~HM
Chapter 6
Harry stood just inside the open patio doors of the parlor room as he waited for his friends-and one guest-to come down and join him. He had a glass of bourbon on ice he was slowly sipping as he listened to the distant surf from below. He could smell the mixture of the flowers that were planted randomly around the outside of his house and immediately thought of Ginny.
Ginny Weasley. The girl who smelled like roses and dazzled him with her sparkling eyes and…spunky snogs. The question was, though-did she still dazzle him? Did he still get that funny feeling in his stomach when he looked at her? Or thought of her? He had thought about her a lot during his search for the Horcuxes and at the time, he thought it was love he had felt. But what if he had mistaken love for something else? He obviously cared about her and no matter what-she would always hold a special place in his heart. She had been his first real girlfriend. Cho-obviously-did not count.
Harry sighed in both misery and frustration as he took another sip before pushing himself away from the patio, turned into the room, and saw the woman in question lingering in the doorway. He waited to feel that sudden flutter in his stomach and-although she did look quite beautiful in her long green dress with gold swirly designs printed over it-he felt nothing. No tingle. No flutter. Crap.
"Am I early?" she asked as she walked into the room.
"What? Oh…no." He glanced at his wristwatch. "Well, maybe a bit, but we're not on a timetable. Drink?"
Merlin, yes, she thought as she gave him her best confident smile she could muster. "Sure…that would great."
"Come on up to the bar," he said gesturing to the high table made out of rich dark mahogany with a smooth marble countertop. "What can I get you? It's mainly muggle liquor, but I do have some butterbeer."
Ginny bellied up to the bar on and folded her arms across the surface. "What are those?" she asked pointing to the glass bottles behind him that were perched in diamond shaped cubby holes.
"Wine," he said as he reached up and pulled a bottle of red and then leaned down in the small fridge and pulled out a white. "Very popular with the Muggles."
"They look familiar," she said studying the labels. "I think my dad brought a few bottles home one night. I believe my parents got quite tipsy."
Harry chuckled. "It's really good. I like red myself, but during the summer it might be cooler to drink white."
"I'll try the white then."
"White it is," he said and opened a drawer and pulled out the wine opener. "How are you liking your room?"
"Oh, it's beautiful," she said with a sigh. "I love the bed…it's so comfortable. I'll admit…I rolled on it a few times like a nerd."
Harry paused in his actions and waited for the image of Ginny rolling around the bed to get him stirred up. Again…nothing. Nada. Zilch. Damn it-why was that? "Uh-" He cleared his throat as he popped the cork. "That doesn't make you a nerd…in fact…I did the same thing my first night here."
Ginny laughed as he turned to get down a glass. "You're a horrible liar, Harry."
He just shrugged as he poured her the gold liquid into the oval shaped glass and held it out to her. "Give it a taste."
Ginny accepted the glass and slowly took her first sip and a burst of flavor filled her mouth. "Mmm…it's wonderful! It almost lingers on your tongue."
"It's a Chardonnay," he said leaning over the bar on his forearms. "There are different types of White and Red," he explained when she blinked up at him.
"I see." She took another sip-a longer, greedier one. "Well it seems I like Chardonnay."
"I'm glad." Okay, now was a good time as any, he thought and took a small gulp of his drink to settle his nerves. "Gin-"
"Uh-oh," she said as she set down her glass. "I know that tone…that's a serious tone."
"Jeez, all I said was your name."
"You said much more than that." Because she needed it, she lifted her glass for another sip. "It was the same tone you used the day of Dumbledore's funeral….when you broke up with me."
"Gin-"
"Ahh, now there's the apologetic tone."
Harry sighed as he straightened himself back up. "Okay, look…I just wanted to talk to you about what's going on between us. I wasn't expecting it to be this soon, but since you were early…now seemed like the time to do it."
"All right," she said, trying her best to keep calm and composed. "I'm listening."
"When I left in the middle of the night," he began after a moment of getting his thoughts together. "I…probably should have handled it better. I was actually quite shocked when I got your letter, claiming you were okay with it and that you understood, but-"
"I was heartbroken."
Harry blinked. "You…what?"
"The morning I woke up and found out you were gone? I was devastated."
Shocked, Harry reached over and covered her hand with his "Gin, why didn't you tell me that in your letter?"
She let out a laugh. "Come on, Harry…how could I do that? As much as I wanted to beg and plead for you to return, I just couldn't. I know why you had to leave, Harry, and I don't blame you for that. I didn't want you to feel any guilt or remorse over it."
Harry's hand tightened on hers. "I shouldn't have left in the middle of the night."
"What's done is done," she said and lifted her shoulder. "And honestly…it didn't take me long to realize that you leaving…was probably the best thing that could have happen to me."
Harry blew out a long breath as he slid his hand from hers. "Wow…you really have changed, haven't you?"
"Yes," she said and then laughter bubbled out of her. "Thank Merlin. Back then…I was a foolish, love-struck, teenager who couldn't see much past you." She sighed as she shook her head. "I realized while you were gone, that before I knew what I wanted, I needed to find myself first. My last year in Hogwarts was a big turning point for me, Harry. It was the first time I could focus on myself."
"And did you find yourself?"
Ginny gave him a slow smile. "I'll just say I'm on the right path. There's still something missing…I don't know what, exactly…but I can feel it…right here." She knocked a fist to her heart. "I just don't know what it is."
"You'll find it," he said as he touched his glass to hers. "You're a very stubborn and determined young woman."
She grinned over her glass. "Yes, I am."
"So…where exactly do we stand?" Harry asked after a moment.
"That's a good question," she said as she propped her chin on her hand. "But the good news is it's a question we don't have to answer tonight."
Harry couldn't help but slump his shoulders in relief. "That's excellent news."
Ginny grinned up at him. "Why don't we just take the next two weeks nice and slow? Do the friends thing for a bit and see where it takes us."
Harry nodded. "I can do that." He took another sip of his drink and then set it down. "Okay…let's hug it out."
Ginny laughed as he rounded the bar to her and happily excepted the friendly hug, wrapping her arms around his neck as she rest her chin on his shoulder. "Good for me or not…I have missed you, Harry."
Harry smiled as he leaned back and framed her heart shaped face with his hands. "I've missed you, too, Gin. I'm glad you're here."
That was how Draco had found them. He stood at the doorway and studied their close stance, Harry's hands caressing her cheek before tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, and the look of pure pleasure sparkling in Ginny's eyes. Something churned painfully in his gut at the same time his heart clenched uncomfortably in his chest. It was a feeling he was unfamiliar with. It was a feeling he did not like.
"Am I interrupting?" Harry and Ginny both looked over at him and it was Ginny who quickly stepped away. Draco lifted an intriguing brow at her as he stepped into the room. "I could always come back."
"No, you're fine," Harry said gesturing him in. "We were just catching up."
"I see."
"Drink?"
"Could I survive the night without one?"
"Probably not." Harry walked back to the bar and Draco followed as Ginny walked up next to him and picked up her drink. "What would you like?"
"Malfoy likes Sex on the Beach," Ginny said with a small smile.
"Who wouldn't?" Harry asked with a chuckle. "But in this case, I'm guessing she's talking about a drink?"
"It was a drink one of the crew members made me on the ferry," Draco explained.
"I don't know how to make it."
"That's okay…I'd like something stronger."
Harry grinned and pulled out the bottle of Maker's Mark. "I think this will do the trick." Harry quickly got out a glass, filled it with ice, then poured the dark, amber liquid almost to the rim. "Give it a try."
Draco took the glass, sniffed it, winced slightly, took a long gulp-and then choked. "Bloody hell," he cursed over Ginny and Harry's laughter.
"You might want to sip it," Harry said with a chuckle.
"You could have warned me, Potter," he said as his eyes started to water.
"I could have," he agreed and then winked at Ginny. "But where's the fun in that?"
Ginny didn't bother suppressing a giggle. "I have a feeling the next two weeks are going to be just fantastic." She held out her glass. "Cheers, boys…that is if you're brave enough to take another sip."
Recognizing the challenge, Draco held up his glass with arrogance-despite the fact that his vision was still blurry-and clinked his with theirs. "Cheers," he said and took another sip and did everything in his power to not gag. It was a challenge-but he managed.
XXX
Ron gave a quick glance to the digital clock next to his bed and found that he had a few minutes to spare, so he decided to check out the small terrace that jutted out from his bedroom. There were two small, iron chairs perched at each corner of the terrace but he ignored them since he didn't feel like sitting. He was too edgy.
Although he could hear the ocean from where he was, he couldn't see it since his room was on the other side of the house. Rich, green jungle life surrounded him and though he was up fairly high, he couldn't see the top of the trees. The trees were so thick he couldn't see much past them-even with the help of the bright moonlight shimmering down.
He was grateful for the hour of alone time they were given before dinner-he definitely needed the time to cool down. He realized that he had lost it a bit, but it was that Weasley Temper. It just couldn't be helped sometimes and it had definitely gotten him in trouble once or twice in his life-okay, maybe more than once or twice.
It wasn't as if he snapped over something stupid, this was Draco Malfoy, the guy that had given him hell for years. Was he supposed to just ignore all the times he insulted not only him, but his family as well? Hell no. And when he found out that Harry had carelessly tossed his little sister on the same ferry with the bastard-he thought he might explode.
He had imagined the worse. What if he tossed her overboard? What if he put his hands on her? Marked her? He was bound and ready to attack him when he showed up, but-Ginny had been fine. Not only fine, she had looked almost happy. She even commented on how Draco saved her from falling on her face? What was that all about?
He sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Just let it go," he told himself as he took one calming breath before heading back in his room.
He wouldn't snap again, unless of course Malfoy did something to make him snap. He would keep an eye on him. There was no harm in that. He hadn't missed the way he had looked at his sister. It wasn't hateful or threatening, but he had a feeling it was much worse. "This should be interesting," he muttered to himself as he stepped out into the hallway and headed towards the stairs.
He was just about to descend when a door to his left opened and Hermione stepped out. She had on a simple yellow dress that came to her mid thighs, weird strappy sandals with those ridiculously high heels and her hair was all piled wildly up on her head. "Hey." He gave her a smile as she walked over to him. "You look-" Another door opened, this time to his right, and he turned to see Luna walking towards him. "Beautiful."
She wore blue. Long, flowing silks of brilliant blue adorned her body and couldn't help but notice how it brought out the color of her eyes. Her hair was down, floating free around her face and down her back and shoulders. His fingers practically itched to get lost in it.
"Wow, Luna," Hermione had said from behind him. "You look fabulous?"
"You think?" she asked with a brilliant smile and then did a little twirl.
Ron gulped when he saw a glimpse of her naked back. "Y-yeah," Ron finally managed to stutter. "You look-" Breathtaking. Sexy. Bloody fantastic. "Good."
Luna smiled over her slight disappointment. She was hoping for a bit more than, `good'. "I love your dress, Hermione."
"Thanks," Hermione said as she looked down at it. "It's new. My mum and I went a bit crazy last weekend with the shopping. Half my wardrobe is new."
"Well Ronald?" Luna asked with a raised brow. "Are you going to escort us downstairs?"
"Sure," he said holding out his arm for Luna, then turned and smiled at Hermione has he stuck out his other arm. "Wow…aren't I the lucky one?"
They heard laughter as they approached the parlor room and found Harry, Ginny and Draco all up at the bar. The laughter was coming entirely from Harry and Ginny, yet Draco's mouth was curved up in slight amusement. "That's just not normal," Ron mumbled.
"No," Luna said in agreement. "But it's nice to see."
Harry was the first to see them as his mouth split into a grin, but it faltered an inch when he saw Hermione. Legs…all he could see were legs. How come he never realized what how fantastic her legs were? She wore short plaid skirts during most of the years he knew her for crying out loud. Why was he starting this obsession with her legs now?
Because he never really looked, he decided as he took a sip of his drink to quench his dry throat. He never really thought to look-he had so much going on at the time, he never really looked passed Hermione's neck when he talked to her. Well, he was getting his fill in now, and his best friend had very nice pair of ridiculously long legs.
"Hey," Harry finally said with his eyes still trained on Hermione. He was so focused on her, he had barley noticed the flutter that went through his belly and absently blamed it on the whiskey. I should probably ease off a bit, he thought as he pushed his glass aside and gestured them in. "Who wants a drink?"
"I'd love one," Hermione said as she walked over towards the bar and stood next to Draco. "Malfoy."
"Granger."
"What are you drinking?" she asked as she wrinkled her nose. "I can smell it from here."
"Something called, whiskey, and it's quite potent. I think Potter may be poisoning me."
Hermione chuckled. "Don't worry, I think you're safe. My dad drinks the stuff almost every night and he's still alive and kicking."
"That's…reassuring…thank you."
"Try the wine, Hermione," Ginny said leaning over the bar to look at her. "It's wonderful."
"Sure, that's sounds good," she said. "But I'd like red."
"Coming right up," Harry said as he turned and brought down a bottle of Cabernet. "Luna? Would you like some?"
Luna was lingering behind Hermione and Draco. "I think I'll stick with water tonight…still feeling the affects of the margaritas."
"You got it," he laughed and after he poured Hermione's drink, he bent down to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water and served it over ice. "Here you go."
Draco looked over at Ron, who was still at the doorway, watching him closely. "Bar's getting a little crowded," he finally said to no one in particular. "Take my spot, Luna."
Ron watched him walk over to the other side of the room to the small couch, then strode his way over to the bar, wiggling himself between Hermione and Luna. "I'll try some of that whiskey…hey, where are you going?" he asked Luna when she started to walk off.
"I'm going over to join Draco," she stated and then started to leave but was halted when Ron grabbed her forearm. "Careful, Ronald…I'm not your little sister, so I suggest you let go of my arm."
Ron was so shocked by the cold, hard tone in her voice he could do nothing but let go. He had never known Luna to have a temper.
"Wow," Harry said with a chuckle. "I don't think I've ever seen Luna that mad before…way to go, Ron."
"Shut up," he muttered as he turned back to the bar and sulked.
"May I join you?"
Draco looked up from his drink, then, blinked in surprise when he saw Luna standing over him. He then looked back over to the bar to see Ron burning holes through him. "I don't think Weasley is too happy that you're over here…so, sure…have a seat."
"Thanks." She smiled as she gracefully sat down and relaxed herself next to him. "Are you enjoying yourself, Draco?"
"I'm not sure," he said as he looking at her and found him self deeply regretting all the times he had given her a hard time at school. He never really thought much about Luna Lovegood, all he knew was that she was weird and different and was severely picked on by many of the students at Hogwarts. And since he knew his father would disapprove of someone like Luna, he had teased her and picked on her as well. Another reason to despise his father, he thought with disgust as he took a long sip of his drink before setting it down on the glass coffee table in front of him. "Can I let you know?"
"Sure," she said as she smiled radiantly at him. "I bet though, after awhile, you'll find yourself actually liking our company. Maybe even Ronald's."
Draco snorted out a laugh. "I doubt that…Weasley has no reason to like or trust me. I guess I can't blame him for it."
"Liking and trusting someone has to be earned," she said and then took a sip of her water.
"I know…believe me that was something I've learned over the year." He paused as he shifted himself in the couch so that he would be facing her. "I have to say I'm kind of surprised you came over here to talk to me. I was hard on you in school."
"Everyone was hard on me," she pointed out with a shrug. "Even Ronald teased me a bit at first, but it was Harry who accepted me right away with no questions asked."
"Potter the Saint," Draco muttered. "He makes us all look bad."
Luna giggled. "Maybe, but you're getting there, Draco. Oh, not a Saint," she added when he gave her a look. "You have too much bad boy in you to be, but…you're getting there. It was something I could tell almost right away, it's why I came over to talk to you. You're a bit of an outsider here and since I know how that feels, I guess I wanted to make you feel more…welcomed."
Surprisingly touched, Draco shifted awkwardly in his seat. "I don't deserve it…not after the way I've treated you."
"That's in the past," she said as she waved a hand at him. "Now, is what's important…at least to me…and so far you've proven to me you have changed. Two years ago you probably would have said something rude or crude if I came up to you like I did."
He wanted to deny it, but obviously, she was right. "Yeah…I would have. I was an idiot…brainwashed by my asshole of a father."
"Well…you're obviously not brainwashed now."
"No…No, I'm not." He picked up his drink but only swirled it around as he studied her. "You're not as weird as I remember you being."
Completely un-offended, Luna's laughter rang out. "My father said the same thing. I guess the war changed me a bit, but don't worry…I'm still weird. It just doesn't come out as often as it did in the past."
"That's a shame."
Luna smiled. "I think I'm going to start liking you, Draco Malfoy."
He couldn't help but smile. "Same goes, Luna Lovegood."
"Hey guys."
They looked up to see Harry standing on the other side of the coffee table while the rest were slowly leaving the room. "Dinner's ready."
"Oh...great, I'm starved!" Luna jumped from her seat and looked down at Draco. "How about you?"
He grinned as he got up as well. "Famished."
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