Disclaimer:  I don't own anything except the plot and even that isn't very original.

Whisper~Mad~Crazy                                               Chapter 3-Fireworks

          Eric and Hermione walked out into the bright Florida sunlight.  Eric reached inside his bag and whipped out a pair of sunglasses, as did Hermione.

"I'll go wave down a taxi."  Eric said.  "Stay here with the bags."

"Ok," Hermione replied finally realizing what she had gotten herself into.

'I'm thousands of miles away from home, I'm with a complete stranger and we're going on a week long cruise.'   She was snapped out of her thoughts as Eric came jogging back over.

"Got one," he said grabbing his and her bags.

"I can get it Eric."  Hermione said trying to reclaim her bag.

"No worries," he replied heading towards the cab.  Hermoine shouldered her backpack and followed after him.  They got inside and Eric turned to Hermione, "What's the name of our hotel?"

"Oh um Seville Beach Hotel please."  She said to the driver.

"Right away miss."  The taxi driver said with a heavy Spanish accent.   Hermione and Eric were thrown against the back of the seat as he sped through downtown Miami.  About 15 minutes later they arrived in front of a beautiful hotel.  The driver got out and got their suitcases out of the back.

"That'll be 22.50" He said to Eric.  Eric got out his wallet.

"Oh no I'm paying." Hermione said coming over and reaching into her purse.

"No I insist."  Eric replied handing the man a twenty and a five.  "Keep the change."

"Thank you sir, I hope you and your girlfriend have a nice trip."

"Oh she's not my…"

"He's not my…" They both started at the same time but it was too late he was already speeding away.

"Anyway."  Eric said turning to Hermione.  "I can't let you pay for everything, what with the tickets, hotel and cruise reservations."

"Well actually my parents are paying for it all.  It was a gift from them."

"Still I'd feel guilty just coming along for the free ride."

He once again took both their bags and they headed into the hotel lobby.

"Oh," Hermione said suddenly.

"What?"

"I have to use my real name to check in."

"Right, I'll be over here admiring this fountain."

She went up to the front counter.

"Hi I have a reservation, I believe it's under Michael Granger."

The girl behind the desk searched her computer screen.

"Oh yes, everything's already been paid for and any extra charges should be billed to his credit card.  I take it you're Hermione."

Hermione nodded her head, glancing around to make sure Eric wasn't listening.

"Here's your key Ms. Granger.  Room 313.  Enjoy your stay."

"Thank you."  Hermione said taking the key.  "Eric!"  He looked up from where he was watching fish swim around in an aquarium.  "Come on I've got the key!"  He strode over pulling the bags behind him.

"What room?"

"313.  I think it's on the 3rd floor, come on elevators are this way."  She led the way as he followed behind her toting the bags.

"Wow," Eric said stepping into the elevator.  It was completely glass and you could gaze out across the beautiful pools, sparkling white sand and deep, blue ocean.  "This was really nice of your parents.  What was it a present for?"

"Oh um I've been top of my class for 6 years and I'm head…um Student Body President."

"That's funny, I'm Student Body President too." He replied still looking through the glass.

"Really?  That is funny."

"Yeah, I'm not top of my class or anything but I do well enough."

The elevator doors opened with a ding.  The two stepped out into a very nicely furnished hall.  At the end of it were two huge wooden doors.

"That must be like the honeymoon suite."  Eric said raising his eyebrows.

"Yeah well let's find our room, you look on that side.  I'll look on this one." Hermione said walking towards the nearest door.  They strolled down the hall, checking the numbers on the doors to see which one was theirs.  They got to the end of the hall and Hermione growled in exasperation.

"Well here's 312, where's ours?" She asked peeved.  But Eric wasn't listening; he tapped her on the shoulder.

"Uh Nicole…"

"What?"  She snapped turning to him.  Then she saw what he was looking at.  They were in front of the "Honeymoon Suite".  Hermoine looked at the number on the door.

"No…way!" She screamed, jumping up and down.  Sure enough the number on the door was 313.  She jammed the key into the hole and flung open the doors.  The room was amazing.  There were tropical plants everywhere and the sliding glass doors leading to the balcony were open, letting a warm tropical breeze drift through.  Eric closed the door and put the bags down, staring in awe at his surroundings.  Meanwhile Hermione went out on the balcony.

"Eric, come here!"  She called into the room.  He walked out to join her and his breath caught in his throat.

"This is amazing."  He said softly.

"It's more than amazing."  Hermione said leaning over the rail.  They view that extended before them was nothing short of spectacular.  Palm trees everywhere, white sand that stretched for miles and the ocean.  The blue-green waves danced about, breaking with peaks of white.

"Hey look."  Hermione said leaning even further over the rail.  The pool was directly below them but Eric wasn't paying attention.

"Hey be careful." He said grasping her around the waist and pulling her a safe distance from the edge.

"What?"  Hermione asked incredulously. "It's not like I was going to jump."

"You could have fallen."  Eric said softly, his cheeks tinted red.

"Well I'm not going to."  Hermione snapped whipping back around to look out over the pool.  "Why do you care anyway?"  She asked not looking back.  "We just met remember?  Like 10 hours ago?"

"Well I'm sorry for having a heart!"  Eric snapped back.

"I don't need a heart, I need my boyfriend!"  Hermione shouted tears forming in her eyes.  She missed Harry, this guy was nice and all but she missed how Harry let her be independent.  She was a big girl; she could take care of herself.  She didn't need some guy babying her all the time.  "Maybe this was a big mistake."  She said finally.

"Yeah maybe it was."  Eric replied his voice full of venom.  He turned and stomped back into the room.  Hermione snapped her head up, his voice.  It sounded so familiar just then, but who did it remind her of?  She couldn't remember.  She forgot it quickly and turned her gaze to the sparkling water, letting a few silent tears fall.  She stayed there for close to an hour, letting her mind be free to wander.  Her thoughts drifted about landing on certain things here and there but never dwelling for very long.  She sighed, 'That was pretty mean of me.'  She thought. 'I mean he was basically just saying he cared about my safety and I blew him off.  I should go apologize.'  Hermione turned and walked into the room.  She saw Eric lying on one of the two queen sized beds, his back was to her.  She went and sat down next to him.

"Look Eric, I'm really sorry." She said softly.  "I know you were just trying to be nice.  And I acted really stupid; I just miss my boyfriend you know?  Can you forgive me?"  He didn't reply.  He didn't even actually move.

"Eric?"  She asked again.  She got up and walked around to the other side of the bed so she could look him in the eye.  She crouched down next to the bed but her breath caught in her throat. 'He's sleeping.  That's a good idea.  Maybe I'd better rest too.'  She stood up and walked over to her own bed.  She plopped down and within minutes was fast asleep.

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          Hermione woke a few hours later.  She glanced at the clock on the bedside table.

"5:30."  She mumbled.  She looked over at Eric except he wasn't there.  She sat up and looked around the room.  He wasn't anywhere.  "Oh my god, I didn't make him leave did I?  Oh how could I be such a ditz?"  She said scolding herself.  A slight breeze ruffled her hair; she looked out to the balcony and let out a sigh of relief.  Eric was sitting in a chair, staring out at the ocean.  Hermione quietly approached him.  She stood silently behind him for a few minutes.

"It's beautiful isn't it?"  He asked suddenly making Hermione jump.

"What, oh yeah it is."  She replied. She felt her cheeks turn slightly pink. "I didn't think you knew I was here."  She said quietly.

"I heard you get up." He replied still looking out over the water.

"Look Eric…" She started.

"It's ok," he cut her off. "You don't have to."

"I want to."  She said walking around to lean against the rail in front of him.  "I'm sorry.  I…I don't know what I was thinking, I was being stupid.  I know you were just watching out for me and I appreciate that.  It's just, I'm used to taking care of myself and I usually don't like for people to help me.  Anyway, if you can forgive the things I said, the way I treated you…if you can forgive me…I'd be really grateful if you escorted me to dinner."  She watched him pensively but he didn't respond.

"Please say something."  She said quietly.  He looked up at her and she was surprised to see a smile on his face.

"Of course I'll escort milady to dinner."  He said standing up.  "But only on one condition."

"What?"

"You have to let me pay."  He said simply.

"Eric no!  I told you my parents are paying for everything!"

He raised his hands in defeat.

"Alright then."  He replied sitting back down.

"Oh get up!"  Hermione said pulling him to his feet.  "Fine you can pay!  But do you forgive me?"

"Yes, I forgive you." He said his silver eyes shimmering.

"Thank you."  Hermione said softly.

"Well, I believe that I've made a promise to escort milady to dinner."  Eric said offering her is arm.  She laughed as she took it.  They made their way back through their room and to the elevator at the end of the hall.  They took the elevator to the lobby and walked past the front desk towards the hotel restaurant.  They entered the restaurant under a huge sign that hung from the ceiling reading Oceanview.  And did it ever have a view.  It was the exact same view as from their room only at ground level.  There was a high domed ceiling that was sparkling white.  They walked up to a sign reading Please Wait to Be Seated.  A tall man with blond hair strode up to them.

"Just two?"  He asked grabbing some menus.

"Yes." Eric replied.

"Follow me please." The man replied.

"Ladies first."  Eric said bowing deeply.

"Oh knock it off." Hermione said amused.  "I'm the one who should be kissing up to you remember."  Never the less she followed the waiter who led them to a table right by the window.  They both sat down and Hermione turned to look outside.

"Oh!" She said suddenly.

"What?"  Eric asked glancing up from his menu but they he saw what she was talking about.  The pool came right up to the window and they could see under water at the people swimming.

"That's fun."  He said returning to his menu.

She picked up her menu and started to look through it.  There were many things that sounded absolutely spectacular but she wasn't in the mood for a big meal.  The waiter came back a few minutes later.

"Are you two ready to order?" He asked.

"I am."  Eric said.

"I'm not sure yet, you go ahead." Hermione replied.

The waiter turned to him.

"I'll have the filet mignon, with a side salad and mashed potatoes."

"Are you ready Miss?"  The waiter asked turning to her.

"Yeah, I'll have the kid's grilled cheese sandwich with a small side of fries please, oh and ranch too."  They waiter gave her a funny look but took down her order.  Eric was staring at her quizzically.

"You know what I'll have what she's having."  He told the waiter.  "And make mine a large order of fries, if you will."

"Yes sir." The waiter replied sounding a little annoyed.  "Anything to drink?"

"Dr. Pepper for me, please."  Hermione piped.

"Sprite please, thank you."  Eric said as the waiter retrieved their menus and left.

"Did we just order what I think we just ordered?"  He asked her.

"Kids grilled cheese?  Yep!"  She was smiling.  He smiled too; he turned to look at the water behind the glass.  He jumped back almost falling out of his chair.  A pudgy little kid wearing goggles had his face smashed up against the glass and was making silly faces at them.  Eric cursed under his breath.  All of a sudden the boys eyes grew huge, he rushed to get away from the window as fast as he could, constantly looking back as if something was chasing him.

"Wonder what scared him?"  Hermione said curiously.  Just then the waiter returned with their drinks.

"Dr. Pepper," he said handing Hermione her drink, then he gave Eric his. "And Sprite."

"Do you always get Dr. Pepper?"  Eric asked contently sipping his drink.

"Do you always get Sprite?"  She replied swirling her straw around.

"Hmm, point taken."

A short while later their food arrived.  They ate happily, reminiscing about their childhoods.  Hermione found this slightly hard considering most of her life consisted of magic.  Eric was reliving the humorous time his older cousin was chasing him through the house because Eric put a snake in his bed.

"…Yeah so he gets up to chase after me right.  And we're running all through the halls, it's lucky my dad wasn't home I would've gotten a beat…bad, a bad punishment, but anyway so he's chasing me through one hall and there's this rug on the floor.  I run across the rug but when he goes across it, it flies right out from under him.  He flew like 5 feet in the air and landed flat on his face!  It was hilarious!"

Hermione laughed, "I don't have any relatives my age."  She said sadly.

"Who said he was my age?" Eric laughed suddenly. "He was 25 when I was 7!"

"Oh!"  Hermione replied laughing at her stupidity.  They finally finished their meals and Hermione, though still reluctant, let Eric pay.  By the time they got back to their room it was 7:30 and the sun was beginning to set.

"I'm going to go take a shower."  Hermione stated as they entered their room.

"Ok." Eric said jumping onto his bed and turning on the TV.  Hermione went into the bathroom and jumped into the shower.  Eric was flipping through the channels when the phone rang.

"Uh oh."  He said out loud.  He answered it slowly, "uh…hello?"

"Hi dear!"  Said a cherry voice.

"Hi."

"I see you two got there ok.  How was the trip?"

'This must be Nicole's mom, and she thinks I'm Nicole's boyfriend.  Crap!' He thought nervously.

"Uh yeah, it was fine.  Long plane ride."

"Yes I assume so, and how's the hotel?"

"It's great thanks a lot."

'Everything will be fine just play along.'

"Oh you're welcome, is my daughter around?"

"Uh yeah but she's in the shower."

"The shower huh?  Well if you would have her call me when she gets out."

"Yeah sure no problem."

"You make sure you take care of her, and don't go getting any ideas mister."

"Oh no, don't worry.  Your daughter's safe with me Mrs.…'Shit!'…err Mom."

"You're so sweet. Ok well you two have fun."

"We will."

"Bye."

"Yeah bye."

Eric hung up the phone letting out a huge sigh of relief.

"That was close."  He said out loud.

"What was close?"  Hermione said coming out of the bathroom, her hair wrapped in a towel.

"Um your mom just called."  He watched as her eyes grew wide.

"You didn't…she didn't…do you…you don't?"  She sputtered.

"Shh, calm down.  Don't worry neither of us let anything slip."  He said soothingly.  She relaxed.

"Thanks."

"For what?" He asked.

"For not busting me, for playing along with my mom.  I suppose she thought you were Har…I mean my boyfriend."

"Oh no problem.  Hey are you done in the bathroom?"

"Yeah I'm gonna blow dry my hair out here."

"Alright I'm gonna hop in the shower."

"Ok."  She replied rummaging through her bag.  As soon as she heard the water running she grabbed her wand and went to the mirror.  She muttered a simple drying spell and soon her curly locks were falling loosely around her shoulders.  She walked out on the balcony and breathed in the warm tropical air.  The sun had just finished setting and the first stars of twilight were making their appearance.  Suddenly a shot of color exploded in the sky.

"Oh my gosh! I almost forgot it was the 4th of July.  Eric!  Eric come out here!"  She yelled.

"What? What?"  He said stumbling through the door trying to button up his shirt.  He froze when he saw the fireworks.

"Wow."

"Yeah isn't it great?" Hermione said smiling.  She glanced at him noticing his shirt was still unbuttoned.  She could see his tan and very toned chest.  He noticed her staring at him and smiled.  She turned away her cheeks burning with embarrassment.  They watched the fireworks for a while in silence.

"Um Eric?"

"Yeah?"  He replied, head tilted toward the sky.

"I'm glad you're here."

He took his attention off the display and met her gaze.

"I mean I'm sad that my boyfriend couldn't be here but I'm really glad that I'm here…with you."

He watched her; his eyes sparkling like the diamonds in the sky.  He moved to her side and put a protective arm around her waist.

"I'm glad too."