A/N: Oh, I had so wanted to have this out for Valentine's Day, with lots of H/H romance, plus a few other surprises. Sorry guys, it just didn't happen. These muggle distractions, they can be so much fun
A couple of things: A wand pilot, in case this needs clarification, is the wizard's version of the palm pilot. Also, if there is anything weird about any of the people I have put together, please mail and let me know, 'cause I don't remember!
Thanks to 007 for beta reading and staying on me about doing this.
Paris Ten - The Weasleys Conquer Paris
When Harry and Hermione opened the door of the Weasley suite, it was obvious the younger members of the family
needed to get outside. George and Ron were loudly teasing Percy about getting to see Penelope again, and making
guesses about how long it would take to get Penelope alone,and how she had probably now found a French wizard to
replace him. Fred and Ginny were arguing loudly over what was left of a bowl of fruit, and where they would go
first when they went shopping. Fred insisted they had to find a joke shop before the evening, but Ginny was insistent
that she HAD to have a new dress and shoes to match.
Molly Weasley, meanwhile, was going from group to group of her children,imploring and threatening them to stop their arguments. Bill sat calmly in a corner with what looked like one of Arthur's wand pilots and a set of earphones, occasionally nodding as if in agreement with something. Harry walked over to him, and Bill looked up and said" Fleur says 'Happy Birthday to the champion." He stood up and rolled up the wand pilot, calling to Ginny and Fred, " Stop arguing, we can split into groups. Fleur can go shopping with you, Ginny. Then I'll take these clowns out to look for their joke shop."
"I want to go to some muggle stores though," Ginny whined." I'll bet old Fleur will only take me
to the Wizarding street. She's so proud of being part Veela, she won't want to mix with muggles!" Harry wondered
whether Ginny was going to become like her father, with his fascination for muggles and muggle items. He could
tell she had been shopping recently in some muggle store, because her clothes, a rust and forest green top and
a short green skirt were obviously new.
Harry sighed to himself. The muggle shops were Hermione's specialty, he guessed she'd now be gone with Ginny for
the afternoon. He'd tag along to the joke shop, but he'd hoped to be with Hermione more. Here it was, his birthday
and they'd barely been alone all day! Didn't she even care?
"I can show you a few muggle shops, Ginny," Hermione said quickly. " But Mom also has a little list
of errands for me, and Harry promised he'd help me. We can shop a little then meet Fleur and the boys at the wizard's
market. You want to go to the joke shop, I know, Harry. "
"I do, " he answered. " But I also don't want to break a promise. 'No, he thought, and I've promised
myself Hermione will know that I'd like to do more than kiss her, if not this afternoon, sometime.'
Behind him, Harry heard Ron snicker and whisper loudly," Ha! Promises? Errands? I can imagine the errands,
I suppose you'd like us to come along and help with those errands?"
"No! " exclaimed Hermione and Harry, instantly and in unison,"Er, it's not really necessary, we
know exactly where to go," finished Harry as they snorted, smirked or giggled, except Mrs. Weasley.
"Hush, you lot. Leave them alone, they've been here for several days, they will be able to manage without
you quite well. Now everyone just stay aware of where you are and who's nearby. Bill, you bring Fleur back with
you. Your father and I want to get to know her a bit."
" I'll just bet Dad does, his son dating a part Veela witch," George chuckled."Giving the old Weasley
name a spark of interest down at the Ministry."
At this, Mrs. Weasley made a final disgusted sound, followed by, "Out! Every one of you,before I begin hexing
you! The Grangers, your father and I have plans too. Bill, you have a key? Just don't give it to the twins. We
may wind up being thrown out before the evening!"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Finally the group had reached the street below, after dragging Fred, George and Ron from a group of giggling female
hotel workers, Hermione asked if they'd like to eat before beginning the day's shopping and sightseeing.
"Do you really need to ask, Hermione?" Ginny said sarcastically. " Not that they haven't been eating
nonstop since we checked in. Can't we just leave them ? I've been waiting my whole life to have some money of my
own, and now I get to spend it here. I just can't wait any longer!"
"You could spend it on a really huge meal for us," Ron said hopefully. "That would really be uncomplicated,
Gin!"
"Yeaaaahhh, you wish!" she replied, giving him a slap across the arm."OK, if we're going to eat,
let's do it and get on with it! But I'm not eating some clunky old sandwich or something. I want to have something
that tastes French!."
"That can be arranged." said Harry. "We've had lunch out lots of times and it's the same way with
Hermione and me. I'm starving, and I think she's thinking about how she looks in some of what she just bought.
You girls!"
'' 'Us Girls ', as you so elegantly put it, don't want to outgrow our clothes before we get to wear them, that's
all." Hermione shrugged and went on, "I've been here before you know. What you think is a simple little
meal could make you rival dear Dudley Dursley, if you weren't careful."
Harry shook his head at this, he couldn't imagine thinking there was anything less than perfect about Hermione's size, in fact he......
"Then let's GO!" he heard Ginny say.
~ ~ ~ ~
Soon the group was at an outside cafe and Ginny had a salad and was sharing a small soufflé with Hermione.The boys were eating huge sandwiches and moaning about the lack of pumpkin juice, but making do with muggle Cokes.
"Now, we'll see you in about an hour and a half." said Bill. "There's an ice cream shop that looks
a lot like Florean Fortesque's. We'll meet you at one of the tables outside. And Gin, no matter what you think,
there ARE some nice things in the wizards' market. Save some of that money."
"I will," Ginny said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Harry could see Hermione was looking forward
to getting into a store or two herself. At least they wouldn't be able to buy more than they could carry, he comforted
himself, thinking back on a few times he and Hermione had really loaded up.She wouldn't have him to help this time
though.
It didn't take long to reach the Wizard's shopping area. Harry didn't think Hermione and Ginny would have trouble
finding their meeting place, it really did look a lot like the ice cream shop on Diagon Alley. It felt a bit odd
to be in a place that in a way felt so familiar, and yet he could barely understand what was being said. Bill,
though, seemed to have learned to speak French quite comfortably and appeared very much at home. When they found
the joke shop, he could see why Fred and George had been so eager to come here. Some of the things were the same
as the ones in Zonko's but this shop had not only a much larger section of joke foods, but a place that sold plants
that did unusual things. Fred, George Bill and Ron immediately began a conversation with the shop owner, and Harry
wandered over to the section marked "Botanica Exotica Magicka" . There were plants that produced miniature
loaves of bread, side by side with others that contained flowers with centers of butter, jelly and soft cheese.
Another section contained plants that showed shoes and hats sprouting from the plants, looking like blossoms.'Hermione
and Ginny would like one of those', he thought, grinning as he pictured their eyes widening at the sight of an
unending supply.
Then, over in a guarded section Harry could see something sparkling on the plants growing there. He wandered over
and gasped in surprise at what he saw and immediately saw the reason for the guards. These plants seemed to be
growing jewels! The leaves were different colors on each plant and he could see a different color jewel on each
plant, to match its leaves. He was glad Hermione seemed to enjoy shopping for clothes and fun jewelry, he couldn't
see her wanting one of these. The only piece of "nice" jewelry she seemed to really like was the bracelet
he had given her. She had told him she loved it because it was really pretty, but mostly because it connected the
two of them.
Suddenly behind him, Harry heard whoops of delight and turned around to find Fred, George and Ron slapping each
other on the back, and Bill looking very happy too. He hurried over to them and Ron said, "We've done it,
Harry! This joke shop bought some of Fred and George's inventions! "
"They especially liked the non - melting ice cream cones, and fried eggs that grow wings and fly off your
plate." Ron chortled. "We've gotta be sure to sneak some of those on Crabbe and Goyle's plates when we
get back to school. Ought to be pretty funny, seeing them chase their breakfast around the Great Hall".
"And we've decided to cut Ron in on the operation, because he's been a real help with ideas, and has checked
out what we should ask for when we went to sell. Little brother's done a lot of research and contacting people
for us." George gave Ron a jubilant look, and Ron beamed proudly.
"Yeah, having you do all the legwork really gave us the freedom to come up with ideas, and make them work.
But even the best thing we could sell would have come to nothing without our "business manager!" added
Fred.
Harry could hardly believe this had happened, but he didn't think he could hold much more happiness. On the other
hand, maybe he could- when he looked out the window he saw Hermione and Ginny passing, boxes in their hands, and
huge smiles on their faces. He guessed it would soon be "errand time, and he felt his stomach take that now
familiar dive then soar when he thought about time alone with Hermione.
After letting the Weasleys know he'd seen the girls go by, they all left the joke shop, Ron, George and Fred promising
to return the next day to finalize their deal, and promising to bring more of their inventions. The shop owner
seemed really thrilled, Harry noticed and felt happy all over again for his friends.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
When they arrived at the ice cream shop, Harry and the Weasleys found a surprise! Not only were Hermione and Ginny
there but Fleur and Danielle and Adrian as well! He saw George and Fred's faces darken as they saw Adrian then
he remembered they were probably thinking they were seeing the wrong Malfoy! Quickly he grabbed their arms and
stopped them for a moment.
"Hey, that's not Draco", he told them urgently. " He's Draco's cousin, Adrian. He seems like a great
guy, and he's been playing Quidditch, as keeper, at his school for the last few years. The girl is Hermione's mom's
friend's daughter Danielle. Cute. huh? "
" Cute is not quite sufficient Harry, but we'll overlook it since we know your interests lie in another direction.
Across the table, to be exact!" Ron was grinning, but he had a look on his face Harry couldn't remember seeing
before. "She's as nice looking as Fleur, but somehow I think I could actually TALK to her without making a
total prat of myself."
"I don't know about the Fleur part." Bill put in, looking at Ron with a huge grin. " I think I've
seen that look on another Weasley face before though. My own! Watch it though, she looks sweet, but she may know
things you don't."
Harry sort of doubted this from what he knew of Danielle, but he did hope Ron would be able to enjoy finding out.
As for Ginny, she was talking to Adrian, and looking at him in a way he vaguely remembered seeing her look at him
when she first came to Hogwarts. There was one big difference though...... her face didn't look the color of a
sunrise and Adrian was certainly looking back at her, in a way that he never had. This might turn out to be the
beginning of some great friendships, if only Danielle turned out to be interested in Ron.
They saw the group who were seated had spotted them, and Harry slid into the chair beside Hermione, managing to
give her hand a little squeeze under the table, and feeling really happy to see how glad she looked to see him.
Well, they hadn't been apart much this summer, but Hermione was definitely on his mind, whether he was with her,
or not. He stretched and sighed contentedly, looking around at the group of friends chattering happily, and casually
draped his arm around Hermione's chair. He didn't doubt that there were some dark times ahead, but it was hard
to believe now, sitting in this sunny courtyard with his friends all around. Adrian and Danielle had been introduced
and the conversation was jumping rapidly from Quidditch to George and Fred's inventions to the dresses Ginny had
found and bought. Harry grinned to himself as he heard Adrian whisper to Ginny, "Ah, I must see the lovely
Ginette in her new dress." and thought Adrian could probably teach he and Ron a few things. Ginny was once
again blushing but she was also giving Adrian a very flirtatious look. She opened one of her boxes slightly and
Harry could see a glimpse of something frothy, that had soft colors of green and peach. Adrian looked at Ginny
and nodded appreciativly.
Danielle didn't seem the least bothered by the fact that Adrian seemed so interested in Ginny, and Harry was happy
to see Ron wasn't trying to impress her with stories that were at best only partly true. The two of them looked
completely relaxed and happy, Danielle was describing her first love, sailing, and Ron was telling Danielle a pretty
accurate version of what had happened during the underwater part of the Triwizard Tournament.
"So, I haven't really been all that crazy about water since then," Ron was saying."But I'd like
to get over it, you know, if I were, er, with someone who felt comfortable in and near water."
Harry and Hermione exchanged raised eyebrows and amused looks behind their menus. Ron certainly had gotten over
being tongue - tied around girls all of a sudden! They smiled even more as they heard Danielle ask Ron whether
he would be staying in France long enough to come out for a sail. Ron replied that he would certainly try and Danielle
turned to Ginny and Adrian and said "Perhaps you could join us as well? Max has gone to visit friends and
will not return for a week. Maman would no doubt prefer I had help with the sails and, oh, it would be fun!"
Harry could see this might be a good time to make an exit so he turned to Hermione and whispered, "Errands
now?" She nodded and grinned at him, making his knees go a bit weak as he thought of them being alone finally.
They pushed their chairs back and Hermione spoke to the group.
"This is really great, being with all of you, but Harry and I do have a few things to do, or Mom will kill
me! You'll all meet us back at the hotel in a while?"
"We'll be there," said Bill from the chair he was sitting in, with Fleur nearly in his lap. Harry wondered
whether Bill might have some kind of male version of a veela in him, because Fleur didn't seem to be able to take
her eyes, or her hands off him. He remembered how she had been so aloof, and had always had a crowd of boys around
her at Hogwarts. Bill had always seemed pretty cool, and Harry wasn't really surprised, " If I can keep them
all together, that is."
"Fleur is taking me shopping," Ginny said quickly. " I still need shoes and I want the ones that
change colours and glimmer. Mom would never let me have those, she said it was an unnecessary expense, but I think
I really NEED them for these dresses."
Harry and Hermione said good-bye amidst the teasing from Ginny's brothers, mixed with Fleur and Danielle's agreement
that glimmering shoes were a must for the truly well dressed witch.
"So much for being missed," Hermione remarked as they walked away. "No arguments from anyone about
us leaving. My feelings could be hurt, if I weren't 'sensible Hermione'."
"Oh, not everyone." Harry told her in a soft voice. " I've found you a lot more sensitive than sensible this summer. Your feelings and here." He traced her lips
gently with his finger and whispered,"I think there's a lot more sensitive than sensible to you, Hermione."
"What happened to the wizard who turned red everytime a girl looked at him for more than a minute?" Hermione
teased, looking pink, but very pleased and obviously with happy anticipation.
"He turned into a wizard who finally found something to look back at," answered Harry smugly. " Now do we really have any errands? Or can we go
straight to that little boathouse we found on the pond in the park?"
"Just one quick one," she answered. "And there will be no peeking, you have to promise. You'll see
more later."
"No problem," Harry said. " But let's get there fast."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Within a half hour, Harry was pushing open the creaking door to the old boathouse. He wished in a way that they
had a nicer place to go, but at the same time, he knew he'd remember this place all his life. The sounds of the
water lapping gently at the shore, the distant sounds of happy people and music from the carousel, the the smells
of flowers and grasses mixed with the scent of Hermione that he loved. They wasted no time spreading the blankets
and life vests they'd found stored there.Harry still shook his head at the risk Hermione had taken, when she used
a cleansing spell on them, but she had said even the ministry wouldn't want them lying on filthy blankets,"
Professor Flitwick says you should always use one of those if you have doubts about
sanitation, and I've heard Mom and Madame Pomfrey say the same thing! Besides, we have the special permission thing!"
she had told him, and he had known there was no use arguing.
"Mmmmm, I could stay here all night, Harry." Hermione said, snuggling close to him and reaching up to
pull his head over to hers. He shivered as he felt her softly kiss his neck and then even more softly his ear,
and he turned on his side, pulling her close and kissing her insistently.
"I could stay here a couple of weeks," he muttered in her ear, with a soft kiss there in return. "
I kind of feel like this is 'our place', Paris, I mean. You know though, I think any place we're able to be together
will be 'our place'. How do you feel?"
"Really want to know?" she replied. " I feel like forgetting lots of things my Mom told me young
girls need to be careful about, even witches. Does that make you happy? Are you going to make sure I keep forgetting?"
Hermione was now so close to him that Harry doubted you could slide a broom straw between them, and he swallowed
hard.
"Er, that is a tempting thought and I won't tell you I might not try occasionally. But you know, as great
as that sounds, I'm going to vote to go slowly. Getting to know you this way has been something I would have never
imagined to be so amazingly exciting and yet feel so right."
"It does feel right," she told him, rubbing her cheek against his. " We know each other pretty well,
Harry, I think we can know what's right and when, don't you?"
Harry pretended to groan and said, "I am going to kick myself at least a hundred times over the next few years,
but yes. Now, let me kiss you some more and at least ......." Harry began to whisper into Hermione's ear and
she answered with a giggle.
(And here I shall leave romance to the imagination of the reader, which is where it should be, IMHO.
Disclaimer, etc.:As always, many thanks to J.K.Rowling for her books which have inspired me and given so much pleasure to us all. Harry , Hermione, all the Weasleys, and mention of Draco, Crabbe and Goyle are hers. Danielle, Adrian, the way the Grangers are portrayed are mine as are the situations and romantic pairings.
Now- I truly plan to launch right into the party next time. The location is a surprise that I discovered months ago.The guest list could be massive and there could be a surprise villain. Comments on the development of some fun for Ron(Do you like Danielle so far?), and the way Ginny is developing are appreciated.I don't plan to leave her a shallow witch with nothing on her mind but clothes, I promise. But Ginny needs some confidence building and the right clothes, and the charming Adrian, well, why not? It's about time she got to do something! The girl has fire! Once again, IMHO.