Chapter 10 – Together and Apart

She woke first, the next morning, and felt quite self-conscious about lying in bed with a boy while completely nude, even though it was her Harry. She contemplated what could have happened last night, and smiled. 'I do love him, and he does love me, so why not?' She asked herself. Her overactive brain devised a plan, his birthday was only a few weeks away, 'then' she thought, 'I'll give him a night he'll never forget.'

She dressed quickly and slipped into the kitchen, to make him breakfast for a change.

Her ear-to-ear grin was a dead giveaway she was planning something as Harry finally woke and walked to the kitchen. The smell of bacon frying and hot tea brewing hit him as he sat at the table.

"Sorry, the toast burned, and I don't think the bacon's quite right."

"It's fine. Thanks. No one cooks for me during the summer; I usually have to wait on those people." His tone became tense as he thought of past summers.

"That's over; I guess I'd better learn to cook for you. Now here, this is the best tea they have." She brought a cup to him and sat on his lap, as he tasted the brew.

"Ewww… this is tea or Polyjuice potion? No wonder they left the commonwealth." He said with a chuckle.

"Sigh… It's all we have; although we could conjure some supplies from home. I guess. Speaking of conjuring, we really need to get back to your practicing."

"I've been thinking about that too. Do you think there might be a wizard's library here? Maybe if we can find a wizard community here..."

"I'll look around. Why don't you find out what you can from Jake? Spend some time at his shop and find out what you can about him and Eileen, it's not that I don't trust them; it's that I really don't know them. You're the only one here I trust." She wrapped her arms around his neck and just sat there in his arms.

"I know, you're the only one I trust, here or at home. I trust Ron but I can't tell him with the things I've told you. Not that I'm afraid he'll do something stupid, I don't want risk his life, if I lost him…" He replied breaking the silence.

"I know what he means to you, to us both, he's my friend too. And I love him too, but he's not you and I'm not him. I never had dreams or thought about him, remember that, Mr. Potter."

"How could I forget? You're brilliant at keeping a secret. You really had me thinking there was another guy."

"And what if there was another guy?" She said with a seductive smile.

"Then I'd have to deal with him, my own way." He grinned as he started to nibble on her ear.

"What? Turn to cannibalism?"

"I could devour you right here." He replied as their lips met.

"Harry?" She whispered in his ear after several minutes.

"Mmm…"

"Last night, when we got back, and we… you know…" She asked tentatively, knowing full well it's a delicate subject.

"Yeah, I do. I love you; I'll never be tired of saying it to you. But last night, I began to regret pulling you into this mess."

"You didn't pull me in; I walked in with my eyes open. I know the risks, what might happen is just that, what might happen. I'll always stand with you."

"I can't watch you get hurt again, like in the Ministry. If it ever came down to destroying him or saving you…"

"It won't come to that. I'll protect myself. You do what you must and don't worry about me, I'll always be there, I promise. OK?"

"Yeah. We'd best get dressed for the day. Is it going to be as hot as yesterday?" He asked.

"I believe so; we might want to wear shorts while we're out."

"Alright, then. As soon as I can have my lap back, I'll get in the shower and get dressed." He gave her a last kiss as he also gave her a loving smack on her bottom.

"Hey, watch yourself, mister…"

She stood and left for the smaller bedroom to retrieve some clothes for him. He also left for the shower, thinking a cold one was needed to help relieve his growing 'stress'. It was her turn to admire what the years of Quidditch had done for him. He didn't have an overly developed body, athletically, but he was quite lean, from his workout sessions with the team and being nearly starved most of his life.

"Crimmy!" She muttered as she dropped his things and watched him in the shower.

"You say something?" He shouted over the water.

"No… It's nothing." She shook her head, picked up the clothes and went back to the kitchen to clean up the breakfast dishes. 'Can't be thinking about him like that, we'll never get out of here.' She thought with a grin on her face.

Several minutes later, he had finished his shower and had dressed in the clothes she laid out for him. She had better taste in clothes then he had, khaki shorts with a matching shirt, in his size. He when to the kitchen to find she had just finished the dishes.

"Alright, then. I'll go mingle with Jake, while you talk to your cousin and then try to find a library. Shall we meet back here at lunch time; say 12:30 or so?"

"Fine idea, maybe we'll go back to the beach this afternoon, IF you can behave yourself." She said with a bit of a frown.

"Me? That oaf was trying to get you. I was only…"

"Easy, there sir knight… I was kidding." She grabbed his arm and pulled him closer. "Now, before things get dicey again, I suggest you'd better go."

"Fine, toss me out." He smirked as he grabbed his wand and slipped it in his pocket.

"Just stay out of trouble!" She called as he left.

He left the apartment building and walked the several blocks to the bayside docks where Jake's dive shop was located. Once at the building, he entered the front door, not knowing where Jake would be at that time. Inside he saw various displays for equipment and trips. First he saw was a rack of fins, of different colors and shapes. Next to that was a rack of dive masks and snorkels. Off to the wall on the right stood a display of regulators and BCDs.

He walked past these displays into the small shop where he was stopped by one of Jake's employees.

"Can I help you find something?"

"No thanks, I'm looking for a Mr. Stevens. Is he about?"

"Yeah, sure, he's in the back working on the compressor. Just through that door and around the corner. Listen for the guy cursing about scraping his knuckles."

"Thanks." He followed the directions to the back of the shop, and almost like clockwork, he heard Jake cursing like a drunken sailor. He waited in the doorway until Jake finished banging on the delicate components of the life support systems. Jake stood, but with his back to Harry, still shaking his head in mild frustration.

"Ahhm…" Harry cleared his throat.

"Har... Herman, I'm surprised to see you here. I'm really sorry about last night; I really didn't mean to pry into your business."

"Mr. Stevens, I do appreciate that. I believe we did get off on a dicey start," he said in a business like tone.

"Look, kid, if there's any way I can make it up, I will."

"Thank you, for that. If it's all the same to you, maybe we can forget about last night? Harriet and I talked about it and we both would welcome any help while we've visiting."

"Glad to hear it, and sure, last night never happened. Where is she? Is she in the shop?"

"No, she's off to talk to Eileen."

"Then she left you to deal with me? Seem fair enough. So, how about we start all over? Hi. My name's Jake Stevens, damn glad to meet ya." He held out his hand to Harry with a sincere look that Harry read as an honest gesture of friendship.

"Jake, its fine. Actually I'm relieved there's someone else here I can talk to. I appreciate your concern for our safety, and I don't believe they can find us here."

Jake motioned for Harry to have a seat over by the compressor, on a bench he hadn't seen from the other side of the massive piece of machinery. Jake sat on the massive electric motor that drove the compressor.

"So, what's on your mind? Problems with your girl?"

"No, nothing like that, she's here because she's my closest friend."

"And?"

"And… nothing. She and I are here because of what happened, what we told you last night, and because they need to keep me out of danger. That madman would try anything to get me, including hurting her. I won't allow her to get hurt."

"I see. So what can I help you with while you're here?"

"First off, I wanted to apologize for being so rude last night. And second, we both enjoyed the day yesterday, as well as your company last night. Since we don't know anyone else here, we both would like to build on the friendship we began."

"Is that all? You don't have to act so formal; last night was as much my fault for pushing you. So forget it. Yeah, I like you two kids, I'd be honored to be your friend. I know you enjoyed your trip yesterday, so you two are welcome to tag along anytime, as long as the boat's not too full. I got a three day charter first of next week, but other then that, it's wide open."

"Thanks, we'd both like that. It was actually quite relaxing. How long have you been doing this?"

"I bought the shop five years ago, but started to run it about three years ago. I've been diving since I was a kid, about your age I guess. My folks lived up north, in New Jersey and I learned to dive up there. I got into computers right out of school, and followed that as my career until there were some layoff rumors. That's when I started looking into the shop."

"How long have you known Eileen? 'Harriet' and I just met her this past weekend for the first time."

"Sigh… I've known her all my life, but we met when I moved down here a couple years ago."

"I don't understand?"

"She's been the woman I've been waiting for since I was a kid. She's everything I've ever wanted, she's witty and charming and smart, brave, sensible, hard working, generous, and loyal. If I could only convince her to try diving, but she says she doesn't like the ocean, too many unknowns for her taste."

Harry sat and thought about it for a moment. Jake had just described Hermione, except she has a fear of flying, not the ocean. "Sounds like you two are quite happy together,"

Jake frowned at the comment, "You see, Harry, that's my problem. We are good friends, but every time we try to get closer or go on a date, something gets in the way. I've dated enough women to know what I want; it's that with her, I can't get inside. It's like she's living a secret life that she's afraid to tell me about."

"Have you told her how you feel about her? That always breaks down the barriers." Harry asked him.

"That's the problem. Every time I try to, she seems to know what's on my mind and then gets real moody. No, I've never told her that I've been in love with her almost since we met."

"Then just tell her. It's really that simple."

"How about you? I can see there's some magic between you and your girlfriend."

"How so?" Harry asked slightly startled. "She and I have been close friends since first year, since we were eleven years old. She's helped me past some sticky times recently and we've shared intimate thoughts last year when I, well, I had some depression issues last year."

"So you're trying to say you two aren't a couple? I find that tough to swallow." Jake said with a grin.

"No… we're not." The Fidelius Charm prevented Harry from admitting any more then what he had said, and helped him maintain the believability of his story. "Why don't you just tell Eileen how you feel? I could set things up; after all, Hermione is her cousin."

"The truth is, I don't want to scare her away, she's such a free spirit and there are times she seems so… fragile."

Harry chuckled at the older man's fear of rejection, it sounded almost like the same conversation he had with Ron last year. "I have an idea. She's taking us out tonight to show us the sites, why don't you come along? She can't back off and Hermione and I can disappear at some point leaving you two alone."

"That could work. What time?"

"7:30 at my flat." Harry stood; he needed to head back to meet Hermione.

"Great, I gotta get back to this beast, it's gotta get fixed today."

"Then we'll see you tonight." He turned and left Jake to the task he interrupted earlier.

Hermione left their flat moments after Harry left. Eileen's flat was only a couple doors away so she was knocking on the door seconds after leaving her own flat. She lightly rapped on the door, and waited a few seconds, listening for any movement.

"Come on in, Harriet. The door's open." She called loudly.

She entered her cousin's apartment where she saw Eileen at the table eating a light breakfast of fruit and yogurt. "Hello," the young witch coldly greeted her cousin.

"Hon, I'm really sorry about what Jake did last night, I'm sure Harry's not terrible pleased. I thought he would have had better sense then to pry like that." She stood from the table to greet her relative with a hug, which was coolly returned.

"We talked about it last night and this morning, he was quite angry at first, but he's calmed down some. Harry's gotten better and dealing with his anger lately." She relayed in a clinical tone, as she was maneuvered a seat at the table. Eileen motioned for her to sit, and she moved her chair next to her. Eileen knew this wasn't going to be an easy discussion, for either of them.

"I know, Hermione. You're a lucky girl to have him. You two seem like you were meant for each other. I'm a little envious."

"Why? What about Jake? I thought…"

"That he and I were dating? No. I'm afraid it won't work, we're too different. There are too many things I can't tell him, because I don't think he'd understand. So we've been good friends for the last several years."

Hermione heard far more in Eileen's voice that there were deeper emotions at play then as it appeared. She was all too familiar with these emotions from her frustrations last year.

The silence lengthened as neither was sure what topics were all right to discuss.

"Eileen, Harry's gone off to talk to Jake, he did seem to think Jake was trying to be helpful, but he said if he suspects Jake isn't being honest, well, you have no idea how much he's kept bottled up. I'm the only one he trusts, and that includes you, I'm afraid. But he is willing to try, that's why he went to see him."

"I understand, your headmaster told me all about Harry's past when he visited her a few days before you came. I was quite surprised at his presence, but he was quite the gentleman. Someone should take him shopping for some updated clothes, though."

"Albus told you? But of course he would. He must have known about you all this time."

"Why should he? He didn't know about me until your mom called me to ask if you and Harry could come. She must have sent Dumbledore visit me to make sure I could be trusted with your safety. I'm surprised he didn't tell you he and I had met."

"Really, I'm not. It's just like him the leave out 'minor' details like that. How much did he tell you about us?"

"Just about the various times Harry's been attacked, and his parents' murder. He also said you two are here so those people can't find you. I'm sorry I acted surprised when he mentioned it in the car, but I thought if you both thought you were free from it, you might be able to enjoy the time here."

"That makes some sense. Did he tell you how to get in touch with him?"

"We've corresponded through the mail, he seems quaint that way. I've never seen a school official use old time parchment and an emerald ink before.

"I'll tell Harry about that when I see him at lunch. Is there a decent library here we can visit? We need to work on some projects for school and may need to find some reference material."

"There are several, I can take you later, say next Wednesday, I need to prepare for a new teaching job next year."

"I had no idea you teach, what subject?"

"It's an advanced class at a special school for gifted students. Apparently they came looking for me from my reputation here. I teach at a school near here, "The Southeast Academy of Thaumaturgy" in Orlando, I could give you two some lessons if you like."

"Maybe later on, but I'd better head back; Harry should be coming back soon. We talked about spending the afternoon at the beach again; he seems to really enjoy it. And about last night, I think it would be best to put this behind us, OK. Eileen?"

"Yes, I agree. Go enjoy the sun. I'll see you two later."

Hermione returned to the apartment to wait for Harry, anxious to tell Harry her news.

She hummed to herself while she worked in the kitchen preparing a special lunch; Harry was due back any moment and she wanted everything to be perfect. So much has happened in the last couple days, and even more in the past few hours.

She finished placing the sandwiches and condiments on the table when she heard the door open. They charmed the door so they were the only ones that could open the door; it was a minor precaution she added.

"Mione, I'm back," he called.

"In here, lunch is ready," she called back. "Wash up before you come to the table."

He stopped in the bathroom and to comply before joining her in the small kitchen area in the apartment. The apartment itself was designed more as a place to rest, shower and head back to the beach, the kitchen was not designed for long term residence. She changed that error with a quick enlargement spell, to allow a table big enough for the two to enjoy meals together.

"I had a productive chat with Jake," he began as he sat at the table. "I don't think he meant any harm last night, he seemed genuinely sorry and equally concerned."

"I had a similar conversation with my cousin; she said she was surprised Jake pushed you like that. She also seemed surprised we told him as much as we did."

"Yeah, it's like a flood, once it starts it's hard to stop." He stared vacantly at his sandwich, when she reached over and laid her hand on his.

"Stop thinking about it so much. We're here to enjoy the summer."

"I know. But…"

"She told me Albus visited before we came."

"Does she know what we are?" Harry asked, trying not to remember they were different than everyone else, even Jake and Eileen. He hated being different, being the freak. He still had Uncle Vernon to thank for his insecurity about himself. Hermione had managed to break him of it most of the time; sometimes he began to slide back.

"No, I don't think so. I don't think Albus would tell her unless there was a threat. And it there is a threat, I don't believe he'd leave us here unprotected."

"I guess you're right."

"You know it, Mister. So cheer up, finish lunch and let's go back to the beach." She grinned as she took another bite from her sandwich.

"I think he really likes Eileen, and he said they never seemed to find the time to be together. I suggested the four of us to go out tonight." Harry began to tell her about Jake's interest in Eileen was more then as a friend, how he thought that helping Jake break through the same barrier they crossed recently could help get Jake and Eileen together.

"I got the same impression from her, it seemed so familiar."

"Like last year, when we both were too afraid or too stubborn for open up to each other."

"Yes, I'm glad you finally told me. I did think I could ever tell you, I know how you felt before."

"Do you think they have the same problem? They're both too proud to admit it?"

"Maybe, if they spent more time together, they might realize it. So tell me about tonight's plans."

"He'll be here at 7:30, and all you have to do is have Eileen join us for dinner."

"Harry, you'd better hurry and get ready, Jake said he'll be here in a half hour!" she called out. She just stepped out of the shower after another afternoon on the beach, but this time failed to use a proper amount of sunscreen.

"I was waiting for you to finish your shower, unless you wanted me to join you." He teased as he passed her on the way to get cleaned up himself. He turned to watch her as she passed and grimaced at the crimson burns on her back. Forgetting his shower for the moment, he turned to help her burn as she fixed his the other day.

"Here, love, I know how much that hurts," she said in a soothing tone. "Lay on you belly on the bed," he commanded. He sat next to her, both still in nothing but bath towels. He pulled the back of her towel down to show the distinctive outline of her swimsuit, and could still feel the heat radiate from her back.

"Ow… That really stings, Harry." She flinched at his touch, however gentle. He picked up his wand, and used a simple healing charm she taught him during their weeks of study after their night alone in the Astronomy Tower, it was the same one she had used on him the other day after their first day on the beach.

"Just give it a minute, I'm not as good at this as you are, I'm not to hurt you." He watched the cool yellow healing beam from his wand slowly turn the bright red to a tanned tone. He gently bent over and lightly kissed her back, and could feel her shutter at his touch. "There, now let me check your shoulders, roll over, love."

She moaned a reply and rolled over to face him, and neglected to maintain tight hold of her towel. Once on her back, she lay there partially exposed, and totally aware as Harry stared at her. This was the first time, since they admitted their feelings for each only week and a half ago that he saw her like this, although they slept together, and spent most every waking moment together, she had been careful not to let him see what he now stared at.

"Merlin, is that…"