Title - Getting Away 1/24

Author - Lena

Pairing - Harry/Ron, Harry/various OC's (slash and het), Ron/OC (slash)

Rating - this chapter - G

Feedback - [email protected]

For warnings, disclaimers, etc. please see chapter 0/24 - msg#11257

Chapter One - Making Decisions

Ron Weasley had been badgering Harry Potter, his best mate, to go on vacation for quite some time. Ron and Harry had been out of school and working for a few years, without a real break. They missed their summers when they had them off from school.

Ron worked for his father at the Ministry of Magic, in the Department of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts. Harry was in training as an Auror. They had taken care of Voldemort in the seventh year at Hogwarts. It had been a tough time, but made it though and hopefully had the rest of their lives to look forward to.

Ron had become more interested in things Muggle, so had been trying to get Harry to agree that when they did go on vacation, they would go the Muggle way. Ron wanted to fly on a plane, ride in cars, and do other things that were a bit different. He liked his job well enough, but he wanted to see more of the world. Harry had the feeling that if Ron had the chance, he'd find something else to do for a living.

Harry, after Voldemort, was happy to just stay in his small little world of training with his friends and living with the Weasleys. Harry didn't really want to go, but he and Ron's friendship had been changing a little in the last few years. They had very separate interests and seemed to be moving in different directions. He, though, wanting to make Ron happy and feeling they probably wouldn't be going on vacation together again, finally agreed to go with Ron and the Muggle way.

Harry and Ron were staring at a map, trying to figure out where to go. Ron wanted to go to the United States, which made Harry more apprehensive.

"Maybe if I just throw one of Fred and George's flaming darts at the map, I'll be able to decide..." Ron said. “California would be fun or New York would be fascinating!”

Harry was getting frustrated. He figured nothing good was going to come of this. Ron was sure they were going to have the time of their lives. Harry was leaving it up the Ron to make a decision, but if he didn't make a choice soon...

"Ron, please make a decision!"

"Okay!!" Ron closed his eyes and pointed to the map of the United States. His finger landed in the Atlantic Ocean. Harry rolled his eyes.

Harry said, "Ron, don't open your eyes, just move your finger to the left a little and you will hit land and THAT is where we're going!"

Ron moved his finger to the left and open his eyes. He looked down and saw his finger was in Southern Florida. Closest big city - Miami.

"Okay!" Ron said gleefully.

Harry said, "What's exciting about Florida?"

Ron said, "Beaches, sun, big city...this will be great!"

Harry said, "Oh."

Ron said, "Harry, this will be fun. I promise!"

Harry wasn't so sure, but he was going nonetheless.