Chapter 4: The Visit

By Friday morning, they were all packed and ready. Hermione wasn't exactly sure where to search. She knew they were somewhere in Australia and she had enough information to be able to find them through the muggle authorities. She never really meant to determine their exact whereabouts in the first place. She wanted them to be as spontaneous as possible, so there would be no traces left of them. She took out a map of Australia that she bought at the muggle store near the Burrow. She figured that going through the muggles is their best bet. The problem was that she didn't know how willing they would be to help them. They could always break in of course…

Mrs.Weasley decided to treat them with a grand feast before they leave, to celebrate new beginnings. Hermione, Ron, Harry and Ginny agreed to help, so they were held up in the kitchen all day. After five hours of continuous chopping and stirring, they sat down and waited for Mrs.Weasley. Hermione was surprised to see that despite using magic, cooking was a big deal. Of course, they were cooking for a sizable number of people. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Bill and Fleur, Charlie and his new girlfriend, George, Hagrid, Percy, Tonks' mother and Teddy were all supposed to be there. Kingsley Shacklebolt said that he would definitely try and make it. His new position as Minister has been keeping him busy. However, from what they've seen of him, he was still very level-headed and loyal in his disposition. Hermione was glad. He seemed to be the perfect man for the job. Fudge was, well, slightly pathetic and Scrimgeour, for all his strength and positive attributes, was slightly cold during his regime. It seemed as though he cared more for the power that came with his job than the value of leading and supporting the wizarding race. She was sorry that he died, but she felt that Kingsley was much more apt for the job.

"So, Kingsley seems to be getting on pretty well at the Ministry, isn't he?" asked Hermione.

"Yeah, according to dad, he's been really good with organizing things around the Ministry. After all the recent havoc, there's a lot left to do. But he's been doing really well. All the foul bastards who sided with Voldemort are being expunged from the Ministry. The dementors are being rounded up, and the escaped Death Eaters are being are being tracked down," added Ginny.

"Has Umbridge been sacked yet?" asked Harry with a tone of disgust.

"I don't know, Harry, but I certainly hope so," said Ginny.

As the four of them finished, they sat down and noticed for the first time the simmering fumes emanating from the boiling pot of soup that sat on the stove. Ron took out his wand and started playing with the vegetables. He made the large onion chase the chopped tomato pieces around the place. Ginny mobilized the chopping knife to protect the tomatoes. The chopping knife glared at the onion and, suddenly charged at it, attempting all the while to chop it to pieces. Harry and Hermione started laughing. Ron pointed his wand at the chopping board and pinned Ginny's chopping knife to the ground. Ginny scowled and rested her wand in resignation. Harry and Hermione laughed.

Ron suddenly looked up at the door and exclaimed, "Hagrid."

Hermione turned around so quickly that she knocked over the vegetables. There, standing in the hallway, was Hagrid, big and warm. The wounds of the war were still etched on his face, but they were overshadowed by his gleaming smile. Hermione was overcome with pleasure as she raced towards him.

"Hagrid!" she screamed.

"Hagrid, how are you?" said Harry.

"I've been well, Harry. How are you lot doin'?"

"We've been great Hagrid. Come over and sit, will you," said Ginny.

Hermione moved over to Ron's side to make space for Hagrid but decided that the kitchen seemed just a bit too small for them.

"Why don't we go out into the garden?" suggested Hermione. They all made their way out into the garden. Hermione smiled as she walked out into the open air. It was another great day. The grass was lush green after the drizzle that came down at midnight. It was perfect because the it stopped raining just long enough so that it was dry but colorful. A cool breeze blew past them as the sun peeped out from behind a fluffy cloud. Hermione hoped that the weather would be just as great when they go out to find her parents. She sat down on the chair next to Ron and smiled at the occupants around the circular table.

"Boy, 'Arry, I got to tell you, I'm so glad to see you out here in the open air, walkin' and all," beamed Hagrid. "I know it's silly, but just seein' you lie there on that day, in front of that bastard, amon' all them death eaters…" Hagrid suddenly started weeping. Hermione placed a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. Harry looked up at Hagrid, inherently pleased at Hagrid's display of love.

"It's okay Hagrid. It's not that easy to get rid of me. Voldemort should've known that. I told him that the wand was mine and it can't destroy me," said Harry.

"I think he lost his sense of reason by then. I mean, he was so frustrated that you wouldn't die, I think he just wanted to finish you. He was listening, to everything you said. But he didn't value that information. He lost all his patience. He just wanted to finish you off," said Ginny.

"His arrogance never did help him. He underestimated Dumbledore's trust for Snape. As Dumbledore said, he doesn't notice subtle things, because he can't understand them. He never really understood my mother's protection for me or the Elder wand's allegiance, or Snape's love," said Harry.

"I can't believe that Snape was innocent all this time. I mean, I was convinced that he was on, well, his side," said Ron. "I don't see why he treated you like crap all these years though. I mean, you'd think he would be a bit nicer to you, seeing as, well…" finished Ron awkwardly. It seemed like he wasn't sure if he could mention Harry's mother or not. They weren't sure how Harry felt about the situation yet.

"I think he saw too much of my father in me. He hated him, as much as he loved my mother. He was still Snape, with or without my mother. But his love for her brought out the best of him," said Harry.

Hermione was impressed by how well Harry was dealing with the situation. She knew he was stuck in a strange position, but she felt proud as she saw that he understood. Hagrid gave out another loud weep and grabbed Harry in a tight hug.

"Seein' you there Harry, with that ruddy scoundrel doin' what he did," weeped Hagrid.

Ron scowled and said "How dare he say that you tried to run away from him, when you walked in, defenseless, because you knew you had to. Bloody Bastard." Hermione gave a weak smile as she saw Ron's loyalty shine through his anger.

"I'm just glad that it's over. All of it. That abhorring man finally died, killed by his own arrogance and impatience," said Hermione. "You were so brave though, Harry."

"Yeah," said Ginny. Harry smiled modestly and turned his attention over to Hagrid.

"How is Hogwarts Hagrid?" he said kindly.

Hagrid took out his handkerchief and blew into it. "Well, it isn' what it used to be. Dumbledore was the best headmaster Hogwarts has ever seen. And then, them damned Carrows wrecked the place. But now, there's supposed' to be a new Headmaster. Haven' seen him yet. Everyone's been tryin' to fix the castle. Most of it's been fixed. But there's some that seems irreversible. All the teachers' are tryin' everything they can. Professor Flitwick's been locked up in a room readin' every book he can think of, tryin' everythin he can to fix it."

"How are all the Professors Hagrid?" asked Hermione.

"They're all relieved now that the ruddy Carrows left. They've been al'right. They're just tryin to repair the castle and set everythin' up so that we're set to go by the time school starts. We need to find another Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I reckon the new Headmaster's been out lookin' for him. Probably why he hasn't showed up at Hogwarts yet."

"Always on the run for that one," said Ron.

"Listen, " said Hagrid in a serious tone. "Mrs.Weasley told me that you lot are goin' to go find your parents, Hermione. But I'll be headin' back to Hogwarts tomorrow and I was wonderin if you wanted to join me. You can spend the day there and then apparate the next day from Hogsmeade. For old times' sake. What do you say? The castle just doesn't seem right without you lot. "

Harry, Ron and Ginny looked at her, expectantly. They all knew that she missed her parents and they were willing to wait for her, but they wanted to visit. She did miss her parents but it was just one more day. And it would be nice to see the castle empty. And she didn't know how long it would be before they find her parents, so it seemed a reasonable thought to go before, rather than after.

"All right, Hagrid. That sounds lovely," she said.

Everyone seemed excited at thought of returning. She missed Hogwarts. It was truly her second home and she loved it there. She was sincerely sorry that they were not able to return the previous year for their seventh year but she understood the implications of returning, and knew that it would not have been the same even if they did. But she was glad to be able to visit again. She couldn't wait to go see the castle grounds, see her dorm, and the Great Hall. She wanted to see the castle in a peaceful environment. Watching the war go on there was heartbreaking. Seeing all the towers collapse and the staircases crumble, seeing all that blood everywhere…it was horrible. The very same grounds where they had many a peaceful walk over was a literal grave. She could not bear to revisit the image of Harry lying limp on those grounds. She wanted it to be fresh. She wanted her old Hogwarts back. So, she was excited to leave, to see it in different light. It will be different. It can never be the same, what with a new headmaster, with Dumbledore gone, and with part of the castle permanently demolished. But she still had hope, hope for a new Hogwarts, a Hogwarts that bears all their old memories but also new possibilities.

"So, we go to Hogwarts tomorrow," said Ron smiling.

"Yeah," said Hermione smiling in return.