Disclaimer: All characters belong to JK Rowling. No infringement intended.
Chapter three
Parkins Valley
He could feel the wet grass compress on his bare feet with each step. The cloudless sky, absolutely clean, the tone of a turquoise blue and the sun shone like never before. For some reason, he ran with a smile on his face and occasionally stopped to breathe, it was when he stretched out his hand and another hand, soft, gently touched him. Harry looked up and there she was, Hermione, he saw her hair flying and then she approached, slowly sliding the tip of her nose on his face. Harry realized that he had never felt such happiness in life, it was so vivid and spontaneous and all he could feel at that moment was tenderness, respect and love for that woman. Hermione stopped when she saw another man coming from afar, approaching them. Harry frowned and when he was able to visualize the shape of the man, his head knotted. It was another Harry. "Wake up!" - he said, and everything turned into a wheeze.
Harry jumped. He woke up so scared that he almost fell awkwardly on the floor, his thoughts weren't yet fully in place, he wished never awakened from that dream and now his chest really hurt, the reality was hard to be seen.
"Damn!" - he cried.
Harry got out of bed and began to search desperately for a pair of pants, socks, shirt, anything, repeating endlessly, "Damn, damn... shit! Sirius will kill me." A few weeks ago, Harry had promised to Sirius that he would be present at the meeting of the Aurors in their office, to discuss and identify new locations of Aurors in some towns and villages. Now, all he could think of were the expressions of dissatisfaction and disapproval of the Aurors at the time he arrived late for the meeting. He dressed quickly, putting the first coat he saw in the closet and ran down the stairs. Ginny was sitting at the table, drinking coffee and making some notes in an old notebook, when she saw Harry, frantic, walking around the room.
"Have you seen my briefcase?" - he said turning to Ginny, hopefully.
"You mean that briefcase?" - Ginny pointed to a corner of the room and continued, "Something happened? You don't want to eat your breakfast before work? "
"I would like, but I'm late for the meeting that I told you, the Auror thing... Sirius will kill me." - Harry ran to the corner of the room and grabbed his briefcase and he was about to say goodbye, but Ginny told before.
"You really shouldn't worry about that sort of thing, honey. You are the Minister, I'm sure they will understand your delay."
"Yes, I am the Minister, but that doesn't give me the right to not fulfill my commitments..." - Harry was impatient and added, "...see you later, sweetie."
His haste was such that he had no sympathy to wait for a response from her. He walked quickly to the fireplace, catching a bit of Floo Powder into a container and minutes later was transported to the Ministry. He was shocked to realize that he wasn't transported straight to his office, "What the hell?" he murmured, wrinkling his forehead. Harry walked quickly between the many people coming and going in different directions, the ones who realized that it was the Minister himself, greeted him, as Harry just nodded quickly. He was late and suddenly felt a wave of irritation, not only because of his delay, but also with Ginny's behavior in that morning, and especially the disappointment of waking up and realizing that it was nothing more than a beautiful dream, which every day he longed to become reality. As Harry had predicted, he came late to the meeting. After a few sermons of Sirius, Dean, Anna and the rest of the people present, they plunged into a long conversation. Elite Wizards were also present at the meeting and they presented to Harry, the new crime rates in some regions, the Aurors on the other hand, discussed possible signs that some witches were practicing black magic and Harry immediately ordered that these witches were monitored over a period to certify. The meeting lasted long enough for Harry began to feel twinges of pain in his head, which was strange because he loved to participate in anything related to the Aurors. Harry rushed out of the room, worried that Sirius pulled some conversation about their last talk. Harry went straight to the elevator, he just wanted to get in his office, he wanted the silence, but before the bars of the elevator shut, Harry saw Aberle Brown, his assistant, entering in the elevator too, with the always same fumbling expression.
Among all the people who applied for the position of Minister's assistant, Harry chose Aberle for the simple fact that he felt that Aberle was someone he could trust and over time, Harry began to nurture a great affection for him. Aberle was totally confused, wore glasses, which he constantly pressed on his face, his hair was greasy and messy and he had a large scar that ran from his chin to the neck, the result of a duel. Harry doesn't knew if it was for admiration or respect, but Aberle was always nervous in his presence, stuttered and had a jitter in his right hand. At that particular moment, Aberle was carrying a stack of paper on top of a book in one hand and in the other, a quill.
"S-sir... Harry, I... Minister. I was looking for you "- he pressed his glasses on his face.
"Oh, thank God you're here, I need to talk to you." - Harry sighed in relief - "What happened to the fireplace in my office? Today I had to come through the Atrium."
"Well, sir..." - Aberle gave a discordant look at Harry, "You asked me to block your fireplace last week."
"I asked?" - Harry searched briefly in his memory the image of him asking such favor, "I don't remember."
"Sorry about that, Sir, but you really asked me. Anna was in your office when you gave me the order."
"Well, let it be! Just unlock it now, please, and Ab, how many times I have to say that you can call me Harry, huh? "- Harry said, giving an encouraging smile, "How's Martha? And Julia? "
"Oh Sir-Harry..." - he fixed it awkwardly, "...they are fantastic. Martha is a bit sad, of course... Julia goes to Hogwarts soon and she isn't used to being alone at home."
Harry smiled. For a brief moment he remembered the first time he walked into the Hogwarts Express, the first time he'd seen the castle of the school so loved by him.
"Well, but we have important matters to discuss." - Aberle stirred the pile of papers and put one on top. When the elevator stopped and the door opened, Harry came out first and started to walk toward his office, Aberle was following him.
"Please tell me there isn't another meeting, I ..."
"No, not at all." - Aberle interrupted him, "It's about Parkins Valley."
"Parkins Valley?" - Harry asked as he entered his office, he seemed to remember something, the name wasn't strange. "This isn't that city... of the singer and the band, what's the name?" - He snapped his fingers as he asked, frowning.
"Braxton Hall! Yes, it's his hometown, the name's band is 'The Merpeople'."
"THIS!" - said Harry. "Hermione loves this band, though I think the name a little stupid, don't you think? 'The Merpeople'..." - he said with a cynical tone, "Bad memories."
"Certainly, Harry!" - Aberle nodded.
"But proceed... Parkins Valley?" - Harry threw his bag over the chair and then shored himself in the desk, crossing his arms.
"It's the city's anniversary! And it will happen a festival and they... "
"Oh No! Tell me this isn't about a homage."
"It's a tribute, well, it's kinda... they just want your presence there. For years they are trying make you attend the city's anniversary. Parkins Valley is a safe city because of you. "
"It's what everyone says about every city." - Harry raised his eyebrows.
"What do you say? It's just three days, I need to give the answer today."
"Three days?" - Harry wasn't expecting that.
Aberle scowled for Harry's reaction.
"Well..." - when Harry stopped to think about the invitation, he saw an escape from everything that he had been experiencing in recent weeks, he would be away from home and his plan was to put his ideas in the right place, finally deciding what was best for him, for everyone. "...ok. You can confirm! Just tell me, I can take someone?"
"Of course! I will immediately inform them! "- Aberle seemed scribbling the paper several times. "I'll..." - he turned around, lost in his notes and when he opened the door, stumbled with Hermione.
"Forgive me." - he said awkwardly.
"Oh, it was nothing, Aberle." - Hermione smiled and when Aberle left, she closed the door, turned to Harry, who was waving his face in a negative way.
"What are you doing here?" - he asked.
"What do you mean? In your office? "- she asked, frowning worriedly.
"WORKING!"
Hermione sighed.
"Harry, you didn't expect me to be planted in my house all this time, didn't you? I want to do something!"- Hermione walked over to Harry's desk and poured the papers she was holding until then and started to divide into two small piles.
Harry understood her, if this happened to him, he also would want to occupy his mind like he did when she was away for her honeymoon.
"But hey, these here are the official documents of the Music and Variety Festival, permissions for the bands and tents and small adjustments, you need to sign all..." - she said, pointing to the first pile - "...these and these are the boundaries of the terrain that we choose, you know, where will be permitted apparate and disapparate. We don't want people coming and going in the middle of the event, right? And there's something about the anti-Muggle spell. "
"You didn't needed bring this to me. Am I right?" - Harry looked at her suspiciously.
"Well... no! But I wanted to come here to see you. "- she smiled, putting her hair behind her ear.
"Good."
Harry smiled quickly, it was good to know that she wanted to see him, he slid his eyes over the pages, passing them between his fingers and then, stretched until he reached his quill on the table, dipped the quill in ink and started to sign the papers.
"You not going to read?" - she bickered him, playfully.
"I trust you!"- Harry looked up for a moment and smiled at her, then returned to sign the papers.
There was a silence after this, Harry was still signed the papers, he wanted to start some conversation, ask her if everything was okay, but he already knew her answer. He finished with the papers and placed them in a single stack, "Done!" - He muttered. And before he could think straight about it, before Hermione was out the door, he let out.
"Hey, you know Parkins Valley?"
"Of course, Braxton Hall is from there. You know I love him and his band too! "- Hermione made a face of a teenager in love.
"Yes, I know! I'll go there this weekend, I think I'll stay there, hmm... three days... is the city's anniversary and I am honored guest."- he said, faking a cocky pose.
"This is great! Oh my God, I'm jealous, Harry. He will be there? You will meet him?" - Hermione approached him, curious.
"Probably" - he tried not to laugh at Hermione's excitement. "That's why ... I want that you go with me."
It was strange, but Harry's heart pounded fast, it seemed like he had just finished ask Hermione to marry him or something like that.
"Oh Harry, that would be great, but..." - she said, sounding discouraged, "I don't know... and Ginny? You already asked her?"
"Of course, I thought of her first..." - Harry lied - " ...but she probably will not want to go when she find out about the three days, especially now that she is so penetrated with this book, then I thought of you."
Hermione was really undecided, it would be wonderful to travel anywhere at this point, forget about the work and forget all the things that were bothering her lately and moreover, she could meet Braxton in person and it was a travel with Harry. Hermione frowned as she thought of an answer, while Harry struggled internally with a stomach ache, because of anxiety for her response.
"What do you say?" - he asked, impatiently.
"Okay, fine. I go! But what if Ginny wants to go? "
"If this happens, let's pretend..."
"This conversation never happened, right?" - Hermione completed.
Harry nodded sadly, but he felt that Ginny wouldn't want to go, at least it was what he wanted most. Anyway, if Ginny say 'yes', she would mess up Harry's plan, who wanted to apply the advice of his godfather. When he stopped rambling, Hermione was already at the door, ready to leave, but she turned to Harry before that.
"I was joking, your know right? You are a great Minister."
"I know."
And then she left.
Harry remained thoughtful in his office, he felt burning in his chest a twinge of hope that Ginny would refuse his request to join him. He even considered to tell her that, on impulse, he asked Hermione and now he was embarrassed to withdraw the invitation, but he knew that Ginny would be upset and worse than that, she would begin to expound the theory that Harry heard all these years, that Hermione was always his first choice. However, she stopped when Harry said gruffly that if this was true, he would have married her, and now he wondered what he was doing when he not married her indeed.
Aberle entered the room, disrupting all his thoughts at the moment and said that the Department of Magical Transportation, more precisely, the Regulatory Commission of the Floo Network, needed of his presence. Harry was accompanied by his assistant to the Department and thus, he spent the rest of his day, being called from here to there, returning to his office from time to time, passing in front of the Hermione's office surreptitiously, until his day in the Ministry end and he could go home.
Harry was startled when he stepped in the house, he saw Ginny lying on the couch, very pale and with a awful face, she saw him arrive by the fireplace, stood up and called him to lie down beside her. She snuggled on Harry's chest and then began stroking it slowly. Harry wasn't feeling comfortable and now, he had no idea how he would enter the subject of Parkins Valley since Gina seemed to be sick.
"What happened to you? Are you okay? "- Harry asked, trying to look at her.
"Calm down..." - she smiled as if she was mocking about his concern - "...it's alright. I'm just tired, I'm working too hard during these days, I hardly have time for anything but well... you know it."
"Yes, I know! But I gave up making you quit, you don't hear me. You need rest. "- he said, coldly.
"I'll rest... and don't talk to me like that."- she said, now turning to him and making a sad face.
"Sorry darling, but I don't want to see you sick..." - Harry sighed - "And speaking of work, how is your book?"
"Everything is running perfectly well. That library is really amazing, frightening, but beautiful. Yesterday I found a book on the history of Quidditch best keepers who ever lived, exclusive stories."- she had excited - "Ron would love to read, but unfortunately I can't remove the books from there." - she made a grimace of dissatisfaction.
"We both know that Ron may be a fan of Quidditch, but reading... and you know it's not my fault."- he replied.
"Yeah, yeah! Hmm and your work? How was today? "
Harry thought "this is the moment", he would have to tell Ginny about the homage and hope that a miracle happened.
"Very glad you asked, I have news to tell"
"What news? I love news, tell, tell me everything." - Ginny got up from Harry's chest and sat, staring at him curiously.
"This weekend, Parkins Valley will celebrate its birthday and I am a guest of honor."
"Parkins Valley? That is fantastic. I always wanted to go there. When we leave?" - she asked excitedly.
He could feel the despair filling every part of his body. Deep down, Harry knew that Ginny would want to accompany him, she always loved all the homages he received, but he wanted to believe that this time, something, someone, would intercede for him and his wish would be met
"I knew you'd love! So get your bags. We'll have three long days... "- he said, getting up to sit next to her.
"Wow, wow... three days?" - she asked astonished - "No, no, no... three days... this is impossible, Harry. Three days are several hours lost, I can't leave my project right now! You going alone, I'm sure you will be gorgeous as always."
"Ginny..." - Harry struggled to pretend that he was disappointed - "But I don't want go alone."
"Unfortunately I can't go, honey. You know how much I like these events, but there's nothing I can do... look, talk to Sirius or Neville, I'm sure they will love following you."
"Sirius can't go, he has been busy with some things... Ministry."- Harry lingered to make excuses - "and Neville, well, you know Neville... he never would go anywhere without Luna and I don't want to be the third wheel."
"Oh, that's true! It would be a nightmare, so let's think..." - she frowned.
"There is... Hermione "- he said, wary and afraid of Ginny's reaction.
"You know, this wouldn't be a bad idea... Ron is really ruining everything lately with her, I need to talk to him later. It will be good for Hermione, you should take her."
Harry could hardly believe what he had just heard. Ginny agreeing with the idea of taking Hermione to Parkins Valley, and he celebrated so intensely, internally, that his hand shook the couch with a absurd force. But suddenly, his view darkened and he felt his stomach turn for a few seconds, he returned to rest on the couch. "Harry, Harry, talk to me." - Ginny gave light slaps on Harry's face, who was slowly recovering, still feeling the cold sweat on his body.
"I felt... dizzy."- he said, tiredly.
"Enough already! Once you return from this trip, we go to St. Mungo's. It's the 7th time, Harry, the last time was at the wedding. I'm not kidding." - she said, sharply.
"It's gone! I'm feeling better, I think we are sharing the same disease: Too much work! Nothing that a bath can't solve." - Harry kissed Ginny's face and got up from the couch.
"A bath and a smoked fish! What do you say? I will prepare right now to celebrate." - she said, who now was exuding health and giving him a huge smile.
"I think it's great, I'm starving! Wait for me!" - and he went into the room, while Gina went off into the kitchen, pointing her wand at the pots. On his way to the room, Harry made himself a promise, he would make an appointment at St. Mungo's when he arrived, despite he had the certainty that it was just stress. But his mind was busy with only one thing: Hermione. There was something about spending three days with her, without Ginny, without Ron or any other person that they knew, that made him stay euphoric. Was this the opportunity to apply the Sirius's advice? And if he be disappointed? Or not? So many questions. No answer.
