Leaving on a Jet Plane…
and a Couch
Everyone was up by seven, looking pumped and ready, even Ron. They had all of their stuff properly packed and sitting outside the dining tent while they ate their last breakfast with their new friends. Ginny, bless her heart, had gotten ready and still found time to help put one last serving of her famous cinnamon rolls together for the camp. They were going to truly miss her, even though she claimed to have trained some competent replacements.
Once they got to the house, their belongings would find their way into Hermione's bag. But for now, it would look suspicious, or at least strange, if they had nothing in the way of luggage. When Nigel pulled in, right on time, they quickly tossed their stuff in the van and started to pull out. The cheers among the waving were strong and heartfelt. There were more than a couple wet cheeks in the van as it sped away.
The trip into town, and to the house was fairly quick. Even as the capital, rush hour traffic is light compared to normal traffic in London. Mick was waiting for them with Hermione's parents when they arrived. They were more than complimentary of him and the house. 'It better than any hotel or resort I've ever stayed in," announced her dad. "Five stars, with a staff to match."
"Okay," said Mick, trying to be humble in the wake of Alan's compliment. "Everyone needs to listen, so we get this all correct. Don't want any foul-ups this late in the game. Hermione. You will be traveling with your parents to Canberra. They said you have flown several times as a kid. So, you're okay with that, right?" She nodded an affirmative. "You will have everyone's things in your bag. As soon as you arrive in Canberra, you will be met by some of John's staff. Carol, if we are lucky. They will take you to a hotel. The flight out to London is late, so you'll need a room. Once you settle into the room, apparate to Hallow House. We'll meet up there and prepare to return. We all know how to apparate to the spot in Canberra, so we will skip the portkey. From there, we will meet up with John for his press thing. After that, it is time to send you off to London."
"I want to stay with the group on the way home," said Hermione, "if that is okay. I want to thank the people at Mahoutokoro and in Romania, too."
"Okay, we'll have to discuss that later. Let's just focus on getting through this trip up and conference. I am sure John will have this orchestrated, so I don't see any problems other than we all need to think about what to say and trying to give John a big moment of positive press."
Hermione wanted to stay with the group instead of ushering her parents home did present a bit of a conundrum. It was perfectly reasonable to want to do the things she pointed out, perhaps even necessary. But it left them with the dilemma of who would then meet her folks in London and watch over them without her there to shepherd them around. Granted, they knew the city well, but they would still need lodging and food money, and they would need to start house hunting as soon as possible. Maybe John would have some thoughts.
Nigel interrupted saying, "It is best we get out to the airport and get Hermione and her parents checked in. "Got them three business class seats, so they will have a nice flight."
Great replied Mick. Go ahead, then. I will finish up and we will be out of here directly. We have to keep this ball rolling to make this all work."
Nigel assisted Hermione, Alan and Jeannine to the van. The group wished them safe travels as the doors closed and Nigel pulled away. The events were like a balancing act from here on out, one misstep and disaster might follow.
"When Hermione is gone like this, I almost feel naked without that bloody, beaded bag nearby."
"Good, Ronald," chirped Ginny. Harry winced, knowing this couldn't end well. "Then we can go for a dip in the pool before we leave."
Harry's eyes grew three sizes. "Will you stop with the pool thing, Ginny. Mom and dad are definitely going to hear about this," Ron nearly shouted, his face glowing red. Harry also turned a bit red. Mick just laughed.
"Now, gasped Mick, recovering from Ron's hypersensitivity to the notion of bathing in the nude, "if you comedians are ready, we need to get onto Hallow House. I am certain that they are going to want a rundown of how this all shook out and also want to offer congratulations once Hermione gets there. In order to keep this ball in play, we need to get on with kicking it down the road."
"Mick's right," said Ron. "We need to get going. Let's not be the ones to muck things up."
Ginny looked at him, not used to him being the one out front urging everyone on. "I think he is feeling more responsible since he got the rest of his heart," said Harry.
"What are you talking about?" asked Ginny, clearly not understanding Harry.
"Ron's heart, well Hermione's heart, really. They had a moment back at the camp after Amy's talk at lunch. They had a really big snog and it was pretty clear that Ron now has all of Hermione's heart.
"Ooohhh," gasped Ginny. Well, that's great. You better behave, then. If you hurt it, you'll have me, not just her to answer to."
"Me behave? You're the let's get naked in the pool nutter." It was Ginny's turn to blush. Harry just stood by quietly, smirking.
"Okay. C'mon. C'mon. Jokes over," said Mick. "Nothing to see here. Move on, now. Move on."
As they walked out back toward the waiting portkey, Harry looked over at Ron and whispered "Good one, mate," as he slapped his shoulder.
Ron smiled, knowing it was not easy to get one over like that on his sister. She was the quick wit of the family, well right up with Fred and George, anyway.
Harry and Ginny cuddled up in Cuddle one position, Mick got into Mickey in the Middle. Ron found himself in the unaccustomed position of sitting all alone on the other end, his cuddle mate flying in a jet with her parents.
Mercifully, the couch finally landed in the familiar spot outside of the Hallow House shield. Hurrying because of the cold, they made their way into the climate-controlled shelter of the bubble. "Welcome back, hollered Nicolas Gudgeon, who was crossing the courtyard as they walked in. "So glad to see you, again. Mick. We were hoping to see you for a few minutes while you are here. It is rather important. I know you are busy and all. But you need to take time for this," he implored.
"Okay, Nick. Be there in a minute," relented Mick. "You folks find a shady spot and I will be right back. As soon as Hermione gets here, it is off to Canberra."
Mick disappeared into the dining hall while Harry and Ginny found a discreet spot for a little snogging while Ron watched the goi. A few minutes passed, not that Harry or Ginny were keeping track of time.
"Excuse me," came a voice. It was Hermione. "Not interrupting anything important, am I," she sniggled. Harry and Ginny sat up straight and tried to smooth their clothes. Ron saw them and walked quickly over, hugging Hermione and giving her a big snog.
"We are waiting for Mick. He got called into the dining hall to talk with some folks. It seemed important. No idea what it is," said Harry.
A few moments later Mick came out of the hall and looked around, spotting them, he came straight over.
"Well," he began with a clap of his hands. "We have a little complication." The smiling faces that were looking at him turned into four faces loaded with apprehension.
"What's wrong?" asked Harry.
Mick cleared his throat. You could see him search for the right thing to say. "Well…nothing is exactly wrong. It is just our schedule is going to be bowled a bit of a floater?"
"How's that?" asked Hermione, suddenly concerned that the schedule, in effect the plan, was going to change. She didn't like things going off plan.
"It seems we are, shall I say in the most politically correct way, 'expected' to be here tomorrow morning with your parents to meet with the residents of Hallow House. I can feel rather safe in saying it is not really a negotiable request. I am going to dash off and meet with John immediately and then get on the road back here with your parents. It is a long drive back around to here, and a healthy hike back up here from the end of the road. You folks jump back into your cottage and relax. I will be back as quickly as possible."
Mick was gone in a flash of apparition. "What a load of waffle," declared Ron. "Who are they to be demanding things like this?
"Yes, agreed Ginny. "How is it they can just tell the prime minister what and when to do things? I say we go demand some answers."
"Easy," said Harry. "I understand the upset, but I don't think we'll get anywhere going in there and blowing a fuse."
I think Harry's right," said Hermione. "I think we need to wait and see. I am sure we will get an explanation when the time is right."
"You are the boss, Hermione," said Ron. "It's all about you and your parents. If you say wait, then I guess I'll wait?"
"Thanks, Ron," she said. "I think we need to wait".
Ginny leaned over and whispered to Harry, "I don't understand this heart thing completely, but I like this new Ron. He best not mess things up with her."