It was nearly pitch black, except the stars. There is nothing like the stars on a Northern Summer night. The crescent moon just a bright slash in the sky, letting the stars steal the show.

You can see so many here; the Sagittarius hunter prowling, the majestic Scorpion, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, and between them the dragon; Draco. The Milky Way is a cool white haze here completely bisecting the sky. If you didn't know any better you would think it was a cloud. That is certainly what it looked like to me when I got here earlier this year.

We weren't necessarily in "hiding" here in the U.S., but the attention back home was... less than desirable. Once the fighting died down, the trials were over, and peace basically restored to Wizarding London, the lot of us who were major players in the resistance decided to take a trip across the pond and spend the Summer abroad.

I was all for renting a convertible and taking the Interstate from NY to LA. But mom had something else in mind; that was much too uncouth for someone of my upbringing. So what did she do? Rented a 10 bedroom "house" on a lake in Northern Michigan. I was not happy at first, but once we all settled in and got the lay of the land, I guess it wasn't the worst thing that has ever happened to me.

Now here I am at 3AM bobbing in the water with a velvet sky above me, and someone who has become one of my best friends beside me. What more can I ask for? This is the life. The Perseids will soon be here shooting stars across the sky like a celestial fireworks display heralding the end of another hot, wet, American summer.

And then it will be time for us to pack up and leave our little slice of paradise. But not today. This August night is definitely warm enough to warrant a midnight dip in the clear blue waters of Higgins Lake who knows what else.

Hermione and I are the last ones standing. Well, technically we are floating around on the dime store inner tubes. Someone (I'm not sure who - I'll need to thank them later) was smart enough to grab a few at the gas station/bait shop/liquor/grocery store on their way back to the house tonight.

"So, how much longer do you want to stay out here?" I take a closer look at her, laying across the tube bobbing next to mine. "Your lips are turning a suspicious shade of blue. And before mine go that unsightly shade I am going to tap out." And with that, I flip backwards out of my tube (not showing off one bit!). And, oh shit is it cold! No matter how many times I jump in, I don't think I'll ever get used to how cold this spring fed lake is. Especially out in the deep waters.

Swimming up to the surface slowly, my head popping up on the other side of her tube, making the tiniest ripples in the calm water. I sneak over, as quietly as possible until ~ "BOO!" I yell grab one of her feet at the same time. She lets out a yelp and splashes water in my face.

"You scared me, Jerk-O! You know I hate being out in the deep water after 'the task that shall not be named' during fourth year!" I don't need the light of the moon to know her face is scrunched up turning the palest shade of pink in anger.

"Sorry, I just couldn't resist!" Chuckling a little, I swim off towards shore. Pulling her tube along with mine to the shallow waters just before the drop off.

She jumps off her tube once the water is thigh high "Ugh, I still have the heeby jeebies from your little prank. I could swear I just saw something slithering between us." Her body quivers and shakes as though she is trying to get something off her back.

Her steps get a little faster, so do mine. I scoop some water in my hand contemplating splashing her. She glances over and as though she read my mind, decides to make a run for shore. Well, little Miss Granger, game on. We both high step the rest of the way out of the lake. Stopping as we get to the shore to drop our tubes next to the others, and grab our shirts. I pull my hoodie over my head, shaking little water droplets from my hair on her as she races away.

We ran towards the blanket I remember to bring down on nights like this. I glanced to the side to see if she is keeping up with me. My breath hitched. and not from the running. Her lithe legs were stretching out to eat up as much ground as they could in a single bound. bikini bottoms hanging from her hips. She hadn't taken the time to button the shirt she threw on over her wet suit. The shirt tails flying behind her. She looked over at me, golden eyes sparkling like the stars in the sky above, laughing, shouting "I'm so beating you this time!" Chestnut hair, long, wavy, bouncing behind her. I can imagine my fingers running through it, gently working out the tangles...

Wait, no. This is Hermione. What am I thinking? Where had that come from? We had raced from the lake to a blanket on the beach 100 times this summer. So why was my body slowing down? Why am I letting her win? We both collapse on the faded, soft, patchwork quilt warmed by the neglected bonfire. Breath coming in short bursts. Glancing at each other. Her triumphant smile lights up her face; eyes laughing at what must be my bewildered expression.

"I won! This means I get to pick what we do next!" There it is. Gods, now I know why I let her win. To see that smile. That wide, toothy, breathtaking, smile. "Hmmmmm... What is there to do in this town that we haven't done yet?" Her head cocks to the side and her eyes roll up like she is thinking about a N.E.W.T. Level runes test. She purses her lips, index finger tapping on them. All lush, and pink, and begging for... Ugh, stop brain. "Since everyone wussed out and left us..."

Whatever it is she comes up with I know one thing for certain. I am all in.