Chapter 3 - Operation: Temptation
Harry arrived a few days after and Hermione was pleased to finally see him. As soon as she saw him, she ran up to him and gave him a great, big hug, which he gladly returned.
"Harry, how are you?"
"The usual. My aunt and uncle didn't want to come near me. Dudley was scared of me, so it was as boring as Hell."
Hermione didn't have chance to speak to Harry after that as Mrs Weasley came to greet him and then told them to get ready for dinner. The atmosphere around the table was full of warmth and happiness, as everyone was pleased to see Harry safe and well, but none were as happy as Hermione.
After five courses of delicious food cooked by Mrs Weasley, the night ended with a round of Fred and George's homemade fireworks that were set off in the garden, causing many of the annoying gnomes to run off in fright. Even when Mrs Weasley told them that it was time for bed, they could still hear then banging and crackling which pleased the twins no end.
Hermione and Ginny slowly trudged up the stairs, feeling far too full to hurry up to bed. They reached the landing on which Ginny's bedroom was and entered.
"What can I do, Ginny?" moaned Hermione and sighed as she sat heavily on her bed. "It's killing me not knowing what to do. Why can't it be easy... like school work?"
"Because everyone would still be having problems," laughed Ginny. "If you're that desperate why don't you just ask them?"
Hermione stared at her. "Ask them and make a complete fool of myself? I don't think so."
"Then you're going to have to find out another way. You could write them a love letter and disguise yourself as a secret admirer."
"What the point in that?" replied Hermione, shaking her head in disagreement. "They're not going to find out who it is and they can't exactly reply, can they?"
Ginny screwed up her face. "There is that, I suppose." She sat quietly for a moment, thinking of an idea that might actually work. "Ooh, wait a minute. I've got an idea!"
Hermione beamed. "What is it?" However, she didn't get an answer as Ginny shot pass her and ran out of the room. Not wanting to wait for the embarrassment to come to her, she quickly ran after her friend. She looked up and saw Ginny standing on the landing above, outside Ron's bedroom door. She hurried up the stairs as Ginny made for the door. "Ginny, wait!"
She had already entered as Hermione came huffing into the boys bedroom.
"Do you fancy going on a picnic tomorrow, down by the river?" Ginny asked, allowing Hermione a sigh of relief, glad that she wasn't going to make the situation worse. But a picnic?
"A picnic? What for?" quizzed Ron, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, I thought it would be nice to have while it's such nice weather and we could have a splash in the river. Besides, it'll give you chance to use the paddock for a bit of practise." Ginny answered, giving Hermione a sly wink.
"Yeah, I'm for it." Harry spoke, then turned to Ron. "It's something different."
"Yeah, all right," answered Ron, sounding a little more enthusiastic.
"Great, we'll get the food ready and you can find some decent clothes." Ginny told them. "Night."
Ginny backed out of the room and closed the door behind, Hermione moving out of her way.
"Thanks, I thought you were going to do something drastic." admitted Hermione.
"See it wasn't so bad after all?"
"Yeah, but what am I suppose to do tomorrow? You haven't told me that yet."
Hermione had trouble getting to sleep that night, feeling too excited and nervous about the coming day. In her mind, she was running through the ideas that Ginny had mentioned before she fell asleep in order to find out the information she needed, she desired.
When Hermione finally dozed off, she had yet another dream that she was dangling of the ledge of a building, scared out of her wits. She was holding on for dear life and hoped that someone would come to her rescue soon. She could hear people on the ground, screaming and yelling in shock as they helplessly watched below.
She didn't think she could hold on much longer when she saw something flying in the air towards her, but in her panic, she couldn't make it out. Hermione could hear people shouting, also noticing this mysterious flying figure.
"Is it a bird?"
"Is it a plane?"
"No, it's Superman!"
"No, it's not, you idiot! It's the Boy Who Lived!"
Hermione didn't know whether she was hearing things or not but didn't have to time to think about it as her fingers slipped off the ledge. She was falling fast towards the ground. 'I'm going to die' she panicked and screamed. She closed her eyes, waiting for the impact as the ground drew nearer. The wind whistled in her ears as she fell faster, when suddenly, she felt something grab hold of her. Instead of falling, she was lifted into the air. She slowly opened her eyes. Hermione saw the crowd below cheering and clapping. She turned her head around to see who her rescuer was and screamed. "Harry?"
"Are you ok?" Harry asked, the colour had drained from his face, let alone Hermione's.
"I am now. I didn't know you could fly?"
"I can't fly on my own. Who do you think I am? Superman?"
Hermione glanced down to see she was sitting on Harry's Firebolt. Afraid she might fall again, she held tight onto Harry, making her feel little more comfortable and safe.
Harry flew lower until they until they reached the ground and she suddenly realised that she was outside the Burrow. He helped Hermione off the Firebolt as she was still a little shaken with fright.
"Thank you, Harry."
Harry smiled. "It's ok. I'm just glad you're safe."
"Oh, my hero!" Hermione cried, suddenly grabbing Harry and pulling him into a tight hug.
"Hey, Hermione! Get off me! I...can't...breathe!"
Hermione opened her eyes to see Ginny's face getting redder by the second and let go instantly, feeling embarrassed.
"Sorry, Ginny."
Ginny rubbed her neck. "Yeah, well I didn't think I'd be getting strangled just for trying to wake you up. What the Hell were you dreaming about this time?"
"Don't ask."
"I don't think need to. It probably involved you, Ron and/or Harry. I think the so-called hug explains it all... or was it a grope?"
Hermione smiled weakly as she pulled the covers off her and slowly rose out of the bed, yawning and stretching.
"Looking forward to today?" Ginny asked excitedly.
"Yes...and no." Hermione answered honestly. "Do you think dressing down is a good idea? It might be a shock to their system."
"That's exactly what we want. They've never seen you in the 'flesh' before. You need to see whether they're attracted to you physically first. Don't think of it as demoralising, more...research. I mean, I'm sure they're always think about stuff like that."
"Like what?"
"You know," said Ginny, widening her eyes trying to make a hint. "Sex."
"Oh," Hermione blushed.
Ginny nodded. "Yeah. Come on, we've got to get the picnic basket ready. Best go and wake them first." Ginny strolled out of the room and headed up the stairs, closely followed by Hermione, struggling to put her dressing gown on. They had reached the landing and were just about to open their door when they Harry and Ron talking in hushed voices. Intrigued, the girls leaned in but couldn't hear the conversation any better.
"Girls, what are you doing?" demanded Mrs Weasley, making them jump as she suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"Nothing, mum," replied Ginny.
She eyed Hermione and Ginny suspiciously. "So, what are you doing today?"
"We're going for a picnic by the river, Mrs Weasley. Ginny, Harry, Ron and myself," Hermione answered politely.
"A picnic! What a wonderful idea for a day like this. I best wake the boys then." Mrs Weasley knocked on Ron's door before entering as Hermione and Ginny hurried downstairs. They began gathering the food together in the kitchen and placed them into the picnic basket.
"I wonder what they were talking about. They seemed to be keeping quiet about it." Hermione stated.
"I don't know, but we'll never find out, so there's no point dwelling on it."
They had just finished packing when Harry and Ron entered the kitchen, already dressed and prepared with their broomstick in one hand and a towel in the other.
"You ready yet?" asked Ron.
"Oh yes, we thought we'd make a fashion statement dressed in our pyjamas," Ginny replied sarcastically. "Come on, Hermione, we better get dressed."
Ron pulled at face at his sister while Hermione walked behind her, smiling at them as she went past. As soon as she was out of the kitchen, Hermione ran upstairs, almost banging into Ginny. She still felt as nervous as Hell but was becoming increasingly excited at the same time.
She hurried into the bedroom, and began to search through her trunk, hoping to find something decent enough to wear.
"I wasn't expecting to find this," said Hermione, holding up a bikini and a sarong to show Ginny. She looked impressed. "My mum must think we take swimming lessons at Hogwarts," Hermione laughed.
"Doesn't matter, that's perfect. If that doesn't grab their attention, nothing will."
Hermione seemed unsure for a moment. "Are you sure this is right?"
"Remember, it's research. Just try your best and try not to feel nervous," Ginny assured her, "Let's go, we can't keep them waiting any longer."
They both got dressed quickly and grasped for their towels as made their way out of the room and downstairs. Upon entering the kitchen, Hermione announced they were ready to go and collected the picnic basket along with an old blanket to sit on, then headed out of the back door. Mrs Weasley walked in just in time to wave goodbye to the four children before they disappeared over the low garden fence; Ginny leading the way.
They ambled straight across the field; the freshly cut grass feeling smooth underfoot and the blossoming summer flowers beginning to colour. The weather couldn't have been better - the sun's heat was sweltering but a nice, cool breeze occasionally came and went around them.
Hermione was finding it difficult carrying the heavy picnic basket by herself, now trailing behind the others. Harry had noticed this too.
"Here, let me help you," Harry offered, putting his towel over his shoulder and took hold of a handle, feeling much lighter for Hermione. She appreciated it very much and thanked him.
Harry smiled. "I couldn't leave you to carry it by yourself, you were struggling."
She smiled back, remembering how many times Harry had said aloud trying to figure out girls was difficult, but he didn't realised that the male species were just as bad, except it involved them being completely tactless and not revealing much emotion to the ones they desired.
Hermione looked ahead to see Ron waiting impatiently for Harry as he and Ginny had reached the picnic spot first.
"Hurry up, I want to get some practise done today!"
"Give us a hand and we will!" shouted Harry, speeding up as the cramp began to seep through his arms. He placed the basket down and turned to Hermione and Ginny. "Gotta go before Ron throws a tantrum. Bye." With the broomstick firmly in his grip, he rushed towards Ron and continued over a bridge across the river and waved until they disappeared into shades of the trees ahead.
Hermione continued to wave back until they were out of sight. The cheery smile that she wore throughout their walk suddenly faded. She turned to Ginny, staring at her wide-eyed, trying not to go into hysterics.
"I don't know if I can do this. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea."
Ginny gave her a stony look.
"Come on, don't give up just like that. I'm trying to help you find the answers... but if you want to turn your back on your feelings, then-"
"Ok, I get your point," Hermione interrupted. "It's just nerves, that's all."
She slouched down onto the grass and wrapped her arms around her legs, feeling slightly jaded. "I've never been this confused before, it's starting to drive me mad."
Hermione stared at her feet momentarily before turning her attention to Ginny, now shaking her head with disappointment as she stepped towards the basket and pulled something out something that seemed to be scrunched up. She then stood before Hermione and crouched down, blocking the midday sun out of Hermione's eyes. Ginny had a determined look about her.
"Look, Hermione, I'm not asking you to strip naked and dance the fandango in front of Ron and Harry..." Hermione managed to raised a smile. " But I want to help you. I'm not asking you to do much and I don't expect you to ask too much of yourself either... but just give it a shot.."
She held out Hermione's clothes that she had found in the trunk earlier. Ginny waited patiently, maintaining eye contact until her friend gave in.
"I'll do it." Hermione finally agreed, "But if this doesn't go to plan, I'm holding you responsible."
Ginny grinned, and threw the clothes into Hermione's already upturned palms. She clapped her hands together. "At last! Come on, let's not waste any more time. Get these on..." She threw the clothes into Hermione's already upturned palms, "Get your brain into gear and listen, I've got an idea..."
Harry and Ron decided to get back to the river after a short, but successful, mini Quidditch practise. As the summer heat had rapidly wrapped around them like a thick blanket and the beginnings of hunger started to creep through, now was a good time to get back to Hermione and Ginny and taste the delights of their well prepared picnic.
They reached the edge of the trees, allowing them to see the distant figure of Ginny. Hermione, however, seemed to be out of sight.
"When we get back to Hogwarts," Harry began, shielding his eyes from the glaring sun. " I want to see you do just as good in Quidditch practise. The only problem you've got is nerves."
"I know," Ron sighed, also blocking the sun with his hand, "I just get nervous in front of other people. It doesn't help when the gits of Slytherin start singing 'Weasley is our King.'"
"Let's not think about that, shall we?"
They were almost at the bridge and there was still no sign of Hermione.
"Hey, where's Hermione?" asked Harry to a now sunbathing Ginny and revealing a lot more flesh than usual, he noticed, feeling himself flush slightly.
"Oi! Put some clothes on!" shouted Ron, noticing this too.
She bolted upright, looking displeased at her irate brother. "Shut up, Ron, I'm only trying to catch some rays. As for Hermione," she said, ignoring Ron's protests, "I'm sure she'll appear in a minute."
Ron quickened his pace towards Ginny,(who had laid back down to get back to the matter in hand; to get a decent tan) and stood over her."I don't want to see my sister wearing next to nothing in public!"
"There's no one around."
"Yes there is! What about Harry?"
Ginny raised her head slightly, lifted her sunglasses and smiled in Harry's direction. "I don't mind. Harry is free to look at whatever he likes."
Harry felt his cheeks flush even more and quickly turned away from Ron so that he couldn't see his embarrassed reaction. As Ron began to protest to Ginny that Harry had turned away from her in disgust, Harry saw the shadowy figure of Hermione wading towards them in knee deep water from underneath the bridge.
"Oh, hi, Hermione..." Harry said, as she emerged out of the shadows. Harry's eyes widened in surprise as she was revealing as much as Ginny was. Two girls stripping down in one day... what the Hell was going on? Not that he had much to complain about. "Wow, Hermione... you're looking good."
Hearing Hermione's name, Ron turned around and Ginny leaned to one side to get a better view and to catch Ron's reaction.
Ron, however, just stared, apparently dazed at the sight of his best friend, whom he never seen wear less than pyjamas in their entire six years of friendship. Harry and Ginny continued to watch Ron's strange reaction. Either he had caught sunburn in world record time or he had turned postbox red at the sight of Hermione wearing a bikini top and a sarong.
Realising that he was looking completely gormless for way too long, he spoke, his voice had become hoarse. "You look very - really...great."
"Hey!" exclaimed Ginny, "She's wearing just as much as I am and she doesn't get told off!"
"That's different," muttered Ron, quickly bending down suddenly to tie his shoelace, covering his blotchy face.
"I'm sure it is," Ginny said to herself, and smiled at Hermione, sneaking her a small wink.
She smiled back, mentally agreeing with Ginny that maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all.