"Harry, what are you wearing?" Ginny asked puzzled, she recognized the outfit as the one Jeremy had worn. She did not want to think that Harry had something to do with that. She did not know how he could have. But the green eyes, and now the blue shirt and leather pants were all telling her things that she did want to believe.
"Yeah, Harry, you were wearing jeans last time I saw you. I didn't know you
were into leather." Ron said, chuckling.
"No, I uh, just bought them. I thought they made me look, uh, hot." Harry said.
"Well, I don't know what illusion you were under. Harry, they just don't fit." Hermione said.
"No, they fit perfectly. But, Harry, when did you change?" Ginny said. She was still confused, and her confusion was making her a little angry. She never liked to be left in the dark.
"Yeah, you were not wearing leather when you left Hermione and me on the beach." Ron said.
"Yeah, when I left you two I went to have a look at some of the beach side shops. This outfit sort of caught my eye." Harry said.
"Yeah, but why did you change right then? Couldn't you have waited? And where did you put your other clothes?" Ginny questioned further.
Harry just remembered that he had left his clothes in the bathroom at Jose y Jorge's. He thought he would just come back to change into it, but Charlie and Silas had sidetracked him.
"I had spilled, um, juice on my other clothes. It looked horrid. And I guess I left my clothes in the bathroom of Jose y Jorge's, where I met Charlie after Silas had captured him, right Charlie?" Harry said, relieved that he could connect his story to Charlie's.
"Yeah, Harry, Its good thing you were there. Harry must have been coming out of the restaurant when he heard my yells, not going in, like I had thought." Charlie went along with Harry, even though he felt bad lying to the rest of them. But it was Harry who had gotten himself into this mess, and Harry was a strong kid. He could work something out.
"Well, alright, but, uh Harry, can I talk to you later about why you chose that particular outfit. For you know, fashion police reasons." Ginny said. She didn't want say anymore to Hermione and Ron, but she thought Harry had more explaining to do.
Charlie checked them into the seediest muggle motel he could find. It was really very trashy. He had booked two rooms, one for the girls and the room next door for Charlie, Harry, and Ron.
"Now I want you girls to lock your door. And do not open it. Ever. Unless, of course it is one of us. But we will say some sort of password. I like passwords. They remind me of my childhood. How about 'Schwarzenegger'?" Charlie proposed.
"What kind of a word is that?" Hermione exclaimed.
"Schwarzenegger. It's a name. The name of the new muggle governor of California.
"Do most governors have funny names in America?" Ginny asked.
"No, of course not! But hey, don't be dissin' it. Our governor could beat up your governor any day of the week." Charlie explained, as he sat down on the floor.
"So, do muggles always stay in dumps like this?" Ron asked as he sat down on a holey chair.
"No, we are just being cheap. Wizards can always use their wands to make a place more comfortable. But muggles have to use their minds!"
"You ought to meet my dad. He loves muggles. He thinks they are so cute." Ron said.
"Yeah, you should come visit us in England. You would have fun! Your accent would be even cooler there than ours is here." Hermione added.
"I don't think I'll be rowing back to England anytime soon. You know, what with being kicked out and all." Charlie mumbled, staring at a cockroach creeping along the carpet.
"So, Charlie, what happened in England?" Hermione asked, "You keep bringing it up but you never explain."
"And how many times have you been divorced?" Ginny prodded.
"Later girls, later. I'll tell you the entire story after we beat the Silas. The Sigh-Guy. The Si-mister. Si-o-nara…" Charlie took to rambling so he could change the subject.
"Whatever. I'm tired. I'll see you guys tomorrow." Hermione said as she opened the door, "Ginny, are you coming to the room?"
"In a minute."
"Alright, Goodnight, Ron" Hermione gave him a quick kiss and left to go next door. Ginny turned to look at Harry, who was still guilty of wearing the leather pants.
"Harry, do you want to take a walk?" Ginny asked.
"No, I don't think it's safe to wander off at night. We might be in a ghetto..." Harry was digging for excuses. He had not yet figured out yet how to explain it all to Ginny in a way that would leave her still wanting to speak to him.
"Well, alright. Ron, you don't mind checking up on Hermione in her room for a little while do you?" Ginny coolly proposed.
"Not at all!" Ron said, enthusiastically running out of the door.
"And Charlie, do you think you could get me some water? I saw a store across the street. I really want to try bottled water. It is supposed to be so classy and so much more refreshing than tap water." Ginny swiftly proposed.
"I guess so Ginny. You do look a little parched." Charlie was glad that Ginny was going to confront Harry. It had to be for the best.
"I am parched! Thank you so much." Ginny said with a plastic smile.
"Do you want me to come with you, Charlie?" Harry asked desperately.
"No, Harry. I think you should keep Ginny company."