Title - Getting Away 7/24
Author - Lena
Pairing - Harry/Ron, Harry/various OC's (slash and het), Ron/OC (slash)
Rating - this chapter - PG-13
Feedback - [email protected]
For warnings, disclaimers, etc. please see chapter 0/24 - msg#11257
Chapter Seven - Thursday/Friday
Harry walked into the entrance of the hotel restaurant to find it deserted. He sighed again, as he looked around for someone to ask. He saw the bartender behind the bar in the corner, so he walked over. Harry said, "Hey, is the restaurant still open?"
The bartender said, "Sorry, no, too late, but you can stay here at the bar and I can rustle you up something."
Harry wasn't quite sure what he had said, but climbed on one of the barstools anyway. "Thanks."
The bartender said, "My name's Frank. What'll you have?"
Harry said, "Well, I actually would just like a cola, if that's okay?"
Frank said, "Sure, no problem." Frank filled a glass with cola, placed it in front of Harry and walked down a hall to the back of the restaurant.
Harry sat and sipped his cola, thinking about his friendship with Ron. Although Ron had never said it, Harry knew Ron wished he wasn't straight. It would make things convenient, since they were such close friends anyway, but Harry didn’t find an interest in guys. Anymore...
Sure, he and Ron had messed around when they were young, but for the most part he had blocked a lot of that out. He loved girls and especially the way they smelled. Harry smiled to himself as he smelled something nice in the air, so he looked up, as a girl walked up to the bar and sat down.
“Hi!” The girl said, as she looked over at Harry.
Harry replied, “Hi! I’m Harry.”
The girl smiled and said, “I’m Darla. Where are you from? You know, your accent...?”
Harry laughed and said, “England. I’m here on vacation. How about you?”
Darla said, “Oh, I’m from here in Miami. Where’s Frank?”
Harry replied, “He went into the back, I think to get me something to eat.”
Darla said, “Really?”
Harry thought she was cute so he said, “But maybe we could get a bite somewhere else? Would you like too?”
Darla looked interested and said, “Oh! Maybe. Like where?”
Harry said, “Oh, I don’t know. Do you know of a place?”
Darla lowered her eyes and said, “Maybe your room?”
Harry sat up straight and looked at her. He thought this girl was pretty aggressive, but hell, he can have just as much fun as Ron and he could prove it, too, so he said, “Well, maybe.” He got off his chair and offered his hand to Darla. She was getting cuter by the minute and appeared around his age. He had forgotten all about the fact he had been hungry for food.
Darla took his hand and they took the elevator up to Harry’s room. He pulled out his key and opened the door. He let Darla go in first. Darla stopped and looked around the room. Harry then saw that the room was a disaster. Harry quickly picked up clothes and said, “Sorry. My mate and I aren't very neat.”
Darla laughed and said, “It’s okay.”
Harry dumped the clothes in the closet and shut the door. He made a move towards Darla to kiss her, but she put her hand on his chest before he could reach her face. She said, “Do have money?”
Harry looked at her confused. He asked, “Do you need money?”
Darla said, “Well, yeah.”
Harry said, “Well, I not sure I know you well enough, but I suppose...” Harry wasn’t sure about this. He felt bad that maybe she only came up here to borrow money and not because she liked him, but if she needed help, he guessed he could give her a little bit.
He pulled out his wallet from his back pocket and handed her a fifty-dollar bill. “Is that enough?”
Darla took it and said, “You’re kind of a cheapskate, but okay.”
Harry looked at her and thought that maybe this was turning into a mistake.
Darla pulled something out of her pocket. It was a cell phone. She flipped it open and pushed the buttons.
Harry said, “Who are you calling?” He was getting a definite creepy feeling about this whole thing.
Darla put her finger up to her mouth to shush him and said into her cell phone, “I need backup.”
She snapped the phone shut and said, “Up against the wall!”
Harry just stared at her and said, “Huh?”
Darla said, “Oh come on, you can’t be that naive?
Harry stood still staring in shock, “Huh?”
Darla said, “I said up against the wall!” Out of another pocket she pulled out a pair of handcuffs and a small gun.
Harry saw the gun and turned and faced the wall. He had no clue as to what he had done. Thoughts were flying threw his mind. Oh my, God! What was happening? Who was this girl? What was going to happen? Where was Ron?
Darla pressed his head against the wall and moved her other hand across his pockets and waistband searching for something. She didn’t find anything of course.
Harry asked in a muffled voice, “Who are you and what have I done?”
Darla said in an exasperated voice, “I am a cop and you are being arrested for soliciting sex.”
Harry yelled, “What?”
Darla said, “You heard me.”
Harry said quickly, “But I just liked you, so I thought...I mean...and you just wanted to borrow money...and...”
Darla said, “I never said I wanted to ‘borrow’ it.”
The door burst open and two officers in uniform had their guns drawn on Harry.
Harry whispered, “Oh, my God.”
Darla then began rattling off a bunch of rights and stuff that Harry barely listened to. He was thinking about how he should’ve gone to the club with Ron and just how much trouble he was in.
Harry was hauled into the elevator by the two uniformed officers and dragged though the lobby. He was happy the hotel lobby was deserted at this late hour. There was a car with flashing lights on the top of it just outside the hotel door. Darla opened the door of the back of the car and the two officers dumped Harry in the backseat. Harry tried to sit up correctly, but it was difficult, as his hands were handcuffed behind his back.
There was a barrier between him and the front seat that reminder him of his cousin Dudley and a zoo. The officers got into the front seat. He didn’t see where Darla had gone. He asked, “Where are we going?”
The officer in the passenger seat turned and said, “To the police station.” The officer turned back to his paperwork. They had taken Harry’s passport and all his money and things out of his pockets.
Harry leaned his head back in disbelief at what was happening to him.
When they reached the police station, Harry stayed where he was, until the two officers opened the back doors for him. They helped him out and led him into the station. Harry noticed a man with a video camera in the parking lot, surrounded by other people. He saw that Darla was walking up the steps into the building ahead of them, so he figured she must have taken another car. There were lots of people milling about. Police officers and people in regular clothes, which Harry wasn’t sure whether they were criminals or not.
The two officers led Harry down a hallway to a cell filled with other men. Harry was petrified at this point. The only jail he had any knowledge about was Azkaban and that was not a comforting thought. One officer leaned Harry up against the wall, to unlock his handcuffs, then the other officer opened the barred door and pushed Harry inside. Everyone turned and stared at the newcomer.
Harry stuffed his hands in his jean pockets and turned back towards the bars of the cell. He wondered when and if he was ever going to out. Harry realized that he never should have worried about Ron getting him in trouble, he was very capable of doing that himself. He sat down on the floor and leaned up against the cell door. It wasn't very comfortable but he didn't want to sit near the other people.
He could feel the other men staring at him and he didn't like it. He looked up once and caught the eye of a guy in one of the corners. The fellow gave him a slight smile and got up and walked over. Harry noticed everyone one in the room watch the guy walk across the room. Harry shivered a little in nervousness, but looked up at him. The guy sat down next to Harry, not too close.
The guy said, "You don't belong here."
Harry turned to look at him. "How'd you know that?"
The guy said, "'Cause I don't either. I'm waiting for my employer to come get me. My name's Ryan, by the way."
Harry said, "My name's Harry. What did you do?"
Ryan said, "Proposition a prostitute. You?"
Harry said, "Uh, I guess the same. But she tricked me. I didn't mean to."
Ryan laughed and said, "Yeah, right...where're you from?"
Harry said, "England. I'm here on vacation. Although it hasn't been all that much fun so far."
Ryan laughed again. "I'll bet."
Harry said, "How are you supposed to let people know you're in here? Do they ever let you out?"
"They'll let you call someone eventually."
Harry pondered. "Oh. You said your employer is picking you up?"
Ryan said, "Yeah, I guess though this means I have to come out and that's gonna cause problems."
Harry cocked his head at Ryan questioningly. "What do you mean?"
Ryan whispered, "You propositioned a girl, right?"
"Well..."
"Right?" Ryan persisted.
"Yeah."
Ryan continued whispering, "Well, I propositioned a guy and I'm a ballplayer."
Harry said, "Quid...I mean, football?"
Ryan said, "Soccer? No. Baseball. I'm a baseball player."
Harry said, "Is there something wrong with that?"
Ryan snorted, sounding a bit like Ron, Harry thought. "Boy, you are from out of town."
Ryan continued, "If I still have a job tomorrow, would you like tickets to a game this weekend? You know, since you are on vacation...have you seen baseball before?"
Harry hesitated then said, "No, I haven't. Why are you being nice to me?"
"Because I can tell you're a nice guy and you deserve a good vacation and what better person to first come out of the closet to than someone who doesn't know I'm a famous baseball player." For a moment, Harry noticed, Ryan looked really sad.
Harry smiled and said, "I would like tickets. Could I have two?"
Ryan said, "Sure!"
At that moment, an officer came to the door and said, "Potter, you can make your phone call. Robinson, we have to move you to the lobby, until Cornell gets here."
Ryan said, "Shit, Cornell's coming for me? I don't want to be in the lobby. Is the press out there?"
The officer said, "No. They're out in the parking lot. We're not letting them in. Come on. You too, Potter."
Harry and Ryan both got up. Ryan leaned over and said, "I'll leave tickets for you at the will-call for Sunday's game."
"Thanks!" Harry and Ryan walked down the hallway. Harry thought how much Ron would really like Ryan and he smiled to himself.
Harry stood in front of the phone, wondering whom to call. He was not, under any circumstances, calling Hermione's parents. That would put Hermione and the Weasleys in a state of utter panic.
He looked at the clock and saw it was two in the morning. He wasn't all that sure Ron would be back at the hotel yet, but he thought he would give it a try. He called the hotel number and got the front desk. He asked for their room number. The phone rang numerous times. Harry sighed. He turned to the officer and said, "My mate isn't home. Can I try again later?"
The officer grunted something like a 'yes'. Harry wasn't sure what he was supposed to do at that point. Then the officer called out, "Reilly! Potter needs to be booked. Take care of it!"
"Yes, Cap!" An officer led Harry down the hallway again, but instead of the cell again, they went into a small room. Harry felt himself panic again as he was fingerprinted, had a photo taken and signed all kinds of paperwork he really didn't understand. The officer said that he could be bailed out, but he didn't quite have enough money.
Harry said, "Yeah, I tried to call my friend, but he's not home yet."
The officer said, "Okay, we'll give you another chance later." The officer led Harry back to the cell.
Harry balked a little when they got to the door. Harry asked, "Do I really have to go back in there? Can't I go sit in the lobby with Ryan?"
"What? Are you a fan of his or something?"
"No, I just don't like it in there."
"Join the club." He unlocked the door and gestured Harry to go in. Harry sighed and walked in. He leaned up against the wall.
About an hour later, Harry was sitting on the floor with his head leaning up against the wall asleep. He jerked awake when someone screamed at him. "Potter!! You want to try that phone call again or what?"
Harry quickly got up and stood to face the officer. The officer let him out of the cell and they walked down the hallway. Harry sort of stumbled because he was so tired. It had been another very long day.
He called the hotel again and again asked for his room number. The phone in the room rang five times before Ron picked up. "Hello..." Harry could tell Ron was really sleepy. That meant he was going to be cranky.
"Uh, Ron?"
"Yeah..."
"Could you come pick me up?"
"What?" Ron yawned loudly into the phone.
"Come pick me up...and bring some money."
"Where are you?"
Harry whispered, though he didn't know why, "Jail."
That woke Ron up. "Jail! Bloody hell!" Ron screamed into the phone.
"Yes."
"Why? What happened? What did you do?"
Harry gritted his teeth. He just wanted out of this place. "Can't I explain it later? Can you just bring some money and get me out of here?"
"Okay, okay, where are you?"
Harry looked at the officer and asked, "Where do I tell my friend to come pick me up?"
The officer didn't look up as he said, "Just have him take a taxi to the 2nd District Police Station."
Harry said, "Thanks. Ron-"
"I heard him. I'm on my way."
"Thanks, Mate."
"Yeah." Ron hung up first and Harry stood there for a moment with the phone in his hand.
The officer looked up at him and said, "You gonna have bail money?"
"Yeah, my friend is on his way." Harry knew his face showed utter relief.
Harry put down the phone and looked around the lobby. He didn't see Ryan anywhere. He guessed his boss had picked him up. He turned back to the officer and asked, "Can I please stay out here, until my friend comes, now that I know he is? Please?"
The officer sighed and said, "What are you in here for?" He shuffled paperwork in front of him. Harry started to speak, but then the officer said, "Oh, here, Potter, solicitation. Yeah, okay, have a seat..." The officer poked Harry in the chest with his pen. "But you better stay here!"
Harry nodded his head. "Oh yes, of course." The officer waved him away and Harry went to sit on a bench by the door. He was glad that Ron wasn't going to have to see him walking from a cell.
Twenty minutes later, Ron walked through the door. He immediately saw Harry. "Mate, what is going on?"
Harry shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Long story. Just let's go over here." They walked to the counter where the officer was and Harry said, "Officer, my friend is here. I'd like to bail out now."
The officer pulled out paperwork and an envelope with Harry's things in it. Harry signed more papers and watched as Ron pulled out money from his pocket. Harry knew they were going to have to call Hermione to have her wire them more money. Harry was not going to tell her what they had done with all their money. Just let her think they were spending too much, Harry decided.
Finally Ron and Harry walked through the door of the police station and back into the taxi that Ron had waiting for them. They jumped in the backseat and went back to the hotel. While riding back, Harry kept looking at the paperwork about how he needed to go to court next Wednesday. He hoped that would go smoothly.
Once Harry and Ron got back into their room, Ron wheeled on Harry. "Okay, what happened?"
Harry said simply, "I should have gone with you."
Ron smiled and said, "Well, of course, so do you promise to go out with me tomorrow night?"
Harry said, "Absolutely!"
Ron said, "Great! Now, what happened?"
So Harry told Ron a shorten version of the story of the cute girl who turned out to be a cop.
After that Ron told Harry of his adventures of the night. It seemed he had an odd evening as well. "So, we went out to this club and some acquaintances of Paul's were playing in a band called 'Razor's Edge' and the lead singer had a sore throat and couldn’t sing. One of the band member’s comes up to Paul and asks him if he knows someone who can sing. Paul points at me!”
Harry said, “How did Paul know you could sing?”
Ron stammered, “Uh, uh, well, I guess I took a shower over at his house once.”
Harry smirked and said, “Really?”
Ron said, “Never mind. So, I say I don’t know any words to anything. And they say, oh, of course you do, you know the current stuff, don’t you?”
Harry said, “Yeah, but you don’t know anything after that!” Ron and Harry had started to pay attention to Muggle music in the last few years, but before that their knowledge had been limited.
Ron said, “I said, not really. Of course they look at me like I’m mental.”
Harry said, “What did you say?”
“That I grew up in the middle of nowhere and had led a sheltered life. Well, that was true!”
“Yeah.”
Ron continued, “So, anyway, no go. Paul pulls me up out of my chair and says, you know songs and pushes me to behind the stage. They start throwing names of songs at me and I told them which ones I know, which was like, two or three. They said, that’s okay because I guess one of the guitarists had a decent voice and he was going to sing some too.”
Harry said, “You’re kidding! I would have loved to see that!”
Ron screeched, “Harry!”
Harry said, “Well, I would!”
Ron sighed in exasperation. “Well, so I did it. I got up there and sang. I was a wreck, but they thought I did fine and get this...they want me to sing with them again in a week!”
Harry said, “Hang on. They what?”
Ron repeated himself, “They want me to sing with them again in a week!”
Harry grinned and said, “That’s cool, Ron!”
Ron said, “Oh, I guess it’s kind of exciting, but it was horrible, too. All those people staring at me, hearing my own voice booming out ...ugh...and they gave me songs to learn, too.” Ron scowled at the thought of getting up in front of people again.
Harry laughed, but was pleased for him. They were both exhausted from their adventures and fell asleep soon after talking themselves out.