A/N: HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
In the last chapter I didn't leave much ponder on did I? Lol, Anyways, in this chapter, Hermione arrives in CA and gets a visit from Ginny. And just to tell you, Ginny is the one that arranged where Hermione is staying and Ron- Harry. So enjoy the chapter and don't hate me if it's a little short and a little bit random in some places… if it is, I had writer's block for a couple of days… so read and enjoy (oh review too if you have the time)…
2/ Eric
11A, 11A, Hermione repeated as she went along the rows of seats, 11A. She finally got to her seat and now all she had to do was put her bag away.
Hermione looked up, ...greeeat
The luggage compartment was a little bit tight, but Hermione found a space that she would have to jump for to put her bag. She lifted her bag over her head and jumped up. Almost. Attempting again, Hermione jumped up once more. She tripped, but someone caught her and her bag. The familiar scent of oak, grass, and cologne came to her.
"Are you alright?"
Hermione, blushing furiously, brushed the hair from her eyes and replied, "Yes… thank you."
Eric gave her a lopsided smile and put her bag up as well as his and closed the hatch. He saw Hermione's confused face. "11B" He pointed to himself as he took his seat beside Hermione.
Hermione watched him as he fiddled with this thumbs, occasionally peering a little further down to… damn! Hermione cursed herself and shut her eyes. She looked out the window and saw how far down the ground was… and they haven't even taken off yet! She clenched and unclenched her fist several times.
"Um… What are you doing?" Eric asked when he noticed her actions. He quickly looked up from her hand to her face.
"I-I'm not really fond of flying," Hermione said, grinning sheepishly, "I had a… bad experience."
"I can switch seats with you if you would like," Eric offered. He got up half-way, showing Hermione he was serious.
"Thank you… again," Hermione stood up.
They switched seats with a little difficulty. Hermione slipped out of her seat and took Eric's while he stood in the aisle waiting. When he went back to go to HErmione's previous seat, he tripped a little on her foot and would have landed on her if it weren't for his reflexes. He caught himself with this arms on either side of Hermione's head. His face was less than an inch from hers.
"S-sorry," breathed Eric.
"I-it's OK…" Hermione said quietly.
Eric took his seat and looked out the window.
Hermione noticed his cheeks burning red, although he was trying hard to hide it. She quickly averted her eyes when he turned from the window. Geez Hermione, she thought to herself.
After five more minutes the plane was in the air…
...The plane landed with ease at San Francisco International Airport, but to Hermione, the landing was like an earthquake. She felt the slight rumble as the plane touched the ground as a nuclear explosion.
"Er… Abigail… can I have my hand back?" Eric looked from Hermione's terrified face to his wrist.
Hermione looked down and was that she had his arm in a death-grip, she quickly let go and placed her hands together. "Oh, yeah, sorry about that… I-"
"- am not really fond of flying, I know," Eric smiled at her. He put away the Rolling Stones magazine he was reading and watched as the plane slowly made its was to the port.
Another couple of minutes went by before Hermione could get up and gather her things. She folded her blanket and placed her pillow neatly on top for the next passenger. Finally, Hermione got up and took her shoulder bag from the baggage compartment. A quick smile at Eric was her goodbye before making her way to the exit.
After security check, she exit the airport and took a deep breath of needed fresh air. She put her hand up for a taxi and within a minute one came to her side. She gave the taxi driver the hotel name and she was off.
She traveled for at least another hour and a half (traffic) before the hotel came into sight. Hermione felt extremely woozy after getting out of the taxi. She got her luggage and walked to the entrance of the hotel where a wonderfully air conditioned lobby was waiting for her.
Getting through the door was hard because it was heavy and closed quickly, to preserve the cold air. Hermione pushed and got herself and suitcase through but her shoulder bag got caught.
"Oof" Hermione grunted at the unexpected resistance. She got pulled at the bag slightly, but then, her bag became loose. Hermione turned around and there was Eric, grinning at her. She decided to play it cool.
"Following me?" Hermione smirked, something she didn't do often.
"Don't flatter yourself, I'm staying here too," Eric replied smoothly. He pushed his way into the lobby then turned around and stared at Hermione, hard.
They stayed that way, staring at each other, for at least a minute before cracking up. Eric had a low and handsome laugh while Hermione giggled, another thing she didn't often do.
Once Eric stopped, so did Hermione. They look down at their feet.
"Thanks," Hermione whispered. Again.
"No problem," Eric smiled at her and went to one of the reception desks on either side of the lobby.
Hermione went to the opposite desk.
"Name?" the receptionist asked politely. She looked up from her paperwork and to the computer screen.
"Granger," Hermione replied as softly as she could. She glanced around to check no one was hearing except the girl in front of her. No one, not even… Eric.
"Oh Merlin, finally," groaned Hermione. She dropped her bag and suitcase and ran full speed at her awaiting queen sized bed. "21 whole hours…"
She lay there for a few minutes before deciding it was time for a nice hot bath. Hermione hummed as she unpacked her pajamas, towel, and hygiene bag. She made her way to the bathroom. When she opened the door, all that was there was a small shower, a toilet, a little one foot mirror, a sink and a small rack of towels.
Oh, this won't do, Hermione waved her hand, clicked her fingers and muttered a couple of spells.
When she was done, the small shower turned into a large, elegant bathtub with candles along the side. The sink grew wider and the counter became shiny marble. The toilet, shiny, the mirror enlarged and Hermione could see herself, back to normal. And the rack of simple towels… stayed a rack of simple towels. The scent of lavender floated in the air.
Much better, Hermione smiled and took off her shirt and pants, leaving herself clad in only her red bra and panties. She went over to the large tub and turned the taps and watched as the water filled her bowl of relaxation.
CRACK
Hermione jumped and poked her head out of the bathroom door. She saw a red headed someone trip with a thump then quickly get up and dust themselves off. The person looked at the bathroom door and saw Hermione's head sticking out.
"Bloody hell, Hermione?" Hermione knew that voice.
She squinted against the setting sun through the windows and made out the curvy form of Ginny Weasley.
"Oh my God, Ginny?" Hermione grinned. She watched as Ginny jogged to the bathroom entrance, her hair billowing behind her.
"Hermione, you look great!" Ginny said as she embraced the older girl, not really caring that she was half naked. After she let go she looked Hermione up and down, finally taking in Hermione's lack of cover. "Really great."
Hermione laughed "You look fantastic yourself." She turned off the water and took her sleeping shirt from the folded pile on the counter.
"So how have you been? Anything interesting happen? Tell me what I've missed and… have you met anyone?" Ginny asked eagerly. She sat on the edge of the tub.
"Calm down," Hermione said as she pulled he shirt over her head. She sat down beside Ginny and began to talk about the past three years of her life. When she got to Eric, Ginny seemed the most excited. "I've embarrassed myself a few times in front of him…"
Ginny giggled. "He seems too good to be true. You say he's staying here right?" Hermione nodded. "What's his room number?"
"Ginny!" Hermione swatted the younger girls arm playfully "I don't know and I don't even want to know."
"Mhm," Ginny said obviously unconvinced. She glanced at her watch and sighed "Do you mind if I stay the night? Mum usually gets a little hectic this time of night. She's probably at the hotel room talking about how improper the banners and the food are displayed or something like that."
"Of course," Hermione said as she swirled the already cold bathwater with a finger. "I just need to take a hot bath; it's been a long day."
Ginny nodded and left the bathroom. From the bed she called, "Hey, do you think Eric will come to your room by accident?"
Hermione groaned.
A/N: That is chapter two. In chapter three, Hermione gets just a little closer to Mr. Steen (Eric). We'll see how that goes. And I seriously wonder why Ginny is so eager for Hermione to get laid. Geez!...(lol)
