Who's Supplying the Chocolate Frogs?

By Sara Lynn

Chapter 4: A Little Sunshine Goes a Long Way

Hermione was focused. Her eyes were focused as well, on only the road straight ahead of her. Her hands were tight on the steering well of the Jeep she had rented. Her only goal was to get herself and her friends alive to their next destination. Surprisingly, Hermione had just passed her road test. She almost failed the parking portion because she told her tester she didn't understand why back-up and parallel parking were necessary for anyone when there are parking garages and valet. The gang found it amusing the way Hermione drove. The limit on most of the freeways they had been on was 65 so Hermione went the slowest one could go- 55. Ron always won the races to sit in the front passenger seat so he always nagged her about her driving. It was quite funny because Hermione barely responded to anyone when she drove. Today's latest conversation went like this:

"So Grandma, you know you killed that deer back there right?"

"Yu-huh."

"Ok, just checking. I'm sure those men called police will be after you sometime very soon for your reckless driving. "

"I suppose so."

"Will you marry me?"

"No."

Yup, just like that. Hermione didn't even know the kinds of questions she was answering and why Ginny and Harry were cracking up in the backseat. Ron found it quite humorous.

Their second destination was Florida. Everyone was very excited for this location, they could all use a little sun. Ginny wouldn't shut up about Garrett and how she missed him. Harry wouldn't shut up about how he knew "exactly how you feel" because he missed Sam too. Hermione had a stick up her ass about her driving and Ron wouldn't leave her alone. They were all getting annoying just because of the long hours in the car. New York to Florida was pretty long, as most of their drives would be. They had to take frequent breaks too since Hermione was the only driver and needed to get her rest. They all had Florida to look forward too though. Florida was going to be one of their more luxurious stays. Boy did Mr. and Mrs. Granger have connections. The kids got to stay at an exclusive resort in Palm Beach. Owned by the Feffermens. Jerry Feffermen used to own the dentistry Hermione's parents now own. The teens would have more freedom at the Feffermen resort since they would probably see Jerry a total of one time, although he promised Mr. Granger he would keep an eye on Hermione and her friends- he knew that he wouldn't. Jerry was a busy man.

The resort was beautiful, Ginny and Hermione squealed once they saw it- Harry and Ron high fived like real men. It was a smaller resort- just two floors. But it was gorgeous. Jerry gave all of them hot pink wrist bands giving them all the "all inclusive" privileges. They got to eat and drink whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. They got to use the beaches and all beach equipment whenever they wanted and they had no curfew unlike other teenagers staying there. It was perfect.

Room 202. Ron should be able to remember that Hermione thought jokingly. It was pretty big and had a lovely view of the ocean. Everyone was in complete bliss until they spotted something a little off. Their was one huge bed. It was big enough to fit all of Gryffindor. All of their brains began to be filled with sleeping arrangements and which way would be the least awkward.

"Well, this is pretty unexpected." Ron started.

"Oh, no its fine." Harry said. "Its big enough that we don't have to touch or anything.

"That's a shame, Potter. Because I really was up for a good snuggle with you." Ron said. The girls went into a happy fit of giggles. How could they have already gotten so much sun that they find everything hilarious? Harry wondered.

"You two are something else." Hermione said, still laughing.

The very first thing they wanted to do was go down to the pools and beach area. There were supposed to bonfires later- they were all really looking forward to that. So they agreed that the girls would get ready in the bathroom, the guys in the room to avoid any embarrassments.

For some reason Hermione was feeling more emotional than usual. She guessed that it was because of her happiness. She was on the vacation of her life with her very best friends- hell, they were her family. She also was falling head over heels for Ron- the way he was treating her, the way he looked, the way he teased her about her driving, that little crooked smile of his. She was crazy about the bloke. As she got ready with Ginny she decided she would talk to him at the bonfire. Not necessarily declare her real feelings for him, but just tell him what an amazing friend he has been to her. She sighed and looked herself in the mirror. She truly was a beautiful girl, a little plain but that was what made her exotic. If that makes any sense. Her curls grew calmer and calmer with age. They now were a dark chestnut brown that flowed down past her shoulders beautifully. Her eyes were the color of a Chocolate Frog and she now wore waterproof mascara- the only makeup she would wear besides lip balm. Her skin was a lovely color- olive like and rich. Her breasts were turning quite a few young men's heads, and older men as well. They were what every girl thought to be the perfect size. She was also the perfect height- 5'5, not too short or too tall. She had turned out to be quite the young lady.

The girls emerged from the bathroom after only 25 minutes of preparation. Ginny had just pulled her hair in a half-ponytail with a bar clip. She put on loads of waterproof makeup, but it looked gorgeous on her. And she wore an emerald green bikini with a shawl like skirt of the same color and a simple white tank over her top. Harry forgot about Sam for a second when her saw her. And Hermione looked herself but that's what Ron loved about her. He had to hold in a gasp when he saw her in such skimpy attire. She wore a white bikini and paired it off with a black skirt and a white tee shirt. But who cares about appearances. The boys just threw on swim trunks- Harry's navy blue, Ron's back.

"Ahhh let's go! I'm overly excited!." Ginny said skipping out the door.

The evening was simply one of the most fun any of them could remember having in a while. First they ran down to the largest pool of them all. The clear blue water shone and was the temperature of bathing water. The girls were acting crazy. They practically threw off their skirts and tops and did cannonballs into the pool, which was deserted since everyone was down at the beach. When they emerged from the water the both gave the boys blank looks as if to say "Aren't you joining us?" The guys just stood there laughing at the girls' free spirits. Hermione looked at Ginny and they shared a mutual thought. They swam over to the edge of the pool where Harry and Ron were standing. Hermione grabbed both of Ron's ankles- Ginny did the same to Harry and they pulled them in. Everyone was surprised at the girls' strength. Especially Hermione's considering that Ron weighed roughly 170 pounds. Ron came up from the water sputtering and laughing.

"No one pulls a Weasley in the water without getting a little torture as well." Ron said to Hermione playfully. With that, he grabbed her around her waist and lifted her up in the air.

"Ah Ron no no no no no no no no!" Hermione squealed with delight. She kicked her legs rapidly and his hands slipped down a little from her waist causing her to come back down to her feet. He still had his hands around her though and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She squinted her eyes and brought her forehead to his. They were so close that she could smell the silly cologne her wore that she adored.

"You think you're going to get away with that don't you?" She asked in a non-intentional husky voice.

"I can get away with anything.." Hermione broke out into the biggest smile when he said this. She absolutely loved how things were between them lately. She playfully pushed away from the redhead and splashed him. She then quickly turned her head to spot her other friends. They were leaning against the wall of the pool, they had been watching Ron and Hermione with bemused looks on their faces. They were still laughing but only Hermione didn't know why.

"What do you say we go down to the buffet and then on to the bonfire?" Hermione asked Harry and Ginny as Ron came closer and closer to Hermione's back. He had found one of those toy buckets little ones use to collect sand in and had filled it up with water. He raised it above her head and dumped its contents onto Hermione's pretty little head.

"ROOOON!" She screamed, but she couldn't help but laugh with her friends. This was complete bliss.

Later that night, the four friends managed to find yet another secluded area. There were only four logs around this smaller fire. Ginny plopped down on one, Harry on the other, Hermione on another. They all assumed Ron would sit on the deserted one, but he sat next to Hermione, his reason being it was closer to the marshmallows. They talked and laughed and made amazing marshmallow sandwiches. It was Ron and Ginny's first experience with S'mores. Ginny and Harry were both racking their brains for excuses they could come up with to leave Hermione and Ron alone together. Ginny said the first thing that came to her mind.

"I really have to use the loo."

"Want me to come?" Hermione asked.

"No, no. I can manage.

"Hey, why don't I come to make sure you don't get stolen." Harry said brightly.

Once they left Ron made fun of them.

"STOLEN!" "Do they really think we're that daft. It's obvious what they are trying to do."

"It is?" Hermione asked as red rushed through her cheeks.

"Yes- Harry went to contact Sam, and Ginny went to contact Gary."

"Ginny's boyfriend's name is Garrett, Ron."

"I knew that."

"But think about it Hermione. They don't want to make us feel bad that we don't have anybody."

"Oh Ron." Hermione sighed. "Honestly I don't mind that I don't have anybody. I have you. You have no idea how good you are to me. You and I have so much fun together and you are just the ultimate friend. Its going to be impossible for me to find a man that will care about me the way you- and Harry do. I mean part of finding the perfect lifetime mate is knowing that they love you for you. And I, I love you for you Ron. I love your sense of humor, your ability to act like you're two, your kindness, your bravery, the way you protect me, they way we bicker. I love everything about you and I know this is a totally inappropriate time to tell you this but I do. I love you." Hermione scolded herself in her mind. She didn't just tell Ron that she cared about him as a friend. She told him she was in love with him. She bit her lip awaiting to hear what Ron would say to her.

A/N- sorry for the delay. Also, no one hates cliff hangers as much as I do so sorry about that :).