"I'm already feeling seasick," Y/N groaned, her feet dragging through the sand as they arrived at Boracay Beach. The group was dressed in swimwear, although bikinis were off-limits under Snape and McGonagall's watchful eyes.
"That's because you skipped breakfast," Aurora scolded, Y/N's stomach audibly agreeing.
"I'm not really a breakfast person," Y/N shrugged, Aurora playfully rolling her eyes.
"Oh come on, you're not a breakfast person, a lunch person, or a dinner person. Are you surviving on air?" Sophie teased, earning a chuckle from Y/N.
"Yeah, are you an ano? I rarely see you eat," Aurora chimed in with a teasing grin, Y/N's laughter continuing as she glanced around the beach.
"I, uh... I need a moment," Y/N whispered suddenly, leaving the group looking puzzled as she walked away.
Y/N maneuvered through the bustling crowd, grains of sand making their way into her shoes as she walked. She looked around, her forehead glistening with sweat due to the scorching heat. The sky was clear, the sun shining brightly over Boracay Beach.
"Hey," a voice whispered, causing Y/N to turn around.
"Hey," Y/N responded, finding Hermione standing there with a cold drink in her hand.
"You okay? You don't look too great," Hermione inquired, her concern evident.
"I'm fine, just... the weather," Y/N mumbled. Lately, the sensation of goosebumps prickling her skin had intensified. She often felt like there was someone behind her, a light breeze brushing against her, yet she couldn't quite put a finger on it.
"Me and the boys are heading to the kayaks, you wanna come?" Hermione offered, catching Y/N's attention.
"Uh..." Y/N hesitated. "Sure," she finally agreed, a small smile appearing on Hermione's face.
"Great, let's go then. We have about three minutes until they start," Hermione said enthusiastically, Y/N nodding as Hermione led the way.
✴✴✴✴✴
"Oh my days, I think I'm gonna puke," Harry exclaimed from the other kayak, sharing it with Ron. Hermione and Y/N were seated together in a different kayak, with the photographer pedaling behind them.
"Why did you agree to this if you knew you were prone to motion sickness?" Y/N asked, amusement evident in her voice.
"I don't know!" Harry yelled in frustration.
"He lost a dare last night during a game of truth or dare," Hermione whispered to Y/N, explaining the situation.
"You didn't invite me?" Y/N teased, raising an eyebrow.
"There's a good reason for that," Hermione retorted, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Really? Now you've got me curious," Y/N prompted, leaning in with a playful grin as Hermione covered her mouth with her hand.
"It's a secret," Hermione whispered, causing Y/N's eyebrows to furrow in intrigue.
"A secret, huh?" Y/N deadpanned, her tone neutral as she observed Hermione, who simply shrugged.
"Okay, fine. Since you're so eager to know, it was about who we fancied," Hermione revealed cryptically, a small amused smile forming on Y/N's lips.
"So you're willing to trust Harry with your crush secrets, but not me?" Y/N quipped, her expression devoid of any emotion.
"Gryffindors only," Hermione hummed in response, prompting a scoff from Y/N.
There was a playful edge to her reaction, yet a trace of curiosity and perhaps a tinge of jealousy lingered beneath the surface. Could it be that Hermione had a crush? Y/N's thoughts churned as she mulled over this unexpected revelation.
"Gryffindors only, huh?" Y/N replied, a mock pout forming on her lips. "I see how it is."
"Maybe next time, we'll include the Ravenclaws," Hermione teased, her eyes glinting mischievously.
"Maybe," Y/N said, her smile returning. "But honestly, I can't believe you guys are playing that game without me."
"It was a spontaneous thing," Hermione explained, her tone still light. "And you were off doing your own thing."
"Yeah, sleeping, maybe," Y/N said with a dramatic flair.
Hermione chuckled. "Well, maybe we'll invite you next time. Just be prepared to spill your deepest crush secrets."
"I'll have to think about it," Y/N replied, her smile turning into a grin.
The two of them continued to chat and laugh as the kayak gently glided over the water. The sun cast a warm and golden glow, creating a serene atmosphere around them. Y/N's earlier unease seemed to melt away in the company of her friends, especially Hermione, whose presence was a comforting and exciting contradiction all at once.
"This is actually quite nice," Y/N mused, looking out at the horizon.
"It is," Hermione agreed, a contented smile on her face. "And it's even better when you're not feeling nauseous," she added, glancing back at Harry, who was still looking a bit green.
"Yeah, poor guy," Y/N chuckled. "Well, at least he's providing us with some entertainment."
Y/N shifted her attention toward Hermione, who was gazing out at the sea. Y/N took note of Hermione's side profile, admiring the delicate slope of her button nose. The sun's gentle touch cast a warm orange hue on her long eyelashes, which seemed to dance with every flutter.
Hermione's big brown eyes shimmered with brightness, reflecting the sunlight, and her hair, though typically slightly curled, appeared straightened today. Her pale, slightly tanned complexion displayed rosy cheeks, causing a flutter of excitement in Y/N's stomach, a sharp contrast to the goosebumps on her own skin.
"Why do you always straighten your hair?" Y/N's voice was a soft murmur, breaking the serene moment. Hermione turned her gaze toward Y/N, her eyebrows knitting together in curiosity.
"Why not?" Hermione responded with a touch of indifference, prompting Y/N to arch an eyebrow.
"Your natural hair is pretty," Y/N's voice carried a gentle hum, causing a faint blush to tint Hermione's cheeks.
"You're just saying that. It tends to look wild and unruly, making me appear rather unkempt," Hermione dismissed with a shrug.
Y/N's smile remained reassuring. "Trust me, Hermione, your natural hair is far from wild. It's... pretty,"
Hermione's blush deepened as she met Y/N's gaze, her lips forming a small, uncertain smile. The genuine compliment seemed to resonate with her, making her heart skip a beat.
"Every time I catch a glimpse of your hair, I instantly know it's you," Y/N remarked, a playful tone in her voice. "does that makes sense?" she whispered with a small chuckle.
"No," Hermione snickered, an amused grin on her face. "Using my hair as a homing beacon, huh?" Hermione chuckled.
"Possibly," Y/N deadpanned.
"But, honestly, I've noticed my hair changing lately. It's been losing its curls, getting straighter day by day," Hermione murmured, her fingers intertwining as she fiddled with them.
"Whether it's curly or straight, you're still pretty either way," Y/N reassured.
Hermione's brows furrowed in curiosity. "Are you feeling alright?"
"What do you mean?" Y/N quirked an eyebrow.
"I mean, you're not one to dole out compliments freely, especially calling me 'pretty'," Hermione said softly.
Y/N's gaze softened as she met Hermione's eyes. "Well, I guess I should start saying it more often, no?"
A gentle blush spread across Hermione's cheeks, her lips curving into a shy smile. The words seemed to warm her heart, and for a moment, the beach, the waves, and the sun seemed to fade, leaving only the two of them and their newfound connection.
Y/N and Hermione felt a slight jolt as the kayak came to a stop, turning their attention to the photographer who was already printing out the photos.
"That'll be 300 pesos," he informed them. Y/N raised an eyebrow.
"Do you have any cash? I only have my card," Y/N admitted with a wry smile, prompting Hermione to roll her eyes playfully.
"You'd be lost without me, wouldn't you?" Hermione teased, fishing out some cash from her pocket and handing it to the photographer.
"Whoa," Hermione whispered as she looked at the developed polaroid pictures. Y/N gave her a quizzical look.
"What's so surprising?" Y/N asked.
"These photos turned out really well," Hermione replied in an awed tone, holding up several polaroids.
One in particular caught Y/N's attention: it showed her and Hermione leaning over the side of the kayak, their faces half-covered by shadows, only their profiles visible as the sun cast a warm glow over them. It was a moment frozen in time, and something about it felt incredibly intimate.
"Thank you," both girls said simultaneously, nodding to the photographer as they exited the kayak.
As Y/N and Hermione walked away, the photographer muttered under his breath, "Mga bading,"
✴✴✴✴✴
"Ouch, ouch, ouch," Y/N groaned, her legs bouncing up and down restlessly. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and herself were all seated on plastic chairs as various individuals worked on braiding their hair.
Y/N's expression showed clear discomfort, her jaw clenched tightly. Ron and Harry wore pained expressions as well, their eyes reflecting the traumatizing experience, while Hermione appeared unbothered, casually scrolling through her phone.
"Does it have to hurt this much?" Ron whimpered, voicing the collective sentiment. Hermione looked at the trio with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
"You're all being a bit dramatic," she chided, earning protests from the others.
"It's like they're tugging on my scalp," Y/N groaned, prompting further complaints from Ron and Harry.
"My hair feels like it's being yanked out," Ron added.
"You're exaggerating," Hermione retorted with a roll of her eyes.
Hermione's gaze shifted from her friends to her phone, clearly uninterested in their hair woes. Y/N couldn't help but let out a small huff of frustration.
"How can you be so calm about this?" Y/N grumbled, her fingers tapping nervously on the armrest of her chair.
"Because I've been through worse," Hermione replied casually, finally looking up from her phone.
"Worse than this?" Harry questioned, his voice filled with disbelief.
"Remember when we faced a three-headed dog during our first year?" Hermione asked, a wry smile playing on her lips.
"That was dangerous, this is just painful," Ron argued.
"It's temporary pain for a nice hairstyle. Trust me, the end result will be worth it," Hermione explained with a knowing smile.
"I hope so," Y/N muttered, still squirming uncomfortably in her chair as the braiding continued.
(God damn, this kid's so dramatic, she keeps squirming) "Hay naku, ang arte nang bata 'nato, galaw ng galaw," The braider said, their words coming out as gibberish to the four oblivious teenagers.
(Yeah, raise the price for these ones) "Oo teh, mahalan mo bayad 'nyan," the other said.
(Of course) "Syempre," the first braider replied with a small smirk.
✴✴✴✴✴
"My scalp's definitely going to file a complaint," Y/N groaned dramatically, the group strolling down the undulating sands toward their friends' chosen rendezvous— a restaurant for their evening meal.
"Look at that, the sun's already on its way out," Harry commented softly, his gaze tracing the sky.
"No kidding, it feels like the day zipped past," Hermione added, the group sharing nods of agreement.
"Well, time does tend to sprint when I'm around," Y/N teased with a grin, provoking a playful scoff from Hermione.
"Let's not inflate your ego too much," Hermione retorted, met with an amused hum from Y/N.
"Right, because you're just a bundle of joy," Y/N shot back with a grin.
"Hey, I'm tolerable at the very least," Hermione replied, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, you're a regular riot," Y/N said in a faux impressed tone.
"Oi, you two, save the bickering for another day. Let's enjoy the sunset," Ron interjected, the sun painting the sky with hues of orange and pink as it dipped below the horizon.
"Ron's right, just enjoy the view," Harry added, his gaze fixed on the breathtaking sight before them.
"Alright, let's head out, I'm famished," Ron interjected, receiving a nod of concurrence from Harry. The two lads strode away, leaving Hermione and Y/N standing in their serene spot.
Y/N's voice barely above a whisper, she remarked, "The sunset is so beautiful." Her gaze was fixed on the horizon.
Hermione, too, was lost in the tranquil beauty of the scene. "Yes, it is," she murmured. They watched as the water's gentle ripples, the barely cresting waves, and the ebbing tides painted a serene picture before them.
In a hushed tone, Hermione added, "So beautiful,"
"We can't get sights like these in London, can we?" Y/N replied softly, her eyes fixed on the mesmerizing dance of the sun and sea.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange and pink glow across the sky, Y/N and Hermione stood there for a few more moments, soaking in the beauty of the moment. The world seemed to pause around them, and in that silence, their hearts connected in a way that words could never fully capture.
Finally, Hermione broke the silence with a gentle smile. "We should catch up with the others."
Y/N nodded, and together they turned away from the enchanting sunset, but its memory would linger in their hearts for a long time to come.
TO BE CONTINUED...
A/N : ugh all this philippine stuff making me want to make a tagalog fic fr (province girl x manila girl??) 👀👀👀