When we reached the door, I pushed Harry inside, and a gigantic,
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HARRY!" soon followed. I went inside to see the look on
Harry's face. It was one mingled with surprise and amazement. As soon as he
saw me, Harry pulled me into a breath-taking hug. Literately.
"What-?" I said. Didn't he like Cho?
"I thought you forgot my birthday," said Harry sheepishly, releasing me. "Did you plan all this, Emerald?"
"Well, actually-"
"Yeah, she did, Harry," Hermione interrupted. I shot her a puzzled look; she just winked.
That afternoon was spent eating the wonderful angel food cake Mrs. Weasley had made, watching Harry open his gifts (he gave me yet another bear hug when he opened mine), and having a furious silly-string fight. We were just heading up to bed when Harry stopped me.
"I just want to say thanks," he explained, picking the silly-string out of his hair.
"No problem," I replied, "but Hermione lied. She was the one who was planned all this; I just helped her shop and decorate."
"I know. Hermione always was a terrible liar; except when it mattered."
"Like in your first year. With the troll and all."
"Yeah." Harry shrugged. "So, er, thanks for the Practice Snitch. I'm really going to need it this year. I've been out of practice for too long."
"You looked pretty good out there," I said awkwardly. This couldn't be the only reason Harry wanted to talk to me. He could've said this without talking to me alone.
"Well," Harry continued, looking at everything but my face, "the real reason I wanted to talk to you is-" he took a deep breath "- wilyougoouwimi?" "Hmm?" I asked nervously. Oh, no! I thought desperately. What about Ginny? I couldn't stand it if I hurt her!
"During the past week," Harry said slowly, "I've really gotten to- you know, like you. A- a lot. So, I was thinking, maybe we could be- you know..." His voice trailed off hopefully.
"You were thinking we could go out," I finished his sentence for him.
"Er, well, yeah," he said. His eyes met mine, and I melted. How could I say no? After all, he was cute, funny, and caring; all the qualities in the perfect boyfriend.
But how could I not say no? I mean, Ginny had crushed on him ever since she first saw him. I didn't want to hurt her. I bit my lip and made up my mind.
"Sure." I smiled. "That would be great."
Harry's face lit up like a Christmas light. He pulled me into another embrace, but this one was softer. I returned it without a moment's hesitation. Already I could tell this year was going to be interesting. The next morning, Harry woke me up, fully dressed.
"Rise and shine," he said, thrusting open my curtains, I shielded my eyes from the dazzling light of the sun.
"Harry," I groaned, turning over, "Hermione did this to me yesterday. I need my beauty sleep."
"Do you want to learn how to play Quidditch or not?" Harry asked, pulling the covers off of my body.
"Yes, but why so early?" I mumbled, trying to grab the sheets back. Harry kept them out of my reach.
"It's not early," Harry said. "It's 8:30. Now up and at 'em."
I groaned. "Fine, fine." I rose and streched the sleep from my body. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get dressed," I said, shooing Harry out.
After I dressed, I splashed some cold water on my face. When I emerged from my room, Harry pushed me back inside; he had two brooms in his hand.
"Harry," I said exasperatedly, "how are we going to get down to the field?"
"We fly." Harry tossed me one of the broom sticks. "Come on." He walked out onto the balcony. I followed.
As soon as I opened my mouth, Harry told me to mount my broom. I did so, and Harry corrected my grip on the handle.
"Now kick off."
I pushed myself as hard as I could from the ground, and suddenly, I was flying. Up and up I went, enjoying the feel of the wind on my face. After a few more seconds, Harry called me out of my thoughts.
"La-la land again?" he said sarcastically.
"Yep," I laughed back, soaring down to meet him; he was about 25 feet below me, which made me realize how far up I had actually been. "Well, if you're going to play Quidditch, la-la land should be the farthest place from your mind," Harry scolded, shaking a finger at me. I laughed and swatted him lightly on the head. He tried to look meanly at me, but all he managed was a kind of scrunched-up look.
"Ew, stop that!" I squealed. "You look wrong!"
His face relaxed. "But seriously, Emerald," he said, "you can get hurt at Quidditch. Believe me, I should know. Quidditch can be fun but it's also very-exhausting."
As it turns out, it was. From that time until lunch, Harry showed me all the basics (which were really basic) and then all the tricks. Whenever I tried to do them, I just fell flat on my face.
"It isn't funny!" I exclaimed as Harry laughed. He was holding his broom for support, he was laughing so hard. "Let's see how funny you find this," I mumbled to myself; I charged.
Harry caught unaware, toppled backward as I rammed into him.
"Gerroff me, Emerald!" Harry exclaimed, struggling to get out from under me.
"How funny is it now, Harry?" I asked evily, pinning his wrists to the grassy field.
"Very," was the reply. Harry shifted his weight and in one quick motion, the positions had been switched. Harry was now pinning me to the ground.
"What the-? " I said, shocked. Harry shrugged, without letting go of me.
"Quidditch reflexes," he guessed, leaning in closer. He was about an inch from my nose, when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flicker of red. I turned my head towards it in the last second, making Harry's lips smash into my cheek. "What was that?" I asked, looking for the source of the red.
"What was what?" Harry asked, releasing his grip on my wrists. I sat up and hugged my knees to my chest.
"I saw a flash of red out of the corner of my eye," I said, turning to face him. "Harry, I think it was Ginny."
"Ginny?" replied Harry, his face blank.
"Isn't it obvious?" I asked. "Ginny's liked you since, like, when you first met Ron at King's Cross. How do you think she'd feel if she saw our faces only an inch apart?"
"Not very happy is my bet," Harry sighed, picking at the grass.
Bulls-eye," I replied, staring off into space. "Harry, maybe we should keep our relationship under wraps until we get to Hogwarts."
"Yeah," replied Harry, looking mildly somber. "Good idea."
That night at dinner, Harry and I both avoided Ginny's eyes. We knew this made us look even more "guilty", but we were too afraid to see hurt in her eyes to care. Ginny was quiet all through dinner, hardly ever looking up from her food. This made me confirm the belief that the flash of red I saw was Ginny.
Oh, Ginny, I'm so sorry! I told her silently. Please don't hate me forever.
That night went much too slowly for my liking, or Harry's, and we were both glad to shut ourselves in our rooms. After I slipped into my p.js, I curled up in a ball under the soft covers of my bed. The events of the past month flashed through my mind in seconds.
Me, escaping from Voldemort...
My meeting with Harry...
The birthday party...
Oh, D.C, I thought, things are getting so complicated.
Yes, I know, was the reply. But you aren't making them any easier by staying up all night. Go to be now; you need it.
I will, I said, letting the connection drift. I closed my eyes, and in a few more seconds, fell asleep. Tap, tap. I groaned and rolled over, ignoring the sound.
Tap, tap.
"Wha' is it?? I said thickly, raising my head.
a large barn owl was walking to and fro on the balcony railing. There was a letter tied to its leg. When it saw me looking, it ruffled it's feathers importantly and hooted impatiently.
"Ok, ok," I said, rising out of bed. "Can I help it if I like to sleep in?"
The owl just shot me a "not funny" look. When I reached it, it stuck out it's leg so I could unite the letter from it. When the owl was free from its burden, it took off.
"What a friendly little bird," I said sarcastically, walking back inside.
I sat down at the little desk by the archway and rolled open the letter.
"Ohmigod," I gasped as I read it.
Dear Ms. Destiny,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enclosed is a list of supplies you will need for the coming year and a letter of congratulations from Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.
Sincerely,
Professor M. McGonagall
"Ohmigod!" I whispered, setting the piece of parchment down. Reaching inside the envelope, I pulled out two more pieces. I scanned over the first piece, which was my supply list, then read the second.
Emerald~
I take it you are enjoying yourself at you current residence.
Congratulations on getting accepted at Hogwarts. For your safety, I believe that we should present you as an American transfer student. We don't want to raise any suspicions. I look forward to seeing you at Hogwarts when term starts. Congratulations again.
Sincerely,
Professor Dumbledore
"No way," I said, staring off into the thick woods surrounding the backyard. "I'm going to be a witch."
I hopped out of the chair and jumped around the room.
"I'm going to be a witch!" I laughed crazily, running across the hall to Harry's room. I jumped up on the bed next to his sleeping form and bounced up and down. His eyes flung open and he sat bolt upright, looking around frantically.
"What's the matter?" he asked thin air. "What-?" He caught sight of me. "Good God, Emerald, what are you trying to do, give me a heart attack?" Harry reached for his glasses and put them on.
"I'm going to be a witch!" I half-screamed, hugging Harry and knocking his glasses askew.
"Wha-what?" Harry gasped. I released him and fixed his glasses.
"You heard me. I'm going to be a witch," I said happily.
"That's great!" Harry said. He took my hand and kissed my cheek. "Now I get to show off my new Barbie doll."
"That's so funny I forgot to laugh," I said blankly. "I hate Barbie dolls."
"Then would you settle for fashion model?"
I laughed. "Like they'd buy that."
"They don't have to," said Harry. "I believe it,"
"You are such a major suck-up."
"I know." Harry shrugged.
"Hey, Harry," I said, "did you get your letter from Hogwarts?"
"Yeah, I think so." Harry looked over at his desk. There was an envelope on it. "Yep."
"I wonder when we're going to Diagon Alley." My question was answered at lunch.
"So did you all get your letters today?" asked Mrs. Weasley.
"Yes," everyone chorused.
"Well, then, I'll go over to Diagon Alley and get your things," Mrs. Weasley stated.
"You don't have to," I began.
"Nonsense." Mrs., Weasley waved my words away. "I have to go over there anyway."
"Ok, if it's no problem for you," I said. "Um, could I ask you a favor?"
"Of course, dear."
"I only have Muggle money, so could you exchange it at Gringotts for me?" I asked tentatively.
"I'd be happy to," Mrs. Weasley said, smiling.
"Thanks," I said, relieved.
"Hey, Emerald," Ron said suddenly, "you brought your bathing suit, right?"
"I think so," I said slowly. Ron and Harry exchanged evil grins.
"Meet us at the swimming pool in ten minutes," said Harry. "Everybody else, too."
"First pillow fights, now this," I muttered to Hermione as Harry and Ron disappeared upstairs. Hermione giggled.
"Well, we better go change," she said. "Come on."
I followed Hermione up the two flights of stairs to our bedrooms. Harry and Ron ran past us on our way. Ron was wearing bright orange swim trunks, and Harry was wearing lime green. In one hand, Harry carried a bag of what looked to be balloons.
"A water balloon fight?" I whispered to Hermione before she disappeared into her room.
"How childish," she murmured back. I grinned and slipped inside my room. I searched around my trunk for my bathing suit- a blue Jantzen E.B. bikini. After putting it on, I wrapped a white towel from the bathroom around my waist and put my hair in a ponytail. Somebody knocked on the door just as I finished. I opened it to find Hermione in a bathing suit almost like mine except it was black.
"You look good," I said, beaming at her.
"Ditto," commented Hermione. Then she grinned. "Let's go; we have a water fight to win."
"Totally," I said, walking out of my room. On our way downstairs, we met Fred and George, who were both wearing sky blue swim trunks, and Ginny. She was wearing a yellow tankini with a white swim skirt tied around her waist.
"Hey, Ginny," I said, trying to be friendly. She shot me a cold look which lasted for a few seconds, then replied, "Hey."
The rest of the way downstairs was uncomfortably silent. I was somewhat glad for the "unexpected" shower of water balloons when we emerged outside.
Throwing my towel on a nearby lounging chair, I picked up on of the unbroken balloons and hurled it at Harry, hitting him right in the back of his head. He turned around and charged at me. I laced my hands behind my back and stepped aside as he reached me, causing Harry to take a surprise dip in the clear water.
"How is it?" I asked as Harry's head bobbed up and down. He spat out an arch of water. I laughed.
Suddenly, a rubber something connected with my back and exploded, sending a wave of cold water down my hips and legs. I turned around and found a half-circle of teens in bathing suits, each holding a good sized, brightly colored water balloon.
"Uh-oh," I said, automatically taking a step back. Unfortunately, all that was there was the pool. I wobbled a little bit and toppled in after Fred landed a balloon on my stomach.
"What'd you do that for?" I asked after I swam back up to the surface.
"'Cus it's always fun singling one person out," said George, winking. Turning to Harry, I recognized the familiar glint in his eyes that meant he was up to something.
"Oh, no," I said, backing away.
"Oh, yes," Harry insisted, diving after me. I screamed and squirmed out of his arms, half-running, half-swimming towards the stairs. After a while, Harry managed to securely pin my arms to my side and keep me from running away.
"You've got it in for me, don't you, Harry?" I asked, struggling helplessly against him.
"Maybe," he laughed back, squeezing tighter. "Ready?" Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny raised their balloons.
"Three..."
"No, don't!"
"Two..."
Harry-"
"One!" Ron finished. Four brightly colored, water filled balloons were loosed, exploding on my in various places.
"Ok, you've had your fun, now let me go!" I insisted. "Aw, you're no fun," Harry whined.
"I'm not?"
"Nope."
"Well, excuse me for not wanting to be bombarded with water balloons!" I laughed. "Really, Harry. Let me go."
"Ok." Harry released his grip on me. I landed with a splash in the pool. I turned to Harry, hands on my hips.
"Now, was that so hard?" I asked as though talking to a little child.
"No," Harry said. Turning to the Weasleys and Hermione, Harry shouted, "Come swim with us!"
A series of yells filled the air as five people ran up to the edge of the pool and jumped in, yelling, "Cannon ball!"
I shielded my face from the water as Ron, Fred, George, Hermione, and Ginny splashed into the water. The rest of the afternoon passed quickly as we splashed each other, dived, and swam laps. By the time we all went in, the sun was very low in the sky.
We climbed the stairs to our bedrooms to dry off and dress for dinner. Ginny shot Harry and me a very cold look before shutting herself in her room. Harry glanced worriedly at me, and I gazed reassuringly back. He gave my hand a squeeze before disappearing in his room. I slipped into mine, took a quick shower, and dressed in my clothes from the morning. I barely noticed the pile of paper wrapped packages and sack of money on my bed before I dashed out.
"What-?" I said. Didn't he like Cho?
"I thought you forgot my birthday," said Harry sheepishly, releasing me. "Did you plan all this, Emerald?"
"Well, actually-"
"Yeah, she did, Harry," Hermione interrupted. I shot her a puzzled look; she just winked.
That afternoon was spent eating the wonderful angel food cake Mrs. Weasley had made, watching Harry open his gifts (he gave me yet another bear hug when he opened mine), and having a furious silly-string fight. We were just heading up to bed when Harry stopped me.
"I just want to say thanks," he explained, picking the silly-string out of his hair.
"No problem," I replied, "but Hermione lied. She was the one who was planned all this; I just helped her shop and decorate."
"I know. Hermione always was a terrible liar; except when it mattered."
"Like in your first year. With the troll and all."
"Yeah." Harry shrugged. "So, er, thanks for the Practice Snitch. I'm really going to need it this year. I've been out of practice for too long."
"You looked pretty good out there," I said awkwardly. This couldn't be the only reason Harry wanted to talk to me. He could've said this without talking to me alone.
"Well," Harry continued, looking at everything but my face, "the real reason I wanted to talk to you is-" he took a deep breath "- wilyougoouwimi?" "Hmm?" I asked nervously. Oh, no! I thought desperately. What about Ginny? I couldn't stand it if I hurt her!
"During the past week," Harry said slowly, "I've really gotten to- you know, like you. A- a lot. So, I was thinking, maybe we could be- you know..." His voice trailed off hopefully.
"You were thinking we could go out," I finished his sentence for him.
"Er, well, yeah," he said. His eyes met mine, and I melted. How could I say no? After all, he was cute, funny, and caring; all the qualities in the perfect boyfriend.
But how could I not say no? I mean, Ginny had crushed on him ever since she first saw him. I didn't want to hurt her. I bit my lip and made up my mind.
"Sure." I smiled. "That would be great."
Harry's face lit up like a Christmas light. He pulled me into another embrace, but this one was softer. I returned it without a moment's hesitation. Already I could tell this year was going to be interesting. The next morning, Harry woke me up, fully dressed.
"Rise and shine," he said, thrusting open my curtains, I shielded my eyes from the dazzling light of the sun.
"Harry," I groaned, turning over, "Hermione did this to me yesterday. I need my beauty sleep."
"Do you want to learn how to play Quidditch or not?" Harry asked, pulling the covers off of my body.
"Yes, but why so early?" I mumbled, trying to grab the sheets back. Harry kept them out of my reach.
"It's not early," Harry said. "It's 8:30. Now up and at 'em."
I groaned. "Fine, fine." I rose and streched the sleep from my body. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get dressed," I said, shooing Harry out.
After I dressed, I splashed some cold water on my face. When I emerged from my room, Harry pushed me back inside; he had two brooms in his hand.
"Harry," I said exasperatedly, "how are we going to get down to the field?"
"We fly." Harry tossed me one of the broom sticks. "Come on." He walked out onto the balcony. I followed.
As soon as I opened my mouth, Harry told me to mount my broom. I did so, and Harry corrected my grip on the handle.
"Now kick off."
I pushed myself as hard as I could from the ground, and suddenly, I was flying. Up and up I went, enjoying the feel of the wind on my face. After a few more seconds, Harry called me out of my thoughts.
"La-la land again?" he said sarcastically.
"Yep," I laughed back, soaring down to meet him; he was about 25 feet below me, which made me realize how far up I had actually been. "Well, if you're going to play Quidditch, la-la land should be the farthest place from your mind," Harry scolded, shaking a finger at me. I laughed and swatted him lightly on the head. He tried to look meanly at me, but all he managed was a kind of scrunched-up look.
"Ew, stop that!" I squealed. "You look wrong!"
His face relaxed. "But seriously, Emerald," he said, "you can get hurt at Quidditch. Believe me, I should know. Quidditch can be fun but it's also very-exhausting."
As it turns out, it was. From that time until lunch, Harry showed me all the basics (which were really basic) and then all the tricks. Whenever I tried to do them, I just fell flat on my face.
"It isn't funny!" I exclaimed as Harry laughed. He was holding his broom for support, he was laughing so hard. "Let's see how funny you find this," I mumbled to myself; I charged.
Harry caught unaware, toppled backward as I rammed into him.
"Gerroff me, Emerald!" Harry exclaimed, struggling to get out from under me.
"How funny is it now, Harry?" I asked evily, pinning his wrists to the grassy field.
"Very," was the reply. Harry shifted his weight and in one quick motion, the positions had been switched. Harry was now pinning me to the ground.
"What the-? " I said, shocked. Harry shrugged, without letting go of me.
"Quidditch reflexes," he guessed, leaning in closer. He was about an inch from my nose, when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flicker of red. I turned my head towards it in the last second, making Harry's lips smash into my cheek. "What was that?" I asked, looking for the source of the red.
"What was what?" Harry asked, releasing his grip on my wrists. I sat up and hugged my knees to my chest.
"I saw a flash of red out of the corner of my eye," I said, turning to face him. "Harry, I think it was Ginny."
"Ginny?" replied Harry, his face blank.
"Isn't it obvious?" I asked. "Ginny's liked you since, like, when you first met Ron at King's Cross. How do you think she'd feel if she saw our faces only an inch apart?"
"Not very happy is my bet," Harry sighed, picking at the grass.
Bulls-eye," I replied, staring off into space. "Harry, maybe we should keep our relationship under wraps until we get to Hogwarts."
"Yeah," replied Harry, looking mildly somber. "Good idea."
That night at dinner, Harry and I both avoided Ginny's eyes. We knew this made us look even more "guilty", but we were too afraid to see hurt in her eyes to care. Ginny was quiet all through dinner, hardly ever looking up from her food. This made me confirm the belief that the flash of red I saw was Ginny.
Oh, Ginny, I'm so sorry! I told her silently. Please don't hate me forever.
That night went much too slowly for my liking, or Harry's, and we were both glad to shut ourselves in our rooms. After I slipped into my p.js, I curled up in a ball under the soft covers of my bed. The events of the past month flashed through my mind in seconds.
Me, escaping from Voldemort...
My meeting with Harry...
The birthday party...
Oh, D.C, I thought, things are getting so complicated.
Yes, I know, was the reply. But you aren't making them any easier by staying up all night. Go to be now; you need it.
I will, I said, letting the connection drift. I closed my eyes, and in a few more seconds, fell asleep. Tap, tap. I groaned and rolled over, ignoring the sound.
Tap, tap.
"Wha' is it?? I said thickly, raising my head.
a large barn owl was walking to and fro on the balcony railing. There was a letter tied to its leg. When it saw me looking, it ruffled it's feathers importantly and hooted impatiently.
"Ok, ok," I said, rising out of bed. "Can I help it if I like to sleep in?"
The owl just shot me a "not funny" look. When I reached it, it stuck out it's leg so I could unite the letter from it. When the owl was free from its burden, it took off.
"What a friendly little bird," I said sarcastically, walking back inside.
I sat down at the little desk by the archway and rolled open the letter.
"Ohmigod," I gasped as I read it.
Dear Ms. Destiny,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enclosed is a list of supplies you will need for the coming year and a letter of congratulations from Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.
Sincerely,
Professor M. McGonagall
"Ohmigod!" I whispered, setting the piece of parchment down. Reaching inside the envelope, I pulled out two more pieces. I scanned over the first piece, which was my supply list, then read the second.
Emerald~
I take it you are enjoying yourself at you current residence.
Congratulations on getting accepted at Hogwarts. For your safety, I believe that we should present you as an American transfer student. We don't want to raise any suspicions. I look forward to seeing you at Hogwarts when term starts. Congratulations again.
Sincerely,
Professor Dumbledore
"No way," I said, staring off into the thick woods surrounding the backyard. "I'm going to be a witch."
I hopped out of the chair and jumped around the room.
"I'm going to be a witch!" I laughed crazily, running across the hall to Harry's room. I jumped up on the bed next to his sleeping form and bounced up and down. His eyes flung open and he sat bolt upright, looking around frantically.
"What's the matter?" he asked thin air. "What-?" He caught sight of me. "Good God, Emerald, what are you trying to do, give me a heart attack?" Harry reached for his glasses and put them on.
"I'm going to be a witch!" I half-screamed, hugging Harry and knocking his glasses askew.
"Wha-what?" Harry gasped. I released him and fixed his glasses.
"You heard me. I'm going to be a witch," I said happily.
"That's great!" Harry said. He took my hand and kissed my cheek. "Now I get to show off my new Barbie doll."
"That's so funny I forgot to laugh," I said blankly. "I hate Barbie dolls."
"Then would you settle for fashion model?"
I laughed. "Like they'd buy that."
"They don't have to," said Harry. "I believe it,"
"You are such a major suck-up."
"I know." Harry shrugged.
"Hey, Harry," I said, "did you get your letter from Hogwarts?"
"Yeah, I think so." Harry looked over at his desk. There was an envelope on it. "Yep."
"I wonder when we're going to Diagon Alley." My question was answered at lunch.
"So did you all get your letters today?" asked Mrs. Weasley.
"Yes," everyone chorused.
"Well, then, I'll go over to Diagon Alley and get your things," Mrs. Weasley stated.
"You don't have to," I began.
"Nonsense." Mrs., Weasley waved my words away. "I have to go over there anyway."
"Ok, if it's no problem for you," I said. "Um, could I ask you a favor?"
"Of course, dear."
"I only have Muggle money, so could you exchange it at Gringotts for me?" I asked tentatively.
"I'd be happy to," Mrs. Weasley said, smiling.
"Thanks," I said, relieved.
"Hey, Emerald," Ron said suddenly, "you brought your bathing suit, right?"
"I think so," I said slowly. Ron and Harry exchanged evil grins.
"Meet us at the swimming pool in ten minutes," said Harry. "Everybody else, too."
"First pillow fights, now this," I muttered to Hermione as Harry and Ron disappeared upstairs. Hermione giggled.
"Well, we better go change," she said. "Come on."
I followed Hermione up the two flights of stairs to our bedrooms. Harry and Ron ran past us on our way. Ron was wearing bright orange swim trunks, and Harry was wearing lime green. In one hand, Harry carried a bag of what looked to be balloons.
"A water balloon fight?" I whispered to Hermione before she disappeared into her room.
"How childish," she murmured back. I grinned and slipped inside my room. I searched around my trunk for my bathing suit- a blue Jantzen E.B. bikini. After putting it on, I wrapped a white towel from the bathroom around my waist and put my hair in a ponytail. Somebody knocked on the door just as I finished. I opened it to find Hermione in a bathing suit almost like mine except it was black.
"You look good," I said, beaming at her.
"Ditto," commented Hermione. Then she grinned. "Let's go; we have a water fight to win."
"Totally," I said, walking out of my room. On our way downstairs, we met Fred and George, who were both wearing sky blue swim trunks, and Ginny. She was wearing a yellow tankini with a white swim skirt tied around her waist.
"Hey, Ginny," I said, trying to be friendly. She shot me a cold look which lasted for a few seconds, then replied, "Hey."
The rest of the way downstairs was uncomfortably silent. I was somewhat glad for the "unexpected" shower of water balloons when we emerged outside.
Throwing my towel on a nearby lounging chair, I picked up on of the unbroken balloons and hurled it at Harry, hitting him right in the back of his head. He turned around and charged at me. I laced my hands behind my back and stepped aside as he reached me, causing Harry to take a surprise dip in the clear water.
"How is it?" I asked as Harry's head bobbed up and down. He spat out an arch of water. I laughed.
Suddenly, a rubber something connected with my back and exploded, sending a wave of cold water down my hips and legs. I turned around and found a half-circle of teens in bathing suits, each holding a good sized, brightly colored water balloon.
"Uh-oh," I said, automatically taking a step back. Unfortunately, all that was there was the pool. I wobbled a little bit and toppled in after Fred landed a balloon on my stomach.
"What'd you do that for?" I asked after I swam back up to the surface.
"'Cus it's always fun singling one person out," said George, winking. Turning to Harry, I recognized the familiar glint in his eyes that meant he was up to something.
"Oh, no," I said, backing away.
"Oh, yes," Harry insisted, diving after me. I screamed and squirmed out of his arms, half-running, half-swimming towards the stairs. After a while, Harry managed to securely pin my arms to my side and keep me from running away.
"You've got it in for me, don't you, Harry?" I asked, struggling helplessly against him.
"Maybe," he laughed back, squeezing tighter. "Ready?" Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny raised their balloons.
"Three..."
"No, don't!"
"Two..."
Harry-"
"One!" Ron finished. Four brightly colored, water filled balloons were loosed, exploding on my in various places.
"Ok, you've had your fun, now let me go!" I insisted. "Aw, you're no fun," Harry whined.
"I'm not?"
"Nope."
"Well, excuse me for not wanting to be bombarded with water balloons!" I laughed. "Really, Harry. Let me go."
"Ok." Harry released his grip on me. I landed with a splash in the pool. I turned to Harry, hands on my hips.
"Now, was that so hard?" I asked as though talking to a little child.
"No," Harry said. Turning to the Weasleys and Hermione, Harry shouted, "Come swim with us!"
A series of yells filled the air as five people ran up to the edge of the pool and jumped in, yelling, "Cannon ball!"
I shielded my face from the water as Ron, Fred, George, Hermione, and Ginny splashed into the water. The rest of the afternoon passed quickly as we splashed each other, dived, and swam laps. By the time we all went in, the sun was very low in the sky.
We climbed the stairs to our bedrooms to dry off and dress for dinner. Ginny shot Harry and me a very cold look before shutting herself in her room. Harry glanced worriedly at me, and I gazed reassuringly back. He gave my hand a squeeze before disappearing in his room. I slipped into mine, took a quick shower, and dressed in my clothes from the morning. I barely noticed the pile of paper wrapped packages and sack of money on my bed before I dashed out.
