"Maybe she's had you bugged?" Harry suggested as they were discussing how Rita Skeeter could've possible known about Hermione.
"Bugged?" Ron stared blankly, "what put fleas on her or something?"
"No," Harry snorted and began to explain hidden microphones and recording equipment. Ron was fascinated, Hermione was not.
"Honestly, are either of ever going to read Hogwarts, A History?"
"What's the point?" Ron asked, "you know it by heart, if we have a question, we can just ask you."
"All those substitutes Muggles use for magic—electricity, computer, radar, all those things—they go haywire around Hogwarts, there's too much magic in the air. So Skeeter couldn't have bugged me....No, Rita's using magic to eavesdrop, she must be...I just have to figure out what it is....ooh, if it's illegal, I'll have her..."
"Haven't we got enough to worry about?" Ron sighed, "do we really need to start a vendetta against Rita Skeeter?"
"I'm not asking you to help," Hermione snapped, "I'll do it all on my own," she called, marching away.
"Bloody hell," Ron groaned, "I can't keep up with her moods."
"You're one to talk," Harry's scoffed.
Harry was looking forward to Easter Holidays, he desperately needed the time to catch up on the immense amount of homework he had accumulated.
Severus Snape had other ideas.
"Pack for at least two weeks," Snape said during their weekly tea. "I've made you guys a list," he duplicated a piece of parchment and handed one to both of them.
"What?" Harry asked, looking at him in confusion, "pack for what?"
"We're going away for Spring Holiday," Snape said, "honestly Harry, you're a big boy, use your context clues, I can't spell everything out for you."
"Where are we going?" Draco asked.
"Don't get me started," Snape gave Harry a pointed look, "your godfather chose."
"Oh, hell," Draco sighed, "we're going to burn."
"That we are," Snape agreed.
"I won't," Harry grinned, "I'm not pale as ghosts like the two of you."
"We're going to Jamaica," Snape shook his head. "Our flight leaves Thursday, at six thirty in the morning from London. It'll take fourteen hours."
"Fourteen hours!" Draco groaned, "why are we flying commercial?"
"I've never flown before," Harry said, "or gone on vacation."
"I've never had to fly commercial," Draco huffed. "Shouldn't Black have a private jet?"
"What's the difference?" Harry asked.
"One is filled with peasants," Draco sneered.
"And you, Mr. Malfoy, will be one of those peasants," Snape chided, "watch your attitude." He turned to Harry, "commercial airplanes anybody can buy a ticket, private jets are planes that are owned by wealthy individuals, you don't share a flight with strangers."
"Oh," Harry nodded, "alright."
"Why exactly are we going on a vacation?" Draco asked, "shouldn't Harry be focusing on the third task."
"That's still a ways out," Severus sighed, "besides, we all deserve some time off, don't you reckon?"
"My homework would disagree," Harry snorted.
Snape gave him a look, "are you behind again? Mr. Potter?"
"Just a couple days worth," Harry said.
"Honestly, Harry," Draco shook his head, "just keep up with it daily and it won't pile up on you. Mate, you don't even have exams this year."
"Yeah, I've already heard it all from Hermione," Harry sighed.
"Get it done before we leave," Severus said, "you can't bring your work out in front of the muggles, do you need any help with my class?"
"No," Harry shook his head, "I'm all caught up, it's just Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology and Astronomy."
"Why don't you ask the Longbottom boy for help in Herbology?" Snape said, "I heard he was rather gifted. And I'm sure Miss Granger would be happy to help."
Harry nodded, "yes sir."
"Get on top of it," Snape warned.
"Yes, sir," Harry repeated.
"I can help with charms," Draco said, "unfortunately I wouldn't be too much help with transfiguration."
"Thanks," Harry chuckled.
>•<
"Jamaica?" Ron's eyes widened, "bloody hell."
"Nobody leaves for Easter holiday," Hermione frowned, "don't you think it's a little suspicious that all three of you will be gone at the same time?"
"No," Harry shrugged, "I'm sure it'll be fine."
"Have you ever even been in the ocean? Harry?" Hermione asked.
"No," Harry shook his head, "just the creek behind our house and the lake."
"Oh my god you're going to drown," Hermione shook her head, "please use a floaty."
"What the hell is a floaty?" Harry asked, "Hermione, I'll be fine, Draco taught me how to swim."
"Yes, but you're not a great swimmer, Harry," Hermione said, "the ocean is very different."
"What're we talking about?" Ginny asked.
"Harry's going to Jamaica," Ron said, taking a sip out of his pumpkin juice.
"Lucky," Ginny huffed, "we've only ever been to Egypt."
"Oi! Egypt was great," Ron frowned.
"The mummies freaked me out," Ginny rolled her eyes, "besides, Harry's probably going to a resort, aren't you?"
"I don't know," Harry said, "he just told us our plane is Thursday morning."
"Bring some gum, Harry," Hermione said, "especially on a flight that long, you'll most likely get air sick."
"What will gum do?" Harry asked.
"It will make you feel less sick," Hermione said, "and it will pop your ears."
"Pop your ears?" Harry's eyes widened, "that sounds terrible."
"It's not as bad as it sounds," Hermione waved, "eat your food."
"You sound like my mother," Ron grumbled.
"Harry doesn't eat enough," Ginny added, "mum is right."
"Mum force feeds him!" Ron said.
"It's fine," Harry's ears were burning, "and I eat enough. I've gained nearly thirty pounds since moving in with Snape!"
"Are Sirius and Remus going as well?" Ginny asked.
"Yes," Harry nodded, "Sirius chose the destination."
"Of course he did," Ron laughed.
"I still don't understand how the lot of them get along." Hermione said.
"It's a daily struggle," Harry said, stuffing his mouth with potatoes, "I'm surprised one of them haven't killed each other yet...send Sirius to prison for an actual crime this time."
"Harry!" Hermione gasped.
"That was great!" Ginny said, rolling with laughter.
"It's really not funny!" Hermione said.
"Who are you to say!" Ginny wheezed, "that was priceless!"
"Come on, now," Harry shook his head with a smile, "let's talk about something else? Yeah?"
"Yeah! The Chudley Cannons won their match earlier today!" Ron exclaimed.
"Anything but that," Ginny snorted, beginning to laugh again.
"Two hundred twenty to forty!" Ron grinned, "I can give you a break down..."
The entire table groaned.