----------Title: Headed to the Highway
Fandom: Harry Potter Fandom
Rating: Teen
Genre: Fluff, Holiday, Vignette
Main Characters: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley
Relationships: Harry Potter/Hermione Granger
Warning: Light Character Bashing
Word Count: 1025
Summary: The open road is where the trio liked to be, especially during the holidays.
Author Note: This was written for Hermione’s Haven’s Winter Event called Hermione’s Holiday Hideaway, where my prompts included the Harry/Hermione relationship, egg nog, & the location Hana Highway.
Headed to Hana Highway, they had stopped at some corner shops, picking up some egg nog, which tasted way too sweet for Hermione’s taste but apparently not Harry’s or Ron’s, as they finished their bottles almost as soon as they opened it, she had been getting her reading in as Harry drove and Ron asked if they were there yet. The way things worked in the United States had been very different than back home; they drove backward, and their corner shops and petrol stations weren’t separate entities. After the war, much to Ron’s mother’s protest, the trio didn’t stay in one place very long. The three of them were sick of rules and tired of being stuck, and once the war was won, they were off on their journey of freedom.
The freedom of traveling and not settling down was perfect for the three of them, but not Molly, who continuously complained about it, nor was it not ideal for Ginny, who expected Harry to be someone different than who he was. Which resulted in the two of them no longer talking. Ron had thought that his younger sister would have known Harry much better than she acted like and even told her so, which also resulted in an estranged relationship between the two.
With the broken pieces of those relationships, others grew. Hermione felt like she had never had a closer relationship with Ron; she could even call him her brother, especially how he liked teasing her. Only now, it wasn’t as immature as it had been when they were in Hogwarts, and she even learned that she didn’t need to comment on what she saw as her brother’s bad habits. When things end, like Harry’s relationship with Ron’s little sister, that only makes room for another relationship to bloom, which is what happened with Harry and her. She never thought they could be closer than they had been during school or the war, but they could and were.
“We will need to stop soon. Ron’s probably hungry,” Harry began as Ron agreed. “And I’m tired.”
“Makes sense. I am tired of being in the car,” Hermione replied.
“We can find something at the next exit,” He stated as Ron played with the knobs of the stereo.
“Sounds good,” she said.
“I am hoping for burgers on the next exit,” Ron prayed.
“You really like American fast food,” Harry smiled.
“I’m going to miss it at our next stop,” Ron pretends to wipe a tear.
The three of them shared a laugh as Harry continued down the interstate until they saw the upcoming exit sign.
“Looks like you will have your wish, Ron,” Hermione pointed to the sign.
“Nice!”
“We are headed to the drive-thru now, so list out what you want,” Harry told them.
Once, they listed out that they wanted to him, and got the order from the fast food workers and then they made their way to the hotel. Where Hermione and Harry shared a room, and Ron got his own so that he could get some alone time, and they could get the same.
Laying in bed side by side, Hermione curled into her boyfriend.
“Tomorrow is Christmas,” Harry said.
“It is; how long has it been since we celebrated back in London?” She asked, already knowing the answer.
“Nine wonder year,” he turned to her.
“It is nice not to be cold during the holidays,” she smiled.
“Yeah, I think Ron wants to go swimming,” he laughed.
“He would swim in a puddle if you let him,” she joined in.
“That’s our Ron,” Harry smiled.
Hermione ran her fingers through Harry’s hair, “So, what else is on the agenda for tomorrow?”
“More egg nog,” he grinned.
“Maybe for you and Ron, but I think I’ll pass,” she said.
“Alright,” He chuckled. We are still on our way to Hana Highway, but it should be a smooth ride, and we could find some stops on the way though.
The rest of the night, until they fell asleep, was them talking and cuddling. They never felt better than when they were on the road away from home. At first, it was like they were running away, but now it was as if they were running to a destination with no end. She knew it was hard on Ron at first because of the expectations laid out to him, primarily by his mother. Once they helped him realize that what she wanted of him was not his problem. Harry was done with any expectations that anyone else had of him, which included Ron’s sister. While she just wanted to leave it all behind.
They might show up back home once a year, but never long enough to make an impression or long enough for any family to make an issue of the visit or their life choices. Luckily, they were able to apply for a charm at The Magical Congress of the United States of America to block any incoming owls while they were in the United States. Which came in very handy so that they didn’t have any crazy fan letters or anything about them disappointing Molly.
Soon, it was daybreak, and they were back on the move after getting breakfast from the lobby. They never wanted to stay in one place too long.
“Wake me up when we are either swimming or eating,” Ron yawned from the back seat, closing his eyes, ready for more sleep.
“Will do. Happy Christmas, Ron,” Hermione replied.
“Happy Christmas,” he yawned.
Soon, the car was filled with Ron snoring as he lay in the back seat. Ron really could sleep anywhere, which was helpful with how they traveled.
“Let me know if you want to switch and want me to drive,” Hermione told Harry.
“I will let you know, but you know how I like to drive,” He smiled quickly at her before turning back to the road.
“I know love,” she smiled.
Their lives had been challenging and crazy, but at least right now, it was because the three of them wanted it to be. While, before it was forced on them.
