Hermione Granger, Florence Nightingale
Author's Note: So to make up for my previous lapse, I got a chapter out for you for tonight. It's not long, but I think you'll enjoy it. I really enjoyed writing it. Not entirely sure how many more chapters there are going to be. It'll either be one more or two more. Depends on what happens when I write it. Also depends on when I can write it. Classes are starting again now, and I've got three weeks of classes before finals, so I have to really buckle down and study, so I really don't know when I'll have time to write. I'll do my best to make some time though.
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The next day, Hermione convinced Harry to go to the pool to try out their new swimwear. She didn't understand why he was initally reluctant, but then, she was not privy to his thoughts pertaining to the memory of her in a bikini. He was scared to death he was going to say something stupid, and embarrass either himself or his best friend, or quite possibly both. In the end, however, he gave in, because he had no valid reason he could give as to why he didn't want to go.
Harry, in his own room, began to change, and tried his hardest not to think about the fact that Hermione was changing into the same bikini she tried on and purchased at the mall. It was a bit like trying not to think about pink elephants, though. When he finished changing, he headed down to the sitting room, where Hermione was waiting, in a t-shirt and shorts. Harry breathed a silent sigh of relief that he didn't have to deal with Hermione in a bikini just yet.
"So, Harry, you ready to go?" Hermione stood up.
"Sure," replied Harry, picking up his cane as they headed out the door.
As they approached the pool, Hermione began to search the faces present to see if she recognized anybody.
"See anybody you know?"
"Just a girl I knew when I was in school before Hogwarts," she said. "If it's all the same to you, I'd rather not introduce you to her. We didn't exactly exist on the best of terms." She frowned at the memories. "I wasn't what you'd call popular. I always got good grades, and the other kids got jealous, and I got picked on a lot."
"That's fine." He shrugged. "But surely she's gotten past that now, no?"
"Not really. It doesn't help that when I go to the park, I usually have a book with me. I've been more or less labeled "The Bookworm", and she's the kind of girl who likes to show her social superiority every chance she gets."
"Okay, then we'll ignore her."
"I don't know about this, Harry." Hermione was beginning to look worried. "She won't pass up a chance to try to humiliate me if she sees me. Maybe we should come back tomorrow."
"No." Harry spoke very firmly. "You're giving her too much power, Hermione. I don't think we should let somebody else dictate what we do."
"Well…okay." Hermione agreed reluctantly.
Almost as soon as they entered the pool area, the girl noticed them, and made her way towards them, the arrogant smile on her face reminding Harry a little too much of Malfoy for his own comfort.
"Hermione, how nice to see you again," she said with an expression so sickeningly sweet Harry was surprised she wasn't melting in the sun.
"Sharon," said Hermione, nodding a hello, and hoping that would be the end of that. It wasn't.
"Tsk, Hermione. I suppose those books you're always poking your nose into don't teach you anything about manners. Aren't you going to introduce me to your…friend, here?" She looked Harry up and down, leering at him suggestively. He felt as if she could see through his clothing, and suddenly felt very uncomfortable. He supposed that was how girls felt when guys were checking them out, and he resolved never to do it again.
"Sharon, this is Harry. Harry, meet Sharon."
"My oh my, does the Bookworm actually have a boyfriend?" Sharon put on a shocked expression, and Harry felt a hot fury building. He didn't allow Malfoy to get away with making fun of Hermione, and he would be damned if he was going to give this prissy, arrogant, valley girl a pass. Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but Harry stepped forward.
"And what if I am?" Harry growled. "Hermione is a wonderful girl. She's smart, and she's beautiful, and she treats people the way she would want to be treated."
Sharon retreated slightly when Harry stepped forward, but she recovered, and was wearing a skeptical expression.
"Uh-huh," she said, examining her nails. "Listen, Harry, it sounds like you're a good friend and all, but you're not fooling anybody. Let's be honest with each other. The only way the Bookworm here is ever going to have a boyfriend is if that cat of hers turns into a guy, and even then it seems…unlikely." Harry looked at Hermione, and she looked as if every word Sharon said had been a knife to her heart. He turned back to Sharon, who was wearing an arrogantly superior expression.
Without another word, Harry turned back to Hermione, pulled her to him, and pressed his lips to hers. Hermione's eyes shot wide open, and when Harry pulled back, she looked dazed. Sharon looked for all the world like Harry had just kissed a mutilated corpse, and the horror on her face was the most satisfying thing Harry had seen in quite a long time. He took Hermione's hand, and led her past Sharon, who was still in shock.
Hermione was still in a bit of shock as well. She followed Harry, but did so as if it was only her subconscious mind keeping her upright.
Harry chose two chairs by the poolside, and sat down on one of them, Hermione sitting on the adjacent chair.
"Hermione," he whispered. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," she said, snapping out of it. "Fine. Harry, you really didn't have to do that."
"Yeah, well, I wasn't just going to let her pick on you like that. Nobody should have to go through that." He ran his fingers through his hair. "Listen, I'm sorry. I know I probably should have found a different way to get her to stop, but…"
"It's okay, Harry," Hermione cut him off. "You got her off my back for the first time in years. I really appreciate it." She blushed. "Although, I have to say, I certainly didn't expect that particular…solution."
"Yeah, sorry about that," he said, turning red. "I just figured the only way to shut her up would be, well, I dunno." Hermione stood up.
"Thank you, Harry," she said, and kissed him on the cheek. Her face was still bright red, but she was smiling. "Now, what say we get into the water? I don't know about you, but I'm absolutely boiling out here." And with that, she turned around, and pulled her shirt over her head. Sure enough, she was wearing the navy blue bikini she had just bought the day before. She pulled her shorts off as well, and, leaving her clothing on her chair, turned to Harry. She sighed when she saw he was still sitting on his chair, not having moved a muscle.
"Come on, Harry, you're not going to swim wearing your shirt. Off with it." Either she didn't know that Harry was absolutely captivated by her, or she was trying to pretend he wasn't. The fact that her face was still bright red, however, seemed to point to the second of the two options.
Harry, realizing that resistance was indeed futile, removed his shirt. He stood up, still rather shakily. He wasn't going to be able to bring his cane into the pool, and he was still slightly unsure of himself without it. Hermione, however, offered her arm for support, which Harry gladly accepted.
Hermione guided Harry into the water, in the shallow end. She decided it would be best to first get him comfortable in the water. She slowly brought him out to the deeper end, and began to show him basic strokes. He learned rather quickly, although since he was still weak, he was not a particularly powerful swimmer yet. However, after not too long, Harry and Hermione were splashing around, laughing, and generally enjoying themselves.
"Where are you going?" Harry asked as Hermione headed towards the ladder.
"I'm going to stretch out for a little while and get some sun," she replied, climbing up the ladder. Harry tried desperately to focus on anything but her rear end. "You can entertain yourself for a little while, can't you?"
"Yeah." He started to practice his swimming strokes, doing short laps, as Hermione sat down in the chair. At one point, he looked up at her, and was absolutely flabbergasted.
She really is a girl, he thought, and then instantly berated himself. Of course she's a girl, we've been through all this already. But wow, is she ever a girl. Harry realized he was staring, and quickly turned away. He started doing laps again for a little while, but it was getting a bit boring without Hermione, so he climbed out of the pool. Making his way back to the chair slowly, he sat in his chair, and reflected how much better it felt to be in the water. He snuck a glance over at Hermione and found that she was lying on her stomach, her arms under her head. What made his breath catch in his throat, however, was that Hermione's bikini top was untied, the strings lying off to either side. He quickly looked away, his heart trying to thump out a heavy metal beat.
"Hey, done swimming?" Harry turned to see Hermione looking at him, smiling.
"It got kinda boring without you."
"Aww, I'm sorry, Harry." She reached behind her back and tied her bikini, sitting up. "I didn't mean to neglect you."
"It's okay," he replied, shrugging. "I didn't feel neglected. But what say we head back soon?"
"Sure." She began to gather her belongings. "I take it you'd like to leave now?"
"Yeah. That'd be nice." Harry stood up, pulled his shirt on, and picked up his cane. He leaned in close to Hermione. "I want you to giggle," he whispered.
Hermione looked at him, confused.
"Sharon is watching us, and I want you to giggle." He smiled, and Hermione complied. He couldn't help but think how cute she was when she giggled. It wasn't something she did often, but it made her look absolutely adorable.
"Now, when you stand up, I want you to hold my hand as we walk out," he whispered, offering his hand. Hermione took it, and stood up. He laced his fingers between hers, and they began walking to the exit. Hermione saw Sharon scowling from where she was sitting, and Harry was glad to see Hermione grin widely.
"So long, Sharon," she said sweetly as they passed the girl. Sharon gave a short wave, which spoke volumes.
As they exited the park, Hermione let out a short, triumphant laugh.
"Thank you so much, Harry. That was excellent. I've never been able to actually win with her, and now I have." She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
Harry tried not to react, but his face turned a very deep red. Hermione smiled almost imperceptibly.