The Holiday - Part 1

Chapter 15

Saturday, July 27

"I think I've made up my mind what I want to do with the rest of my life," said Harry, as he scooped up the steadily melting lavender flavoured ice-cream, a local delicacy.

"Other than becoming an Auror, you mean?" said Sirius, without opening his eyes. He was lying down on the beach towel, in his white button-up which was undone, as he soaked in the sun of the Cote d'Azur, the most beautiful beach Harry had ever seen with its crystal-clear turquoise waters and rows upon rows of umbrellas sheltering naked bodies of men and women from around the world as they all indulged in the glorious warmth of the Provençal sun.

"Yeah, I'm going to travel the world after I finish school," said Harry, nodding.

It had taken him two days for his nerves to settle down and stop being so 'jumpy' as Sirius put it. He was almost positive that a Death Eater would jump around the corner and apprehend him when he was not noticing.

But after two whole days of walking around the cobbled stone streets of Aix-en-Provence, visiting the local theatre festivals and swimming in the Calanques de Cassis, he was now thoroughly enjoying their trip and was marvelling at the fact that the world was so much bigger than just England. There was plenty to see and learn and experience that he thought he might have found his calling in life.

"That's a splendid idea, Har–James," stumbled Sirius, opening one eye to make sure nobody was around to have noticed the slip.

Harry and Sirius, or in other words, James and John Evans were the innocuous father and son duo of their little tour group. They had settled for their middle names and his mother's surname but Sirius had to take Remus' middle name as 'Orion' was in no way a common muggle name.

Other than themselves, there was a couple along with their seventeen year old daughter, another woman who had ended up alone on what should have been her honeymoon and a small family with two young boys.

Their official cover was that James (Harry) was John (Sirius) Evans' son, whose wife had left him and he had attained custody of him after a long and arduous custody battle. This was their first trip as father and son and it was fairly amusing watching Sirius spin the tale even further with practiced ease to the lovely Miss Jane Evesham. The poor woman had been stood up in her wedding and had decided to come to France (her would-be honeymoon destination) and wallow amongst strangers.

She was a pretty woman in her late twenties, very slim and petite with a beautiful face - although, it had been rather blotchy for the first two days of the trip. Since learning Sirius'…or rather John's story, she found some sort of mutual companionship and was hanging by his arm since.

The woman in question was currently walking towards them from the waves, her slim bikini-clad figure looking quite appealing.

Feeling apprehensive, Harry finished his lavender ice-cream quickly and stood up muttering, "I'm going to look for Alicia."

"Don't go too far," came Sirius' lazy drawl as Harry walked away. It was only maybe ten seconds later, when a loud shriek made him turn back immediately.

What he saw made him break into hysterical laughter along with some of the rest of their tour group. Sirius, who had earlier been digging a rather large hole in the sand, had spread a blanket over it to cover it up. Jane had apparently tried to lay back and promptly fell into the pit, screaming.

Sirius was howling with laughter as Jane pulled herself up and was punching Sirius everywhere she could get her hands on. "You–think–that–was–funny–John?"

Sirius, still chuckling, tried to get hold of her assaulting hands, smiling roguishly. "Yes. Yes, it was."

Harry blushed when she suddenly leaned into Sirius and he quickly turned away. He didn't need to see that.

Thankfully, someone joined him. "You'd think she would be rather upset after her fiancé stood her up just four days ago, but no. She's having the time of her life here with your dad."

"She needs to de-stress. That's why she came here, isn't it?" said Harry as he took in the cynical expression on Alicia's face.

"You're not at all upset that she hangs out with your dad?"

"No," said Harry truthfully. He had just spoken last night with Sirius, who had assured him it was nothing more than harmless fun.

"You're weird, James," said Alicia, shaking her head, her beautiful brown hair cascading over her shoulders. "You know that's how I thought too when my stepdad came in to the picture. Next thing I know, he's marrying my mum and moving in with me."

"You're saying I should be worried that Jane might marry Si-my dad?" said Harry, incredulously.

"I'm just saying, things do not always stay the same," said Alicia decisively.

Harry shrugged as they walked along the shore, the cool water splashing on their feet. Alicia Bloomwood was a rather nice-looking girl and was very loquacious. They formed a tentative friendship as they were the only teens of similar age in the group. Her mother and stepfather were always together leaving her on her own and Harry felt rather sorry for her.

It was very refreshing to talk to someone who wasn't already familiar with his name and his story. They talked about simple things and her travels around the world which Harry had to admit had sparked his curiosity to travel too.

They reached a small gift shop and headed inside, Alicia stopping to take pictures. She was an avid photographer and partly the reason her parents left her alone to wander.

"Hmm… What do you think I can get my friends back home?" asked Harry, picking up a coffee mug.

"I'd get them a bottle of champagne and be done with it," said Alicia offhandedly as she checked her camera.

"Ron's mum will probably kill me if I give something like that seeing as we're still underage," said Harry, blanching at the idea.

Alicia looked up curiously. "You mean you haven't had a drink before. At all?"

"No," said Harry truthfully and was only slightly embarrassed.

"Wow, you're missing out. Thank goodness we have a wine-tasting session on the cards." And just like that, she walked off towards a shelf to see the various products lining the wall and she bought herself a charm to add to her bracelet.

"I think Hermione will like this," said Harry, looking over a small pink journal with a leather cover which gave a subtle aroma of lavender.

"Oh, is she your girlfriend?" Harry did not miss the sharpness of her tone.

"No," said Harry coolly. "Just a friend."

Alicia looked at him with an air of smug superiority. "That's what all the boys say."

"No, really," said Harry, wanting to make himself clear. "She's like my sister. We practically grew up together."

Alicia was now looking at him very interestedly. "Okay… So, any girlfriends back home?"

"Well," said Harry, thinking to make sure nothing he said would blow their cover off. "I did have one last year but we broke it off."

"Why?"

Harry was fidgeting now, feeling rather awkward, "Um… she was just too…"

"Clingy? Girly? Emotional?" Alicia supplied helpfully and a little too excitedly.

"Yes, emotional! That's the word. It was just too overwhelming."

Alicia smiled wryly as she waggled her eyebrows, "Was she a good kisser?"

"Um…" What is it with this girl?

"I'll take that as a no," she said happily.

"It wasn't like that!" said Harry, hastily. "She was just crying when we did…"

Alicia wrinkled her nose. "Why was she crying when you kissed her?"

Harry couldn't possibly tell her that Cho's last boyfriend had been murdered. He mumbled, "You ask too many questions."

oOo

Sirius' smile froze as Jane leaned in and kissed him. For a moment, he was lost in the sensation, unusual as it was, before reality kicked in. He pushed her away gently, frowning, "What are you doing?"

Jane was now pink with embarassment. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for…"

Sirius hastily made himself clear. "I'm not upset."

"I—I shouldn't have—" She sniffed loudly, before she started crying in earnest.

Sirius, quite startled, did not know what to do. He patted her awkwardly on the shoulder waiting for her to calm down. Merlin knew, he was a git when it came to crying girls.

She sniffed again. "God, I'm a mess! I'm not usually like this, you know. It just... makes me gutted to realize I might never be married again."

"Come off it," said Sirius with a scoff. "You're young, you're fit! Just because one bloke called it off doesn't mean you ought to get all mopey and miserable."

"You must think me a right idiot," Jane gave a watery chuckle. "I never thought I'd be crying all over a stranger in the middle of bloody France!"

Sirius laughed. "No, you're fine."

Jane leaned on her elbow, watching him curiously. "How about you?"

"What about me?" asked Sirius, raising an eyebrow, smirking.

Jane's cheeks coloured. "That wife must have been nasty if they gave you your son instead of her. No plans for a girlfriend just yet?"

Sirius was quite certain she was making a move on him. He chose to speak at least half of the truth. It was sometimes really tiring making up so many lies. "I just got–my son and I want to spend all my attention on him. I don't have time for anyone else."

Sirius was quite befuddled when she smiled. "See, that's why I like you. It's plain for everyone to see how much you love your son. You've been chatting me up but you haven't yet made a move on me, which I find absolutely enchanting. There's not many blokes around like that."

"I find that a little insulting on behalf of all men. Surely, there are plenty of good blokes around?" said Sirius, watching Harry out of the corner of his eye.

Jane was silently observing Sirius watching Harry and he would be lying if he said he didn't find that a little disconcerting. He turned to look at her properly. "Besides, you're not in a good state of mind to be getting into another relationship right now. Just relax, enjoy your vacation. You'll have plenty of time later to worry about whom to tie the knot with."

"You're right. I do hope we can forget this—" she gestured at herself roughly, "—ever happened. I don't want it to make anything awkward between us for the rest of the trip."

"I assure you, it hasn't," said Sirius, grinning and watched bemusedly as she spread sunscreen over her body, not at all looking like she had had a weeping fit minutes ago.

He would never understand women.