Cars, Strange People And Dead Ends

Cars, strange people and dead ends

Chapter Two

The Incredible Defeat

Harry buried his face in his hands as if everything had been lost in an explosion and there was absolutely no way of getting anything back.

Hermione explained the meaning of a road trip to Ron with great enthusiasm, "A road trip means that we go on a long trip, travelling by car. They're always so much fun! I figured that because you've driven with your dad's car so many times that you could in fact be - the driver!"

"Where's the fun in travelling by a car? It takes so bleeding long. Besides, where would we travel to anyway?" asked Ron, desperately trying to make a good point.

Harry lifted his face thinking Ron had made an excellent point. He looked at Hermione, hoping she wouldn't come up with another idea. Hermione looked at the carpet, thinking as hard as she could. Come on, Hermione... Think! You can't let them get away with it that easily, she said to herself.

Suddenly Hermione gave a little shout of joy, and said, "Well, sometimes when people go on road trips, they don't necessarily have a destination. These things can be very educational. We could end up driving through an area, where the history is fascinating."

Harry looked down once again, thinking everything had been lost.

Ron shook his head quickly. "There's no way in shutting you up."

Hermione ignored Ron's comment. Instead, she turned to Harry this time and had a piercing look on her face. It slightly scared Harry. Hermione noticed this but ignored that too.

"Harry, we're going to talk about this to Ron's parents at breakfast. If they allow us to go you won't start complaining."

Hermione walked out of the room, looking as determined as ever. Ron turned to Harry. His face looked as desperate as if he was pleading Voldemort to not force him to dance salsa. (Ron couldn't stand salsa!)

"Harry, she has to be stopped! I really don't want to go on this - road trip. It sounds scary to me! I seriously think that Muggles have the strangest ideas on holidays. Besides, I don't see what's so fun in travelling without knowing where you're going."

"Hold on. Hermione said that we'll have to ask your parents for permission to go on this trip," said Harry as if a light switched on in his head, "I'm sure if we convince your parents that these trips are dangerous, they won't let us go. I mean... Your mum never looks that happy if she hears the word danger."

Ron's desperate face turned into a pleased smile. "That's brilliant! There's no way Hermione will start arguing with mum. She'd never have the guts to do such a thing!" he said.

Harry and Ron both went back to sleep, looking forward to breakfast. They were certain that their plan would work.

While they were sleeping though, Harry could not help wonder if Hermione would still like to see him in his boxers. He knew Hermione always blushed, when she saw men's boxer adverts on Muggle television. He witnessed it, when he was visiting her once during the holidays. Suddenly, Harry got up as fast as lightning.

"What's wrong?" asked Ron getting up.

"No-nothing," said Harry, trying to sound calm, "I just remembered something that's all." Harry couldn't stop thinking if he had happened to be in his yellow, satin boxers, when Hermione saw him walking in his sleep. That would have been incredibly embarrassing!

Ron went back to sleep and within two minutes he was snoring. Harry calmed down and after a few minutes, he fell fast asleep too.

-------------------------------------------

It was ten o'clock in the morning, and Ron and Harry woke up, got dressed, and ran down the stairs for breakfast. They saw Hermione already sitting there talking to Mrs. Weasley, who was cooking breakfast at the same time. Harry and Ron both took a deep breath and sat either side of Hermione.

"I've been telling Mrs. Weasley about our plans. She said it sounds interesting and that we might be able to go," said Hermione, with a big smile on her face.

Harry looked at Ron behind Hermione's back. Ron gave Harry a quick nod as a sign that now was a good time to get on with their plan.

Ron started, "That's wonderful, Hermione! I hope you've told mum about all the dangers, of course."

Ron spoke with a loud enough voice to make sure that Mrs. Weasley heard every word over the sizzling bacon. Hermione looked alarmed.

"What dangers?" she asked quickly.

Mrs. Weasley turned around, looking at Ron with a concerned face. She turned to Hermione trying to speak with a calm voice, "Hermione, I do hope you've told me everything, dear."

Hermione panicked a little and she didn't know what to say.

After a few second though, she came up with something, she though was brilliant. "Well, there is the possibility that we run out of petrol, Mrs. Weasley."

"Oh, of course you might!" said Mrs. Weasley, waving her hand. "If you do, you can always go to one of those Muggle places... What are they called again?"

"Garages," said Hermione happily.

"Yes, garages. According to witches and wizards that have studied Muggles before, garages are often built in good places."

Hermione smiled and looked at Ron with an angry look for trying to ruin this trip.

Harry thought now was a good time for him to have a go. Trying to sound as casual as ever, he said, "Did Hermione tell you about the other dangers, Mrs. Weasley?"

Mrs. Weasley looked concerned, once again. Harry continued hoping this would change her mind, "Sometimes on road trips, you can meet strange people - that are up to no good. They might try and steal some of your things, or... or even hurt you!"

Mrs. Weasley looked suspiciously at Harry and then at Hermione. Ron put his hand behind Hermione's back and put his thumb up to show Harry that their plan seemed to work. He soon pulled it back, though...

"Well, you three seem very eager to go on this trip, according to Hermione, anyway. I think if someone ever tried hurting you three, you'd know what to do. After all, you do have the boy here, who survived against you-know-who."

At this moment, Ron and Harry felt they could sink under the ground and stay there forever. Harry wished Mrs. Weasley had had more discipline. It was the first time in his whole life that he wished someone would have had more discipline.

After breakfast, Ron and Harry walked up to Ron's room to pack their bags.

"Honestly, I don't know how she always pulls it off," said Ron throwing some clothes into his bag.

Harry thought that if they were going to go on a long trip, he might as well pack properly. He folded every piece of clothing with great care.

"Hey! We could always say that you sprained your ankle, while walking down the stairs," said Ron.

"I don't think that would be a good idea," said Hermione as she walked into the room. She sat down on Ron's chair and looked at Harry and Ron in turns.

"Hermione, do you really think this is a good idea? I mean... Since when have you been a big fan of road trips?" asked Harry.

"I've never been on a road trip. That's why I want to go so that I can experience it. Apparently, if you want to go on a road trip and make it successful, it's best to take your closest friends with you."

Ron rolled his eyes, and said, "Wouldn't it be better to take friends who want to go?"

Hermione ignored Ron's comment, once again. "You two better hurry up. It's good to get going early in the morning so we get to travel as far as possible in one day. By the way, don't take any too fancy clothes. They could easily get dirty, while sitting in the car or something."

Hermione walked out of the room, looking as proud as ever of her accomplishment. Ron looked at Harry and shook his head in disappointment.

Hermione was already waiting by the car, when Harry and Ron walked out of the house, dragging their bags behind them. Mrs. Weasley gave Ron and Harry a big hug. Mr. Weasley patted their shoulders. Fred and George were laughing at Ron because they could easily sense that he didn't want to go on this trip.

"Don't' worry, Ronnie! If you come back in at least two pieces, you've survived", said George, accompanied by Fred's laughter in the background.

When Harry said bye to Ginny, her face turned as red as her hair. She gave him a quick 'hug' and then quickly ran off to hug Ron.

Soon Harry, Ron, and Hermione stepped into the car and Ron began to slowly drive off. Hermione had the biggest smile on her face and Ron was thinking they were doomed. All Harry could now think about was - it was a close defeat.