Okay, since I get to start over, I decided to tweak the first part since I messed up the whole hot in July in Australia thing. I got a lot of complaints on that and so I thought this time, I'd try to fix it, haha!
One Year Later
Hermione was hot, sweaty and sticky and all she wanted to do was dive headfirst in the pool that was only a few feet away from her. Instead, she was kneeling next to her mum, helping her yank out unwanted weeds in her garden. Turned out that when Hermione was away, her mum had developed quite the green thumb and insisted that Hermione help her as much as possible.
She liked flowers. She thought they were pretty and nice to look at or smell. Didn't mean she liked getting dirty and yanking out weeds. "It's bloody hot out here, Mum. Why is it this hot in July?"
"Just a fluke I guess. Almost done," she said in a calm voice as she tended to her posies. "You should wear a hat."
"Oh, like that would help," she grumbled.
"Honey, careful," Isabelle Granger warned as she slapped her daughter's hand. "You're ruining my posies."
"Oh. Sorry." She sighed and leaned back to roll her aching shoulders. "I told you I'm not very into it."
"I wonder why that is? Didn't you do well in that plant class you took at Hogwarts?"
Hermione's lips curved. "Herbology. A little different, Mum. And yes I did, but it doesn't mean I enjoyed it."
"Oh. Well." She waved it off. "It'll grow on you." She gave a little chuckle. "Grow on you…get it? Grow? Like the flowers?"
"You're a regular riot," she said with a roll of her eyes but still couldn't help but laugh.
"I spoke to Melanie the other day," she said casually after a moment of silence.
"Did you?"
Melanie Tyson was Isabelle's friend and neighbor who lived next door. Melanie and her husband Jack had a son who was her age. Brick Tyson. Ever since she had been living with her parents the Tysons and the Grangers seemed to try to push them together. Brick seemed all for it, but Hermione couldn't seem to convince him, or her parents that she wasn't interested.
"I sure did…she told me Brick asked about you."
And there it is, she thought with a mental sigh. "Mum…we're not really going to have this conversation again, are we? I'm seeing someone."
Isabelle snorted. "Someone you haven't seen in a year," she added.
"Because I've been here…with you and dad. Ronald understands, Mum."
It was the truth, Ron did understand. At least that was what it seemed like in his letter he Owled a month into her stay at her parents. He had explained that he would stop trying to convince her to come back and that he would give her the time she needed. I'll wait for you. Those were his last words.
"I'm still a little hazy with this Ronald person," she said with a slight frown as she threw her spade in the dirt and sat back on her heels. "I can't seem to remember you ever talking about him. Now Harry I remember. Crystal clear. I have memories and memories of you going on and on about him."
"Harry didn't annoy me as much as Ronald did back then," she said trying to make a light of it. "Ron had gotten better towards the end of our sixth year and we didn't get together till right at the end of the war. It only makes sense you remember Harry more."
She sighed. "I guess. I still don't see why you won't just go on a date with Brick. I mean he's a nice guy and…oh!"
Hermione and Isabelle both ducked down at the fast blurred movement that flew above their heads. "It's just an owl," Hermione said when the white snow owl that made her think of Hedwig perched on one of her mum's garden gnomes. "A very beautiful owl."
Isabelle put a hand on her racing heart. "Took years off my life. I still don't understand how that works…how does he know to find you? Do they have a tracking device or something?"
"Don't think about it," she advised. "It will only give you a headache."
"I guess," she sighed. "Well, who's it from?" she asked as Hermione took the rolled up parchment the owl had sticking out. "Ron?"
Hermione unrolled the parchment and frowned. "No…it…it's from Harry."
Her eyes widened. "Really? But I thought he only sent you postcards."
"Yes, he usually does."
"Well," she said after giving her daughter a moment to read it then gave her a poke. "Don't leave your mum in suspense…what does it say?"
"It's an invitation…to his house in Mexico."
"He has a house in Mexico?"
"Apparently…on a island off the coast of Puerto Vallarta."
"Well…what else does he say?" she asked anxiously. "When does he want you to come? And for how long? Will it just be you and him? Does he say anything about…"
"Mother," she said tearing her eyes away from Harry's letter. "Chill…take a breath before you pass out."
She winced. "Sorry. I'm just excited."
Hermione rolled her eyes, but smiled. "No problem. And to answer your questions…he wants me there August first…for two weeks…and no…I won't be the only one there, he says he is inviting other five other people who also made an impact on his life." She frowned as she looked at the letter again. "This is so weird for him…so out of the blue."
"Who do you think the others are?"
"Well…Ron and Ginny for sure…as for the other rest I'm not sure. Neville maybe? Or Luna?" She shook her head. "Who knows?"
"The first of August you said? Why…that's just two weeks away…doesn't give you much notice, does he?"
"No," she agreed. "If I go I'll have to…"
"What do you mean, if?" she asked suddenly. "Of course you're going."
"But Mum…I'd feel bad leaving you and dad at the moment…"
"Nonsense," she said waving her off. "I think your dad and I can handle things by ourselves for fourteen days."
"Well…of course, but…"
"And didn't it ever occur to you that this will give us some time alone? I mean…not to say too much but…it has been awhile since your father and I…well…you know…"
Hermione made loud noises and waved her hands in protest. "Yeah…yeah, okay…lets just drop that."
"Besides dear…I know you want to go. It's been so long since you've seen him."
Hermione let out a sigh. "Tell me about it. I almost forgot what Harry looks like it's been so long."
Isabelle's lips curved. "Actually." She cleared her throat. "I was referring to Ronald. Your boyfriend."
Hermione blinked. "Oh," she said and felt foolish. "I mean…of course I'm excited to see Ron…sure. I miss him an awful lot."
She patted her daughter's hand. "Of course you do, dear," she assured her. "Well…you better reply back…so Harry knows you'll be there.
"Right. Of course."
"Then… you and I are going to go shopping," she added with a wink. "Get you a whole new wardrobe for the trip."
"Mum…you don't have to do that."
"Of course I do…we'll make it a mother daughter outing. Shop, eat and drink."
Hermione laughed. "How can I say no to that? But first…before I do anything else…I need to jump straight into that pool before I pass out."
Isabelle grinned then got up off her knees. "Sounds like a plan…let's go."
Hermione grabbed her mum's hand and with a laugh they ran to the pool fully clothed and jumped into the cool water.
XXXXXX
MONDAY
Harry stood at the edge of the veranda that faced the Pacific Ocean as he waited for the first of his guest to arrive on the five o'clock ferry. The house that he decided to buy after renting it out for a month stood high on the edge of a cliff, the back facing the ocean and the front securely surrounded by jungle life.
Even though he'd always had money-well since he turned eleven-he never was into buying extravagant things. He had always been practical when it came to spending money. However, during the past year he decided to spend his Muggle adventure in style, staying in the nicest hotels and being put up in the most elegant rooms. Then this house came along and it didn't take him long to grow attached to it, so he decided on a whim to purchase the house so he could come back at any time. He loved it here…the view, the peacefulness and solitude.
He would never live here permanently…the magic of it would go away and it wouldn't be as special. This would be where he'd go when he needed a break from the real world. When he got back to the real world, which will be in two weeks. One of the reasons why he sent out the invitations was because he wanted to end his journey with his closest friends.
Well, not all of them were his closest friends. He still wasn't sure why he invited his archenemy all throughout Hogwarts and also wasn't sure why Draco Malfoy accepted. Intrigued? Bored? Accept the invite only to kill him? No, definitely not that. Albus Dumbledore had been right about him on that. Although he was a bully, which wasn't really his fault because his Death Eater father raised him to be a bully-no-he probably raised him to be a Death Eater, but the best he could do was school bully. Draco Malfoy was never a killer.
In the end, the real reason he decided to invite Draco was due to an incident he witnessed on the last day of Hogwarts after the war. A lot of people stayed behind to clean up the school, take care of the wounded and dead. He had been surprised Draco decided to stay behind to help and even more surprised he stood his ground when his father tried to make him leave.
Harry had happened to walk up to a very heated discussion between father and son and had quickly hidden back behind a corner to listen to it unfold…
"Draco…you can't be serious," Lucius Malfoy scoffed. "You don't belong here."
"I'm staying," he said firmly.
"Why? You need to be with us, son…your mother and I…"
"Oh don't give me that bullshit, Father!" he snapped interrupting him. "Don't pull that `we're a family' card on me. Now that Potter defeated your precious Voldemort."
Smack!
Harry winced at the sound of flesh hitting flesh and peaked around to see Draco's hand on his cheek with Lucius furiously glaring at him.
"You dare speak his name?"
"What are you going to do, Father? Ground me? Or better yet…kill me? I'm done with you. Do you understand me? You're dead to me…don't think I don't know what you have up your sleeves. Your leader may be gone, but nothing about you has changed. You'll go right back to your ways…maybe even lead a new group of Death Eaters…and I don't want to have anything to do with it, do you understand? I almost died tonight, Father…twice…and who should be the one to save me?" He laughed sarcastically. "Harry-bloody freaking-Potter. I owe him and many others to stay and help."
"You're out of your mind! Who the hell are you and what have you done with my son?"
"It's me Father…in the flesh…and I may be out of my mind but at least I'll leave this war with a little bit of a conscious. I've been enemies with Potter for years and can't stand the annoying prick…and I wish it was someone else who saved me, but it wasn't. And as much as it pains me to say…I'll owe him for the rest of my life. My life may not mean that much to you, Father, but it means a hell out to me. Now…get out of my way…we're done here."
"Draco…you get back here!"
Draco kept walking, but lifted a hand and flashed his middle finger at the man who gave him life, before disappearing around the corner.
"You're a fool, Draco!" Lucius called back. "A bloody fool!"
Harry had watched him storm off furiously the other way and he had stood there for what seems like ages, simply floored at what he had seen. It was the first time ever he'd had witnessed Draco having any sort of a backbone. He had stood up to his father, which was hard to do considering, and Harry couldn't help but be impressed and even a little proud.
He had seen him off and on through out the days helping out here and there. He pretty much kept to himself and worked by himself when he could. When he was forced to work with a group he kept his mouth shut, his head down and worked harder than probably most of them.
Maybe one of the reasons he did accept his invitation to spend two weeks with other people that he never got along with, was that he still believed he owed him. Maybe this was his one last thing to do for him to fully feel like he paid all his debts. It was definitely something to find out before the two weeks were up.
He had Draco put on the last ferry out to the island, along with no other than Ginny Weasley. She was probably not going to be pleased with him when she found out she'd have to share an hour and half boat ride with Draco, but Harry guessed she could handle him and anything he shot at her. Most of them will be a little upset to see Draco Malfoy in their presence, but there wasn't anything they could do about it.
He had warned everyone in the letter that no one will be able to do magic on his property. He had spent many long hours having his property completely magic free. If anyone waved a wand, not even a puff of smoke would emerge out of it. It had been long, exhausting and tedious work but he thought it would be necessary. He'd lift it after the two weeks were over for his future visits, but for this one it was a must to have. He had no doubt that this weekend would bring some drama out now and again. As long as some fun balanced out the drama he didn't mind.
Ron and Luna were on the six o'clock ferry, but it was Hermione he had put on the first ferry and it was Hermione who he was waiting for as he stood on the veranda. He wanted to see Hermione first and alone for many reasons, but one being so they could talk about how they left things over a year ago. Granted, they did make up and kept their friendship going through countless postcards, but he still wanted to speak with her and apologize to her. Tell her how much he missed her.
Out of everyone, he was the most anxious to see her and that continued to surprise him. One would think that he'd be most excited to see Ginny…the girl he had seriously crushed on for almost two years. He did miss her and was excited to see her, but he was a little nervous on how they were going to end up. She wanted a relationship with him…a future with him. He wasn't quite sure if he was on the same page…at least not yet anyways. Another reason for the two-week extravaganza…he had a lot of things to figure out. If it was Ginny he was meant to be with than that's all fine and good, but he was going to make damn sure of it before he…
"There," he said suddenly as his heart lurched when he saw the bow of the ferry peak around the bend from the west side of the island. He immediately took off, heading towards the rocky trail that led down to the dock. There was a railing for safety but he didn't use it as he trotted down as quickly as he could without tripping or falling.
When he got to the dock the boat was nearly there and a smile bloomed on his face when he saw her standing at the front of the boat. The wind playfully tugged at her long, wavy brown hair and her chocolate brown eyes were covered with a pair of large Muggle sunglasses. They practically swallowed her face, but she definitely pulled it off. She had on a red and white, stripped tank top, with a pair of white shorts, really short ones…that showed off her legs. Wow…had they always been that long?
The minute she saw him she was waving her arms and jumping up and down. "Harry!"
He laughed. "Careful Hermione, or you'll go overboard!" he yelled back and her laughter rang right back.
Even though they were less than thirty-feet away, it seemed like the boat would never get there. He could see Hermione jumping in anticipation the closer and closer they got. The crew on the ferry docked the boat with ease and one of the members helped her out. As soon as her feet were planted firmly on the dock she took off towards him and with a high pitch shriek, she jumped up into his arms and wrapped herself around him.
He let out a swooshing breath as she threw herself at him, the force stumbling him back a few steps. But he caught her…just like he always did when she greeted him this way. She never wrapped her legs around him before though, that was a new thing. A new thing he didn't mind, he thought as he hugged her tight and closed his eyes as he buried his face in her hair. "Hermione," he finally murmured. "You're here…finally."
"Mmm, yes, I'm here." She leaned back and grabbed her face with her hands and gave him a hard kiss on his forehead. "Merlin, I've missed you."
He grinned. "Yeah? I guess I've kind of missed you, too."
"Am I the first to arrive?" she asked as he set her back on her feet.
"Yep…not for long though…yes, right up that trail," he said to one of the crew who had her luggage. "Ron and Luna are about an hour away. Let's go on up, I'll make you a welcoming drink. Something frozen with alcohol sound good?"
"Sounds perfect," she laughed taking his hand easily in hers and they slowly started their ascent to the top. "I thought I'd never get here…they had to drop off a few people at the private little resort thing on the other side of the island. There's a wedding there tonight."
"Yes, they have weddings there a lot. That's way on the other side though…we won't hear a peep. I went over there once during my first months stay over here and they have a good setup. You can stay overnight or just for the day. You can swim with the dolphins over there."
"Oh, really?" she exclaimed. "I've always wanted to do that."
"Then we will," he assured her. "We have two weeks."
"That we do and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it."
When they made it to the top Hermione turned back around and to the ocean and fell in love. "Wow," she breathed as she walked over to the edge of the veranda where Harry stood moments ago. She saw nothing but blue waters and clear skies…smelled nothing but the salty sea air…felt nothing but the steady breeze and the warm golden sun. "No wonder you bought this place…it's beautiful…peaceful."
Harry stood next to her, their hands still linked and for the first time in over a year he didn't feel quite so lonely. "As beautiful as this view is, it isn't what sold me."
Hermione pushed back her hair that blew into her face and looked up at him. "What did?"
He grinned. "I'll show you sometime…before the two weeks are up."
"I'd like that." She then turned her back to the view and leaned against the stone ledge. "So…Ron and Luna are arriving on the next ferry…does that mean three more are arriving later?"
"Two," he corrected. "Neville couldn't make it. But Ginny and…" He pursed his lips as he shook his head. "Actually…you're never going to believe who I invited."
She tipped down her sunglasses and peered up at him. "Draco Malfoy."
Harry's jaw dropped. "How on earth did you figure that out?"
She chuckled as she pushed he shades back securely on her nose. "Something I was thinking about during the trip over…you mentioned in the invitation you were inviting people who influenced your life…well…Malfoy sure did that and more." She gave a little shrug. "After what you told me what you witnessed that day between him and his father…it would be exactly like you to invite him."
Harry stared in awe. "It's spooky, really…how well you know me."
She just grinned. "So, I take it Draco accepted your invitation."
"Sure did."
"And you put Draco on the same ferry as Ginny?"
Harry winced. "Guilty."
"Harry Potter," she said wagging a finger at him. "Shame on you."
He couldn't help but laugh. "Okay, so she'll probably be a little mad…but she'll get over it…and she can handle Draco Malfoy."
She grinned. "Probably right."
He gave her a smile and hooked his arm through hers. "Come on…let's go inside and have a drink."
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