Chapter 3
"Look, there's Harry!" Luna exclaimed as he pointed to the small figure making his way down the stairs. "And Hermione!"
"What?" Ron said suddenly looking up, squinting against the glare of the sun. "Hermione's already here?"
"She must have taken the first ferry," Luna said with a bright smile, but it faltered as soon as he saw Ron's face. "What is it?"
"Nothing," he said stiffly. "I'm just surprised…I would think Harry would put Ginny on the first ferry…not Hermione."
Jealous, she thought as she bit back a sigh. Jealous that Harry got a few moments alone with Hermione. "I know you probably wish that Hermione was on the ferry with you rather than me, but…"
"I didn't say that," he said quickly turning his focus back on her. "I've had a great time with you, Luna."
Her cheeks flushed with pleasure as she shyly looked away. "Well…okay…I had a good time, too, Ronald."
"I just wasn't expecting Hermione to already be here," he said looking back at the dock to see his two best friends now waving at them. "I'm glad she's here, though," he said as he lifted his hand in greeting. "She looks great."
"Yes," she said forcing a smile. "Fantastic. So does Harry."
Ron took his eyes off Hermione to focus on Harry and could tell right away his friend had changed. He looked more relaxed, which was nice to see considering what the guy's been through, and he also looked…content. "He looks happy."
"He does," she agreed with a smile. "No one deserves happiness more than Harry."
"How you doing?" Harry murmured softly to Hermione as they both watched the ferry pull up to the dock.
"Good," she said with a sigh. "It is good to see him."
"He hasn't changed a bit," Harry said while Ron exited the boat then turned around to help Luna. He saw Ron smile brilliantly as he trained his eyes on Hermione then took off in jog towards her. Harry noticed she wasn't budging so he gave her a little nudge causing her to stumble forward slightly. "Go."
Hermione took one more calming breath before giving her best welcome smile as she walked briskly towards him. "Ron." It was all she managed to get out before Ron scooped her up and twirled her around. She couldn't help but laugh as she hugged her friend back with the same eagerness as he did.
"It's so good to see you, Hermione," he said as he took a moment to nuzzle her neck and breath in her scent. She was here…she was finally here…in his arms. A place he had wanted her to be for over a year now. And yet…something felt wrong. Something felt off. He quickly shook it off before he could even think more about it…it was just the separation, things would get back to normal in no time.
Harry trotted passed his two best friends to give one of his dearest friends a proper welcome. "Hey, Luna," he laughed as he reached her and pulled her in for a friendly hug. "I'm glad you could make it."
"Thanks for inviting me," she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I was beyond excited when I
got your letter."
He leaned back to grin down at her. "It wouldn't be the same without you."
Luna beamed. "I believe you mean that, Harry."
"Well of course I do," he said swinging an arm around her as they walked towards Ron and Hermione. "You're one of my favorite people."
Drunk with giddiness, Luna wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. "Thanks, Harry."
"Blimey, Harry," Ronald said as he gawked at his surroundings. "This is some place you got."
"Thanks," he said with a grin and then rubbed Luna's back before releasing her to give his friend a hug. "Good to see you, mate."
"You too," he said and as he returned the hug. "Damned if I haven't missed you, Harry."
As the guys were bonding, the girls came together in a long friendly embrace. "It's so good to see you, Luna," Hermione exclaimed giving her a slight squeeze before letting go. "You look amazing."
"I can say the same for you," she said giving her a quick glance over. "Nice tan."
Hermione laughed. "Yes, so everyone says. Two weeks here and you'll have one too."
Luna scrunched up her face. "Unfortunately, my skin is so fair I'll just turn red as a Lavagrind if I'm not careful."
Hermione shook her head in amusement. She had no idea what a Lavagrind was. "I'll take your word for it."
"We have a bit till the next ferry comes in," Harry said as he hooked an arm around Luna's neck. "Why don't we go on up on the patio? Hermione and I were having margaritas and reminiscing."
"What are margaritas?" Luna asked as the four trudged up the steps.
"A margarita, my dear Luna, is one fantastic cold alcoholic beverage."
"That sounds lovely."
"Hey Harry, who's on the next ferry?" Ron asked from behind him.
Harry hunched his shoulders. He was hoping to avoid telling Ron that not only did he invite Draco, but also put him on the same ferry as his baby sister. "Er…well, Ginny," he said over his shoulder. "And uh, someone else, but…I'll talk about it later."
"Is it Neville?" he asked once they made it up to the veranda.
"No, Not Neville…why don't you guys sit down and…"
"Well, who then?" Ron asked with raised brows. "Come on, tell us…what's the big deal anyway?"
Harry cast a pleading look to Hermione who shook her head and held up her hands. "No way…you tell him."
"Tell me what?" Ron asked getting slightly irritated and glared up at Harry. "Who is riding the ferry with my little sister, Harry?"
XXXXX
Ginny Weasly stood at the railing of the ferry with her eyes closed as she enjoyed the slap of the wind tugging at her clothes and hair. The warm sun bathed her skin and the sound of the boat slicing through her water rang in her ears. She was deliriously happy and couldn't believe she was finally going to see Harry after all this time.
She placed a hand on her belly where butterflies danced and fluttered nervously inside. What will he look like? she wondered with a sigh. Would he look exactly the same? No, he would have changed. In her opinion, a person changed after experiencing a year of their life. Harry would be no different.
She didn't know where they stood in their relationship, but that didn't matter. It would be something they'd have to discuss. She needed to make sure that Harry truly wanted her as much as she wanted him. She also changed during the year and the fanciful girl with silly dreams had grown up.
She loved Harry and couldn't imagine loving anyone else, but she still had to be sure. She still had to know for sure that it was Harry she belonged with and no one else. Who else could there be? Harry was so much a part of her life and carried a big chunk of her heart, she simply couldn't imagine anyone who…
The loud crack erupted, causing Ginny's wandering mind to be shut off and a scream escape from her lips as a large hard body practically fell on top of her. She didn't realize she was still shrieking until the owner of the large hard body had her by the arms and held her back.
"Jeez, Weasley, snap out of it!" the man said in a harsh voice. "It's just me."
Ginny blinked up at a pair of beautiful gray eyes then felt her jaw slacken when she realized the man gripping her arms was none other than Draco Malfoy. "What…What are you…"
"Señorita!" One of the crewmembers rushed over to them. "We heard you scream…are you okay?"
Ginny stared at him with wide eyes. "I…I…"
"Of course she's okay," Draco said with a smile and put his arm around her. "I just snuck up on her…she scares easily."
The uniformed man in all white blinked at Draco. "Excuse me, Señor…but where did you come from?"
"Come from?" he asked with a charming smile. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean, I've been on board this whole time."
The man scratched his head in puzzlement. "I guess…I just don't remember."
"I was right behind her," Draco said and then slapped Ginny's back a bit harder than he should have. "Right, Ginny?"
Ginny stumbled forward and gave him a glare. "If you say so."
"I mean, it's not like a appeared out of thin air," Draco said with a chuckle and gave the man a friendly punch on the shoulder. "My luggage is down with hers as well if you care to take a look."
He raised his brows to Ginny. "Do you know this gentlemen, Señorita?"
Ginny scoffed as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Unfortunately."
"She's just mad I scared her," Draco said and pulled her closer to his side. "Listen, ah…" He glanced at the nametag on his crisp white shirt. "Manuel…I could really use a drink. Mind fixing me one?"
"Of course," he said as he relaxed his shoulders. "What can I get you?"
"Surprise me with a local favorite."
"Very good, Señor," he said and then walked away.
As soon as he was gone, Ginny roughly shoved him away from her. "Get away from me," she cursed and took a step back.
"Gladly," he muttered as he took a step back as well. It infuriated him that a small part of him had enjoyed being closer to her. She had been warm, soft and smelled like roses and sunshine But he'd be damned if he'd ever admit it to her and to himself. It was just a fluke…she was just another warm female body. "Do you think I actually enjoyed being all friendly and touch feely with you?"
"About as much as I did," she blurted back. Merlin, she could still feel the parts of her body that he touched. They were practically on fire. It was only because she was angry with him…that was it. That had to be it. "Are you crazy? Apparating like that? Someone could have seen you!"
"I didn't have much of a choice," he said in hushed tones. "I missed the ferry…I had to take a chance considering another ferry isn't running until tomorrow morning."
"You know what?" she asked as she held up a hand. "It doesn't matter. What the hell are you doing here?"
"What do you think I'm doing?" he asked with narrowed eyes. "Stalking you? I'm here the same reason you're here."
Manuel swooped in before Ginny could retaliate and was forced to wait while he served Draco his drink. "There you go sir," Manuel said with a smile. "Sex on the Beach."
Draco's brows furrowed. "Excuse me?"
"That's the name of the drink, Señor," Manuel said with a polite smile. "A favorite by many tourists and locals."
"Ah," he said with a nod, thankful he didn't have to punch the guy for suggesting sex on the beach. "Thanks."
Ginny couldn't stop the giggle as Manuel walked away. "You didn't honestly think that he…"
"How was I suppose to know it was the name of the damn drink?" he snapped and then took a whiff of the drink before taking a testing sip. "Hmm…it's good. You should get some Sex on the Beach, Red…looks like you could use some."
Ginny let out a sound of disgust. "You're a pig…and don't call me that."
He just shrugged carelessly as he took another sip. "Perhaps Potter could accommodate you during our stay."
"You leave Harry out of this and…wait a minute…did you say, `our stay'? You're invited? Harry invited you?"
"Why the bloody hell do you think I'm here?" he asked exasperated. "For my health?"
Completely dumfounded, Ginny frowned as she turned herself back to the ocean. "Why on earth did he invite you?"
He turned as well but made sure he kept his distance from her. "Beats the hell out of me," he grumbled into his drink. "I'm even more puzzled that I accepted the invitation. Why would I want to spend two weeks with a bunch of annoying prats that don't like me?"
"Well, I can't answer that," she said, completely unfazed by his insult. "But I can tell you that Harry had a reason for inviting you. A good reason."
"Perhaps," he said as he folded his arms across his chest as he watched a flock of seagulls dive into the ocean for food. He saw one come up with a big silvery fish and carried the wiggly creature in his claws. "Curiosity," he finally said when the seagull was all but a speck in the sky. "That's why I accepted the invitation. I was curious to find out why he wanted me to be there."
Ginny studied him in the corner of her eyes. The wind was whipping his blonde hair chaotically around his strong, hard face. His gray eyes were squinting slightly against the setting sun and his mouth was set in a small frown. He had on a white cotton shirt with its collar messily popped up from the wind and a pair of denim jeans that fitted his long legs rather well.
She couldn't help but think he was handsome…any girl couldn't deny that. He almost looked…majestic. Like one of those mystical heroes you only read in a fairytale. Funny, she thought as she made herself look away. She used to see Harry like that.
"Ron's going to be furious when he finds out your coming," Ginny finally said, breaking the silence.
Draco's lips tilted up slightly. "I imagine so…I imagine a lot of people will."
"Maybe, but Ron will hold a grudge more than anyone."
"He'll have to get over it," Draco said simply and finished the last bit of his drink. "Harry is the one who invited me…he can take it up with him."
Ginny watched him as he walked over to toss his empty cup in the trash can then walked back over to her. "You know…you've changed."
Intrigued, Draco arched a brow. "Have I?"
"Come on," she said giving him a look. "You know you have. Sure, you're still an obnoxious jerk but…you don't seem as cruel as you use to be."
He snorted as he turned away from her and looked back at the ocean. "Don't be so sure of that, Red. I can be cruel when I want to be."
"That's just it," she said as she lifted her sunglasses and perched them on her head. "In school you were never not cruel. You've turned soft."
Draco practically growled as he swirled his head around and glared. "The bloody hell I have."
She just gave him a mocking smile. "Ooo, trying to be all tough now, huh?"
Draco moved fast and swooped his body around and caged her between his arms as he gripped the rails on either side of her. He had the satisfaction of seeing that sneer melt away and the blood flood from her rosy cheeks. "Let me tell you something, Weasley," he murmured as he kept his body only inches from touching hers. "You may be partly right…I did change some. I'm for one not a Death Eater anymore and maybe I never really was one. Dumbledore had been right about that…but let's get one thing straight. I'm still dangerous, Red…and you'd be wise to stay away from me."
She jutted out her stubborn chin. "I'm not afraid of you," she said firmly although her insides were shaking.
"Sure about that?" he asked as his eyes flickered to her mouth for a quick moment.
"Back off, Malfoy," she warned softly as she placed a hand on his chest. "Or I'll hex off your favorite appendage."
Draco gave her a slow grin. "Well, well…I believe that was a threat." He lingered a moment but finally pushed himself away from her. "I'll say one thing, Red…you've got guts. Always have."
She had to take a moment…just a moment…to steady her self. He had been so damn close to her, making her knees all weak and her mind all fuzzy. She leaned back against the railing, hoping she looked aloof, but also hoping the support of the railing would keep her from collapsing. "Was that a compliment, Malfoy?"
"I don't give out compliments, Weasley." He slid his hands in his pockets since they were itching to reach out and touch. Ridiculous, he told himself. It was just because he hadn't been with a woman in so long. The only woman he spent most of his time with the past year was his mother so it was only naturally she set off a stirring in his belly. "It was just an observation."
"Thanks for clarifying," she said and then turned her back to him, dismissing him completely.
He should probably move to the other side of the ferry, distance would be good for both of them. However, he found himself moving back to his spot beside her and stayed there for the rest of the ferry ride. In silence.
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