Alas, I own nothing here as everything belongs to the ingenious JK Rowling.
Chapter Two: Hermione's Quest
The next morning came too quickly. Harry had not gotten much sleep last night because after Hermione and Ron abruptly left him, the entirety of the wizarding world descended upon him. Rita Skeeter clawed her way to his side to try and get a quote for her next article in the Prophet as Sybill Trelawney wailed about how happy she was to have misread his fortune all these years. Romilda Vane had a crazed attempt to get in a position to touch Harry but Ginny, fortunately, pre-empted it and ran Harry out of the Great Hall while Oliver Wood shouted about professional quidditch opportunities he should pursue.
Glancing around his room yawning, it appeared that Ginny had not chosen to spend the night with him, though he was not surprised since this was merely a wishful dream. A different redhead greeted him instead.
"Morning, Harry."
"Ron, why are you up so early? You find it hard to get out of bed before dinner"
"I dunno, I guess I'm just nervous about meeting Hermione's parents."
"Nervous? Ron, you met them back in second year!"
"I know that, but it'll be different now," he said trailing off.
"Huh?"
"You know, because, uh, V-Voldemort is gone."
"You mean because she'll need a different excuse to spend all her holidays at your house?" Harry asked playfully.
"Harry!" Ron yelled, his ears turning crimson as Harry turned to see Hermione standing in the doorway. For a split second he thought he saw shock on her face. Did she hear him horsing around with Ron? She sat down beside him and acted as if nothing happened and Ron looked relieved. Harry sighed. Maybe next time he would make sure Hermione heard, he thought mischievously.
"I think I know where to look for my parents," Hermione began, "I've been doing some research about the country and it seems like Melbourne would most suit their fancy."
"How do you know, Mione?" asked Ron.
"Well, before I started spending all my holidays with you – at your house, rather," Hermione said quickly, "my parents would take me camping or skiing or something recreational. They were quite active. Supposedly, Melbourne is the sporting capital of Australia. It is also very cultural."
"I see," said Harry, "but how will we track them down once there?"
"Well, I made sure that they kept their predilection for orthodontia. We will just need to search the phonebooks for a new dental practice."
"We need to search the what for the WHAT? Ron questioned baffled.
"Phones are how muggles keep in touch voice to voice over long distances and phonebooks list numbers and addresses," Harry explained, "Remember when you tried to call me after first year and just shouted at my Uncle?"
"Oh, but wouldn't it be easier to send them an owl and follow it?"
"Yeah, Hermione what if they are not listed for some reason?"
"Hmm, I had not considered that they might not be listed. An owl could be a good idea, but I don't know if owls can be sent to muggles."
"They can," Harry replied, "Dumbledore sent a letter to my aunt when she was a little girl and then a howler after the dementors attacked me before fifth year."
"Wow, Harry, you knew something Hermione didn't. This really is a new world!"
"Oh Ron," Hermione said rolling her eyes but smiling just the same, "In that case, would you mind if we brought Pig along in case we need him?"
The question reminded Harry that his owl Hedwig, his friend through the unbearable days at the Dursleys, had been killed by Stan Shunpike. He felt awful about the unceremonious send off he gave her and knew he would never have another owl that matched her. The others did not notice as he gave a silent eulogy for her and he wondered when these reminders would stop catching him so off guard.
"Anything you need, Mione. What's mine is yours," said Ron a little too earnestly.
Hermione blushed and strode towards the door.
"I guess we should go now if we're going to stop by the Burrow to get Pig before we leave."
"Wait. How exactly are we getting there? I'm pretty sure none of us can apparate that far," Harry said skeptically.
"Right. No one can apparate that far. That's why I've, well, I've fashioned a portkey for us."
"Hermione, that's illegal!" Ron shouted and then lowered his voice, "I'm impressed."
"Thanks, but it is actually not illegal, strictly speaking. We've been kind of isolated from the news but Kingsley announced that he would be issuing a blanket pardon for any crimes committed before he took office that were done to fight the Dark Lord. He just happened to make this pronouncement before he was confirmed and I was quick to act."
Harry saw that Ron was speechless like himself.
"I doubt the Department of Magical Law Enforcement has so little to do right now that it would prosecute three teenagers for an unauthorized portkey, and if they do I think I can convince them that recovering my parents from hiding was an integral part of defeating Voldemort," she added slyly.
"Blimey, I'm glad to see that Harry and I have finally rubbed off on you."
She beamed.
They exited Gryffindor Tower and made their way to edge of the grounds so that they could apparate to the Burrow. Many students and parents who had not yet left the grounds were similarly heading to depart, but upon seeing their savior tried to vie for his attention. Harry pulled Ron and Hermione into a light run to get away. Behind him, his admirers were headed off by Ernie MacMillan who began to urge them to remain behind to aid in the restoration of Hogwarts. As Head Boy of the previous year, Ernie must have felt it was his sworn duty to round up volunteers. Harry usually found Ernie's self-importance aggravating, but was glad to see it being put to good use while also keeping everyone away from him.
At the gates he came upon Ginny saying goodbye to Luna and Xenophilius Lovegood. Harry drew closer with apprehension. He was not sure what to say to a man that tried to betray him to the Death Eaters. He could almost sympathize with his reason, but still was not sure he could forgive. Xenophilius seemed to anticipate Harry's anger and left his daughter alone to speak with her friends. With an angry glare on his face he turned and tried to smile at Luna who eyed him curiously.
"Wrackspurts, Harry?"
"Wha?"
"Your face looked a little funny. The wrackspurts have been making a lot of people fuzzy lately," she declared.
"Oh, no. I was just thinking"
"Noble task. Good luck!" she said airily.
"Thanks, Luna," responded Harry incredulously as Ron, Hermione and Ginny snickered behind him.
"Father and I are returning home for now. Our house was apparently badly damaged by Death Eaters, so we are going to fix it up before I return to Hogwarts to help here."
Harry recalled that the majority of the damage done to the Lovegood household was definitely caused by one dangerous erumpent horn and not the Death Eaters but decided against correcting Luna.
"Well, good luck to you too."
"Come back soon," Ron said cheerfully as Luna and her father disapparated, "I swear, that girl is the best entertainment."
Ginny then turned and looked at them questioningly.
"Where are you all off to?"
"We're off to retrieve Hermione's parents from Australia," said Ron, "but first we're going to the Burrow to get Pigwidgeon."
"Oh," she said dejectedly and began to walk back towards the castle, "well, be safe."
Harry saw her walking slowly towards the castle and appreciated how she must have felt for the past year, maybe even the past 6 years. Here he, Ron and Hermione were going to go on another adventure and she was left behind because she was underage and not part of the trio. Had she not proven herself time and time again that she was capable of just as much as they were? Didn't Harry want to spend just as much time with her as Ron and Hermione? It was not exactly like this was a particularly dangerous trip.
"Do you want to come with us?" Harry blurted out.
Ginny refaced them and had a hesitant smile.
"Come off it mate, she's underage. No way will mum let her come."
"Ronald, don't patronize Ginny," Hermione countered, "I don't expect this trip to take very long. In fact we might be back before dinner. Mrs. Weasley needn't know."
"I would love to come, but I cannot apparate yet."
"Don't worry, Gin," Harry said reassuringly, "We are only apparating to the Burrow to get Pig. We have to come back here to use the portkey that Hermione set up."
"Portkey?!"
"We'll explain later. Go up and wait in my room for us to get back. Just don't touch the hairbrush. We should be there shortly."
The three stood together and Harry was halfway into a wave when he felt the sqeeze that meant they had gone and moments later they reappeared on the ground in front of the Burrow.
"I hope the ghoul hasn't completely ruined my room" Ron moaned as he ran into the house.
Harry looked around. It was as hard to believe that he had not been to the Burrow since the wedding as it was to believe he had not been at Hogwarts for the past year. He admired the house in all its imperfect glory. How different from the Dursleys' it was, what an escape it had been. The most remarkable thing was that he had not lost it. Voldemort had taken many things from him, but he would always have the Burrow, and the Weasleys, to come back to.
He glanced at Hermione who seemed to be in a similar reverie.
"It's hard to believe that a place as lovely as the Burrow still exists in the world, isn't it Harry. So many things have been taken from us, but it still stands. I'm not sure I've ever felt more at home than I have here."
"Same here, Hermione. Although, you will have your real home again soon enough."
"Yes, you are right, aren't you Harry?" Hermione said but she did not look comforted by the thought.
Ron came bounding back out of the house with a cage containing an excessively animated scoop owl.
"He's really happy about leaving the house, he's been kind of neglected for the past year or so," Ron explained while Hermione frowned reprovingly, "settle down Pigwidgeon or else you'll find yourself splinched!"
With that they returned to the gates of Hogwarts.
"Fly up to Hermione's room," Ron said opening the cage, "I don't want you to get hurt bouncing around as we run up there."
They sprinted across the grounds in order to avoid Harry's ever present fan club. What was he going to do when he was not on the run from one place to another? He would need a new strategy soon to deal with his newfound status, but before he could think of one he and Ron were thrown back after climbing a few stairs leading to the girls' dormitory.
"Ugg…" they groaned in unison.
"Oh, I forgot boys weren't allowed on our halls. I'm surprised the charms held up through the battle," Hermione mused impressed, "I'll go get Gin and Pig and bring the portkey down to the common room since no one is here now."
"Remember, the hover charm is Wingardium Leviosa not Leviosar," Ron called after her.
Hermione and Ginny came down the stairs moments later with Pig fluttering spastically around them. Hermione had to carefully move the hairbrush about so that Pig would not accidentally hit it.
"Any last words before you force an innocent underage witch to use an illegal portkey," Ginny asked with mock solemnity as Ron put Pig into his cage.
"I just want to point out how nice it is not to be the ringleader for once," Harry said grinning at Hermione, "Good luck with the pressure."
"Yeah…well…I…you know..." Hermione stammered.
"Don't listen to Harry," Ron said encouragingly, "he's just giving you a hard time."
"Right… Everyone ready to go? Three…two…one…touch," Hermione commanded.
As Harry laid his index finger on the brush he felt a tug behind his navel. It was much more uncomfortable than it had been when he traveled to the Quidditch World Cup. It must have been due to the much greater distance he reasoned, or perhaps, unlikely as it sounded, Hermione had not completely mastered a charm.
He was thrown down forcefully into a dark alleyway with the others. He withdrew his wand ready for attack but soon realized that they were probably safe from battle unless Australia happened to be a haven for criminals.
"Oh, I forgot to warn you," Hermione cautioned as she pulled out her small beaded handbag, "we'll be walking around amongst muggles. Absolutely no magic, and we'll all need to wear these."
Hermione passed out outfits to everyone and the changed alley with an awkward tension. Harry was dressed as some sort of outdoorsman with boots, beige shorts and green safari shirt. Ginny had a simple white sundress with pale yellow flower patterns. She transfigured her school bag into a matching purse. Hermione wore her normal muggles clothes which consisted of a light purple jumper over a pink t-shirt and white shorts. Ron was admiring himself in his new muggle attire. He somewhat resembled a stereotypical tourist: strap up sandles, cool gray shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. Harry grinned.
"Looking good, buddy."
"You think?" Ron asked unconvinced.
Just then another man dressed similarly to Ron walked by the alley way. Ron seemed to think this indicated that his outfit was stylish and did not complain. They walked out of the alley onto the busy muggle street. Melbourne was much brighter than anywhere in Britain and it took them all a while to get used to the sun.
It was not long until they found an unoccupied phone booth, and Hermione told Harry to walk with Ron and Ginny so that they could explore the muggle world a little while she looked through the phone book. There was a sporting goods store at the end of the block and Harry showed off the soccer gear in the window to Ron explaining the game Dean liked so much but had always mystified Ron.
Pig hooted happily at all the activity around him causing many of the passersbys to stare at them strangely. Ginny was admiring a television in the window of an electronics store when Hermione ran up to them crying out.
"I found them! Well, I found their office. Unfortunately their home is not listed, but I'm sure if we hurry over," she stopped suddenly, "Oh, how could I be so stupid! It's almost 9 hours later here than it is in Britain. They must be home by now."
She threw up her hands in frustration.
"That's why we brought Pig, innit? Let's just release him and follow," Ron suggested.
"Oh, yes, of course," Hermione said snapping out of her funk. "Pig, I need you to find Wendell and Monica Wilkins, or if that is not possible their actual names are Garrison and Lydia Granger."
She let the owl out and put the cage in her handbag where she stored their robes. Pig flitted indecisively toward one way then another for a few minutes until he seemed to decide on the proper direction. The four of them did their best to follow without breaking into a full on sprint. There were a couple of near misses when it came to crossing the street (Ginny had not quite figured out the green equals go concept) and everyone kept accidentally brushing people and having to apologize. Roughly half an hour later they found themselves in the Little Collins Street Precinct at an apartment complex near an establishment called the Hairy Canary.
"Wendell and Monica are on the ledger," Hermione ejaculated, "Apartment 2B. Let's go up. Pig can you wait out here for us?"
Pig gave a delighted hoot and perched himself on one of the trees lining the sidewalk. With a subtle wave of her wand Hermione wordlessly opened the locked entrance and directed the group towards the stairs. When they reached the door, Hermione stopped for a minute. She deliberated with herself for a minute and then exhaled.
"I had to use a powerful confundus charm variant on my parents to ensure they would not remember anything while not actually erasing their memory. When I lift the enchantment they will not immediately be themselves. They may even be angry and irrational. Don't let this behavior shock you."
She cast alohamora on the door and made her way inside, the rest following. The two people sitting on the couch sprang up and screamed.
"Who are you people?"
"Finite Incantatem," Hermione yelled.
For a moment Harry thought something went horribly wrong because Mr. and Mrs. Granger dropped to the floor with a horrible thud, the same thud many of his closest allies gave as they dropped dead when fighting Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Instantly, though, the Grangers began to pick themselves up. They looked disoriented, but when they were able to focus on Hermione they gave weak smiles.
"Honey, what do you mean you have to do this for our own good?" Mrs. Granger asked.
Harry, Ron and Ginny exchanged puzzled looks.
"Their minds need to catch up. They are just now remembering the last thing that happened to them as themselves," Hermione clarified.
"Dear, where did these other three come from," questioned Mr. Granger, "Are those the Potter and Weasley boys you spend all your time with?"
"Yes, Dad, now you two should sit down. It will take you some time to completely regain your memories and I need to explain what happened."
Hermione sat down between her two parents. Garrison Granger was a proud looking man with short, neat black hair and rimless rectangular glasses. He wore a green vest over a white collared shirt and khaki pants. Lydia looked just like Hermione except she had higher cheekbones, layered brown hair with light blond highlights and wore make up. She emphasized her femininity with form fitting black slacks and a white collared shirt unbuttoned three down. They both had dazzling smiles.
As Hermione related to them how she confounded them to hide them from Voldemort, Harry noticed Mrs. Granger reach up a few times to try and fiddle with her daughters hair. Hermione slapped her away each time she did this and Harry thought he heard Mrs. Granger say something about a hair straightener when she gave up. Partway through the conversation her father interrupted.
"You dropped out of school?" he asked disconcertedly.
"Yes, I had to travel with…"
"Travel?" her father cut her off, "Hermione, how could you throw away your education?"
"I didn't. Harry, Ron and I were the only three how could defeat the dark wizard that was taking over Britain! Besides, I couldn't go back to school anyway, they were rounding up muggleborns."
"Don't exaggerate, honey," her mother piped in, "If you didn't want to go back to Hogwarts we could have found you a new school. Weren't you telling us about another when we were in France? Bowbuttons, was it?"
"Beauxbatons, mother, and I'm not exaggerating. If you don't remember, I was the best in my year. Why do you think I'm lying to you?" Hermione asked heatedly.
"Hermione," Ginny interjected, "Calm down. You told us lifting the spell would have this effect. Don't take it personally."
"Listen to your friend, dear," her father advised, "I don't know why we get into these arguments. You always get flustered after you mess up, inevitably because you didn't listen to us, and then try to take out your irritation on us (in front of guests no less). I expect more maturity from you, young lady."
Hermione was incensed. She stomped out of the room. Harry and Ginny remained standing where they were, unsure of how to proceed, but Ron ran after her.
"This is just like the time she up and decided she no longer needed her retainer when she came home from fourth year. Just look at her teeth now," her mother lamented, "Off center, tsk."
Harry noticed that Ginny now looked as if she might have a few choice words for the Grangers. Harry afraid the episode might escalate further grabbed Ginny.
"Umm, we're going to find Hermione," Harry sputtered leading Ginny out of the room.
They walked out of the apartment and saw that Ron was comforting Hermione around the corner by the elevators. Harry was about to call out to them when Ginny covered his mouth and gave him a knowing look.
"We're waiting right here," she stated firmly, "Let Ron take care of this."
It took a few seconds for Harry to understand what Ginny meant by this, but then he grinned back as his consent. They carefully positioned themselves out of sight. If only they had an extendable ear, Harry contemplated, and to his delight saw Ginny pulling one out of her purse.
"Never leave home without one," she smirked.
Harry gave her a quick kiss on the cheek to which she replied with an indiscernible look before chucking the ear down the hall.
"Don't listen to your parents. I'm sure they would never say those things if they weren't confounded and, Merlin knows, you're the only mature one out of us anyways."
"You're right, they never would have said those things, but that's the problem because they always think them. My father doesn't feel there is anything in the world more important than education. He expected me to be Head Girl this past year my entire life. And my mother, she is an intelligent woman but she does not think women can accomplish anything without beauty. She has always been disappointed I don't share her passion for make-up and clothes and fears it'll hold me back."
She sunk down against the wall collapsing into her knees.
"Well, I think you're brilliant and if you haven't noticed, you've been dropping jaws ever since the Yule Ball."
She smiled weakly still staring at her kness.
"Thanks, Ron. I'm sorry I'm so messed up. It's a wonder I've got any friends."
"You've got more than that," Ron said bending down and taking her hand in his.
Hermione looked up startled.
"Err, I mean," Ron stammered looking for something casual to say. When Hermione got to her feet he tried to slip his hand out of hers, but she simply wiped a tear from her eye with her other hand, smiled at him and did not let go.
This chapter has only been slightly revised! I've always wanted to explore Hermione's roots. She has always seemed so insecure to me and while we don't have much of a textual basis for this, I always felt she had an odd relationship with her parents (she spends every holiday at the Burrow, after all, and that can only be somewhat due to Ron's sheer awesomeness). It seemed important to me that since she and Ron are obviously nearing a point where they can have a functional relationship that Hermione learn to be less reliant on the praise of others, especially since Ron has gained more and more depth in the last two books. I considered calling this chapter Hermione's Secret Shame, but Quest seemed better (even though Jo thinks it is a corny word) because it implies that her challenges can be overcome.
I got such wonderful reviews that I felt inspired to finish chapter two as quickly as possible (I hope that's a good way of expressing my gratitude). I just wanted to respond to two people specifically here, though.
lostxatx7thxsea: Thanks! That is probably the biggest compliment I could receive because I am basically trying to write a future as if it were an 8th book. I have nowhere near the skill that Jo does, but she has laid out such a perfect world that I feel as if I can see exactly where the story is going.
WeasleyGirl-ca: Thank you for my longest review! You liked all the scenes that I had the most fun writing and I'm glad you appreciate my Ron. My biggest peeve with most fan fiction is that they write him off as dumb or something, but he is probably my favorite character (though Hermione is good too and that's why they are so great together!)
The funny thing is, I read the interview after I had laid out what would happen in this fanfiction and I had already decided Ron would work with George in the shop before he went off to train to be an Auror. So you'll basically have the best of both worlds…eventually. There is a lot of story to tell before we get there!