Standard Disclaimer - i don't own Harry Potter or Eragon. They belong to JK Rowling or Christopher Paolini. As such, i make no money from this.

A/N - this is the last history chapter. It'll move onto the training and such from next chapter.

Chapter 10 – What do we do now?

Canberra, even though there were attractions everywhere, was still very boring. Hermione looked like a child in a candy store when they visited the national library – several days were spent there looking and reading various books. While Harry wasn't as interested, he loved spending the time with Hermione, listening as she spouted random facts. They had been there for 4 days so far, and while Hermione wanted to find her parents, they were also enjoying their holiday. Harry smiled – it was a holiday, no matter what.

Hermione stopped talking and looked at Harry "What's with the goofy smile?" she said teasingly. "I'm just thinking that this is the first holiday we've spent together alone. I'm also really appreciating how you put up with me for seven years rabbiting on about Quidditch" Hermione blushed but laughed, looking chastised when a librarian shushed them. Harry sniggered at her, making her throw a dirty look at him. "Do you think they're magic? They just know when someone is going to make a loud noise?" Hermione leaned over and whispered, trying not to make any noise.

They stayed like that for a couple more hours before leaving, walking back out into the heat. "Well, do you want to try the customs office now?" Hermione nodded, her face settling into a blank mask. She was eager to find out where they were, but she didn't want to get her hopes up. A squeeze from Harry steeled her, and she practically dragged him towards the office. Luckily for them, they had books stored in Hermione's bag, as they had to sit in the waiting room for a few hours.

They left the office with more heavy hearts – no records of Wendell or Monica ever entering the country. Harry had to help Hermione back to the hotel as she had seemed to sink into herself. Getting back to the hotel, Harry helped her undress and put her in bed, climbing in after her. He laid there stroking her hair, feeling the tremors that ran down her body. He didn't rush her though; he knew that she would eventually talk.

Eventually Hermione turned around, cuddling even more into Harry and burying her head into his chest. "Where are they?" she whispered, voice heavy with emotion. "They must have changed their minds along the way. I suppose that's a good thing, cause at least they won't be tracked down by him." Hermione just sniffed loudly "That's the thing. They're not here. They could be anywhere in the world. They could be dead! Or alive! And it doesn't matter because they don't remember me! I removed their memories! They can't even try to find me because they don't know I exist!" Her voice had kept rising until she was almost yelling, and instead just broke down, sobbing into Harry's chest.

Harry laid there just stroking her hair, muttering random things to take her mind off the topic of her parents. "Focus on the positives" Hermione looked up at him, eyes filled with tears "What positives?"

"Well, nothing has been said about them dying, so you know they're alive. They're just not here." Hermione just stared at him, and it was a while before she nodded. "I know. Just got to focus on that. You know how you said we should have a couple of drinks?" Harry raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Let's go get some drinks"

It didn't take long to find an alcohol store, and thanks to their Gringotts IDs, they were able to buy a few bottles of Tequila. Hermione had told Harry that her dad had tried Tequila one time, and he had become very drunk very fast, so much so her mum had to drag him home because he didn't know where he lived. As such, she had reasoned, it would be perfect for them to get drunk on.

Harry poured them both some Tequila, and gave one to Hermione. "To our future wherever we decide" They both downed the drink in one, gasping as the drink burned down their throats. Harry reached for the tequila bottle, but Hermione grabbed his arm. "I also want to have a talk with you. It won't work if we've had too much Tequila." She sat cross legged on the bed with the bottle, and Harry moved over to join her.

Hermione poured another drink, passed it to Harry and started to drink hers. She sat there looking at her hands. "Do you ever regret how our lives have gone? That if you could change something?" Harry looked at her and nodded. "Quite a lot. There's so much that I wish I could have changed. What about you?"

Hermione nodded and turned to Harry. "You're probably not going to like what I'm about to say. Just, please listen to me" Harry nodded, and poured another shot. His stomach was filling with a warmth which he put down to the Tequila. Hermione sighed and looked down, an embarrassed look crossing her face. Harry grabbed her hand and gently stroked it with his thumb. Hermione gave him a grateful smile and looked up.

"I regret ever getting into magic. Don't get me wrong, I'm so glad I met you, and even though the adventures have been terrifying, they have been amazing as well. But, every year you've been attacked, and through that so have I. We've been living with this threat over us for years. I've been discriminated against, and watched as the government and this world has gone to shit. Magic has caused the deaths of all my friends, and my own magic caused my parents to disappear to who knows where. There's so much good that could come from magic but it's done nothing but cause pain and misery." She stopped and took a deep breath, tears filling her eyes.

Harry sat there, and looked out the window. "Harry? Talk to me please?" Harry looked at her, startled to see that she had tears falling down her cheeks. His hand came up and brushed them away. Hermione leaned into his touch. "As long as I'm with you then I'm happy. Plus, you're the smart one – if I had never met you I would have died years ago." Hermione laughed. "So, we leave magic behind. Find somewhere to live and live out our lives together. Magic's done nothing but take from me, and I'm not going to let it take you either" Hermione gave him the biggest smile and launched herself at him, wrapping him in a massive bear hug.

They stayed in that embrace, Harry stroking Hermione's hair while she cried tears of happiness and pain into his shoulder. They eventually pulled apart, and Hermione almost tipped off the bed. Harry started laughing, stopping when the pillow hit his head. "It's not funny Harry" Hermione said, trying to get up and get the next bottle.

It didn't take long before they had finished the bottle, and Hermione was swaying on the bed. Harry wasn't much better, stumbling and falling off the bed trying to get up. Hermione laughed and rolled around, squealing when she rolled off. Harry tried to get up but fell into the bed, causing them both to start laughing. Eventually getting up, Harry moved over to Hermione. "Hey. We outa go walk or somefin" Harry slurred, trying and failing to pull Hermione up. Hermione looked at him and grabbed his shoulder.

"Harry, tha's a great (hic) idea. I'll brin the bottle soo we got someting to drink" It took a while, and a few attempts to put on a coat, and they were soon stumbling down the main road. The area was quiet, and luckily they avoided any police members. They made it to a park, where they enjoyed some tequila near the lake. Hermione gave Harry a deep kiss, and they soon found themselves back in bed, cuddling and falling asleep as they were very drunk.

The Next Day

The first thing he was aware of was that the sun was very bright. His head was pounding, his tongue was dry and heavy, and his stomach was hurting. He could hear Hermione moving around the kitchen, and tried to get up. He fell back into the bed, groaning as his head throbbed even more. He cracked an eye open at the sound at the door. Hermione sat on the edge of the bed "How you feeling?"

Harry groaned "Feel like shit. You?" Hermione grabbed his hand "I vomited earlier. I made some toast if you want it. Can't really stomach anything else." She got up and slowly made her way out the room. Moaning, he rolled out of bed, stopping when the room tilted. He grimaced, knowing he was going to regret drinking as much as he had last night. Eventually, he made it into the kitchen, where Hermione was sat with a cup of tea in her hand. Her bloodshot eyes and half closed lids told him she didn't feel much better.

"We are never drinking that much again" he groaned, falling into the seat and grabbing a slice of toast. Hermione grunted, sipping on the tea. They sat in comfortable silence for around half an hour, Harry focusing on his toast and Hermione reading the free paper left outside their room. They had a couple of hours before they had to leave, and they had no idea where they were going to go. "Hermione?"

Hermione looked up at Harry over the newspaper "yes?" "should we do a road trip around Australia? I've never had a holiday before, and this way we don't have to decide where we go just yet, we simply travel and go where we feel like at the time." Hermione sat there, contemplating what Harry said, and gave him a smile. "That's actually a great idea. I think I know where we could go afterwards though. China"

Harry looked at her, surprised at the suggestion. "Why?" She looked sheepish, but also had a determined look on her face. "Well, there's around a billion people in China. Even if the Death Eaters come looking for us, it's unlikely that they'll find us there. We'll be safe, and be able to live together without having any threat over us." Harry thought about the suggestion for a while, then nodded. It made sense to him.

Three hours later, they had rented a van and filled it with food, water and camping equipment. Hermione got behind the steering wheel, and Harry sat in the passenger seat with a map. Hermione drove out the parking lot and turned towards the freeway. "So, where should we go first?" Harry laughed and grabbed her hand. "Wherever you want"

September 2001, China

"So, we ended up heading off to Melbourne first. From there we spent a year travelling around Australia. We then came here, and been here since. We've been alone here until you guys turned up a few days ago. That's it really. You now know why we're hiding out here" Hermione summed up. It had taken three days to tell Maddie and Edran their story, and they were now sat there with a few beers. They had learnt their lesson, however, and limited themselves to only two.

"That's still an incredible story. Especially your escape from the manor" Maddie commented. She turned towards Edran. "So, what do you think? Worth it?" Edran leaned back, a pensive look on his face. "Yeah. I think they'll be good additions." Harry and Hermione looked at each other, confusion written all over their faces. "Sorry, but what the hell are you two talking about?"

They turned back. "Well, I told you we've been watching you for a month, but we actually have been tracking you down for three. Now, like I said, that sounds creepy and you have good reason to think we're your enemy. But three days ago, we had no idea who you were. That's why I asked what's your story. We want to know what's happened to people we are looking for, and what type of people they are."

Hermione frowned. "It is a bit creepy, but strangely I trust you. So, why have you been tracking us?"

Maddie sighed. "Have you ever heard of the Dragon Riders?"