Now that I've used my song with no lyrics, I'm going to try to relate each chapter to some lyrics from the CD. And I'm challenging myself to make a happy story out of a not so happy song list. This might be great, it might be horrible. Please review and let me know.
I've open up these scars
I'll make you face this
I pull myself apart
I'll make you face this now
-Bleed It Out
Hermione sat on the veranda of the hotel room she shared with Ginny, a Daiquiri on the table next to her, a book sitting across her lap. Her eyes were closed as she felt the warm wind coming off the Gulf rustle her hair gently. From below she heard the excited screeches of Ginny as Charlie chased her around the pool.
"Not going downstairs, Hermione?" a voice sounded next to her.
"I spent six hours in the pool with them earlier," Hermione replied, turning to see George on the neighboring veranda. "If I spend any more time in the water I don't think I'll ever stop looking like a prune."
"Any more than you already do," George smiled.
Hermione playfully threw her wet towel at him. "That was weak, George!"
George sighed, his face falling slightly. "Fred was better at the personal insults," he said, grief in his voice.
Hermione patted the chair next to her and, after checking to make sure the coast was clear, George Apparated over and sat in it. "Still missing him?"
"Of course. Everyday. It's like losing your better half."
Hermione nodded. "I miss him, too."
"Even with the hard times we gave you at Hogwarts?"
"You may have noticed I was a little more straight-laced back then..."
"Stick up your arse, more like."
"And since I really wanted to do well and do the responsibilities they left me with I was a bit agitated with you, but you were always good for a laugh."
"And you were always good at giving us that little nagging voice that we supposed was our conscience trying to get through."
"Didn't work, did it?"
"The little devil on the shoulder beat your voice to a bloody pulp."
"I knew it was a losing battle. And with Umbridge there I had no desire to put a stop to it our fifth year."
George shuddered. "Do not say that name in my presence ever again."
Hermione smirked. "Umbridge, Umbridge, Umbridge, Umbridge..." she started singing.
George clamped a hand over her mouth. She responded by licking his palm.
"Oh, gross, Hermione!" George said, wiping his hand on her shirt.
"Says the man of a thousand Dungbombs."
"First, I thought that would be one reason you wouldn't lick me, second, those were all Fred."
"Are you going to blame him for everything?"
"Now that he can't defend himself? Yes. As much as I miss him, how many opportunities are you going to have to clear your name?"
Hermione shook her head. "I seriously miss him. You were always there for me when Harry, Ron, and I were having difficulties."
"Thick as thieves, those two," George said, looking down at his brother.
"Thicker," Hermione said, looking down at the group playing below. Harry had climbed on top of Ron's shoulders, and he was having a chicken fight with Ginny, who had climbed on top of Charlie's. "Why aren't you down there, causing mischief?"
"Honestly? Escaping a Muggle girl who has been following me around all morning."
"Is there a reason she was following you?"
George shrugged. "She asked me for a dance last night in the bar, I had one dance, she kept telling me how her father had bought her the trip as congratulations for getting through another semester of high school, I got a little creeped out and left."
"Haven't you had a couple other girls flirt with you while you were here?"
"Her, the girl by the pool, and the girl on the beach. None of them could be older than seventeen, I think."
"What is it about you that attracts underage Muggles?"
"In case you haven't noticed, I am quite handsome," George replied, running his fingers through his hair.
Hermione closed her eyes and looked around as if she was holding in a sarcastic comment.
George grabbed her around the shoulders and started mussing her hair. Hermione screeched and grabbed at his wrists. When she had finally wrenched him off her they sat for a long moment, she was still holding his wrists, their faces close. They broke apart, each blushing furiously.
George looked over the edge at his family and Harry. "I'm sorry what my brother did to you."
"It wasn't your fault," Hermione replied.
"I know. But you didn't deserve that."
"He's being true to himself. To be honest, your brother didn't touch me unless I begged for it. That's no way to have a relationship."
George nodded. He excused himself to go take a shower. Hermione stayed on the veranda, but couldn't bring herself to stop thinking about George. She didn't want to stop thinking of George. The Weasleys sure made them hot.
__________________________________
"I don't think so!" Hermione called from the bathroom.
"What's wrong?" Ginny asked, standing by the door.
Hermione opened the door and stepped out where her friend could survey her. She was wearing a jean miniskirt and a sparkling red halter top. "I'm feeling exposed."
"You're supposed to."
"No, I'm not. I'm supposed to feel comfortable, not like I'm looking for the first thing with an appendage between his legs to bring me back to his room."
"Well, why aren't you?"
"Ginny!"
"How often do you get away and can do something crazy?"
"There's crazy and then there's what you want to do."
Ginny sighed. "Listen, I'm part of the 'I got dumped for the Unholy Union of Harry and Ron' party too. I realize that there's no going back. I'm going to have a little fun before I get back into a serious relationship."
"Ginny, we're supposed to be Muggles. We can't use any of the protective or contraceptive charms or anything like that..."
Ginny rummaged in her bag and pulled out two phials. "I got these at work," she said, referring to her job at St. Mungos. "Protects against all that, just slip into the bathroom before doing anything and take it. It was designed for Squibs, but it'll work on anyone."
"You thought this through, didn't you?"
"Listen, I haven't had sex since Harry and I broke up. I'm looking for a little rebound lay. I'm entitled to have a little fun now and again, and so are you," Ginny said firmly.
Hermione sighed. "I'll go to the bar. I'll have a couple drinks. I may even dance. But I'm not going to hook up with some random American tourist for the sake of having sex."
"Fine, fine, don't push whatever boundaries you have. It's not like I can force you to do anything."
"Including wearing the halter top."
"But it looks so damn cute on you! I can't wear it, it clashes with my hair. But you look damn sexy in red."
"I just don't like showing my back."
"Fine!" Ginny snapped, throwing clothes from her bag all over the room before coming up with another red top. She threw it at Hermione.
"If red doesn't look good on you, why do you have so many red tops?" Hermione sighed, turning towards the bathroom.
"Wear that black bra I bought you!" Ginny called after her.
Hermione changed into the push-up bra and the low cut red shirt. She gazed at herself in the mirror. She had to admit she looked cute. The bra made her bust look amazing. She emerged from the bathroom and spun around so Ginny could get a better look at her.
Ginny studied her friend, then smiled approvingly. "You'll wear this?"
"Yes. I'll wear this. Happy?"
"It's a start. Now, recite the rule."
"A 'do not distrub' sign on the door means precisely that. Bugger off.'"
"Good girl. Now, put these on," Ginny tossed some black high heels at Hermione.
"You know I'm not good in heels."
"Are you really going to argue with me?" Ginny asked, placing her hands on her hips in a perfect imitation of her mother.
Hermione sighed and pulled the heels on. The girls gathered their purses together and made their way to the bar in the hotel.
