Bond of the Spirits - Chapter 15

With a gentle whoosh, Harry and Hermione found themselves standing in a small square room. In front of them was a mirrored door that reflected a smiling newlywed couple standing with interlinked arms. After a brief pause, they heard the muffled ding of a bell. The mirrored door split in two from top to bottom and then slid open into the walls. They stepped forward into a vestibule with marble floors and dark wood paneled walls. A chandelier hung from the vaulted ceiling. Behind them, the doors of a very ordinary looking muggle elevator closed and the magical travel point was again hidden from view. A small sign on the wall contained the words Lobby and Front Desk and an arrow pointed to the right. They turned, still arm in arm, and began to walk up the hallway.

Seeing sunlight entering from outside, they stopped at a large window and looked out. The elevated view overlooked a very large area containing two enormous swimming pools with palm trees and hedges on the far side. Surrounding the pools were lounge chairs and tables, some holding towels and tote bags. Guests were reclined and reading or napping in the late afternoon sun. One of the pools contained children swimming and splashing in the water. In the other pool, some older adults were leisurely swimming toward the far end. At the near end, a swim-up bar was occupied with many people who were talking and sipping colorful beverages.

They briefly glanced at each other and then continued walking. After a short distance, the hallway opened into a large lobby. Huge crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling and cast a warm inviting glow into the room. Green and flowering plants were scattered around the room and large chairs were arranged in small groupings. On the far side of the lobby there were large glass doors. Through the doors, they could see automobiles and luggage carts being loaded by bellhops. Guests entering through the doors moved toward a very large front desk on the left side of the lobby.

Hermione nudged Harry and then pointed to a man standing behind a much smaller front desk on the right side of the lobby. He looked at them with hand raised above his head beckoning them closer. As they moved toward him, they passed through a narrow opening in a row of very large potted plants. The noise and commotion in the lobby faded away as they stepped through a magical barrier and up to the front desk.

The concierge said, "Good afternoon sir. Reservation name?"

"James Evans."

The concierge glanced at the desk for a brief moment and then lifted a small card. "Ah yes, three days tropical accommodations with private, beachfront bungalow." The concierge moved a large open book toward him. "If you would please sign our registry."

After he signed, the concierge said, "Is this your first stay with us?"

"Yes, it is."

He glanced at each of them. "Welcome sir and madam." Then placing two small cards on the counter said, "These are your room portkeys. As you step through the door, you will move into your accommodations. Your particular accommodations are some distance from where we are now. They are enclosed within security wards to ensure beach privacy. Should you wish to avail yourselves of any of our local services or restaurants, simply exit your room. Room service is also available. Your room is located down the hall on your right. Have a pleasant stay."

They came to a stop at the entrance to their room and Harry touched the portkey to the door. The lock clicked and then the door swung open. As they moved through the doorway, they felt a gentle sensation of being pulled away. The door swung closed behind them.

The distant sound of waves greeted them as they stepped into the spacious room. A seating area was on one side of the room and a king-size bed was on the other side. On the far wall, below a large open window, a table was set for two.

A gentle sea breeze touched their faces bringing with it the scent of the ocean air. Slowly moving forward between the table and bed, they stepped out onto a porch. One side of the porch held a hot tub with a view of the beach. The waves could be seen about fifty feet in the distance. They walked hand in hand part way out onto the beach among the palm trees that swayed gently in the breeze.

"Harry, this is wonderful and so romantic."

Harry put his arm around her waist and said, "Yeah. This will be very nice. So what do you fancy, dinner or a walk on the beach?"

"Dinner and then a walk on the beach. We spent most of our time talking with our guests and didn't get much time to eat. I'm hungry."

...

Harry stood by the table gazing out the window. He was now wearing shorts and a loose fitting button down shirt both in tropical colors. At the sound of a door opening, he looked and saw Hermione emerge from the bathroom wearing a two-piece swimsuit under a sarong and loose fitting top; also in tropical colors.

With a warm smile, she walked slowly toward him enjoying his unwavering gaze. He moved a chair back and helped her sit down at the table. Then he seated himself in the chair next to her and as he did so, the two candles on the table lit themselves.

After a brief glance at him, she picked up a small card in front of the flower centerpiece. "We say room service, the entrée, and then place order." His arm wrapped around her shoulder and they moved their heads close to look at the menu. After deciding, they spoke their orders.

A few moments later, their orders appeared in front of them. A bottle of champagne also appeared with two glasses. Harry looked at the card attached to the bottle. Smiling, he read the card aloud. "Congratulations you two. Have a wonderful time. Ron and Ginny."

"Oh, that was so sweet of them."

Taking the bottle into his hand, the cork popped and flew across the room. He looked at her. "Some champagne Mrs. Potter?"

She smiled. "Yes please, Mr. Potter." He filled the two glasses.

"Oh, that reminds me." She reached into her pocket and withdrew two small vials containing colored liquid. She smiled. "This is the contraceptive potion we talked about. It's effective for a month."

She handed the bluish colored vial to Harry and then drank the pinkish colored one. Her nose crinkled slightly and she took a sip of water. Harry smiled and drank his potion.

He took his champagne glass and held it up. She held her glass up also. He said, "To our new life together and all the wonderful magic it will bring." They lightly clinked the glasses and a gentle ethereal singing sound rang out. With delighted smiles, they interlinked their arms and took a sip while looking into each other's eyes.

Their faces were very close as they unlinked arms. He leaned forward and lightly kissed her. "I love you."

"I love you," and she lightly kissed him. Taking another sip of champagne, her face dawned with an expression of surprise. "Oh Harry, this champagne is delightful. Each sip has a slightly different flavor."

Harry took another sip of his champagne. He smiled. "A hint of apple. My first sip had a hint of strawberry."

"Pear and then peach for me." She raised her glass. "To our very best magical friends, Ron, Ginny, and the whole Weasley family." The glasses clinked and the singing sound rang out.

After dinner, while the last glow of twilight was fading, they leisurely walked on their beach that seemed to stretch for miles. The waves rolled onto the beach with a blue bioluminescent glow and the sand sparkled beneath their feet with each step. Moonlight shimmered on the water. They stopped every so often to pick up and examine a shell or embrace and kiss. Their dress slowly became just swimsuits as they splashed in the ankle deep warm water that washed up over their feet with each wave. The moon and stars cast a magic spell over them and the rest of the world faded from their thoughts. The world now had only two people in it and the gentle roar of the waves. The warm tropical breezes heighten their senses and desire for each other.

Later, with her comfortably sitting in his lap, they gazed out across the sand watching the waves and sipping champagne. The palm trees swayed in the evening breeze. The subtle aroma of pineapple and coconut scented water foamed and bubbled around them in shades of red and gold. She set down her champagne glass and leaned back against him letting out a deep breath in a relaxed sigh. His hands held her midriff as the warm effervescing water swirled and lightly tickled their skin.

He said, "I just had a very happy realization. Now I can say, this is my wife Hermione, when I introduce you to people. I really like the sound of that."

"Calling you my husband makes me feel warm and contented inside."

After a moment, he smiled. "We don't have to be chaperoned by the magical portrait of my mum and dad anymore."

She pursed her lips. "I'm very happy about that. I still don't think we were excessively hot and steamy that night, and we were wearing our underwear. He just wanted to pour that water on us. You saw the smirk he had on his face afterward. Both of them could hardly keep from laughing, and the water was cold too."

He laughed. "Yeah, really spoiled the mood didn't it."

She got up and turned around to face him. Sitting down in his lap, she wrapped her legs around him. "Well," she said with a grin, "you thoroughly enjoyed watching me use the drying charm on the bed."

With an unfocused and faraway gaze he said, "Oh yes. You looked very nice, beautiful eye candy." Then, he looked at her with an expression of knowing. "You enjoyed teasing me."

She smiled with a mischievous expression. "Yes ... I did." They both laughed.

He began to massage her shoulders and neck. As his fingers massaged her temples and head, she cooed softly. Her eyes closed and he saw a blissful expression on her face. They wrapped each other in a loving embrace and kissed passionately. Soon, swimsuits lie on the floor as they explored each other with a delicate touch. A while later, she wrapped her arms around his neck. They looked deeply into each other's eyes and their gaze for each other was tender, desirous, and submissive.

With her arms still around his neck, he gently picked her up and carried her inside. Somewhere music seemed to be playing as they danced very slowly and rhythmically. As he watched, a delighted smile appeared on her face. Their eyes looked deeply into each other and they danced ever closer. She wrapped herself tightly around him and pulled him into a loving kiss. They were sweeping each other away from their surroundings. Reassuring words and feelings flowed silently between their connected minds and bodies. Their breathing quickened. Gazing at each other, their eyebrows narrowed. Then, as if an immense cathedral bell had been struck, their heads tilted back and their eyes squeezed shut.

A disconnected image formed; a vision with dim, indistinct, and fog-like surroundings. At its center, a sphere of ghost-like beings, each a fuzzy glowing orb, gently revolved. Two of the beings flared and began moving toward the center; each radiating brightly in a pure and glorious joy. They stretched out toward each other and wrapped their vaporous forms as they met and touched. Turning into each other, in a whirlpool of delight, they merged into a single being that pulsated and reverberated with a rapturous song. Waves of golden light emanated in all directions like ripples on a pond. The surrounding sphere of beings flared. Then, in a cascade of warmth and light, the beings all imploded into a unity. An incandescent light expanded rapidly and drove the rapturous song outward in all directions. After a moment, and an eternity, the beings dissolved into the surroundings with random scintillating sparkles.

The image morphed into an infinite blackness, sprinkled with an uncountable number of stars. A prominent dark cloud split open and rays of light burst forth from its center. The shell-like cloud was pushed away and a new naked star burned brightly; the wavering intensity of its light slowly becoming smooth and steady. The image dissolved into the gentle sound of wind rushing through palm trees and waves rolling onto a distant beach.

Eyes slowly opened and beheld a beloved in dream-like euphoria. Breathing slowed and feelings of warmth, contentment, and well-being infused their senses. Waves of gratifying sensation gently reverberated between them slowly ebbing away. For a peaceful time, only the sound of the wind and the waves filled the silence as they lay snugly collapsed in each other's arms.

She took a very deep breath and sighed. "Wow!" she thought to him. "Are you sure you've never done this before?"

He felt a warm tingle and thought, "Must be beginners luck."

She smiled mischievously. "Skillful I'd say. You're very good with a wand." She squeezed him tightly. "It was so very wonderful."

He chuckled and lightly stroked the silky soft skin of her back. "I felt feedback from you, like that day at the family tree, but much more intense."

"Yes. It was almost overwhelming, passing back and forth between us all those times."

After a quiet moment, he thought, "Did you see a vision?"

"Yes, but I'm not sure what it means. My brain is very boggled right now."

"Just a moment ago, when you took that deep breath, I felt a tingling in my chest."

"You did? Do the same for me."

Looking at her intently, he took a very deep breath and slowly exhaled.

She smiled warmly at him. "That's incredible. Oh Harry, I feel like you're wrapped up inside me. I've just felt your breath of life."

"It feels like you're a part of me too. Doing the bonding ritual was your most brilliant idea ever. And for you, that's saying something."

"Thanks. You've made me the happiest girl in the world. I so dearly love you." She squeezed him tightly and then contentedly closed her eyes.

"Sweet dreams my love."

A moment later, they were both asleep.