CHAPTER 8 - Getting There is Half the Fun...Right?

It was Harry's bright idea that he flag down the Knight Bus while he and his two female companions were resting by the side of the road. The rules said they couldn't use magic, but that didn't prevent them from using magical means to help them along their way, he reasoned. All he did was wave his wand, using no magic, and wait for the bus to pop into existence next to them. There was some slight problems arranging the seating arrangements, as Harry turned a bright red when Stan Shunpike directed him to lie on the bed with Ginny. After some squabbling, the two girls shared a bed while the young wizard got one to his own. Ginny was not happy about this, and began giving Harry the cold shoulder, while Stan Shunpike started singing "The Wheels on the Bus". It was a very long journey to the airport for Harry.

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The couple who was currently in last place finally arrived at a moving company. After a little confusion over Muggle money and filling out forms, they rented a small moving truck, which was large enough for Hagrid to sit comfortably in while Trelawney drove. And so they were off, headed for the ocean.

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Severus and Hermione arrived at the train station not long after being dropped off by their driver. Luckily, they did not have to wait long for a ride to the coast. Although they weren't comfortable seats, they were cheap, and Hermione had insisted on spending as little of their money as possible. Her traveling companion did not like this one bit, and he didn't hesitate in letting her know that he would have preferred a private compartment with plenty of space to stretch out in. When she replied that they would be able to stretch their legs, he snorted in disbelief.

But she had been right...in her own way, naturally. They ended up getting seats facing the other, and she didn't hesitate in making use of her 'foot stool' as she called it. Snape called it his lap. He glared at her as he tried to shove her feet off his legs. "Miss Granger, this is entirely inappropriate!"

"Is it, now?" she asked playfully. "And you kneading my bare calves right now isn't?"

Severus jerked his hands away like they had caught fire, and an unnatural tint of pink rose into his sallow cheeks. "This is entirely different! I'm merely trying to remove your feet from my lap!"

"Of course," she replied coyly, testing her boundaries by casually running a foot down his leg.

His reaction was instantaneous. Using his boot, he shoved her legs aside while placing his in her lap. Snape looked out the window casually as a giggle was heard from Hermione.

"As you were saying, Professor?" she asked innocently.

"Yes, well," he said, clearing his throat and acting nonchalant. "If you want my two Knuts, Hermione..."

"You have no idea," Hermione murmured to herself quietly.

"...Muggles and wizards just won't mix well in a society where..." he continued on, but Hermione had stopped listening long ago.

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With a 'BANG' and a 'BOP,' the Knight Bus arrived at the airport with just enough time to spare before their flight was scheduled to take off. Stan looked a little confused when Harry handed him Muggle money, but he didn't say anything as he tossed their bags out onto the sidewalk.

Once they were safely boarded, with the three of them in the center row, Madam Hooch pulled out her book of crosswords. Both Harry and Ginny were relieved when they saw their third wheel occupy herself, because now they had a little time to themselves.

As the plane took off, Ginny, who had never been on a plane before, clutched Harry's arm and leaned her head into his chest. Harry tried to comfort her by informing her that this was his first flight, too. Unfortunately, having no previous experience with wooing girls, he also added that he was just as frightened, and that he might pee his pants if she didn't stop squeezing his arm so tightly.

But once they were in the air, things were going smoothly, and Harry had actually managed to sneak his arm around Ginny's shoulders. However, as he was leaning across to kiss her, he was interrupted by Hooch.

"What's a seven letter word for 'Nutrify'?"

The pair groaned.

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"The boat trip will cost you ten pounds per person, and fifty pounds for the lorry, folks," the unkempt man said as he stared in amazement at the huge giant before him.

"Oh, er, okay then," Hagrid said, fumbling in his many pockets for the Muggle money he had stowed away.

As he continued searching through his coat, Trelawney suddenly gasped, clutching her chest. "I See death! And danger!" She turned to face the boat captain who they had found. "My dear boy, you transport illegal drugs hidden aboard your craft!"

The captain looked distinctly uncomfortable. "Er, on second thought, the trip is free...just make sure you don't tell anyone about anything...I don't know how you found out, but I've got a business to run, and a profit to make. Understood?"

"Of course!" Hagrid boomed cheerfully. "Don't I look like da kind of fella who can keep a secret!"

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"Excuse me, but why exactly do you think you have the right to redirect my flight? I'll have you know I'm in the middle of a race! Now I demand you either sit yourself down and let us continue our way to Finland, or do us all a favor and throw yourself off this plane! What have you got to say for yourself, hmm?"

"Return to your seat, infidel! I shall cut your throat with this box cutter!" The man in the turban didn't seem to want to cooperate with Draco, and the young blonde was getting very fed up with him.

"Do you even know who I am, you moron! I'm a Malfoy! I have connections, and friends in high places! I could hit you over the head with my wallet, you bottom-feeding slime!"

The Arab made a ferocious roar and seized Draco by the fabric of his sweater and yanked the teenager to him.

"Hey hey!" Draco sneered disdainfully. "Hands off the Armani! This is worth more than you are!"

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Author's Notes: The answer to Hooch's crossword question is "Nourish", which I got from USA Today's daily crossword puzzle. Just in case you were wondering.