Disclaimer- I don't own anything. My computer and my car are mine, but that's it. Harry Potter does not belong to me.
Thanks to those who have reviewed. Special thanks to Lindsey who helped me out while I was clueless. As far as this chapter goes, I really don't know what is going to happen. I'll find out just before you do. I know that a big argument is coming and the group will get to the hotel. I have no idea how long a flight from England to Florida is so don't get pissed if I was way off.
Harry, Ron and Hermione waited for their trunks to come around on the luggage conveyer. Harry was extremely uncomfortable standing between his two friends. They hadn't said a word to each other when they got off the plane, and the tension was very thick. Ron was making a point of not looking at Hermione, but she didn't seem to notice. She had gotten off the plane smiling, and her good mood was obviously bothering Ron to no end.
Hermione was curling a strand of her brown hair in her fingers when she laughed softly, a broad grin on her face. Ron, who was already in a bad mood, finally cracked.
"What are you so happy about, Hermione?" he asked quietly as if fearing the answer.
Hermione's eyes focused as she was brought back to reality. "What? Oh, nothing. I was just remembering something that Kyle said on the plane."
Harry guessed that Kyle was the name of the muggle from the plane. He held his breath, waiting for Ron to explode. Strangely, instead of starting the impending fight, Ron seemed to wilt. His broad shoulders sagged and he had a pained expression on his face.
"Oh yeah? What did he say?" Ron asked softly.
"What did he say? Lots of things. You wouldn't really understand." she said dreamily.
Harry knew this was one of the worst things she could have said. He came to the conclusion that Ron wasn't the only one of his friends that could say stupid things.
Her flippant response seemed to give Ron new life. "I wouldn't understand? Thanks, Hermione. I know that I'll never be as smart as you, but I think I understand the English language pretty well." He never took his eyes off of the passing luggage.
"I didn't mean it like that, Ron. We mainly talked about Muggle things. And since your not a Muggle, you probably wouldn't understand most of it. That's all."
Ron eyes widened and his mouth dropped open sarcastically. "Oh wow! Harry did you hear that? I'm not a Muggle! And all this time I thought the magic I've been seeing from childhood was slight-of-hand. You really are a genius, Hermione. The world finally makes sense."
Harry couldn't help but laugh at Ron's performance. Ron and Hermione had gotten so good at fighting that Ron could whip up an argument in moments. For once, Harry didn't feel sorry for Hermione. She had walked right into that one.
Hermione didn't think it was funny at all. "Very clever, Ronald."
But Ron wasn't finished. He never really was. "Oh, I'm sorry Hermione. Did I offend you? That must be my lack knowledge of the Muggle world. You see, even in the wizarding world I'm considered an idiot, so when you start bringing in Muggles I'm completely lost."
Hermione looked shocked when she turned to Ron.
"What are you talking about. You're not an-"
Ron cut her off. "I'm sorry I don't have anything interesting to say like you friend from the plane. Kyle was it?"
Hermione didn't back down. She rarely did. "I'm sorry too, Ron. I'm sorry you're so pig-headed that intelligent conversation is usually the farthest thing from your mind."
Ron recoiled as if slapped. He stood there shocked for a moment but then drew breath, ready to retort.
Harry had no idea what Ron was going to say, but he knew it would be bad. He could see the entire trip being ruined by whatever was going to come flying out of Ron's mouth. He had to do something.
"Why don't you both just shut up! You're giving me a headache." Harry screamed, looking at both of his friends.
Both Ron and Hermione seemed shocked at Harry's outbreak. He had never really involved himself in any of their fights before. He had always just been a middle-man, helping them forgive each other once the fight was over.
But Harry wasn't done yet. "And if you both have your hearts set on fighting, you can do it when I'm not around. You two have been fighting for years and I'm sick of it."
Ron and Hermione were staring at their shoes. A few minutes went by before Ron broke the silence. "I'm sorry, Harry." he said as he put his arm on Harry's shoulder.
Hermione slipped her arm around Harry's waist. "Me too, Harry"
Ron looked down over Harry's head at the top of Hermione's. She looked up at him. Ron smiled and winked at her. She smiled back. And everything was fine.
Harry wasn't in a good mood. Even when he didn't want to be their middle-man, he had something to do with them making up. It was ridiculous.
Their trunks made their way around the conveyer, and the three left. Magonagall was herding the students, trying to get them to the bus. Once they all got on, she started talking.
"All right, students settle down. We'll be staying at a Muggle hotel. The hotel is run by an American wizard who owes Dumbledore a favor. No magic of any kind will be used without strict supervision. Got that?" Magonagall took out a stack of papers and began handing them out to the students. "This is a short rule list. Each rule must be followed closely. We don't want anything to you."
When the stack of paper made it's way over to Harry, he looked down at it.
All rules will be followed. Any rule-breaking will lead to strict punishment.
1. All students will be accompanied at all times when leaving the hotel. (That's not gonna happen.)
2. All students will be in the hotel by midnight, each night. (Ha!)
3. There will be no male-female rooms. Visiting hours will be over at 1:30 A.M.
Past this time, any student found in the room occupied by the opposite sex will invoke strict punishment. (There goes that strict punishment thing again.)
4. Any wizarding paraphernalia will be left in the hotel at all times. Wands, wizard snacks and broomsticks will not be allowed outside. (It doesn't mention Invisibility Cloaks!)
5. We will not be leaving the Jones Beach area. Any student found outside this area will invoke strict punishment. (I wonder what it is.)
Harry could guarantee that each one of those rules would be broken at one point. He was proud to think that he would do a lot of the breaking. He had brought along his Invisibility Cloak for the sole purpose of sneaking out at night.
The hotel was beautiful. It was large and white with columns adorning the front side. Harry counted fifteen floors.
The group was staying on the third floor. The wizard owner had closed off the floor to all Muggles. This was done just in case some sort of magic needed to be used. It wouldn't go over well with dozens of Muggles watching.
The group had paid for four rooms. Harry and Ron's room was massive. It had two huge beds. Even from only the third floor, the view of the beach was beautiful. There was a door leading form their rooms to Seamus and Dean's room. When Harry opened the door, he saw them both staring out of the window.
Seamus noticed Harry and said, "I can't believe it. Florida! Let's go to the beach."
To Harry, it sounded like a great idea. "All right. I'll tell the others."
Harry went back to his room to see Ron sprawled out on one of the huge beds.
"Come on, Ron. We're going swimming!"
Ron's face lit up.
Harry went down the hall to the girls room. Hermione, Lavender and Parvati were all sharing the room. Harry went to the door and knocked. When the door opened, Harry was hit with a wave of excited screaming. Parvat and Lavender must have been celebrating something. Hermione had answered the door, and she was already rubbing her temples. Harry felt sorry that she had to deal with Parvati and Lavender for two weeks.
"What do you want?" she asked roughly.
"You having fun yet?" Harry asked sweetly.
"Not now, Harry. Really, what do you want?"
"Well, all the guys are going swimming, and we were wondering if you girls would like to come."
"All of us?" Hermione asked throwing an annoyed look in Parvati and Lavender's direction.
"Yeah, everybody."
"Fine I'll tell the Barbie twins back there and we'll be down in a few minutes" Hermione said.
"Great! See ya then." Harry said as Hermione closed the door.
Harry and Ron found themselves sitting on a bench on the beach waiting for the others. A paved road ran right by them, and it was a popular place for female rollerbladers. Harry and Ron were staring openly at the beautiful women skating by them. The women were usually wearing bikinis or tight biker shorts, and Harry and Ron took full advantage of their road side seat.
"God, would you look at these women. Half naked and they're not even thinking about it. This is what they do everyday. I love this country." Ron muttered as an especially attractive skater smiled at the two boys in their swim shorts.
They had gotten so used to staring at the passing, golden bodies that they didn't notice when a familiar face walked up to them. Harry and Ron gave the approaching figure the same appraising stare that they have been giving the rest of the passing females.
They were brought out of their inspection by a familiar voice.
"What are you guys looking at?"
Hermione! Harry and Ron had been too busy staring at her body to notice who it was. Harry felt all the blood rush in his body rush to his face.
Ron, however, was too shocked to be embarrassed.
"Hermione! You look great!" he said.
She did look good, Harry was forced to admit. She was wearing a blue two piece bathing suit. Even though she wasn't as tan as most of the girls around her, she wouldn't have any trouble fitting in.
Hermione blushed the same color as Harry.
"Really?" she asked
"Yeah! Where'd you get that bathing suit? It fits perfectly." Ron said. He was still in inspection mode.
Hermione saw where Ron's eyes were plastered and wrapped her long, beach towel around her body. "Well...you shouldn't be looking." she said scoldingly.
Ron snorted. "Hermione, if you don't want people looking at you, you wore the wrong bathing suit. Yeah I'm gonna look. Everyone else will be. I promise."
Harry wasn't sure, but he thought that might have been the first time Ron had ever complimented Hermione on anything. Well, besides being brilliant. This revelation was having a strange effect on Hermione. Her lip actually trembled. Harry hadn't seen many girls ready to be kissed in his short life, but just then Hermione was definitely one of them.
Ron, of course, completely missed his cue.
"Well, let's go down to the beach. I haven't went swam in the ocean for a long time!" he said obliviously.
With that he ran off. His long legs carried him quickly all the way down to the water, and Harry and Hermione could barely see him when he launched himself in. He came back to the surface with his fiery, red hair plastered to his forehead. He waved his muscular arms to Harry and Hermione, beckoning them to the water.
Harry sneaked a look at Hermione out of the corner of his eye. She was staring at Ron in the same way he had been staring at her at the end of the plane ride. It was pretty pathetic.
Thanks to those who have reviewed. Special thanks to Lindsey who helped me out while I was clueless. As far as this chapter goes, I really don't know what is going to happen. I'll find out just before you do. I know that a big argument is coming and the group will get to the hotel. I have no idea how long a flight from England to Florida is so don't get pissed if I was way off.
Harry, Ron and Hermione waited for their trunks to come around on the luggage conveyer. Harry was extremely uncomfortable standing between his two friends. They hadn't said a word to each other when they got off the plane, and the tension was very thick. Ron was making a point of not looking at Hermione, but she didn't seem to notice. She had gotten off the plane smiling, and her good mood was obviously bothering Ron to no end.
Hermione was curling a strand of her brown hair in her fingers when she laughed softly, a broad grin on her face. Ron, who was already in a bad mood, finally cracked.
"What are you so happy about, Hermione?" he asked quietly as if fearing the answer.
Hermione's eyes focused as she was brought back to reality. "What? Oh, nothing. I was just remembering something that Kyle said on the plane."
Harry guessed that Kyle was the name of the muggle from the plane. He held his breath, waiting for Ron to explode. Strangely, instead of starting the impending fight, Ron seemed to wilt. His broad shoulders sagged and he had a pained expression on his face.
"Oh yeah? What did he say?" Ron asked softly.
"What did he say? Lots of things. You wouldn't really understand." she said dreamily.
Harry knew this was one of the worst things she could have said. He came to the conclusion that Ron wasn't the only one of his friends that could say stupid things.
Her flippant response seemed to give Ron new life. "I wouldn't understand? Thanks, Hermione. I know that I'll never be as smart as you, but I think I understand the English language pretty well." He never took his eyes off of the passing luggage.
"I didn't mean it like that, Ron. We mainly talked about Muggle things. And since your not a Muggle, you probably wouldn't understand most of it. That's all."
Ron eyes widened and his mouth dropped open sarcastically. "Oh wow! Harry did you hear that? I'm not a Muggle! And all this time I thought the magic I've been seeing from childhood was slight-of-hand. You really are a genius, Hermione. The world finally makes sense."
Harry couldn't help but laugh at Ron's performance. Ron and Hermione had gotten so good at fighting that Ron could whip up an argument in moments. For once, Harry didn't feel sorry for Hermione. She had walked right into that one.
Hermione didn't think it was funny at all. "Very clever, Ronald."
But Ron wasn't finished. He never really was. "Oh, I'm sorry Hermione. Did I offend you? That must be my lack knowledge of the Muggle world. You see, even in the wizarding world I'm considered an idiot, so when you start bringing in Muggles I'm completely lost."
Hermione looked shocked when she turned to Ron.
"What are you talking about. You're not an-"
Ron cut her off. "I'm sorry I don't have anything interesting to say like you friend from the plane. Kyle was it?"
Hermione didn't back down. She rarely did. "I'm sorry too, Ron. I'm sorry you're so pig-headed that intelligent conversation is usually the farthest thing from your mind."
Ron recoiled as if slapped. He stood there shocked for a moment but then drew breath, ready to retort.
Harry had no idea what Ron was going to say, but he knew it would be bad. He could see the entire trip being ruined by whatever was going to come flying out of Ron's mouth. He had to do something.
"Why don't you both just shut up! You're giving me a headache." Harry screamed, looking at both of his friends.
Both Ron and Hermione seemed shocked at Harry's outbreak. He had never really involved himself in any of their fights before. He had always just been a middle-man, helping them forgive each other once the fight was over.
But Harry wasn't done yet. "And if you both have your hearts set on fighting, you can do it when I'm not around. You two have been fighting for years and I'm sick of it."
Ron and Hermione were staring at their shoes. A few minutes went by before Ron broke the silence. "I'm sorry, Harry." he said as he put his arm on Harry's shoulder.
Hermione slipped her arm around Harry's waist. "Me too, Harry"
Ron looked down over Harry's head at the top of Hermione's. She looked up at him. Ron smiled and winked at her. She smiled back. And everything was fine.
Harry wasn't in a good mood. Even when he didn't want to be their middle-man, he had something to do with them making up. It was ridiculous.
Their trunks made their way around the conveyer, and the three left. Magonagall was herding the students, trying to get them to the bus. Once they all got on, she started talking.
"All right, students settle down. We'll be staying at a Muggle hotel. The hotel is run by an American wizard who owes Dumbledore a favor. No magic of any kind will be used without strict supervision. Got that?" Magonagall took out a stack of papers and began handing them out to the students. "This is a short rule list. Each rule must be followed closely. We don't want anything to you."
When the stack of paper made it's way over to Harry, he looked down at it.
All rules will be followed. Any rule-breaking will lead to strict punishment.
1. All students will be accompanied at all times when leaving the hotel. (That's not gonna happen.)
2. All students will be in the hotel by midnight, each night. (Ha!)
3. There will be no male-female rooms. Visiting hours will be over at 1:30 A.M.
Past this time, any student found in the room occupied by the opposite sex will invoke strict punishment. (There goes that strict punishment thing again.)
4. Any wizarding paraphernalia will be left in the hotel at all times. Wands, wizard snacks and broomsticks will not be allowed outside. (It doesn't mention Invisibility Cloaks!)
5. We will not be leaving the Jones Beach area. Any student found outside this area will invoke strict punishment. (I wonder what it is.)
Harry could guarantee that each one of those rules would be broken at one point. He was proud to think that he would do a lot of the breaking. He had brought along his Invisibility Cloak for the sole purpose of sneaking out at night.
The hotel was beautiful. It was large and white with columns adorning the front side. Harry counted fifteen floors.
The group was staying on the third floor. The wizard owner had closed off the floor to all Muggles. This was done just in case some sort of magic needed to be used. It wouldn't go over well with dozens of Muggles watching.
The group had paid for four rooms. Harry and Ron's room was massive. It had two huge beds. Even from only the third floor, the view of the beach was beautiful. There was a door leading form their rooms to Seamus and Dean's room. When Harry opened the door, he saw them both staring out of the window.
Seamus noticed Harry and said, "I can't believe it. Florida! Let's go to the beach."
To Harry, it sounded like a great idea. "All right. I'll tell the others."
Harry went back to his room to see Ron sprawled out on one of the huge beds.
"Come on, Ron. We're going swimming!"
Ron's face lit up.
Harry went down the hall to the girls room. Hermione, Lavender and Parvati were all sharing the room. Harry went to the door and knocked. When the door opened, Harry was hit with a wave of excited screaming. Parvat and Lavender must have been celebrating something. Hermione had answered the door, and she was already rubbing her temples. Harry felt sorry that she had to deal with Parvati and Lavender for two weeks.
"What do you want?" she asked roughly.
"You having fun yet?" Harry asked sweetly.
"Not now, Harry. Really, what do you want?"
"Well, all the guys are going swimming, and we were wondering if you girls would like to come."
"All of us?" Hermione asked throwing an annoyed look in Parvati and Lavender's direction.
"Yeah, everybody."
"Fine I'll tell the Barbie twins back there and we'll be down in a few minutes" Hermione said.
"Great! See ya then." Harry said as Hermione closed the door.
Harry and Ron found themselves sitting on a bench on the beach waiting for the others. A paved road ran right by them, and it was a popular place for female rollerbladers. Harry and Ron were staring openly at the beautiful women skating by them. The women were usually wearing bikinis or tight biker shorts, and Harry and Ron took full advantage of their road side seat.
"God, would you look at these women. Half naked and they're not even thinking about it. This is what they do everyday. I love this country." Ron muttered as an especially attractive skater smiled at the two boys in their swim shorts.
They had gotten so used to staring at the passing, golden bodies that they didn't notice when a familiar face walked up to them. Harry and Ron gave the approaching figure the same appraising stare that they have been giving the rest of the passing females.
They were brought out of their inspection by a familiar voice.
"What are you guys looking at?"
Hermione! Harry and Ron had been too busy staring at her body to notice who it was. Harry felt all the blood rush in his body rush to his face.
Ron, however, was too shocked to be embarrassed.
"Hermione! You look great!" he said.
She did look good, Harry was forced to admit. She was wearing a blue two piece bathing suit. Even though she wasn't as tan as most of the girls around her, she wouldn't have any trouble fitting in.
Hermione blushed the same color as Harry.
"Really?" she asked
"Yeah! Where'd you get that bathing suit? It fits perfectly." Ron said. He was still in inspection mode.
Hermione saw where Ron's eyes were plastered and wrapped her long, beach towel around her body. "Well...you shouldn't be looking." she said scoldingly.
Ron snorted. "Hermione, if you don't want people looking at you, you wore the wrong bathing suit. Yeah I'm gonna look. Everyone else will be. I promise."
Harry wasn't sure, but he thought that might have been the first time Ron had ever complimented Hermione on anything. Well, besides being brilliant. This revelation was having a strange effect on Hermione. Her lip actually trembled. Harry hadn't seen many girls ready to be kissed in his short life, but just then Hermione was definitely one of them.
Ron, of course, completely missed his cue.
"Well, let's go down to the beach. I haven't went swam in the ocean for a long time!" he said obliviously.
With that he ran off. His long legs carried him quickly all the way down to the water, and Harry and Hermione could barely see him when he launched himself in. He came back to the surface with his fiery, red hair plastered to his forehead. He waved his muscular arms to Harry and Hermione, beckoning them to the water.
Harry sneaked a look at Hermione out of the corner of his eye. She was staring at Ron in the same way he had been staring at her at the end of the plane ride. It was pretty pathetic.