Day 1:
In the seven almost eight years of knowing the parallel existing Magical World, Hermione Granger had learned an important lesson, expect the unexpected. She never expected there would be something that could defy laws of Physics but that went all into the trash-can when she saw a stern looking woman, in rather old-fashioned attire levitate her precious books and turn them into butterflies. She turned them back into books when she had seen her expression, which was surely like she would have cried.
Now, being well-versed in magic and tending to delve further in Magical Theory. She was surprised that many laws of Physics are followed. Maybe, not the classical Physics, but modern Physics did explain some of the things. But Muggles er, some muggles were arrogant that way, according to them Magic does not exists. There is a scientific reason behind everything. There must be, and that was Hermione's mission to combine Magical Theory and Muggle Sciences, create new spells and maybe finally peace between the Magical and non-Magical folk?
She sighed and shook her head; this was supposed to be a holiday. She must not think about things like work and studies on a holiday but she always did. She loved to think and most of the times she over-thinks. Which gets kind of scary and tiring because she imagines so many aspects, parallel universes of a situation (not all positive) that it hurts her head.
"Hermione you are doing it again." Luna said, in her dreamy voice.
"What?" Hermione jumped, in her seat on the train, which was supposed to take them to her parents' place from where they would rent a car and drive to the NSW National Park, a three hour drive. But the idea of road trip was oddly exciting to Hermione. She felt like a girl from the chick-flick movie.
"Over-thinking, I can almost hear the Wrackspurts turning the wheels of your brain." Luna said, "Or neuro-transmission if you prefer."
Hermione smiled at her friend, Luna had always shown interest in creatures. But she was well-endowed in subject Biology. During the time when they were helping in reconstruction of Hogwarts, Hermione and Luna had grown close and Luna had confessed that she had read Muggle biology text-books just to find if the creatures she mentioned existed in Muggle world.
Hermione was surprised at the knowledge the blonde possessed about creatures, Muggle as well as Magical. She had once under-estimated the girl but after actually knowing her, she felt small.
"I am sorry, Luna, just can't help it." Hermione apologized.
"You don't need to apologize, Hermione. Just relax and try and have fun." Ginny answered on behalf of Luna.
"Yeah, you forget about the dead-lines and problems for a while." Hannah jumped in.
"Yep, let's talk about something else, something interesting." Susan smiled.
"Hmm..." Ginny pretended to think and then said, "Seeing as five of us are gorgeous and single... Why not talk about boys?" She proposed.
Hannah and Susan nodded, while Hermione shrugged, not really comfortable with the topic. Luna just looked up from her Quibbler but said nothing.
Ginny took it as affirmative and asked, "Okay who has eyes on who?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Real subtle, Ginny, really subtle."
"Okay, fine... Just say the top 5 hot guys of school, not date-able guys of school." Ginny amended.
"Um... fifth would be Ernie, fourth would be Zacharias, third Ron, second Neville and first Harry." Hannah said after a moment of silence.
"Harry?" Ginny asked, with a raised eyebrow.
Hermione looked at her closely; there was no hint of jealousy in her voice or stature.
"Yeah..." Hannah said, awkwardly, "I mean he is so sweet all the time and gets so silly when he has a crush on a girl. Like that pumpkin juice incident with Cho and the way he used to steal glances at you all through Sixth Year, a really dedicated guy, that one."
Ginny laughed, "That he is... and he is single, too."
"You won't mind?" Hannah asked.
"No I wouldn't." Ginny answered with a smiled, "Okay, Susan?"
"I dunno... I like Michael, so he will be fifth, I have dated Zach so he won't be on the list, he is date-able and all but really not my kind of guy. I like Fred and George Weasley tie for Fourth position, just because they are not in our year and not a part of school, technically. Then, third will be Dean but he is dating Parvati and second will be Ron, first is a tie between Harry and Neville. They are both the sweetest guys I know." Susan said.
"Hmm... fair enough." Hermione mumbled.
"I can't believe I forgot the twins, they are so hot!" Hannah squealed.
"Ugh, they are my brothers." Ginny grumbled.
"Sucks to be you." Susan and Hannah said simultaneously and laughed.
"Ginny?" Luna asked, "What about you?"
"No Weasleys on my list, I assure you. Mine would be, Dean on the fifth, I really would not mind going back there, you know, without my mind thinking about Harry half the time. I felt so guilty by the end of the day; it was like I was mentally cheating on him."
"Aw... Gin!" Hermione said, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder, "It is alright, you loved him, back then."
"I still love him, Hermione but nothing more than a friend. I am glad that we tried being in a relationship, though. Otherwise, I never would have been able to move on." Ginny said with a smile.
"On with the list then." Hannah chuckled, trying to cheer up her friend.
"I would add Seamus but he is a prat most of the times. Actually, I think he is in love with Lavender. Now then, fourth, right?" Ginny asked, twirling the loose tendril of her long red pony-tail, "Colin? Then, Wayne Hopkins, second would be Anthony Goldstein and first, Neville."
"Oohh... Neville's in demand." Luna chuckled, "Don't worry, we agreed to be really good friends."
"Thanks for your blessings Luna." Ginny smirked, "Your top five?"
"Hmm... Actually only one." Luna said with a smile.
"Who?" Susan, Hannah and Ginny asked in unison.
"I met him before starting of Hogwarts when Dad and I went for the annual trip." Luna said, dreamily, "Hermione knows him."
"Yeah..." Hermione smirked, "Really nice guy, Rolf."
"Wait, why do we get to know about this now?" Ginny asked.
"Just because." Luna shrugged, looking shifty. Hermione on the other hand, smirked even wider.
"Tell!" Hannah insisted.
"He said he will be in Australia with some friends around this time." Luna blushed.
"Really? Any chance we might run into him?" Hannah asked.
"I hope so." Luna replied, shyly.
"Ooh, you are so sweet!" Susan exclaimed, hugging the blonde girl.
"Wait, weren't you dating Neville back then?" Ginny asked.
"Yes, I was and Rolf knew I had a boyfriend. We are just friends... for now." She added conspirationally.
The girls smiled fondly and nudged Luna, teasing her.
"Enough about me... Hermione?" Luna asked.
"Uhmm, Twins on Fifth, Ernie... fourth, Justin third, Anthony second and Neville first. No, please no comments on this." Hermione said, as though reciting an answer from a textbook.
"What's up with Twins? So many girls like them." Ginny grumbled.
"You are their sister, you won't understand." Susan dismissed, primly and everyone laughed.
"What are the boys doing for holidays, anyways?" Hannah asked.
"Staying at Hogwarts, they were not discussing any plans in front of me." Ginny said.
"Do they know what we are doing?" Susan asked.
"No. They don't, I suppose so." Ginny said, vaguely, "They know we are going somewhere because of Ron, but don't know exactly where."
They continued to chatter idly throughout the ride, until the train finally screeched to a stop on their destination.
"Come on." Hermione said with a smile. She was glad she could meet her parents.
No one except Ginny had met Hermione's parents. Hermione, herself had been a bit intimidating to the other girls, with her prim know-it-all nature and abrupt deductions, add to it the fact that she was Harry Potter's best friend. Meeting, her parents (who did something with teeth) would be interesting.
Hermione jumped off the train and looked around the crowd on the platform; her gaze met two familiar faces and felt a genuine smile spread on her face.
The four girls saw with awe as Hermione Granger jumped and ran towards a couple probably in their forties and hugged them.
Hermione was an exact replica of her mother, except for her eyes, which were chocolate brown like her father's. Other than that Hermione had gained her mother's stature.
"Mum, Dad! I missed you so much!" Hermione said with a smile.
"We missed you, too, sweety." Mr. Granger said, mirroring Hermione's smile.
"How are you?" Mrs. Granger asked.
And just like that the conversation fell into introductions and enquiry of well-being. The banter continued until they reached the Grangers' or as now they were known Wilkins' Residence.
Hermione was glad that her parents were well adjusted in their new lives. The occupation of photographers suited them well. They were more relaxed then their dentistry practice and seemed to enjoy their job and were really good at it.
Hermione and her friends had lunch with Mr. and Mrs. Granger and with the rented sedan, made their way towards the National Park.
Till the time they had finished all the formalities and reached their cottage, it was late in the evening and they decided they should retire for the day.
Not knowing what was awaiting for them tomorrow.