¤*~ Yes! I'm getting more reviews! Hey, keep them coming! They make me want to write more ;)

Anyway…that last chapter was pretty action-packed, huh? I like it that way. Nice and juicy. Well I'll stop boring you with these non-HP ramblings…on with Chapter 12!

¤*~ ( I like those things (. I'm also high on sugar.

Ron and Hermione sauntered down the crowded shoreline. Countless small children were destroying sandcastles and messily sucking on colorful juice boxes. Little girls with frilly bathing suits screamed and ran from the oncoming waves, only to follow them when they receeded. Sweaty, tan men in naval fatigues ran down the hard, wet sand in beige military shorts, chatting in monotone jargon. The two teenage tourists from England felt oddly out of place in this crowd of tan, relaxed Americans. They also couldn't talk about their school or their magical heritage, lest a muggle hear and either tell somebody or think that Ron and Hermione were going insane.

"It's so different here than back in London," said Hermione as she took in all the sights and smells of Coronado. The slight breeze was perfumed with plumeria flowers and the scent of lemon and orange trees. Scattered along the upper shore were large, thin gray palms teetering dangerously in their immense height. The powdery white sand felt hot under her bare feet, and her arms and legs were crisscrossed with the needle-like shadows created by the palm fronds.

"I like it better here. No teachers telling you what to do, no prying brothers and sisters just aching to humiliate you in any way possible…"



"Actually, I find myself missing the structure and discipline of school- Ron, don't give me that look. No, I don't want any of your ice cream. You licked all over it." Hermione sucked on the straw of her soda.



Ron retracted his sidelong glance ('What a freak. How could she miss school?') and his offer of a bite of his chocolate ice cream cone. "Sorry. I forgot I had rabies," he remarked sarcastically.



Hermione rolled her eyes. "Let's turn back now. Calista probably wants to head home." The two doubled back on their path of wet footprints. Finally, after ten minutes of walking in silence, they arrived back at their small camp of towels and discarded clothing. Calista and Mike were drying themselves off, and Sandra was book-marking her thick novel.



Calista looked up when she saw Ron and Hermione's shadows blot the bright reflection of the sand. "Where's Harry and Ginny?"



Hermione shrugged. "Wherever they are, I'm sure they'll be back soon. They know it's about time to leave." The sun had begun its fiery ascent into the fuzzy blue horizon, and the families surrounding them had commenced to packing up as well.



"I'm going to the loo. Be back in a flash." Ron jogged towards the gray cement buildings that were the Central Beach restrooms.

***

Ron washed his hands in the metal, prison-like sinks and dried them on his blue, knee-length board-shorts. The sandy cement floor was ice-cold under his bare feet as he sauntered out the back door. As he walked out, he was repulsed to see his little sister and his best friend passionately kissing against the back wall.



"Euurgh! That's disgusting! Lord, get a ROOM!" Ron shielded his eyes and advanced towards the beach.



Harry blushed, and Ginny scowled. "Ron, we were just kissing," said Ginny as she adjusted the straps of her bikini top. Harry bashfully wiped lipstick off his cheek.



"Just kissing? You were practically having sex against the wall!"



Harry gasped. "We were not! I didn't touch her!"



"Not yet- it's a miracle I caught you in time. Ginny, you're coming with me. Wait 'til Mum hears about this. She'll blow a gasket, she will." Ron grabbed her arm, but Ginny angrily shook it off.



"Ron, STOP! These past few years you've been trying to be a good brother, and there's nothing wrong with that- but lately you've been totally crossing the line! I'd like you to watch out for me, but…Lord, you've been sacking blokes left and right! And, Ron- Harry is the nicest chap I'll probably ever meet. He would not try to do anything that you wouldn't condone, I promise. So just…just leave us alone for now, I'll tell you if I need anything."



"Gin, I just don't want you to get hurt. You're right, it's my job as your older brother to take care of you. And I will continue upholding that job as long as my heart beats." Ron and Ginny had momentarily lost their raging "Weasley tempers".



"Ron, you've done a great job protecting her so far. But just let me take that job for a while. I really care about your sister, and I won't let anything happen to her. You can trust me. Here, we can do our special handshake to solidify the deal." Harry held out his hand, and with slight smiles he and Ron slapped both sides of their hands, hooked pinkies, bumped fists three times, and slid their wrists against each other's.

Ron turned to Ginny. "I'm sorry for acting like a wanker. You know what, Gin? You're in good hands." Harry grinned and placed his hand on the small of Ginny's back. The three walked happily back to where Hermione, Calista, Sandra, and Mike were waiting and ready to leave.

"It's about time. I feel so gross, I need to take a shower," said Hermione, sticking her tongue out.

"Me too. I'm covered in kelp and dead sea creatures." Harry pulled a small fish out of the side of his shorts. Laughter rang throughout the teens as they crossed the smooth black street and walked up Calista's front doorstep.