AN: Thanks for all the kind words. Y'all put a smile on this old Tiger's face... I hope I can do the same for you. Dedicated to my sweet Bunny.
THE TIES THAT BIND
Chapter 8
SANDUVALL ISLAND
Jean Granger closed her suitcase and began to zip it. Hearing a sound in the doorway, she turned to see Rolanda Hooch leaning in the doorway. The spiky haired witch cocked her head to the side and said with a snarky grin, "Interesting method of packing..." She nodded at the rounded lump formed when Jean sealed the bag. "Is that the muggle way of packing? Fill it to overflowing and then fill it some more?"
Jean snorted, her chocolate eyes challenging the older witch, "Well since I don't have magic and you insist on watching instead of helping... what else am I supposed to do?"
An amused chuckle sounded from the doorway as Rolanda pushed herself off the frame and sauntered into the room. Pulling her wand out, she mumbled a spell and the suitcase immediately shrank to the size of a chocolate bar. The yellow eyed witch picked up the tiny parcel and slipped it in her pocket saying, "There! I helped."
Jean snorted her ire at the older woman, "Smart ass. I'll show you..." She followed the witch to the door. Just as they entered the short hall of the flat, the eldest Granger grabbed Rolanda Hooch by her collar and pushed her against the wall. Pressing her lovely curves against Hooch's smaller but just as lovely softness, the muggle woman leaned in and placed a scorching kiss on Rolanda's surprised mouth. Only the need to breathe forced them apart.
"Well damn!" The unmistakable tone of Jean's youngest daughter sounded from the end of the short hall. The ornery younger Granger began clapping, "Wow!"
Jean blushed cherry red as she slid away from Rolanda and breezed up the hall, muttering, "Cheeky brat!"
Grinning, Dawn focused her attention on Hooch, "Hmmmmm?" There was a suggestive lilt in Dawn's voice. The tall young woman approached the older witch with an eyebrow cocked, "A little more of that will probably get you to the hoops ya know." She snickered as a silver eyebrow cocked inquisitively. Dawn stepped closer to the witch and whispered, "Besides, you don't want to get fired from your position due to lack of action, do you?"
Puzzled, the spike haired witch asked, "Position?" She had no idea what Dawn was alluding to.
The tall, waifish Granger smiled as she headed in the direction of her mother. Glancing back at Hooch, she said, "Yeah. The position of my future step mother." With a suggestive grin, she disappeared around the corner searching for her mum.
"Step mother?" A silly grin appeared on the attractive witch's face, closely followed by a gooey expression as she mumbled, "Oh Butterfly..."
"Ro! Come do the floo thingy!" Dawn's voice called from the living room.
Chuckling, the flying instructor swept after the two women who'd come to mean everything to her.
Floo thingy?
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Molly Weasley glanced at the assembled group. They were standing in front of the Office of Tourism & Travel at the Ministry of Magic. Her brood was clustered to the side "people watching". She smiled at her husband. He worked so hard to provide for her and the children, asking nothing in return. She loved him so. This was going to be the romantic vacation they'd always talked about taking, but never got around to actually doing.
She noticed her daughter and Harry Potter standing close together. Ginny was whispering something in Harry's ear. Whatever it was, Harry turned red as a tomato with Ginny smirking in triumph.
Molly sighed as she watched the two young lovers. She loved Harry like a son. His penchant for attracting mischief was cause for a wee bit of worry, but if anyone could keep him in line... it was her Ginny. She smiled proudly. There was so much Prewitt in the only Weasley daughter.
"There you are!"
Molly turned to see Rolanda Hooch leading an awestruck Jean and Dawn Granger towards her group. She smiled realizing that the two muggle women had never visited the ministry before.
The Weasley matriarch let out an amused chuckle as Arthur walked over and gently cupped Dawn's face; closing her gaping mouth. "Careful now, an inter departmental memo may just decide to fly right in there!" He said, his crystal blue eyes twinkling.
Dawn blushed as Arthur gave her a friendly hug and shooed her over to Ron's waiting arms. "This place is amazing!" She whispered in her boyfriend's ear.
Ron chuckled, pulling her into a loving hug, "You ain't seen nothing yet!" The rest of the Weasley's laughed good naturedly.
Molly stepped over to Jean. She heard the muggle woman exclaim to Hooch, "And to think all this has been under London all this time?" Her chocolate eyes gazed about in amazement. She stepped closer to Rolanda as a group of people trooped by. A very large, heavy set wizard trundled past. His golden beard nearly trailing the floor. He smelled vaguely of cheese. Stinky cheese. The muggle woman scrunched up her nose and turned to see Molly grinning at her like the cat that ate the canary.
"What?"
The red head tossed her flaming curls back as she laughed, "First impressions are not always the best. Not everyone in the wizarding world smells like cheese." She jerked her thumb in the direction of the golden bearded wizard and added, "That was Roderick Clump. He graduated with Arthur and I. In seventh year potions he added the wrong ingredient to his finals potion and it exploded all over him. He's been smelling like English Blue Cheese ever since!"
Jean Granger blushed for about the twelth time today as she snickered. Glancing about, she didn't see Minerva or her eldest daughter, "Where are..." She didn't get to finish as the floo next to them roared to life and Hermione Granger stumbled out. Her traveling robe quite disheveled and her unruly chestnut hair flying in all directions. Minerva McGonagall stepped up beside her fiance looking as stately and elegant as ever. The collar of her forest green robes was open a bit and there was a suspicious looking mark on the older witch's swan like neck.
"Is that a love bite?" Molly's loud statement caused a few curious glances from the passers by.
Ginny walked over to the flushing Headmistress and pulled something out of her pocket. "Really mum, why don't you say it a little louder? I don't think they heard you on the fifth floor." She held the object up to Minerva, "This is concealer. It will cover it until Hermione can remove it."
The older witch nodded and stood quietly while the youngest Weasley applied the covering agent to the mark left by her lover. Emerald eyes gazed narrowly at said lover. The latter grinned unrepentedly saying, "That's what you get for wanting to snog while in the floo!"
The recklessness of the Headmistress's action caused the others to snigger and giggle; further demolishing Minerva McGonagall's reputation as a witch with no sense of mischief.
With as much dignity as she could muster, the proud witch held her head high and stated, "Wait here. I must check in at the office." She marched into the tourism office with a smirking Hermione trailing after her.
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"AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!" Screamed Jean Granger as she grabbed Rolanda Hooch's forearm in a death grip of terror. She had never traveled by port key before. Neither had her younger daughter, but she didn't seem to be having the issues Jean was having...
"WooooooHoooooo!!"
"I am going to be sick!" The elder Granger moaned loudly. The people surrounding her looked at her in alarm as they held on to the pineapple that served as the port key.
Rolanda gripped Jean tighter. Pulling the other woman against her body, she hoped the distraction would calm her love down... it did. She glanced up and saw Minerva looking at her. Approval and amusement dancing in her emerald eyes as she gripped Hermione in much the same way. Nodding an acknowledgment, Rolanda pressed a kiss to Jean's temple and said, "It will be over soon. You'll see."
Her words proved prophetic as the small group landed in an undignified pile in the center of a vast lobby. Well most everyone landed willy nilly. Minerva and Hermione landed with a graceful touch down.
"Bitches!" Hooch snarked, eyeing the two with envy. Sometimes it paid to be the most powerful witch in the world or The Witch of the Light. "Hmmmf!"
Dawn was the first to scramble out of the tangle of arms and legs. Still holding the pineapple, she gazed at the enchanted ceiling in amazement. It was charmed to appear like a sunny day with a few puffy clouds meandering about. The walls were made of bamboo and the floor a black tile, similar to what covered the entry hall at McGonagall Manor.
Ron pulled himself to his feet. Walking over to his girlfriend, he took her hand. Wonder filled his clear blue eyes as he too gazed about, "Blimey!"
A tall, olive skinned man with jet black hair except for silver wings at his temples made his way to the untangling group. He was dressed in a white business suit with a black tie. His dark brown eyes gazed at the group with amusement till they found intense emerald staring back. He bowed gracefully to Minerva, then to the rest of the group, "My dear guests? I am your host, Ernesto Sanduvall. Welcome to Sanduvall Island!" He smirked as a scantily clad young woman served the entire group Mai-Tai's. When everyone had a drink, he helped himself to one as well. Raising his glass, he said, "I hope you enjoy your stay with us."
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George Weasley sat back in his reclining lounge chair on the covered porch of the villa they were staying in. The villa was amazing. He couldn't get over the beauty of it. Perched on a small hill, it overlooked the blue green waters of the Caribbean Sea. The closest neighbors were about 4 kilometers down the pristine, peach colored sand of their own private beach. The villa itself was three stories. Professor McGonagall and Hermione occupied the top floor, while Jean, Dawn, Ginny and Rolanda each occupied a room on the second floor. Harry and Ron had also taken rooms on the second floor as well. George grinned as he thought about just who was going to be playing musical rooms tonight! He, Molly and Arthur had taken rooms on the first floor. His grin was reminiscent of Hermione's "Cheshire Cat" expression.
Sitting back, he took a deep, refreshing breath of ocean air and gazed at his surroundings once more. The first floor also consisted of a full, well stocked gourmet kitchen. A seperate, elegantly appointed dining room. Beautifully furnished sitting room with red mahogany walls accented with black ebony trim work. The floor was shiny teak. Scattered colorful area rugs completed the decor. A huge stone fireplace took up nearly an entire wall as well. He nodded in appreciation. Professor McGonagall was certainly very generous in inviting this small rabble to celebrate Hermione's graduation. He took a sip of his Pina Colada. Dawn had kept hold of their pineapple port key and had "donated it to the cause" as she handed it to him. He liked Dawn Granger. She was a hoot and perfect for Ron. Much more so than Hermione would've been. No, she belonged with the Professor. Even he, George Weasley could see the love swirling around the two witches. He and Fred had figured their relationship out in Hermione's fourth year.
He missed Fred. He raised his drink up in silent toast to his deceased twin.
"Where are the others?"
George was startled out of his musings by the voice of his father. The older Weasley pulled up another lounger next to his son. George snorted as he took in what Arthur was wearing.
"What?" Arthur inquired, seeing his son's expression as he took in the brightly flowered short sleeve shirt and red bermuda shorts. He was barefoot, which seemed appropriate. He reached over and took George's drink, "What's this?" Taking a sip, he grinned at the fruity concoction, "This is good!"
George grinned, taking his drink back. "It's a pina colada. Compliments of Dawn's pineapple and the house elf in the kitchen. I think his name is Dinky."
Arthur grinned and called, "Oh Dinky?"
A small green elf appeared. He was wearing a grass skirt and had the largest golden eyes Arthur had ever seen. "You's calls Dinky sir?"
The red haired man nodded and asked, "Might I have a drink like this one?"
Dinky nodded, smiling at the politeness of the wizard. Not all wizards treated the elf as kindly. Snapping his fingers, another pina colada appeared next to Arthur. The older man thanked the elf and settled back in his lounger. Drink in hand, he and George sat in companionable silence. After a time, Arthur asked, "What are we waiting for?"
George grinned as he spied a bikini clad Dawn Granger coming down the winding staircase that flowed down one wall. "That!" He grinned at his father and added, "Oooh let the games begin!"
Dawn Granger was oblivious to the whispered conversation between Arthur and George. She wanted to get to the beach! The heavy thump of footsteps on the stairs behind her alerted the young woman to Ron's approach. Smiling, she walked towards the beach entrance of the villa. The sitting room was set up as an open plan that swept out onto the first floor wrap around porch. There was a similar porch on the second and third stories as well. She spied George and Arthur sipping drinks and watching her with interest. Smiling, she bounded over to them, "Are you going to the beach with us?"
George eyed the young woman with appreciation. She was leggy. Her curves a bit less pronounced than the voluptuous Hermione. Still, with her short cropped dark hair and expressive chocolate eyes, she made quite a lovely something to look at. Her breasts were much smaller, but quite nicely enclosed in a bright green bikini top. Her flat tummy was creamy white. She had her belly button pierced with a silver ring that Geroge thought was totally sexy. So did his brother.
Ron put his arm around his girlfriend saying, "You are so hot. Do you know that?" This was the first time he'd ever seen her body.
Blushing, Dawn said a quiet, "Thank you." The look in his eye was purely lustful and the young woman shivered. She'd seen that look before... on another face not so long ago. A very painful memory surfaced causing her face to cloud over.
Ron interpreted her expression as disapproval of his interest. Bowing his head, he muttered, "I'm sorry."
Seeing his sadness, the young woman reached out and took his hand, "Come, lets go get some sun." Together, they walked out of the porch, down the steps and onto the small path that would take them to the beach.
George and Arthur looked at each other curiously. Each wondering about the look on Dawn's face. Both men were jerked out of their thoughts by the loud whoop of another Weasley. Ginny and Harry stepped into view. The youngest Weasley was clad in the skimpiest black string bikini Arthur had ever seen. Flushing, the protective father in him erupted, "Does your mum know what you're wearing?"
George laughed as he saw his sister flush indignantly, "Dad! It's the beach!" Like that explained everything. Harry was wearing black and yellow striped knee length swim trunks. He'd decided to leave his shirt upstairs and show off his new muscles. Seeing Minerva McGonagall at the Boat House last year had really bruised his male ego. He'd worked for a whole year to get the kind of body to show off. Ginny seemed to like it. She climbed all over him every chance she got. Grinning, he bounded after his girlfriend as she followed after Dawn and Ron.
Next was Molly. George eyed his mother with a quirked eyebrow. He wouldn't, couldn't describe his own mother as sexy. But she did have quite the rack. "Damn mum!" He commented giving her a thumbs up. He glanced at his father and chuckled at the open mouth expression on his father's face.
Arthur stared at his wife. Where did she get that gorgeous blue bathing costume? It was a one piece design with a small skirt. Her bosom was proudly displayed, not covered up by her previous swimming suit. Her figure was plump but very pleasing. "You look beautiful." Arthur Weasley breathed, falling in love with Molly all over again.
George grinned knowingly. Maybe he'd get another baby brother or sister out of this vacation?
Molly pulled another lounger over next to her husband and son, "What are you doing?"
Shooting a wicked grin at his mum, George leaned over and whispered, "Ogling!"
Molly threw back her thick red tresses and laughed, loud and hard. It felt good. She took a deep breath, "Oh this is just lovely."
"Indeed." Came George's distracted comment. Molly looked at him, noticing the direction of his open stare. She turned to see her husband looking in the same direction...
Hermione Granger stood at the bottom of the steps. Her hands resting on her shapely hips. She was clad in a red bikini that came quite close to Ginny's in skimpyness. Her generous breasts peaked out from behind the red bikini bra. Tied together at her back were strings that just begged to be pulled on.
No one was brave enough to pull those strings except one person. No one dare. Not if they wanted to keep breathing. That lucious body belonged to the fiercest witch any of them had ever met. The young witch's unruly mane curled over her shoulders and down her back like a wild chestnut wave. For such a short witch, she had amazingly long, beautifully shaped legs. Her skin had already darkened. By the end of the summer she was going to look like a coffee bean.
The young witch turned to watch her mother and Rolanda descend the steps.
George's eyes bugged as he realized just where Hermione got her curves from. Jean Granger was wearing a one piece black swim suit with white trim around the edges. She was tall and quite shapely. The low cut in the front displayed full breasts and a slim, flat waist. She had legs that went on forever. "Oh my." He muttered wistfully. Here was another lovely woman already spoken for. The way Rolanda Hooch hovered around Jean, there could be no doubt.
Speaking of Hooch, George never imagined what a beautiful woman lived under those quiddich robes. She was wearing a pair of tight black gym shorts that went to the tops of her muscular thighs and a pink bikini top that showed off a respectable pair of nicely rounded breasts and a flat, toned stomach. The young Weasley let out a low wolf whistle, "Damn Professor! Whew!"
Rolanda grinned rakishly at the admiring man. Turning her attention to the absolutely gorgeous set of women in front of her, she asked, "Where is Minerva?"
Hermione sighed and shook her head. Looking up, she could see all the way to the third floor. The layout of the villa allowed an open ceiling, cathedral style construction. One could stand on either the second or third floor and see down to the sitting room. A pair of emerald green eyes peered down directly into chocolate brown. The young witch frowned upwards and yelled, "You will get your pale Scottish self down here this instant!" There was thunder in the voice that replied...
"I WILL NOT WEAR THIS... THIS... SCRAP OF CLOTH!"
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-to be continued
AN: What in the world did Hermione lay out for Minerva to wear??? Stay tuned! ;D
