Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, Anger Management, The Pianist, British Airways, Sprite, Dr. Pepper or Evanescence. Please don't sue me.
Whisper~Mad~Crazy Chapter 2-Plane Ride
Eric and Hermione made their way to the gate in silence.
"There it is!" Hermione said pointing. "Gate 33 London to Miami Non-stop."
They put their bags through check and passed through the metal detector. The man checking the bags cast a confused glance at Hermione when he saw the all the shrunken stuff inside her bag.
"Um baby shower." She said quickly slightly blushing. She went and sat down. She heard Eric behind her talking to the same man.
"Shopping for my baby brother."
"Right…" the man said slowly before checking the next bag.
Eric walked up and sat next to Hermione sighing heavily.
"So you have a baby brother?" Hermoine asked trying to make some conversation.
"What?" He asked. "Oh, yeah, yeah. Um just born, cute little tyke. Do you have any siblings?"
"Nope." She replied. A sharp voice sounded through the loud speakers.
"All passengers flight 207 non-stop to Miami, Florida will begin boarding now."
"I guess that's us." Eric said standing up, Hermione did the same and he followed her onboard. "Where are we sitting?" He asked.
"Um up front." Hermione said glancing at the tickets. "First class."
They found their seats and stowed their luggage over head.
"I call window seat!" Hermione cried suddenly, jumping and landing next to the window. She looked at Eric who was laughing, she laughed too. He took the seat next to her.
"All right but I call window on the way home!" He told her, smiling broadly.
"Deal!" She said grabbing his hand and shaking it. They watched the plane slowly fill until only a few seats were left empty. The stewardess came on and did the routine safety talk and then the pilot came on.
"Ladies and gentlemen this is your pilot speaking. Make yourselves comfortable we're going to settle in for a nice long flight. It will take approximately 9 hrs and 15 minutes to arrive in Miami. We will get there around 1:55 PM Eastern Standard Time. We will be serving lunch and dinner and the in-flight movies will be Anger Management and The Pianist. Please make sure your seats are all the way forward and that your tray tables are in the up-right and locked position. Thank you for flying British Airways and have a nice flight."Eric yawned, "Well that was just about the most boring speech I've ever heard. 9 hours huh? Well at least there's one good movie to watch."
"I know," Hermione replied. "I heard Anger Management was really good!"
"Anger Management? I was talking about The Pianist." Hermione watched as a wide grin slowly crept across his face.
"You are too cute, you know that?" She said.
"Well thank you. You're not so bad yourself." He replied. They stared at each other for a moment before each suddenly looked away.
'What am I doing?' Hermione thought to herself. 'I have a boyfriend and I just called him cute! Think about Harry, think about Harry!'
'Oh my god I did not just say that! "You're not so bad yourself." What was I thinking? She has a boyfriend! Think about something else, think about something else.'
The two remained silent as the plane took off. Neither looked up until the stewardess came by with the drinks.
"Can I get you anything to drink?" She asked.
"I'll take a Sprite." Eric said.
"And I'll have a Dr. Pepper please." Hermione replied as she put their tray tables down.
The stewardess handed Eric two cups of ice, which he passed on to Hermoine, then two cans of soda.
"Would you like some honey roasted peanuts?" She asked before leaving.
"Sure, yeah." Eric replied still holding the two cans. She put a few bags on his tray table then proceeded to the people behind them.
"Here," Eric said opening Hermione's can and pouring some soda into her cup.
"Thanks." She replied quietly watching as he did the same with his soda.
"Look," he said suddenly, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. It was totally out of line."
"No it's my fault." Hermione replied. "I complimented you first."
They sat silent again.
"You want some peanuts?" Eric asked handing her a bag.
"Yes I'm starved!" She replied. She took the bag and ripped it open, sending peanuts flying every which direction. She stared at the bag for a few moments before turning to Eric. His eyes were watering. Then they both burst out laughing. People turned to look at what they were laughing at but all they could see were peanuts lying all over.
"You…are clumsy!" Eric gasped wiping his eyes dry.
"I know," Hermione replied still laughing. "People tell me that all the time."
Eric smiled then turned his attention to a stewardess who was not looking very happy at the mess.
"Would you like head phones to watch the movie?" She snapped.
"Uh, yeah sure." Eric said cowering away from her a bit. She pulled out 2 sets and shoved them into Eric's hand.
"Enjoy the movie." She said plastering on a fake smile.
"Wow," Eric said after she left. "She reminds me of one of my teachers."
"Mine too." Replied Hermione, thinking of McGonnagle. "Don't we all have a teacher like that?"
"Yeah I guess so." Eric chuckled.
They plugged in the headsets and began watching the movie. It was Anger Management with Adam Sandler. They occasionally popped a peanut into their mouth and slowly enjoyed their soda. An hour and a half later they were both crying from laughing so hard.
"I've never laughed so hard in my life." Hermione said wiping her eyes.
"I have." Eric replied doing the same. "But that was only because you spilled the peanuts everywhere." Hermione slapped him playfully on the shoulder. They wound up the headsets and put them in seat pockets. Eric sat back and sighed. "Oh that was funny."
"Yeah." Hermione replied. "The part in the car on the bridge was the best."
"Oh you mean I feel pretty…" Eric sang softly but began to get louder. "…Oh so pretty…I feel pretty and witty and…"
Hermione burst into giggles. "Why'd you stop?"
"Well," he started. "I don't really feel gay."
Hermione's mouth dropped, "I cannot believe you just said that!" Then she smiled again. "Well it's good to know you feel pretty." It was his turn to smack her playfully.
"Oh stop it." He said putting on a feminine voice. They had another good laugh and when it was over it was time for lunch.
"We have turkey, ham and roast beef sandwiches. Which would you prefer?"
"Turkey please." Piped Hermione.
"And I'll take roast beef." Eric added.
"Ok we have a green salad and fruit salad." The stewardess continued handing them the sandwiches.
"None for me thanks." Eric replied.
"Hmm, I want a fruit salad but I won't eat it all." Hermione said to Eric.
"Well eat what you can and I'll finish it for you."
"Ok," she said, "I'll take a fruit salad."
"Alright," the stewardess said passing the fruit salad to Hermione. "For dessert there are brownies, choc…"
"Brownies!" Hermione said enthusiastically. "I mean yes brownies please, for me I mean." She could feel her cheeks start to heat up.
"Yeah that sounds good, I'll have brownies too." Eric concurred.
The stewardess handed them the brownies then asked, "Would you like a refill on your sodas?"
Both nodded and she handed them two more cans before taking the empty ones. "Will that be all?"
"Yes thank you." They both replied as she continued on to the next people.
"Wow this looks good." Eric stated.
"Yeah, those peanuts weren't nearly filling enough." Hermione said with a giggle. They both dug in and ate pretty much in silence, only breaking it to ask how the other's meal was.
"Ugh here." Hermione said handing Eric the half full fruit salad bowl.
"Ok," he said taking it from her and munching away happily.
"It's so funny."
"What is?" He asked through a mouthful of banana.
"Well my boyfriend, he hates sharing food with other people. He would never even think about finishing that fruit salad."
"Really? That's a shame. Boyfriends are supposed to clear their girlfriends plates, it's like listed in the job description."
Hermione laughed, "Yeah it's ok though. I still love him."
"So what's he like, your boyfriend?"
"Well he's tall, dark and handsome." She started dreamily.
"And probably perfect and all the teachers' pet right?" He said slightly annoyed.
"Well not quiet. There's one teacher that absolutely hates him, but he hates everybody, except this one pretty boy who's a total snob. I hate him he's such a git, he struts around like he's the king of the world and nobody can stop him from getting what he wants."
"The pretty boy or the teacher?"
"The pretty boy."
"Ha I know a guy like that!" Eric replied finishing the last of the fruit salad. "So your boyfriend what's he look like?"
"He's got black hair, and green eyes. He's kind of lanky but he's cute in his own quirky way. He's sweet, kind and so modest." She was getting sentimental thinking about Harry so she decided to change the subject. "So do you have a significant other?"
"Well no but since I'm not modest I can safely say that half the girls at my school would love to date me."
Hermione laughed, "Yeah right."
"It's true! Well ok, I would really only date one or two of them. In all actuality they are probably just in it for the power that comes along with my name."
"You're family is powerful?" Hermione asked unwrapping her brownie.
"Yeah, well my dad is. He's got this top job with the government. There are a lot of people in the palm of his hand." He said taking out his brownie too.
"Oh that must be nice."
"No it bloody sucks. Everybody thinks I'm just a spoiled snob, who's along for the free ride. Nobody sees me for who I really am."
"Oh, I'm sorry." Hermione said feeling sort of embarrassed.
"Yeah, it's ok though." He said taking a big bite of brownie. "I guess I sort of play along."
They finished eating in silence and cleaned up. When the stewardess came back by they threw all their trash away, she told them the next movie was going to start in a little bit. Neither of them felt much like watching it though. Hermione stared out the window at the blue ocean down below them.
"Isn't it pretty?" She said softly.
"Hmm, what?" Eric said glancing up from a magazine he was reading.
"The ocean, isn't it pretty?" She repeated. Eric leaned over and looked out the window. Hermione leaned back so he could see. She watched him stare at the water below them and marveled at how the sunlight made his eyes dance. He leaned back and smiled at her, "Yeah it is. How long has it been?"
"Since what?" She asked.
"Since we left London."
"Oh," she said glancing at her watch. "Five hours." He nodded and went back to reading his magazine. Hermione continued to stare out the window; she was tired. She hadn't gotten much sleep last night because she was so excited. She felt her eyes droop and saw the scene fade away in front of her. She drifted into a peaceful sleep.
Hermione stood on the balcony, staring out into the ocean. She breathed in deeply, all the wonderful scents filling her head. She was watching the sunset when she felt a pair of strong arms encircled her waist.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" She said relaxing back into the person who was holding her.
"Not as beautiful as you." A deep voice whispered into her ear.
"Oh Harry I love you." She said turning around, but gasped. In front of her wasn't Harry it was her worst enemy. Draco Malfoy.
"Malfoy what are you doing here? Where's Harry?" She asked angrily.
"Harry who?" He asked shrugging and running a hand through his sleek blond hair. "Nicole what are you talking about?"
"Nicole? I'm not Nicole, I'm Hermione!" She shouted at him.
"No you're Nicole!"
"Hermione!"
"Nicole! Nicole…""Nicole?" Eric said brushing his hand against her cheek. She opened her eyes with a start. She looked up at Eric's face looming over her own. She had fallen asleep on his shoulder. She sat bolt upright. "Welcome back." He said smiling warmly at her.
"Thanks," she said rubbing her face trying to forget the terrible dream she'd just had. "How long was I asleep?"
"I'm not really sure, I dozed off for a little bit too. But I'm guessing 3 hours." He said stretching.
"3 hours? We're almost there!" She said excitedly. "Um Eric did I talk at all in my sleep?" She asked suddenly.
"Um, no I don't think so but then again I was asleep for a little bit too so, you might have." He glanced up the aisle. "Oh here comes the dinner cart. That's why I woke you up by the way. Sorry about that." He said as he put down his tray table.
"No that's ok, I needed to wake up anyway." She reached into her backpack and pulled out a bottle of Tylenol. That nightmare had given her a headache. She took two out and put the bottle away. The stewardess was already taking Eric's order.
"Ok I'll have the chicken please and another Sprite." He finished and turned towards Hermione, "and you?"
"Oh um I'll just have a green salad and a bottled water please. Thank you." She said as the stewardess handed her, her meal. She popped the Tylenol in her mouth and downed it with water. She opened up her salad and began eating. Eric had already finished half his chicken.
"Hungry?" She asked.
"Just a bit." He said wiping his chin. "I see you're not eating much, are you feeling ok?"
"Yeah just a little headache." She replied.
"It's probably the altitude. Do you fly often?" He asked looking a little concerned.
"I've flown a couple times before. But don't worry," she said smiling, "I'll be fine."
He smiled back and returned to his food. Hermione finished her salad and took out her CD player. She popped in a CD and began listening. Eric had finished too and he was reading a book. The stewardess came and collected their trash a few minutes later and informed them that they would be landing in 45 minutes. A little while later Eric shut his book with a clap, stirring Hermione out of her music induced trance. He turned to her and signaled for her to take her headphones off.
"What are you listening too?" He asked curiously.
"Oh it's a group called Evanescence. You want to listen?" He nodded his head eagerly and took the headphones from her. Hermione restarted the song she was listening to and watched as he bobbed his head to the music. She smiled, he noticed and smiled back still listening. When the song was over he took the headphones off.
"That was cool, they're really good." He said.
"Yeah, I like them." Hermione said stashing her CD player back in her bag. Just then the pilot came on over the intercom again.
"Ladies and gentlemen this is your pilot again. We are just beginning to make our final approach into the Miami. If you would please return your seats and tray tables to their upright and locked positions for the descent. We should arrive at Miami International Airport in 15 minutes. We hope you've had a pleasant flight, enjoy your stay in Miami and thank you for choosing British Airways."
"I want to be a pilot just so I can bore people to death with my talking." Eric said sarcastically.
"Oh give him a break. Do you know how boring that must get? He probably has a typed draft where you can just fill in the blanks for the place and time." Hermione stated. Eric laughed and shook his head.
"You are too much Ms. Garner." He said.
"Why thank you Mr. Vaughn, I'll take that as a compliment." She said.
"As it was intended." He replied smiling broadly at her. They felt the plane make its decent and made sure to put their tray tables back up. Hermoine watched out the window looking for the first sign of land. Then she saw it, the white sandy coast shimmered in the afternoon sun.
"Oh Eric there it is look!" She said turning to him. "Eric are you ok?" She asked. He was sitting very stiff, he had his eyes closed and his hands were gripping the armrests so tight his knuckles were turning white.
"Yeah," he replied, "I just don't like landings and take offs too much."
They hit a little bit of turbulence on the way in and Hermione heard a sharp intake of breath. She turned and took his hand in hers. He opened one of his eyes and glanced down at her hand. Then back up to her face.
"Don't worry." She said soothingly. "Everything's going to be fine. I promise." She softly stroked his hand and he visibly relaxed although he was still rather pale. The landed with a bump and he left out a huge sigh of relief.
"See it wasn't that bad." Hermoine said teasingly.
He nodded his head but didn't say anything. The stewardess came on over the intercom.
"Good afternoon ladies and gentle and welcome to Miami, Florida. The local time is 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. As most of you probably know today is July 4, so be careful but have fun celebrating the independence of the United States."
The plane slowly came to a stop and people began getting out of their seats.
"Let's wait for everyone to get off." Hermione suggested.
"Ok," Eric replied. He noticed that she was still absentmindedly stoking his hand. He gently squeezed her hand but let it go. "Thanks, I usually don't freak out like that."
"Oh yeah, your welcome." Hermione replied, suddenly feeling alone without the touch of his hand. They slowly stood up and got their bags. They walked into the terminal and were greeted by a big sign that hung overhead saying, "WELCOME TO MIAMI!"
