A/N: Sorry it's taken so long! I've been so busy revising for French:c
This is a total different chapter to the book, so I hope you find it interesting:')
Although Harry was desperate to bring Hermione back to life again, he didn't feel as though he had much of a chance. Hermione had been broken when Ron walked out on her, but she wasn't fixed completely when the Horcrux had unleashed it's ruthlessness onto her; it had shattered her completely.
Every morning after Ron's departure, Hermione had at least bid Harry a good morning, and occasionally asked him how he was. But now she didn't speak to him. Hermione was usually a fighter, but the Horcrux had won this match.
Lost for words, Harry kept to himself as well. He wasn't quite sure how to comfort her; he knew too well that he was the last person she wanted to see right now. Ron had appeared right in front of her eyes, followed by her parents- obviously she wanted to see them more than him.
Ron had been astounding. Even Harry had been aghast at the sudden, yet false, reappearance of his former best friend. Despite being made entirely of smoke and Horcrux, he had looked convincingly physical. Maybe that's why Hermione was so unnerved- she hadn't seen a real life Ron for so long, nor her real life parents for even longer.
It was impossible for Harry to compare Hermione's Horcrux experience with his own, for they had totally differed. Her's had been more personal, more victimising, whereas his had physically tried to murder not only him but the love of his life. He couldn't settle on which was worse; Ginny Weasley almost dying thanks to a memory of Tom Riddle, or Hermione having to spend the rest of their quest thinking about how her parents had started another family without her. Of course, there was always the possibility that the Horcrux had made it up… but the diary had its own way of finding out information. Why shouldn't the locket?
Hermione's solitude lasted for three days, before she cleared her throat after a shower. Harry's neck snapped up and he couldn't help but release a wide grin- she was finally communicating.
"Yes?" Grinned Harry, beaming as Hermione returned a faint smile.
"I'd… well… I'd like to visit my parents." She cleared her throat again. Harry's smile faltered. "Because you visited yours, so I think it's fair," She continued, her voice growing stronger. Harry frowned.
"Hermione, they don't remember you…"
"I know that." She snapped. "But yours are in their graves, I'm sorry but it's true, so I think it would be nice to just see them, not necessarily speak to them, just see them." There were a million flaws in this prospect which Harry would have loved to use as an excuse to refuse it, but he felt obliged to humour her. After all, she had caved into visiting Godric's Hollow… which had been a mistake…
"Hermione, visiting Godric's Hollow was a huge mistake. We almost got killed and I lost my wand."
"Yes, but my parents are in the middle of Australia, completely safe!"
"Exactly! How will we find them?"
"I have their address of course," She said briskly. "I would obviously need it for when I lift the memory charm." Clearly she had given a lot of thought to her side of the argument.
"Can we even internationally apparate?"
"Yes," She said simply.
"To the opposite end of the world?"
"Yes!"
"What if we get splinched?"
"There's always that risk Harry, no matter the distance."
"What if they see you and remember?"
"It's a strong charm."
"What if-"
"What's your problem, Harry? You saw your parents so I'd like to see mine."
"It's just…" Harry bit his lip and scratched at his head. "Last time was such a mistake. I have a bad feeling about this one."
"Please Harry," She pleaded. If things hadn't been going so awfully for the girl stood in front of him, he'd have held his ground and refused. But just one perk… then they were even…
"Alright," He exhaled. "But we stick to each other, okay?"
"Of course," Hermione hurried, but she didn't look as happy as Harry had been when he had found out they were going to visit his deceased parents. He supposed that an element of worry was churning away at her insides; she'd possibly collapse if the Horcrux was true and her parents had replaced her. That was most probably the reason for her hasty decision, he concluded.
So two hours later, the pair of them had showered, dried, dressed, packed and were ready to go. Harry couldn't help but find himself panicking about severely splinching himself, picturing half of his body in England, the rest on the other side of the world.
"There shouldn't be any death eaters; they're well hidden in the outskirts. Our main concern is to not be bitten by any poisonous spiders."
Thinking of Nagini's venom, Harry replied; "I think we'll be alright," with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Hermione's hand found Harry's, squeezed it lightly, before they both dissolved into nothingness.
"It worked!" Harry exclaimed, examining his ten fingers, ten fingernails and overall complete body.
"Sh!" Hermione ushered. Falling silent, Harry scanned the thick of the trees, thinking he was in some sort of jungle… he'd never been to Australia before, but he never had imagined it so thick with trees and wild life.
The first thing he noticed was that it was sweltering hot. Harry had adjusted to the freezing temperatures of England, so being thrown into an opposing climate was a huge reality check. Harry quickly removed all of his layers, shrunk them and shoved them into Hermione's beaded bag whilst she did the same. As soon as they were both stood in shorts and a light t-shirt, they headed off down the path way.
Hermione's palm was clinging to Harry's, tugging him along in different directions along the pathway.
"Okay so it was left here…" They took a left. "Straight on, to the second right…" She kept muttering to herself. "Here!" She breathed finally.
It was quite a normal, modern house, set awkwardly in the midst of a jungle. Moderately small with a tiny car squashed in the front of it, it seemed the perfect place for a couple to move into. The houses surrounding it were very spaced out; it had taken them ages to walk up to the correct one.
"I chose this place because it's easy to get lost in it. That way we can use it as an excuse to talk to them. Also, it's very Australian, being in the jungle, so it fit's the story."
"Hermione, are you sure about this?" She nodded once, biting her lip.
"There're only five other houses in this part of jungle; any further and it's inhabitable. The closest shop is a ten minute drive away… no one would think they'd live here." Turning to face her, he realized she didn't appear so certain. Whether her lip was trembling through doubt or general fear, he didn't know, but he pulled her into a hug and she threw her arms around him.
"I don't know how to look them in the eye without falling to pieces," Hermione groaned.
"I'll do all the talking," Harry soothed her. "You stand at the back and smile- I'll try and find out everything I can. It'll be okay,"
After nodding into his shoulder, she pulled away, still keeping his hand gripped firmly on hers. Harry took a deep breath, approached the door with Hermione in tow and rang the doorbell.
After seven seconds, Hermione's father opened the door, and Harry heard her gasp behind him. Squeezing her hand softly, he began to speak.
"Hello," He started. "We were just wondering if you could give us directions to the nearest shop; we've just visited some family and got a bit lost on the way out." Harry laughed without humour; he too was stunned by the re-appearance of Hermione's dad.
He was exactly how Harry had remembered him, with Hermione's nose and chin; he even still held his posture as she did. His teeth were brilliantly white; Harry recalled he used to be a dentist. Whether he still carried that profession abroad, Harry didn't know. But one thing he did know was that the only thing different about this man was where he now lived and that he no longer went by the name 'Granger'.
"Ah, British people, too!" He beamed. "We just moved here a few months ago; hoping to lose the accent soon, mind," Hermione laughed but quickly fell quiet, realizing that that wasn't remotely funny. Harry guessed it was just nerves. "I'm afraid I can't help you, I'm naff at directing, but I'm sure the wife will help you- MON?" He yelled. Turning behind him, he saw Hermione look slightly confused at him referring to his wife as 'Mon', but she recovered straight away.
"Oh, it's alright-" Harry began, but Hermione stamped on his foot.
A very Hermione-esque woman popped up from the side of the door.
"Yes?" She spoke to her husband.
"Could- could you direct us to the st-store?" Hermione stammered before letting out a soft grin. Her mother's eyes rose in surprise; she had obviously picked up on her similar characteristics. Whatever she noticed, however, she brushed aside, and simply gave them a quick shortcut to the exit.
"Thank you," Harry smiled.
"You two should think about moving here, it's lovely for couples." Mrs Granger smiled. "Although, I wouldn't bother if you two were starting a family, it's ridiculous to have kids here!" She laughed, and Hermione laughed a similar laugh in return, her expression relaxing.
"They aren't thinking of moving here, sweetie, they just got lost on the way out after visiting family," Mr Granger informed his wife. "Well, I'm glad we could help- have a safe journey back to England!"
As Harry and Hermione turned to walk away hand in hand, they heard the front door close softly behind them.
"How do you feel?" He asked her cautiously; it was safe to talk to her now they were out of ear shot. She smiled weakly.
"If anything, I feel awful walking away from them again." She sighed. "But I'm glad they haven't had another child… that would've been a disaster…"
"You really miss them don't you?" Harry asked her. She frowned up at him.
"Of course I do, they're my parents." She snapped. "I thought they'd be so different… I can't believe how similar they are…"
"I think they spotted how much you resembled them," Harry spoke darkly.
"Oh, I know," She gave a sheepish grin in return. "Worth it though, I think."
"I guess."
"Thank you for this, Harry," Hermione granted him. They were just on the outskirts of their first turning point. After scanning around them to check that no one was watching them, Harry turned on the foot and dragged Hermione into a tight elastic band, hearing her let out a slight sob as they travelled back to England.
