A/N: I'm so grateful for all the great reviews! Thank you all so much for taking the time to drop me a quick note. I never ask readers to review, since it should be something you do only if you wish to do so, and not because you are promised `if you review I'll post sooner". I write for the pleasure it gives me, and if others can appreciate my work, all the better. So once more, thanks sincerely!
There is a bit more of R/L & D/G in this chapter, and I hope you like that as well. I have never written about Draco before and I have enjoyed it more than I thought possible. So enjoy this chapter.
MATCHMAKERS TO THE RESCUE
CHAPTER THREE
Harry had been sleeping for a good hour, with Hermione still leaning against him. Ron and Draco were taking surf lessons. Ginny and Luna were watching them and taking as many pictures as possible, since it was hilarious to see them try. Hermione, too excited to sleep, watched them. Her thoughts were all over the place, and she was as happy as she had ever been.
She was still in shock, if she was honest with herself. Never in a million years would she have guessed that this trip would turn out as it had. Especially last night, when Harry had declared his love for her unexpectedly. One moment he was going back to bed, and the next moment he was kissing her like his life depended on it. She still wasn't sure what had triggered his reaction, and she wanted to ask him, but for now she let him sleep, knowing he was tired.
As carefully as possible, she got up from the lounge and walked over to the tiki bar to ask for a drink. Ginny and Luna joined her and ordered drinks as well.
"I can't wait to hear what happened, Mione," Ginny said excitedly.
"Me, either," Luna told her. "We were getting ready to start brewing love potions!"
Hermione laughed at her. "That bad, huh?"
"Worse! Ron even wanted to Crucio Harry last night!"
Hermione frowned at them. "When last night?"
Luna and Ginny looked at each other guiltily and then back at Hermione. "Now, Mione, don't be mad at us, but we followed you guys last night."
"You did? Why?" Hermione asked surprised by the news.
"Aside from being meddlesome, we wanted to make sure you were okay," Luna confessed and hung her head in shame.
Hermione shook her head in wonder, but smiled at her friends to put them at ease. "I guess that's okay. I know you did it with the best of intentions, just like you planned this weekend as a romantic getaway for all of us. However, from here on out I would appreciate a little privacy and respect were Harry and I are concerned. Is that okay?"
"Oh, sure, Mione. We promise no more prying or interfering. Our job here is done!" Ginny said as she crossed her heart.
"I agree. Besides, I have to come up with something terribly sexy as far as Ronald is concerned. He lost that bet and I am going to make him pay up before we leave the island. But it has to be perfect. Any suggestions?"
"One Rum Runner for you," the bartender said to Hermione handing her the drink.
"Thanks." She sipped the drink. "This is wonderful," she told him and he smiled his thanks at her.
"Do you want something really kinky or just fun?" Hermione asked Luna as she turned back to the girls.
"I'm not sure, but I want him to remember it for a long time!"
"One Sex on the Beach for you, madam," the bartender told Ginny and handed her the drink.
"That's it!" she exclaimed as she turned back towards Hermione and Luna after thanking him.
"What?" they both exclaimed.
"Sex on the beach! Just like my drink. Make him shag you tonight at the beach! I think it would be exciting and a bit dangerous at the same time!"
"And last but not least, one Hurricane for you," the bartender said to Luna.
"Thanks, Charles. I'm sure we'll be back for more of your wonderful drinks a bit later!"
"Always my pleasure."
They started walking down the beach and many faces turned to watch them as they did so. They were beautiful to watch. The differences in skin and hair colors were amazing and their toned bodies in tiny bikinis were the envy of many. However, they were completely oblivious, since their hearts were very well taken and they had eyes for no one else.
"I think Ginny's idea has some merit, Luna. It was beautiful walking on the beach with Harry last night and I'm sure tonight will be as well. You could take him against a palm tree and no one would even notice!"
Her friends turned to look at her, mouths hanging opened in surprise. Ginny recovered first.
"Did you really just say that? Hermione Jane Granger, bookworm extraordinaire and follower of all rules?" she asked with eyes full of surprise and wonder.
Hermione laughed at her and she felt wonderful breaking free of her old mold. "Yes, I did! And I might make the suggestion to Harry as well!"
"I'm in shock. I cannot even picture you suggesting something so risqué and actually thinking of doing it! No wonder they say it's the quiet ones you need to watch out for!"
Hermione kept on laughing. She was glad to shock her friends. She was happy and she felt wonderful. She was in love and her love was reciprocated.
"Hermione is right, Luna. A shag on the beach sounds like a plan. Wonder what Draco would say if I asked him to do me against a palm tree tonight?"
"Only one way to find out!" Hermione said as they reached the lounge chairs.
Harry was awake finally and smiled tenderly at her when he saw her. She bent down and kissed him.
"Did you enjoy your nap?" she asked him as she sat down next to him.
"I did. I want to go for a swim now. Care to join me for a bit?"
"I'd love too."
She put her drink on the table and helped him up from the chair. Hand in hand, they walked over to the water's edge and slowly walked in. Once they were waist deep, Harry stopped and drew her to him. Without caring who saw them, he kissed her. And not just a peck, but a kiss that left no one in doubt that Hermione was his.
~*~
Later that night, while they were having dessert and coffee after eating a wonderful dinner, Luna turned to Ron.
"I'm collecting on that bet tonight, Ronald."
Ron choked on the piece of cake he had just put in his mouth. Harry, who was sitting next to him, patted his back and tried to keep a straight face. Ginny and Hermione giggled and Draco raised his eyebrows. When Ron was done, he was red in the face and teary eyed.
"Bloody hell, Luna, did you have to remind me of that in front of our friends?"
"Oh, its okay, Ronnie. Hermione and I know all about it since it was us who suggested it!"
"What? My ex-best friend and former sister betraying me. I thought I'd never see the day."
"Oh, stop it! When you see what Luna has in store for you you'll be kissing our feet!" Hermione told him and he glared at her.
"And don't worry, Ronnie, I won't tell mum you and Luna did it!" Ginny added and burst out laughing at the murderous look on Ron's face. The rest joined her.
"I'll take you down with me if you ever do!" he said to her and she just laughed harder.
Mrs. Weasley liked to live in la-la land as far as the sexual activities of her children went. She pretended it did not happen and they all humored her. It worked out perfectly.
"Anyhow, now's a good time as any," Luna said pushing her chair back and getting up. "Come along, Ronald, time's a wasting."
Ron muttered under his breath and followed her meekly. But as much as he tried, he could not conceal his excitement at this new adventure. The others noticed but decided to give him a break.
"So, what did you all come up with? Luna seemed rather excited," commented Harry.
"We suggested that they shag at the beach against a palm tree!" Ginny said and smiled happily at the surprised look on Harry and Draco's faces.
"No way! The weasel is not going to go for that! Ever!" Draco said.
"Wanna bet?" Ginny asked. "I bet he not only goes for it, but enjoys it as well."
"I don't think Ron's stupid. He's crazy in love with Luna and he's going to do whatever makes her happy," Hermione added as she finished her coffee.
"I agree," said Harry.
"I can't see it. He's too much of a wuss," continued Draco, still in denial.
"Would you do it if I asked you? We could go the opposite direction from them!" Ginny said winking at her boyfriend.
"No! If we get caught it would be embarrassing."
"And you call Ron a wuss, ferret boy?" Harry asked smiling. The name-calling was something they still reverted to in times like this and it was in no way offensive.
"Look, scar-head, if you're so macho and brave, you go and do it."
"I'd be glad to! Come on, Mione." Harry got up from his chair and extended his hand to Hermione, who took it gladly and smiled up at him.
Hermione winked at Ginny and waved as Harry led her out of the restaurant. Ginny looked at Draco and smiled at his face of surprise.
"Didn't think they'd go for it, did you? I guess the only wuss left at this table right now is you, Malfoy. I'll be out in the terrace if you change your mind." Having said that, Ginny got up from the table and walked away.
Draco sat in stony silence and pondered at his own stupidity. Not ten minutes later, he went to look for Ginny, his mind made up. He had to save face and he had to do it quickly. His reputation was on the line. But more important still, he needed to prove to Ginny that he was man enough for her.
~*~
Luna and Ron walked down the beach, holding hands. "You don't have to do this if you don't want to, Ronald. I would never force you to do something against your will." Luna told him.
"I know, love, and I'm doing this because I want to and it's exciting. As long as it's with you, I'm game for anything," he said and squeezed her hand.
"There's something I've wanted to ask you, but I wasn't sure how to bring up the subject."
"You know we can talk about anything. We always do, so go ahead and ask."
"Okay. I've been wondering all of today if seeing Harry and Hermione together bothers you in any way."
"Why would it bother me?" he asked surprised by her question.
"You used to date her, Ronald."
"That was ages ago, and you know we never got along as well as Harry and her do. Hermione and I mostly fought and that is not healthy in a relationship. It's a good thing we realized that sooner rather than later."
"So there are no hard feelings at all?"
"None." Ron walked over to a palm tree and leaned against it. He put his arms around her waist, bringing her closer to him.
"Are you ready?" she asked a little surprised, since they were in the middle of a conversation.
"No, that's for a bit later. First we need to finish this conversation because it seems like you have some doubts and I want to dispel those forever."
"Oh, Ronald, you don't have to explain. I was just being silly." She put her hands against his chest and could feel his heart beating softly under her palm.
"There are four very important women in my life. First my mother, whom I love beyond measure. Second, my sister, who makes me want to kill her, but whom I love with all of my heart. Third, there is Hermione, who is my best friend, and whom I love and respect as another sister. And then there is you, the love of my life, my other half, and the reason my heart beats daily."
"Oh, Ronald," Luna whispered, at a loss for words. Tears were swimming in her eyes as she looked up at him.
"So you see, my darling, there is a place for all of you in my heart, and I would be nothing without all of you. I don't ever want you to doubt my love for you, because it's the forever kind of love."
Luna nodded. "I never knew you were such a romantic, Ronald. You just melted my heart all over again! I love you with all of my heart."
"Good, I was kind of counting on that." He put his hand into his pocked and withdrew a small black box. He opened it and showed her the contents. Nestled inside was a diamond and sapphire ring. "I was hoping and praying that you would do me the honour of becoming my wife."
Luna's tears spilled then. "Oh, Ronald, it's beautiful! Of course I'll marry you!"
Ron took the ring from the box and eagerly put it on her finger. He had tears in his eyes as he kissed her hand. "I'm so glad you said yes. I was going to drown myself otherwise," he said as he smiled at her.
Luna laughed at his words and admired the ring. She'd never seen anything so beautiful in her entire life. "I wouldn't let you drown my love, I would have saved you."
"Now, how about we take care of that bet?" he asked and lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her with all of the love inside his heart.
~*~
Draco walked into the terrace and looked around for Ginny. He spotted her sitting on the veranda and facing the beach. She looked beautiful, he thought. There were torches all around the terrace and the fire reflected on her hair making it seem like it was on fire as well. He wondered everyday how he had gotten so lucky to have someone in his life that loved him as much as she did. Who would have thought that he would fall in love with her, a Weasley, and be as happy as he was? It had taken some time to make the others accept their relationship, but during that time, their love had only gotten stronger. He had even gone against his mother, and now she was one of their biggest supporters.
During the war, he had been unsure he wanted to fight on the Dark Lord's side and that hesitation had landed him in trouble. Dumbledore had been right. He was not a bad person and he had not been able to cross that line. It was the Golden Trio that had saved his life and that had done it for him. He had fought on their side from that moment on.
He and Ginny had fought side by side and they had been able to save each other's life more than once before it was all over. Their lives had not been the same since. After it was all over, and while they recovered from their injuries, their friendship grew. Ginny was released from the hospital before he had and she had come to visit him every day until he was out. He had fallen in love with her then.
Their first ally had been, to everyone's surprise, Hermione. She had been the first to forgive him for his cruel treatment of her throughout the years. Once Harry and Ron saw that she was a supporter of their relationship, they had begun to accept it as well. Now he was part of a big family and he was truly happy for the first time in his life.
As if sensing his presence, Ginny turned around and their eyes met. She lifted her arm towards him in invitation and he went to her willingly. He clasped her hand when he reached her and kissed the back of it.
"Forgive an idiot like me?" he asked in a soft voice.
"Like I could stay mad at you for long!" she said and swung her legs around so she was facing him. "Come here, you."
He hugged her as if she were his lifeline, and in a way, she was. "I'm sorry about earlier, Red. I was the one that acted like a wuss."
"Its okay, Draco. Not everyone is adventurous and not everyone wants to be wild. I love you just as you are, darling man."
He leaned back and looked down at her. "Do you think I'm boring?"
"No! That's not what I meant at all, Draco."
"That's what it sounded like to me. Do you want someone that would shag you just about anywhere for the thrill of it and not worry about your safety?" he asked softly.
"Of course not! I'm perfectly happy with our lives as they are. I wouldn't change a thing."
"I dunno, Ginny. I love you so much that I would never do anything to compromise your integrity or your well being. If that makes me a boring boyfriend, then so be it."
"I already told you. I love you. Just you. It's the way you make me feel when I'm around you. The security I find in your arms. The way my heart forgets its rhythm when you kiss me and the way you astound me every time we make love. Don't you see that I don't need anything else as long as you are by my side?" she finished with feeling.
Her words were his undoing. He loved her more and more every day and he planned to spend the rest of his life at her side. He bent down and kissed her with all of the feelings he had bottled up inside of him. He poured his love into that kiss. She stood up, wrapped her arms around his neck, and brought their bodies closer together. After a while, his hands started roaming her body, touching her everywhere at once.
"Take me upstairs now, Draco, and make love to me," she whispered against his mouth.
"Are you certain? We could go down to the beach if you really want," he said after kissing her again.
"Who wants a rough palm tree on their back when there is a perfectly large bed waiting upstairs?"
"You have a point there, darling."
Without wasting more time, he scooped her up into his arms and walked back into the hotel while kissing her and not caring who saw. Once inside the lobby, he dissaparated to their room followed by whistles and catcalls from those hanging around the bar.
~*~
"Harry, I think we should turn back now. We've wondered quite a bit away from the resort and we don't know if there might be lurkers out here waiting for some lost victim to attack."
"You're right, love. Let's just apparate to the entrance of the resort instead of walking back."
"Good idea. I'm a bit tired after all."
His face fell at her words. "Let's go then."
They apparated to the entrance and walked inside going towards the elevators. Hermione squeezed his hand lovingly and smiled at him.
"Is something wrong? And don't tell me no since I can read you pretty well."
He smiled at her. "I was kind of hoping for a repeat of last night and this morning, but if you're tired, I'd understand."
She gave him a sexy grin once they were inside the elevator. She walked right up to him and cupped him. He gasped at her boldness. "I'm not that tired, handsome. I'm also looking forward to a repeat of that myself."
She kissed him while still holding him in case he had any doubts left. By his reaction to her intimate touch, she was sure he got the point.
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