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Chapter 3 – The Winner Takes It All
"Look! That one's name means Shop of Masks!" Hermione exclaimed and Ron pointed out another shop for her to translate the name of.
"It shows how bored we all are if we're translating shop's names. Maybe we should find a place to stay for the night." Harry suggested as the three exhausted friends wondered along the streets of the Venetian island Burano. Their attempts to find the missing youngest Weasley had been futile and evening was approaching fast. They had already missed their last chance to go back to the main island on the Vaporeta, which translated as water bus according to Hermione.
"While we're searching why don't you take a turn?" Ron suggested to his friend but Harry wasn't listening. He was watching a little redheaded toddler, who reminded him strangely of Ginny, crawl alongside the canal with a little Papillion dog making sure she didn't fall in. Suddenly an old woman came rushing out of a building painted mint green with delicate red roses painted on.
"Little Elle! What have you been told about going outside without your mother? She'll be worried sick about you! No matter what you may think you are still only a baby." The woman picked up the baby and rushed back into the green building murmuring in Italian with the dog at her heels.
"What's that shop's name?" Harry asked.
"That would be…" Hermione murmured as she flicked through her guide to Italian. "Julietta's Inn. We should check it out; see if it would be a good place to stay. At least we could get some food."
"Yeah it smells delicious in there." Ron said practically drooling because of the enticing smells emanating from the inn.
"Come on, let's go!" suggested Harry, already halfway to the inn.
It was crowded inside the inn with several people crammed around each small table. After spending a short time tying to reach the bar by pushing their way through the crowds the small group reached the counter. The woman they had seen earlier greeted them cheerfully in Italian.
"Do you speak English?" Hermione asked politely.
"Ah yes, I do. I should have guessed that you were English as your skin is too pale to belong here. Your country rarely sees the sun as we do in Italy. Perhaps this is why you visit?" The old woman's eye twinkled as if she knew everything. Watching her gave Harry a strange feeling, like he had once gotten from his old teacher Professor Albus Dumbledore. It was as if the woman knew everything.
"Actually we're looking for my sister. We heard she was staying somewhere near here from a friend of ours. You haven't seen her at all have you?" asked Ron, the hope of finding Ginny bright in his eyes.
"I wouldn't know if I have seen her or not as I do not know her name. What would it be?"
"Her name is Ginny Weasley. She's got fiery red hair, freckles-"
"Yes, yes. I know her. What would you be wanting her for?" the woman interrupted Harry's description.
"Why do you want to know?" Ron questioned angrily finally letting his frustration get the better of him.
"Here on the island we protect our own and those in need." The woman said simply. "A small child can go out on the street and not worry about falling in the canal because someone will always be there to catch them. Likewise a young woman can come here seeking a place to hide from her world and she will be welcomed."
"So you're trying to protect her?" Harry asked slowly and he received a sharp nod from the old woman. "But we're her friends, her family. Why does she need protection from us?"
"Sometimes hurt can be unintentional and besides she is not here." The woman held up a wrinkled hand to the trio as they all cried out in anger.
"Well?" An angry Ron demanded but he only received a raised eyebrow. "Where is she?"
"She has been asked about a job and will be gone quite a while. I expect that she may be leaving the island for the job once she returns. You may all stay here tonight and you can go in the morning." The old woman said. Hermione, relieved to know that they were slightly closer to knowing where Ginny had been, was eager to rest even if her companions were not.
"How much will we pay you?" she asked searching her purse.
"You look like you need more rest than I need money and besides I like having the inn full. My usual lodger is away. You can spend one night here for free. Any longer and I will either have to charge you or have you work shifts in the bar. Breakfast is at 8 o'clock." The woman told them as they were led up a narrow flight of stairs.
"Do you think she might come here at some point, Mrs…" Harry trailed off suddenly realising that he didn't know the name of the inn keeper.
"My name is Lucinda."
"But it's Julietta's inn." A confused Ron said.
"That was my mother's name." stated Lucinda continuing up the stairs.
"But do you think she'll come here Lucinda?" Harry asked again. Lucinda turned around suddenly causing them all to crash into one another.
"If she does turn up it will be up to her if she sees you. She has mysterious ways of only turning up when she wants you to see her. I wouldn't stay up all night expecting her if I were any of you." Lucinda led them to the landing of the upper floor. "Now the lady can stay in here," she showed Hermione into a reasonably sized room with pale yellow on the walls and cream furniture. "And this room here," she led Ron and Harry to the next room along which had a deep carpet and more cream furniture. "It is for you gentlemen. Enjoy your rest."