Two Tickets to Rome
Summary: Two strangers. One train. A ten-hour journey. Who said magic can't happen on a train ride to Rome? A new take on the first meeting between our favourite Witch and Wizard. RomioneAU
A/N: It sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but today I met a Brit and an American, and I couldn't talk English for shit.
Also, spoiler alert: who doesn't love maintenance work?
Capitolo sette: Maintenance Work
The line took its time. It gave them just enough time to discuss their alternatives and sort out a plan. The next departure would leave in only a few hours, and therefore they decided to board that train.
They finally arrived at the information desk.
The employee behind the desk briefly looked up. Her eyes flashed back to her screen and she let out a string of fast Italian.
"English, please?" Hermione asked patiently.
It didn't seem to affect the girl at all. With the same bored expression and tone of voice, she said in crisp, close-to-perfect English, "What can I help you with?"
"We lost our train," Hermione explained, "We would like to purchase tickets for the next departure to Rome,"
"I'm sorry," the girl said, without looking sorry, "The train is full. Because of maintenance work on the rail, there are less trains operating on the route. The next departure is at 04:26 –"
"We'll take it!" Hermione said.
"– in three days," the girl finished.
"Oh," was all she said. Ron looked crestfallen. His bangs hung down in his face. Hermione felt how the disappointment resonated in her chest, like an echo. It felt cold and foreign. A shiver ran down her spine.
Ron sighed, "It seems that we will have to stay here the next three days. There are probably some cool places to explore here too," He tried to sound positive and almost succeeded.
"Of course, there is, this is Naples!" Hermione said. She frowned, her eyebrows furrowing, "I have already booked the hotel room in Rome. It's non-refundable. I can't really stay here for another three days,"
Ron fidgeted. The employee's stare was blank, as if their little conversation were a long-awaited break for her.
"And the theatre," Hermione continued, her frustration growing, "I was going to see the famous Shakespeare play, Othello,"
"Othello?" he asked.
"It would be wonderful," she replied, "But it is in two days. I can't miss it. I have been looking forward to it ever since I purchased the ticket,"
Ron's look softened at her dreamy enthusiasm, "I'm sure there is some way…" he trailed off, directing the question to the employee.
The girl blinked, "I'm sorry, unless someone cancels their tickets, you won't be able to leave before Wednesday. Your other options are car rental and bus,"
Hermione frowned.
The girl's eyes twinkled. It was the first display of emotion on her face. "Although," she said with a gleaming smile, "Since you travel outside the regular tourist season, and I can give you two coupons, you can get a discount on car rental so that the total cost is only two times the bus ticket price,"
Hermione opened her mouth to reply.
She cut her off, "I really recommend the car rental. You will have to change bus twice because of maintenance work on–"
Ron was looking at her with his wide blue eyes. She didn't know what to say. He smiled his askew smile again, "What do you think?"
She hesitated slightly, "As long as I'm in Rome in time to catch my theatre play, then I'm all down for car rental. Then we can stop along the way, too,"
"Then it's settled," Ron said. She didn't know if she hated or loved his smile. Her knees felt weak, but it was hard to stay mad. She was supposed to be mad.
He opened his wallet. Glancing at the employee, he said, "How much was it again?"
The girl answered. Thankfully, Ron seemed comforted by the answer.
"What about our luggage? It is still on the train," Hermione asked.
"It will be arranged so you can pick it up in Rome,"
"Thank you," she said, feeling light on her feet. She wanted to go, but not before thanking the girl that saved the day, "Thank you for all your help,"
The girl managed a weak smile, then she said what Hermione presumed meant, "Next!"
They picked up the car shortly after. It was a red, rusty car. When Hermione opened the door, she was hit with a strong cigarette smell. There were no doubts as to why it was so cheap.
Hermione sat down in the driver's seat. Ron picked at the radio.
"Of course, it's not working," he said, "It is just our luck,"
Hermione didn't answer. It was she, not he, who had just had their hopes crushed because they found out that their travel companion wasn't single after all.
The silence continued, until the tension in the air was thick as butter. They hadn't even driven out of the city yet. She followed the signs, and they ended up stopping at a red light.
"So," Ron said unsurely, "You worked with Madam Pomfrey, right?"
"I did," she said. The light was still blazing red.
"For half a year?"
"Yes," she turned silent again, before changing her mind. She might as well have a decent conversation, "I was actually going to visit one of the families we helped here in Rome,"
He chuckled, "Of course you were,"
"What do you mean?"
"You are always there for everybody. At least that's how it seems," he shook his head, as if to snap out of a daze, or shake away a headache, "You're resourceful,"
"Ehm," Hermione didn't know what to say, "Thanks?"
With a confidence in him she had rarely seen before, Ron grinned, "You're welcome. And yes, it was a compliment,"
She absolutely hated the bubbly feeling that arose in her stomach. Gripping the steering wheel, she corrected herself. She didn't hate it, she despised it.
The light turned yellow, then green. She might have stepped a little too harshly on the pedal.
A/N: As always, I love feedback, so please tell me your hates, your loves, and all that's left in between. I hope you have a wonderful day!