Chapter 7
Coincidences
(Hermione's PoV)
When Hermione woke up the next morning, Ron was sitting up against the headboard, staring at her.
"What are you looking at?" Hermione asked.
"You are so beautiful when you sleep," Ron said.
"Ah," Hermione said, "Now I know why you're always up before me."
"You caught me," Ron said.
Hermione tried to chuckle but it turned into a yawn. Ron leaned over to her and kissed her. She kissed him back and pulled him toward her, deepening the kiss.
"Mmm, don't you want breakfast?" Ron asked.
"I don't really feel like going anywhere at the moment," Hermione said, "Staying in bed seems like a nice idea."
"What if I told you," Ron said, "that we didn't have to go out for it?"
"Huh?" Hermione asked.
There was a sudden knock on the door.
"What did you do?" Hermione asked.
Ron smiled, and quickly put on his jeans, then walked over to the door. Hermione pulled the covers up over her. She didn't need whoever was at the door to see her in her knickers. A few moments later, Harper, the cruise staff-man that had helped them find their room, walked in pushing a large cart.
"Er... Harper, wasn't it?" Hermione asked.
"Good memory," Harper said, "Breakfast for two, just like you ordered, Mr. Weasley."
"You ordered breakfast?" Hermione asked Ron.
Ron grinned. Harper lifted the lids and revealed two plates of pancakes, eggs and sausage, as well as two glasses of orange juice.
"Enjoy!" Harper said.
He turned toward the door, then stopped and turned back around.
"Hey, would you two like to come to a party tonight?" Harper asked.
Ron looked at Hermione. She raised her eyebrows.
"A party?" she asked. "Where?"
"Level B," Harper said, "V.I.P lounge."
"Cale and Isabella's party?" Ron asked.
"Oh, you know them?" Harper asked.
"We met on the ship," Ron said, "But -"
Ron turned to Hermione. He nodded to Harper, and looked at him questioningly.
"You're a wizard?" Hermione asked Harper.
"Yeah," Harper said, nodding, "And I'm guessing so are the two of you."
"Yeah," Hermione said.
"I knew it," Harper said. "That first day when you were giving me a tip. Only our kind has trouble with Muggle money."
Ron groaned silently.
"I've seen it many times on cruises," Harper said, "I can always spot the wizards because they usually have trouble with the money. Only the Muggle-born know how to handle it."
Ron looked at Hermione. When she raised her eyebrows, he smiled and shook his head.
"Right, the party," Ron said, "Er... we're thinking about going. Haven't decided."
"So, what do you know about this party, Harper?" Hermione asked.
"Not too much, actually," Harper said, "Cale invited me yesterday. Told me it was just for wizards and witches. I have no idea how he found out what I am."
"I think I know how," Hermione said.
"How?" Ron asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Cale's an empath," Harper said, "His wife is a legillimens."
"Ah," Harper said, "A pair like that... they can sniff out anyone like us."
"I'm starting to wonder," Hermione said, "just how many of the witches and wizards in attendance for the party tonight will have known Cale and Isabella before they got on this cruise."
"You think they're recruiting us?" Ron asked.
"Like an initiation for something?" Harper asked.
"Maybe," Hermione said, "But if so, then the question is... for what?"
"That is certainly something to think about," Harper said, "But I need to get going. You're not the only ones who have ordered breakfast en-suite today."
"Oh, let me pay," Ron said.
"I'll do it," Hermione said.
Ron grinned and threw the billfold to Hermione. Harper told her how much it was, and she handed him the money.
"I'm guessing you're Muggle-born," Harper said, grinning.
"Proud of it," Hermione said, "Especially when it comes to Muggle money."
Harper grinned.
"Well, maybe I'll see you later," he said.
"So you're going to the party?" Ron asked.
"I'm pretty curious as to what is going on," Harper said, "So yeah. How about you?"
"We'll think about it," Hermione said.
"Well, it is certainly nice to see you two again," Harper said. "Always nice to meet someone like me."
Hermione smiled. Harper bowed slightly and walked out of the room. Ron picked up one of the plates and brought it over to Hermione.
"Breakfast in bed," Hermione said, taking the plate, "You haven't done this for a while."
"Technically it is breakfast in bed," Ron said, grabbing his own plate and sitting back down on the bed, "I didn't make it."
"You ordered it," Hermione said. "Is that what you did when you were watching me sleep?"
Ron nodded.
"You used the phone?" Hermione asked, raising her eyebrows.
"You sound surprised," Ron said.
"Because I know how very much like your father you are," Hermione said, grinning.
"I think I did very well this time," Ron said, "I got us breakfast, didn't I?"
"Mmhmm," Hermione said, biting into a piece of sausage.
"So, what are we going to do about this party?" Ron asked, "You really think Cale and Isabella were trying to recruit us for something?"
"It's possible," Hermione said. "There's factors for and against it. On one hand, they could have been telling the truth, and it could be a convention of witches and wizards. It doesn't seem too unreal."
"Yeah, but if they invited us and Harper," Ron said, "Then we're just random guests on a cruise ship that they've sought out."
"We don't know if Harper and us are the only ones though, Ron," Hermione said.
"You know, you're sounding more and more like you want to go to this," Ron said.
"I think we should," Hermione said, "Just to see what is going on. It may just be a simple party."
"And if it isn't?" Ron asked. "I certainly don't want some cult to interfere in our honeymoon."
"That's precisely what I mean," Hermione said. "Cale and Isabella are heading to Salem for some reason. What if that reason has something to do with whatever this party is for?"
"You're right," Ron said, "We should figure out what is going on. Who knows? It may just be a simple party and we're being paranoid."
"Okay," Hermione said, "We'll go. If nothing is going on, we wouldn't have to worry about it anymore, and we can enjoy our honeymoon."
"I love the sound of that," Ron said.
Hermione smiled.
"This is good," she said, "I think you should do breakfast in bed a lot more often."
"Don't push your luck," Ron said, a smirk crossing his lips.
Hermione laughed.
-
At a quarter till five, Hermione and Ron traveled in the lifts down to the main level. They decided to dress casually. If this was a normal party, they didn't want to look too formal. When they arrived, Harper was near the front desk.
"So you are going to the party," Harper said.
"Thought we might check it out," Hermione said, "If only we stay for a little while. Waiting for us?"
"Thought you might come," Harper said, "and I didn't think you'd know how to get to Level B."
"You're right," Ron said, "Wouldn't want to get lost and end up in the kitchens."
Hermione and Ron followed Harper down to Level A, then to Level B. They already heard music blaring from their end of the hallway. When they arrived at the room, Cale was waiting outside the door, greeting guests.
"Welcome!" he said, when he saw Hermione and Ron, "Wasn't sure if you were going to come."
"We're here," Hermione said.
"Well, come on in," Cale said, "We have drinks and food and dancing."
Cale stepped out of the way, and Hermione and Ron walked through into the room. Dozens of men and women were gathered around. A few were dancing in the center of the room, and Hermione was surprised to see a group of instruments playing on their own.
"A lot of magic going on down here," Ron said. "Strange, especially when this ship is full of Muggles above us."
"Cale's got that covered," Isabella said, walking over to them, "Being an empath, he's a human radar for Muggle-detecting. Any Muggle comes close, and we can make this party look normal."
"You've got this whole thing planned out," Ron said.
"We've thought of everything," Isabella said. "We figured that on a cruise ship where we're outnumbered by Muggles, and it is dangerous for us to do magic around them, the witches and wizards on board would want a party like this."
"So," Hermione said, looking from Ron to Isabella, "You don't know any of these people here?"
"On the contrary," Isabella said, "We've met quite a few before we got on the cruise."
She chuckled and raised her eyebrows.
"Surely, you didn't think we planned on searching a cruise ship full of Muggles," Isabella said, "just to invite people like us for a party?"
"No, not at all," Ron said, laughing nervously.
"You thought that Cale and I met you just to invite you here, huh?" Isabella asked.
"Maybe a little," Hermione said.
"As much as I enjoy the thought of that," Isabella said, "we were just happy to find another couple like us going to Salem, and thought you'd like to join us for this get-together."
"Well, thank you for inviting us," Hermione said.
"Enjoy the party," Isabella said.
She smiled and walked away.
"See," Ron said, "we were just being paranoid. It's just a party that we got lucky enough to attend."
"Well, I feel a bit better," Hermione said, chuckling.
"Let's get something to eat," Ron said.
"Thinking with your stomach again," Hermione said.
Ron grinned. Hermione took his hand and they walked over to the buffet table. At the other end of the buffet table, two men were talking in rather animated voices.
"... graveyard's the place to go when you visit," the taller man said, "All kinds of stories and legends having to do with that place."
"You really think that legend is true, Marc?" the other wizard said. "All that stuff about dark circles?"
"A dark circle, Ty," Marc said, "Not plural. Yeah, I could see something going on with that. I mean, there has to be some reason for the fear circling the place."
"It's Salem," Ty said, "The wizarding world has always feared that place. Even if the Ministries of Magic tell us differently."
"Salem?" Ron asked, "As in Salem, Massachussets?"
The two men glanced up.
"Yeah, of course," Ty said, "Why?"
"Me and my wife are going there," Ron said, motioning to Hermione.
"Aren't we all?" Marc asked, chuckling.
Hermione looked at Ron, who raised his eyebrows.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.
"You've met Cale and Isabella, right?" Marc asked.
"Obviously, they have, if they're here," Ty said.
"We met them just a couple days ago," Ron said, "They said they were visiting Salem for the festival."
"The Mid-Summer's Festival," Marc said, "Yeah. Supposedly, Cale thinks an event is going to happen this year. Something about the moon, and the turn of the century."
"Cale did say he was trying to find out about something that had been evading him," Hermione said.
"Yeah, well, Cale's obviously thought he can find it this year," Ty said.
"Is that why he put together this party?" Hermione asked, "You're all adventurers like Cale?"
Marc and Ty looked at each other and laughed.
"Not even close," Marc said. "I work at one of the many wizarding banks around the world."
"I'm just a – well, Muggles call me a paper-pusher," Ty said. "Hell, I bet most of the people you see around here are people with normal jobs. Nothing as brilliant as an adventurer."
"So why has Cale invited you all here?" Ron asked.
"I already answered that," Marc said, "We're all going to Salem for one reason or another."
"Everyone here is going to Salem?" Hermione asked.
"Popular little town, isn't it?" Ty asked, "Nice meeting you. See you in Salem."
Ty and Marc walked away. Neither Ron nor Hermione said anything until they sat down at a table away from everyone.
"Please tell me this is just one big coincidence?" Ron asked.
Hermione shrugged as she looked around at everyone.
"This is a ship heading to Boston, isn't it?" she asked.
"Sure," Ron said.
"Maybe it is a coincidence then," Hermione said.
"Do you know anything about what they were talking about?" Ron asked. "Graveyards, the moon, the turn of the century -"
"Dark circles?" Hermione finished for him, then shook her head, "No, nothing. No stories, no legends about any of that."
"Maybe it's nothing," Ron said. "Maybe Cale just thinks he is going to get lucky with whatever he's searching for. Maybe he's just trying to put two and two together."
"How do we explain everyone here?" Hermione asked, "They're all going to Salem, Ron."
"Cale's an empath, right?" Ron asked. "Is it possible he was able to sense the emotions of everyone's excitement to go to Salem, and invited them to the party? Maybe he thinks somebody here knows something about Salem, and it would help his research. Those two blokes obviously knew something."
"That's quite an obsession of his, if it is true," Hermione said.
"Sure," Ron said, nodding, "But it might be a healthy one. An adventurer needs good resources, don't they? We've been on quite a few adventures. I would have loved to have this many people with the same common interests to aid us."
"Okay," Hermione said, "So maybe this is just an innocent party. Cale and Isabella seem friendly. These people here obviously trusted them enough to come here."
"Or maybe they just wanted a good party," Ron said.
Hermione grinned.
"So what do you think?" she asked. "Nothing really suspicious going on, is there?"
"Nothing we have to worry about," Ron said, "At least for the rest of the cruise."
"Isn't that why we decided to attend the party?" Hermione asked. "To put our minds at ease about this whole thing?"
"My mind is at ease," Ron said, grinning. "But that might have something to do with my gorgeous wife sitting next to me."
Hermione blushed.
"Yeah," Ron said. "I think we were worried about nothing. Let Cale worry about chasing legends. We're on our honeymoon. We should enjoy it. No worries about dark circles or graveyards."
"What's this about dark circles and graveyards?" Harper asked, as he walked up to them.
"Oh, probably just ghost stories," Hermione said, "Come. Sit down with us."
"I've seen enough ghosts to not be afraid of ghost stories," Harper said, as he sat down.
"So what are you doing after you're done working this cruise?" Hermione asked, though she thought she knew the answer already, "Headed back home?"
"I'm heading to Salem, Massachussets," Harper said, grinning. "I wanted to work on this cruise specifically just so I could have an easy way to get there."
Hermione looked at Ron, who grinned.
"What's so funny?" Harper asked.
"You're not the only one going to Salem," Ron said.
"You two as well, eh?" Harper asked, "What a coincidence."
"Want to hear an even bigger coincidence?" Hermione asked. "Everyone in this room is apparently going to Salem."
Harper raised his eyebrows and laughed.
"You're just taking the mickey out of me," he said, shaking his head.
Hermione looked at Ron, and both shrugged.
"You're serious?" Harper asked.
Hermione nodded.
"That's just too mental for words," Harper said.
"So do you know anything about any legends circling Salem?" Ron asked.
"None at all, mate," Harper said, "I'm just going there for holiday. Why?"
"Apparently Cale's thrown this get-together here," Hermione said, "to find out answers to the apparent legend he's searching for."
"Then why did he invite us here?" Harper asked. "If he's an empath, and his wife's a legillimens, surely they'd know that we have no clue what this so-called legend is."
"That's what we're trying to figure out," Hermione said.
"But Hermione and I've decided it is probably something innocent," Ron said. "Nothing to worry about. He's an adventurer chasing legends."
"Hmm," Harper said. "Maybe I'll join this chase, and see what I can dig up. You say you two will be in Salem?"
"Yeah," Ron said, "For about a week."
"If I find something, I'll try to find the two of you there," Harper said, "Until then, I wouldn't worry too much about this. Like you said... probably innocent. Enjoy your honeymoon. I'm going to go and see what I can find."
"See you soon," Ron said, "Maybe we'll order breakfast in bed again before the cruise is over."
Harper grinned and nodded, then walked off. Ron raised his eyebrows at Hermione. She just shrugged.
"What do you think?" Ron asked. "Should we stay and enjoy the party or make an excuse and leave? Just spend the rest of the night together."
"We'll do that either way, Ron," Hermione said, smiling.
"True," Ron said, shrugging, "Care to dance?"
Hermione nodded and stood up. The instruments started to play a slow tune just as they got to the dance floor. Hermione put her arms around Ron's neck.
"So, a couple of days left on this cruise," Ron said. "And we've agreed not to worry about mysterious empaths, right? Just us and this cruise ship."
"However will we pass the time?" Hermione asked, chuckling.
"I'm sure we can think of something," Ron said.
Hermione smiled and kissed Ron softly on the lips. She then laid her head on his shoulder, and looked around the room. So everyone here was going to Salem. She counted at least two dozen witches and wizards. That many witches and wizards around the town at once seemed a bit odd.
"What are you thinking about?" Ron asked, in a whisper.
"This many witches and wizards in a group," Hermione said, "all will be in Salem at one time."
"Yeah," Ron said.
"Is that a risk for the Statute of Secrecy?" Hermione asked.
"There's always a risk in Salem," Ron said. "That's something the Ministry of Magic, nor the history books, will tell you."
"Well," Hermione said, "we can't say our honeymoon isn't exciting."
Ron nodded in agreement.
-
Decided to end the chapter there! One or two more chapters on the cruise, and then the Salem part of the story begins!
Hope you liked this chapter.
