A/n: I updated really quickly to make up for last time. I hope you did forgive me and didn't think of throwing rotten fish at me…hehe... whew, I thought the last chapter was long. After reading this you'll see how very wrong I was. Anyway, now we come to shopping for dresses, getting nails done, and, of course, the famous Hotel Alexandria Christmas dinner party. Hope you like this!
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, no matter how much I try to persuade JKR with some of Adnap Nottap's weird eggs and ham...*sigh* what has the world come to??
Chapter 13: Once in a Blue Moon
A light breeze tickled Hermione's cheek as she felt her shoulders being shaken. Groggily, she opened her eyes to find a redheaded figure wide awake.
"Hermione, wake up!" Ginny whispered. She stopped shaking Hermione's shoulders.
"Why?" Hermione said, throwing a pillow over her head.
"Because it's eleven in the morning!" Ginny explained. Hermione threw the pillow off her face and her eyes widened.
"Oh, my God, did I really sleep that long?" Hermione said, shocked. She got out of bed and hurried to the balcony. The sun was shining and the light breeze was still blowing. By the lighthouse, she could see Harry and Ron eating ice cream. "I'm so tired. At what time did we get here last night?"
"Like at two in the morning. But we were awake for another, like, half hour talking about the party," Ginny replied. "Speaking of which, remember, it's tomorrow, so we better go buy our dresses and get our nails done today."
"Okay, just let me take a quick shower and eat a spot of breakfast and I'll go with you," Hermione said. "Are the guys coming with us?"
"They will," Ginny said. "Just go, I'll wait for you in the dining hall."
Hermione nodded and hurried off to the bathroom. This day would be fun.
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Ron licked his chocolate ice cream and cleaned his mouth with the back of his hand. "I can't believe Hermione's still sleeping," he said, sniggering. Harry did too, before licking his vanilla ice cream heartily.
"I beg your pardon, Ron, but I am not sleeping, so don't jump to conclusions," Hermione reprimanded from behind him. She stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at him.
"C'mon, you two, don't start a row on the first day of holiday," Harry said. He was quite used to this; Ron opening his mouth, and Hermione scolding him. Hastily changing the subject, he said, "What are we gonna do today?"
"Go shopping!" Ginny came towards him, grinning broadly.
"Hi, Ginny," said a smiling Harry, completely unaware of the death glare Ron shot him.
"What d'you mean, go shopping?" Ron asked. "There's no way in hell I'm gonna embarrass myself in public and carry your bag."
"Okay, then. You can carry Hermione's," Ginny replied smartly. Ron blushed slightly. "Anyway, as I was saying before someone butt in... Hermione and I need to buy dresses for the Christmas party. Then we need to go get our nails done." Ron snorted. Hermione, who was sitting next to him, gave him a painful nudge in his ribs and that shut him up. Ginny continued. "Tomorrow we can all go to the Christmas party."
"My parents are going too," Hermione muttered. "Honestly, they think the moment I get there I'm gonna start drinking and completely ignore what they say."
"Isn't that what we're gonna do?" Ron asked sarcastically. Harry and Ginny sniggered.
"It's not funny! My parents treat me like I'm two years old or something!"
Ron wagged a finger in her direction. "Careful, `Mione, you're very close to whining!"
"Don't call me `Mione!"
"Stop whining!"
"Make me!"
"Shut up, `Mione!"
"STOP!" Ginny bellowed. "Damn, you guys can start a fight any time, any place." Ron and Hermione both shut up.
Ginny shook her head and turned to Harry. "Are you guys coming?" Harry nodded.
"Wha—?" Ron started, but he stopped when Ginny glared at him.
"It's settled, then. Hermione's parents gave her a considerable amount of money so we can catch a taxi and leave now."
"Now?" Ron moaned. "Can't we go a little later?"
Hermione shook her head. "I'm very picky, it can take a long time for me to choose a dress and nail color."
"Probably `cause you never do stuff like that," Ron muttered. Hermione slapped him on the shoulder and stood. "C'mon." Harry and Ginny walked ahead, engaged in conversation, Ginny's arm wrapped around Harry's. "Please, Ron," Hermione said, looking pleadingly at him. "It won't be that bad." Ron stood and walked behind Harry and Ginny with her.
He hoped he wasn't dead with disgust by the time this day was over.
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"Look, Hermione, don't you just love that one?" Ginny said, pointing to a silky light pink dress. Hermione shook her head. She had seen enough pink at school, sleeping in the same room as Lavender and Parvati. Ginny frowned. "You are picky!" she said.
"You think?" Ron said, exasperated. "For the past hour, she's hated every bloody dress we've seen!"
"Look, I told you, don't complain, and don't swear," Hermione snapped. It was true, though. Ginny had already picked out her dress; a long lavender one, with a bare back and the top draped around the neck. It was beautiful, and Hermione had loved it, but she wasn't about to take it away from Ginny, who had seen it first.
Ginny sighed. "Hermione, it's one o'clock. Why don't I go get my nails done and you stay here picking out a dress? Ron can stay with you," she proposed. Hermione glanced at Ron. He looked about ready to rip apart every dress in the store but nodded when she looked at him. She smiled at him and turned to Ginny. "All right. We'll meet you and Harry in the Cairo Delights restaurant in one hour, okay?"
Ginny nodded. She grabbed Harry's arm again and they left the store.
Ron groaned. Hermione turned a questioning look towards him. "What's wrong?" she asked.
Ron scowled. "Do they have to do that?"
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Do what?"
"Do what? Well, make it so obvious that they're—ugh—together," Ron replied.
Hermione smiled. "Leave them alone. They're happy, aren't they?" Ron nodded but still scowled. Rubbing his eyes, he said, "It's just...gross, you know? He probably snogged her already or something...and she's my sister, Hermione! It's little Ginny!"
Hermione shook her head. "She's not so little. She's a very pretty young woman who loves you very much. She doesn't bother you about your relationships—um, well, when you have one or something like that—er..." It was a rare time when Hermione started mumbling.
This was one of them.
Ron ignored her stuttering and grabbed her hand gently. "Yeah, you're right," he whispered, stepping closer to her. "She never bothers me about anyone I'm with...so I should just stop being a jealous prat."
"But you've never been with someone, have you?"
Staring her straight in her eye, he whispered, "I've come as close as you can come...and soon, maybe that'll change."
Her eyes darted across his face, as if searching for further explanation.
Ron let go of her hand and said, "Can't you pick out a dress randomly?" Hermione shook her head. "C'mon, Hermione, it's easy. Just stick your arm out and close your eyes and then pick a dress. Look." Ron thrust his arm into one of the dress racks, closed his eyes, and stuck his tongue out in concentration. Hermione giggled. The blind Ron snatched a coat hanger and brought out the dress.
It was perfect. Opening his eyes, Ron grinned. Hermione looked shocked. "D'you like it?" he asked. Hermione didn't answer. Of course she liked it. It was made of navy blue velvet. It wasn't eccentric or anything, just very simple and sweet. Hermione looked at Ron. "How did you do that? This is the perfect dress..." She checked the tag on the dress. "And the perfect size!"
Ron gave her a lopsided grin. "It's magic," he said. "Go, try it on!" Hermione bit her lip and took the dress from him. She couldn't wait to see how it looked on her.
And if the truth be told, Ron felt the exact same way.
He waited patiently by the dressing rooms. He was wondering what Ginny and Harry were up to when he heard the door open. Hermione stepped out shyly. It was all he could do not to gasp.
It was as if the dress were made for her and only her. It fit her perfectly and clung to her figure in all the right places. Ron wasn't sure if his mouth was hanging open or not. He supposed it was but he didn't care. From the look he was giving her, Hermione could tell he actually cared about her, but she just didn't know how much...and, like he had said, maybe soon that would change.
"What do you think?" Hermione mumbled, holding her breath.
Ron grinned and said, "Am I sleeping? `Cause this is what it feels like to dream." All he wanted to do was take her in his arms and tell her the truth, everything he had wanted for so long, and kiss her until the end of the world.
But this was not the time...soon...soon...
"Soon," he whispered.
"Soon what?"
"You'll know...everything. Just—just wait," Ron said slowly. Hermione's eyebrows furrowed as she cocked her head to the side.
"Ron, what's this all about?"
"Nothing—just—just be patient, okay?" Ron said, almost like if he was begging. Hermione nodded. Ron continued. "Anyway, you have to buy that dress because you're just...a vision. Just go buy it, it's perfect." Before he could tell what was happening, Hermione had thrown her arms around him and laid her head on his shoulder. Ron stroked her back gently. Then he heard Hermione whispering in his ear. "You have to be patient too..." before she pulled away. "I'll go change," she said, and with that, she went into the dressing room and closed the door.
A few minutes later, Ron and Hermione were walking out of Cleo Style, the store where they bought the dress, and, to Ron's disgust, he was carrying Hermione's bag.
"C'mon, Ron, we're supposed to meet Ginny and Harry in 15 minutes!" Hermione said, sticking out her hand for a taxi. The car slowed down to a stop and Ron opened the door. Hermione was about to step inside when Ron climbed in. She narrowed her eyes and followed suit. When she closed the door, she said crossly to the taxi driver, "The Cairo Delights restaurant, please." Ron looked at her sideways.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Fine," Hermione answered curtly.
"Ah, shit, what is it? We got your dress didn't we?"
"Mm-hmm." She clicked her tongue. "Ron, you should learn your manners."
"Eh?"
Hermione scoffed. "You're supposed to open the door and let the lady get in the car first. You don't just climb in."
Ron sniggered. "That's why you're mad? Well, someone's moody today."
Hermione wrinkled her nose. "Shut up."
"I'm sorry! Damn, what is it with women and manners?"
"It's a little thing called respect! You should learn about it!"
"What if I don't want to?"
"Ugh, you're such a pain!"
"Are you two always like this?" the taxi driver butt in.
"Yes," Ron and Hermione answered together.
"Well, not always," said Hermione. "I mean, we do argue but we're best friends."
"That probably doesn't make any sense, huh?" Ron asked.
"Nope," replied the taxi driver. Ron and Hermione glanced at each other at the same time. Then they burst into laughter.
"Now what is it?" the taxi driver asked, obviously amused.
"I don't know!" squeaked Hermione.
"You don't know! This is priceless!" Ron said, which made them laugh even harder.
The taxi driver chuckled. "We're here," he announced.
"What do we owe you?" asked Ron, which earned him a smile from Hermione. At least he was offering to pay; that was pretty gentleman-like.
The taxi driver grinned and shook his head. "Nothing. You guys gave me a good laugh," he said. "Not many people can be friends like you two obviously can." He chuckled again. "Have fun," he said.
"Thank you," said Hermione.
Ron stepped out and held the door open for Hermione. "Is that better?" he asked. Hermione nodded.
"Thanks, mate," Ron said to the taxi driver as he closed the door.
"No problem," said the taxi driver, and he sped off.
"C'mon, it's exactly two o'clock," Hermione said, grabbing Ron's hand and dragging him towards Cairo Delights.
As they neared the large porch, Ron groaned. "Ugh..." he said and pointed to one of the tables. Harry and Ginny were sitting there...well, Harry was sitting in one of the chairs provided. Ginny, however, seemed very comfortable atop Harry's lap. Hermione smiled. "Ron, not a word. Remember..." she said. Ron felt a strange urge to talk, but he said nothing. He just nodded and followed her to the table, scowling.
"Hello!" Ginny said, not bothering to leave her perch. Ron mumbled what could be a "Hi." Harry grinned and looked at Hermione. "Did you find a dress?"
Hermione nodded. "I'll show it to you and Ginny back at the hotel. Ron's carrying the bag for me." Harry and Ginny sniggered; Ron shot them a dirty glare.
Hermione raised her eyebrows. "So...shall we order?"
An hour later, when they quite satisfied with a lunch of Mediterranean lobsters, the four teenagers headed for the nail salon. Ginny's fingernails were painted a soft lavender to match her dress and her toenails showed off the same color as she walked in high-heeled sandals. Harry and Ron were walking behind Hermione and Ginny, engaged in conversation about just how stupid Snape was and how the Cannons would win the next World Cup.
"They're delusional about the Cannons," said Ginny. Hermione giggled.
"Yeah, they are," she agreed.
Hermione was admiring the color of Ginny's toenails when she suddenly stopped and slapped her forehead. "Oh, no," she muttered.
"What is it?" Harry asked as he and Ron joined the girls.
"I'm wearing sneakers," Hermione said in dismay.
"Shit!" Hermione's eyes widened when she heard Ginny swearing. "Hermione, I told you to bring sandals, at least to wear after you've had your nails done!"
"I know!"
Ron tapped Ginny's shoulder. "Translation from girl babble, please."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Think about it, you git. Hermione's getting her toenails done. She can't wear sneakers after she's had them done or she'll ruin them! That's why she had to bring sandals."
"Oh...well, that was stupid!" Hermione glared at him. Ron bit his lip. "Erm, I mean, now what are we gonna do?"
Hermione shook her head. "We can just hope they get dry fast." Ron, Harry, and Ginny just shrugged. "C'mon," Hermione said, and she walked off towards the nail salon across the street.
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"Damn," Hermione muttered so no one would hear her. Her toenails had been painted thirty minutes ago and they still weren't dry. Her fingernails were dry long ago.
"What was that?" Ron said, grinning. "I heard you! Now it's my turn." He cleared his throat. "Don't swear, Hermione!" Hermione sneered at him before turning back to her nails.
"We're never gonna get out of here!" Hermione moaned.
"You can say that again."
"Ron, this is not my fault!"
"Yes it is. You didn't bring sandals."
"Well, fine! Blame it all on me, why don't you! And I suppose you won't do anything about it?"
"You know what? There might be something we could do..." Ron turned to talk to Harry, who stood by the salon window with Ginny. "Oi! Harry!" he yelled. Harry turned and looked at him. "D'you reckon we can carry Hermione to the taxi and then to the hotel?" Ron asked him. Harry nodded. "Yeah, probably," he said. Ron grinned. "Good. We can get out of here."
Hermione shook her head. "Hold on a minute. You two can't carry me. No, we'll just wait a while longer."
"Hell no! I'm bloody tired of waiting!" complained Ron
"Then leave, you impatient prat!"
"C'mon, Hermione, just let us carry you out, it's only for a little while! And then we can get out of here!"
Ginny nodded. "Hermione, it'll be easier. I'll carry your shoes for you."
Hermione sighed reluctantly. "Fine," she muttered. "But don't say I didn't warn you..." She paid and waited for her friends to carry her.
Bloody hell.
"Harry, you put one arm around her waist and one under her knee. I'll do the same," instructed Ron. Hermione grunted what sounded like "I'm warning you..." when she felt herself being picked up. Harry was carrying her like he was afraid he might drop her and kill her. Ron, though, had a tight grip around her waist and stepped closer to her. "Let's walk," he said to Harry. They made their way out the door and to the curb. Ginny followed close behind and put her hand out for a taxi.
It was an odd sight. Two boys carrying a girl who was light enough for one of them to carry and a second girl standing behind, holding a pair of sneakers and trying to hitch a cab.
When a taxi finally stopped, Harry and Ron hastily, well, threw Hermione inside, to her displeasure. They climbed in on either side of her and Ginny sat at the front. "The Alexandria Hotel, please," she said.
All the way there, Hermione sat scowling, Harry looked scared to death of killing his best friend, and Ron was deep in thought about the very tiring events of the day.
Through the small arguments he had had with Hermione, he still had noticed how free they could be with each other. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that they weren't around any classmates (chiefly Fred and George) to bother them about their—could it be called a relationship?
It was still complicated.
He just wanted to tell her. Well, there was more than one thing he wanted to tell her. He wanted to tell her about his pen pal. But she might take it the wrong way, being here in Egypt and everything. No, it was an inopportune time. Serena would have to wait. (A/n: Don't ask cuz I'm not telling!!! Figure it out!!!)
But the other thing...it was special...it could not be sprung on her when she wasn't ready...or when he wasn't ready...
When they arrived, Harry paid the fee and both boys stepped out to help Hermione. They did as they had done at the nail salon and carried her out towards the hotel.
"I'm telling you, I'm too heavy for you to carry me!" Hermione said.
"You're not heavy. You just say that `cause it's the duty of every woman to say they're fat even if they're not," Ron said exasperated.
"I'm not saying I'm fat, I'm just heavy!" Hermione moaned.
Ron gritted his teeth. "Harry, let go."
"What?!" said Harry and Hermione.
"I said let go. If I can carry her alone, then she's not heavy," explained Ron. "Go on; let go!" Harry looked terrified but he nodded and let go.
"RON!!!" screeched Hermione. She threw her around his neck and held on for dear life. "You git!" she screamed, which was quite bad, since her mouth was right next to his ear. "Are you trying to kill me?!"
Ron sniggered. "No, of course not!" he said. Hermione clung to him, her face right next to his. Ron tightened his grip on her waist. "Don't worry, Hermione, do you really think I would let anything hurt you?"
"Um..."
"Hermione! Just trust me. And I told you—you're not heavy!"
Hermione smiled, although he couldn't see her. "Nice experiment to prove it." She felt Ron move closer to her before he carried her to the hotel. He hoped he wouldn't open his big mouth and spill his guts when he wasn't supposed to. Being like this with Hermione didn't help his situation.
But most of all, he hoped Hermione's dad was far away right now, at least until he stopped carrying his Sunshine.
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"Okay, now you can open your eyes," Ginny said to Hermione, setting down the brush. Hermione stared at herself in the mirror. She couldn't remember a single time before when she considered herself pretty. But now...well, Ginny was a miracle worker. Two thick strands of hair from the side of her head were pulled back and tied at the back. Her face was framed with a couple of curly strands of hair. Ginny had applied a soft blue eyeshadow on her eyelids and a glittering lip gloss on her lips. Her dress flowed down to her ankles and she wore high-heeled black sandals adorned with glittering beads.
"You look stunning, Hermione!" Ginny said sincerely. "Wait till Ron sees you! I'm willing to bet he'll faint."
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "I beg your pardon?"
Ginny threw her hair back. "Oh, come on, don't pretend you don't know. I mean, isn't obvious?" She chuckled. "You probably know, don't you? The truth is, who doesn't?" She patted Hermione's shoulder. "Did he tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"That he likes you! Has he confessed yet?"
"No." Hermione grimaced. "I mean, he doesn't have anything to confess!"
Ginny shook her head. "I don't know who's worse, you or him." Hermione bit her lip. Why were they having this conversation?
Ginny's eyes suddenly widened. "But has he told you about—no, I don't think he's told you...Harry would've known, and he would've told me. He'll tell you when he thinks it's right."
"Is this about all those letters? I know the three of you know. What's so bad about it that I can't know?"
"It's not that it's bad, it's that you might take it the wrong way. I think that's why Ron hasn't told you. But he will, don't worry."
Hermione sighed. "I don't know, Ginny. Maybe he should just tell me if I promise I'll hear him out."
"No, just wait." Ginny thought for a moment. "Hermione, tell me the truth. Do you like my brother?"
Hermione groaned. "Why do you ask?"
"`Cause it seems like you do. And listen, you know how close I am to Ron. I've never seen him act with anyone like he acts with you. I'm sure he likes you—a lot."
Hermione didn't tell her that she was pretty damn sure herself.
She laid down on the bed. "I—oh, fine." She looked at Ginny; she seemed to be holding her breath. "Just one question. Why do you wanna know if I—you know—the thing..."
Ginny sniggered. "You sound funny. I just wanna know if you like him because if you do, it would make him ecstatic. Just how deep his feelings go, I don't know—but I think they run pretty deep."
Hermione closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Since the day we met." Ginny grinned. Hermione kept talking in whispers. "I don't know if he ever told you, but he called me a nightmare and a know-it-all once in first year and I ran to the bathroom, crying. Tons of other people had called me a know-it-all, but when he did, it crushed me. I thought that maybe I could still be somewhat okay to him but...when he said that, I knew he would never like me the least bit."
"You poor thing. I'm gonna go down there and punch that bastard!"
"Ginny, don't talk that way about your brother. Anyway, when he decided to be my friend, I thought that maybe I had a chance with him. At the Yule Ball, though, it felt like I was nothing to him, that I was just there to use when nothing else was available.
"I haven't told anyone because I'm afraid, Gin. I'm afraid that people won't accept that I care about him and afraid that people will tease him about the know-it-all liking him. It's too risky. Besides, I know he's keeping that secret of the letters from me, and it gives me an ominous feeling, like there's something there that might keep me from him. And that's what scares me the most; being away from him."
Ginny stared at the girl in front of her. If she didn't know any better, she would say that Hermione was—
"Hermione, I think you might be in love with my brother," she said slowly.
Hermione sighed. "It doesn't make any difference what I feel...no matter how much I convince myself that there might be something there, the shadow of secrecy creeps in and pushes that feeling out. Until I know exactly the meaning of his secrecy, I can't do anything to try to be with him."
"Hermione, don't think Ron's trying to keep hidden from you..."
"I'm sorry, Ginny, but that's the way I see it." She looked up and smiled at her. "Thanks for listening, Gin." She hugged the girl that had become almost like a sister. "I feel better, letting it all out."
Ginny hugged her back. "Anytime you need to talk, I'm here." She pulled back and grinned. "Now come on! We've got a party to go to!"
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"Boy, I tell you, never trust women! They're a mess of bossing around and hittin' you and being all lazy and—hehe, hi honey!"
Ron looked rather scared at the way Robert Granger was acting. Instead of standing, he was, well, wobbling and he had this goofy grin on his face. He was very much drunk. And he had decided to pull Ron aside to give him tips on life. He had being rambling on and on about women when his wife passed by.
"Um, Mr. Granger, I think you better sit down..." Ron said, as if speaking to a very small child.
"Nonsense, poopy pants!!" Mr. Granger bellowed joyously. Ron raised an eyebrow. This was just...wrong. "C'mon, Rob, have a little rum!"
"It's Ron, not Rob, sir, and no, I don't think I should," Ron said tonelessly. He was about to try to run away when he felt someone yank his hand. He turned and almost fainted.
"Hey," Hermione said, grinning. She looked so stunning it was impossible that she wasn't all made of magic. And the way she was smiling at him made him feel like he could melt in an instant.
"Hermione?" he choked.
"Yessir, she's my son!" Mr. Granger boomed. "Look at her, he's so pretty!!"
Hermione's mouth dropped. "Dad?" she said incredulously. "Daddy, what happened to you?"
"He's drunk," Ron said simply. Hermione rubbed her temples. Her father couldn't be drunk...he never drank more than one glass of wine!
"I was just telling this boy," he said, wagging his finger at Ron, "—is he your boyfriend? Okay, I was telling your boyfriend that—what was I saying, Don?"
"It's Ron, and I am not your daughter's boyfriend," Ron said, blushing slightly.
"Of course you are! Lookit! Your mouth was hanging open when she came in!" Mr. Granger yelled, like he was talking to Ron across the Atlantic Ocean. "And anyway, I asked you if you wanted to dance?" Ron looked really scared at this point. He turned to Hermione and mouthed "Help me!" Mr. Granger was laughing stupidly. "Let's go!" He grabbed Ron's arm and dragged him across the room to where the bar was.
Ginny had just come with Harry to where Hermione was standing. "Hey, Ron looks really good, but what is your dad doing, Hermione?" Hermione was rubbing her temples again and muttering, "Not happening, not happening..."
Harry watched as Mr. Granger pushed Ron into a chair at the bar and shoved a glass of rum in his direction. Ron looked like he was pleading to be released but Mr. Granger looked like he would have no such thing. Harry chuckled. "I kinda feel sorry for him." Hermione looked ready to punch her dad if he didn't let Ron go.
Later on in the night, she found out she should have followed her instinct and punched him.
"Blue moooooon!!!! You saw me standin' alooooone!! Without a dream in my heart!! Without a love of my own!!! Wawawawawaaaaa!!!"
Hermione had her head in her hands. Ginny and Harry were glancing at her nervously. Apparently, it was quite scary seeing her dad arm in arm with Ron, both singing at the top of their lungs. "Hermione, are you okay?" asked Harry cautiously.
"Leave me here to die," she muttered. "It's too much too handle."
It really was too much. Ron was now laughing beyond belief and Mr. Granger was patting him on the back. The men gathered around them were laughing too and each one of them had a glass of some kind of alcohol in their hand. Ron's glass was full to the brim.
"How much has he drunk?" Hermione asked.
Ginny bit her lip. "I've counted 3 glasses of rum. Ron's never come close to getting drunk...he looks weird."
Hermione's head jerked up. "You think?! Look at him! He's a mess. He's singing with the same guy who almost killed him the day they met! I swear he's got a death wish!" Hermione grunted. "Oh, honestly, men are so irresponsible." Harry cleared his throat. "No offense, Harry," Hermione added hastily.
"Hello—hic—Jenny!"
Hermione turned around to glare at Ron. He had wobbled over and was now proceeding to poke Ginny on the shoulder. "Ron, shame on you! You even forgot your sister's name, you're so drunk!"
Ron looked confused. "Hey, Larry—hic—I'm not drunk, huh?" He sniggered stupidly. "Look at—hic—me! I'm fine! You worry—hic—too much, Hermyown." Hermione narrowed her eyes. Ron smiled. "You're cute! You look—hic—really cute when you're mad!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "You don't know what you're saying. Sit down if you can tell which of the four chairs you see is the real one." She grabbed his arm.
"Heeeeeey!" He yanked his arm away. "I know which—hic—one it is! It's that one!" He pointed to absolutely nothing. Hermione shook her head and sighed, exasperated. Ron looked unperturbed by her attitude. "Ooh, why don't we sing a song?" Ron said gleefully. Ginny, Harry, and Hermione all threw one hand over his mouth.
"That's okay, Ron, we've had enough of your singing," Harry said. Ron looked like he was about to cry.
"Ugh, why did you have to go and drink?" Ginny said, slapping her brother on the back of his head.
Though it was slightly muffled, they could hear him yelling, "I told you—hic—I didn't drink!" Hermione pulled her hand away. She hated when drunk people walked around drooling.
"I'm not gonna stand here and listen to your nonsense, Ron," Hermione snapped.
"That's me! Ron!" he shouted happily.
Hermione rolled her eyes again. "I'm getting out of here." She stormed away. Ron's mind seemed to function a little more properly and he rid himself of Harry and Ginny and ran after her.
"Sorry, Hermione!" he yelled after her. Hermione was walking with her hands crossed over her chest. The sand was getting into her sandals and the wind was tangling her hair but she didn't care. She thought this night might be it. And there he went and got drunk. It wasn't fair.
Having longer legs than her, Ron caught up to her very fast. He grabbed her elbow and turned her around. "Sorry," he said. "I didn't—hic—mean to make you feel bad. I didn't even mean—hic—to get drunk." At least he wasn't yelling anymore and he actually admitted to being drunk.
"You didn't make me feel bad, it's just...oh, forget it. There'll be other times." Ron looked very puzzled. Hermione didn't blame him. She felt kind of sorry for him, since her dad had given him the rum. "That's okay. Daddy made you get drunk, since he's so drunk himself." She gave him a small smile to let him know she wasn't mad at him. Ron returned it.
"You look so amazing tonight," he murmured. Hermione cocked her head to one side. Maybe it was true that when you were drunk you told the truth. So maybe...
"Thank you," she said. She took a step to be closer to him. She closed her eyes. "Mmm. You smell good." She wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his chest.
"I could fall asleep—hic—like this," Ron whispered. Hermione felt a slight swaying and realized Ron was still wobbling. She giggled a little.
Ron pulled away from her. "Are you sleepy?" Hermione nodded. "Do you wanna go back—hic—to the party?" Hermione shook her head. "Me either," he said and sniggered. "Come on."
He took her hand and wobbled her to the oasis next to the hotel. There were some torches lit to give it a romantic aura. Tied to some of the palm trees were beige hammocks. Ron led her to the nearest one.
"Climb—hic—on," he said, letting go of her hand. She smiled and clambered on the soft hammock. She breathed the fresh air and closed her eyes. Then she felt the hammock moving and realized Ron was also climbing on.
"Ooh, it's nice here!" Ron said, like a child discovering something on his own. "It's pretty." Hermione sniggered. "What?" asked Ron indignantly.
"You sound weird."
"Well, then...shut up!" This made Hermione laugh more. Ron looked thoughtful for a moment. Then he leapt off the hammock and managed to say "Be right back!" before speeding off into the hotel.
He returned a minute later with a glass of—was it water? Hermione couldn't tell from a distance. When he was closer, he waved it slightly in her face and said, "Thought you might be thirsty. Here." He passed the glass to her with a slight smirk. Hermione watched him curiously as she took the glass from him.
"Ron, what exactly is this?" Hermione asked, swirling the transparent substance in the glass.
"It's—it's water!" Ron said persuasively. "Just drink it, Hermione!" Hermione bit her lip and shrugged. Then she raised the glass to her lips and drank all of it in one gulp. As soon as she had finished drinking, she burst into a coughing fit. "Ron!" she managed to gasp. "That—wasn't—water!" Ron was sniggering rather stupidly. Hermione clutched a stitch in her chest before lunging at him. She landed on top of him and started slapping his shoulders. "That was—hic—um..." She stopped attacking him and looked puzzled for a moment. Then, without warning, she laid down on top of him with her eyes slightly closed. "Mmm...you smell like...potpourri...mmm," she whispered dreamily. And with that, Hermione fainted.
Ron looked taken aback. That was not the reaction he had expected. He pulled himself back so Hermione's head rested on his chest instead of on his face, because who knows what stupid thing he would manage to do while drunk? Hermione looked like she was sleeping, with a peaceful smile on her lips. Ron stroked her hair gently, taking one of the curls that framed her face and wrapping it around his finger. She looked so beautiful, even a drunk idiot could see that. Ron leaned forward and gingerly removed the sandals from her feet. Now she would be more comfortable. Ron stared out into the sky. He didn't feel so drunk anymore. All he cared about was here and now, alone with Hermione.
A breeze blew the salty smell of the Mediterranean Sea to them. It rocked the hammock back and forth and made the torches dance, as if they were alive, a great mystery in their depths. Hermione's chest kept rising and falling steadily as Ron played with her hair. As he stared off into the dark starry sky, unaware of anything but him and Hermione, he heard a childish giggle. He looked down at the figure on top of him and saw her smiling up at him. Her chocolate eyes glimmered as she giggled again.
"Hi," she said shyly. "You know what?"
"What?" asked Ron. Apparently, he wasn't drunk anymore. Apparently, Hermione was.
"You have freckles!" She giggled. Ron raised an eyebrow and Hermione looked at him, puzzled. "You didn't know? Look!" She raised her index finger to his nose. "There's a bunch of tiny little brown dots on your nosey-poo! There's one there and there and—"
"Yeah, I know," Ron said, grabbing her wrist so she would stop poking his face to indicate his freckles. The silly smile that had been on her face faded and was replaced with teary eyes.
"That hurts! You're mean!" she said reproachfully. She turned her back on him and said. "I don't like you anymore!"
"Sorry, I'm really mean," said Ron, playing along.
"Okay!" Hermione turned around, grinning. Ron smiled weakly.
Obviously, Hermione and alcohol didn't mix.
"Hey! You're name is Ron! It's not Rob or Don or Flan! It's Ron!" She wrinkled her nose. "I don't like when they call you Ronald. It's not you...you're Ron!" She giggled yet again and threw her arms around his neck, making him lie flat on his back. This left her very much on top of him. "You know that your last name is Weasley?" Ron nodded slowly and she grinned. "I like it! I wish I was a Weasley..." She leaned forward and whispered, "Maybe there's a way that can happen, huh?" She winked at him and started mumbling something.
Oh, hell...maybe she would spit it out without meaning to! Spit what out? There it was; that nasty little voice inside his head, mixing up his words. He felt like choking it.
"But then why would you want me to be a Weasley?" asked Hermione, pouting. "Why would you want me when there are girls like Fleur Delacour around?" She pulled away from him. "Just say it! You hate me! You hate me `cause I'm ugly and I'm a know-it-all! I know you hate me!" She slammed her fists against the hammock while angry tears started making their way down her face. Ron grabbed her shoulders and brought her face close to his.
"I don't hate you," he murmured. He wiped the tears on her face with one gentle finger. Hermione stopped crying and yelling and shivered instead. Ron held her chin in his hands. "No, the total opposite," he whispered again. He looked at her silently for an immense amount of time. He looked into her chocolate eyes, felt that her full lips looked very pink and inviting, and that she looked so innocent and vulnerable in this state. Then he looked back into her eyes and said, "How can you make me feel like who I am is perfectly all right? How can you make me feel so special?" He might as well say something; she wouldn't remember a thing anyway. On the other hand, he would remember it perfectly well.
Tears were filling in her eyes; he was sure they were in his too. "You're cute," she said softly. "And sweet. But just because you're you, I love you!" Ron felt a great flutter somewhere in the pit of his stomach. Would she remember if he, erm, confessed anything to her? No, she probably wouldn't. This was best left for a more opportune time.
"Yeah, me too," he said. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. Hermione seemed startled by his action but said nothing. She just snuggled close to him and closed her eyes. "Don't ever leave me," she murmured. "Please." Her short statement puzzled Ron. Don't leave her? Did she really think he would do that?
"I won't," he said, stroking her back. "I won't."
And with that, both fell asleep.
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A/n: Sorry if this was kinda long to read or maybe all scrunched up into one chapter but I think it was necessary to put it all together. So, it's been two days since I last updated! Cool, huh? But don't expect me to update everything as fast as I updated this. Thank you guys for your reviews, they were great to read, and now I'm at 129! All right, I won't put comments cuz I really wanna get this up and it would make this way too long. I hope you liked this…and what is to come!!! Woo-hoo! :::people stare::: sorry…
--R/Hr Fan :o)