Chapter 15 Un Nuovo Anno è Nato (A New Year is Born)
After several more kisses to ring in the new year, Draco and Hermione returned to the party where they danced for several hours before Hermione felt tired. "You have to stay awake. It's tradition to watch the first sunrise." With a tender kiss to her forehead, Draco pulled her close. "Why don't you relax while I get some supplies and we can watch the sunrise on a beach?" She nodded. "That will be in two hours but I'll meet you back here in a half hour." Even though he gave her a light peck, it excited her.
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Noticing Hermione and Draco together, Bianca breathed a sigh of relief. "It's about damn time."
Pierre looked at the couple. "I understand that his particular type…" Bianca's eyes widened at Pierre's admission. "Yes, I know from my sister but I won't tell. Anyhow, they can be a bit difficult when they have issues with their mates."
"That's an understatement." My brother has been an absolute prat lately.
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When Hermione rejoined Draco, he held a picnic basket, a large tattered rug and a small velvet pouch containing a portkey. "Ready?" Shortly after they touched a portkey, they landed amongst several orange trees in a secluded area. Humid ocean air filled with the citrus scent of oranges surrounded her. Nearby, she spotted a modest wooden bungalow with another one next door, both with electric lights. "Welcome to Zakynthos, Greece."
"This looks entirely Muggle."
"It is. Papa insists that we learn the Muggle world. We have a couple of other spots as well. As a present for the family, I bought this place. You wouldn't believe the deal I got on it. However, I completely prefer our world because I'm just not very comfortable here. The only good thing Muggles have contributed to the world is industrial music."
"Draco, you shouldn't say such things!"
"You're right, sorry. They've contributed punk, goth, rock, crunk and a few others. They also produce brilliant artwork." She resisted the arm he tried to slink around her shoulders. "I couldn't resist getting your knickers in a twist." Seeing her perturbed look, he continued. "Look, I've got a wicked sense of humor. You can either accept me or not."
She thought about it a moment. "You're right. I need to get used to that wicked sense of humor." As they toured the inside of the modest three bedroom wooden bungalow of pastels and ocean themed decor that had nothing of the wizard world but them, she took his arm and placed it on her shoulders while she wrapped her arm around his waist.
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After the tour, they moseyed to the beach where Draco spread out the carpet that had arabesque designs on it and poured some cappuccino for them. A loud party at the bungalow next door raved on. More scantily clad men than women attended. "Our neighbor loves to party but he has a roommate that he constantly fights with. Every now and then I hear him screaming."
While calypso and reggae music filled the air, fire light and warmth danced on them from the bonfire nearby. Everyone seemed to have fun but the owner of the bungalow who was inside his home, not enjoying his own party.
To their surprise, his accent revealed him to be a fellow Brit. "How dare a know-it-all breeder tell me who to date!" Then he paused. "Don't tell me you couldn't pick any worse than I do!" Then he paused again. "I don't care if you're bored! I didn't sign up for this! That's it!" In the dark, they saw the silhouette of a tall thin man carrying a rolled up painting coming towards the fire. As he neared, he paused a moment and abruptly turned around.
"Don't worry, no Muggles can see us while we're on Tarooj, my flying carpet. Later, I'll have him take us to shipwreck cove so we can see some ghost pirates."
"I would like seeing the cove but I don't like flying much."
"Then you'll like Tarooj. You can't fall off. Watch this." Draco stepped onto Tarooj who proceeded to hover at eight feet before flipping upside down. All the while, Draco still stood there but upside down with Tarooj.
"That's comforting but let's avoid stunt flying." Once Tarooj flipped back and hovered only six inches above ground, she stepped onto it and sat with Draco.
As they flew, Draco pulled her close so she sat between his outstretched legs. As she leaned against him, he gave her a small porcelain cup of cappuccino. "Since we have had plenty of misunderstandings, I want to set the record straight. Saturday nights are mine as well as Sunday afternoons and a dinner or two during the week. Also, I'm taking you to the dance on Valentine's Day."
"Of course," she replied. Within one day, I've gone from emotional upheaval to steady boyfriend; something I've avoided in a way because I've been too concerned with school. While I love being with him, I hope he doesn't want to spend every waking moment with me. My grades will slip. How do I tell him this?
"Alright, time for confession because Bianca made me swear to tell all. My past relationships haven't lasted very long because I'm not clingy and I don't like clingy. Between studying to remain Spitze, Quidditch and nowadays the tournament, I don't have much time to…how do I put this?"
"Spend every waking moment with me because you have ambition?" She tilted her head back to see him flash a grin. "I had exactly the same concern and I completely agree but our times together will be special?"
"Definitely," he answered. "You are the perfect girlfriend."
"Was there anything between you and Gizelle?"
"No, she's just a friend. We were talking the night of the ball. She's has visions and had a crazy notion." Hermione looked at him quizzically. "She thinks someone will try to kill me and use the tournament as a cover."
"We should ask both Harry and Gizelle to keep an eye on you during the tournament. I'll keep an eye on you at Durmstrang. I won't let anything happen to you."
"Don't get so upset. I think she's just sensing the normal inherent danger that comes with the Triwizard Tournament." As he removed the cup from her, he butterfly kissed her neck. The kissing intensified to nibbling and his arms encircled her firmly.
With a soft moan, Hermione shifted where she sat, trying to calm the unfamiliar sensations coursing through her while she ran her hands down his thighs. "Draco," she whispered.
"You're right, slow. I need a distraction." Tarooj sloped upwards.
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Within moments, they hovered above a secluded mountainous cove. A ghostly Brigantine pirate ship circled in the water. Several pirate ghosts flew towards them brandishing their swords. For awhile, Hermione watched before her eyelids grew heavy.
Later, Draco's arms tightened around her. "Wake up sleepy," he whispered. "The sun's rising."
A montage of pink and lavender hues met a crystal blue sea in the most amazing sunrise she had ever seen followed by one of the most amazing kisses that made her anxiously await everything their relationship had waiting for her. Afterwards she leaned against Draco and watched the sun rise in heavens before she dozed off.
Acting like a perfect gentleman, Draco brought her back to the bungalow and carried her to the guest bed.
Thanks to all you supporters out there! You guys really make my day! Can anyone guess who the screaming neighbor and his breeder roommate is?