Thank you sooo much for the reviews! Since no one seemed to have anything to complain about I follow the same lead. Enjoy!
/Linda
Chapter 3
Harry and Hermione sat in the office of Head Auror Tonks, listening to her telling them what their mission was all about.
"A very important person has gone missing while on vacation on the beautiful island of Rarotonga. It's a place where many people get romantic in all kind of ways and thus I want you there as a couple in love. I'm not talking about the new love kind of thing either, more like you are on the verge of getting engaged. You will not be disguised due to the heat and because of that I ask you to think about this properly, Harry is well known and will be recognised immediately which means that everyone will think Hermione is your girlfriend. I thought, since you two know each other well already it probably won't be such a big problem for you to live together and act this one out. Am I correct?" Tonks asked, looking at the two blushing youths, who where looking at each other nervously.
"Not a problem," Harry managed to mumble. Tonks turned her head to Hermione, awaiting an answer.
"No, I'm ok with it as well," she replied while glancing at Harry, who nodded in approval.
"It's settled then. I'll have a portkey ready for you in fifteen minutes. This," Tonks handed them a folder each "is the rest of the information you need to know. The mission basically consists of finding our missing person, the head of the Department of Mysteries, bring him back if possible and find out what happened. Since this could be a tricky task, you may be gone for as long as it takes. You are the best aurors we have, I trust you to solve this. That will be all. Any questions?" Both Harry and Hermione were quiet, awaiting further instructions.
"Alright. Just relax while I make the portkey. You might want to change clothes; robes are not something I suggest on wearing to a tropical island." With that Tonks left the room, filling it with an uncomfortable silence. Harry cleared his throat suddenly, making Hermione look up from the folder to his eyes.
"So, what do you think of all this? Are you sure you're alright with us sleeping in the same bed? Living together like a couple? It's going to be very straining."
"Yeah, I can imagine that. We're good friends though, and have lived together during short trips before."
"But this is different. We're doing everything together. Uh, you're not seeing anyone at the moment, are you?" Hermione raised an eyebrow suspiciously at him but politely answered his question.
"No, why do you ask?" Harry's heart skipped a beat and it took him a second longer than usual to answer her.
"Well, you know, if you were dating someone he would probably be jealous as hell if he knew about this. I'm sure I would be." Hermione smiled at him.
"It's ok Harry; you won't get beaten up by some brutal boyfriend of mine. Now, I'm going to go change into something more comfortable and I suggest you do the same before Tonks gets back here." Harry nodded and went to change into a pair of white, three quarter long cotton pants and a light blue cotton t-shirt. When he was ready he found Hermione already dressed. His eyes went wide as he saw her in that sexy jean mini skirt with a white tube top to match the white sandals she had on.
"Close your mouth please Harry, it isn't polite to drool," she told him firmly before grinning at him. Harry snapped his mouth shut 'When did I open it?' and blushed at her remark. Tonks saved him from further embarrassment by entering the room, with something that looked a lot like a mouldy can of fish in her hand.
"This is the portkey. It is activated in two minutes and should take you to the back of a disco close to the hotel where you will be staying. Have in mind that some people might recognize you Harry and that you will have everybody's eyes on you. It is necessary to keep your cover under all circumstances. Good luck to you both. Report to me once every week at nine a.m., Mondays only. The fireplace in your suite will be connected to the floo but with several wards and charms to make it safe. See you on Monday!" Both Harry and Hermione said their good byes and grabbed the portkey. Five seconds later they felt the unmistakable hook right behind their navels and a little while later they emerged safe and sound behind what they assumed was the correct building.
It was early afternoon on Rarotonga and the weather was, as one could expect, hot and humid. The ocean sparkled like a thousand diamonds in the sun and the light breeze smelled of salt and sea grass.
"Where do you suppose our hotel is Hermione?" Harry asked, while trying not to stare at her legs the entire time.
"Tonks wouldn't let us walk too far so I suggest we look in the vicinity first." They started walking and after five minutes reached the hotel. It seemed rather small but very expensive. When they reach the building they realized that the gigantic bungalows next to the beach were the actual living quarters of the guests.
"Wow, this looks rather fancy. We must have done something good to be worth all this." Hermione looked at Harry with a sweet smile on her lips.
"Remember Harry, this is not a vacation."
"Yeah, whatever." He nudged her before they decided to go inside and see if the house was as pleasant as they imagined it. When they entered the lobby everything went dead quiet but soon an assistant was helping them with their card keys and another one took their bags.
"Ah, Mr. Potter, it's an honour to meet you. If you need anything just give me a call. I will now show you your home for the next couple of weeks, or longer if you wish of course." The group of three went along the beautiful beach and after a few minutes stopped in front of a gorgeous bungalow.
"Here we are then sir, Madame. I hope you'll have a pleasant stay here at the Rumour of Romance." Harry tipped him well and then entered the house with Hermione.
It was great! Huge, and immensely elegant. And that was just one of the rooms... They had been put in the honeymoon suite that had every comfort you can ever imagine. Outside there was a pool with a waterfall ending in it. Naturally there was also a Jacuzzi big enough for two.
Hermione let herself fall onto the grand bed and just lay there, sighing happily.
"Oh Harry, this could be the best assignment ever!" she exclaimed, making him venture into the bedroom and sit down next to her on the bed.
"It certainly seems like that now." He followed Hermione's example and lay down next to her.
"This feels nice... Uh, Hermione?" She looked at Harry questioningly.
"Are you sure you're alright with us pretending to be a couple? I mean, we will probably have to hold hands. Maybe even kiss." They both blushed but Hermione had made up her mind.
"I've already told you Harry, it's ok. I have kissed other guys before and I'm sure you can't be that bad." This statement made Harry grin and he leaned towards Hermione to give her a peck on the corner of her mouth before he jumped out of bed.
"I'm guessing you're not that bad either then. Well, what do you say about taking a walk and stop somewhere for refreshments and dinner?"
"Sounds wonderful Harry." They got their things together and stepped out of the house into the heat.
Several drinks and a superb dinner later the couple walked in the moonlight, hand in hand, on the beach. Both had taken off their shoes and were strolling along bare foot.
"This is so romantic Harry," Hermione said while looking at the moon.
"You're not going soft on me are you?"
"Do you always have to be macho?" Harry flexed his muscles.
"Yes." They began laughing and Harry put his arm around Hermione's shoulders.
"You're right, it is romantic." Suddenly they could hear someone coming and after a moment of panic Hermione realized what they should do. She grabbed Harry's collar, pressed him to her and kissed him. At first it was more like a platonic kiss but it soon grew in intensity and even after the other couple had passed them they continued, both liking it too much to stop just yet. Harry felt his body responding to Hermione and pulled away before things went out of control.
"Sorry." Hermione looked down at her feet, feeling sad that their moment had to end.
"It's ok Harry. We're supposed to do this, remember?"
"Yeah I guess so. It's getting late now though, we should probably head back to the hotel."
They walked back in a somewhat tense silence but managed to find the correct bungalow and let themselves in. Harry started to feel nervous about sleeping together but managed to hide it in case Hermione got upset. He sat for a moment on the terrace before Hermione called him in.
"Come to bed Harry." He didn't need to hear that twice. She was already in bed when he came inside and he almost fainted at the sight of her lying there, waiting for him to join her.
"You look beautiful," he told her honestly and she blushed profusely at his words.
"Thank you." He climbed in next to her and after the events of the day fell asleep almost instantly. Hermione closed the gap between them and kissed him on the cheek before switching off the light.
"Good night Harry," she whispered before entering the land of dreams.
A/N: Rarotonga is a real island that belongs to the Cook Islands. The hotel, Rumours of Romance, is a real one, 4-5 stars. If you search on Google you can find pictures of it, it's a real paradise.