A/N: Ok, so I was bored and decided to continue with this story right now… don't know if it is a wise decision but it made… you know what to do ;o)
Disclaimer: If anyone thought I own the characters in this story or that I claim ownership over them I am very sorry to disappoint you!
The first summer of the rest of their lives
Chapter II: Non-strip Poker
There was only one word to describe what was going on at The Burrow: chaos, well more than the usual anyway. As it commonly happened when the Weasley family plus guests went in a trip (or left for Hogwarts), there were open trunks and unpacked clothes everywhere; things that did not had wings were flying around, apparently at their own accord; pets where overexcited so that different kind of noises were heard above the rumbling and everybody was very anxious. Harry and Hermione were too much accustomed to this to be freaked out, in fact they were rather amused by these proceedings, they both came from small quiet families and loved the way the Weasleys had to do things.
As Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had rented the house and wouldn't let Harry or Hermione pay anything, they hired a van that would transport all of the to the beach house and after Mr. Weasley has "examined" it, all the trunks, pet's cages and passengers entered comfortably in it. Two hours later than the time set for their departure, they were leaving The Burrow and speeding to the motorway. The car had four rows of seats including the front ones where Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were sitting. At the last one Ron, Harry, Ginny and Hermione were sitting. The latter was, of course, reading ("What on earth are you reading? We don't have homework anymore, remember?" Ron had pointed out when he saw Hermione taking a have book out of her bag, he hadn't gotten an answer), the two boys were playing chess A/N: Hey! Remember this is a magically altered car, they can play chess in it if they want to ;o) and Ginny was listening to some music from the walkman she had borrowed from Hermione.
"Ha! And I beat you again! Want a re-match?" Asked Ron, his hands still in the air celebrating his third victory in a row
"No thanks, we have the whole summer ahead of us for you to beat me… although, I think it's time we learnt a new game"
"As long as I keep winning, I have no problem" Joked Ron "How about you 'Mione, fancy a break from your reading to loose at chess against me?"
"As appealing as it sound to have you gloating over your victory for the whole trip, I will have to refuse your offer" She said, not laying down her book.
"Ok then, I see there are no gallant losers in this car… So, do you know any good game to teach me Harry?"
"How about poker?" Suggested Harry.
"Poker? Isn't it the game where when you lose you have to take off a piece of clothing?" Asked Fred turning around in his sat to look at Harry.
"I like how that sounds" Said George grinning mischievously.
Ginny, who had taken off the headphones scowled and asked George: "Would you like your little sister taking off her clothes in front of Harry?" At this Harry went brick red.
"Ok, forget about poker" Said George put off
"Actually, you were talking about strip poker… but the game can be played without the need of anyone getting naked" Said Harry, still blushing.
"Ok then… How is it played?" Asked Ron.
"Well, we are going to need a pack of cards, and it would be better if they weren't going to explode during the game."
"There might be a pack at the house, sometimes the owners leave board games and that sort of thing at beach houses" Said Hermione who had finally closed her book.
At that moment Mrs. Weasley turned and told them that they were about to arrive, and ten minutes later they were downloading the car in front of a three-stored large house. It was located at about five miles from the nearest town, surrounded by trees and right next to a private beach. In the first floor there was big kitchen, a living-room, a restroom and a bedroom with a king size bed where Mr. and Mrs. Weasley would be sleeping. Then, in the second floor, there were five bedrooms, one for Bill and Charlie, other for Percy (who was sleeping alone because nobody could tolerate his snores), then one for the twins, one for the girls, and the last one for Ron and Harry and two more bathrooms. The topmost floor was a fairly large attic that was clearly used as playroom; there, as Hermione had predicted, they found a number of board games including a pack of cards.
By the time they had all finished unpacking and accommodating their stuff, dinner was ready, so they all went downstairs to help setting the table. It was a warm night and Mr. Weasley had decided they should take advantage of the huge garden and eat outside, so the table, chairs, cutlery and plates were taken there and half an hour later they were enjoying Mrs. Weasely's delicious food. The conversation varied around the table. Mr. Weasley and Percy were discussing some work issues nobody was really interested in; Mrs. Weasley was talking to the girls about the kind of swimming suits she used to use and how she had scandalized her parents with her first bikini (the three of tem were giggling uncontrollably) Bill and Charlie were exchanging commentaries about the quidditch league and Ron, Fred and George were listening to Harry's explanation on how to play poker.
"When we finish dinner I'll show you with the cards and it will be easier for you to understand it."
"I think I got it already" Said Fred grinning "it's going to be a piece of cauldron cake to win."
"I'll play, but if tonight I don't win, we go back to chess, ok?" Said Ron.
"What make the game really exciting is to bet on it" Said Harry, remembering the countless muggle movies about poker and gabling he had seen.
"Yeah, but I don't have any money, so unless we bet on clothes…" Said Ron
"Well, that is actually how strip poker goes" Explained Harry
"And we have already agreed that our little sister is not getting nothing off" Said George menacingly
"We can bet other things" Said Ginny, stepping into the conversation now that her mother had left the table to make some coffee.
"Like what?" Asked Fred suspiciously.
"How about, we bet BB every Flavor Beans, and the one who losses the most has to do a forfeit" She answered simply.
"There's an idea… or we could play strip poker once Ginny has gone to bed" Suggested Fred.
"Well, then you'll see each other naked 'cause I'm not playing anything that involves taking cloths off in front of you lot" Said Hermione indignantly.
"It's Ginny's plan then" Said Harry clapping his hands "Shall we help your mother with all this Ron?" He said pointing at the dishes "and then we can go and play".
When the had done the dishes and entering back the table, all the children (A/N: Fred and George will always count as children) sat in the 'playroom' looking at the cards Harry had display in front of them in order to explain better how the game was played.
"So, whoever gets the higher game wins and takes all the bets, got it?"
There was a general murmur of agreement and Hermione gathered all the cards, mixed hem and dealt them.
After a couple of practicing hands, all the pure-bloods had gotten the gist of the game and were actually having fun. Harry's and Hermione's advantage at knowing how to play beforehand lasted only an hour, after that the twins began to win, something that didn't came as a shock to anyone, given that Fred and George were well none for their abilities with this kind of things. What did surprise them, especially Harry, was that Ginny was doing pretty good, Ron, however, was lousy and by the time Mrs. Weasley sent Charlie to tell them they should go to bed Ron had not only managed to lose all his BB every flavor Beans but also had had Harry and Hermione to lend him some. There was no arguing, Ron had lost; and as Fred and George had tied for first place, they were given the price to choose the loser's punishment.
"Hmm" Said Fred looking malevolently at Ron "This will need some thinking…George do you reckon we should inform these bad-quality poker players of our decision tomorrow?"
"Yes, I think that's the right thing to do" Agreed George, and with one last wicked glace at Ron the twins dissaparated.
"Oh my, this is going to be nasty" Moaned Ron.
"But very funny" Said Ginny grinning.
TO BE CONTINUE
A/N: I hate to stop here but its 3 am where I'm writing from and I really don't think anything good can come out of my head at this time… besides, I don't want to spoil this for Ron, or rather, for the twins… ;o) I also know that nothing much has happened yet but I promise there are some big things ahead so, stay tuned and please, please, please review!