Since the drive was long, Harry decided to catch up on his sleep. Ever since the incident with Ron, he'd been trying to sleep with one eye open, but that didn't help at all.
Hermione smiled as Harry slept with his head rested on her shoulder. Around them, Ron, Adam, Millie, and Nicola chattered excitedly. She had a feeling this was going to be a good day.
They arrived at the campsite just before sundown. They set up their tents. One for the boys and one for the girls. Once they were all done with their tents, they decided to eat dinner. Beans in a can. Hermione warned Ron and Nicola that too much beans could cause certain problems and told them not to eat too much.
"Why," Ron had asked.
"Because," Harry said, "you'll get fat."
After that, Ron had become quiet and ate just the right amount of beans. After dinner, Adam took out the radio and they roasted marshmallows.
"This is really fun," Nicola was beaming. "I've never gone camping before."
"Don't they have camping in your world?" Millie asked.
Ron, Harry and Nicola stared at her. They weren't aware that she knew about what they were. Hermione nodded.
"Adam too," she said.
After the shock had gone, they began to talk about several things until finally they were told to sleep.
"You go ahead," Hermione said and held Harry back. "Stay."
Once everyone was gone, Hermione turned to Harry. Of course, he had an idea why she'd asked him to stay. This time, he remembered.
"Happy birthday!" she grinned and gave him a quick kiss.
Harry grinned. Her lips tasted of marshmallows. They sat on the log staring at the fire. Just then, Ron and the rest came back singing.
"Happy birthday to you," they were grinned. Nicola pulled out a muffin with a candle and lit it. "Make a wish!"
Laughing, Harry blew out the candle.
"Hermione and Ron told us," Adam said to the look of question on Harry's face.
"Wow, thanks you guys," Harry smiled as he looked at Hermione. For reasons he could never understand, he began to cry. Hermione glanced at the others before hugging him.
"What's the matter," Hermione asked concernedly. "Harry? Harry, are you okay?"
Harry couldn't speak at all. He'd never felt this way before. It scared him a little to be so emotional. He just didn't understand it at all.
"Harry, what's the matter," she asked softly.
"I don't know," Harry mumbled feeling stupid. He buried his face in the nape of her neck and the sweet smell of vanilla went up his nose. He had a feeling that it was one of those smells he'd know forever. Could it be that he loved her so much? Was it possible to love someone like that? He had a feeling that it was.
"Thank you," Harry said once he'd finally calmed down. "Thank you."
Nicola gave him a hug and handed him the muffin, which he began to eat slowly. Adam had turned on his radio and they danced and sang until they were tired. Deciding it was time to turn in, they left Harry and Hermione to be alone. They lay side by side on the grass staring up at the sky. Their voices were soft and mumbled. Harry had never felt so happy. He couldn't stop smiling.
Hermione gasped and pointed to the sky. "Harry! Make a wish!"
Harry looked up just in time to spot a shooting star soar across the sky. He closed his eyes and made a wish.
I wish that what Hermione and I have will last forever…He opened his eyes and took her hand. Hermione smiled. She'd wished that Harry would be the first and last boy she'd ever love. After another two hours of staring at the sky, they too decided it was time to sleep. Sharing a sweet kiss that was sweeter than any kind of candy they'd ever taste, they parted.
XxXxXxX
The next day was rather eventful for them all. They swam in the lake and had splash wars and races. Of course, none of them could beat Adam and they couldn't stop laughing when Ron's swimming trunks had "swam" away from him. After swimming, they decided to go on a hike.
"Ronnie, I'm tired," Nicola whined. She felt better when they decided to take a little break.
As they continued to hike, Harry noticed that Hermione seemed very tired. Her movements were sluggish and she looked just about ready to drop.
"Hermione, you okay there," he asked. The others were slightly ahead of them.
"Yeah," she was breathless, "all good."
Harry stepped in front of her. "Hop on."
"What?" Hermione asked.
Harry turned to face her, smiled, and turned his back to her again. Finally getting what he meant, she shook her head.
"I'll break your back." She laughed.
"Just come on will you?" Harry replied. "Please?"
Hermione thought for a moment. "I am pretty tired."
"Come on then."
Hermione hopped onto Harry's back and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks Harry."
"Aww," Millie nudged Adam, then pinched him.
"Ow! What was that for," Adam rubbed the pinched area.
"How come you don't do nice things for me anymore?"
"What? I do too do nice things for you! I fixed your bedroom window for you didn't I?"
Millie scoffed. "After you broke it."
Adam rolled his eyes and tried to keep up with her. Nicola walked beside Ron, their arms around each others' shoulders, their heads leaning close together.
"Look at them Ronnie," Nicola's voice was hushed but contained excitement.
"I'd rather not," Ron smiled. "I don't want to lose my lunch."
"Oh Ronnie," giggled Nicola. "Carry me on your back?"
"What? No."
"Are you saying I'm fat? Because I'm not!"
"I didn't say you were fat! I'm just saying I don't want to."
"Why?"
"Because."
"Because why?"
"Because I don't want to!"
"You're such a grump," Nicola pouted.
Ron sighed. "Fine!" he fell into her trap. "Fine!"
He stopped walking and let her hop on his back. Ron lost his balance and they fell together to the ground. Ron's face was buried in dirt.
"Geroff," his voice was muffled. Nicola rolled off and helped him up.
"I'm so sorry," Nicola was on the verge of tears.
"Don't worry about it," Ron replied. He pulled her into a hug to comfort her. "I'm fine. See?"
It didn't help. Nicola burst into tears. Ron sat her down. He held her close.
"I'm such an idiot," Nicola blamed herself. "I could have seriously hurt you!"
"Nic, it's okay, really, I'm okay," Ron assured her. "I'm fine."
"No! I could have really hurt you!"
"Nic, please."
Everyone had stopped and looked at them. Harry watched with interest as Ron comforted Nicola.
"Nic, the only time you could seriously hurt is if you left me," Ron said seriously.
Hermione held onto Harry tighter. "Aww."
They watched as Ron gave Nicola a kiss and Harry couldn't help but think that Ron had found someone to love that was going to last forever.