Harry and Ron are in the Hills

CH.5 Booze Cruise

A week later, Ron and Hermione were still not speaking, though Ron was as confused as ever. Ginny and Harry had to accompany the sad couple, and there was a general, awkward silence all around. They were getting ready for their New Year's cruise. Thank god Fred just happened to own a ship big enough to fit a troop of Summo wrestlers and still have room to spare. The joke shop was really quite lucrative after it got started. George would also be coming, of course, as well as most of the people they had known from Hogwarts.

As they boarded the ship, Fred had told them all that there would be passwords into each cabin to keep unwanted guests out. He stole a quick glance at Ron and Hermione, but thought better of the comment he was about to make. He handed them four cards. Two of which, said the words "bahama mama," and on the others was written, "Ron is a hairy monkey."

Hermione, Ginny, and Harry had a good laugh at Ron's expense, and Hermione added with a smug smile, "I couldn't agree more, Fred."

But before Ron was able to respond, Fred shouted, "Hey, you're holding up the queue! Keep it moving there monkey."

When the boat was ready to set sail, both twins stood on a stage and began a speech.

George spoke first.

"Welcome to our paradise cruise. I'm your captain for the evening, George, and beside me is my co-conspirator, Freddie. I'd like you all to have a good time over the next three days, and we've insured a 24-hour bar and buffet, as well as some very lovely ladies giving out massages."

He glanced over to his right, where indeed, there were tanned beach girls holding out scented oils. One with blond hair winked at George and he grinned back, saying,

"Actually, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll get one of those right now. A massage, not one of the ladies." He quickly left the stage and let "Freddie" take over.

Fred picked up where George had left off. "It is now time to PAR-TAY. Don't be shy. Get down with your bad selves. Let's get this party started!"

All of a sudden, a band appeared from thin air and began playing weird island music.

Waiters and waitresses also appeared from behind the bar, offering drinks. Immediately, Ginny and Hermione went to chat with Lavendar and Parvati, but Ron and Harry headed for the massage witches. A few minutes later, they both looked like they were in paradise, which, come to think of it... they were.

"Ah, this is the life, eh Harry? Imagine what Hermione would say if she could see me now. Why do you think she's mad at me anyway?" Ron turned his head slightly to see Harry.

"Yeah, right there. So perfect," Harry said to his massage witch. He then turned to Ron, grinning.

"Hermione would have your head, that's what. And I have a sneaking suspicion that Ginny wouldn't approve either. You know how they band together. As for why Hermione's angry... you'll just have to ask her yourself."

Ron only nodded in silent agreement, though he hated the thought of Harry knowing something he didn't about Hermione. As for Harry, he just wanted to talk to Ginny, but actually getting the courage to do it was a different matter. Plus, he didn't think Ron would be too keen on answering romantic questions about his sister. Harry tried to sort out the situation, but seeing his friend's contentment made Harry close his eyes and enjoy the moment too.

After dinner, Ginny had run into Harry, and they'd actually been able to start a conversation. They'd both taken to exploring the ship a bit further, and were currently looking out at the night sky at the back of the ship.

"So..." Harry started. "The sky looks really beautiful tonight."

"Yeah," Ginny said.

"Um... you look really beautiful tonight too."

Ginny now looked directly into Harry's eyes. There was genuine feeling behind them, and Ginny felt as if she was staring at Harry's heart through them. There seemed to be so much to say since they'd woken up together at the pool the other night, but neither of them could find the words. Harry was waiting anxiously for Ginny to reply, and began to doubt whether or not he should have said what he did until...

"Do you really think so? I thought I looked horrible in the mirror."

"How can you say that, Gin? I don't think you realize how pretty you are."

"Well, thanks. That really means a lot to me, Harry."

"Yeah."

It's late in the evening
She's wondering what clothes to wear
She puts on her make up
And brushes her long blonde hair
And then she asks me
Do I look all right
And I say yes, you look wonderful tonight

They both stared out again at the sea in awkward silence. Then Ginny continued,

"Listen, Harry. About the other night. I don't know about you, but I think I felt something. I just want to know if you thought about it at all. I mean, this is all new and everything, but..." she cut herself off. Ginny just couldn't seem to bring herself to continue. But Harry filled in the words.

"I know what you mean. This is just weird. Well, not weird so much as... new. I've seen Hermione and Ron in their relationship for so long. But what we have is nothing like that. Trust me, not that I want it to be..."

They both exchanged smiles before Harry continued.

"Ginny, what I'm trying to say is that I'll give it a chance if you will." By the time Harry was done, his hands were shaking in his nervousness. Ginny kissed his cheek in response.

"Okay, Harry. Just tell me what we should do next."

Back at cabin 54, Ron and Hermione were sitting at opposite ends of the room. Hermione kept glancing from Ron to the window, but clearly wasn't ready to say anything. It's not like they never got in arguments... it was their favorite pastime and partly how their relationship began. But what most bothered Hermione was the fact that Ron never seemed to know what he did wrong. Well, this time she wouldn't give him any hints. He'd need to apoligize properly before she'd take hime back.

At the same time, Ron was lounging on the sofa, trying to figure out a way to apologize to Hermione. He knew that he shouldn't have let Fred taunt them at the pool, and that the only way to make this better was to apologize in an indirect way. Somehow, he would have to make Hermione realize that he was sorry, without talking to her. She didn't even want to look at him, nevermind to hear his bumbling speech.

I gotta take a little time
A little time to think things over
I better read between the lines
In case I need it when I'm older

Ron remembered the time when he and Hermione went to a nice restaurant in Hogsmeade during their last year in Hogwarts. They had just realized that they had feelings for each other, but had decided not to date for a while.

In my life there's been heartache and pain
I don't know if I can face it again
Can't stop now, I've traveled so far
To change this lonely life

Ron had offered to take Hermione out as an old friend, and she agreed. A song came over the radio and both of them had christened it as their song, to remind them of that moment. Ron sighed, and resigned himself to do something about his current crisis... but not yet. He had to catch Hermione off-guard.

I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me

A few days went by as it neared New Year's. Hermione was growing more disappointed by the hour, and Ron kept himself in his cabin most of the time. He wouldn't even talk to his brothers.

Meanwhile, this gave Harry and Ginny an opportunity to get closer. The tension seemed to be eased after their talk that first night. They were now holding hands and browsing through some of

the stores on deck, looking for New Year's presents and souveniers.

Finally, the night approached and George's magically amplified voice resounded through the ship.

"As you know, tonight is New Year's Eve. We will be meeting on the main deck, and the party starts at 9. As always, drinks are complimentary. However, if you would like a certain beverage, please bring your petition to Dean or Seamus by 8. Now, as usual, I'm off like a dirty shirt." Unable to surpress himself, George added, "Oh, and Ron's still a hairy monkey."

The voice disappeared and Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny sat quietly in their rooms.

But as they would find out, it wouldn't be quiet for very long.

As the clock struck nine, couples and friends surfaced onto the main deck. There were balloons and confetti everywhere and from what Harry could see, the bar was well stocked. Ron came up behind him and asked, "Have you seen Hermione?"

He had a slightly crazed look on his face and Harry wanted to ask what was wrong, but thought better of it. He figured Ron had a plan. He always did. Ron then walked off to find the party's DJ. Harry was right. He was going to do something special.

Hermione and Ginny filtered in with the crowd of people getting closer to the stage. Rumor had it that Fred and George had hired a band from London to play and had brought in a surprise for when the clock struck midnight. Harry decided to join them, having no idea where Ron had ended up, and having no desire to wait.

The stage brightened in a mass of light and Fred and George appeared. Fred began.

"So many things have happened this year. The joke shop is doing great, Angelina and I just celebrated our first anniversary, and now, I'm here with all you lovely people. I just want to say how happy I am..." he looked at George "... we are, that our friends and family are here with us. Thanks a lot. And now, I'd like to turn the mic over to my brother Ron."

The crowd turned to look at Ron who was walking on stage.

"Um... hi there. I'm sure you all know me. I'm here right now to apologize to a special person who I've hurt recently. Hermione..."

The crowd now redirected their gaze and Hermione looked up expectantly. Ron continued,

"Hermione, I'm genuinely sorry for what happened the other night. I know you don't really want to hear from me right now, but I just wanted to say that our relationship means a lot more to me than one bloody argument."

Hermione now grinned at Ron's inevitable language. He continued,

"I want to dedicate this song to our special relationship. You make me complete and I knew ever since I met you that this was right. But now, I'd like you to remember that day in Hogsmeade when we made this song ours. I think it describes so much of our relationship because really, I don't deserve someone as perfect as you are. So here goes."

The band came out behind Ron and the crowd cheered. The band turned out to be the Wandering Wizards, one of the hottest bands in Britain.

Uptown girl

She's been living in her uptown world

I bet she's never had a backstreet guy

I bet her momma never told her why

I'm gonna try for an uptown girl

She's been living in her white bread world

As long as anyone with hot blood can

And now she's looking for a downtown man

That's what I am

And when she knows what

She wants from her time

And when she wakes up

And makes up her mind

She'll see I'm not so tough

Just because

I'm in love with an uptown girl

You know I can't afford to buy her pearls

But maybe someday when my ship comes in

She'll understand what kind of guy I've been

And then I'll win...

By this time, Ron had joined Hermione, who was in tears. He pulled her away from the crowd. At first he thought he had embarrassed her or made the situation worse in some way, but then Hermione drew him up in a big hug. Through her sniffles he was able to hear, "Ron, if anything, I don't deserve you. I didn't think you loved me anymore."

Ron drew Hermione off of his shoulders and brought her face toward his. He looked straight into her bleary eyes and said, "How could you ever think that Hermione? I love you. I wasn't lying when I said you make me complete. Without you, there would be no me."

He then drew her mouth close and kissed her. Maybe Hermione was imaging it, but she thought she could feel a small spark as Ron's warmth enveloped her. Neither wanted to break away, not even for a moment, but they knew that at least Harry and Ginny would be wondering where they'd gotten to. So they walked back to the party, which by now was in full force. They were greeted by a mass of applause and laughter from the crowd. Anyone who had attended Hogwarts knew that despite their arguments, Ron and Hermione were destined to be together.

Two hours later, everyone was either dancing or snogging. Fred and George supplied more than enough booze, and the band was amazing.

Thought that I was going crazy
Just having one those days yeah
Didn't know what to do
Then there was you

And everything went from wrong to right
And the stars came out and filled up the sky
The music you were playing really blew my mind
It was love at first sight

'cause baby when I heard you
For the first time I knew
We were meant to be as one...

A few seconds to midnight, the countdown began. 10...9...8...7...6... until everyone screamed out at the same time, "Happy New Year!!!" Fred and George were the loudest of all, as they were waving noise makers and smashing balloons. More confetti came down from the sky as Hermione and Ron began a full-out snogging session. Next to them, Harry and Ginny could be seen kissing (though in a slightly less passionate manner). Then, Ron and Hermione sneaked down to their cabin as everyone looked up at the explosion of spectacular fireworks.

"Hey, wherever, whenever." Ron said. And Hermione couldn't agree more. They were about to catch up on a week of not... well,you know.

Meanwhile, it was apparent that some people were more drunk than others, as Neville shouted, "Fuck beans!"

All of a sudden, Neville's gran apparated and took Neville by the ear, while saying something about having a tracking device and being "truly appalled by his speech and etiquette" lately. Everyone began laughing, and Seamus put in, "Maybe you shouldn't have had those last twelve Heinekens, eh Neville?"

Everyone was left in a truly happy mood. This was the best New Year's ever and one none of them would forget anytime soon. Everyone went out on the dance floor as the band played their last song.

I've had the time of my life

No I never felt like this before
Yes I swear it's the truth
And I owe it all to you

With my body and soul
I want you more than you'll ever know
So we'll just let it go
Don't be afraid to lose control
Yes I know what's on your mind
When you say, "Stay with me tonight"

Just remember

You're the one thing
I can't get enough of
So I'll tell you something
This could be love because

I've had the time of my life

And I owe it all to you...

THE END-