Beyond The Waterfall

The Hogwarts grounds were considerably dewy the next night. It had been quite a humid day, and the moisture in the atmosphere seemed to thicken the air...almost like trying to breath underwater. Ron and Harry, sweat trickling down their bodies, trudged through the sodden grass toward the lake. It was nearing 8 'o clock, so Susan surely would be ready to meet them by now.

They reached the waters edge, threw their robes off, and gladly entered the cool, crystal water. They swam silently next to one another until they reached the falls. Ron slowed down considerably, which made Harry turn abruptly.

"What's wrong, mate?" asked Harry. "Why did you slow down? We're almost there."

Ron floated in one spot for a second, a wary look about his face. He pushed himself closer to Harry, taking him by the hand. "Er, I dunno. I really don't know what Susan has in store for us tonight. I'm almost afraid she's going to...er...expose us somehow," Ron answered.

"Oh, that's just rubbish," began Harry. "We can trust her. I have a gut feeling that whatever Susan has for us, there's no way it will be a hazard to us or our relationship." At that, he squeezed Ron's hand, leaned his head toward the redhead's, and kissed him sweetly on the cheek. (Of course, Ron blushed furiously.)

They finally entered the falls. They immediately saw Susan, sitting at water's edge with her feet dangling precariously in the refreshingly chilly water. She was wearing her same robe as last time along with a sly smile across her radiant face. She seemed so solitary that Ron gave Harry a fretful look, trying to remind him of their conversation moments ago. When they looked back, she was standing, hands on hips, tapping her foot impatiently.

"I was wondering if you two would ever show up," began Susan. "I was beginning to think you two were skiving off to have a bit of fun on your own."

"Er, we're sorry. We were enjoying the water considering it's bloody warm out tonight," said Ron as he and Harry made to get out and stand next to Susan. "So, what's the surprise?"

The same sly smile spread across her lips once again. "You two are going to love this," she replied. "Now Harry, you stand here," motioned Susan, as she physically took him to the left of herself. "And Ron, sweetie, I want you right over here," she motioned again, placing him to her right. "Now I want both of you to close your eyes. No matter what happens, you're both mute until I say you can speak, and there will be no peeking."

"Okay, Professor Snape," Ron sniggered as he closed his eyes to avoid any I-will-feed-you-to-a-hippogriff looks Susan may have given him.

Both boys had their eyes closed and mouth zipped. Susan tip-toed over to a considerably large boulder, where behind it stood Hermione, waiting nervously. "What if they don't like the idea..." whispered Hermione as she wrung her hands together tautly.

Susan wrapped her arms around Hermione, kissed her softly on the forehead and said, "they're going to love it, and they're definitely going to love you, sweetheart." Hermione looked into her eyes and smiled, a bit more confidence spreading across her face.

Susan lead Hermione to Harry first, considering he would be least likely to blow the cover for the other waiting for a -taste- of what was to come. She positioned Hermione face to face with the green-eyed bombshell, stepped to his side, and whispered warmly in his ear, "once you receive the surprise, open your eyes, but don't say a word. Okay, on the count of three. One...two...three..."

On cue, Hermione leaned toward Harry, making her lips brush his, settling into a warm, passionate kiss. They made each other melt, taking in the sweetness of their breath and serenity of their lips softly making contact. When they broke away, Harry opened his eyes lazily, but when he realized whom he had just kissed, he gasped inaudibly. Both Hermione and Susan smiled at Harry and motioned to him to stay quiet. Harry nodded as they advanced on Ron.

Again, Hermione was positioned, this time, inches away from Ron's face. Susan placed a hand gently around Ron's waist to move in closer to his ear. "Get ready, here it comes, baby. On the count of three. One...two...three..."

Hermione leaned in, closing the gap between her and Ron. She kissed him firmly, massaging the roof of his mouth with her tongue. This kiss seemed to be saved just for Ron...built up since their third year. Suddenly Ron pulled away from the kiss, and with his eyes still closed he whispered, "Hermione, is that you?"

Hermione gasped as Ron opened his eyes, gaping at the girl standing in front of him. They stood motionless for what seemed like an eternity, lost in each other's minds, souls, dreams... Finally, it was Susan who broke the silence.

"Harry, Ron...it is my deepest pleasure to present to you...our new girlfriend." At that, Hermione smiled shyly, blushing furiously, and she half curtsied.

"Bloody brilliant," exclaimed Ron, as he took Hermione in his arms. They engaged in another breath taking kiss, and Susan prodded Harry, a bit of a mischievous gleam in her eyes. They made to move in on the couple, joining the embrace...

What happened in the cove that night comes to show one truth: what happens beyond the waterfall stays there.