Disclaimer: Thanks to J.K. Rowling for an entangling story with such real characters.
Summer '96
Chapter 6
That night, Harry slept comfortably on the top bunk bed while Ron took the double
bed. They'd worked it out so they would trade off every other night, that way each could
get a chance to have the double. Ginny and Hermione, who were sharing the bed in the
other room, didn't understand why Harry and Ron couldn't just share the double bed, and
were met with disgusted looks as a result of their questioning.
Harry had once again attempted to close his mind before going to sleep. He actually
found it a lot easier than it usually was, like being away from home had lifted some
enormous weight from his shoulders. He could suddenly breathe easier, and it felt
freeing, as if he had nothing to worry about … least of all the fate of the entire wizarding
world. That still didn't prevent him from dreaming of his godfather, however. Haunting
visions of Sirius's last moments drifted through Harry's thoughts, and he awoke with a
start to the dim, half-light of the hotel room.
After glancing around at the room below him, Harry found that Ron was still fast asleep,
him mouth wide open and drooling on his pillow case. He climbed out of bed, knowing
that he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep even if he'd wanted to. He crept silently
across the room toward the door, opened it slowly, and moved down the hallway. The
sliding glass door that led to the balcony had been opened a crack, and Harry thought he
could hear rushing water from somewhere down below. He slid the door open a little
more so that he could squeeze through, and moved out to the edge of the balcony to take
in the scene that lay spread out before him.
It was apparent immediately where the source of the rushing water was. A wide stream
made its way north, traveling swiftly along the base of a massive Rocky Mountain that
jutted out so close, Harry felt he could've reached out and touched it. Although the sun
was only just beginning to creep over the horizon, Harry could still make out the giant
silhouettes of the chair lifts and gondola rides that rose in lines along a treeless area on
the mountain. Looking directly downward, he discovered the hotel pool which, along
with a hot tub and a surrounding area of land, was enclosed by a tall fence on all sides
except for the one leading into the hotel.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Came a voice from behind Harry, startling him. He turned around
and found Hermione, two mugs of tea in her hands, standing in the doorway.
"Yeah," said Harry as she walked over to him and handed him a mug of tea, "it is."
Hermione sat down in one of the chairs set up behind her, and Harry sat beside her,
staring off into the dim sky where a few stars were still shining brightly.
"So," began Hermione, "what are you doing up so early?"
"Couldn't sleep," said Harry.
A flicker of concern seemed to pass through Hermione's eyes and she looked as though she was about to say something. She apparently decided against it, however, and remained silent.
"What are you doing up so early?" Harry asked with a grin, and Hermione's face began to reveal her concealed exasperation.
"Don't even ask," she said. "Ginny has been glued to the television all morning. When I finally got up, she was watching some nutter show called, 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer.' It was completely outrageous, Harry. I mean, you should see how they portray vampires … totally inaccurate."
"Well," said Harry, laughing now, "It is a muggle show, Hermione. I don't think many muggles really know what a vampire looks like. I suppose we could send them a picture of Snape … that'd be more accurate."
Hermione laughed. "You might have a point there."
The conversation lapsed into a comfortable silence, and Harry took the time to breathe in the cool air.
"I can't believe we did this," said Hermione abruptly. "I mean, anything could happen to us…." Harry felt a knot of foreboding building in his stomach. "And yet," Hermione continued thoughtfully, "I love it."
Harry looked at her questioningly.
"You were right, Harry," she said to him. "Too much pressure and chaos have surrounded us – surrounded you – for five years. We need this break. Whatever consequences result from it, I know will be justified with that fact alone."
Harry stared at her for a moment, then looked away, dreading the topic that he was about to drag up. He took a deep breath, knowing that he had to say it now because if he didn't, he probably never would.
"I'm sorry, Hermione."
"For what?" asked Hermione, looking surprised.
"For everything," said Harry. "For not listening to you, for being so naïve-."
"Harry," Hermione interrupted tentatively.
"No. No, Hermione, just listen," stated Harry firmly. "I'm sorry … I'm sorry that I didn't practice harder at Occlumency, that I led you lot into danger, that I almost got you killed, and- and that I did get Sirius killed."
"Harry, no," said Hermione, horrorstruck. "That wasn't your fault-."
"We both know it was," he said quietly. "And it wouldn't even matter if it wasn't. Nothing you say could make me feel any better about it. I just needed you to know that I am sorry, and I'm grateful that you planned out this vacation for us."
He offered her a small smile, and then rose to go back inside. As he walked back down the hallway, he passed Ron who was already in the kitchen, trying to decipher the appliances so he could make breakfast. Even as he reached his room, Harry could still feel Hermione's eyes on him, following him all the way.
The sun had risen, sparkling, and as it illuminated the needles of thousands of Colorado conifers, the scent of pine had seemed to saturate the air. It had already begun to wash away the early morning shadows, just as four young witches and wizards were beginning to plan out their day.
"But why, Hermione?" said Ron Weasley, utterly exasperated. "What's the point of buying souvenirs if the only other people we can show them to are Fred and George?"
"Who we show them to isn't the point Ron," Hermione said, in an uncharacteristically patient manner. "It's for our own satisfaction … to show that we did do this. Not to mention, that the conversion of Galleons to dollars makes us filthy rich in this country, and it'd be a shame not to spend some of that money."
With this last comment, Hermione left the dining room table, at which they'd all been eating breakfast, and circled around the couch where she had put her bag. To questioning looks from her friends, she reached inside the bag and began pulling out, one by one, several large wads of American money.
Ron goggled at her for a moment then, as he seemingly snapped out of it, he said, "But who will we show this stuff to?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and responded with a sigh, "Fine, Ron. How about we just split up for the morning then? You and Harry can go do whatever, and Ginny and I will go shopping."
"Sounds like a good idea to me," said Ginny, eagerly eyeing the stacks of money.
Harry nodded in agreement as Ron said, "Yeah, alright. Er … so, should we just meet back here for lunch, then?"
"Okay," said Hermione, apparently pleased that they'd finally reached a decision. She began dividing up the money into equal shares, and each of them took a certain amount for the day, and then put the rest in their bags.
"So," said Harry as they left the hotel, "we'll meet back at around noon, right?"
"Yeah," replied Hermione, and she and Ginny started down the street into town. Harry and Ron walked a little further, and then turned down a wide sidewalk that wound around until it ran directly alongside the creek.
"So what are we supposed to do in this place?" asked Ron with apparent boredom.
"Beats me. I suppose we could take up fishing, "said Harry with a laugh as he nodded toward a man standing in the middle of the rushing water, rod in hand.
"Oh, brilliant idea, Harry," replied Ron sarcastically. "That's almost as good as Hermione's, where people slide down mountains on a couple of sticks. Hmm … I would like to spend some of that money, though. I mean, it's pretty rare for me to be, 'filthy rich.'"
"Well, I guess we could give in and buy some souvenirs," said Harry.
"It just doesn't make any sense," Ron sighed, "I tell you, Hermione is completely mental."
"Maybe so," began Harry, "but Hermione never really does anything crazy; I think she just wants something to sort of prove that she did."
"What do you mean she never does anything crazy?" asked Ron incredulously. "She's been doing insane things since first year of Hogwarts."
Harry smiled. "Yeah, but you can't by t-shirts in the Forbidden Forest or the Chamber of Secrets, can you?"
"Nah, I guess not," laughed Ron. "Still, what is she going to do, buy a Vail hat and wear it around Hogwarts? I mean, if Dumbledore found out -."
"Dumbledore is not our parent," interrupted Harry darkly. He was really getting tired of Dumbledore controlling every aspect of his life. Ron merely glanced at him, seemingly taken aback.
"Er, yeah," he said finally. "But still, he could tell my parents, and let's face it, Harry, even though she's not exactly your mother, you'd probably be in a lot of trouble with my mum too."
"I guess that is true," said Harry, smiling. He really didn't mind. In fact, it was kind of nice that Mrs. Weasley had basically assumed the role of his mother.
They had followed the sidewalk all the way down to the back of the hotel, and could now glimpse the pool through the bars of the towering fence.
"Well, what do you reckon? Should we just head into town to have a look around?" Asked Ron, coming to a stop.
"Sure," said Harry, "we still have time to spare before we have to head back to the hotel."
They turned back and made their way slowly up the path that they had just come down. The sun was warm on their backs and Harry could tell that, despite being at this high altitude, it would be relatively hot before long.
As they reached town, Harry found himself in awe of the dazzling colors that first met his eyes. Flowers seemed to be in bloom everywhere, in shades of every color imaginable. They burst out, like tiny fireworks, and the unmistakable scent of summer wafted through the air around them. The shops and restaurants that lined the street seemed to be so bright, as if illuminated by some soft, golden light.
Harry and Ron walked past these, keeping an eye out for Ginny and Hermione as they gazed through countless store windows. They finally discovered Ginny in a souvenir shop that was teeming with t-shirts, hats, magnets, and every other object imaginable, all bearing the word, "Vail."
"Hey!" exclaimed Ginny as they entered the shop and approached her, standing by a rack of key chains. "Money burning a hole in your pockets yet?"
Harry grinned. "Maybe," he said simply.
"Where's Hermione?" Asked Ron, craning his neck to see over the shelves and racks surrounding them as he looked for her.
"I left her in the book shop next door," said Ginny, rolling her eyes. "That girl needs a life … I think she's planning on bringing half the shop home with her." And sure enough, when Hermione joined them five minutes later, it was with a large sack packed with books.
"What?" she asked in response to her friends' amused expressions. "As long as I have the money…."
"Hermione," began Harry, "how're we supposed to get all of this home?"
"It'll be alright, Harry," said Ron, laughing now. "My bag has a charm on it like Dad's old Ford Anglia, everything should fit fine."
The relief shown clearly on Hermione's face as she finally sighed and said, "Well, should we just go to lunch from here, then?"
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea," said Ginny. "I'm starving."
They began to make their way out of the shop when Ron suddenly stopped.
"What is it?" asked Harry.
"Er, just a minute," he said, and to everyone's surprise, he picked up a large, black, Vail sweatshirt.
Grinning, Hermione followed him up to the counter so she could help him with the money. Harry raised an eyebrow as Ron returned, but said nothing.
"It gets cold in the castle during winter," said Ron defensively. "I just though it might be a nice change from Mum's maroon sweaters."
"I didn't say a word, Ron," Harry said with a smile, "didn't say a word."
Author's note- If this chapter was a little boring, I'm sorry. The next one should be better … I'm really excited about writing it anyway. Reviews are greatly appreciated!
