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: Thank you oh-so much for all your wonderful feedback! I feel warm inside just reading your comments.

Especially thanks to AzureAlquimista! I appreciate your amazing support. You have no idea how happy your review made me. Love you to Rome and back (That's a very long way;) ). This chapter is for you!

Capitolo dodici: His Letter

Hermione squinted at the letter. The handwriting was hardly understandable.

"It is from Charlie," she said hesitantly. The name sounded vaguely familiar.

"My brother," Ron commented. Secretly, she appreciated the reminder. It had been, after all, well over a day since they had talked about his brothers for the first time.

She skimmed the letter, pausing in between scribbled words to make sense of them. What horrible handwriting, Hermione thought to herself. In the corner of her eye, she noticed Ron's blue eyes were fixed on her.

She read out loud, "Ron,

Dad was ecstatic about your phone call with Mom. Just wanted to tell you that he'd appreciate if you called him later to tell him how you are,"

Hermione paused. It felt personal, and in her opinion, it was wrong to read someone's letter. Patting her own shoulder, she reminded herself that Ron had asked her to read it. She would just have to bear with it.

"I'm sorry that I blew you off when you asked if you could visit me in Romania. You are probably very busy in Italy, but I have rescheduled my timetable so you can come visit during this week.

I'll send you a Portkey via owl.

I hope to see you,

Take care,

Charlie,"

She finished the letter, then looked at him expectantly.

"You should come, Hermione!" he exclaimed, eyes wide and hopeful.

They drove past some trees in the dark.

When she didn't answer, his smile faded.

Her brows furrowed. Her mind worked on high gear to make up excuses for why she couldn't. Hermione said quietly, "I don't know if I can. I have the Shakespeare play and…" she trailed off, realizing that he probably thought she didn't like him.

But he had a girlfriend. To flirt with someone else at the same time, like she thought he did, was mad.

"You already told me you only booked your hotel up until that Shakespeare play, Omello," he argued.

"Othello," she corrected him, "And I hardly think you would like to stay in Rome for two days only to wait for me,"

She realized her mistake when his face lit up with a childish joy, "Of course, I would, Hermione!"

Damn.

He continued, seemingly oblivious to the dread building up in Hermione, "The play is–" he tapped the steering wheel, racking his brain for something, "–the day after tomorrow. And after that, we could, if you want, spend a few days here or go to Romania to the dragon sanctuary,"

The Dragon sanctuary, she thought. She remembered how Ron, thinking she was a Muggle, had told her Charlie was working with cows and not dragons.

It lessened the tight knot in her stomach for a minute, but it didn't make her forget the fact that he knew about her story. She had agreed to tell him, but only because she knew she would never meet Ron again in her life.

Now he was breaking that silent agreement she had made with herself.

Hermione liked order. Now, Ron was breaking her rules and creating chaos under her skin.

But, Hermione did like Ron.

She wanted to tear her hair out of her head. The frustration was building up in her chest. She wanted to scream. With a scoff, she wondered what his reaction would be if she did.

"I…" she said, and found herself horrified to say, "I think that would be a great idea,"

"Don't be afraid," Ron said, "I won't kidnap you. I only want to show you Charlie's dragons,"

She didn't know how to react with the growing ball of chaos in her stomach, but she always thought humour was the easiest, "Maybe it is I who is going to kidnap you, and not the other way around. Never underestimate a Shakespeare-loving witch,"

Ron laughed merrily, "I'd like to see you try,"

He smiled his askew smile. Somehow it calmed her down. Maybe this was the right thing to do. Even if he probably didn't like her romantically, she would still gather a friend. And, she didn't exactly have a huge range of friends.

Anyhow, it had felt good to speak up about her feelings and past trauma.

She decided that she would give him a try. Maybe it was indeed the right thing to do.

Outside, a flicker of the headlights revealed a sign by the road.

In huge, bold letters it said, first in Italian, then in English: ROME CITY CENTRE

Underneath: 7 KM

"Finally," Hermione breathed, "We're almost there,"

Soon after, they reached the civilisation. They drove past houses, both small and huge. The road became narrower the closer to the city centre they came. The spaces between houses shrunk, then disappeared completely.

With Hermione's navigation skills they worked their way to the train station. They had both hoped for a 24-hours open information desk inside, but they both got a good laugh when they realized the customer service was closed. Their luggage could wait another day.

Ron drove Hermione to her hotel. He stopped in front of the entrance.

Fresh air greeted her when she stepped out of the car. She inhaled deeply and treasured the feeling that followed.

Tiptoeing around the car, Hermione knocked on the window by the driver's seat with a wide smile.

A surprised look washed over his face before he opened the car door and stepped outside. She was astounded by his height again. His curly, long bangs fluttered in the wind. The colour emitted a strange red glow in the yellow light from the hotel.

Without a word, she swiftly embraced him in a hug. She could feel his arms on her back. He smelled like shampoo and musk, and a little bit of sweat. Together, she thought the scent fitted him.

"Thank you for today," she breathed, before letting go of him. He held her for a second longer, "It was wonderful, even though we missed the train,"

He chuckled and smiled. His blue eyes shone in the dim light, "Can I see you tomorrow?"

A wave of warmth washed over her. The blood pooled to her cheeks, "Nine o'clock here," she said.

"Let's say ten, and we have a deal," he smirked.

"Nine," she stated, then started walking away from him, leaving him in the dim darkness of the night. She had almost reached the double doors of the hotel when he replied.

"I'll be here ten!"

Hermione smiled to herself as she reached the hotel entrance. She halted, her foot hovering over the pavement, hesitant about the next step. She turned around and yelled, "Remember to return the rental car!"

"Will do!" his voice sounded from the darkness.

When she turned back, he was gone. She spotted the flickering headlights of the car in the distance.

Instantly, Hermione realized how exhausted she was. She yawned and blinked. Thinking about laying down in a bed, she entered her hotel.

What a day it had been.

A/N: I'm switching currency. I'm now offering an Australian dollar for your thoughts?