Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or else I would be selling it in bookstores worldwide. If you don't recognize it as J.K. Rowling's, then it's mine.

Rating: G

A/N: Thank you for all the reviews, both on and Two: Who Could Resist?


Chapter Two: Who Could Possibly Resist?

Harry wasn't sure what to expect with his birthday drawing nearer, now only two days away. Ever since the little brochure episode, Hermione and Ron had been acting rather strange, almost as if they were keeping something from him but Harry decided to blame it on the strangeness they emitted when they were together. Ron did and said things that made George question his masculinity several times and Hermione was practically devouring Ron's face any chance she got. Harry wasn't sure when females had become more frisky than males but Hermione was a sure testament to it.

Sitting there at the table surrounded by red hair and freckles, Harry mulled over his cereal, counting down the days until he could escape from the Wizardry World and into the world where the Muggles dwelled. It was such an odd feeling for him since every time he left the world of magic it meant that he would be staying at the Dursley's, away from his friends. Now he was yearning to get into that world, far from his own, but this time as a free, seemingly ordinary man.

That morning was one of the ones where Harry had woken up around noon, realizing that he had nothing to do like he had for every other day of the summer. He'd rolled onto his stomach, running his fingers back through his jet-black hair before wincing when he pressed his morning hard-on into the mattress. Another morning when the knowledge sunk in that he had no one to relieve it but himself. His legs carried him to the shower, which thankfully no one was using, and he used a silencing charm much like he had the morning before and the morning before that.

Thanks to Hermione, Harry had Mexico on the brain ever since she had handed him one of the brochures for it. He fell in love instantly with the promise of crystal clear blue water, the hot sun blazing down, and sandy beaches. However, he really did want to take a cruise so the prospect of beaches was out of the question. He hadn't called the travel agency immediately because he still wanted a few days to think it over. What happens if the Caribbean looked more inviting than Mexico? What if a cruise wasn't what he really wanted? Harry sighed to himself and found that he sounded like a bride on her wedding day with all the questions running through his head.

His thoughts wandered back to the present and when he looked down at his bowl of cereal, he was surprised to find nothing in it but sugary milk. He drank it and then put it in the silk along with the other piles of dishes that Mrs. Weasley was tending to.

"Everyone in the den," announced Hermione.

Harry frowned and followed the rest of the family and Hermione, who was staying with the Weasley's for three weeks of the summer. Like everyone else, Harry sat down while Hermione stood in the centre of the room with a large smile on his face.

"As everyone knows, it will be Harry's birthday in two days," she began, looking at Harry, who now had his face in his hands, "and since he won't be with us for very long, I thought he should open his gifts today."

"What are you talking about?" Harry mumbled. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Your cruise," said Ron, trying to refresh his memory and suppress a grin at the same time.

"Oh yeah, but that's not until after my birthday," Harry replied, looking warily from his best friend to his other.

"Here, Harry. Open it," said Hermione, handing a long but thin rectangular box that was shiny and green. "It's from Ron and I."

Taking the box, Harry was becoming increasingly suspicious since Hermione was practically teeming with excitement, almost ready to burst, and Ron was appearing the same way on the couch beside him. Harry took off the lid and stared down at the small white envelope before picking it up so he could open it.

"Mexico?" he whispered, beginning to read the piece of paper until a ticket fell out when he unfolded it again. "Merlin."

"What do you think?"

"I think you guys spent too much," he breathed out.

"Oh, that's nonsense."

"It leaves on my birthday," Harry said randomly, glancing up from the ticket to them.

"Which is why we gave it to you today, mate," responded Ron, slapping his friend on the back once. "You have two days to pack."

" 'Magical Ship of Pleasure'?" Harry questioned, looking at his two friends for an answer i8mmediately.

"They all have names like that," said Hermione, waving it away, not skipping a beat.

Harry nodded distractedly. He grinned a moment later before jumping up to hug Hermione and then Ron, thanking them both profusely.

"My gift looks like shit compared to theirs," muttered Fred to George.

"Fred, watch your mouth," scolded Mrs. Weasley, sending her son a glare before smiling back at Harry.

For the next half hour, Harry opened up his gifts from the Weasley's and talking with the family. It wasn't until Mr. Weasley had to leave for work, as did Fred and George to maintain their shop in Hogsmeade that Harry finally got away. He collected up his gifts and brought them up to his room.

Sitting down on the edge of his bed, he gazed down at the cruise ticket that was in his hands. It was finally sinking in that he would be in Mexico on a big boat, sun bathing on a chair beside a pool while he sipped his Margarita, or Long Island Iced Tea – which was what he preferred. All that hard liquor in one drink. Who could possibly resist?