Trapped on a Cruise Chapter 1: The start of a nightmare, a harry potter fanfic

This is my first ever story. I hope you guys like. Tell me what you think.

Btw, this is before Harry, Ron and Hermione's 7th year. but in this story they already defeated Voldemort before that.

Enjoy!

(disclaimer: i don't and never will own harry potter. it's all J.K. Rowling's. tear)

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Dear Harry, Ron and Ginny,

I'm sending this to all three of you so you'll know at the same time. I won't be at the Burrow until August 5. Harry, I know that's after your birthday and I'm really sorry that I have to miss your big one-seven, but my parents want me to spend more time with them- I don't blame them; I miss them too- and they also want to celebrate their 20th Anniversary with me. So, we're going on a ten-day cruise to the Bahamas. It's so exciting! They won a lottery at the clinic where they work that was celebrating its 25th Anniversary. I guess the clinic has been doing well because it's an all-expenses paid trip. I can't wait to go.

I'll bring you guys back some souvenirs. We leave in two days. Try not to miss me too much. See you all in August!

Love, Hermione

Harry, Ron and Ginny looked up at each other after Ginny read the letter out loud.

"Aw, man. I'm gonna miss Hermione," sighed Ginny. She truly was going to miss Hermione. She desperately wanted another female that she could relate to in the house andthere was no way that person was going to be her mom. Besides, there was enough testosterone in the house, although, she didn't mind Harry's adding to it. Well, at least Hermione will have fun. "Its great that she gets to spend more time with her parents, though."

"Especially if it's on a cruise-and to the Bahamas!" whistled Harry. Harry wondered what the Bahamas were like. He had heard Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia talk about going there a few times and it sounded like paradise. The hot summer sun, white sandy beaches and no worries. With all that Harry had been through and had to put up with, he suddenly felt a surge of envy flow through him. She better bring me back a good present.

Ron, who had taken the letter from Ginny and was no re-reading it, looked up with a puzzled look on his face and asked, blankly, "What's a cruise?"

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Hermione could hardly fight off a smile as she walked up the ramp to the Octavian. In fact, she couldn't. A smile surfaced to her face as she squealed in delight.

"That excited, huh?" smiled her mother, Jane Granger.

"Beyond excited. It's so amazing. I mean, just look at it," gasped Hermione, spreading out her arms as if she had just woken up from a nap, "it's beautiful. I can't believe this is actually happening to me. It's like a dream come true." Hermione clasped her hands together as she admired the shine of the ship's hull. It gleamed in her eyes.

Hermione's father, Jonathan Granger, chuckled, "Come on, you. If it's this great outside, I wonder what it's going to be like inside. Let's go check in and find our rooms, then we can head back to the deck in time to wave good-bye to the people on the docks."

Hermione spun around, taking in the whole scene. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath of the fresh summer air around her. In the course of what seemed a lot longer then one second, Hermione tried to imagined what the next week would be like. She expected it to be filled with nothing but sun, sweat and smiles-and that's what it would be, she would make sure of it.

Now that Voldemort was dead, Hermione intended to make sure that she would have the best summer yet. She was tired of always worrying about Harry and trying to soothe his fears. Those times were finally over now. It was time to focus on the one thing she deserved. Relaxation. That would be her motto. Besides, what better time than now, on a cruise with no one to cause her trouble, to practice her newfound motto?

When Hermione opened her eyes they were filled with determination. She would get what she wanted, and why not? She was smart enough and had just been part of the trio that had put an end to Voldemort. Nothing would or could get in her way. She was unstoppable.

"Sounds like a plan!" agreed Hermione. She grabbed her parents' hands and they headed up the remaining feet of the ramp. They followed the stream of people and took a right turn. They found themselves at a hall. There were three sets of large oak doors on one side of the hall with intricate designs of flowers and birds on the border. Glass doors that took up almost the entire wall of the other side of the wall overlooked the pools and the main deck. At the end of the hall was a framed opening that led to the lobby. It was filled with people going to and fro, finding and losing their way.

"Oh, my! This sure is a big place," said Hermione's mother, looking around, noting the confused looks a few of the passenger's faces.

In the lobby were couches and chairs around tables, spread out in corners and along the walls. To the sides of the lobby were hallways that led to shops, facilities and rooms. Up ahead was the front desk. The Grangers made for the center counter. There they checked in and were handed their room keys.

"Hmm...Room 456," muttered Hermione, inspecting her room key. I wonder what my room will be like... Hermione started walking off and made it to the nearest shop, which happened to be Starbucks, when realization hit her. She stopped walking and turned to her parents. "That must mean it's on the fourth floor, but how do we get there?"

"Um, good question," said her mother, who figured Hermione would figure it out- just like she always did.

"Alright, Hermione, why don't you go back to the front desk, try the nearest counter, the one next the rack of postcards and that big plant, and your mother and I will be in the Starbucks while you go get a map. Deal?" offered her father. "They're bound to have some seeing as this ship is so huge."

"OK, deal," agreed Hermione. She spun around and was about to head to the counter when she turned back to her parents. "Decaf latte. Remember that."

Hermione headed to the counter. Lucky for her, the couple that was at the counter before her had finished with their business, just as she reached the counter. Hermione approached the counter and was met with the sight of a brightly smiling lady in a blue uniform. She saw the lady had a gold name tag on her uniform, it said: Sarah.

"Um, hi, Sarah?" said Hermione, "would you by any chance happen to have a map of the ship?"

"Of course, sweetie," replied Sarah. She bent down to grab a map, but the box she was reaching in was empty. "Oh, no. I'm out of maps. I must have given my last one to that couple. Hold on a sec, I'll be right back." The lady got up and hurried to the back of the counter and through a curtain.

"Oh, OK. Thanks," said Hermione, surprised at her quickness.

Hermione stood at the counter for a few seconds and then started to tap her fingers. She looked around and caught sight of the rack of postcards. Hmm...might as well.

Hermione browsed through the postcards but found nothing of great interest to her. Sure, there were colorful cards, cards with birds, cards of sunsets or sunrises, others of beaches and hotels. Needless to say, none of them appealed to her. Then she remembered what she had come here for. Hermione looked back at the information counter.

It was still empty.

"She's still not back yet?" muttered Hermione to absolutely no one. Where did she go?

Hermione's eyes wandered to the Starbucks and saw her parents still in line. Hermione shook her head. Muggles and their coffee. She continued looking around the lobby and was about to return her gaze to the counter when she caught sight of a patch of very familiar, very blonde hair. Hair she remembered seeing before. Hair that triggered a chain of unwelcome memories.

Hermione squinted her eyes to make sure she saw correctly, only to have them grow wider and wider as realization and a daunting fear dawned on her. She could now clearly see who the patch of hair was attached to.

Hermione's jaw dropped.

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