Chapter 05 - Fun in the Sun
They slept soundly the afternoon they arrived, straight through the night, and as always, her closeness gave him the peace to sleep without the visions that haunted him. He hadn't had that last terrifying vision since the night on Privet Drive.
He woke first, rather early since his body was still use to English time. He quietly released himself from her embrace and covered her with a blanket to let her sleep. It was 4:00 in the morning. He looked over at her, gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead and left for the living room.
'I guess I'll see what kind of shows they have over here, ' he thought.
Click… the set warmed up and the 'Home Shopping Network' appeared on the screen. Click. Click. He scanned the channels and an old show caught his attention. Enthralled, he watched the show, it was about a witch that married a muggle, and had so many mistakes he had to laugh; instead of being called wizards, the men were called warlocks, they don't use wands but hand gestures and 'nose twitches'. Another episode came on after it, obviously the same show, but much later since they had a child that was also magical. He was amused at the mischief caused by the witch and her family as she tried to live as a muggle. That show was followed by yet another show that grabbed his attention. More magical people, but this involved a 'genie' and an astronaut. That show was set in some town called 'Cocoa Beach, Florida'. 'I wonder if that's near here.'
Hermione woke up around 6:15 to find Harry asleep with the TV still on, screaming as he slept fitfully.
"NO… Hermione, I can't let you… LEAVE HER ALONE… GET AWAY FROM HER!
"HERMIONE!!! NOO!!!
"I wasn't strong enough to save them, I failed them all…
"I-I need to get her help… she's bleeding. I can't let it happen… HERMIONE!!! PLEASE DON'T DIE, I LOVE YOU!!"
"HARRY! WAKE UP!" The tearstains on his cheeks and the throbbing in her palm told her it was that dream again, but this time different and very real, and now she knew it involved her. 'Why did he leave me? He knows we're safe together.'
"W-Was it t-that dream again?" she asked nervously.
"Yes. Only this time, different, what did I say?"
"Ummm… nothing really," she lied. "You just kept screaming 'no…' and you said 'Hermione, I can't let you'. Can't let me do what?"
"I don't recall." Now he had to lie, to save her from the truth, he had to save her. "But I knew I had to stop you from doing something before it was too late."
"It's over now. I can't let you fall sleep by yourself any more."
"But, Hermione, you can't watch over me all the time. You need your sleep too."
"I'll get plenty of sleep. Now just relax, and don't think about it. What were you watching that triggered this?"
"Nothing really, some show about a fake witch living like a muggle and another about a 'genie' that lives around here somewhere.'
"Well, let's forget this and you need to relax." She sat in his lap with her arms around his neck. That sat there while she lightly rubbed his back as he looked into her eyes, and brought his lips to hers, and shared a long deep kiss. He broke from the kiss and found a spot on her neck, just under her ear, a spot he discovered that drove her wild with pleasure. He kissed her neck until he felt her tremble, and then continued to her shoulder. His hands began exploring her back and the curves of her waist. They stayed locked together in passionate kisses until she heard a faint rumble.
"Mmmmm…. Sorry..." she said as she pulled away. "You didn't happen to find any food in the kitchen, did you?"
"Yeah, Eileen stocked it full," he mumbled as he started to open his eyes again slightly frustrated.
"That's good, at least one more thing we don't have to worry about." She stood to retrieve a package and when walked the few feet to it, she felt her head continue to swim in delight.
"I found this package in my trunk from Dumbledore, but it's addressed to you." She handed him the bundle that she left on the side table next to the sofa last night, and he carefully examined it. He studied the wrapping just as diligently as when he found her diary, not knowing want it was. Cautiously he opened the package, to find certain items the ancient wizard believed they would need. The note inside was addressed to them both.
Harriet and Herman,
I want you both to fully enjoy your visit, and I have taken the liberty of asking Herman's friend's father to have funds drawn on his behalf. A majority has been deposited directly in a bank local to where you will be staying, so there should not be any monetary conversion problems. As I understand it, there is a large enough balance to more then last the summer. You may well also take advantage of the circumstances to acquire any clothing you will need for next year.
I have also included a small amount of the local currency for nominal expenses should you require it.
Harriet, there is a notebook that I have included for you to list any special reading material you might need. Simply jot the name or subject in the book and I will see to it that you receive that volume as soon as possible.
Herman, please, enjoy your time alone with Harriet, she alone knows your heart and truly cares for you.
I will see you both at the next family reunion in September.
Your Great-Uncle.
Several large bundles of cash and a pair of credit cards with their assumed names fell from the package, Harry whistled at the cash, 3 bundles of $20 bills with 100 bills in each bundle. Harry handed the notebook to Hermione and she tucked it aside for later.
He pulled several bills for one of the bundles, handed her the rest of the money and the card with her name. "That old man thinks of everything, here, you put this away; I don't think we'll need that much, but hang on to that card, I'll take you shopping later," he said as he smiled at her.
"I'll make sure we can get to it, but it's going to be a nice day today, and I for one want to get some sun on the beach. We can wait until a rainy day to go shopping."
"Isn't it going to be cold?"
"Huh? Umm… no, silly, we're almost in the tropics here. The water temperature's going to be close to 30 degrees!"
"But, I didn't pack a swimsuit; the last time I was in the water was for the second challenge in the tournament."
"Don't worry, I bought you one before we left, and I got this one for me." She went into the changing room, and returned with a swimsuit for him and her suit, a one piece suit that was cut low in the front and high in the hips, although it did cover the important areas, it didn't leave much for the imagination.
"You REALLY aren't going in public in THAT! Why there's nothing THERE!"
"I most certainly WILL… I do want to get some sun while we're here. God knows we won't get any when we go back to Hogwarts. Now, sir, if you'll excuse me."
She walked into the bedroom to change into her swimsuit while he got into his, a slightly baggy boxer style. When she came out, he stared at her, almost in disbelief. It was obvious her school robes had hidden a great deal as she grew up, and to his eyes, he never saw a flaw; all he saw in his eyes was a beautiful young woman that he had fallen deeply in love with. The rest of the world would see a normal teenage girl, of average build, fair complexion and simple features, not someone that would standout in a crowd.
"WOW!"
"Is that all you can say?"
"I-I-I'm at a loss…" It was all he could do to remember that this was the same girl that burst in on him and Ron that day on the train six years ago; 'Was it really six years?' he thought. And she was the one that gave them the clue to find the Chamber, slugged Malfoy, and helped save Sirius. And also the one that almost died in the battle at the ministry, and she was the one that was responsible for his recover from his self-inflicted isolation. And she was the only one he'd ever love.
"And Harry, the sun here is as strong as on the French Riviera, so we'll need this lotion to keep from getting sunburned."
"Did you make this potion?"
"No, silly, really don't you know anything about life outside our world?"
"Just what I can see from my cell at the Dursley's, they never took me with them to the beach at Brighton," he replied.
"Sorry, I keep forgetting how badly they treated you." She walked to him and lightly caressed his cheek. The effect her touch had on him was most obvious. "Why Mr. Gratter, is that any way to greet your 'sister'?" The blood rushed through his face as he excused himself.
"Ok, I guess I'm ready now, how much of this stuff do I need?"
"Just spread it over your face, arms, chest and legs, I'll put it on your back and you can do my back."
'Think about something else. Potter… you can't be thinking about her like that, not now, we can't take the risk,. ' he thought to himself.
"Ok, love. Ready?" She picked up a basket she prepared with 'essentials' for the beach, some cool drinks, fruit, a blanket to lay on, more sun lotion and a book and most importantly she packed both their wands.
It was a short walk to the beach, Harry had never been to the ocean, and really couldn't remember the last time he had actually swum. The hot sand felt good between his toes as they walked hand in hand to a secluded spot.
"This looks good; I'll lay out a blanket, why don't you go for a swim?"
"Ok, I've always wanted to see what the ocean was like."
While he was experiencing the salty taste of the ocean for the first time in his life, and actually enjoying it, she laid on the blanket to relax under the sun. She rubbed more lotion over her legs, being careful to not miss anywhere; she was so intent on her task, she never noticed the stranger's approach.
"Hey, sweetheart, you here all alone?"
She lifted her head and saw a rather large bronze young man standing in front of her. "Well, actually, no. I'm here with… someone."
"I guess he's not that interested if he's left you here all by your lonesome. How would you like some company?"
"Thank you, no. He'll be back in a bit."
"You a Brit?"
"Well, yes, I am British. But as I said he'll be back in a bit."
"Until he comes back, how about some company?" She shifted her hand to her wand under cover of a beach towel.
"Like I said, he's just over there." She pointed to Harry.
"You're here with that scrawny thing? Wouldn't you rather have a real man to keep you company?"
"This bloke bothering you?"
"No Har-Herman. He was just leaving. If he knows what's good for him."
Harry walked over and stood between her and the stranger. "I believe she asked you to leave, sir."
"And who's gonna make me?" He gave Harry a shove that sent him sprawling into the sand. "Hawhaw… Why don't you go find someone else to play with in the sand little boy!"
"STUP---"
"HARRY--- NO… DON'T…"
"-TIFY!" and the larger of the two went flying backwards.
"I SAID DON'T…" Just as she realized she was holding his wand too.
"No one's gonna use some martial arts crap on me and get away with it... COME HERE PUNK!!" The larger man lunged at Harry; his opponent was no match for Harry's lightning reflexes honed on the Quidditch pitch over the last six years. He easily sidestepped the attack.
"I'm warning you, you had best leave us alone."
"You little punk... I'm gonna-"
"IMMOBULUS" came from the blanket. Harry had just stepped aside when the spell hit his opponent, as he fell to the ground, frozen.
"Why'd you do that? He was too big and slow to even touch me."
"We need to keep a low profile, Herman… I think we'd better find a different beach."
They started to pack their things as a small crowd began to gather. It seemed to Harry that there were more girls then boys in the crowd. When one of the girls piped up, "That was awesome, you never touched him and he's out cold!"
"He's been hitting on all the girls since he showed up last week, what a pain in the ass."
"Yeah, what can we do to thank you, our hero!"
'Great, more hero worshipers.' Harry thought as he helped Hermione pack their things.
"Herm? Can we go now?"
"Sure hon… err sis…"
"So, you're here protecting you little sister?" came from a rather fully endowed blond in very tight and small bikini.
"I guess you can say that." To which Hermione replied with a slap across the back of his head.
"OW! Why'd you do that Mione?"
"Someone needed to remind you. Can we leave now?"
"I was just being friendly."
As they walked away, the girls start whispering about the boy that took out the beach bully then got taken out by his sister. The others in the small crowd began to continue with their day. One man in the crowd had watched the event with casual interest before he too returned to his normal routine.
- - -
They went back to the apartment, both felt a bit tired and hungry, they've been on the beach for what seemed like a short while, but was actually most of the day.
"Sorry, I lost my temper back there, but she was coming on to you and, well you are here with me."
"I'm sorry too, any way, whose bright idea was it for us to travel as brother and sister anyway? If I could've said we were together, it wouldn't have happened."
"Speaking of what happened, you didn't have your wand when he attacked you, and you didn't seem that angry."
"Yeah, I know, it's getting easier to do these days, especially when you're in trouble."
"I saw you when you got mad at your uncle and you wand was next to me then too."
When they returned to their apartment, Eileen was waiting for them. "Kids, I have a treat for you tomorrow, a dear friend of mine has a large boat that he charters, I asked him yesterday if you two could go for a ride, and he agreed. It'll be fun, you can watch for whales and dolphins maybe go for a swim."
"Sure, it could be fun."
"What time? Harry and I should get started on our summer homework." Hermione was not as confident about spending the day with strangers, especially in a strange land. An excursion out on their own was one thing; this was an entirely different matter.
"Hermione, don't spoil it yet. I want to enjoy this vacation."
"I promise, you WILL…" she smirked.
"Maybe I should go and leave you; sounds like two have your own plans."
"No, Eileen, if Harry wants to try it, we'll both go," Hermione sighed. "It could be relaxing as you said."
85.00 degF = 29.44 degC