Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. It all belongs to the
extraordinarily wonderful, clever, brilliant ingenious J.K. Rowling.
¤ Listening to the Rain ¤
.:Chapter 2:. Moments in Darkness
Bright rays of golden sunlight beamed through a certain sixteen-year- old's window on a fresh Sunday morning. Harry Potter rolled over in bed. The glistening light from the sun lit up his face. He ran a hand through his jet-black hair and opened his eyes. Stunning emerald orbs stared back at the sun. 'Sunday,' he thought, 'Finally!' Today, he was going to be picked up by his best friends to go on a vacation at a huge park, which Hermione said was gorgeous (According to her parents)! Lazily, Harry got up out of bed and walked over to the window. The sun had just come up, and there wasn't a cloud in sight! The blueness of the sky made the teenager think of his Headmaster's bright eyes. It made him happy inside to know that Dumbledore was safe somewhere. Soon, Harry would be with his best friends: where *he* felt safe.
He wondered when Hermione was going to pick him up. Would it be early, or later in the day? Most likely, Hermione being the host of it all, they would be early. Harry decided to do a quick check to make sure he had everything ready to go before hopping in the shower. After that, he got dressed, tried to tame his wild hair, which was a failure attempt, and started to check the clock every few minutes for the time. He was very excited, but nervous at the same time. 'What if they forget to pick me up?' Harry asked himself. 'What if Hermione's mother is allergic to owls and I won't be able to bring Hegwig?' On and on Harry's ridiculous questions and concerns raced through his mind, getting even more absurd every time. The hours passed by and Harry was starting to wonder where they were.
Finally, at about noon, a car- or rather mini van, pulled into the driveway. Harry raced down the stairs, bumped into Dudley in the kitchen, (who was running toward the stairs) and headed towards the door. Harry stopped at the door, took a deep breath, and calmly opened it. A girl, that he had missed so much over the summer, was getting out of the turquoise mini van. He slowly started walking towards her.
She was the first one to turn around and see Harry. A stunning smile swept across her face, and she seemed to beam with joy. Hermione ran to Harry and they met in an embrace that nearly knocked Harry clear off his feet. Once again, (To Harry's joy) Hermione's bushy hair was all over his face. Harry closed his eyes and took in her strong lilac scent. She had a different fragrance nearly everyday. (Due to different shampoo and conditioners!) It was wonderful to have his friends with him again. Harry wished that this precious moment could last forever, that he could be with his closest friends until the end of time! Unfortunately, it was only a wish, one that was never granted. Hermione let Harry go, still beaming with happiness, and stood back to see him. "Oh, I've missed you terribly!" she said with a slight tremble. Hermione stood on her tiptoes, and engulfed him once more in a quick hug before letting him go, grabbing his hand and walking towards the vehicle. Ron appeared from the other side of the van. "Haven't seen you in a while, mate!" he called out, his hair as red as always, "How've you been?" "Er.okay," Harry managed to say before Ron slapped him on the back in a friendly greeting.
Ron had gotten a bit taller over the summer. Harry had, too, but he wasn't as near as tall as Ron. Hermione had grown a good few inches as well, but Harry was still taller. Part of Hermione's hair was braided in two tiny, neat braids that were pulled back and connected in the back. The rest of her hair hung loose and nearly went down to her mid-back. Hermione had a mid-tight red t-shirt on with short, low-rise jean shorts. She looked a lot older, or so Harry thought! "Let's go get your stuff, Harry," Hermione insisted. "We have to get going if we're going to get down there and get a good cabin; it's nearly a six hour drive!" They were just about to walk through the door when. "Hermione!" a woman in the front seat called. "Yes, mum?" Hermione replied. "Can you come here for a second, Felicity wants to show you something." Hermione rolled her eyes, but stomped over to the van saying, "Sorry, I'll come as soon as I can." "Who's Felicity?" Harry asked Ron as they made their way up to his room. The Dursleys were nowhere in sight and Harry guessed they were all hiding in Dudley's room, waiting for them to leave. "She's Hermione's little cousin, you know, the one that's staying with us for a while?" Ron said as he picked up Hegwig's cage and one of Harry's bags. "Oh," Harry replied trying to picture Hermione and her cousin. Did they look alike? Harry picked up his trunk and they made it downstairs and out the door. Hermione was walking up the sidewalk when they left the house. "Oh, I knew Felicity would mess everything up. You shouldn't have carried all that! Here, let me take something." Hermione tried to reach for Harry's trunk, but Harry knew that Hermione couldn't carry it. "No, that's okay Hermione. Thanks anyway," he reassured her. "Alright, if your sure," Hermione said, leaving the boys and walking over to open the back door.
After all of Harry's things were loaded into the vehicle, they went over to the other side of the van where Hermione's parents were standing. Harry and Ron stopped a few feet away from them. Hermione went up and stood next the woman. "This is my mum," she told Harry proudly, "Diana Granger." Hermione's mother smiled a sweet smile at them. 'Just like Hermione's,' Harry thought to himself. Diana had Hermione's long dark brown curly hair with her chocolate brown eyes. She wasn't fat, nor was she skinny, which was another characteristic of Hermione's. "We are so glad to finally meet you Harry, Hermione's told us all about you," Hermione's mom extended her hand and Harry gently shook it. Hermione averted her gaze; she was smiling shyly.
A few moments pasted before Mrs. Granger left go. When she did, Hermione spoke up again, "And this is my dad," she said walking over to the man, "Todd Granger." Mr. Granger was pretty tall, with deep blue eyes and light brown hair. "Nice to meet you Harry," her father said and extended his hand as well. They shook hands briefly before he said, "You can just call me Todd if you'd like. Mr. Granger is what all of my patients call me!" he said smiling. "Yes, sir." was all that Harry could manage at the moment. "I've already met them," Ron whispered to Harry when Hermione was talking to her dad, "There're remarkably pleasant compared to Hermione." They talked a bit more before Mrs. Granger exclaimed, "Okay everybody, we have a long ride a head of us, so lets get going!" and with that they all go into the van. "We have to sit in the back because my cousins are in the two captain seats next to the front so my mom can see them. Is that okay with you Harry?" Hermione asked. "Perfectly," Harry stated. As they went to the back, Harry saw two little people in the first two seats. One was a little girl with blonde curly hair, and the other was a baby boy with dark brown hair. Harry sat down in the middle seat: Hermione on his right, and Ron on his left. The van started up and they departed from the Dursley's drive way. 'Good-bye, good for nothing relatives,' Harry thought as Number 4 Privet Drive disappeared from sight. "That," Hermione said pointing to the curly-haired child in front of her, "is Felicity." Felicity looked back at Harry and slyly smiled, then looked at Ron and smirked. Hermione pointed to the opposite captain's seat and said, "and that is Shaine." Felicity seemed to be about three years old, but Shaine looked like he was no more than eight months at the most. His stunning blue eyes held Harry's gaze for a moment before he turned his head, and stared out the window. Hermione continued, "Felicity is quite energetic, so beware, she gets rambunctious from time to time. But you don't have to worry about Shaine; he's only eight and a half months old, and he never cries, or talks for that matter. He's always been a bit quite." Hermione's eyebrows furrowed and she looked down at her lap, contemplating something or the other, but within moments her head came back up and she had that gorgeous smile on her face once more.
Hermione looked up at Felicity, who was still smirking at Ron, and then to Ron, who had a hilarious, puzzled look on his face. Hermione scoffed before cupping her hand over the left side of her mouth and leaning over to Harry, "I think she fancies him." She whispered. Harry smiled as Hermione's warm breath tickled his ear. He had missed those little things about being with his friends. Harry was back in his world. Right where he belonged.
A few minutes later, Mrs. Granger turned around in her seat, "Everyone, it's just about one o'clock. Would it be okay if we drove for half an hour and then stopped at a restaurant?" "Sounds good to me." Hermione stated. "Me, too" Ron exclaimed. "That would be great." Harry told Diana. She smiled.
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For the next twenty minutes, the trio talked about how their summers had gone so far. Ron's brothers had briefly visited from Romania. They only stayed for two weeks, but Ron said that they had a blast! Hermione, on the other hand, had been home the whole time, finishing her over-the- summer homework. One of her essays, she told them, was five feet long. After that conversation, Hermione lectured the two boys on how important it was for them to get their homework done on time, neatly, and accurately.
Ron quickly changed the subject. "So, Hermione, is there a pool at this park," "Well, of course." She said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "They also have a lodge, a dining hall, a gift shop, a museum, a waterfall that you can go see, daily activities, a beach, boat rentals, horseback riding, canoeing, trials, a golf course, a put-put course, camping, a petting zoo, and a rope course." Ron's lower jaw dropped. "Wow," was all he could say. "That's amazing," Harry uttered. "Well, I told you." Hermione stated rather plainly, "This is a very popular place. It was just built two years ago." "That place must be bigger than Hogwarts." Ron muttered to himself, bemused. "Is it, Hermione?" Harry asked. "Well, technically.no." she informed them. "Hogwarts has rooms that can appear out of no where, remember; it can be endless in size. However, S.R.C. Park does look awfully vast in size in the pictures that I've seen." "Are we going.er. cinoing?" Ron asked "Canoeing!" Hermione corrected, "It's a muggle hobby, in which you get in a small pointed boat and 'paddle', with ores, down a river. I hear it's really quite a bit of fun!" she ended smiling. "Interesting 'hobbies' muggles have." Ron mumbled to Harry, who smiled and nodded. "What kinds of aminals does they have for the petting zoo?" Felicity asked. "Oh, all kinds, I presume! There's probably lambs, goats, lamas, zebras, ponies, pigs, cows, kittens, you name it!" "Wow!" the little girl exclaimed, "That's a lot'a aminals for one zoo."
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In practically no time, the vehicle was pulling into a restaurant. It was called 'Angelica's'. Everybody got out, including the two little ones, and they went inside. There weren't more than ten people in the whole place! The group walked over to the biggest table they could find and sat down. Harry, Ron, Felicity, and Hermione were on one side, while Hermione's mother, father, and Shaine were on the other.
Mrs. Granger held Shaine instead of putting him in a high chair. She said that she never trusted those; they always were full of germs. Mr. Granger mentioned something about washing hands to his wife and instantly, they both left the table for the bathrooms with Shaine.
Felicity looked at Ron, who was next to Hermione and then pulled on Hermione's hair, bringing her head down to Felicity's level. She began whispering something in her ear. Hermione looked at Felicity strangely, but then nodded and began to get up. For some reason, she switched places with Felicity. Felicity smiled at Ron, who was right next to her. Ron smiled nervously, unsure of the little girl who was staring up at him with a mischievous smile. Harry watched as Ron scooted as far away from the girl as possible. The little girl, however, scooted too! "She'll keep Ron occupied for quite a while," Hermione said laughing, next to him. Harry nodded and laughed with her. Ron looked over at his two laughing friends and silently mouthed, "Help me!" which only made the two laugh louder.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger soon returned with the little boy. In no time a waiter came over to their table. "Is everyone ready to order?" she asked them, a notepad in hand to write everything down. "I believe so," Mr. Granger told the lady. "I'll have the buffet and a sprite." "I will be having the buffet as well, with a water please. Oh and a water for him as well," Mrs. Granger said, signaling to Shaine. Then she turned toward Hermione, "Can you take care of Felicity's order for me, dear?" Hermione nodded. Diana got up with Mr. Granger and headed over the buffet tables. "I shall have the fruit salad with a lemonade, please," Hermione told the waitress politely. "Oh, and she will have the Children's chicken fingers and chips with a milk," she said motioning to Felicity, who smiled back at the lady. "I guess I'll have the hamburger and fries." Harry said. "With a glass of water please." "Er.um, I'll take the vegetable soup and a baked potato," Ron stated. "And a mug of butterbeer." As soon as the words came out of his mouth, Hermione's eyes darted for Ron in frustration, and then she put her head in her hands, remaining silent. The waitress looked at Ron strangely but calmly replied, "Um.sorry, we don't carry that." "What about a glass of pumpkin juice then?" Ron asked her. Hermione's head darted up. "No, sorry, sir," the waitress told him again. "We don't have that either." Ron looked bemused. "Er. I think he means lemonade." Harry told the lady and then slowly nodded to Ron who was still confused, "Right Ron." It wasn't a question. "Um, yeah, right. Lemonade." The waiter gave Ron an odd look before turning around and walking off to the kitchens. "Ron Weasley," Hermione began in a quiet voice, 'You could have gotten us in so much trouble. You should know, by now, that ordinary muggle restaurants do not carry wizard drinks. How can you be so dimwitted? If Harry hadn't helped you out . . .arggh. What if she suspected anything . . ." Hermione went on and on and on.
By 1:45, everyone had had his or her food. Ron ate the most, finishing off his soup and potato in a flash and asking for seconds. They were now just about ready to leave. Mr. Granger got up and informed them that he was going to go pay, and that everyone else should get in the van. Suddenly Harry smacked his forehead with his hand. "Oh, how could I be so dumb?" he asked himself. "What's wrong?" Hermione asked him; her brows furrowed. "I left all my money in my trunk, and that's in the back of the van." "Oh, Harry," Hermione relaxed. "Don't worry about that. My parents are going to take care of it." "I can't let them do that." He persisted. "Yes, you can and you will. Now, stop worrying about it!" With that Hermione took Harry by the arm and led him outside, where her mother was getting Felicity strapped into her seat. Ron followed behind them.
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For the next hour they drove. Mountains, lakes, trees, streams, and farms flew by in a blur of color. This time, Hermione was in the middle seat, Ron on the left, and Harry on the right. "I love it down here," Hermione told Ron, who was staring out the window. "It's so peaceful." "Yep," Ron stated mindlessly. "The air even smells beautiful," she continued. "Of flowers and water and." "Hermione?" Ron interrupted. "I thought you said that you've never been to this park." She blushed and looked down at the carpet on the seat. "I haven't." "Then how do you know-," but he was interrupted by Felicity, who just woke up. "Aunt Diana?" she asked sleepily. "Yes, sweetie?" "How many more longer till' we get there?" she attempted to ask. "Um.we have a pretty long way to go sweetheart. Why don't you get some more sleep." Mrs. Granger told her. "Okay," and with that she laid her head down once more for another nap. Everyone was silent for a few minutes, but then Ron spoke up again. "Hermione?" Hermione's head shot up like a lightning bolt with a panicked looked on her face. However, her expression immediately relaxed when she saw what Ron was examining. He had a container of "Popsicle" brand lip-gloss and he seemed perplexed by the mere image of it. "This is the strangest popsicle I've ever seen," he was saying. "Ron, that's not a-," Hermione tried to explain, but he still chattered on. "It's very odd looking." He began to unscrew the top. "Ron, it's-," Hermione tried once more. "Ron!" Harry interrupted loudly. "Muggles have weird ways of making things." "RON!" "I wonder if it tastes good?" "Ron stop!" He brought it up to his nose and smelt it. Then, he began to bring it to his lips. "NO, RON DON'T-," Too late. "Is everything alright back there?" Mr. Granger asked from the front seat. "Y-Yeah, everything's fine, dad," Hermione replied nonchalantly. Harry and Hermione starred at Ron in horror. Ron starred back at them with a confused look, and then his face contorted into a grimace and he flung the lip-gloss out of his mouth. "Gross!" he exclaimed. "Now, Ron, we tried to warn you," Hermione stated clearly. "It's not our fault." Ron stuck his tongue out, attempting to get the taste to go away. "Ron?" Harry asked. "Are you okay?" Ron mumbled something incomprehensible under his breath. "What?" Harry asked bewildered. "Ron, please, if you're going to speak, do it correctly!" Hermione mused. "You know, with your mouth actually open." To this, Harry snorted. "Watermelon." Ron managed. "Excuse me?" "Watermelon! The flavor was watermelon. I HATE watermelon," he blurted out while screwing to top back on. "You can have it back, Hermione, I don't want it." Ron extended his hand outward with the lip-gloss. "That's quite all right, Ron. You keep it," said Hermione, gently guiding his hand back in the direction it came. "Ginny would like it." Ron's face changed into a perplexed look again, and his brows furrowed as he looked down at the floor. Meanwhile, Harry caught Hermione's eye and grinned. She kept her staid expression for a few moments before breaking into a grin as she tried to stifle her giggles. Harry never ceased to make her smile.
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"Are you guys hungry?" Hermione asked the boys a while later. "No, not really. But thanks anyway," Harry replied. "YES! I'm VERY hungry!" Ron answered after Harry. Hermione dug in a bag sitting on the floor near her feet. She pulled out four round sugar cookies. She handed one to Ron and sat another one down in her lap. She extended the other two toward Harry. "No," Harry told her gently, waving the cookies away, "I'm not all that hungry." Hermione gave him the how-dare-you-refuse-my-offer glare and pushed the cookies farther toward him. "Hermione, why does Harry gets more cookies? I'm the hungry one here!" Ron complained, poking Hermione on the back. Hermione in turn gave the red head a brief death stare before turning back to the other boy. "Harry," she insisted. "You look like you barely ate anything at your relatives' house. If you continue to obstain from food, you are going shrivel up on the spot. My cat eats more than you do!" Hermione gave the raven-haired boy a soft, worried expression and lifted the cookies up hopefully. Harry sighed, rolled his eyes, and took them. "I'm not starving myself, you know," he told her, taking a bite of the first cookie, "did you ever think that maybe I just wasn't famished at the time. We only ate lunch a few hours ago, Hermione." This statement was replied to when Hermione make an "uh huh" noise sarcastically. "Eh? Harry? Can I have a tiny, itsy bitsy piece of that cookie?" Ron asked Harry quietly, so that Hermione wouldn't hear. At the same time, Harry and Hermione replied with a firm, "NO!" "If you even think about touching his food, Ron, I will hex you!" Hermione informed him. Ron moved back, seeming to be surprised. "Well aren't we just a bit over- protective." "At least I seem to care!" Hermione retorted. "Are you insinuating that I don't?" Ron snapped. "Taking his food obviously has some say in this!" said Hermione. "Wake up, Hermione! He said he wasn't hungry!" Ron said, angered. "He was being polite," Hermione said firmly with her teeth gritted. "And just how do you know that Miss Priss?" Ron spat. "Because that's how Harry always is- he's polite. Unlike some brute I wish I didn't know." Hermione replied harshly. Ron took a deep breath. "If you don't like the way I act, then why in the wizarding world did you bring me on this confounded trip?" "You're my friend- simple as that. But if you didn't want to come on this 'confounded' trip, then why did you?" Hermione asked strictly. "To be with my best mate, Harry." "I thought you only cared about his food!" Hermione said finally. "Mum," she called to her mother in the front seat, "can we please stop for a short while to stretch." Her mother said yes and within five minutes they had pulled over in a small picnic area alongside the road for a rest.
Hermione was the first to get out. The other two boys stayed silent for a moment, not moving from their spots. Harry was surprised that Hermione had acted the way she did. She normally found a calm way to handle Ron's comments. After arguing over many debates in his head about what he should do, Harry exited the van and looked around for Hermione. She was sitting on a bench next to a clump of oak trees staring off into the distance.
The concerned green-eyed boy walked over to the bench and sat down a few feet away from his friend. He looked over briefly to see if the girl next to him was all right. She appeared to be fine, except for the blank look on her face. She had her faced tilted up a bit. Hermione was watching the sun as it slowly touched the horizon. The day would soon turn into night.
As Harry watched her, his eyes became transfixed at the radiant sun illuminating her face, making her look somewhat like an angel sitting next to him instead of the girl he knew as his best friend. A slight breeze began playing with Hermione's hair, causing it to sway gently. Rays of light touched the strands as they moved and transformed the dull brown color into a rainbow of golden highlights that Harry had never noticed before. If the perplexed boy looked deeply into the distant girl's eyes, he could see the sun itself as it descended in the pastel sky.
The teenager's mind raced as he contemplated the scene before him. He was searching for a word; one that he'd rarely used in his past. Seeing Hermione, bookworm Hermione, like this in front of him . . . .it all looked so . . . .precious. Time froze, and suddenly the only thing shining in the boy's eyes was the angel next to him. What feeling was this? It hammered at his brain as he tried to put his finger on the emotion raging in his heart.
Then, the eyes that once reflected the sun so brightly slowly lowered to the ground, driving Harry out of his bemused state and back to earth. Harry gently reached over and placed his hand on her sun warmed fingers before entwining them with his own. As soon as the two hands clasped together as one, Hermione lifted her head up to look at Harry. A smile appeared on her elegant face that made the sun wince from all the warmth and love it admitted.
As Hermione gently held her best friend's hand, she felt him give her a last soft, reassuring squeeze, before they both got up and dusted themselves off. When their hands fell apart from one another, Hermione noticed that the great warmth that she had been feeling left her, and was replaced by an icy awareness of reality. What lay before them was a mystery, Hermione only hoped that when everything was over, she could touch her friend's warm secure hands once more and not feel the worry of death that hovered in Hermione's mind every time she looked into the raven haired boy's captivating green eyes.
Harry glanced at Hermione one last time with a small smile before moving away from the bench and toward the van. Hermione followed suit and actually got to the automobile before Harry. Ron was still irked, and refused to talk to anyone minus Harry. This time though, Hermione was safely on Harry's right side, blocking her from Ron and any of his remarks.
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Night fell; everything was dark except for the few lights on the roads. They had stopped at a fast food restaurant and had eaten swiftly. Ron still hadn't spoken a word to Hermione. Harry didn't want to bring about another argument so he just talked to each of them and avoided bringing both into the same conversation.
Currently, Ron was snoring on Harry's left side, leaning against the window. On his right side, Hermione was attempting to read a book. Must be another of her finds for "light reading" Harry guessed. It was probably about something really important and really boring. How in the world she could see the text, Harry did not know. He couldn't even see the seatbelt he had on. Farther and farther they drove. Soon, the road lights died down and everything was black as night, apart from the road right in front of the van where its lights were shining.
Harry heard Hermione's book snap shut and felt the seat shift lightly. Then he heard a soft sigh coming from the same direction, followed by a long yawn and another sigh. Hermione must be tired after such a long day. He wondered if she would fall asleep after a while. Harry turned his head to try to make out the figure of the girl sitting next to him, but his eyes would not permit it. They only allowed him to see a vast emptiness.
Hermione felt the boy's stare upon her. Her eyes sparkled in the dark with curiosity. 'He doesn't seem at all like he wants to sleep,' she thought to herself. 'But I saw how his eyelids drooped a bit just as we left the restaurant. I know he's tired. I can feel it.' "Harry?" Hermione whispered. "Yes?" he replied. "Why don't you get some rest. After all, we'll be driving for the next hour at least and it's considerably too dark to do much."
Harry didn't say anything. He wanted to sleep. He wanted to just close his eyes for a second, but the fear that strange sorts of things would exit his mouth if an upsetting dream so happened to flash through his head kept him from doing so. "Er -I'll try," he lied. "Good," Hermione stated, not believing him quite.
Harry leaned his head on the back of the large seat and sighed. How was he supposed to get any sleep on this vacation? Ron was used to his musings by now, but Hermione's parents had no clue about his past unless she had told them. (He sort of hoped she hadn't) What would they think if suddenly, one night someone screamed in the next bedroom and then started doing all sorts of bizarre things and what not? They would think he was a mental nutcase if not worse. Hermione might not be allowed to be with him anymore. After all, who lets their child befriend someone that does those sorts of things?
Hermione meant too much to him. Her friendship was like a golden amulet. He cherished it very much, and held it close to him. Harry would do anything to preserve and protect that friendship. Anything. Therefore, after vowing not to let himself doze off into dreamland during this trip, he let his head sink lower on the cushion, searching for a more comfortable spot to stare at the darkness.
Meanwhile, Hermione was in her own little self-conversation. She was contemplating whether or not to mention homework anymore on this trip. She had completed it all within the first week of summer. (Plus extra credit) Ron and Harry probably hadn't even gotten it out! Their grades throughout these next two years at Hogwarts would determine their future careers. She had to make sure she pushed her sluggish friends to do their work as efficient as possible. As ruthless as they were, they were still her best friends. Therefore, she had to watch out for them. Finally deciding she'd wait until they got back from the vacation- but no later, to address the issue once more, she put her head down on the back cushion and let her head slip as it hunted for a cozy position to rest.
Hermione's head gently hit something rather soft. She was puzzled at first, but after listening to his steady breathing for a few seconds Hermione knew it was Harry's head she'd bumped into.
Harry thought the situation quite funny. He smiled and let out a small laugh. Hermione did the same. "I suppose trying to sleep in a crowded van is not highly recommended," Harry whispered, his warm breath hitting Hermione on her neck and making her laugh a bit more before they lazily moved their heads apart and sat back up. "I guess you're right." Hermione admitted, smiling.
Ron mumbled something in sleep about wanting more cookies. The van drove on.
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.:Note:.
So sorry that this took *forever* to write. I've had unending supply of homework this year and if it weren't for the X-mas break, this still wouldn't be done! This chapter is dedicated to all of my reviews from my 1st one. Especially *Lauren M Potter* who was my first reviewer ever! After I got the review I think I wrote three pages of this chapter. They do something to me I swear! Thank you all so much for the reviews! I hope to get the 3rd chapter up soon! =) I would be overjoyed if one of you kind people could tell me how to make words italic. And for those of you, who didn't notice, I am constantly using foreshadowing in the H/Hr moments. See if you can stop them next time. Happy Holidays!
¤ Tears of Aquarius ¤
¤ Listening to the Rain ¤
.:Chapter 2:. Moments in Darkness
Bright rays of golden sunlight beamed through a certain sixteen-year- old's window on a fresh Sunday morning. Harry Potter rolled over in bed. The glistening light from the sun lit up his face. He ran a hand through his jet-black hair and opened his eyes. Stunning emerald orbs stared back at the sun. 'Sunday,' he thought, 'Finally!' Today, he was going to be picked up by his best friends to go on a vacation at a huge park, which Hermione said was gorgeous (According to her parents)! Lazily, Harry got up out of bed and walked over to the window. The sun had just come up, and there wasn't a cloud in sight! The blueness of the sky made the teenager think of his Headmaster's bright eyes. It made him happy inside to know that Dumbledore was safe somewhere. Soon, Harry would be with his best friends: where *he* felt safe.
He wondered when Hermione was going to pick him up. Would it be early, or later in the day? Most likely, Hermione being the host of it all, they would be early. Harry decided to do a quick check to make sure he had everything ready to go before hopping in the shower. After that, he got dressed, tried to tame his wild hair, which was a failure attempt, and started to check the clock every few minutes for the time. He was very excited, but nervous at the same time. 'What if they forget to pick me up?' Harry asked himself. 'What if Hermione's mother is allergic to owls and I won't be able to bring Hegwig?' On and on Harry's ridiculous questions and concerns raced through his mind, getting even more absurd every time. The hours passed by and Harry was starting to wonder where they were.
Finally, at about noon, a car- or rather mini van, pulled into the driveway. Harry raced down the stairs, bumped into Dudley in the kitchen, (who was running toward the stairs) and headed towards the door. Harry stopped at the door, took a deep breath, and calmly opened it. A girl, that he had missed so much over the summer, was getting out of the turquoise mini van. He slowly started walking towards her.
She was the first one to turn around and see Harry. A stunning smile swept across her face, and she seemed to beam with joy. Hermione ran to Harry and they met in an embrace that nearly knocked Harry clear off his feet. Once again, (To Harry's joy) Hermione's bushy hair was all over his face. Harry closed his eyes and took in her strong lilac scent. She had a different fragrance nearly everyday. (Due to different shampoo and conditioners!) It was wonderful to have his friends with him again. Harry wished that this precious moment could last forever, that he could be with his closest friends until the end of time! Unfortunately, it was only a wish, one that was never granted. Hermione let Harry go, still beaming with happiness, and stood back to see him. "Oh, I've missed you terribly!" she said with a slight tremble. Hermione stood on her tiptoes, and engulfed him once more in a quick hug before letting him go, grabbing his hand and walking towards the vehicle. Ron appeared from the other side of the van. "Haven't seen you in a while, mate!" he called out, his hair as red as always, "How've you been?" "Er.okay," Harry managed to say before Ron slapped him on the back in a friendly greeting.
Ron had gotten a bit taller over the summer. Harry had, too, but he wasn't as near as tall as Ron. Hermione had grown a good few inches as well, but Harry was still taller. Part of Hermione's hair was braided in two tiny, neat braids that were pulled back and connected in the back. The rest of her hair hung loose and nearly went down to her mid-back. Hermione had a mid-tight red t-shirt on with short, low-rise jean shorts. She looked a lot older, or so Harry thought! "Let's go get your stuff, Harry," Hermione insisted. "We have to get going if we're going to get down there and get a good cabin; it's nearly a six hour drive!" They were just about to walk through the door when. "Hermione!" a woman in the front seat called. "Yes, mum?" Hermione replied. "Can you come here for a second, Felicity wants to show you something." Hermione rolled her eyes, but stomped over to the van saying, "Sorry, I'll come as soon as I can." "Who's Felicity?" Harry asked Ron as they made their way up to his room. The Dursleys were nowhere in sight and Harry guessed they were all hiding in Dudley's room, waiting for them to leave. "She's Hermione's little cousin, you know, the one that's staying with us for a while?" Ron said as he picked up Hegwig's cage and one of Harry's bags. "Oh," Harry replied trying to picture Hermione and her cousin. Did they look alike? Harry picked up his trunk and they made it downstairs and out the door. Hermione was walking up the sidewalk when they left the house. "Oh, I knew Felicity would mess everything up. You shouldn't have carried all that! Here, let me take something." Hermione tried to reach for Harry's trunk, but Harry knew that Hermione couldn't carry it. "No, that's okay Hermione. Thanks anyway," he reassured her. "Alright, if your sure," Hermione said, leaving the boys and walking over to open the back door.
After all of Harry's things were loaded into the vehicle, they went over to the other side of the van where Hermione's parents were standing. Harry and Ron stopped a few feet away from them. Hermione went up and stood next the woman. "This is my mum," she told Harry proudly, "Diana Granger." Hermione's mother smiled a sweet smile at them. 'Just like Hermione's,' Harry thought to himself. Diana had Hermione's long dark brown curly hair with her chocolate brown eyes. She wasn't fat, nor was she skinny, which was another characteristic of Hermione's. "We are so glad to finally meet you Harry, Hermione's told us all about you," Hermione's mom extended her hand and Harry gently shook it. Hermione averted her gaze; she was smiling shyly.
A few moments pasted before Mrs. Granger left go. When she did, Hermione spoke up again, "And this is my dad," she said walking over to the man, "Todd Granger." Mr. Granger was pretty tall, with deep blue eyes and light brown hair. "Nice to meet you Harry," her father said and extended his hand as well. They shook hands briefly before he said, "You can just call me Todd if you'd like. Mr. Granger is what all of my patients call me!" he said smiling. "Yes, sir." was all that Harry could manage at the moment. "I've already met them," Ron whispered to Harry when Hermione was talking to her dad, "There're remarkably pleasant compared to Hermione." They talked a bit more before Mrs. Granger exclaimed, "Okay everybody, we have a long ride a head of us, so lets get going!" and with that they all go into the van. "We have to sit in the back because my cousins are in the two captain seats next to the front so my mom can see them. Is that okay with you Harry?" Hermione asked. "Perfectly," Harry stated. As they went to the back, Harry saw two little people in the first two seats. One was a little girl with blonde curly hair, and the other was a baby boy with dark brown hair. Harry sat down in the middle seat: Hermione on his right, and Ron on his left. The van started up and they departed from the Dursley's drive way. 'Good-bye, good for nothing relatives,' Harry thought as Number 4 Privet Drive disappeared from sight. "That," Hermione said pointing to the curly-haired child in front of her, "is Felicity." Felicity looked back at Harry and slyly smiled, then looked at Ron and smirked. Hermione pointed to the opposite captain's seat and said, "and that is Shaine." Felicity seemed to be about three years old, but Shaine looked like he was no more than eight months at the most. His stunning blue eyes held Harry's gaze for a moment before he turned his head, and stared out the window. Hermione continued, "Felicity is quite energetic, so beware, she gets rambunctious from time to time. But you don't have to worry about Shaine; he's only eight and a half months old, and he never cries, or talks for that matter. He's always been a bit quite." Hermione's eyebrows furrowed and she looked down at her lap, contemplating something or the other, but within moments her head came back up and she had that gorgeous smile on her face once more.
Hermione looked up at Felicity, who was still smirking at Ron, and then to Ron, who had a hilarious, puzzled look on his face. Hermione scoffed before cupping her hand over the left side of her mouth and leaning over to Harry, "I think she fancies him." She whispered. Harry smiled as Hermione's warm breath tickled his ear. He had missed those little things about being with his friends. Harry was back in his world. Right where he belonged.
A few minutes later, Mrs. Granger turned around in her seat, "Everyone, it's just about one o'clock. Would it be okay if we drove for half an hour and then stopped at a restaurant?" "Sounds good to me." Hermione stated. "Me, too" Ron exclaimed. "That would be great." Harry told Diana. She smiled.
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For the next twenty minutes, the trio talked about how their summers had gone so far. Ron's brothers had briefly visited from Romania. They only stayed for two weeks, but Ron said that they had a blast! Hermione, on the other hand, had been home the whole time, finishing her over-the- summer homework. One of her essays, she told them, was five feet long. After that conversation, Hermione lectured the two boys on how important it was for them to get their homework done on time, neatly, and accurately.
Ron quickly changed the subject. "So, Hermione, is there a pool at this park," "Well, of course." She said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "They also have a lodge, a dining hall, a gift shop, a museum, a waterfall that you can go see, daily activities, a beach, boat rentals, horseback riding, canoeing, trials, a golf course, a put-put course, camping, a petting zoo, and a rope course." Ron's lower jaw dropped. "Wow," was all he could say. "That's amazing," Harry uttered. "Well, I told you." Hermione stated rather plainly, "This is a very popular place. It was just built two years ago." "That place must be bigger than Hogwarts." Ron muttered to himself, bemused. "Is it, Hermione?" Harry asked. "Well, technically.no." she informed them. "Hogwarts has rooms that can appear out of no where, remember; it can be endless in size. However, S.R.C. Park does look awfully vast in size in the pictures that I've seen." "Are we going.er. cinoing?" Ron asked "Canoeing!" Hermione corrected, "It's a muggle hobby, in which you get in a small pointed boat and 'paddle', with ores, down a river. I hear it's really quite a bit of fun!" she ended smiling. "Interesting 'hobbies' muggles have." Ron mumbled to Harry, who smiled and nodded. "What kinds of aminals does they have for the petting zoo?" Felicity asked. "Oh, all kinds, I presume! There's probably lambs, goats, lamas, zebras, ponies, pigs, cows, kittens, you name it!" "Wow!" the little girl exclaimed, "That's a lot'a aminals for one zoo."
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In practically no time, the vehicle was pulling into a restaurant. It was called 'Angelica's'. Everybody got out, including the two little ones, and they went inside. There weren't more than ten people in the whole place! The group walked over to the biggest table they could find and sat down. Harry, Ron, Felicity, and Hermione were on one side, while Hermione's mother, father, and Shaine were on the other.
Mrs. Granger held Shaine instead of putting him in a high chair. She said that she never trusted those; they always were full of germs. Mr. Granger mentioned something about washing hands to his wife and instantly, they both left the table for the bathrooms with Shaine.
Felicity looked at Ron, who was next to Hermione and then pulled on Hermione's hair, bringing her head down to Felicity's level. She began whispering something in her ear. Hermione looked at Felicity strangely, but then nodded and began to get up. For some reason, she switched places with Felicity. Felicity smiled at Ron, who was right next to her. Ron smiled nervously, unsure of the little girl who was staring up at him with a mischievous smile. Harry watched as Ron scooted as far away from the girl as possible. The little girl, however, scooted too! "She'll keep Ron occupied for quite a while," Hermione said laughing, next to him. Harry nodded and laughed with her. Ron looked over at his two laughing friends and silently mouthed, "Help me!" which only made the two laugh louder.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger soon returned with the little boy. In no time a waiter came over to their table. "Is everyone ready to order?" she asked them, a notepad in hand to write everything down. "I believe so," Mr. Granger told the lady. "I'll have the buffet and a sprite." "I will be having the buffet as well, with a water please. Oh and a water for him as well," Mrs. Granger said, signaling to Shaine. Then she turned toward Hermione, "Can you take care of Felicity's order for me, dear?" Hermione nodded. Diana got up with Mr. Granger and headed over the buffet tables. "I shall have the fruit salad with a lemonade, please," Hermione told the waitress politely. "Oh, and she will have the Children's chicken fingers and chips with a milk," she said motioning to Felicity, who smiled back at the lady. "I guess I'll have the hamburger and fries." Harry said. "With a glass of water please." "Er.um, I'll take the vegetable soup and a baked potato," Ron stated. "And a mug of butterbeer." As soon as the words came out of his mouth, Hermione's eyes darted for Ron in frustration, and then she put her head in her hands, remaining silent. The waitress looked at Ron strangely but calmly replied, "Um.sorry, we don't carry that." "What about a glass of pumpkin juice then?" Ron asked her. Hermione's head darted up. "No, sorry, sir," the waitress told him again. "We don't have that either." Ron looked bemused. "Er. I think he means lemonade." Harry told the lady and then slowly nodded to Ron who was still confused, "Right Ron." It wasn't a question. "Um, yeah, right. Lemonade." The waiter gave Ron an odd look before turning around and walking off to the kitchens. "Ron Weasley," Hermione began in a quiet voice, 'You could have gotten us in so much trouble. You should know, by now, that ordinary muggle restaurants do not carry wizard drinks. How can you be so dimwitted? If Harry hadn't helped you out . . .arggh. What if she suspected anything . . ." Hermione went on and on and on.
By 1:45, everyone had had his or her food. Ron ate the most, finishing off his soup and potato in a flash and asking for seconds. They were now just about ready to leave. Mr. Granger got up and informed them that he was going to go pay, and that everyone else should get in the van. Suddenly Harry smacked his forehead with his hand. "Oh, how could I be so dumb?" he asked himself. "What's wrong?" Hermione asked him; her brows furrowed. "I left all my money in my trunk, and that's in the back of the van." "Oh, Harry," Hermione relaxed. "Don't worry about that. My parents are going to take care of it." "I can't let them do that." He persisted. "Yes, you can and you will. Now, stop worrying about it!" With that Hermione took Harry by the arm and led him outside, where her mother was getting Felicity strapped into her seat. Ron followed behind them.
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For the next hour they drove. Mountains, lakes, trees, streams, and farms flew by in a blur of color. This time, Hermione was in the middle seat, Ron on the left, and Harry on the right. "I love it down here," Hermione told Ron, who was staring out the window. "It's so peaceful." "Yep," Ron stated mindlessly. "The air even smells beautiful," she continued. "Of flowers and water and." "Hermione?" Ron interrupted. "I thought you said that you've never been to this park." She blushed and looked down at the carpet on the seat. "I haven't." "Then how do you know-," but he was interrupted by Felicity, who just woke up. "Aunt Diana?" she asked sleepily. "Yes, sweetie?" "How many more longer till' we get there?" she attempted to ask. "Um.we have a pretty long way to go sweetheart. Why don't you get some more sleep." Mrs. Granger told her. "Okay," and with that she laid her head down once more for another nap. Everyone was silent for a few minutes, but then Ron spoke up again. "Hermione?" Hermione's head shot up like a lightning bolt with a panicked looked on her face. However, her expression immediately relaxed when she saw what Ron was examining. He had a container of "Popsicle" brand lip-gloss and he seemed perplexed by the mere image of it. "This is the strangest popsicle I've ever seen," he was saying. "Ron, that's not a-," Hermione tried to explain, but he still chattered on. "It's very odd looking." He began to unscrew the top. "Ron, it's-," Hermione tried once more. "Ron!" Harry interrupted loudly. "Muggles have weird ways of making things." "RON!" "I wonder if it tastes good?" "Ron stop!" He brought it up to his nose and smelt it. Then, he began to bring it to his lips. "NO, RON DON'T-," Too late. "Is everything alright back there?" Mr. Granger asked from the front seat. "Y-Yeah, everything's fine, dad," Hermione replied nonchalantly. Harry and Hermione starred at Ron in horror. Ron starred back at them with a confused look, and then his face contorted into a grimace and he flung the lip-gloss out of his mouth. "Gross!" he exclaimed. "Now, Ron, we tried to warn you," Hermione stated clearly. "It's not our fault." Ron stuck his tongue out, attempting to get the taste to go away. "Ron?" Harry asked. "Are you okay?" Ron mumbled something incomprehensible under his breath. "What?" Harry asked bewildered. "Ron, please, if you're going to speak, do it correctly!" Hermione mused. "You know, with your mouth actually open." To this, Harry snorted. "Watermelon." Ron managed. "Excuse me?" "Watermelon! The flavor was watermelon. I HATE watermelon," he blurted out while screwing to top back on. "You can have it back, Hermione, I don't want it." Ron extended his hand outward with the lip-gloss. "That's quite all right, Ron. You keep it," said Hermione, gently guiding his hand back in the direction it came. "Ginny would like it." Ron's face changed into a perplexed look again, and his brows furrowed as he looked down at the floor. Meanwhile, Harry caught Hermione's eye and grinned. She kept her staid expression for a few moments before breaking into a grin as she tried to stifle her giggles. Harry never ceased to make her smile.
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"Are you guys hungry?" Hermione asked the boys a while later. "No, not really. But thanks anyway," Harry replied. "YES! I'm VERY hungry!" Ron answered after Harry. Hermione dug in a bag sitting on the floor near her feet. She pulled out four round sugar cookies. She handed one to Ron and sat another one down in her lap. She extended the other two toward Harry. "No," Harry told her gently, waving the cookies away, "I'm not all that hungry." Hermione gave him the how-dare-you-refuse-my-offer glare and pushed the cookies farther toward him. "Hermione, why does Harry gets more cookies? I'm the hungry one here!" Ron complained, poking Hermione on the back. Hermione in turn gave the red head a brief death stare before turning back to the other boy. "Harry," she insisted. "You look like you barely ate anything at your relatives' house. If you continue to obstain from food, you are going shrivel up on the spot. My cat eats more than you do!" Hermione gave the raven-haired boy a soft, worried expression and lifted the cookies up hopefully. Harry sighed, rolled his eyes, and took them. "I'm not starving myself, you know," he told her, taking a bite of the first cookie, "did you ever think that maybe I just wasn't famished at the time. We only ate lunch a few hours ago, Hermione." This statement was replied to when Hermione make an "uh huh" noise sarcastically. "Eh? Harry? Can I have a tiny, itsy bitsy piece of that cookie?" Ron asked Harry quietly, so that Hermione wouldn't hear. At the same time, Harry and Hermione replied with a firm, "NO!" "If you even think about touching his food, Ron, I will hex you!" Hermione informed him. Ron moved back, seeming to be surprised. "Well aren't we just a bit over- protective." "At least I seem to care!" Hermione retorted. "Are you insinuating that I don't?" Ron snapped. "Taking his food obviously has some say in this!" said Hermione. "Wake up, Hermione! He said he wasn't hungry!" Ron said, angered. "He was being polite," Hermione said firmly with her teeth gritted. "And just how do you know that Miss Priss?" Ron spat. "Because that's how Harry always is- he's polite. Unlike some brute I wish I didn't know." Hermione replied harshly. Ron took a deep breath. "If you don't like the way I act, then why in the wizarding world did you bring me on this confounded trip?" "You're my friend- simple as that. But if you didn't want to come on this 'confounded' trip, then why did you?" Hermione asked strictly. "To be with my best mate, Harry." "I thought you only cared about his food!" Hermione said finally. "Mum," she called to her mother in the front seat, "can we please stop for a short while to stretch." Her mother said yes and within five minutes they had pulled over in a small picnic area alongside the road for a rest.
Hermione was the first to get out. The other two boys stayed silent for a moment, not moving from their spots. Harry was surprised that Hermione had acted the way she did. She normally found a calm way to handle Ron's comments. After arguing over many debates in his head about what he should do, Harry exited the van and looked around for Hermione. She was sitting on a bench next to a clump of oak trees staring off into the distance.
The concerned green-eyed boy walked over to the bench and sat down a few feet away from his friend. He looked over briefly to see if the girl next to him was all right. She appeared to be fine, except for the blank look on her face. She had her faced tilted up a bit. Hermione was watching the sun as it slowly touched the horizon. The day would soon turn into night.
As Harry watched her, his eyes became transfixed at the radiant sun illuminating her face, making her look somewhat like an angel sitting next to him instead of the girl he knew as his best friend. A slight breeze began playing with Hermione's hair, causing it to sway gently. Rays of light touched the strands as they moved and transformed the dull brown color into a rainbow of golden highlights that Harry had never noticed before. If the perplexed boy looked deeply into the distant girl's eyes, he could see the sun itself as it descended in the pastel sky.
The teenager's mind raced as he contemplated the scene before him. He was searching for a word; one that he'd rarely used in his past. Seeing Hermione, bookworm Hermione, like this in front of him . . . .it all looked so . . . .precious. Time froze, and suddenly the only thing shining in the boy's eyes was the angel next to him. What feeling was this? It hammered at his brain as he tried to put his finger on the emotion raging in his heart.
Then, the eyes that once reflected the sun so brightly slowly lowered to the ground, driving Harry out of his bemused state and back to earth. Harry gently reached over and placed his hand on her sun warmed fingers before entwining them with his own. As soon as the two hands clasped together as one, Hermione lifted her head up to look at Harry. A smile appeared on her elegant face that made the sun wince from all the warmth and love it admitted.
As Hermione gently held her best friend's hand, she felt him give her a last soft, reassuring squeeze, before they both got up and dusted themselves off. When their hands fell apart from one another, Hermione noticed that the great warmth that she had been feeling left her, and was replaced by an icy awareness of reality. What lay before them was a mystery, Hermione only hoped that when everything was over, she could touch her friend's warm secure hands once more and not feel the worry of death that hovered in Hermione's mind every time she looked into the raven haired boy's captivating green eyes.
Harry glanced at Hermione one last time with a small smile before moving away from the bench and toward the van. Hermione followed suit and actually got to the automobile before Harry. Ron was still irked, and refused to talk to anyone minus Harry. This time though, Hermione was safely on Harry's right side, blocking her from Ron and any of his remarks.
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Night fell; everything was dark except for the few lights on the roads. They had stopped at a fast food restaurant and had eaten swiftly. Ron still hadn't spoken a word to Hermione. Harry didn't want to bring about another argument so he just talked to each of them and avoided bringing both into the same conversation.
Currently, Ron was snoring on Harry's left side, leaning against the window. On his right side, Hermione was attempting to read a book. Must be another of her finds for "light reading" Harry guessed. It was probably about something really important and really boring. How in the world she could see the text, Harry did not know. He couldn't even see the seatbelt he had on. Farther and farther they drove. Soon, the road lights died down and everything was black as night, apart from the road right in front of the van where its lights were shining.
Harry heard Hermione's book snap shut and felt the seat shift lightly. Then he heard a soft sigh coming from the same direction, followed by a long yawn and another sigh. Hermione must be tired after such a long day. He wondered if she would fall asleep after a while. Harry turned his head to try to make out the figure of the girl sitting next to him, but his eyes would not permit it. They only allowed him to see a vast emptiness.
Hermione felt the boy's stare upon her. Her eyes sparkled in the dark with curiosity. 'He doesn't seem at all like he wants to sleep,' she thought to herself. 'But I saw how his eyelids drooped a bit just as we left the restaurant. I know he's tired. I can feel it.' "Harry?" Hermione whispered. "Yes?" he replied. "Why don't you get some rest. After all, we'll be driving for the next hour at least and it's considerably too dark to do much."
Harry didn't say anything. He wanted to sleep. He wanted to just close his eyes for a second, but the fear that strange sorts of things would exit his mouth if an upsetting dream so happened to flash through his head kept him from doing so. "Er -I'll try," he lied. "Good," Hermione stated, not believing him quite.
Harry leaned his head on the back of the large seat and sighed. How was he supposed to get any sleep on this vacation? Ron was used to his musings by now, but Hermione's parents had no clue about his past unless she had told them. (He sort of hoped she hadn't) What would they think if suddenly, one night someone screamed in the next bedroom and then started doing all sorts of bizarre things and what not? They would think he was a mental nutcase if not worse. Hermione might not be allowed to be with him anymore. After all, who lets their child befriend someone that does those sorts of things?
Hermione meant too much to him. Her friendship was like a golden amulet. He cherished it very much, and held it close to him. Harry would do anything to preserve and protect that friendship. Anything. Therefore, after vowing not to let himself doze off into dreamland during this trip, he let his head sink lower on the cushion, searching for a more comfortable spot to stare at the darkness.
Meanwhile, Hermione was in her own little self-conversation. She was contemplating whether or not to mention homework anymore on this trip. She had completed it all within the first week of summer. (Plus extra credit) Ron and Harry probably hadn't even gotten it out! Their grades throughout these next two years at Hogwarts would determine their future careers. She had to make sure she pushed her sluggish friends to do their work as efficient as possible. As ruthless as they were, they were still her best friends. Therefore, she had to watch out for them. Finally deciding she'd wait until they got back from the vacation- but no later, to address the issue once more, she put her head down on the back cushion and let her head slip as it hunted for a cozy position to rest.
Hermione's head gently hit something rather soft. She was puzzled at first, but after listening to his steady breathing for a few seconds Hermione knew it was Harry's head she'd bumped into.
Harry thought the situation quite funny. He smiled and let out a small laugh. Hermione did the same. "I suppose trying to sleep in a crowded van is not highly recommended," Harry whispered, his warm breath hitting Hermione on her neck and making her laugh a bit more before they lazily moved their heads apart and sat back up. "I guess you're right." Hermione admitted, smiling.
Ron mumbled something in sleep about wanting more cookies. The van drove on.
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.:Note:.
So sorry that this took *forever* to write. I've had unending supply of homework this year and if it weren't for the X-mas break, this still wouldn't be done! This chapter is dedicated to all of my reviews from my 1st one. Especially *Lauren M Potter* who was my first reviewer ever! After I got the review I think I wrote three pages of this chapter. They do something to me I swear! Thank you all so much for the reviews! I hope to get the 3rd chapter up soon! =) I would be overjoyed if one of you kind people could tell me how to make words italic. And for those of you, who didn't notice, I am constantly using foreshadowing in the H/Hr moments. See if you can stop them next time. Happy Holidays!
¤ Tears of Aquarius ¤