Hermione was beyond excited. Cruise ships had always fascinated her, she'd been on vacations with her parents but never anything like this. Hermione had been urged by Harry not to go, he insisted there were too many opportunities for her and Ron to be seen by muggles. Hermione knew it wasn't the safest thing, but was anything muggle truly safe? Hermione was waiting along the rows of blue seats, her boyfriend sitting to her left.
Ron wasn't happy, he loved the idea of being on the ship with Hermione, what he didn't love was that he had to be put in handicap spots for almost the whole trip. Ron wasn't born deaf, he could still speak fluently, with very few hiccups but it still hurt that his girlfriend would have to spend their vacation on the sidelines. It soothed Ron's mind slightly to see the wide grin Hermione was sporting.
Hermione grabbed a hold of Ron's hand, tangling their fingers together quickly. Ron reluctantly smiled at the girl, "Are you that excited, Mione? Blimey— it's just a big boat."
Hermione rolled her eyes then looked at him with a smile. She nodded enthusiastically and turned to face Ron, she had taken lessons in ASL as soon as she and Harry had found out Ron was going deaf. She was pretty much fluent after about three months, her studying habits paying off. "It's not just a boat, it's amazing! I have so much planned." Hermione signed along with her words.
Ron nodded, a small smile lingering on his lips. "Sure it's an amazing big boat." He teased, laughing at the brunette's excitement. Their number was called to board and Hermione quickly stood up, offering her hand to Ron.
Hermione politely dismissed the cruise staff that attempted to help Ron up the stairs, Ron wasn't physically disabled. Hermione linked their arms as they walked, staring at the ship before her.
Once they boarded the ship they weren't sure where exactly to go. They had a while before dinner was opened, and they'd already eaten while they were in the waiting area. Hermione and Ron decided to get some spots on the pool deck, lounging in the lawn chairs. despite the New York breeze it was decently warm outside. Hermione shut her eyes and laid back, sighing in contentment. Ron laid back too, eyes still open so he at least could use one of his senses. Ron played with Hermione's hand, watching the other people on the ship for entertainment. They were so different, muggles.
After about twenty minutes of just sunbathing, their room was ready. Hermione helped to guide Ron, even though he truly didn't need it. Ron loved the eager smile Hermione was wearing, he didn't have the heart to tell her to stop.
Hermione read over the papers left on their countertop, brow furrowed in concentration. She only signed this time, no words. "We have a shared table for dinner. I'm sorry Ron." Hermione had been on tons of calls, just asking people over and over to be sure they weren't at a shared table, Ron and Hermione loved company and Hermione especially loved new people, but with Ron in a scene like that, it'd be too hard for him to be comfortable.
Ron shifted on his feet, trying to control his expression. He looked up to her and offered a small smile, "Nothing wrong with new people Mione, I'm sure they'll be nice." Ron nodded along with the words. He took the paper from his girlfriend, reading over the list of names. "Hey! We know some of these people! Lavender Brown!" Ron smirked while Hermione glared, "Says Blaise Zabini too, he was never too bad." Ron commented, glancing up at Hermione again.
Although Hermione would've rather not see Lavender, it relieved both of them that some people would be aware enough to look at Ron while speaking and such. The shared table didn't sound too bad the more they thought about it.
Ron got dressed in a button up, a plain black he'd stolen from Harry. With some muggle jeans that he had for their public outings. Hermione wore a white blouse and some mom jeans. Hermione finished up with trying to tame her hair and turned to Ron. She kissed his lips sweetly. Then she pulled back, grinning at Ron. "I love you." She mumbled as Ron nudged his side. "Kinda hard to read lips when you mumble." he laughed a bit as Hermione signed the same phrase instead. Ron blushed and pecked her cheek expressively, Hermione smiled and shoved him off playfully.
Ron walked out of the room, and Hermione was quick to follow behind. The pair walked outside, the sun's heat already causing Hermione's hair to bunch up into frizzy curls again. She groaned and Ron grinned, "Still looks amazing, Mione." he said, slinging his arm over the brunettes shoulders. "Just, let's not tell them I'm deaf. It'll make everything worse." Ron asked, to which Hermione reluctantly nodded.
When they got to the table they realized they were the last couple to arrive, Lavender Brown lit up at the sight of Ron and stood to hug him quickly. Ron smiled softly, stumbling back a bit in surprise as the rest of the table offered each other confused glances.
Lavender pulled away and looked at Hermione, "Oh of course you two are together." She teased. Hermione was looking a bit put out. As soon as Lavender had opened her arms for a hug from
her as well, Hermione gave in with a smile and hugged the other girl. Ron grinned at the sight and sat down, as Hermione took the seat beside him and a raven-haired girl. Much to Ron's appreciation, Lavender looked directly at him as she spoke, "Ron, how've you been?" She asked as the boy beside her watched with interest.
"I've been good Lav, who's this?" Ron asked with a slight smirk playing on his lips, Hermione smiled too mostly from seeing Ron enjoying himself, but also in amusement. Lavender gestured to the boy beside her. "This is Bill, he's a bit shy. He's related to Colin Creevey, a cousin I believe." Lavender explained as Bill sat up. "I am not shy, just reserved. It's lovely to meet you Ron." Bill said.
Hermione chuckled at the banter between them as the girl beside her, propped her head up with one hand, "So what's your name sweetheart?" she asked, watching as Hermione's smile went soft. "Hermione, you are?" She answered and fidgeted with her hands under the table. The girl smiled politely, "I'm Georgia." She replied. Georgia looked up at Ron after. "How do you two know each other?" she asked, Ron was looking at Bill and Lavender and hadn't noticed her speaking.
Georgia furrowed her brows as Ron didn't turn his head, Hermione gulped and tapped Ron's shoulder. Ron turned to Hermione and she pointed to the girl beside herself. "So sorry, I guess you didn't hear me. How do you know Lavender?" she asked, leaning slightly into Blaise, who was beside her.
"I- we went to high school together..Same with your boyfriend, hello Blaise." Ron explained, careful not to say Hogwarts. He was now thinking maybe just telling the table he was deaf would be better. But that usually just caused pitying looks, and Ron didn't want to deal with all of that. Hermione rubbed Ron's arm and glanced at the pair beside her.
"Ronald, Hermione. Lovely to see you both. It's been a while, although I didn't know you too well back in school." Blaise relied with a timid smile. Bill started to talk again, Ron was still looking at Blaise, Hermione desperately wanted to nudge Ron's side but she didn't want him to feel babied.
"Where are you guys from?" Bill asked, the question directed at Ron. Hermione sat up instead and Ron looked at her as she answered. "We're from England, specifically London right now. We flew in to go on the cruise." Hermione said, Ron looked through the group, trying to find who asked the question. "Oh, that's us too. Lavender is from Wiltshire, but we both live in London now." Bill added with a smile, Ron settled his gaze on Bill early enough to pick up the city name. "London? Did they just stick all the British people together then?" Ron asked.
Bill nodded with a small laugh and Lavender shrugged, "I think they might've thought we'd be more comfortable together." She added. Ron looked at Blaise, offering him a quick smile. "And you guys are living in London as well I presume?" Ron asked, Hermione held Ron's hand under the table.
"No actually, we're living in Wiltshire." Blaise said, gesturing to Beverly after, "She's actually from Canada, we just moved in together last year." Blaise finished. Ron nodded again, "We work as journalists, so we're almost never home long enough to move in completely." Beverly explained. Ron hummed in acknowledgment.
They all ordered, Ron and Hermione were having an intense game of footsies under the table as Lavender and Bill argued over sleeping arrangements, teasing each other to no end. "I just think I deserve the right side of the bed." Bill stated, "I have glasses! They go on the table." Lavender laughed, joined by the rest of the group after a moment.
Bill and Hermione started talking, they both were enjoying the conversation tremendously. they seemed to have a lot in common, Lavender and Ron were catching up on things as Blaise and Georgia had their own conversation.
Ron was hazily looking around the table, getting tired of searching for moving lips. Georgia gave him a weird look, finding the behaviour odd. Hermione noticed and fixed a hard stare on the other girl, squeezing Ron's hand lightly. Ron rested his head onto Hermione's shoulder, deciding it was polite enough since Lavender was practically sitting on Bill. Georgia gave Ron another weird look, Hermione just glared at her.
"What?-" Georgia asked when Hermione got caught staring at her.
Hermione shook her head with a sigh, "Nothing, nothing." She said simply, the rest of the group went quiet as they watched the pair.
"Do you have an issue with me? Really?" Georgia asked, accompanied with a laugh.
"No. I'm just tired of you looking at Ron like that." Hermione explained with a shrug, Ron had sat up after noticing all the eyes on the other two. He looked between them then, trying to figure out what was going on.
"It is not my fault that your boyfriend is too drunk to focus." Georgia said with a scoff, a small smirk on her face.
Ron gulped heavily and looked away, Lavender put a hand on his shoulder and the rest watched Hermione and Georgia. Who were still intensely gazing at each other, Hermione's expression had gone stone cold.
Hermione tipped her drink onto Georgia's blouse, looking up into her eyes as the other girl gasped. "My boyfriend is not drunk, Georgia. He is deaf. He can't hear you." Hermione said, voice slick with anger.
Everyone shut up as Blaise silently started to wipe off the spilt liquid. "I'm sorry.." Georgia said, "Correct me if I'm wrong, shouldn't he be sitting at a table for disabled people?"
"We should go." Ron whispered and stood up, Lavender offered him a sympathetic look as she tapped Hermione's arm. "We can bring your food to your room?" she offered, Ron smiled and nodded slowly. "Thank you, Lav." he added as Georgia watched, starting to look the smallest bit shocked with her own behaviour.
Hermione stood with a huff, Bill also stood quickly and walked over to shake each of their hands. Hermione couldn't help but smile faintly. "It was really nice to meet you." Bill said, "You're welcome to sit here again, no matter what others may think." He said, directing a pointed look to Georgia.
Ron smiled back, "Thanks Bill." He replied, slinging an arm around Hermione's shoulders again and starting to walk out. Hermione walked along, looking at the ground. "Mione, is something wrong?" Ron asked, tapping her shoulder with the hand over her shoulders.
Hermione looked up and shook her head, "No, I'm just— I'm sorry I told them without asking." Hermione said. She knew that Ron hadn't wanted to be profiled as a disabled person at the table, he'd told her as much. He hated being pitied. Ron simply kissed Hermione's temple.
"It's fine, I personally think it was completely badass how you defended me." Ron giggled, and Hermione shoved him playfully, signing for him to shut up. "I hope I haven't ruined our vacation, honestly there's no way they'll move you for being deaf." Hermione explained, signing so Ron could watch in the darker lighting. Ron just grinned widely, "Are you kidding? We're so going back. I want to see Malfoy part two."