and headed for one of the tables in the back. Hermione received a few appreciative, admiring glances from some of the other men as she walked by and Harry pulled her protectively closer.
They set their drinks down and Harry grabbed two cues and handed one to Hermione.
"We're playing billiards now?" Hermione asked.
Harry laughed. "That's the general idea."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I thought you wanted to put on some sort of show for Maureen?"
"I do," Harry said as he racked the balls. "But she's not here yet and I don't think it's much of a good time to just sit around watching the door, do you?"
"Well, no," Hermione answered.
"Let's play," Harry said. "Ladies first…"
Hermione gave a slight smile as she placed her bag down on an empty chair.
"Okay," she said. "What do I have to do?"
"First, you need to the proper stance," he said, coming up behind her. "Stand with your feet apart like that… and you want to be comfortable and relaxed, not stiff. There you go."
He guided her back a bit and looked at her. "That's perfect. Now you want to hold the cue…"
Hermione rested her cue on the table as Harry tried to show her where to position her fingers. "You need to grip the cue firmly-just like that… yeah, and put your thumb and first three fingers there. Perfect."
He demonstrated how to break and what the cue ball was used for then gave her a brief description of the object of the game.
"So, that's pretty much it," he said as he racked the balls again. "Think you've got it?"
Hermione nodded.
"Let's get started then," Harry said, taking a swig from his beer. Hermione positioned herself as he told her and held the cue as he'd instructed. She hid a smile as she expertly slid the stick back and sank three balls with her break. Nearly twenty minutes later, Harry's mouth was still open as he watched her sink the remainder of the solids, and he still hadn't had a turn yet.
Sensing his eyes on her, Hermione looked up at him. "What?"
"Would you mind telling me why you didn't mention I was playing with Minnesota Fats?" Harry asked, still awed by her performance.
Hermione shrugged. "Too bad we weren't playing for money, eh? I could have cleaned your clock."
Harry laughed. "Spoken like a true hustler. I am very impressed, Miss Granger. Where did you learn to play like that?"
"My father," she answered. "He's the local pub champion back home. I've been his practice partner for quite some time."
Harry nodded. "I feel like such an idiot and you let me just carry on like that…"
"I enjoyed the lesson very much," she said. "And I'm a firm believer in the fact that you can always learn something new…"
Harry shook his head and laughed. "You're amazing."
Hermione smiled before taking another shot. Harry was watching her when he felt someone tap him on the shoulder. He turned around to see Maureen beaming at him, looking beautiful as always. She was wearing a mint-green sundress and her blonde hair was pulled back with a clip.
"Hello, Jack," she said softly. "I had a feeling I'd find you up here."
"Hermione and I were just playing," Harry said, as Hermione came forward to join them. "Right, Hermione?"
He put an arm around her and Hermione rested her head on his shoulder. "That's right, sweetheart."
Maureen gave a weak smile. "I hope she's better at this than I am. I can't play this game to save my life. Do you remember that time you tried to show me how, Jack?"
Harry nodded. "Hermione's a natural, though. She's actually taking me to school at the moment. My ego is taking a beating."
Hermione decided to play this up since Harry had invited her here on the pretense of getting Maureen out of his hair. "It's a little hard to concentrate on the game when he keeps leaning over the table," she said, squeezing Harry's bum. He looked at her in surprise, but when he saw out of the corner of his eye that Maureen's eyes were fixed on him, he quickly covered.
"She should talk," Harry said teasingly. "I've had a nice view of her cleavage every time she's leaned over that table."
Hermione blushed. He couldn't be serious, could he? Had he really…
"So you guys planning on staying here long?" Maureen asked awkwardly.
Hermione grinned. "We're sort of playing it by ear. But, we both agree on how the night will end, don't we?"
Harry nodded as Hermione turned and looked adoringly at him. Her lips were slightly parted and without even thinking, Harry kissed her softly. To say she was surprised was a gross understatement. To say that she enjoyed the feel of his lips on hers, well she didn't want to consider that at the moment. She had a part to play.
"You're welcome to join us, of course," Harry said to Maureen, but his eyes were still on Hermione.
"No, that's okay," Maureen said with a fixed smile. "I'd feel like a fifth wheel. You two enjoy your evening... I'll see you around, Jack."
Harry nodded and he kept his arm around Hermione until Maureen had left the room.
"You kissed me!" Hermione hissed when they were alone again.
"I know," he said apologetically. "I'm sorry." He was sorry for just kissing her out of the blue, but he certainly wasn't sorry for the actual kiss. It was actually quite nice, he mused to himself. "It was just for Maureen's benefit, of course."
Hermione nodded.
Of course it was.
"Let's get back to the game then?" Harry suggested. "Come on, Fast Eddie."
Hermione laughed, but still felt somewhat unnerved by what had just happened.
They played a couple of more games, each won by Hermione and, later that evening as the club filled up, Harry asked if she wanted to go downstairs to listen to the band. She readily accepted and they were to found a table near the back. Harry explained that the band was local and had played at Max's many times before.
"They're really great," Hermione said, raising her voice so he could hear her.
"What?" Harry asked. The band, while great, was also quite loud and with the combination of the music and the crowd, made it difficult to carry on a conversation.
"I SAID THAT THEY'RE REALLY GREAT!" Hermione practically shouted.
Harry nodded. This was pointless. He stood up from his chair and offered her his hand. She didn't know what he had in mind, but she let him lead the way. It took awhile to get out of the club but they soon found themselves back on the sidewalk just outside.
"Sorry about pulling you out of there, but I didn't think we'd be able to talk much," he said apologetically.
"That's okay," Hermione said. "We did what we said we were going to do-get Maureen off your back, so to speak. We can go back home now, if you want to."
Harry didn't want to let her go just yet. He felt a twinge of guilt that she was someone else's girlfriend, but he reasoned that bloke was thousands of miles away. Besides it was like Sirius had said, she wasn't married to him and girls like her didn't come along every day, Harry thought to himself.
"How about a walk on the beach?" he asked her. "You know, just in case Maureen comes back or something… she might see us."
Hermione nodded. "A walk on the beach?"
"If you're up for it," Harry said, hoping that she was.
"I'd love that, actually," she said, sitting down on the bench. "Let me take these sandals off first."
"Good idea," Harry said, sitting beside her and taking off his shoes as well.
"It's really amazing out here," Hermione finally said when they made it to the water's edge. "I can see why you'd never want to leave."
"It's my home now," he answered with a shrug. "I couldn't imagine living anywhere else."
Hermione nodded. "But, don't you miss your family? Your friends?"
"Sure, of course I do," Harry answered. "But I had to come here, Hermione. I needed… peace. Not too many people would understand that, of course, but it was something I needed and I had to do without it most of my life."
Hermione couldn't imagine what it must have been like for him. The fate of the entire wizarding world had been placed on his shoulders when he was just a baby and from all accounts, his childhood had been terrible. But the man before her wasn't asking for a pity party or wanting everyone to bow at his feet. Harry was an incredibly caring man who had a great heart and wonderful sense of humor.
"What about you?" Harry asked, breaking her out of her reverie. "Are you planning on doing something about the fact that you hate your job?"
Hermione sighed. "I don't know. I don't really hate it, but I just don't feel as if I'm doing something, you know? I feel as if I sit at my desk and do my research, but I'm not doing something. I'm not helping anyone."
"But you are the youngest person to ever hold the position you're in, right?" Harry asked. When she looked at him in surprise, he explained that Lupin had given her brief history in his letter to them.
"That I am," Hermione said, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's quite an accomplishment. My parents were really proud, of course, but... I don't know… it's just…"
"What?" Harry asked.
"I feel like I'd be letting them down if I did anything else," she said. "They've always encouraged me to go out and do my best and I've always tried to prove myself to them, you know? With me being Muggle-born I had to do it at school too. Even to this day there are people out there who think because I'm not the so-called 'pure-blood', I'm not worth anything. I never let them see how much it hurt to be called 'mudblood', though. I always held my head high and kept my chin up. I've always felt I had to do more; to be the best. It's like I'm always trying to prove something to someone-be it my parents, my colleagues…"
"You want to know what I think?" Harry asked her. She nodded. "I think you should stop wondering about other people's expectations of you," he said, hoping he wasn't being too forward with her. There was the slight chance she'd tell him to mind his own business and leave his nose out of matters that didn't concern him. "In the end, you should do what makes you happy. And it's not like you can't be the best at whatever that might be."
"You make it sound so easy," Hermione said, stopping and looking out onto the ocean.
"Believe me, I know its not," Harry said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "When I… when I left school, I had so many things thrown in my direction. The Ministry, Quidditch, being an Auror… everyone seemed to have some idea of what I should do with the rest of my life."
"Did you?" Hermione asked.
He shook his head. "I had no bloody idea what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I guess I was just glad that I was still alive. But, that wasn't enough for everyone else. They wanted to know what I was going to do next. So, Ben gets the idea that we should travel around the world. I'd never been anywhere other than the U.K., so the idea appealed to me more than you could imagine."
"And you ended up here," Hermione said.
"I ended up here," Harry said. "I knew this was going to be my home the moment I saw it. It just felt right. I knew."
"I'd like to feel that way," Hermione said quietly.
"You can," Harry said, smiling at her. "You're only 24 years old, Hermione, it's not too late."
Hermione knew he was right. For far too long, she'd lived her life for someone else. Maybe it was time to do what made her happy.
"Pretty deep conversation, isn't it?" Harry asked her.
"Yes," she said with a laugh. "I know it sounds strange, but I feel like I can tell you anything. I mean, I feel like I've known you forever. Funny, isn't it?"
Harry shook his head. "I don't think it's funny at all. I-I feel the same way about you."
The breeze was starting to pick up and Hermione was fighting a losing battle to keep her hair from her face. She reached up to pull a strand behind her ear, but Harry beat her to the punch. His hand lingered on her cheek and for the longest time, he looked into her eyes. Hermione shivered, but it wasn't because she was cold.
"Hermione," Harry whispered, before leaning in and kissed her tenderly.