After Death there is Love

Chapter 10: White Sand Beaches

“We have to wait in that long line?” Ron groaned. The gang was all at the crowded airport decked out in muggle clothing. Hermione and Harry even bought them all suitcases. Alicia complained bitterly that it was just not the same as a trunk and that it wouldn’t hold all she needed.

“No, no, no Lee, you’re supposed to place the cup under there after you select what flavour you want...” Hermione rushed over to pull Lee away from the coffee machine, that he had made quite a mess at. She rubbed her temples and cursed under her breath. It was a bad idea to have this many pureblood wizards at a muggle airport.

George was walking through the automatic door repeatedly amazed at the fact that the door knew he was coming. He was joined by Jennifer and Ginny who both looked on in awe but did not take part in walking repeatedly through the door. They were beginning to attract the attention of a few muggles. The security guard walked over twirling his baton.

“Oi mate, I’m gonna need you to stop doing that.” He pointed his baton at George and Ron and Lee both drew their wands. Harry held them back.

“Easy guys, that is not a wand.”

Angelina, Katie and Alicia were deep in conversation about muggle clothes. Angelina was trying to explain muggle high fashion. Oliver seemed mesmerized by the changing flights on the screen behind the check in counter. Finally their delayed Air Jamaica flight was ready. They all boarded the plane, but Hermione still had her work cut out for her.

“It is most definitely magic Hermione! A powerful type of magic too. This is a lot of people to levitate over such a great distance.” Ron argued. Hermione rolled her eyes.

“It is not magic Ronald! It is simply science.” Ron scrunched up his nose and tilted his head. Hermione chuckled.

“I will explain it to you at another time. You really should have taken muggle studies class.”

“This is certainly a new way to travel.” Angelina said to Oliver.

“I’ve been in the muggle world a few times but I have never been on a plane before,” she continued. Oliver looked out the window.

“Nothing beats the wind blowing through my hair or the rush of flying on a broom, but then we can’t sleep while flying on a broom can we?” Angelina grinned and shook her head.

“I suppose not.”

************

“Wow I’ve never seen the ocean before,” Jennifer muttered. She caught up with George who was trailing the rest of the wizards filing into the hotel lobby. George nodded. He had never seen the ocean before either. He and Fred had vowed that one day they would visit it. They gasped in amazement as they entered the elaborately decorated lobby. Once again George had to be pulled away from the automatic door. They were given the keys to five double room suits. To avoid any awkward situation, the girls and guys roomed separately. Their first activity for the day was wind surfing. They met up by the beach and were soon enjoying the breeze and warm blue Caribbean water. Later that night they gathered in the suit shared by the girls to play truth or dare wizard style. They gathered on the beds that they had pushed together to form one giant bed. Harry tapped the bottle with his wand and the bottle began spinning in mid air at about eye level to all of them. It landed on Oliver.

“I’ll take this one!” Angelina said excitedly. George rolled his eyes.

“Truth or dare Oliver?” She asked grinning. Oliver took a sip of his drink and smirked.

“You won’t get me that easily Johnson. Truth.”

“Oh I got you alright…..Is it true that in your sixth year, you and Lacy McDougall made use of an empty room in the Astronomy tower and NOT for home work? No one bought your bullocks story.” Oliver rolled his eyes.

“I can’t believe you remember this!”

“Answer the question Wood!” Katie said tossing a pillow at him. Oliver caught the pillow with acute Keeper reflexes but groaned.

“Yes we had a bit of fun.” He smirked.

“This does not leave us!” He took another sip. This time Oliver tapped the bottle and it was once again in motion. It stopped on Hermione.

“I got this one,” Ron said turning to look at Hermione with a wicked grin.

“Truth or dare Hermione?” Hermione bit her bottom lip and looked around the room. Ron was still grinning.

“Don’t chicken out like Oliver Hermione, take a dare,” Ginny egged. Hermione took a deep breath then answered.

“Alright then, dare!” Ron said a triumphant yes! He pushed a drink towards her and she groaned.

“Take a drink.”

“You know I’m a light weight Ronald! I can’t drink. I’ll act all...loopy.”

“I know.” He grinned.

“You chose dare, you can’t back down.” Sighing, Hermione took the drink and gulped it down. The others all cheered. Hermione made a face. Once again the bottle was in motion. It stopped on George and he put down his rum cake and rubbed his hands together.

“I’m ready for this one, dare!” The group laughed.

“No one asked you anything yet George.” Ginny said shaking her head. George shrugged and grinned.

“O.K Georgie boy, I’ve got you on this one.” Lee said scrunching up his face as he thought up something to ask.

“Alright then, I dare you to lay a hot one on Jen.” He waggled his eyebrows at George who tried to not look horrified. Jennifer giggled while Angelina bit her lip and kept her eyes on the bed sheet. George tentatively took Jennifer’s chin and slowly moved his face closer to hers. Jennifer did the rest. She pulled his face in closer and snogged him. Angelina felt tears sting her eyes and rushed out of the room before they came. Katie and Alicia both shot looks of dagger at Lee, who remained oblivious to the situation. Ginny and Hermione looked at each other while Jennifer was still beaming.

George got up off the bed and was about to follow Angelina out but Jennifer held on to his hand. George gently pulled it away and looked down at her.

“Look Jennifer, we can’t work. I don’t love you.” He looked away from the hurt look in her eyes.

“I’m sorry.” He walked out of the room in search of Angelina.

**********************************************

Angelina hurried out of the room and down to the beach. The night sky was cloudless and the stars shone brightly. The moon reflected beautiful silver light on the dark water. She sat on the sand pulling her legs up and rested her chin on them. Tears washed her cheeks. Everything was so messed up. She now knew that she had feelings for George but he was clearly getting together with Jennifer. She did like Oliver as well, but was unclear if she liked him enough to be with him. She sighed.

“I figured I would find you out here.” Angelina shrugged and George sat in the sand next to her. He looked around to make sure that no one was looking then whipped out his wand to start a fire.

“Angie we can’t keep playing this game.” He turned her around to face him and looked her square in the eyes.

“Angelina I love you. I always have. I know I’m not Fred but I can do my best to be here for you.”

“But Jennifer...”

“No...Shh…I told Jennifer that I don’t love her. There is nothing going on between me and her.” He wiped the tears away from her face and she leaned into his touch. It was so familiar and so comforting

“Will you give me a chance to heal your heart?”

Angelina nodded and George grinned and pulled her into a hug. He gently pulled her away so he could look at her.

“You looked so hot in that yellow bikini today.” He smirked.

“Oh shut up Weasley.” He chuckled then lifted her chin and kissed her sweetly. After their kiss they hugged again. As she opened her eyes, her chin resting on George’s shoulder, she could have sworn she saw the figure of a man with his hair sticking up at the back disappear into the night.