Chapter 8-
"Hermione!"
Someone jumped on Hermione's back, causing Hermione and the person to both fall to the ground. Hermione's view was obstructed by red hair, and she immediately knew who it was.
"Sorry," Ginny said, "The fall was supposed to be more coordinated."
"It's okay," Hermione said, brushing off her shoulder. She looked over at Ginny.
"What do you need?" Hermione asked.
Ginny sighed. "Well, I have a problem, and I know only you will be able to help me with it."
"Ask away," Hermione said, dryly.
"Well," Ginny said slowly, "You know Harry…"
"The name does ring a bell,' Hermione said quickly.
"Yes,' Ginny said, "Well…he asked me to marry him."
Hermione's eyes traveled quickly to the ground. This was definitely not the subject she wanted to talk about, and especially not to Ginny.
"Oh," Hermione lied, "He did?"
"Yeah," Ginny said, leaning towards Hermione, "But I don't know if I should say yes or no."
No, Hermione thought to herself, Say no!
"W-Well," Hermione said, "How much do you like Harry?"
Ginny shrugged. "I don't know…I think I love him."
"You think?" But I know.
"Well," Ginny said, "I don't know if this is love."
"What do you feel?" Hermione asked.
"I-I," Ginny stumbled, "When I'm with him…I feel like I'm soaring. And without him, I feel like I'm in the Forbidden Forest without my wand. He makes me feel great…I just…"She trailed off.
"I suppose you know your answer then," Hermione said wisely, putting on a fake smile.
Ginny grinned widely, and hugged Hermione. "Oh thank you Hermione! I can't wait for Harry to return. I'll definitely say yes!"
Hermione struggled to smile.
"You're the greatest Hermione!" Ginny said, before Apparating away.
- - - - - - - - -
"Wait, what?" Hermione asked, "Your deposit is in America?"
Neville blushed. "Sorry Hermione," he said, "Micheal insisted it be there for safekeeping."
"It's all right Neville," Hermione assured, brushing a lock of hair out of her eyes.
"Are you going to go all the way to America?" Neville asked.
Hermione shrugged. "Might as well," she said, "It's not too hard to Apparate there, I guess. And I've always wanted to travel there."
"When are you leaving?" Neville asked.
"After I tell Ginny and my parents I'm going on vacation," Hermione said, smiling a bit.
- - - - - - -
Harry sighed as he held up another picture to Nick.
"This is me," he pointed, "Ginny, and 'Mione."
Nick took the picture from his hands and admired it. In the picture Harry and Hermione were sitting at the edge of the Whomping Willow with Ginny standing behind them. Harry didn't have to enchant the picture to keep it from moving, for Nick was a wizard himself.
"So," Nick said, "Ginny's the one with…red hair?"
"Yes," Harry said.
"And 'Mione-"
"Hermione," Harry corrected quickly.
"You called her 'Mione,' Nick said, "I'm just saying what you said."
Harry sighed, "Yes…Hermione is…"
"The only other girl in the picture, mate," Nick said.
Harry pulled out another picture from the stack.
"This is Ginny and Hermione," he said.
"Mate," Nick said, "I pretty much know what they look like. Tell me what they're like!"
"Okay," Harry said, "You'll have to guess who I'm talking about."
"Fine," Nick said.
"Alright," Harry said, leaning back, "She loves to read, and her favorite book is The True Story of Hogwarts, just like me. She's quiet, but loud when necessary. She's obsessed with helping the House Elf's, and the founder of S.P.E.W-"
"Ginny!" Nick exclaimed, "I know this for sure! I read the letters she sent."
"No," Harry said, "That's actually….Hermione." He was silent for a minute.
"Alright," Nick said, "Next picture." He took the photo from Harry's hands.
"Okay," Harry said, "That's…"he trailed off as he saw the photo in Nick's hands.
It was him, Ron and Hermione sitting by the great lake. Hermione was sitting in the middle, a book on her lap with both her hands draped around Ron and Harry's shoulders. Harry and Ron were looking in the front, half sniggering at the same time while Hermione gave them an exasperated expression.
Harry let out a small smile. He'd forgotten he even had this picture. He tried to avoid looking at Ron pictures, they made him feel sad.
"No Ginny in this one?" Nick asked. He knew enough about Ron to bring it up.
"No," Harry whispered, a faint smile still lingering on his lips, "This…is the famous trio."
- - - - - - - -
Hermione pushed through the busy crowd. So this was America? It was no different from London, though the people here had less of an accent, and were a little wilder.
And there were no magical places whatsoever.
That didn't surprise Hermione. She had read that the America's were the 'muggle' nations, and few wizards resided there.
Hermione sighed, wishing she could Apparate to the bank instead of trying to make it through the huge crowd. It was dusty, and the heat was finally getting to her.
With a sigh of relief, she spotted the bank Neville had told her about, and pushed her way into it. Feeling a huge burst of cool air as she stepped inside, she walked up to the counter.
"Hello," the man behind the counter said, "May I help you?"
"Er…yes," Hermione said, handing him the key Neville had given her, "This is my key…"
"Alright ma'am," the man said, typing a few letters onto his computer and standing up, "Come with-"he was interrupted by a loud shout from behind him.
"Hermione!"
Hermione turned around, seeing Harry running up to her.
"Harry!" she exclaimed, smiling. The man at the counter made a noise with his throat.
"Hey 'Mione," Harry said, reaching her, "Why're you here?"
"I'm here to get money for S.P.E.W," Hermione said, "Neville left it in this bank. Why are you here?"
Harry sighed. "I guess my secret's out…I live here."
Hermione's eyes widened. Before she could say anything the man behind the counter cleared his throat loudly for the second time.
"Harry," she said, "I have to get my money, I'll meet you here in ten minutes."
- - - - - - - - - -
Ten minutes later, Harry and Hermione were well out of the bank and walking around America.
"So," Harry said, "You still haven't told me why you're here."
"Well," Hermione said, "I was here to get the money for S.P.E.W," she motioned to her bag, "But since I've never been to this part of America-it's California, right?-I've decided to stay a couple of days, and sightsee."
"Well you can't sightsee alone," Harry protested, "Be prepared Hermione Granger, for the greatest tour of America in your life!"
Filler, Filler, Filler. Sorry about that. But…in the next chapter…the TRUTH COMES OUT!
