Chapter 10 – Summer Guests
Hermione
Harry's back. He comes outside and sits down next to me to give me a kiss. I pull him close to deepen it. His eyes are sparkling, so I think he must have spent a nice time with Sirius. He tastes of sugar.
"Remus said you were out with Sirius…" I say.
"Yes, I wanted to talk about some things with him and he suggested going up to the Lueg. You know what I usually like to have there."
I grin. He's almost as bad as Ron is with the sweets. He grins back and then he surprises me:
"Hermione, I want us to wear rings, both of us. Siri said he'd take us to Bern, so we can go through the shops and choose them. I want you to pick them with me. Do you want to?"
"Oh Harry, that would be wonderful. I cherish your ring, but it's only me wearing it. I'd like to let the others know of our commitment."
"You still need to tell your parents."
"Well, they know you're my boyfriend and they approve of that. I'm not too scared of telling them that you will remain to be my boyfriend, you know. They're a product of the sixties, so they are liberal enough to accept that, even though I'm young. I'm rather afraid that I'll be teased mercilessly that I'm not looking around a bit more. They'll probably think we'll fall apart because we haven't seen enough of the world. So I'm not too worried. And you shouldn't worry either, they'll love you!"
"I'd like to learn to know them better. I mean, I hardly talked more than a few sentences with them."
"I miss them. But I have a plan for that. I want to ask Sirius and Remus if they couldn't come and visit us for a week or so."
"That would be great. And it's a good idea."
We decide to get a game and start playing something on the table in front of the house. It's like it's been last summer, simply wonderful. The geraniums are back on the windowsills and the garden is in bloom with many flowers already. In a corner of it we've planted some aconite for next year's supply. This way we needn't pass at the apothecary and give Remus' secret away when we get the ingredients for the Wolfsbane. I'm getting used to brewing this potion by now.
"Oh, Hermione, I've asked Sirius if he'd be willing to teach me to become an Animagus," he announces all of a sudden.
I freeze! That's what I'd love to do, too! I've given him some hints, but so far he's never reacted. Now Harry has asked him straight out!
"What did he say to that?" I ask.
"He'd teach me. But only if you do it, too… he's noticed your hints."
Oh. My. God. He's offering to teach us! I've wanted this from the moment McGonagall has told us about it and showed us her cat form. And of course I wanted it even more after I met Siri in his dog form. I'm getting very excited and admit:
"I was close to start working on it for myself. I've already studied some of the books in the library. I so want to do this, Harry."
He grins.
"He suspected that, too. I think he's got you figured out completely, love."
That makes me smile. Clever Sirius. He notices more than one would think. Well, never mind, I think it's good he understands us. Remus is a very loving person, but he is much more distanced, especially in class. Sirius makes no difference between class and free time. He's just competent whenever. Remus is of course very competent, but he is the teacher among them. I don't think Sirius even sees himself as a teacher, rather like a tutor. I think Remus is more of a respect person. He needs the respect, too, because he's a werewolf and people treat him with their petty prejudice and zero respect as soon as they know. I pay him the respect, gladly, because he's one of the kindest people I know.
One by one our classmates show up on the terrace. Some of them, like Parvati and Draco, only just got up. Honestly!
The exams are over, but there is still a week of school. Not that we're going to be too hard working. I can't wait for the results to come out. That will have to be quite a big package of stuff arriving in July.
When Sirius and Remus join us on the terrace I ask them:
"Remus, what do you think – could I invite my parents to come here for a week or so?"
I wait anxiously for his decision. He seems to think over all the pros and contras and then agrees:
"Yes, I think we can make that possible, Hermione."
I jump up and hug him! He hugs me back and gives me a peck on my nose. I'll see my parents! I haven't seen them in almost a year; it's been very hard. I know it's the same for Ron and Ginny, for everyone in fact except Blaise who will never see his parents again.
We agree to leave to choose the time for them to come to my parents and I rush off to write a letter to them. Hedwig is happy to take off with it for me.
Remus
It's not an easy decision. Hermione's parents know where we are, so it's not that we don't want to have them know. They will need to be brought here undetected. And even more important than the security is the feelings of Hermione's classmates. I can see their faces. And it's easy to guess what they are thinking. I'm thinking this over and decide that we'll have to grant them what we grant to Hermione.
On Monday I welcome them back to class and tell them that we will be taking it slow that last week and that there's no need to do very much, since the material of the fifth year is concluded and we don't have the sixth year books yet.
Then I bring up the subject of other parents visiting.
"Hermione has had the idea of inviting her parents for a week. I think we could extend that, what do you think? Does anyone else among you want to invite your parents?"
Immediately Ron and Ginny, the Patil twins, Mandy, Morag, Justin and Ernie lift their hands. We'll have to coordinate things, but I think we can do it. To fit everyone at the table when we have to eat inside we can always use the classroom as the dining room. They can move together to free rooms for their parents, but if we have one family visiting for a week each we can manage even without that. We have a room free at the back and that should be good enough.
"Okay, so you can write home immediately and offer a one week visit here. Let's fix weeks and see if your parents can fit it in with their plans, okay? We can be flexible enough about the when."
Finally we decide that the Patils go first, then Ernie's, Justin's, Morag's and finally Mandy's parents, for which we have to make sure it's not over a full moon since they're scared of werewolves, leaving Molly and Arthur and Hermione's parents last. I suspect that the Grangers will have the hardest work to get themselves free of their obligations unplanned.
But in the course of the next week we get answers from the children's parents that they would love to come and finally see where we hide their children. And all of them accept the dates given. Hermione is a little sad that her parents will be last on the list, but on the other hand she'll be lucky and have them a day or two longer than the others. She doesn't say no to that. Astonishingly no one shows signs of envy because of it. Most have understood that it will be an opportunity for Harry to get to know his future parents-in-law for the first time. James and Lily are curious about the Grangers as well.
So we spend the last week in casual classes, work over some things the kids want explained again or do some work they would like to do. Sirius finishes off with a very useful though definitely not syllabus potion. He has eyes glinting of mischief when he allows them to brew a hangover potion.
Sirius
Oh this is fun. I explain them the theory as usual and they take as meticulous notes as if it were a headache or some other healing potion.
"You'll never know when you find it useful that you can do it without thinking, because when you find yourself in need of it and still have to brew it it's better you don't need to study the recipe first. It doesn't hold up too long, just a month or maybe five weeks, and if you haven't used it by then you should throw it away…"
The brewing is not finished when our first guests, Shannah and Vaidyanathan Patil turn up in the door to the classroom. I spot them and open the door immediately, walking over to greet them. They have their little son with them, Sadhu, I think, is his name. Sadhu had stayed with his parents, because he was not yet going to school.
"Hello, Sirius! It's great to be here. We found it easily, too, thanks for the invitation! And belated congratulations that you got your freedom back!" Vaidyanathan greets me with a huge smile.
"Shannah! Vaidyanathan! How good to see you again! Come in, come in… we're just finishing in about half an hour, then the vacation officially starts for the kids… are you all very tired?"
"It's okay, we've travelled Muggle transportation but it wasn't too bad. Sadhu is a bit tired though. And he's cranky, so if we could put him down for a nap that would be great."
Parvati and Padma look over longingly, but their potions are still not finished, so they stick to it. They only call:
"Hi Dad, hi Mum! Hey, Sadhu! We'll be through here soon…"
"Just finish your lesson, girls, we can say hello later on, we should put Sadhu in bed anyway," Shannah tells them.
"I call James or Remus, he can lead you to your rooms, Shannah," I tell them.
Then I quickly call Remus over and he comes and greets our old friends. James is with him and Lily waddles right behind them. We're all old friends after all. Vaidyanathan brings a nice case of red wine forth.
"Here, something nice for the two of you to enjoy on some lovely evenings, Remus. Thanks very much for this invitation, we're thrilled to be able to spend some time with Padma and Parvati, we miss them terribly," he says.
"Yes, we thought so. It's good to see you again. Let me show you the rooms we prepared for you."
"Thanks a lot."
Shannah embraces Lily.
"Lily, I was so thrilled when I read in the Prophet that you two are back. And so happy for your son, too! Parvati and Padma have told us lots about you two, as you know, but it's so much nicer to actually see you! When is the baby due? And how are you?"
"Hi Shannah! It's so good to see you guys! I'm perfectly fine, and the baby is due in about three weeks. So it's a bit uncomfortable, but you know how it is anyway. Come up, let me show you where your room is…"
While the Patils follow Remus, James and Lily up the stairs I concentrate again on checking the potions the kids brew.
RemusWe lead the two up the stairs and through the door into the corridor of the girls' floor. I open the door.
"This is one of the guest rooms. We've prepared it for Sadhu," I explain.
"Oh, this is sweet! Was that Sirius? I've read all about his excesses," Shannah says with a grin.
"Yes and no. Padma and Parvati have done the actual transfigurations, but Sirius of course helped them. They did that well, didn't they?"
"Absolutely. Very lovely, Remus, thanks a lot!"
Before they even think about having a look at their own room, Vaidyanathan and Shannah put their son to bed for a nap. I close the curtains and only a moment later the little one is sleeping. We leave the room, but leave the door a bit ajar.
"Very well. He'll be out of it for at least one to two hours now," Shannah says happily.
"Okay. Here, Padma has prepared her own room for the two of you," Lily explains and opens the door for the two.
"Very nice! That's just next to Sadhu then, perfect. He'll not have to look for us far away then. Oh, it's lovely! I have seen the photos the twins sent home, but it really looks much nicer now that I can see it for real."
"Yes, I do think she feels fine here," I throw in.
"Oh, I bet she would! I mean, at Hogwarts she shares her dorm with four other girls, here she has her own, and as it looks like rather luxurious room, so I do hope she does feel fine," Vaidyanathan remarks.
I grin and point over to the library.
"And directly next to the library on top of everything."
Shannah and Vaidyanathan laugh. Vaidyanathan takes his luggage out of his pocket and enlarges it. While he puts everything on the floor of Padma's room, Shannah asks:
"And where's Parvati's room?"
"Just at the end of this corridor. Do you want to see it? I'll also show you the bathroom on the way."
"Sure."
I lead them over and open the door to the bathroom.
"This is the bathroom. There's also an entrance to the library. You'll have to talk it through with the girls, whether you're allowed to use their bathroom, or whether you're banished to the one downstairs or upstairs. We thought it would be a good idea to give the girls their own floor and thus their own bathroom."
"Wow! What a superb bathroom!" Shannah comments.
"Yes, I think so, too. We're very glad that the bathrooms are so big and comfortable. I mean, they're nine kids sharing three bathrooms. Okay, that's Parvati's room."
Vaidyanathan looks inside and nods. Shannah likes the room, too.
"You really gave them more than just a safe shelter, Remus, I'm so glad to know my two girls in your hands. I know that with you four they'll get everything they need. I'm glad to know that their senses for nonsense as well as the rational things in life will be formed in your care. I know how much they already liked you as a teacher when you were at Hogwarts in their third year. Both of us regretted to hear that you resigned," Vaidyanathan says.
It's such a good feeling to know they trust me!
"Thanks, Vaidyanathan, I'm glad to have your support. Albus didn't want me to leave, he was ready to take the negative feedback, but I didn't want to expose him to that. And I didn't want it for myself either, to be quite honest."
Vaidyanathan sighs.
"But you're the born teacher, Remus! All those idiots who aren't even capable to see that their children have learned ten times as much in your classes than with any of those people they had to endure as Defence teachers are to be pitied, really," Shannah throws in and adds: "I haven't forgotten how many of our school mates had to thank you for passing their exams, because you were tutoring them."
"Don't praise me so much, I'll blush, children!" I reply.
Sirius
Harry and Hermione just add their last ingredient and stir the necessary way. Then Harry grins and says:
"That'll cure more than the hangover from the contents of that case over there, Siri."
I grin.
"I don't expect to have a hangover from anything Vaidyanathan Patil brings, Harry, believe me. He wouldn't treat us with anything less than perfect and a good wine will not give you a hangover."
"Do you know our Dad that well?" Padma asks.
"Sure. He was what? I think four years ahead of us and your mother was in our year. Or one year ahead? Something like that, in any case we know them from Hogwarts. And after Hogwarts, too, by the way."
"Oh, that's good then."
One by one the potions are finished. They still grin over it and Justin asks with a very cheeky grin:
"Sirius, does this mean we're entitled to have a drinking party to be able to test this?"
I snort.
"Believe me, Justin, you do not want to test this if you can avoid it. But go ahead, this stuff is punishment enough!"
"So, what is it?" Vaidyanathan comes back into the classroom and looks into the cauldrons with the nose pinched closed.
"Hangover potion…" I explain and laugh.
"Don't tell me that this is taught these days in accordance with the syllabus for fifth year? – Ewww, I've had too much of this stuff in my time," he says, still pinching his nose.
"Dad! You did not!" Parvati squeals.
"Sirius will tell you sooner or later, love, so there's no use trying to deny it. We were a bad bunch, believe me."
"I thought I'd give them something useful to learn for a change, Vaidyanathan. How often do you need a shrinking solution? And how often it's most handy to have this vile stuff here at hand?"
"True. – This looks great here. Thanks for making room in your room, Padma. It's a lovely one. Mum puts our stuff away after getting Sadhu to sleep."
A few minutes later Shannah joins us, just as the kids start clearing up the brewing stations. She looks around and says:
"Well, this is one lovely classroom, Sirius."
"It's great, Shannah, I love to work here. Do you want to see the rest of the house?"
"Yes, after reading so much about it in the twins' letters I'd love to see everything! The did send the photos, but in real it does look different…"
"Well, you've already seen the library up there."
We walk up the stairs again.
"It doesn't look like it, but this contains the complete Hogwarts library, Shannah, without the restricted section, which we have over in our study, locked away and all made tiny. They have to use spells to get out what they need, but by the fairly impressive amount of resized books you can see how much they're working here…"
It's true that the shelves have started to fill. They're far from full yet, but they fill out slowly but surely. She looks around and seems pleased.
"Lovely. What a nice place to work…"
"Yes, I think so, too. They like it in any case."
She follows me up the second stairs and is delighted about the common room. It's a fairly bright room during the day, as the sun shines in through the skylights from the east in the morning and the west in the afternoon. There's three of them, two directly over the common room on each side.
"There's also a bathroom up here, besides the three remaining rooms. Right above Sadhu's room."
Once I've shown them this part of the house we return downstairs, where the kids have just started to clean up their workstations. The twins wait to meet their parents. I leave them and go out to the terrace with the rest of the family.
Padma
They're really here! It's not enough to see one's family for a week only in one whole year, but we are living in war and so it can be necessary. My parents look well, but strained. They must have had difficult times these past few months, always watching out for another Death Eater attack. They barely survived the first one.
"We've been so scared for you and Sadhu, Mum," I say.
"I know, darling, but we've come through until now. Your brother suffered, too, as we had to send him away a lot. Here, there, always changing the location, so he was in less danger. There was another attempt at killing us of which we have not even told you two. It wasn't as bad as the first one either, rather more clumsy. We got them out of our way easily."
"Oh, Mum! Dad!"
„Don't worry, darling, it's going to be over one day, believe me."
Dad holds me tightly and then he gives the same hug to Parvati. I have a really bad feeling knowing them out there in danger, while I have fun in here with Blaise. But Dad will have nothing of it and instead asks us:
"Now, instead of whining you'd rather introduce us to your boyfriends, my dears!"
"Okay, Dad, though you probably won't be happy about it," Parvati says and looks very anxious.
She has reason to be, because in spite of what I keep telling her since at least March she hasn't told Mum and Dad who her boyfriend is. But now she'll have to and it'll be no easier. I'm glad they already know about Blaise. Though I don't think they'll explode when they meet Draco. He can be damn charming anyway. Unless he feels the necessity to come out as rebellious youth… oh well, here goes…
"Draco! I would like you to meet my Mum and Dad… Mum, Dad, that's Draco Malfoy," Parvati says with as much calm as she can muster.
I watch Dad. He looks a bit taken aback, but holds out his hand and shakes Draco's. Phew, I think Draco has decided to give the charmer.
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Patil. I believe, my father has occasionally bought wine from your company, hasn't he?"
"Hello, Draco. Yes, he has. – But you're not exactly on good terms with him right now, I hear?" Dad says with a crinkle in the corner of his eyes, which means he's plenty amused.
"Not exactly. I don't know what you call a relationship with a father who was on the verge of using Avada Kedavra on his son."
"That bad? Dear Lucius has definitely gone slightly too far then. – So you and Parvati are together? Her letters sounded very happy…"
Draco actually smiles and it's a smile that reaches his eyes, which happens about every tenth time he smiles unless he smiles at Parvati… then he and Parvati hold their hands and nod. Dad gets very blunt with what he says next:
"You two enjoy each other – but remember: there's a war to be fought out there and you'll be pulled inside. You'll have to take sides. If you can decide to stay on the same side, preferably ours, you'd be off a lot better… and Draco that means that one day you're opposite Lucius again. But this time it might be you who has to use Avada Kedavra on him. That's a fairly heavy burden for a relationship, so enjoy it while you can!"
Parvati lets go of Draco's hand and hugs Dad! She's on the verge of tears, I know, but she must be terribly relieved to know he's not mad at her. I turn to Blaise, who's come to our group and introduce him.
"Mum, Dad, this is Blaise Zabini."
Dad shakes hands with Blaise and smiles:
"We've heard or better, read, quite a lot about you, Blaise. I'm pleased to meet you."
"I'm pleased to meet you, sir. The twins talk of you both very often. They must be missing you a lot."
"They may be missing us a lot, but it certainly isn't the same not seeing us for the largest part of the year than not seeing us at all anymore. I'm sorry to hear you've lost your parents, Blaise."
"I'm slowly getting over it. Professor Lupin is my guardian now."
"He's a good man, Blaise, I'm sure he's been good to you."
"Yes, he's always kind and helpful. We all like him very much."
Sirius has yet again been able to make the table outside a little longer. It's been laid already and we all sit down for the dinner. Mum and Dad sit between Parvati and I. Remus and Sirius sit opposite them and Remus opens two bottles of Swiss wine, passes them to Dad and says:
"Here, I thought you might enjoy something local, since you're here already. This is a Dôle."
"Oh, sure, pour it, please! Dôle is fine with me on such a warm evening. This is one wonderful place, you guys are damn lucky to be staying here! The view is amazing."
It is. We're sitting with our back to the house, so we have the view over to the mountains, which are bathed in the late afternoon sun. They are still mostly snow covered, but we've had a fairly warm spring, so there are already some grey and black patches of naked rock. We get Röschti ( local variety of hash browns), fried sausages and salad tonight. Yum, I like the stuff. The sausages are a lot larger than our breakfast sausages and taste differently. Dad who's a vegetarian, gets cheese to his Röschti. He's pleased not to find any bacon in his potatoes either, like the rest of us has.
He likes the wine. We're allowed a glass, too.
We spend the evening outside, some of us out flying on our brooms. It's good to know that we are free for two months now! We're allowed to sleep in every morning if we like, unless we plan to go somewhere. Right now there are no plans, so we have time to stroll around, explore the forest and fly our brooms whenever we like. We're just to use the concealment charms they've taught us. At least here we're allowed to use magic during our vacations.
By the time we return to the house it's dark. My parents, Lily, James, Sirius and Remus sit on the terrace and seem to have a lot of fun. I see more wine bottles and they look pretty empty. They all sound rather happy, too. We wish them a good night and go to bed. I crawl into Blaise's bed. He comes in after me and is all happy. I think, this is as much an opportunity for my parents to see us as it is one for them to see their old friends again.
"Glad you're back, Padma! I've been lonely here!"
"Sorry, I totally forgot that you're not flying."
"'S okay, just enjoy it! Quidditch is just not my thing."
Remus
It's wonderful to see them again; they're such old friends. We talk and laugh the whole evening, as soon as Sadhu has been put to bed. He's only three, a delightful little lad who looks rather like his sisters with their black hair and darkest brown eyes. Shannah looks tired though. I'm sure her year wasn't as easy as her daughters'. She asks me about their schoolwork and I tell her they both work hard and do well.
"Padma is a bit more consistent than Parvati. But then – she's a Ravenclaw…" I say and smile, "Parvati is a bit more up and down, depending on the subject. But she's really very good in Defence and Transfiguration."
"Padma has always been more sincere than Parvati. She's the second born, but she's the dominant twin. I'm pretty glad you're not teaching Divination. She missed it in the beginning, but she hasn't mentioned it in her letters for a good long while now. So I think she's left that behind. I was getting concerned with her adoration of Sybill Trelawney. I don't understand why Albus keeps her at Hogwarts when she's so obviously a fraud."
"Trelawney may be close to a fraud, but once or twice she's hit a gold mine before. The trouble for dear Sybill is that she can't remember her true predictions, which she always gives out of a sudden trance. She's given two true predictions and mainly the first one of them is like a barrel of gunpowder on which she sits, which is why Albus keeps her. She's not doing so much harm and hardly any of the pupils really take her seriously. But Sybill is protected at Hogwarts. The Death Eaters know about her prophecy, which says that there's someone with the power to vanquish Voldemort out there. But they don't know the complete prophecy, that missing part is only known to a handful of people who have Dumbledore's absolute trust."
"Aha. So that means you know it?" Vaidyanathan asks.
"Yes."
"But you can't say anything of course, all clear."
"It would be too dangerous, Vaidyanathan. Everyone who knows the wording of this prophecy is in immediate danger, as Voldemort would kill just to know about it. So everyone who knows it will be a target. Thankfully Voldemort doesn't know who knows and who doesn't. The Death Eaters were only able to pick up the first half of the prophecy," Sirius interjects.
"So people have already died for knowing?"
"Oh yes. Several."
"But to return to Parvati. She's done some of the theory on her own to be able to pass the OWL and I think she succeeded in that. For the NEWTS she'll have Ancient Runes and/or Arithmancy. And she's pretty good in both subjects. I think she is quite good in maths, as she has no problems in Arithmancy," Sirius tells the two.
"Oh, good. One OWL more at least. I'm not holding out for more than six for her. She's not exactly interested in doing exceptionally well at school. But that's her decision; we have to live with it. We really hope she'll be interested in our business, because as you say she's got a good head for figures. Unlike Padma. Padma is more like me, face in the books."
"They'll make their way – if they get the chance and don't lose their lives as soon as they leave school. We really have to get rid of Voldemort as soon as we can. His Death Eaters are a problem, a nasty one, but we can get rid of them. Voldemort is the key problem; if he's out of the picture we shouldn't have it too hard to catch the Death Eaters. Amelia Bones will not be the type to trade Death Eaters for others, she'll put them all where they belong," says Sirius.
"I'm doing what I can from my position. But I'm often travelling abroad and I have eyes and ears open wide! And everything I learn goes straight to Dumbledore," Vaidyanathan says.
And we're back with our current problem. I'd be a lot more at ease here if I could actively fight, on the other hand I want to keep Sirius out of it all, and that means staying here. He could leave any time now but he doesn't. As long as I hold out and James, Lily and Harry are here, he will be. And I simply love him too much to lose him again. I know it's pretty selfish and pathetic, but sometimes I do wish that someone else could solve that problem. And possibly with a Muggle machine gun or something. Make a sieve out of that snake to get rid of him completely. Though I'm not sure if he wouldn't be able to still get out of that body again and be reformed… though he might not find someone again to help him who's as desperate as Wormtail.
I lift my glass and take another sip of my wine. It must be at least my tenth glass. Not that I really care, it's nice stuff.
We're up until very late, but then we all go inside and say goodnight. It's so good to have adult friends here for a while.
In the next days we go out and hike in the mountains. At first the kids moan, because we make them carry the food and drinks in our backpacks, but after a while they really like being out in the fresh air and walk. Parvati and Padma stay close to their parents and all the others leave them room, so that they can enjoy each other as a family. We go to the next public pool and have a day out swimming, fooling around in the water and sunbathing. Within a few days Siri is nicely tanned again. Luckily the weather plays along and we only have one evening of thunder, lightning and rain and another day of rain. It's Saturday and the Patils leave to make room for the McMillans. They meet as the McMillans come in the late morning, while Vaidyanathan and Shannah have planned to leave after lunch.
Ernie is over the moon seeing his parents again. They have now joined the Order and are actively fighting against Death Eaters. Mr. McMillan is working for the Ministry, in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, but he has a desk job there. His wife has been active with us in the first war and she has returned back on the job. She still remembers me.
"It's nice to meet you again, Mr. Lupin. I remember you from my first time in the Order. You were one of the youngest members then."
"I'm pleased to meet you again, Mrs McMillan. It's rather sad that we are back again facing the same problem."
"It is, but what else can we do but fight again. The Ministry has accepted us Order fighters and we are now working alongside the Aurors. It's dirty, dangerous and ugly, but it was all that the first time around. I'm very glad that my two children are in safe houses. My daughter is now a fifth year. And my oldest is out of school and a member of the Order, too."
Mr. McMillan is a gentle man. He is a lawyer and we get to talk a lot about legislature, politics and the war in the course of the next days. But we also go out for more hikes, in other areas.
They are interested when I suggest visiting the Ballenberg museum, an outdoor museum for old farmhouses and artisan's houses high above the Lake of Brienz. When we're on the way there I show them the area where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had his Sherlock Holmes die. We reach the museum in a good time and get inside the area early.
Ginny
Now this is really fun! It's a huge area and the walk through the open air museum represents certain kinds of Swiss rural housing styles. They get taken apart up to the last remaining screw and then transported to the museum and put together again. The museum is by far not finished yet, but there are a large number of houses already finished.
I'm amazed at how different they are. The multi-purpose house like ours seems to be used in a good part of the country, but there are several philosophies in the way the houses are constructed, like the materials used. And then there are the different trades. Typical winery houses from areas in Switzerland. There are quite a few wine areas here, along the Lake Geneva, in the central parts of Switzerland along the Lake of Zürich, in the Ticino and along the shores of the Lake of Constance. There are typical high alpine dwellings from the cantons Wallis, Bern, Graubünden or Ticino. How different they look! The classical chalet style is there as well as many different timbered houses.
Every house is open to go in and look inside. They are furnished in period styles showing old tools, clothes and trades.
The first house we're entering has a very low hanging straw thatched roof. It covers a pretty wide space outside the house as well. The form is similar to ours, just a lot smaller. As we're stepping inside of the kitchen we're welcomed by a pretty thick smoke, which goes through every room. I lift my nose and see Remus doing the same. He just sniffs for a moment, grins and points at the ceiling. I look up, but there's no ceiling visible at all.
The kitchen is going through from one side of the house to the other. An old stone hearth is the source of the smoke.
"What's that up there?" I ask.
"Bacon, ham, sausages… everything meat that can be conserved through smoke. The call this kitchen smoked here. It's a very old form of conserving meat and makes it durable and very tasty, too. And a very simple method. Of course when they did that when the house was in use, the doors to the rooms would have been closed and they didn't smoke things throughout the year. The stuff that gets smoked up there is also sold in the shop here. We'll surely buy some, the stuff is really nice!" Remus explains.
I suppose he's spot on there and it seems that Ron is of the same opinion. His face has this dreamy expression he always gets when he's thinking of food.
The next house we get to see, which represents the canton of Basle. In this area people lived on making ribbons at home. They had to live pretty poor because the house is very tight, there's a mechanical loom in one of the rooms which makes several ribbons, but they also seemed to have woven them on hand looms. There's a whole lot of history to be read about those trades and the way the people had to live. I listen to Hermione who seems to know a lot of the equivalent British history. I ask her from where she knows all that and she grins:
"I've spent half my life listening to my socialist parents talk about these things. You can't but know after hearing it for so and so many times. There's a lot of textile industry in the UK and a lot of similar history of exploitation of labour."
I think it's interesting history. Seeing how these people had to live I think we are wealthy. We have everything we need and a bit above and we have our magic. And all seven of us children have received an excellent education. That alone is wealth enough. I'll never think of my family as being poor anymore. I close up to Remus and ask:
"Remus, do you think we could come back here with Mum and Dad? I'm sure, Dad would be thrilled, you know how he's with Muggle things…"
"That's a neat idea, Ginny, yes, I think that can be done."
"Good. I don't think we get through with everything anyway."
"Well possible, the museum has been enlarged continually and is still in the building process, so there's always more to explore."
Since the main theme is old farmhouses, the museum also keeps old types of cattle. There are horses, cows, sheep, pigs, goats and chickens. They do small patches of plantings of old sorts of cereals and other crops. There's a field full of tobacco. Then there's an apothecary with an extensive herb garden and we detect a lot of plants that are also used in many potions. Neville recognises them all. We spend a delightful half hour listening to him explaining them.
We move on, up a hill and get to an open little prairie and almost on top is a chalk white house. Remus knows that house type.
"That's a Jura house. It's from the area where my maternal family originates."
It's a beautiful house. Wide, painted chalk white with a low roof and large french doors. When we reach it and look inside it contains information about the watch making trade. We learn that from the 17th to the late 19th century watches were mostly built in home industry. They were family businesses. There are some beautiful exhibits of lovely watches. The part where people lived is interesting, too. There's a square stone sink, with an opening to the outside.
"They washed dishes in a bucket and when they were finished they emptied the bucket into the sink and the water ran outside," Sirius explains, looking it up.
We move through the museum for the whole day, make a break to eat the picnic we brought and we have a lot of fun. It's been one of our best outings yet, I think.
Justin
I love hiking – especially when we're in the forests. It's been a good idea of Remus' to go and get us all hiking boots. I really love mine, they are light, yet solid and walking is almost like being in simple sneakers.
I think I love hiking so much because I can concentrate on myself, and my musings. They turn a lot about Ron these days. We've become very good friends. He's a great guy, I love playing chess with him, he's really good. We also like about the same things on the telly, so we watch telly together sometimes. But I'm sure there's something more. Sometimes he blushes when I look at him. And sometimes I feel a strange tingle in my stomach when I see him or when someone talks about him. Worst it is when we accidentally touch. I wonder if I'm gay. Could be, couldn't it? After all, Remus and Sirius are as gay as can be. I remember that I jokingly used their frequent snogging as a critic when Dumbledore asked us, but in truth I think I want to feel what they have. And I just might want to feel it with Ron. I have no idea how Ron swings though. He didn't exactly try to get close with any of the girls here. And, I mean, okay, Ginny, Parvati, Padma and Hermione are together with one of the guys, but there's Mandy and she's sweet and there's Morag, she's just as nice. Both are a bit shy. It's strange though, because looking at them really doesn't do the same thing for me as looking at Ron does. Oh dear…
"Justin! Come on, man, you're staying behind!" Ron calls me.
"Oh, sorry, I'm coming."
"What's up with you? Today you're like a monk."
"I just love to think while hiking in the forest is all," I say.
"Oh. That's okay, but staying behind isn't a good idea."
"I know. I'm coming already."
We reach the group again. I think, it's time I talk to either Remus or Sirius about this. After all, being gay they should be able to help me. So when we're finally on our way back to the entry of the museum we find ourselves on a path through the forest again. I get closer to Sirius and when we're alone for a while I ask him:
"Sirius, may I ask you something?"
"Sure…"
"How did you know you were gay? Sorry if that's too personal, but I'm trying to sort out some strange feelings and I thought if I knew that…"
"It's okay, Justin, you're doing well to ask. It's not something I keep locked up either, there's no reason to. How did I know I'm gay? Hm, actually it started when two of my three friends at the dormitory began wanking and talked about the girls they fantasised about. Pretty natural I thought, but when I did it no girl's features would be conjured in my mind. I saw – more angular faces, bodies with edges rather than curves. And I saw a certain face. I'm kind of centred on Remus, always have been, so one day I just accepted that I must be gay, since I was in love with a guy."
"You say two of your three friends…"
"Yes, because Remus has been a very private person throughout his life – his parents told me he was always like that even before he was bitten. He kept himself behind his curtains and if he did masturbate, which I think he did, he hid it behind silencing charms. For a long time I was in the dark whether he liked girls or boys. I knew what I was though."
"So how do I find out?"
"Well, watch yourself. I suppose you must have done that for a good deal. Who do you think about. Or dream about? What images in your head make you hot? You might also like both genders you know. Just a certain person would turn you on… life gives us a lot of options."
"Thanks. I'll think about that…"
I know I'm watching Ron much too often. It's a wonder no one has started to tease me yet. Am I in love with Ron? We reach the parking space of the museum now and Remus says:
"Okay, you have a few minutes of time to browse the store if you want."
The girls and the McMillans go inside. I'm not interested. I wait outside and look for a shady area, which I find on the other side of the road in the direction where our cars are. Slowly they drift out of the shop and we go back to get into our cars. Yes, cars, as Sirius has gone out and bought a second one a while ago, a bit smaller, but still a van. Now we fit in without cramming. The drive back home isn't too long, but we're quite tired from all the hiking today. I walk over to my room and keep to myself tonight.
Ron
What's it with Justin today? He's been looking at me the whole time. Whenever I looked at him he gazed at me. That's strange! Wonder if he knows that I'm gay. We've spent such a lot of time together in the last half year and I never once mentioned it. I really like him – shit, he's vanishing to his room. I wanted to talk to him for a while. Now, what do I do?
I decide to go and take a shower, then put on a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. And then I go over and knock on Justin's door. He opens and wears something similar to what I wear; only his chest is – heavens! Bare… the blood in my body suddenly rushes to just somewhere and I'm feeling strangely light headed.
"Hi!" Justin says.
"Hi. I wanted to come talk a bit or something…" I stutter.
"Sure. Want me to come up to the common room? – Or do you want to come in? We can play a bit of chess if you like…"
"Okay."
I walk in and he closes the door behind me. His room is about the same size as mine with the same two windows and similar curtains. His four-poster looks made up nicely, but the book turned around tells me he must have been reading on it. I can't stop looking at him. He's really well built, almost as tall as I am, good shoulders, hair hanging in his face. He lets it grow out I think, but it's lovely. He's a dark blond and he has blue eyes almost exactly like the colour of mine. I find myself turned on so much that I'd prefer to leave again, but I think I can't go back now. We sit down on the bed and he gets his chess set out. Chess is good. We can talk a bit during a casual game. But I find I can't concentrate. I think I lack something in my brain, it might be oxygen, I don't know, but he beats me in barely twenty minutes.
"Hey, what's wrong with you, mate! That's not your usual standard!" he grins.
"No. No, it isn't, I know. Sorry. What's the time?"
"Half past eight."
"I would like to turn in, we've done a lot of walking and the sun made me a bit dizzy. I think I go and sleep…"
"Okay, Ron. It was nice to have you here. Do that again some time!"
I get up from the bed, glad I'm wearing a long and slightly wide t-shirt.
"Sure. I'd love to… good night!"
"Good night, Ron."
I open the door as slowly as I can so it doesn't look like a flight, close it and then rush back to my own room. Geez, I am hard! I drop down on the bed, grab my wand, lock the door and hurriedly set up silencing spells. I have to do something about that hard-on, or I won't ever be able to sleep.
Harry
I see Ron coming from the other end of the house and running up the stairs to his room. What's wrong with him? I'll have to talk to him soon. He's been with Justin a lot, so we've just let him be, but this worries me a bit. Or should I talk to Justin? No, I think I'll talk with Ron first.
"What's up, Harry?" Hermione asks softly. We sit at the kitchen table and play some simple dice games.
"Ron…" I say.
"Yes, I wonder what's going on with him. He's a bit reclusive lately."
"You could say that. I think he's sorting out feelings…"
"For who? I'm beginning to think he's gay, he never looks at any of us girls, and he spends so much time with Justin. Which I think is a perfectly good thing."
"You wouldn't mind if he was gay?"
"Oh, come off it, Harry, why should I? Siri and Moony are gay, and so?"
"True. I think, Ron's in love with Justin."
"So he IS gay? Did he tell you?"
"Last summer already. I promised not to tell…"
"It's okay, Harry. I don't mind. If he wanted me to know he would have told me himself," she says.
"I'm debating with myself if I should go to Justin and tell him, Ron's gay or if I should talk to Ron first…"
"I think it might be a good idea to tell Justin. If you try to talk to Ron he'll only dig his heels in and become as stubborn as a mule… he always needs to think it's his own idea in these things."
"Yes, that's true. Would you excuse me for a while?"
"Sure. I'll go upstairs already…"
"Okay, I'll see you there."
I walk over and knock on Justin's door. It takes a moment, then he opens the door. He's probably very astonished to see me.
"Hi. Can I talk to you, Justin?"
"Hi. Come on in. You're only the second one tonight…" he says with a grin.
"Oh, is it? I've seen Ron coming from your end of the house and running up the stairs not even seeing Hermione and me. You didn't have a fight or something, did you?"
"Nah… why should we? We've become really good friends, Harry. I like him a lot, you know."
"That's fine. – Justin, I've watched you two. Is there more than friendship between you two? It would be great, you know. Ron's been so confused since last year, when he found out he's interested in boys rather than girls. I think, he might be interested in you…"
He stares at me and I already fear I've made a terrible mistake. But after the initial shock he grins again.
"So, that's what it was…"
"Justin, if you have to let him down, let him down easy, okay? I mean, I don't know how you swing and it's none of my business, but he's my best chum and you're a good friend, too, so…"
"You know, you're a really good friend, Harry. I'm glad you told me. I really am. Letting him down? My arse! In fact, if you don't mind, I think I'm going up there to his room right now!"
I smile.
"That's really great of you, Justin! You'd be nice together, I'm sure…"
"Thanks, Harry. I'd love to be with him. I won't tell him right away that it's been you who opened my eyes."
"But do it soon, because he's holding grudges! But he's a great friend."
We both get up and go to the door. Justin quickly pulls a t-shirt over his head and follows me through the classroom and up the staircase. I go up one more floor and meet Hermione in our room.
Justin
Let him down, my arse! I could dance! Harry, you're great! Thanks for telling me, mate, because now I know for sure that Ron feels something for me. I knock on his door. It takes quite a while until he opens. I grin and say:
"Sorry to disturb you, mate, but there's something I'd like to tell you if you let me in…"
He smiles!
"Yeah, come inside."
This time we sit down on his bed. Ron looks at me expectantly. I wonder if he guesses what I'm about to say. Will he be shocked? Not if what Harry says is true. I take a deep breath, then I say:
"You know, it made me very happy that you came over to my room tonight. It's because – well, I think I fancy you quite a bit. And if I've understood your signal tonight the right way then you like me quite a bit, too, don't you?"
Ron's blue eyes widen and he blushes, but then he just nods. I put my hands on his knees and look him straight into the eyes.
"Ron. Do you want us to be together? I'd like to try and find out. I really like you, you're a great friend and you're fun to be with. You're good looking, too, you know…"
That's all I can say. I feel my face heat up as badly as Ron's does, but he looks at me, and smiles and then says:
"I'm not as good with words, Justin. Yes, I like you that way. Yes, that's why I got out of your room, it was just a bit too evident… and yes, I'd like us to be together!"
I pull him down on the bed, so that we're side by side and then I get closer to him and feel his arms coming around my shoulders, I sling my right arm around his waist and all of a sudden there's no space left between us and I can feel his lips on mine. Oh boy, what a feeling! It's ten times better than I ever imagined. Slowly we adjust our mouths and I press my tongue against his lips. He lets me in and I start to explore. Meet his tongue! I want to cry out in bliss! My cock reacts, too… oh god, how will Ron react to that?
My brain must have gone out. All I know about is his arms around me, and his mouth on mine and now I can feel his own reaction to this. Holy shit, this feels amazing. It's the first time I'm kissing like this and I find it unbelievable.
When we come up for air for a moment I look into his eyes and he breathes hard.
"That was incredible, Justin…"
"It was, Ron. I really liked that…"
I brush lightly over his cheek. Then I just have to kiss him again. It's even better now. I'm closing my eyes and really start to feel great! Then I feel his hand slowly coming under my t-shirt and splaying over my bare back. I can't hold a moan back. But this seems to egg him on even more, because now he moves down, reaches the small of my back, the waistband of my sweatpants, my shorts, oh god, he's going right for my buttocks and oh, this feels good! His hand is hot, but he presses my flesh and I want to cry out again – only this time I do. He is quite surprised and looks at me.
"Just don't stop, don't bloody stop, Ron! Let's get rid of those t-shirts…"
We both pull the t-shirts off and I can finally look at him. My hands explore his shoulders and his bare chest, the rosy nipples, gods, they're light pink. I move my head down to get a first taste of them. I have barely touched them, when he starts to moan and breathe harder again. Oh, but they taste nice. I suck on the nipples, push him on his back and straddle him, to get closer to those wonderful buds. And I can feel his hard cock under mine. I get up on my knees and start pulling down my sweats and my shorts. He stares and his eyes look glazed over, but he follows the fabric down with his hand. Touches my belly. Oh, oh yes, there, that's good!
"Yes, yes, Ron, there! That's good!" I whisper.
Then I get off him for a moment to get rid of the unwanted garments. Now I'm fully naked and he stares at me. My cock stands upright. He can't stop looking at it. I scoot closer, kiss him again and say in a heated voice:
"It's all yours, love, yours for the taking…"
"Oh yes, Justin, yes… and will you have me in exchange?"
"Wouldn't want to miss it, Ron…"
He grins. He's beautiful when he grins; he's got that charming little dimple on his left cheek when he grins. Now he lifts his hip to shove his pyjama pants down. I pull air in sharply. Gosh, he's beautiful. Endlessly long legs, nicely muscled, beautiful hips, the hipbones very visible, long navel, a coppery bush of hair between navel and cock. And the cock! I could swoon! He's long and well shaped. I think I just want to stroke over it a bit, but now he's breathing in sharply. I look up at him. He grins again.
"I take it you like what you see?"
I grin right back.
"No, I like what I get!"
He pulls me down for another kiss. We just lie next to each other exchanging kisses. It's all a bit rushed I think all of a sudden. But it feels so good, so who cares?
In the end we just touch a bit, but I really love the feel of his cock in my hand. I curl it around the shaft and start pumping softly. And instantly he starts moaning. He doesn't last very long. I'm not surprised, I'm quite sure I won't last longer! And the proof I get a few minutes later, when I come all over his hand. But it feels so amazing! So unbelievably amazing. It's the first time someone else gives me my orgasm, it's just so bloody brilliant.
We cuddle for a while. When I make a move to get up, he holds me back and asks:
"Stay with me?"
"Through the night?" I ask back.
He nods.
"Okay!"
He smiles brightly and pulls up the thin summer blankets. We close up and kiss again, then he turns to his side, I turn on mine and press my back against him and he just holds me.
The next thing I know is I wake up beside him. When I open my eyes I remember something really important has happened yesterday and the next thing I notice is Ron, curled all around me. So it wasn't a dream. I'm really sharing the bed with him.
Ron
When I wake up I'm almost falling off my bed. Justin is nestled close to me and I'm curled all round him. His right arm is draped over my lower belly and his head is burrowed on my shoulder. Gosh, this feels good. Gosh, he's so lovely and gosh, I'm hard again. He starts to stir, the hand on my belly brushing over a very sensitive spot. I sigh and hold him there. My cock shoots up and I feel his head turning, looking down, then cracking a grin. He looks up to my face.
"Good morning, Ron," he says with a cheeky little smile.
"Morning, Justin. What's so funny?"
"Not funny – welcome…"
That hand of his gives my cock a soft pinch. I gasp. Oh, but I want this every morning! It's so good that we don't have to get up early to go to class. Vacation! That word is so sweet right about now. For a moment I'm thinking about what Harry and Hermione are probably doing. Then I decide to push all thoughts of others out of my mind. Justin turns and looks at my alarm clock.
"What's the time?" I ask and yawn.
"Just past seven," he says, turning back.
He lifts himself up and straddles me. HA! I'm not the only one with a hard-on here! But before I can tell him he lowers his head and kisses me. I close my eyes and just enjoy. He embraces me tightly and I let my arms snake around his body, pulling him closer and keeping him on my mouth. I think, the ability for reasonable thinking is leaving me rapidly and wonder how I can even think that much. But then Justin begins to nibble along my jaw and down to my throat.
"Nng…"
Not very coherent. Let's try that again, I think. Justin has now advanced to my nipples. Oh dear!
"Nnnng…"
This time he looks up quickly and grins. Then he returns to lick my nipples and tries out my response by blowing at them.
"Oh man…"
"That's been at least a bit more coherent, love," he teases.
"Oh, but it's so good, Justin!" I manage to croak.
"Do you like it, really?"
"Yeah, I like it. Really. Like. It…"
"Good!"
And he continues to move downwards. Next I feel his tongue poking my navel. What the heck? I never knew one could feel anything like that THERE! Now I do. Now he trails down with his tongue, down along my belly until he reaches the pubic hair. And with it – my cock. Wait a minute, he's not going to… oh yes, he DOES! Licks my cock. And it feels, wow! That's like a bomb just exploded in my nerves. And I thought his hand on it felt good? This is unbelievable. I frantically grab something with my hands. One hand lands on the sheet, the other catches Justin's hair.
Justin seems to enjoy himself. He happily laps at my cock and when I look at him he's giving me that heated look back that I hope to see many more times.
"Do nothing, Ron, let me pleasure you…"
"Justin," I pant, "have you done this before?"
"Nope. I've just seen some pictures. Would be nice to see if what those guys did is something you like, because it looked incredibly sexy…"
"Do it. And teach me," I groan.
I get more opportunity to groan soon as he's actually pulling my cock into his mouth. It's pretty thick, so he can't take much of it, but he suckles on it, flicks his tongue over the most sensitive spots and caresses me with it. All the while he pumps the shaft with one of his hands. I'm almost going out of my mind as the sensation takes me ever closer to the edge.
"Justin, I'm going to come, oh, oh, Justin! Oh god, I…"
I come. I scream and let it shoot, not caring, where it goes, but seemingly it goes down Justin's throat. When I manage to look he still swallows. Then he looks up and into my eyes. He sighs and drops his face on my belly, while his hand sneaks up and looks for mine. It's been amazing. I pull him up and want another kiss. And that's when I can taste it. A pang of musky scent, salty with an almost sweet undertone. I wonder if what I taste is my own flavour on his lips and in his mouth. Whatever it is it's turning me on immensely and I can feel his hard cock as he straddles me again and rubs it lightly on my belly.
There goes again… I smile up at him.
"You're amazing, Justin…"
"Any love left for me then?"
"Oh you bet…"
And I pull him back down for another kiss. I suppose, it's my turn to find out more about him and his body. Which I do, but I think I'm slow and still too reluctant. He's nice about it all and thinks we need time to get adjusted.
"I think I find myself rapidly falling down a deep, deep chasm. But it's such a good feeling of falling… would that be falling in love, Justin?"
I can't believe I'm hearing myself saying that! He nuzzles me though and kisses me. It seems he liked that. Then he replies slowly:
"That feeling of falling is mutual, Ron. I think, it's happening to me, too…"
Remus
My ears perk up. That was from Ron's room. And it sounded like… oh, he's probably jacking off… I'm wondering about Ron. I know he thinks he's gay, but he's so held back. He's turned sixteen a few months ago. We gave him a big party of course, as we do with all of them. He really enjoyed being the centre of attention and we all gladly gave it to him. I'm trying to remember anything special about that evening, but nothing comes to mind. Justin's been around him quite often. They seem to have become friends. I thought it was an almost natural choice after Harry and Hermione became lovers.
I turn around; look at the clock. Vacation! It's only shortly past seven and I don't need to get up before nine. We've decided that breakfast would not be before nine during the break, that we would go without lunch and have dinner earlier.
Therefore I have all the time to nuzzle into Siri's shoulder and lightly nip the flesh. He wakes up, groans a bit and immediately pulls me into his arms. How I love him! Kiss me, love, yes…
Sirius
He wakes me! He rarely does that and even more rarely that early in the morning, because he's not really a morning person. But that look in the golden eyes… I know that glance, it promises a lot of good fun and an explosion of feelings.
"Remus, my love…" I murmur and kiss him.
Like every other time I'm feeling those lips on mine, and that tongue touch mine I'm on fire. It doesn't take much to get me turned on and soon he's working his way over my body. Hands, mouth, teeth, tongue, oh the magic he does. I let myself drown in that ocean. It's warm and while wet it's still hot and dry as well, it goes straight to that one point where it feels best, even though he doesn't touch that just yet.
We allow ourselves time enough to reach the crest of those wonderful waves and recover from the ride. Then we go down to wash up and get dressed. When we arrive at the breakfast table, inside, as it's raining, only the McMillans, Ernie and Ginny are up yet. We sit down and Winky brings our breakfast. While we're discussing the day's plans and activities I hear someone coming down the stairs. I look up and see Ron and…. Justin! Wow! Now that's a lovely surprise. They sit down at the table on their usual spot.
I look over at Justin and I must have asked the question without words, because Justin smiles and says:
"Ask your godson…"
"I think, I will… but if you two need to talk, come anytime."
Remus
I can smell the sex before they even come down the stairs. So I did hear right. They'd make for a nice couple and Siri and I would feel much less alone in being gay! What does Justin mean by 'ask your godson'? I'll have to get it out of Siri later on.
Right now we decide on a visit to Bern to stroll around town. Once everybody is up and about we leave for the town and spend the whole day there. We let the kids stroll off and fix meeting points. They all know Bern quite well by now.
Harry
Remus and Sirius let us off the leash. Mum and dad are staying at home now, because the baby can be coming at any minute. I decide to take Hermione first to Gringotts and then to a jeweller's. While we walk down to the Zouberbär I say:
"Hermione, won't today be a good opportunity to pick our rings?"
"Yes, Harry, and I'd love to do it. But I want to contribute with half of it. I want this to be a shared gift for us both, okay?"
"That's fine with me."
"I'll let you pay for them and give you half of it back later, how's that?" she asks.
"That's perfect."
"Good. Here we are."
We go through to the other side and straight to Gringotts. While I wait I'm looking around the small branch office. We're not taken to any vaults of course, since we're strangers. But if I'd ask to I wouldn't be astonished if they'd have a way to let me go into my vault in London. Silly thoughts. I get my money, thank the goblin politely and leave.
Hermione receives her money through a regular Swiss bank account. She uses an ATM close by and then we go hunting for rings. It's fun. We see a lot of nice stuff and a lot that makes us laugh straight out. Finally we find what we like most. A single flat gold band about three millimetres wide, the edges rounded. We ask for our names to be engraved, but no date yet. The clerk has this done immediately and tells us:
"If you'd ever like to have a date added you can bring them back."
"Thank you, that's fine."
I'm paying for the rings. They seem a bit on the expensive side, but who cares. When we meet Draco, Parvati, Padma and Blaise a bit later on we're all laden with little shopping bags. Parvati looks at our hands and says:
"Hey, weren't you going off to get your rings?"
"We found them," I say.
"Then why aren't you wearing them?"
"Yes, that's true, why aren't we?"
I turn to Hermione who takes the box out of her pocket. She opens it, I snatch her ring and push the box into Draco's hands. Then I look at my lover and take her left hand to slowly push the ring over her finger. It fits just fine, but she shakes her head, pulls both rings off and then puts the new ring on her finger and the old one right next to it. I want to kiss her on the spot, but she just takes the ring Draco passes her and puts it on my finger. It's an incredible feeling and my smile probably completely gives my emotion away, but I couldn't care less. While she lets me kiss her, Draco says quietly:
"I hereby declare you husband and wife!"
We all giggle. I give him a little shove, but he laughs. He's opened up so much lately, I think it's Parvati's doing, but we're all happy for them. She's making him a little sillier, but much more fun. We then go and look for the others and find another group on the square in front of the houses of parliament. Finally we're all at the meeting point at something after three in the afternoon. Remus and Sirius take us back to the station, where we get into the train to Burgdorf after four. In that moment it happens.
Six Death Eaters! They hadn't even bothered dressing up as Muggles! Dressed in their black cloaks and hoods up, masks firmly on their faces. How much more stupid can they get? We spot them minutes before they are able to close up and we all have our wands out and ready, sending out stunners as fast as we can. The two Aurors who are with us, Remus, Sirius and the McMillans alone are match enough for them, but we kids have our say as well.
Within seconds the track is filled with local hit wizards. They start to shield the area against any more Muggles and check on the Death Eaters. One of the local Aurors immediately walks up to his British colleagues who point to Remus and Sirius. The two begin to explain.
"Would you want us to come to your local Ministry to clear this mess up? These six people are Death Eaters. You do know what they are, don't you?" Remus asks calmly.
"Yes, we've been told to watch out for any of them actually. And yes, I'd like you to come to our Ministry. Some of my colleagues will clear up here and do the necessary obliviating."
We're concealed and magicked away. When I'm able to take in my surroundings again I find myself in a long room, fitted with several benches and single chairs. My friends are all next to me. The six Death Eaters have been bound with ropes. The Aurors take our statements and then it's discussed what is to be done with the Death Eaters.
"I suggest to owl our British Ministry and alert them to have them picked up. They're not really your problem, and you don't want to have to burden yourself with the scum," one of our Aurors declares.
"Yes, I'd be glad to be rid of them soon. Should we identify them?"
"I'll take off the masks…"
The first one turns out to be Lucius Malfoy. Ei gucke da! I thought. Now there's a nice little catch! He looks daggers at everyone and his son in particular. The next two I don't know, but it seems that the McMillans and Sirius do. Mr. McMillan whispers:
"That's a very close friend of Dolores Umbridge's, his name's Alberto Thimble. He's working as a freelance lawyer but often gets work from the Ministry."
And Sirius:
"Dear me, Prunella Quirke… who would have expected that?"
"Who's she?" I ask.
"An Auror. Was one of my superiors back in my days as an Auror. She was a Ravenclaw."
There are no more surprises. The remaining three Death Eaters are unknown to all of us. Once we have all given our statements we are free to leave. We've missed three trains, but we don't mind. We've come out of the attack alive. When we finally reach our home we set the map up to find out if we've been followed. There's no sign of any other Death Eaters though. Within several hours we get a fresh set of Aurors coming in. They inform us that the captured Death Eaters are already in security cells at Azkaban to await their trial.
"Does it make sense to put them there? Voldemort will get there sooner or later," I remark.
"Not much, but it's the only place safe enough right now," Sirius says grimly.
I hate the expression that's showing on his face every time the term Azkaban comes up. I fully understand it of course. It's just so hard to see how much it still affects him. Sodding bastards who sent him there. I'm glad Crouch is dead! I just hope, Fudge will not be Minister for long anymore, the incompetent fool.
The episode will be felt for a while, I think. For one we're now afraid that our location is known. It will be Snape's job to find out if this is the case. On the other hand, there are several Death Eaters less. Among them one of the worst, Lucius Malfoy, who is really a pain in the back. I suppose, Voldemort will be quite angry to have lost two of his lieutenants by now, first Pettigrew and now Malfoy. If he'll be left with people of the quality of a Crabbe, Goyle or Macnair he'll have a hard time conquering the wizarding world.
But then Sirius says something about that Auror who has been captured. It's like the Death Eaters have infiltrated the Ministry so badly, that they are like cancer growing.
"Well, I for one will try to work in the direction that we will do a thorough search for the Dark Mark on people in the Ministry. Anyone who has it gets sacked – directly to Azkaban. Shouldn't be a problem to get Bones behind me. Umbridge should be shut up for a while, after finding out her closest outside contact is a Death Eater. Thimble was quite importantly working in many cases of Death Eater trials all those years ago and all of his clients, including Malfoy, were let off the hook."
"Interesting bit, Mr. McMillan. You'll have some work cut out for you then," Sirius says.
"Oh, I've had that before. It was difficult to get this week free, but I intend to make it a memorable one. They haven't found you here yet. I'm not overly scared."
"We'll see. And we'll fight them as long as we possibly can."
"Does the local Ministry know this is a wizarding safe house?"
"No. We are trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. So far we fared well enough and were left alone completely."
"I see."
"Actually, there are really very few people who know. Dumbledore, some Order members and Aurors who are Order members, the Hogwarts staff and the parents. Otherwise no one – but of course it can always leak somewhere inadvertently. It's not like someone would do this maliciously, at least I hope not," Remus says.
Over all it seems most unimportant that Hermione and I actually just lived one of the most important days of our lives. We wear the rings!
Sooner or later people will notice the ring on my finger. I feel terribly exposed. Just imagine what Aunt Petunia or Uncle Vernon would have to say! I'd like to pay them a visit, just to hear them screech!
In a few weeks Hermione's parents will be here. What will THEY say? That's much more important. After all they're my beloved's parents. Worst case will be that we'll have to wait for another two years. But Hermione keeps telling me they will be fine with it.
Justin
It's just a few more hours until Mum and Dad will be here. They come by their own car, take the ferry and drive through France. Since they are Muggles they will have no problem to pass through the wards. I'm looking forward to meet them. They're great people and so is my little sister, but Jenny's not with them when they finally arrive. I welcome them first. We're sitting outside and when I see their car coming up the road I jump up and wait for them to show them where they can park the car.
They are happy to see me! Mum embraces me and kisses my cheeks, Dad slaps my shoulder and says:
"Hello there, Justin!"
"Hi Mum, hi Dad! It's so good to have you here for a week! I've missed you."
"We've missed you, son. Jenny sends her love, but she had something planned with a school friend of hers for months, so she excuses herself."
"That's okay. Mum, Dad, there's something I need to tell you…"
"What – do you have a girlfriend?" Mum asks.
"Not a girlfriend. Rather a boyfriend… we've been friends for some time, and we've come together a good week ago."
My parents are shocked. Dad looks at me with a strange face. Then he makes kind of a helpless gesture and asks:
"Are you happy, Justin?"
"Very much so, Dad. He's a very nice boy. He's a Gryffindor. Well, I'll introduce you in a moment. Can you take out your stuff? I'll first show you to your room, okay?"
"Fine, thank you. That house definitely looks old!"
"It is quite old, but the back and middle part are renovated brand new, come and see…"
Dad takes two small suitcases and a bag out of the car and follows me through the door to the classroom.
"That's our classroom. And for the moment it's also our living room and dining room. With guests we don't fit in the kitchen anymore. If the weather is too bad to be outside we fix this room for either purpose."
When Dad wants to pick the luggage up, I smile and say:
"No need, Dad, watch out!"
I levitate the stuff and guide it inside. Dad smiles, shakes his head and says:
"Now there's a nice way of transporting things. Do you know that this is the first time I actually see you do something magical?"
"I know. I so longed to show you, but at home we're not allowed to do magic outside of school. No one bothers here, so we can do whatever we like. We need to go through there…"
We go to the back of the house, where I show them my room (which doesn't see much of me these days) and then theirs one or two floors up.
"You can choose and either take a room here or one on the top floor. Top floor would mean less people to share the bath with."
"That's okay, Justin. We're guests. We adjust."
They choose the one on the top floor.
"Do you need to change or something? Make yourself comfortable, we like to be easy around here and it's very warm right now. So put on something light and that will be fine with everyone."
"That we will, Justin, thank you."
"Fine. When you're done, go through the classroom and through the kitchen. The door leads outside, all you have to do is turn to the right around the house to the front, we're out on the terrace."
"That's nice! We're looking forward to spend this week with you and learn to know your teachers and friends. Thank you, Justin. From your letters we understand that you really like it here."
"I'm happy you're both here! But it's easy to like it here, you'll see. Remus and Sirius are just simply cool and we learn a lot with them and have a lot of fun at the same time. It's easy to feel well. When you're ready, just go down the stairs, through the door to the left and then all along the house until you get to the front where we're all seated."
I leave them alone. Twenty minutes later they turn up, dressed in light summer clothes. I first introduce them to Remus and Sirius, James and Lily.
"Mum, Dad, these are Professor Remus Lupin and Professor Sirius Black. As you know they're the ones who are looking after us. Remus, Sirius, these are my parents…"
They all shake hands and everyone sits down. Dobby brings some fresh lemonade and chilled pumpkin juice. I wonder where he gets the pumpkin juice, but we all happily sip on a glass full. I also introduce my classmates and my boyfriend.
"Well, that's him, Ron Weasley."
"Pleased to meet you, Ron. I hear you've won the heart of our son…" Dad says.
"As much as he's won mine, sir," Ron says and smiles.
"You're both well then?"
"Yes sir, we are."
"Well, that's good then. Nothing for us to do but welcome you to the family, Ron. Not that we can easily invite you to our home right now, which is a shame."
"Especially not after we had another little meeting with Death Eaters last week. I'd love to come…"
It went much better than I was afraid it would. In the course of the following week my parents delightedly watch as we show them lots of things we've learned in the past five years. We leave on several outings and see a bit more of the mountains. We tell my parents all about the skiing and how much we liked it. The week is gone in a moment! On Friday evening they leave, but I'm happy having been able to see them for a while and catching up.
The week after that it's Morag's parents who come.
Mandy
It's my turn. I am really excited because it's so long since I've seen Mum and Dad. They arrive by Portkey and I introduce everyone, starting with Remus and Sirius.
"So you're Remus Lupin. We weren't too thrilled to leave our daughter in the care of an ex convict and a werewolf, to be quite honest, but she seems well, so we won't mention anything," my Dad says.
Oh no, Dad! Please don't start that argument! How many times do I have to tell you it's rubbish to ride on the fact that Remus is a werewolf? But Sirius steps up and looks calmly at my father who's at least a head shorter. James and Lily get ready to defend their friend, too. Then he says:
"Before you spoil yourself your stay here, sir, I'd like to point out that I may have spent twelve years in Azkaban, but I was there without reason. And I've spent the years between school and the sentence to protect people like you from Death Eaters. I've done my duty and more than that, you may want to inquire with my former superior, Alastor Moody. And I also have something to say to your obvious fear of werewolves. First of all it's unfounded prejudice. Did you ever even know a werewolf personally before your daughter had one as a teacher?"
"No, we…"
"Then I would ask you to please take the pain of getting to know one. Werewolves are people like you and I. Yes, they transform into a wolf once a month and they CAN be deadly. But Remus has not ever once attacked anyone. He's a responsible person who knows how to control the wolf inside of him and takes every precaution possible never to harm anyone on a full moon night. If you can look past what you just said before you will find that you will enjoy your time with us here in Switzerland."
That shuts my father up. I'm very glad I can take them out to show them their room. I know there are tears in my eyes and I don't hide them. Mum notices and says:
"There's no need to cry, Mandy. We're only stating our concern."
"Mum, if Remus would have wanted to attack any of us he would have done so long ago. Can't you just accept him as the friendly person he is? He's the kindest, most competent teacher I've ever had as I've already told you before. I've missed him lots in fourth year and I could still murder Professor Snape for telling everyone Remus' secret. And Sirius does a fine job as well. I don't think I'd have made an OWL in transfigurations, but now I'm pretty sure I'll get one, because Siri has taught us so well."
The week becomes rather ugly. My parents leave us after a few days. Only the fact that I'm safe here keeps them from taking me right with them. I'm more than glad to see them go and just cry a bit on Remus' shoulder. How come that this man, whom my parents so dislike, has become more important to me than the people who conceived, bore and brought me up?