Well, here's another installment of Blush. Thanks for all the reviews!!!
Previously on Blush:
But that night, no one could sleep. Hermione and Ron played chess, Ginny and Anita talked quietly in their apartment, Malfoy was fast asleep dreaming, and it seemed, of a pink bunny invasion, while Harry stood in the balcony looking at the stars. It seemed as if their next adventure, ignoring the pun, would be to die for. And he was really hoping that he could ignore that pun. It scared him out of his wits.
Chapter 4: Hatching
Harry swung his shoulder bag over his head and picked up his suitcase. It was probably safer to travel light, but he didn't know how long he was to be in Russia, and he wanted to be ready for any situation. His eyes feel on numerous wizards and witches waiting in clearance lines and using portkeys to go in and out of the country. The place was full of excitement. Then again, here he was in the middle of summer going to Russia of all places. It could happen.
He pulled the hat over his head and stood in line, knowing that if anyone figured out whom he was, he would get in deep trouble.
Somewhere else, people were bustling out of a cab in a hurry...
Ron glared at the back of Malfoy while he joined Hermione to the line going to places in Africa. The blond-headed man was standing next to his sister, smirking. Hermione cleared her throat and said suddenly, "Well all of this wouldn't have happened if you hadn't woken up late Ron." He looked at her wide-eyed and said, "Me? What about you and your little muggle device that you insisted on packing carefully."
She rolled her eyes and said, "We're going to research Ron. I needed to bring my laptop along. Remember, muggles and wizards were connected with the ancient Egyptians." Of course, all of this was said in a hurried soft voice, one that was usually seen when a wife was reprimanding her husband in public.
An old woman behind them observed happily to her husband, "Look dear, aren't they the sweetest little ones you've seen in a while."
Draco Malfoy was not used to standing in lines very often. He shifted again, but then smirked at his cousin asking, "shouldn't you be with Potter in the other line?" Anita glared at her cousin and then replied, "I'm trying to give Ginny these magazines incase you start to annoy her. Which you probably will."
Virginia Weasley blushed at all the attention she was getting. First it was her brother, but even her own roommate was convinced that she needed extra protective items. From things such as 'pepper spray' something that was to keep people away if she ever lost her wand, to special potions, Anita had gotten triples of everything at the nearby shopping area to distribute to the girls. Ginny had a good idea that Harry Potter was to remain far away from Anita if he were to live.
Ginny Weasley looked at the surprisingly shaken Malfoy, as he stared at a little girl's pink bunny maliciously. She stated amusedly, "I suggest you stop looking at her Malfoy, if anyone saw they'd charge you of a crime." He turned back and glared at Ginny, grabbing hold of the portkey with force.
After sharing everything with Ginny, Anita walked off to the line where her partner was standing, and saw that he was being fussed over by the portkey keeper. She joined him just as he said, "But I'm telling you sir, my friend is going to arrive soon and I am with the person that portkey is reserved for." Anita suddenly interjected, "What is the problem sir?"
He looked at her flustered and grateful and said, "madam we have an issue over the correct recipient of a portkey to Moscow."
She asked sweetly, "Is it by any chance designated for an Anita Rogers?" He nodded and smiled and he gave her the portkey telling her that it would be activated in a few minutes. Harry, finishing his initial gaping at Anita, glared at the man as he walked behind her. He shrunk his luggage and put them safely into his robes as she said, "hold onto it Potter, there's only a minute left."
As Ron and Hermione received theirs, they noticed that Harry had already left, and Ginny, much to Ron's dismay, left right before his eyes. Hermione sighed and took his hand to place it on the portkey, hoping wholeheartedly that something could be accomplished within the days they were to stay in Egypt.
Moscow, Russia
The perfect solution was found when they realized they would be staying at least a couple months together to spy. They wouldn't talk to each other unless completely necessary…
Harry Potter smiled as he got out of the car. He was facing a blue house, fairly sized, with a white picket fence up front. Their job was easy, observe some suspicious British men in the community. The best way to describe it would be to call it a sort of village for the British wizards on the suburbs of the city. He had imagined such a home, where he would start a family that he'd truly lacked in his life, but to live so close to his dream would be wonderful. He took a deep breath and walked forward to the door, the key's weight becoming lighter as he grew more anticipated.
Meanwhile, Anita watched calmly, handing the driver the fee, and got onto the sidewalk, observing her partner's enthusiasm. She walked forward, wanting to say something that would probably change his mood, but her eyes softened as she entered the house. She had grown up in a turbulent family, her mother leaving when she was two, and her father, never really healing from the loss of his wife. To walk into a house, not an apartment, with a large interior, homely rooms and everything, was amazing and warmed her.
She was looking at a painting, when suddenly he came into view. She shrieked, caught, and he said, "Shhh, it's just me. Which bedroom do you want?" Anita walked past him shrugging briskly, seeing the nearest door and opened it. It was simply a cupboard, under the stairs. He flinched a little and said, "I personally wouldn't prefer that. I know from experience that it's a bit cramped and dirty down there."
Her eyes flamed and she whipped around and asked, "I thought we decided not to talk to each other Potter?" He rolled his eyes and said, "Well, you've got to figure, since we're supposed to act like a married couple and all, we have to be civil at least." She brushed past him saying, "Fine, I get the bigger bedroom." He shrugged. Just then the doorbell rang.
She looked at the door and at him in caution, and as he walked to the door, a hand was reaching for his wand if necessary. He opened the door and looked at a girl and she blushed lightly saying, "Sorry to impose, my mum told me we had new neighbors and told me to invite you for dinner tonight."
Harry was about to agree when Anita came to the door and said, "Dinner?" The girl nodded enthusiastically mesmerized by Harry Potter, and Anita noticed it very well. She smiled fakely yet sweetly and said, "I wish we could little one, but we have a lot of unpacking tonight. Maybe we'll come by later to introduce ourselves. Can you tell your mom all that?" The girl frowned at being referred to as 'little' but she was more afraid of the woman and so she nodded and left in a hurry.
Harry closed the door and asked, "We're supposed to be on a mission. What's wrong with getting ourselves invited there?" She huffed and said, "whatever the case Potter, we first need to unpack, then we'll be prepared for everything. Now if you excuse me…"
She walked up the stairs, and Harry stared after her, confused at the mentality of the female population.
Melbourne, Australia
Ginny Weasley held her cloak in her arms, thankful for wearing a light summer dress underneath. The weather in the city was very warm compared to weather in her hometown at the moment. But then, they were expecting rain in London that afternoon, and it was sunny with not a cloud in the sky.
She smiled at the sky when Draco Malfoy came around and said, "Well, let's get checked into the hotel then." They were riding in a cab to get to their destination now. She was used to cars, Anita and Hermione had gotten her used to them, but it was different with a boy you disliked for 10 years or more sitting less than a foot away…
It turned out Draco Malfoy knew much about the muggle world, even more than she did. And she almost smiled as he frustratedly talked to the taxi driver and got him to drive up to the hotel. She smirked as he attempted to work out the exchange between Australian money and English muggle money. She wasn't explosive like her brothers, but she wasn't meek either. And that was to her advantage in many ways, catching opponents by surprise.
She went up to the lobby desk and asked, "Hi, reservations for Virginia Clarkson, please." The clerk nodded and typed into the computer then looked around Ginny and asked, "and will your husband be joining you soon?" Ginny looked at the woman in confusion when he arrived behind her. The woman's eyes widened and Draco took his time smirking lightly and asking, "Any trouble miss?" She stuttered, "N-no, nothing's wrong, one minute."
Ginny rolled her eyes and waited as the woman came back and said, "Here are your keys for your room, 8th floor, 832." Malfoy looked confusedly at the keys and said, "Um, shouldn't there be two different rooms?" The woman looked back at the computer frowning lightly and replied, "Not as far as I can tell sir, but I do believe there are two rooms inside the suite." Ginny stepped in and asked, "is there a chance of getting another room too?" The woman shook her head sadly and said, "I'm sorry miss but we don't have any free rooms, what with it being vacation season and all."
Draco heard her sigh and he looked a little peeved as he took the keys and nodded at the woman saying, "Thank you miss…" She replied enthusiastically, glancing a little distastefully at Ginny, "Joanne." And she smiled a flirtatious smile.
Ginny looked away and picked up her bags without a sound. She shouldn't react at all, but if that were how her trip to Australia was going to turn out, she'd have to lock up Draco Malfoy or put a charm on his face.
But any hard feelings faded once she walked into the room. There was a beautiful view from the windows of bright blue seas that she couldn't wait to step into. And the entire room was filled with loving warmth that lifted her spirits.
Maybe things wouldn't be so bad, even if her partner were an arrogant idiot.
Draco Malfoy looked on at the door as the girl stood awed at the balcony door, basking in the soft breezes.
He tried to tell himself that her hair was bright red and ugly, but all he could see was auburn tresses being blown in the breeze.
He shook his head, walking in, mumbling about personal space.
He did not like his partner and he did not like the idea of being in the same room with her.
It was going to be a horrible mission.
Cairo, Egypt
Ronald Weasley sat in the passenger seat watching the city he visited, as a child, remain the same. Hermione on the other hand, had a hard time getting used to the rental car, and as much as she respected Ron, she didn't trust him with any car after second year. He looked back on the street, as she stopped frustratedly at an intersection. She immediately turned left, and Ron said, "Um, Hermione, you're on a one way street."
She cursed abruptly, and turned so quickly that Ron screamed in fear. He held his hand against his pacing heart and said, "Bloody hell Hermione! Even I'm a better driver!" She said agitated, "If you're not going to help I'm going to be lost like this Ronald Weasley!" He sighed and said small instructions, getting them to the hotel, after nearly missing two more car wrecks.
He got them checked in, and they went to their suite, but Hermione stopped, and said, "Oh! One second Ron!" She hurried back a few moments later with a few pamphlets in her hands. He looked at her questioningly, wheeling in their suitcases into the elevator. She smiled flustered but warmly and said, "They're bus route maps. We can travel on the bus to anywhere." He groaned and smiled wryly at her, what he labeled as, 'Hermione-ness.' After ten years, it was easy to get used to her mentality even if she was still full of surprises.
She fell ignorant to him and she let him drag her to their shared room, which they were surprised to find out about but weren't too concerned with. She said, once he settled into the bed to take a nap, "Well then, let's go see the library."
He mumbled sleepily, "Later 'Mione. I'm getting some sleep. Go get yourself unpacked first." She smiled lightly as he fell asleep. Quite the chauvinist when he wanted to be, but he was one of the only people whom she trusted fully. She smiled as she emptied her suitcase into the drawers provided, the muggle way. And somewhere along the way, she started humming a song and she took out her laptop and settled on her bed. Then she looked at the TV remote and she picked it up, catching up on world events. Her laptop lay aside, humming softly, and Ron slept as she settled into the bed.
Ron turned over, and mumbled, "but 'Mione, I thought you liked me."
She blushed as she looked over at him. His dark red hair was growing out, and in turn becoming curly. She turned back to the television, but stole another glance and then chastised herself. He probably did something wrong in his dream for him to say that to her.
And she left it at that.
An hour later, Ronald Weasley woke up to find the television on, but Hermione fast asleep immersed in her papers. He picked her up, transferring her to his bed while he cleaned up the papers in an order. Then his eyes fell across a sheet that said, "The days of Merlin and Ra." He picked up the document, settling down in her bed.
There's always a person who rises to the top to wreak havoc. When he is defeated, there's always a follower who will try and continue that which he was so brainwashed into. A circular theory, but true nonetheless as is proven in many cases. But there are those, who don't believe in raising a wand and performing magic. Hands. Hands built the great human civilizations and they will destroy them.
A comparative essay on Evil, by Romulus Maximus
He frowned at the name, it seemed so familiar but he couldn't figure out when he'd heard about this guy. As he read through the rest of the document he saw that this man knew everything, cause and effects. But around the middle, Ron noticed a shift in loyalty. Interesting.
Hermione woke up, and looked over, confused and saw Ron through sleepy eyes, with his sleeves rolled up, settled in her bed reading something. She observed groggily, "I never thought the day would come when you would be studying and I would be sleeping." He said, "Ah well, we both knew the world would come to an end eventually Hermione."
She sat up immediately and said, "Remember what Tonks told us before we left her office?" He said, "What, that everything is not as what it appears?" She said, "well that too. But remember how worried she was, about the amount of time we have before we see an attack or sign of some sort." He nodded.
She continued, "that document you're holding… I think we'll find that Maximus guy here." He asked, "How'd you know he's in town?" She replied, "I remember hearing from a girl about attending his lectures in Egypt."
He nodded and said, "Well let's try and get into his circle then, it'll be easier to find out things about the people around him." She fingered hair and said, "But we're supposed to be normal tourists, how's that going to work out?" He ran a hair through his hair and sighed saying, "I know espionage tricks from training."
She nodded and said, "Let's head out. I think the library's open till late tonight." He replied, "Really? Can we go get dinner first then?" Hermione smiled and stopped walking saying, "Wow. This is one of the first days we've gone without some argument."
He shook his head and said, "naw. There're a lot. And we argued this morning, over Ginny. Speaking of which… I wonder how she's handling the ferret."
Hermione just tied her hair into a ponytail and said, "I'm sure she's having fun countering everything he's saying."
"No."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "I don't really care what you think Malfoy. I'm going to the beach."
He said, "No, we have a job Weaslette, and I'm not going to let you slack off. The less time I have to spend with you the happier I will be."
She replied, "Then we can start at the beach. Honestly, you're so pale. Come along if it'll make you feel like you're working."
Virginia Weasley sighed as she came out of the water. He was now surrounded by girls, on her beach towel, not even his own. He smirked and talked like his usual arrogant self. She sighed and approached the group, and Draco didn't even bother to look at her face, just saying, "Sorry a little taken at the moment. Maybe if you waited a bit." She fumed.
She kicked him in the knee and said, "Of course you're taken. What're you doing with all these girls?" He sighed dramatically and said, "Ginny, sweetheart, I'm afraid we're going to have to break up." By this time, girls were feeling the rage of Ginny Weasley and so they slowly inched away, as Draco Malfoy, noticing that a hand wasn't caressing his cheek anymore, looked up to see her standing over him eyes blazing.
She whispered angrily, "Have you noticed that right behind you, this entire time, a man was staring at the two of us and calling someone every time something changed? I don't know about you Malfoy, but that counts as suspicious in my books. And have you looked at your burn on your stomach lately?" He looked down and swore, jumping up. She smirked as she packed up the blanket.
"Give me some of that anti-sun damage lotion Weaslette."
"Ask me nicely,' she said smiling, 'and maybe I'll agree."
He sighed and attempted again. "Fine. Give me some lotion Virginia."
She shook her head and walked away towards the hotel. He jogged up behind her and said, "I'll take you to dinner in a couple hours if you do." She turned around and smiled sweetly and approached him. She tapped his cheek lightly and said, "I wouldn't have dinner with you in a million years."
He almost glared at her retreating figure when he noticed the man she mentioned. It wasn't strange to wear sunglasses at a beach, but office pants? The man turned away, talking on his cell phone and Draco followed Ginny thinking about the man.
"Yeah… they're gone… I think that guy's going out with the red haired girl…but it's weird, yeah, he was trying to make her jealous or something… no, they look like normal British tourists to me… yeah, I'll try and get where they're staying…bye…"
The man walked back to his car, glancing occasionally at the people around him. He smirked and thought, 'keep me away from all of this will you? I'll be getting my revenge soon enough…'
Harry Potter put on his jacket and turned around to accidentally slam into Anita. She rubbed her forehead and he sheepishly apologized, "Sorry bout that." She frowned and looked up, and he cleared his throat before another fight started and said, "Um, I'm going out to explore the area a bit. I didn't think the house would be this furnished, but I remember driving by a store not too far from here so I'll go get some food then."
She grabbed her jacket walking past him and said, "Well I'm coming with you then."
He frowned and asked why and she replied, "Why do you think? I'm not afraid or anything Potter. I need to know this area pretty well too. And plus, I'm starving."
He shrugged and followed her out. As they locked the door, their neighbor waved, running/walking up to them. He felt Anita stiffen next to him, and he decided not to let her take charge again. The woman came breathless and said, "I apologize about my daughter this afternoon, I wanted to come over myself, but I wasn't sure who was going to be home this afternoon." He nodded and she exclaimed, "Oh! My name's Mercy Fleur."
Harry cleared his throat and said, "Pleased to meet you Mrs. Fleur, I'm Larry Sanders and this is my wife Annie." She kicked his foot lightly and smiled politely. The woman said, "Oh! You must be the youngest ones on the block now. Well, my son may be getting married soon. I do hope you join us for dinner once you settle in, I have a son about your age and I'm sure my husband would love to have more company around. Our neighbor's house has been abandoned for months."
Harry smiled politely as the woman talked for a few more minutes. She reminded him distinctly of Mrs. Weasley. After she left them, Harry and Anita continued in silence until she said, "Was it just me or did she remind you of Mrs. Weasley?" He smiled and said, "She definitely had the entire mothering persona."
As they shopped in the store, separately, a girl approached Harry, clearing her throat to get his attention. She whispered, "Call me," and slipped a paper into his hands and left. Anita walked by just then and took the note from the disturbed Harry. She read out loud, "Cecilia. Hmm, not a bad name for a girl to cheat with."
He started at her, as her eyes twinkled, and he took the paper from her fingers and said turning away, "I'll keep that in mind, wife."
She smirked. 'Not bad,' she thought definitively.
So? How was it? My Internet's gone haywire, so whenever it's up, this'll be up in no time. It was a pretty big chapter =(
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