14
Chapter 2 – Re-thinking my life
Two days later, Harry was laying on a beach in Hawaii, soaking up the sun and sipping on a large frosty drink as if he hadn't a care in the world. He alternated from watching the large tropical birds float on the cross winds and considering ideas on vengeance. That was when a shadow fell across his face. He opened one eye to see what it was, and groaned. "What are you doing here, Malfoy?"
"I might ask you the same thing, Potter. Wasn't it just a week ago that I left you in Germany?"
Harry only grunted and lowered his sunglasses.
"So, where's Granger?"
"Gosh Malfoy, I don't know: Probably out shagging Weasel."
Harry had his eyes closed so that he didn't see Malfoy almost choke on his drink. When he had somewhat regained his composure, he climbed over the top of Harry's legs, pushed them off and sat on the foot of the chair. "Whoa up there, Potter." He looked at the two girls that he had had on each arm, "Sorry ladies make yourselves scarce. I'll catch up with you later."
Without opening his eyes, Harry muttered, "That wasn't necessary. You aren't staying. Do ya mind Malfoy? You're blocking my sun." Harry took his foot and pushed the blond into the sand.
"Damn it, Potter!"
"Look, if you insist on breathing the same air as me, grab one of those other chairs."
Malfoy picked himself up making sure to brush the loose sand onto Harry and dragged another chair closer. "You know, you're ugly when you're pissed. OK, Potter, what happened?"
Harry snorted. "Like I'm going to tell you!"
"Hey, I'm your partner, who else is willing to laugh at your sordid tale of woe?" The blond smirked. "The Weasel and the Mud Blood huh? I could have told you that one, Potter."
"Who said I needed or wanted your opinion?"
"Oh c'mon Potter, spill, this is just too good to pass up. No, wait! I'll tell you what happened. You came home all ready for a long, romantic romp in the sack, but they had started the party before you got there – am I close?"
Harry didn't answer. He just laid back and kept stubbornly quiet.
"The Golden Trio falls apart at last. Yeah, I think I like that!"
Harry sneered at him without opening his eyes. "I'm gratified that my pain is so satisfying to you. Leave me alone."
"Not on your life; I'm staying until I get answers. Like, why the hell are you in Hawaii and not at home fighting for what is yours, wimp? Why aren't you at home kicking Weasley's teeth in? Are you really that much of a martyr, that you are going to come crying all the way to Hawaii to get away from them?" Draco looked disgusted.
Harry opened his eyes and studied him through his dark sunglasses, then came to a decision. "Fine, Malfoy. You want to know what is going on. I'll tell you. I'm re-thinking my life. I'm thinking that I should have accepted your friendship back when I was eleven. I'm thinking that two-thirds of the trio should have just dropped off the face of the Earth a long time ago. I'm thinking that with friends like that, I'd have been better off if I had let the sorting hat put me in Slytherin."
Draco was silent as he looked at Harry.
Harry lifted his sunglasses and looked at his rival. "This is a first, Malfoy. You? Speechless? Mark this day down in history. Draco Malfoy is at a loss for words. You look like a fish out of water. Close your mouth, it's very unattractive. If I had wanted to see your tonsils, I'd have asked." He signaled the waitress and ordered two drinks.
When the waitress returned, and handed the men their drinks, Harry raised his. "We are celebrating, Draco!" Harry reached down and picked up the paper packet that had been delivered to him several hours earlier. He threw them into Malfoy's lap. Draco set his drink down and opened it.
He studied the papers for a while then looked up at the raven haired wizard. "These are divorce papers, Potter!"
"Right in one."
"That's it? They play hide the wand and you make it as simple for them as filing for a divorce? You really are a wimp! Who'd have guessed!"
"Yeah, and what would you have done, Malfoy? Oh wait, I know, you would have put the Cruciatus Curse on them."
Draco shook his head in mock sympathy. "I'm really sorry for you, Potter. You really have deluded yourself into thinking that there is good in everyone. One of these days, you are going to realize that very few people are good. If they try to make you think otherwise, they are hiding something."
"That's a really warped opinion, Malfoy."
"And yet, here we are! You sitting around all mopey and letting your former best friends keep doing it to you over and over again. I'll say it again, Potter; you are a wuss!"
"Go ahead and amuse yourself, Malfoy. Think what ever you want. I just don't care." Harry put his glasses back down and lay back in the chair again. Then he started to chuckle. "It's all very Arthur-esque actually. Weasley is my Lancelot, Granger; Guinevere and yours truly stars as the King. Only in this version, the King doesn't forgive."
Draco waved the papers. "You pushed this through pretty quickly!"
"Yeah…why wait? How many times have you told me to use my influence? Well, I did."
"You might have a change of heart. It'd be just like you."
Harry snorted. "Not likely. We've worked together all these years and it is amazing how little you know me."
Malfoy looked at the papers again; dropped them in Harry's lap and shook his head, more to himself than to Harry whispered, "This is perfect." Then louder, "Ahh – Potter, I'm having a party tonight in my hotel room. There will be lots and lots of luscious island beauties, and plenty of liquid refreshment. You interested?"
Harry looked at him. "When and where?"
"The Hiatt Regency; suite 1248, 9:00 o'clock."
This time Harry's laugh was genuine. "A Muggle hotel? You?"
"Yeah, I felt like slumming. So, see you tonight?"
"Maybe!" Then Harry pulled his sunglasses down over his eyes again and settled back in his beach chair effectively dismissing Draco Malfoy.
