"Bye sweetie, have a good time all right!" Melinda Granger called as she and her husband climbed into their car.
"Thanks mom, we will." Hermione waved to her parents as they exited the driveway.
She closed the door, and a bright smile crossed her face. It was going to be a great day! She couldn't wait for the carnival, and better still, Harry was coming with her.
Hermione headed upstairs and heard the shower running in the bathroom.
'Hmm…' her brain began to churn with thoughts of Harry in there all alone – with nothing on. It was too good to pass up, and besides, she needed a shower too.
With a sneakiness Ron would have been proud of, Hermione crept into the bathroom and closed the door quietly. She locked the door and dropped her robe and nightgown on the floor. Oh yes, it was going to be a very good day.
They slipped to the shower floor, quivering in each other's arms. Harry slipped out of her body, and he kissed her forehead as she panted against his chest.
After several minutes, Hermione lifted her head and smiled, looking into his green eyes. How did she ever do without him? Giving him a gentle kiss, she embraced her lover, and Harry held her close, savoring their intimacy and trust.
"Sweetheart?" he whispered into her hair.
"Mmm," she murmured softly.
"The next time you want to play shower siren…warn me first, okay?"
Hermione giggled happily and snuggled deeper into his arms.
"I promise, Harry. That was so amazing. I have no idea what just happened."
"I don't know either. I had no idea what a wild woman you could be!" he teased. She just grinned and kissed him.
"And I had no idea what an animal you could be, love."
"By Merlin, I swear…I think you were born half genius…half vixen, Hermione!"
"Ooooooh, I take that as a compliment. Am I really that good?" she asked.
Harry could see the joy his words had brought her. He always made her feel like she was more than just books and knowledge; she was a beautiful, sensuous woman.
"Herm, you're the sexiest girl I know!"
"And you're the sexiest guy I know, Harry."
"Well then…I guess we're a match made in heaven aren't we?" he sighed and gave her a tender smile. Her eyes glowed with her love for him.
"That we are, my darling hero, that we are."
Eventually, the pair made it out of the bathroom and dressed. Harry grabbed his invisibility cloak out of his trunk and headed downstairs to meet Hermione. She was waiting for him in the middle of the living room.
"Ready Herm?"
"Yup, I think I have everything."
Since it was quite warm out today, Hermione had decided to wear knee-length jean shorts and a yellow t-shirt. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail to keep herself cool, and she had on a pair of brown sandals along with a pair of black sunglasses. Harry had on a pair of faded black jeans and a dark green t-shirt that matched his eyes almost perfectly. Because they were going to be walking most of the day, he decided to wear gym shoes instead of leather or boat shoes. Hermione had a windbreaker tied around her waist in case it got chilly later on, but then, she could always use Harry to keep warm too.
"Well then…shall we go?" She nodded at him emphatically.
Harry wrapped his left arm around and pulled her against him. His right hand tossed the cloak over them, and the two teenagers disappeared.
"All right…hang on."
A few seconds later, a small pop was heard, and they were gone.
Harry and Hermione apparated into a grove of trees and quickly checked their surroundings. They were behind a pair of large tents just outside the main entrance. Making sure they were alone, Harry pulled off the invisibility cloak, and they reappeared. He neatly folded it back up and looked for a place to stash it.
"Harry…in here," Hermione advised, pointing to a large knot in one of the old, oak trees.
"Perfect!" He rolled up his cloak and tucked it safely inside the trunk. It was down at least a foot so no one would see it if they walked by.
"Well then…shall we?" Harry asked extending his arm. Hermione smiled and linked her arm in his.
The line wasn't that long, but the pair still had to wait about ten minutes to get in. Finally arriving at the entrance, Harry reached into his pocket and handed the gatekeeper the necessary amount for admission, but he grabbed Hermione's hand when she tried to pay him.
"Oh no you don't, it's my treat!"
"But Harry?" He only smiled at her.
"No buts, Miss Granger."
The man stamped both of their hands to show that they'd paid, but Harry hadn't asked for normal admission. After reading the sign, he'd paid for a special pass, which gave them free access to every ride or activity at the carnival.
"Harry, why didn't you let me pay?" Hermione asked once they were inside.
"Hey…like I said…it's my treat. Besides, this is our first real date. I wouldn't be much of a gentleman if I asked my girlfriend to pay."
"All right…just don't think I'll let you pay for everything. I'm the one who suggested this anyway."
"Fine, now, let's stop arguing and start having fun."
Hermione led them into the main square. The carnival was arranged around a large, central, circular arena. Maybe it was going to be used for their medieval show later on? There were four different paths leading out from it, and Hermione quickly grabbed a brochure, which listed the various booths and shows that were being offered this year.
"Ooooh, Harry, we have to go to this!" Hermione said happily.
"What is it?" She immediately pointed to the listing that read 'Exotic Herbs, Objects, and Perfumes For Sale.'
"Who knows…maybe we can find supplies for next year!"
"Always thinking ten steps ahead, aren't you?" he teased.
"Oh hush, besides we might find them cheaper than in Diagon Alley."
"That's true, I guess it wouldn't hurt. What else is there?"
Harry skimmed through the list. One read 'Venus Flytrap' another 'Catch the Hctins'.
"What's a hctins?" Hermione asked confused. That was when Harry saw it.
"I don't believe it!"
"What?"
"Hermione…look…take hctins and spell it backwards."
"S-N-I-T-C-H. No way, you don't think they're wizards here do you?"
"It wouldn't surprise me. After all, we're here aren't we? It would make sense I guess because at a carnival you can get away with weird things on display.
"That's true, but it's still hard to believe," Hermione gasped.
"Hmm, let's see what else there is." Harry continued down the list until his eyes bugged out. "Oh my gosh!" He quickly pointed to something near the bottom.
Hermione read 'Jokes Galore – If it can make you laugh, we've got it!'
"What's so strange about it, Harry?"
"Herm, take a look at who owns that booth."
She followed the line across the page, and her eyes widened at what she saw – Fred and George Weasley.
"They're crazy! Mr. Weasley would kill them if he found out about this!"
"Come on, love, do you think they really care about that?" Harry asked.
"You've got a point. Why don't we go see them?"
"You read my mind!"
"Comes with the package," she teased. Harry's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, he looked at her with what could only be called 'bedroom eyes'.
"And such a gorgeous package it is," he laughed with a wide grin. His hand reached down and squeezed her rear.
Hermione jumped in shock and blushed to the roots of her hair. He chuckled lightly, and she covered her flaming cheeks. She got him back however when she leaned and whispered in his ear.
"Be nice, and you'll get my package later tonight," she purred seductively. Harry gulped and felt sweat form on his brow. Damn, the things she could do to him.
"All right, sweetheart, how about a truce or else I'm not gonna make it through this day without a serious accident."
"Agreed, but that doesn't mean I'll stop flirting with you!" Harry pulled her close and buried his face in her hair.
"Hermione, your flirting I can handle, but I swear, the next time you purr in my ear like that, I'm gonna pull you onto the floor and love you till the sun goes down."
She giggled happily, knowing she'd gotten him back with some serious interest and backed away.
"Come on, let's go see the 'Terror Twins'!"
Harry took her offered hand, and they headed off down a side path to meet up with their old friends.