"This place is wonderful!" Hermione exclaimed as she splashed her feet in the light blue water.
"Of course, it's Nice. Everyone comes here for vacation." Noel said, splashing her with water. Hermione giggled, letting herself fall into the ocean. The water felt cool against her skin, relaxing her tight muscles. She opened her eyes, the water blurry against her vision. She could make out the light of the sun, shining down on her as she let herself sink to the bottom of the ocean floor, the little pebbles rubbing against her back. She held her breath, wanting to stay down there forever.
His face came into her mind. She recalled the beach trip they had made together on her 19th birthday, him grabbing her and throwing her out into the waters of Ocean City, Maryland. It was her first time in the United States. The water wasn't as clear as in France, but she felt right. It was because he was there.
"You are so beautiful." He had said to her, splashing her with water.
"And you're a TROLL, Ronald Weasley." She joked, splashing him back. She loved how the water trailed down his freckled shoulders, his face sunburned.
"You are one nasty witch!" he teased, trying to grab her. She dived down into the water, trying to hide from him.
She broke the water's surface, gasping for air. Her lungs felt as if they were on fire. How long had she been down there?
"Honey, are you okay?" Noel asked, helping her out of the water. Hermione coughed, trying to steady herself. "You worried me. I couldn't see you."
"S-sorry." She managed to say, coughing. She grabbed her chest, her heart beating fast.
"Do you want to go back to our room?"
She shook her head, taking a seat on the shore. The water splashed against her legs. She looked up at Noel's worried face, and she smiled, fighting back the tears.
"I'm okay," she said, digging her hands into the pebbles beneath her. "I guess I kind of dozed off."
"You need to go rest, now." Noel said, extending his hand. "This could have ended badly."
"I'm okay, I assure you. I think I'll just take a nap under our umbrella." She said, standing up. Her curly brown hair was sticking to her face. Noel moved it aside and kissed her, his hand resting gently on her chin.
"I love you," he said.
She nodded.
"Go get some sleep. I'll stay in the water."
"Thanks." She whispered, feeling guilty. She walked over to her yellow beach towel that lay under their black umbrella, and grabbed her sunglasses.
She was supposed to be enjoying this vacation with Noel. This was their time together, to make memories. But instead she was thinking about Ron.
She slapped her forehead, shaking the thoughts away. She reached over for her bag, pulling out her phone.
ONE NEW TEXT MESSAGE
She felt her heart jolt, hoping it was him.
RON: HOW IS FRANCE?
She looked up at Noel, who was too busy swimming to notice her. She clicked away.
HERMIONE: GOOD. HOW'S KATRINA?
SENT.
She smiled. That didn't sound too bad. Wait, why am I getting excited? She thought as she stared down at her phone. She made to put it away when it beeped.
RON: SHE'S GREAT. LOVES BEING WITH HER DADDY. SHE MISSES YOU THOUGH.
HERMIONE: AWW. I MISS HER TOO. HUGS AND KISSES FOR HER. I'LL TALK TO YOU LATER.
She knew it wasn't a good idea to keep the conversation going. This was about her daughter and that's it. Nothing more. The phone beeped again.
RON: I MISS YOU.
She stared at the text message, her pulse racing again. She closed her phone and stuffed it away in her bag, her heart beating. She was smiling. And she didn't know why.